text:
Progress on The curse
This screen shows the progress on this project in a variety of ways.
The Chart tab shows the progress over time.
The History tab shows a log of the progress.
The About tab shows some interesting statistics about this project.
The curse 1,000 of 100,000 words
Tuesday, October 2nd
A bad decision
Theyâ€™r encounter was not casual, he was always watching her, she was so gracious and young, he was very found of her in a bad way, in the beginning he appears in her dreams, being very superstitious, she believe that an angel talk and protect her, but these was a far cry from being an angel, these was something different and even dangerous.
On her sixteen birthday she dream of a familiar place in the woods, where she goes often in order to feel the presence of her angel, there she saw a book and a deck of very strange cards, after waking up, an irresistible impulse make her go there, and sure enough there it was, the book and the deck of cards wrap in a black cloth, she took them and hide it obeying the instructions that were given in the dream, in the privacy of her small room, she unraped the book and opened, knowing full well that doing so will be a signal that she have accepted the gift from the strange being, the question was, Why does these items were given to her? the question was answered sooner than she though because the knowledge of the book and how to use the cards came into her mind, all of a sudden she knew what to do, and she start doing it like a natural thing, she begin to foretell the future but without really knowing it.
A friend oj Cecilia came by to deliver some wood for the kitchen, and as he salutes Pilar with a happy birthday, Pilar looking straight at him told him, you are going to die soon, the plague is on you.
A look of horror came into the mens eyes, what are you saying girl, what kind of nonsense is these.
Cecilia terrified by these words, strikes Pilar in her face, she started to cry and ask what she have done to deserve being punish, Cecilia turning to the man said not to mind her granddauhter because she was not feeling well and didnâ€™t knew what she was saying.
The man left very confuse and scare.
After the man left Cecilia still in shock was screaming at her.
What was that all about, are you mad girl.
Pilar looks at her like she didntâ€™t know what was the reason of her fury, and ask, but what did i do?
What did you do? are you out of your mind, why did you say such terrible thing to that poor man?
Grandma i donâ€™t know i just saw it in my mind.
Saw what child? what did you saw? she ask almost crying now
I saw him in his bed, dying, that's what i saw grandma, dying from the plague.
Cecilia grab Pilar shoulders and said, you must forget these whole thing you understand? not a word to any body about these visions, or people will think that you are in communion with the devil.
She left running into her room leaving Cecilia making the sing of the cross.
Three days after,Pedro drop by to see Pilar, Cecilia being out of wood aqaing ask Pedro why the men havenâ€™t come by to delivered, being one of his workers he surely knew, he answers in a casual way, that the man was laying in his bed dying from the plague.
Cecilia drop the plate that went crashing down into the floor.
Are you allright woman? he ask
Yes she answer quickly trying to smile at him, in that moment she saw that Pilar was staring at her with an air of triumph.
Pedro ask, why are you smiling about? looks like hearing these news give you some kind of pleasure, did you whish such a thing on him?
No but i knew it was going to happend, she said, aks grandma.
Cecilia turn pale and get busy pretending not to have heard what Pilar said.
Pedro didntâ€™ say anything, but for some reason he felt a chill going thru his hole body.
That morning he wake-up feeling sad and angry, he keeps thinking about what he heard the day before, he knew Pedro well, he supervises the farmers working the Bishop's land's, hearing the name of the Bridre make his hair stand up.
Pilar D'alonzo your Excellency, that's her name.
He conpouse himself, and serve the Bishopâ€™s breakfast listening intently at what they were seying, after he finish, he retires to his room, he was very agitated, could these be possible? are they talking about the same person?
He have to find out, Since he enters the Bishopâ€™s he have try to keep his distances from anyone that could recognize him, but after all these years he was sure no one would remember him, he was not sure he remenbers himself, it was a long time ago.
It was the time of the expulsion, he left like all the others, but he did something that he could not understand them, he hides his money, for some reason he knew that it would serve him someday, and it did, he came back, maybe because what he saw in his trip, the way jews were treated everywhere, all those victims, all those abuses, he decides that he wont be a victim he would do whatever he has to to survive, he did not want to die, he was scare.
Coming back he saw things different, converting was a way to live and he want to live, so he did convert, it was a grand ceremony, it was the first time he enters a churh, as he renounce his creed and adopt the new one he remembers feeling different, he felt like a traitor.
But from that point he felt safe, and thatâ€™s what counts, and now he started a new life, thinking that he could get away from his consciense, but consciense is a hard judge and one day he would have to confront it, after the conversation he heard, he knew that the day have come.

domain: literature


text:
Soothing & calming cuddler
Snooza calming dog beds are the perfect beds to calm, soothe and relax your pet. Soft high raised walls, textural soft fabrics and deep sleeping areas provide the ultimate retreat for anxious pets and those that relish the feeling of safety and security.
Super warm, excellent quality, washes well and keeps my whippet warm. Quality is better than my human blankets!
Dogs love these fleecy furry blankies
So soft,so beautiful!! Lovely colour.
My dog loves it!! I love that it has a different fabric on the underneath side so you can choose if you want shaggy long haired side up or the soft smoother side.My fur baby loves both sides!!
Snooza Calming Cuddler Blanket--Mink

domain: pet


text:
DreamsTime and 123's free photo gallery both contain wide selections of images and pictures of blue herons available for download without rights or royalties attached. These images differ from stock photography in that there is no charge attached to their use, so they can be printed, incorporate into other work or downloaded without payment.
Herons are iconic fishing birds and make good additions to many graphic design projects. Free images free them up for use in fliers, circulars, private book jacket designs and many other visual design projects that can benefit from the inclusion of high-quality photography but do not have the budget for professional services.
DreamsTime maintains a huge database of free and licensed images. Searchers can filter images by whether or not they are licensed and can hunt for unlicensed heron images for use in their own projects or just for personal enjoyment without having to sift through royalty-obligated images.
123RF maintains a similar gallery with many of the same search parameters. Between the two sites and other free image galleries, Internet users can find images of herons in many poses and rendered in many mediums from stained glass to oil paints and photography. This grants huge creative license to those looking to use the images for themselves.

domain: artistic


text:
It’s that time of year again! It was announced today that the 16th Annual BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards will take place on Saturday, January 17, 2015 in Atlanta, during Stellar Awards Weekend 2015.
Israel Houghton, a prolific worship leader, musician, songwriter, producer and recording artist,LaShun Pace, the siren behind time-honored opus “I Know I’ve Been Changed,” and The Anointed Pace Sisters, the sweet-sounding siblings whose songs are essential to Sunday morning church, are set to be honored with performances by an assembly of musicians (who are to be announced). Gospel music loyalists Kim Burrell and VaShawn Mitchell will host the prestigious event.
The 16th Annual BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards is a first-class, awe-inspiring worship service to honor the legends of gospel music. The invitation-only event attracts gospel music’s premier songwriters, brightest stars and leading executives.

domain: entertainment


DEE SNIDER IS BACK WITH LEAVE A SCAR
I’ve talked at length about Dee Snider being my first interview when I was 19. If you’re a Patron, you’ve even heard the interview!
Leave A Scar is a continuation of For The Love Of Metal. I love that album, it was one of my favorite albums released back in 2018. I still play tracks off of it all time. When trying to select tracks to make my favorite of 2018, the whole album went into my playlist, I just love it that much.
I’ve listened to Leave A Scar several times now, and I find myself with that very same problem. For years Dee Snider was putting out what I didn’t want to hear from him. A lot of bands fall into this habit, and I get it. Once you have radio success, you want to reach the same heights again. So in Dee’s case, it was Broadway hits, covering popular songs, or making an album that sounded like what’s hip with the kids.
But I had always been longing for that angry Dee, the one we heard on the first few Twisted Sister albums. The one I heard on Stand By For Pain by Widowmaker. Jamey Jasta was the facilitator of seemingly opening Dee Snider back up to this angst-ridden, don’t give a damn attitude.
Leave A Scar continues Dee’s angry snarl. The album is anthemic, it’s catchy, and it’s heavy. If you’re a fan and loved For The Love Of Metal, this album is a no-brainer for you to check out. If you weren’t a fan of that album because of “all of the yelling” this album mixes up more of Dee Snider’s past with his present.
You can tell he really had a bigger hand in crafting these songs. From the including of Canibal Corpse’s George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher. To the melodies, they have Dee Snider written all over them.
Here is Dee Snider with the "Down But Never Out" off of his new album Leave A Scar.
Interested in checking out Leave A Scar by Dee Snider before picking the album up?
Pick your poison, check out the album on either Spotify or Apple Music here.
HERE ARE SOME OTHER NEW RELEASES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU
Axel Rudi Pell – Diamonds Unlocked II
Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! – Gone Are The Good Days
Marta Gabriel – Metal Queens
The Five Hundred – A World On Fire
Order – Descend
Xalpen – Sawken Xo on
Agrypnie – Metamorphosis
Loch Vostok – Opus Ferox – The Great Escape
Mark Solotroff – Not Everybody Makes It
Lotus Thrones – Lovers In Wartime
Dylan Dilella – Human Shield
Seether – The Wasteland – The Purgatory
Thin Lizzy – Greatest Hits
Mr. Big – Lean Into It 30th Anniversary Edition
Vader – De Profundis
O.S.I. – Free
O.S.I. – Office Of Strategic Influence
Geezer Butler – Manipulations Of The Mind – The Complete Collection Box Set
Tragedy – Disco Balls To The Wall
Support the site and the bands you love by picking up any of the albums listed above.
Here are the various Amazon stores I am affiliated with: US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, and Spain. When you make a purchase via one of my Amazon Affiliate links, know that I may be eligible to receive a small kickback for any purchase I send their way. You don’t pay anything else, while I make a small profit. Win/win for everyone!


