text:
A government task force proposal to abolish federal fuel economy standards would spark a return to larger engines and eventually larger cars, industry observers believe, which would benefit Detroit in the form of larger profits.
``When Detroit says it wants bigger engines, it means it wants bigger engines in smaller cars--and also bigger cars,`` said Thomas O`Grady, president of AutoFacts Inc., in Wayne, Pa. ``And with bigger engines comes the power to handle more high-profit options,`` O`Grady said, alluding to the fact that smaller cars historically have meant meager to nonexistent profit margins.
FOR THE RECORD - Additional material published Feb. 22, 1987:
Corrections and clarifications.
-- A story on federal fuel economy standards in the Business Section of the Dec. 28 Tribune incorrectly identified Thomas O`Grady as president of Autofacts Inc. of Wayne, Pa. O`Grady is president of Integrated
Automotive Resources of Wayne, Pa. Autofacts Inc. is located in Paoli, Pa., and its president is William Pochiluk. The Tribune regrets the error.
The task force, headed by Vice President George Bush, was formed in 1981 to explore what regulations could be abolished in keeping with President Reagan`s announced intention of reducing federal interference. The group completed its work in 1983, but Reagan recently asked it to reconvene to recommend further legislative changes. Last week, the task force said it was leaning toward recommending abolition of the fuel economy standards.
Current federal mileage laws, enacted in the 1978 model year, call for each automaker`s fleet of cars to obtain 26 miles per gallon. Failure brings with it stiff fines of $5 for every 10th of a mile per gallon under the standard for all cars sold.
The 26 m.p.g. standard is a concession from the original law, which called for a 27.5 m.p.g. requirement. For the last two model years, the government has rolled back the corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) law from 27.5 to 26. The government acted at the urging of Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp., which argued that, without a rollback, they`d have to close the plants and lay off the workers who build the big cars consumers want. In rolling back the standard this year, the government even extended the 26 m.p.g. figure through the 1988 model year.
Robert McElwaine, president of the International Imported Automobile Dealers Association in Washington, D.C., said importers aren`t in favor of the mileage regulations, either. But what the foreign car producers do favor
--higher taxes on gasoline--is regarded in the U.S. as even less pleasant than CAFE laws.
``We`ve always thought mileage standards were a left-handed way to get at the problem,`` said McElwaine, whose association represents most foreign car dealers in the U.S.
``Europe handles the gas consumption problem easily,`` he said. ``It taxes the fuel. The more expensive gas is, the more you reduce its usage, without any of the `at least 27 percent of your cars must get better than 30 m.p.g.` type stuff in the U.S., which is an insane way to control fuel consumption.``
McElwaine agrees that if the task force is successful in abolishing the fuel economy law, ``It certainly means Detroit will stretch their cars to make them larger.``
Cadillac for 1987 came out with a 5-inch-longer version of its Fleetwood sedan, the Sixty Special, and Oldsmobile is considering a similar stretch of its 98 sedan.
But a quick move to bigger cars won`t give Detroit a competitive edge over the imports, McElwaine insists, since Japan already has been gearing up to sell larger cars in the U.S. to counter the effect on profits of import quotas the last few years.
``The recent trend in Japan has been to come up with larger cars itself, and, without mileage laws, those plans wouldn`t change,`` he said.
Another trend will flourish without mileage laws, McElwaine said.
``It certainly will accelerate the trend of the domestics to import their small, high-mileage cars, rather than make them here.``
O`Grady thinks the task force action might be a bit after the fact, insisting that Detroit`s actions in recent months indicate that mileage laws
``haven`t mattered, anyway.``
In the 1987 model year, for example, GM removed the 4-cylinder engine that had been standard in its sporty Camaro and Firebird, making a larger V-6 standard. At the same time, the cars added an optional engine, the high-powered V-8 offered in the Corvette. In doing so, Camaro and Firebird added 145 m.p.h. speedometers. In a related move, GM removed the 3-liter V-6 that was standard in the full-size Buick LeSabre and Olds 88 in favor of a 3.8-liter V-6.
All this took place while GM was waiting for the government to roll back CAFE to 26 m.p.g. Once CAFE was rolled back, GM announced it was dropping the mini Chevette, its highest-mileage domestically built car.
Detroit is no stranger to asking the government for help. In the early 1980s, it asked for quotas on the number of Japanese imports that could be shipped to the U.S. Detroit argued that the quotas would give it needed time to come up with domestically built high-mileage cars.
Since the quotas have been imposed, not only has GM dropped the Chevette and its T-1000 cousin from Pontiac (to be replaced by a South Korean import this spring), it has signed deals with Suzuki and Isuzu of Japan to import the Sprint and Spectrum to the U.S under the Chevy name.
GM wasn`t the only automaker to use the time the quotas allowed to figure out that the best way to ``fight`` foreign competition was to join them. Chrysler Corp.`s Diamond-Star joint venture plant with Mitsubishi in Bloomington-Normal, Ill., will turn out sporty subcompact cars, not
``econoboxes,`` in 1989. And Ford teamed with Mazda of Japan in a joint venture in Flat Rock, Mich., that will turn out a new addition to Ford`s sporty Mustang line for 1989.
Mazda also helped Ford on the successor to the subcompact Mercury Lynx, a car called Tracer that will bow this spring via Mexico. Ford and Kia of South Korea, in part owned by Mazda, also teamed up on a new mini-car to bow this spring, the Festiva.


Today, Seattle expat and former Rocket writer Ann Powers weighs in for NPR on Eddie Vedder's new album of ukulele songs, sensibly titled Ukulele Songs:
Vedder said he hopes that Ukulele Songs would encourage listeners to step away from their computers and televisions and make some music of their own, preferably with friends. Some of the material collected on the record was written back in the mid-'90s after Vedder first picked up the instrument. For him, the modest chordophone itself has been a companion in times of loneliness.
It's a fine profile, including some campfire sing-along anecdotes from Vedder and some typically sharp contextualizing from Powers. Read the whole thing here.


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The government of Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone today approved the transfer of military technology to the United States in a move signaling a major shift in Japan's 15-year-old ban on the export of weapons.
In an official announcement this morning, Masaharu Gotoda, the chief Cabinet secretary, said the Nakasone government had decided, in principle, to supply the United States with sophisticated military know-how to put defense ties between the two countries on a more equal footing.
The issue has been sharply debated among government departments here since U.S. officials 18 months ago strongly urged Tokyo to open the way for the full-scale flow of Japan's increasingly important electronics and other high-technology know-how into Pentagon weapons development projects.
Today's decision came only four days before Nakasone was scheduled to leave for talks in Washington with President Reagan, during which he hopes to impress upon the American president Japan's determination to enlarge its role in the military sphere.
Gotoda said the change in Tokyo's longstanding weapons export policy was "extremely important to ensure the effective operation" of the 32-year-old security treaty between Japan and the United States. Under the security pact, the flow of weapons technology has been overwhelmingly in Japan's favor.
Citing the rapid advances in Japanese technological might in recent years, Gotoda said the time had come to make the technological exchange more reciprocal.
According to knowledgeable sources here, the move was intended as a sweetener for Nakasone's summit talks with Reagan, which are expected to dwell on relations badly strained over the thorny issues of trade and defense. It follows Tokyo's recent decision to increase its defense spending in 1983 by 6.5 percent, a figure that considerably undershot the expectations of Reagan administration officials.
Nakasone, who came to office Nov. 26, ordered key Cabinet officers last month to hammer out an early settlement in the issue as part of a bid to improve ties with the United States.
Progress had been deadlocked because of the strong opposition of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, the watchdog of the country's big business interests. MITI officials argued that any agreement to free the flow of highly classified advanced industrial technology would damage Japan's commercial position.
U.S. officials have asserted that they have no "shopping list" for Japanese military know-how in mind, but they are believed to be interested in advanced electronics, fiber optics, laser technologies and sophisticated composite materials used in the production of jet engines and military aircraft.
Government sources said today the decision was likely to churn up "enormous opposition" among opposition parties in parliament and pacifist elements in the Japanese public, who charge that Nakasone's conservative Liberal Democratic Party is trying to abandon the country's arms export prohibitions.
In his remarks today, Gotoda said that the decision would not lead to substantial additional changes in Japan's longstanding weapons export ban. He said the transfer of military technology to the United States will be carried out under the framework of U.S.-Japanese security arrangements and, therefore, would remain an exception to broader weapons-related policies.
Since 1967, Tokyo banned arms exports to communist countries, countries falling under the United Nations' weapons ban and countries involved in international conflicts.

