text:
I have missed you WordPress. My company in solace. Today, I find myself in a deep pit of restlessness again and I come back, trying to find some answers. Could you sit back and cater to my delusional ideas, please. How agitating it is not knowing what you want in life? I find myself drifting away from reality. I am uncomfortable around my friends I once shared great bonds with. Makes me wonder, were they friends at the first place? Family equations are getting complex by the day. I am starting to feel dissatisfied with my work. Too reluctant to advice, too stubborn to changes. I know I need to change certain things about me, I just don’t know where to start and if it is too late. Even if I turn out to be an anomaly, it would help if I was a self-contained one.
I am all over the place. Certain life situations break your heart into pieces. Make you feel like this is the end of it all. Everything slipping out of hands. One having no control over the present. You just have to live through the wretched train of events.
The end of anything beautiful is always painful. Though you pictured and recreated the end in your head a zillion times…this is how it will end..and this is how I will deal with it. And you distance yourself from anything that could remotely hurt or even prick you. Fixed, coped, mended yourself. Let time play its magic on you.
And still, here I am…almost akin to a bruised puppy. Thought I had excelled the art of letting go. It’s funny how time flies and your feelings don’t even budge a centimeter. I read this somewhere…Love what you love with reckless abandon. And what if it only torments you in return?
Live the pain. Embrace it. I would say revel in it. Don’t make your emotions subjected to a person’s action. And then love and laugh a little more. Don’t they say every end is a new beginning?
What was familiar is no more acquainted.
What looked appealing has lost its sheen.
What seemed plausible subtly moved out of equation.
What never crossed mind is vaguely falling in the routine.
What should have been, is now a never could have been.
What drew delight now fails to curb the despair.
What caused ripples is barely in sight.
What was loved is piled amongst lost.
That what is lost strangely gives comfort.
Expect the unexpected, they say.
Live each moment to the fullest.
Life is such..What is one to make of it?
“I love you. But you are on your own now.”
These words could invoke loneliness at a whole new level. You have someone but only as empathetic as the wall in your room. You can’t run to them. You can’t demonstrate your authority over them. You cannot even complain to the universe. You lay in your bed, head tilted upside down embracing the emptiness inside your head. Plenty of questions. No answers. In life, at times, one trips over circumstances which are not a throughput of your own deeds. I want to say, accept what comes. Cringe. Dole. Find your own way through. Try and accept it.
I don’t talk much about you..I don’t like to. You are sparsely present in my life. Not in essence and yet hovering in back of my mind. Like salt is to a dish we can say. When I think about it I realize that you..you were a novelty episode. Something I didn’t stumble across before. That I couldn’t relate to from past. And so you struck me like a bolt. There or not, you arouse a whole new dimension of emotions inside me: unprecedented, inexpressible and immensely fervent. Could I talk of you a little less? Sure. Could I think of you a little lesser? No. What’s to become of me? Now that I am tinted in your hues.
I can take the silence. I can accept the indifference. I can find reasons to smile in our long-lost escapades. I can be good on my own. I could make up false tales in my mind to not like you so much. I can take it all in humour. I could make an effort to be happy. And I could make myself believe, it was short, thus trifle. I can pretend to move past this and simultaneously list numerous reasons why it would do me good. I could truncate you under a grievous mistake or folly on my part. Belittle the very essence of our story. In distant future, may be, may be I could even delude myself to have forgotten you. But, after all of this done on my behalf, if one day you see me and tell me you love me, it would effusively break me apart. It would be the end of all my strength. I would live and die together in that moment. I fail to explain it better.
What do I say? I had been out for a friend’s wedding in Mumbai. I am at an all time low since my return. Reasons? Galore. There is this sense of detachment. Of nothingness. Of futility. I am low because the whole marriage affair didn’t entice me much. I mean, of course I was happy for my friend and I smiled all along, but I even got the feeling simultaneously that I won’t fit in the bill. I wouldn’t want to do these things. I might have at one point in the past, but I am so aversive to it right now. Cannot fathom the whys and whats of it. Why am I sad but? Lack of sense of purpose I suppose. If not marriage at least I should be willing to do something of my life right? So lost. So so lost. Don’t want lectures. Don’t want communication. Don’t want nothing. Let me rue for a few days more. Till then here is my pretty picture from the wedding..all things girly..(when have my doldrums ever stopped me from dressing up..). Adios!
#can be classified under my stupid quest for happiness.

domain: psychology


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New nutritional analysis reveals Aussies can get 82% of daily Vitamin D intake this winter with an average serve of eggs
New nutritional analysis reveals an average serve of eggs contain 82 per cent of Australians’ recommended dietary intake of vitamin D
• Vitamin D deficiency is common in Australia, with 23 per cent of adults thought to be affected.
• 2018 nutritional analysis of Australian eggs confirms an average serve of eggs (2x60g eggs) provides 82% of the recommended dietary intake (RDI) of vitamin D.1
• Eggs are one of the highest natural dietary sources of vitamin D.
02 MAY 2019 – A new nutritional analysis of a representative sample of eggs from across Australia reveals an average serve (2 x 60g eggs) provides 82 per cent of the recommended dietary intake (RDI) of vitamin D.
New advancements in the analytical techniques used to detect different forms of vitamin D in foods has found that eggs are one of the highest natural sources of vitamin D.1,4 This result demonstrates that eggs contain significantly more vitamin D than previously thought.
Vitamin D deficiency is common in Australia, with around 1 in 4 adults having a mild or moderate deficiency.
“With 23% of Australian adults living with some type of vitamin D deficiency, the results from this new nutritional analysis of eggs is welcome news,” said leading nutritionist and dietitian, Sharon Natoli from Food & Nutrition Australia, who led both the 2007 and 2018 reviews into Australian eggs.
“With the capabilities to now test different forms of vitamin D in food, it is tremendous to discover that an average serve of eggs provides nearly an entire day’s worth of vitamin D,” Ms Natoli said.
For most Australians, the main source of vitamin D is from exposure to sunlight.3 However, many Australians do not have adequate vitamin D levels, particularly during winter and spring.3 Chronic low vitamin D levels can lead to conditions that result in bone and joint pain, increase the risk of falls and bone fracture in older people and may result in rickets.3 Low vitamin D levels have also been associated with muscle weakness, impaired balance and loss of muscle mass, strength and physical function.
“In Australia, it’s actually very hard to get more than about 5 or 10 per cent of the recommended dietary intake of vitamin D from dietary sources. “
“Along with the recommendations to avoid too much sunlight exposure, these factors together contribute to the high incidence of vitamin D deficiency in this country. Knowing an average serving of eggs provides 82% of the RDI for vitamin D could be a massive game changer for those living with a vitamin D deficiency,” said Australian General Practitioner Dr Ginni Mansberg.
“Eggs are a nutrient rich food that can be included daily as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Eating eggs regularly as a way to boost intakes of vitamin D is an easy, cost-effective, convenient and versatile option for many Australians,” said Dr Mansberg.
According to Dr Amanda Patterson, older adults with higher intakes of omega-6 fatty acids, but not o...
Huon has launched a new range of flavoured salmons, that add value to the existing range and provide...
Pepsi Co’s Smith’s is brining two old chip flavours back for a limited-time only.
Established supermarkets around the world work from a pretty similar, well-honed playbook.
Australian males under the age of 45 are the biggest driving force behind increasing online grocery ...
Small-to-medium businesses are the lifeblood of the Australian food and beverage sector. These busin...
There are only a limited number of places left for the Melbourne Foodlegal workshop on 14 November ...
There have been multiple research studies that link ultra processed food and obesity, but scientist...

domain: news


It is possible that business domains such as IT and retail are gaining a lot of attention as many big names in the corporate world are a potentially prosperous market about India. But in the country alone, there is another area which attracts equal attention to the above mentioned domain. Needless to say that the industry is none other than the real estate domain of the country.
In major cities of the country, people are looking at the real estate business as a very attractive option due to its amazing profitability. Cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Noida, Allahabad, Kolkata and many others in India have a large property-bank of real estate and with the influx of superb corporate culture and massive industrialization drive, the development of infrastructure is definitely a card. But more is visible.
People owning property in their own names in the above-mentioned Indian cities also earned large monthly or annual rental revenues because buildings, factories and shops of large companies required land through which landowners benefited. The cost of houses such as flats, duplexes or plots in these cities is high due to the huge increase in the population level, hence the demand for residential housing in these cities has also increased, which gives a boost to home loan and home insurance business.
A major impact of the recession is seen in the worldwide market in 2020, where many large companies posted large losses, sought a bailout and even filed for bankruptcy. The recession had such an impact on the world economy that even one main business of a particular country went into a loss and many citizens pulled out of the investment. The same happened with the Indian real estate market. But now Indian real estate is experiencing overall growth. Therefore, this is the right time to invest in real estate.


