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Shoot first, eat cheese later! Jump into a fast, frenetic and exciting one-hit, one-kill FPS arena shooter with a totally level playing field, tonnes of maps, customisation and a robust map editor!
50 Games Like Ratz Instagib
TOXIKK, DOOM, and Guns of Boom are our top selection to play today.
The latest addition in this selection are Call of Duty: Modern Warfare released the 25 October 2019 and ranked #26, Borderlands 3 released the 13 September 2019 and ranked #6, Splitgate: Arena Warfare released the 24 May 2019 and ranked #23.
50 Games like Ratz Instagib daily generated comparing over 40 000 video games across all platforms.
This suggestion collection includes FPS (First Person Shooter) games for Android, Win Mobile, PS4 (Playstation 4), Xbox One, Switch, PC Windows, Mac OS and Linux. The order in this selection is not absolute, but the best games tends to be up in the list.
FRAG LIKE IT'S 1999! TOXIKK plays as if today's military shooters never existed: Designed as a spiritual successor to the FPS giants of the late 90s and early 2ks, TOXIKK carefully evolves their mechanics with modern technology and fresh ideas elaborated with Arena-FPS enthusiasts.
DOOM returns as a brutally fun and challenging modern-day shooter experience. Relentless demons, impossibly destructive guns, and fast, fluid movement provide the foundation for intense, first-person combat whether youre obliterating demon hordes through the depths of Hell in the single-player campaign, or competing against your friends in numerous multiplayer modes. Combine your arsenal of futuristic and iconic guns, upgrades, movement and an advanced melee system to knock-down, slash, stomp, crush, and blow apart demons in creative and violent ways.
Awesome graphics for immersive gameplay: stylish levels and cool animation will keep you glued to the screen! Its so simple that your cat can learn the controls, but the skill-cap is high enough to make even hardened FPS veterans break a sweat. Engage in online PvP battles on a variety of maps, utilizing different deadly guns, as well as frag grenades and med kits.
Devil Daggers is a fast-paced shooter that places you in an abyssal arena to face endless legions of demons. Armed with versatile magic daggers and a fluid movement system, fight to survive as long as you can.
Race around a dance club / skate park and nail each other with dodgeballs. This FPS futuresport features trick shots, powerups, local & online multiplayer, AI bot matches, solo & co-op challenges, and a game mode editor.
The original shooter-looter returns, packing bazillions of guns and a mayhem-fueled adventure! Blast through new worlds & enemies and save your home from the most ruthless cult leaders in the galaxy.
Dangerous aliens are coming to Earth. Only you can stop them!
Neon Shadow is a fast paced Cyber Punk FPS inspired by classic shooters.
Battle through an onslaught of mystical backwater cultists, possessed militants & even darker forces as you attempt to discover just what lurks beneath the Earth in this retro FPS inspired by the '90s legends.
MOTHERGUNSHIP is a bullet-hell FPS where you craft your own guns, fight gigantic bosses, and defeat a robotic alien armada that conquered Earth. Face off against overwhelming odds in brutal, non-stop combats where thinking on your feet is the only way to survive.
Similar to its predecessor, the game is a first-person shooter in which players can control both the pilot, and the Titans, mech-style exoskeletons. The game introduces seven new gameplay mechanics: a sliding mechanic, the pulse blade, which is a throwing knife that reveals the location of any nearby enemy, the holo-pilot, a holographic pilot that mimics players' action to confuse enemies, and a grappling hook, which can be used to slingshot players to a building or an enemy it attaches to. The game also features a progression system similar to the first game, but more weapons and weapon customization are included. When the players gained enough points to summon a Titan, a Titan then descends from the sky.
The #1 FPS is back on smartphone with a new chapter to push the boundaries of mobile gaming even further! In the wake of a nuclear disaster, the only chance to avoid global devastation is in the hands of the few elite soldiers who must track down and rescue the world’s leaders from a frighteningly familiar terrorist group.
Clash on the battlefields of tomorrow and choose your hero from a diverse cast of soldiers, scientists, adventurers, and oddities. Bend time, defy physics, and unleash a dizzying array of extraordinary powers and weapons. Engage your enemies in iconic locations from around the globe in the ultimate team-based shooter.
DOOM® VFR brings the fast-paced, brutal gameplay fans of the series love to virtual reality. Play as a cybernetic survivor who is activated by the UAC to fight the demon invasion, maintain order, and prevent catastrophic failure at the Mars facility.
Drop into fun, action-packed gameplay that defines a new era of mobile shooter games. Deploy into 4v4 multiplayer battles featuring a set of competitive team-based game modes. Customize your Agents with cosmetic skins featuring unique designs and weapon camos.
Shelly Bombshell Harrison takes on a quest to slay evil transhumanist mastermind Dr. Jadus Heskel in the streets of Neo DC. Shellys crusade to take down Heskels army will see her leave destruction in her wake with a wide arsenal of weapons, complete with alternate fire modes and different ammo types. A beautiful game world assembled from thousands of hand-crafted textures and sprites An awe-inspiring arsenal of devastating weapons, including multiple ammo types and alternate fire modes.
Dive into the free-to-play world of Destiny 2 to experience responsive FPS combat, explore the mysteries of our solar system, customize your guardian with unique gear, and unleash elemental abilities against powerful enemies.
Frag like it’s 1996 – this time with even more asses to kick! Join the world’s greatest action hero in Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour as he saves Earth once again, kicking alien ass and saving babes across the globe along the way.
SUPERHOT is the first person shooter where time moves only when you move. No regenerating health bars. No conveniently placed ammo drops. It's just you, outnumbered and outgunned, grabbing weapons off fallen enemies to shoot, slice, and maneuver through a hurricane of slow-motion bullets.
From skilled run 'n' gun attackers and covert assassins to team supporters and defenders, theres an Agent for every style of warfare. If youre a fan of online FPS battles, team-based shooter games, and run & gun warfare, then drop into the action for free!
Scavengers from all over the galaxy have come to a dead Earth to loot the remains of the technology that can found in underground tunnels. You must fight your way past the scum of the universe. As you prepare for deadly combat, you are going to quickly learn that the future is... Forsaken!
America, 1961. The assassination of Nazi General Deathshead was a short-lived victory. The Nazis maintain their stranglehold on the world. You are BJ Blazkowicz, aka “Terror-Billy,” member of the Resistance, scourge of the Nazi empire, and humanity’s last hope for liberty.
Splitgate: Arena Warfare is a multiplayer first-person-shooter that uses player-controlled portals to create a new dimension of arena combat.
Red Orchestra Series' take on Vietnam: 64-player MP matches; 20+ maps; US Army & Marines, PAVN/NVA, NLF/VC; Australians and ARVN forces; 50+ weapons; 4 flyable helicopters; mines, traps and tunnels; Brutal. Authentic. Gritty. Character customization. And napalm in the morning.
Capsular is a unique arena shooter featuring a "One shot, One Kill" mechanic. Jump into a fast paced match where your skill matters most!
12 sept 2018 - New comment system! Drop us a line


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ABOUT MJ Label
Who we are
MJ Label is a culmination of the love for design and a passion for sprucing your house with stunning eclectic pieces of art. It is a brand that also captures your preferences to customize it all to your liking. MJ Label was transpired when Miti Jhunjhunwala decided to translate her passion for styling tables and homes by launching this luxe brand. As a jet-setter and globetrotter who has an eye for all things pretty, she has curated a diverse range of decor pieces & table accents inspired from her journeys around the globe.
How we come to success
Her collections of dinnerware ideally reflect the theme, White & Gold, including the dinner napkins, bath linens, cushions, and napkin holders. They also stand for the regal theme of Black & Gold, including table mats, table runners, cushions, and candles, and the sophisticated theme, Metallic, of servingware. Her collections also boast of some classic Whites with their table mats, table runners, and dinner napkins, along with pieces in Light Neutrals, Medium Neutrals, and Dark Neutrals. She has also designed home pieces in soft colours like blue, pink, and green.
She has now ventured into designing quality, sustainable, and protective masks that appeal to the need of the hour. They bear the prime qualities of stylish and reusable fabrics like linen and design that would fit every preference. They have been carefully designed with a 2 layer linen fabric, which is not only anti-pollution but also completely breathable. Linen can withstand high temperature, absorbs moisture without holding bacteria, and is sustainable because the tax plant that it comes from requires foss water pesticides herbicides and fungicides. Moreover, the more you wash linen, the softer it gets. MJ Label Masks are biodegradable, stylish and steeped in quality.

domain: design


NOT TODAY Womens V-Neck T-Shirt
Inspired by Grace Tame’s iconic SIDE EYE this tee is the perfect thing to wear when you need to tell the world, nup not today!
• 150 GSM 100% Combed Cotton
• Fabric pre-shrunk to minimise shrinkage
• Double needle bottom hem and sleeves
||Body Width (cm)
||Body Length (cm)|
How to Measure:
- Lay an existing t-shirt flat.
- Body Width: Measure 3cm below armpit, from one side to the other.
- Body Length: Measure from the top of the shoulder to the bottom of the t-shirt.


