Japan scrambles jets as talk of Taiwan, Russia looms over Quad summit
Japan sent military jets aloft after Russian and Chinese warplanes neared its airspace, with Tokyo conveying “grave concerns” about what it saw as a provocation timed to coincide with the Quad summit in late May 2022.
The issues of Taiwan and Russia loomed over the meeting in Tokyo of leaders of the Quad grouping of Australia, India, Japan and the United States, who stressed their determination to ensure a Free and Open Indo-Pacific in the face of an increasingly assertive People’s Republic of China (PRC). (Pictured: From left, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attend the Quad leaders’ summit in Tokyo in May 2022.)
As the leaders met, Russian and Chinese warplanes conducted a 13-hour joint patrol, which Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi called a likely provocation by Beijing and Moscow.
“We believe the fact that this action was taken during the Quad summit makes it more provocative than in the past,” Kishi said.
South Korea also scrambled fighters, saying at least four Chinese and four Russian warplanes entered its air defense identification zone.
The patrol took place a day after U.S. President Joe Biden angered the PRC by saying the U.S. would be willing to use force to defend the democratic island of Taiwan. Biden later said his comment reflected no change to the U.S. policy of “strategic ambiguity” on Taiwan, which the PRC claims as its territory.
The joint patrol, the first since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, was part of an annual military exercise, the PRC’s defense ministry said.
The Quad leaders released a statement saying they “discussed their respective responses to the conflict in Ukraine and the ongoing tragic humanitarian crisis.”
In an apparent concession to India, which has close ties with Russia, the words “Russia” or “Russian” did not appear in the statement. India has not condemned Russia’s invasion or imposed sanctions.
Following the Quad summit, Kishida said the leaders, including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, shared their concerns about Ukraine and all four agreed on the importance of the rule of law, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Speaking to reporters, President Biden condemned Russia’s invasion, saying it had global ramifications. That was echoed by Kishida, who said the invasion “shakes the foundation of international order” and was a direct challenge to the United Nations’ principles.
“We should not allow similar things to happen in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.
President Biden’s comment on Taiwan, which was not on the summit agenda, was the focus of much attention.
While Washington is required by law to provide self-ruled Taiwan with the means to defend itself, it has long followed the policy of strategic ambiguity on whether it would intervene militarily in the event of a Chinese attack.
Albanese, who attended the summit just days after his election as Australia’s leader, asked his Quad counterparts to take leading roles on combating climate change. “The region is looking to us to work with them and to lead by example,” he said.
IMAGE CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES


text:
Solar demand rose last year but not as much as the industry had hoped, and California proved that if you have a high renewable standard then you’re going to get a lot of solar.
First, the mediocre industry news. Solar demand was up 5 percent to 29 gigawatts worldwide, according to a report this week from NPD Solarbuzz, an industry analyst group.
Sounds good, but it’s not. The industry was hoping for 35 gigawatts of demand, because it can make that many panels and more because it has too many factories.
It also marks the first year in a decade where solar demand was less than 10 percent. Now granted, when you’re growing at a fast clip, any exec will tell you at some point you have to level off that growth because, well, you’re dealing with bigger numbers.
But the demand numbers still are a bit of a downer for the industry that is struggling with oversupply at a time when many governments such as Germany and Italy peeled back their incentives.
But there’s no question incentives still are driving demand. Take a look at California, which has the highest renewable portfolio standard of requiring utilities to get 33 percent of their power from sources such as solar and wind by 2020.
The way it breaks down is that the Americas — both North and South in this case — represent 13 percent of total solar demand. California represented one third of that.
So in math terms -- and I’m a journalist so math is more of a fleeting dream than an actual skill -- California represents between 4 and 5 percent of the global demand.
But California is really going to have to up its needs to help out global demand. The report notes that for supply and demand to be balanced, demand would need to be about 45 gigawatts.
Michael Barker, a senior analyst with NPD Solarbuzz, said that’s the reason many companies were reporting growing market share but still reporting losses.
Patrick O'Grady is managing editor of the Phoenix Business Journal.

domain: economics


text:
If you're considering legally purchasing marijuana seeds, it's crucial to be well-informed and prepared. With the growing interest in cannabis cultivation, navigating the legal and practical aspects of seed acquisition can be complex. You'll want to ensure that you're making informed decisions that align with the regulations in your area and that the seeds you purchase meet your specific needs and expectations. Whether you're a seasoned grower or just starting out, understanding the best practices for acquiring marijuana seeds is essential for a successful and compliant cultivation journey.
- Thoroughly research the laws and regulations applicable in your state or country regarding the purchase and cultivation of marijuana seeds.
- Find a reputable supplier that complies with state regulations, holds necessary permits, and prioritizes quality and origin of seeds.
- Ensure compliance with legal requirements and discreetly protect privacy by using secure packaging and delivery methods.
- Stay informed and seek legal advice to navigate the legal landscape effectively and ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
Understanding the Legal Landscape
When navigating the legal landscape of purchasing marijuana seeds, it is crucial to thoroughly research the specific laws and regulations applicable in your state or country. Understanding the legal requirements for obtaining and possessing weed seeds is essential to ensure compliance with the law. Familiarize yourself with the quantity limitations for purchasing and cultivating weed seeds legally. Regulations regarding the purchase and possession of weed seeds can vary widely, so staying informed about any changes or updates to the legal status of marijuana seeds in your area is paramount. It's also advisable to consider consulting with legal professionals or advocacy groups for additional guidance on navigating the legal landscape of purchasing weed seeds. They can provide valuable insights and help you navigate any complexities or uncertainties in the legal framework. By proactively staying informed and seeking expert advice, you can ensure that you are abiding by the law when purchasing marijuana seeds.
Researching Local Regulations
Before purchasing marijuana seeds, it is crucial to research local regulations to ensure compliance with specific laws and restrictions in your area. Check for limitations on plant quantity and any cultivation requirements, as well as licensing and permit obligations. Familiarize yourself with zoning regulations that may affect where you can grow marijuana plants and stay updated on any changes to local regulations that could impact seed purchase and cultivation.
To ensure compliance with local regulations on purchasing and growing marijuana seeds, thoroughly research the specific laws and restrictions applicable in your area. When delving into local laws, consider the following:
- Understanding restrictions and permit requirements can prevent legal issues and ensure a smooth purchasing process, giving you peace of mind.
- Knowing zoning laws and staying updated on any changes helps you plan and cultivate within the bounds of the law, avoiding potential penalties or conflicts.
- Checking for reputable suppliers that offer discreet delivery, secure packaging, and privacy measures ensures a safe and confidential transaction, alleviating any concerns about confidentiality or safety.
Ensure compliance with local regulations by thoroughly researching the specific laws and restrictions applicable in your area when purchasing and growing marijuana seeds. It is crucial to conduct compliance checking to understand the legal requirements surrounding the purchase of marijuana seeds. Check state and local laws to ensure you are aware of the legality and any restrictions that may be in place. Consult with local authorities or regulatory agencies to verify the specific rules and requirements for buying marijuana seeds. Investigate zoning regulations and land use laws that may impact the cultivation of marijuana plants from purchased seeds. Stay informed about any changes or updates to local regulations regarding the purchase and cultivation of marijuana seeds to ensure full compliance with the law.
Choosing a Reputable Supplier
When seeking a reputable supplier for marijuana seeds, prioritize those with a proven track record of quality products and positive customer reviews. Choosing the right supplier is crucial for a successful and satisfying growing experience. Here are some key points to consider when selecting a supplier:
- Seed Selection
- Look for a supplier that offers a wide variety of seeds, including popular strains and unique hybrids. Having a diverse selection allows you to explore different options and find the perfect seeds for your needs.
- Access to a broad range of seeds can also provide you with the opportunity to experiment and discover new favorites, enhancing your overall growing experience.
- Customer Reviews and State Regulations
- Positive customer reviews can provide valuable insights into the reliability and quality of a supplier's products and services. Prioritize suppliers with a strong and positive reputation among their customers.
- Ensuring that the supplier complies with state regulations and holds the necessary permits is essential for a legal and secure transaction. It also reflects the supplier's commitment to upholding industry standards and regulations, giving you peace of mind when making your purchase.
Verifying Seed Quality and Origin
In order to make an informed decision when selecting a supplier for marijuana seeds, it is crucial to verify the quality and origin of the seeds, particularly by purchasing from reputable and licensed seed banks or breeders. When assessing seed quality and origin, pay close attention to seed genetics, testing standards, and seed storage methods. Look for detailed information on the packaging or website regarding the genetic lineage, THC/CBD content, and potential growing characteristics. Reputable suppliers often provide transparency about the seed genetics, ensuring that you are aware of what to expect from the plants you grow. Additionally, reputable suppliers adhere to stringent testing standards to guarantee the quality and authenticity of the seeds. This includes certifications such as organic or GMO-free, which ensure that the seeds meet specific quality standards. Furthermore, reliable suppliers employ proper seed storage methods to maintain the viability and integrity of the seeds. By prioritizing these factors, you can confidently select high-quality marijuana seeds that align with your cultivation goals.
Ensuring Discreet and Secure Delivery
When purchasing marijuana seeds, it's crucial to prioritize discreet and secure delivery methods to protect your privacy. Look for a reputable seed bank that offers stealth shipping options and prioritizes packaging security. Consider using a secure shipping address and payment methods to ensure the confidentiality of your purchase.
Stealth Shipping Methods
To ensure discreet and secure delivery of marijuana seeds, stealth shipping methods employ inconspicuous packaging and discreet shipping labels, as well as tamper-proof packaging to prevent interception or damage. This ensures that your shipment arrives without raising suspicion and maintains your anonymity throughout the delivery process. Stealth shipping methods are designed to prevent detection and avoid any suspicion from arising, providing you with peace of mind regarding the privacy and security of your purchase. By utilizing these methods, you can be confident that your marijuana seeds will reach you undetected and without any risk of interference. Maintaining anonymity is crucial, and stealth shipping methods offer the necessary assurance for a secure and discreet delivery experience.
- You can trust that your privacy is protected at every step of the shipping process.
- Knowing that your shipment is being handled with the utmost discretion can alleviate any concerns about the delivery.
Privacy and Packaging Security
For discreet and secure delivery of marijuana seeds, prioritizing seed banks that offer stealth shipping options with plain packaging and no identifiable markings is essential. When considering privacy concerns, it's crucial to choose a seed bank that provides discreet packaging options. Look for seed banks that offer plain, unmarked packaging to protect your privacy and prevent any unwanted attention. Secure packaging is also important to ensure that the seeds are protected from damage or tampering during transit. Opt for reputable seed banks with a strong track record of secure and discreet delivery to guarantee the privacy and security of your purchase. By prioritizing these packaging options and shipping methods, you can have peace of mind knowing that your marijuana seeds will be delivered discreetly and securely.
Staying Informed and Compliant
Stay consistently informed about the latest laws and regulations regarding marijuana seed purchase and cultivation. Keeping up-to-date with the legal landscape is crucial to ensure compliance and avoid potential legal implications. Cultivation restrictions can vary widely between different jurisdictions, so it's essential to stay informed about the specific rules and guidelines in your area. This will help you navigate the legal framework and cultivate marijuana seeds within the bounds of the law.
- Feeling confident and secure: By staying informed and compliant, you can feel confident that you are operating within the legal boundaries and secure in your marijuana seed purchase and cultivation activities.
- Peace of mind: Knowing that you are staying compliant with the latest laws and regulations can provide a sense of peace of mind and reduce any potential stress or uncertainty.
Regularly checking for updates and seeking legal advice or consultation with knowledgeable sources can provide reassurance and help you navigate any changes effectively. Additionally, staying informed about seed banking options can give you a sense of empowerment, ensuring that you have access to a wide variety of strains while remaining compliant with the law.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do Packaged Marijuana Seeds Last?
You might be surprised to learn that properly stored marijuana seeds can last 2-3 years. Factors like humidity, light exposure, and temperature fluctuations affect viability. Check packaging or expiration dates to ensure freshness.
Who Makes the Best Feminized Seeds?
When looking for the top strains of feminized seeds, research reputable seed banks like Royal Queen Seeds, Sensi Seeds, and DNA Genetics. They're known for high-quality varieties and reliable growing techniques.
Is Seed Supreme Legit?
Hey, Seed Supreme is legit! It's like finding a hidden gem in the cannabis world. Their stellar reputation and germination guarantee make them one of the top seed banks. You can trust their quality.

