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Received date: June 27, 2016; Accepted date: July 15, 2016; Published date: July 18, 2016
Citation: Panda T, Mishra N, Pradhan BK (2016) A Folk Knowledge on Medicinal Plants Used for the Treatment of Skin Diseases in Bhadrak District of Odisha, India. Med Aromat Plants 5:262. doi:10.4172/2167-0412.1000262
Copyright: © 2016 Panda T, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
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Only recently there has been an exponential growth in the field of herbal medicine and these drugs are gaining popularity both in developing and developed countries because of their natural origin and less side effects. Ethnic people and tribals of India are endowed with a deep knowledge concerning the utilization of medicinal plants to cure various diseases. However research on the local knowledge related to plant species utilization for skin ailments still lacks adequate attention. The current investigation aims to identify, collect and document the existing folk knowledge related to the utilization of medicinal flora for healing of skin ailments among the local inhabitants of Bhadrak district, Odisha, India. Data were collected through a combination of tools and techniques of questionnaire, group interview and discussion. A total of 57 medicinal plants representing 34 families are reported for their therapeutic use against skin ailments. The predominant families are Euphorbiaceae and Fabaceae. Most preferred species for the management of skin ailments are Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.)Wall. ex. Nees., Annona squamosa L., Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Calophyllum inophyllum L., Cissampelos pareira L., Croton sparsiflorus Morong., Glinus oppositifolius (L.) A. DC., Lantana camara L., Ocimum sanctum L., Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre. and Tridax procumbens L. In most of the skin treatments with medicinal plants, the herbal preparations are administered topically. Further scientific research is required to evaluate biochemical constituent as well as the pharmacologically useful alkaloids, tannins, resins and any other beneficial plant product available from the local flora for the enhanced posterity of mankind.
Ethnomedicine; Traditional knowledge; Skin disease; Medicinal plants
Herbal and natural products of folk medicine are practiced for centuries in almost all cultures worldwide. However, in most of the world countries, especially those in the African continent, Asia and South and Central America, the majority of the population (roughly 80%) still relies to a great extent on herbal medicine for their primary healthcare [1,2]. Moreover, in developing countries and rural societies, the use of medicinal plants is both a valuable resource and a necessity, and furthermore a real alternative for prevention of diseases. Despite the great progress in commercial drugs, the increasing confidence in alternative therapies (especially herbal therapies), even in western countries, stems from the fact that some of these remedies have so far proven to be very effective in countries like France and Germany . It is suggested that many conventional drugs prescribed worldwide are exclusively of plant based [4,5]. Examples include salicylic acid, which upon acetylation produces aspirin, which is isolated from the bark of Salix caroliniana, anticancer drug Taxol isolated from Taxus brevifolia, the pain killer morphine and the anti-cough codeine from Papaver somniferum etc. . However, scientists and medical professionals have found that the herbs themselves, which possess unique combinations of chemical components, are more effective than the chemical derivatives . Herbalists and indigenous healers have used botanical medicines traditionally for the prevention and treatment of different ailments. Traditional knowledge that is developed through the combined experience of many generations and still practiced in many tribal and rural societies develops their own medical practices by trial and error method . In every period, every successive century from the development of humankind and advanced civilizations, the healing properties of certain medicinal plants are identified, noted, and conveyed to the successive generations. The benefits of one society were passed on to another, which upgraded the old properties, discovered new ones, till present days. Consequently, historical texts from medical traditions in various countries of the world such as India, China, Egypt, Greek, Roman and Syria bring new insight into plant usage and become established as a rewarding tool for ethnopharmacological research. In India a number of studies have been in use, under indigenous systems of medicine like Ayurveda, Sidha and Unani. Ayurvedic texts viz., Charak Samhita, ‘Sushrut Samhita’, Sarangadhara Samhita, Bhavaprakasha Samhita, Satmya Darpan Samhita, Vaisajya Ratnabali, Rasatarangini etc. explain numerous remedies to treat different ailments. Indeed, many plant based medicines are still in demand for a variety of diseases like congestive cardiac failure, bronchitis, inflammatory conditions and other ailments [6,9-12]. Skin diseases are one such common disorder, effecting people worldwide, particularly in rural areas of developing countries due to poor sanitation and inattentiveness to dietary food supplements . It is found in all ages with an incidence of 34% of all occupational diseases . Common skins ailments include eczema, leucoderma, ringworm, itching, wound, scabies, swelling and many others without distinct symptoms and are caused by a variety of microorganisms and uncomfortable environment . Micro-organisms responsible for skin infections can be bacterial, fungal, parasitic or viral in nature. Many allopathic drugs prescribed for skin diseases have adverse effects. Consequently, there is an increased interest and confidence in alternative therapies, like phytomedicine, in the treatment of skin ailments . Currently, many natural products from plants have been used by various cultures all over the world to treat skin diseases or their symptoms caused by micro-organisms . Although efforts are on to document ethnobotanical information for the treatment of skin ailments in different parts of India [17-23], reports from Bhadrak district of Odisha, India is nil. Therefore, the current investigation aims to, identify, collect and document the medicinal plants traditionally used for the treatment of skin disorders in Bhadrak district of Odisha, India. Documentation of traditional ethnomedicinal knowledge, indigenous herbal preparation for skin ailments could help in preserving knowledge and creating awareness regarding the need for conservation of biological resources.
The study was endeavoured in Bhadrak district, Odisha, India falls within a geographical tract of 20° 43’-21° 13’ N latitude and 86° 6’-87° E longitude. The total area of the district is 2505 km2 with a population of 1.507 million (2011 Census). It is bounded on the north by Balasore district, on the east by Bay of Bengal and Kendrapara district, on the south by Jajpur district and west by Koenjher district (Figure 1). The climate condition of the district is generally hot with high humidity during April and May and cold during December and January. The district is inhabited by a large section of rural population and different tribes. People of the area practise agriculture and grow paddy, mustard and vegetables.
Figure 1: HPLC chromatogram of the nine reference compounds in 50% aqueous methanol, measured at 370nm. Retention times for rutin, sutherlandin A, sutherlandin B, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, sutherlandin C, sutherlandin D, quercitrin, quercetin and kaempferol were 11.9, 12.7, 13.8, 15.3, 16.2, 17.0, 18.0, 26.2 and 28.1 minutes, respectively.
The information on plants used for treating skin disorders of folklore origin were obtained from December 2013 to November 2014. For this purpose, frequent field trips were made to different localities of the district. Local medicine men and elderly people whose empirical knowledge was respected by everyone in the area were interviewed. After obtaining their consent, information regarding their knowledge of medicinal plants is recorded with the help of questionnaire-based interviews, open-ended field discussions and also by observation of their actual treatment practices, wherever possible [24-26]. Altogether 57 (52 men and 5 women) persons were interviewed. Data on local name of folk medicinal plants, parts used method of preparation and dosages recommended were recorded for each medicinal claim. Medicine men were requested to accompany with the authors in the field so as to facilitate the identification of different plants specially employed by them to treat skin disease. The information was also discussed with different medicine men in other localities to validate the claims as far as possible . Botanical specimens of all folk medicinal plants were collected, identified and deposited at the herbarium of the Department of Botany, Chandbali College, Chandbali. The plants were identified with the help of local floras [28,29].