domain: news


text:
If slots are what you enjoy most, slot casinos are your place. These platforms offer many of the best UK slot games with the widest variations, with hundreds and sometimes thousands of slots. Classic slots, retro slots, progressive jackpots, three reeled, instant wins and even megaways are all types of slots available here.
In addition, punters will also come across features like betting exchange, multi-live and bet slip sale (cash-out). There are countless number of betting sites and SapphireBet Casino is not just one among many. It certainly stands out even though it is relatively a new site, launched only in 2018. SapphireBet Casino has a vast reservoir of options with great promotions, a huge selection of games, and accessibility options, which makes it pleasantly surprising.
How important is customer service at the best online casinos?
You can check for licenses as well as online user reviews if you are ever in doubt. The existence of these things in themselves, especially in the context of glossy banners with no small print, is not necessarily an endorsement of any online casino. Weekend players will also love its extremely generous 400% reload bonus up to $4000. This might be the biggest top-up for existing players in the entire business. Bovada has a 24/7 customer service team ready to help you around the clock with a three-pronged attack of phone, email, and live chat that’ll never leave you hanging.
How many online casinos are available in the UK?
A similar but very different question to the above, the answer is pretty much the same. Grosvenor is part of the Rank group and one of the biggest casino names in the UK with everything you need from an online casino in a handy app. Is your overall SportsAdda level which increases a certain amount every time you participate or win in select games. A resurgent website after a shaky start, Betway has established itself as a credible source for betting on sports. With a wide array of options available in terms of sports and tournaments, the addition of Kevin Pietersen has enabled the brand to build more credibility among the users. If you are on a winning streak and have more money than you started with, think about stopping.
Sites that run on the HTML5 platform allow access to mobile devices. Before playing any of the games, customers will need to log in to their account. There are many casino games that you can choose from, so it can sometimes be difficult to pick the right one. Below is a description and list of casino games that will provide you with exciting gameplay.
Online gambling laws differ in each country around the world and are subject to change. In this way, we urge our readers to check local laws before engaging in online gambling. We do not condone gambling in jurisdictions where it is not permitted. Casino.org is not a gambling operator, no gambling facilities are offered on this site. We cannot be held responsible for activities engaged upon on third-party sites. On Agen Taruhan Judi Bola Parlay , you’ll find a shortlist of all the casinos offering the best payouts to players.
You can play various slot types, including classics, progressive jackpot, multiplier, and 3D slots. As part of our benchmarks for selecting the best gambling sites, we checked the available sports, games, and software providers. Additionally, this gambling site provides a detailed description of each slot to help new players understand how the game works. It also hosts several slots tournaments with decent prizes and offers attractive bonuses, like the 200% up to $1,000 welcome bonus. If you love betting on sports, you should definitely try out Bovada – it’s one of the best sports betting sites in the US.
Online casinos offer various casino games, including slots and table games such as blackjack or poker. You can also find live dealer casino games and games like jackpot slots, which offer huge potential wins to players. To find the best online casinos sites, look for casinos that suit your style of playing meaning they have a wide selection of games you wish to play and bonuses that you can claim. Read independent reviews to determine the reliability of the casino. Take note of the payment methods and limits as well as customer support options. Look out for security seals on the casino site, customer care, games selection, payment methods available, such as Neteller, Skrill or Paypal, and bonuses offered.
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domain: game


Abstract and Introduction
Data hint that bolstering the system benefits even those already enrolled.
One of the provisions of the Affordable Care Act, scheduled to take effect in 2014, will allow states to expand Medicaid to include all adults with incomes near the federal poverty level. Researchers tried to predict health benefits from this measure by examining outcomes in three states that have enacted similar Medicaid expansions already.
Adjusted all-cause mortality in the Medicaid-expansion states (New York, Arizona, and Maine) declined by 6.1% in the 5 years after expansion, which is a significant difference compared with mortality in adjacent states used as controls (Pennsylvania, Nevada, New Mexico, and New Hampshire). The differences were greatest among nonwhites, residents of poor counties, and 35- to 64-year-olds. A smaller (but also significant) mortality difference (2.6%) was observed in adults older than 65, along with a significant decline in cost-related delays in care.
Journal Watch © 2012 Massachusetts Medical Society


Virginia Arts Festival and MSM Gala
Olga has a very eventful week ahead beginning with a solo recital tomorrow at Virginia Arts Festival, where she is Director of Chamber Music. She returns to NYC the very next night for Manhattan School of Music’s special centennial gala concert at Carnegie Hall, hosted by Alec Baldwin and conducted by Leonard Slatkin. She then returns to Norfolk, VA for the Virginia Arts Festival the following day for chamber music with Tasmin Little and Nina Kotova on Thursday and Friday. Watch Olga’s message about MSM’s Carnegie concert below.