domain: law


text:
Hackworth: If you had to say that the work that you are doing, if you had to gauge your success rate with working with the states, does it look like there is hope?
Sometimes we think our choices really don’t matter, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth! For example, what you decide today about health education (http://www.dailystrength.org/people/4516797/journal/13451233) or lack of it, the friends you associate with or don’t associate with, who you will marry and a host of other decisions could affect your entire future! When we don’t believe our choices matter we become passive and unintentional with our lives. We let others decide for us and then we wonder why we have problems and difficulties.
Horn: There are Health education traditionally progressive states like Mass, NY, CA. But in recent years New England states from Maine through CT have been at the forefront, and there are some states where a change from republican to democratic leadership that has unleashed a big wave of new legislation. Like Colorado, like when a democrat took governorship control of Ill, like when Richardson became governor of NM. So some surprising places have been leaders of progressive ideas.
You’ll be faced with new and unknown situations throughout your career, and your life. Learning to deal with fear now will give you good practice for the future. Consider “conquering fear” a career skill.
Be in touch with other parents and exchange information on video games. Networking works well and several PTAs even have websites that give tips on video gaming.
I finally had enough and decided to give the holistic doctor a chance. I did not want to experiment any longer with these strong medications that did not even work. I did not want to get to the point where I needed to take alleve or advil every day. The best thing that I did was to go and see this holistic doctor. He did complete blood work and an organic acid urine test. When you go for your physical Exam once a year, the blood work and urine tests that they take are very limited in what they check for. He also gave me natural supplements to start taking while we waited for the results of the blood and urine. Both supplements were for fighting inflammation. One was a detoxification powder and a capsule with natural ingredients for muscle inflammation.
If you are a six year old kid, you would be happy with these facts. More tooth loss, more gifts from the tooth fairy. Unfortunately, you are no longer a kid. You are an adult and you have permanent teeth already. That means tooth loss is such a huge problem.
Get someone to give you a massage. Having someone who is a professional give you a full body massage will do wonders for your physical and psychological stress levels. A masseuse will physically work your muscles until your whole body is soft and relaxed and sometimes that’s all you need to feel better and remove emotional tension. Most people claim to feel a lot better both physically and emotionally after fort five minutes of being massaged. You can ask someone you trust or love to give you a shoulder massage, if you don’t have the money to pay for a professional.

domain: health


- Member Since: September 11, 2021
ACRYLIC MATTRESS AND THE BENEFITS
When it comes to purchasing some sort of new mattress, presently there are a whole lot of options to be able to consider. How carry out you decide in which to invest your dollars in a landscape full of a mil different types involving mattresses, all professing superiority? We? ll let you know the fact about latex very best full mattress so you can determine if that they? re right for you or not necessarily.
Throughout sleep, the spine aligns itself. It has a specific springiness that not synthetic latex or memory foam has recently been able to mimic. If you remove pressure from latex, it instantly results to its original shape, contrary to foam (and also most synthetic latex). Therefore , every time you move, a person? re surrounded by full support. The soft and body-contouring sleep surface that supports without causing uncomfortable pressure spots or causing you to drain into your mattress, latex nearly promotes back against you.
You may possibly expect an acrylic bed to last 15 to 20 years (or perhaps longer), provided you conserve of that. We suggest genuine, botanical latex; on the other hand, we realize that the particular cost of a 100 percent natural latex mattress can be exorbitant for a few individuals. Seem for a your bed with a long lasting warranty, whether natural latex, synthetic acrylic, or hybrid latex (15 to 30 years). Here? s our post in care for acrylic mattresses if a person? d like to learn more regarding extending their life. Natural Anti-Allergy Outcomes
Water and mildew, and mildew can not grow on latex. It? s likewise resistant to dust bugs, which is a plus. Because of to its open-cell structure, foam acrylic mattresses naturally stop moisture build-up by simply allowing air to pass through them.
In comparison to be able to memory foam, acrylic? sleeps colder.? You stay warm in the winter plus cool during the summer thanks a lot to its open-cell structure. Latex memory foam may be typically the solution for you in case you get too hot when a person sleep on memory space foam. This will be because foam manages to lose its shape if exposed to high temperature, whereas latex will not.
A heavy umbrella or if your body? s heat can trigger memory foam to get softer and fewer supporting, while latex maintains the same level of support regardless of temperature. Biodegradable and natural materials, Even though? organic? claims inside of the latex mattress market might turn out to be tricky to understand, 100% natural latex mattresses are certainly created naturally.
Latex can come coming from organic rubber shrub estates. They will certainly be mostly organic and natural if they? re covered in made of wool or other organic FR barriers. Nevertheless , it? best double bed mattress s which some non-organic chemical compounds were utilized within the manufacturing procedure. Additional information can end up being found in our article on organic latex in typically the mattress industry.
Take into account Buying Natural Acrylic
You can use latex in the non-organic mattress as well as a good organic mattress. Latex-producing rubber tree plant life have a 28-year life cycle. With a natural latex bed, you can relaxation easy, knowing that the bed is lacking of industrial chemical compounds. When shopping regarding a latex bed, search for some sort of? 100% natural acrylic mattress? instead involving a synthetic or perhaps blended latex bed or hybrid acrylic mattress.


