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I grew up watching Bob Ross on PBS. I marveled at the ease with which he painted happy little clouds and happy little trees. I watched him carve mountains out of blank canvases. And I listened to his words of gentle encouragement . . . words that inspired so many to believe that they could truly accomplish anything they wanted.
Which makes this book announcement extra special.
You Can Move Mountains is coming from Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan in fall 2024, and I couldn't be more thrilled! Acclaimed illustrator Daniel Miyares will bring this story to life with his masterful brush. As Bob Ross himself guides the reader through the painting process, elements of his own life illuminate the enduring life lessons he so generously imparted on his viewers. I can't wait to share this book with all of you! In the meantime, special thanks to editor extraordinaire Emily Feinberg and tireless agent Emily Mitchell, who both move mountains for me.
With apologies to Tiger, 2022 is the Year of the Cat! Many thanks to librarian, author, and all-around kidlit rock star John Schu for hosting the reveal of illustrator Jocelyn Li Langrand's gorgeous cover. On Lunar New Year Eve, no less! Year of the Cat will arrive on November 1, courtesy of Greenwillow Books. In the meantime, you can read John's interview with me and Jocelyn, as well as get a sneak peek at some stunning interior art, here. Enjoy!
On the heels of the ALA Youth Media Awards - one of the most exciting times of the year for children's publishing - the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) announces which books from the previous year have scored a coveted spot on the ALA Notable Children's Books list. I'm so proud to report that The Lost Package is one of those books! The full list can be viewed here, and includes so many wonderful titles that I adore and creators whom I admire. Thank you to the committee, and to the team that made The Lost Package with me: Jessica Lanan, Emily Feinberg and the rest of the amazing Roaring Brook crew!
What a fantastic way to wrap up the year!
On the final day of librarian, blogger and author Betsy Bird's highly-anticipated 31 Days, 31 Lists series - in which she rolls out her favorite children's books of the year - I was honored to find The Lost Package among the best picture books of 2021! The full list includes so many wonderful books, and it's truly a joy to see ours among such venerable company.
Here's to more exciting book news in 2022!
Every year, the Society of Illustrators puts together the Original Art exhibit to showcase illustrations from the year's best children's books. Each chosen illustrator is asked to send in one original piece from their book, and the collected pieces are displayed from October to December in the Society's museum in New York City.
Jessica Lanan was one of this year's deserving illustrators, for her incredible work on The Lost Package! The original piece she chose for the exhibit happens to be my favorite spread from the book: the package flying out of the mail truck. Given that I live in nearby New Jersey, my intention was always to make it into the city to admire the exhibit in person. But life (and a global pandemic) kept pushing off my plans, until the final day of the exhibit arrived.
Thankfully, I was able to make it in, just before closing . . . with only half an hour to spare! The trip was more rushed than I would have liked, but seeing the art from our book on the wall was totally worth it. Bravo, Jessica!
We all judge books by their covers. But for some picture books, the image on the case cover - the actual hard cover of the book - is different than the image on the book jacket. Discovering what lies beneath the jacket can be a delightful surprise.
The annual Undies Case Cover Awards shines a spotlight on these hidden covers, and is one of the most popular end-of-year roundups in kidlit. And I'm thrilled to announce that The Lost Package made the cut! Jessica Lanan's amazing "tattered box" design, inspired by the ingenious brainstorm of editor Emily Feinberg, was named "Best Impression of Something Other Than a Book." Check out all the eye-popping winners here!
The Lost Package has been named a Best Picture Book of 2021 by Kirkus Reviews. Making this prestigious list alongside so many wonderful books is an incredible honor, and I'm grateful for the dream team that made it a reality. Thank you Jessica Lanan, Emily Feinberg, Emily Mitchell, and so many others.
It's been quite a first year for our intrepid cardboard box, and I'm excited to see where it goes next!
Tis the season for end-of-year "best books" lists, and I'm so thankful to Chicago Public Library for making The Lost Package one of its 2021 Best of the Best selections! You can peruse all the wonderful picture books that made the list here. It's truly an honor to be among such fine company!
This one means a lot to me.
The National Education Association has selected The Lost Package to be part of its 2021-2022 Read Across America campaign. While the celebration reaches a crescendo on Read Across America Day in March, the campaign actually stretches across 12 months, with each month shining a spotlight on three books: one each for young, middle grade, and young adult readers. The Lost Package will be the young reader selection for December 2021, with the theme "Lending a Hand."
To say that this is a thrill and an honor would be an understatement. For years, the NEA's signature campaign was synonymous with Dr. Seuss. Even the date itself was chosen to correspond with the famous author's birthday. But as the scrutiny on the problematic racial undertones of some of Dr. Seuss's work has intensified in recent years, the focus of Read Across America has shifted away from a singular figure, choosing instead to center diverse stories for diverse readers.
I am so proud that The Lost Package was chosen to be part of this vital effort. I hope to share more as December approaches, but in the meantime, please explore the teaching resources that the NEA has provided for our book, and check out the calendar for the full slate of incredible books that will be featured throughout the year!
Of all my books so far, this one truly started with my kids.
I wanted to write a story about their dual identity. A celebration of their mixed Chinese and Jewish heritage that highlights the things that make each side unique . . . as well as the shared values that bring both sides together. A book that truly bridges two cultures and two calendars.
Two New Years is that book, and I'm overjoyed to finally announce it! Coming in fall 2023 from Chronicle Books, it will feature art by the amazingly talented Lynn Scurfield, an illustrator with personal connections to Chinese and Jewish culture herself! Special thanks to editor Feather Flores, whose passion and boundless enthusiasm for the manuscript from day one was overwhelming. And as always, none of this would be possible without my tireless agent, Emily Mitchell.
So much more to share soon. In the meantime, let the two-year countdown to Two New Years begin!
Today is National Postal Worker Day! To celebrate, Macmillan put together this beautiful graphic for The Lost Package. Sending love and thanks to postal workers everywhere, and wishing everyone a day of reading, mail, and personal connections!
Booklist called The Lost Package "a delightful tale" and bestowed upon it a starred review . . . the fourth we've received! Many thanks to Booklist for the lovely review, and to readers who continue to discover and love our book.
Tonight, Jessica Lanan and I celebrated Children's Book Week with a virtual storytime hosted by Second Star to the Right Books in Denver, CO! We read The Lost Package, answered audience questions, and had a wonderful time. Thank you Second Star for having us, and we hope to join you for more events in the future!
Six weeks after launch, The Lost Package has gone to a third printing!
I'm so humbled and touched by the support of friends, family and strangers, and so grateful to the readers who have embraced this book. Sending heartfelt thanks to everyone who has bought, read, reviewed, shared, and loved it so far. It means the world to us!
Three cheers for the third starred review for The Lost Package! Shelf Awareness calls it "both informative and inspiring," and "a wondrous story about separation and near-magical reunion." We're blushing!
Read the whole review here, and buy the book wherever books are sold!
I had a wonderful time talking about my father, the United States Postal Service, and The Lost Package with fellow author and Picture Book Builders blogger Michelle Meadows! Read the interview here, and leave a comment by April 9 to enter a giveaway for a copy of the book. Here's hoping it delivers an enjoyable reading experience!
As part of the launch day festivities for The Lost Package, Tattered Cover Book Store in Denver, CO hosted a virtual storytime with illustrator Jessica Lanan and me! I had so much fun reading the book to the audience, and Jessica painted another gorgeous postcard during her drawing demonstration . . . this time starring a giraffe!
Watch a recording of the event here!
Delivery status: arrived!
Today is publication day for The Lost Package, and I couldn't be happier. With the book now out in the world, I'm feeling thankful for the team that helped bring it to life: illustrator Jessica Lanan, editor Emily Feinberg, the entire Roaring Brook Press team, and my agent Emily Mitchell. It's been a wonderful ride, and I hope this story finds its way to readers everywhere!
What a way to kick off launch week!
With The Lost Package scheduled to arrive on Tuesday, illustrator Jessica Lanan and I got an early start on the celebration with a virtual launch event hosted by Books of Wonder in New York City. We were thrilled to be joined by friends and family from far and wide as I read the book and Jessica painted a lovely hummingbird postcard during her drawing demonstration.
Missed the live event? For a limited time, you can watch a recording on Crowdcast. In the meantime, we're looking forward to publication day!
Like all books that have launched during the pandemic, The Lost Package will not get that quintessential new book event: the in-person signing. However, it will get two virtual events, with the silver lining being that far more people will have the opportunity to attend!
On Sunday, February 28, Books of Wonder in NYC will host a virtual launch at 3 pm EST. On launch day, Tuesday, March 2, Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver, CO will host a virtual storytime at 12:30 pm EST. Both events will feature me and illustrator Jessica Lanan!
Needless to say, we're really excited about these events, and about our book finally being sent out into the world. We hope you celebrate with us!
I recently had the chance to discuss The Lost Package with kidlit blogger and fellow author Anitra Rowe Schulte. Her Author Spotlight interviews include three questions . . . and the ones she asked me were delightful! Read the interview here, and thank you again Anitra for the opportunity!
At 3:56 pm EST, Perseverance successfully touched down on the surface of Mars. At 10:00 pm EST, Katherine Roy and I successfully wrapped up our virtual event celebrating all things rover. . . including our book, Red Rover: Curiosity on Mars! Many thanks to Grass Roots Books & Music for hosting our conversation. We had a blast!
If you're curious to hear what we discussed, and also love beautiful artwork rendered in real-time, watch the recording of the event here!
Curiosity is about to get some company!
On Thursday, February 18, NASA's Perseverance rover is scheduled to land on Mars. To celebrate this historic achievement, Grass Roots Books & Music in Oregon will host a virtual book event with RED ROVER: CURIOSITY ON MARS illustrator Katherine Roy and me. The fun starts at 6:00 pm PST (9:00 pm EST) with a read-aloud, audience Q&A, and a drawing demo from Katherine! As a special bonus, books purchased through Grass Roots will be signed by Katherine and include a free 5x7" print. Even more exciting: all buyers will be entered for a chance to win a 16x24" limited edition giclee print!
You can register for the event here, and purchase a book here. Hope you can join us!
Like rocks, books are born in many different ways. This one began as the seed of an idea from Emily Feinberg, my editor on Red Rover. While trekking through some mountainous terrain on vacation, Emily started to think about rocks—how we take them for granted and fail to realize that they’ve been around for millions of years, and how one rock in one location might have witnessed dinosaurs and ice ages and the rise of human civilization, and will witness whatever the world has in store for the future. She asked if I would be interested in turning this seed of an idea into a book. Intrigued—and honored!—I leapt at the chance. And that’s how A Rock is Born was . . . well, born!
I’m thrilled to work with the team at Roaring Brook again, grateful to Emily for entrusting me with her idea, and so excited to work with superstar Lily Williams (author/illustrator of the awesome If Animals Disappeared picture book series) on this ode to the rock cycle. The journey across millennia is just beginning!
It's a second starred review for The Lost Package, this one from Publishers Weekly! They call it a "moving story" and gush about Jessica Lanan's illustrations:
"The richness of the tale lies in subtly textured watercolor illustrations by Lanan, which poignantly portray a broad range of settings, from gritty urban streets shimmering with rain to snow-swept terrains to a desolate gas station."
I'm so honored that the book continues to receive so much love as we get closer and closer to March 2. Details about exciting launch events to come!