Are you tired of tangled headsets, headphones, or earpieces? Are you wondering why you can't hear your music through your bluetooth headpiece?Not all bluetooth headsets were created equal. Music is enabled through your headset if it has A2DP Advanced Audio Distribution Profile. This profile defines how stereo sound can be streamed from one device to another device over a Bluetooth connection. With A2DP you can listen to music, podcasts, audiobooks, videos, and all streaming media—all wirelessly from your mobile device to a wireless headset. You can even enjoy streaming media from your laptop, computer, tablet, or ereader to a wireless headset.
What is bluetooth technology? It is a short-range connectivity technology designed to transmit voice and data without the use of wires. Many devices can connect through this short-range other than cell phones, some examples are keyboards, monitors, printers, computers, and all bluetooth enabled devices. Bluetooth is one of many short-range wireless standards. The three main ones are IR or Infrared (used in remote controls), WLAN or wireless local area network (like a router), and bluetooth.
Bluetooth works anywhere in the world because it operates in the globally available and unlicensed ISM radio band of 2.4 GHz, this range has a reach of 10 meters or roughly 32 feet in distance. Bluetooth is capable fo supporting 8 active devices and 200 passive devices.
Where does the name Bluetooth technology come from? It was named after a Danish Viking king, King Harold Blåtand, who ruled circa A.D. 940-981. History tells us that, during his rule, King Harold Blåtand united Denmark and Norway. And since this new radio technology was expected to unify the telecommunication and computing industries, it seemed fitting to name it after King Harold Blåtand. Blåtand loosely translates to "blue tooth".
How does it work? A Bluetooth enabled device scans for other BT enabled devices within range, disregarding any solid objects in its path such as walls. When a contact "pairing" is made they begin to exchange messages for identification, for connectivity, and for security. No line of sight needed for this communication to be established since Bluetooth is omnidirectional by nature.
Combine A2DP and AVRCP Audio Video Remote Contro Profile and you get a headset that not only streams high quality sound but you get a user interface that controls play, pause, stop, forward, rewind.
All the headsets we have listed here have A2DP or A2DP and AVRCP combined. Before you decide which headset is best for you, please make sure that your mobile device supports A2DP profile. If you are not sure we recommend you visit www.phonescoop.com, enter your device model, and look under "connectivity".
|Description||Samsung HM3700 Stereo Bluetooth Wireless Headset||GOgroove Audio Active Wireless Hands-Free Bluetooth Sports Stereo||Plantronics Voyager Pro+ Bluetooth Headset||Jawbone ICON-Series Thinker Bluetooth Headset||Motorola HX550 Universal Bluetooth Headset||Jabra Street2 Bluetooth Stereo Headset|
|Music Time||5 Hours||7 Hours||Unknown||Unknown||Unknown||8 Hours|
|Talk Time||9 Hours||Unknown||6 Hours||4.5 Hours||9 Hours||8 Hours|
|Standby Time||180 Hours||Unknown||5 Days||10 Days||15 Days||9.5 Days|
|Weight||11 Grams||12 Oz.||Unknown||2 Oz.||Unknown||3.4 Oz|
|Mono/Stereo||Convertible Mono & Stereo||Stereo||Unknown||Mono||Mono||Stereo|
|Charger Interface||Micro-USB||AC & USB Charger||USB||Micro-USB||Unknown||Mini (not Micro) USB|
|Bluetooth Version||v3.0 Plus EDR||v2.1||Unknown||v2.1||v3.0||Unknown|
|Wind Noise Reduction||Yes||Unknown||Yes||Yes||Unknown||Unknown|
|Read SMS||Yes||n/a||Yes 1st. Year Free||No||No||No|
|Range Distance||33 Ft.||30 Ft.||30 Ft.||30 Ft.||300 Ft. !!!||33 Ft.|


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In Stara Zagora last night was minus 21 degrees, but we are far from the record.
General practitioners (GP) in Sofia protest in front of the Ministry of Health.
Today it will be mostly sunny.
Yellow code for low temperatures is in force for the whole country, according to the NIMH website.
Two trains collided on Wednesday north of the Egyptian capital, Cairo, killing at least 15 people, authorities said, the latest deadly accident involving the country's underfunded and mismanaged railways.
For most of the country, code yellow for hazardous weather is in effect on 28th of February.
Pleven will host the second international meeting "Climate Change - Volunteering, Engagement, Responsibility, Exchange of Good Practices".
A space capsule with two Americans and a Russian landed successfully this morning in Kazakhstan.
The snow is expected to stop later in the day, in the northeastern regions last, clouds will start clearing from southwest.
The authorites close Trakia highway between Karnobat and Bourgas because of strong wind and zero visibility, the bTV correspondent in the region said.
Nearly 55 percent of the unemployed in Bulgaria were at risk of poverty after social transfers in 2016, according to Eurostat data from a survey of unemployed persons between the ages of 15-64 in the EU.
Ground troop soldiers help the population in the severe winter environment, the Ministry of Defense said.
A Bulgarian team of geologists found Antarctica fossils of plants from the "youth" of our planet - proof that the white continent was once green.
Dozens of villages in southern Bulgaria are still without electricity, Nova TV reported.
110 people have gone through the Emergency Traumatology Cabinet of UHMALSM "NI Pirogov" in the last day due to the bad weather conditions, FOCUS News Agency reported.
Due to the bad weather, flights from Rome to Sofia were canceled, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry announced.
An aircraft flew from Sofia to Bergamo, Italy, wanted to return to the metropolitan airport due to a technical malfunction.
50% more Chinese Tourists in Bulgaria
Potentially Defective Aluminum was used by All Car Manufacturers in Japan


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It’s a special space, one that isn’t on the sofa in the center of all the household bustle. It’s not on your bed, in your jammies disconnected from the daylight. It’s a cozy corner just for you, a place to put your feet up, decompress, contemplate or read without the distraction of the television or the ins and outs of the front door, nor is it your bed which feels too distant from daily/daytime routines.
A private library (like the one from Beauty and the Beast), a tea salon or garden gazebo would be nice, but the reality is, in most of our homes, a corner is all we have to spare. With some creativity and rearrangement, you can design your own cozy, semi-luxurious corner to lounge in.
There are 6 Essential Ingredients to make a Cozy Corner:
There are a few essential ingredients needed to create a cozy corner. Firstly, your corner needs to offer you a comfortable place to sit. You can use a cushy reading chair, or a more creative approach, you can use various cushions (like meditation ones) that allow you to lounge on a bench or floor.
A plant or two can really enliven and add elements of Feng Shui to the small space.
Another important element when designing your corner is lighting. A reading lamp, quaint Christmas lights or a small chandelier should be bright enough for reading, but still soft enough to offer a warm glow.
You may need to make the most of any space you have, so don’t discount the bathroom, a laundry room or under a stairwell as viable locales for a cozy corner.
Having a little storage basket or book shelf next to your seating area to store reading materials or crossword puzzles can make relaxing more convenient. Instead of searching before sitting, you can take pleasure in knowing that the book you’re currently reading is right next to your chair.
And last but, not least, you definitely need pillows and a blanket.
Big thank you to Houzz.com for these gorgeous embeddable photos. Houzz.com is a platform for home remodeling and design that connects people with home professionals through stunning imagery.

domain: artistic


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Once the promenade around the Museo y Colegio del Arte Mayor de la Seda is over, visit Okay Lah. This restaurant offers its clients Indonesian and Thai cuisines. A number of people note that you can eat mouthwatering poke bowl, mongolian beef and chicken curry here. Take a break and order good mango dessert and tasty ice cream. This place is known for delicious beer or good wine. According to the visitors' opinions, waiters serve great coffee.
At Okay Lah, you can get a takeout. Most users mention that the staff is attentive. The fabulous service is a big advantage of this place. Attractive prices are what you will pay for your meal. There is a nice ambiance and homey decor at this spot. Google users who visited this restaurant state that the most suitable score is 4.6.

domain: travel


To test the switch, #1 un-plug the power going to the lathe, a multi-meter or ohm-meter is used to measure the continuity or resistance across the contacts of the switch. The meter usually has two leads, red and black, switch the meter to resistance or continuity mode, place one of the meter probes on one side of the switch wire ends or screw terminal connections on the switch place the other probe on the opposite side of the switch screw terminal or wire ends, the meter will give a tone or deflect the meter needle or provide a digital value depending on the meter you have. If the meter does not deflect or provide a value in the continuity or resistance mode the contact is open/bad. You will need to turn the switch off and on to verify which mode the switch is in when testing. In the on position you should get continuity or a resistance value across the contacts. Some switches you can clean the contacts with an electrical contact cleaner, the contacts usually become pitted and covered with carbon from the arcing of the contacts each time you turn the switch off and on. Most production machines these days use a poor quality switch, the industrial machines usually use a switch that has replaceable contacts. These days you should always have a spare switch on hand for the machines that are typically sold into the market, If you look at the switch and identify the manufacture and model number, you can usually find them on Amazon or eBay and purchase them direct for several dollars. Buying from the OEM you usually pay double, triple or more for the same item.
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- PM 3520 motor control


From Lifeability’s Facebook page:
With vacancy rates among the lowest of major cities, no wonder rent is rising. Predictions are it will continue to be a tight rental market for a few years.
Portland continues to be one of the nation’s hottest apartment rental markets. Vacancy rates are some of the lowest among major cities, just around 3 percent, and that’s why rents continue to rise.