Data on medicinal uses of plants are arranged alphabetically in the following sequence: scientific name, family, habit, vernacular name if any, parts used and modes of use.
Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet. (Malvaceae) Habit: Herb, Local Name: Pedipedika
Fresh leaves are applied externally on the skin thrice daily to treat the ringworm infection.
Acalypha indica L. (Euphorbiaceae), Habit: Herb
To treat skin diseases leaf paste is used twice daily for a period of one week.
Achyranthes aspera L. (Amaranthaceae), Habit: Herb, Local Name: Apamaranga
To reduce the pain of the skin infected with worms as well as to expel the dead worms out, burned root ashes are applied topically.
Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. (Rutaceae), Habit: Tree, Local Name: Bela
Paste prepared from leaf is applied topically over the skin twice daily to get relief from itches.
Allium cepa Linn. (Liliaceae), Habit: Herb, Local Name: Piaja
Bulb paste mixed with turmeric powder is applied on itching affected area twice daily.
Amaranthus spinosus L. (Amaranthaceae), Habit: Herb, Local Name: Kanta saga
Warmed leaves are applied locally thrice daily for 5 days to cure boils and burns.
Anacardium occidentale L. (Anacardiaceae), Habit: Tree, Local Name: Saitamba
Oil extracted from the seed is effective for the treatment of skin diseases.
Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex. Nees. (Acanthaceae), Habit: Herb, Local Name: Chireita
To treat leprosy, scabies, eczema and ringworm infection, paste made from leaf is applied topically twice daily till cure. Plants are grinded into powder; pills are prepared with honey and taken internally for warts.
Annona reticulata L. (Annonaceae), Habit: Tree, Local Name: Atta
Crushed leaves or a paste is poulticed on boils, abscesses and ulcers.
Annona squamosa L. (Annonaceae), Habit: Tree, Local Name: Neua
Paste made from leaf is gently warmed and applied locally for early maturation of boils.
Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae), Habit: Herb, Local Name: Kantakusum
Fresh leaves are ground to paste; the paste is applied topically to treat eczema.
Artocarpus lacucha Roxb. Ex Buch.-Ham. (Moraceae), Habit: Tree, Local Name: Jeutha
Bark when applied externally draws out purulent matter, heals boils, cracked skin and pimples.
Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Meliaceae), Habit: Tree, Local Name: Neem
Leaves along with turmeric powder are made into a paste. This is applied topically for skin infection, small pox and chicken pox. Seed oil is applied locally for eczema.
Basella Alba L. (Basillaceae), Habit: Climber, Local Name: Poi
Leaf is rubbed over the affected part to cure irritation and swellings due to caterpillar.
Boerhavia diffusa L. (Nyctaginaceae), Habit: Herb, Local Name: Goudapuruni
Decoction of leaf boiled in coconut oil is applied locally twice daily to treat scabies and ringworm infection.
Brassica compestris Hook. f. and Thomas. (Brassicaceae), Habit: Herb, Local Name: Sorisha
The seeds are crushed and the paste is applied locally to cure skin diseases.
Buchnania lanzan Spreng. (Anacardiaceae), Habit: Tree, Local Name: Chara
The root and bark made into paste, the paste is applied topically on chronic wounds.
Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. (Fabaceae), Habit: Tree, Local Name: Palas
Paste of seed is applied topically for the treatment of skin diseases.
Calophyllum inophyllum L. (Cluciaceae), Habit: Tree, Local Name: Polanga
Oil prepared from seed is applied topically for scabies and eczema.
Calotropis gigantea R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae), Habit: Herb, Local Name: Dhala Arakha
Latex mixed with turmeric powder is warmed in coconut oil and the extract is applied locally to treat eczema. Fresh milky latex is applied topically twice daily for 7 days to cure scabies.
Cassia alata L. (Fabaceae), Habit: Herb
Decoction of leaf is applied topically to treat ringworm infection.
Cassia fistula L. (Caesalpiniaceae), Habit: Tree, Local Name: Sunari
Leaf paste is applied externally thrice daily for three days to treat injuries/ wounds on the skin.
Cassia occidentalis L. (Caesalpiniaceae), Habit: Herb, Local Name: Chakunda
About 1 gm powder made from dried fruits and seeds with 5-10 ml seed oil of this plant are applied locally to cure scabies.
Cassia tora L. (Caesalpiniaceae), Habit: Herb, Local Name: Bana chakunda
Paste of leaves is applied for skin disease.
Cissampelos pareira L. (Menispermaceae), Habit: Climber, Local Name: Akanbindhi
Gently warmed leaf is kept on wounds to draws out purulent matter.
Clerodendrum inerme (L.) Gaertn (Verbenaceae), Habit: Herb, Local Name:Phuljholi
Paste made from leaf is very effective for skin inflammation, scabies and ringworm infection.
Couroupita guianesis Aubl. (Lecythidaceae), Habit: Tree, Local Name: Nagalinga Leaf paste is applied topically to cure skin disease.
Croton sparsiflorus Morong. (Euphorbiaceae) Habit: Herb, Local Name: Nandababulii
7-8 leaves are crushed in palm and its juice is applied over the cut for blood clotting.
Datura metel L. (Solanaceae), Habit: Herb, Local Name: Kaladudura
To treat pimples and other infections, leaves gently heated on flame are applied topically over the face once daily for a week.
Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk. (Asteraceae), Habit: Herb, Local Name: Bhrungaraj
Paste made from leaf is applied topically for ringworm infection. The Leaves are boiled with coconut oil and the extract is applied on head for seven days to treat dandruff.
Euphorbia hirta L. (Euphorbiaceae), Habit: Herb, Local Name: Hariharika
Latex is effective for healing of wounds.
Ficus religiosa L. (Moraceae), Habit: Tree, Local Name: Aswastha
Stem latex is applied locally on the foot twice daily for healing cracks and fissures.
Flacourtia indica (Burm. f.) Merr. (Flacourtiaceae), Habit: Shrub, Local Name: Bainchaikoli
Stem bark paste is rubbed over the skin for the treatment of eczema.
Glinus oppositifolius (L.) A. DC. (Molluginaceae), Habit: Herb, Local Name: Pitasaga
Whole plant is used either in raw or cooked form to cure various types of skin disease like scabies, itches etc.
Gmelina arborea Roxb. (Verbenaceae), Habit: Tree, Local Name: Gambhari
Decoction of root bark is used for washing and healing of septic wounds.
Holarrhena pubescens (Buch-Ham) Wall. ex G. Don. (Apocynaceae), Habit: Tree, Local Name: Kerua
Paste prepared from root is applied on cut, wound, abscess and boils.
Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae), Habit: Shrub, Local Name: Lankajada
Paste prepared from leaf is applied topically to treat eczema, scabies and ringworm infection.
Justicia adhatoda Burn. f. (Acanthaceae), Habit: Shrub, Local Name: Dhalabasanga
Paste prepared from leaf is applied topically for scabies and ringworm infection.
Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae), Habit: Shrub, Local Name: Nagaairi
Fresh leaves are applied on the affected part to cure insect stings, skin eruptions, and itch of measles.