text:
Chu Li suddenly appeared behind Grand Secretary Kang and punched the two people in black clothing away. After that, a cold glint flashed from his waist and with a silver stroke, Chu Li cut their heads off and a pillar of blood spurted out like spring water.
Chu Li continued to swing his long sword and two more heads accompanied by a blood pillar were sent flying.
The remaining two people in black clothing were finally killed by the Grandmaster, he directly smashed their heads.
The whole house was filled with the smell of blood.
Grand Secretary Kang frowned, covered his nose and turned pale.
He had a firm and unyielding character. In the face of great difficulty, he can remain calm, but he could not stand such gory scene and the urge to vomit surged up his chest.
Chu Li gave a fist salute and smiled, "Secretary must be startled!"
"Thank you, warrior. I wonder where did a hero like you come from?" Grand Secretary Kang returned the fist salute and asked calmly.
Chu Li said, "I am a guard from the Yi Public House. I will take my leave now."
He disappeared in a flash in front of the two people and was back at the small courtyard.
The small courtyard was quiet and the faint sound of the distant commotion can be heard.
Siao Qi had woke up but she sat on the bed motionlessly. Although Guo Mulin had the cultivation level of an Innate Master, his vigilant was very poor thus he was still asleep.
The whole Secretary Resident was set into motion. Protectors came out one after another, searching for any remaining enemies.
Siao Qi got out of bed, pushed the door and came to the small courtyard. She saw Chu Li sitting in the pagoda and went to join him.
"Grand Secretary Kang's birthday banquet is hard to hold," Siao Qi whispered, "Don't disturb second eldest sister."
Siao Shi's body was weak, she could not sleep well, even a little noise will make her woke up, she will not be able to sleep anymore and her health will deteriorate.
Chu Li said softly, "Too many enemies."
Siao Qi said plainly, "They are the kind of people who bully the weak and fear the strong!"
Chu Li nodded.
Bullying the weak and fear the strong was human's nature. Their enemies were Grand Secretary Kang as well as the Public House. If they dare to go to the public, the Public House will retaliate like the torrential rains and uproot them. Grand Secretary Kang had now retired and thus they dared to be so arrogant, otherwise, they would not endure for so many years.
The sound of footsteps from outside neared but they soon stopped.
Chu Li disappeared in a flash and appeared in front of a team of Protectors, he gave them a fist salute, "These three attempted to do evil, I have already killed them. Please keep it down as my Lady has a weak constitution, she wakes up easily."
"Is it Protector Chu Li?" the leader of the 12 Protectors was a middle-aged man, he lowered his voice, "Master had ordered us to not disturb the Lady, we will leave at once, thank you for your help, Protector Chu Li."
Chu Li gave them a fist salute.
The Protectors picked up the three corpses and left silently.
Chu Li appeared in front of Siao Qi in a flash and Siao Qi looked at him.
Chu Li whispered softly, "There were three guys who attempted to come here, I feared that they will disturb Lady's sleep thus I killed them."
"You," Siao Qi shook her head and said, "This is Secretary Resident, do not be reckless."
In the unlikely event that he killed the wrong person, it will be troublesome. After all, this was not their own residence and others may feel that he had intervened and meddled with other people's affair and felt unhappy with him.
Chu Li promised with a smile.
The next day after taking their meals, Chu Li and Guo Mulin went out of the residence and walked around Zhao Jing Hai Town, while Siao Qi and Siao Shi went to see Grand Secretary Kang.
Although Zhao Jing Hai Town was not big, it was prosperous and bustling. The two ate their lunch before returning to the small courtyard.
Siao Shi was playing zither in the pagoda while Siao Qi was reading, the bamboo forest was rustling in the wind, giving the small courtyard an elegant atmosphere.
Seeing that the two men had returned, Siao Shi pressed the strings on the zither and smiled at Chu Li, "Chu Li, last night you saved Grand Secretary Kang?"
Chu Li smiled, "Yes, just a little help while I'm at it."
"Grand Secretary thanked you. Here, these tiger paintings are for you," Siao Qi pointed to a purple lacquer box on the stone table, "Those are all treasures, they worth a lot."
"Tiger paintings?" Chu Li was overjoyed, he hurriedly opened the box. There was a total of six paintings.
He unfolded them one by one, each tiger paintings had their own uniqueness, looking grandeur and majestic, all of them were fine works of art.
Chu Li finally understood.
When the artists in this world painted a tiger, it was often through their imagination, putting their impressions of the most vicious existence onto the tiger painting, it was their fiercest spirit.
Chu Li benefited a lot from these paintings.
Seeing that Chu Li could not stop grinning, Guo Mulin looked over Chu Li's shoulder and eyed the paintings, he did not think that there was anything great about the paintings. He shook his head and said, "Instead of looking at this, you might as well take a look at a painting of meridians, what is there to see for a Spirit Tiger."
Chu Li laughed, "Look at how mighty and grandeur it is!"
Guo Mulin did not think so but he smiled and said, "Grand Secretary Kang just give this? Isn't he too stingy?"
"What does Sir Guo Mulin wants?" Siao Shi smiled.
"As a Grand Secretary, he must have some valuable ancient codex?" Guo Mulin said, "That's what you call a true treasure!"
"Sir Guo Mulin wanted to look for the records on Vitality Sealing Finger?" Siao Shi said, smiling.
Guo Mulin embarrassingly coughed twice, "Yes."
Siao Shi said, "I have asked Grand Secretary Kang about it, he has also heard about the Vitality Sealing Finger."
Guo Mulin was unimpressed, "Oh, worthy to be a Grand Secretary, he even knew about this."
"Grand Secretary has a wide range of knowledge," Siao Shi smiled, "Not anybody can be called a Grand Secretary. Grand Secretary Kang has a photographic memory, he had gone through the whole Violet Light Library and the imperial court's Violet Light Library has more books than our Public House!"
"If so, does he know the remedy for Vitality Sealing Finger?"
"Well, it's just like what Chu Li said."
"There is no alternative?"
"No," Siao Shi looked at Chu Li, "Chu Li, do you have the courage to help me?"
Chu Li smiled, "What is there to be afraid of?"
Siao Shi said, "If Sir Guo Mulin confirmed that it's really Vitality Sealing Finger, then you will help me remove it!"
"I will go back and try to understand what this Vitality Sealing Finger is, and research about it properly," Guo Mulin said, "Just in case it is not!"
Chu Li looked at the paintings, smiled and shook his head.
Chu Li visualized the Art of White Tiger in his mind, a white tiger leaped into the void of his mind and displayed various postures and forms, attracting the invisible force from the void and poured into his body, strengthening his body. As the white tiger's aura become mightier, the invisible force in the void became increasingly vigorous and intense.
When he looked at the Art of White Tiger now, the invisible force that was initially like the wind blowing gently had become a strong gale, he could clearly feel that every time after cultivation, his body became slightly stronger. If his strength slowly accumulated like this, even he did not know how strong he will become in the future!
The following two days, the Secretary Resident was very lively but no one came to assassinate again. The failure of that group of people had let those who were eager to do the same thing understood that it was not so easy to intrude the Secretary Resident.
North Gate of Chu Ling Lee Yuning Town
All the pedestrians, that came and went, lightened their footsteps, closed their mouth and quietly walked by.
A group of Protectors from the Public House clustered around a handsome middle-aged man, motionlessly. A cold and heavy atmosphere permeated the air, the pedestrians dared not make a sound.
The handsome middle-aged man, with straight eyebrows that slanted upwards, bright and sharp eyes and a Grecian nose, was standing there quietly, exuding an unspoken elegance, making others dared not look him in the eyes. He was the eldest young master of Yi Public House, Siao Tie Ying Xiao.
"Master, let me send someone to take a look again," an old man in blue robe beside Siao Tie Ying said softly.
Siao Tie Ying waved his hand, "No need, we will just wait for a while."
"Yes," the old man with white eyebrows said softly.
This old man's eyebrows were all white and his complexion as ruddy as an infant's, revealing his high cultivation level.
Siao Tie Ying said, "Lin Quan, when will the Longevity Grass be delivered?"
"Master, it's already on the way," Lin Quan muttered, "It's estimated that it will be sent to the Public House in half a month."
"Good, good!" Siao Tie Ying said, "I don't want any accident to happen. After second younger sister eats this, I believe that she will recover!"
Lin Quan with white eyebrows gave a solemn nod.


