Even Nebraska’s nonpartisan Legislature is divided from acrimonious 2023 session
Jun 2, 2023, 5:27 PM | Updated: 5:48 pm
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Legislature has long prided itself on being a paragon of collegiality and function, as the only single-chamber, nonpartisan Legislature in the country.
But after a vicious 2023 session in which the body of 49 lawmakers remained irreconcilably split, Nebraska’s statehouse is beginning to reflect broad, national discord.
The acrimony was on full display as a handful of progressive lawmakers carried out an epic filibuster of nearly every bill that came up for debate — even ones they supported — to protest a bill targeting transgender minors. The filibuster drew national media attention, revealing lawmakers’ deep divide over political ideology — which was expressed through yelling, name-calling, crying and the refusal of some to even speak to other lawmakers.
“I never saw anything even close to what we witnessed this year,” said Patrick O’Donnell, who served for 45 years as clerk of the Nebraska Legislature until his retirement in December. “This was clearly the worst legislative session we’ve had. It’s just a totally different animal.”
While officially nonpartisan, all of the Legislature’s members are registered as Republicans, Democrats or independents. Republicans hold a strong majority with 32 seats, but need 33 votes to be able to break a filibuster — a slim margin that has left Republicans unable in recent years to pass signature legislation, such as a near-total abortion ban last year and a bill to allow people to carry concealed guns without a permit.
Frustration over those losses led conservatives to open this session with aggressive moves to exert even more control over a state government they’ve dominated for decades. They bucked norms to weight legislative committees, which determine what bills will be debated by the full Legislature. They did that by removing moderate and progressive lawmakers from key committees and replacing them with more conservative ones, a practice referred to as “cracking and packing.”
Then came the trans health bill by Omaha Sen. Kathleen Kauth, who parroted far-right fears that children are being manipulated, calling the rising number of transgender teens “a social contagion.”
Outraged, Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh warned she would filibuster every bill if Kauth’s advanced, declaring she would “burn the session to the ground over this bill.” Conservatives pushed back, not only advancing the bill, but amending it to add a 12-week abortion ban, following a hybrid bill passed and was signed into law by Republican Gov. Jim Pillen in late March.
The spectacle that played out over the 90-day session came as a shock to longtime statehouse observers. Omaha Sen. Megan Hunt, a left-leaning lawmaker who fled the Democratic Party mid-session to register as an independent, revealed that her 13-year-old child is transgender in a personal speech on the floor. She begged fellow lawmakers not to strip her or doctors of the right to care for her child.
Her plea was met with a formal ethics complaint filed against her by a far-right activist who claimed she had a conflict of interest because her child is transgender. That complaint was dismissed as unfounded on Friday.
Frustration saw Hunt and Cavanaugh often angrily lash out at conservative lawmakers who continued to vote to restrict residents’ access to gender-affirming care, but also measures to private school tuition. Hunt called other lawmakers “trash” and warned them on the statehouse floor not to speak to her, adding, “I don’t like you.”
Cavanaugh called the body “morally bankrupt” and said she was looking forward to the time “when I no longer have to serve with many of you.”
Some conservative lawmakers, in turn, lashed back. Sen. Julie Slama called for Cavanaugh’s censure over remarks comparing the trans bill to genocide.
Others used racist and extremist language during debates over restricting abortion. Sen. Steve Erdman bemoaned that since the 1973 legalization of abortion, Nebraska’s population has not grown “except those foreigners who have moved here or refugees who have been placed here … because we’ve killed 200,000 people.” Sen. Steve Halloran argued that the legalization of abortion in the U.S. had its roots not in choice for women, but in a plot to “kill off the Black race.”
Even moderates and peacemakers were caught in the partisan crossfire. Sen. John Arch, in his first year as Speaker of the Legislature, repeatedly called for calm during debate and was heavily criticized by both sides. Progressives accused him of favoring fellow Republicans as he sought to navigate unprecedented challenges. Conservatives thrashed him for refusing to change debate rules mid-session to cut off the filibuster.
The problem is multilayered, O’Donnell said, starting with national partisanship and big-money campaign funding that has seeped into state politics. He also pointed to term limits enacted in 2006 that keep state lawmakers from serving more than eight consecutive years. That doesn’t give lawmakers enough time to learn how to develop long-term agendas or negotiate compromises, he said.
“What we have now is an uninformed and unenlightened Legislature,” O’Donnell said. “Lawmakers used to get to know each other and really talk to each other. That led to floor debate that used to change votes. But I’m afraid that’s gone. What you have now are people who show up knowing how they’re going to vote before they ever even get on the floor. And that’s not legislating.”
A notable exception came when Republican Sen. Merv Riepe, an 80-year-old former hospital administrator, changed his mind on a proposed abortion ban at about six weeks of pregnancy. He had initially cosigned the bill, but after deciding the ban was too severe, he abstained from voting. Without his vote, the bill didn’t have enough votes to advance. He later voted in favor of the 12-week ban that passed.
In response, he received threats from anti-abortion supporters who called him “demonic” and “pure evil.” Conversely, many who support abortion rights angrily rebuked him for supporting the 12-week ban.
“Sometimes there’s no way to win in this,” Riepe said when asked about the backlash. “I hope we do better next year and avoid some of the anger and drama we saw this year.”


“The album sounds like a quiet forest in winter,” says Sarah Tomlinson, a music critic for the Boston Globe and Los Angeles Times. “You feel like it’s a hushed mood. She’s telling these stories, or singing these lullabies, and you sort of have to draw in close to listen. That’s what makes it so appealing.”
In a sparse, desolate soundscape that seems to draw equal inspiration from Nico, Cat Power, and Vashti Bunyan (at least in this writer’s opinion), TBT’s debut album Open Field is a charming collection of minimalist pop folk. The songs – simple, demure, tender – evoke a certain sense of melancholic longing without surrendering to the traps of self-importance or overt emotional masturbation.
[photo] Helena Blomqvist


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text:
After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War (2018), the universe is in ruins. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers assemble once more in order to reverse Thanos' actions and restore balance to the universe.
Robert Downey Jr.,
In Gotham City, mentally troubled comedian Arthur Fleck is disregarded and mistreated by society. He then embarks on a downward spiral of revolution and bloody crime. This path brings him face-to-face with his alter-ego: the Joker.
Robert De Niro,
Alita is a creation from an age of despair. Found by the mysterious Dr. Ido while trolling for cyborg parts, Alita becomes a lethal, dangerous being. She cannot remember who she is, or where she came from. But to Dr. Ido, the truth is all too clear. She is the one being who can break the cycle of death and destruction left behind from Tiphares. But to accomplish her true purpose, she must fight and kill. And that is where Alita's true significance comes to bear. She is an angel from heaven. She is an angel of death.Written by
I loved this movie! Alita: Battle Angel is my type of movie. I love the science fiction and the great action throughout the entire movie. It also has a very substantive story as a solid foundation. The setting is very grim but Alita's character is uplifting and gives viewers hope. I liked how Alita's story also involves a quest of finding out who she truly is. She finds herself in a world where she can be seen as somewhat ordinary. But she comes to find out that she's far from ordinary. She's an angel from heaven. I really enjoyed this movie and the story itself can be explained further in other films. I hope there's a sequel as the ending laid the framework for more films. This movie is emotional, action filled, and has intense action sequences. The creators of this film did a nice job of spacing out the action. They didn't rush into it and every battle scene was meaningful. I would definitely recommend this movie.
62 of 75 people found this review helpful.
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domain: entertainment


text:
In September, the government of Italy will provide all citizens and permanent residents who are 18 years of age this year with €500 to spend on “cultural products and events,” reports Artforum via the Italian paper El Mundo. The idea is to eliminate bureaucracy in cultural spending, which, given our time in Italy, seems wise.
The term encompasses books, performances and visits to museums but not copies of recorded music. A little over half a million Italians will be eligible. To partake, they have to download an app to their mobile phones.
The effort is expected to cost about $330 million, Artforum said.
“The message is that our community embraces your adulthood and reminds you of the importance of cultural consumption; not only for your personal enrichment but also to strengthen the country’s social fabric,” said government undersecretary Tommaso Nannicini, according to the paper.
The program is an effort by the Italian government to match spending on culture with spending on anti-terrorism efforts.
“We will not give in to terror,” said Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, per Artforum.