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Nollywood actor Femi Adebayo has come out to show what a benevolent man he is as he gifts his employee a smashing ride.
The actor captured the touching moment on social media in a video. In the video, he was seen presenting the documents of the car to his employee and he stated that he is appreciating him for being such a loyal employee.
READ ALSO: Femi Adebayo Surprises His Mother With A Car On Her 70th Birthday
It seems to be a new trend for Femi Adebayo to be gifting his loved ones cars, because not long ago, the actor gifted his mother a new car for her 70th birthday, and that was one of the highlights of the month.
READ ALSO: Everything My Husband Has, He Worked For With His Own Sweat – Toyin Abraham Speaks Up For Her Husband Kolawole Ajeyemi After He Gifted Himself A Car
Another celebrity who recently got a car is the husband of actress and producer, Toyin Abraham, Kolawole Ajeyemi. He gifted himself an SUV for his birthday and his wife was super proud of him.
Trending video of the day;
Photo Credit: Getty

domain: news


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Follow a small group scheduled tour that will take you to the most significant sites that are linked with palaeolithic art of the Dordogne. The tour will include the visit of the National Prehistory Museum that houses the largest collection of palaeolithic artefacts in the world. Then discover Lascaux IV cave, a perfect reproduction of Lascaux, in which you will contemplate the paintings that can be seen in the original cave. Finally, admire the original engravings and drawings of Rouffignac cave coined the cave of 100 mammoths as the animal is here the most represented out of all the palaeolithic caves that can be visited.
Some 15,000 years B.C. unknown artists created breathtaking cave paintings of which the most extraordinary examples are found in the Dordogne area. During this day you will be introduced to this fascinating art and to the people who made it.Begin the day in Les Eyzies de Tayac for a guided visit of the National Prehistory Museum. Opened in 2004, this national museum possesses the largest collection of prehistoric artefacts in the world.Continue to Montignac where you will visit Lascaux IV cave, a perfect reproduction of the original cave. Opened in 2016, Lascaux IV is a triumph of technology. Unlike any other cave visits, Lascaux 4 is employing different set designs, displays, state-of-the-art interactive workshops, and immersive technology to bring it to life. In fact, the atmosphere inside the replica cave is just like that of a real cave: dark, damp, and muffled.Finally, end the tour with the visit of Rouffignac Cave that possesses original and authentic etchings and drawings. The Rouffignac cave was already mentioned in 1575 by François de Belleforest. In his Cosmographie universelle he cites “paintings and animal traces”. In the 19th century the cave was known as a tourist attraction. Famous archaeologists like Henry Breuil, André Glory and Martel had visited the cave in the early 20th century, but it was only in 1956 when Louis-René Nougier and Romain Robert, two pre-historians from the Pyrenees, rediscovered and confirmed the cave art. After the visit, return to Sarlat.

domain: geography


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Right on the waterfront of Lake Wylie you will find a wonderful community of Masons Crossing. This spot is great as highway access is just 15 miles away. This means that you get a waterfront retreat within commuting distance to Uptown Charlotte. There are also great options nearby for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Also convenient are Carowinds, Fort Mill, Rock Hill, and Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Homes in Masons Crossing are grand in scale and have estate sized lots. These custom homes are stunning and have amazing features making each home unique. Waterfront lots command a premium, but are worth every penny with amazing year round views in addition to boat houses, floating docks, stunning decks and porches to capture the lake lifestyle.
Masons Crossing is currently zoned for award winning and desirable Clover schools. Residents get all of this and lower South Carolina taxes. In the past year, homes in Masons Crossing sold for between $442,000 and $1,275,000. Homes typically have between 2,500 and 7,300 square feet of living space.
With five homes currently on the market, Masons Crossing currently has a 15 month supply of homes. This is compared to the 6.4 month supply for the whole of Lake Wylie and the 4.8 month supply in York County. This means that Masons Crossing is in a buyers market at the moment.
To view additional information about Masons Crossing, click here. To schedule a private tour of homes in Masons Crossing, call us at 803-831-8588. To view all current listings and create custom searches, visit our website here.


Chicago is a major hub for a number of airlines, and with not one, but two world-class airports in the city, it is also one of the busiest aviation centers in the world. Chicago Department of Aviation’s Deputy Commissioner of Sustainability, Amy Malick, is tasked with keeping the tremendous footprints of Chicago’s airports as green as possible. Chicago’s O’Hare International is the second-busiest airport in the world — more than 67 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of cargo passed through its concourses in 2012. Across town, Midway Airport, which Malick refers to as the “busiest square mile in aviation,” serves more than 19.5 million passengers annually. The Sustainable Airports Manual, developed in Chicago in 2003, is now the go-to resource for building and redeveloping airports the environmentally sustainable way.
“Aviation in general probably doesn’t have the greenest reputation in the world,” Malick admits. “We do operate these massive, 24/7, mission-critical facilities that are always going. Our focus has been to reduce the impact of all of those things that go into running an airport on a daily basis.”
January 15, 2014
The Sustainable Airports Manual, developed in Chicago in 2003, is now the go-to resource for building and redeveloping airports the environmentally sustainable way.


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David Black is a 3rd year Computer Games Design student at UEL, and wants to say that the views expressed here are just his and don’t represent anyone else’s. Still, he’ll be as factual as he can be.
Reviving the classics – the future or a fad?
In the past year or so, there’s been a surge in remastered or even remade games that were first released roughly 15-20 years ago: Crash Bandicoot, Wipeout and Spyro the Dragon being popular and highly advertised examples. Coupled with this are games that try to ‘recapture’ the feeling of that time by mimicking the gameplay that made that gaming era so memorable, such as the Crowdfunded Yooka-Laylee or Divinity: Original Sin. On the face of it, there appears to be a growing demand and appeal for games that remind older players of the games they grew up with, or introduce younger players to the successes that helped push gaming to the heights it’s currently at.
However, it should be pointed out that this trend is only a new addition to games made in America, Europe and the UK. For over a decade now, some of the most popular game series to come out of Japan have been polished, enhanced and re-released worldwide. These include the bundle of older Final Fantasy games being released for modern consoles in 2019, the remade versions of old Pokemon titles (such as Fire Red, Alpha Sapphire and even technically the recent Pokemon Let’s Go), and the frequent appearances of old Mario games updated to the standards appropriate for the latest devices.
All this raises a question worth considering: are truly unique and successful game ideas getting rarer and harder to come up with? Many winning formulas had already been nailed down, understood and developed on since computer games as popular entertainment were even beginning to become the norm. So it stands to reason that large developers and publishers would prefer to work within those boundaries for a low-risk success, instead of pushing boundaries on ideas that may or may not work out; see the myriad of first person shooters (both modern and historical) available today to see what I mean.
Happily, this issue is being tackled by ‘indies’, or independent developers. Often without a publisher to anger or holiday deadline to fret over, these small groups (or sometimes even individual!) developers frequently make games using uncertain, untested and risky ideas and concepts, making the task of pushing the boundaries of what works in games shared between large teams of game designers and developers, and small groups of passionate professionals.
All in all, I want to say that my point is this: by looking at just the recent, widely marketed, often talked about games it can feel as though the creativity behind what was (not too long ago) an enormously diverse array of ideas has gone dry. Happily, that isn’t the case. Those zany ideas are still out there, you need only look for them.

domain: game


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Sessions' confirmation hearing is the first big fight for the Trump administration, but it's not the Alabama senator's first battle against accusations of racism.
He announced his opposition to Sessions shortly after Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer said he also will vote against Sessions' confirmation because he has concerns about whether the nominee would be a sufficient check on President-elect Donald Trump. Jeff Sessions' appointment as attorney general are calling him extremist, anti-immigration and insensitive to civil rights. Claims that were backed up by Booker and multiple other witnesses over the course of the hearing by merely citing Sessions' long and despicable record of failing to honor the rights of people who don't look like him in both the courtroom and the Senate chamber.
A Baptist senator broke with Senate tradition January 11, becoming what is believed to be the first sitting senator to testify against a colleague at a confirmation hearing for a Cabinet position. Jeff Sessions, but the bottom line is clear - he will not support Sessions' nomination to be America's next attorney general.
Booker argued that Session's record suggests he would not seek to protect the rights of LGBT Americans, would uphold voting rights, or protect "immigrants and affirm their human dignity".
"The next attorney general must bring hope and healing to the country".
NY pays its last respects to NYPD Detective Steven McDonald
Jones's family to seek parole", according to the Times , saying "he was not knowledgeable or capable enough to intervene". In it, McDonald speaks about how much attending games meant to him and his family after he became paralyzed.
On the second day of Sessions' current confirmation hearings, members of the Congressional Black Caucus packed the hearing room. There are, Lewis said, "forces that want to take us back to another place". While Sessions is a Republican and Schumer a Democrat the two have worked together to pass bipartisan legislature, specifically on trade, Schumer said in a statement.
While Sessions's record on civil rights is murky, it seems unusual that Booker would partner with someone he considered personally distasteful, to honor leaders in a fight he now claims Sessions not only does not value, but diametrically opposes. Schumer described Sessions as a longtime "friend and colleague" but said in a statement that he was "not confident" that Sessions would defend the rights of all Americans.
Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.) testified Wednesday against Alabama Republican Sen.
When pressed on his remarks about these groups, Sessions said that "fundamental legal barriers to minorities had been knocked down" and that the organizations had been "asking for things beyond what they are justified in asking".
Booker said that if confirmed as attorney general Sessions would likely obstruct "the growing national bipartisan movement toward criminal justice reform".


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To report the initial experience of hypospadias repair using an axially vascularized meatal-based skin flap.Patients and methods
Twenty-six children aged 2-5.5 years with subcoronal hypospadias underwent the procedure; three were circumcised and three had recurrent hypospadias. The neourethra was constructed using a meatal-based flap extending obliquely from the hypospadiac orifice towards the prepuce or its remnants. The flap was supplied axially by the ventrolateral branch of the superficial external pudendal artery. The vascular pedicle was dissected and mobilized to allow tensionless reflection of the flap ventrally to be sutured to the urethral plate.Results
Functional and cosmetic success was achieved in 25 of the patients (96%). Haematoma and disruption of the flap occurred in one patient, who underwent re-operation, and slight and insignificant meatal retraction occurred in another child.Conclusions
The procedure confirmed the technical feasibility of creating an axially vascularized meatal-based flap. The oblique orientation of the flap permits it to be obtained from well-developed skin. Continuity of the oblique flap with the urethral plate reduces the total length of suture lines and minimizes the possibility of fistula formation.

domain: medical


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While E. coli and Salmonella are more commonly known bacteria, a new food borne illness is spreading and creating more serious consequences than these two contaminants. Listeria, linked to cantaloupe from Colorado, has already caused 13 deaths and 72 infections in 18 states and officials estimate the number to rise through the month of October.
Unlike E. coli or Salmonella, Listeria bacteria linger and can cause illness for up to two months after someone consumes a contaminated food. Officials have linked the outbreak to cantaloupes grown by Jensen Farms in Colorado shipped between July 29 and September 10. However, it is unclear how the Listeria got into the cantaloupes, considering that it is far more likely that processed meats or cheeses would become contaminated.
Compared to E. Coli and Salmonella infections that take mere days to rear their ugly heads, a Listeria infection is harder to pinpoint because of the time that it can take for symptoms to show up. Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control says that those most likely to get ill from Listeria are the very young, the elderly, or those with compromised immune systems. Additionally, Listeria is known to cause pregnant women to miscarry. Symptoms range from mild diarrhea to more aggressive and life-threatening symptoms such as muscle or spinal tissue damage. The Food and Drug Administration recommends that consumers rinse all produce under running water, including the rinds of cantaloupes. Additionally, rinds should be scrubbed with a produce brush and should be dried with a clean cloth or an unused paper towel.
recently named in the 2009 edition of Best Lawyer's In America, David Mittleman has been representing seriously injured people since 1985. A partner with Church Wyble PC—a division of Grewal Law PLLC—Mr. Mittleman and his partners focus on medical malpractice, wrongful death, car accidents, slip and falls, nursing home injury, pharmacy/pharmacist negligence and disability claims.