Lawsonia inermis L. (Lythraceace), Habit: Shrub, Local Name: Manjuati
Paste prepared from leaf is applied on cuts and wounds for a week.
Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link. (Lamiaceae), Habit: Herb, Local Name: Gayasa
Paste prepared from leaf is applied topically for ringworm infection.
Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae), Habit: Tree, Local Name: Amba
Gum is gently heated and applied locally to treat cracks of soles. The tender stem is warmed in
slow flame and the oozing foam like juice is put to cuts, wounds, and cracks of the heels.
Michelia champaca L. (Magnoliaceae), Habit: Tree, Local Name: Champa
Cleaning of hair with leaf decoction helps in removing lices and dandruffs. Powder prepared from sun dried stem bark mixed with coconut oil is effective for treatment of skin diseases.
Mimosa pudica L. (Mimosaceae), Habit: Herb, Local Name: Lajakuli
The paste prepared from leaves is effective for eczema. A handful of entire plant paste is applied on cuts and wounds to promote healing.
Ocimum sanctum L. (Lamiaceae), Habit: Herb, Local Name: Tulasi
Leaf paste is applied daily once daily on ringworm affected area till it cures. Leaf paste is very effective for treating wounds of leprosy.
Peperomia pellucida (L.) Kunth. (Piperaceae), Habit: Herb
The paste prepared from leaves is applied over wounds.
Phyllanthus emblica L. (Euphorbiaceae) Habit: Tree, Local Name: Aonla
Barks are sundried and boiled with coconut oil; the extract is applied topically for scabies.
Piper nigrum L. (Piperaceae), Habit: Climber, Local Name: Golmaricha
Leaf paste is externally applied twice daily to treat the ringworm infection.
Plumbago zeylanica L. (Plumbaginaceae), Habit: Shrub, Local Name: Chintamani
Fresh leaves paste is applied externally to treat eczema, scabies and ringworm infection.
Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre. (Fabaceae), Habit: Tree, Local Name: Karanj
Powder made from the sun dried barks is gently boiled with coconut oil and the extract is applied topically to treat eczema, scabies and ringworm infection.
Portulaca quadrifida L. (Portulacaceae), Habit: Herb, Local Name: Balbalua
Whole plant decoction is effective to skin diseases. Rauvolfia tetraphylla L. (Apocynaceae), Habit: Shrub
The juice prepared from whole plant along with castor oil is applied externally to treat skin diseases.
Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) Oken (Sapindaceae), Habit: Tree, Local Name: Kusum
Stem bark is grinded into a paste and applied over skin as curative against itching. Oil is extracted from the seed and applied locally for gout and scabies. Seed paste is slightly warmed and applied over the cuts to prevent pain and to cure white patches on the skin.
Solanum nigrum L. (Solanaceae), Habit: Herb, Local Name: Nunununia
Leaf paste or juice is applied on ringworm affected area for 3-4 days.
Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers. (Fabaceae), Habit: Shrub, Local Name: Banakulathi
Paste of the whole plant is applied topically to treat injuries.
Tridax procumbens L. (Asteraceae), Habit: Herb, Local Name: Bisalyakarani
Decoction of leaf is applied topically on the boils, cuts, sores, wounds and eczema to promote healing.
Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less. (Asteraceae), Habit: Herb, Local Name: Poksunga
Leaf paste is used for the treatment of skin disease, threadworm infection and wounds.
The plant species used as phytocure for skin diseases in Bhadrak district of Odisha, India include 57 species representing 34 families (Figure 2). The majority of abundant were species belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae (5) and Fabaceae (4). The remaining families were represented by fewer species. The most frequently mentioned plants being used were Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex. Nees., Annona squamosa L., Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Calophyllum inophyllum L., Cissampelos pareira L., Croton sparsiflorus Morong., Glinus oppositifolius (L.) A. DC., Lantana camara L., Ocimum sanctum L., Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre. and Tridax procumbens L. The analysis of the recorded medicinal plants based on growth habits showed highest proportion of herbs with 28 species (49.1%), followed by 18 trees (31.6%), 8 shrubs (14%) and 3 climbers (5.3%). Leaves were utilized more often constituting 55.9%, followed by bark (10.2%), seeds and whole plant (8.5%) each, and the remainders were root, latex, bulb, and gum.
Figure 2: HPLC chromatogram of the nine reference compounds in 50% aqueous methanol, measured at 370nm. Retention times for rutin, sutherlandin A, sutherlandin B, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, sutherlandin C, sutherlandin D, quercitrin, quercetin and kaempferol were 11.9, 12.7, 13.8, 15.3, 16.2, 17.0, 18.0, 26.2 and 28.1 minutes, respectively.
Skin health is fundamental to total health. The skin, along with the hair, glands and nails is the part of the integumentary system, the largest and most versatile organ system in the body . It serves to protect our bodies from our external environment but is extremely susceptible to microbes that influence human health. Plants have traditionally served as man’s most important weapon against pathogens. In aboriginal system of traditional medicines, people have been heavily dependent on plant products and have believed in their various remedial properties for a very long time. In certain areas, these folk medicinal prescriptions are endemic and have survived over hundreds of years. This traditional knowledge accumulated over the years is improved upon and disseminated orally from one generation to another in the form of folklore and folk sayings and contributed to the accumulation of a complex wealth of knowledge and skills. The most cited plant species to cure skin disorders in the current investigation are, Azadirachta indica A. Juss., followed by Cassia tora L., Annona squamosa L., Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre, Lantana camara L., Tridax procumbens L., Argemone mexicana L., Calophyllum inophyllum L., Andrographis paniculata Nees., Amaranthus spinosus L., Bauhinia variegata L., Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. Similar plant use is recorded earlier in different parts of India [16-18,20,21,23,31,32], indicating the importance of traditional medicine in the treatment of skin disorders. Moreover, these reports differ in the parts of the plant used or in preparation and mode of use. For instance, bark of Achyranthes aspera is used by the people of Gujarat for skin diseases (itching) ; root paste of Cassia fistula and whole plant extract of Eclipta prostrata is used for skin disease by Tribals of Bankura Districts, West Bengal ; Cissampelos pareira root paste is used by the people of Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu for wound healing and skin disorders ; fresh and dried fruits of Phyllanthus emblica is used by the people of Assam and Manipur for the treatment of skin diseases ; whole Plant of Tridax procumbens is used by the inhabitants of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh for boils, cuts and wounds, eczema and skin disorders . Similarly, various workers have reported the effective use of several herbal remedies for skin ailments and have confirmed potentials for Acalypha indica and Plumbago zeylanicum , Amaranthus spinosus , Buchanania lanzan , Ficus religiosa , Flacourtia indica , Michelia Champaca  and Solanum nigrum . External applications are more preferred for the management of skin disorders . Of the reported growth forms, herbs make up the highest proportion of the medicinal species. Literatures on medical ethnobotany explain the potential use of herbs for the treatment of diseases  and could be attributed to their wide range of bioactive ingredients . In the present study leaves are predominantly utilized in herbal medication followed by fruit, root and whole plant. These findings are also similar to other countries including India [47-49].