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Nicholas Meyer, Denny Martin Flinn, Leonard Nimoy, Mark Rosenthal, Lawrence Konner
The script for The Undiscovered Country was written by Nicholas Meyer, longstanding jack-of-all-trades for the Star Trek film series, and Denny Martin Flinn, a writer and director who primarily works in theater.
Although the story also features contributions from Mark Rosenthal and Lawrence Konner, the real cred belongs to Leonard Nimoy, who also plays Spock. It was Nimoy who came up with the idea of mirroring the fall of the Soviet Union in the Star Trek universe. He even hired Meyer for the job.
Six films in, the writing process was more complicated than ever. Meyer and Flinn wanted to focus on how the crew of Enterprise has adapted to retirement in a long, elaborate opening sequence. This was shot down by the production studio, who were looking for any excuse to cut costs.
And that's not all. Several story ideas were shot down by the actors. Similarly, the character of Valeris was originally meant to be Saavik, a Vulcan Starfleet officer we met in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. This idea was shot down by series creator Gene Roddenberry, however, who didn't want to see a fan favorite turn bad.
You might say that the writing process of The Undiscovered Country featured as much weird tension and intrigue as the movie itself.


The threat of bad press, even online, apparently works at WDW.
What a non-shock.
After my recent comments about how horrible the rotten wooden doors were in the Beach Club laundry room and how it would be awful to see pics of them online or even in the media in a 'would you pay $400 to stay here piece?', lo and behold, after years of neglect two brand new steel doors were installed.
Not only that, but it appears that the whole building was painted too.
I'm sure Disney had it on its 12-year 'To Do' List and my rantings had nothing to do with it getting fixed ... yep, I sure do.


text:
The Whimzee Veggie Sausage helps to eliminate plaque and tartar from your dog's teeth while also providing a tasty treat.
These all-natural dental chews are made with only six key components and help to eliminate bacteria that cause bad breath.
-A healthy solution for dogs with dietary allergies, this edible, vegetarian, grain-free dental chew is edible, vegetarian, and grain-free.
-The chew's unique grooved forms aid in working the chew into smaller crevices between the teeth of dogs.
-As dogs chew, the rigid vegetable-based texture will help eliminate plaque and tartar.
-Low in fat, high in vitamins and antioxidants, and high in fibre to help with regularity and digestive health.
-Produced without artificial additives, colours, flavours, or preservatives, as well as GMOs, in a sustainable manner.

domain: pet


text:
Nevertheless, the vast majority of us detest taking on agriculture as a profession, yet it’s the main source of food.
During Rwanda Institute for Conservation and Agriculture (RICA)’s recently concluded graduation, Howard Buffett, the Chairman and Founder of RICA, shared a story of a couple of young women he met at a girls’ school in Rwanda who had a negative perception about agriculture.
"I remember the first time Anna and I sat down at the girls’ school here in Rwanda and a couple of young women said; ’we don’t want to be farmers, we don’t want to be in the field with a hoe, or chasing cows around, we just don’t want to do that," he recalled.
As a way to convince them, Howard explained to the ladies what agriculture is. "But I told them, that’s not really agriculture today. Agriculture is about science, maths, and technology. It’s about improving lives, feeding people, and taking care of the land and the natural resources so that the next generation can produce even more than what we do today," he said.
"It’s about transforming your country and its economy, and it’s about supporting farmers to improve their lives," added Howard.
While there may be others with the same mindset as the ’young girls’ Howard met, there are also individuals who viewed agriculture as a chance to transform the world and pursued it as a university course.
RICA graduate, Sifa Florence Sangwa grew up in Rulindo village-Rwanda, where agriculture was the main source of income for her family.
Every weekend, she would accompany farmers to the fields and while there, she witnessed firsthand the challenges they encountered.
Although this would have discouraged her from taking a profession in agriculture, it instead motivated her to take the practice very seriously. After all, she was rearing some livestock herself.
"When I was younger, I was given a rabbit as a gift. Unfortunately, its kits were always born sickly, and they died since I didn’t know how to care for them. Furthermore, I used to overdose our hens to death whenever they got sick, thinking it would heal them quickly," she stated.
Through taking up a course in agriculture, Sifa is now competent to take on any agriculture challenge including those farmers in Rulindo face.
"I am able to carry out various technical skills involved in animal production like Artificial Insemination, veterinary intervention, and animal nutrition skills.
Besides, the teaching mode at RICA acquainted me with problem-solving skills that helped me develop innovative solutions to real-world agricultural problems like climate change, pests and diseases, and adaptability to new technologies in agriculture," she stressed.
Another graduate, Assoumpta Umwali Ujeneza was drawn to a career in agriculture because of her interest in food processing. During her studies at RICA, she participated in initial cultivation with farmers, which helped her understand the interconnection of many stages in guaranteeing food safety.
She also learned the significance of sustainable and ecologically friendly farming techniques, which will allow her to operate effectively in the agricultural industry and provide advice to others in the food value chain.
On the other hand, Ntihemuka Benjamin’s knowledge of agriculture was confined to what he watched on television. Fortunately, during one of his study tours at ’Urwibutso enterprise,’ he learned about the ’banana-value-chain’ and its positive impact on farmers.
He also witnessed the threat ’agrochemicals’ posed on bees and the entire ecosystem which stirred up his need to pursue a course in agriculture so as to improve people’s lives while at the same time conserving the environment.
"I wanted to address agricultural challenges while conserving nature at the same time," he explained.
While in his fifth year in high school, Robert Ganza Mpore and four of his friends owned a small-scale farm where they cultivated cucumbers.
With their school acting as subtle customers for their produce, Mpore and friends generated some ’good’ income from their efforts which led him to come to the conclusion that agriculture is what he should do, hence enrolling in an agricultural institute for his university studies.
"Throughout my studies, I had the privilege of delving into various facets of the agricultural domain, the most notable one being; ’the subject of agricultural leadership’ which ignited my passion and nurtured my ambitions to pursue this specialization in the future," he explained.
"Furthermore, the capstone internship at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources shaped my practical knowledge and skills. This invaluable opportunity provided me with hands-on involvement in the development of agricultural projects and policies," added Mpore.
Now a graduate with a degree in agriculture, Mpore intends to ’leverage the skills and expertise cultivated during his tenure at RICA to make a meaningful contribution to the agricultural sector of Rwanda and the African continent at large.’
Youth encouraged to embrace agriculture
When it comes to choosing study courses at university, reports say that most youth shy away from the profession yet it provides countless opportunities in technology, resource management, food processing, among others.
Benjamin Ntihemuka, a graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science in Conservation Agriculture from RICA, urges the youth to engage in agriculture and exploit the vast wealth it holds.
"The problems and challenges of the agriculture sector make it even suitable for the youth to adventure and find solutions which will turn into multibillion businesses in the future," he states.
"The world’s population will have doubled by 2050 meaning that food demand will also increase drastically. Technology advancement like machine learning, Internet of Things [IoT], and artificial intelligence will be instrumental in precision agriculture and sustainable production. This is a great opportunity for the youth to create a synergy not only in agriculture but also other sectors that will elevate food production," he explained.
Robert Ganza Mpore, also a graduate from RICA, sympathizes with those who look down on agriculture saying he was once like that not until he studied agriculture.
"Through studying agriculture, I discovered the tangible connections between Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and agriculture.
I came to recognize that agriculture is not just about farming; it encompasses a multifaceted landscape that employs some of the finest entrepreneurs, communicators, leaders and IT experts who employ cutting-edge technology like unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones, skilled mechanics, among others," he explained.
He thus recommends a foundation for a more informed perspective on agriculture to be laid during early education as a solution to eradicate the mentality that agriculture is a ’bad profession.’
"Schools should consider integrating agricultural education into their curriculum, fostering practical experiences such as maintaining gardens, thereby enabling students to gain firsthand knowledge of the fundamental principles of agriculture.
By doing so, we can bridge the gap between misconceptions and the rich world of opportunities that agriculture offers," stated Mpore.
"The same way Gold is excavated from mud and becomes the most valuable mineral, so is agriculture," says Sifa, a graduate with a Bachelor of Science in conservation agriculture, urging the youth to have a more positive approach to the profession.
She adds that the practice has evolved and is no longer about trolling in the mud. Instead, it is a dynamic and innovative field that offers countless opportunities for growth, learning, and positive change.
"I call upon the young generation of students to know that their positive attitude in agriculture counts a lot. They should venture and invest their time in this sector because it requires technology, innovation, and research that is easily done by young people. This will ensure efficient agricultural evolution and transition, making it easier to optimize production in agriculture," Sifa explained.
A glance at agriculture in Africa
According to reports, agriculture contributes 35% to the continent’s GDP in addition to providing livelihood for more than 50% of the population.
Reports further indicate that ’Africa has the potential to meet not only its own food needs, but also those of the rest world’.
Despite this potential, one in five people faced hunger in 2020 and the number continues to rise as per report published by World Vision in February 02, 2022.
The United Nations (UN) recently warned Global governments that action is needed in order to prevent the next food crisis caused by the pandemic, climate change, production of food that can’t keep up with the increasing consumption, and current agricultural methods and strategies which aren’t sustainable.
Therefore, to address this problem, Howard Buffett together with the Government of Rwanda, founded RICA not only to address long-term challenges of smallholder farmers through conserving agriculture but also change the way that people view agriculture not only in Rwanda, but also in Eastern Africa and the continent at large.
Commenting on the significance of the institute, Howard emphasized the importance of each African country having its own version of a land grant university ’that would train the next generation of leaders in agriculture to help countries reach their highest potential both in agriculture and across national priorities.’
Land grant universities are colleges or universities that were established 175 years ago in the United States devoted to practical training and sustainable solutions in the agricultural context.