Nissan Magnite SUV will compete with rivals like Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Ford EcoSport, Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300.
Nissan Magnite SUV has been finally launched in India on Wednesday. The compact SUV comes priced at an introductory starting price of Rs 4.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for December 2020, which will be Rs 5.54 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), from January 2021, after the introductory offer ends. The pricing goes up to Rs 9.38 lakh (ex-showroom), for the top variant.
Nissan Magnite SUV has already entered production after being unveiled on 21st October 2020. Nissan India is especially focusing on the metros and Tier I and II markets across the country with this Magnite SUV. The automaker is also expanding its sales network for that.
According to industry analysts, the Nissan Magnite SUV might change the perception of SUVs in the market as this pricetag would hold the customers’ attention in a highly price-sensitive Indian market. Also, it will impact the future price ranges for other vehicles, at a time when all BS-VI-compliant vehicles have become more expensive as compared to the BS-IV models.
Nissan Magnite SUV price structure:
|1.0 Petrol||Rs 4.99 lakh||Rs 5.99 lakh||Rs 6.68 lakh||Rs 7.55 lakh|
|1.0 Turbo Petrol||Rs 6.99 lakh||Rs 7.68 lakh||Rs 8.45 lakh|
|1.0 Turbo Petrol CVT||Rs 7.89 lakh||Rs 8.58 lakh||Rs 9.35 lakh|
Nissan Magnite, the B-segment SUV is the first car that is coming out from Renault-Nissan Automotive India Pvt Ltd’s (RNAIPL) Chennai plant. The Nissan Magnite SUV comes available in four different trim options. Besides selling it in the Indian domestic market, the Japanese automaker is also mulling the idea to export Nissan Magnite SUV to overseas markets, as revealed by RNAIPL MD and CEO Biju Balendran.
The Nissan Magnite SUV will compete with rivals like Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV300 in one of the toughest segment in the domestic market. With local manufacturing, the automaker has been able to keep pricing of Nissan Magnite SUV competitive against its rivals. In a highly competitive compact SUV segment, the all-new Nissan Magnite SUV is powered by a 1.0-litre petrol engine.
Nissan in the last few years tried its luck in India with models like Kicks. But, it couldn’t make a strong impact. However, with the Magnite SUV, Nissan is expecting to turn the tide.
As the company claims, the Nissan Magnite SUV is built on the philosophy of ‘Make in India, Make for the World’. Also, the Nissan Magnite comes as the first model of the brand’s Nissan NEXT strategy adopted for the Indian and global markets as well.
As revealed by the automaker during its unveiling event, Nissan Magnite SUV comes with a host of technologies and features onboard. These include bi-projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights, all-digital instrument cluster, HRAO X-Tronic CVT, cruise control, 360-degree round view monitor, vehicle dynamic control (VDC) and traction control system etc.
The Nissan Magnite SUV also gets features like 60-40 split folding rear seats, 336-litre luggage space, 16-inch alloy wheels, tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), 7-inch advanced drive assist display, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display and over 50 connected features under Nissan Connect.
The Nissan Magnite SUV is claimed to come as one of the most fuel-efficient SUVs in the Indian market at present. The SUV comes available in both manual and X-Tronic CVT gearbox options. It gets juice from a 1.0-litre HRAO turbo-petrol engine, which churns out 98 PS of power and 160 Nm of peak torque.
Nissan India claims that the SUV has been designed in Japan keeping the requirements of the Indian customers in mind and it was tested at the Japanese automaker’s Tochigi Proving Ground facility.
Commenting on the price revealing of Nissan Magnite SUV, Rakesh Srivastava, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, said, “We are looking at a great value to the Indian customer with this global product. It will redefine the compact vehicles market in India, especially the SUV segment, that was craving for value and freshness.”
Back in June 2020, Nissan India, Nissan Middle East and Nissan Africa announced a business plan for the next 4 years. Jointly called AMI, the strategy was to make the business more profitable for the automaker in these regions. The Nissan Magnite SUV comes as part of that strategy. The automaker is also working on a compact sedan that will rival Maruti Suzuki Dzire, the bestselling compact sedan in India.
Cost-effectiveness of local production plants is one of the key areas of focus under this 4-year strategy of Nissan. Also the automaker vowed to optimise regional product portfolio by 20% as per this plan. Besides that, additional opportunities will be leveraged in a bid to reduce the fixed cost of operation.
Nissan also announced that investment will be channelled to more profitable product segments. Nissan India previously tasted success with the Terrano SUV that shares the platform, core design language with Renault Duster. Hence, Nissan might focus more on the SUV segment in India.


More people now prefer to watch video rather than read information and our recording space is ideal for capturing this content.
The video studio comes with a video director and crew and is fully set up for live streaming and recording.
If recording in a studio is a new experience for you we will hold your hand and explain everything clearly. Our director has over two decades of working in television & corporate video.
We can comfortably capture seated or standing content for up to two people including head to toe. It's an ideal space for live streaming an award show, training films, product reviews, interviews and pieces to camera.
Our green screen also allows you to shoot on a photorealistic virtual set.
Read more about our versatile live streaming space here.


text:
Originally posted by Tim Janssen
At Planetemu.net one can download the arcadeversion of Lemmings for MAME. It seems the game was officially never released. I have tried to play the game in MAME but it is one unplayable drivel because it is only suited for mouse-input, not two buttoned-arcade machine joysticks.
I have played it on he NES, SNES and Genesis and it's fine with a joypad.. But the mouse is best or the game.


text:
This three-bedroom condo for rent in Crown Heights seems perfect for a small family or roommates. It’s in a classic Art Deco apartment building, the Woodrow Wilson at 255 Eastern Parkway, that features storage, bike parking, landscaped gardens, a doorman and a live-in super.
The kitchen has some attractive features like a dishwasher, wine glass rack, wine fridge and a breakfast bar, and it’s separate from the dining area. The apartment has 1,350 feet of space, including a large living area that’s been sectioned off by a gigantic barn door, which could be taken down to give the place a roomier feel. What’s your opinion of it for $3,950 a month?
Average rents rose 77 percent in Brooklyn while city wide real median income fell 4.8 percent from 2000 to 2012, according to a report out from the city comptroller described in The New York Post. The increases were the largest in any borough.
A story in the Times implied that meeting Mayor de Blasio’s stated goal of keeping or creating 200,000 affordable units will not fix the problem:
In an interview, Mr. Stringer said numeric goals were not enough. He noted that the Bloomberg administration spent $5.3 billion of city money and leveraged another $18.3 billion to both create new affordable units and preserve existing housing — for a total of 165,000 units over 12 years — yet the city today is still grappling with record homelessness and the loss of low-rent housing.
A separate story in the Post described a young woman paying only $1,256 a month in rent for a spacious two-bedroom rent stabilized in Crown Heights — on the face of it, an excellent deal. But, with a salary of only $30,000 a year before taxes for her retail sales job, she can barely afford it. Her landlord has offered her money to move, but she didn’t take it, knowing she would not be able to find a lower rent elsewhere.
Rents are going up and wages are falling everywhere, not just in New York City. “In the rest of the nation, rents rose by 50.1 percent over the same period — hitting an average of $773 per month,” said the Post.
The comptroller’s report recommended that affordable housing in New York City should focus on the poorest, not middle income New Yorkers. What do you think should be done?
We’re digging this attractive but pricey two-bedroom loft in a converted Greenpoint firehouse. The top-floor pad has a washer/dryer, a “summer bedroom” on the third level and an attractive wooden staircase. It also comes with private roof access. What do you think of it for $6,000 a month?
The number of Manhattanites moving to Brooklyn has dropped dramatically, with only 13 percent signing new leases in North and Northwest Brooklyn in the first quarter, vs. 53 percent back in 2006, according to a report out from Ideal Properties. The number of renters coming in from out of state rose to 22 percent in Q1, vs. 18 percent in the same period last year. Connecticut (21 percent) accounted for the majority, California for 17 percent and New Jersey for 10 percent; 10 percent were from out of the country. People who were already living in Brooklyn made up 40 percent of new leases.
Park Slope was the area’s most popular destination, “with 28 percent of all rented units in Brownstone and North Brooklyn last quarter concentrated” there, said the report. The majority of renters analyzed in the report, 33 percent, had average incomes ranging from $75,000 to $99,000. Most of them, 15 percent, worked in media, and 13 percent worked in design and architecture, the report found. More than half, 59 percent, of tenants in North and Northwest Brooklyn are between 21 and 30 years old.
The report was based on tenant profile data on close to 4,300 forms collected by Ideal Properties.
This three-bedroom, 1.5-bath lower duplex in Bed Stuy is big and full of lovely details. The garden and parlor floor apartment has mirrored wood mantels, wood panelling and original moldings around the doors and windows, and a few stained glass windows.
The 1,800-square-foot pad also has an eat-in kitchen, washer/dryer, and a deck with stairs on the parlor floor that offers access to the garden. And the apartment has enough rooms to be used as a four-bedroom, according to the listing. Do you think it will rent for $4,500 a month?
This renovated studio for rent in a Kensington co-op is bright white, new looking and relatively spacious. The L-shaped apartment has a bunch of white built-in wall units that offer tons of storage but give the space a somewhat clinical (or very modern) look. Those little built-in tables in the living area could function as desks or shelves, and there’s a walk-in closet.
The pad also has refinished parquet flooring and a newly renovated marble bathroom, as well as central heat and A/C. The downside is that it’s a one-year sublet that requires the hassle of co-op board approval. What’s your opinion of it for $1,650 a month?
This three-bedroom near the Navy Yard is reasonably priced and close to Fort Greene Park. The 1,250-square-foot apartment has a nicely sized living and dining space with newly refinished hardwood floors.
There’s a washer/dryer in the basement and a shared backyard, as well as parking for a “low monthly fee.” But despite the proximity to the park, the location has a few drawbacks: It’s down the block from the BQE and at least eight blocks from any train line. What are your thoughts on it for $2,900 a month?
This large one-bedroom, two-bath duplex loft in Bed Stuy seems perfect for a couple and could be workable for roommates. It’s 1,300 square feet but appears to have a completely open layout, meaning that roommates would probably want to build out separate bedrooms. Those 25-foot ceilings and the private terrace are highlights, as is the walk-in closet.
And the kitchen is equipped with a dishwasher and a washer/dryer. The unit is located in a 10-year-old condo building a block from the G at Myrtle-Willoughby and four blocks from the J/M at Flushing. Do you think it’s worth $2,200 a month?
The newish (2005) condo building on Wyckoff near the Dekalb L train stop has a one-bedroom available for rent. The 520-square-foot pad comes with a balcony, an eat-in kitchen with a dishwasher, a washer and walk-in closet in the bedroom.
Oddly, the listing doesn’t mention a dryer. It’s on the second floor, and the building is a walk-up. What are your thoughts on it for $1,800 a month?
We’re sure you’re tired of hearing how expensive Brooklyn is getting, and the last market report out for the quarter only confirms it.
In a kind of good news-bad news scenario, prices per square foot in all of Brooklyn fell in the first quarter compared to the year before, while average prices for townhouses and other homes shot up amazingly in “emerging” Brooklyn — that is, Bed Stuy, Crown Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens and Bushwick. The 5 percent decline in average square foot prices (to $635) should be good news for priced-out buyers, but it’s really not.
The reason for the decline, according to the report from Corcoran, is that lack of inventory in the borough’s most expensive neighborhoods has pushed buyers into more affordable ones, such as Sunset Park, East New York and Coney Island.
The category of home that is rising in price most quickly is one- to four-family townhouses. “The average price of a single-family townhouse grew to $2.2 million from $1.5 million year-over-year,” said The Real Deal. Median prices for new development also rose, increasing by 15 percent to $875,000.
You haven’t been imagining things: Townhouses in Bed Stuy, Crown Heights, Bushwick, and Prospect Lefferts Gardens saw huge price gains. The average price of a single family townhouse in these areas, which Corcoran now tracks as one submarket, increased 51 percent in the year, to $1,138,000 from $755,000. The average price of a two- to four-family townhouses increased 41 percent, from $760,000 to $1,074,000.
Perhaps because of the low inventory, the market share of northwest Brooklyn declined in the first quarter while areas in southern Brooklyn grew, to 30 percent from 18 percent over the year.
Brooklyn used to be “cool.” Now Brooklyn is expensive and horrible. Here, based on the latest figures out today, is a fun bar trivia game to play: ask someone, “Do you know what the median rent in Brooklyn is?” Then, as they’re thinking about it, ostentatiously empty a container of cyanide into your beer….Nothing screams “a welcoming place of refuge for young people and their artistic youthful energy” like a $2,900 a month median rent.
This three-bedroom, two-bath upper duplex in Fort Greene is attractively renovated and offers plenty of living space. The 1,300-square-foot apartment has beamed ceilings, original marble fireplaces, and a private entrance.
There’s an eat-in kitchen and a relatively large living room, as well as two nicely sized bedrooms upstairs with big closets, according to the listing. The kitchen has new appliances, and there’s a washer/dryer in the unit. Plus it’s a convenient location — close to Atlantic Terminal and not too far from Fort Greene Park.
And it’s FRBO, so no brokers’ fees! What do you think of it for $4,650 a month?
Average sales prices in Brooklyn hit an all-time high in the first quarter, according to a report out today from trade association the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY). In the world of condos, that meant an average condo sale is now $734,000, an uptick of 8 percent over the same period last year, the highest in all the boroughs.
Inventory was still low in the first quarter. Median sales prices for the quarter reached a six-year high while inventory declined to a six-year low in Brooklyn, said a report from Douglas Elliman. Listing inventory was 4,092 units for the quarter, down 13.2 percent vs. the same period last year. Days on market was 131, down 18.1 percent. The luxury median sales price shot up 8 percent, to $1,650,000.
The average sales price for one-to-three family townhouses in Brooklyn rose six percent, to $748,000, according to the report. The neighborhoods that saw the most sales were Bed Stuy, with 183 sales, Park Slope (142), Gravesend/Mapleton (105), East New York/Spring Creek (102), Bushwick/Wyckoff Heights (100) and Williamsburg, with 96 sales.