text:
Videos by OutKick
UFC 251, headlined by Kamaru Usman-Jorge Masvidal, generated around 1.3 million pay-per-view buys, per The Athletic’s Mike Coppinger.
For context, this is a massive number. Not just for this card, but historically. This equals the sales of Canelo Álvarez vs.Gennady Golovkin, which benefited from years of hype. According to Business Insider, Canelo-GGG ranks 21st on the list of the highest-selling combat sports cards.
More surprisingly, Usman-Masvidal topped McGregor-Cerrone, with approximately one million buys, earlier this year. Despite the intrigue of “Fight Island,” McGregor’s return garnered far more mainstream pre-fight discussion.
What’s more, UFC 251 toppled February’s Fury-Wilder II, which sold between 800,000-850,000 pay-per-views. That fight was the most hyped non-Mayweather boxing matchup of the past decade.
Interestingly, Usman-Masvidal, as did McGregor-Cerrone, suffered some airing via ESPN’s distribution method. ESPN only allows subscribers of ESPN+ the option to purchase UFC events in the U.S. Which makes the total that much more impressive. Under the old method, the sales would be substantially higher.
Despite his loss, UFC has found a draw in Masvidal. The sport needs some semblance of an individual star with the futures of its two biggest, McGregor and Jon Jones, unknown. Or in McGregor’s case, the urge to retire every few weeks.
Only five UFC cards have reached the 1.3 million mark, the most recent being Khabib-McGregor, with its UFC record of 2.4 million.
Here are the pay-per-view sales of the 10 best-selling combat sports cards, via Business Insider:
10. Mike Tyson v Evander Holyfield — 1.59 million
9. Brock Lesnar v Frank Mir II — 1.6 million
8. Nate Diaz v Conor McGregor II — 1.65 million
7. Lennox Lewis v Mike Tyson — 1.97 million
6. Evander Holyfield v Mike Tyson II — 1.99 million
5. Floyd Mayweather v Canelo Álvarez — 2.2 million
4. Oscar de la Hoya v Floyd Mayweather — 2.4 million
3. Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor — 2.5 million
2. Floyd Mayweather v Conor McGregor — 4.3 million
1. Floyd Mayweather v Manny Pacquiao — 4.6 million

domain: sports


text:
Here are our top ten blue birds, enjoy!
1. Eastern Bluebird – This is the state bird of New York and Missouri, and it’s a good choice. Eastern Bluebirds are cool birds that are not too elusive, making them easy to find.
Eastern Bluebirds can be found in Northern Illinois year-round, though they are less common in winter (we get pretty excited about winter sightings). Although they were declining in the 60s and 70s, they rebounded quickly with the help of vigorous nest-box campaigning and are easy for children to observe.
2. Blue Grosbeak – This uncommon bird hangs out in shrubby areas, unfortunately, very rarely in our area. The female is brown, but also very beautiful.
3. Blue Jay – Who doesn’t love the raucous Blue Jay? They sound like squeaky doors and car alarms and holler about owls, peanuts, and nothing! Blue Jays are boisterous, but we think it is just an act. Around here, they are sometimes camera shy. The photo below is from our relatives farm feeder in northern Wisconsin.
4. Lazuli Bunting – We didn’t count this guy as a life bird when it made a rare appearance into Winnebago County, Illinois, (because it was captured at the banding station). Nonetheless, it was an exciting event (first one banded here!) and we got photos!
5. Indigo Bunting – Though the female is a dull brown, the male is one of the bluest of the bunch. Indigo Buntings are very prevalent in our area. They seem to sing and sing around here and we just never get tired of them.
6. Mountain Bluebird – A gorgeous blue bird of the west, one we’d like to add to our photo life list. Road Trip!
The Mountain Bluebird often occurs outside its normal range in winter. Individuals are casually recorded in western and northern Alaska, and in the midwestern and eastern states. – Cornell Lab of Ornithology
7. Steller’s Jay – We definitely don’t see this guy around here, but in July of 2004, some of the Birdfreak Team traveled to Arizona and were rewarded with many views of this fine jay. What a great resident bird!
Steller’s and Blue jays are the only North American jays with crests. The Blue Jay is expanding its range westward. Where they meet, the two species occasionally interbreed and produce hybrids. – Cornell Lab of Ornithology
8. Belted Kingfisher – Often heard first with a loud rattle of a call, this guy is a superb fisherman. One unusual trait of the Belted Kingfisher is that the female is brighter than the male. We can see them year-round here in northern Illinois if there is open water.
9. Western Scrub Jay – Another bird that is not very shy, the Western Scrub-Jay is another exciting bird to watch.
They can be pretty tame around campsites.
The Western Scrub-Jay can be divided into three forms, each of which may or may not be a separate species. The California Scrub-Jay of the Pacific coast has contrasting dark blue-and-white plumage, with a prominent blue necklace on a streaked white throat. The Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay of the Great Basin and eastward is duller and less well-marked, with little or no necklace. Sumichrast’s Scrub-Jay of central Mexico has whiter underparts and little or no necklace. – Cornell Lab of Ornithology
10. Great Blue Heron – This bird comes in many shades, from blueish to white, but we thought it was blue enough for our list. Great Blues are common in northern Illinois, and even found in the cold winter months. They are majestic and fierce fishermen, and a great joy to watch. The Great Blue Heron is a sure way to impress the kids and get them interested in birding!
Other Top Tens:

domain: biology


text:
Janod Pure Stackable BearSold Out
The Pure Stackable Bear from Janod is a two in one stacking toy in soft and contemporary colours featuring the sweetest bears. With a panda on one side and a bear on the other, children will have so much fun reconstructing each animal and mixing up their clothing. The small bee on its flower can also be stacked! The stacking parts are water painted and made from beech wood and the bees flower and wings are made from felt.

domain: artistic


Vice Chairman, National Conference Committee on Labour, Civil Societies, Sports and Youths, Comrade Isa Aremu, has said that creation of additional 19 states in the country was not sustainable, adding that currently many states are more dependent on federal allocation and loans as they are not financially viable. The National Conference had endorsed the creation of additional 19 states. But...
Read the rest of the story on The Punch News
Added July 06, 2014
from The Punch News


text:
Mystery, intrigue and coloured gemstones galore
JAR jewellery is a cult of its own: a brand without the branding, save for its distinctive jewels and high levels of secrecy. Its only boutique, on the enviable Place Vendôme in Paris, typically has no window displays at all, apart from a solo chestnut last Christmas, setting it in stark contrast to its neighbours’ lavishly bejewelled offerings. Clever or seemingly non-existent marketing aside, JAR says everything by saying nothing because it lets the jewels that do the talking.
JAR has been the work of Joel Arthur Rosenthal and his partner, Pierre Jeannet, since 1977. Born in New York City, but now a firm resident of Paris, Rosenthal initially studied Art History and Philosophy at Harvard; it’s not hard to see the historical references and feel the philosophical underpinning that draw the JAR collections together. Signature elements refer both to antique jewellery and to his own background in needlepoint: thin diamond- or gem-set lines, either curved or deliberately straight, traverse larger stones and wrap around wearers’ fingers. These lines, or threads, are often set with single-cut diamonds, each with eight facets on their crown and eight on their pavilion, to create a subtle highlighting that is more reminiscent of historic jewels than the blinding dazzle of the modern round brilliant cut.
JAR jewels do not depend solely on big stones or white diamonds, instead, statement stones are embedded amongst rainbows of garnets and sapphires. In this way, JAR plays with proportion just as he does with materials. In earlier years, he used oxidised titanium as the primary metal of his jewels in ways the fine jewellery industry had never seen. The careful craftsmanship of teams in France and Switzerland have helped JAR to push boundaries, a success recognised by the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art when they honoured JAR with a retrospective in 2013. In this show, a museum-first for a living jeweller, 400 JAR jewels fascinated the public and, with only 70 jewels made a year, this collection was no mean feat.
Though the jewels very much speak for themselves, a sizeable portion of intrigue hasn’t hurt the hunted brand of JAR either.


text:
We stayed in the Palace Villas, which is part of the Angkor Palace resort.
It was a great stay. The staff was so attentive and helpful from the moment we stepped in the door. Their welcome is awesome and relaxing.
We had a triple room whch was three real beds. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. The wifi was somewhat slow at times, but still usable.
The rate included a breakfast buffet was very large and had many different international offerings. On our second day, we had a tour that left at 5 am and upon request, they packed a small box with pastries, fruit and water.
The pool is large and nice to cool off after a hot day visiting Angkor Wat. The drinks at the pool bar seemed iffy and pricey. Maybe stick to beer.
The location is close to the airport and also downtown/Pub Street area. It was a $3-$5 tuk tuk ride. If you want to ride the shuttle downtown at 7 pm , book early. It was booked when we wanted to go but the Tuk Tuks are right there and so inexpensive, it's not a problem. Plus, the tuktuks take you exactly where you want to go.
They also offer transportation to and from the airport but we didn't need that as we had a tour guide that offered that.
I would definetly stay here if I come back to Siem Reap.More
- Free Wifi
- Free Parking

domain: travel


text: Farrah is a writer and translator. She is interested in culture, displacement and narratives in the Middle East, especially in Arabic literature. Her work focuses on culture, displacement, feminism and identity. She also translates documentaries focused on culture and social progression, some of which have premiered at Toronto Film Festival. Farrah is also passionate about poetry. Her debut poetry collection, titled the Scent of my skin, was published by Palewell Press in 2017. She currently works for Banat Collective as an assistant editor.