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A federal appeals court on Tuesday 6 February, 2024 in a striking fifty seven (57) page- unanimous opinion denied Former President Donald Trump of Presidential immunity.
Former President Donald Trump had said he was immune of all the charges levelled against him which fell within his tenure of office as President.
Donald Trump’s lawyer stood by the fact that a president who is not convicted for impeachment by the Congress must be able to claim presidential immunity. Although the former president was impeached by the House of Representatives, he was never convicted by the Senate.
But the panel of three DC circuit judges made the ruling on the account that a former president is legible to face charges for his actions during his tenure as president and that the public interest in holding a president accountable won’t be placed aside because of a potential “chilling effect” on the presidency.
“We cannot accept that the office of the presidency places its former occupants above the law for all the time thereafter” the opinion says.
“Former President Trump lacked any lawful discretionary authority to defy federal criminal law and he is answerable in court for his conduct “ the judges added.
The former president is now expected to appeal against the ruling which would send the case to the Supreme Court where conservatives hold a 6-3 majority.
Story by Christabel Cobbinah

domain: law


text:
Feb 9, 2010
we love valentine's treats at our house.
today, i whipped up these cupcakes and couldn't wait to add a sweet detail:
a personalized heart topper.
i made a bunch of these little hearts in memorymixer and added them to all my cupcakes.
sooo easy and fun.
want to try?
i put together a tutorial just for you.

domain: artistic


text:
Title: Unnatural Selection
Author: Victoria Escobar
Genre: YA Sci-Fi
Publication Date: 4th November 2014
BLURB from Goodreads
I had no name. My assignment was M001/A5. Marpesia Project Test One, Fifth Embryo. I wasn’t considered human. I was a thing to be owned.
I just wanted freedom. I wanted out of the lab and away from being the guinea pig for hundreds of scientists. I wanted to see the world with my eyes not through a computer monitor.
Instead I took two bullets, fell from twenty stories and ran to save my life. From who and what I had no idea and that wasn’t important at the time. Life was important.
I had my freedom but no idea what to do with it. There’s no way to out run the past, and I had to face it. There were too many strings loose and too many people that would be more than happy to lock me in a cage again.
Life was an evolution of natural selection but thanks to human intervention I was Unnatural. I would be deciding who to allow living, and who needed to die.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but with the ability to claim eight states as home; Victoria Escobar writes fiction from her current home in New York. She writes whatever comes to mind and because of such has a variety of genres written including Young Adult, New Adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, and Contemporary Fiction.
In spare time if not with family, and friends Victoria enjoys curling up with a book from a favorite author with music playing. If not reading or writing she spends time drawing, sketching, crocheting, or some other random art project. She enjoys staying busy, but most of all enjoys staying creative.
I was what I would deem as book smart. I finished all the high school lessons when I was fifteen and had continued an independent study since Dr. Hiroto said there wasn’t any funding to give me a tertiary level education. I was certainly not stupid–but I didn’t know how to live in this world. After watching the bored people around me, I wasn’t sure I would ever be comfortable out here.
I would learn. I would have to learn if I wanted to stay out here. To jump start that education, I began people watching in earnest. Primarily those that seemed about my age. I didn’t want to talk to them, I doubt I had the social skills needed to talk to them, but I wanted to see how they interacted with the world. With any luck, I could mimic them.
I was relieved to see that even though I was the only natural red head in the station that there were other kids that dyed their hair in rainbows of color. I supposed it was a way to shout individuality since the Genetic Alteration Act had passed. I understood the red, orange, and blond hair colors but the pinks, greens, blues, even the purples, were weird to me. They caught me staring and I pushed a smile to my lips as I nodded to them. My palms sweated a little and I hoped they didn’t invite me to join them.
They whispered among themselves a moment, still watching me. The largest of the boys with a hideous green to his hair rolled his shoulders, nodded to the girl talking animatedly with her hands and then turned and walked my way.
This could be an interaction lesson, I reminded myself. I swallowed my suddenly dry throat and studied the way he walked in a sort of ‘I’ve got muscles’ way. I would have to study other guys and see if this maneuver was commonplace.
“You got a problem?” he asked when he reached the bench I sat on. His voice was deep, like the rumbles of the subway train when one stood above ground, not below.
I knew enough from his stance that he was on offense, which meant I should be on defense. His six foot frame easily towered nearly two feet above me when I stood. He stepped back, his brows lifted and his mouth no longer flat-lined, then he studied me closer as his mouth moved in a fishlike fashion.
“Do you?” I asked quietly. I didn’t like fighting. I had five black belts out of necessity, not because I wanted them, but I rarely used them. I could use a gun as easily as I could break a neck and had no taste for that either. However, all that aside, if the towering boy struck at me I would drop him to the ground and show him first hand just how mighty David can be to Goliath.
“Kaia doesn’t like being stared at,” he grumbled but still didn’t swing at me.
“I like to watch,” I answered without actually looking at him.
He glanced back at the girl and crew across the platform–they thumbs upped him–and then back at me. “Just don’t stare anymore at Kaia anymore.”
I shrugged and sat back down pretending to fiddle with the music on my phone. “Whatever.” I wasn’t sure that was the right word to use, but in all the books I’ve read about teenagers they used it often as a way to dismiss or end a conversation. It worked in this situation too and he nodded, grunted, and then walked away. I exhaled slowly and focused on the music in my ears instead of the people.

domain: literature


Substitute Offrande Zanzala forced home an 82nd minute equaliser to secure a point for Stanley and extend their unbeaten run to five games – but it could have been all three.
Jon Taylor put Rovers ahead in the 57th minute before a goalmouth scramble from a Sean McConville corner ended with Zanzala getting the final touch to level late on.
And it was agony for the Reds as, in the final minute of normal time, keeper Seny Deing pulled off a stunning save to deny Seamus Conneely a Stanley winner.
The Reds started well, Joe Pritchard played a dangerous ball across the face of goal but no one was there to capitalise while neither Jordan Clark nor Colby Bishop were able to get a clear head to Callum Johnson’s dinking ball into the box.
Doncaster grew into the game but chances were at a premium for both sides.
The Reds felt they should have had a penalty before the break when Clark ended up grounded in the area after a challenge from Cameron John but referee Andy Haines waved away the appeals.
After the interval, ex-Red Joe Wright came on for Doncaster and the home side had the first real chance with Madger Gomes putting in a good ball across the goalmouth but no one could get on the end of it.
Stanley then pressed through Bishop and Clark and forced a number of corners but couldn’t break the deadlock.
And, on 57 minutes, the Reds lost the ball on the attack, Doncaster broke and Taylor raced through one-on-one and he tucked the ball beyond Joe Bursik.
Stanley hunted for the equaliser, Dion Charles charged forward and found Bishop but the striker couldn’t find a finish.
It was end to end and Taylor had another strike which Sam Finley did well to block while Pritchard’s fierce free kick took a deflection.
McConville, who has been struggling with a shoulder injury, came on for the final 18 minutes as Stanley chased an equaliser and Zanzala also entered the fray.
The two combined when McConville put his corner into the six yard box, it was headed goalwards, there were frantic attempts to clear it but Zanzala raced forward and looked to get the final touch to force it over the line.
Then came the grandstand finish with neither side able to find the winner.


