This time next month, we’ll jump behind the wheel of the all-new MINI Cooper Hardtop for the first time. To up the ante on our anticipation, MINI unveiled its performance-oriented John Cooper Works Concept at this year’s Detroit Auto Show.
Following suit with the new MINI, The JCW Concept is slightly longer and wider than past Cooper Works cars, which should benefit its go-kart-like handling. While MINI hasn’t announced the performance specs on the JCW Concept, we have big hopes for the hot hatch. Both the new Cooper and Cooper S models have more torque and more power, so we’re going to assume that the new JCW model will see more than its former 208 horsepower, too.
Aerodynamic bits help set the JCW apart from the standard models. There are larger air dams up front, contoured side skirts, and a rear apron with diffuser, all unique to the Cooper Works Concept. We’re also smitten by the Bright Highways Grey hand-polished paintwork, which gives off the illusion that concept is made of brushed stainless steel.
With a concept that looks this close to production-ready, we don’t expect much to change in terms of aesthetics for the JCW Cooper that will debut on showroom floors. However, we’ll be curious to see how this car’s new drivetrain sizes up against other hot hatches like the VW GTI.
Let us know what you think of the MINI John Cooper Works Concept in the comments below.
Check out all of DT’s coverage from the 2014 Detroit Auto Show.
- All-electric Mini Cooper SE road-tripped from San Francisco to Los Angeles
- Mini’s updated Countryman SUV gets the John Cooper Works treatment
- Technology is shaping the MINI buyer: New York Auto Show interview
- MINI John Cooper Works revealed well ahead of 2015 Detroit Auto Show
- Next MINI John Cooper Works could chase the GTI with 230 hp


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GTUC calls for a gov’t that watches out for workers and vulnerable in society
(26th May 2022) – The 56th anniversary of Guyana’s independence finds a very divided nation- a society dangerously drifting from its motto, “One People One Nation One Destiny.” Hopelessness, despair and fear are everywhere. One would never have expected that any indigenous leader or group would have thought about taking this country down a pathway of division, after coming so far, having overcome so many obstacles. Who would have thought an indigenous leader would have brought us back to this, where any section of this society would be bare facedly denied opportunity? We cannot continue living and co-existing like this.
Discrimination and marginalisation anywhere are threats to people everywhere. If the international community, and our Caribbean brothers and sisters, remain silent and supportive of the atrocities happening in Guyana, making no attempt to even give this regime a tap on the wrist, they must know what happens in Guyana will not stay in Guyana. I say, it will ripple across the Atlantic and Caribbean waters and affect them via migration, trafficking and other cross border issues.
The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) reiterates the call for an approach to governance that is inclusionary and consistent with the Constitution of Guyana., universally acceptable principles, and human rights. Congress calls for a government that watches out for workers and the vulnerable in our society- whoever they are, wherever they are, and whatever they look like- even as it addresses the legitimate needs and concerns of the wealthy and well connected.
More than 56 years ago, the Trade Union Movement- in fact from 1926- led the charge for the people’s right to self-determination and today asserts its commitment to inclusionary and sustainable approaches to governance; the protection, security and advancement of the people; and proper management of our resources- human, natural and man-made. The undermentioned 10-point represents the workers’ just demands to peacefully co-exist and thrive:
1. Implementation of the nation’s Political Objective to establish an inclusionary democracy, as outlined in Article 13 of the Constitution of Guyana;
2. Old Age Pension to be pegged (at least) to the minimum wage established in the public service;
3. Return National Insurance Scheme (NIS) to financial viability + activate Unemployment Benefit to assist displaced workers;
4. Establishment of new wages/salary bands for Public Servants, Disciplined Forces + Teachers to reflect the new economy. The current bands are outmoded and should be discarded;
5. Realise Cash Grant as proposed by Professor Clive Thomas (i.e., $1 million to every adult Guyanese as a form of Direct Transfer from oil revenue);
6. Honour the Tripartite Committee Wage Agreement for private sector workers, as agreed to during the APNU+AFC administration;
7. Respect right to freedom of association and collective bargaining as enshrined at Article 147 in the Constitution of Guyana and which are among the first international conventions the Government of Guyana ratified in the immediate post independent period;
8. Respect the right to free education from nursery to university (Article 27- Constitution of Guyana). Cancel debts from students who took loans to attend the University of Guyana (UG). Direct oil money to the indigenous education institutions (UG and Critchlow Labour College) that have played a pivotal role in bringing this country to where it is now;
9. Equity in management of oil and gas as well as non-oil economies- Systems must be put in place to create opportunities for all, based on want, ability and interest; not race, political association, and other discriminatory markers. Guyana needs an Affirmative Action Plan;
10. Political, economic and social justice for all Guyanese for there can be no societal peace when all are not treated as deserving.
Workers/citizens are reminded on this auspicious day that we could have only come this far because our ancestors fought various battles to bring us to where we are today. We must honour them by continuing the struggle for freedom; for economic, social and political justice; for fundamental human rights; for equitable development.

domain: sociology


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Zack Snyder‘s 2021 is going pretty great so far. He released his magnum opus in the Snyder Cut but now he’s heading back to where it all started for him. Zombies. That’s right, if you look back at his filmography, his first feature was Dawn Of The Dead. Now, we’re getting Army Of The Dead from him.
The film’s premise and plot is pretty simple, in the best kind of way. Las Vegas has an outbreak of a zombie virus, and this group headlined by Dave Bautista has 32 hours to rob a casino vault with $200 million in it. The only thing that stands in their way is an army of zombies.
This new trailer highlights that the zombies in this film aren’t your standard fare. They’re not invincible like the Return Of The Living Dead kind, but they are more intelligent and faster than normal deadheads.
Zack Snyder directs while Snyder, Shay Hatten, and Joby Harold write the script. It also stars Ana de la Reguera, Hiroyuki Sanada, Garret Dillahunt, Ella Purnell, Tig Notaro, among a huge ensemble cast.
For more on horror, make sure to check back to That Hashtag Show.

domain: entertainment


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In 2004 after getting a 2nd opinion from another doctor, I was diagnosed with Spondylolisthesis. My vertebrae in my back were split apart and triggering my sciatic nerve in both legs, which every step brought a burning excruciating pain in the rear of both legs. The good thing it has done is make me more aware about ergonomics in firearms which many shooters neglect to take into consideration. Even though I have never been diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) by the medical community, the symptoms are very similar to people who have been diagnosed with CTS.(more…)
Posted in Mauser by admin with no comments yet.

domain: medical


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About leadership and mountains
I love mountains. Especially powerful mountain ranges and deep valleys. Some of my most wonderful experiences come from hikes in Switzerland, Ethiopia, France and Norway. To feel small and in need of help, and at the same time raise my eyes to the mountains and be reminded that the help I need comes from the Lord, as David writes in Psalm 121.
Our hike in 2020 has certainly not been an easy trip. It started out a bit like a lovely mountain hike. Clear air. The sun is shining. We have a goal. We have a good plan for how to get there. But mountain weather is moody. Can switch quickly. We were hit by the COVID-19 pandemic as a sudden storm not only over our mountain, but all over the world. A huge low pressure. Nothing turned out the way we planned barely a year ago.
Exchange of experience on ‘leadership in crisis’
In crisis situations like this, good leadership is needed. It’s not easy, but it’s important. Therefore, on 4 December, SMC – Faith in Development invited to the first of a series of webinars focusing on leadership, organizational development and how our faith plays a part.
Guided by Rick James and Elaine Vitikaien from Space for grace, around 20 leaders from ten of SMC’s member organizations and the chancellery gathered to share thoughts and experiences about “leadership in crisis”.
It was a very valuable opportunity to stop and reflect on the past year, to think about what we have to leave and what we can learn from the past year. Several of the participants testified that the year also strengthened hope by seeing how people continued to give faithfully to the business; how the relationship with local partners has been strengthened when seconded staff have chosen to stay in the partner countries; how organisations have quickly adapted to new ways of working and that it has become clearer how decisions are made. For those of you who want to know more about what the webinar was about, there is a fantastically pictured summary to be inspired by: Leading in Crisis with Elaine Vitkainen and Rick James 2020.
More about leading with hope in January
Looking into 2021, much is still unclear. The fog is dense. But we know there’s hope. SMC wants to be a meeting place for the exploration of this hope. We want to do this on the digital member days 3-4 February 2021. We also want to do this at the next leadership webinar under space for grace on 22 January 2021, which consequently has the theme: “Leading in and with hope”. There’s room for more, so sign up now!

