A southern African mediator says a proposed deal to end Madagascar's political crisis will be concluded in a few days despite the main political parties rejecting it. Andry Rajoelina, who seized presidential power in a 2009 coup, has threatened to move ahead if the deal is not signed soon, while deposed President Marc Ravalomanana says no consensus can be reached without the major parties and wants new talks held in Madagascar to include him.
A proposal aimed at lifting Madagascar from a two-year crisis will be concluded "in the coming days" even without the signatures of the three main political parties, according to Mozambican politician and head of the southern African mediation team Leonardo Simao.
Simao met Thursday with Madagascar's Prime Minister Camille Vital, who said the Southern African Development Community (SADC) process is taking too long for the Rajoelina government. Rajoelina has said he will hold his own talks with political parties next week and move ahead with the proposal, which recognizes him as president until elections are held later this year."
He confirmed that two parties loyal to former presidents have refused to sign up to the proposal, thereby excluding them from the interim government, while the party of ousted president Ravalomanana was awaiting instruction from their exiled leader in South Africa. Under the proposal, Ravalomanana is blocked from returning to Madagascar until a new government deems it politically stable enough.
Simao said the proposal would soon be reviewed by SADC and the African Union, both of which suspended Madagascar following the March 2009 coup led by Rajoelina.
But Ravalomanana said that his party would not sign the current proposal and said the three parties plus Rajoelina's administration must meet up for more talks or there would be no consensus and no end to the crisis.
"Malagasy-Malagasy dialogue; it is so important for the political parties," said Ravalomanana. "We need to talk. They cannot solve it without these talks, reconciliation."
After meeting with SADC mediator and former president of Mozambique Joaquim Chissano on Tuesday, Ravalomanana wrote a letter asking SADC to set up four-party talks and secure the arrival of himself and fellow exiled president Didier Ratsiraka in Madagascar.
He said the three former presidents' parties are the only credible and popular parties in Madagascar, and asserted that many satellite parties with few members and no basis have been set up and financed by the current administration in order to get the document signed in their favor.
Ravalomanana has vowed to return to Madagascar despite restrictions put in place by the authorities that foiled an attempt on Saturday to fly from Johannesburg.
He said while he would like to run in the presidential elections, he and Rajoelina should not be part of the transitional government in order for it to be neutral. The deposed president says he only wants to return for peaceful dialogue and to sign a new political accord.
"So if I am going back to Madagascar, just to promote the Malagasy-Malagasy talks, and then I can come back here, here," said Ravalomanana. "I don't want to interfere or create trouble in my country. I want to bring peace."
A new constitution introduced in November by the current administration requires presidential candidates to be resident in Madagascar six months prior to elections. Under the SADC proposal, both parliamentary and presidential elections must be held before December.
Prime Minister Vital said he would request the South African government keep Ravalomanana "for as long as possible," and said restrictions on him arriving should not be lifted until the country has a new government.
Vital said if the former president insisted on trying to come back they would bring his arrest warrant to him, and advised him to stay in peace in South Africa.


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Winter is here, but the sun is still shining in Santa Barbara. January is one of my favorite months to be living in Santa Barbara – and anyone who has strolled the beaches after the new year will know why. While other parts of the country are enjoying mountains of white powder, we are enjoying blue waves and quiet beaches. Come visit and see enjoy all that Santa Barbara has to offer in the new year.
El Bracero del Año at the Granada Theater, January 8th 3:00pm
The Granada Theater invites you to a special reception before this film featuring special guests Monique Limon, Andy Valdez and Jonathan Elías Alverez-Alzua – Consul for Community Affairs for the Mexican Consulate in Oxnard. The theme of the film is the migration of Mexicans to the United States in search of the “American dream.” Tickets start at $10.
Cupcake and Wine Tour
Come Experience the Original Cupcake & Wine Tour! Savor a yummy cupcake tasting featuring 6 mini cupcakes. This tour features wine tasting in Santa Ynez Valley, deli style lunch at one of our favorite wineries and a friendly guide for the day. Tours are offered weekly on Saturday and Sundays starting at 10am. Call for availability 805-884-9283.
Grant Lee Phillips Live at the SOHO, January 13th, 6:30pm
Iconic troubadour Grant-Lee Phillips has been a pioneering force for more than twenty five years. With four Grant Lee Buffalo studio albums and eight to his own name there’s precious little time to enjoy the fruits of his labor. Occasionally he turns up in the most unlikely places, such as portraying the Town Troubadour on TV’s The Gilmore Girls. Constant movement, physically and creatively is almost a mantra. Say’s Phillips, “ I never could sit still. Tickets $17 at the door, $13 in advance.
Mountains to Shore Bike Tour
Our Mountains to Shore Bike Tour offers a stunning view of Santa Barbara’s unique landscape. Guides will lead you on a fun, accessible path from high in the mountains of Santa Barbara downhill to the coastline, stopping to enjoy some of the area’s most loved locations including the Santa Barbara Mission. This bike ride is great for all skill levels.Call to reserve your spot today, 805-884-9283.
Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show– Sundays at 10:00AM
Approximately 300 Santa Barbara County resident artists come to display their own works in an informal atmosphere under the palms of seaside Chase Palm Park. All items are original art, created by the artists you meet. The show is held every fair weather Sunday and Special Holidays.
First Thursday — 5:00-8:00PM
On the first Thursday of each month, downtown galleries keep their doors open late allowing the public to enjoy local art, music and theater in a fun and social atmosphere. Additional attractions such as music, artist openings, demonstrations, and refreshments are featured at participating venues. Downtown Santa Barbara Time: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Downtown Santa Barbara Farmers Market, Every Saturday and Tuesday Come down and buy local fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, small plants and specialty items. Street musicians, music and downtown shops and restaurants. Year round, rain or shine. Corner of Santa Barbara and Cota Streets on Sunday and on State Street (500-600 bocks) on Tuesday. Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m/4:00pm – 7:30. Please add events and activities that we may have missed in the comment section below.

domain: entertainment


text:
The e-LBSp is an LTE eNodeB base station for remote and harsh environments operating in different frequency bands (700 MHz, 900MHz, 1.8GHz, 2.3GHz and 2.6 GHz) both in TDD and FDD. Its compact dimensions, ease of implementation, adapted packaging and functionalities combined with the robustness of LTE systems (especially compared to WIFI) make it an ideal solution for extending indoor or outdoor coverage. This eNodeB is entirely designed and manufactured by ETELM in France.
The e-LBSp is fully compliant with the latest 3GPP/ETSI standards enabling easy integration into existing or new network infrastructure. The e-LBSp is designed to operate with all standard EPC network cores as well as LTE User Equipments. In addition, it is fully interoperable with MCPTT solutions.
LTE technology plays a key role in meeting the ever increasing bandwidth needs of all critical communication users. With this in mind, we designed and developed our own Picocell LTE base station, the e-LBSp, which now enriches our 4GLINKED portfolio. The e-LBSp has been specifically designed to provide mission critical voice and high speed data in harsh environments, e.g. airports, nuclear, oil, and gas sectors. ETELM’s 4GLinked solution is a fully integrated platform linking various
critical communications technologies (TETRA, DMR, Analogue, LTE) into a single, fully distributed LTE core network (EPC). Our innovative solution offers a seamless user experience across narrowband and broadband technologies. Moreover, the standardized MCPTT server is fully integrated into the solution. Thus, all products of the 4GLINKED family fully comply with international standards allowing interoperability with all main Network components vendors.
- 3GPP rel 13+
- Frequency bands : 700MHz, 900MHz, 1.8GHz, 2.3GHz, 2.6GHz, 3.7GHz
- Both TDD and FDD
- Transmission power : 2 x 1W
- IP65 (ATEX as an option)