Lancashire insist finances are healthy despite big loss for 2012
Lancashire are confident their long-term financial prospects are healthy despite making a loss of £1.5m in 2012.
Last Updated: 15/04/13 12:48pm
Ongoing building work at Old Trafford means the ground has hosted just one Test match since 2008, but the redevelopment is almost complete and Ashes cricket will return to Manchester this summer.
Lancashire expect those sell-out crowds and a recently-struck sponsorship deal with Emirates Airline to herald "a return to profitability in the next financial year".
A club statement read: "From the outset of the project a lengthy period of poor trading results was always anticipated.
"The club believes this was a key and necessary price to pay as part of the development of the new £45m Emirates Old Trafford which will safeguard the future of both the club and of international cricket in the region for many years to come.
"Despite the loss incurred in year, net debt was reduced by more than £3.1m and, even though there has been significant investment in the ground, the underlying level of debt will only represent a very manageable 30% of the cost of the new stadium."


The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is sounding alarm bells about a spate of new class-action lawsuits filed recently against the Utah-based faith and its investment firm over tithing.
Similar federal complaints filed in Utah, Illinois, Tennessee, Washington and California aim to recover donations made by former Latter-day Saints in light of allegations that the church fraudulently used tithing funds to finance City Creek Center, a luxury mall in downtown Salt Lake City.
The latest of these suits surfaced Monday in U.S. District Court in California, seeking a refund of $40,000 on behalf of an elderly couple living in San Leandro, near Oakland. The church and its investment arm, Salt Lake City-based Ensign Peak Advisors, “now face a reckoning in a multitude of jurisdictions,” attorneys for Gene and Michelle Judson wrote.
The couple’s case, their lawyers added, seeks to hold high-ranking church leaders and Ensign Peak officials “accountable for their misconduct and hubris.”
Like the others, this suit alleges that church leaders, including then-President Gordon B. Hinckley, misled members with statements from the pulpit and in news outlets that tithing was used only for specific religious purposes, while $1.4 billion was transferred from Ensign Peak investment accounts and spent on City Creek.
There were also legal moves afoot as of last month to consolidate these separate class-action suits into one nationwide case agains the church, either in Utah or California.
Church attorneys warn the new string of court actions — with five of them filed since late October — signals a wave of legal peril headed toward the faith and other religious groups.
The cases confirm their assertion, the lawyers contend, that a prior ruling in the high-profile case brought by Utahn James Huntsman “would open the floodgates for ‘copycat’ suits endangering religious liberty and church autonomy.”
In a kind of legal retort filed last week, a lawyer for a Washington-based Americans United for Separation of Church and State submitted a brief questioning any linkage between more lawsuits filed against the church and Huntsman’s own action.
“The church,” attorney Bradley Girard wrote, “cites no authority for the proposition that additional cases against the defendant for the same illegal conduct somehow gets the defendant off the hook.”
‘The threat is real’
Huntsman, who resigned his church membership in 2020, sued the faith in March 2021. His suit — which is not seeking class-action status — and these other actions cite the sworn testimony from whistleblower David Nielsen, a former portfolio manager with Ensign Peak, that church leaders knowingly misled members on how money was being spent.
A son of the late industrialist Jon Huntsman Sr. and brother to former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., James Huntsman is seeking the return of a total of $5 million in tithing, plus penalties and interest. A federal judge tossed out his case, only for it to be revived on appeal and sent back to U.S. District Court.
The church has appealed that move, urging that the full 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in California to take another crack at the 2-1 ruling, issued by a three-judge appellate panel.
The Utah-based faith filed lengthy briefs in October and November, arguing the decision violated free speech and religious protections and threatened to expose it and other faiths, nonprofits, colleges, universities and other groups to unwarranted, unconstitutional legal intrusions.
In a Jan. 22, 2024, letter to 9th Circuit Court Clerk Molly Dwyer, church lawyer Paul Clement said that continued class-action assaults against the church and other religions “are inevitable” as long as the decision to resurrect Huntsman’s personal fraud lawsuit remained on the books.
“While Huntsman dismissed those prognostications as ‘catastrophizing,’” Clement wrote, the “copycat suits filed in four months and the looming prospect of [consolidation] make clear that the threat is real.”
The church argues that Huntsman’s case lures the courts into legal territory shielded by the First Amendment’s protections of the free exercise of religion, adding that it threatens to erode church autonomy by subjecting the actions and statements of faith leaders to legal review.
In nearly identical language, the recent class-action suits contend that none of their allegations implicate religious beliefs, practices, doctrines or how the church is organized or governed.
Instead, the plaintiffs in Utah, Illinois, Tennessee, Washington and California maintain that, in effect, theirs is a solely secular dispute, stemming from statements made by church leaders that tithing was not used for commercial, for-profit business purposes while, they contend, evidence suggests otherwise.
“In other words,” many of the lawsuits state, “this case has nothing to do with, and does not implicate, the First Amendment and/or the free exercise clause in the Constitution.”
The recent cases also accuse the church and Ensign Peak of frustrating the intentions of Latter-day Saints by failing to use tithing funds on worthy cases, such as care of the poor and needy. They say their donations have resulted in the church and its investment arm “receiving and retaining an unjust benefit, which must be disgorged.”
In the Huntsman case, the church has consistently countered that earnings from tithing funds invested by Ensign Peak on the church’s behalf and transferred to a holding account — and not tithing itself — was used to fund City Creek.
“I wish to give the entire church the assurance that tithing funds have not and will not be used” for the mall, Hinckley declared at General Conference in 2003. “Funds for this have come and will come from those commercial entities owned by the church. These resources, together with the earnings of invested reserve funds, will accommodate this program.”
But the class-action cases all cite elements of Nielsen’s whistleblower assertions that Ensign Peak officials viewed all the funds in the church’s $100 billion-plus portfolio as sacred tithing. Nielsen has alleged the firm made no charitable expenditures over more than two decades and that senior fund managers endeavored to hide the transfers for City Creek out of fears the information might lead some faithful members to stop from tithing altogether.
The class-action cases also all refer to a February 2023 settlement between the church and the Securities and Exchange Commission, which found top church officials had authorized the creation of 13 shell companies partly to evade public reporting laws and obscure the size of the faith’s investment portfolio. The SEC fined Ensign Peak $4 million and the church $1 million.
With the same wording, four of the class-action suits contend “[t]he SEC action against the LDS Church and Ensign Peak reveals a pattern of conduct and corporate culture that valued dishonesty and concealment over honesty and transparency.”
‘60 Minutes’ episode was instrumental
Two months after the 9th Circuit’s August ruling to reinstate Huntsman’s lawsuit, Daniel Chappell, a Virginia resident, and Masen Christensen and John Oaks, both from Utah, sued the church over a combined $350,000 they had donated to the church over the past decade.
Three more suits were then filed by former Latter-day Saints within a week of one another in December, according to court dockets, in federal courts in Illinois, Washington and Tennessee.
Plaintiff Joel Long, a resident of Chesterfield, Mo., is seeking $60,000 he says he paid in tithing while living in Metropolis, Ill. He was led to believe by regularly watching church broadcasts and reading church publications, according to his lawsuit, that the church spent tithing only for religious purposes.
Long’s attorneys say he learned of whistleblower Nielsen’s assertions after relatives informed him of a May 14, 2023, “60 Minutes” segment, which Long then viewed on YouTube.
Kevin Risdon, who lives in Cashmere, Wash., says he was active in the church from 1989 to 2016. His lawsuit also involves about $60,000 in tithing. He, too, says in court documents he was reassured those funds were not spent on land purchases or development at City Creek by statements made during the faith’s biannual General Conferences and reading its official magazine. The suit says Risdon learned about Nielsen’s assertions on “60 Minutes” from a “Mormon Stories” podcast.
Brandall Brawner lives in Gallatin, Tenn., and has filed his suit over approximately $30,000 in tithing between 2003 and 2012, documents show. He was an active member from 1995 to 2014 and also regularly watched General Conference. He heard about Nielsen’s “60 Minutes” appearance from a former Latter-day Saint and close friend from high school.
The latest plaintiffs, Gene and Michelle Judson, say they watched the “60 Minutes” episode live. One of their lead attorneys, Los Angeles-based David Jonelis, is also Huntsman’s lawyer in his personal case against the church.
Combine them into one — but where?
Lawyers for Long, the Illinois plaintiff, have also filed briefs in the matter with the federal Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, which reviews similar actions filed in different federal courts. They’re arguing that because the suits brought by Chappell, Long, Brawner and Risdon all deal with the same legal questions, they should be combined to avoid duplication or divergent legal findings.
Although Huntsman’s case is not a class action, they argue in favor of transferring the class actions to the original courtroom where Huntsman’s case started, under Judge Stephen V. Wilson.
“Judge Wilson is no doubt,” they wrote, “more familiar with the matter than other judges overseeing the new filings.”
The lawyers acknowledge that plaintiffs in the other cases may argue for transferring all these cases to Utah, headquarters of the 17 million-member global faith, but they contend Los Angeles — where Wilson’s court is located — is more convenient for travel and hotel stays.
They contend that while Utah’s Latter-day Saint population is much larger, California has the second largest in the U.S., giving the Golden State “a real and tangible connection to the members” of a class of plaintiffs who might be certified if the cases are consolidated.
More pointedly, they note that church members make up a comparatively smaller percentage of California’s population than in Utah — but, the attorneys say, “it does not have the cultural influence that may inadvertently seep into the litigation as in Utah.”
“The reality is,” the brief states, “that the influence of the LDS Church upon all facets of life in Utah is overwhelming. The LDS Church owns significant property, countless businesses, media outlets, and is a significant social and economic driver for the region. ... Proceedings in California are far less likely to be impacted by atmospherics outside of the litigation itself.”
Editor’s note • This story is available to Tribune subscribers only. Thank you for supporting local journalism.