domain: geography


PayPal wrote the crypto playbook
Good morning! As federal regulators puzzle over what to do about a problem like cryptocurrency, crypto companies are playing a state-by-state game that an early tech disruptor named PayPal perfected. I’m Owen Thomas, and I covered PayPal before PayPal was cool. (I know, I know… PayPal was cool once?)
PayPal wrote the rules. Now crypto is playing the game.
The hot startup was set to go public. But regulators were threatening to shut down part of its business. A panicked CEO called for armies of lawyers to mollify bureaucrats.
It was 2002, and the company was PayPal. But that scene has replayed time and again. No need to panic: The fire drill has become a proven tactic. It’s known as the regulatory moat, and it’s one of the smarter — and sneakier — ways to cement your dominance in a constantly shifting tech environment.
A regulatory moat can fend off competitors. Look at PayPal’s history.
- In the run-up to its 2002 IPO, PayPal ran into trouble with the state of Louisiana, where regulators wanted to shut it down until they could figure out how to categorize the nascent payments company. The state was a tiny part of PayPal’s business, but the precedent was dangerous. New York and California were making noises, too.
- Spurred on by then-CEO Peter Thiel, PayPal raced to get licenses, Eric Jackson recounted in “The PayPal Wars.”
- A most unfortunate thing befell PayPal’s archrival, eBay’s Billpoint. Regulators who had looked into PayPal’s licensing started asking questions about its compliance. That became moot after eBay bought PayPal.
- In the years that followed, few challengers emerged. After initially kicking up a fuss about intrusive regulators, PayPal had effectively co-opted them. It would be years before Square, Stripe and others emerged to nibble away at PayPal’s business.
Cozying up to regulators isn’t just for banks and utilities anymore. Tech companies are spending a small fortune on lobbying.
- Uber is another example. First it fought regulations. Soon, it was writing them. Lyft drafted behind it. Between network effects and the costs of complying with local ride-hailing regulations, the two soon had an effective duopoly.
- Airbnb adopted a friendlier strategy, mobilizing local hosts to help it lobby for short-term rental rules it could live with. Rivals Homeaway and VRBO fell under those same rules, whether or not they were friendly to their business models, which was the point.
- BlockFi recently settled with the SEC over charges that its crypto lending product violated the law. It had to pay a $100 million penalty, which is an expensive moat. But now its rivals will likely have to comply with rules it’s thrashing out with regulators now.
- Coinbase is another crypto company that’s held up as an example of a regulatory moat-builder. Its latest push has been building up relationships with state regulators, which recalls the early PayPal playbook.
Regulators should be wary of tech companies bearing draft rules. “Whatever you do, please don’t throw me across that regulatory moat!”
- Meta has been talking a lot about how it wants to update internet regulations. Its proposed rewrites should be scrutinized: What if they end up imposing heavy costs on smaller upstarts, like, say, TikTok, while blessing the social network’s current moderation efforts?
- Crypto companies — even venture firms — have been hiring policy and government relations experts. Is the point to protect an industry in its formative state or to cement the early lead of certain firms and entrench them?
A regulatory moat is a smart strategy, but it can have a big downside. Inside the well-regulated castle, it’s easy to get complacent. AT&T enjoyed decades of profitable protection under the Kingsbury Commitment, a settlement that let it dominate American telephony. By the 1990s, AT&T was running ads about the future rather than building it. (Send a fax from the beach!) PayPal protected its well-regulated money-sending business, but let Square exploit a mobile niche that turned into a $70 billion business called Block today. Change, like death, bores through a castle wall.—Owen Thomas (email | twitter)
People are talking
Binance's Changpeng Zhao said France is "very welcoming" toward crypto:
- “They are far more advanced in their understanding."
Simulate’s Ben Pasternak said making sure workers are productive shouldn’t be the reasonto bring people back to the office:
- “If you don’t trust someone to work from home, you shouldn’t have hired them, or they shouldn’t be on the team in the first place.”
Coinbase’s David London said states are taking crypto rules into their own hands:
- “We're literally tracking legislation all across the country, and seeing that states are putting policy proposals forward, in lieu of federal action.”
A MESSAGE FROM RINGCENTRAL
The speed at which security has been built up over the last 12 months has been a derivative benefit of what we’ve seen during the pandemic. Privacy, compliance and security are three legs of the same stool. What we’re seeing increasingly is that intersection continuing to happen. RingCentral has invested in all those elements.
Coming this week
Lincoln will show its EV concept on Wednesday. It’ll be Lincoln’s first fully electric vehicle.The NAB Show starts on Sunday at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Lester Holt, Jessica Rosenworcel and ambassadors for TikTok and Peloton are expected to attend.
In other news
Apple workers are collecting signatures to form a union at the company’s Grand Central Terminal location. If successful, it’d be the first of Apple’s retail stores to unionize.
Etsy sellers are also talking about unionization after a week protesting the platform’s transaction fee. Some are joining a Discord server to discuss organizing plans.
Twitter’s board invoked a so-called poison pillin an effort to stop Elon Musk's takeover. The plan lets shareholders buy additional shares at a cheaper price.
Researchers think Intel’s “emotion AI” tech is flawed. The classroom tool detects students’ emotions using facial expressions, but critics said it’s not possible to use facial expressions and other external factors alone to figure out how someone is feeling.
TED host Chris Anderson's interview with Elon Musk is up. They talk about space exploration, EV batteries, smart robots and Musk's various other interests.
AMC takes crypto now. Its theaters will let people buy tickets and concessions with Dogecoin and Shiba Inu, and it added support for crypto through Bitpay.
Elon Musk falsely tweeted about taking Tesla private in 2018 and knew it, a new court filing states. Tesla’s been in a legal battle with shareholders after they lost money from Musk’s tweet.
James Phillips is Stripe’s new president of financial services. Phillips most recently led Microsoft’s Digital Transformation Platform Group.
Andy Mitchell left Facebook for CLEAR, where he’ll work in partnerships. Mitchell last worked as Meta’s head of global media accounts.
The creativity conundrum
Everyone applauds creativity, but a new study shows that we’re actually more resistant to it than we think.The research found that people have a bias against creativity, which can prevent us from taking a chance on projects or hiring a creative worker. The issue makes sense: Creativity means change without knowing if things will pan out, and people generally like certain outcomes. But the study found that this bias can hold us back when we’re in desperate need of invention.
A MESSAGE FROM RINGCENTRAL
At RingCentral, we’re focused on making hybrid work simpler for organizations so they can best set up, run and manage their business. We’re asking ourselves what's the benefit that we can derive, or that we can enable, that is better than the best-in-class in the industry?
Thoughts, questions, tips? Send them to email@example.com, or our tips line, firstname.lastname@example.org. Enjoy your day, see you tomorrow.


ISLAMABAD: As many as 48 factories have been registered in the Federal Capital under Factories Act, 1934 during last three and half years. The government has fixed minimum Rs 20,000 wage as well as by the Chief Commissioner, ICT under Section-4 of the Minimum Wages Ordinance, 1961 for unskilled workers/ in all the Industries/Commercial establishment, sources APP told APP here Tuesday. They said for ensuring payment of minimum wages, the field staff of the Labour Welfare Department, Islamabad regularly visit their respective areas for implementation of various Labour Laws. To monitor and evaluate the performance of field staff, the Director (Industries & Labour) held meetings regularly, daily inspection of various factories/establishments was carried out by the field staff to check the minimum wages, they said. They said strict legal proceedings were initiated against the violators. They also added that those industrial units that did not pay the minimum wages i.e. Rs. 20,000/- fines were imposed on the violators and their cases were being forwarded to the concerned Assistant Commissioner/Wages Authority. They said the minimum wages board has been constituted consisting of one chairman and three other members, who were responsible to increase the minimum wage of laborers once in a year.


text: Everybody thinks they’re a photographer these days. People spend more time taking photos of their lives than living them. In such a world it can be hard to take a photo that grabs people’s attention. If you want your photos to stand out from the crowd then these 10 progarms can help. Check them out now.