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Please use a recent version of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge to get the most out of the experience.Find a modern browser
Are you looking for a solution that improves the quality of your crops and is environmental-friendly?
Prayon has designed an innovative iron-polyphosphate formulation to grow with your crops: micronutri Fe® . This fully water-soluble fertilizer has a high nutritional value and is 100% chelate-free. Micronutri Fe® is odorless, colorless, and fully biodegradable meaning it doesn’t leave any residual substances. Problems can occur with sludge or stains which can now belong to the past. Polyphosphates help to remove and prevent scaling, which is more sustainable for pumps, tubes and the rest of the irrigation system.
The sensitivity of chelates to many disinfection technologies makes them very unpopular when purifying irrigation water. Removing them from the system and replacing them by iron-polyphosphates, significantly increases the efficacy of every disinfection unit run by ultraviolet light, peroxides, ozone, chlorination or activated carbon filtration.
Furthermore, plants tend to have higher levels of iron and other cations in plant tissue when iron-polyphosphate is dosed, resulting in a healthier crop with a higher yield potential. The increased availability of cations like calcium improves the quality of greenhouse crops by reducing tip burn and blossom end rot.
In a nutshell, micronutri Fe® offers you the positive effects of the absence of chelates and the combination of iron and polyphosphates.
To know more about all the benefits of this unique solution for your crops and much moreContact our experts

domain: agronomy


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Coming soon: Training. Have 30 seconds to spare? Help us choose our first course!
Had to do a remake of Vimeo's current iPhone app. This is much like Path, press the + and extra a menu options pops up.
What do you guys think?
L or F like
Show and tell for designers
What are you working on? Dribbble is a community of designers sharing screenshots of their work, process, and projects.
Copyright © 2009–2016 Dribbble LLC. All screenshots © their respective owners. Shipped from Salem, Mass. USA.

domain: artistic


ANN: Colombia's Truth Commission Launches Final Report
From: National Security Archive <email@example.com>
Declassified U.S. Evidence Underscores Commission's Recommendations
Bogotá, June 28, 2022 - Today, Colombia's Truth Commission wraps up three-and-a-half years of work with the launch of its report on the causes and consequences of Colombia's conflict. The publication of the Commission's findings and recommendations is an important step forward in guaranteeing the rights of victims and of Colombian society to know the truth about what happened, to build a foundation for coexistence among Colombians, and to ensure that such a conflict is never repeated.
The New York Times is posting "Live Updates" about the publication of the report and today published a major article describing a trove of declassified U.S. government records that constitute part of the evidence underlying the report – evidence collected and provided to the Commission by the nongovernmental National Security Archive.
The Commission's report makes sweeping recommendations about the role of Colombia's security forces, denouncing the concept of the "internal enemy" and the systematic victimization of Colombia's political left. The report also condemns decades of punitive counternarcotics programs backed -- at times forcefully -- by the U.S. and that the Commission says aggravated the conflict.
Today's posting by the Archive focuses on six of the declassified documents – including an unusually explicit CIA assessment about collusion between the Colombian military and illegal paramilitaries in assassinations of leftist activists. These selections provide insight into the kinds of sources the Commission consulted in reaching its findings and in making its recommendations.READ THE ARTICLE
THE NATIONAL SECURITY ARCHIVE is an independent non-governmental research institute and library located at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The Archive collects and publishes declassified documents acquired through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). A tax-exempt public charity, the Archive receives no U.S. government funding; its budget is supported by publication royalties and donations from foundations and individuals.


FOUR leading usage-based insurance trends for the year ahead
Usage-based insurance – or UBI – has become synonymous with state-of-the-art digital insurance providers. The technology, which is mainly used within the auto-insurance market, has a robust and impressive growth rate.
Indeed, according to the Global Usage-Based Insurance Market Report 2022, the sector is expected to grow to US$132.02bn by 2026, at a CAGR of 24.9%. Needless to say, this long-term growth looks steady, despite many instabilities within the marketplace – and expert predictions detect not even a whiff of a slowdown until at least 2031.
The birth of UBI
But the industry hasn’t always been this healthy – and UBI isn’t even as shiny and new as it currently appears. The main game-changer within the industry is the advancement of technology, which has seen concepts and innovations that have been in the pipeline for decades finally come to fruition.
According to Verisk, UBI was first conceptualised in the 1960s in the US at a time when tensions with the former Soviet Union were uncomfortably high. The US government, through its preoccupation with national security and nuclear threat, funded the development of global positioning system technology – aka GPS. Originally intended for military applications, it eventually did what all major inventions do and, within 10 years, became a tool for civilian applications. This monumental development became the basis for telematic technologies and solutions.
By the early noughties, the internet had passed from nascent into the mainstream, and this meant that experts were able to develop and apply telematics technologies to a wider audience and variety of use cases. Back then, tracking was painfully slow, as data transmission was limited to only a handful of deliveries per hour. But, within a few short years, GPS navigation systems for vehicles were a reality, giving rise to the possibility of using the same technologies to monitor and experiment with road safety and driving data.
Covid, digital transformation and the rise of UBI
While UBI has been in place with auto insurers for several years – and continues to gain in popularity – the boost to the sector only occurred during 2020 and 2021, when the pandemic transformed the way people worked and commuted.
Simon Dicks, Insurance Channel Manager, Lytx, a fleet management insurtech, explains that, during COVID-19, many vehicles weren’t needed for months, enabling fleets to obtain refunds on those that weren’t used. The fallout of this is that today, managers now only expect to have to pay insurance fees for vehicles that are actually on the road – and it’s this element that’s forcing insurers to provide usage-based cover.
“Putting a dynamic insurance model into practice isn’t that easy. Insurers want to be able to charge a different premium according to the quality of driving,” says Dicks. “The only way to address this is to put a highly accurate level of camera technology, both inside and outside cabs, supporting this with AI. This way we can see not just that an incident has happened, but why it happened.”
FOUR UBI trends for 2023
As technology and our ability to access and process information in real-time becomes commonplace, UBI has hit the accelerator. As Dicks points out, driver and road condition surveillance solutions are a huge game-changer in the telematics space.
#1 First Notification Of Risk (FNOR) solutions
First Notification Of Risk – or FNOR– solutions have skyrocketed over the past 24 months, looking set to make an even bigger impact on our roads as legacy insurance systems struggle to compete with the speed and accuracy of telematics.
“We can assess risk before an accident happens at all and prevent it from happening in the first place. We call this First Notification Of Risk (FNOR) – and it’s a whole step up from FNOL (First Notification of Loss), ” explains Dicks. Although, he does point out that there’s still a long way to go in terms of fine-tuning the solution.
“There are so many different companies out there selling cameras, selling telematics systems, and producing information in hundreds of different formats. Claims data will have to be standardised before the sector can really transform – we can’t just click our fingers.
“Some of the big insurers are really just dipping their toes into insurance tech still; ideas like usage-based insurance and FNOR represent a massive change for them. Insurance has always been done reactively, with underwriters analysing past data to forecast costs and premiums. Now, we’re going to calculate everything based on individual performance. It’s going to take a lot of data and a lot of time.”
#2 Accelerated Claims to streamline payouts
The second major trend in UBI – specifically in the automotive industry – will be accelerated claims, triggered by on-device crash detection systems.
One of the major causes of delayed payments for insurers is deciphering and contacting all parties involved in the crash. Prior to digital solutions, it presented a logistical nightmare and meant vehicle owners often had to wait weeks to be compensated for damage. But UBI policies are already offering products that will settle these issues swiftly and efficiently by using the data to assess the crash site situation.
Crash detection is a common offering that even contacts the emergency services and records the incident in its entirety, prior and post-crash. Using AI and ML, they can also fill in all the online form details required to push any claim through much faster.
#3 Multimodal profiling of driver behaviour
Although this already takes place to a certain extent – especially in the fleet space – multimodal profiling in the future will have the capacity to track the continuous mobility of the vehicle.
Currently, telematics do provide certain data points that can assess whether a driver has used unsafe practices. But better tracking will provide a wider assessment of behaviour, as an unfortunate incident makes up just a fraction of a driver’s ability and, yet, may critically impact the level and cost of cover they find themselves eligible for. Constant monitoring elevates the general score by putting the bad practices into perspective. This real-time possibility will be made increasingly available as 5G networks enable higher volume and greater data transfer capabilities.
#4 Data, data, and more data
UBI represents a far bigger realm of possibility than just a fairer offering for auto insurers. The use of connected devices that are separate from the telematics black box, while still a provider of information for insurers, is on the horizon. The evolution of UBI will see mobile devices being used to place driver journeys in context – for example, an emergency dash might break the speed limit and incur the wrath of your cover provider. But, if that journey was set in the context of a medical emergency, that alters the perspective on why the driver was taking that risk in the first instance.
In short, using multiple data points to create a fuller picture of the driver and their environment helps to better shape the insurance outcomes, both when it comes to the expense of premiums and payouts on claims.
However, the use of multiple data points is still a contentious issue when taking privacy and security into account.