text:
All-day, Chicago Jewish Historical Society tour, with Professional Tour Guide and Milwaukee Native Leah Axlerod.|
Includes stops at the Chudnow Museum of Yesteryear, a private collection that offers a delightful glimpse into the city's Jewish life in the early 1900s and the Jewish Museum Milwaukee, to view the special exhibit "From Push Carts to Professionals: The Evolution of Jewish Businesses in Milwaukee."
We will travel the path taken by one of Milwaukee's earliest congregations Temple Emanu-El B'ne Jeshurun from downtown to its beautiful new building in a north suburb where we will stop in for a visit.
A kosher lunch with a view of Lake Michigan is included.
Sunday, Oct 6
CJHS Member $75 / Non-Members $82
(Select Pick-up / Drop-off Location at Checkout):
CHICAGO MARRIOTT DOWNTOWN
541 North Rush Street (Between Grand and Ohio)
Departs 8:30 AM - Returns 6:00 PM
BERNARD HORWICH JCC
3003 West Touhy Avenue
Departs 9:00 AM - Returns 5:30 PM
|Sunday Oct 06, 2013 8:30 AM - Sunday Oct 06, 2013 6:00 PM | $75.00 - $82.00
Departs from CHICAGO MARRIOTT DOWNTOWN - or - BERNARD HORWICH JCC (View)
541 North Rush Street - or - 3003 West Touhy Avenue
Chicago, IL 60645
|Kid Friendly: Yes!|
|Dog Friendly: No|
|Wheelchair Accessible: No|

domain: geography


After two years of constant development we are proud to introduce our latest innovation- STRIP-X coated braid. Its core is made from a special 100% Aerospace Dyneema fibres which provide high knot strength and superior abrasion resistance. The outer coating is made from a highly durable material which does not break when tightening down knots it has a matt coating for maximum camouflage of the rig which helps prevent Wary Carp from spooking. This coated braid is perfect for Combi Rigs or may be used straight through without stripping the coating back or if preferred a small stripback to create a hinge just behind the hook eye. We truly believe that Strip- X is the most advanced coated braid created from using an advanced technology.
|Product code||Description||Trade pack|
|CRU300415||Strip-X- 15lb (20m)||1|
|CRU300425||Strip-X- 25lb (20m)||1|
|CRU300445||Strip-X- 45lb (20m)||1|


text:
Quality folk music tuition in workshops designed for schools, communities and festivals.
All workshops are run by Alison Rowley, with additional skilled tutors where required. One-off and occasional workshops can be booked for anywhere in the UK (and beyond) but Alison’s regular classes and lessons are based in Bristol.
Alison Rowley is a professional musician, composer and instrumental teacher with a Music degree from the University of Cambridge. To find more information about her performances and compositions, please visit www.alisonrowley.com.


text:
Ginger Pumpkin Pudding Cakes
These exceptionally moist cakes combine the flavors of two holiday favorites: pumpkin pie and gingerbread.
- Yield: Makes 6 cakes
Source: Martha Stewart Living, May 1996
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for the pans
- 2 ounces fresh ginger, peeled, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup dark molasses
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of ground cloves
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup Pumpkin PurÃ©e Pumpkin Puree
- Whipped cream, for serving
- Candied ginger, for garnish (optional)
- Fresh mint, for garnish (optional)
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Using a pastry brush, butter the interiors of six mini Bundt pans. Set aside.
Place fresh ginger and 3/4 cup hot water in small saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer until reduced to 1/2 cup, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat; strain into a bowl; discard ginger. Add molasses and baking soda to liquid. Set aside.
Sift together flour, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, ground cloves, and baking powder. Set the mixture aside.
In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and set on medium-high speed, beat remaining 4 tablespoons butter and brown sugar together until light and creamy, about 5 minutes. Add egg, and beat until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Reduce to low speed, and add pumpkin purÃ©e, mixing until just incorporated. Alternately add one quarter of dry ingredients and one third of molasses mixture, ending with dry ingredients. Mix on low speed, scraping bowl after each addition, until incorporated. Transfer mixture to Bundt pans, filling halfway. Bake, uncovered, until golden brown and firm to the touch, about 20 minutes.
Invert Bundt pans onto a sheet pan; tap firmly several times on hard back surface of Bundt pans to release cakes.
Serve the pumpkin pudding cakes with whipped cream and garnish with candied ginger and fresh mint, if desired.

domain: food


If you are wondering what that wooden structure / building work outside 71 Northcote Road (opposite Oddono's is) well planning permission has been applied for a restaurant/ cafe and four residential flats.
The planning application says:
"Change of use from Class A1(Shops) to Class A3 (Restaurants and Cafes). Erection of side and rear extensions at ground, first and second floor levels to provide 4no. residential units (1 x bedsit; 1 x 1-bedroom and 2 x 2-bedroom flats.) to allow replacement of one bay of new glazed ground floor north elevation with solid brick infill."
For more info, see here: https://planning1.wandsworth.gov.uk/Nor ... I=PLANNING