domain: artistic


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BWW Review: BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL Captivates Nashville
Carole King is an American treasure: a singer/songwriter of much renown, she possesses the showbiz bona fides that place her among the highest echelons of creative endeavor and for more than 50 years, she has provided the soundtrack for the lives of so many of us that you can't help but be caught up in an emotional fervor of remembrance and revelry when you hear one of her hit songs.
However, if you're sitting in a darkened theater, hearing song after song that has resonated with you since adolescence, tunes that have seen you through a myriad of personal experiences, be forewarned: those tears in your eyes (the ones you have to physically battle to keep from overflowing lest you "ugly cry" your way through the end of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical) can be off-putting to those seated around you. Take it from me, Beautiful is tremendously entertaining and astonishingly cathartic.
Should you find yourself, on the morning after experiencing the musical, contending with the unrelenting earworm of "One Fine Day," we suggest you take it stride and thank your lucky stars that you have lived in a world set to the music of Carole King.
Now onstage at Tennessee Performing Arts Center's Andrew Jackson Hall through Sunday, May 28, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is a splendid example of the particularly theatrical practice of finding a composer's catalogue of songs and fashioning a story and then a show around those tunes. Known pejoratively as "jukebox musicals," revues of that ilk can either sink or swim, it would seem when considering the shows that have come and gone, but some - Jersey Boys and Mamma Mia! come readily to mind - transcend the mundane and predictable to become top-flight examples of musical theater achievement.
Performed with energy and passion by a skilled ensemble of performers, led by Julia Knitel as Carole King, Liam Tobin as Gerry Goffin, Erika Olson as Cynthia Weil, Ben Fankhauser as Barry Mann and James Clow as Don Kirshner, Beautiful is a fast-paced cavalcade of musical memories of the last century presented in a beautifully designed production that unspools onstage with a cinematic sensibility that is engaging and captivating.
Clearly, you can add Beautiful to the list of those musicals that tell a compelling story, set to popular music that will send you out of the theater with a smile on your face and a song in your heart, perhaps with the notion of turning around, re-entering the theater and doing the whole thing over again. That's how good Beautiful is and how we felt after the curtain rang down on opening night of the national touring company's production at TPAC.
King's inspiring, if slightly improbable in this day and age, story of how 16-year-old Carol Klein became the iconic Carole King is the stuff of musical legend: she marched into the office of entertainment mogul Don Kirshner, brandishing a newly written song that he bought on the spot, guaranteeing her a section of the Great American Songbook. Her subsequent pairing with Gerry Goffin, their noteworthy creative partnership and tumultuous marriage, provide a story of dramatic import and universal themes of love and life that makes it ideal for the stage.
And how lucky are we, as the collective audience, that she has opened up her life for such an intimate and heartfelt examination? Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is so much more than a recollection of her rise to superstardom set to a score of her biggest hit songs. Rather, it's an emotionally charged and unflinching look at a marriage of two tremendously imaginative and creative people perhaps too ill-prepared to live both public and private lives. In telling that complex story of how two young people from Booklyn grew into one of pop music's best-known collaborative teams, Beautiful reveals how harsh the spotlight can become and, perhaps more evocatively, the importance of personal loyalty and friendship in the growth of a romantic relationship or any professional endeavor.
Knitel is delightful as Carole, embodying the slightly awkward yet astoundingly confident woman to perfection. While her voice lacks the gravelly/growly texture so often noted in King's performances, she very intelligently eschews mimicry for a more authentic evocation of the singer's phrasing and inherent artistry. From her first moments onstage - the show is bookended by an onstage retelling of King's Carnegie Hall performance that followed her four Grammy wins for Tapestry and her emergence as an artist in her own right - as a teenager to her closing scenes as a more mature young woman in her early 30s, Knitel portrays the King represented in book writer Douglas McGrath's sharply written script with a lack of guile and a surfeit of charm.
Perhaps a confession of sorts is required: When I was in seventh grade, my sister gave me my first record album (that wasn't owned by a sibling, but by me), Carole King's Tapestry. I played it incessantly as a teenager and it remains one of my most beloved possessions (when I gave away my collection of vinyl to a lovely young friend mesmerized by her first record player a few years back, the one thing I kept was Tapestry. So, when Knitel sat down at her stage piano and I heard the first notes of "It's Too Late," I very nearly disintegrated into a puddle of sentimental tears, hushed recriminations and shattered regret. The takeaway? I, most assuredly, am part of Beautiful's target demographic.
Leaving the theater, therefore, I realized I left it just a little bit in love with Julia Knitel. She is swell.
Having just as big an impact, however, was Liam Tobin as Gerry Goffin. Handsome, charming, rather beguiling in his intellectual manner, Tobin's Goffin is a confounding collection of personal paradoxes: You can't help but be attracted to him, as easily as Carole was/is, but you also cannot deny the pain and heartache someone such as he could inflict on someone such as she. The sheer drama of their relationship, as revealed onstage, ensures the show's conflict will engage its audience. Tobin's impressive voice adds depth to his rendition of "Up On the Roof," in which Gerry unmasks himself to Carole.
As dramatic and professional counterparts to King and Goffin, Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann (played with nimble dexterity by the altogether versatile Erika Olson and Ben Fankhauser) offer a somewhat comedic/lighter divertissement, providing context for the relationship of the play's two leading characters. Olson's quick-witted Cynthia provides the contrast of a more contemporary woman to King's more traditional character, which makes their friendship seem far more genuine than might be expected. Mann's quintessential stage presence is enviable, but he somehow is able to hew closely to edge of theatrical artifice only to pull it back with his tremendous focus on presenting a character who is truly believable.
Special note should be made of the sweetly satisfying performance of "You've Got a Friend" that comes near the end of Act Two, to herald Carole's planned move to California. As performed by Knitel, Olson, Fankhauser and Clow it is, quite simply, exactly what a true fan could wish for, a tribute to shared life and love that reverberates long past the final curtain.
Among the supporting cast, Suzanne Grodner (looking for all the world like a youthful Ethel Merman) is wonderfully cast as Genie Klein, Carol's devoted mother, and James Clow shines as Don Kirshner, providing a period-appropriate visage for record executives of the times.
Director Marc Bruni's ensemble seamlessly move in and out of the musical's multiple scenes with ease, becoming a multitude of individuals (Neil Sedaka, gleefully played by Jacob Heimer) and musical groups (The Drifters and The Shirelles figure prominently in the show just as they did in the rise of King and Goffin's careers) in the process.
Josh Prince's choreography provides the show with much of its energy, of course, but more importantly it captures the flavor of the 1960s with a contemporary flair that makes the show seem somehow more joyful.
Bruni's deft directorial hand also ensures that the show moves at an electrifying pace, so that by curtain you are likely to think "it's over already?" - a testament to his skillful storytelling. Derek McLaine's scenic design is beautifully realized, illuminated by Peter Kaczorowski's eye-popping lighting design and Brian Ronan's sound design was as good as it gets. Charles G. LaPointe's wigs are exquisitely crafted reproductions of the period, while Alejo Vietti's stunning costumes are ingeniously constructed and answers the age-old question of "what's the difference between skinny jeans and tight jeans?" The answer, my friend, is that the latter are far sexier! Take my word for it - or buy a ticket to Beautiful while it's still in Music City to see for yourself!
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Book by Douglas McGrath. Words and music by Gerry Goffin & Carole King and Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil. Music by arrangement with Song/ATV Music Publishing. Directed by Marc Bruni. Choreography by Josh Prince. Music direction by Susan Draus. Music coordination by John Miller. Presented by HCA/Tristar Health Broadway at TPAC. At Tennessee Performing Arts Center's Andrew Jackson Hall. Through May 28. Call (615) 782-4040 for reservations or go online at www.tpac.org. Running time: 2 hours, 15 minutes (with one 15-minute intermission.)
photos by Joan Marcus


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3 Royal Oak Rd, Bexleyheath DA6 7AD
This restaurant has only been open for a few weeks, so MB and I decided to pay it a visit, mainly for the food but also to see what world beers that they might have on offer. It was not very busy in there but half-a-dozen tables were booked. The waiting staff were very attentive without being claustrophobic and it was easy to strike up a banter with them.
We were both quite hungry so plumped for a starter and a main course. We both had a large portion of nachos that were suppsoedly for 1-2 people (I went for pulled pork) to start, the size of which alone would have been enough for me for the evening. However, the avocado salad burger was very tasty when it arrived and I managed to finish most of that (I left most of the fries as I just did not have the room). MB had the same problem as me, his burrito was the size of a small pillow and would have fed three people easily.
The food was of very good quality and the portions were large, so if you have a big appetite and fancy some tasty Mexican fare when you are on your travels in Bexleyheath, pop into Mixteca and grab a table.
Now, onto the beers. They stocked all the usual Spanish/Mexican bottle beers but there were a few on their menu that I had not tried before. I am not really a lager drinker, but with a meal I can make exceptions, especially if they are from far flung places around the world.
Beers drunk on this visit :
1) Pacifico Clara (4.5%) - Grupo Modelo SA de CV, Mexico City, Mexico
2) Modelo Esepeciale (4.5%) - Grupo Modelo SA de CV, Mexico City, Mexico
The Kings Arms
When we finished our meal, we still had an hour or two left of the evening, so MB and I decided to head back to our regular haunt (which we had not been to in several weeks) The Kngs Arms. We had a couple of Guinnesses and a good natured telling-off by the bar staff not to leave it so long between visits again.

domain: food


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Progressive student activist David Hogg on Friday called on people across the country to rally in protest of the Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, attempting to extend his anti-gun advocacy to a different issue.
“I’m mad as hell and I’m ready to protest,” Hogg tweeted. “Let’s do something.”
He then tweeted out a link for people to find protests across the country. “Let’s rally at the Federal courthouse across the country sign up here to protest tonight.”
He claimed, “Let me be clear This isn’t just about Roe this is about the Supreme Court going backwards against 200+ years of jurisprudence yesterday on gun laws endangering us all.”
Hogg then tweeted that Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted Americans to be divided politically:
Putin needs Americans to be divided and too caught up with our politics so he can continue his march into Ukraine than [sic] into Poland and beyond. He knows the only way to defeat the Americans is by turning them against each other. Don’t fall for it.
Hogg earlier falsely claimed that former President Donald Trump “packed the court,” adding, “It’s time to unpack it.” He was mocked by a popular conservative podcaster.
“Breaking — Harvard guy doesn’t know what packing the court means,” “Catturd” tweeted.
Hogg also complained that the Supreme Court justices were “unelected.”
Nine unelected people, most of whom were appointed by president who didn’t even win the popular vote and were confirmed by a Senate that does not have representation for over three million Americans — should not be able to overturn a policy supported by nearly 70% of Americans.
The Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade on Friday, holding in the Dobbs case that the Constitution does not include a right to abortion and returning the issue of abortion laws and regulations to state legislatures.
Follow Breitbart News’s Kristina Wong on Twitter or on Facebook.