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"In Toons We Trust" is the eighteenth episode of Bonkers.
Piquel arrests Little Hubert at a robbery scene, while Bonkers assumes he is innocent, but Diamond Bill Bunko makes matters worse for both Bonkers and Hubert. Piquel and Bonkers chase Diamond Bill and clear Hubert's name.
- Little Hubert may be based on Famous Studios cartoon character, Baby Huey.
- The title is a pun on the saying "In God We Trust".


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Cabinet, LED Illuminated Bathroom Mirror Cabinet With Demister Heat Pad, Shaver And Sensor Switch With Lights And Corner Bathroom Mirror Cabinet: Enchanting bathroom mirror cabinet design
Published at September 19th, 2017 11:12:52 AM by Alex
Labelled as ikea bathroom mirror cabinet topic or ikea medicine cabinets with mirrors topic along with medicine cabinets walmart topic also bathroom mirror cabinet with lights area of interest as well as kohler medicine cabinet object and Home Depot Mirrored Medicine Cabinets discussion plus Cabinet, So don't forget to check out the main article in Enchanting bathroom mirror cabinet design
© 2017 CongraEntertainment. Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved.


HANNOVER, 08.06.2015. Volunteer fire department Zell am Ziller of Tyrol, Austria, orders first Euro 5 MAN vehicle equipped in line production with an Allison 4000 SeriesTM fully automatic transmission. Symbolic vehicle handover takes place at Interschutz 2015 on the Allison stand.
The volunteer fire department was very specific when it came to selecting their latest vehicle. They wanted a MAN TGS 18.400 4x4 Euro 5 truck, equipped with an Allison fully automatic transmission – now officially available from MAN Truck & Bus AG. On June 9, Siegfried Geisler, commander of the Zell am Ziller fire brigade, symbolically takes delivery at Interschutz in Hannover of the Allison equipped MAN-TGS chassis, which will be fitted with a TLF-A 3000/200 body.
Located about 40 kilometers east of Innsbruck, the Zillertal region is famous for its beautiful mountains and parks. It stretches from Strass im Zillertal to Mayrhofen, and then divides into the Tux Valley and Zemmgrund, Stillupgrund and Zillergrund areas. The Zell am Ziller volunteer fire department needed a vehicle that would deliver exceptional performance, even on the steep grades and difficult terrain of the Austrian Alps.
“Dynamic uphill rescue operations are very common in our region – starting and stopping on steep grades, and driving on narrow roads and over difficult terrain in emergency situations require our operators’ full concentration,” said Commander Geisler.
Moving an 18-ton vehicle uphill quickly during emergency operation requires transferring full engine power and torque to the wheels. The Allison 4000 Series fully automatic transmission, featuring a patented torque converter and uninterrupted power shifts, ensures superior acceleration and continuous traction. Superior performance and precise manoeuvrability, even at very low vehicle speeds, make Allison Automatics the preferred transmission technology in emergency situations.
“Being able to count on uncompromising performance is critical,” said Geisler. “Drivers need to be able to trust their vehicles and always be in control. We wanted an Allison automatic, as it is the transmission technology we can trust to get us to an emergency site faster, even under these harsh operating conditions.”
According to Harald Rosenauer, Western and Central European area manager for Allison Transmission, the Allison-equipped MAN TGS 4x4 offers the Zell am Ziller fire brigade unrivalled reliability and performance. “With its 400 horsepower engine and the Allison 4000 Series transmission, this vehicle has superior acceleration performance, that has no equal,” he said.
Agentur für Public Relations
+49 (0)211-384 06 77
Allison Transmission Europe B.V.
+31 (0)78-6422 174
3361 GN Sliedrecht – Niederlande


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Handmade Wooden Vase
Enhance your home with these minimalist handmade wooden vases. These hand crafted hand vases are unique and idea for home deco.
Size: Varying size dependent on design
Due to the high demand for this product, this product is delivered in 20 - 30 days.
Love this vase! Ordering it was so straight forward and given everything that’s happening, the shipping was super efficient! Please with my purchase overall :)
It's beautiful. It came very well packed.


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Indeed it was a wild one, in many ways. This game was a classic Spring Training affair, lots of unpolished pitching, lots of runs scored, and lots of errors made. These two teams looked like they were in just the first week of Cactus League play. Andrew Werner made the start today, and despite a defensive miscue by Brandon Moss, held the Cleveland Indians to just 1 unearned run in his 2 innings of work. Werner didn’t allow a hit, and just walked one batter; definitely a solid outing for the lefty.
February 18, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics center fielder Shane Peterson (63) poses for a picture during photo day at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The rest of the pitching staff wasn’t quite so fortunate though, Evan Scribner allowed 2 earned runs in his inning of work on 2 hits and 1 walk, Sonny Gray allowed a 2 run home run to former A’s great Matt Carson in his 2 innings, Jordan Norberto failed to complete an inning and allowed 3 ER including a home run to Yan Gomes, Carlos Fisher walked 3 and allowed 3 runs of his own to complete Norberto’s disastrous inning, and Drew Granier allowed 3 runs (1 earned) in his inning. Hideki Okajima though made his A’s debut in a clean inning despite allowing a hit and a walk, and Carlos Hernandez finished off the boxscore in nice fashion with a 1-2-3 9th inning. The A’s must have been running a free pass to first base promotion to celebrate their first Spring Training home game, because A’s pitchers handed out 7 altogether. There’s no surprise that the Indians scored 14 runs when you consider that fact.
The A’s were shut down at the plate early on by Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jimenez, and Vinnie Pestano, but they managed to get on the board with Shane Peterson‘s first (and the A’s first) home run of the Spring. That didn’t come until the 6th inning though and by then the Indians had gained a 5 run advantage. Peterson went 3-3 though after replacing Josh Reddick, he surely has to be opening some eyes right now.
Speaking of eye-opening performances, let’s discuss Michael Choice. After entering the game in a double switch along with Jemile Weeks in Jed Lowrie‘s spot in the order, Choice went 2-3 with 3 runs scored, a 2 run home run, and is hitting a scalding hot .714 so far. Of course it’s just through 3 games, but it’s better to put on a display like this than to appear overmatched by big league camp. Jefry Marte and Andy Parrino each contributed 2 hits and scored twice as well, with Parrino driving in 2 runs on top of that.
It’s all exhibition baseball, and it’s very early in the exhibition schedule so no major concerns should be had at this point. Let’s all keep in mind that it is still February. The A’s will play the Arizona Diamondbacks AKA the Arizona Athletics tomorrow in Scottsdale at the famously fancy Salt River Fields. The first projected member of the A’s starting rotation will make his 2013 debut as A.J. Griffin takes the hill against the funky delivery of Josh Collmenter. Michael Choice will be rewarded for his hot start with a start in the lineup in center field.

domain: sports


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Authorities have apprehended Kyle T. Wagner, 19, of Waupaca.
Late last week, the Waupaca County Sheriff’s Department reported that the Wagner was wanted for questioning as a person of interest in four burglaries in the King area.
Wagner was also wanted for resisting arrest and escape for an incident that occurred on June 13 at his residence. Wagner had struggled with deputies who were attempting to arrest him on a probation warrant. He then fled on foot.
At approximaely 9:45 p.m. Saturday, June 25, Waupaca police officers and Waupaca County deputies responded to a tip that led to Wagner’s arrest. He was taken into custody at a home in Waupaca without incident.
Wagner is being held in the Waupaca County jail on a probation hold.
The burglary cases remain under investigation.


Recently proposed quad-meshing techniques allow the generation of high-quality semi-regular quadrilateral meshes. This paper outlines the generation of quadrilateral segments using such meshes. Quadrilateral segments are advantageous in reverse engineering because they do not require surface trimming or surface parameterization. The motorcycle graph algorithm of Eppstein et al. produces the motorcycle graph of a given quadrilateral mesh consisting of quadrilateral segments. These graphs are preferable to base complexes, because the mesh can be represented with a smaller number of segments, as T-joints (where the intersection of two neighboring segments does not involve the whole edge or the vertex) are allowed in quadrilateral segmentation.


If the past five years in India were about the mobile revolution, the next five years in India will be about the home computing revolution. The installed base of computers in homes is about 7 million. About 30 million Indians access the Internet from cybercafs. The single largest technology opportunity in India is in getting these users home and spending Rs 400-500 per month on an end-to-end computing solution (device, connectivity and services).
So, what will make the home computing market trajectory over the next five years resemble that of the mobile phone adoption over the past five? I think it will be a combination of multiple elements: making computing available as a service, creating a device that is remotely manageable, centralisation applications, and keeping user data in the network cloud so that it can be accessed from the mobile phone also.
There are two relevant pipes going into homes in India copper (for telephony), and cable (for television). The Internet can piggyback onto either of these two pipes. What is needed is a device that is both affordable and manageable a device that does not compromise on performance (as compared to that of a PC as we know it today), and yet is very simple to use and does not rely on piracy to offer applications. The answer, according to me, lies in the use of a multimedia network computer where the onus of computing and storage is shifted to the server. The server resides at either the telco central office or at the cable head-end.
In this model, it now becomes possible to deliver the complete desktop and all kinds of content and applications to users in a billable manner. Think of this as a value-added services business for home computing, akin to what has happened in mobiles with ringtones, wallpapers, games and the like. Desktop advertising can be controlled from the server-side adding yet another potential source of revenue.
For consumers, it would make things easy and simple. They do not have to become their own IT administrators. They do not have to worry about losing data in case of power cuts (which are still an unfortunate reality in India). They can pay on a per-use basis for a wide range of services from education to entertainment. This will create the ecosystem of service providers willing to create these services.
2007 will see the early experiments in this category. It will be the first year in the reinvention of computing for emerging markets like India.
Tomorrow: SaaS for SMEs
TECH TALK 2007 Tech Trends+T