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How do I connect to and use the free WI-FI at MIA?
Go on your phone setting - WIFI;
Connect to MIA-WiFi;
Open your browser, you will be shown a registration form;
Fill in your details and submit them.
Travelling to Miami for the first time? Don’t know how to get to the downtown Miami or Miami Beach? We managed to find the best information for you. It is easier than you think! Even if you are traveling in a group, big or small, there are different options for you to get to downtown from Miami International Airport.
Miami International Airport is located 13 kilometers northwest from the downtown. It has three terminals: Southern, Northern and Central. The terminals, in fact, are in one building, you can navigate between them without any problems, both along the street and along internal passages. Numerous tables, counters, and information desks won’t let you astray.
EASY SEARCH FOR CHARTER BUSES
Get from LaGuardia Airport to Manhattan by TRAIN - METRORAIL
This option is a bit complicated (when it comes to group travels) since you will have to make a transfer, but at the same time, it is very easy to move around with no traffic. Take the automatic MIA Train on the third level of the airport, which takes passengers for free to the nearest metro station.
The entrance is at the departure hall level. The nearest ground metro station (there is no underground metro in Miami), that is Metrorail called “Miami International Airport”. This is the last station of the Orange line, which leads to the center of Miami, stations like Brickell or Government Center (or you may also transfer to the Green Line if need to go somewhere else). Working hours: from 5 a.m. to midnight / 7 days a week. How do you get the tickets? It can be purchased with a rechargeable EASY Card or EASY Ticket at any Metrorail station, as well as online. NOTICE: you will need an Easy Card or Ticket as the fare gates do not accept cash. Weekly, daily and monthly passes are also available. TIP: Download Easy Pay, it is a smartphone app that lets you purchase tickets for buses and trains with the Miami transportation system.
Time: from the airport to Miami downtown 90 minutes.
Pros: fast; no traffic; cheap.
Cons: transfers, handling luggage, not very convenient if you travel in a group.
PUBLIC BUS from Miami International Airport
Even cheaper than the Metrorail, you can get to Miami from Miami International Airport on a regular city bus. There are many routes, some work from 4:30 a.m until half 1:30 a.m, and some work 24/7, which will undoubtedly make life easier for travelers who arrive in Miami at night.
Near the exits of each arrival hall there are bus stops. They can be found by following green signs with the inscription “BUS”, in case you don’t, you may contact the airport employees to help you, in particular, those who work in tourist information kiosks. Buses - 7, 37, 42, 110, 133, 137, 150, 238 and 297 go to the city. There is also a new route called Miami Beach Airport Flyer Bus on Rt #150, which runs between the airport and the famous Miami Beach. It costs a little more expensive - $ 2.65
Time: 45 minutes.
Cost: from $1.8
Pros: 24/7 service, cheap.
Cons: might get into traffic; handling luggage; making transfers.
TAXI service in MIA
Taxi in Miami, as well as in the rest of the US is not difficult to catch. Taxis are constantly approaching the exits from the arrival halls, ready to take passengers to any address, door to door. “Taxi” is written on the cars of official taxi services, they are yellow in color and have stickers with the name of the carrier company and contact numbers. Be careful, don’t use the service of “fake” taxi drivers, they may overcharge tourists and visitors.
Taxi payment is made according to the testimony installed in each car. NOTE: you will also pay for waiting time. For example, you got into the car and were waiting for your friends or colleagues, then, for each minute of waiting, you will be additionally charged 40 cents.
Time: 18 minutes.
Cost: starting at $ 60 per car.
Pros: fast, door to door.
Cons: if you are more than 4 people, you will need to take few cars; might get into traffic; extra charge for waiting time.
COACH BUS RENTAL FOR GROUPS in Miami
The transfer will help you not only get to any point of Miami or the suburbs, but also give some extra time to rest and plan your stay. After all, you do not have to walk around the airport, look for a transport, find out how much it costs, and so on, which is very convenient if you travel in larger groups. You may book a bus (big or small, depending on what you need) in advance via Bookbuses. Then, at the airport, right in the arrival hall, the driver will meet you, take you to the bus, help you load your luggage and take you to the address specified in advance. By the way, in most cases, the transfer is also cheaper than a taxi, although it provides more services.
Time: 20 minutes.
Cost: may vary.
Pros: convenient for small and big groups; no carrying luggage around; no transfers; door to door; special requirements considered; booked and paid in advance.
Cons: might get into traffic.
If you are traveling in a group, the most important thing is to plan and organize everything. And it is very important to understand all the pros and cons of each option when it comes to choosing transportation. You will be tired after a long trip? Then you might not want to make transfers. You have a lot of luggage? Then a public is not for you for sure. Attention to detail is the KEY to successful, amazing trips!
Here you will find a comparison table with approximate fares and time for each option:
|Time||Total Price $||Price $ per Passanger (50)|
|Metrorail||90 minutes||$ 112.5||$ 2.25|
|Public Bus||40 minutes||$ 132.5||$ 2.65|
|BookBuses||20 minutes||$450-650 (round trip)||$10-13|
|Taxi||25 minutes||$ 3000||$ 60|

domain: geography


text:
The Young Fritz - Long before the arrival of Nazisploitation flicks, which were created mainly by money-grubbing Guidos and a couple sleazy American Semites (David F. Fr...
1 hour ago
“Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.” - Jim Rohn
Toradora! is the first anime I’ve watched when my friend introduced me to Japanese media. Whenever I recall it brings back so many memories; so many hilarious and sad moments which made me laugh and cry. It really got me hooked to the whole Japanese anime and manga series. Here’s why:
Toradora! starts out with two of the protagonists, Ryuuji and Taiga finding out each other’s crushes and agreeing to help themselves in order to get closer to their crushes. As the story goes on, both of them get more and more involved in situations which put the pair closer together, even though Ryuuji and Taiga are still called by their classmates ‘rivals’ at school. They slowly begin to realize their feelings for each other and start to share a close bond. As the story progresses, Ryuuji and Taiga discover more about their friends and relationships that will ultimately lead up to crucial life-changing decisions which will affect their future. A pretty simple storyline for a high school com-rom series, but there’s much more to it than it meets the eye.
Each of the lead protagonists have some story of their own in Toradora!, as more and more episodes reveal about the characters’ past and progress in the plot. Ryuuji has (really) narrow eyes which make his friends think he’s a deranged insane killer, while Taiga is the short-statured girl nicknamed the ‘Palmtop Tiger’ for her aggressive behavior to her classmates. From Minorin to Taiga’s Father, there’s always a special catch about each person that keeps the comedy factor running smoothly. The producers were- able to point out the interesting traits the protagonists have, keeping the audience guessing what role will they play in the whole plot.
J.C. Staff has been known to draw better than most of the anime production teams out there, and it has really produced a polished anime series. Toradora! brings out the quirky and serious emotions of the characters and manages to set the mood of the situations. The anime directors made the drama moments more intense while at the same time kept the freshness of everyday, high-school life. The environment is pleasing to the eyes and the drawing is well-detailed enough to make Toradora! seem more lively and colorful.
The Toradora! soundtrack has been one of the best and most beautiful music I’ve ever heard in anime. While some of the tracks don’t stand out as they are supposed to be, some of the BGM come out strong in certain scenes (especially the drama parts) as it plays a big role in setting the mood and ambience. For those of you who have watched the whole series, remember the music playing when Taiga runs out of her apartment to chase down Ryuuji downstairs? The track playing really made the emotion of the scene more touching to the audience.
Probably some of you might not agree with me, but Toradora has been the most enjoyable comedy-romance anime I’ve ever watched. The laughs, the tears, the tension, the awkwardness, and the feeling of wanting to watch more – Toradora! brings it all. I laughed so hard when Inko tries to say something but fails miserably in front of Ryuuji. It’s a big pleasure to watch this anime as it never disappoints you in drama or comedy.
Toradora! is a masterpiece on its own, and it gets a perfect score 10 from me. If you like comedy, drama, romance, then this is definitely the anime for you. I would highly recommend this to anyone who hasn’t watched it yet. And trust me, Toradora! is truly something not to be missed.
"The most anticipated horror event of the year. Steady your nerves, your sleepless nights are about to return." - DreadCentral
And now to see your love set free
You’ll need the witch's cabin key
Find the lady of the light gone mad with the night
That's how you reshape destiny…
Only One Has The Power To Save Their Souls.
...in the mood for some dumplings.
A film by Srdjan Spasojevic


text:
Even though he’s currently wrapping up work on Star Wars: The Force Awakens, J.J. Abrams’ stint in a galaxy far, far away may be far from over. Last week we learned that the Gareth Edwards-directed spinoff isn’t scheduled until 2016, and Episode VIII, with Rian Johnson at the helm, won’t bow for another two years. Nevertheless, that packed slate isn’t stopping Disney from looking to the future.
Latino Review reports that “there’s a good chance” Abrams will direct Star Wars: Episode IX, after studio brass caught a screening of The Force Awakens and were “very happy” with the footage presented. Whether or not Abrams wishes to return to the franchise in such a pivotal role, however, remains to be seen. The amount of time and energy required to commandeer another major instalment may dissuade him. That being said, his unabashed enthusiasm for the Star Wars property cannot be discounted, and with a sufficient break to engage in other projects, he may indeed be eager to return.
Up until now, circulating rumors have hinted at a series of behind-the-scenes power struggles between the director and studio. His initial aim for The Force Awakens was for a 2016 release, with a delayed rollout of the first teaser trailer; two battles in which the studio emerged victorious. On top of that, during last week’s announcement confirming Rian Johnson’s Episode VIII, Abrams’ name was curiously absent from all initial press releases until he was hastily added on as an executive producer.
If those scuffles are to be believed (or not), then the outcome of this latest rumor could easily swing either way. On one side of the argument, Disney still has plenty of time to lock down a director for the trilogy’s final chapter and may find another fresh name to take the spot. On the other, Abrams may be refreshed by time away from all things Star Wars and be ready to take up the mantle for Episode IX.
Whatever happens, there’s still a lot bubbling away on the franchise until then. Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens on December 18, Star Wars: Rogue One hits a year later on December 16, 2016 and Episode VIII bows May 26, 2017.