domain: sociology


What even is creativity? Liane Gabora, psychology professor at the University of British Columbia, beautifully described it as a trait that allows us to “visualize something that does not exist and change the world with it.” Sounds fantastic. Now, how to do it?
We are all familiar with Csikszentmihalyi’s theory that in order for the creative process to occur, the essential factor is “flow”, which won’t happen if we overload ourselves with tasks. Following that narrative, Phillip McIntyre from University of Newcastle says that a common mistake is what he calls “overdoing”. We are too eager, too ambitious even and, apparently, we don’t know when to stop, which can easily kill what we thought would be our most creative and brilliant moments. It is best to narrow your focus and concentrate on one thing at a time.
What you should do: Focus on one thing at a time
Yes, you read that right. It turns out that the emotion which carries such negative connotations can have a positive impact on your creativity. Contrary to what Csikszentmihaly said, Rebekah Cadman and Sandi Mann from University of Central Lancashire conducted research which showed that a little boredom never hurt anybody. Csikszentmihaly wasn’t completely wrong, though. Researchers found that performing a boring task might be useful only before pursuing the creative task as it has an affect on stimulating the creative part of your brain. The results showed that being bored indeed sparks up creativity. The study also revealed that it’s even better if, of all the boring activities possible, you choose to read something that makes your thoughts wander off.
What you should do: Read the most boring book you can find
Speaking of thoughts wandering off, it has been proven that daydreaming, which often is the indirect result of being bored, can benefit our creative thinking. Researchers from the University of Oregon argue that when we are daydreaming we usually lose control of our thoughts and therefore allow ourselves to think of things we normally consciously wouldn’t come up with. From now on, if anyone questions why you’ve been staring at a wall for 15 minutes, just tell them you’re working on your creativity.
What you should do: Let your thoughts trail off
Creativity doesn’t exist without inspiration, however you can’t just sit around and wait for your muse to magically appear at your feet. Anna Weinstein, the series editor at PERFORM, says that in order to get inspired, we need to get out of our comfort zone and literally get out there. She says that experiences are the best source of creativity. Moreover, Weinstein recommends getting really vulnerable and open up to people and experiences. Without them, one cannot reach the honest level of creativity that will then emerge into an authentic piece of work, whatever your creative outlet is.
What you should do: Get out of your comfort zone
There is a common misconception that we need absolute silence in order to focus. Of course, it is up to your personal preference. However, studies show that a little bit of background noise could actually be beneficial. It’s been proven that it is better to work in an environment where we might encounter slight distractions or, what the experts call, ambient noise. A lot of people find, for example, music quite distracting, but light chatter in the background might actually help us to focus and create. Next time you are stuck in a rut, why not try going to a café.
What you should do: Take the noise-cancelling headphones off
Another myth is that you need to wake up at 6 am or some other ungodly hour every day, otherwise your day will be ruined and you won’t produce a single creative thought. Studies show that there is scientific proof that there is no definite time of the day or night when your brain works best. It’s better to test it out for yourself when you are most focused and eager to work. Don’t let anyone judge if it’s 2 am. And don’t worry if there are days when hours pass and you don’t feel it at all, it happens to the best of us. Creative flow cannot be forced. So relax and turn that alarm off, experts told you so.
What you should do: Don’t force it
Take some time alone
Good news to all introverts, or people who just don’t like to spend time with others: you no longer need to. Not to get creative at least. Liane Gabora from University of British Columbia argues that even though brainstorming might be a good practice occasionally, it can do more harm than good. The bigger the group, the more we have to wait to be able to voice our ideas, and the more we get easily distracted by the amount of incentives surrounding us which can lead to us getting overstimulated and our thoughts turning into chaos. The solution that Gaborais provides is to perhaps not exclude a small group meeting, however, to make sure to follow it up with an individual idea-pitching session.
What you should do: Stay away from crowds
It seems that we are trying to contradict every statement that ever existed and we are really sorry to all the pedants out there, but the truth is out: messy desks helps. It not only drives the brain to work “better”, or at least harder, but it also improves the process of shaping ideas. Researchers from the University of Minnesota announced that, according to their research, people tend to be more creative and produce better work when they are located in a messy environment rather than a spotless one. This doesn’t necessarily mean your desk must look like Armageddon, but try to throw a paper here, a pencil there, and see what happens.
What you should do: Unorganized desks are the way to go
Creativity in a cup
Last but definitely not least: whether it is more about the placebo effect or whether drinking specific liquids actually helps – we’re not sure. However, researchers from China’s Peking University have proven that drinking tea, black tea to be precise, increases your creativity. After examining 50 participants, the study clearly showed that those who consumed black tea were definitely far more creative than those who didn’t. Not a fan of tea? Better yet — apparently, drinking small amounts of alcohol can increase your creativity as well. Research conducted by professors at the University of Illinois showed that participants who were intoxicated performed much better at creative tasks than the ones who didn’t drink a single drop of alcohol. The only problem with this solution would be to agree on what a “small” amount of alcohol is, but that’s up to your interpretation.
What you should do: Brew some tea and uncork a bottle of wine. Cheers to creativity!
Tags: Howto, Inspiration, Know how, Lifestyle, Research, Skills, Worklife