The results suggest that the people of Bhadrak district possessed quite extensive knowledge of the medicinal properties of plants that they used for treatment of skin ailments. The emergences of increasingly pathogenic and resistant microbes have stimulated a search for safer and more natural alternatives to the current conventional treatment methods. Thus the wealth of medicinal plants points to a great potential for research and the discovery of new drugs to fight skin diseases.
The authors are grateful to the local healers concerned for sharing their traditional knowledge for documentation and photography.
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AN ALARMING increase in burglaries and car thefts in East Sefton over recent weeks has prompted a warning from police.
In one night four cars, Ford Focus and Vauxhall models, were stolen from within a 100 yard radius in Maghull, between midnight and 6am.
Twenty burglaries also represented a significant increase in reports of crime in the area.
Officers believe a hot spell at the start of July may have accounted for a rise in opportunist thieves taking advantage of doors being left open on properties, and car windows being left down.
Crime Prevention officer Garry McCabe said: "Weather has played a part in these figures, people like to have a bit of ventilation but after a crime has been committed they are astonished at the size of gap a criminal can exploit.
"We are attempting to stem car crime with an initiative for Ford Focus models offering grub screws at all police stations in Sefton.
"If anyone needs any further information they can call in and ask."
The idea of fitting headless grub screws to RDS 6000 stereos came to Detective Constable Tim Eva after his daughter's car was broken into.
PC McCabe added: "These cars after 1998 were fitted with immobilisers, so owners should be wary not to keep the cars in view - and of course, the keys to a crook-lock should not be on the same bunch as your starter key.
"Sheds are also a major target, so be aware your padlock is useless unless the hinges attaching it to the shed are on securely.
"Why not look into Phillips non-return screws, which cannot be removed, or think about passing a piece of wire on a lock through all the appliances in the shed?"
If you require information about crime prevention contact 777 3458.

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Unrelenting in his arguments against Doug Jones’ win being certified, failed Senate candidate and child predator Roy Moore requested a judge to overturn the final certification of his election defeat, citing the claim that the black voter turnout should only count as three fifths of the total number.
“Call me old-fashioned but I’m a strict Constitutionalist,” Moore told reporters, “and according to the compromises enacted by the Constitutional Convention of 1787, otherwise known as the three-fifths clause, blacks in a state should only be counted as three-fifths the number of white inhabitants of a state. If you take that into consideration, I actually won.”
Alabama Circuit Judge Johnny Hardwick denied Moore’s motion to vacate, or overturn, the court’s previous ruling. Moore was last seen riding his horse Sassy to the local mall dressed like a cowboy. His wife could not be reached for comment.
Amid a flurry of sexual abuse allegations, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has been accused by a number of turtles, tortoises and terrapins of sexual misconduct. As of today McConnell denies the allegations. “These allegations are false,” he told reporters. “Every relationship I have ever had with a turtle was strictly professional, or with their consent.”
However, several turtles have rejected that claim. “He was always trying to get into my shell,” said one terrapin, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “He’d talk about my shell, the shape of my plates, and especially the pygal.”
A tortoise who had previously worked behind the scenes with McConnell in the House, alleges that he physically assaulted her. “We were going over some legislation in his office,” she said, “when he suddenly climbed onto the back of my shell and whispered ‘tax cuts for the rich’. I almost threw up in my snapper.”
Minority leader Nancy Pelosi joined other democrats in calling for an investigation. “If these allegations are true,” she said, “he should resign immediately.” When asked if she believed the Majority leader or the turtles, she replied, “I believe the turtles, yes.”
Early this morning president Trump injected himself into the matter. “This is just another political hit job by the loser democrats,” tweeted the president. “I’ve been with hundreds of turtles and every one of them liked it. If they say they didn’t they’re lying.”
Other accusers have requested to remain anonymous…
UPDATE! Shocking photo leaked to press!! (Warning: viewer discretion is advised)
McConnell has not returned our requests for further comment.
Amid a wave of scandals involving rape, sexual assault and harassment, famed linguistics and world affairs professor Noam Chomsky of MIT has been accused by three women of harassment.
Nora Whitmeyer, a former student and subsequent librarian in the linguistics department, reported that Chomsky repeatedly whispered the phrase, “If we don’t believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don’t believe in it at all.”
Abigail Summers also reported that the professor repeated phrases in her ear, including, “Case by case, we find that conformity is the easy way, and the path to privilege and prestige; dissidence carries personal costs.”
They said it drove them insane.
A third woman, who requested anonymity, stated that in 1955, when Chomsky was only an assistant professor, stopped her in the library and asked point blank, “What is the difference between Continental liberalism, English liberalism, and Old Whiggism?
One cannot fathom what type of psychological impact this would have on any of us, but few people can withstand that kind of pointed aggression for very long. We have tried to get a statement from professor Chomsky but it is extremely difficult to get around his schedule of naps.
Donald Trump’s Hair was spotted considering options to leave the administration yesterday outside the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fl., as the president was exiting his limousine.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source close to the Donald’s Hair (who denies he is a comb) said that the Hair had been considering his options for some time, but didn’t expect to be caught considering them in public.
It remains unclear what opportunities the former president’s Hair would have in the global marketplace, but rumors have been circulating about a merger with Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos.
Sources close to both Bezos and the Hair have confirmed that there has been mutual admiration between them for some time, although other interested parties were reported to be Goldmann Sachs Chairman Lloyd Blankfein.
However, in a statement released earlier today, Blankfein said that he is only interested in speculating on the potential merger between Bezos and the Hair, not in donning the coif himself.
French President Emmanuel Macron has offered the Hair a spacious flat in downtown Paris where it can consider its options. As Macron has a full head of hair already, it is uncertain what his motivations are, but sources close to Macron say the Hair is very concerned about the impact of climate change and, more specifically, the impact of high humidity on hair strands and frizz control in general.
Although sources say any immediate move is unlikely, the Hair is known to be unruly and unpredictable, like the president himself. “We haven’t had a president’s Hair this unruly since Andrew Jackson,” said one Washington insider. “A guy like Bannon or Kushner leaving, that would be bad enough, but the Hair? The Hair would be devastating.”
We ask the readers, what impact might the Hair’s departure have on the Trump administration?
In perhaps her most stunning show of support to date, former Secretary of State and Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton drew dozens of supporters into a packed hotel room at the Four Seasons in Manhattan, NY.
Although many of those who attended were media pundits, Wall Street CEOs and corporate lobbyists, at least one third were actual people who supported her positions on fracking, trade, private prisons and regime change.
Madam Prissy Duffwhite, heiress to the throne of Yorkshire, said, “She is clearly the most lavish and sophisticated of the lot.” (Although the heiress cannot legally vote in the U.S. her political connections are well established)
And even blue collar workers attended the gala, including Joan Krawferd, a 67 year old secretary for the law firm of Covington & Burling, in Washington, D.C., who said, “I just want to keep my job.”
While the media snapped photos, makeup and lighting crews worked overtime to present Hillary Clinton as a human being before she spoke about income inequality and the need for the media to do more about dismissing it. “It’s time for the (ruling elite) to quash this movement once and for all,” she said, including, “England’s monarchs never had to work this hard.”