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A very quick recipe if you have some stardy vegetable and prawn. Very easy to prepare, we liked the flavour of garlic in our vegetables.
- Prawns – 12-15, cleaned and deveined
- Cauliflower- 1, cut into florets
- Chopped Garlic- 1 tbsp
- Salt and pepper
- Fish sauce – a splash
- Corn flour – 1 tsp mixed in water
Steam the cauliflower florets for 5 minutes. Shake the water and keep aside.
Lightly fry the prawns with a dash of salt and pepper. Remove from heat when it starts changing colors.
In the same pan, add some butter, and then add the chopped garlic.
Fry till you get the nice aroma of garlic and then add the blanched cauliflower.
Fry over high heat for a minute or two. Please ensure not to break the florets. Now add the prawns and mix well.
Cook for 3-4 minutes over medium heat.
Add the fish sauce and salt and pepper as per the taste. Ensure that the vegetables are cooked through.
Finally add the corn flour mixed with water and give it a final stir. Corn flour is being added just to give it a shine, and there will not br any gravy. Mind the amount of corn flour.
Serve as a side. Can be done with other stardy winter vegetables too. You may add some sliced green chilli at the end if you like it hot.

domain: food


text:
Ex-employees demand back pay from Hunts Point sanitation company
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr.'s fight for workers' rights, former employees of a local sanitation company protested Monday for back pay they say they were owed before it closed.
Sanitation Salvage surrendered its license to operate in November following months of community protests and government investigations.
City officials say the company is responsible for two deaths over the past few years. They say one driver fatally struck a fellow employee and the same driver fatally hit a pedestrian.
The coalition representing the workers showed their support.
"People shouldn't have to work a full-time job, give their service to a company, and then they get to shut down and then forget about the workers. This is not right," says campaign director Chio Valerio.
More former employees say they were left stranded with no courtesy warning to find another job. Some even came in to work on the same day the license was surrendered.
The protest's overall message was to call on the company to do the right thing and pay workers what they are owed.
News 12 reached out to Sanitation Salvage but has not heard back.

domain: sociology


text:
Apartamenty Sun & Snow Karwia is a great choice for a stay in Wladyslawowo.
Cleaning and safety practices
Social distancing measures in place
This information is provided by our partners.
At a glance
Check-in time from 4:00 PM until midnight
Minimum check-in age – 18
Check-out time is 10:00 AM
Restrictions related to your trip
Check COVID-19 restrictions
Special check-in instructions
There is no front desk at this property
The check-in location differs from the property location; to check in, go to ul. Kuracyjna 5a/2 84-104 Jastrzębia Góra
Guests must contact the property for check-in information
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 48 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
For more details, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation
Required at check-in
Credit card, debit card or cash deposit required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 18
Pets allowed (dogs and cats only, up to 11 lbs)*
On-site self-parking (PLN 20 per day)
Bed sheets provided
Food and drink
Cookware, dishes and utensils
Fees & policies
Deposit: PLN 500 per accommodation, per stay
You'll be asked to pay the following charges by the property at check-in or check-out:
A tax is imposed by the city: PLN 2.50 per person, per night
Pets are allowed for an extra charge of PLN 100 per pet, per stay
Self-parking costs PLN 20 per day
Hygiene & cleanliness
Social distancing measures are in place.
This property accepts credit cards. Cash is not accepted.
Also known as
Apartamenty Sun Snow Karwia
Apartamenty Sun & Snow Karwia Hotel
Apartamenty Sun & Snow Karwia Wladyslawowo
Apartamenty Sun & Snow Karwia Hotel Wladyslawowo
Frequently asked questions
Does Apartamenty Sun & Snow Karwia offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, Apartamenty Sun & Snow Karwia does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in, depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure that you check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
What are the cleanliness and hygiene measures currently in place at Apartamenty Sun & Snow Karwia?
This property confirms that social distancing measures are in place. Please note that this information has been provided by our partners.
Are pets allowed at Apartamenty Sun & Snow Karwia?
Yes, cats and dogs are welcome, with a maximum weight of 11 lbs per pet. There's a charge of PLN 100 per pet, per stay.
Is parking offered on site at Apartamenty Sun & Snow Karwia?
Yes. Self-parking costs PLN 20 per day.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Apartamenty Sun & Snow Karwia?
You can check in from 4:00 PM - midnight. Check-out time is 10:00 AM.
Are there restaurants at or near Apartamenty Sun & Snow Karwia?
Yes. Nearby restaurants include 5ta Klepka (10-min walk), Złota Rybka (10-min walk) and Tawerna Złota (11-min walk).
Does Apartamenty Sun & Snow Karwia have self-catered rooms fitted with kitchens or kitchenettes?
Yes, a kitchenette is available in every room, and also includes a stovetop, a fridge and a dishwasher.
Overall score and ratings
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domain: travel


text:
Indian billionaire Gautam Adani’s group published a 413-page rebuttal after allegations of fraud by short seller Hindenburg Research erased $51 billion of his flagship firm’s market value.
Some 65 of the 88 questions have been addressed in Adani’s public disclosures and the conduct of the American short seller “is nothing short of a calculated securities fraud under applicable law,” Adani Group said in a statement Sunday. It reiterated it will “exercise our rights to pursue remedies to safeguard our stakeholders before all appropriate authorities.”
The lengthy response comes ahead of the final few days of a $2.5 billion share sale by Adani Enterprises Ltd., which received overall subscriptions of 1 per cent on Friday. While investors in Indian public offerings typically wait until the last day of the sale to place bids, there were concerns that Hindenburg’s attack on the country’s richest man would sour sentiment.
“This is not merely an unwarranted attack on any specific company but a calculated attack on India, the independence, integrity and quality of Indian institutions, and the growth story and ambition of India,” Adani said in its response.
US-based Hindenburg, on Jan. 24 — the eve of the Adani’s share sale — published a 100-page report alleging that its two-year investigation found the Adani Group had “engaged in a brazen stock manipulation and accounting fraud scheme.” It also called out the conglomerate’s “substantial debt.” The firm, which said it has taken a short position in Adani’s companies through US-traded bonds and non-Indian-traded derivatives, declined to share details of the trade when reached by Bloomberg News.
"The group has shortlisted two bond tranches, amounting to $500 million and $650 million, respectively, of Adani Green Energy and Adani Ports & SEZ, to begin with," said one of the sources. "The group believes there will be a reasonably good appetite for its bonds in the private market since most of the debt is backed by strong cash flows."
Many of India's power plants that use imported coal, including those owned by Adani Power and Tata Power in the western state of Gujarat, have not operated at full capacity recently because they have found it difficult to compete with power generated from cheap domestic coal.