domain: agronomy


text: Modeled after the classic How To Hike the Appalachian Trail film How To Hike The Continental Divide Trail is everything you always wanted to know about the Continental Divide Trail except the thru hiker aroma. Follow 15 different thru hikers as they discuss their gear, planning, finances, food, security, trail wisdom, mail drops, feet and so much more. Also includes interviews with dayhikers, trail 'officials', 3 park rangers and 1 'Customs Man'. Includes a visual tour of trail towns and re supply points along the way. Learn how to hike the Continental Divide Trail from people who are doing it. Without a doubt the most comprehensive CDT film ever. Useful for day hiking or long distance hiking. Autographed by Lynne Wheldon. Also includes bonus materials 'Crash and Burn' a humerous yet sobering short film about 1 man's southbound hike and 'Fearless' a powerful and moving music video with spectacular scenery from New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. Bring your trekking poles. Run Time 6 Hours 49 minutes 2 Discs English 2000 NTSC DVD DVDs ARE NOT RETURNABLE ONCE THE PACKAGE IS OPENED!


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Handmade "Olivine" Crystal Delight Trio Necklace set
This is a Stunning trio set, to either keep for yourself, or give as a gift...
Swarovski Crystal, 18-facet, Olivine AB, 6mm cube and 4x6 oval bead with a 20 mm "Olive Jade" Heart and Sterling Silver Beads.
Necklace..25" long. 26" long. with Heart
Earrings..1- 3/4 long
First Item: $ 3.00
Additional Items: $ 0.00
Will except Postal Money Orders.
ship within 3 days of receiving Postal money order.
contact owner for; Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Canada, and "International" orders on "Shipping Rates"
Most orders ship same day.
Will ship out orders within 3 to 7 days depending on order..
Wow what a wonderful bolo tie!! I absolutely adore it. Every single detail is simply perfect. I am a happy repeat customer, and look forward to more of your awesome creations. Thank you so much!!


Despite the media’s so called “Fiscal Cliff” fearmongering a deal has been passed to avoid pending budget cuts:
The House seemed on track to torch the legislation, a hard-fought bipartisan bill crafted by Vice President Joe Biden and McConnell that sailed through the Senate by a lopsided 89-8 margin in a vote shortly after 2 a.m.
The compromise bill averts the sharpest tax increase in American history. But it hikes rates on income above $400,000 for individuals and $450,000 for households, while exemptions and deductions the wealthiest Americans use to reduce their tax bill face new limits. The accord also raises the taxes paid on large inheritances from 35% to 40% for estates over $5 million. And it extends by one year unemployment benefits for some two million Americans. It also prevents cuts in payments to doctors who treat Medicare patients and spares tens of millions of Americans who otherwise would have been hit with the Alternative Minimum Tax. And it extends some stimulus-era tax breaks championed by progressives.
The middle class will still see its taxes go up: The final deal did not include an extension of the payroll tax holiday. A report released by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office Tuesday complicated matters further. It said that the Senate-passed compromise would add nearly $4 trillion to the federal deficit over 10 years. [Yahoo News]
Here are some thoughts on all this nonsense. First of all I liked how the media after the election all got together and decided to call it the “Fiscal Cliff” instead of “Sequestration” which was the term used before. They changed it to “Fiscal Cliff” to make it seem as scary as possible. There were even networks using countdown clocks just like some of them used for the Maya Apocalypse earlier last month. This just shows that this was all made for TV entertainment. Despite all the Fiscal Cliff doomsday talk the politicians were able to just simply pass a bill that puts off the automatic spending cuts off for a few months that many real analysts predicted would happen. So much for Sequestration being something that was supposed to force Congress into making hard choices.
So the majority of the tax fighting is over and the next fight will be over cutting spending in a few months when the debt ceiling will have to be raised:
“Now the focus turns to spending,” Boehner said, vowing his party would “hold the president accountable for the balanced approach he promised, meaning significant spending cuts and reforms to the entitlement programs that are driving our country deeper and deeper into debt.”
There is no way there is going to be enough politicians to vote to make significant cuts in entitlement programs like Medicare and Medicaid. It would be political suicide. So I expect something superficial that doesn’t really solve the nation’s fiscal problems to be passed after much made for TV drama. I would not be surprised though if more defense cuts are made because that is something that is politically easier for them to do. After it is all done the buck will once again be passed because no one wants to be blamed as being the ones who had to make hard choices that would get the nation’s fiscal problems in order.
Anyway I prefer Korean made for TV political theater because it is definitely more exciting than watching Fiscal Cliff doomsday clocks day after day.