text:
Chick-fil-A took a big step toward opening its first restaurant in Lynnwood.
The company formally broke ground at the future site of its first restaurant in Lynnwood on a sunny Wednesday afternoon.
The restaurant will be located at 3026 196th St. SW. in the parking lot of Lowe’s. Lynnwood will be one of three Chick-fil-A locations, along with Bellevue and Tacoma, scheduled to open in the spring of 2015 in Washington.
“This has been a long time coming,” said Blake Goodman, Director of Real Estate for Chick-fil-A. “We’ve been receiving customer requests to come to Lynnwood, specifically, for the 11 years that I’ve been with Chick-fil-A. … We’re proud to be here and we hope we can make you proud.”
Among those in attendance at the groundbreaking were Lynnwood Mayor Nicola Smith, Lynnwood City Council President Loren Simmons, Lynnwood Chamber President Mike Gibson and many Lynnwood City officials.
“We’re delighted that you’ve chosen this site and this city for your first store in Washington,” Smith said.
Economic Development Director David Kleitsch told the assembled crowd that the area, when it was known as Alderwood Manor, was populated with chicken ranches.
“At one time this area produced more eggs than almost anyplace in the United States of America,” Kleitsch said. “We love chickens.”
Goodman related the story of how Chick-fil-A came to purchase land in the Lowe’s parking lot. The original owner of the land didn’t want to sell to the developers. So for a time Lowe’s parking lot included a house.
Chick-fil-A was scouting potential sites and came across this situation, which didn’t seem to make any sense.
“Why is there a house in the middle of Lowe’s parking lot?” Goodman said. “It just didn’t fit. It was a holdout.”
Eventually, Chick-fil-A acquired the property and it turned out to be a deal that benefited the homeowner, Lowe’s and Chick-fil-A.
“They needed the money. They needed the parking. We needed a place to serve chicken,” Goodman said. “It actually worked out for everybody.”
The store is expected to hire 75 employees.
“I’m happy to know that you will be fostering an inclusive work environment,” Smith said. “Lynnwood is a very diverse city with regard to its people, its visitors and its businesses. We really embrace and celebrate our diversity.”
The company does a lot of business in Washington.
Chick-fil-A currently purchases all of its potatoes – 438 million pounds last year – from the Columbia River Basin and all of the apples used to supply its West Region – more than 2.25 million pounds – are grown in Washington. Goodman was told that the 438 million pounds of potatoes translated into 26,500 jobs.
“We’re excited to finally serve the very people that we’ve been buying the potatoes from,” Goodman said.
The Lynnwood store will built to LEED specifications with water and energy efficiency features. The design of the restaurant is different from most of their other restaurants, Goodman said.
“This does not look like your ordinary Chick-fil-A,” he said. “We’re trying to make sure that that Lynnwood knows we took special attention, not to just fit into your community, but to stand out.”
The restaurant will have indoor seating for 124 and outdoor seating for 16. It also will offer drive-thru service.
“We want to say thank you for welcoming us,” Goodman said. “Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your community. This is a wonderful community.”
– By David Pan

domain: news


text:
Brahms and Simon were two British authors who wrote glorious comic novel
s together in the mid 20th century. They were complicated mixtures of public and private events, with mysteries or love stories mixed with pastiche
s of the literature and famous events of the period, squashed together.
No Bed for Bacon (1941) came to public attention in recent years because it was a leading source for the 1998 film Shakespeare in Love, very obvious to anyone who'd read the book but not at first acknowledged by the film-makers. A young woman called Viola disguises herself as a boy to join the players and she and Shakespeare fall in love. This book also mixes up most other dramatic, literary, and political events from around then. It carries a "Warning to scholars: This book is fundamentally unsound".
Don't, Mr Disraeli (1940), though it's the story of long rivalry between the Shuttleforth and Clutterbuck families, features just about everyone and everything from the Victorian Age; with running jokes including the pained advice that people had to keep giving to the flamboyantly dandyish Mr Disraeli, and the endless attempts to think of a name for a new railway station -- eventually named, like most other things, Victoria. The Marx Brothers make a cameo appearance.
Their first two works together were A Bullet in the Ballet (1937) and its sequel Casino for Sale, both murder mysteries set in the Stroganoff ballet company. I haven't read either of these but they're supposed to be equally funny.
Other novels include No Nightingales (1944; made into the 1947 film The Ghosts of Berkeley Square), and You Were There (1950, semi-posthumously). I think I recall reading the latter and being disappointed by it. They also wrote plays together.
S.J. Simon was a pen-name for Simon Jascha Skidelsky (1904-1948). His early death put an end to the promising collaboration. Caryl Brahms's real name was Doris Caroline Abrahams (1901-1982). Neither is so well known for work outside the partnership, but in 1963 Brahms joined Ned Sherrin and Malcolm Williamson in adapting No Bed for Bacon for the stage, one of a number of collaborations with Sherrin. She also edited a 1943 book Footnotes to the Ballet: A Book for Balletomanes. Her memoirs, published by Sherrin in 1986, are entitled Too Dirty For The Windmill.

domain: library


text:
I hope you liked my cheesy title, after little deliberation, I decided on it just for you. Also, I know I always say this, but this DIY Charming Belt might take the cake on the easiest project I’ve ever done. Seriously. No glue, no scissors, just two key ingredients and you’ll have yourself a charming belt.
I got this idea from a similar belt that I bought when I was in Memphis (you know I love anything with an unexpected detail added to it), and I couldn’t resist a good DIY. Best part: no one will ever be able to tell you made this yourself, unless you pick something hideous to hang from your belt, in which case I can’t be held responsible for any ridicule.

domain: hobby


Computational social choice is a rapidly growing interdisciplinary field that studies problems at the interface of social choice theory and computer science.
Classical social choice theory involves the study of mechanisms for collective decision making that aggregate individual agents' preferences to a collective outcome. Typical examples include voting procedures, protocols for fair division and resource allocation. Much of the important results in the field focus on the existence of procedures for collective decision making which comply with various desirable properties like social optimality, fairness and stability. Computational social choice theory on the other hand, takes into account the computational aspects of these mechanisms. This interdisciplinary interface between classical social choice theory and computer science has facilitated the exchange of ideas and techniques in both directions. There are various instances where computational considerations play a crucial role in social choice theory. Concepts which are well studied in computer science such as algorithm design, complexity analysis and optimization techniques have been effectively used to analyze these aspects. Axiomatic study of social choice situations also benefit from the analysis and structural characterisation results that can be achieved using logical frameworks. On the other hand, techniques and formal models from social choice theory have been effectively used to reason about multi agent systems and in various applications in artificial intelligence.
The aim of this workshop is to bring together researchers from various fields to discuss ideas and problems in social choice theory. This includes computer scientists and researchers in multiagent systems interested in computational issues pertaining to social choice; logicians interested in logical formalisms to axiomatically specify and verify desirable properties in social choice; mathematicians and economists who are interested in structural characterisation results in social choice theory.


text:
The house consists of a resin materials that’s publicized to be extremely durable in both summer and winter season seasons. Simply no subject how big or little your canine is in which dog house that could get the job done good for them. Family pet Squeak Puppy Den doghouse is quite easy to assemble, it seems ultra-cute and is quite ergonomic.
If you’ve got more than one particular dog, the entryway will need to accommodate the most significant pet. Just be sure that your dog can in shape comfortably since the entrance is very short. Which means that your dog might have the option of heading inside to stay getting warm. Should you be in possession of a huge dog, you should be in a position to produce appropriate housing for it.
The Lost Secret of Dog House Review
Your dog really loves you and your property, but at times, much like a young adult, they simply require their own non-public space which arrives inside the shape of a dog house. Remember that comfort is really as essential for a dog because is actually for a person, and so you need to look for a booth while seriously as it can be. The same as humans, dogs are not likely to feel comfortable sleeping alone in a sizable and empty property or home. There the dog will have the ability to use cover by sunlight or a rain. Thus, even if you maintain your dog in the house, purchasing a dog house can accurate an outstanding package of concerns. If you’ve got an extra large puppy, you might have to look a bit harder to search out a model that offers enough room yet is still aesthetically pleasing for you.
The Advantages of Dog House Review
If you want to buy and place a puppy house driving, then you have to consider the Petsfit Wood Outdoor Dog House. Especially whenever you are taking a look at outdoor dog houses which are going to be facing the outdoor factors, you ought to make certain you find an option which you can easily take apart and clean. A backyard dog house dog houses is constructed to create sure it’s ready to supply protection to your puppy in all types of weather conditions. When it is related to deciding on a backyard dog house, there are a lot of choices. There are various varieties of outdoor dog houses in the marketplace today, that range from igloo style homes built from plastic material to vacation cabin style ones that are designed with wood resources.
When it involves keeping your dogs secure in their own yard, you are looking for something which doesn’t take each of the enjoyment away of being exterior for them. Officially, your dog should remain in a situation to wait in the dog house, turn about and lie down very easily whenever this individual wishes to. Dogs experiencing joint soreness might possibly not have the capability to move around also.
The Downside Risk of Dog House Review
With patient and appropriate schooling, your dog could wind up determining how to take care of the dollars without an issue, but appropriate schooling is the crucial phrase. Some dogs own a difficult period comprehending that they will want to in and out on the modest rounded entrance to enter the home, and is going to refuse to undertake it. Dogs with reduced eyesight might not be in a place to steer clear of too.