domain: literature


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17 January 2016
Rising Car Insurance. By Leigh Fitzell
Rising Car Insurance.
Every year Insurance rise's and its still not being highlighted.
From the housing crisis to hospital chaos this government never fails to let the people down, But recently what has been coming out of the background is rising car insurance rates of up to 60%.
In my opinion all insurance companies discriminate young drivers, They use our young age as an excuse to make our quotes more expensive.
I myself as a 19 year old am paying out almost €2,000 alone on car insurance for a one litre Nissan Micra under a full no claims bonus and also under a full licensed driver.
When I rang an insurance company they happily offer me a quote of almost €3,000 without any hesitation.
Given that price was almost double the offer I'd been given by my existing insurer, I tell him thanks, but no thanks.
On October each year, my motor insurance comes up for renewal and the preceding weeks never fail to be stressful and frustrating.
As we all know it is hard enough to keep a car on the road with the state of the country roads and expensive tax, the least thing we want to hear is that insurance is rising trough the roof.
We need to highlight this matter as soon as possible to stop outrageous quotes.
By Leigh Fitzell

domain: news


The fastest man in the world over both 100m and 200m in 2018, Noah Lyles [USA], will top what will be a battle of the fastest men in 2018 this weekend in Birmingham.
The US national champion has proven himself to be one of the world’s best sprinters in only his second season as a professional athlete, with the 21-year-old’s national championship winning time of 9.88 seconds, the equal fastest in the world this year.
On racing in Britain for the first time at the Müller Grand Prix Birmingham, Lyles said: “I’m really excited to come over to the UK and race – it’s something that I feel like I’ve missed out on so far so to have the opportunity to come and experience the atmosphere in Birmingham is cool. It is a meet that I’m now gearing my training towards and I’m looking to run well there.”
The American, who has entertained fans with post-race black flips this season, added: “So far, I’m feeling really good and my training times are reflecting that I’m close to my PB, so I’m hopeful that come Birmingham I can run the heat well and deliver in that final.”
Joining Lyles in being confirmed for the meet in Birmingham are five fellow world-class sprinters – each of whom have run under 10 seconds in 2018 – Christian Coleman (USA), Commonwealth champion Akani Simbine (RSA) and double Olympic champion Yohan Blake (JAM), plus 9.93 man and NCAA champion Cameron Burrell (USA) and Tyquendo Tracey (JAM), the latter fresh from running his quickest ever time with 9.96 at the recent Müller Anniversary Games in London.
On the field assembled, Lyles added: “Having the top tier guys race off against each other is what makes exciting races. It’s what people want to see. I’m glad everyone is coming to Birmingham looking to post fast times against the best.”


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1. The report’s interesting reading – what are the stand-out findings?
People have come to realise there is still a huge need for the office
At the beginning of the pandemic, there was talk of a seismic shift away from the office as people adapted to working from home. However, we have seen this come full-circle. Our report shows that, as time has gone on, people have come to realise there is still a huge need for the office – not only for performance purposes but employee wellbeing too.
Without access to a workplace, the majority of people are missing social interaction with their colleagues and, in fact, a quarter (25%) of respondents to the Office of the Future Report said their wellbeing has been negatively impacted by working from home. As the pandemic continues to impact working practices, many people are becoming increasingly isolated as a result of full-time remote working and, without access to a workspace, feel disconnected from both their colleagues and work culture.
89% of respondents also highlighted the importance of learning from colleagues they work alongside for their own job satisfaction, while 48% of business leaders admitted employee motivation has proved to be the greatest challenge throughout the pandemic.
As a result, we have seen that the narrative has changed from ‘the office is dead’ to re-evaluating how and why we use the office, with businesses no longer underestimating the interpersonal communication and learning benefits that workspaces provide for staff.
All of this data this shows that, although there will likely be a change from the traditional daily 9-5 use of an office, for staff wellbeing as well as business culture and performance, workplaces still have an important role to play in a fulfilled working life.
2. Turning specifically to performance – what did you find?
Our report shows there is a definite general perception that business performance has declined as a result of Covid-19. A third (33%) of business leaders responded to say productivity has been adversely impacted within their workforce, based on their own unique methods of measuring this – suggesting that the performance of businesses goes hand in hand with operating in a shared workspace. When re-evaluating our use of the office, then, it is important to look at how these spaces can perform for users and how we can align business, user and space to maximize business potential.
3. Is Covid-19 completely to blame for this drop? Or, has it accelerated it?
The short answer is yes, as many businesses are not even considering returning to the office until Spring next year, meaning that many will have been working from home for over a year by the time they get back into a shared workspace.
Undoubtedly, some people are effective while working from home, however, for many it brings real challenges. If we look at the younger generations, for example, who are less likely to have their own homes or a larger living space, and are more likely to be working from their sofas or beds rather than desks, operating through Covid-19 has been tough on both their mental and physical wellbeing.
4. Is there a danger we’ll lose our ability to communicate & collaborate?
Some companies, like Twitter, said early on that people could work from home but that this was just for the duration of the pandemic and not indefinitely, while others, like Barclays, have come full-circle on the issue and have said they will keep their workspaces. Larger corporates will still need to have workplaces as a facility to learn, share knowledge, develop the next generation of talent and leaders and ultimately build and maintain business culture.
Students have had well documented troubles with remote teaching, and learning has proved to be very difficult and this is something we have seen reflected in the professional space too across industries. For corporates of all sizes, developing staff is an integral part of being able to grow efficiently and there is a definite need to learn from peers and colleagues in person as opposed to behind a laptop screen from your own kitchen, which is a huge reason why modern workspaces need to be developed.
5. Do you see home working as a ‘fad / bandwagon’ that causes more harm than good?
No. I think homeworking is here to stay, but what Covid-19 has done is accelerate the flexible working conversation by about ten years.
Pre-pandemic I would say there were three spaces:
- The first was your office where you would head on a Monday morning and it was written into employment contracts where your place of work was. Which also meant there was a stress on infrastructure to get us all to the office for 9am.
- The second space would be the client or coffee environment.
- The third space was the home, which was only available for a select few – if you had proven that you could effectively work from home, your job allowed it and your manager allowed it too.
In a post-pandemic world, the first and the third spaces will swap for many. So, your first space will become home, and employment contracts will be rewritten giving us a choice as to where we want to work. Whereas the third space will become the office, making it a destination environment through a specific need. Like a shop, employees will go to the workplace because they specifically need to, rather than going in every day.
The pandemic has ultimately given us more of a choice over where we work, as it has shown that technology, for the most part, enables the majority of us to work from home if we want. Flexible working will become a key decider for candidates, with two types of businesses emerging from the pandemic – those that lurch back to a pre-Covid world and enforce workplace attendance, while others will see it as a fantastic opportunity to springboard into the future and new ways of working. Ultimately, what businesses will need to understand is the difference between output and presenteeism.
6. What more can we do to encourage people (restrictions allowing) back to the office?
Workplaces need to be fun, encouraging and have a heart
We have to create an allure. Human beings are creatures of habit, we all get ‘FOMO’ and want to be part of something, so if we can create a space of genuine interest, people will want to come back to it. It is down to us as workplace consultants to make workspaces inviting to people, so that people have a reason to go there.
Workplaces need to be fun, encouraging and have a heart so that employees want to be a part of the business. The workspace is where friendships are built, it’s where the magic of the business happens, so as workplace experts we have to make these spaces reflect this and ensure they’re a fun place to be.
We also need to make environments where people can learn and socialise while working. For many across the country, the workspace is where core groups of friends want to spend time together, while it’s also the place where creativity thrives. As a result, spaces will need to reflect the free flowing and informal nature which many, more stereotypical, ‘office workers’ now blossom in.
As professionals, we must also accept that not everyone will need an office. We have learnt that for some, the ability to remain connected, collaborative and creative has been possible with no office during the pandemic.
Our role has evolved to demonstrate why clients should want an office, and why having an office enables them to do some things better than it could be done without a workplace. It’s about creating a desire!
7. What will the workplace look like in 5 years’ time?
The workplace will be very different, and will be centred around collaboration – becoming a learning and sharing hub, where staff relay information and intel and then go back to working individually, whether that be at home or elsewhere.
Landlords will turn more towards ready-to-work spaces, as will large corporates
I think they will generally become smaller in size over time, and will also focus more on coworking spaces. Large, multi-level workplaces, will continue to exist, as some companies are place based, but even those will have to offer a certain level of flexibility in employment contracts.
Landlords will turn more towards ready-to-work spaces, as will large corporates. In fact, we have seen this recently with John Lewis changing its working environment. Large companies that no longer need so much space will look to share this with start-ups and fledgling companies with incubator spaces starting to develop.
For more content on the office of the future, click here.
Work in Mind is a content platform designed to give a voice to thinkers, businesses, journalists and regulatory bodies in the field of healthy buildings.