text:
Oh, that's unfortunate. Good luck with the keyboard, I guess.
Recent community posts
Nice little game. The visuals are great - I really like the backgrounds. The music is nice, though it sometimes feels out of place with the hardcore platforming. I also enjoyed the gameplay. It's neat how there are a bunch of different levels with unique themes and enemies. As others have mentioned, it feels like the game needs some checkpoints (I did get to the end despite this). Sliding under stuff can also be a bit awkward.
The graphics are amazing! It's super impressive how much detail there is considering the limited resolution. The sound and music are also quite good, though there could be a bit more variety in the music. The gameplay is solid and there's a great amount of content. I like that you can get new spells, but I would've preferred it if there was more need to use them. I did get the bomb last so perhaps there are some shortcuts you take with it if you get it earlier.
I "beat" the game! It's actually really cool once you figure out the timing for the beat. It's an interesting combination of a rhythm game and a space shooter. I like the upgrades you get. The main thing I feel it's missing is some cool music to shoot along to.
I like how you saw 64x64 restriction and were like "Pfft, I can do lower rez than that!" Anyway, very nice concept for a game and very well executed. The graphics are great and each mini game is pretty fun despite the lower than low resolution.
It should be compatible with your old save file - just make sure to choose "continue" on the main menu. Also, try not to use it for rating.
- Move: Left stick or D-pad
- Shoot: X or RT
- Dash: A or LT
- Magnet: B or RB
- Lift: Y or LB
- Map: Back
- Exit: Start
- Select: Left stick or D-pad
- Confirm: A
Neat game. The music is nice and the sound effects work well. I like the detailed animations of the player character. Knocking the balls into the hoop is quite fun, and surprisingly challenging. My best score was 6.
Wow, this is really good! The graphics are great, the music is nice, and the gameplay is fun. It feels very polished. There's some really cool details like all the different game over screens. It's too hard for me though. The furthest I could make it was the mini-boss of level 2.
Really nice game. The visuals are nice, the music and sound effects are appropriate, and the gameplay mechanics are very interesting. I love the variety of different enemies that make you approach battles in different ways. The one thing I don't like is there seems to be a bit of luck involved. Is the special attack random or do I just not understand it? Anyway, I made to stage 8.
The graphics look pretty cool and the music is nice. Unfortunately, the gameplay's quite tricky. It's really hard to tell exactly where the meteors will hit. I couldn't even finish level 1.
Pretty neat game, especially for a prototype. It all works quite well and is pretty fun. I like how you can float and wall jump, though I think the level design could have used these abilities more. The graphics are nice, but they don't seem quite adjusted for the 64x64 resolution - the text looks blurry and the clouds shift around weirdly as the camera moves.
Interesting idea for a game. The graphics are nice, though some illustrations of the events would be welcome. I think there could be a bit more variation in the way the stories play out - it would add more replayability and reinforce the "game of chance" concept.
Pretty cool game. There's a lot of content with a variety of different enemies/obstacles, as well as some secrets to go for. The colour palette is nice. I wish there was some music or something though.
Unfortunately, the gameplay can feel a bit unforgiving. The limited view leads to some trial and error and the controls feel a bit stiff - I would have liked a way to modulate jump height. The run button also feels unnecessary. I do really like the slow-mo aiming thing, though
Neat game. The mechanics are pretty clever and are easy to understand once you realise what's going on. The graphics are nice, though some some stuff (e.g. the dust particles) doesn't stick with the 64x64 resolution.
Neat game. It's fun flying around and shooting stuff. The background is really nice - I like the lighting on the poles that go past. The sounds effect are cool, too. Personally, I would have liked multiple lives as it's pretty disappointing starting over after one mistake.
Cool game. The "YOU ARE THE NEXT LEVEL" thing is a neat concept that works well. The presentation is super good, but I'm not sure it fits the gameplay. With this music I'd expect to be beating up some enemies, not thoughtfully solving puzzles. Regardless, it is quite fun.
The music and visual style are both quite nice. I really like the 3D effect. The gameplay is cool at first but it becomes too easy once you realise the other bikers always spawn directly in front of you.
This is such a brilliant idea, and it's executed very well. The presentation is top notch and it's a lot of fun. My best score is 100.
The only thing I'd add is different ways to interact with the loading mechanisms. Currently all you do is click but maybe there could be some that you have to drag or double click or something.
Nice little game. Grappling hook style items in games are always pretty fun and this is no exception. Not being able to jump is an interesting twist. I wish there was some indicator of the grapnel's range, though. I also find it a bit awkward how you have to press the button again to let go. Personally, I would have made you automatically let go when you hit a wall, but allow you to stay on the wall if you hold the button. Anyway, the music is good and the graphics are decent.
Nice puzzle game. The graphics look very nice and the concept and mechanics are pretty original. It's a bit too tricky for me, though. I had to give up on the puzzle with 4 clouds that can move any direction, 1 cloud that can't move, and a bunch of white clouds in the way.
Really good game. The gameplay is fun and ramps up well with new mechanics. I like the addition of time and move records for each level. The graphics look quite nice and there's a surprising amount of detail. It's overall very polished.
The one thing I dislike is how some levels are larger than the screen. You can't tell whether going off the screen will kill you or lead to another part of the level and it's hard to figure out where to go when you can't see everything. Maybe there could be a way to pan the camera around the level?
Cool game. The music is good and I like the background. The idea of shooting into the center is neat and well thought out - the lasers that shoot along the edges are a good way to force the player to move around the arena. I think an interesting thing to add if you extended this would be enemies that can only be hit from certain directions. Though the directional controls can be a bit confusing, I can't think of way to do them better.
Also, the binary score counter is interesting but a bit hard to read at a glance. My best score was 1011001 - er, 89.
The graphics are fantastic and the music and sound effects are really good too. I like how the sound increases in pitch as you get a higher combo. The battle system is also pretty interesting. It's a shame it's unfinished.
I feel like it's a bit hard, though. It's very easy to die because of a couple of mistakes. This is mainly because losing a combo is so punishing. I think it would be more fair if the combo reset between each attack/defense phase, or if it didn't increase/decrease so dramatically.
Hey, Kwisarts. It's good to see you participating in this jam.
Zelda-like? Come on, it's obviously Metroid-like upgrading! The game has a Varia Suit ripoff and everything. Regardless, I'm glad you liked the progression.
I don't think there's
anything inherently wrong with using directional keys. Being able to
choose the controls is definitely nice but it's one of those low priority things that
often gets left out with a limited time frame. Having to use an
AZERTY keyboard certainly wouldn't help with the A being out of place. In the future
I'll make sure to bind any A actions to Q as well.
You may have trouble with the direction lock thing, but I imagine the game would be a nightmare without it. It's mainly combined with shooting so I can get as much functionality out of as few keys as possible. A dedicated strafe key is a good idea, though. The issue is just finding a good key to use. I guess I could try using Shift and finding another way to interact with the lift.
I know what you mean with the hitbox, but it's a bit hard to tweak with such low resolution. I tried a 2x2 hitbox at some point but it was weird being able to walk halfway inside walls plus it made it easier to fall into pits. I guess I could try using a different hitbox for different types of collisions, though.
The slow movement of the final boss was partially done in attempt to make it feel more threatening and creepy, though perhaps it didn't result in the best gameplay. Admittedly, I don't have much experience with making bosses and the boss here was a little rushed.
The ammo meter is so limited because I intended for it to be upgraded - this was just its starting state. The original plan was to have collectables that would increase your max ammo (and ones that would increase your max health). However, I left it too late and didn't have enough time to redesign the levels to have optional areas for the collectables or balance the difficulty with the stat increases in mind.
I'm not a big fan of the font, either. The S looks like a C, the N looks like an H, the M looks like a W... It was basically the first small font I found when searching online and I never got around to changing it.
Really cool game with a very nice visual style and some good music too. It's super fun speeding up the levels. The one thing I dislike is how touching a wall completely stops your vertical momentum - it really kills the flow when it happens.
Really cool game. The gameplay is pretty unique and a lot of fun. I also like the graphics, particularly the way the character runs. However, I don't really the colour distortion effects (I'm not sure what to call them) as they seem to go against the 64x64 concept. My best score is 187.

domain: game


text:
David Abse: Paintings and stuff.
Regular updates regarding new work,
exhibitions and other art-related
stuff of interest.
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
Two small quick ones
In between tearing apart the gallery, and unloading furniture onto people who have seen my ads in the "bon coin" (who knew how popular that sink was going to be?) after a visit to (one of my) doctor I decided to get some painting in. So here's two small quick ones:
Cut the crap: 41x27cm
October 11 (35x50cm)
Unbelievably hot in the atelier - 37ºc outside, god knows what inside - but more, that's certain. But there's nothing like a bit of abstract expressionism painting to music to gee you up. Although they're a bit morbid.

domain: artistic


text:
A woman was allegedly beaten and raped while imprisoned for up to five days at her ex-partner's home, the High Court has heard.
She claims to have escaped by climbing out a bathroom window and making her way along a ledge of the first-floor apartment in South Belfast last month.
A judge was told the 23-year-old accused insists any intercourse was consensual "make-up sex".
Details emerged as he was refused bail due to the risk of further offences.
The defendant, who is not being named to protect the woman's identity, currently faces charges of false imprisonment and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Prosecutors are still considering whether to bring charges over the rape allegations, the court heard.
Crown lawyer Kate McKay set out how the alleged attack was carried out at the man's flat near Sandy Row between July 8-13.
It was claimed that he punched her repeatedly to the face and pulled out hair extensions.
A number of sexual assaults were also carried out while the woman was kept locked inside the apartment, according to her case.
Producing photographs of the wounds allegedly inflicted, Mrs McKay questioned the accused's version of events that the couple were having sex after making up.
Defence counsel Jonathan Connolly said his client and the woman had been in a "tumultuous" relationship for more than two years.
He contended that following their break-up she continued to turn up and stay at the accused's home consensually for periods of time.
Disputing claims that the woman was kept locked in the flat while the defendant went into town, Mr Connolly stressed that a spare key was left on top of the microwave.
Following submissions Mr Justice Maguire held that a prima facie case was established on the charges.
"It's quite clear from the photographs that the injured party had been the subject of serious assaults to her face, pulling of her hair and bruising to substantial areas of the body," the judge said.
Denying bail, he added: "In this case there's a significant risk of further offending."

domain: law


text:
My Nonprofit Reviews
Review for Kiawah Cares Foundation, Kiawah Island, SC, USA
Kiawah Cares is an active nonprofit on the sea islands. We often see their name associated with the senior center, the local schools and more. The John's Island Regional Library hosts Kiawah Cares bimonthly meeting (CASI)for all local organizations working to help our community. Community Association of the Sea Islands meets in order to share the needs they are seeing and the organizations work together to meet these needs. Kiawah Cares often support the library in publicizing our events, funding projects for us when our budget does not stretch far enough and overall is a great support organization.


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In the UK, the food system provides jobs for one in seven of the population. Much of this is made possible by a free market that performs a million daily miracles: producing, exporting, importing, processing and serving up a dazzling variety of reasonably priced foods in an abundance unimaginable to previous generations. But in the UK and beyond, this bounty has come at a cost, explains Henry Dimbleby, lead non-executive board member of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Intensive farming practices have caused serious damage to the environment. Food-related disease is costing the National Health Service billions of pounds and brings immense suffering to the lives of millions of people. Food security, too, is a growing concern: population growth, an increase in meat consumption as nations get wealthier, febrile geopolitics and the impact of climate change on land productivity are intensifying competition among nations for limited resources.
A holistic strategy
In June 2019 the then environment secretary, Rt Hon. Michael Gove MP, appointed me to draft a National Food Strategy—the first in 75 years—setting out how we can create a food system that delivers good jobs, keeps people healthy, is built on a sustainable and thriving agricultural system, and restores and enhances the environment.
As part of the review, we aim to break down silos in order to look at the system in the round and understand how actions taken in one area can have unintended and sometimes unwanted effects in another. In early September, I was at a meeting of the OECD in the Netherlands where researchers from Wageningen Economic Research argued that thinking about the food system as a whole is vital in policy design. The challenges we face require a broader perspective than the traditional vertical food-supply chain alone. We need to consider the interconnections between health, the environment, agriculture, education and the economy.
This is why, as we gather evidence, we are speaking to people from along the food chain—from farmers in the field to chefs in the kitchen. We are consulting experts, as well as those whose voices are seldom heard but who have personally experienced the failings of our food system: low-paid workers in agriculture and food production, people with diet-related diseases, farmers living on the margins, and many more.
We can all contribute
No part of our global economy matters more than food. It is vital for life and for pleasure. It shapes our sense of family, community and nation: cooking and eating together is perhaps the defining communal act. Food involves and impacts all of us.
So, if you have an idea, however big or small, that you think could change our food system for the better in the UK, we want to hear from you. And we won’t be inward-looking: we want your views on the challenges we face, whether you are based in Ipswich or Iceland. As the rest of the world wrestles with similar challenges, we need to learn about innovations and best practice that are working overseas and see how ideas may be applied, or scaled up, in our geography. This is an opportunity too great to miss: a chance to shape our food system for future generations.
Henry Dimbleby was appointed lead non-executive board member of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in March 2018 and is now leading the National Food Strategy. You can respond to the call for evidence at www.nationalfoodstrategy.org.