domain: news


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HOME > Tywan Wade
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Tywan Wade recently worked with: Jennifer Lopez, Ray Liotta, Mariska Hargitay, Ice T.
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The protagonist of this series is Harlee Santos who is a New York police officer and single mother. She works in the FBI's anti-corruption task force. She also has to deal with her financial problems. Cast: Jennifer Lopez as Harlee Santos 36 episodes 2016-2018, Ray Liotta as Matt Wozniak 36 episodes 2016-2018, Drea de Matteo as Tess Nazario 36 episodes 2016-2018, Dayo Okeniyi as Michael Loman 36 episodes 2016-2018, Vincent Laresca as Carlos Espada 36 episodes 2016-2018, Hampton Fluker as...
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It is necessary to pay attention to what we eat for a healthy life. Health. Also, having a varied and healthy diet brings direct benefits to people. Thanks to food, among many other things, we can prevent pathologies that endanger our lives.
More and more people are interested in knowing what they eat and what they eat. nutritional values. So much so that different supermarkets have put in place systems to catalog foods. The appearance of the NutriScore system, even rgovernment recommendations It was created to try to inform the consumer, sometimes through an algorithm, whether what they are consuming is healthy.
in recent years experts They emphasized that this area should be given importance. Therefore, a healthy and balanced diet has become indispensable for many.
So, carry a varied and healthy diet It is necessary for good health. Even those who follow a better diet are less likely to have problems throughout their lives, according to science.
Moreover, in recent decades, it has been possible to observe how a series of changes in eating habits have led to serious nutritional problems. Health generals. this obesityFor example, Due, among other things, to malnutrition, it has levels never before seen worldwide and in Spain.
One of the points pointed out has always been sugar. Again, science is tasked with showing that this substance is not the cause of all diseases.. For example, a sedentary lifestyle or processed foods are worse in the global healthy calculation.
Eight foods that contain invisible sugar
However, many experts emphasize the need to know how to read the ingredients of a product correctly. For this reason, we examine Eight foods that contain sugaralthough not known to most.
By World Health Organization (WHO) sugar should not exceed 10% of the total daily calories. However, due to this “invisible” substance found in many products, many people swallow larger amounts.
One of the least known packaged herbal creams. These often contain sugar as a preservative without being excessive, but nothing and only natural foods are more recommended. This is also pretzel Because sugar has a function that prevents spoilage.
It is a food that is consumed a lot with sugar. precooked pizzas. This is often found as dextrose, which helps improve its fermentation. This is why many people decide to make their dough at home and stay away from “invisible” ingredients. Something similar happens in the case bread. The substance that causes taste correction is added to improve their health, but many do not rely on it.
this mayonnaise It is one of these foods. Homemade ones don’t use sugar, but industrial ones use it as a preservative. Another sauce. fried tomatoesIt also contains sugar, but in this case it is used as an acidity corrector.
Finally, it should be noted that growth milk and industrial grains. Both are often used in children, although they often contain sugar. In addition, they are often used as a flavor enhancer, which we must monitor at certain ages.
#foods #invisible #sugar


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The Story Behind "The Now and Not Yet"
It is worth noting that despite how well he has been received by fans and critics alike, Jeremy Riddle is not a fan of the Christian music business. As a crafter and leader of worship music, he has expressed his disappointment at praise music topping the CCM charts because he believes it calls too much attention to the artist and not enough to God. An honest critique, and an intriguing sentiment given by one of Christian music’s greatest assets. And with that same honesty, the disparity between what Riddle currently sees and what he believes will happen is precisely the hallmark of his sophomore disc, The Now and Not Yet. The well-mannered and focused songwriter plays it cool while delivering powerful anthems of praise along the likes of Matt Redman and Charlie Hall. He offers a broad approach to worship music, as evidenced by the ’80s-esque drum machine introduction on “Prepare the Way of the Lord,” and the intoxicating falsetto of “Among the Poor.” Showing both vulnerability and authority, Riddle is a dominant and effective songwriter. This disc is an improvement over his debut, with much of the credit going to producer Ron Aniello (Lifehouse, Jeremy Camp, Sixpence None the Richer). The enhanced CD includes printable sheet music, chord charts, and lyrics.


Who needs pumpkin pie when you can have fresh pumpkins? A Galapagos tortoise at the San Diego Zoo couldn't resist the temptation of the seasonal fruit eating every last piece of the pumpkin, seeds and all.
Keepers say the 17 tortoises, weighing 400 to 600 pounds, love pumpkins and are very attracted to their bright orange skin. Some of the tortoises arrived at the Zoo in 1928 as adults and are estimated to be up to 130 years old. The Zoo's breeding program has produced more than 90 tortoise hatchlings, and the Zoo now has one of the largest colonies of Galápagos tortoises in the world, outside of the Ecuadorian Islands.


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Atomicpenguin, when I first set my tank up, I put in corkscrew val and jungle val.
thanks for the info gimlid, I'll keep an eye out to see if anymore snails show up, hopefully my pleco will eat the eggs, if not, then the pondsnails will go to whomever wants them.
I have about 10 left in one of my 75 gallon tanks that are unable to reproduce because my plecos (or the algae eater) eat the snail eggs.
Ditto on Ghost Dog's lettuce trick it really works, they must have a great sense of smell because they come quick anytime I feed my plecos lettuce.
My bettas did,very small snails were chomped, & the larger snails were pulled/sucked out of their shells.
I didn't want to risk ottos & pleco were either too agressive @ feeding time, or too big, so I tried snails to clean up & kee algae in check.
As much as I've tried to produce snails, I've been unsuccessful, all my fish seem to luv eating snails, & I only have 1 skunk loach & no puffers.
I had a large population of these in my community tank and they have recently disappeared. I am suspecting the Chinese algae eater that I added recently. A little off topic but: I thought the CAE was going to be a problem for me (I adopted him with a tank) but he/she has turned out to be a really cool fish. Hangs out in his pot cave most of the time and comes out, I'm guessing, to eat snails and maybe a little algae.
Anyhow, my suspicion is that a CAE will also take care of an unwanted pond snail population. Gonna try some ramsohorns in a bit.

domain: pet


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There are many World Cup products for the fans, the players and the people who are about to take part in the South Africa World Cup in 2010. Among all these products, the best ones are the hats. The reason why the Soccer hats are the greatest products in the World Cup is because its verity and endless options.
Argentina – click and view Argentina hats
Australia– click and view Australia hats
Brazil – click and view Brazil hats
England– click and view England hats
France– click and view France hats
Germany – click and view Germany hats
Italy– click and view Italy hats
Japan – click and view Japan hats
Netherlands -click and view Netherlands hats
Nigeria – click and view Nigeria hats
Paraguay – click and view Paraguay hats
Portugal – click and view Portugal hats
South Africa – click and view South Africa hats
South Korea – click and view South Korea hats
Spain – click and view Spain hats
USA – click and view USA hats
Rest of the teams – for more World Cup 2010 products – Click here
In order to understand which of the World Cup hats the best are for you a soccer fan, there are two main kinds of World Cup Hats to choose from. The first kind of World Cap hats are the well known hats, you can choose your favorite national team and the design of the hat itself. The second kind of hats is the funny hats, like any other funny hats you can find. These World Cap funny hats are with place for two beer bottles and pipes to drink thru, with solar fan and batteries, with two hands to claps when a goal is scored and so on.
Most of the World Cap hats are with the country flag and a slogan near it. “The beautiful game”, “are the champions”, “score its way to the final” and so on. Don’t let this slogan confuse you, still all the hats must carry the official sign of the World Cap 2010, or it will be just another World Cap hat.
South Africa is in the southern part of the planet and in summer 2010, its going to be hot down there. The thousands of soccer fans to travel all the way to South Africa are going to need a god hat to carry to the games and to chill them out during each game. in this case, maybe the two beers hat is the right solution for you. In any case, check the official World Cap hats on the FIFA 2010 products pages and enjoy your purchase.


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If you are pregnant, no doubt, you must be thrilled. You may have also started imagining about the ‘pregnancy bump’. But in the first trimester of your pregnancy, you won’t have a big belly. You will experience morning sickness, headaches, and cramps. You may also feel exhausted. And yes, you will experience everything that a woman does during pregnancy, but hearing your baby’s heartbeat for the first time will make the experience real, especially when you haven’t begun to show yet.
It will be difficult for you to contain your excitement if and when you feel a pulsing sensation in your womb. And you might mistake it for your baby’s heartbeat. But is that really your baby’s heartbeat or something else? Find out!
Is it Possible to Feel Your Baby’s Heartbeat in Your Stomach?
If you feel a pulsing sensation in your stomach during pregnancy, it could be your blood vessels. If you feel a pulsing vibe, it will most likely be the pulse of your abdominal aorta, the large artery which carries oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the lower part of your body. This aorta pulse will be more prominent in the second and third trimesters of your pregnancy. There will also be an increase in blood volume during pregnancy and your blood vessels will be more relaxed. These changes could lead to a forceful pulse, hence you might notice it. However, it should not be mistaken for the baby’s heartbeat. You won’t be able to feel your baby’s heartbeat up until three weeks of your pregnancy, and perhaps for several weeks to come, unless an external device is used to feel it.
Reasons Why You Cannot Feel Your Baby’s Heartbeat
As mentioned above, if you feel the pulsing sensation, it will be the pulsing of your abdominal aorta, which will be more prominent during pregnancy. You may not feel your baby’s heartbeat in the stomach during the early stages of your pregnancy because your baby is protected by his own body, then further shielded by amniotic fluid, the amniotic sac, your uterus, muscles, and the skin of your body.
During the first three weeks of your pregnancy, you will not feel his heartbeat in your womb because his heart will begin to develop roughly three weeks after conception. Also, the force of contraction in such a minuscule heart will virtually be indiscernible because of so much cushioning around it. Even at full-term gestation, when the tiny heart is beating at 110 to 150 beats per minute, it can be impossible for you to feel his heartbeat without an external device through all those muscles and fluid.
How Does a Doctor Check Baby’s Heartbeat?
During pregnancy, your doctor will conduct a transvaginal scan. A transvaginal ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to project as-is images of a pregnant woman’s internal organs. The sound waves help create the image of the foetus. Your doctor can also detect your baby’s heartbeat from the twelfth week of pregnancy by using a Doppler device, which helps detect the heartbeat of the foetus easily. However, you should avoid exposing the baby to ultrasound waves too often. The high-ultrasound waves from a Doppler device or any other ultrasound device may be harmful during pregnancy.
It is important that you monitor your baby’s heart rate during pregnancy to rule out any anomalies. It can help in detecting an anaemic baby, abruption of the placenta, and poor oxygen supply. Go for timely scans to monitor your baby’s heartbeat and to keep track of his growth. But don’t expose your baby to ultrasound waves too often. Keep track of other discernible signs like your baby’s hiccups and kicking, and let your doctor take care of monitoring the little one’s heartbeat.