It’s Not Just About the Presidency. As the political pundits take turns lambasting each other, and the Republicans and Democrats attack and blame each other, a very small group of people at the top of the economic ladder sit back and laugh.
On the day I turned eighteen I registered to vote as an Independent, and not once have I ever considered changing my mind. Recently, I was surprised to learn that a whopping 42% of Americans also identify themselves as Independents; far higher than either Democrats or Republicans on their own. And the trend is increasing:
Now, I’m not going to tell you to vote for Trump, or Clinton, or even Sanders. That would be a waste of time. My point is that the vast majority of Americans are totally disgusted with the establishment and they want change. Real change. So then, can we at least agree that many people had HOPE that Obama would deliver, and yet didn’t?
Now, we can blame the unprecedented amount of obstructionism in congress, or the Wall Street bailout and its influence in Washington, or even Obama himself. But the truth is that virtually every Senator and every House Representative spends the majority of their time getting campaign contributions for the next election cycle, and those contributions come from Wall Street, Big Oil, Big Pharma, Big Industry, and the Military Industrial Complex.
And We, the People, just don’t have any influence. But why?
WE DONT HAVE A LOBBY.
The American people don’t lobby representatives with CASH donations. So maybe we need to play the same game. The closest thing to a people’s lobby are unions, of course, but those are the same unions that Big Industry and Wall Street want to crush. So we should support them.
WE DONT VOTE.
47% of Americans did not vote in the last election; an embarrassing statistic for the world’s (supposed) greatest democracy. Are we confined to TV and couches? Your masters continue to hope so.
But what the fuck can we actually DO?
VOTE. THEM. OUT.
When we don’t vote these fucking clowns out of office, they just collect more and more money from special interests, and in that corruption cycle, they become harder and harder to get out. The irony. So then, VOTE THEM OUT! Don’t just go to the polls with a president in mind, look at the smaller fish. Who has your back? Who has a track record? Who’s a shill? Do some research!
If 100% of people get off their asses to go to work, the supermarkets, malls, bars, restaurants and movie theaters, then why don’t they go to vote? (And I mean YOU!)
Because poll locations and voting information is hard to find. You never hear the mainstream media advocating for local populations to go where, when, and how to vote. And for one very good reason: THEY DON’T WANT YOU TO. But why?
Because the more people know, the less control the Power Elite have over their lives. YOUR life.
FOCUS ON YOUR COMMUNITY.
We all have ideas about who should be the next president, but it’s far more important in the long run to control the House, Senate, and your local representatives. Democracy begins at home, and we exact Change from the ground up. Presidential elections are important, but they are also a distraction from who will ultimately vote for the proposed legislation that will affect your lives.
Then what’s to stop us?
The vast majority of Americans are completely ignorant about what’s actually going on, and rely on the mainstream media for information. However, the mainstream media’s MAIN PURPOSE is to provide DISINFORMATION. Therefore, the only hope to regain REAL DEMOCRACY is to spread the truth to your friends and family, and anyone who will listen. You will be confronted with opposition, disbelief, and even scorn. No worries, it’s ok. Don’t give up! There is only one planet, one people, and one chance to save it. So keep the faith and keep on keeping on.
But what about the President?
I won’t inject my personal opinion, but will say this; that the ONLY way to effect real change and give the power back to the People is to elect someone who you feel has the message that BRINGS ALL OF US TOGETHER. Whoever you feel cares about the Middle Class, the working families who make up the vast majority of our country. Someone who is not divisive but inclusive. Someone with a track record that you can rely on. Someone who has not flip flopped over the years. Someone who is not interested in their own profit but the benefit of the general population. The choice is yours, and GOOD LUCK!
OK, so now everybody’s talking about me and Pope Francis. He insults me. He says I’m not Christian. What can I say? He’s all talk, no action. And you know this talk is coming from special interests. You don’t think he has special interests? I have no special interests. The fact is, the pope is just not smart, he’s a bad negotiator. He’s a low energy pope. A total lightweight. He wears his bathrobe to get the newspaper in the morning. How does that look to the world? It’s embarrassing.
So look, I’m just gonna come right out and say it: I’d be a great pope, I’d be a much better pope than Pope Francis. A poll just came out and it says that I’m tied with him, I’m tied with the pope. How can I be tied with this guy? He’s weak on immigration, he’s weak on jobs. He’s a loser. In the private sector he couldn’t even get a job. I mean, who would hire him? What does he do really? He wears a robe around everywhere. That’s not effective, that’s just lazy. He’s a lazy pope. If I don’t become president, I’m going to run for pope. I’d build a bigger, and better wall around Vatican City. There won’t be any illegal immigrants in my castle… or whatever they call the pope’s house. No pope will be as great as me. I will be… the greatest Pope the world has ever seen. And tell you something else, I’ll build a Vatican casino in there, and it will be huge. Yuge. Very profitable. Look at all the pontiffs walking around there now; they’ve got nothing to do, and they’re rich. They’ve got gold, they’ve got jewels, and nowhere to spend it. So there’s going to be gambling, and it’s going to be great. We’re going to make the Vatican great again.
So picture this: The Trump Vatican Hotel & Casino… right? Am I right or what? It will be great. We’re going to use all the best people, and we’re going to make, the Vatican, great again!


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Weekly progress review meeting was held with the Techno Consult International pvt.ltd. In the meeting detailed and comprehensive deliberations related to the progress review and the feasibility report of improvement of Quetta Water Supply System for preparation of Balochistan water Security and productivity improvement project has been discussed . The concerned firm The Techno International team has briefed about the details and said that this project have the scope to develop a detailed Master Plan for Quetta city water supply and sanitation system, along with projected communes and water demand in 2037. In addition, to conduct a study in various zones of Quetta, hydro geological, environmental, social aspects with exceptional categorization each water supply am sanitation. Alongside, To carry out an investigation detailing the best climate adoptive techniques of water use and its effective operation with applicable refuse water recycling methodologies. The chair of the Meeting urged the firm to make the feasibility in linking all the relevant set targets. The meeting attended by PD BIWRMDP Eng. Barkat Ullah Kakar, CEO Q-WASA Hamid Latif Rana and other concerned officials along with the head of Techno Dr. Lakani attended the meeting.
One day Training session on Geospatial / GIS Technology and it’s Usage in Survey for the BIWRMDP, PMU & PSIA teams .
05 Aug 2023
Quetta: August 5, 2023 (Saeed Yousuf) The Balochistan Integrated Water Resources Management and Development Project (BIWRMDP) M&E section co...
Balochistan Integrated Water Resources Management and Development Project and IUCN Pakistan Lead Grand Celebration of International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem in Sonmiani Lasbella
26 Jul 2023
Lasbella, Sonmiani: [28thJuly, 2023] - In a remarkable display of unity and dedication to preserving the natural heritage of Balochistan's coastal reg...


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Cooper Industries has announced the acquisition of Apex Lighting Controls, a private manufacturer of energy management lighting controls based in the UK.
Apex Lighting Controls is an industry leader in delivering integrated lighting control systems and services to manage lighting and energy usage for commercial, government, and healthcare markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
This acquisition complements Cooper’s existing lighting controls business, notably the Greengate Energy Management products sold in North American markets, and enhances the overall portfolio with expertise in addressable ballast and digital control technologies. Apex Lighting Controls will become part of the Cooper Lighting division of Cooper Industries.