domain: food


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New Report Shows Expansion of Supplemental Benefits in Medicare Advantage Plans
Washington, D.C. – A new independent study by the actuarial consulting firm Milliman commissioned by the Better Medicare Alliance (BMA) highlights the continued expansion of supplemental benefits in Medicare Advantage plans for Contract Year 2020.
The report showed, under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) reinterpretation of “primarily health related” benefits, adult day care services are being offered by plans for the first time in 2020 while benefits such as non-opioid pain management (e.g., therapeutic massage) increased more than eight-fold – offered by 22 plans in 2019 as compared to 192 plans in 2020.
Guidance issued both last year and this year from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) expanded the type of supplemental benefits that Medicare Advantage plans are permitted to offer. Of a set of benefits including adult day care services, home-based palliative care, in-home support services, support for caregivers of enrollees, and therapeutic massage, Milliman research found that 116 plans offer more than one of these services in 2020, whereas none did in 2019.
“The growth in supplemental benefits across Medicare Advantage plans as compared to 2019 tells a remarkable story of how plans are finding new ways to care for the whole person and address social determinants of health,” said Allyson Y. Schwartz, President and CEO of the Better Medicare Alliance. “These benefits not available in Traditional Medicare help enrollees to safely remain in their own homes, avoid social isolation, and lead longer, healthier lives. We are committed to ensuring that the 24 million Americans expected to enroll in a MA plan next year – and those who will come behind them – have access to the low-cost, quality care and enhanced benefits that MA provides.”
The figure below, courtesy of Milliman, depicts how supplemental benefits have rapidly expanded for the year ahead:
Medicare Advantage must provide coverage for all benefits that are covered by Traditional Fee-for-Service (FFS) Medicare. Without additional funding, Medicare Advantage plans may offer other supplemental benefits not covered by FFS Medicare, such as reduced cost-sharing, dental, vision, and hearing.
This analysis does not include the full picture of benefits being offered in 2020, as CMS has not yet released the files related to the uniformity requirement reinterpretation and special supplemental benefits for the chronically ill changes.

domain: medical


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I'm entering today's card in the Sparkle and Shine challenge. I heard about this challenge through the Winnie and Walter blog, they're providing a 25.00 prize to the winner!
I've been loving gold lately and I wanted to use up the last bits of kraft and gold paper that were included in the Simon Says Stamp April kit. That, and the sketch provided for the challenge, were the inspiration for my card.
To start my card, I used some Cracked Pistachio distress ink on watercolor paper, doing some acetate smooshing. I used PTI dies to cut the butterflies from the kraft and gold paper. The strip of paper with the circles punched out was done with an MFT sequin die (I used the sequins on another card that I posted yesterday). A strip of washi tape and a sentiment from Simon Says Stamp finish the card. I added a few drops of Heidi Swapp gold spray, and some Pretty Pink Posh clear sequins to really make this card "sparkle and shine" :)
I love bling, so this card was super fun to make!


#Job No. GR294.
Mechanical Design Engineer
Monday to Friday 37.5 hours a week
Circa £35,000 per annum + 28 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays + Pension
Mechanical Design Engineer required for a growing and highly reputable business. This is a great opportunity for a mechanical design engineer take full ownership of a product and see the design process through to manufacture and assembly. You will also gain experience in a growing industry.
To apply for this role, you will have previous experience of working in a mechanical design role. You will have experience of working with ANY CAD system and have knowledge of a variety of materials. Candidates with experience working with Creo within a production/ manufacturing environment are encouraged to apply although this isn’t an essential requirement.
Your role will be to see the process through from conception to manufacture and work to create BOMs as well as liaising with suppliers. Majority of the work will be re-modification design work, but there will be more opportunity to develop designs from scratch as well. As a Product Engineer, you will be responsible for the development of hardware designs from prototype through to production. You will also design, build and test components and systems (can sometimes be required in the field) that lead to reliable and cost-effective solutions. You will continue to progress these designs into a product fit for large-scale production.
This is a fantastic opportunity to be involved in innovation and to work in a multi-disciplined team. You will be able to to contribute to the design and development of state-of-the-art products and play a crucial role within a small up and coming business.
* Mechanical Design using Creo.
* Designing from scratch as well as modification.
* Creating manufacturing drawings and BOMs.
* Liaising with clients and suppliers.
The Mechanical Design Engineer:
* Experience of designing with a variety of materials.
* Experience using Creo beneficial however not essential.
* Looking for independence and to take true ownership of a product’s design and development.


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Premier Community Bank will broaden its reach with the acquisition of Albemarle First Bank in Charlottesville, Va.
The cash and stock transaction is worth about $29 million.
The acquisition will boost Winchester-based Premier Community Bank's assets to more than $800 million with 22 branches in Virginia and West Virginia. Albemarle will become part of Premier's wholly owned Rockingham Heritage Bank, but will continue to operate under the Albemarle First name.
Premier (NASDAQ: PREM), the holding company for Marathon Bank and Rockingham Heritage Bank in Virginia and Premier Bank in West Virginia, has 19 branches in the Shenandoah Valley and $665 million in assets. Albemarle First has three Charlottesville branches and $120 million in assets.
Premier's acquisition of Albemarle First (NASDAQ: AFBK) is subject to shareholder and regulatory approval but is expected to close in the second quarter.

domain: finance


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Haiyan aftermath clips: Buildings smashed in Guiuan
View footage taken by a Plan staff member on the ground in Eastern Samar, the Philippines - one of the areas worst-hit by Typhoon Haiyan.
Young mothers fear for the future
Thousands of babies will be born in typhoon-affected areas of the Philippines in the coming weeks. We speak with teenage mothers who share their concerns about the future.
World Toilet Day: Reasons to be cheerful
Millions of people die from poor sanitation each year - but there's a whiff of real change in the air, blogs Plan USA Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Technical Director, Darren Saywell.
Photostory: Aid brings safe water to Eastern Samar
Vital Plan aid reaches a village in Eastern Samar, the Philippines, where only one house was left standing by Typhoon Haiyan.
Millions need help in the Philippines
Plan emergency teams are working round-the-clock to help thousands of families affected by Typhoon Haiyan.


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"A Mountain of History" was created with the intention of highlighting the beauty and intrigue of Tucson, from the famous Western imagery of Old Tucson to the incredible geometric patterns created by airplanes at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base to the distinct skyline with Sentinel Peak—"A" Mountain.
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text: Missy is struggling in that Arizona heat. 91 degrees in the middle of the night will do that for most people. The biggest issue is that she works outside most of the day so suffering before work is tough and finding the energy after is just as tough. We talk about fueling a little differently and how that should help as well as some of the mental approaches that should help! Enjoy the show.

domain: psychology


As a starting gun, the Z-1 Assault is useful for having good firepower, accuracy for rookie players. However, the Z-1 will become ineffective for later levels as it suffers poor stats when compared to other Assault Rifles. Also, It can't be augmented without EACs.
You should sell this gun not for money but a slot or simply replace it with a better gun that is randomly found in Strongboxes. Though the Z-1 Assault can be augmented with EACs, It's recommended not to do so due to EACs' rarity.
Z-1 Assault is modeled after the M4 (most likely the Colt Commando variation) with a futuristic design. It has the word "Z-1" right in front of its trigger. It has scratches & some duct tape wrapped over its stock, carry handle, grip and handguard, which proves this gun has been well used and is now in bad condition but still somewhat usable.
This is one of six weapons that have no or variants.
This is also one of three starter weapons, which is most likely why these weapons don't have or variants.
In game file of mobile version, there is an image of Z-1 Assault (mobile) that is black & gray (possibly through Black & White Constrast effect). That is image is unofficially claimed as BLACK version of Z-1.
The Z-1 assault is 1 of 8 weapons with their name visualized on them