domain: design


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Ori and the Blind Forest is not an indie game. Sure, you may not have ever heard of the Austrian video game developer Moon Studios, and if you haven’t played Ori and the Blind Forest or it’s sequel, you haven’t played another game they made. The thing is, Ori (and the Blind Forest) has the initial look, feel, and price point of an indie title. It’s not. Why does this matter? I dunno I needed intro that turns your world upside down before I gush about how great this masterpiece is.
Roger Ebert. Fuck that guy. Did he take it back? I thought he took it back. I’m not going to bother looking that up.
As I mentioned, Ori and the Blind Forest was developed by Moon Studios, and published by Microsoft Studios. At first glance, and the fact that it’s on Steam, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One, you might think it’s an artsy indie title.
Disclaimer: There’s absolutely nothing wrong with indie games. Some of my best friends are indie games. Many indie games are incredible, and I’ll definitely be reviewing them in droves as I rake my fingers across my backlog.
The distinction for Ori, however, makes it somewhat of an enigma. It’s a game published by a major publisher that is also a 2D side-scroller metroidvania with very challenging platforming, and a very ambitious art style? Where’s the in-game currency? Where’s the microtransactions? Why isn’t this exclusively on the Xbox One?
Thank the maker that Ori is widely available and doesn’t stink with the taint that so many modern games have.
Disclaimer: There’s absolutely nothing wrong with modern games. Some of my best friends are modern games. Many modern games are incredible, and I’ll definitely be reviewing swarms of them as I caress my cheeks across my backlog.
[wps_icon icon=”gamepad” background=”#3366cc” color=”#fff” size=”32″ padding=”10″ radius=”0″]Gameplay: 9/10
Ori and the Blind Forest is a metroidvania. What’s a metroidvania? Dear, sweet, innocent child. Your naiveté amuses me.
A metroidvania is a game that… I dunno. It’s sort of like Metroid. Or it’s sort of like Castlevania. It’s a metroidvania. Metroidvanias are games about exploration, and earning new capabilities or finding new permanent power ups that will help you further explore the world. Most metroidvanias involve you running across a path you can’t reach, or a door you can’t open. Later on, you find the thing that will help you reach the path or open said door, and you can work your way back to discover new areas and find more abilities. There’s usually a fair amount of back tracking in a Metroidvania, but usually each time you have to revisit an area, you are more equipped than you were the first time you were there. Older areas feel more familiar, and you feel safer and more in control, which makes newer areas feel even more foreign.
Ori takes the metroidvania mechanic and adds very precise platforming (it almost, almost feels like Super Meat Boy) and makes you jump, wall jump, bash, and dash through beautiful, complex areas in order to collect objects, solve puzzles, and work your way through.
As you adventure and defeat enemies, you collect Spirit Light, which is sort of like an XP system. As you collect Spirit Light, you get Ability Points to spend on new moves and upgrades.
You are accompanied by
Navi the Fairy Sein the light fairy who helps guide you, and does all of the attacking for Ori. Sein can fire little arcs of energy at enemies that are near Ori. It allows you to focus on Ori’s position and movement without worrying about aiming at enemies.
As the game progresses, and Ori and Sein gain more abilities, players need to use everything they learn to navigate the more difficult areas.
[wps_icon icon=”book” background=”#3366cc” color=”#fff” size=”32″ padding=”10″ radius=”0″]Story: 8/10
The game starts with a tale about a tree, and how the tree lost it’s child, who, guess what, is Ori.
Ori gets adopted by gentle creature that looks like a Snorlax wearing a Shyguy mask. This creature raises Ori as its own, and we see them enjoying life together in a beautiful glade.
Unfortunately, something happens and the forest becomes blighted. Ori and her big chubby friend struggle to survive, and Ori is left alone in a twisted, dark forest once more.
Here, don’t let me mess it up. Just watch and enjoy.
As Ori, it’s your job to make your way through the forest, unlock your true potential, and face the cause of the blight to restore balance.
[wps_icon icon=”picture-o” background=”#3366cc” color=”#fff” size=”32″ padding=”10″ radius=”0″]Visuals: 9.5/10
Ori and the Blind Forest is beautiful. It’s just, so gosh dang beautiful. It looks like FernGully, if had redeeming qualities beyond Robin Williams and that weird overtly sexual song that the lizard sings before we never see him again. The developers made some very clever choices for the video style too – Ori is a glowing white monkey-bunny, so she’s easy to see when put against complex, dark backgrounds. The visuals are dramatically beautiful, but they rarely get in the way or make it hard to discern what is around you.
This is a game that requires your brain to take in a lot of visual information and make snap decisions based on patterns. Normally games like this need the art to be less ostentatious and more practical. Yet, Ori does a really great job at conveying objects that you can land on, interact with, and bounce off of without causing a lot of frustration.
[wps_icon icon=”music” background=”#3366cc” color=”#fff” size=”32″ padding=”10″ radius=”0″]Audio: 9/10
The sound and soundtrack for Ori fit the tone of the game perfectly. Pieces don’t necessary stand out, and other than the main theme, I didn’t end up carrying any of the tunes with me after I stopped playing. This isn’t a bad thing – not every game needs an ear worm like the Super Mario Bros theme. The soundtrack helps set the tone of each area; crescendos peak as Ori is at her finest, and somber, delicate instrumentals accent her loneliness and burdens.
The soundtrack, like the visuals, were certainly crafted with love, and great care went in to ensure that both enhanced the game, as opposed to just applying a shiny, superficial veneer.
[wps_icon icon=”support” background=”#3366cc” color=”#fff” size=”32″ padding=”10″ radius=”0″]Accessibility: 8/10
The controls for Ori feel great, once you get the hang of them. Ori is a little floaty, which you’ll feel very thankful for later on in the game. As Ori gains more abilities, her controls become more complex to handle. This isn’t a bad thing – mastering Ori’s capabilities is a big part about what makes this game feel good to play. It will, however, frustrate some players.
I mentioned Super Meat Boy earlier. If you don’t know what Super Meat Boy is, it’s a game about fast, tricky jumping. It’s a game where you die a lot. In Ori, you’ll probably die a lot. There are a lot of areas where you’ll need to sacrifice a few Oris in order to work your way through.
Fortunately, there is a clever mechanic that makes this much more tolerable, even to clumsy, fat-fingered, aged players who’s reflexes aren’t what they once were. I don’t know anybody like that, believe me.
As long as Ori has enough energy, you can generate a save point on any solid platform. This means if you die, you simply spawn back at your last save point. This is a great mechanic – you can usually drop a save point whenever you need to. There are areas in the game where energy is less plentiful, forcing you to be more conservative with your save points.
[wps_icon icon=”warning” background=”#3366cc” color=”#fff” size=”32″ padding=”10″ radius=”0″]Challenge: 9/10
Do you like Penny Arcade? I LOVE Penny Arcade. Here’s a Penny Arcade comic that will convey my feelings.
As you learn new abilities, Ori and the Blind Forest requires you to master them relatively quickly, as it applies new twists and challenges for each ability as you progress. For example, you’ll learn how to do an air dash (called a Bash) when Ori jumps past illuminated laterns and other bright objects. This manuever isn’t too difficult; Ori pauses in midair for a moment while you adjust your trajectory before she launches forward. Once you get the hang of that, the game then respectfully asks you to do this to moving light sources like fireballs that are being shot at you. Once you get used to that, you’ll need to also use this move to fire these projectiles at enemies, while also coordinating Ori’s jump.
Your fingers will protest, but it feels so good to nail a sequence juuust right after a dozen failed attempts.
Usually, a beautiful, ambitious game like this could peter-off after several hours in. The team could run out of unique ideas for the player’s moveset, start to go less hard on the visuals, or phone in an ending. Ori keeps delivering unique gimmicks and puzzles all the way through.
I’m a big fan of adding interesting, temporary gimmicks to an area to mix things up. For instance, one area might have you carrying a glowing orb to find your way through a dark cave. Another will have you walking on walls and ceilings.
[wps_icon icon=”repeat” background=”#3366cc” color=”#fff” size=”32″ padding=”10″ radius=”0″]Replayability: 8/10
Ori and the Blind Forest is relatively short – my first playthrough took about 5 hours. It’s an enjoyable jaunt, and it’s short enough to pick up and play like most older metroidvanias. There are so many secret areas to find and skills to acquire, and many players might not find them all on the first run.
On top of that, Ori and the Blind Forest rewards the player for a flawless, no-death run. That’s not for me, but I’m sure there are sadomasochists out there who are getting bored with rubbing a cheese grater over their nethers.
All joking aside, Ori and the Blind Forest will probably join my large selection of games I play through on a sick day, or a mental health day.
[wps_icon icon=”star-o” background=”#3366cc” color=”#fff” size=”32″ padding=”10″ radius=”0″]Uniqueness: 8.5/10
I made some comparisons for Ori and the Blind Forest. I mentioned Metroid, Castlevania, and Super Meat Boy. Ori is similar to those games, yes. I’d even say it has tonal similarities to Rayman Legends and Legend of Zelda.
There’s nothing wrong with any of this. Metroid and Castlevania have etched a unique open-world genre into 2D platforming that deserves more participants. Rayman’s beautiful hand-painted artstyle and platforming shouldn’t just exist within Rayman games. Legend of Zelda’s concept of fairy companions and talking tree-daddies has still yet to be fully explored.
Ori takes from some of the finest examples, and then elevates them in its own way. Ori’s near-perfect save mechanic allows areas to be dastardly without making them debilitating. If you die, you instantly pop back to the ledge you saved on. Ori’s moveset and platforming demands might otherwise turn off a lot of players, but the game is so forgiving that it makes you feel like you are grifting the system to accomplish your goals.
On top of that, combined with a beautiful, heartfelt story and a great twist at the end, Ori and the Blind Forest is as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside.
[wps_icon icon=”heart-o” background=”#3366cc” color=”#fff” size=”32″ padding=”10″ radius=”0″]Personal Thoughts
Ori and the Blind Forest, not an indie game, published by Microsoft, available on a Nintendo, is a marvel of a game. It makes me realize that there is so much hope for modern gaming. There’s so much soul packed into this short foray through the brier, and I can’t wait to get to the sequel.
Ori and the Blind Forest was developed by Moon Studios.
Ori and the Blind Forest is also available on the PC, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Where to Get This Game:
Ori and the Blind Forest (PC - 2015)
Game title: Ori and the Blind Forest
Game description: Ori and the Blind Forest was released in March, 2015 for Microsoft Windows and Xbox One. In September, 2019, it was released on the Nintendo Switch. I've played through it on the PC and Switch. Metacritic gives Ori and the Blind Forest a 88/100 for PC and XONE, and a 90/100 for Nintendo Switch.
Author: Moon Studios
Gameplay - 9/10
Story - 8/10
Visuals - 9.5/10
Audio - 9/10
Accessibility - 8/10
Challenge - 9/10
Replayability - 8/10
Uniqueness - 8.5/10
Ori and the Blind Forest is Lynk Approved
Ori and the Blind Forest is easy to miss, and it would be a shame if you let it slip by. For me, it sat in my Steam Library for years until I bought it on Switch and finally played through it.
Vibrant, visually impressive, and dreamlike, Ori is beauty wrapped around a touching, heartfelt story with challenging platforming that doesn’t slap the player around too hard. It’s a tribute to games like Metroid and Rayman Legends that adds it’s own mark to a genre that has seen far to few games.
- Gorgeous visuals and incredible music
- Great gameplay with solid controls
- Unique save mechanic that keeps the game from getting too frustrating
- Short (but sweet).
- It probably tugs too many heartstrings for my girlfriend to play it.