domain: news


text:
Thursday, August 19, 2010
How To Build A Barn
I had to resort to building it myself. I fiddled and fiddled and here is what I came up with. It's a modified version of a gatefold card. You can find the tutorial here on SCS. I left my card 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". I sliced the barn doors in a 3 1/8" and then punched out the loft window/door with a square punch!
I colored my barn with a woodgrain technique in Ruby Red, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla. I added the boards with a brown sharpie and then edged my doors with Chocolate Chip ink. I backed my loft window with Creamy Caramel and then punch the frame with a couple of square punches. Finally, I trimmed the roof with a thinner strip of Chocolate Chip paper.
My animals were embossed on white with black or on vanilla with Cajun Craze, a new SU color! I found it perfect for my hen!! Here I embossed my sentiment in Vanilla, but on future cards I plan to emboss it in Early Espresso.
Okay, now only 14 more to assemble! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!
Details - Stamps: Simply Home (Ippity), Hugs & Wishes; Paper: Ruby Red, Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip; Ink: Ruby Red, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla Craft, Versamark, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze; Accessories: black ep, clear ep, heat tool, scor-pal, 1 3/8" square punch, 1 1 /4" square punch, , two way glue pen, SAMJ, brown sharpie, paper snips.


text:
This post originally appeared on The 19th.
As an openly gay high school student in Long Beach, California, 12 years ago, Christopher Covington desperately sought the support of an adult ally. He wanted someone who was willing to take the time to find out why he disrupted class and mouthed off to teachers, resulting in multiple suspensions. Instead, Covington said, educators viewed him as a troublemaker and misfit who needed to be disciplined.
“So the easiest thing for the school site to do was to refer me over to [an alternative] continuation high school,” said Covington. “Instead of asking: ‘How did you get to this place? Is there anything happening in your life that you need support around?’ It’s very easy for teachers just to suspend, refer, discipline and get the students out of the class.”
Openly LGBTQ+ students like Covington disproportionately face discipline in schools, often for reasons related to their sexual orientation or gender identity, researchers and experts say. That discipline can carry dire consequences that follow them for years to come.
Although about 10 percent of youth between the ages of 13 and 17 identify as LGBTQ+, 33 percent of queer students report experiencing school discipline of some sort, including principal’s office visits, detention, suspension or expulsion.
LBGTQ+ students, particularly gender-nonconforming youth, experience disciplinary action for reasons such as violating dress codes, showing affection to their romantic partners or simply advocating for themselves, research shows. Giving educators professional development and making school policies more equitable for all students can counter the problem.
Research from GLSEN, which advocates for LGBTQ+ students in K-12 schools, indicates that queer youth commonly navigate hostile school environments. Fifty-nine percent of students GLSEN surveyed for its 2019 National School Climate Survey, the most recent data it has published on the issue, reported encountering discriminatory policies or practices at school. More than 18 percent of survey respondents said they were prevented from wearing clothes considered “inappropriate” for their gender. Twenty-eight percent said they were disciplined for engaging in public displays of affection for which non-LGBTQ students were not punished. Nearly 23 percent said they were prevented from using their chosen names/pronouns. About 17 percent said they were prohibited from discussing or writing about LGBTQ+ topics in school assignments, and 3 percent said they were disciplined for simply identifying as LGBTQ+.

domain: sociology


text:
As the New Year approaches, it's time to think about how we will celebrate moments of renewal and joy. One crucial aspect often overlooked is the choice of drinkware for our festive toasts. Crystal glasses not only add a touch of elegance but also transform a simple drink into a celebratory experience. This week, we'll explore the top 10 crystal drinkware brands that will make your New Year's Eve not just a night to remember but a luxurious experience.
Best Crystal Drinkware Brands - Who Made the List?
All of the top crystal drinkware brands on our list stand out for their timeless designs, innovative techniques, and exceptional craftsmanship. Many that made our list have a rich heritage, with histories going back centuries.
Established in 1764 in Baccarat, France, the brand is celebrated for its high-quality craftsmanship and luxurious designs. Baccarat's product range includes everything from exquisite stemware and barware to decorative items like chandeliers and vases. Each piece is known for its exceptional clarity, brilliance, and precision cuts, embodying the elegance and finesse of traditional French artistry. It is perfect for those who want to welcome the New Year with unmatched elegance.
Founded in Ireland in 1783, Waterford is synonymous with durability and beauty. Their crystal pieces, known for their intricate designs and sparkling clarity, are ideal for those who prefer a blend of traditional and modern aesthetics.
Swarovski isn't just about jewelry; their crystal drinkware is just as dazzling. Their glasses, often adorned with their signature crystals, add a sparkle to your New Year's celebration.
Founded in 1756, the Austrian brand Riedel is a name that resonates with quality. Their varietal-specific glasses ensure that each sip of wine is a sensory experience, making them a must-have for a sophisticated New Year's toast.
Founded in Zwiesel, Germany. This top crystal drinkware brand dates back to 1884. The town of Zwiesel, located in the Bavarian Forest region of Germany, has a long glassmaking tradition, and that heritage has extended into modern times. Their patented Tritan® crystal technology makes their glasses durable and scratch-resistant, perfect for a lively New Year's party.
Lalique's origins are deeply rooted in the art world. Founded by René Lalique, a renowned French jeweler and glassmaker, in 1888, the brand originally gained fame for its stunning jewelry designs during the Art Nouveau period. Lalique later transitioned into glassmaking, bringing the same level of artistic creativity and innovation to this new medium. Their pieces, often resembling sculptural works, are for those who view their New Year's toast as an artistic statement.
Villeroy & Boch
Founded in the Lorraine region of France, it has a history spanning over 270 years. This long-standing tradition is a testament to its enduring quality and innovation in the field of ceramics and glassware. Villeroy & Boch's drinkware collection is all about timeless elegance. Their crystal glasses, with delicate designs, are perfect for a classy and understated New Year's celebration.
Tiffany & Co.: The Epitome of Luxury
When it comes to luxury, few can match the allure of Tiffany & Co. Renowned for its luxury jewelry, this crystal drinkware brand also stands out in the world of high-end glassware. Known for its distinctive designs and exceptional quality, Tiffany & Co. brings its signature elegance to the tableware and drinkware market. Their crystal drinkware, often featuring their signature blue, brings a touch of luxury and exclusivity to any New Year's event.
Orrefors is a distinguished Swedish glassware brand celebrated for its high-quality crystal products and innovative design. Founded in 1898 in the village of Orrefors in Sweden, the brand has a rich heritage in glassmaking. Their crystal glasses, minimalist yet elegant, cater to those who prefer a modern touch to their celebrations.
Christofle is a prestigious French manufacturer known for its high-end silverware and luxurious tableware. Established in 1830, the brand has gained fame for its exquisite craftsmanship, elegant designs, and top-quality materials. Christofle's product range encompasses a wide array of items, including flatware, holloware, crystal, and porcelain
Why Crystal Drinkware for New Year's?
The choice of crystal over regular glassware is about more than just aesthetics. Crystal can catch and reflect light, making your drink sparkle as you raise your glass to the future. It's about creating an atmosphere—a sense of occasion that marks the beginning of a new year.
Of course, selecting the right crystal glass depends on your preferred beverage. Champagne flutes are a classic choice for toasting, but wine glasses or even sophisticated whiskey tumblers can be perfect, depending on your drink of choice.
Remember, crystal drinkware is not just for use one time of the year; it's for keeps. Proper care, including gentle hand washing and avoiding extreme temperature changes, can ensure your crystal stays sparkling for many New Years to come.
Crystal Drinkware Toast to the Future
As we prepare to welcome a new year, let's do it with a sense of elegance and style. Choosing the right crystal glasses from brands representing the pinnacle of craftsmanship and luxury can elevate a simple moment into a cherished memory. Here's to a sparkling New Year filled with hope, joy, and exquisite moments!
Remember, as you raise your glass this New Year's Eve, it's not just about the drink inside but the experience, the memories you create, and the future you're toasting to. Choose a glass that reflects your style, aspirations, and vision for the year ahead. Cheers to 2024!
Ring in the New Year with Around the Block
Finding the perfect crystal glasses to ring in the New Year doesn't have to be difficult. With cut crystal and uncut crystal, Around the Block offers a crystal glassware collection that will delight experienced collectors and enthusiasts alike. The collection boasts a variety of crystal pieces, ranging from vintage finds to contemporary designs. With a reputation for quality and a diverse array of choices, this consignment store is a treasure trove for those who appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship of fine crystal.