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Compare and hire a coach, mini-bus and bus in Bruges with ease! Receive competing bus rental with driver quotes from different mini bus and coach hire companies. Compare quotes on rental costs, client ratings and reviews, number of seats in the bus, space for luggage, facilities and age of the vehicle. Ask our customer service for help when organizing your bus trip or tour.
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Organizing group transport with a bus and driver in Brugges starts here with our quote form!
Want to know more about Bruges by bus? Read our tips about highlights for your bus or coach tour in Bruges:
The coach hire starts on 22-05-2020 in Bruges, with a distance of 264 kms , and a duration of 1 days.
About the group: Collect us from Port of Zeebrugge (QM2) take us to Ypres for around 1 - 2 hours. Then to Bruges for 2 hours, then back to ship in port.
|LOWEST COACH HIRE IN BRUGES PRICE||€498.20|
|Average quoted per person||€83.03|
Offer for a 14 seater with luggage space for 14 bags with a Ford Transit Trend Ambiente (2016)
|HIGHEST COACH HIRE IN BRUGES PRICE||€654.00|
|Average quoted per person||€109.00|
Offer for a 8 seater with luggage space for 16 bags with a Mercedes Benz V250 or Sprinter 319 (2017)
The coach hire starts on 15-02-2020 in Bruges, with a distance of 77 kms , and a duration of 1 days.
About the group: We organiseren een activiteit voor alle leiding van ons district samen te brengen. De bestemmingen zijn de lokalen van een aantal van onze scoutsgroepen in verschillende gemeentes van het district.
Er zal geen bagage mee zijn.
We zoeken de beste prijs
|BRUGES COACH HIRE PRICE||€708.50|
|Average quoted per person||€14.17|
Offer for a 50 seater with luggage space for 50 bags with a Setra Comfort Class 516MD (2018)
The coach hire starts on 03-03-2020 in Bruges, with a distance of 2,072 kms , and a duration of 4 days.
About the group: They are for an incentive travel
|LOWEST COACH HIRE IN BRUGES PRICE||€872.00|
|Average quoted per person||€58.13|
Offer for a 17 seater with luggage space for 20 bags with a Mercedes Sprinter (2016)
|HIGHEST COACH HIRE IN BRUGES PRICE||€4,268.00|
|Average quoted per person||€284.53|
Offer for a 20 seater with luggage space for 20 bags with a IVECO Tourys (2018)
The coach hire starts on 10-01-2020 in Bruges, with a distance of 46 kms , and a duration of 1 days.
About the group: Personeelsleden van Holiday Suites International veilig van een Nieuwjaarsfeest naar het verblijf vervoeren.
|BRUGES COACH HIRE PRICE||€545.00|
|Average quoted per person||€15.57|
Offer for a 38 seater with luggage space for 38 bags with a Setra 412 UL-GT (2014)
The coach hire starts on 17-02-2020 in Bruges, with a distance of 268 kms , and a duration of 3 days.
About the group: Group of sports enthusiasts attending a Football coaching programme ran by Roberto Martinez. There will be around 25 people all adults (18+). The trip is for a couple of days so everybody will have luggage. We are searching for a good balance in between luxury and best price - something in the middle of slightly lower
|LOWEST COACH HIRE IN BRUGES PRICE||€1,139.50|
|Average quoted per person||€45.58|
Offer for a 43 seater with luggage space for 43 bags with a VOLVO Jonckeere 70 (2014)
|HIGHEST COACH HIRE IN BRUGES PRICE||€1,749.00|
|Average quoted per person||€69.96|
Offer for a 50 seater with luggage space for 50 bags with a MAN Lion's Coach (2015)
The best Bruges mini-bus or coach rental company can be found via our quote request form.Compare multiple Bruges bus rental offers with ease!
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Average rating of 4.59 /5 for 3 mini bus, coach hire and transfer companies based on 353 reviews
|Average daily rental prices for bus and coach hires in Bruges|
|Average lowest daily rental price||€1,414.58|
|Average highest daily rental price||€1,984.98|
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"Dealing with the staff on the phone as well as online was so easy and they where very helpful."

domain: travel


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5 Interior Design Books you should read!
I love reading and adore coffee table books so it comes as no surprise that I love interiors books! I feel that they are always designed to be part of the decor as much as they are to be read and love seeing them on my shelf or on my side table. I have quite a lot of large hardback books including quite a few photography and travel books but I would say my interior design ones are the most read and have made the biggest impact on my life. I guess as a photographer, the images are as important as the text for me and all the books I'm reviewing in this post are aesthetically beautiful as well as brilliantly written.
I wouldn't say I've got a lot of time to read these days but when I do I do enjoy mostly non-fiction. These texts help me to learn new things about life and the world we live in (learning is a natural human thirst that can't be quenched!) and so these interiors books have all taught me something important and have impacted me in my design journey. Since having kids I definitely haven't read as many books as I'd like to and usually only get time to read in the bath but actually I realised that I read more online content via blogs. In spite of this I really do believe that print isn't dead (read more about my thoughts on this on my previous post here)! Although I used to be part of a book group I've never been a fan of fiction and much prefer a good auto-biography or self development book that will impact my perspective on life straight away. So without further ado, here are some of my favourite interiors books that might also help you on your
1. How to Decorate by Farrow and Ball
My husband bought this book for me quite a while ago and I ashamedly have to say that it sat on the shelf for ages (maybe a year or two!) until recently when I discovered the little decorating gems that these pages contain. It's no secret that I am a huge Farrow and Ball fan and this book makes me an even bigger one. The images are so diverse and inspiring and include every colour on the spectrum. There are also copious ideas for each room in your home and one of my favourite sections is how to choose the perfect white to compliment each of Farrow and Ball's paint colours. There are amazing tips on lighting depending on which way your room faces and I also discovered that you can still get your hands on archived colours that are taken off the colour card to make way for the new hues each year. A really great place to go for looking at colours for rooms and really top notch advice and inspiration on what colours to paint architrave and woodwork. It's a bit of a decorating bible for me and it's thoughtful, intelligent and artistic content makes me respect this brand even more.
2. The secret Lives of Colour by Kassia St Clair
Ok so technically this isn't an interior design book BUT it's worth a mention because of the exquisite design of the pages and the depth of information surrounding different colours used throughout history. Kassia St Clair however has also written specifically about rooms recently in Elle Decoration but before I get into the content I need to mention the pages. The edges of the book correspond to the 75 colours discussed in the book and create a rainbow ombre effect as you fan the pages. It's a delight to hold in your hands! I think this is a must read for artists or designers as the historical context of certain hues are discussed in an interesting and often humorous way. One thing that stood out to me is that a lot of our associations with colour are linked to historical and cultural meaning and the importance of the ways they have been perceived through time. This is an important element with my work with clients in trying to help them discover their own unique interior style which is the key I believe to create rooms that you never tire of being in. I adore colour psychology (and have read many books on that too) but sometimes it's a very simplistic view that green makes us feel calm and blue reminds us of the sea etc. etc. Our minds and emotions are a lot more complex than that and I believe that specific memories and experiences actually dictate what our colour preferences are.
It might sound all a bit deep for an interiors and DIY blog but Individualism is becoming a hugely popular buzz word in the interior design industry and I've seen a shift in the way top designers like Sophie Robinson (see below for more about her) doing a lot of work on colour psychology. It's much harder work to search within us and find out who we truly are artistically but as with all things, most worthwhile endeavours are worth the extra effort. Here endeth the lesson!
3. Modern Rustic by Emily Henson
This was another lovely present from Mr Skirting (I'm a lucky lady!) and it's kinda cool that my husband is aware of my decorating style. Rustic would definitely be a word that could be used to describe elements of our home together (we have 50 year old Jarrah wood railway sleepers from Australia as shelves in our living room which John lovingly cleaned, sanded and restored). I think 'Modern Rustic' needs a little explanation. It doesn't simply mean old and traditional or wooden or less than perfect, rather it's almost a mindset which celebrates the architecture of buildings, uses raw and organic materials from the natural world inside and curates important artefacts and objects to give a relaxed, personal feel. Sounds a little bit like someone I know... As I've already mentioned this idea of being unique and authentic in our decorating is a crucial element of design for me but another aspect of this book is the Artisanal influences which is apparently set to be a very popular interior trend this year.
Modern Rustic embraces various eras of style too including vintage or retro mid-century and I love the way it brings 'rustic' it up to date and marries the old and natrual with the new, giving a really fresh and unique look. What a great design ethos and one that I am definitely on board with. The beauty with this book is that Emily Henson's beautiful styling illustrates way better what my words are struggling to convey here! Every page is a delight with details and ideas to inspire and most of all I love that each space has a 'lived in' feel - you can almost imagine the individual who lives and breathes in the spaces. I was thankfully reacquainted with this book when I met Emily's sister at a local playgroup and we made the connection after a few conversations. The interiors world really is a small one!
4. Mad about the house by Kate Watson-Smyth
If you have not heard of Kate Watson-Smyth and her award-winning blog Mad About the House where have you been?! This lady has written for many newspapers and had her home featured in many interiors magazines and this is her second book. I got a copy at her recent book launch in London and it can only be partly described as an anthology of ideas for each room around your home as well as some more general ideas about tools which can help or hinder our personal design process. She emphatically believes that our wardrobes hold the key to our personal decorating style (if we feel comfortable in particular colours and patterns we will enjoy being surrounded in the same) and she also discusses the peril of Pinterest! All of this is done with great humour and insight and is so impactful. The cover is a delight and interestingly there are minimal photographs as Kate felt that she didn't want the book to date over time. Instead there are plentiful hand drawn illustrations to illustrate her advice. Kate is authentic in her own journey and she generously imparts her wisdom and achievable advice to us the reader. It's also very practical with checklists and this is a great read if you've never decorated before or if you've been doing it for years.
5. Great Interior Design Challenge Sourcebook
Now if you're an interiors enthusiast I'm sure you'll remember the Great Interior Design Challenge that was aired on the BBC over the past few years (sadly it's over for good now). The last series replaced Sophie Robinson (who was sadly missed!) with Kelly Hoppen joining Daniel Hogwood and I love following the inspiring work that these designers are creating at the moment. Looking back I'm sure in some part watching these amateurs carve a new path into interior design on our TV screens has fuelled my own career change long before it would actually happen. I loved watching how the designers come up with some really interesting and original ideas and how they had to learn the craft and skill of translating someones else hopes and visions for their home into reality. This book builds on the theme of some of the previous books of touring around each room with photographs from the series to show the completely different outcomes depending on the desires and dreams from each home-owner and embraces every piece of architecture you could imagine including a beach hut! Besides the great design ideas, I love the way this book reminds me of how interior design used to be a hobby and how lucky I am to have found myself on this creative and fulfilling path.
*BONUS* The Architecture of Happiness
Although this is a little soft back book not a coffee table ornament, I had to mention it here as it grabbed my attention instantly with it's intriguing title. I'm not going to go into too much depth here but The Architecture of Happiness by Alain de Botton is a must-read for those serious about architecture and design. I read this just as I was starting up my blog over a year ago and it really laid a foundation for my thinking and intent for my business. It's pretty deep and philopshical (hmmm I wonder why I love it?) and discusses aesthetics and how and why we perceive things as beautiful. He also considers architecture and furniture from a historical perspective as well as exteriors and interiors from across the world. It's a really engaging and thought-provoking book and has a clever way of making you reflect on your own life.
Sorry for sounding like a teacher but I have a long list of books that I am dying to read and wanted to share a couple that I discovered recently on the 91 Magazine blog. I cannot wait to read This is Home: the art of simple living by Natalie Walton and discover more about how identity and authenticity is expressed through how we create home. This is very much something that I am enjoying figuring out myself. I'd also love a flick through New Minimalism: Decluttering and Design for Sustainable Intentional Living by Cary Telander Fortin & Kyle Louise Quilici as although I would never call myself a minimalist I am on a journey of discovering how to get rid of things I don't need (thanks Marie Kondo!) and have always had the view that to re-use and re-purpose items is not only a great attitude for our homes but also life. I love that interiors books are starting to have an increasing focus on wellbeing, simplicity and authenticity through carefully selecting and deselecting (or decluttering) items from our home. Putting this into action is easier said than done and probably deserves another blog post soon...
I'm dying to know what you think of the list and whether you have read any of the books or are inspired to out and buy some? Also please comment below with any great books you reading about interiors and homes that I can add to my list. It's been an exciting week at home with the new kitchen cupboards being fitted so pop over to Instagram and keep updated with our progress on Stories!
Yours in colour and creativity,
PS All photography by me and this isn't a sponsored post. Just sharing what I think will help you on your decorating journey!