text: More iconic photographs. Art. , Iconic. , Photo. Oct 15, 2017 No Comments What a story each of these iconic photographs tells…. Read more about each photograph (and more iconic photographs) here: The Most Influential Images of All Time produced by Time Magazine. http://100photos.time.com/ Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window) Related previousnext Tags : Art. , Iconic. , Photo. Mitzi. You Might Also Like Public Information Films through the years. Community. , Emergency. , Iconic. , Nostalgia. 31st March 2018 The Scream by Munch. What do you feel? Art. , Iconic. , Living in the city. , Painting. , Spaces. 3rd April 2017 Lunch atop a Skyscraper. Built environment. , Iconic. , Photo. 29th March 2017 Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment Name * Email * Website Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.


text:
Andrea Tantaros, political commentator and author of Tied Up In Knots: How Getting What We Wanted Made Women Miserable, joined the Federalist Radio Hour to discuss some of the things that the feminist movements of previous generations got wrong. Later in the hour, author and blogger Donna Carol Voss joined to describe what she thinks the fourth wave of feminism should look like.
“Now you have women wanting these careers and kicking butt in the office, but they still have these female duties,” Tantaros said. “Women are doubly stressed out and unhappy… so it’s a long way of saying the genders are pretty confused.”
Domenech commented on Ted Cruz’s last stand that will take place in the Indiana primary and what he expects to see happen. “Cruz actually started out quite popular among Republicans,” he said. “But as the field shrunk and as Trump turned his attention toward attacking Ted Cruz for the first time, Cruz’s negatives went up, because of the Lyin’ Ted meme that Trump was able to apply so effectively.”

domain: politics


Purple Bed Mattress Review Purple Mattress Order Tracker
I get a great deal of questions about the Purple mattress, because of their innovative advertising and effective Kickstarted campaign. Purple Mattress Order Tracker
So I couldn’t wait to try out the mattress out myself.
Because it’s built with very unique materials, it is tough to compare it to other mattresses. Purple Mattress Order Tracker
Overall I loved the mattress too. But I did have some concerns.
It’s certainly unique, and different than any mattress I’ve ever tested. I believe many people are going to like this mattress. But it will not be for everyone, since it is so unique.
You may enjoy the Purple bed mattress if you…
- Are searching for pressure relief – I discovered the Purple mattress to be great for this. (This is what they’re trying to establish with the raw egg evaluation ).
- Are looking the bed-in-a-box online business design – It’s difficult to compare Purple to additional bed mattresses (price-wise) due to the material.
- Sleep in multiple positions – Purple is one of very few mattresses, that are comfortable rather you sleep on your stomach, side or back.
- Prefer to sleep cool- The Purple mattress no doubt sleeps cool. It sleeps cooler than any other mattress I’ve personally tried.
You might not like the Purple bed mattress if you…
- Want a mattress mattress you know – Is it memory foam? More like a latex bed mattress? Absolutely not spring. It’s difficult to classify Purple, which might be challenging for some buyers.
- There is a certain type of mattress that you like – If you’re a die hard fan of a particular kind of mattress, then you need to stick with that kind of mattress. This is a special feel that is not really like some of the fundamental bed mattress types. Purple Mattress Order Tracker
Firmness and Feel
Since the Purple mattress has a unique comfort layer (known as hyper-elastic polymer), it’s not surprising that it feels different than any other mattress you’ve tried.
Like a latex bed mattress, Purple springs really quick, and sleeps cool. As far as firmness, it’s around a 7 out of 10. But, it is also pressure relieving. Therefore, don’t base everything from the firmness scale.
Purple Mattress Construction
The Purple bed mattress is made from 3 layers:
- 2 inches of hyper-elastic polymer
- 3.5 inches of 1.8 pound polyurethane foam
- 4.0 inches of 2.0 pound polyurethane foam
The top layer is really the story of Purple, with an extremely unique material that is accountable for the bounciness, pressure relief, and sleeping trendy. Underneath the cover, it is made from viscose (27%), polyester (69%), and polyester-lycra (4%). The cover not just felt nice, but was very breathable.
Motion Transfer Test
I was not sure what to expect from the Purple bed mattress in regards to movement transfer.
Considering that it doesn’t fall under the common memory foam, latex foam, and innerspring classifications.
However, for motion transfer I feel it is wonderful for couples. Purple Mattress Order Tracker
Expenses and Avaiable Sizes
The table shown below lists the costs for the readily available sizes and their associated measurements.
Twin XL: 37.5″ x 79.5″ x 9.5″ – $699
Queen: 59.5″ x 79.5″ x 9.5″ – $999
King: 75.5″ x 79.5″ x 9.5″ – $1,299
Cal King: 71.5″ x 83.5″ x 9.5″ – $1,299
In Regards To Durability
The gel substance that Purple utilizes in the comfort layer, is really resilient. It will stop premature drooping, that’s seen in other mattresses.
It’s a high density base foam.
So, I feel the sturdiness of this mattress over time is going to be a significant selling point. Purple Mattress Order Tracker
Other things to Remember:
- Purple is offered only online
- They have a 10 year guarantee
- Purple recommends stretchy sheets, to get the full benefit
- They have a 100 night sleep trial
How Does Purple Compare to Nectar?
Purple Mattress is a excellent mattress. You can get the lowest prices here.
However, when compared to Nectar, there are a few things to notice:
- Nectar is cheaper.
- Purple mattress has 3 foam layers, compared to Nectar with 4 foam layers.
- Purple mattress is thinner than Nectar mattress.
- Nectar carries a lower comfort score. This means it provides more comfort, without sacrificing stability or assistance.
- Nectar has less motion transfer compared to Purple mattress.
- Nectar includes a Three Hundred and Sixty Five Night Sleep Trial versus Purples 100 day trial. Purple Mattress Order Tracker


The Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin T.D today launched the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland.
For the first time in 100 years, the public will be able to ‘step back in time’ to explore a virtual recreation of the Public Record Office of Ireland and its collections, as they were on the eve of their destruction at Dublin’s Four Courts at the outset of the Civil War.
When the Public Record Office of Ireland was destroyed by fire in 1922, hundreds of thousands of precious historical documents relating to all aspects of Irish life were lost — apparently forever. The Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland is a vast and growing treasury of replacement documents newly discovered in partner archives around the world. Freely and permanently available online, everyone with an interest in Ireland’s past will be able to explore seven centuries of Irish history through tens of thousands of searchable documents. (https://virtualtreasury.ie/)
The Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland is the outcome of a five-year State-funded programme of research entitled ‘Beyond 2022’. Led by Trinity College Dublin, Beyond 2022 has combined historical investigation, archival conservation, and technical innovation to re-imagine and recreate, through digital technologies, the archive that was lost on 30th June 1922.
The ground-breaking research programme has been developed by historians in Trinity College and computer scientists in the SFI ADAPT Centre, in partnership with five core partners: National Archives of Ireland, National Archives (UK), Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, Irish Manuscripts Commission and the Library of Trinity College Dublin. The Virtual Record Treasury is a meaningful legacy for the State’s Decade of Centenaries programme (2012-2023). It is funded by the Government of Ireland under Project Ireland 2040 through the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
The Virtual Record Treasury at a glance:
Speaking ahead of the launch, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, said: “The Virtual Record Treasury is an enduring and meaningful legacy for our Decade of Centenaries. It belongs to the people of Ireland, democratising access to our rich archival heritage and making our shared history accessible for everyone. It is an invaluable historical resource for people of all traditions across the island and for everyone of Irish heritage around the world. It is an immense achievement and testament to the commitment and dedication of the Beyond 2022 project team.”
The Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar, said: “This is a really exciting project which opens new doors into Irish history. It brings together a wealth of information from around the world to illustrate what happened in Ireland, and helps to fill in the blanks arising from that infamous 1922 fire in the Public Record Office. I congratulate the team on bringing this amazing project to life.”
Minister Catherine Martin reflected: “The pioneering technology behind the Beyond 2022 project is so exciting and testament to Ireland’s leadership and talent in ground-breaking research and innovation. The Decade of Centenaries has gifted us with a wealth of resources at our fingertips, such as the Virtual Record Treasury, to help us to step back in time and engage with our history, grounded in the factual evidence for the events that occurred. What was previously unexplored, unintelligible, or inaccessible to us is now revealed, allowing for new insights and perspectives. It is an inspiring and enduring legacy for our Decade of Centenaries, which my Department is delighted to support under Project Ireland 2040. The partnership and generosity of spirit from the archival partners and the resulting all-island and international collaboration is outstanding and most sincerely and deeply appreciated.”
‘Beyond 2022’ Programme Director Dr Peter Crooks, Associate Professor in Medieval History, Trinity, said: “The Record Treasury at the Public Record Office of Ireland was one of the great archives of Europe. The devastating cultural loss of the archive in 1922 has hampered our understanding of Ireland’s past. Thanks to the meticulous record-keeping of generations of archivists, historians, copyists, genealogists and clerks, thousands of duplicates and transcripts of Ireland’s records, scattered across the world, have been preserved. Record by record, shelf by shelf, historians, archivists and computer scientists are bringing Ireland’s destroyed national treasure back to life.”
Trinity’s Provost, Dr Linda Doyle, added: “What seemed impossible has been made a reality by the fusion of historical research with technological innovation. I want to congratulate the team at the ADAPT Centre in Trinity who worked so creatively with historians and archivists to make this virtual treasury accessible to the public. Technology should be at the service of society and, having watched this project evolve over the past four years, it gives me great pride to see that demonstrated today.”
Director of the SFI ADAPT Centre, Professor Vinny Wade, said: “This project shows how AI offers more than a vision of the future; it provides a way of connecting to our past and to each other. By using cutting-edge AI technology we have been able to recreate a critical part of our country’s history, a heritage which was believed for a century to have been lost forever. These new technologies has opened up a new technological frontier, creating new research possibilities and education opportunities with limitless potential. AI can enrich heritage collections and through this project we have demonstrated how it can help democratise knowledge, making it easier to explore, helping people find what they’re looking for, enabling institutes to link with other collections, and opening up endless possibilities.”


Gravimetric dosing & mixing units
C-FLEX is ideally suited for dosing powders, pellets, granulates, regrinds, fibers, and flakes in both continuous and batching processes. motan's unique removable exchange system provides two huge advantages over traditional dosing and mixing designs.
Firstly, the quick exchange hopper enables the user to clean and change materials in less than one minute.
Secondly, single and twin screw exchange modules are interchangeable, allowing the user to configure the feeder for nearly any type of material in a matter of minutes.
The massage rollers of the C-FLEX ER are powered by an independent motor and can be set to 48 different positions, guaranteeing you optimum dosing for every material.
Material changeovers are fast and require no tools. The quick exchange hopper enables you without tools to change materials in less than one minute. The complete dosing module can be used as a material cassette, allowing you to change materials without any clean-down.
The gravimetric version sits on an integrated, robust but extremely precise weigh platform and operates using loss-in-weight metering technology. Giving you a high level of operational security as all parameters can be documented and verified.
Single and twin screw hoppers are interchangeable, and there are many different types of dosing screws are available e.g. single, twin, spiral, auger. This allows you to configure the dosing unit for nearly any type of material in a matter of minutes.
The massage rollers eliminate the need for you to use a mechanical agitator and so fragile materials will not be damaged.
The massage roller technology creates an active filling of the dosing screw so that the C-FLEX gives you better dosing than can be achieved with conventional dosing units which use mechanical agitators.
Rotating massage rollers rather paddles are used. The friction free gentle operation of the rotating massage rollers which are always in contact with the polyurethane hopper and do not rub against the wall of the hopper causing wear.
You can install a hopper loader directly onto the extension module of the hopper which does not need to be removed even during material changes.
Because the C-FLEX is controlled by the GRAVInet GP control system, it allows the unit to work as part of a GRAVIPLUS dosing and mixing system. For example, on a compounding line a GRAVIPLUS station may be mounted over the main inlet of an extruder and a C-FLEX unit will be used to dose fillers or reinforcement through a side inlet downstream of the melt.
The GRAVInet GP control system is designed for controlling multiple dosing modules and stations. It boasts an innovative, Ethernet-based open network architecture. In addition, it offers you excellent control characteristics when handling set point jumps and ramp mode thanks to its optimised control settings and filter functions. The high-tech touch screen colour display with LCD-TFT resolution enables simple, intuitive, fast, and reliable operation. It has comprehensive features for process and recipe management, offering you reporting functionality for quality assurance and it delivers advanced service functions and graphical display of process data.
The GRAVInet GP light has the same display and functionality of the GRAVInet GP but can only control up to a maximum of two dosing modules. It offers all the benefits of its big brother but at a lower price.


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A shortage of treatment for the skin condition scabies “is likely to become a major public health issue”, the British Association of Dermatologists has warned.
A medicine supply notification, issued by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) on 8 September 2023, said that permethrin 5% w/w cream (Sandoz) would be “in limited supply until further notice due to an increase in demand”.
The notification also warned that malathion liquid, an alternative to permethrin for treatment of scabies, was currently unavailable, adding that crotamiton 10% cream (Eurex; Thornton & Ross), which is licensed for the treatment of scabies, remains available “but can only meet its current demand for other conditions”.
According to the notification, ivermectin 3mg tablets are licensed for treatment of scabies, but are not marketed in the UK. Unlicensed supplies of the product are available, as is benzyl benzoate 25% topical emulsion, which is also unlicensed but can be sourced from special-order manufacturers.
Scabies is a parasitic infestation caused by mites. The contagious skin condition can lead to sores and serious complications, including septicaemia, heart disease and kidney problems.
Commenting on the shortage, Mabs Chowdhury, president of the British Association of Dermatologists, said: “We are aware of an increasing number of scabies cases being reported in the UK. Given this situation, if supplies of standard topical treatments, such as 5% permethrin cream, are unavailable for treating this debilitating and intensely itchy skin condition, then this is likely to become a major public health issue.
He added that scabies commonly affects young children and adolescents and it is often associated with vulnerable adults, with outbreaks common in care homes and similar facilities.
“We urge manufacturers of permethrin and other widely used topical treatments for scabies, such as malathion, to urgently increase production to avert potential shortages in the UK.
“Unfortunately, alternatives are either unavailable or are unlicensed and very expensive,” Chowdhury said.
Suraj Shah, drug tariff and reimbursement manager at Community Pharmacy England, said supply of permethrin cream has been subject to supply disruption for several months, exacerbated by several localised scabies outbreaks.
“Whilst the DHSC issuing a medicine supply notification is a positive step, it comes much later than we would have hoped,” he said.
“Unfortunately, we expect that fulfilling prescriptions will remain a challenge as alternative products may struggle to meet demand or require prescribers to amend prescriptions, and local discussions may be required to ensure patients can access treatment in a timely manner.”
Shah added that ongoing medicine supply issues were causing pharmacy teams to spend additional time sourcing medicines, contacting prescribers to issue replacement prescription for other available alternatives, and explaining reasons for delays in supply to concerned patients and carers.
“We have been pressing the DHSC to think broadly about what measures could help to manage the mounting medicine supply problems and consider the introduction of greater flexibilities, such as allowing pharmacists more professional discretion to give alternative formulations such as unlicensed preparations.
“We have also been clear that more communications are needed to reassure patients and to protect pharmacy staff from the abuse that they are reporting,” he said.