domain: design


text:
Japanese publication Famitsu recently published their review of the soon-to-be-released Square Enix action JRPG, Valkyrie Elysium. Aside from new screenshots to peruse, two significant pieces of information were gleaned from here.
- In case you missed it, the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 port of Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth was delayed to December 2022.
Firstly, according to the reviewer, playtime is roughly 20 hours long when completing the main story and sidequests. Alternatively, if one solely guns for the main story, playtime is expected to be around 18 hours. Of course, it’s worth mentioning that the game is receiving free updates in November comprising a new playable character, Hilde, greater difficulty options, and more.
So, when considering those factors, players can expect to spend more time in the title once those features arrive. It is also worth noting that playtime will vary depending on the player, but 20 hours is the ballpark range one should expect.
The second notable factor brought up in the review, albeit without much detail, is that the game has multiple endings. Obviously, due to spoilers, specifics revolving around how many and what they contain were not shared, but it seems there is more to this narrative than meets the eye.
You can view the newly revealed screenshots below:
If you missed it, check out our impressions after playing the Valkyrie Elysium demo early.
Valkyrie Elysium is releasing for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 on September 29, 2022. The PC version via Steam will launch on November 11, 2022.
The game’s soundtrack is composed by Motoi Sakuraba, and the character designs are by Yuya Nagai of CyDesignation, Inc. Intracicaes regarding the narrative have not been revealed yet. Still, the presentation boasts a unique art style with fast-paced combat that we’re eager to try out. A magic system of sorts also seems to be in play as well.
- View our coverage of Valkyrie Elysium’s release date trailer, Japan Collector’s Edition.
- View our announcement coverage of Valkyrie Elysium, comprising the trailer, screenshots, character design, and compositional info.
- Einherjar & Combat Mechanics; New Renders & Screenshots
- Valkyrie Elysium Tertiary Setting Document Revealed
- Best Buy Exclusive Steelbook
- Valkyrie Elysium Soundtrack Pre-Orders Available
- PS4 & PS5 Demo with Save Data Transference Now Available
- 2 Free Updates Arriving November 2022
This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate Noisy Pixel earns from qualifying purchases.


FacebookHere it is. The final build update.
All the gears neatly packed by Thomas.
I got quite a few.
Took me about an hour to peel off all the paper from the MDF… fingers were killing me.
Once that was done I painted them all gold and started putting them on.
And that’s a wrap! Here is a teaser for the final photos. Those will be posted...
FacebookWell I finally made it into the Bit-Tech.net Mod of the Month competition. I’ve been modding since 2006 and its always been a dream for me. If you have an account there, and like my project, please head over there and vote!
Not a huge modding update but I got a bit of cool gear in.
I got a Technofront water cooling test bench and 2x new Koolance flow meter displays. Can’t wait to use em!
And its Halloween so the family and I did a bit of pumpkin, I mean gourd carving.
She was very interested… made it kinda hard to carve lol.
Now not to brag, but my wife makes some damn good...
Been working hard to get everything done.
Here is the glue I ended up using. it works great.
Got my Bitspower Multi-Link adapters in.
Bit of bad news… FC10 broke. I think it broke when I way trying to push it into the 5.25″ bays. its a tight fit and my finger slipped and hit one of the vacuum tubes. Lamptron is sending me 2 new...
FacebookThings have been pretty busy for me so sorry for the delayed update. I try to do at least one update a week but sometimes that doesn’t happen. Lately, Photobucket won’t let me upload from home. Probably because of my shotty internet. Oh well, On with the modding!
I got a few things in the mail.
Gorilla Glue (This actually didn’t work so I picked up a different...
FacebookLittle bit of work this week.
Got a package from Nils
I’ve been asked by several people for a pic of the whole case. Here it is.
I forgot to post a pic of the back of the mobo panel with the cabling and mid plate supports.
I installed the PSU and connected all the wires. Here is what it looks like.
I put the back side panel on to see how it...
Not a big update but an exciting one.
I wanted something to put behind the 2nd PSU bracket that looked cool so I made a stand.
Drilled a hole and covered it with leather.
And added a vacuum tube. I drilled out the bottom so I can put several LEDs in it to make it super bright.
Next up was to mod the EK-Multioption Basic 250 Res. I actually got some of this idea from...
FacebookRaidmax RX-600AF 80 Plus Bronze PSU
Raidmax was kind enough to send me one of their PSUs to review and to use when reviewing their cases. This PSU is part of Raidmax’s newest line up of...


text:
Cost of living in Tucson, Arizona, United States compared to Almería, Spain
|Personal Care||+ 27%|
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 811 prices entered by 69 different people.
These prices were last updated on January 21, 2018. Exchange rate: 0.818 EUR / USD
Do you live in Almería? We need your help!
Cost of living in Tucson, Arizona (United States) is about the same as in Almería (Spain)
For example, you would need at least €1,972 ($2,411) in Tucson, Arizona to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with €1,900 in Almería.
Recent Prices Added
- Monthly rent - 900 sqft furnished accommodation in expensive area in San Francisco, California costs $3,964 (22 minutes ago)
- Monthly rent - 900 sqft furnished accommodation in expensive area in Houston, Texas costs $1,474 (38 minutes ago)
- Ipad wi-fi 128gb in Algiers costs 64,771 Dinar (about 1 hour ago)
- Internet connection 300 mbps, 1 month in Oslo costs kr 800 (about 1 hour ago)
- 1 liter of gasoline in Caracas costs Bs 3.50 (about 1 hour ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Cuttack costs ₨200 (about 1 hour ago)

domain: finance


text:
Asiatic or Pixie Lily
Asiatic lilies are a stunning flower variety with large, showy blooms in a variety of bold colors. They are easy to grow and require minimal care, making them a popular choice for indoor and outdoor gardens. They bloom in early summer, and their lovely scent will fill your garden with a sweet fragrance. Asiatic lilies are a beautiful addition to any garden and bring a splash of color and fragrance to any outdoor space.
13-15" (33-38 cm)
Every 2-3 days
Spring / Fall
Cut off the pollen at the ends of the stamen

domain: hobby


It has been a wonderful few weeks for Manchester City and England attacker Jack Grealish, having lifted the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League, all for the first time in his career.
We all know that footballers stick to incredibly strict diets and exercise regimes during the season and for many of them, they carry that almost in its entirety into the summer.
Grealish is not one of those players. The former Aston Villa player knows how to party and how to celebrate his superb achievements, and has been doing just that since the victory over Inter in Istanbul clinched the…
Disclaimer: The news content displayed on this website is aggregated from various external sources. We do not create or verify the accuracy of the information presented here. The inclusion of articles from other websites does not imply endorsement or responsibility for their content. Users should exercise discretion and refer to the original sources for complete details.


RIYADH: Some 1.1 million new jobs have been created in Saudi Arabia in the past year as the Kingdom’s economic diversification policies continue to bear fruit, according to a government minister.
At a special forum organized in Riyadh to mark the announcement of Saudi Arabia’s 2024 budget, Minister of Human Resources Ahmad Al-Rajhi said no other nation in the world had seen such an increase over the period.
He also said that initiatives by the government to support the private sector have led to 361,000 new workers in the job market.
The press conference came a day after Saudi Arabia approved the state budget for 2024, with revenues projected at SR1.17 trillion ($312.48 billion) and expenditure at SR1.25 trillion, leading to a deficit of SR79 billion.
In its announcement, the Finance Ministry projected the Kingdom’s gross domestic product growth at 4.4 percent in 2024 an increase from the estimated 0.03 percent in 2023.
It predicted the Kingdom’s public debt for the next fiscal year to stand at SR1.10 trillion, or 25.9 percent of GDP. This represents a 7.71 percent increase from the re-estimated 2023 figures of SR1.02 trillion, constituting 24.8 percent of the GDP.
Speaking at the forum, Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan emphasized Saudi Arabia’s need for adequate fiscal reserves at the Saudi Central Bank, also known as SAMA, to absorb external shocks.
The minister underscored the need to avoid competing with the private sector for funding. He also highlighted all sectoral and regional strategies and projects to optimize funding and execution for maximum economic return.
He said that spending efficiency means optimal resource use for the highest return, not just reducing expenditure.
Al-Jadaan told the forum that the Efficiency of Expenditure Authority, along with government authorities, saved nearly SR225 billion.
Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Al-Ibrahim said Vision 2030 has created a conducive environment and pushing the Kingdom toward its goal of economic diversification.
National capabilities have now become a long-term priority, he added.
The minister said the Kingdom is dedicated to achieving optimal economic diversification. He told the forum that the Saudi trade balance had improved due to increased service exports rising from SR65 billion in 2016 to SR135 billion today.
Highlighting the non-oil economic growth of the Kingdom since 2016, Al-Ibrahim said the contribution of non-oil revenues to covering costs increased from 19 percent to 35 percent.
The minister said the reliance of government spending on the oil sector has now decreased to 50 percent.
The government’s investments in sectors, including electric vehicles and others, present great opportunities for the private sector, he added.
Moreover, unemployment rates are consistently declining, with a notable participation of women in the labor market, currently ranging between 35 percent and 36 percent.
Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Majid Al-Hogail said that the ministry has been working to increase the homeownership rate by 1 percent annually since 2020, by adding more than 100,000 residential units every year.
He said this is being done in partnership with the private sector players.
The minister said more than 105,000 housing units will be offered with the help from local developers, especially in areas witnessing high prices, such as Riyadh and Jeddah, through multiple suburbs.
Furthermore, the ministry aims to have developers from outside the Kingdom to diversify and focus on residential suburbs more than housing, said Al-Hogail.
He highlighted that the housing targets, as per Vision 2030, were planned to go through three stages, while ensuring that there is a sustainable program that does not depend solely on government spending.
The ministry focused this year on raising the quality of services in cities.
It also aims to privatize 70 percent of the municipal sector in coordination with the National Center for Privatization & PPP. The ministry privatized 19 percent of this sector in 2023 and aims to privatize 30 percent of services next year.
Saudi Arabia added 27 new shipping lines in 2023, leading to faster arrival of goods, higher revenues, and improved shipping rates, Minister of Transport and Logistics Saleh Al-Jasser told the forum.
He said there are eight new logistics zones in Jeddah Port with investments of global major shipping lines, operators of container terminals, and major international companies specialized in the field of logistics services.
Of these, three zones are open, and five are under construction.
More than 90 educational service projects became operational in 2023, while 707 schools Kingdom-wide were rehabilitated in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, Education Minister Yousef Al-Benyan said.
Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef emphasized his ministry’s focus on increasing the discovery of natural resources.
He highlighted the positive impact of these efforts, stating: “We are beginning to see that this system is already considered one of the best investment regulations globally.”
Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadley outlined the Kingdom’s plans for water demand until 2050. He said: “We produce 11 million cubic meters of desalinated water, and within two years, this number will jump to 14 million cubic meters, reaching 18 million cubic meters by 2030.”
Al-Fadley also highlighted environmental initiatives at the forum. “We’ve initiated 65 projects in the environmental sector, with a planned investment of SR55 billion, ensuring they yield financial returns.”
He highlighted the ambitious goal of elevating waste recycling from 4 percent to an impressive 95 percent, contributing about SR120 billion to Saudi Arabia’s GDP.
Health Minister Fahd Al-Jalajel provided insights into the sector’s transformation, stating: “In the past, we were the ministry of sickness, not the ministry of health. Today, we have switched our focus to the patient.”
Al-Jalajel emphasized the success of the salt reduction policy in lowering the mortality rate from chronic diseases.