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Maya Rudolph, the Emmy-nominated comedian of Saturday Night Life fame, returns for the second season of America’s much-anticipated “Loot.” Maya Rudolf’s character, Molly Wells, tries to navigate the complex maze of post-divorce life while trying to maintain her mental balance. The series operates with the tools of comedy and film drama, so it does not lack cheerful moments.
In the second season, Maya Rudolph’s character Molly Wells appears as the head of the Wells Foundation, a charity organization. After divorcing tech billionaire John Novak, Molly decided to focus on her charity work and avoid any romantic complications that would distract her from concentration.
Rudolph’s portrayal of Molly brings depth and authenticity to her character, portraying Molly’s resilience in the face of adversity and challenges. The second season of “Loot” features both old and new faces, including Michaela Jaé Rodriguez as Executive Director, Sofia Salinas and Joel Kim as Booster As Molly’s loyal assistant Nicholas. The interactions between the characters provide both humorous relief and heartfelt moments as they navigate the ups and downs of professional and personal relationships.
The creative team of the production is also remarkable. Behind the scenes, “Loot” boasts excellent executive producers, including writers Alan Yang, and Matt Hubbard the director. Along with Rudolph himself, Natasha Lyonne, Danielle Renfrew Behrens and Dave Becky. But Maya Rudolph herself seriously took part in the creative works. The series also features talented actors such as Ron Funches and Nat Faxon. The series is produced by Universal Television, and Universal Studio Group.
With the return of Maya Rudolph in the second season of “Loot”, the audience can expect fun and sometimes bittersweet moments. Similar to her previous performances, Maya Rudolph also shines in the role of Molly and will not disappoint old and new fans of the series.
– Virág Vida –


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The imposing black gate that opens onto a long avenue of plane trees with leaves blackened by a scorching summer doesn't have a 'Sold' sign. For this kind of real estate business, discretion is a must. However, in Val-Saint-Germain, a pretty town in the Essonne region, located 40 kilometers southwest of Paris and with a population of 1,400, news has got out. At the beginning of the summer, the Château du Marais – the jewel of the village – changed owners. The Frotier de Bagneux and Pourtalès families, who had owned the property for more than a century, were forced to sell.
With its 100 rooms, including a large Italian-style salon adorned with 24 Ionic order columns, this "country mansion," considered to be one of the most beautiful Louis XVI buildings in France, had become too much to maintain for these families. Visits, film shoots and events were not enough to cover the costs of the château and the park, renowned for its 550-meter- long water mirror that makes the whole place feel like a small Versailles. The estate had been on the market for several years.
Money is not something that the new owner lacks. According to Le Monde, the buyer is the Czech businessman Daniel Kretinsky (who is also an indirect shareholder of Le Monde) whose fortune is close to 5 billion dollars (5.03 billion euros), according to Forbes' ranking. He won't live there.
His project is to transform the magnificent property into a luxury hotel, developing equestrian activities in the 40-hectare park. The amount of the transaction is a well-kept secret. According to Bloomberg, it could reach the cool sum of 43 million euros. When questioned, one of Mr. Kretinsky's representatives in France said that he was "not in a position to comment on the matter."
In recent years, the Château du Marais had lost its sparkle. Receptions were no longer as lavish as they once were, like the one organized in 1903 by Anna Gould in honor of King Charles I of Portugal. An American socialite of the Belle Epoque and a wealthy heiress, Ms. Gould fell in love with the château on her first visit with her husband Boniface de Castellane, a dandy and politician.
The château is home to a museum in honor of the famous Mr. Talleyrand, diplomat and statesman under the Empire and the Restoration.
The couple bought the mansion on the spot in 1899 from the Duchess of Noailles. Ms. Gould went on to keep it after her second marriage to Hélie de Talleyrand-Périgord, a descendant of Archambaud de Talleyrand-Périgord, and the younger brother of the famous Talleyrand, diplomat and statesman under the Empire and the Restoration. The château is home to a museum in honor of Mr. Talleyrand in its outbuildings. A second museum is dedicated to Chateaubriand, who was a regular visitor at the end of the 18th century.
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The Hornell Maple City Barbershop Chorus will present a free musical variety concert, “We Sing to Feed Them All,” at 3 p.m. Feb. 25 in the Hornell United Methodist Church, 7528 N. Main Street Extension.
The concert will feature the Maple City Barbershop Chorus, the Rusty Pickups Quartet, the Revised Arrangement Quartet and Elvis tribute artist Dave Weaver. The event is free, but free-will offerings will be accepted to support Hornell area food pantries.
The Maple City Barbershop Chorus was founded in 1968 and is the Hornell chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America. The group embraces the Seneca Land District’s initiative “We Sing to Feed Them All” and Hornell Maple City Barbershop Chorus has raised more than $5,000 for local Hornell area food pantries.