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Let your dream come's true. Chance to get US permanent citizenship for those people who want to live and settled down in United States Of America . US official state dept. provide a great opportunity for those who are dreaming about to live permanently and work legally in United States. Every year 50'000 Green card issued to the people all over the world and Green card is a permanent and legal right to live in the United States and it gives you a legal authority to live,Louboutin, work and study in USA.
Most of the individuals dreaming about to have permanent residence in United States. So don't miss the chance. Live your dream apply today and enter the USA without any kind of fuss. This diversity lottery visa program is a right path for the people who wants to get permanent citizenship in United States so that they can live,Louboutin Pas Cher, work and study in USA.
If you are looking to move in United States then Grab the great opportunity take part in US Green Card Lottery and be the one of the luckiest winner of the USA Green card Visa. Green card Lottery is officially called Diversity visa Lottery or DV lottery. The Diversity Visa lottery program is not only for the individual who take part in this green card process as well as it also allows the family. The DV lottery is consider after the immigration Act of 1990 and it's signed by the President George Bush and it's properly an authorized lottery Presented by US State Administration.
If you have dream to live and work legally resides in United States then don't be delayed apply green card as soon as possible. If you act immediately you will be the luckiest winner of the Green Card Lottery. So that you can easily immigrate to America and be an American Green Card holder.
Generally you might be thinking about that how to take part in green card process but no need to worry. It's very simple and you can apply through online and US state department will also notify all the winners. For applying this process you should be careful and choose the website to whom you trust or who provide the proper and latest updated information. To take part in this process make sure it can match your all basic needs like your education background or your qualifying country.

domain: law


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Many people erroneously believe that a will is the only necessary document for estate planning. This is not so if you want a rock-solid estate plan designed to reduce estate taxes, avoid probate, and protect your assets in the event you become mentally or physically incapacitated.
According to an article at ElderLawAnswers.com, a good estate plan should include at least a will and a durable power of attorney. Other useful instruments include a trust, directives and the designation of beneficiaries, as described below:
- Will - If you lack a legally-binding will, the state of Florida will determine how your property will be distributed.
- Trust - In some circumstances, a trust, which is a private document, can help you to avoid probate and save time and money for your beneficiaries.
- Power of attorney - This allows you to appoint someone to handle your finances if you become mentally or physically incapacitated.
- Medical directive - This allows you to make your medical wishes known while you're healthy and sound.
- Beneficiary designations - When you create your estate plan, it would be a good idea to also make sure your beneficiary designations for your retirement plan are updated. To control where your money will go, you need to name beneficiaries.
To give your estate plan a check-up, you should speak to an estate planning attorney in Fort Myers, Florida.
Help from an Estate Planning Attorney in Fort Myers is a Phone Call Away
Fort Myers estate planning attorney Matthew A. Linde understands firsthand the importance of careful estate planning and the complexities of financial legal matters, such as probate, tax litigation and guardianship. For help with estate planning concerns, contact our Fort Myers office to schedule a one-on-one meeting with a professional who can answer your questions - 239-939-7100 or 844-764-5492.

domain: finance


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Health Care Program for Adults
Medicaid is available to eligible parents and people who act as parents, caring for a dependent child. These people are called caretaker relatives. There is an income limit for this program.
If income is over the income limit, persons may incur medical expenses that equal or exceed the excess income and still qualify for this program. Check eligibility and apply online using MI Bridges.
Aged, Blind, Disabled
Medicaid is available to persons who are aged, blind, or disabled. There are income and asset limits. If the income is over the income limit, persons may incur medical expenses that equal or exceed the excess income and still qualify for this program. Check eligibility and apply online using MI Bridges.
Medicare Savings Program
This program pays for certain Medicare costs. There is an asset limit and your income amount determines what is covered. This program may help pay the following, depending on income:
- Medicare premiums
- Medicare coinsurance
- Medicare deductible
Check eligibility and apply online using MI Bridges.
Adult Medical Program
This program provides basic medical care to low-income adults who do not qualify for Medicaid. There are asset and income limits. Some counties have a county health plan that the person must be enrolled in to receive AMP benefits. Additional services may be available through the county health plan. Contact your local DHS County Office for eligibility and application information.
This is a waiver program that provides home- and community-based health care services if you are aged or disabled - allowing them to remain at home to receive health services. If they did not receive such services, they would require nursing home care. The cost of care at home must be less than the cost of care in a nursing home. This waiver may provide other benefits to help the person remain at home. Contact your local DHS County Office for eligibility and application information.

domain: economics


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Man Due In Court; Charged In Funeral Stabbing
North Haven Pedestrian Found, Hours After Being Hit North Haven Police say the body of a 50-year-old man was found off Route 22 just after sunrise this morning, about eight hours after he apparently was struck by a westbound car.
Driver Killed In I-91 AccidentA 57-year-old West Haven woman was killed in an accident on Interstate 91 in North Haven last night.
Storage Units Burglarized In North Haven
North Haven Housing Authority Chairman Faces Sex ChargeNorth Haven Police arrested North Haven Housing Authority Chairman Ralph Cook on a charge of first degree sexual assault and unlawful restraint.
1 Dead In North Haven Fire
Moving From Mass., Manufacturer Promises To Increase WorkforceA manufacturing company has promised to increase its workforce by one-third as it moves a Massachusetts division to Connecticut with $2 million in state aid.
Jogger Hit By Drunk Driver DiesA man hit by a drunk driver in North Haven Wednesday has died.
North Haven Police Investigate Gas Station Hold-UpNorth Haven Police are looking for two men who held up the Valero gas station on Quinnipiac Avenue around midnight Saturday morning.
North Haven Students Treated For CO Symptoms
Quinnipiac Med School Begins Classes Classes are beginning at the new medical school at Quinnipiac University.
Middle School, High School Lockdowns In North Haven


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The details surrounding the Oscar Slap became one of the biggest entertainment stories of 2022. Rapper/actor Will Smith choosing to smack comedian/actor Chris Rock on stage at the 94th Academy Awards ceremony made international news.
Will Smith apologized for the violent incident during the Oscar broadcast. However, he did not mention Chris Rock in that apology. The former star of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air released a taped apology on his social media pages.
The nearly six-minute YouTube video – titled “It’s been a minute…” – includes Will Smith apologizing to Chris Rock. Smith also stated Rock apparently was not ready to speak with him directly about the situation.
According to Deadline, Chris Rock did have something to say about the Oscar Slap during his stand-up show at London’s O2 Arena this weekend. The routine reportedly included Rock saying, “F### your hostage video.”
The entire ordeal stems from Chris Rock joking about Will Smith’s wife while performing a comedic bit at the Academy Awards. Smith became upset about Rock making fun of Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head. The Girls Trip actress lost her hair due to alopecia.
“Jada, I love you. G.I. Jane 2, can’t wait to see it,” said Rock, referring to a hypothetical sequel to the 1997 movie G.I. Jane which featured a bald Demi Moore in the lead role.
Will Smith then walked on stage, slapped Chris Rock, and returned to his seat in the front row. The Grammy winner also yelled, “Keep my wife’s name out your f###### mouth!” Later that same night, Smith won the Oscar for Best Actor for his work as Richard Williams in King Richard.


KENNEWICK -- Triple-digit temperatures forecast the next few days have prompted the Kennewick Irrigation District to offer tips on using irrigation water wisely.
The federal Bureau of Reclamation this week said KID and other junior water rights holders are forecast to receive all of their water entitlements through Sept. 30, thanks to an abundance of precipitation from April through June that eliminated an expected water shortfall.
KID customers are entitled to up to 42 inches of water per season. The district offered these tips for homeowners to manage demand:
-- Irrigate at midday. The amount of water lost to evaporation during that time is offset many times over because of reduced operational spills at the end of the canals.
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Watering at midday also lessens the water use spike in the evenings and early mornings, which can cause neighborhood ponds to be drained faster than they can be filled.
-- Watering deeply three to four times a week is enough to keep lawns healthy during 100-degree days.


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Free Download No. 6 Collaborations project By Ed sheeran | Download No. 6 Collaborations project By Ed sheeran
- by: Ed sheeran
- Tracks: (14)
- Year: 2019
Ed sheeran No. 6 Collaborations project DOWNLOAD
Ed Sheeran No.6 Collaborations Project: Finally the long-awaited No.6 Collaborations Project has been released.
The 15-track album has Ed Sheeran featuring top stars like Justin Bieber, Eminem, 50 Cent, Khalid, Cardi B, Camila Cabello, Travis Scott, H.E.R., Bruno Mars, Chris Stapleton, Chance The Rapper, PnB Rock, and others.
Download & Listen Below;


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We spoke with the Alexandru Mustață, national project coordinator for Romania, about the consequences of the corona pandemic, silver linings and the opportunity to create new green jobs.
More than 20 representatives of BEACON municipalities and experts exchanged views on how cities can shape the transition towards sustainable mobility druing a workshop in Kalamata, Greece.
The EUKI project YESclima offers practical training for students on energy audits in buildings. Due to the spread of corona virus, the project work is now taking place online only.
As a result of their study-trips in Berlin, the EUKI-YESclima teams from Athens and Cádiz have elaborated the general proposal Smart Roofs for cities in Southern Europe
Forum Energii asks the question how the current crisis will affect the energy transformation in the long term in Poland.
A teachers’ training for kindergartens took place in Sofia, Bulgaria as part of the BEACON project. The event targeted the work of teachers in kindergartens due to high demand and interest from the teachers, as well as to the decision of Burgas municipality to introduce the energy saving initiative into all of its schools and kindergartens.
Municipal representatives from Portugal, Greece and Germany exchanged experiences and knowledge on data collection and management issues related to climate action at a BEACON thematic workshop in Viana do Castelo, Portugal.
BEACON cities participate in coachings and exchange experiences on public relations and communication.
The Green Deal calls for new means to build energy efficient and low carbon economies. ALLIES and two other EUKI projects jointly invite practitioners, protagonists and policy makers to share their experiences, to learn about new tools to implement climate plans and to build new partnerships.
As a part of Climate NBS Poland project, Sendzimir Foundation and Ecologic Institute organised a training programme for specialists involved in implementation of green and blue infrastructure and nature-based solutions in Poland. It comprised of a six weeks e-learning course as well as stationary, thematic workshops.


City announces 27th COVID case
December 17, 2020
The City and Borough of Wrangell announced a new confirmed case of COVID-19 this afternoon, Dec. 17. This is the 27th case in total for Wrangell, and currently the only active one. According to the press release, the case is found in a Wrangell resident. This makes 17 cases in Wrangell locals, two in Wrangell locals who were not in town, and eight cases in non-locals.