Environmental law and practice in Japan: overview
A Q&A guide to environment law in Japan. This Q&A provides a high level overview of environment law in Japan and looks at key practical issues including emissions to air and water, environmental impact assessments, waste, contaminated land, and environmental issues in transactions. In addition, answers to questions can be compared across a number of jurisdictions to assist in the management of cross-border transactions (see Country Q&A Tool).
This Q&A is part of the global guide to environment. For a full list of jurisdictional Q&As visit www.practicallaw.com/environment-guide.
Environmental regulatory framework
The Ministry of the Environment has a major role in environmental administration and has exclusive jurisdiction over matters involving waste, environmental pollution, natural conservation and wildlife protection (see box, The regulatory authority).
The key environmental legislation includes the:
Water Pollution Control Law.
Air Pollution Control Law.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Law.
Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing Law (Waste Law).
Soil Contamination Countermeasures Law (SCCL).
Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers Law.
Under these environmental laws, governors of prefectures are given authority to issue permits, and accept applications and notifications. This authority is often delegated to governors of municipalities (cities, towns or villages). Local governments (prefectures and municipalities) can also establish their own regulations.
Certain laws give local governments authority to establish their own local ordinances concerning environmental matters. Even without express legal authorisation, local governments can establish local ordinances that are more strict or broad than national law, provided they are consistent with national law.
In addition to the environmental laws above, the Water Cycle Law was promulgated on 2 April 2014 and came into effect on 1 July 2014. This law aims to promote comprehensive policies to maintain or restore sound rotation of water in the environment in Japan. In July 2015, the cabinet approved the basic water cycle plan.
If a substantial violation is known to the relevant regulator, the violation is generally rectified by the regulator's guidance or order.
However, illegal dumping remains a serious social issue. According to the 2016 White Paper on the Environment, Recycling Society and Biological Diversity, there were around 29,000 tonnes or 165 cases of illegal dumping of industrial waste in 2014.
Measures being taken include:
Tighter penalties, establishing and strengthening a manifest system (see Question 12).
Joint patrols between the regional environment offices (local offices of the Ministry of the Environment) and relevant local governments are being taken.
Environmental NGOs are not particularly active. Their role of promoting public interest has traditionally been taken on by the government. Additionally, only the government can prosecute environmental law violations. Private individuals, including environmental NGOs, cannot file claims to remedy breaches unless their own rights have been infringed. Therefore, the powers of environmental NGOs are weak.
However, non-profit corporate reform has recently occurred to stimulate public interest in private sector activities. The reform simplified the incorporation of non-profit companies.
Integrated/separate permitting regime
There are several statutes that regulate emissions. However, there is no integrated regime that regulates all emissions. Many environmental regulations prohibit emissions exceeding certain standards and require emitters to comply with these standards.
See above, Integrated/separate permitting regime.
Permits and regulator
The primary law concerning water quality control is the Water Pollution Control Law. This law regulates the emission of wastewater from factories and business establishments to public water areas (for example, rivers, lakes and marshes, gulfs, coastal areas and waterways) and penetration into groundwater. Prior notification to the governor of the relevant prefecture is required for installation of a specific facility under the Water Pollution Control Law.
If a specific facility is to be installed that will emit substances likely to cause harm to human health, the governor of the relevant prefecture must receive prior notification. The governor can order changes to or abolition of the submitted plan if the drains of a specified facility do not comply with effluent water standards. Breach of these orders can result in imprisonment or fines.
Facilities must comply with effluent water standards after installation. Specifically, certain substances affecting human health and preservation of the living environment are subject to emission concentration standards. Additionally, in areas where many pollution sources exist, such as Tokyo Bay, there are emission standards by total volume. Additional standards are also implemented through local ordinances.
If there is emission of effluent water exceeding the effluent standards from the drains of a specific facility, imprisonment or fines can be imposed without issuing an administrative order. If there is violation of total volume standards or penetration into groundwater, rectification orders are issued initially, and penalties can be imposed if the orders are not complied with.
If there is groundwater penetration of certain substances categorised as hazardous substances, the governor of the prefecture can order the polluter to carry out purification measures. If the polluter fails to comply, the polluter is subject to imprisonment or fines. Additionally, if a person becomes ill or dies due to exposure to the hazardous substances specified in the Water Pollution Control Law, the violator is liable for the damages, irrespective of whether the violator was negligent.
See above, Clean-up/compensation.
Permits and regulator
The Air Pollution Control Law is the main legislation concerning air pollution. This law regulates soot and smoke, particulates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Installation of a facility emitting soot and smoke requires prior notification to the governor of the prefecture. Governors of prefectures can order changes or the abolition of the submitted plans if deemed necessary.
Certain concentration standards have been determined for specific substances, and emissions of these substances from facilities cannot exceed these standards. In an area with substantial pollution, aggregate volume standards for sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide can be set, and the aggregate volume per factory unit can be set by plans prepared by the governor of the prefecture.
Additionally, there are special regulations for vehicles. Certain vehicles (for example, trucks, buses and diesel automobiles) used in specified areas that do not meet emission standards for nitrogen oxide and particulate matter will not pass automobile inspections, and will not be permitted to operate in these areas (Law Concerning Special Measures for Total Emission Reduction of Nitrogen Oxides and Particulate Matters for Automobiles). Additionally, certain large enterprises must prepare an automobile use management plan and submit an annual report on implementing measures to reduce emissions.
Governors of prefectures can issue recommendations if the reduction of emissions is considerably less than the relevant standards. If the emitter does not follow the recommendations, the governor can make this fact public, or issue an order for the emitter to take certain measures. Anyone in breach of these orders is subject to fines.
According to the Air Pollution Control Law, the regulator does not have the authorisation to order polluters to clean up or pay compensation for air pollution. However, if a person becomes ill or dies due to exposure to the hazardous substances specified in the Air Pollution Control Law, the violator becomes liable for this, regardless of whether that violator was negligent.
Penalties can be directly imposed for non-compliance with emission standards. Governors of prefectures can also issue a rectification order or a temporary suspension order of the use of facilities. Any individual who breaches these orders is subject to imprisonment or fines.
Climate change, renewable energy and energy efficiency
On 17 July 2015, the Japanese Government decided to set Japan's Intended Nationally Determined Contribution for greenhouse gas emissions at the level of a reduction of 26% by fiscal year 2030 compared with the emissions in fiscal year 2013 (25.4% compared with the emissions in fiscal year 2005) (about 1.042 billion ton CO₂ and submitted it to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat.
Regarding the use of renewable energy, the Act on Purchase of Renewable Energy Sourced Electricity by Electric Utilities was enacted and a feed-in tariff scheme (FIT scheme) for renewable energy started on 1 July 2012. Under the Act, electrical power suppliers must purchase electricity from renewable energy sources (solar PV, wind power, hydraulic power, geothermal and biomass) at a fixed price for a government-guaranteed period, unless electrical power suppliers can establish that they have justifiable reasons for not doing so as described in the Act.
The price and the period is determined according to the type, form of installation, scale, and so on, of the renewable energy source. Facilities generating renewable power must satisfy the standards and certification required by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).
The Act on the Improvement of Energy Consumption Performance of Buildings was declared on 8 July 2015, and came into effect on 1 April 2016. This law aims to strengthen energy efficiency measures in buildings. When construction clients attempt to undertake new construction, extensions, or renovations on buildings at or over a certain size, they must acquire a certification of conformity with energy efficiency standards, or notify the administrative agency with jurisdiction depending on the use and size of the building. After the implementation of the regulatory measures, large scale non-residential buildings that are not compliant with energy efficiency standards become ineligible for certification of the Building Standards Law.
Parties to UNFCCC/Kyoto Protocol
Japan is party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol. Japan achieved the 6% reduction target for the first commitment period (2008 to 2012) prescribed by the Kyoto Protocol, but is not bound by the Kyoto Protocol in the second commitment period (2013 to 2020).
On 22 April 2016, the Japanese Government signed the Paris Agreement, which was signed by 175 countries, including the US and China. The US and China ratified the Paris Agreement on 5 September 2016. Currently, Japan has not yet ratified the Paris Agreement. However, on 26 to 27 May 2016, at the G7 Ise-Shima Summit, the G7 leaders, including the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, confirmed their determined efforts to bring the Paris Agreement into force early in Japan.
Japan's emissions trading scheme began in 2005 and is known as the Voluntary Emissions Trading Scheme. In 2013, the J-Credit Scheme was established by integrating the Voluntary Emissions Trading Scheme with the Domestic Credit Scheme. The Voluntary Emissions Trading Scheme and the Domestic Credit Scheme has stopped accepting new applications.
Under the J-Credit Scheme, the government certifies the amount of greenhouse gas emissions (for example, CO2) reduced or removed by carbon sinks as credit. Those participating in the project should prepare a project plan and submit it to the examining authorities, who must have the ISO 14065 certification, to be verified and registered.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government required the owners of certain large greenhouse gas emitters, including office buildings, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from April 2010. The target for the first compliance period (2010 to 2014) has been set at 6% or 8% (according to the type of the building) below base emissions. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced that a 25% reduction in emissions was achieved after the fifth year of the programme, compared to base-year emissions.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government plans to set subsequent compliance periods every five years with targets to reduce emissions during each period. The target for the second compliance period (2015 to 2019) was set for 15% or 17% (according to the type of the building) below the base emissions. Building owners who must reduce greenhouse gas emissions can use certain Tokyo Metropolitan Government-sanctioned credits to achieve their targets.
Environmental impact assessments
EIAs are required by the Environmental Impact Assessment Law (EIA Law). There are also ordinances established by local government, which require assessments to be carried out. Local ordinances can be stricter than the EIA Law, as they can, for example, include more:
Types of target projects.
Small-scale projects that are outside the scope of the EIA Law.
Required procedures for public hearings and subsequent monitoring.
Types of project. There are 13 project types that require EIAs under the EIA Law. These include:
Landfill sites for industrial waste.
Land readjustment projects.
These projects are limited to those conducted by the government or those for which permissions or subsidies are granted by the government. Of these, large-scale projects that can greatly influence the environment are classified as Class-1 Projects, and are always subject to assessment. Smaller scale projects are classified as Class-2 Projects, and the competent ministers individually determine whether to assess such projects.
Procedure. Once the target project is determined by screening, a document to determine the scope of the EIA is prepared. At this stage, the actual method of implementation is determined. The items to be evaluated are selected by business enterprises responsible for the target project, taking into consideration the opinions of the public and governors of local governments.
Those who conduct Class-1 Projects must submit a planning-stage environmental consideration report when they decide on the area of operations for a project or when other points designated by a governmental ordinance are decided on.
Business enterprises then compile the results of their evaluation in draft environmental impact statements, and make these statements publicly available. During this period, explanatory meetings for local residents are held. Alternative proposals, if any, are examined at this stage. Business enterprises then prepare final EIAs after examining the opinions of the public and governors of local governments. Public hearings and public inspections on the internet are required at this stage.
Permits and regulator
Final environmental impact statements are sent to and examined by the Minister of the Environment and the competent ministers with authority to grant permission for the project. The statements are then confirmed and made public. The project cannot start until the final EIAs are made public.
The competent ministers examine the statements in light of the environmental impact and determine whether to grant permission for the project. Business enterprises must not ignore various opinions given about their draft environmental impact statements when preparing their final EIAs. When the report is submitted, it must state that certain measures will be implemented during the project's operation.
As the EIA Law is a procedural law, there are no penalties for example, fines for non-compliance. However, companies cannot obtain approval for their projects if they fail the assessment process.
Permits and regulator
The Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing Law (Waste Law) is the main law relating to waste. General waste and industrial waste are treated differently under the Waste Law. Under the Waste Law, an industrial waste disposal contractor must obtain a licence from the governor of the relevant prefecture.
The concept of waste. Waste is defined as filth or undesirable objects in solid or liquid form (for example, garbage, bulky refuse and combustion residue). Whether an object is undesirable is determined by comprehensive consideration of the occupant's intention and the object's characteristics. As this determination is not simple, it can be disputed.
General waste disposal. General waste means waste other than industrial waste. Disposal of general waste is conducted by municipalities as an administrative service. Municipalities can dispose of general waste on their own or can engage contractors. The engagement and disposal standards with which municipalities and general waste disposal contractors must comply are regulated.
Industrial waste disposal. Industrial waste is waste created in connection with business activities. The types of waste considered industrial waste are set out in the Waste Law. Industrial waste must generally be disposed of by the business enterprise discharging that waste. However, it is common for businesses to pay others to dispose of their waste. The Waste Law regulates disposal, storage and engagement standards.
General waste disposal. Disposal contractors of general waste must obtain a licence from the governors of municipalities. To obtain a licence, the applicant must show it has proper facilities and is able to continuously perform its obligations under the licence. There are certain disqualifications from obtaining a licence, including if the applicant:
Was sentenced to imprisonment or a more severe penalty, and five years have not elapsed since the day on which the execution of the sentence was completed or the sentence no longer applied.
Had obtained the licence under the Waste Law and five years have not elapsed since the date of the licence revocation.
Illegal disposals can result in orders for suspension of business, or, for severe breaches, licence revocation. Installation of general waste disposal facilities requires permission from governors of prefectures. To obtain permission, simple assessment procedures concerning the living environment must be conducted, and living environment impact survey reports setting out the results submitted.
Industrial waste disposal. An industrial waste disposal contractor must obtain a licence from the governors of prefectures. The licence standards for industrial waste disposal contractors are becoming stricter. Additionally, to encourage able contractors, an evaluation system for determining excellence of industrial waste disposal contractors was established in 2005. Certain incentives, such as simplification of certain procedures, have been given to contractors rated as excellent, and waste discharging enterprises are able to select these contractors.
Installation of industrial waste disposal facilities requires the permission of the governors of prefectures. As with the installation of general waste disposal facilities, to obtain permission, simple assessment procedures concerning the living environment must be conducted, and living environment impact survey reports setting out the results submitted.
Special rules for certain waste
Special management waste is provided for under the Waste Law. This is waste that has a likelihood of:
Causing other damage to the health or the living environment of humans.
Strict disposal and storage standards are imposed on special management waste. A special management industrial waste disposal contractor must also obtain a licence for its activities, which is separate from the business licence for the disposal of industrial waste.
Imprisonment/fines. The following are punishable by imprisonment of up to five years and/or fines of up to JPY30 million:
Operating without a licence.
Installing waste disposal facilities without permission.
Violating orders, for example, to suspend business.
Violating orders to take certain measures.
Restoration to original state. In relation to general waste, governors of municipalities can order persons who conducted a disposal, or who entered into an engagement in non-compliance with the engagement standards, to undertake restoration measures.
For industrial waste, governors of prefectures can issue restoration orders to any of the following:
Persons who make inappropriate disposal.
Persons who entrust waste not in compliance with the engagement standards.
Persons who violate the manifest system.
Persons who make demands for, or who abet the three activities listed above.
Business enterprises discharging industrial waste, if the persons who make inappropriate disposal do not have adequate funds, and the enterprises either:
did not pay the appropriate fees to such persons;
knew or could have known about the inappropriate disposals.
If persons who made illegal disposals are unknown or do not have adequate funds, governors of local governments can take restoration measures instead.
Asbestos cannot be used in buildings. It is also prohibited to produce, import, offer or use asbestos products that include an amount of asbestos of more than 0.1% per unit with respect to weight, although there are some exceptions.
The owner of a building that contains asbestos (from when its use was allowed) does not have to renovate the building, but must take necessary steps to prevent the spread of asbestos fibres. In particular, if a building contains sprayed asbestos that can be easily dispersed in the building, and the owner has employees in the building, the owner must take appropriate preventative measures.
A contractor that intends to demolish a building must:
Check whether the building has asbestos.
Prepare a work plan to prevent damage to the health of labourers caused by asbestos if the building has asbestos.
Notify the relevant authority of the construction work in advance.