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Maxim Oreshkin accepts invitation to become Minister of Economic Development
President Vladimir Putin has offered the post of Minister of Economic Development to Maxim Oreshkin who has accepted. He replaces Alexey Ulyukaev who was arrested following allegations that he had taken a $2 million bribe involving the state owned oil company Rosneft.
Maxim Oreshkin (34) has a Masters in Economics from the Higher School of Economics and started his career in 2002 at the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, where he was Head of macroeconomic and banking system analysis. He moved to Société Générale in 2006 as Head of Research and then Crédit Agricole CIB in 2012 as Chief Economist for Russia, Turkey, and the CEE. In 2013 he became Head of the long-term strategic planning department at the Ministry of Finance before becoming Deputy Minister of Finance in 2015.
The rather quirky formal announcement of his appointment as published on the presidential website is as follows:
“Meeting with Maxim Oreshkin
November 30, 2016
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Oreshkin, how long have you been working as Deputy Finance Minister now?
Maxim Oreshkin: Practically two years.
Vladimir Putin: Two years. Before this, you were…
Maxim Oreshkin: Department Director at the Finance Ministry, and before that, I was in banking, at VTB and the international bank.
Vladimir Putin: You are an economist by training.
Maxim Oreshkin: Yes.
Vladimir Putin: Mr Oreshkin, you have not been working for very long, but it is already quite a while, and your work has produced results. I would like to offer you the post of Economic Development Minister.
Maxim Oreshkin: I accept.
Vladimir Putin: Good.
In your view, what is the biggest priority in the ministry you are to head?
Maxim Oreshkin: Looking at the Russian economy today, I think the situation could be summed up as follows: the worst is behind us now, but growth rates are still insufficient. Our biggest task for the coming year therefore is to prepare the key measures that will remove structural barriers to our economy’s growth and enable us to move forward.
Vladimir Putin: How should we do this?
Maxim Oreshkin: There are many limiting factors. We will start the work and set out a detailed plan.
Vladimir Putin: Mr Oreshkin, you are quite young, but you already have experience. You are a competent and mature professional. I wish you luck.
Maxim Oreshkin: Thank you.”

domain: economics


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Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley offers a unique wine country experience. Visitors can browse antiques and art while wine tasting in private tasting rooms or in the great rooms, or gather outdoors at individual and communal tables, around the fire pit, or stretch out on a blanket on the lawn. The historic stone building was preserved and re-purposed, with the contemporary interior setting reminiscent of a home or a private club, framing a highly edited collection of furnishings and artwork, all of which are available for purchase. This “living gallery” atmosphere serves as a stylized backdrop for the appreciation of limited production boutique wines.
The outdoor gardens are designed to display a rotating collection of architectural remnants, furnishings and contemporary sculpture, and provide intimate seating areas for couples and small groups, as well as larger gathering places for both day and evening events. Compacted decomposed granite with inset bands of bluestone were used to highlight two important axes, as well as the stone fire pit, built of stone salvaged from the original building. Mediterranean perennials and ornamental grasses offer movement and seasonal color. To complete the setting, four majestic 90-year-old field-dug olives trees were planted to frame a 36-foot long communal redwood table where guests can share their wine-tasting experience and “a life aesthetic”.
Architecture: Gould Evans Architects
Construction: Trainor Builders
Landscape Construction: Vista Landscape
Photography: Robert Bengtson, Carter Dow, Lindsay Garvey


By Richard Hook2017-12-14T12:27:00
Affordable housing developer Pocket Living has announced plans to build 250 new homes in north London having acquired four new surplus public land sites.
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One of the largest Covid studies relevant to general practice in the UK
This information is sourced from the Primary Care Clinical Trials Unit, University of Oxford and correspondence with the trial organisers. Updated, 7 May 2021.
Led by the Primary Care Clinical Trials Unit at Oxford University. The Platform Randomised trial of Interventions against COVID-19 in older people (PRINCIPLE) trial involves over 1,000 GP practices. It is testing which pharmacological treatments are more effective at reducing morbidity in high risk patients with COVID-19.
As of 7 May 2021, the trial is no longer opening new GP practices to participate in the trial in the traditional sense: ie, they do not require a formal site agreement, RCGP and ImmForm registered, GCP trained staff etc. in order to take part.
Instead, GPs are asked to regularly screen their positive test patient lists and signpost/refer any potentially eligible patients to its trial website: https://www.principletrial.org/ or freephone number 0800 138 0880 where patients can register and consent to the trial remotely.
Furthermore, all trial activity is managed by the central trial team so sites do not need to send out swab test kits or medication to participants. They only ask that sites to complete a short notes review of the 28 day period that participants take part in the trial, and they reimburse at £50 per participant for their time.
Treatments being trialled
In March, it launched its investigation of the gout drug colchicine, which expanded for the first time to include adults of any age. Previously, only those with Covid-19 aged 50 or over and at most risk of complications from the illness were eligible to join the PRINCIPLE trial. For the colchicine arm, the trial now includes participants either aged 18-64 with shortness of breath from the illness or certain underlying health conditions that put them at risk of severe illness, or those aged over 65. Participants are only eligible to join the trial during the first 14 days of Covid-19 illness.


A Federal High Court in Yenagoa on Tuesday summoned Prof. Charles Dokubo, Coordinator, Presidential Amnesty Office, to appear before it on Jan. 21, over alleged fraud committed by the office.
Also summoned before the court presided over by Justice Awogboro Abimbola, are Mr Isaac Ityohuma and Mr Aroloye Brown, Director of Finance and Accounts, and Head of Reintegration in the office, respectively.
The defendants were sued by 75 ex-militants under Benuwolo Camp who embraced the presidential amnesty in 2010 in the second phase of the scheme.
The judge noted that she had on Sept. 26 summoned Dokubo, also Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger Delta, over alleged diversion of stipends meant for the 75 former militants.
The judge ordered counsel to the coordinator of amnesty office, Pere Ikuetemi, to ensure that his client appeared in court on the next adjourned date for continuation of hearing.
The 75 ex-militants are demanding payment of their outstanding N65,000 monthly stipends from January 2011 to May 2019, amounting to N492 million.
The group urged the court to declare as unlawful, the alleged fraudulent manipulation of the 75 slots allotted to Benuwolo Camp by officials of amnesty office in connivance with some other ex-militants.
They had in their statements of claim filed by their counsel, Mr Richard Turner, urged the court to order the office to revert the 75 slots to the camp and halt further diversion of the slots.
Meanwhile, the judge dismissed an application by two other ex-militants to join in the suit.
The applicants are Messrs Aso Tambo and Stephen Ebisintei.
They filed the application through their counsel, Mr Stanley Damabide.
The judge ruled that she found no merit in it as the applicants were not a necessary part in matter.
“I find no merit in the application, as the rule requires inclusion of only those whose inclusion will ensure dispensation of justice.
“The application is hereby dismissed,” she said.


Nicola Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell resigns as SNP chief executive
Scottish National Party chief executive quits after membership numbers dispute
The chief executive of the pro-independence Scottish National Party (SNP), Peter Murrell, said on Saturday that he was resigning with immediate effect after accepting blame for the public being misled about the number of SNP members.
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My so-called lawn needs help -- it consists of clumps of grass with bare spots between, My small yard is completely fenced with a large apple tree shading much of it, so the grass gets at most 3 to 4 hours of sun a day. What do you think of "no mow" creeping red fescue? Would I have to have the existing grass rototilled, or could topsoil be brought in and the fescue planted (by seed?) in the bare spots to fill in over time as it grows?
There is no such thing as "no mow" grass. That slogan is simply a sales pitch.
Even though fine fescue is often touted as being shade tolerant, it does not do well in western Oregon shade because all the moisture makes it very susceptible to leaf spot diseases.
Given the site you describe with very little sunshine, you are better off planting a shade tolerant ground cover like Vinca minor, Pachysandra, or Ajuga reptans, for example. Or, as an alternative, you could plant a mixture of shade tolerant shrubs and perennials. Either approach would require spraying out your lawn with glyphosate and either removing the sod or tilling the sod into the soil.
If you don't want to go to all that effort, you can buy some creeping red fescue - it doesn't have to be the "no mow" variety - and spread it on the bare spots at a rate of 6 – 8 lbs. of seed per 1,000 sq. ft. Another option would be colonial bentgrass. It is not as susceptible to leaf spot diseases. You will likely have to buy it online. And the seeding rate of colonial bentgrass is only 1 - 2 lbs. of seed per thousand square feet (there are 3,000,000 seeds per pound so it is like dust). You should scarify the existing sod/soil first with a metal rake so you get good soil/seed contact. Wait to plant until after April 15th. Make sure to keep the surface moist for 10 - 14 days or until the seed germinates and then for a couple more weeks water it daily and make sure if you get a hot day, you give it a little water in the afternoon. After a month, the roots should be deep enough so you don't have to water as frequently.
This is your cheapest option. You can see how it does and if you don't like it, you can go with the ground cover option.