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domain: entertainment


text:
This year the Iranian people came out onto the scene, and in a totally free and serious election, made a choice and determined the fate of the executive branch for the next four years. In these elections, which were by its standards unprecedented in the world, the masses of the people came out to the scene, and without out party organization or financial and political backing of groups or organizations, demonstrated their will. In other words, we may be able to say, that in these elections a pure form of democracy was manifested, so much so that people involved themselves, supported each other, in a popular form of organization, in a popular form of investment, and made a great choice, and decided to send a representative to the executive branch.
In these elections, the direction of the [future] government became fully clear. The representative of the people fully and transparently made his views known on domestic and foreign affairs, and people who had similar views came out on to the scene and made their decision.
Our domestic policy was geared toward establishing a developed, strong, and Islamic society. This was the slogan of the Islamic revolution. Its distinguished features have been completely reflected in our vision. We are a nation whose achievements are of epic proportion. It is an old civilization which has achieved great things in its history. Today, our nation has tasted independence, freedom and the Islamic republic system. It is determined to establish a model society. The creation of a model society cannot be achieved without establishment of justice, strengthening of our sense of fair play, greater public service and developing the country's moral and material states. That is why we drafted our four slogans of establishment of justice, sense of fair play, public service and improving the country's moral and material welfare. The government has taken great steps in this direction so far. This fact has been reflected in the appointment of our colleagues. In doing so, we took special care to ignore special factional and party consideration. We have appointed those individuals who are dedicated to their work and are ready to serve the country. Government's decisions have been all in this direction. Our visits to provinces are a key factor in our efforts to strengthen ties between the cabinet and the nation. It will harmonize the relations between the two. It will steer the decision-making process to a proper and correct direction. It will facilitate the job of supervising and monitoring. It encourages public scrutiny and helps to energize administrative organizations. It informs the government of the outcome of its decisions. Government belongs to all people. It has to address the problems of every parts of the country. All parts of the country should move forward simultaneously. Every Iranian is entitled to equal rights, especially in developing individual talent and development.
Therefore, the government has started this great task and it has visited five provinces so far. God willing, these visits will continue until the end of the term of the government. We plan to officially visit every province three times during the term of this government. In the intervals between the visits to the provinces, the ministers will carry on with their activities in the provinces. That is to say the ministers visit the provinces collectively and on their own.
Thank God, this policy has also been reflected in the 1385 [year starting 21 March 2006] budget. Allow me to explain to you some of the items on the 1385 budget. If we divide the total expenditures of the government into current and capital expenditures, the total current budget of the government for the next year will increase by 10.3 percent. But the capital expenditure of the government, which is the main instrument of the government to administer justice, will increase by 74.2 percent.
As compared to the Majles's ratified figures, the capital expenditure will increase by 63.4 percent. This shows that the government has decreased its unnecessary expenditures on formalities or duplicities, and it is concentrating the budget and its facilities on the development of the country. Since we want to promote justice, we said that we should concentrate on provinces. We said that decentralization is the basis of administrating justice. Therefore, we increased the budget allocated to provinces by 180 percent. This share has also increased as compared to the total budget.
That is to say, the budget allocated for capital expenditures in the provinces this year was 19.8 percent of the total capital expenditure of the country, while it has increased to 34 percent next year.
This means decentralization. It means that things have been directed toward the provinces. The total development funds for the current [Iranian] year - in terms of the figure in the budget, not what is actually spent, which is less than the budget - 20.6 percent relates to development activities. In 1385 [starting in March 2006], this figure has increased to 31.3 percent, which is a very big figure.
In the foreign policy arena, too, the government announced that we seek peace and calm for all in the light of justice and spirituality. We said that we seek an active foreign policy. And this is what the government is pursuing and planning for. We think that if the world is to reach lasting peace and calm, this peace and calm is only possible in the light of justice and spirituality. Imposed peace, peace under swords, under nuclear, chemical and biological arsenals, will not be lasting. A peace based on plundering nations' wealth and imposing discriminatory decisions will not be lasting.
As a rule, progress is also meaningless without justice. People who have tried over the past 200 years to bring welfare and progress to their peoples without paying attention to spirituality and the worship of God - we can see that this aim of theirs has also not been fulfilled. Human excellence, the excellence of human society comes about in the light of justice and spirituality. Measures that are taken outside religious morality, politics minus morality, economics minus morality, culture minus morality, only turns the world into a hell for nations and humanity. The fact that, as you can see, there is tension somewhere in the world every day, there is war, there is oppression and injustice is because of this approach.
Humanity is facing a number of governments that aim to impose false peace without justice. We believe that such peace will not materialize, because the necessary foundations, grounds, and principles for it are not evident. Even if such an issue [peace] does prevail in a corner of the globe, it will not last for long.
Nowadays, humanity is grappling with a number of rulers, who by imposing wars on other nations, would like to ensure security for their own people. Conditions in the world have today connected nations to each other in a way such that one [incident] affects all the others. Economic, cultural, and political development cannot be confined to isolated islands anymore. Therefore, those who think that they will bring themselves tranquility by imposing wars, insecurity, and violence on a number of nations -- they are 100 percent mistaken. Today, if the fire of tension, discrimination, and oppression is started in any corner of the world, the flames would engulf the main perpetrators also. It is a divine tradition.
We said that we are after peace, tranquility and dignity for all and would like to co-exist in the world with justice and peace for all. We are after expanding our relations. The main drive behind our foreign policy is aimed at expanding relations as well as ensuring peace and tranquility for all nations. God willing, we have been moving in this direction so far. Today, the Islamic Republic' foreign policy is very active, coordinated and lively. It is pursued and based on a clear rationale - the rationale of peace for all on the basis of justice and spirituality.
I hope that the government, with the nation's cooperation, alongside the nation and behind the nation, is able - over the course of the term in which it is serving - to pursue in earnest the ideals and aims for which the nation voted in the elections, and to fulfill them, as much as it can, both within the country and abroad. God willing.
I sincerely thank you all for your patience and for listening to what I said. I am at your service for answering your questions.
. . .
[Reporter] Greetings, Mr President. We would like to express our gratitude to you and your colleagues in the government. A question which is still on people's mind on the nuclear issue is that we are witnessing at the moment that some European countries and particularly America are using a language of threat and sanctions regarding Iran's nuclear program. Please first tell us about the latest development in our nuclear case and also tell us what Iran's response to Europe's and America's unconventional and non-diplomatic language is? My other question is regarding the proposal you made in the recent weeks. You made a proposal and asked the Iranian and European scholars to hold a dialogue with regards to the human rights issue, what was Europe's reaction to this proposal? I have another brief question about your best and worst memory since you became president in the past four months and nine days? Thank you.
[Ahmadinezhad, jokingly] Thanks very much. How many questions did you ask? I think three and a half, ha? We consider your "brief" question as half a question. [He laughs]
. . .
As I said at the beginning, unfortunately today humanity is plagued with some leaders who only see their immediate surroundings. Those who believe they have greater rights than other nations, simply because they possess a large nuclear, chemical and biological arsenal. They are convinced that they can impose their views on others. Iran's nuclear case falls in that category. All member countries have the right to use peaceful nuclear technology based on the IAEA regulations and the Non-Proliferation Treaty [NPT]. No amount of efforts can limit these rights or prevent the member countries from realizing them. The inspections should not deprive nations from realizing their rights. Many Western countries have a large arsenal of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. They built dozens of new nuclear power plants every year. They now challenge Iran. The unprecedented inspections and monitoring of the Iranian activities have failed to produce even an iota of evidence showing any diversion in of our country's nuclear research. But, they want to flex their muscles and prevent our nation from realizing its inalienable right. They believe that the Iranian nation should not possess this. In the beginning, every time we told them that they aimed to stop our progress, they would turn around and say that they were worried about the production of nuclear weapons. But as you witnessed recently, they blatantly admitted that they were against research and academic work. We have always known this. They want to monopolize expensive nuclear energy. They are pursuing two objectives. In the first place, they sell this energy at high cost and in a piecemeal fashion to other nations. And in the second place, they use this as a tool to impose their policies on others. We have said it many times that our nation does not need nuclear weapons.
A nation which has culture, logic, and civilization does not need nuclear weapons. Those countries which need to solve all problems by force seek nuclear weapons. Our nation does not need such weapons. Our nation has got a very clear logic in all international fields. This logic is enshrined in a calm and peaceful environment. Iranian people have a very strong and clear logic which complies with human nature.
We believe that some of the western countries have opened Iran's nuclear dossier in line with their past hostilities against Iran. Those countries, who are now accusing Iran, used to support the corrupt, despotic, unpopular and western regime of this country 30 years ago. They used to provide it with weapons. They even provided it with the [nuclear] fuel cycle, or at least signed contracts in this respect. They also provided it with [nuclear] power plant and aircraft.
Immediately after the Iranian nation in a popular movement toppled that dependent regime on the West, which had oppressed people for tens of years, and began to experience freedom, independence, and the Islamic republic and democracy, some [western] countries became hostile to our people. Their hostility is still continuing. They sanctioned Iran. They imposed a war on Iran and equipped Saddam [Husayn] against our country.
They applauded Saddam for his crimes, city wars, and using chemical weapons. They [some western countries] are continuing their same policy. Our nation does not need this. In the eight year sacred defense [REFERENCE to 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war] when Iraq used chemical weapons against Iran, the Iranian nation never violated its ethical and religious principles. Iran abided by the principle of governance of spirituality and ethical principles in all its international relations. We are asked why we have started [nuclear] research. We answer that there is no limitation to research.
There are no limits imposed on research in the NPT or in the Additional Protocol. Nor have we made such a commitment. Research is necessary for the life and dynamism of a nation. Is it possible to prevent the advance of ideas and the sciences? Is it possible to prevent the scientific progress of a nation? They say: "no - you have suspended this voluntarily." We say: "fine, it was voluntarily and we no longer want to suspend it." They say: "no, the condition for our negotiations with you is to suspend this forever." We say: "What is this? Do you think you are fooling a child? Why are you twisting it?" Are there any limits imposed on nuclear research or not? If there are no limits, well there are no limits. And if there are limits to which law are you referring to?
They tell us: "you have to build confidence". For two and a half years the government of the Islamic Republic, out of compassion and kindness, tried to build confidence. Today I declare that it is time for the western countries to build confidence. We have no confidence in their honesty. It is absolutely clear for us that they want Iranian people to enjoy scientific growth and development. They openly say they are opposed to research. On what right are you making such statements? Is this not a fundamentalist medieval perspective? We believe that, unfortunately, despite their technological and scientific development in certain parts of the world, several western countries still have an ideological and intellectual perspective that belong to the medieval age.
They tell us that we don't have the right to enjoy scientific development, that we should not be involved in research. You may like to accuse other countries, whenever you want, of doing this or that. Well, this is not going to solve any problems for you. Such language is no longer applicable. I take the opportunity here to advise these countries not to isolate themselves even more among other peoples. Today, the language of hegemony, the language of force, the language of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons is no longer applicable. These things are no longer effective in international calculations.