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Butter naan is known as an Indian flat bread which is flavoured with butter and goes well with any type of curry. Especially with chicken curry. Butter naan is very tempting you will want to have it more and more.
Many might be unfamiliar with naan bread, it is an Indian flat bread which is traditionally made in a tandoor. But you can even make on a stove top. It is said that the naan resembles the pita bread a lot. The reason is because like the pita bread, naan is also fermented with yeast. But today many people replace yeast with baking powder to make instant naans. While preparing the naan dough, milk and yoghurt are used that gives a distinct flavour to the bread and makes it soft. Usually, naan is served hot quenched in butter or ghee. Sounds delicious. Right?
Read More : Bukhara Style Daal Makhni Recipe
Here are the Butter Naan Recipe for making restaurant style at home.
Ingredients for Butter Naan Recipe
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (plus 1/2 cup) (Maida)
- Salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon yeast
- 2 teaspoon sugar
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Black sesame seeds
- Take a bowl mix all the dry ingredients, which is Maida and salt.
- In a pan mix water and milk, heat it until it is slightly warm.
- Add yeast and sugar in another bowl. Then, pour the warm milk into the bowl and mix well until it gets dissolved.
- Add egg in the bowl and mix well, later pour oil in it.
- Pour this entire liquid mix into the dry ingredients bowl.
- Blend well with a spoon.
- If the dough is sticky add in 1/4 cup of Maida, mould it with hand.
- If you find the dough is still sticky you can add in the remaining 1/4 cup of flour. Mould again.
- The dough has to be soft, not sticky, only then you will get soft naans.
- Cover the dough and keep it in a warm place for about 2 hrs.
- After 2 hours, remove the dough and knock down the dough and break it into 8-10 balls.
- Cover it for another 15 minutes.
- Place the dough ball in your hand and easily roll into an oval shape.
- Sprinkle Maida on the rolling board and spread black sesame over it.
- Roll it slowly until the seeds get stuck onto the dough.
- On high flame heat the tawa. Once the tawa is hot add the rolled naan with sesame seed side facing up.
- Flip on direct flame once the bottom gets browned slightly. Let the naan get burn with black spots all over it. Move it until it gets evenly burn everywhere.
- Take off from fire and spread butter all over the hot naan. Serve hot withany curry. This is all about the butter naan recipes.
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domain: food


New Delhi, August 6: Hours after the Supreme Court judges met Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra and protested against the Centre’s ‘interference’ in Justice KM Joseph‘s elevation in the apex court, the latter agreed to take up the issue with the government. Notably, SC judges’ protest comes after the Centre on Saturday placed Joseph’s name at number three in terms of seniority thereby making him the junior most judge of the top court when he will be administered oath on Tuesday along with two other judges – Justices Indira Banerjee and Vineet Saran. Also Read - Palghar Lynching Case: Cannot Stand This Pattern of Reporting, CJI to Arnab Goswami's counsel
The recommendation for Justice Joseph’s elevation as a top court judge was made by the collegium in January which was reiterated on July 17. The collegium while recommending Justice Joseph’s name described him as one of the most able and suitable. Also Read - Ex-CJI Ranjan Gogoi May be BJP's Assam CM Candidate, Party Happy For Ram Mandir Verdict, Says Tarun Gogoi
Ever since, the collegium recommended Justice Joseph for elevation, the government and the judiciary are at loggerheads. Notably, Justice Joseph earned the displeasure of the government after he set aside the imposition of President’s rule in Uttarakhand. Also Read - 'Will Speak in Detail After Taking Oath', Former CJI Ranjan Gogoi on Accepting Rajya Sabha Nomination
Alleging interference in the judicial appointments by the Centre, one of the senior most judges said that Justice Joseph was the first to be recommended by the Supreme Court collegium. His name should have been put the first but was placed at the third position, which makes him the junior of the two other judges, the judge said. “It is a blatant interference by the Govt,” one of the judges told a leading news channel.


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Archives User Policies
General Room Regulations
1. No eating or drinking is permitted.
2. Only research materials, notebooks, pencils, and laptop computers are allowed in the Archives Reference Room. All other belongings can be stored by the Archives Reference Desk or in lockers by the entrance on the first floor. Jackets are not allowed in the Archives Reference Room. The library is not responsible for lost or stolen articles.
3. The Archives staff has the right to inspect any materials taken in or removed from the Archives Reference Room for security purposes.
Use of Materials Regulations
1. Use pencil only in taking handwritten notes. Laptop computers may be used.
2. Only one box/book can be viewed in the Archives Reference Room at a time. When done with one box/book, notify the Archives staff and they will retrieve the next box/book.
3. Handle all materials with care and retain the order of papers within a file or box.
4. When viewing photographs, gloves must be worn to protect the photographs. The Archives staff will instruct you on the proper handling procedures.
5. When viewing fragile books, certain precautions need to be taken including the use of gloves and book cradles. The Archives staff will instruct you on the proper handling procedures.
6. Generally, archival material may be photocopied; however, if such material is too fragile, requests for photocopies may be denied. Please mark documents for photocopying by placing a strip of acid-free paper (provided by the Archives staff) in front of the document to be copied or turn the document upright in the folder. DO NOT remove the documents from the individual files. The Archives staff will make all photocopies for a fee. A fee schedule will be provided upon request.
7. If you find damaged material or believe there are missing items within a file, please alert the archives staff.

domain: library


text: Whenever Aunt Wee and her kiddos come to town, you know it is going to be a party. And this time the party took us to the Barack Obama rally in downtown Denver. Yep, our posse was 7 of the 100,000 people who attended this historic event. As we were enjoying a calm Sunday morning our neighbors headed to the bus stop talking about the Obama rally - and Aunt Wee rallied all of us out the door in 15 minutes to go. As you can see, we met Barack....or at least I thought it was Barack. Here we all are enjoying the event. You cannot tell from this picture, but Reeder and I ate our way through the entire rally... Here I am eating and my Papa is ecstatic to be at the rally... And, Leo, well he slept through the whole thing...quite the party animal.

domain: politics


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Mila Kunis And Ashton Kutcher Still Married
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis are married.
Mila kunis and ashton kutcher still married. The Spy Who Dumped Me actress 34 opened up about Kutcher. Mila went on to have a near decade long relationship with Macaulay Culkin while Ashton got married to Demi Moore in 2005. The stars tied the knot this weekend a source tells PEOPLE.
When questioned on James Cordens new chatshow as to her marital status Mila replied with a coy Maybe. Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutchers Love Story Kutcher and Kunis have long been each others biggest fans even arguably before they got married in a private ceremony in Oak Glen California on the Fourth of July. The couple tied the knot in July 2015.
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis sell out of coronavirus quarantine. It wasnt until 2012 that Mila and Ashton found themselves single again. Jun 20 2019 Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher married in July 2015 following their engagement and the birth of their daughter the previous year.
It was suggested that. Since theyre famous tabloids constantly say their marriage is falling apart. The reason for their split is said to be the disloyalty on the part of Ashton towards his wife.
They married in 2015. The loving couple collaborated on a hilarious Super Bowl commercial in 2021. Its a fairy tale come true for That 70s Show fans.
Ashton was previously married to Demi Moore for 8 years. Jan 22 2021 That 70s Show co-stars Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have been married for over five years now. A magazine says that Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis marriage is getting damaged on multiple points and sources close to the couple think an end is in sight.
Jun 21 2019 June 20 2019 504 PM EDT A shton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have been friends since they starred on That 70s Show been married since 2015 have two children and have no qualms about public displays. May 19 2017 The cutest couple in Hollywood Town Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis is rumored to be ending their relationship and have announced their separation from each other. They became engaged in February 2014 and married during the first weekend of July 2015 in Oak Glen California.
Oct 05 2020 Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher are married for five years now but based on the reports the twos marriage hits a rough patch after being stuck at home due to the lockdown. Judging by their beautifully sarcastic response Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher arent planning to split up any time soon. Jul 29 2016 Mila Kunis has finally confirmed that she and Ashton Kutcher are married.
4 Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis got married in. A daughter Wyatt born in October 2014 and a son Dimitri born in November 2016. Six months later the two welcomed their first child daughter Wyatt Isabelle.
When questioned on James Cordens new chatshow as to her marital status Mila replied with a coy Maybe. Unsurprisingly the couples fans and friends were quick to reply to the video. Feb 07 2021 Kunis and Kutcher began dating in 2012 and they got engaged in February 2014.
The couple have two children. Kunis began dating her former That 70s Show co-star Ashton Kutcher in April 2012. 4 Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis got married in 2015 Credit.
The details of the story are as. Reps have not. Feb 08 2021 ASHTON Kutcher has been married to fellow actor Mila Kunis since 2015.
The loving couple collaborated on a hilarious Super Bowl commercial in 2021. They went their separate ways but still kept in touch once in a while via AOLs AIM. Feb 07 2021 ASHTON Kutcher has been married to fellow actor Mila Kunis since 2015.

domain: news


text:
NewGround Entertainment L.L.C. is a multi-faceted entertainment/production company specializing in both music and film production.
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32 search results for TV Upfronts 2012
Just how big will the upcoming "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" --...
After first hearing rumblings about it in 2011, look for the complete integra...
It was a night of unexpected drama winners and repeaters everywhere else
A candid conversation with Clancy Brown was a festival highlight
Ahead of its premiere, the Emmy-winning drama takes Ballroom 20
"1600 Penn" (NBC)
Why we're worried: NBC be...
"666 Park Avenue" (ABC)
Sunday at 10 p.m.
Why we're intri...
Is Robert Downey Jr. actually turning into Tony Stark?
Disney and Marvel's...
'Supernatural,' 'Nikita,' 'Gossip Girl' and even 'Ringer' get shout outs in post-event press conference
'Arrow,' 'Beauty and the Beast' and a 'Supernatural' move shake things up