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A window into undersea life without getting wet
National Geographic Orion and National Geographic Endeavour are equipped with a glass-bottom boat. This provides a unique opportunity for any guest to explore the rich life of the undersea.
Ideal for non-swimmers or snorkelers, you’ll have a naturalist accompanying you to interpret what you see. Colorful, darting fish flash by, while inquisitive sea lions suddenly peer up from below, delighting guests from eight to 80.
Join us for updates, insider reports & special offers.


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A man was left puzzled after spotting mystery lights in the night sky above Huyton on Sunday.
David Thompson, 50, is a keen amateur photographer and regularly takes images of the moon and night sky.
However last night, at around 9pm, he spotted something he couldn't easily explain.
David, from Huyton, said he 'doesn't know' what the lights are but they unlike 'anything' he's ever seen - and he believes they were too high in the sky to be a commercial air plane.
He told the ECHO : "I was just looking up at the moon because I always take pictures and it was clear last night - about 9 o'clock.
"Something caught my eye I presumed it was a shooting star but it didn't look that way.
"I knew it wouldn’t be a commercial plane because it was too high up and the shape didn’t correspond to anything I've ever seen or known before.
"I also know the track of the ISS as well so knew it weren’t that because it never goes East to West.
"I don’t know what it is but think it's probably a U2 plane because they travel much higher than a commercial plane and it seemed way too high.
"Someone said it could be a SpaceX satellite because they have been throwing a lot of stuff up there so could be that."
What do you think the lights are? Let us know your theories in the comments section below.
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domain: news


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I was a little disappointed by how many Romances I liked this year. Mostly because I wanted to love so many more of them. But as always, some titles managed to rise above the rest. Here are some of my favourites from this year.
Black Hawk, Joanna Bourne
Adrian Hawkhurst was a (terrific!) minor character in three of Bourne’s previous novels. This, at last, is his story. Adrian is an English spy; Justine de Cabrillac is his French counterpart. Their attachment starts when they are young, both having emerged out of horrifically abusive childhoods into honed and dangerous individuals. Readers follow them through the French Revolution, through the Terror, the fall of Robespierre, through the rise and fall of Napoleon. Adrian and Justine are on opposite sides, but they aren’t enemies. They’re a matched pair, and neither one is whole without the other. Once again, Bourne delivers a master class in characterization, plot and pacing. This time she also adds one of the most moving and powerful love scenes I’ve ever read. The only thing I didn’t like about this book is that it ended. Thankfully, Bourne seeded the story with enough fascinating minor characters to keep us entertained for many books to come.
A Lady’s Lessons in Scandal, Meredith Duran
Revenge; missing children turning up just in time to inherit fortunes; this plot is almost Shakespearean in scope. Newly orphaned Nell Whitby intends to kill the Earl of Rushden for wrongs done to her family. But when she breaks into his home, she realizes that the former Earl died months ago. His successor, Simon St. Maur, discovers to his shock and delight that Nell is, in fact, the long-lost missing daughter of the former Earl, and thus a great heiress. But what makes the book so good – and so appropriate to this year – is Duran’s thorough understanding and depiction of the vast gulf between the classes. Nell learns that not all problems can be solved with application of money. And Simon gets a glimpse of how hard life can truly be for those not born to the purple. Excellent, and timely. Should be required reading for anyone who wants some historical context for the London riots (or OWS, for that matter).
Black Ties and Lullabies, Jane Graves
I’ve enjoyed many of Graves’ books, including several that she wrote as Jane Porter, but this one really stood out for me. Jeremy Bridges is a computer guru millionaire; Bernadette Hogan is his bodyguard. When an attempted kidnapping forces them to spend the night together, Bernie ends up pregnant. Again, part of what drew me to this story was the cross-cultural clash. Bernie is former military. She’s focused and hardworking, and doesn’t see the point of frills in her life… or anyone else’s. Jeremy works just as hard (which was nice to see), but lets himself enjoy the fruits of his labours. Wallows in them, to be precise. Bernie wants him to sign away all rights to the child. Jeremy wants a chance to create the family he’s never had. Family is at the heart of this book: the one’s we’re born to, the one’s we make; how they derail our lives, and just how far we’ll change to make them better.
The Rose Garden, Susanna Kearsley
I wrote most of a column about this book, so I won’t say much more here except that it starts out full of sorrow and moves to a place full of grace and hope. Gorgeous, and well worth reading. And re-reading.
Goodnight Tweetheart, Teresa Medeiros
This is the lightest book on my list. Abigail Donovan’s first book was a NYT bestseller and an Oprah pick. Her second book is going nowhere, along with her career. But when her publicist signs her up for a Twitter account, she encounters fellow user Mark Baynard, a professor on sabbatical who is travelling to all the places she’s longed to go. As she connects with Mark, Abby begins to regain her confidence, and starts to write again. But the thing about the internet is, you can be anyone you want. And Abby discovers that not everything Mark has told her is true. This novel could have been gimmicky and total fluff. But though much of the story is told through tweets and DMs, Medeiros reaches unexpected emotional depths. The pace is breezy, but the content packs punch. It’s also the only Romance on the list that doesn’t have a definite happily-ever-after ending, just opens the door to the possibility of happiness. A real pleasure to read.
How to Bake a Perfect Life, Barbara O’Neal
I’m still a bit iffy about including this book on the list. It’s more uneven than many of O’Neal’s other titles, and I found the physical layout, with bread recipes at the end of many chapters, somewhat distracting. BUT. But… the connection between Ramona and Jonah, who meet first when she is a pregnant teenager then again in middle age, is pure and utterly lovely. And one of the intertwined stories, that deals with a soldier badly wounded in Afghanistan, is intense and full of the practical consequences of that stupid, wasteful conflict. It doesn’t match up to O’Neal’s best books, but I couldn’t stop reading it, and bits and scenes stayed with me for a long time.
Money Shot, Susan Sey
I read Sey’s first book because I wanted to read this one. Her first book surprised me; this one blew me away. Maria di Guzman (Goose), is a Secret Service agent. She’s smart, sexy, and always in control. That is, until she ends up on Mishkwa Island, investigating the possibility of counterfeit. There she meets Rush Guthrie. A former military sniper, he’s now a Park Ranger, who finds that peace and quiet of his home is bringing him slowly coming back to life… a process that Goose’s arrival accelerates. As Goose goes after the bad guys, Rush goes after Goose. It could have been a procedural kinds of story; or even an inverted sort of caper. Instead, Sey wrote a book of searing emotional intensity. Goose’s past is a minefield, and her control is just a disguise. With Rush’s help, and his policy of scouring, unadulterated honesty, she begins to truly accept herself for the first time. It’s not a perfect book, perhaps, but it resonated so strongly on an emotional level that I instantly forgave any small flaws. Can’t wait to see where Sey’s going to go next.
Lover Unleashed, J.R. Ward
The world of Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood, with its extraneous ‘H’s, fight scenes, and intensely damaged heroes, is as addictive as crack, though nowhere near as damaging to the neurotransmitters. This entry is about a female vampire, Payne. She is a warrior, which is unheard of in vampire society, and she has been imprisoned much of her life because of her desire to fight and protect. When she is seriously injured in combat, trauma surgeon Manny Manello is brought in to operate on her spine. Manny is tough, competitive, and human. But medically skilled as he is, it’s his emotional connection to Payne that heals her most. Another excellent entry in the BDB, both for the main storyline, and the way it furthers the love stories of several of other characters. Beginning a primary Romance as a subplot in another book is something Ward has always done beautifully; in this novel, she also revisits earlier characters to show that happily-ever-after is a work in progress. As usual, I’m left jonesing for the next fix.
The Cloud Roads, MarthaWells
I’ll admit it up front: this one’s not a Romance. It’s a Fantasy. But there is the hint of a love story, so I’m going with it. Moon has traveled across much of the Three Worlds. He has lived among many different groundling races, but has never met another person like himself, with ability to shift between a groundling form and a winged form. Since the only shifters he’s ever met are the terrifying and destructive Fell, he keeps his abilities to himself. But when he’s ejected from yet another groundling settlement, he meets Stone, a Raksura like himself. Stone convinces Moon to accompany him home, which starts all of the Raksura on an adventure they couldn’t have imagined. Wells’ tone is pitch perfect, and her world-building is both magnificent and so subtle that it’s hard to see the breadth of it until you’re done gulping down the book as fast as possible. Or maybe that was just me. This is one of my picks for Best Book of the Year, and I cannot recommend it highly, or often, enough.
Chris Szego wishes everyone Merry and Happy, and reminds you that only total morons drink and drive.
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domain: literature