Nations have awakened today, and they will determine their future. Therefore, it is prudent for them [Westerners] to adhere to rules and regulations. They invite us to sit and negotiate, but conjure up an excuse to stop the talks. So we say ok. We want to talk to everyone. We are not afraid of dialogue. We follow a logical and lawful path. We have and continue to adhere to international laws. Over 1400 days of inspection have been conducted in our facilities. This is unprecedented. I announce today that it is them who should work toward building trust. We put forward a proposal calling for the UN to set up a disarmament committee. Some countries are holding a stick over our head during the negotiations, threatening us with referral of our case to the UN Security Council unless we bend to their will. Why do they tarnish the integrity of international institutions? Why do they force the IAEA to get involved with politics? Why do they use the UN Security Council for their own purposes? The UN Security Council has been set up for the world security. Is the UN Security Council a mere tool in their hands to use at their will - threatening to send our case to the UN if we refuse to comply with their demands? Our understanding is that the UN Security Council belongs to all nations and is not a tool for a few countries. Why do they use it for their own purposes? Doesn't this threaten global security? Doesn't this unilateral policy threaten global security? Although as a public servant, I already knew this fact, but I've come to gain a deeper understanding of the roots of insecurity, tension, terrorism and wars. A few countries, which consider themselves more deserving than others, have created terrorist groups, and announced their intention to kill people in other countries. With a mentality dating back to the dark-ages, they want to control the 21st century. It is obvious that such a move will not bring peace and tranquility to nations.
[Moderator] Could I ask people to turn off their mobile phones. Question from Al-Arabiyah network.
[Al-Arabiyah correspondent] Your Excellency! I am Muhammad Nur the head of the Al-Arabiyah network in Tehran. Thank you for giving reporters this opportunity. Your Excellency! My question is about the recent remarks of the American president, Mr George Bush, who said the solution to Iran's nuclear issue should be achieved through peaceful talks. In your view, what will be the future situation of uranium enrichment, which is suspended in Iran now, if Iran's case is reported or referred to the Security Council?
[Ahmadinezhad] Thank you very much. Our path is very clear. We shall continue with our activities within the regulations of the IAEA and the NPT. We are conducting research. I repeat, in terms of our principles, we are opposed to the method utilized by the gentlemen and we are opposed to the accumulation of nuclear weapons. Today, nuclear energy is useful for people in dozens of ways. We seek a peaceful use. The path of our nation is clear. I think those people who claim peace and tranquility, should first disarm themselves in order to gain our trust, secondly, respect international laws so we can have the confidence that they don't want to imposed anything on us outside the rule of law.
. . .
[AFP correspondent, speaking in English] Mr president, could you confirm that Iran is intending to enrich uranium on a small scale as stated by Mr Al-Baradi'i for research purposes, and if it does what practical steps will Iran take if it is taken before the Security Council by the Executive Council of the IAEA?
[Ahmadinezhad] I have already answered [this question]. According to the international law, Iran has a right to peaceful use of nuclear energy. We are moving in the framework of the agency [IAEA]'s regulations. We have abided by international rules more than any other nation and there has been no report on Iran's violation in this respect.
We are not interested in creating tension at the international level. We do not want to have illogical and unnecessary discussions poisoning the international atmosphere. We have pursued a very clear logic so far. We have a right and we work in the framework of the agency's regulations. Today, we are carrying out research. I should also say that our people will not accept others to impose on us whatever they want. Our nation has a definite right to peaceful nuclear technology and will achieve it.
We are the only nation that has invited all others to come and join us. If you say that you do not trust us, you can come and become our partner. We are ready to become your partner in your [nuclear] technology. We can both supervise each other's activities. We can watch you not to deviate toward nuclear weapons and you can also become our partners and watch our activities directly.
How do you justify this logic to have an arsenal full [of nuclear weapons], but when you get to such nations as ours, you do not even allow research. This logic cannot rule the world today. Even if the Security Council gets involved in this subject, it will not help solve the equation. We do not want to move in this direction. But those who insist on undermining our rights should know that this will not happen.
. . .
[Japanese NHK TV, speaking in English] Mr President, you repeated full commitment to the regulations of NPT. Is there any possibility for the Islamic Republic of Iran to withdraw from NPT itself in the future if the case is taken to the Security Council?
[Ahmadinezhad] We have time and again said that claims made by some western countries are political and do not have any legal basis. I once again recommend to them not to isolate themselves so much among nations. It is not right for them to make a new claim everyday, and to bully or intimidate other nations. This will further isolate them. I have no doubt today that the heads of these few countries are the most despised people among nations.
If they claim otherwise, we have a way to test it. I am ready to accompany each of them among various nations without guards and media propaganda. I am ready to accompany them even among their own nations. They are not even able to appear among their own people. They are isolated among nations.
Take a look at their elections. A small number of people vote, and with the power of judges someone is finally elected. They [leaders] are isolated. I advise them to put this literature aside. The use of this literature belonged to centuries ago. It is not the Middle Ages anymore. It is not 100 years ago. It is not even 10 years ago. Today is today.
If you want to play a substantial role in the international equations, you should speak with the nations based on today's criteria.
My second advice to them is that they should not undermine international organizations so much. It is not right to exert so much pressure on the agency [IAEA]. The agency is a legal entity. Its cameras are installed. No country's nuclear activities are as transparent as Iran.
Everything is in front of the IAEA inspectors and cameras. No [other] country is like this. If they say it is, let them report it. In these Western countries, do they allow us to go and see their nuclear installations? We want to go and see them. I declare now that we want to go and inspect them, and we call on the IAEA to do this.
They exert so much pressure that they force the IAEA to take a political stance. Well, what do you think happens then? The IAEA loses its credibility. Let them not invoke the name of the Security Council so much. Let them not inculcate in the mind of nations that the Security Council is a tool in the hands of a few powers. If this is the case, it will have no credibility left. The Security Council won't have any influence left. Then, how will you be able to establish security in the world?
At the drop of a hat, [they say]: No research, mister, or I'll take you to the Security Council. What kind of literature is this? What kind of literature is this to use when speaking to the great Iranian nation?
Let me give a third piece of advice. We favor dialogue and we've always done so, with everyone. But I advise them: Know the Iranian nation! Know the revolution of the Iranian nation! Know the government of the Iranian nation! Otherwise, you may do something that you'll regret later and your regret will come at a time when it will be of no use to you.
What kind of way is this to behave? Each one of you who comes and stands behind the podium is insulting, is rude. What kind of behavior is? Is this civilized behavior? Is this civilized behavior? That - when it comes to governments that don't accept your policies - you should keep getting together and saying things and approving your own remarks and then breaking up. Then, getting together two by two, three by three, with one of you saying something and the other approving it, the other one echoing it, the other one resonating it. Then, imagining that a right has been created in the world. Amend this behavior, toward all nations, especially the Iranian nation! The Iranian nation is a learned nation. It is a civilized nation. It is a history-making nation. It is a nation that - both in the region and the world - has a very active logic and foreign policy today.
You know and we know: You need us far more than we need you. You all need the Iranian nation today. Why do you strike a powerful pose? You don't have any power, so what does this mean? On the one hand, you go and give interviews, you threaten [us]; on the other hand, your inspectors keep coming and talking to us, saying: Retreat by an inch, do this, do that! You like to hear us say the words that you like. You want the Iranian nation to do as you please. What kind of inappropriate expectation is this? The Iranian nation is an independent nation. Of course, it will decide and act within the framework of stipulated, lawful international regulations, and it will follow its course.
[Presenter announces a break in the live relay to allow the broadcasting of the news bulletin; live relay resumes after 14 minutes]
[Ahmadinezhad; second session of press conference in progress] After all, in our relations with other countries, we have our national interest in mind of course in accordance with the international regulations. I have already answered the second part of your question. We have the essential tools to defend our nation's right and we think that those who are using this aggressive and illegal language against our nation, need to have relations with the Iranian nation ten times more than the Iranians need them.
. . .
[Reporter] Greetings Mr President. I am Aleqbandan from Jam e-Jam Newspaper and have a very short question for you. The Europeans and the Western countries ...
[Ahmadinezhad interrupts addressing other reporters] No problem, come and ask your question.
[Jam e-Jam reporter continues] What should the Western countries do to build trust?
[Ahmadinezhad] They should give necessary guarantees to assure us that they will recognize the right of our nation, and that they will not cause any nuisance or create unnecessary problems. They should also make their nuclear activities transparent by allowing IAEA to inspect their activities and to impose limitations on their activities. These are parts of our expectations from them. They should stop their political games. These are what we expect them to do to reassure us that they abide by law and that they are telling the truth when they say they recognize the right of the Iranian nation.
[Qods daily reporter] My name is Khalilkhani.
[Ahmadinezhad] You appear to be a brawny man, please speak a bit louder.
[Qods daily reporter] Fine. My question is as follows: The Russian foreign minister said that there is no need for Iran's dossier to be referred to the Security Council by the agency [IAEA] and a member of the Security Council may just ask for the review of Iran's dossier.
[Ahmadinezhad] Take it where?
[Qods daily reporter] To the Security Council based on the request of members. My question is that if they have such an intention and they can use this instrument against Iran why have they not taken Iran's dossier to the Board of Governors yet?
[Ahmadinezhad] The dossier is at the Board of Governors.
[Qods daily reporter] I meant the Security Council.
[Ahmadinezhad] Yes. The Board of Governors should review the dossier. However, the Security Council can also review the dossier directly. Since we have a clear logic and we act according to the law, we are not worried about other people's behavior. However, we are sorry for the world and nations that a number of countries want to have such a display of power and intend to adversely affect the world tranquility.
We believe that we are pursuing a clear path. We are people of dialogue, logic and law. We are not interested in what they are accusing us of. But we know how to defend ourselves and our interests.
. . .
[Sadeq Sabah from the BBC] Mr Ahmadinezhad, you said today that Iran was not after making a nuclear bomb and you regarded it against [Islamic] belief. I would like to ask why the Islamic Republic should not deem itself entitled to this right? Also, if the enemies of the Islamic Republic, assuming Israel, wish to attack Iran with nuclear weapons one day, why should Iran be unable to protect itself? Do developing long-range missiles not serve the same purpose as nuclear weapons, though their damage is limited? Thank you.
[Ahmadinezhad] Thank you. I did answer your question already. We think that humanity has reached a level where public opinion and will have become crucial, not atomic bombs. In fact atom bombs have no advantages for them. Instead it portrays their image as cruel and inhumane. According to our belief, all these [nuclear weapons] should be removed. Even if we were in charge of the world today, we would have removed these missiles also.
We think that humanity means rationale, knowledge, reasoning and dialogue. We need dialogue. What is this [word indistinct] competition! Now, I would like to ask you what position does the Qods occupying regime which [words indistinct] have? If only one question shakes its foundation, do we still need nuclear weapons! No, we do not. We only raised a question and that shook them and their supporters. Now imagine what will happen if we express our opinion? I do not think there is a need [for nuclear weapons]. Reason and logic are nowadays prevailing over the world. Those who invest in such projects waste their money unnecessarily. Next.
. . .
[Reporter continues in Arabic and then switches to Farsi] In Bandar Abbas and in Minab city you stressed that in the near future the Iranian nation will have access to nuclear energy. Does this not mean that you intend to do more nuclear research in the near future and that you intend to carry out enrichment activities and produce nuclear fuel?
[Ahmadinezhad] Thank you. These concepts and phrases that you use each have clear legal implications according to the regulations of the Agency. The enrichment and research have clear meanings. We are in the process of research and God-willing we intend to continue our research activities in the future.
. . .