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Thailand has 67 million people and devotes 10.7 million hectares to rice. The Philippines has a growing population currently estimated at 92.2 million, yet it only allocates 4.4 million hectares for rice production. Where did we go wrong?
Images of people lining up for hours under the hot sun to buy rice from outlets designated by the National Food Authority (NFA) filled front pages and the evening news. That was nearly a year ago.
Most major dailies, television and radio stations ran stories on the rice shortage. Suddenly, everybody was talking about how unstable the country’s food supply was.
The debates even touched on land conversion and how areas suitable to rice production had been turned into golf courses. Politicians you wouldn’t expect to talk about food sufficiency soon had their faces plastered on TV screens—they were both blaming Malacañan and offering solutions on how to deal with the scarcity. The coverage lasted for weeks.
Because the shortfall was acute, the government had to limit the sale of cheap NFA rice to a maximum of three kilos daily for every family. (NFA outlets sold them at 18.25 pesos or US$0.38 per kilo.) The crisis got so bad Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap even had to suggest on national television that fast-food chains offer customers half servings of rice. Many are light eaters anyway, explained the Chinese Filipino cabinet member, and it would be a waste to give them a regular order (amounting to about a cup) if they couldn’t finish it all.
For some analysts, telling the public to cut down on its rice consumption was a telltale sign of how grim the situation truly was. Despite repeated assurances from the Department of Agriculture (DA) that the government was in full control, it appeared the administration was running out of options.
Today, the specter of another rice crisis seems detached from the national psyche. No one seems worried that the 2008 shortage could happen again. The attention of both government and citizenry is focused on next year’s elections. To the experts, this short memory can be a dangerous thing.
Even prior to the 1995 rice crisis, experts were saying the country’s repeated failure to meet its own rice demand was just short of catastrophic.
When major rice producers Vietnam and India imposed export bans in April 2008, many countries panicked. Frightened there may not be enough to go around, importers scrambled for the little that was left in the world market.
The tight supply along with the ensuing panic buying raised rice prices to record highs. Prices doubled and, in some cases, even tripled. Thai 100% B grade, for example, shot up from US$335 per ton in 2007 to US$963 per ton in 2008.
University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) agricultural economist Rolando Dy explains that what actually happened last year was a rice-price crisis. “It was caused by panic, not by supply and demand.”
Fortunately, the crisis was cut short when Vietnam, India, and other exporters lifted export bans. Some countries doubled production, resulting in increased global rice stocks. With supply levels stabilizing, rice prices gradually declined. But not before wreaking havoc in countries like the Philippines.
And it’s clear why we are vulnerable. The government augments the frequent local production shortfall by buying 10% of its rice needs from the world market, spending billions of pesos in the process. It’s no surprise the Philippines has been labeled the biggest rice importer in the world. (See related story on overpriced Vietnamese rice imports on page 14.)
So the question now is if our Asian neighbors like Thailand, Vietnam, and even China (to some extent) can be self-sufficient, why can’t we?
In an interview with China Business, farmer Jaime Tadeo says the country’s perennial rice deficit can be attributed to a confluence of factors: a growing population, limited area allotted to rice production, lack of irrigation, and government neglect.
Thailand has 67 million people and devotes 10.68 million hectares to rice. Vietnam has 86.97 million mouths to feed and plants 7.35 million hectares with rice. The Philippines has a growing population currently estimated at 92.23 million, yet it only allocates 4.4 million hectares for rice production.
China, on the other hand, dedicates 29.2 million hectares for rice. The mainland is recognized as the world’s top rice producer and accounts for over a third of the global supply. Yield per hectare reaches an average of 6.61 tons. It is also the acknowledged world leader in hybrid rice production. (See sidebar.)
But here in the Philippines, buildings and subdivisions now stand on land once covered with rice paddies. As of 2007, the Department of Agrarian Reform allowed around 40, 000 hectares of agricultural land to be converted into residential, commercial, and industrial uses.
Aside from farms lost to land conversion, poor soil quality in some areas is another problem. According to UA&P’s Dy, “Quite a number of rice areas are already acidic because of constant cultivation.” Too much pesticide and chemical use has left the soil nutrientdeficient and affects harvest volume.
Water is another issue. Dy says unlike Vietnam, which has the long Mekong river, the Philippines doesn’t have big river systems that can supply water to farms. Irrigation comes mainly from relatively smaller rivers and dams.
Data from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics show the country has a combined irrigated area of around 1.5 million hectares. Additional irrigation systems are needed to sufficiently water the 4.4 million hectares of land currently devoted to rice.
Apart from making and repairing canals, however, the government also has to address a more serious matter: watershed denudation. Irrigation canals, no matter how big, would be useless if water deposits from forests are totally gone.
As if these aren’t enough, local farmers also have to deal with post-harvest losses; a problem that can be solved with sufficient access to advance milling facilities and farm-to-market roads.
Tadeo says farmers often have to dry their grains on the road instead of having them processed in high-tech mills. They also have to pay haulers high fees due to bad road conditions.
If there’s one good thing that came out of the crisis, it is the higher DA budget. From 25 billion pesos (US$521.06 million) in 2008, it rose to 44 billion pesos (US$917.06 million) in 2009. And while a bigger allocation for the department is viewed as a step in the right direction, there are far more pressing problems to be tackled. Government neglect is one.
Pundits blame the long years of government inattention and underinvestment in agriculture for the country’s food security problems. Although several measures are already in place, such as the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997, farmers have yet to see more tangible results.
In 2008, the DA also launched its FIELDS program. (It stands for Fertilizers, Irrigation, Extension services, Loans and financial assistance, Dryers and Seeds.) Under the program, farmers will receive seed and fertilizer subsidies, year-round irrigation supply, rice production extension services, soft loans, as well as flat bed and solar dryers.
The FIELDS project is part of the DA’s Rice Self-sufficiency Program, which aims to provide major support services to farmers and make the country 98% sufficient in grain by 2010. But the plan didn’t push through so the department moved the self-sufficiency target to 2013. Joyce Sierra of Rice Watch and Action Network (R1) called the self-sufficiency goal a “moving target” since years are simply adjusted when deadlines are not met.
Side Dish of Solutions
There are different schools of thought on how to approach the country’s low rice production.
“We will condemn farmers to a life of poverty if we will bind them to rice farming so the country will be 100% self-sufficient in rice,” notes former NFA administrator Romeo G. David.
“Intensive planting of high-value crops like vegetables on just a 300- or 3,000-square-meter plot could be sufficient to give livable income for the farmers. This strategy would give rise to more middle-class farmers instead of the present poor-farmer communities,” David explains.
Dy shares David’s opinion, saying it’s not enough to aim for self-sufficiency. He points out, “The key is income security.
But Romeo Royandoyan of the Philippine Center for Rural Development Studies has a different take on the issue. He believes government should give more support to rice farmers to reduce rural poverty. Agriculture, particularly rice production, is still a major income source in the countryside.
Royandoyan also thinks the budget for the agriculture sector should be “comparable to the national defense allocation. Why? Because we’re talking about our food here!”
Other farmer groups say the government should do more than just allocate a budget. It should also ensure that funds get to where they’re needed. Policies have already been set in place, it’s a matter of “political will” and “implementation,” says Tadeo.
Farmers are also pushing for more investments in organic rice. They say it is more sustainable, nutritious, and healthier for the soil because it requires less, if not zero, pesticides.
As for irrigation systems, David notes the government allocates funds to build new ones, but can barely maintain those existing. He says, “The country can be self-sufficient if we address the repair and maintenance of existing irrigation systems.”
Apart from spending on irrigation systems, rural infrastructure (such as farm-to-market roads) ought to be a priority. “Providing [farmers] with water and roads is a short-term agenda. But these basic needs will improve their quality of life and the economy of rural communities,” argues David.
Accessible, well-managed, and well-watered rice fields could help farmers double their income. They can have two crops a year instead of one. David says farmers with disposable income can “be the engine of growth for the nation.”
Beijing, We Have a Problem
If the clamor of farmers for added support is not heard, we will be faced with the specter of another shortage.
According to non-profit group R1, the worrisome thing is China’s rice production is tapering off. There was hardly any significant movement in production figures recorded between 1990 (189.33 million tons) and 2004 (179.09 million tons). The numbers are alarming when compared to the phenomenal growth posted between 1965 (87.72 million tons) and 1985 (168.57 million tons). This could mean production volume will not be as high as in the past decades.
The stark scenario is not without basis. In both China and the Philippines, areas devoted to rice are shrinking. Also, many farmers in both countries have switched from rice to other crops that could guarantee higher income, such as fruit trees.
Although China is the global leader in rice production, it has been a consistent net importer of rice, much like the Philippines. At one time, China even imported a record breaking 237,000 tons of rice from Thailand.
All this put an even greater strain on the already limited rice supply available in the world market. Moreover, these changes put into serious question the chances smaller countries like the Philippines have in securing its staple food from foreign sources.
And between the Philippines and China, there’s no need to guess who stands the better chance of feeding its people when another crisis hits.
Told You So
Oddly enough, the linchpin of the government response to the rice sufficiency problem is to depend on imports. This, of course, did not sit well with farmer groups and advocates who argue that importation is both dangerous and expensive.
“Rice is our national staple and it’s a big mistake to rely on others to produce food to feed us,” says Royandoyan. Some economists believe we should just import instead of producing our own food. But he thinks that’s a myth. The available rice in the world market is only less than 5%. China alone could easily take that measly 5% away if it faces a major rice shortfall.
More alarming, Royandoyan adds, is that even countries with surplus rice production tend to hold on to their stocks the moment the world supply shows the slightest sign of instability. He may be right. After all, the Cold War did not lead to the fall of Russia; the US wheat embargo did.
Print ed: 08/09