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The picturesque islands scattered across the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Thailand are some of Cambodia's last pristine spots. None have paved roads, cash machines or 24-hour electricity, but what the islands lack in amenities they more than make up for in natural beauty. Development is just around the corner, though, so you’ll have to move fast to get there before the relaxed atmosphere is destroyed by an influx of planned luxury resorts.
|Koh Rong. Image by Lina Goldberg|
Located two and a half hours from the mainland, Koh Rong is truly stunning, with picture-perfect white sand beaches and placid aquamarine surf. The 78-square-kilometre island, home to 43 kilometres of beaches, is full of diving, snorkelling and jungle trekking opportunities. The most developed of the islands off Sihanoukville;s shore, Koh Rong has more than a dozen guesthouses and bungalows and small local restaurants serving cold beer and freshly caught seafood.
But never fear, you can still find tranquil solitude in the many parts of the island that remain almost completely untouched. If you’re looking for Mekong whisky buckets, on the other hand, you won’t be disappointed either – the popular Monkey Island bar stays open late and has fire-dance performances every night. Next door, Paradise Bungalows offers more relaxed accommodation with a laid-back vibe and a remarkably good wine selection at their bar.
|Koh Thmei. Image by Lina Goldberg|
To the south of Koh Rong sits the island’s smaller, quieter sister, Koh Rong Samloem. More secluded than its neighbour, Koh Rong Samloem is dotted with beautiful, nearly empty beaches. The Dive Shop runs a boat between the two islands and has recently opened Robinson’s Bungalows – simple, inexpensive wooden cottages nestled in the jungle next to a windswept beach where the sunset paints each evening in vivid pinks and purples. In the next bay over is Lazy Beach, the island’s oldest resort and a popular favourite. Its private beach, plentiful hammocks and full cocktail menu make it the perfect spot to laze away a weekend.
Off the shore of Ream National Park sits Koh Thmei, an almost uninhabited island flanked by mangrove forests. Koh Thmei Resort is the only accommodation on the island, and its peaceful, ecologically minded set-up is perfect if you’re looking to unwind. Solar power means the bungalows have electricity almost all day – a rarity on the islands – although there’s no reason to spend much time indoors when there are beaches littered with exotic shells, a coral reef ripe for snorkelling, and more than a hundred species of rare birds to observe.
|A hornbill on Koh ta Kiev. Image by Lina Goldberg|
Closer to Sihanoukville is Koh ta Kiev, a small island just an hour offshore with rustic accommodation and camping options. Ten 103 Treehouse Bay has simple treehouses in the jungle, which make their homemade bread, fresh pasta, and other gourmet fare all the more unexpected. Down the beach, Crusoe Island offers inexpensive beachside camping and activities such as spear fishing, squid fishing and jungle treks.
Further north is a tiny island, Koh Totang, that’s inhabited by a handful of villagers and Nomads Land, a collection of simple, ecologically friendly bungalows where you can enjoy sunset cruises, organic meals and hammocks situated to best savour the view of the spectacular blue-green waters.
|Koh Totang. Image by Lina Goldberg|
Although none of the islands listed are more than three hours from the mainland, island-hopping off Cambodia’s coast can require patience – getting from one to the other may require going back to shore or hiring a private boat for the journey. But it’s worth the effort to see some of Cambodia’s most gorgeous, untouched spots before they disappear forever.
Read the full article at: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/asia/travel-tips-and-articles/77285

domain: travel


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Games of all types are a great part of our lives and how we entertain ourselves. The graphics and player experiences are only increasing and growing more and more vivid and real. The days of pong have only progressed to days of where what you see on your screens – be it a Large Digital 4k 120-inch screen to our Smart Phones is truly incredible.
Deep Sea Gold Rush: We have found yet another amazing game. This is great for anyone using iOS or Android. This is a very addictive and fun game. You can win real actual prizes. You can also earn real money. This is something you should play and try out. Great social interaction with your friends. Incredible Competition is here, and you can beat your own record, and compete for real prizes if you want! Start your Own Deep Sea Gold Rush Here:
Dynasty’s World Of Warcraft Addon: Improve your GAME, Improve your Wealth in Game! The game is so popular it has a following in the millions. It even has a Movie! If you are playing this game, you need to have this Add-on, so get the information and get playing to a better level. There is no stopping it… if you are hooked, then you need this addon.
Frozen Treat Frenzy: This is a fun game that sure makes your brain think, and gets addictive as you line up frozen treats to get more and more points and gain new levels. Like to compete or play with friends to see who can do better? Then join in the Tournament Play and win actual prizes! This game is super fun and super rewarding. See and get started here:
GAME LOOT NETWORK is here with fun and amazing mobile app games for you to enjoy. It is available in your Apple Store and Google Play Store: But sign up first – so you can have an account to play from! This Gaming App Network is launching new games all the time. And the token play is incredible allowing you to be able to win actual prizes. This is becoming the iTunes of Mobile Game Apps. GO HERE TO GET Started!
Sports Games Have Evolved!!! – Become a Player in the latest in Sports App Games played over IOS or Android Devices. From the NFL, NBA, MLB, PREMIER LEAGUE, MLS, CRICKET, RUGBY, GOLF and more. FAN FIRE brings you the Mobile App that allows you to fully Interact with real-life gameplay like never before. GAIN ACCESS HERE
United Games and Game Loot Network represent both Sports and Interactive Social Gameplay across our Mobile Phones. The access to entertainment and fun that is combined through our Social connections is entertaining and is also the 2nd fastest growing Industry. With over $100 Billion in Sales… it’s something to see for yourself what all the hype and excitement is all about.