domain: politics


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Does it matter? Fuck people act like these issues are so important, if people can get married or if women earn enough money, who fucking cares, don't be an asshole, and call someone out on being an asshole when you see it. I would hope people would do the same for me. Seriously who give a fuck if people can get married.
It is more the people getting killed for being what they are that shits me, the people starving while others eat themselves to death, while we fuck each other to the point when the planet can't support us. Stop making such a big deal about issues that ultimately don't fucking matter, and focus on the ones that if left run rampant will stop all the namby pamby hippy shit from being an issue again. Because you know a vast majority of us will be dead.
I see what you're saying, and I don't deny that in the grand scheme of things, same-sex marriage seems like it might want to take a backseat to say: i) solving world hunger, ii) achieving world peace and iii) building a sustainable future that doesn't take our planet into total catastrophe. You could go further to say that in the grand stage of the cosmos, the sum total of humanity's greatest achievements and failures amounts to nary a dot in the time-scale of the cosmos. Having a humbling perspective like that gives pause for us to appreciate the enormity of the universe we exist in, but it should never prevent us from thinking about ways to learn about things bigger than us.
However, to answer your question of: Does it matter? Yes, it does matter
. Right now, we're not at the point where same-sex marriage is viewed as being a non-issue. There are schisms, deep cultural and religious ones where people view it as an attack on their faith and persons. This is a very primitive and irrational retaliatory response to something a great many people view as decent common sense, given the supposed state of modern technological advancement and progressive thinking.
The points about our world and all the troubles that come with our human presence are tremendous challenges. These are challenges that can only be solved by unilateral, multi-state and globally co-ordinated solutions. Energy, resource and commodity struggles and conflicts can be solved by a race of people that are mature and intelligent enough to come together to move humanity towards a more egalitarian and sustainable path. If we as a species, can't even agree on whether or not people of the same sex should be able to wed one another, we have virtually zero hope of solving those other world-reaching, culture-crossing and borderless problems that plague the precarious balance of nature and human advancement.
Let's start with the little things first, let's get those basic blocks of an evolved civilization into place. Then, when we've learned to look after our own species, can we realistically look to becoming the true custodians of the planet we call home. Until then, back to the drawing board we go.


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As the burden of HPV-associated cancers like cervical cancer and oropharyngeal cancers, which are a subset of squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (SCCHN), continues to grow, are there emerging treatments that may lead to more optimal outcomes? Join oncology experts in both areas of focus as they discuss treatment approaches for SCCHN and cervical cancer.
The Growing Burden of HPV-Associated Cancers
The Growing Burden of HPV-Associated Cancers
Human papilloma virus, or HPV-associated cancers, are quickly becoming a global health problem. In fact, HPV is believed to be responsible for more than 90% of anal and cervical cancers, about 70% of vaginal and vulvar cancers, 60% of penile cancers, and up to 70% of cancers of the head and neck, and when it comes to tackling a global health problem like this, the topic of improved therapeutic management cannot be ignored. This is CME on ReachMD, and I’m Dr. Omid Hamid. Joining me to discuss clinical approaches to managing the burden of HPV-associated cancers are Dr. Susana Campos and Dr. Robert Ferris. Dr. Campos, Dr. Ferris, welcome to you both.
Since you both bring such a different perspective to this discussion, I’d first like to hear about some of the major types of HPV-associated cancers each of you see in your practice. So, Dr. Campos, let’s start with you.
So, the majority of our practice in terms of HPV-infected cancers is cervical cancer, and to a lesser extent, we will see vulvar cancer as well as vaginal cancer in our clinical practice.
And how about you, Dr. Ferris? What are the major types of HPV-associated cancers you see?
Well, in head and neck and that anatomic subsite, human papilloma virus has been responsible for an increasing rate of cancers in a particular area, the tonsil and the base of the tongue. We call that the oropharynx. To a much lower degree, there is perhaps four or five percent in the oral cavity, the front part of the mouth, and a similar, you know, five or so percent, way back in the voice box, in the larynx. So, primarily, the HPV-positive head and neck cancers occur in the middle portion, the tonsil and the base of the tongue, which has been increasing at a rate of about five percent per year for about three decades.
For those just joining us, this is CME on ReachMD. I’m Dr. Omid Hamid, and here with me to discuss clinical decisions on HPV-positive cancers are Dr. Susana Campos and Dr. Robert Ferris. Now that we talked about the burden of HPV-associated cancers, I’d like to focus the discussion at this point on emerging treatments that may help us relieve some of that burden. So, Dr. Campos, what are some of the novel approaches to managing HPV-associated cancers?
You know, there’s been several landmarks in cervical cancer. The first landmark is when we realized the Pap smear could actually decrease mortality, and I think the second landmark dates back actually to 1999 when the NCI made an announcement that if you combined chemotherapy with radiation therapy that you actually could improve survival. Actually, analysis showed about a six percent overall survival. In addition, we’ve studied different compounds of chemotherapy, usually platinum-based, but those combinations, despite the fact that the combinations did improve progression-free survival in patients with cervical cancer, we did not see an overall survival benefit with those combinations of chemotherapy. In essence, some of the new novel therapies have date back several years ago to a study called GOG 227 where the use of bevacizumab was found to have about an 11 percent benefit in terms of progression-free survival, excuse me, in terms of overall survival, in terms of overall response rate. There was a clinical study called GOG 240, which looked at the combination of bevacizumab plus chemotherapy, and in that particular study, GOG 240, there was an overall survival benefit with the use of bevacizumab and also with the use of chemotherapy. So, that’s actually kind of important to note, but the last several years, we kind of changed our avenue and asked the question, Can we do better than simply cytotoxic chemotherapy plus or minus a bevacizumab, an anti-angiogenesis derivative? We’re looking at checkpoint inhibitors in cervical cancer, and there have been actually numerous studies actually that have shown that there’s a benefit of these checkpoint inhibitors in the management of patients with metastatic cervical cancer. There was a study utilizing, looking at an objective response rate of about eight percent. There’s KEYNOTE-026 that used pembrolizumab, looking at a response rate of about 12.5 percent. There was another KEYNOTE-158 study again utilizing the drug pembrolizumab, looking at an overall response rate of about 14 percent, and CheckMate 358 looked at Nivo, once again showing the objective response rate in the teens. So, as we are aware of at this point in time, there is actually an approval, an FDA approval, for pembrolizumab in patients that have received one prior line. The response rate is about 13 to 17 percent depending on which study you read, but the approval was actually restricted to PD-L1 patients that had had combined positive score of greater than or equal to 1, and that’s just the checkpoint inhibitors. There’ve been some very good interest in a molecule called ADXS11-001, which is a live-attenuated molecule of listeria that actually secretes an HPV 16 E7 fusion protein, and in a particular cohort of individuals, about 110 individuals, there was a response rate of about 43 percent, and there’s a phase 3 study that is on its way. So, it’s quite exciting, but I think, you know, some very exciting work has been done by some members of the NCI looking at adoptive T cell therapy, and that’s actually shown some promise in metastatic cervical cancer. The tumor-infiltrating T cells are selected for HPV E5 and E7, and they’ve shown some really longterm responses. One other trial that is coming to light which I’m incredibly interested in is looking at the specific antibody that targets tissue factor, which is a protein that’s involved in tumor signaling and angiogenesis. So, clearly, over the last decade there has been tremendous advances in the upfront treatment of cervical cancer but also in the metastatic recurrent setting.
And turning to you, Dr. Ferris, are there any emerging treatments specific to head and neck-related cancers?
Well, in some degree, we would parallel many of things Dr. Campos mentioned. The standard of care for head and neck cancer has been cisplatin-based chemoradiation, or in the recurrent setting, cisplatin with other chemo, such as 5FU and cetuximab. A phase 3 trial recently reported in locally advanced HPV-positive patients, indicated that cisplatin was superior to cetuximab in the locally advanced setting, although a large subset, about 600 of those patients with good performance status, had equivalent outcome, and so in the locally advanced setting, we use either the EGFR-targeted antibodies, cetuximab, or the traditional chemotherapy cisplatin, as they often use in cervical and other HPV-related diseases. Now, another positive trial showed that the immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab was also effective in recurrent metastatic head and neck cancers. We have FDA approval since 2016 for two PD-1 targeted antibodies, both nivolumab and pembrolizumab, and those were used in platinum-refractory patients who had progressed within six months of platinum exposure, and just at ASCO in the past few months, a publication emerged in a presentation indicating that a KEYNOTE-048 trial showed that pembrolizumab monotherapy for PD-L1 positive tumors or pembrolizumab with chemotherapy was better than chemotherapy in first line, so an earlier stage of disease. So, the PD-1 inhibitors are now FDA approved as of June 10th, both in first line and in second line head and neck cancer. There appears to be a better response rate, an earlier response, and a more frequent response in HPV-positive head and neck cancer patients, but the longest data we have is two-year follow-up data from the CheckMate 141 trial, and that showed that overall survival was equivalent between HPV-positive and HPV-negative patients.
Well, it’s about that time to bring this program to a close, but before we do, is there anything you’d like to revisit or discuss regarding HPV-associated cancers that was not touched upon today? Dr. Campos, let’s start with you.
Certainly. I think the most important thing to remember is that the prevention is always better than the cure, and, you know, cervical cancer is largely preventable through public health interventions, and at the present time, we have two HPV vaccines. One is the bivalent Cervarix, which covers HPV 16 and 18, but there’s also Gardasil 9, which has recently become available and actually protects against seven HPV types, including type 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58, but it also targets nonmalignant genital warts. So, it’s important that this vaccine is talked about with young women and also young men at the same time because this is truly a preventable disease, and when we talk about burden of disease, we talk about not only morbidity with young women in terms of multiple biopsies and actually some obstetric complications but also mortality, which, you know, in the United States is high, but in developing countries almost accounts for 90 percent of women’s deaths.
And how about you, Dr. Ferris? Would you like to add anything to that?
Sure, two points. One is to follow up on Dr. Campos’ advocacy of the vaccines, the prevention vaccines. Although we don’t yet have data as they have in cervical cancer with an actual histologic cancer endpoint, we do have a surrogate endpoint that those vaccines may be effective at decreasing persistent HPV infection in the oral cavity. There was a study from a Costa Rican cohort and then another from the NHANES trial looking at salivary HPV infection that appeared to be substantially, if not completely, eliminated by the HPV vaccine, and so it may be systemic HPV infection, including protection in the oral cavity, that these prevention vaccines help with, and this should translate into reduction in oropharyngeal carcinomas. In addition, I wanted to point out that a study using a targeted bispecific antibody, which is the M7824 in head and neck cancer patients, and this uses PD-L1 targeting with a bispecific TGF-beta receptor to trap so that it depletes TGF-beta, which is very deleterious and can often trigger regulatory suppressor T cells, and this agent M7824 was used in an expanded phase 1 trial, which was quite promising in a series of head and neck cancer patients. Where nivolumab is FDA approved and the response rate is 13 percent, in this study the overall response rate was around 22 percent and, in fact, in the HPV-positive group was even better, was 50 percent, suggesting that targeting PD-L1 as well as TGF-beta may be beneficial and points the way to combination therapies that may be more effective for the virus-induced head and neck cancers.
Well, with the prevalence of HPV-associated cancers growing worldwide, it’s great to know that there are developing treatment options that may help us alleviate the heavy burden these cancers cause, and I want to thank my guests, Dr. Susana Campos and Dr. Robert Ferris, for helping us better understand HPV-positive cancers and what we may see in future treatment options across the varying cancer types. Dr. Campos, Dr. Ferris, it was great speaking with you today.
In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support, The Global Learning Collaborative (GLC) requires that individuals in a position to control the content of an educational activity disclose all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest. GLC resolves all conflicts of interest to ensure independence, objectivity, balance, and scientific rigor in all its educational programs.
Omid Hamid, MD
Chief, Translational Research & Immunotherapy
Director, Cutaneous Oncology
The Angeles Clinic & Research Institute
Los Angeles, CA
Dr. Hamid has disclosed he receives consulting fees from Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck, Novartis, and Roche; and is a member of the speaker bureau for Amgen, Array, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Genentech, Novartis, and Sanofi/Regeneron.
He does contracted research for Amgen, Arcus, Astellas, Astra Zeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celldex, CytomX, Genentech, GSK, Immunocore, Incyte, Iovance, Merck, Merck-Serono, MedImmune, NextCure, Novartis, Parker Institute, Pfizer, Polynoma, Regeneron, and Roche.
Susana M. Campos, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Dr. Campos has disclosed she receives consulting fees from Esai, Serono, and Tesaro.
Robert Ferris, MD
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Dr. Ferris has disclosed he is on the Advisory Board for Amgen, Astra-Zeneca/MedImmune, Bristol-Myers Squibb, EMD Serono, GlaxoSmithKline, Lilly, Merck, Numb Therapeutics AG, Oncorus, Inc. Pfizer, PPD, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Tesaro; and receives consulting fees from Aduro Biotech, Inc., Bain Capital Life Sciences, Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc., Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, Torque Therapeutics Inc, and TTMS. He does contracted research for Astra-Zeneca/MedImmune, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck, and VentiRx Pharmaceuticals.
- Sean T. Barrett has nothing to disclose.
- Ann Early has nothing to disclose.
- Barry A. Fiedel, PhD has nothing to disclose.
- John Pirovitz has nothing to disclose.
After participating in this educational activity, participants should be better able to:
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Mark A. Socinski, MDPeer