When Dior’s creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri was faced with the prospect of the Dior Cruise 2022 show, it’s unsurprising that she reflected on the feelings of the world post-pandemic. Sportswear has taken over our wardrobes as our time at home has led us to embrace ease over elegance, but for Chiuri, the sporty look has an entirely different connotation.
“I’m interested in clothes as a way of giving freedom of movement,” she told Vogue ahead of the show. “Women want freedom, especially after this long lockdown”, she continued. “That’s what we desire: to move our bodies.”
Naturally, there were few heels on this runway, which was just as well because it’s probably the longest some of these models have ever had to walk in a fashion show. Rather appropriately, the show took place at the colossal Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, Greece; a sports arena built more than 2,300 years ago.
Indeed, Greek influences could be seen throughout the show, from the Bjork-esque tulle swan gown inspired by the myth of Leda, to the asymmetrical column dresses in gold and ivory with delicate pleats all teamed with trainers and sports bras.
Chiuri took influences from the Greco-Roman influences of her Italian upbringing, as well as archive images of a Dior model posing in the Acropolis, and Marlene Dietrich dressed as Leda; a figure whose own gender fluidity was paid tribute to in a some sensational loose ivory suits.
The famous Bar Jacket was given an ath-flow makeover by tailor and embroidery extraordinaire Aristeidis Tzonevraki, while Dior’s traditional houndstooth pattern was adapted by Soufli silk factory Silk Line.
Still, ancient history gives birth to sci-fi futurism with some of the more casual sports looks; royal blue motifs with metallics and shield-style sunglasses make an exciting prospect for getting back to the gym in a post-pandemic world. And oversized trainers with mesh inserts bring back practicality.
“Sport is movement, sport is freedom,” said Maria Grazia Chiuri. “During lockdown, you would walk around your building just to get a sense of moving your body. That became our idea of freedom.”


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- City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
- Dubai 05:31 06:45 12:35 15:51 18:20 19:34
- His Highness congratulates the winners and urges them to set a positive example by promoting high ethical standard in sports
- Erling Haaland wins the Best Player award, Cristiano Ronaldo wins three awards, and Pep Guardiola is named the Best Coach
Saeed Hareb: The 18th Dubai International Sports Conference and the 14th Dubai Globe Soccer Awards reinforce Dubai's emergence as a major international venue for premier sporting events
His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, crowned the winners of the 14th Dubai Globe Soccer Awards. The event, held as part of the Dubai International Sports Conference, recognises excellence in playing, coaching, and management in global football.
Notable winners included Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, who was named Best Player, Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo who won three awards, and Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola who was named Best Coach.
HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed extended his congratulations to the winners of the awards for their exceptional achievements. He emphasised the importance of promoting high ethical benchmarks in sports and urged the winners to leverage their influence and recognition to set exemplary standards, not only within their immediate sporting communities but also to the millions of followers they inspire worldwide. His Highness highlighted the crucial role sports icons play in shaping the values that define the sporting world and beyond.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, also attended the award ceremony held at Atlantis, The Palm along with His Excellency Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman of Manchester City; His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council; and officials of various Dubai Government departments and leading officials from global clubs, organisations and federations.
The event started with the presentation of the Dubai Globe Soccer Digital Awards. Asgari_freestyle received the award for the Best Video Creator, Msdossary7 was honoured as Best eSports Player, Fabrizio Romano was named Best Digital Journalist, Alnoufali_7 was recognised as Best Social Media Influencer, Rafael Leao of AC Milan won the award for Best Digital Content by a Player in Lega Serie A, and AS Roma received the award for the Best Digital Content by a Club in the Italian league. The award for the Best Middle East Media Company went to Saudi Media Company while Egypt’s ZED FC was named Best Middle East Academy.
Other notable awards presented at the event recognised excellence in professional football:
• Jude Bellingham, the star of Real Madrid and the English national team, was honoured with the Power Horse Emerging Player award.
• Aitana Bonmati, the standout player from FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team, received the Best Women’s Player award.
• Egyptian club Al Ahly received the title of Best Middle East Club.
• Jorge Mendes, representing the agency Gestifute, claimed the Best Agent award.
• Cristiano Giuntoli of Juventus received the award for Best Sports Director.
• Ederson, of Manchester City and Brazil, was named Best Goalkeeper.
• Manchester City and Spain international Rodri took home the Best Midfielder award.
• FC Barcelona was honoured with the award for Best Women's Club.
• Englishman John Terry received a Career Player award.
• Lionel Scaloni, the Argentine coach, was recognised with the Best Coach award.
• Manchester City was named Best Men's Club.
• Cristiano Ronaldo, of Al Nassr and the Portuguese national team, received the awards for Best Middle East Player and Globe Soccer Maradona Award for Top Goalscorer in 2023.
• Pep Guardiola, the Spanish coach of Manchester City, was crowned Best Coach.
• Casemiro, Brazil’s Manchester United midfielder, was honoured with a Career Player award.
• His Excellency Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman of Manchester City, received the Best President award.
• Al Nassr’s Ronaldo also secured the Fans' Favourite Player Award.
• Erling Haaland, the Manchester City and Norway striker, took home the Best Men’s Player award.
Commenting on the occasion, His Excellency Saeed Hareb, the Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council, said: "Guided by the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the 18th Dubai International Sports Conference and the 14th Dubai Globe Soccer Awards held today reinforce Dubai's emergence as a major global venue for premier sporting events. These prestigious events draw the participation of renowned international sports stars and key decision-makers, shaping the future of sports and bringing together a global audience through international broadcasting."
"The presence of international football icons, whose remarkable achievements have made a lasting impact on world football, reflects the global significance of the event. Their eagerness to participate in the Dubai conference is a testament to their dedication to sharing the stories of their professional journeys. Their attendance at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards, a ceremony that celebrates the achievements of the sport's heroes, demonstrates the event's international appeal."
Hareb extended his heartfelt thanks to the dedicated team responsible for the organisation of the annual event. The conference and award ceremony are highly anticipated and followed by hundreds of millions of enthusiasts worldwide, underscoring their global importance and reach, he noted.
The Dubai International Sports Conference commenced with a technical session titled ‘Women and Football’ at the Dubai Press Club. The session shed light on the increasing role of women in football, showcasing their prominent positions and responsibilities in club and federation management. Ornella Belia, FIFA's Director of Professional Football Development, and Greta Nardici, AC Milan's Regional Director in the Middle East and North Africa, were featured speakers, exemplifying the growing influence of women in professional football.
The session, attended by His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council, highlighted the limitless potential and capabilities of women in professional football in both technical and managerial positions. The speakers at the event shared insightful guidance, aimed at empowering young women who aspire to carve out careers in football, whether on the field as players or off the field in managerial roles. During the session, Saeed Hareb presented the Shield of the Dubai Sports Council, to acknowledge the speakers’ participation.
The theme for this year's Dubai International Sports Conference was ‘Sustainability and Performance in Football’. Launched alongside the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards ceremony, the event set a benchmark for environmental awareness by adhering to sustainability standards. The organisers implemented eco-friendly practices, using environmentally sustainable alternatives for materials used at the event. Additionally, electronic invitations were sent out as part of the joint efforts of the Dubai Sports Council and the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards organising committee to host a sustainable event.
This commitment to sustainability aligns with the groundbreaking partnership between the Dubai Sports Council and the Neutral Carbon Zone. The collaboration marks a significant first step in the event's journey towards sustainability and ‘zero carbon’ status," and positions the event as the first-ever football awards ceremony to attain carbon neutrality on a global scale.
Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.

domain: sports


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For those unfamiliar, that’s Nashville, TN; home to some of the best songwriters in the world. While Nashville has a self proclaimed love affair with country music, it’s not the only genre in town. You can find pretty much any kind of music if you look hard enough. Through the years, I’ve been to Nashville quite a few times, even living there when I was in grad school, and I’ve come to appreciate the songwriter rounds the most.
Nashville has gone through a huge transformation over the last decade. Going from a small, underappreciated city to hitting the top of the lists in “best places to move to” articles. This has put a bit of a strain on the city as new condo buildings are going up everywhere and many areas of town are being gentrified. If I had had money when I lived there previously, it would have been a great investment opportunity… but I digress.
After some gentle hinting from my friend, a decently priced plane ticket, and a weekend with nothing to do, I packed my bags and hopped across the border for a quick getaway. I did end up having to rent a car because Nashville is really not a transit friendly city, so unless you’re planning on staying in one spot the entire time, a car is pretty crucial. Luckily my friend didn’t mind me crashing on the couch, saving some serious money on a hotel.
Having been to the city many times before, I tried to steer clear of the tourist hot spots, although that’s getting harder to do. I went to see some friends play at the Listening Room for two of the nights I was in town. The Listening Room is a fantastic place to hear songwriters. Although not as well known as the Bluebird, it’s a fantastic place to sit and listen to songwriters sing and tell stories. You will be stunned by the amount of talent you’ve never heard of. They have an early and late show most nights, and be sure to get your tickets early!
I also went out with a friend to Arrington Vineyards, founded by Kix Brooks. It’s a beautiful spot about half an hour south of the city where you can bring a picnic and enjoy some wine. Unfortunately, they’ve started charging quite a bit for the tastings now, where they used to be free. It’s a nice atmosphere with lovely views, but not as appealing with the higher price tag.
If you’re in town on Saturday, be sure to check out the Songwriter Series at the Country Music Hall of Fame. It’s free, but the only people who can reserve tickets are museum members. If you’re not a member, you can request tickets the day of, but sometimes they go fast! The show usually starts around 10:30 and is about 45 min long. A perfect start to a Saturday.
I also wandered around some of my favourite neighbourhoods, including 12 South and Edgehille Village. Both are small areas a bit away from downtown and feature cute shops and places to eat, which I did a lot of. You can read all about my favourite places to eat in Nashville over at Vegan Travel (click here). I didn’t squeeze much more in before I was on my way back to the airport to catch my flights home.
If you’re looking for some of the more touristy spots, these are pretty easy to find:
- Honky-Tonks on Broadway
- Ryman Auditorium (catch a show here if you can)
- Grand Ole Opry
- Country Music Hall of Fame (they’ve expanded significantly in the last few years)
- Pancake Pantry for breakfast
- Cheekwood Botanical Gardens
- Jack Daniels Distillery (1.5 hrs south in Lynchburg, TN)
Do you have any favourite places in Nashville?