domain: entertainment


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Tapping into new markets for Canadian maple syrup
April 12, 2019 – Saint-Herménégilde, Québec – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Today, Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced an investment of over $2.2 million to help the Maple Syrup Producers of Quebec increase global demand and promote Canadian maple syrup to international markets.
This investment enables the maple syrup sector to expand and diversify exports, and seize opportunities for Canadian maple syrup in existing and emerging markets in the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and China.
In United Kingdom, advertising and promotion activities will be developed, including new recipes to help raise awareness about maple products. The partnership established with the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, including renowned chefs, and the academic network will allow the link of maple products and gastronomy. Similar promotional activities will be developed in Germany.
A feasibility study on electronic commerce will be conducted in Japan in order to put an action plan in place. As well, a market research survey will be conducted in China to identify on-line marketing practices and strategies to promote regular consumption of maple products.
"Canada's maple syrup producers are known throughout the world for producing delicious, high-quality products. This investment will further strengthen existing markets and create potential to expand into new international markets, while growing our economy and creating well-paying jobs for our middle class."
- Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
"Producteurs et productrices acéricoles du Québec (PPAQ) is extremely happy and grateful to receive this funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The $2.2 million will make it possible to increase maple syrup sales in high-potential markets such as Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan and China. This funding falls directly in line with the key objective in our organization's 2018 - 2023 strategic plan, which is to increase sales of our liquid gold to 66% during that period."
- Serge Beaulieu, President, Producteurs et productrices acéricoles du Québec
This funding of $2.2 million was provided under the AgriMarketing Program of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3 billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the agriculture and agri-food sector.
The Canadian maple industry produces about 78% of the world's maple syrup and is the world's leading producer of maple products. The province of Quebec alone accounts for 90% of Canada's maple syrup production.
In 2018, Canada exported an estimated $405 million worth of maple products.
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
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- Date modified:


Editor’s note: Last updated at 3pm with council chairperson appointments.
KUCHING, Aug 22: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg announced the appointment of Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas as Minister of Finance II, and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan as Minister of International Trade & E-commerce, both replacing Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh.
Minister of Transport, a new portfolio will be headed by Datuk Lee Kim Shin with Datuk Dr Jerip Susil as his deputy.
Meanwhile Datu Jaul Sameon has been confirmed as the State Secretary, replacing the retired Tan Sri Mohd Morshidi Abdul Ghani.
The new chairpersons for major urban councils in Sarawak were also named. Datuk Wee Hong Seng is the new mayor of Kuching South City Council (MBKS) while Datuk Junaidi Raduan will take on the mantle of Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) mayor. As for Sibu Municipal Council, Clarence Ting is the new chairman.
Abang Johari revealed this at a press conference today at Wisma Bapa Malaysia.
More details to follow.


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Our MOC (members of Congress) tell us, the people who put them there, that they're scared silly about the corruption on the Hill. Fix Medicare? No. 1 on their agenda is to fix the corruption they created. They plan to launch a Congressional Fixer Upper on Jan. 31. MOC will not lunch, dine or travel with the L people of K Street. However, if it's a fundraising trip or meal, it's OK.
What do you mean fix Medicare? They stayed up way past their bedtimes a couple of years ago to fix it -- not for the seniors, but for the insurance and pharma lobbyists who will fund their next campaigns.
We can't wait till November to kick them out -- and we will. We have to scream bloody murder so they will get the message. No more fun-fundraising dinners or fun-tripping for funds for the MOC. They must turn the Medicare mess around now. Peoples' lives are at stake.
There, I said it! Now the MOC must close up the hole, clean up the mess and listen to the people who voted for them.
Hello, is anyone listening?
Mary Elizabeth McIlvane


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"High Country Snows" (1985). Totally different genre for Dan...Bluegrass! Just another way to show another facet of his talent. I saw this tour the summer of 1986 at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
Details about Kelly Willard - Paga CD 2007 Autumn Records * NEW * STILL SEALED

domain: artistic


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A clear, textbook-style history of the founding of the Fed and an explanation of what it actually does in the money markets.” —The Washington Post
“In a refreshingly quick read, Lev Menand takes a deep look at the history of the Federal Reserve, its recent actions in times of crisis, and its future possibilities.” —Porchlight Books, editor’s choice
“A clear and cogent assessment of how the nation’s central bank might be reformed.” —Kirkus Reviews
“A fascinating and deep analysis of what has gone wrong with the American financial system. Lev Menand peels back the layers of mythology and hagiography surrounding the Federal Reserve, to reveal just another government agency that fell in love with deregulation and now struggles with the consequences. The rise and rise of the repo market is central to how a stable and well-functioning financial system became so precarious. This is a must read for anyone who cares about macroeconomic policy and the future of the global economy.” —Simon Johnson, professor at MIT Sloan, and co-author of 13 Bankers
“No American institution is more important, or more opaque to the outsider, than the Fed. Now, Lev Menand has somehow, magically, made its functioning, its history, its limitations, and its possible futures completely lucid, even for the non-mathematically inclined, and, along the way, managed to sound several alarms about the risks even the most well-meaning opaque institution presents to democracy.” —Adam Gopnik, author of A Thousand Small Sanities: The Moral Adventure of Liberalism
“Born out of the need to govern the private money supply in a democracy, the Federal Reserve System manages a marriage between the state and the banks it is designed to regulate. As Menand shows, neither partner has been able to effectively contain the other. The outcome of this ‘quixotic dance’ is The Fed Unbound. A crucial read for anybody interested in the structural causes of today’s monetary policy.” —Katharina Pistor, professor at Columbia Law School and author of The Code of Capital: How Law Creates Wealth and Inequality
“Over the past century, the Federal Reserve has grown massively in power, size and influence. Yet the reasons for this evolution, and the myriad consequences that flow from it, have often remained shrouded from view. In The Fed Unbound, Menand provides a provocative and fresh account of the Fed’s rise to one of the most important institutions of our time. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in how the government or financial markets actually work.” —Kathryn Judge, professor at Columbia Law School and author of Direct: The Rise of the Middleman Economy and the Power of Going to the Source
“Lev Menand explains that shadow banking and some newer innovations should be treated as within the private part of the monetary system, while the Fed should not be treated as an all-purpose substitute for the elected Congress. These profound propositions need urgent attention given U.S. world leadership depends on the effectiveness, integrity, and legitimacy of the Fed. Read this book.” —Paul Tucker, author of Unelected Power: The Quest for Legitimacy in Central Banking and the Regulatory State
“The Fed Unbound is a wonderfully lucid and provocative account of the Fed’s ever-expanding role in the U.S. and global economies. Everyone who reads Menand’s account will rethink their understanding of the Fed’s place in the U.S. economy and in the government. This book will be a landmark in the growing field of law and macroeconomics.” —Yair Listokin, professor at Yale Law School and author of Law and Macroeconomics: Legal Remedies to Recessions
”Lev Menand’s incisive analysis of the Fed’s authorities could not be timelier. The Fed Unbound demonstrates how our chronic dependency on the central banking system—and thus, private banks—has failed to benefit the broader public, even in times of crises. In a rare feat, Menand’s work not only interrogates the Fed’s power on a technical level, but points toward the reconstruction of power that should not be.” —Raúl Carrillo, Deputy Director, Law & Political Economy Project
A study of the role of the increasingly powerful Federal Reserve in fostering economic inequality.
Menand, a law professor and former Treasury official, explores the ballooning influence of the nation’s central bank. In tracing the consequences of this expansion of authority, he focuses on the institution’s response to two watershed events: the 2008 financial meltdown and the Covid-19 pandemic. As the author explains, the Fed’s ability to address these challenges was complicated by the deregulation of the banking industry over the last several decades and the rise of alternative forms of currency, and it responded by intervening in the economy in ways that deviate strikingly from its original mandate. The Fed now “fight[s] persistent economic and financial crises by using its balance sheet like an emergency government credit bureau or national investment authority—creating new money to backstop financial firms, expand financial markets, and invest in businesses and municipalities.” Menand makes a persuasive case that the Fed’s escalating interventions, which lack political oversight and are heavily influenced by wealthy stakeholders, have a direct and significant bearing on how the nation’s democracy functions. Current stimulus efforts—including so-called QE Infinity, the theoretically endless acquisition of assets—clearly benefit those who hold sizable financial assets, further polarizing the nation’s economic inequality. Menand’s recommendations point to a larger role for Congress in guiding the Fed along with the creation of so-called “automatic stabilizers,” which would take effect without special congressional directives. Another proposal is stricter supervision of “unregulated private money,” including cryptocurrencies, which pose a grave risk, Menand rightly points out, to the government’s ability to control the economy. He argues persuasively that major restructuring of the Fed would alter the “balance of power between the financial sector and the government so that our system is efficient, equitable, and inclusive.”
A clear and cogent assessment of how the nation’s central bank might be reformed.