domain: pet


text:
Let’s face it. Parenting is difficult at the best of times. It throws us daily challenges even when both the parents are in a happy relationship and working together to bring up the children. It is far harder when you cannot bear the site of the other parent, let alone want to talk to them or make difficult parenting decisions together.
In the past six years I have dealt with a variety of cases involving children. Many of these cases are heart-warming in the parent’s ability to put aside their differences and focus on their children’s well-being. Others, well…. as a mediator you cannot challenge, but you end up feeling very sorry for the children involved.
Below, I have put together the most common mistakes that separated parents make and explained why I believe they are mistakes. As always, and the law does reflect this, every family and every child is different. What might not work for one family, works very well for another. In addition to this there may be very good reasons that one of the below is being done as it benefits the child.
So this list is a generalisation, but see if you are making one of these top 10 parenting mistakes and before you place more guilt on yourself as a parent, console yourself that I made several of these myself when going through my divorce:
1) Asking the children to pass on messages to the other parent
“Can you tell your father that you have an extra ballet class on Thursday, so he can’t pick you up until Friday morning”
“Can you ask you dad for £50 for your school trip”
“Can you tell your mum that her solicitor needs to respond to my letter by next week or it is going to court”
All of these are genuine examples of messages that one parent has asked the child to pass on to the other. You may feel that the first two are fairly innocuous, which in themselves they are. However, passing messages through your child, however innocuous is a mistake. It puts a responsibility on the child to get the message passed in a timely and correct manner. It put too much responsibility on them, when they are adjusting to their new circumstances and it shows them that their parents do not communicate between themselves.
The above examples, were all from the same couple. What started off as passing messages about an extra ballet class soon turned into a message about solicitor’s letters and court. If you really cannot communicate between yourselves as parents, you can get a notebook and write it in. Your child can then take this with them when they stay with the other parent.
2) Interviewing your child when they return from the other parent
“Did you have a nice time?” “What did you eat?” “What is daddy’s new girlfriend like?” “Did daddy’s girlfriend stay over night?”
Interviews with children whose parent have been through a divorce or separation show one of the top things they hate is being interrogated about what they did when they stayed with the other parent.
There are several reasons they hate it. They hate feeling they may be betraying a trust in one of their parents. They may feel they have to give an answer that the parent asking them wants to hear…”No, it was horrible, as I missed you so much.” Children especially hate being asked about the new partner of a parent. Let your children tell them about matters themselves in their own time. You can ask them if they had a nice weekend, but let them tell you what they want to tell you, don’t ask them lots of questions. Your child will appreciate it.
3) Saying derogatory things about the other parent to them or in front of them
This is always a difficult one. Let’s take a philandering husband who ran off with his work colleague 20 years younger than him and now only sees his children when it suits him. You are heart broken, your life has been ripped apart and you have no idea how you are going to afford to pay for the children’s new school uniform, whilst your husband is in the Canaries enjoying some late summer sun with his new floozy….and you have to say nice things about him in front of the children? Well, yes. Polish your halo, remind yourself that this is just one of many sacrifices you make as a parent for the sake of your children and remember that when you say nasty things about one of their parents, you are also hurting the child.
4) Arguing in front of the children or physically fighting
Children say that their parents arguing is one of the things that stays with them for many years. The two people in the world who they love the most, visibly hate each other. It scares them and constant arguments can have a negative effect on their mental wellbeing, their school work, their ability to form relationships later in life and their general development. Agree never to argue in front of the children. Use mediation to resolve issues if need be and always check yourself, whether the thing you are arguing over is more important than the negative impact it is having on your child.
5) Ceasing child maintenance because you are angry or upset or not happy with the parenting arrangements
Many non-resident parents do this and it is wrong. The legal responsibility to make child maintenance payments is not dependant on the arrangement (or lack of an arrangement). As Judge Rinder says, “If you make them, you pay for them!” Children need to be fed, clothed, heated and housed. A judge will frown on the fact you have stopped payments because you are no longer being allowed to see the children. Continue the maintenance payments and hold the moral and legal higher ground. On the flip side, don’t punish your child by changing the arrangements because their father is not paying child maintenance. Remember Child Maintenance and the arrangements your child has to see the other parent are two very much different matters.
6) Thinking you have control over how the other parent chooses to parent the child when they are with them
It can be very difficult to let go of the control of your child, especially when they are young. You may have spent months getting them into a routine only for that routine to be cast aside as they get to stay up late at the other parent’s house, or fed junk food or allowed to watch videos they would not normally be allowed to watch at home. The trouble is, unless the child is at serious risk (the kind you would phone the police about) there is very little you can do to control what goes on when they are with the other parent. More so, trying to control what is outside of your control will just make you go mad. Try to relax and enjoy the time you have to yourself to focus on you, without worrying what your children are up to every minute. In an ideal world you will work together as parents to ensure continuity of routines, rules, and discipline. If you cannot then mediation can really help to establish these, but if all else fails, there is very little you can do about it, so stop trying to.
7) Dropping the child off at the bottom of the road as you can’t stand to see the other parent
Some parents do this, as they believe it is better for the child so they don’t see their parents arguing or see the parents upset. But it does have a negative effect on the child and it does show them that you are unable to communicate as parents. The children love you both and don’t want to have to walk 50 yards because their parents cannot bear to see each other. There are obviously exceptions with regards to domestic abuse.
8) Reporting the parent to the police or social services without establishing the facts
Of course, as a parent you should always raise a concern about the safety of your child. However using the police or child services to get back at you ex-partner or further your case at court is a dangerous and irresponsible thing to do. You do not want your child placed on the social service register for something that can be easily sorted out between the parents.
9) Not wanting the child to have a relationship with their new family
“I don’t mind if they see their dad this weekend, but not if his new partner is there.” It probably does not sit comfortably that your children will be spending the weekend with their father and his new partner, especially if the children are young and she may be the cause of your marriage breaking down. But the fact is that the more people who are positive in your children’s live, the more people who love them and care for them, the better for the child. Another time to polish your halo as a parent.
10) Not sharing toys, clothing or gifts
I have known cases where a child has to get changed in the car as the two sets of parents did not want ‘their’ clothes going to the other’s house. My ex-wife smoked and would return clothes to us cleaned, neatly folded and ironed only for us to have to wash them all over again as they stank of smoke!
Well-meaning friends and parents will give you gifts for the child but ask that they keep it at your house. How would you feel as an adult if you could not take your IPad out of the house, or had to change clothes half way when you visited your friend’s house? The clothes and toys belong to your child, not to anyone else. Let them enjoy them and take a favourite toy to the house if they want to.
Divorce Friend can help you reach a parenting plan that you can both move forwards with. Our divorce experts can give you suggestions on what to do based on their years of experience.
Call us now on 0330 999 0313 or visit one of our free divorce clinics in Caerphilly, Sutton or Woking.

domain: sociology


text:
The last human in the universe must battle unfathomable alien intelligences—and confront the truth about humanity—in this ambitious, galaxy-spanning debut
“A good old-fashioned space opera in a thoroughly fresh package.”—Andy Weir, author of The Martian
“Big ideas and believable science amid a roller-coaster ride of aliens, AI, superintelligence, and the future of humanity.”—Dennis E. Taylor, author of We Are Legion
Most days, Sarya doesn’t feel like the most terrifying creature in the galaxy. Most days, she’s got other things on her mind. Like hiding her identity among the hundreds of alien species roaming the corridors of Watertower Station. Or making sure her adoptive mother doesn’t casually eviscerate one of their neighbors. Again.
And most days, she can almost accept that she’ll never know the truth—that she’ll never know why humanity was deemed too dangerous to exist. Or whether she really is—impossibly—the lone survivor of a species destroyed a millennium ago. That is, until an encounter with a bounty hunter and a miles-long kinetic projectile leaves her life and her perspective shattered.
Thrown into the universe at the helm of a stolen ship—with the dubious assistance of a rebellious spacesuit, an android death enthusiast on his sixtieth lifetime, and a ball of fluff with an IQ in the thousands—Sarya begins to uncover an impossible truth. What if humanity’s death and her own existence are simply two moves in a demented cosmic game, one played out by vast alien intellects? Stranger still, what if these mad gods are offering Sarya a seat at their table—and a second chance for humanity?
The Last Human is a sneakily brilliant, gleefully oddball space-opera debut—a masterful play on perspective, intelligence, and free will, wrapped in a rollicking journey through a strange and crowded galaxy.
Zack Jordan’s debut novel The Last Human is science fiction with an intriguing premise. I’m just not sure it entirely worked for me.
The basic idea is that this is a world in which hundreds of alien species of varying intelligences live but humans have been deemed too dangerous to exist. But the main character Sarya is human—the last human, in fact. And she doesn’t feel like she’s particularly dangerous. So what happened to humanity and how did she survive?
During the first two thirds of The Last Human, I kept thinking of this book as Ready Player One meets Star Wars. There was a main character I could root for and lots of action. But right around the two third mark, the story took a turn, becoming deeper and more introspective. And I’m all for an action packed book that also delves deep with thought-provoking ideas. In this case, however, the turn was so hard that it felt like two completely different books and it began to lose momentum for me.
Although I had some issues with The Last Human, there were several elements of this book that I enjoyed. The writing was sharp and witty. It asked questions about what it means to be human and how we fit into something that is not only much bigger than us but much bigger than we could ever comprehend. And overall, it was a lot of fun!
For the most part, I enjoyed reading The Last Human. While I might try another book Jordan writes, I wouldn’t be interested in any type of sequel. That all said, if this sounds like your kind of book, definitely check it out.
*Thanks to the publisher for providing an arc of this edition via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.