domain: travel


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"Citizenship means standing up for the lives that gun violence steals from us each day," Obama said Tuesday in his State of the Union address. "I have seen the courage of parents, students, pastors, and police officers all over this country who say 'we are not afraid,' and I intend to keep trying, with or without Congress, to help stop more tragedies from visiting innocent Americans in our movie theaters, shopping malls, or schools like Sandy Hook."What's wrong with "stopping more tragedies from visiting innocent Americans in movie theaters, shopping malls, or schools like Sandy Hook."? And further, though I spent some time unpacking my bags today and repacking for the next trip, none of us are packing our bags and going away. But Congress seems to have packed up their own bags on this issue. We are here to remind them that they have work to complete if they actually care about public health and safety in the country. They need to Finish The Job about Brady background checks for just one. Others are ready to make Congress unpack their fear of the gun lobby and lead on the issue of stopping more tragedies. President Obama is on the road talking about his messages from the SOTU speech last night. He is not packing up to avoid the important issues of the day, including gun violence prevention.
Now retired and disabled Congresswoman Gabby Giffords had this to say last night in an ad before the SOTU:
Her persistence and passion is important to the issue of preventing gun injuries and deaths. Her voice is now more clear than earlier appearances. She was still learning how to speak in complete sentences and struggle to make the sounds necessary for speech after the head injury suffered in the Tucson mass shooting in 2010. Thank you Gabby Giffords for being just one of the many voices calling for common sense. All she is asking for is responsible solutions. What's wrong with that request? The corporate gun lobby can't even agree to responsible solutions involving responsible gun owners, as both Gabby Giffords and her husband Mark Kelly are.
But the shootings continue unabated. In fact, there was a shooting at a University in Tennessee during the President's speech last night. According to the article, an argument escalated. When arguments escalate while a gun is in the mix, nothing good can come from it.
The gun lobby rhetoric also continues unabated. This latest column from Joe Nocera of the New York Times highlights e-mails sent to NRA members and others from the NRA leadership. Nocera wrote with excerpts from the e-mails. Here are a few of the quotes from the e-mails contained in his article:
OCT. 29 Subject: He thinks he can buy your freedom
New York City billionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg is on an all-out mission to buy the U.S. Congress so that Barack Obama can ban your guns. And if you and I don’t take immediate action to stop him, he’ll get away with it. That’s why I’m asking you to sign this Voter Pledge the moment you get the chance. ... It is our job to make Bloomberg and his money TOXIC to every candidate running for office... and it all starts with your signed Voter Pledge TODAY
DEC. 12 Subject: Congrats N.R.A. Member: You’ve been selected to get 72% off PDN [Personal Defense Network] Premium Membership
An increase in smaller-framed defensive pistol choices has made Appendix Inside-the-Waistband (IWB) Carry an increasingly common form of firearm concealment. Compared to traditional hip-carry positions, Appendix Carry requires some critical adjustments in the technique for drawing and presenting the firearm. A recently-released PDN Training Module, specifically for Appendix Carry, led by PDN Managing Editor Rob Pincus, breaks down critical aspects of Appendix IWB Carry.And more:
JAN. 23 Subject: 3 Stories. 6 Lives. 4 Accidents. 1 Solution.
What can you carry in your pocket that can be as powerful as your gun? Frankly, it’s a card with your name on it. And a phone number. A number that will mobilize your personal “Medical Team” to come to your aid, any time day or night, anywhere in the world if you’re traveling and suddenly land in the hospital. ...
Thanks to the N.R.A.’s incredible influence and buying power, you now have access to ... 60 response centers around the world, over 1,500 air ambulances worldwide, medical teams responsible for continual monitoring of your health around the world if you should require medical attention. 40,000 N.R.A. MEMBERS TRUST EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PLUS.
JAN. 27 Subject: Did you get my last email?
I recently sent you an email to alert you that your N.R.A. membership is about to expire ... To renew, simply click here to pay your membership dues ... and take advantage of our $2 discount for renewing online today. With our Second Amendment rights on the line like never before, it is critically important that leading N.R.A. members like you send a message to politicians in every corner of the country that every N.R.A. member stands ready to defend our freedoms. Your personal renewal commitment in 2014 sends that message loud and clear. And, N.R.A. membership gives you great benefits that you can’t get anywhere else.And, from the article, this last one ended like this:
Yours in Liberty,
Executive Vice President, N.R.A.Notice the perks with your NRA membership. You can get a "medical team" to assist you while traveling? 1500 ambulances available to you wherever you go? Wow. Really? Does just a $35 membership get you such expensive perks? Or who is paying for all of that? We know the answer, of course.
Speaking of what's beneficial for gun carriers, perhaps they should have more than a card to call for medical assistance when traveling. Perhaps they should carry liability insurance to cover themselves in case they shoot someone while sitting in a restaurant. Why is it OK for folks with gun permits to show their guns to others in restaurants where families are there to enjoy a meal?
Hmmmm. Having a permit, the man must think, is his excuse for what went wrong at this New York restaurant. Is that the point of making sure someone knew that he had a permit? Is the logic here, if there is any, that if one has a permit for the gun or a permit to carry it in public ( or both) then it's OK to be careless with it in public and "accidentally" shoot someone? I'm just asking.The man who accidentally shot himself and his friend in a crowded Mendon restaurant over the weekend was charged Tuesday with felony reckless endangerment and misdemeanor assault, according to a Monroe County Sheriff's Office spokesman.John Cassata, 70, of Fairport, was showing his .38-caliber handgun to a friend, Charles Raab, 67, while sitting in the Cottage Hotel during the lunch hour on Saturday when the gun discharged, sending a bullet through Cassata's hand, ricocheting off his leg and grazing Raab's ankle, according to the Sheriff's Office.Witnesses said the shooting left Cassata bleeding heavily and repeating, "I have a permit. I have a permit," referring to his pistol.
Let's take a look at a few other shootings by law abiding gun owners just for clarification about the benefits for gun owners of carrying their guns in public places.
First, you've juts gotta love this video. Should road rage result in someone pointing a pistol at someone else to threaten them? We all know the answer and why should we have to ask the question but this prosecutor thought it was OK because she had a permit to carry. Another law abiding permit holder excusing her behavior because she had a permit to carry. Is that OK? I'm just asking.
And why bring a loaded gun with you to the emergency room when you have a medical condition? Are you afraid the health care provider might do you harm instead of healing? Let's see now, did the benefits of carrying that gun outweigh any advantages? I'm just asking.
And in what makes no sense at all, some states are trying to force public universities into allowing guns on their campuses in spite of the increase in college ( and school) shootings of late. The way things stand now, really not much about the agenda of the corporate gun lobby makes common sense. They are falsely claiming rights while the rest of us don't have our rights to be free from gun violence. They are claiming freedom while the rest of us can't be free from gun violence. And remember, there was yet another college shooting yesterday during President Obama's SOTU address. Can the gun rights advocates actually claim that college students won't do more harm than any good they might claim by carrying guns around with them? Just read about the college shooting above. As Will Ferrell, playing Ron Burgundy in The Anchor Man says:
In case the gun rights advocates want to know why the rest of us are concerned about the increase of people carrying loaded guns into more public places, the above are prime examples. How can we have a reasonable discussion about the issue of gun violence without discussing incidents like the one above? I am not critical of all gun owners and all gun permit holders. I am critical of the laws that got passed without thinking through the consequences. If rights trump public safety and responsibility, things will escalate quickly into avoidable shootings. Our laws should reflect the awesome responsibility of owning and carrying loaded guns and make sure those who do understand the responsibilities. Guns are dangerous weapons designed to kill another human being or animal. That makes them different from other products on the market and they should be treated as such. We have a lot of work to do so now is not the time to pack up and leave the conversation. Now is the time to take the conversation to a different level and unpack the box about our national public safety epidemic. Lives depend on our doing this right. Let's get to work.


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A doozy of a campaign-finance battle is taking shape in Big Sky Country.
American Tradition Partnership and other conservative groups have filed a federal suit in Montana challenging the state’s campaign donation limits as well as its ban on corporate donations.
Here’s a press release from the American Tradition Partnership announcing the suit, filed on Tuesday, and click here to read the complaint, which contends that Montana’s campaign spending laws violate the First Amendment. (Here’s an AP report on the litigation.)
Montana has a $160 cap on donations to state candidates, which the plaintiffs contend is one of the lowest limits in the country, and corporations are banned outright from donating to candidates.
“The Supreme Court has ruled that corporate political speech is protected by the First Amendment, and you cannot ban political speech just because the speaker is a corporation,” James Bopp, Jr., the lead attorney for the plaintiffs, said in a statement.
The suit also takes issue with a Montana law that penalizes those who are deemed to have made false statements about a candidate’s voting record. “The Founders did not trust government to be the speech police and tell us what we can say, or what we must say,” Bopp said.
Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock vowed to vigorously defend the state’s campaign laws, AP reports.
“What this does is it drowns out the voices of Montanans,” Bullock said. “We have a long history of people being involved in the political system, and individuals matter. With unlimited contributions and very little disclosure, I think people are relegated to the back seat.”
The Montana Supreme Court is due to hear arguments September 21 in a previously filed suit challenging Montana’s ban on corporate campaign spending, AP reports.