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Andrew Oswald is Professor of Economics and Behavioural Science at Warwick University. He has held permanent and visiting posts at Oxford, the London School of Economics, Princeton, Dartmouth, Harvard and Zurich. His doctorate, in 1980 from Oxford, was on the theory of trade union behaviour. He has also worked on wages, unemployment, entrepreneurship, job satisfaction, happiness, and mental health. Andrew’s research lies at the borders between economics, psychology, epidemiology and medicine. He is also involved in research on climate change.
He joined IZA as a Research Fellow in October 1999. From May 2011 until December 2012 he was Visiting Research Fellow and Acting Director of Research at IZA. Since 2024 he has chaired the IZA Network Advisory Panel.


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Virtual Silent Auction
Lloydminster Regional Theatre Foundation presents a virtual silent auction Nov 25 to Dec 2.
The featured trip is a Backcountry Lodge Experience in British Columbia with roundtrip helicopter transportation from Golden to the Purcell Mountain Lodge. This trip includes chef prepared meals, accommodation, and professionally guided summer or winter outdoor activities.
Another unique silent auction item is a Virtual Italian Pasta Cooking Class. This featured item will be an opportunity to explore traditional Italian culture and cuisine with a Florence chef.
And another great item--A signed Braden Holtby Jersey. One of the first out as a Vancouver Canuck!
We are raising funds for our Expansion Project. If you wish to make a donation to the Expansion, our matching donor will DOUBLE your impact. Please contact Gwen Mottram at 780-872-7400 for more information OR select one of the donation amounts in our Virtual Silent Auction.
Here is the link to the auction site:
GivingTuesday Dec 1
GivingTuesday is a global day of giving. After the sales of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, GivingTuesday is a time to celebrate and encourage activities that support charities and non profits. Whether it’s making a donation, volunteering time, helping a neighbour or spreading the word, GivingTuesday is a movement for everyone who wants to give something back. Consider making a donation to our Multi-Purpose Space Expansion Project. If you wish to make a donation to the Expansion, our matching donor will DOUBLE your impact. Please contact Gwen Mottram at 780-872-7400 for more information OR select one of the donation amounts in our Virtual Silent Auction.
Check Out the Video from The Dirt Rich Band Live Stream on Nov 14
Performance starts at 14:10 mark.
About Vic Juba Community Theatre
Vic Juba Community Theatre is a 550-seat performing arts venue located in the border city of Lloydminster, Alberta/Saskatchewan. At our venue you can see concerts, dance festivals, the symphony, theatrical productions, conventions, lectures, graduation ceremonies, corporate functions, receptions, and product launches. Each year we work over 175 event days for rental clients who include concert promoters, local businesses, and local non-profit organizations. Vic Juba Community Theatre presents about 8 to 12 events each year within the "Dr. H. A. McDonald Season." We can also rent our venue for memorial services and weddings.


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Class of 1946
1946 Maroon Spotlight
Band ’42-’46, Boys’ Glee Club ’44-’45.
Bobby Joe Dexter
December 1, 1927 – July 24, 1977
Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Parker Funeral home for Bobby Joe Dexter, 49, route two, Perry, who died unexpectedly at 6:15 p.m. Sunday at Perry Memorial hospital.
Dexter was taken to the hospital by Perry fire department ambulance after being stricken ill at his home, three miles west, two miles south and one-half mile east of Perry. He was admitted at Perry Memorial at 3:05 p.m. Sunday.
Rev. W. B. Livingston, pastor of the Church of the Nazarene at Claremore, will officiate. Burial will be at Grace Hill cemetery.
Dexter was born Dec. 1, 1927, in Perry. He was a 1946 graduate of Perry high school and served with the United States Marine Corps from 1946-1950 and with the United States Navy from 1950-56. He and the former Helen Phillips of Missoula, Mont., were married Sept. 21, 1957.
Dexter lived in Montana and Idaho from 1957-72, when he moved back to Perry, where he was engaged in an electrical business. He was a member of the Calvary Baptist church, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Eagles Lodge and the Lions club.
Survivors include his wife, Helen, of the home address; a son, Michael, and two daughters, Michelle and Marla, all of the home; his mother, Mrs. Venice Dexter, Perry; and a brother, Dan Dexter, Perry.


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Note: This Guide replaces my Ultimate Lunchbox Resource that was previously on the blog.
Lunchboxes are something I get quite excited about. I don’t know why but it is something I get a kick out of. Crazy I know.
I can appreciate that lunchbox ideas are often hard. We end up repeating the same thing day in and day out, not that children mind all that much I’ve found. It’s always good to add some variety though.
I’ve created this guide for you to make lunchbox filling just that little bit more easy but also fun and to encourage children being involved in the process. This booklet has a broad selection of ideas. They will not suit everyone, allergies and eating styles.
Included are a variety of printables that make lunchbox planning easy and organised as well as a few extra goodies to make it fun also.
I hope you find this useful and it makes life that little bit easier.
2015 TRTLMT Back To School Guide
In January I released my 2015 TRTLMT Back to School guide which was a hit! Full of recipes, tips, printables. Similar to this post but printable!
Download your printable copy here: 2015 TRTLMT Back To School Guide
Tips for easier lunchbox prep:
- A lot of schools now have exclusions on some food items such as eggs or nuts. Check with your school to ensure you pack a safe lunchbox for all (we all know how kiddies love to share their food)
- Involve the children in planning their lunchboxes. They will be much more likely to eat what is in it is they have had ownership over it (and no I don’t mean letting them pick lollies and chips only). Use our lunchbox planners to help with this process.
- Ensure the lunchbox and drink bottle are age appropriate and easy to use. Nobody wants to battle a hard to open clip when hungry (or hangry in my case!).
- Pack lunchboxes the night ahead if possible. This saves time in the morning if you know you will be in a rush. I often will pack the night before and then in the morning just add the last minute pantry items that would go soggy if placed into the fridge.
- Prepare ahead wherever possible. Sandwiches with fillings such as cheese and ham, jam, nut butters, vegemite and cheese freeze very well. If space allows, make up enough sandwiches at the beginning of the week and freeze in freezer safe sandwich containers or zip lock bags. Simply pull out of the freezer and pop into the lunchbox to thaw. Frozen fruit such as orange quarters, grapes and banana also help.
- Lunch doesn’t always mean sandwiches. Leftover chicken drumsticks, sausages, sausage rolls, meatballs, quiches and wraps all make great lunchbox additions. My kiddies enjoy these cold but if your school has a microwave even better!
- I say this all the time but bake in bulk and freeze. There are a variety of muffins, cakes and biscuits on the blog that are great for the freezer. I store them in ziplock bags or wrap in aluminium foil and cling film and place into a freezer safe container. You want to avoid freezer burn. * Indicates items are freezable in the recipe section.
- Most vegetables and fruit do really well stored, cut up in containers for up to a week, particularly if you have a specific fridge container system. At the beginning of the week, chop up your fruit and vegetables in to bite size pieces and keep in individual containers that you can grab in the morning or in a large container and portion out as needed.
- Ensure you use ice bricks especially in warmer months to keep food fresh. A wet sponge frozen and placed in to a ziplock bag makes a great DIY ice brick. I love making frozen yoghurts and slushies, freeze them in reusuable pouches and pop into the lunch box. Even frozen muffins or slices of cake make great mini ice bricks and thaw in time for morning tea.
- To prevent apple or pears from browning once cut, cover with a little lemon juice. Or soak in little water that has a teaspoon of citric acid added to it. Drain and pop into the lunchbox. Another great tip is cut the apple into quarters and remove the core. Place the apple together again so it looks whole and place a food safe rubber band around it.
- Make it fun! No one said lunch had to be boring. Include lots of colour, tastes and textures. There are some great businesses featured in this guide that sell amazing lunchbox goodies to make lunch that little bit more enjoyable.
I have a large range of FREE Printables to make lunchbox filling even easier. These are great printed, laminated and placed on the fridge or inside the pantry with a thin whiteboard marker. They even work well in a nice photo frame on the kitchen bench. Simply use a thin white board marker to write down your ideas. They can be wiped clean with a standard cloth. This is a great activity to do with the kiddies and get them involved in what they eat.
I need some lunchbox filler ideas!
Some of the below can easily be made in your Thermomix!
- Yoghurt/frozen yoghurt tub
- Custard tub
- Rice or chia pudding, tapioca, junket etc
- Veggie sticks and dip
- French onion
- Tortilla/corn chips and guacamole
- Fruit salad tubs or fruit kebabs
- Fresh fruit in whole pieces
- Stewed fruit
- Dried fruit medley (a great tip: if you are giving dried fruits to children it is always a great idea to serve veggie sticks along with it. The veggies help clean the teeth after the sugary dried fruit!)
- Dried cereal: Nutrigrain, Cheerios, Weety Bix Bites etc
- Rice crackers and cheese or dip
- Cornthins/Cruskits/Saos with:
- Vegemite and cheese
- Cheese and tomato
- Mashed banana
- Cucumber and cheese
- Ham and cheese
- Fruit bars, fruit straps, fruit roll ups, fruit balls
- Fruit and cereal bars
- Trail mix
- Plain popcorn, flavoured popcorn, puffed corn
- Raisin bread with butter/jam
- Pikelets and pancakes
- Muffins – both sweet and savoury
- Scones – both savoury and sweet
- Banana bread, fruit loaf
- English muffin or crumpet
- Vegetable or fruit chips
- Bliss balls
- Baked beans
- Biscuits and cookies
- Boiled eggs
- Cheese sticks or shapes
- Use a small cutter and slices of block cheese to cut out fun shape
Main meals that don’t require heating:
- Wraps and mountain bread
- Rolls and buns, turkish pide bread, foccacia
- Pizza, pizza pockets, pizza balls
- Sausage rolls
- Veggie patties, falafal, lentil burgers, risotto balls
- Tuna or salmon balls/burgers
- Quiche, frittata, zucchini slice, fritters, bubble and squek
- Salads and cold pasta or rice salads
- Cold meat and salads
- Shredded meats
- Baked beans
- Four bean mix and salad
- Pita pockets with fillings
- Toasted sandwich (cool then wrap)
- Pull Aparts
- Gozleme, pides
Some other handy resources:
TRTLMT Sweet snack recipes:
Balls and Small Bites
Most cookie dough can be frozen prior to cooking. Just wrap it really well prior to popping it into the freezer.
Breads and Loaves
Muffins and Cupcakes
These can all be frozen after cooking.
Pancakes and Pikelets
Slices and Bars
TRTLMT Savoury Snack Ideas:
TRTLMT Main Lunch Ideas:
- Bread: Most bread can be frozen after making. When freezing bread freeze in serving size portions in ziplock bags or cling film and aluminum foil. When freezing tortillas or wraps, be sure to place some freezer “go between”, baking paper or saved plastic sheets from your store bought puff pastry to layer between each sheet. You can freeze dough as well. be sure to let it thaw, give it a knead (I recommend 4-6 minutes if its for bread, a little less for pizza dough) and then let rise and top/fill once doubled in size.
Easy to hold/package meals that can be consumed cold:
Don’t miss a thing! Subscribe to our daily recipe newsletter and never miss a newly posted recipe or resource just as great as this one! Or join up to our monthly one for all the latest TRTLMT news. Subscribe to my newsletter here.
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domain: food