Comparative Study of Defected Waveguide Structure with Circuit Modelling
Keywords:Defected Waveguide Structure, Filter Concept, Reflection Coefficient, Transmission Coefficient, Ultrawideband,
AbstractThe comparisons of Defected Waveguide Structure (DWS) are made to determine their performances toward waveguide in Ultrawideband (UWB) frequency range. Initially, the copper waveguide is designed to have a basic square structure as DWS. The straight connecting strip is added on in between the square. The straight connecting strip is then folded to reduce the length. All the designs and simulation process are constructed in CST Microwave software. The results of transmission coefficient (S21) and reflection coefficient (S11) are used for performance analysis. An equivalent circuit is designed and simulated in Advanced Design System (ADS) for modelling purpose based on filter concept. Copper waveguide performs as high pass respond with the frequency more than cut off frequency. Basic square DWS operates from 3.5GHz to 8.25GHz. Meanwhile, basic square DWS with straight and meander line connecting strip operate at a higher frequency from 8.11GHz-9.23GHz and 7.68GHz-10.8GHz, respectively. Basic square DWS with meander line connecting strip operates for the wider bandwidth of 3.12GHz with compact size.
T. Zou, B. Zhang and Y. Fan, “Design of a 73GHz waveguide bandpass filter,” IEEE 9th UK-Europe-China Workshop on Millimetre Waves and Terahertz Technologies (UCMMT), Qingdao, 2016, pp. 219-221.
A. Wahid and A. Munir, “Design of 9GHz dual-polarized rectangular waveguide antenna,” 2nd International Conference on Wireless and Telematics (ICWT), Yogyakarta, 2016, pp. 44-46.
K. Uyama, S. Nishimura, H. Deguchi and M. Tsuji, “Transmission characteristics of CRLH rectangular waveguides constructed by the cutoff modes of TM and TE waves,” International Conference on Electromagnetics in Advanced Applications (ICEAA), Cairns, QLD, 2016, pp. 728-731.
T. Rowe, P. Forbes, J. H. Booske and N. Behdad, “Inductive meandered metal line metamaterial for rectangular waveguide linings,” IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 654-664, April 2017.
B. Byrne, N. Raveu, N. Capet, G. Le Fur and L. Duchesne, “Field distribution of rectangular waveguides with anisotropic walls by using the modal theory,” IEEE International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation (APSURSI), Fajardo, 2016, pp. 1091-1092.
H. Sakli, D. Bouchouicha and T. Aguili, “Wave Propagation in Rectangular Waveguide Filled with Anisotropic Metamaterial,” IJCSI International Journal of Computer Science Issues, vol. 9, issue 3, no. 3, May 2012.
M. S. Alam, M. T. Islam and N. Misran, “Performance investigation of a uni-planar compact electromagnetic bandgap (UC-EBG) structure for wide bandgap characteristics,” Asia-Pacific Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility, Singapore, 2012, pp. 637-640.
M. S. Dalenjan, P. Rezaei, M. Akbari, S. Gupta and A. R. Sebak, “Radiation properties enhancement of a microstrip antenna using a new UC-EBG structure,” 17th International Symposium on Antenna Technology and Applied Electromagnetics (ANTEM), Montreal, QC, 2016, pp. 1-2.
D. Ferreira, R. F. d. S. Caldeirinha, I. Cuiñas and T. R. Fernandes, “Tunable square slot FSS EC modelling and optimisation,” IET Microwaves, Antennas & Propagation, vol. 11, no. 5, pp. 737-742, 2017.
G. S. Kunturkar and P. L. Zade, “Design of Fork-shaped Multiband Monopole antenna using defected ground structure,” International Conference on Communications and Signal Processing (ICCSP), Melmaruvathur, 2015, pp. 0281-0285.
Z. Zakaria et al., “Compact structure of band-pass filter integrated with Defected Microstrip Structure (DMS) for wideband applications,” The 8th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation (EuCAP 2014), The Hague, 2014, pp. 2158-2162.
R. K. Shukla, Srinaga Nikhil N and K. J. Vinoy, “Radiation efficiencies of a compact planar antenna with different meander line configurations,” IEEE Applied Electromagnetics Conference (AEMC), Guwahati, 2015, pp. 1-2.
Y. Qi, J. Fan, Y. H. Bi, W. Yu and J. Drewniak, “A planar low-profile meander antenna design for wireless terminal achieving low selfinterference,” IEEE Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility and Signal Integrity, Santa Clara, CA, 2015, pp. 320-323.
D. M. Pozar, Microwave engineering, 4th edition. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, INC, 2012.
How to Cite
TRANSFER OF COPYRIGHT AGREEMENT
The manuscript is herewith submitted for publication in the Journal of Telecommunication, Electronic and Computer Engineering (JTEC). It has not been published before, and it is not under consideration for publication in any other journals. It contains no material that is scandalous, obscene, libelous or otherwise contrary to law. When the manuscript is accepted for publication, I, as the author, hereby agree to transfer to JTEC, all rights including those pertaining to electronic forms and transmissions, under existing copyright laws, except for the following, which the author(s) specifically retain(s):
- All proprietary right other than copyright, such as patent rights
- The right to make further copies of all or part of the published article for my use in classroom teaching
- The right to reuse all or part of this manuscript in a compilation of my own works or in a textbook of which I am the author; and
- The right to make copies of the published work for internal distribution within the institution that employs me
I agree that copies made under these circumstances will continue to carry the copyright notice that appears in the original published work. I agree to inform my co-authors, if any, of the above terms. I certify that I have obtained written permission for the use of text, tables, and/or illustrations from any copyrighted source(s), and I agree to supply such written permission(s) to JTEC upon request.


text:
Lebanon imposes quarantine on travellers from UK and Brazil
Measures were announced as coronavirus variants continue to fuel rising case numbers
Lebanon has imposed a five-day quarantine on passengers arriving from the UK and Brazil, where concerning coronavirus variants are found.
“All passengers wishing to come to Lebanon must have a hotel booking at their own expense for five days and four nights,” the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said late on Saturday.
Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport director Fadi Al Hassan confirmed to The National that the circular was issued to prevent different strains of the coronavirus from spreading in Lebanon.
Passengers from India were banned from entering the country in April, following a massive surge in cases seemingly driven by the new B.1.617.2 variant first recorded there.
The new measures come ahead of the summer, when tourists and Lebanese migrant workers flock to the country.
A new wave of coronavirus cases would jeopardise tourism – one of the few sources of income in the cash-strapped country.
However, some experts believe that targeted quarantine measures will only delay the arrival of the new variants.
Jade Khalife, a specialist in health systems and epidemiology, said that quarantines targeting only some countries have a limited effect and can easily be bypassed.
“People will transit through other countries and get into Lebanon – they always find a way around these measures,” he said.
Mr Khalife said to achieve the best results, quarantine requirements should extend to all travellers.
“It’s only a matter of time before these new variants get here. At best the new measures may delay this by a few weeks.”
The directive said that travellers will be escorted directly from the airport in special buses to three government-approved hotels: the Tulip Hotel, the Mayflower Hotel and the Alife-Apart Hotel-Sodeco, all in Beirut.
They must take a PCR test prior to boarding their flight to Beirut, have another after they land and a third while in quarantine.
Travellers who have had coronavirus in the past 90 days and those who have had two doses of Covid-19 vaccine are exempt from quarantine.
The B.1.617.2 variant is a more transmissible strain of the virus, and has been linked to a surge in infections in India – where more than 300,000 new cases a day were recorded at the end of April.
It also appears to be spreading quickly in the UK, where another variant of concern, known as B.1.1.7, is currently prevalent.
Lebanon’s caretaker health minister Hamad Hassan said this month that samples were being tested for the Indian variant, but Beirut has yet to announce any infections of this type.
Brazil is home to one of the world's largest Lebanese communities, with millions of people with Lebanese ancestry living in the country.
The P.1 variant was discovered in Brazil, and it is believed to be behind a surge in the virus in Latin America.
Experts have expressed concerns that P.1 is behind a second wave, helping take Brazil’s death toll past 350,000.
Lebanon reported 244 cases of Covid-19 and seven deaths on Saturday – a sharp drop from the thousands of new daily infections recorded earlier this year.
More than 500,000 people have contracted the disease in Lebanon since the pandemic began, and 7,718 have died.
Updated: May 30, 2021 06:57 PM