domain: law


Regina Doherty has said the Taoiseach should clarify when he will begin the leadership process
The Government Chief Whip has said the Taoiseach should clarify when he will begin the Fine Gael leadership process.
An Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll published this morning asked 1,200 people who they like to see succeed Mr Kenny.
31% of respondents opted for Leo Varadkar - putting him ten points ahead of Simon Coveney.
Frances Fitzgerald was in third place on 10%, followed by Simon Harris (5%) and Paschal Donohoe (3%). 29% of respondents had no opinion, with the remaining 2% opting for other candidates.
The poll results were released following a turbulent week in the Dáil.
Speaking to Newstalk, Varadkar stated: "There is no vacancy at the moment. Everyone in this Government, including me, has a lot of work to do and my focus is firmly on the Department of Social Protection.
"The Taoiseach has made clear he will not lead the party in a future general election. This means there will be a leadership election at a future date. That will be the appropriate time to deal with the issue of the leadership of Fine Gael. The vacancy won't arise until the Taoiseach decides it should."
A number of Independent ministers yesterday voted against the rest of the Government to support Mick Wallace's Bill on abortions in cases of fatal foetal abnormalities.
Earlier in the week, Joe O'Toole announced his resignation as chairman of the expert commission on water.
Attention has now turned to Mr Kenny's future, and political reporter with the Irish Times, Sarah Bardon, says there are a number of prospective candidates up for consideration.
"It's been a very difficult week for the Taoiseach," she said.
"Fine Gael backbenchers are getting extremely anxious, and are calling on Mr Kenny to clarify when he intends to step down."
Regina Doherty has said there will be confusion until Enda Kenny outlines the process for choosing his successor.
Speaking to LMFM, the Chief Whip said the Taoiseach should provide some clarity as to when he will step down.
"I think it would be fair if the Taoiseach would put clarity on that so we could get back to normal," she argued.
Leo Varadkar yesterday said he would love to lead Fine Gael "whenever a vacancy arises".
The Minister for Social Protection says it is something he has wanted to do since he joined the party as a teenager.
Mr Kenny has previously indicated he will not lead his party into the next general election, but intends to serve his full term as Taoiseach.
Meanwhile, Simon Coveney says the issue of the leadership of Fine Gael will have to be looked at in the "not too distant future".


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Location & Contact:
Copeland's of New Orleans restaurants are committed to the concept that every dish and meal is true to the culinary traditions and heritage of New Orleans augmented by the gracious hospitality of the Copeland Family.
Copeland's of New Orleans is more than a restaurant; it is the family's promise to provide you with the finest dining experience each and every visit.
Our casually festive atmosphere combines New Orleans flavor and comfort with an upscale sensibility. From the Creole favorites that embody the heart and soul of Southern Louisiana, to our flavorful takes on seafood, pasta, salads, steaks and desserts, we offer something for everyone.
At Copeland's, our goal is to provide a superlative dining experience like no other, whether you're dining with family
or business associates, sharing a romantic evening or celebrating a special occasion. My father was so proud of this restaurant and out of a sincere sense of pride in our unique foods, flavors and our friendly, professional staff, he gave it our family name. It is a pleasure to continue his vision, and share our family's signature blend of hometown New Orleans with you. This is your Copeland's.
Executive Chef: Luis Rivera
Dress Code: Casual Dress
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Bar Dining, Beer, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Parking: Private Lot
Catering: Offering a variety of catering options from a personal chef to large banquet style offerings with a variety of menu options.
Type of Meals Served:
New Orleans favorite chain of Creole Cuisine restaurants, Copeland's offers an array of homemade Creole dishes unique to the family of Copeland's restaurants. We also offer the freshest seafood dishes and sizzling Prime Steaks.
113 C West Bank Expressway, Gretna
8311 Jefferson, Jefferson
Seafood Restaurant …Read More
1201 Royal St , New Orleans
Specialty Sandwiches; New Orleans Own Ham, Genoa & Salami with Swiss, Provolone Cheese, Italian Oli…Read More
541 Decatur, New Orleans
The menu reads like one you'd find in Rome, Florence, or Capri. Red sauces are well enough made, but…Read More
911 Harrison Ave, New Orleans
"The best place for juicy burgers and the very best fried chicken sandwich this side of the Mississi…Read More
534 St. Louis St., New Orleans
A contemporary gem tucked into a historic yellow stucco townhouse, which features casual food - an e…Read More
5048 Veterans Memorial, Metairie
Mexican Restaurant …Read More
10701 Jefferson, Harahan
American Restaurant …Read More
400 N. Peters St., New Orleans
Find broiled flounder, fried catfish and Gulf red snapper; plus a plethora of local shellfish favori…Read More
- View All Restaurants


Exhibiting for the first time at Southern Manufacturing 2017, White Horse Plastics (WHP) will highlight the full spectrum of its manufacturing services. The firm specialises in tight tolerance technical injection moulding and sub-assembly manufacture.
WHP was founded in 1973 and company services range from development, design, and in house tool-manufacture through to lean-manufactured serial production. In addition to ISO9001, ISO 14001, and TS 16949 WHP now has ISO 13485 accreditation, the key standard for suppliers of med-tech manufacturing services.
Located in the Vale of the White Horse in Stanford-in-the-Vale, the current WHP technical competencies include a fleet of over thirty injection moulding machines, processing the full array of thermoplastic polymers from the commodity to the exotic; CAD/CAM facilities, CNC optical measurement, CMM systems, insert loading and camera inspection, a fully equipped tool room and a dedicated medical manufacturing space. Further development of the White Horse Plastics ‘white room’ moulding area is planned for this year.
Find out more on the WHP stand P32 or visit www.whitehorseplastics.co.uk/


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One of the stackers had problems with the scraper conveyor type feeding system. A 3D scan was performed to allow the new design of the belt conveyor to fit the existing frame of the stacker line.
As a result, a completely new belt feeder with a hopper was designed, which worked perfectly with the existing construction, that way significantly saving the customer’s resources and obtaining maximum results.
Norway – Port
Ports and dry bulk terminals
Detail Design, Manufacturing Drawings/Files


Takata airbags Inflators make Subaru to recall 8,000 of its cars
Subaru is another car maker subjected to recalling its vehicles for Takata airbag inflators. The company is another player that has thrown its hat in the ring to recall and repair 8,557 cars through the country for fault occurring in the front seat inflators. As per the statistics available from the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) the affected vehicle included 3151 Legacy, Baja and Outback from model years 2003 and 2004 and 5406 units of an Impreza from model year 2004 including the WRX and STI.Photo 1: SUBARU
This is a well known fact that the incident of an inflator explosion is likely impaired the airbag deployment but also spray shrapnel on the passengers. The affected vehicles have been recalled and repair will be carried out at the company’s cost and owners will receive new passenger side Inflators. So far 7 numbers of automobile manufacturers have recalled their vehicles estimated at 2.1 million numbers, for the issue starting from late June. In the case of Subaru it is repairing all affected vehicles to carryout repairs, thus not leaving the affected vehicles from warm weather zones as many other companies have done.
Michael McHale, the company spokesman told the website that the reason for the company’s action is that it was relatively easier to get everyone of them there and get the repair done to make sure that is has been actually done. The airbags were to arrive by the end of July as per his statement and for full details of the NHTSA report pdf copies are available on the internet.Photo 2: Takata airbags Inflators make Subaru to recall 8,000 of its cars


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Two books on druids in two years, and by the same author! If I were either of Ronald Hutton’s publishers I’d be biting my nails over this, but let me reassure them both right at the start that Hutton pulls it off, and in style. The two really do complement each other. So what does Blood and Mistletoe have that The Druids: A History (1) does not?
'From the Sea of Perpetual Gloom to the Holiday Cruise'
The ‘holy grail’ for academic local historians over the past 50 or so years has been the search for regions, a search conducted partly out of genuine interest, partly as a parallel to regional geography, and partly from motives of self-preservation resulting from fears that ‘local history’ conveyed the impression of being parochial and antiquarian. W. G.
The cover to the hardback edition of Edward Vallance’s A Radical History of Britain shows a Union Jack superimposed on a montage (King John signing the Magna Carta, the German Peasants’ War of 1525 (1), the Women’s Suffrage Movement, the Jarrow Crusade and the Battle of Cable Street) designed to illustrate the book’s subtitle: Visionaries, Rebels and Revol
In February 2005 the Heritage Lottery Fund awarded over £3 million to the Victoria County History (VCH) – the high priest of England’s local history – to establish an ambitious new local history project, England’s Past for Everyone (EPE).
In the wake of Douglass North’s theories on institutions and economic growth, the last two decades have seen various kinds of medieval and early modern institutions increasingly regarded as factors aiding in, rather than obstructing, the transformative processes that eventually led to modern industrial capitalism in the 19th century.
The English Parish Church through the Centuries is an interesting example of how digital media can be used to improve and enhance our understanding of the past.
This is a book which could very easily slip under the radar of most historians. Even had they noticed the title, and had their curiosity piqued by the sub-title, after checking the academic discipline of the author (Julian Rivers is Professor of Jurisprudence at Bristol University) many might well have decided that this book was probably of no professional interest to them.
To a political historian, little is more important than politics (in the broad sense, as in the case of this book, incorporating religious division and the Reformation), and a book about a parliament is pre-eminently political.
The History of Parliament is widely recognised as a monumental scholarly achievement. Since its origins in the dreams of Josiah Wedgwood in the early part of the 20th century, and then its establishment as a charitable trust in 1940 (with government funding from 1951), it has produced a voluminous output.