domain: medical


Press Release Summary:
FlowCamÃ‚Â® ALH automated liquid handling system complements FlowCam 8000 Series particle imaging and analysis system, whichÃ‚Â automatically detects, images, and characterizes thousands of individual particles and microorganisms in real-time. Able to automatically process up to 96 samples per run without human involvement/supervision,Ã‚Â FlowCam ALH enables consistent, uninterrupted operation. Self-contained system only requires operator to program and save pre-analysis sample preparation methods.
Original Press Release:
New FlowCamÂ® Automated Liquid Handling System Speeds Sample Processing and Strengthens Data Quality in Imaging Particle Analysis
FlowCam Particle Analysis System with Unattended Operation Eliminates Human Errors
Scarborough, ME: Global laboratory instrumentation manufacturer Fluid Imaging Technologies, Scarborough, Maine (www.FluidImaging.com) has unveiled the FlowCamÂ® ALH automated liquid handling system. A companion for the company's FlowCam 8000 Series particle imaging and analysis system that automatically detects, images and characterizes thousands of individual particles and microorganisms in seconds in real time, the automated liquid handling system automatically processes up to 96 samples per run without requiring human involvement or supervision for consistent, uninterrupted operation. Once pre-analysis sample preparation methods are programmed and saved using an intuitively easy interface, the FlowCam ALH runs entirely unattended to reduce labor, eliminate the potential for human error in sample handling and pipetting and assure the resulting data is highly accurate and actionable.
Ideal for particle characterization and quality control in protein therapeutics, drug development and production, and in a variety of other liquid and dry particle analysis applications, the FlowCam autosampler includes built-in mixing, heating and cooling for sample conditioning, control over evaporation and protection against sample degradation. The FlowCam ALH liquid handling system is entirely self-contained on a compact footprint in a protective enclosure suitable for cleanrooms to prevent contamination and prevent outside activities from disturbing the operation. The FlowCam autosampler is already proven effective for protein analysis in multiple customer laboratories on three continents.
For more information, contact Fluid Imaging Technologies, Inc.; 200 Enterprise Drive, Scarborough, Maine 04074; 207.289.3200.; Fax 207.289.3101; www.fluidimaging.com.


For structural components made of sintered metals the porosity may be rather high, and this affects conditions for material failure. A simple model for analysis of shear band development in uniformly strained solids is used here to study the effect-of rather high initial porosities on the onset of a material instability. The elastic plastic behaviour of the material is represented by a material model, which combines the Gurson model, relevant to rather low porosities, with the FKM model, developed for high porosity powder compacts. Predictions are shown for various levels of initial porosity and for various levels of initial material:imperfections, considering both plane strain and axisymmetric conditions outside the shear band. Also a comparison of localization predictions by the Gurson model, the FKM model and the combined model is presented. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.


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I saw the Mycroft v2 recently and had a look through the kickstarter page to learn a little more.
It looks promising but after some research and some tweets, I remembered the mycroft.ai is something I looked at previously and was interested in installing on a RaspberryPi to see if I could create what I really need. Its one of my many projects I wanted to do with my holidays sometime. Its clear voice and hue lights could be very good, especially for guests but I don’t want google and philips to be involved in that process.
I also suggested mycroft and betty to Databox team, when we talked about voice in the living room of the future. It seems like a perfect match right?
Anyway, I think I might back the second one only because I don’t really want to do the hard work making it work on a Raspberry Pi.

domain: hobby