“The acquisition of Apex Lighting Controls demonstrates Cooper’s ongoing commitment to enhance our existing portfolio of energy-efficient lighting products and continue to add advanced technology into the portfolio,” said Cooper Industries chairman and chief executive officer Kirk S. Hachigian.
“Cooper has an exceptionally strong balance sheet and continues to maintain a focused and disciplined acquisition strategy,” said Hachigian. “We remain committed to building key business and technology platforms that provide substantial growth in more specification-driven end markets.”


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Ocera Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: OCRX)
Ocera Therapeutics is having an incredibly good time in the pre-market hours today. After the company offered up an early morning announcement the stock started to soar. Today, we’ll talk about what we’re seeing from OCRX, why the stock is making such a strong run for the top, and what the CNA Finance team will be watching for ahead.
What We’re Seeing From OCRX
There’s no better way to say it than that Ocera Therapeutics is skyrocketing in the market this morning. While the trading session hasn’t opened quite yet, investors are clearly all over this thing following a positive announcement by the company. Currently (8:43), OCRX is trading at $0.81 per share after a gain of $0.21 per share or 36.13% thus far today.
Why The Stock Is Rocketing Upward
Trade Ideas was the first of our partners to bring the gains on OCRX to our attention. As soon as we received the alert, the CNA Finance team started working to see why the stock was skyrocketing. In this particular case, it didn’t take long to find the meat on the bones so to speak. Ultimately, the gains are the result of a positive announcement surrounding Phase 2 data that the company made early this morning.
In the announcement, Ocera Therapeutics reiterated that IV OCR-002 showed statistically significant improvement in the ability to normalize ammonia faster than the standard of care. This is great news as ammonia reductions are correlated with clinical improvement in HE symptoms. The company also said that it plans to meet with the FDA in the 3 quarter of 2017 to discuss development paths for the treatment. Finally, OCRX will be presenting more data surrounding the treatment today at 11:20 am ET.
What We’ll Be Watching For Ahead
OCRX will definitely be on the top of the watch list for the CNA Finance team ahead. In particular, we’ll be following the company’s ongoing work with regard to IV OCR-002. Of course, as the news breaks, we’ll be sure to bring it to your attention!
Never Miss The News Again
Do you want real-time, actionable news delivered to your inbox? Join the CNA Finance mailing list below!
[Image Courtesy of Pexels]


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Sleep disturbances can be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease. Many people eventually diagnosed with Alzheimer’s start experiencing difficulty falling and staying asleep years before cognitive problems such as memory loss and confusion emerge. It’s a vicious cycle: Alzheimer’s disease involves changes to the brain that disrupt sleep, and poor sleep accelerates harmful changes to the brain.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified a possible way to help break that cycle. A small, two-night study has shown that people who took a sleeping pill before bed experienced a drop in the levels of key Alzheimer’s proteins — a good sign, since higher levels of such proteins tracks with worsening disease. The study, which involved a sleeping aid known as suvorexant that is already approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for insomnia, hints at the potential of sleep medications to slow or stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, although much more work is needed to confirm the viability of such an approach.
The study is published April 20 in Annals of Neurology.
“This is a small, proof-of-concept study. It would be premature for people who are worried about developing Alzheimer’s to interpret it as a reason to start taking suvorexant every night,” said senior author Brendan Lucey, MD, an associate professor of neurology and director of Washington University’s Sleep Medicine Center. “We don’t yet know whether long-term use is effective in staving off cognitive decline, and if it is, at what dose and for whom. Still, these results are very encouraging. This drug is already available and proven safe, and now we have evidence that it affects the levels of proteins that are critical for driving Alzheimer’s disease.”

domain: medical


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Paul Manafort, the former Trump campaign chair with close financial ties to Russia, is now advising a Chinese billionaire on how to win contracts with the Trump regime.
The Financial Times reports that Manafort was in Shanghai last week, where he met with Yan Jiehe, founder of Pacific Construction Group, China’s largest privately owned conglomerate, to advise the billionaire on how to secure contracts in in Trump’s promised trillion dollar infrastructure bill.
After initially denying the meeting had taken place, Manafort spokesman Jason Maloni called the session “an impromptu meeting added to Mr Manafort’s schedule at their request because the Chinese are interested in US infrastructure,” and insisted that “his work does not involve any current or future infrastructure projects or contracts in the United States.”
However, an individual familiar with the meeting told the Financial Times that Manafort “came seeking co-operation for concrete projects” and that the discussions “went smoothly.” The source said this was only the first consultation with Yan, and Manafort would be returning to China in the coming weeks for more discussions.
Democrats have long called for infrastructure investments to rebuild our country’s crumbling infrastructure and as a proven mechanism to stimulate the domestic economy. As such, many on both sides of the aisle puzzled over an infrastructure proposal coming from Trump’s far right regime — especially if it were to coincide with massive tax giveaways for billionaires as Republicans have promised.
Here, we are seeing an ulterior motive that seems to make sense of the inconsistencies. A trillion dollar infrastructure bill could be a highly effective way for Trump’s minions to pad the pockets of their allies. If Manafort has his way, it looks like it will be foreign billionaires reaping the benefits. Don’t be surprised, however, to find the Trump Organization and Kushner Companies making some promising, if excessively expensive, bids of their own.
Please consider supporting the fund. Thank you!
Sheila Norton is a writer with ten years of Capitol Hill experience. Subscribe to the OD Action email to get all the hottest news delivered right to your inbox every day at www.odaction.com

domain: politics


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What is debt settlement?
Debt settlement (also called debt negotiation) is a process of negotiating with your creditors to pay off your credit cards and other unsecured debt (student loans, auto loans, and home mortgages are secured debts, and don’t qualify) for an amount less than you currently owe, often at a 40-60% savings. You will need to be behind in your payments in order to gain the leverage needed to get the creditors to settle your debts at a reduced amount (if you are making your payments on time, creditors won’t want to give you a “deal”). Typically you will pay the settlement company a percentage of the savings.
Does debt settlement really work?
Yes it does. Debt settlement works best for people who cannot pay their bills, are behind in their payments, or are considering bankruptcy. It is not designed for consumers who have small amounts of debt or who can still make their payments. It is a more aggressive approach to getting out of debt, and is not right for everyone. But debt settlement is a proven method, that does work (and worked very well for me personally).
How is it different from debt consolidation or credit counseling?
Debt consolidation or credit counseling is a more traditional debt reduction option, which lowers your interest rates, monthly payments, and fees, but does not directly reduce the amount you owe. However, debt consolidation can help you get out of debt faster by lowering your interest rates and helping you pay more each month towards the amount you owe, and pay less in interest. Unlike with debt settlement, you do not need to be behind in your payments to use debt consolidation or credit counseling (although you can be).
Will debt settlement ruin my credit score?