text:
In its treatment of 22 blacks charged with working for the banned African National Congress, South Africa seems determined to outdo even its own appalling record for “legal” cruelty and hypocrisy. The prose cution in Pretoria was having deep trouble making a case against the defendants under the Suppression of Communism Act, so it therefore abruptly dropped the charges.
The judge told the accused they had been found not guilty, but even while they were rejoicing in the Supreme Court at this unexpected turn they were rearrested under the Terrorism Act, then hauled back to prison. Now they can be held indefinitely without charge—incommunicado, with no right to counsel, no habeas corpus, no bail—as they were before being charged last October.
The prosecution was obviously embarrassed by two things: One was the triviality of its own “evidence” against the defendants. The other was the persistence of Justice Simon Bekker, rare in South African court rooms nowadays, in inquiring into the pretrial treat ment of state witnesses, some of whom had also been detained for months under the provisions of the Terrorism Act.
Nomyamise Madikizela, twenty, held in solitary for six months, told the court how police had threatened her with ten years in prison if she refused to testify against her sister, Mrs. Nelson Mandela, wife of the leader of the African National Congress, now serving a life term. A young Indian woman refused to give evidence against Mrs. Mandela and another defendant, even though she was kept in solitary for six months and interrogated constantly for five days while forced to remain on her feet.
The prosecution's strategy seems clear: It will simply hold the defendants under the Terrorism Act until more “evidence” can be obtained or concocted by the bestial methods that have become a hallmark of South African “justice.”
In addition to being charged with furthering Com munism, the defendants were accused of having “encouraged feelings of hostility between the races.” It would be hard to conjure up a more effective weapon than South Africa's warped concept of “jus tice” for advancing Communism and racial hostility in that country and beyond.

domain: law


text:
I want to welcome you to Bruce Winkle.com.
Our personal energies encompasses a wide variety of forms other than just our physical. Our energy includes our emotional, mental and spiritual aspects as well. It should be noted that it is virtually impossible to separate these forms from each other when it comes to healing.
During my own personal journey I have found that each of us is a multidimensional being. We are the expression of our own unique experiences and are connected to the energy of the cosmos. Understanding this relationship helps comprehend the impact each one of us has on the world.
Through my events, classes and books I hope to share with you an understanding of how you can bring about healing of your entire body including the traumatic events recorded within the cells of your body.
I’m glad you have found your way here and thank you for including me on your journey to a powerful, positive and effective path of healing.


text:
Depression is a normal part of life. However, being depressed all the time is not.
Depression is rampant in the United States, which is odd, because we are one of the wealthiest countries in the world, and moreover have a large population of middle class people, despite what naysayers might tell you. And oddly enough, it is often the wealthier people in the US who are depressed the most.
Chronic depression is of course, something you should consult a doctor about. If you are chronically depressed, seek help - there is no shame in that.
Many people, however are just occasionally mildly depressed, and convinced that something is "wrong" with them - and they seek help in the form of a pill, which many Doctors are all-too-willing to prescribe.
But some depression is normal, in everyone's life. And there isn't necessarily a reason for depression. Emotions, as I have noted before, are like farts. Everyone has them, and they are often a function of what you ate a few hours ago, more than anything. So expect to be depressed on occasion. It's OK, and once you realize that, you know that it will end later on.
The problem severely depressed people have is that they never see a way out of their depression.
But there are other, non-drug solutions to depression, at least for occasional or mild depression. And Diet is one of these. As I just noted, emotions can be related to what you eat, and Americans have horrible diets. We eat diets high in carbohydrates - starches and sugars. As a result, our blood sugar soars and then plummets with each meal or snack. If you find yourself mood-swinging several times a day, take a good look at your diet. French fries and a soft drink are a recipe for a brief euphoria, followed by a prolonged depression, or a nap.
And such a diet will make your moods worse and worse, as you start to develop type-II diabetes. Eventually, your blood sugar will be all out of whack, and you will be going up and down like an elevator. Get ahead of this by swearing off sugar and sugary drinks - especially High Fructose Corn Syrup junk. And stay away from starchy meals of all pasta or all potatoes - what is served in most restaurants these days.
Exercise is the other half of the equation. Taking a long walk, instead of watching the TeeVee, is good for both your mental and emotional health. You body needs to exercise, and lack of exercise forces your body into a stasis mode, where the metabolism basically shuts down to a minimal calorie consumption. Lack of movement leads directly to depression. And the American lifestyle - a sedentary lifestyle - eating, sleeping, watching TeeVee, driving everywhere, leads directly to depression.
Change is also one way to fight depression, as well. My personal opinion is that depression is your brain's way of saying "Warning! Danger! Take Action!" and yet many people smother that reaction with drugs and alcohol. Depression, as simplistic as it may sound, is your mind's way of telling you that you are unhappy. Unhappy with your lifestyle, your job, your spouse, or something. Change is often a means of breaking the cycle of depression - even something as simple as a change in hairstyle.
You see, if you feel helpless and a victim of circumstance (and boy-howdy will the TeeVee pander to that!) you tend to feel depressed. You feel that no matter what you do, it makes no difference in your life, so why bother. It is a form of learned helplessness.
Taking charge of your life and demonstrating to yourself that you do have some control over your life will often cheer you up, as it jogs your brain out of that mode of helplessness and passivity.
Listen to depression, it is talking to you. Are you unhappy in your job? Never mind that it is a "dream job" that pays a lot and "you should be happy!" - the key is whether you ARE. I see this all the time in the field of law - people who become highly paid lawyers with successful careers, and yet are not satisfied. They go on vacation and look on with envy at the beach bum running the snorkeling concession on the beach - "That guy has it made!", they think, but of course, their wife wouldn't let them quit the high-paying job - they've got kids in school and she wants that new Lexus SUV.
And yea, I've seen people quit the "dream job" in mid-career and do something completely different. I sort of did. And you know, sometimes they find their muse - and they find that making a lot of money, and spending it as fast as they make it, isn't all its cracked up to be.
But short of going out for cigarettes and never coming back, there are things you can do to make changes in your life that will help alleviate depression. Start a new hobby, plan a vacation, buy an old car and fix it up. Something that involves you taking control for a change and not feeling so passive.
Television is what I call the "depression box" or as I derisively refer to it here, "Tee Vee" (a tip o' the hat to the Madman Muntz). One way to change your life and to become less passive is to chuck it out entirely. Boy, would that piss off the wife and kids! And for that reason, many folks don't have the courage to do it. But life without TeeVee is a happier life, and that $100 a month cable bill feels a lot better invested in the old 401(k). Unplug the TeeVee - go for a walk. Take the family to the library. You will be happier, smarter, and healthier in the long run.
Procrastination is something that also leads to depression. The human brain wants to feel useful. And yet, it is so tempting to play computer solitaire instead - accomplishing nothing. A day of procrastinating is a day of depression, as it leaves you, again, feeling helpless and not in control of your life. The best way to fight procrastination is to set some simple goal - sometimes something ridiculously simple - and then accomplishing it. Once you do that, then set another goal and tackle that. Pretty soon, you get a lot done.
Most folks do just the opposite - they set an impossible set of goals to reach, and then get all depressed by the end of the day when none of them are done. But in reality, the goals were unrealistic to begin with.
It also helps to realize that some days you get a lot done, and others you don't - which is why I don't like working in an Office environment. When you work at home, you can work when you feel productive, and do something else when you are not. And by doing something else, I don't mean watching TeeVee.
Drugs can backfire in a big way. I know a fellow who is chronically depressed. He takes anti-depressants and other medications, and then washes them down with beer and bong hits. I suppose one counteracts the other - maybe. But if you are depressed, taking depressants (beer, pot) is not a step in the right direction.
Contentment is often more important than happiness. In America, we are fed this myth that you should be "happy" all the time, and when your life doesn't measure up to that standard, you feel that there is something wrong with you. Relax. No one is that happy - unless they are on speed or something (and no, methamphetamine is a horribly wrong answer to depression). Learning to be content as opposed to hysterically happy is, I think the key. Only circus clowns are hysterically happy all the time, and even then, it is an act.
The long and the short of it is this - take control of the joystick of life, and prove to yourself that your inputs DO have some effect. Depression for many people results when they feel helpless and weak - as if "nothing matters" because no matter what they do, nothing changes.
But if that doesn't work and you suffer from chronic depression, see a professional. A pill should not be the first solution, but sometimes, for some folks, it can be the best.