domain: history


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Rupert fan, Paula, sends in a photo of herself with Rupert, from the Berlin premiere of Cherrybomb:
Paula also commented briefly on the film, describing it as “fantastic” and saying Rupert “did a great job.”
The trailer for Cherrybomb is released:
A new photo of Rupert appears online from photographer Murray Close
An international trailer for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince airs on Japanese television:
The release date for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is updated to Wednesday, July 15th 2009.
New merchandise also revealed for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, including a wall hanging, a keychain, and a banner featuring Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley:
Two new photos appear online for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince:
- The news that Dan Radcliffe, Rupert Grint & Emma Watson will be playing themselves in the epilogue of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is also confirmed by David Heyman.
- Yahoo also releases character banners, including one of Ron and Ginny during a Quidditch match:
Many cast members are quoted in the article, including Rupert Grint:
''It's going to be sad when it's over,'' Grint says. ''I'll be 22. It's been such a big part of my life - half my life, actually, by the time we finish. Hopefully, I'll do other stuff when this is over.''
New hi-res images from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix are released:
Belfast Film Festival releases a review of Cherrybomb.
In a sold-out theatre, I couldn't help but feel incredibly lucky to be sitting alongside so many cast members and crew, anxiously waiting to see the premiere of a movie that is local to me: Cherrybomb. Most movies about Northern Ireland seem to have a running theme of 'the troubles', politics and religion, but here many stereotypes were successfully cast off, and a new identity created. 'A New Belfast' is how Cherrybomb was described by both Lisa Barros D'Sa and Glenn Leyburn in the post-Cherrybomb Q&A session, and rightly so.
In addition, Deathly Hallows filming took place in Piccadilly Circus in Central London. RG.net captures some footage of the filming:
Images from filming are posted here
More video footage also goes online, from filming:
- Cherrybomb set to screen at Cannes Film Festival on Thursday, May 14th at Riviera 2 theatre.
- Also, scans from Empire Magazine’s June interview with Dan Radcliffe appear online. Rupert is featured in two of the scans:
Moviefone publishes 5 Fun Facts
from the set of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
These facts divulge information about the cast's reaction to Dumbledore's "outing," how many takes the Ron/Lavender kiss took, and why Rupert won't be selling ice cream anytime soon!
It takes "about 10 takes" for the perfect kiss.
Or at least that's how many takes Rupert Grint estimates were shot for the first of a few smooches between Ron and Lavender (Jessie Cave). "Quite embarrassing" is how the reserved Grint describes the scene's filming. "We were both quite nervous and [director David Yates] was really good and only let it go on for about 10 takes."
Only? To make matters worse, Grint and Lavender were performing for a live audience. "I had a room full of people cheering," Grint says. Well, he must be doing something right.
- David Yates is interviewed by the Baltimore Sun, in which he says some wonderful things about Rupert:
"He's always been the funny one, but he has so much more as an actor than that. In Prince, he has lovely stuff that's funny and true, but in Deathly Hallows, he must be defensive and haunted, and Rupert took to that like a duck to water."
- A new character poster for Ron, for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, is released:
- In addition, Rupert is interviewed by Wizard Universe where he discusses his role as Ron Weasley in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince:
In the future when you look back on the making of this film, what are some funny or strange moments that you'll remember about the making of it?
GRINT: Getting my bum cast. They were making a chair for the broomstick to make it more comfortable and have my shape. I was wearing these skinny trousers and I had to sit on this chair and they managed the exact shape of my bum. They turned it into a really comfortable chair.
Rupert also mentions the added scene with the Burrow burning down as another "exciting part" to film. The interview goes into detail about his time on the Potter series, how the films have changed, and what he'd like to do in the future.
Dan Radcliffe is quoted as saying this about Rupert in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince:
"My favorite scene in the film, actually, is one that I’m that not in... It’s with Rupert in Quidditch practice, and it is genuine laugh-out-loud funny. And I don’t laugh out loud that easily.”
Radcliffe's sentiments were reiterated in a published piece from the LA Times. However, Rupert admits that filming these Quidditch scenes weren't "as much fun to film as I hoped. "It's going to be more fun to watch than it was to film.”
A petition makes its rounds to bring Cherrybomb to a list of countries in which there is currently no plan for release.
You know him from: Driving Lessons. And there was that little role in Harry Potter.
Why's he good? He's supported Daniel Radcliffe's Harry Potter through thick and thin, and has a likeable everyman quality which should allow him to avoid typecasting.
Will he have an adult career? Well, so far out of the HP triumvirate Grint has the most solo-projects under his belt. That said, he is ginger, and anti-redhead sentiment remains the last socially acceptable prejudice, so he'll have to keep working at it.
A new television advert for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince begins airing on The CW in the United States. The Leaky Cauldron gives a detailed list of the new scenes featured in the commercial, here
New screenshots from the commercial here
and view the full feature below:
Harry Potter and the Dealthy Hallows begins filming in Wales. TLC reports on filming:
"Rupert was there [today] dressed in a beard and wig for his transformation" as Dragomir Despard before the break-in at Gringotts."
More images from day two of Deathly Hallows filming in Wales are released here
- Cherrybomb receives its first award: the Audience Award at 2009’s Jameson Belfast Film Festival.
- In addition, RupertGrint.net launches Cherrybombpetition.com to move the petitions forward on gaining Cherrybomb theatrical releases in a number of countries.
- Also in the news, Wild Target gains distribution in the UK via Vue Entertainment.
The Ellen show airs clips from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince:
- News also surfaces from MTV News that Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson will present a brand new clip from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Princevia a telecast at the 2009 MTV Movie Awards. The show airs May 31st.
Empire Magazine displays a portrait of Dan Radcliffe, Rupert Grint & Emma Watson, from their 20th anniversary magazine, at their exhibition at the Century Club:
- A new clip from Harry Potter and the Half- Blood Prince, featuring Ron, goes online
- In addition, a new poster for the film is released:
Rupert has been invited to a charity event for the Rainbow Trust Children’s Benefit, which will be hosted by Samuel L. Jackson. The event will take place June 11thHurlingham Club with a special golfing event to take place beforehand.
The Rainbow Trust Charity is described as "a national charity that provides practical and emotional support to families who have a child with a life threatening or terminal illness."
A poster book for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince features new interviews with cast members. Questions asked deal with the shooting of the sixth film, working on the Potter films as a whole, and life as an actor.
Scans of the poster book:
Q: As an actor, does being strongly associated with your Harry Potter character ever present professional challenges?
A: Haven't found so yet; outside of shooting I'm always happy to be associated with Ron, but he's never followed me to another role.
Q: If you could play a different Harry Potter character, which one would it be? Why?
A: I think Lupin would be most interesting as there are so many sides to his character - plus he gets to turn into a werewolf...
In addition, full scans from Empire Magazine’s July edition can be seen here:
Rolling Stone releases an article featuring a profile of Rupert:
When Grint was just a kid with no real acting experience, he was so crazy about the Harry Potter books that he showed up at the auditions, made up a rap about himself and “like magic” became a wealthy world-famous movie star. "It has been really weird. I feel like I've completely changed really quickly. I was going to a regular school, and then suddenly I did this audition on a whim and then - well, it just sort of happened."
Rupert Grint, Dan Radcliffe & Emma Watson presented a new clip from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince at the MTV Movie Awards. Screencaps can be found here
A new high res photo of the Trio from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is received and shared by SnitchSeeker:
In addition, Emma Watson told The London Paper that she would be filming the Ron/Hermione kiss, at last, on June 4th:
I’m doing it tomorrow! There has been such a build-up and interest in this hyped kiss that it has to be the best on-screen kiss ever, so I’m determined to make it memorable!
There’ll be fireworks, music, everything!
See the rest of the images here
- Some additional images are found and added to our galleries:
Three behind the scenes photos from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix are found:
In addition, UHP uploads an image of a new shot of Ron from one of the posters being used to promote Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince:
A behind-the-scenes photo from Wild Target is released via the official site of the film’s director:
- MTV Movies Blog also releases an article
about Wild Target, which announces that the film will be released in September.
A brand new TV spot for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is released:
Two new HBP commercials are released:
The July issue of Australian magazine FilmInk features a 6 page spread
about the Harry Potter film franchise and its stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint & Emma Watson:
- Also, more scans from the HBP sticker book appear online:
Cherrybomb is officially set to screen at the Harry Potter conference, Azkatraz 2009. The film will screen on Monday, July 20th , at 1pm to Azkatraz attendees, to be held at the Zeum theatre.
Premiere dates set for HBP in several countries:
July 6 - Japanese Premiere, Tokyo
July 7 - UK Premiere, London
July 9 - US Premiere, New York City
July 11 - Swiss Premiere, Zurich
July 12 - Australian Premiere, Brisbane
July 12 - French Premiere, Paris
Rupert promotes a Mexican contest for Harry Potter fans:
In addition, Rupert is set to judge the Young Arts Competition. Here's what Rupert had to say about critics:
"Film critics should stick to critiquing an actor's performance: some of them are far too obsessed with the superficial - with people's appearance - and there's nothing worse than a critic being bitchy. Some can be really unkind, and it's just not fun to read, especially if it's you they're writing about. Even if you have 10 really good reviews, it's the one bad one that sticks in your mind."
His full quote can be read here
- In addition, new scans come in
from The Observer’s behind-the-scenes report of HBP.
- A making-of featurette
for the new HBP video game is released via IGN. Tom Felton hosts the featurette, which includes interviews from Rupert, Daniel Radcliffe, and Bonnie Wright, as well as the makers of the game.
- In addition, Jesse Cave is interviewed
about her role in HBP and she has a few things to say about her co-star, Rupert Grint.
Rupert’s attendance at the HBP premiere in North America is confirmed via Warner Brothers’ press release. Premiere dates are set to:
UK Premiere: Tuesday, July 7. Leicester Square, London. 6pm GMT arrivals.
North American Premiere: Thursday, July 9. Ziegfeld Theatre, NYC. 6pm EST arrivals.
- A new Ron and Lavender image is found via SnitchSeeker and The Baltimore Sun:
- In addition, Yahoo! goes behind-the-scenes of HBP. Screencaps can be seen here
Submitted by Claire
on Tue, 07/29/2014 - 12:40

domain: artistic