domain: library


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The weather was terrible for glassing the first 2 days of hunting. The first day it rained most of the day and we only spotted 4 deer, all doe. On the second day we picked this buck up right away and he was bedded down by 8:00 am. The deer was so low on the hill tht before we shot we had to trim some limbs and brush away to make a shooting lane. We normally shoot off a rock bench but we couldn't get an open shot at the right angle. We ended up about 20 yards from our original set-up laying prone on the ground. Robert has shot a few times long range at target and done very well. He had never killed a deer or any animal long range until this day. We watched this buck for about 3 hours before taking the shot. Robert kept his composure and made a great shot sending the bullet along the deers left side, through the lungs, took the top of the heart off, exited through the armpit on the far side and broke its leg at the knee on the far side. The 300g SMK made jello of the inside and as you seen the deer barely moved after he was hit. There was almost 4000 ft/lbs of energy when it hit the deer, that's like getting punched by superman I've got a few more videos to put together from this year with a couple of near misses too. Thanks for watching.
bigbuck, im not answering for kevin as he's quite capable of doing that for himself. fact is i doubt he even owns an indicator. this is not a gadget oriented area. ive never seen a cousine indicator or a weather station used here. thats not to say those things are unimportant. we rarly hunt alone here, a spotter is almost a must. if you noticed he asked the shooter several times if he was ready. that so he could be ready to call the shot. dont blink or you missed it. a more experienced shooter would know to do that. at that distance gravity dosent play much of a part with guns like that. our group has a chart for cousine made up years ago. we just guess the angle. cousine does play a major roll at the long distances. im going to buy an indicator and attach it to my glasses using a small weaver base on the bracket. that way ill only need 1 regardless of which gun we use.
aside from good guns and glasses, kevins group is successful because of their basic ability. that includes packing back to some remote spots.
Having the joy of hunting bear and deer with kevin this year i can add to the above...remote doesn`t even describe it....each of us packed in our stuff 2 miles with frame packs...and after the weather me kevin and robert hunted in at first no body deserves this kill more then robert! Oh i was there for the "tree bears" to...lol.....i didn't draw blood this year but i had more fun huntin this year then i ever had
Yobuck's absolutely right. I've been long range hunting for 20 years now and we never needed a cosine indicator. We were shooting at about a 20 degree angle down hill. At that distance I just took 2 clicks off. Robert hit exactly where we had discussed to hold. I agree shooting uphill or downhill does have an effect but under 1000 yards and with enough experience you just know how much it will effect the impact.
As for the bears in the tree they were pushing the 2300-2500 yard mark, and I'm firing my spotters, they couldn't see a **** hit. I won't even mention the shots at 1500 they couldn't see

domain: hobby


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Army holds meet to take on terrorists in cyber world
An important discussion will be to understand the capabilities of using technology in counter-terrorist operations.
Donald Trump ready to help India's defence but has a Russian missile system rider
The US statement comes after similar warning that S-400 dea...
Army conducts major cyber warfare workshop
An important discussion will be to understand the capabilities of using technology in counter-terr...
India tests hypersonic demonstrator vehicle launched from Agni I platform
The aircraft forms an important component of the country's ambitious programme for development of a hypersonic cruise missile system.
BrahMos JV value now stands at Rs 40,000 crore
BrahMos Aerospace CEO and Managing Director Sudhir Mishra said like the supersonic missiles project, there should have been joint ventures between India and Russia in more sectors.
To boost defence exports, govt to launch 'open general export scheme' in a month: Official
Joint Secretary (Defence Infrastructure Panel) in the Ministry of Defence said that through the new licence, the industry will be able to access international market and make the products more competitive.
As India focuses on defence exports, GRSE looks to engage customers
GRSE, which recently delivered the 100th warship to be constructed here, has constituted special teams for its overseas efforts.
Rafale with Indian colours to be delivered in Sept: French envoy A Ziegler
The first Rafale with Indian colours will be delivered to the Indian Air Force this September, says A Ziegler.
Indian defence industry keen to support African countries: Bipin Rawat
Referring to an equipment display organised under the aegis of FICCI after the military exercise, Bipin Rawat said it was a "humble attempt to showcase the emerging Indian defence industry".
Copyright © 2019 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service


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Suggested Scale for Usage 1:10000
Horizontal positional accuracy
The horizontal accuracy of the dataset varies depending upon the available survey fabric, its currency and control for all parcels across the Region. In Urban Areas, the horizontal accuracy is within approximately +/- 0.3 m. In comparison Rural Areas are horizontally accurate to between +/- 0.3 to 7.5 m.
Vertical positional accuracy

domain: geography


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Study Design. Cross sectional population-based survey.
Objective. To investigate the relationship between low back pain (LBP) beliefs and care seeking in LBP.
Summary of Background Data. Not all people experiencing LBP seek care for their problem. Consistent predictors of care-seeking behavior seem to be female sex and high perceived disability; the role of beliefs about LBP has not been investigated sufficiently.
Methods. A questionnaire booklet was mailed to a random sample of 2860 individuals otherwise participating in an epidemiological study of musculoskeletal health. It contained the Back Beliefs Questionnaire (BBQ), the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ; physical activity and work scales), and questions about sociodemographics, LBP characteristics, and LBP-related care seeking in the last month (“yes” = visit to specialist, general practitioner, physiotherapist, or other health care practitioner; “no” = none of these). Logistic regression was used to identify whether beliefs made a significant contribution to care-seeking behavior, beyond known predictors conceptualized in the behavioral model of health services use.
Results. A total of 2507 of 2860 (88%) individuals completed the questionnaire; 1071 (43%) reported current LBP, 301 (28%) of which had sought care. In univariate analyses the following were all significantly related to care seeking (all P < 0.01): female sex; increasing age; not working full time; lower income; greater LBP frequency, LBP intensity, and limitations in activities of daily living; worse general health; higher FABQ-Physical Activity, FABQ-Work, and Back Beliefs Questionnaire scores. In multiple regression, female sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.731; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.174–2.551; P = 0.006), LBP frequency (OR, 1.492; 95% CI, 1.249–1.783; P < 0.0001), limitations in activities of daily living (OR, 1.010; 95% CI, 1.001–1.020; P = 0.037), and high FABQ-Work Scores (OR, 1.025; 95% CI, 1.005–1.044, P = 0.012) contributed significantly to the final model.
Conclusion. That the odds of seeking care are higher in fear-avoidant individuals, even when controlling for other established predictors, emphasizes the importance of addressing such beliefs during the consultation; public health education programs may serve to underpin the delivery of positive messages, ultimately reducing health care demands.