domain: psychology


text:
Itinerary (subject to change)
Evening departure from Kaiserslautern, P+R parking lot Daennerplatz, near Kleber Kaserne at 07:00 pm. Evening departure from Landstuhl Autohof (near Ramstein airbase, parking fee € 5/ day) at 6:30 pm. From Wiesbaden Hainerberg, bus stop Washingtonstreet, corner J.F. Kennedy Street at 7:00 pm. From Böblingen, Panzerkaserne PX parking lot at 9:30 pm. Overnight travel through southern Germany and Austria to Hungary.
Breakfast (not included) en route at a rest-station in Austria designed by the famous Austrian Artist Hundertwasser. Afternoon arrival in Budapest and check in at our 4-star Hotel, time to freshen up. The evening is free for own activities or join a wonderful dinner with Hungarian music (not included). Your guide will make suggestions.
After buffet breakfast (included) in the hotel we start with a city sightseeing tour to include the Matthias Church, the Fisherman’s Bastion, Parliament and the Citadel. In the afternoon you are invited to come along on an exciting outing (optional) to the Puszta, Hungary’s own Wild West. We will start with a horse show; you will have a chance to ride one of the performing horses after the show. There will also be a carriage ride. Then we are invited to a delightful evening including dinner and drinks, with music and fun for all. Late evening return to the Hotel.
After an early buffet breakfast at the hotel (included), we will say good bye to Budapest and drive to Bratislava. We have a city sightseeing tour with our local guide, including the Old Town with Michael's Gate, the Town Hall and many Baroque Palaces like the Grassalkovich Palace, the Archiepiscopal palace and more. Afternoon hotel check in to our 4-star superior downtown hotel. After some free time we meet for our superb 3-course dinner in a typical Slovakian restaurant (included).
After a hearty buffet breakfast at the hotel (included), we will say goodbye to Bratislava. Noon departure, stops en route before we arrive back at points of origin in the late evening.

domain: travel


text:
Mikki, at her heart, is an artist and multi-lingual businesswoman. She received her training in various art departments in Belgium. After successful operations in Belgium, Mikki has been active since 2008 in Portugal. She started in 2010 as an independent artist in her name and built up an international brand as a ceramist and painter. In 2021 Mikki F. decided to put more dedication into her art and opened the Msquare Gallery.
Mikki F. creates a variety of items: sculptures for inside and for gardens, tableware, small gifts, lamps, pots, vases, and others. Each piece is 100% handcrafted. That makes every item unique and exclusive. She also designs interiors, gardens and swimming pools.
For more information go to: https://mikkif.com


text:
Mar 2, 2018
Old gold: 1960 Hofner Verithin – particularly in the UK where the ban on US imports made Gibsons and Fenders a very rare sight indeed. Debuting in the UK mark.
Town of Gibsons – Nature is our most valuable infrastructure asset. The idea that a community’s natural assets should be measured, maintained and valued in the same way that we manage our engineered infrastructure assets is catching on – and the Town of Gibsons .
I really like Gibsons and can’t argue with Martins, but many times when I strum a Taylor, especially upscale, made-in-US vers.
Jobs in Likely · Cory Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand, Bernie Sanders and others back "job guarantee" programs to assure jobs for all who want them. It’s another sign of top Democrats embracing further left positions.Weather is one of the most common topics of conversation. Extreme .. The rail line between north bend-spences bridge was open. West.Muncho Lake Bc – Wilderness Fishing Yukon – Fishing resort muncho lake Bc For people that prefer a little bit more luxury, you may want to stay at a resort. Fishing resorts can be found all throughout Canada, even in the Yukon, accommodating people that want to have the best of both worlds. These resorts will have luxurious amenities, similar to a hotel, with the exception that your .
Collector’s Choice and Signature Guitars: The “Whys” and “Hows” of Replicating Vintage Gibsons
Coast Reporter – Latest oil and gas news, well, and drilling activity for Gibson Energy.
The fun note from the co-owner of PaceSetter Athletic in Gibsons caught my wonderful wife’s attention. Heck, she even promise.

domain: geography


Olympus m:robe MR100
One of the classiest looking MP3
players on the market today is the Olympus m:robe MR100. Its sleek, elegant
design makes it an eyecatcher everywhere you go. It is a small and lightweight
MP3 player (just 100 g) but there has been no skimping on the manufacturing --
the controls have a solid feel to them and the player is a joy to hold in your
This model comes with a 5 GB hard drive which is sufficient for holding about
1200 songs in MP3 format
(128 kbps). It connects to your computer with a USB 2.0 interface for speedy
transfer of songs and other data. When it is plugged into the USB port, your
computer sees the Olympus m:robe MR100 as a removable drive which can be used
for storing any kind of computer data -- not just music.
Songs can be stored in either MP3 or WMA format. The player comes with software
which can be used to rip music from CDs and convert it to WMA. The software even
allows you to organize your music collection and transferring it to the MP3
player is as simple as dragging and dropping.
The display screen is an ample 1.7 inches square. The display shows your
information about the current song being played as well as helping you navigate
the hard drive for finding specific songs. The user interface is intuitive and
well laid out and can be used in several different languages including English,
French, German, and Chinese.
The Olympus m:robe MR100 is powered with a lithium-ion rechargeable battery.
Anytime the MP3 player is plugged into the USB port of your computer, the
battery is recharging. Full recharge time takes about three hours. For use at
home, there is an optional AC adapter.
On the downside, this MP3 player does not include an FM radio or a microphone
for recording your voice. These would be handy features especially when there's
such an ample size to hard disk to store data on. However, the sound quality is
top-notch making this is an ideal model for those who can do without radio and
The Olympus m:robe MR100 comes with earphones, a USB cable, and a soft case, as
well as a CD containing the software for organizing your song collection and
transferring it to the player.
For more information about other services and products choose from one of the following links:


276 motorists were detected driving over the speed limit by gardaí yesterday during National Slow Down Day.
The initiative was held over a 24-hour period between 7am yesterday morning and 7am today to remind people to reduce their speed on the roads.
An Garda Síochána and GoSafe checked 164,032 vehicles, several of which were found to be in excess of 20km/h above the speed limit.
Some notable detections included:
Other notable incidents were seen in Westmeath, Waterford, Tipperary, Clare and Donegal.
Chief Superintendent Finbarr Murphy, of the Roads Policing Bureau, said "National Slow Down day is about making our roads and our communities safer.
"I would like to thank the drivers who were monitored and were driving safely within the speed limits. These drivers were behaving responsibly and did not put other road users at risk.
"We would appeal to all road users to always drive safely and within the speed limit not just on National Slow Down Day," he said.


text:
The world has seen plenty of remarkable moments in this decade, but nothing beats the power of love. The wedding ensembles, the decorations and how can we forget, the sheer joy of looking at the two lovebirds who can’t wait to spend the rest of their lives together. That is exactly how we summarise this magical ceremony and if you need inspiration for your own wedding, then here we bring you some of the most iconic B-town celebrity weddings of all times:
Kareena Kapoor And Saif Ali Khan
Their marriage completely changed the narrative of marriages in the B-town. As unconventional as their family is, they are the perfect example of how love can withstand anything and everything. Kareena Kapoor Khan
recently announced her second pregnancy after Taimur and the star has definitely set a high benchmark for all the brides-to-be with her professional and personal life milestones.
Shahid Kapoor And Mira Rajput
In a world full of contemporary love marriages, theirs is a traditional arranged marriage which turned into a love marriage soon after they met. From the first time we saw them together to seeing them as a wholesome family now, we can never stop gushing over the adorable couple.
Anushka Sharma And Virat Kohli
Everyone has loved the soon-to-be-parents since the very beginning. The wedding ceremony at Lake Como in Italy and the pastel-hued Sabyasachi lehenga has inspired many couples to tie the knot at this mystical destination. Also, is it even possible to watch the beautiful ceremony clips without shedding a few (buckets) of tears? I guess not!
Sonam Kapoor And Anand Ahuja
B-town’s biggest fashionista meets a fashion entrepreneur. Isn't this a match made in heaven? No matter where these two are, they don’t forget to serve us some major couple goals. Travelling back and forth and being miles apart from each other at times, the two are truly the perfect representation of the phrase, 'Distance makes the heart grow fonder'. And we know, #everydayisphenomenal for the couple. They tied the knot in Mumbai, and well, it was one hell of a blast.
Deepika Padukone And Ranveer Singh
Be it Ram Leela
or Bajirao Masatani; their
chemistry on-screen is as beautiful as it is off-screen. These two were bound to fall in love, and we are all here for it. They too got hitched on the beautiful island of Italy. Keeping the wedding ceremony intimate and traditional, they blew up the whole place with their friends and family at the reception. For the ceremonies, Deepika opted for Sabyasachi ensembles which are inevitably every bride’s dream.
Priyanka Chopra And Nick Jonas
Their courtship was much-loved, but as soon as we heard wedding bells ringing, we couldn’t calm down. The cross-cultural wedding was one of the biggest affairs of the year and here’s why: The Ralph Lauren wedding gown, the traditional Sabyasachi lehenga, Umaid Bhavan palace in Udaipur and let’s not forget the floor-grazing veil that swept us off our feet. Sounds like every couple’s dream, doesn’t it?


text:
Union County Neighbor to Neighbor (UCN2N) is a not-for-profit, membership-based organization that helps Union County residents stay in their own homes with help from volunteers.
We are neighbors helping neighbors!
Bringing neighbors and resources together to improve lives
Enhance the lives of residents across Union County through grassroots volunteer-driven supports, services, and programs that enable members to live healthy and meaningful lives in their own homes.
Many THANKS to everyone who helped make our 2024 Neighborhood Reverse Raffle a success!
Thank you to Memorial Health for their continued support and Gold Sponsorship at our annual fundraiser!
Please visit https://memorialohio.com/ to learn more about Memorial Health.
To see what we were up to in 2023, view our Annual Impact Report HERE.