A person who fails to do this is subject to imprisonment or a fine.
Under the Air Pollution Control Law, the person ordering the construction must notify the governor of the relevant prefecture in advance.
A landlord must keep his building in good repair (Civil Code). If asbestos is dispersed in the building, this must be remedied and the landlord must take appropriate measures to prevent this. Failure to do so is a landlord default under the lease.
Additionally, if the building is used by third parties (such as hotel guests), the occupier or owner of the building is liable for damage incurred by those third parties due to any defect of the building, which includes asbestos dispersal in the building (Civil Code).
Permits and regulator
Waste asbestos is special management industrial waste. A licence is necessary for the disposal of waste asbestos according to the Waste Law under the special waste management regime (see Question 12, Special rules for certain waste).
The owner's failure to take appropriate preventative measures is punishable by imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of up to JPY500,000.
Regulator and legislation
The governor of each prefecture is responsible under the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Law (SCCL), which is the national law relating to contaminated land. The municipalities and prefectures can also regulate soil contamination by establishing their own local ordinances.
Investigation and clean-up
An owner, manager or occupier of land (collectively, a landowner) with a factory where specific hazardous materials have been manufactured, used or disposed of, must investigate the land (SCCL):
When the factory ceases operations.
If the competent regulator deems that there is a risk of contamination that can harm human health, and orders an investigation by the landowner.
If a landowner makes changes to the character of an area of land, 3,000㎡ or more, the landowner must notify the governor of each prefecture at least 30 days before beginning the changes. If the governor determines the land as potentially contaminated and orders the landowner to investigate, the landowner must comply.
If the land is found (in mandatory investigations conducted under the SCCL) to be contaminated to an extent regulated by the SCCL, the land is made a designated area. Under the SCCL, the designated area is divided into two areas based on whether there is a risk of contamination that can harm human health:
Yo-sochi-kuiki, where some measures such as the removal of contamination must be undertaken due to a risk to human health.
Keishitsu-henko-ji-yo-todokede-kuiki is an area that is contaminated, but may not, in its current state, harm human health without a change in the condition of the land. A landowner is only required to notify the governor of each prefecture when it makes changes to the character of the land.
The regulator can order the landowner of yo-sochi-kuiki to clean up the contamination. However, if the polluter is clearly differentiated from the landowner, and the regulator deems it appropriate, the order is imposed on the polluter.
Under the SCCL, any person who takes contaminated soil out of the designated areas must delegate disposal of the contaminated soil to authorised contaminated soil disposal companies.
If an obligation under the SCCL to investigate soil contamination or to clean up soil contamination is not performed, the landowner or polluter is subject to imprisonment of up to one year, or a fine of up to JPY1 million. Non-compliance (for example, false reporting, illegality or unreported matters) is also subject to imprisonment or a fine.
The landowner can be liable under the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Law (SCCL) for carrying out or paying for environmental investigation and clean-up, except where a polluter other than the landowner is ordered to clean up the contamination (see Question 14).
If the land is contaminated by dioxin, the soil contamination is cleaned up by the governor of the prefecture and the polluter pays the costs of doing this. Dioxin is regulated by a special statute.
An owner or occupier who has not caused contamination can be liable for the investigation and clean-up of contamination on their land (SCCL).
Previous owner/occupier liability
A previous owner or occupier who caused contamination can be liable for the contamination.
Limitation of liability
There are no limits on liability or ways for a party to limit its liability, if the liability derives from the SCCL.
A buyer often requires a seller to check the level of soil contamination at the time of sale (see Question 23). Therefore, in most cases where contaminated land is investigated and cleaned up, that investigation or clean-up is voluntary, rather than performed as an obligation under the SCCL.
Voluntary clean-up programme
There is no voluntary clean-up programme in Japan.
It is not common for a lender to incur liability for contaminated land. A lender can be liable if it is deemed to be a landowner under the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Law (see Question 14), although there is no precedent for this.
If a landowner transfers the land to a lender as security for a loan, the lender becomes a landowner. Additionally, if the lender controls the use of the land, the lender may become a landowner because it may be deemed a land manager.
Lenders do not generally take any special steps to minimise this liability.
Consenting and environmental impact assessment
The Japan Petroleum Exploration Co Ltd (JAPEX) began the first commercial production of shale oil in Japan by fracking at the Ayukawa oil and gas field in Akita Prefecture on April 2014. There is no regulatory framework with regard to the use of fracking in Japan.
Environmental liability and asset/share transfers
Because a buyer becomes the landowner, the buyer is subject to the liability of a landowner under the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Law (see Question 14). The buyer does not inherit the environmental liability of a polluter under tort law.
The landowner (the target) does not change after the sale of shares of a company. The buyer assumes the position that the seller had as shareholder of the target, including any environmental liability.
Because a seller loses its interest in the land after the sale, the seller ceases to be liable as a landowner after the sale under the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Law. However, the seller can still be liable for any contamination it caused pre-sale (see Question 14). Additionally, if the seller transfers its contaminated land to a buyer controlled by the seller (to avoid liability under the SCCL) and the buyer cannot cover the liability, the seller can still be liable as a landowner under the SCCL.
Because the seller of shares in the company loses its interest in the shares post-sale, the seller is separated from any liability of the target post-sale. However, the seller cannot be relieved from liability under tort law post-sale, if the seller committed a tort through the target that causes the contamination. This liability may arise where the seller controls the target's operations.
Except where local ordinances specifically provide (for example, an ordinance of Kanagawa prefecture requires a seller that is a business using particular toxic substances, to disclose their use), a seller of contaminated land is not obliged to disclose environmental information. However, if the seller knows of the existence of the contamination, there is a possibility that the seller must disclose the environmental information, under the principle of good faith under the Civil Law. In this case, if the seller does not disclose the information, the seller is liable for compensation of damages under the provision on tortious acts. Additionally, the seller may be subject to hidden defect liability under the contract law theory of the Civil Code (see Question 23).
The seller and the buyer can agree to exempt the seller from this liability. However, this agreement is void if the seller is either:
Aware of the contamination at the time of the sale.
A person who engages in the business of real estate transactions and the buyer is not this type of person (see also Question 24).
A seller of shares in a company that owns contaminated land is not obliged to disclose environmental information. However, if the seller knows of the existence of the contamination, there is a possibility that the seller must also disclose the environmental information, in accordance with the principle of good faith under the Civil Law. In this case, if the seller does not disclose the information, the seller is liable for compensation of damages under the provision on tortious acts. Additionally, the seller may be subject to hidden defect liability against the buyer under the contract law theory of the Civil Code, if the environmental information affects the sale price of the shares. The seller and the buyer can agree to exempt the seller from this liability. However, if the seller is aware of the contamination at the time of the sale, this agreement is void.
Environmental due diligence is common in both an asset sale and a share sale. If land is included in the transaction, soil contamination and asbestos are covered in the due diligence. If the company is a manufacturing company, its conduct as a manufacturer is comprehensively covered.
Types of assessment
Assessment by an environmental consultant is available for soil contamination and asbestos issues. A buyer of the shares in a company usually reviews environmental reports prepared by the company, including reports under the requirements of the international environmental management systems standard, ISO 14001.
Environmental consultants are usually retained by the seller to investigate soil contamination and asbestos issues. The buyer usually hires environmental consultants if it wishes to obtain a report that it will rely on. This report generally only covers soil contamination or asbestos. For other issues, the buyer tends to interview the persons responsible for environmental issues at the company.
Under the contract law theory of the Civil Code, a seller is liable for hidden defects in the object being sold (for example, land) to the buyer. As a result, a buyer is usually unconcerned about the terms and conditions of general environmental issues.
However, buyers of land are very concerned about the specific issues of:
Therefore, it is now common for the buyer to require a seller of land or a building to give warranties and indemnities concerning soil contamination and asbestos.
In the sale of shares in a large company, the buyer usually requires the seller to give warranties and indemnities about environmental matters generally, and specifically that the company does not violate any environmental laws and has no environmental disputes.
There are usually time limits on environmental warranties and indemnities and there are often financial caps in practice. However, under the Real Estate Transaction Business Law, a person who engages in real estate transactions cannot set time limits of less than two years after delivery of the real estate for liability for hidden defects under contract law theory of the Civil Code.
Reporting and auditing
Making designated areas public. The governors of prefectures publicise contaminated areas found in mandatory investigations under the SCCL as designated areas (see Question 14). They also prepare and make available for inspection information ledgers on designated areas.
However, the number of incidents of soil contamination found during voluntary investigations is much larger than the number found in mandatory investigations under the SCCL, because mandatory investigations are only undertaken in limited circumstances. Soil contamination found in voluntary investigations does not have to be reported to local governments, and so is not available to the public, except when some local governments set out the obligation to report in ordinances. Some companies conduct voluntary disclosure of soil contamination discovered during voluntary investigation, for corporate social responsibility purposes.
If land is found to be contaminated to an extent regulated by the SCCL because of voluntary investigations by the landowner, the land can be made a designated area (yo-sochi-kuiki or keishitsu-henko-ji-yo-todokede-kuiki) on the landowner's application (SCCL) (see Question 14, Investigation and clean up). The governors of prefectures publicise contaminated land that has been made a designated area on application, and prepare information ledgers on designated areas, which they make available for inspection.
Chemical substance management. Business enterprises must monitor and notify the government of the (Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers Law):
Volume of their emissions into the environment.
Movement of chemical substances outside their business establishments.
The government calculates the total of notified data for each substance by type of business and by area, and publishes this. If a person requests data on an individual business establishment, this must also be disclosed.
Substances that can affect human health or animal and plant life (or that easily form such substances by chemical change), and substances that damage the ozone layer, must be reported. Business enterprises handling designated substances of a certain scale are subject to these obligations (Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers Law).
Business enterprises handling designated substances must, when transferring the designated substances, provide information on the condition and handling of the chemical substances in writing to the other party (for example, delivery of Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)).
Third party procedures
Any individual can generally request publication of information held by governments, under laws or local ordinances on information disclosure. Environmental information can sometimes not be disclosed if, for example, it is likely to damage the competitive position of a company. However, this information must always be made available to the public if this is necessary for the public interest.
Companies are not required to conduct environmental auditing or submit environmental reports. These audits and reports are currently only done voluntarily. However, there is a recent tendency for large companies to prepare environmental reports and make them public, to show their concern for the environment. Environmental reports are sometimes included in companies' corporate social responsibility reports.
The Ministry of the Environment provides guidelines for environmental reports and lists the following to be set out in them:
Basic matters (for example, the business of the company).
Management policies on environmental preservation.
Environmental management (for example, environmental management systems, research and development for the environmentally adopted design of products and services, and public interest activities on the environment).
Activities to reduce environmental impact.
Companies can also disclose environmental information in their:
Business reports, prepared at the end of each business year under the Companies Act.
Securities reports (in the material matters section about the business) made under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law, which requires the continuous disclosure of corporate information by issuers of listed securities.
There are no requirements of environmental audits or for the submission of environmental reports (see above, Environmental auditing).
If there is an environmental incident at a company's facilities, the person who operates the facilities must take emergency measures and notify the governor of the prefecture of the incident (under various legislation, including the Air Pollution Control Law, the Water Pollution Control Law, and the Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing Law).
Types of insurance and risk
In recent years, insurance has become available for:
Damage arising out of incidents such as air pollution, groundwater pollution and soil contamination.
Damages arising out of environmental pollution due to contracted works with environmental risks, such as soil contamination purification work.
Purification costs incurred by landowners due to administrative orders under certain laws and regulations such as the SCCL.
Personal and non-personal damage, such as personal injury to neighbouring residents due to soil contamination and groundwater pollution.
These kinds of environmental insurance are not commonly obtained because the insurance available is limited and the premiums are expensive.
The environmental tax policy using taxes is still being developed and "Tax for Climate Change Mitigation" (a carbon tax), targeting crude and refined products, gaseous hydrocarbon and coal, has been gradually enforced since October 2012. This tax will eventually be paid in addition to petroleum and coal tax. The current rate is JPY760 for crude and refined products per kilolitre, JPY780 for gaseous hydrocarbon per tonne, and JPY670 for coal per tonne.
This taxation is a first step towards introducing a carbon tax. It is estimated that CO2 reduction will be 0.5% to 2.2% in 2020 compared to 1990.
At present, there are some local governments that impose environmental taxes as detailed below.
Industrial waste tax
This tax has been introduced in many prefectures. It aims to reduce the volume of industrial waste disposed of at final disposal sites, and prevent inflows of industrial waste from other prefectures, by charging tax based on the volume of the industrial waste disposed of at the sites.
Tax liability. The tax payers differ in each prefecture. In the Hiroshima prefecture, tax payers are business operators discharging, or intermediately disposing of, industrial waste that was carried to final disposal sites located in Hiroshima.
Tax rates. The tax rates differ in each prefecture. However, many prefectures settle on tax rates at JPY1000 per tonne of industrial waste.
The Great East Japan Earthquake
The Great East Japan Earthquake occurred on 11 March 2011, causing a nuclear accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. The clean-up of the rubble and the removal of radioactive substances from the soil is still the main environmental issue at present. The government has established a new Act on special measures that obliges the government to support local governments' efforts to clean up the rubble and waste caused by the earthquake. In response to requests from the relevant mayors of municipalities, the government can take responsibility for the clean-up of the rubble and waste, instead of the municipalities.
With regard to soil, another Act on special measures obliges the government to designate areas polluted by radioactive substances at a certain level and remove such substances in the designated areas. As this nuclear accident has given rise to doubts about the security of nuclear power plants, the promotion of the use of renewable energy is likely to increase, involving the feed-in tariff scheme (see Question 8).
Previously, measures to prevent environmental pollution by radioactive substances were specified in the Atomic Energy Basic Act, but now the prevention of environmental pollution by radioactive substances is provided for in the Environment Basic Act. Following the amendment of the Environment Basic Act, the Water Pollution Control Law, the Air Pollution Control Law and the Environmental Impact Assessment Law were amended, and other environmental laws are currently under review for amendments.
Revisions of Civil Code
The Civil Code is set to undergo its first major revisions since it was enacted in 1896 in areas related to business activities and people's daily lives. The Justice Ministry drafted legislation to amend the code and submitted it to the Diet in 2016. It is currently under discussion in the Diet. Our answers above are based on the current code. If the bill is passed and becomes effective, our answers above will have to be reviewed under the revised code.
The regulatory authority
Ministry of the Environment
Main activities. The Ministry of the Environment plays a major role in the environmental administration and has exclusive jurisdiction over matters involving waste, environmental pollution, natural conservation and wildlife protection. The Ministry has joint jurisdiction with other ministries over other environmental issues.
Ministry of the Environment
Description. The Ministry of the Environment provides documents related to the global environment, waste, air and transportation, water/soil/ground environment, health and chemicals, nature and parks, and so on.
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
Description. Official website of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). METI also provides documents related to the promotion of renewable energy in Japan, see: www.meti.go.jp/english/policy/energy_environment/renewable/index.html.
Japanese Law Translation Database System
Description. The Japanese Law Translation Database System provides translations of Japanese laws and regulations into foreign languages (at present, this database does not cover all laws and regulations).
Nishimura & Asahi
Professional qualifications. Japan, 1980; New York, US, 1992
Areas of practice. Environment; real estate.
Recent transactions. Acting for the seller in relation to environmental litigation in June 2010, when the Supreme Court issued its first judgment in relation to latent defect liability for soil contamination. The court ruled the seller was not contractually liable for fluorine soil contamination, which was unregulated at the time of the sale.
Nishimura & Asahi
Professional qualifications. Japan, 2010
Areas of practice. Real estate finance; real estate; project finance; renewable energy; environmental law.
Languages. Japanese, English