domain: medical


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So much attention to detail goes into every show that Pegasus Theatre does in its trademarked "Living Black and White" style. Presented as a vintage piece of silver screen silliness come to life, the plays written by and starring Pegasus founder Kurt Kleinmann strip all the color from everything on the stage. Actors, costumes, props and scenery are rendered in chalky monochrome. When the curtain goes up, the visual effect can be a stunner.
Then the play starts and you wonder why, with so much artistry involved in the physical aspects of the production, didn't Kleinmann work harder on the script?
Pegasus does one of these black-and-whites every year. Some are better than others, but none are as good as they should be. The current production, Another Murder, Another Show!, is a rerun from 1998 of one of the weakest among Kleinmann's 16 comedies starring the character he portrays, "world famous detective and aspiring actor" Harry Hunsacker. In this one, now running at Richardson's Eisemann Center, Harry stumbles into the wrong theater just before a big awards ceremony and helps solve the murder of a stagehand. We never see the stagehand character; his killing happens offstage, a low-stakes way of setting up a two-hours-and-change mystery.
Kleinmann uses the same basic template for his plays. His Hunsacker persona is an idiot, the blithering, blathering kind. The character only gets credit for solving homicides because his much brighter "good friend and paid employee" Nigel Grouse (Ben Bryant, working at half speed) quietly feeds him the clues and takes no credit. Nemesis police detective Lt. Foster (Chad Cline) fusses and fumes the way Inspector Lestrade does when Sherlock Holmes out-thinks him. Foster is always two steps behind Harry, who's nine steps behind unsung hero Nigel.
The running gag in all the black-and-white plays is that old Harry Hunsacker is desperate to break into show business. He'll step over a corpse to hand a producer his headshot. Kleinmann's plays needle the neediness of unemployed thespians with lots of retro-Hollywood references to the bloated egos of good-looking leading men and the loose morals of blond chorines. In Another Murder someone remarks that a backstage murder is unusual because actors usually settle their differences using agents, not firearms.
There is no stereotype too dumb to exploit in Kleinmann's oeuvre. Starlets are buxom airheads. Producers are on the prowl for willing starlets. Male ingenues are brainless, too, and in any theatrical troupe, the stage manager, like the butler in an Agatha Christie novel, is always the first suspect but rarely the murderer.
In Another Murder, Another Show!, Hunsacker and Nigel don a series of bad disguises as Harry tries to both solve the crime and win one of the "Wally Awards" at the ceremony being postponed by the pileup of bodies. (After the stagehand's death, two more people turn toes up — or do they?) Harry wears a cape and pretends to be Sherlock. He puts on a white dinner jacket and a chop suey accent we now consider racist and offensive when he's Charlie Chan. As Nick Charles (yes, the references are that old), he's costumed in a bathrobe (shouldn't it be a smoking jacket?) and holds a martini glass. Nigel, in the only really funny bit, comes on in hideous drag as Nick's elegant wife, Nora. (Ben Bryant is so much better than this when he's working at Ochre House theater in tasty scripts by Matthew Posey.)
For farce to be funny, it needs to move and for most of Another Murder, the actors stand still and don't do a lot. Director Michael Serrecchia, so imaginative when he's staging musicals, allows this show to remain static for long stretches as Kleinmann's pages-long speeches go on and on and on. Worst at hitting the punchlines with any pizzazz? Kleinmann, whose sluggish timing and mumbling delivery kill the jokes he wrote for the character he plays.
What laughs there are come from the other actors, all solid pros, doing their level bests to add luster to dull dialogue. Ben Schroth gets away with imitating the voice of Peter Lorre as a creepy character named Rolfe Sedan. Jarratt Calvert has sharp comic moments as ditzy dancer George. Alex Moore purrs nicely as voracious chorus girl Gloria. Leslie Patrick, as the conniving tap-dancer Mary, gets the rhythms of old movie patois just right, as if she's studied Ginger Rogers in Stage Door. As awards show director Leon Belasco, actor Art Kedzierski has to spew endless exposition and he manages to make it amusing. Chris Messersmith plays an angry gangster who gets to say, on the set of the awards presentation, there's "no statuette of limitations" on certain crimes. Character Sheila Rose is the Margaret Dumont character named Mrs. Rice, a snooty society dame suspected of murder. (Kleinmann has Hunsacker say, "Come on, Rice, spill the beans." That's the level of comedy we're talking here.)
The production elements are fine, with show-with-the-show scenery by Scott Kirkham that combines circles and triangles in an art deco motif that reflects the right period. Costumes by Samantha Rodriguez and Hank Henry use all the hues on the limited black, white and gray palette, with flashes of geometric patterns that complement the set pieces.
It's all built beautifully, aside from the script itself. Kleinmann's play is so confusing as it keeps doubling back on itself that by the time the third character is killed, you will have forgotten who he was in the first place. The big reveal at the end, where Nigel and Harry pin down the right perpetrator by running through all the convoluted plot points, goes on for a painfully unfunny 15 minutes.
Waiting for this show to end, that's murder.


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Op-Ed: Inflation Reduction Act First Anniversary Worth Celebrating
This week we joined the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters (NCLCV) to recognize the first anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in clean energy in the history of the United States! Thanks to President Biden's affordable clean energy plan, North Carolina already has received $9.61 billion in investments and created 4100 jobs.
"It’s not every day that Washington works and we see tangible results in North Carolina, so when it does, we should pay attention," wrote NC State AFL-CIO President MaryBe McMillan and NCLCV Executive Director Carrie Clark in a joint opinion editorial published Tuesday in the Greensboro News & Record.
These investments build on top of a clean-energy transition that Gov. Roy Cooper has led for the past six years. Under Gov. Cooper’s leadership, with support from the IRA and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), North Carolina is ninth in the nation for the number of clean-energy jobs — and first among all 50 states in rural clean-energy jobs, with over 25,000 clean energy jobs in rural areas.
What’s more, these jobs cannot be offshored or outsourced to other countries. We’ll need tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of new electricians and HVAC (heating, cooling and ventilation) technicians as well as manufacturing workers in EV, solar and other clean-energy industries. Working people are the backbone of this clean, electric, economic engine.
Additionally, the affordable clean-energy plan is specifically designed to bring manufacturing supply chains back to the U.S., so that our nation receives the economic benefits of creating and delivering products from start to finish. Not only does this help with job security and economic revival but it will help the U.S. achieve energy independence. Reducing our reliance on oil and gas means lessening our dependence on anti-democratic forces in rich fossil-fuel exporting countries.
For consumers, clean energy is cheaper to produce and more reliable, which means savings on your monthly electric bill and fewer forced blackouts. Tax credits and other incentives from the IRA will help bring down the cost of, or even make free, things like energy-efficient home improvements and all-electric appliances, electric vehicles, and solar panels for middle-class and working families in North Carolina.
Finally, this transition isn’t only about good jobs and lower utility bills. We have just had the hottest July in the history of the planet, and most likely the hottest month in recorded history. If we don’t transition away from fossil fuels, the implications for our future are becoming more obvious every day. Increases in the frequency and intensity of hurricanes, extreme weather, and other natural disasters like floods and wildfires are obvious and unavoidable.
Thanks to President Biden, Gov. Cooper, private-sector investment and organized labor supporting workers, we are now taking bold action to implement this affordable clean-energy plan. Our economic future and the prospects of a livable planet are better because of it. That’s worth recognizing.
You can read and share MaryBe and Carrie's full op-ed online at Greensboro.com.
Click here for a printer-friendly PDF.


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Guidance to Financial Institutions, Mortgage Lenders and Servicers Regarding Borrowers Affected by Severe Winter Storms, Flooding and Landslides
This guidance is directed to financial institutions, lenders, and mortgage servicers in California whose customers may be experiencing financial hardship as a result of recent severe winter storms, flooding, and landslides. The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation recognizes the serious impact to borrowers in communities affected by these natural disasters and encourages lenders and servicers to work with these customers to meet their financial needs.
On January 23 and February 4, 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in parts of California as a result of the winter storms. These storms caused flooding, closure and damage to roadways, power outages, damage to structures, and mandatory evacuations in certain counties.
The Commissioner encourages financial institutions, lenders, and servicers to work constructively with their customers and propose solutions to meet their lending needs as the recovery continues. Such solutions may include offering payment accommodations, such as deferrals or extensions, and loan modifications to the rate or term. Prudent efforts to modify or restructure the terms of loans will not be criticized by examiners.
Furthermore, the Commissioner acknowledges that some licensees may experience an increase in delinquent or nonperforming loans and troubled debt restructures as a result of the financial impact to borrowers cause by the severe storm activity. The Commissioner will consider such increases in adversely classified assets within the context of the state of emergency, and supervisory responses will be measured and appropriate. The Commissioner supports and will not criticize efforts to accommodate customers in a safe and sound manner.
This guidance does not modify any existing law or regulation.

domain: finance


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FVB Malmö – at the center of the action
The Swedish tour, where we visit FVB offices around the country, has come to Malmö. They are experts in distribution here – whether it’s district heating, district cooling, or gas.
The office was established in 2017 and is located in central Malmö. This is in the middle of an expansive region. Customers include E.ON, Öresundskraft and Kraftringen.
“We have six employees at our office in Malmö, and our plan is to grow further. The future looks very bright, and we see great potential to grow in this region,” says Lennart Larsson, who is the Office Manager.
“Our strength is in distribution for district heating, district cooling, and urban gas. Our staff has both extensive experience and cutting-edge expertise,” says Lennart Larsson.
This is evident in the many assignments we currently have in district heating distribution. These include two projects with low-temperature district heating. One is in Lund, where Kraftringen is building one of the world’s largest low-temperature systems for district heating, and where waste heat from the research facility MAX IV will supply the entire Brunnshög district. The other project is being done by HEM in Halmstad, where a new district will get a district heating system of 65 degrees Celsius, which will be based on the innovative system developed at Halmstad University.
“We are also working with assignments involving reinvestments in old networks, where it is good to have a history and experience with these systems. We are active across the spectrum in district heating development,” says Lennart Larsson.