A credit report lists your payment history and amount of debt, so debt settlement is noted on your credit report, and can lower your credit score. However, many people don’t realize that having a lot of debt also lowers your credit score. And with very high debt, many lenders won’t lend you money (which is one reason to have good credit in the first place) and you may not be able to afford to borrow more money (another reason to have good credit) anyway. So, when considering debt settlement, make sure to compare the benefits (getting out of debt faster & saving lots of money) against the against the drawbacks (lowering your credit score). For me, getting completely out of debt and getting my life back to normal was well worth it.
Can my credit be repaired after I am done with debt settlement?
Yes it can. You have the right to request than any information be removed from your credit report. All information must be verified correctly, or the credit bureaus must remove it from your credit report. Personally, I was able to remove all of the negative items on my credit report (except for one) and now have my credit back to normal.
How does debt settlement affect my taxes?
Any money saved through the settlement process from the original amount you owed is treated as taxable income by the IRS (so you will owe money to the IRS). However, the amount of tax paid will still be much less than the amount of money you would have paid in interest, so it probably should not be a deciding factor when considering debt settlement. And you don't pay the tax until after the settlement, at the time you prepare your income taxes after the new year. You should consult with a tax advisor for more information.
How do I know if a debt settlement company is legitimate and I won't get ripped off?
As with hiring any professional to do work with you, do your homework: ask lots of questions, make sure you feel knowledgeable and comfortable with the process, read the fine print, and check with the Better Business Bureau. Learn more about choosing an honest and reliable debt settlement company before you get started.
How do the fees work?
The fee structure can differs depending on the settlement company you use. Typically, fees are based on a percentage of the savings, approximately 25%. For example, if you owe $10,000 and the company works out a settlement of $4,000 and you save $6,000, you would owe 25% of $6,000 or $1,500, leaving you with a total savings of $4,500, a significant savings. Some companies will require a lump sum payment (which you can get from savings, borrowing money from a relative, etc.) and others will help you set up a savings plan while they work out the settlements, which depending on your situation can take up to a few months. Beware of companies that ask you for payment up front (although they may ask for the savings plan money to be sent directly to them, which is usually acceptable).
I haven't missed any payments, can I still use debt settlement?
It depends on which settlement company you hire. Some debt settlement companies will require you to have a financial hardship, and may not work with you if you are not already behind on your payments. Others will ask you to stop paying your credit card bills and have the money you would have used on the payments sent directly to them as a savings plan to accumulate enough money for a settlement while they negotiate with your creditors. So it is possible to use debt settlement if you are not behind on your credit card payments - especially if you cannot pay your other bills.
Can’t I just settle my debts on my own?
Yes, you may be able to settle your own debts. However, many people find negotiating difficult. And from my personal experience, I received a better discount using a professional debt settlement company (even with the fees added in) than I did when I tried it on my own. A professional debt settlement company knows the right steps to take, typically has established relationships with many credit card companies, and is often taken more seriously by the creditors. If you do decide to do it on your own, take your time and learn how to settle your own debts properly.
Isn't using debt settlement like cheating?
If you can honestly pay your bills, then debt settlement is probably not the right option for you. But if you cannot, then debt settlement is a perfectly honest and legal debt reduction solution. After all, is it ethical for the credit card companies to keep sending you credit card offers when you are struggling? And raising your interest rates? And increasing your credit limits? Getting you further and further into debt? Of course, getting into debt was your responsibility, and so is getting out. But credit card companies are willing to settle with consumers because for them it is a better option (and they'll get more money from you) than suing you or having you file for bankruptcy. So if debt settlement is right for you, don't hesitate to consider it as an option.
Is debt settlement right for everyone?
Debt settlement is not right for everyone. It is a more aggressive approach to getting out of debt, but it may help you get out of debt much faster than doing what you are currently doing. Please take your time, ask lots of questions, and make the right decision for your situation. Most debt settlement companies offer a free consultation, so you can determine if debt settlement is right for you.
Debt settlement is not an "easy way out" of paying back what you rightfully owe. So make sure you know exactly what you are getting into before you get started!
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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domain: economics


Ramsey: Senate will pass voucher bill, but not Kelsey's
The state Senate will almost assuredly approve a measure this year to allow school vouchers in Tennessee.
It won't be the bill pushed by state Sen. Brian Kelsey, R-Germantown, though, said Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey. And the reason for that is simple, argued the Blountville Republican.
"Ask the governor. That's between him and Brian Kelsey," Ramsey told reporters Thursday morning.
In a statement, Gov. Bill Haslam spokesman Dave Smith didn't mention any rift between Haslam and Kelsey.
"In working with advocates on the issue, we have said that we could fund legislation in a budget amendment that was in line with what we have proposed in the past. The Gardenhire-Dunn bill reflects that in its original form," Smith said, referencing a different bill that would allow school vouchers in the state.
Through a spokeswoman, Kelsey seemed surprised that the governor would not support his voucher bill.
"I do not know why the governor would not fund his own bill from last year," Kelsey said.
Kelsey and Haslam have gone several rounds on school vouchers over the years: Both have championed legislation to allow for public dollars to go toward paying private school tuition for students at struggling schools. But the pair disagreed on the specifics and scope of those plans.
More recently, Kelsey has served as a general thorn in the side of the Haslam administration. He was perhaps the most vocal critic of Haslam's Insure Tennessee, Haslam's controversial health plan that Kelsey campaigned against and helped to vote down.
Without mentioning specific legislation, Ramsey said Kelsey knows there are political ramifications to any decision at the statehouse.
"(Kelsey) has to see, and I know he's seen, we've talked about this, that actions do have consequences," Ramsey said.
"And I've talked about this: Why does he not have the voucher bill? I don't have to tell you all why he doesn't have that voucher bill. Actions have consequences. But it's not my fight, that's what I'm saying."
The Senate Education Committee recently passed Kelsey's voucher bill by a narrow margin. However, voucher proponents are championing a bill sponsored by state Sen. Todd Gardenhire, R-Chattanooga, and state Rep. Bill Dunn, R-Knoxville. The bill is very similar to Kelsey's proposal, and Kelsey is one of several Senate co-sponsors of the bill.
School voucher advocates StudentsFirst Tennessee announced Thursday that 19 other House members signed on as co-sponsors to Dunn's bill this week, including House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga. The news comes after another pro-voucher group, the Tennessee Federation for Children, released a poll Wednesday that they argued shows growing support for vouchers in Tennessee.
In recent years, the voucher bill has died in the House. Earlier in the session McCormick said he thought the plan could pass this year.
Reach Dave Boucher at 615-259-8892 and on Twitter @Dave_Boucher1.


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Non Riservato took its first steps in 2012. From a simple idea for a “different Milan”, today NR is a real network, a challenging project for the city and for those who live in it. It is a project that involves a lot of people who started together to explore and try the possibilities of this idea. From 2012 to today, some things have changed: new ideas were developed and added to the first ones, but the mission of NR is still the same. The following manifesto of 2015 marks the development and the continuity of its path.
MANIFESTO #2 - 2015
Non Riservato is a productive network with a duty to collaborate with non-profit organisations, cooperatives, experts and enterprises, that use creativity as a tool of urban and social transformation.
Non Riservato makes, organises, builds and communicates cultural, creative, sportive, social and aggregative projects in public spaces.
Non Riservato has a bottom-up policy and believes in promoting creativity through collaboration and synergy among its members and supporters. NR tries to change the perception of the public space by transforming it into an Arena of Creativity.