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Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Florida
36850 Overseas Hwy, Big Pine Key, Florida 33043| Map |
Bahia Honda is an island in the lower Florida Keys. The island is virtually uninhabited, being home to the 524-acre Bahia Honda State Park that occupies most of the island. The channel at the island's west end is one of the deepest natural channels in the Florida Keys.
Heather DeChaume and 1 other parent have been here
Ratings by kids' ages
- Tots (0-2)
- Little kids (3-5)
- Big kids (6-8)
- Tweens (9-12)
- Teens (13+)
Tips for Families
On-site activities include beach access, snorkeling, camping, canoeing and more.
Address: 36850 Overseas Hwy, Big Pine Key, Florida 33043| Map
Hours: Mon-Sun 8 am - sunset More Info
Price: $8 entry fee per vehicle, $2 fee for pedestrians or bicycles More Info
Family Trips that include Bahia Honda State ParkView All
Recent User ReviewsView All
Natural beachFlag review
This was a favorite for my family and I. If you're looking for the perfect sandy beach you'll have to look elsewhere. The beach is natural meaning that the beach is covered in seaweed. If you can deal with the seaweed the water is worth it. The water clarity is great especially compared to the Gulf of Mexico in Texas. It's a great place to snorkel. My nine year old did nothing but that. There's restrooms and showers on both sides of the park. There are covered picnic tables so bring drinks and snacks. There's also access to the old seven mile bridge and kayak rentals.
Tips for Families
There's a lot of seaweed. There's a lot of sea grass in most areas. Don't forget snorkeling gear. Bring lots of sunscreen and a waterproof camera. There's not much wave movement making it great for young children and babies.
Suggestions for nearby family-friendly accommodations
Suggestions for nearby family-friendly restaurants
My Kid's Review
Was this review helpful to you?Yes
Shallow, clear, warm water and white sand (*under* the water, not a lot of sand above water on the beach though.. haha) Kids love it, and it's very family friendly. Go to the concession stand on sign up for the snorkeling tour out to Looe Reef .. It's like $30 (+$10 for gear if you need it) .. A 3 hour tour, about 1 1/2 hours ...
Decent beach for little kids to enjoy the knee high waters. This is not the place to go snorkeling unless you purchase the tour that takes you out to the reef a few miles out. Thick seaweed covers 98 percent of the water and I personally did...
Beautiful Natural beach, warm turquoise colored water, nearly like being in a bath. The water got cooler the further into the ocean we went. The kids enjoyed snorkeling and catching hermit crabs. The ...


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Online bids for bump stocks — a gun modification virtually sold out at retailers across the country — skyrocketed to more than $800 over the weekend.
Two separate auctions on Gun Broker feature Slide Fire bump stocks for $830 and $755, respectively. Half a dozen users placed bids on the cheaper, left-handed version while the more expensive listing attracted 15 bids as of Sunday.
Bump stocks, legal devices that mimic automatic gunfire, made headlines last week after the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives confirmed 12 of the modifiers were found in 64-year-old Stephen Paddock’s two-room suite on the 32nd floor of Mandalay Bay and Casino. Paddock perpetrated the deadliest mass shooting in American history Oct.1 when he fired into a crowded country music festival from the windows of his hotel room, killing 58 and wounding 489 others.
Typically retailing for as little $99, major retailers — including WalMart and Cabela’s — pulled the devices from shelves in the days after the shooting. SlideFire Solutions, a Texas-based bump stock manufacturer, temporarily halted new orders. Requests for comment from all three companies went unanswered last week.
The devices face an uncertain future as congressional Republicans express a willingness to reexamine current federal regulations for bump stocks — a sentiment echoed, in part, by the National Rifle Association last week.
“We didn’t talk about banning anything,” Chris Cox, NRA-ILA’s executive director, told Tucker Carlson during an interview last week on Fox News. “We talked about the ATF going back and looking at if these (bump stocks) comply with federal law.”
“Fully automatic weapons have been banned for a long time, apparently this allows you to take a semi-automatic and turn it into a fully automatic, so clearly that’s something we need to look into,” House Speaker Paul Ryan said Thursday.
Authorities still don’t know why Paddock, a retired accountant and frequent gambler, attacked the Route 91 Harvest Festival. Local and federal investigators found no ties to international terrorism while the gunman’s brother, Eric Paddock, insists he wasn’t particularly religious or partisan.
“What we know is Stephen Paddock is a man who spent decades acquiring weapons and ammo and living a secret life, much of which will never be fully understood,” Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo said during a press conference last week. “He meticulously planned on the worst domestic attack in United States history.”
The post Online bids for bump stocks skyrocket appeared first on Guns.com.


President Obama on Thursday told mourners in Texas that the nation is grieving with them after the massive fertilizer plant explosion last week that killed 14 people and wounded hundreds in the town of West.
"We are here to say you are not alone, you are not forgotten," Mr. Obama said at the memorial service honoring the 12 first responders and two civilians, posthumously named volunteer first responders, who died in the blast. Twelve flag-draped coffins were positioned in front of the stage where the president spoke. Nearly 10,000 people were present for the memorial service at Baylor University in nearby Waco, Texas.
"We'll be there even after the cameras leave and after the attention turns elsewhere," Mr. Obama said. "Your country will remain ever ready to help you rebuild and reclaim your community."
Earlier in the day, Mr. Obama joined all the other living U.S. presidents in Dallas for the dedication of former President George W. Bush's presidential library. The president said his predecessors sent their thoughts and prayers. He said Mr. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush had fond memories of West.
West is special for its tight-knit community, Mr. Obama said, praising the first responders who were "willing to lay down their lives" for their neighbors and rushed to put out the fire at the fertilizer plant on April 17.
"America needs towns like West," Mr. Obama said. "That's what makes this country great, towns like West."
On his way to Waco, Mr. Obama's helicopter passed over the site of the explosion, circling it a few times to view the leveled buildings. After the memorial service, Mr. Obama and first lady Michelle Obama visited privately with the loved ones of the firefighters who were killed in the plant explosion.
"This small town's family is bigger now, it extends beyond the boundaries of West," Mr. Obama said at the service.


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Jim Stack of Investech has described what he calls “the competition to call the next bear market.”
We have been going discussing this issue, and I am saving his comments for a Bloomberg column next week. But here is a flavor of what he has been writing, from his most recent commentary:
We’re In a New Bear Market, Says One Technical Indicator – Wall Street Journal, 8/12/11
Signs of a Crash Ahead, Not a Recession – New York Times, 9/28/11
Wall Street Approaches a Bear Market – New York Times, 10/3/11
What if There’s a Bear Market in 2012? – Forbes, 12/29/11
3 Reasons Why the Bear Market is Back – Yahoo! Finance, 5/23/12
A bear market in bull’s clothing – MarketWatch, 8/27/12
Big-name stocks fall into bear markets – USA Today, 11/9/12
An epic bear market is coming – MSN Money, 1/2/13
Bear Market to Take Hold in 2013: Expert – CNBC, 3/14/13
Bear Traps Await Investors – Wall Street Journal, 7/31/13
Doomsday poll: still a 98% risk of 2014 stock crash – MarketWatch, 12/21/13
Is The Next Bear Market Here Already? – Nasdaq.com, 4/2/14
Buckle Up! The New Bear Market Has Begun – Seeking Alpha, 5/8/14
Two signs a market crash is coming – Yahoo! Finance, 7/17/14
Three Signs That Point to a Stock-Market Tumble Ahead – Wall Street Journal, 8/1/14 4
Signs this bull market is on its last legs – MarketWatch, 8/13/14
It would be quite amusing if it weren’t such a money loser so far . . .
Please use the comments to demonstrate your own ignorance, unfamiliarity with empirical data and lack of respect for scientific knowledge. Be sure to create straw men and argue against things I have neither said nor implied. If you could repeat previously discredited memes or steer the conversation into irrelevant, off topic discussions, it would be appreciated. Lastly, kindly forgo all civility in your discourse . . . you are, after all, anonymous.
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If you have bought a Cricut or Silhouette machine you probably eventually run into to the thought of making your own SVG files. And what software to use, is one of the most common questions between cutting machine owners.I will list the best-known programs out there. Some are easier than others some were created for graphic designers so they may have much more tools then you will ever need, some you have to pay for and some that are completely free. There is no way of saying which one is the best software, as it all at the end depends on your own personal preference.
There is so much you can do with your Cricut. The options are pretty much unlimited. Wall art made with Cricut can be so easy and quick as well. You can cut out images and layer them on the top of different cardstock and then just frame it.
In this case, I used canvas and layered images on the top of a painted background. To attach everything together I used glossy mod podge and when was everything dried I run a black marker pen along the edges of all images to define them a little better.
If you decide to make some wall art as well, let me know how it went!
So you bought a new Cricut machine and now you are not sure where to start...Well, we all have been there, so don’t worry it is not as complicated as it first looks.
For your new Cricut, you will also need to have an online account so you can use Cricut’s Design Studio which is the operating software for Cricut machines. The software supports only newer machines which are Explore, Explore One, Explore Air 1 and 2 and new Cricut maker machine.
Are you thinking of getting a Cricut machine but not sure which one? Maybe you are even considering one of the older models from second hand, but not knowing much about the machines is holding you back…? Well, you are in right place, I would love to tell you a little more about all the Cricut machines out there ...
Since the Autumn already started, I thought it would be nice to have some Halloween cards this year. I have never made any before, would you believe it? I hope you like them. Whole project had been also uploaded into cricut community site (click here), so you guys with a cricut machine can make these cards as well.
Cricut has recently announced their new products. While everyone expected really only a newer cricut explore air, it is truly much better than just that. The new Cricut Maker does everything as their last explore air 2 did, off course, but on the top of that you can now cut a thin wood, leather and textile!
I've seen a few of really cute flower back drops made with cricut. I always wanted to make one of these, just wasn't quite sure what would I do with it after it's made....Well my friend is now expecting a baby girl and I thought really hard about what to make for her. I wanted something special. Originally I thought the babies name should also be included but that is very risky since before the baby is born, name isn't necessary definite yet. Then I was told what colors the nursery will be and thats where I started.
For the project you will need:
-2 Elmer's foam boards
I just sooo love my cricut! And I have to share with you my lovely crafty friends! We asked our son what theme he wants in his room and he decided he wants a superhero room. So we tried to find something in stores, but everything seems to be made for bigger boys and nothing much for the small ones...Well my cricut saved the day...:-) Still have a lot to do for the whole room, but this is a start:-)
This year Christmas cards were made all with cricut and cuttlebug I've uploaded them to primrose if anyone is interested. There is 15 cards all together. Hope you like them as much as I do:-)
Ive been thinking about what to give for my friends son's birthday. I wanted something personal and at the same time something that would decorated his room that he could also keep when he is older. Ive ordered bunch of vinyl and decided to make something a little bit different. Picture with the name and positive or favorite things starting with the same letter as the name. Each word is in different font style and all are in blue and green shades.