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yeh but how do u plan to get the drive to the front wheels via the non existing long shaft on the motr..... cog 4wd not belt...... (on the 206 ne way.....) so ur saying ps tyres and protubo motor... but the real question i have is: is the money better spent on my single? (on a f1 slotit back axel kit) remembering that the single is running an sc07 and proslot mag.... i think not....
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International Financial Services Centres Authority
F. No. 286/IFSCA/PM (CMD-DMIIT)/2021/2
June 22, 2021
All Stock Exchanges in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC)
Sub: Introduction of Negotiated Large Trade (“NLT”) facility on Stock Exchanges
1. In order to facilitate a vibrant capital market ecosystem in GIFT-IFSC and to attract global investors and foreign capital, it has been decided to introduce a NLT facility for derivatives on the stock exchanges.
2. The operational framework for the NLT facility in the derivatives segment shall be as follows:
(a) The NLT Window shall be open throughout normal trading hours of the stock exchanges.
(b) The orders placed shall be within +/- 1% of the applicable Reference price. The Reference price shall be the Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP) of trades executed in the 30 minutes preceding the NLT order execution.
(c) The minimum order size in terms of notional value, for execution of trades, shall be USD 1
(d) The NLT transactions shall not be considered for calculation of the daily Open, High, Low, Close (OHLC), VWAP or Daily Settlement Price (DSP) or the Final Settlement Price (FSP) of the derivatives contract for which the transaction has been executed.
e) The NLT trades on behalf of clients shall not be executed against the trading member’s own The Trading Members shall execute NLT trades on behalf of their clients only after obtaining explicit written consent from their respective clients.
f) The position limits applicable to the normal market shall be applicable to the NLT window.
g) The Stock Exchange shall ensure that all appropriate trading and settlement practices as well as surveillance and risk containment measures as applicable to the normal trading segment are made applicable and implemented with respect to the NLT window.
h) The Stock Exchange shall disseminate details of the NLT trades to the public on the same day, after the market hours.
3. Stock Exchanges are advised to:
a) take necessary steps and put in place necessary systems for implementation of the above
b) make necessary amendments to the relevant bye-laws, rules and regulations for the implementation of the above decision
c) bring the provisions of this circular to the notice of the trading members of the stock exchange and also to disseminate the same on the website.
This circular is issued in exercise of powers conferred by section 12 of the International Financial Services Centres Authority Act, 2019 to develop and regulate the financial products, financial services and financial institutions in the International Financial Services Centres.
A copy of this circular is available on the website of the International Financial Services Centres Authority at www.ifsca.gov.in
Deputy General Manager
Division of Market Infrastructure Institutions & Technology
Capital Markets Department
email: [email protected]


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Events in Sundance Square
Welcome to our interactive Calendar of Events! From live theatre and concerts to races and festivals, downtown Fort Worth’s Sundance Square is always hopping. Select a date from the calendar on the right to see what’s going on that day. Or if you prefer, view all the upcoming events in downtown Fort Worth for this week or this month. Whether you’re looking for something to do tonight or planning ahead, you’re sure to find something fun here!


A German court has strengthened efforts to ban older diesel cars in the city of Stuttgart.
The city’s administrative court reportedly ordered the state government to rework a proposed air quality plan, saying it wouldn’t bring improvements as fast as originally planned.
Environmental group DUH took the city, home to vehicles manufacturers such as Porsche and Mercedes-Benz, to court following the VW emissions scandal to make it drastically improve air quality by banning diesel cars.
The city has since said on days with heavy pollution levels, it would ban diesel cars which did not conform to the latest emissions standards.
In a bid to prevent a complete ban of diesel cars, carmakers and politicians in the country have worked on a plan to improve air quality by updating engine management software on some older vehicles to make exhaust filter systems more effective.
The state government said it would study the court ruling before deciding by January 2018 if and when it would impose the ban.


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A number of the new slot machines have a lot of aspect video games that they're bewildering. It Nearly results in being a video game of inserting your cash, hitting a button, and seeing what transpires. In order to have a great time, and know what you’re undertaking, Bank on It could be just the ticket.
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Do you hate seeing all blanks to the spend line? Not any more! In Bank on It, after you get three blanks on the pay back-line, the coins you played are set into a bank. It’s known as the “Piggy Financial institution.” The sport puts a hundred and fifty coins to the piggy bank to start out as well 모바일카지노 as financial institution retains escalating anytime you obtain a few blanks around the shell out-line.
To break the piggy bank you should get a few little piggies. Lender on It has a wild symbol as well and which can count being a piggy. The bank is a pleasant addition plus a welcomed side recreation.
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Fair and inclusive Qld
The Commission has a responsibility under the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 to promote the understanding and acceptance of human rights in Queensland, and works towards achieving a fair and inclusive Queensland.
The Commission focuses on community engagement to create opportunities in local communities for relationship building and collaborative efforts to advance human rights issues.
This work is inspired by Eleanor Roosevelt, who is recognised as one of the driving forces for the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights .
'Where, after all, do universal human rights begin?
In small places, close to home - so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm, or office where he works.
Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination.
Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere.
Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.

domain: sociology


Acronis Drives Industry Forward With Expansion of Data Protection Platform for Hybrid Environments
Recognizing a serious shift in enterprise needs for data protection, Acronis today announced that it has expanded beyond the traditional backup and disaster recovery market to encompass a broader strategy for delivering secure data availability, accessibility and protection.
The widespread adoption of virtualization and cloud computing, alongside tablets, smartphones and the Apple® Mac® within businesses significantly increases the risk of data loss and leakage, which cannot be prevented with conventional approaches using outdated technologies from legacy vendors. With its focus on the protection and movement of data, regardless of platform or environment, Acronis is presenting further expansion of its comprehensive platform to address this risk, easily, simply, and reliably for organizations of all sizes.
In 2012, Acronis’ virtualization data protection business grew by nearly 60 percent worldwide. This, alongside Acronis’ continued cloud business growth, is strong evidence of the demand for a more innovative, comprehensive platform that eliminates IT complexity and allows companies to establish one set of data protection policies, using one technology, across all environments. The increase in hybrid IT environments require new approaches to solve the data protection and availability problems these complex environments create.
“Companies are adopting new technologies faster than they can plan effective data protection strategies. Yet IT is responsible for data protection across all technologies and environments. After all, data can only be utilized if it can be securely accessed, protected and available regardless of platform or environment, tablet or smartphone,” said Alex Pinchev, president and CEO, Acronis.
“Acronis is delivering a comprehensive platform strategy that allows customers to more simply and reliably mitigate the risk to data in today’s world, in ways no legacy vendor can. By keeping data at the center of our development effort, we focus on removing the constraints of hybrid environments by enabling the secure, protected movement of data while reducing risks of data loss and leakage.”
The most recent developments include a new seamless architecture that enables organizations to integrate protection for data created on an Apple® Mac® platform, which was also announced today, as well as the extension of the Acronis Unified Platform to include new plugins for data-intensive applications such as Microsoft® SQL Server™ which are increasingly moving to virtual environments.
“We see the forces of Big Data, virtualization, cloud and the growing population of workers with three or more disparate devices changing the landscape of data protection forever,” commented Laura DuBois, program vice president for the Storage practice at IDC. “Our research shows that with the next wave of virtualization users will increasingly embrace multiple hypervisors in their environments. Organizations will be facing an increasingly complex management and security burden.”
From the initial imaging product development in 2002, Acronis has always focused on the protection of data, regardless of platform or environment, enabling seamless movement and greater efficiency. The imaging technology central to Acronis innovation enables the granular availability of every object, file, machine or system — regardless of location. Acronis’ Unified Platform, which supports all major hypervisors, has been on the market for nearly two years and is proven in thousands of networks worldwide. These latest extensions will bring greater flexibility to an organizations’ ability to move, access and protect critical data.
Acronis is leading the next wave of data availability, accessibility and protection solutions to simplify today’s complex IT environments. Acronis technology enables organizations of all sizes to manage the always-on anywhere data access demands of users, reducing risk against the loss of valuable corporate data, and controlling management and storage costs. With proven technology for data migration and disaster recovery for physical, virtual and cloud environments, and secure enterprise file-sharing and synchronization regardless of type or platform, Acronis is enabling organizations to embrace new IT strategies and options such as BYOD and Mac in the enterprise.
Meredith L. Eaton
Tel: +1 617-960-9877
Email: [email protected]


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Jan 21 - Feb 18
March 2, 2015
Today will be a good one to bond with your furry friends. Take Fido out for a long walk and game of catch, or give Fluffy a nice brushing. Treat them to their favorites food treats, too: salmon for the cat and perhaps beef chunks in a thick savory broth for the dog. Hmmm, on second thought, you eat that and give the pets the canned stuff.