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The Retro Bloom crochet scrubby pattern is a funny little thing but also a pretty cute little flower motif if I do say so myself.
It really is true that crocheting and working with other hobbies can relax you and soothe your nervous system. As if it was automatic, I picked up my hook and started to play the other day when I was having a rough day. Ta-Da! 30 minutes later, I had made all of these crochet scrubbies. Not only do they work up quickly, but they are so crazy simple to make too – perfect for those who are learning how to crochet. You'll get instant gratification.
Try the Retro Bloom Scrubbie free crochet pattern. It's a great touch for your craft fair tables.
Coaster or Scrubbie free crochet pattern
Yarn – Sugar N Cream Solids – 1.5 yds for the center; 6 yds for the outer color
Difficulty – Easy
Size – 4-½”
Gauge – Not crucial for this project
Stitch Guide in American Terms
ch – chain
sl st – slip stitch
sk – skip
stitch(es) – stitch/ stitches
dc – double crochet
Double V stitch – 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc in the same stitch
Fan stitch – 6 dc in the same stitch
*Looking for more great crochet stitches to try in other projects. Click here to see the Ultimate Crochet Stitch Library.
Chain counts as a stitch.
Do not turn your work.
Pattern is worked flat in rounds.
Round 1: Start with a magic circle, ch 3, dc 20 into the loop, join with a slip stitch – 20 Sts
Round 2: Ch 3, [dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in the same stitch, sk 2, *double v stitch, sk 2, repeat from * around 6 times, join – 7 double v stitch, 7 ch-2 spaces
Round 3: Ch 1, sl st into the ch-2 space, ch 3, 5 dc in the same space as the chain, fan stitch in each ch-2 space around, join – 7 fans
Fasten off and weave in the ends.
If you enjoyed this cute and easy crochet pattern, here are a few more patterns from my blog that I think you'll also like:


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Harvest Hope gets needed donation from local food chains
Walmart, Tyson Foods, and Bimbo Bakery joined together to make the donation a reality
Columbia, SC (WOLO) —Hunger has long been a problem in South Carolina but the need has grown during the pandemic according to those with Harvest Hope Food Bank.
With supply chain issues nationwide, keeping food in stock for all the clients it serves is a challenge to the food bank.
“Typically, 1 in 8 people across the county do not know where they are going to get their meal tonight. We just hope this is one way we can give back and help stamp out hunger,” said Kenny Ballas, Tyson Foods retail operations manager.
With many unemployed during the pandemic and unemployment aid ending in South Carolina, the impact of COVID is still being felt in the form of food insecurity.
“It has increased. It was increased during COVID. There was hunger before COVID. We knew it was out there,” said Erinn Rowe, Harvest Hope Food Bank CEO. “COVID shed a light on it which I’m thankful for because it let us see what was driving it. Those root cause issues are still there so we are still going to see an increase over the next few years.”
There’s also a need right now. To help out, Walmart, Tyson Food and Bimbo Bakeries teamed up to give the food bank 15,000 pounds of food, equal to more than 12,000 meals.
“There’s probably 50 cars or so lined up,” Ballas said. “It was good to see that we’re bringing in food to help people that are in line.”
Harvest Hope helps not just people in Columbia. It has distribution centers in Greenville and Florence and works to get food to more rural communities as well.
“We have about 300 to 400 agencies who come and get the food and give it to clients,” Rowe said. “We are always looking at food deserts and rural areas that do not have access to safe food.
Now that the food bank has enough food, it is looking for another resource, one that was in short supply earlier in the pandemic.
“There was a volunteer shortage,” Rowe said .”I believe as the vaccine has rolled out and with our social distancing practices, we are seeing our volunteers coming back in. We love them. We encourage anyone who wants to volunteer to come out and volunteer.”
Employees from the three companies stuck around and volunteered their time packing up food for the food bank after the large donation was presented.

domain: economics