text:
This revision content is also featured in a video on my YouTube channel:
(I give permission for my YouTube channel to monetize this revision content)
- Business objectives are goals a business sets itself to help achieve its aims
- They give the business a clear target
- This allows people to make plans in order to meet that target
- Objectives should be SMART
- There are two categories of objectives
- It’s an acronym! It tells you how to set good targets:
- S – Specific – Plenty of detail on what you want to achieve
- M – Measurable – How will you know when you’ve met your objectives?
- A – Achievable – Actually possible to complete
- R – Realistic – Pretty much the same as Achievable (makes it a nice acronym)
- T – Timed – When does the target need to be achieved by?
- Objectives that are to do with money or success, for example:
- Surviving in the market!
- Breaking even (no debt, covering costs)
- Improving the image of the business
- Motivating employees
- Maximizing profits
- Increasing market share
- Objectives that aren’t to do with making money, such as:
- Personal satisfaction
- Finding a use for your skills
- Being your own boss (like a boss!)
- Having something to be proud of
- Challenging yourself
- Being independent
- Having control over your own business
- Helping others
- Getting out of the house?
Food Stand Game!
Here’s an idea for a PS3 game (okay, it would probably work better as a Flash game but I want to use trophies): you run a business selling food to people! (Real original, I know).
But anyway, this game has trophies to collect! Each of them is a SMART financial or non-financial objective:
- Increase personal satisfaction by 3% in the first year (Bronze)
- Feel in control by firing at least one person in the first week (Bronze)
- Help others by selling 10 chocolate bars in one day during the first week (Silver)
- Break even after one year (Bronze)
- Maximise profits: make £100 in two weeks during year 1 (Silver)
- Have high motivation amongst employees: Get everyone to work every day for a whole week in year 1 (Gold)
- Collect all other trophies (Platinum)
- Growth VS Profit – To increase sales in the short-term you could reduce prices… but this will reduce your short-term profit!
- Short VS Long (Term) – Do you make a profit now or do you put all your profit into buying new machines (etc.) to make a profit later?
- GCSE Graphics Revision – Safety (mattg99.wordpress.com)
- GCSE Computing Revision – Data Sizes (mattg99.wordpress.com)
- GCSE Computing Revision – Compression (mattg99.wordpress.com)
- Taking on an apprentice – is it right for your business? (premierlinedirect.co.uk)
- Business Plans – GCSE Business Studies Revision (mattg99.wordpress.com)
- Estimating Revenues, Costs and Profits – GCSE Business Studies Revision (mattg99.wordpress.com)
- Obtaining (Short and Long term) Finance – GCSE Business Studies Revision (mattg99.wordpress.com)

domain: economics


text:
Rural Americans Are Fatter Than City Dwellers
Apparently you don't need to live within spitting distance of burger and taco joints to succumb to weight problems. A new study finds that people who live in rural areas are more likely than city folks to become obese.
Those iconic home-cooked meals of fatty meats and rich desserts may be at least partly to blame for the waistline differences, along with other aspects of rural life, lead author Christie Befort told TakePart.
The study, published today in the Journal of Rural Health, is one of the more rigorous examinations of obesity in rural America, regions of the country that have not been a big part of the weight dialog. Befort, an assistant professor of preventive medicine and public health at the University of Kansas Medical Center, analyzed data from the 2005-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which includes body mass index, diet and physical activity. The study involved 7,325 residents of urban areas and 1,490 rural adults.
While previous studies suggested obesity rates were slightly higher among rural residents, Befort found a bigger gap: a 39 percent rate in rural America compared to 33 percent in urban areas. The study controlled for other factors that impact weight, such as race, income, educational levels and age. Even with those controls in place, more rural Americans were obese than urban residents. We're not talking a small population of Americans—just under one-quarter of the U.S. population lives in areas defined as rural.
Among people ages 20 to 39, the disparity between urban and rural was even greater. More than 38 percent of rural young adults were obese compared to almost 28 percent of their urban counterparts.
The findings counter a stereotypical view of rural life centered on hearty physical activity in the wide-open spaces, fresh food from gardens and farms and less access to the Cheesecake Factories and McDonald's drive-thrus that dot the urban landscape. Instead, the study suggests rural Americans lack many of the tools that can help people maintain a normal weight.
"There is that misconception that people are healthier" in rural areas, Befort says. "People think rural residents are growing their own food and eating it and that everything is very wholesome and healthy; that they are doing lots of labor on the farm. That just isn't the picture today."
For example, Befort says, there aren't equipment-packed gyms and boot camps every mile or so. It's even tough to go walking each morning with the next-door neighbor if that neighbor lives three miles down the road.
"Something that we heard from the women who participated in these studies is that they feel isolated," she says. "One woman, because she can't walk, drives 90 miles to get to a pool to swim. They also feel isolated in terms of food resources, such as restaurants and grocery stores."
Life on the farm isn't about hoisting hay bales into a wagon anymore. Many types of rural jobs, including farming, have been highly mechanized, she adds, reducing the need for physical labor.
"Farming and logging aren't as labor-intensive as they used to be," Befort says. Meanwhile, "food preparation just hasn't changed over the years as the level of physical activity has declined. The meals are still large."
Even the preparation of home-cooked food—something health experts tell urban dwellers to do more of—may backfire when it comes to obesity, since those meals are likely to be high in fat and sugar.
The isolation that characterizes rural life can also keep people from seeing health professionals on a regular basis, she says. Poverty, too, appears to play into the higher rates of obesity in rural settings, setting up the hunger/obesity paradox: Much of the food the poor have access to is high in calories but low in nutrition, such as sugar and starch-filled simple carbs, prompting weight gain.
In recent years, federal and state governments have begun to tailor obesity prevention programs to specific groups—such as particular ethnic or age groups—to meet their unique needs. Even the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, from which Befort's data was drawn, ignores a comparison of rural to urban obesity while routinely analyzing differences according to age, race and gender.
Specific obesity prevention programs designed for rural Americans are just beginning to emerge, Befort says.
"I think it has trailed a little bit, but we're starting to see more attention now," she says. "Rural America is 20 percent of our country. It's not a small group."
Why do you think obesity rates are higher in rural areas than in urban areas? Let us know in the comments.

domain: health


Recently the world has been focusing the bizarre case of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who worked as a columnist for Washington Post and had been criticizing Saudi leadership before his sudden death.
Khashoggi's disappearance happened on October 2 when he went to his country's consulate in Istanbul to obtain a marriage document. The whole story later on turns out to be like the stories of Sherlock Holmes. With the gradual exposure of more and more evidence mainly released by the Turkish authorities about the brutal killing of Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate, the Saudi government first denied and then reluctantly admitted to his death the Saudi consulate.
The whole process of finding out what happened to Khashoggi, who killed him, and what kind of response is required by other countries, particularly the US, has become a contest between national interest and moral principles. The killing of Saudi journalist Khashoggi has affected the image of the US, and relations between the US, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.
First of all, the image and moral reputation of the US has been damaged. The way that President Donald Trump has been handling the case is changeable and not based on principles of transparency and justice. Trump gave a strong indication from the beginning that he intended to believe what the Saudi Crown Prince told him about the case, preferring his strategic relations with Saudi above anything else. He chose the side of Saudi Arabia by saying that Saudi Prince will clarify the disappearance of Khashoggi soon. When Saudi Arabia mentioned that Khashoggi was killed in a fight with others inside the consulate, Trump said that he believed the Saudi story. But a short time later he changed his tone again and asked for the full truth. The reason for Trump’s changeable behavior is that he wants to keep the money he got from the weapon deals with Saudi which was worth up to $110 billion. And also Trump wants to continue his friendship with Saudi Arabia, which has been regarded as a strong counter to Iran. Even though Trump has punished Saudi Arabia after pressure from both Congress and international media, but the punishment is just symbolic – revoking the visas of 21 Saudi nationals, and the damage to the US’ reputation is already done.
Secondly, the death of Khashoggi also brings a difficult time for relations between the US and Saudi Arabia. Saudi King Salman had to admit the killing of Khashoggi inside Saudi consulate under strong pressure from the US. A lot of voices from the US are saying the Saudi crown prince should be replaced and even that the personal relationship between President Trump and the Saudi royal family needs to be clarified. The image that the crown prince tried to build about the new Saudi future during his last visit to the US has been tarnished, and the so called "Davos in the Desert" conference held by Saudi government also suffered from the absence of many important international figures including the US Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin. On the one hand, Trump, a businessman by nature, will certainly not give up the $110 billion arms contract which was inked during his last visit to Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, the fact of brutal killing of Khashoggi and global resentment about the case pushed Trump to keep his distance. And meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is even threatening to come up with many measures including improving relations with Iran, moving towards Russia, and not guaranteeing the stability of oil prices.
Finally, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants to make full use of the death of Khashoggi to improve relations with the US, which got worse after the failed military coup in 2016 in Turkey and the US sanctions on Turkey in recent months. The relations between Turkey and the US improved after Turkey released its long jailed American pastor Andrew Brunson. Since it holds all the strong evidence of the killing of Khashoggi, it is impossible for the case to cool down without cooperation from Turkey. Furthermore, Turkey will continue to build its relations with the US through more mutual cooperation on the case.


In the US, the use of energy is divided into 2 categories: the use of energy through electricity used in homes, in businesses, in industries. The second use of energy would be for vehicles where the original source of power is taken from fuel: gasoline and diesel.
More than $1 billion is spent on energy uses by American consumers on a daily basis. In the past, electric utilities did not really focus its effort in the transportation industry. These days though, it is a different story, with the latest technology of auto manufacturers building electric cars and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
There is possible revenue to be taken from the transportation energy market. Based on a report made by the United Nations, it shows that vehicle sales for Electric Vehicles could see an increase of a hundred percent within fifteen years. The development of a greener country where people see the potential of using electric vehicles [...]