Download this free electrified remix of a song taken from Taylor McFerrin’s 2014 album
To promote his upcoming spring US tour, Taylor McFerrin — son of veteran jazz vocalist Bobby — is giving away a track (in exchange for fans’ email addresses).
Postpartum, the first song from Taylor’s debut album Early Riser, is treated to an electronic makeover by Dorian Concept.
The Austrian whizkid has stripped out Taylor’s original vocals, beef upped the beats, and added his trademark synth flourishes.
You can currently download the track from here.
• If you like this article, subscribe to Commercial Break’s free newsletter or RSS feed (click here).
Taylor McFerrin’s Postpartum (Dorian Concept Remix)


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The United States experienced another interesting first on Wednesday. For the first time in the history of our union, the Securities and Exchange Commission brought charges against a State. The powers that be in New Jersey had been deceiving and misleading investors in regards to the fiscal well-being of the Garden State, and the SEC busted ’em. Bravo.
That’s where the good news ends.
But first, the Cliff’s Notes to this mess, according to the SEC’s allegations:
In 2001, New Jersey increased pension benefits for state employees without having the funds to cover new benefit expenses. For the next six years, at least, the state continued to underfund the pension system – but hid that information from municipal bond investors. On 79 separate occasions the state sold a total of $26 billion in bonds while “withholding and misrepresenting pertinent information about its financial situation,” said SEC director of enforcement Robert Khuzami.
In other words, they lied so that the bonds they were selling would appear more attractive. It’s classic balance sheet fraud, committed by senior state officials working for both democrat and republican governors. And the state’s bond underwriters – JP Morgan, Citi, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, Barclays, Merrill and (of course) Goldman Sachs – all probably lied too. At the very least, they all failed to conduct due diligence before vouching for the quality of the state bonds.
What’s the penalty for this outright fraud? Nothing.
The State of New Jersey will pay the SEC precisely zero dollars. Not one state employee will pay a fine either, or go to jail…not even lose his job. In fact, the State didn’t even have to admit wrongdoing. “New Jersey agreed to settle the case without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings,” calmly explains the SEC press release. Come again? Essentially, the only provision of the settlement is Jersey’s promise that it won’t do this in the future. That’s it.
And Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and all those other mega-banks? C’mon… They weren’t even mentioned in the SEC’s statement.
It’s worth repeating: We’re talking $26 billion in bonds sold under purposely false pretenses. This isn’t some small-time phony IPO. Pretend a company like McDonald’s, which has a market cap of roughly $77 billion (that’s about the same value of New Jersey’s pension fund system) sold $26 billion in bonds under similar guise. Heads would freaking roll. They’d be lucky to not go bankrupt.
Yet, here we are. New Jersey officials were so unfazed by the SEC settlement – the status quo was so unchanged – that they proceeded with a $2.2 billion bond sale on August 19, 2010. That’s less than 24 hours after the SEC announced the results of their investigation. SEC investigators did a fine job forging into uncharted territory and exposing State fraud, but they offered literally the most toothless settlement possible.
That’s not to say no lessons have been learned. The smart investor should already be leery of municipal bonds, with so many states struggling to close budget gaps while honoring swollen pension agreements. Now you have all but absolute proof that State administrators are not only unable to balance their books, but they’re willing to cook ’em too. Plus, there is really no incentive for States to change their ways, aside from a gentle tap on the wrist from the SEC.
And this whole mess ought to (though it likely won’t) highlight fundamental unfairness in the way we regulate the $3 trillion municipal bond market. Having the SEC patrol state funds is a hot mess of conflict of interest and political gamesmanship. At the end of the day, this is government policing government…an operation likely to be as inefficient as it is ineffective.
Of course municipalities need a regulator, as they have proven unable to regulate themselves. But once the SEC discovers such a fraud, why not – at the least – order the state to hire a team of private sector auditors that will report their findings to the government every year for the next five…or as long as it takes for the State to get its act together.
How’s that for a stimulus plan? Auditing state pension programs would employ thousands of accountants for years. And those are real jobs, with a real purpose… Bean-counters could get back to work and bureaucrats would have to be just as responsible and forthright as the rest of us. While they’re at it, those auditors can figure out exactly how long those struggling pension funds will last before running out of money. Wouldn’t that be nice to know?
We’ll be on the lookout for an e-mail from Mr. Obama, asking for more details on our stimulus plan. In the meantime, know what you’re getting into when you buy muni-bonds. Only one state has ever defaulted on its bonds – Arkansas back in 1934. So the odds are still in your favor. But reason is not. Now ethics aren’t, either.
For The Daily Reckoning
Ian Mathias is the managing editor of Agora Financial's Income Franchise, where he writes and researches about retirement, dividend and fixed income investing. Much of his work is featured in The Daily Reckoning and Lifetime Income Report, Agora Financial's flagship income investing advisory.
Previously, Ian managed The 5 Min. Forecast, a fun, fast-paced daily look into the future of global markets and macroeconomics. He's also worked in public relations, where media outlets like Forbes, AP, Yahoo! and MSN Money have syndicated his writing. If he's not at work, you'll probably find Ian on a bicycle, racing up and down the "mountains" of Baltimore County. Ian has a BA from Loyola University in Maryland.
good work, well written
Wow, this is absolutely great news. In a single stroke, the SEC solves the financial problems of all states. The SEC in effect gives muni bonds the same status a US Treasuries. As we all know, US Treasuries can be issued to an infinite amount, at rates that disconnect from reality, and can never default. Because they can always create more money to repay the bonds. Likewise, the states can always tweak the books to create more money to repay bonds, and sell ever more debt.
The states finally get their financial sovereignty restored. Sell ‘em bonds to Mongolia!
Rookies. The pros would have lobbied Congress to step on the neck of the FASB to change the relevant accounting rules to provide the appearance of solvency.
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Yup, small-caps are setting up for a comeback year. In fact, I believe they'll retake a leadership role in the markets in 2015. So now's your chance to set yourself up for potentially massive gains before these stocks start grabbing headlines again. Or... you can simply wait until some ex-purt on CNBC or Fox recommends them - and miss out on half the party. Your choice...
"There has been an issue that has preoccupied my mind for a long time," writes Dr. Marc Faber. "In economics, it is generally accepted that if the quantity of money and credit is increased, prices will rise… However, since economics is so complex… I question whether the expansion of central banks' balance sheets and policies of zero interest rates could have a deflationary impact…" The good doctor wrestles with the question, in today's essay...
The oil market has been under siege for six months. From service providers to producers this downturn has been painful. Of course, we’ve known all along that oil prices were a little toppy over the summer. In fact, when asked just how low oil prices could go I usually answered with a simple “lower than you’d expect…”
Our forecast that Cuba would be open and integrated within 5-10 years is on track after yesterday's big announcement. Ahead of schedule, even. Click here to see how some investors have profited and what the island's likely future is...
The opportunity to sell and install LEDs is enormous. We’re talking about over a billion lighting fixtures. And the areas with the largest potential -- like parking lots -- have barely begun to change. Banker to the presidents Chris Mayer says you could triple your money in this new tech trend. Here's what you need to know.
The Biotech iShares ETF is up 23% since the Oct. 15th bottom. No, that is not a typo. Biotechs have torched the S&P over the past two months--more than doubling the returns of the big index. And biotechs as a group are up more than 38% year-to-date. In fact, since we first highlighted the June comeback, the Biotech iShares have gone nowhere but up.
It's a theme we've shared with you since April. And it's only gotten worse. The gaming industry has come under all sorts of pressure--a situation I first noticed in the charts. The powerful, multi-year uptrends started showing cracks. And it wasn't long before those cracks turned into gaping holes you could drive a friggin' truck through. That's where things stand today.


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From Town Criers to Bloggers: How Will Journalism Survive the Internet Age?
The internet is a powerful form of expression and communication. It should come under our Freedom of Speech rights in the Bill of Rights. Journalists have the same opportunity to use it as anyone else. To change it in favor of journalists or controlling what can be expressed on the internet, is a violation of our Freedom of Speech rights.

domain: sociology