domain: pet


Dhaka: Bangladesh on Sunday reinstalled the statue of a Greek Goddess clad in a saree, taken down from the front of the Supreme Court after religious hardliners deemed it “un-Islamic”, to a different location within the premises.
The sculpture of Themis – the goddess of justice – had been in place for less than six months when it was removed on Friday after Islamist groups claimed it hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims.
Sculptor Mrinal Haque, who engraved the statue, supervised the reinstallation process. The reinstallation work began yesterday and was completed today with the help of around 30 workers.
Hifazat-e Islam, Olama League and several other Islamist organisations have been demanding the removal of the statue.
Radical Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islam had targeted the statue since its erection in December, saying it did not reflect the Islamic culture of the Muslims in Bangladesh, The Dhaka Tribune reported.
Just a day after being removed from in front of the Supreme Court, the statue of Lady Justice was reinstalled today before the annex building of the apex court, Haque said.
“I wasn’t given any clarification but was only ordered to relocate it,” he had said.
The statue was erected in December 2016, holding a sword and the scales of justice in her hands.
The statue, which is not of the Greek goddess but a Bengali woman, has ruffled feathers in the Muslim-majority nation, with hardliners staging massive protests in recent months.
According to the hardliners, the statue, a variation on the Greek goddess Themis, goes against Islam, the report had said.
Police had used tear gas and water cannons as protests mounted after authorities removed the statue from the Supreme Court premises.
Scores of slogan chanting protestors rallied near the apex court complex where police hurled tear gas canisters and coloured water from water cannons to disperse them the report said.
In April, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who leads the secular Awami League party, apparently backed the Islamists by expressing her dislike for the statue and approved its removal.
In reaction to criticism over her approval, Hasina said she had asked Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha why the statue of a Greek goddess had been distorted by having it clad in a saree, the report said.
“Why shouldn’t it be removed? Don’t they see that it is no more Greek. It’s half Greek, half Bengali. It’s Greek- Bengali now. Don’t they see it?” she had inquired.
Bangladesh has experienced increasing tensions between hardliners and secularists in recent years, suffering a spate of killings of atheist bloggers, religious minorities and foreign.


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Hair loss due to Trichotillomania
We have over 30 years of experience working with those diagnosed with Trichotillomania.
The staff at Profiles understands the sensitivity and emotional issues attached to the frustration you experience with your hair. We offer a number of products and services to help end some of your stress and anxiety that you experience on a daily basis. Profiles can help you so that you can resume your daily life with confidence. Our private facility and non-judgmental staff will help you decide what treatment and service is best for you, so you can regain your self-esteem.
When using a certain type of hair addition, we can prevent access to the areas in which the client desires to pull. This creates a barrier, so the client can no longer get to the area they desire. In most cases the client will not begin to pull in new areas and some have also overcome or reduce their urge to pull. Please feel free to come in for your private complimentary consultation to speak to one of our hair loss specialists.


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A new office has been created within the Department of Homeland Security charged with identifying and stripping the naturalized citizenship and green cards of people who had lied on applications about their immigration status.
Michael Bars, a spokesman for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), told the Washington Examiner that the agency had hired dozens of lawyers and immigration officers for its new Los Angeles office to look into possible fraudulent applications.
“The new USCIS office in southern California will serve as a centralized location to review and initiate the civil denaturalization process against individuals who had been ordered removed and those who had intentionally used multiple identities in order to defraud the government and the American people to obtain citizenship,” he told the publication.
USCIS established a sort of pop-up office in Los Angeles in January 2017 to review possibly fraudulent fingerprints. Since then, 2,536 cases have been flagged for additional review, the Examiner reported.
“Nobody who obtained U.S. citizenship or green card by deliberately assuming a false identity will be surprised to learn they are being referred to the Justice Department for removal proceedings. USCIS screens for deliberate acts of fraud,” Bars told the Examiner.


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These 9 stars plus a few other respectable players highlighted one of the greatest rookie classes in MLB history. Furthermore, 2017 featured several big-name rookies, particularly sluggers Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger.
Though a reasonable part of this hobby has to do with luck, the past few rookie classes featured so many stars that it became a little easier to pull monster hits out of packs, both hobby, and retail.
I certainly had my fair share of luck when it came to 2017 and 2018 products, and a significant portion of that luck was thanks to the sensational rookies. Last year, in particular, was unbelievable in terms of the incredible cards that I pulled.
My luck in the past is a major reason as to why I'm disappointed with my wax purchases in 2019. Topps and Panini have featured the big 4 rookies (Eloy Jimenez, Vlad Jr, Tatis Jr, and Pete Alonso) in almost every product, but I haven't come up with a major hit or even a numbered card of any of these guys so far.
I'm not sure if the pack odds are making things more challenging or if my luck's run out, but 2019 hasn't been great as far as hits are concerned. Don't get me wrong, I still love the products that I purchase and the cards that I pull. It's just weird that I haven't had much luck when it comes to hits.
The most important factor is what I think of the set and its design, but I also take into account whether I'll get my good luck back when I purchase a box of cards.
Now that Panini Prizm Baseball seems to be back for good, Optic needs to do a lot to impress me enough to purchase even a rack pack. However, I opened some Chrome at The National, and Heritage High # has never yielded anything worth mentioning, so Optic seemed like the best bet when I was at Target earlier today.
Part of the reason why I chose Optic is that I'm a sucker for chrome cards. Each year, I'm captivated by Topps Chrome not out of the possibility of pulling a big-name auto because then I'd be buying boxes of every single set.
Rather, Topps does a phenomenal job with Chrome every year, no matter what the Flagship set looks like. Panini does the same thing with Optic, though I've never been too fond of any Panini Donruss base set.
If nothing else, the base cards allow me to add to my player collections and give me a chance to form an opinion on Optic, a set I haven't opened in over 2 years.
Unfortunately, when it came to that major hit/parallel that I've been chasing all year, I fell short once more. I was hoping, if nothing else, to pull one of the better Rated Rookies from this set, but the best I could manage was Ramon Laureano and Jake Bauers.
Still, the Rated Rookie logo is so reminiscent of the late 80s and early 90s Donruss sets, so these cards have more going for them than your traditional Laureano and Bauers rookies.
As I mentioned earlier, with Prizm Baseball making its return, I have even less of an incentive to purchase Optic which is part of the reason why I bought this blaster. I wanted to give this product another chance to impress me before I commit to Prizm from here on out.
I appreciate that Panini featured Rated Prospect cards in this set, but I can get chrome prospect cards in Bowman's Best, one of my 2 favorite releases of the year. Though the price point between the 2 products is drastically different, so is the value of the cards.
I will admit that the inserts grabbed my attention, mainly because of how they add a much-needed break from the white borders of the Optic base set. The Mythical cards aren't too special; they're just pretty).
The MVP insert set, on the other hand, showcases previous MVP winners on the team that they won the award with. Seeing Josh Donaldson on the Blue Jays reminds me of how dominant he was a few years back, just like when I saw someone pull a Pedroia insert from when he won the 2008 AL MVP award.
In addition to 6 regular packs with 4 cards each, the Optic blaster delivered an exclusive 3-card pink parallel pack. Maybe I'm tough on this set, but the pink refractors were the only part of this blaster that impressed me.
I've always said that the best thing Panini can do is distract me from the fact that the cards are unlicensed. The pink parallels did this for me in the 2019 Optic set, and I'm sure there are plenty of other refractors that do the same in this product.
Unfortunately, I'm simply not willing to spend money on another Optic blaster, let alone a hobby box. Maybe I should've gone with the value pack ($10 for 16 cards) which promises 4 lime green parallels since I love these refractors so much.
Panini did a fabulous job with Prizm this year, and I can't wait to get my hands on some Chronicles. Even if I've been low on luck when it comes to hits, I've learned which products I want to purchase in the future while collecting cards this year.
As beautiful as the parallels are, Panini Donruss Optic just isn't one of those sets.


Oct 4, 2015
Thameside started this live broadcast at 10:30 with Bob Edwards running through the Thameside Radio 90.2 listener charts for 1981. What a year: Fade to Grey - Visage; That’s Entertainment - The Jam; Tainted Love – Soft Cell; Joan of Arc / Maid of Orleans – Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark; Imagine – John...
Jul 24, 2011
This broadcast coincided with a Thameside Radio party at the Shepherds Bush Village Hall.
Because of transmitter changes the recording stops after 45 minutes - but later on during the show there were recordings from the party - almost live, but not enough for the DTI to visit!
Jun 5, 2011
The first show presented by The Curlyman who ran a comedy telephone answering machine service which was featured on the Thameside Radio news and the London Evening standard. Sadly there were no premium rate phone lines then so there was no viable business model. The Curlyman also took calls from Thamesde listeners...
Apr 24, 2011
It’s a sunny day and everyone has been at the Barnes
Dave Birdman returned from holiday in Spain – his show was looked after by Alex and then The Curly Man while he was away. He makes up for his absence by playing lots of great jingles, looking for a new tag line for the show and finishes by fiddling...
Jan 30, 2011
Alex (photo) takes over for the last hour as Dave is on holiday.
The first of the fast food surveys comes from McDonalds in Hammersmith where listeners decide that the boxes are more tasty than the burgers!
This is a 3 hour show put together from two separate recordings: The recording of Bob's show has some of the the...