Non Riservato considers public spaces, particularly open-air areas, as places of reproduction of collective dimension of urban living. Furthermore, public spaces link private and public dimensions; it’s a place of casual meet ups, a place where different entities meet and can compare themselves; it’s a common good that community should be taken care of and it’s a place of participatory project planning, a driving force for the creation of one or more communities.
Non Riservato's interventions are everywhere in the city, from the centre to peripheral areas and the suburbs with the objective of transforming the ideas of busy or isolated roads, of historical place, Parks and residential areas.
Non Riservato believes in equal rights and opportunities, but ask loves diversity. It promotes socialising, and the experience of unusual and unexpected situations: NR believes that the combination of different elements leads to extraordinary and unforeseen results and experiences.
Non Riservato takes its aims very seriously. Nevertheless, it considers the ease play and creativity as essential tools to spread a different lifestyle, which consists of cooperation, sharing, sustainability, socialising, variable, subjective and not homologated idea of beauty.
Non Riservato believes that collaboration between various entities with the same aims, could bring enrichment in terms of capacities, opportunities, ideas, success, which together are more than the sum of the single elements that build the network.
Non Riservato loves to build things and hates to waste - therefore it promotes self – construction and the creative re-use of waste material. This is the reason, why NR wants to use recycled and recyclable materials, while reducing waste and pollution in every activity and stage of work.
Non Riservato loves open air and green spaces. For this reason, it promotes and welcomes projects of creation and restoration of green areas. To preserve open spaces and panoramic views, NR supports the restoration of buildings that are not being used or that are abandoned.
Non Riservato is always aware of what happens in the world, but focuses on a cultural and social local development. NR addresses a mixed audience, which consists of people of all ages, origins and jobs – no matter if they are citizens, city users or tourists. Also small and medium enterprises contribute in order to build a varied urban image - that’s the reason why the network makes an effort to find its suppliers on the local market.
Non Riservato believes in the value of work and thinks that work should be fairly paid. It’s an experiment of economic sustainability that supports the professionalization of partners – this has to happen through education, the exchange and the development of knowledge and skills in projects, research of new opportunities of local, national and international developments, the ability to trade and show off the public and private partners, the spread of activities of the network and the specificity of the single partner in the media and within the territory.
Why Non Riservato? We don’t like lists, homologations, code words, exclusivity, competition and places with admission policy. We prefer open spaces and unexpected meetings and happenings. We prefer to meet people, learn, teach, play, eat, draw, cultivate create a place, a garden, a yard in town together.

domain: artistic


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Love stories are beautiful and more so with a happy ending with this destination wedding.-Amazing Wedding day Dreams Riviera Cancun
“We met at school back in 2009 (we know… 12 years is a long time lol). Fast forward 10 years later we decided to take a trip to our home country Vietnam and Laos. We went on a beautiful hike in Vietnam (Ninh Banh – Mua Caves) on December 3rd 2019 and that was where we got engaged!”
Thank you very much for watching our highlight wedding video. We are My Love Films, a filming studio specialized in capturing the best Video moments at destination weddings. We are located in Cancun Mexico, but we offer our services in Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, Cozumel and Isla Mujeres.
We have the best professionals for your wedding, the best cinema cameras and premium lenses.
If you want to know more about us, watch our videos at mylovefilms.com or send an email to email@example.com, you can also find us https://www.facebook.com/mylovefilms and / or https://www.instagram.com/mylovefilms1/
Dreams Riviera Cancun: A Dream Destination for Picture-Perfect Weddings
Introduction: Nestled along the breathtaking shores of the Riviera Maya, Mexico, Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa is a paradise-like haven that sets the stage for enchanting weddings. This all-inclusive luxury resort is renowned for its idyllic settings, personalized service, and world-class amenities, making it a top choice for couples seeking a destination wedding that surpasses all expectations. In this blog post, we’ll explore why Dreams Riviera Cancun is the ultimate venue for picture-perfect weddings.
- Enchanting Wedding Packages: Dreams Riviera Cancun offers an array of thoughtfully designed wedding packages to suit diverse tastes and preferences. Whether you envision an intimate ceremony or a grand celebration, the resort’s wedding coordinators are dedicated to bringing your vision to life. The packages include essential services such as a dedicated wedding planner, ceremony setup on the beach or at an elegant garden gazebo, floral arrangements, photography and videography services, and more.
- Magical Wedding Venues: With its stunning beachfront location and lush tropical gardens, Dreams Riviera Cancun provides a variety of enchanting wedding venues to choose from. Exchange vows with the turquoise Caribbean Sea as your backdrop or say “I do” amidst swaying palm trees and fragrant blooms. The resort ensures that every setting is picture-perfect for your special day.
- Luxurious Accommodations: Dreams Riviera Cancun offers elegant and spacious accommodations for you and your guests. The well-appointed suites feature modern amenities, plush bedding, and private balconies or terraces with stunning views. With the option of Preferred Club suites, you and your guests can enjoy additional privileges and exclusive access to private lounges.
- Culinary Delights: The resort takes pride in its exceptional dining experiences, boasting a diverse selection of gourmet restaurants. From international cuisines to local specialties, the culinary team crafts delectable dishes that will delight your taste buds. On your wedding day, treat your guests to a memorable reception dinner prepared by talented chefs and accompanied by the finest wines.
- Relaxation and Spa Services: Before your big day, take time to relax and unwind at the Dreams Spa by Pevonia®. Indulge in rejuvenating spa treatments and pamper yourself with a pre-wedding couple’s massage or a spa day with your bridal party. The spa’s tranquil ambiance and expert therapists will ensure you feel refreshed and radiant as you walk down the aisle.
- Activities and Entertainment: Beyond the wedding celebrations, Dreams Riviera Cancun offers a range of activities to keep your guests entertained. From water sports and beach games to evening entertainment shows, there is something for everyone to enjoy, creating an unforgettable experience for all.
Conclusion: A wedding at Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa is an enchanting journey that promises unforgettable moments and cherished memories. With its idyllic settings, personalized service, and luxurious amenities, this resort is an ideal destination for couples seeking a dream wedding in the heart of the Riviera Maya. Let Dreams Riviera Cancun turn your vision into reality, and create a wedding celebration that exceeds all expectations.

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PlayBill of the Mikhailovsky Castle
Mikhailovsky, he is the Engineer Castle - the most original and most mystical palace building of St. Petersburg. Palace, created during the reign of Paul I in the form of a medieval castle.
Mikhailovsky Castle is named after the temple in it of Michael the Archangel, patron of the Romanov dynasty. The second name - Engineering - is derived from the Main Engineering School located there since 1823.
By the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg, the castle was restored, the interiors took on the form in which they were under Paul, the inscription on the facade and statues from the Summer Garden reappeared. As early as 1800, a monument to Peter I was erected on the square in front of the castle with the inscription "Great-great-grandfather." The sculpture was cast according to the model of Rastrelli, made during the life of Peter the Great. And in 2003, a monument to Paul I appeared in the courtyard.
Several permanent exhibitions are open in the castle halls, guided tours are held, and temporary exhibitions are held.