text:
Search For "and death"
Updated : 4 months, 3 weeks ago IST
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], April 29 (ANI): Amid a sharp increase in the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Uttar Pradesh, the state government on Thursday extended the weekend lockdown in the state to three days.
New Delhi [India], April 29 (ANI): Amid rising COVID-19 cases and deaths in the national capital, all 26 crematoriums of Delhi are inundated with bodies and following the workload, most crematoriums have increased numbers of cremationists or helping hands to four, revising the existing capac
Geneva [Switzerland], April 28 (ANI): The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday said that it has bolstered its COVID-19 response in India by redeploying 2,600 health experts from other programs to counter the recent daily spike in cases and deaths.
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 27 (ANI): Amid a sharp rise in the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Maharashtra, the state on Monday vaccinated 5.34 lakh people in a single day, informed the state health department.
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 26 (ANI): Amid a continuous increase in the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Maharashtra, Indian Railways' 'Oxygen Express', carrying approximately 44 tonnes of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO), on Monday reached Kalamboli in Maharashtra from Hapa in Guja
New Delhi [India], April 26 (ANI): Amid a sharp rise in the number of COVID -19 cases and deaths in the national capital, the ITBP run Sardar Patel Covid Care Centre at the Radha Soami Satsang Beas facility with 500 oxygen beds started functioning today, said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejr
Updated : 4 months, 4 weeks ago IST
Dhaka [Bangladesh], April 25 (ANI): Bangladesh has decided to close its border with India for the next 14 days following a sharp rise in the country's COVID-19 cases and deaths.
New Delhi [India], April 25 (ANI): The European Union (EU) has extended its support to India amid a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths in the country which has led to shortage of hospital beds and medical-grade oxygen.
New Delhi [India], April 25 (ANI): Amid a sharp rise in the number of COVID cases and deaths in Maharashtra, the third Oxygen Express carrying three tankers of liquid medical oxygen (LMO), each with about 14 tonnes LMO, is scheduled to reach Kalamboli in Maharashtra on Sunday from Gujarat's
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], April 25 (ANI): Amid imposition of strict restrictions in the country due to rising COVID-19 cases and deaths, the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Industry Stake Holders Association has expressed concern over the tourism industry facing financial setbacks and urge
Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh) [India], April 25 (ANI): Amid the record surge of COVID-19 cases and deaths, the Uttar Pradesh Police has filed a case against an ambulance driver in Kanpur for overcharging relatives of COVID-19 patients.
Updated : 5 months ago IST
New Jersey [US], April 22 (ANI): Johnson & Johnson's single-shot coronavirus vaccine protected against symptomatic and asymptomatic infection, and prevented hospitalization and death in all participants 28 days after vaccination, according to new clinical trial results published on Wedne

domain: geography


text:
Powertex Rusty Powder
Powertex Rusty Powder produces impressive rust effects. It can be mixed with light Powertex (preferably ivory or ivory mixed with another Powertex colour) or Easy Structure, and applied with a spatula or paint knife. More
For different effects and gradations, sprinkle the powder onto the damp paste. Powertex Rusty Powder is easy to use and can be combined with other media.
To use Powertex Rusty Powder:
Pour some Powertex (preferably ivory or light tones) into a bowl and add Rusty Powder (10 - 25%).
The more powder used, the darker the result.
Spray a mixture of water and up to 50% vinegar into the mixture.
Can also be sprayed several times on the desired object to increase the rust effect.
Leave to dry for 24 hours.
Price per pot.

domain: chemistry


text:
Bobby Shmurda was reportedly involved in a gang-fueled prison brawl.
According to TMZ’s law enforcement sources, Shmurda and five other inmates were cleaning house when the fight broke out at the Otis Bantum Correctional Center in New York on April 15. Officers believe it was a gang-related brawl between rival Bloods and Crips. TMZ reports that four Crips (Shmurda included) engaged blows with two rival Blood members.
The publication says that prison guards broke up the fracas with three blasts of pepper spray.
Bobby Shmurda’s trial is set to begin on June 25. The “Hot Boy” rapper, along with various members of his GS9 crew, face a string of charges including conspiracy, murder and assault, as well as drugs and weapons charges.
Bobby Shmurda Reportedly Involved In Gang-Fueled Prison Brawl was originally published on theurbandaily.com


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Chino Valley Rancher’s Egg Dish Terminology Guide
There are so many ways to prepare eggs, the terminology in recipes can seem overwhelming. We’ve created a simple list of egg terms and their definitions to make things easier for you next time you’re searching for egg recipes.
Beat egg yolks and whites together and cook them in a skillet or pan, and you’ve got scrambled eggs.
Sunny side up eggs
If you slow cook eggs in a frying pan until the egg white is set but the yolk is still runny, then you’ve got sunny side up eggs. The runny orange yolk resembles the sun.
If you’d like basted eggs, then spoon warm butter or oil over the top of the yolk to cook it.
Cook an egg without its shell in simmering water and the egg white will wrap around the yolk as it cooks to create a soft center.
Hard boiled eggs
Cook the entire egg, in its shell, in boiling water and both the yolk and egg white will be set.
Over easy eggs
An egg is cooked in a frying pan until the white is set, and then flipped over to cook the yolk side.
Over hard eggs
Cooked the same way as over easy eggs, over hard eggs have a fully cooked yolk, rather than a runny one.
Use butter or grease to cook fried eggs. Make them over easy, over medium, over hard, or sunny side up.
Baked eggs are baked in a flat dish or a muffin pan and then topped with cheese, herbs, or vegetables.
To make deviled eggs, remove the cooked yolk from a hard boiled egg and mix the yolk with mayonnaise and mustard. Then, scoop the yolk mixture back into the egg white.
This baked dish is made with eggs, herbs, meat, cheese, and vegetables. Enjoy a frittata from breakfast or brunch.
Hard boiled eggs are pickled in a mixture of vinegar and pickling spice or brine.
Soft boil eggs and wrap them in sausage and breadcrumbs, and then deep fry or bake them to create scotch eggs.
Baked egg custard
Baked egg custard is made with vanilla, sugar, milk, and nutmeg.
Frozen egg custard
Create this sweet, frozen egg dish with egg yolks for a creamy texture.

domain: food


A three-dimensional finite-element matrix equation was formulated, using variational principles, from the field equations of incremental motion superposed on homogenous thermal strain. The field equations were derived from the nonlinear field equations of thermoelasticity in Lagrangean formulation. Since the equations were referred to a fixed reference frame, the element nodal coordinates and mass matrix were not updated with changes in temperature. Only the stiffness matrix must be updated. An anisotropic plate equation was derived, and it was observed that only one term β 22 of the thermal expansion coefficient βijappears in the equation. Hence for low-frequency flexural vibrations the tensor βij was assumed to be equal to β 22I in the three-dimensional finite-element analysis. A hexahedral element with eight nodes and three degrees of freedom per node was used. A Guyan reduction scheme was employed to reduce the mass and stiffness matrices. Either the Householder or the full subspace iteration method was used to extract the eigenvalues for frequency calculations. Results using the finite-element method were compared with the analytical and experimental results for a Y-cut plate, NT-cut bars, and tuning forks.
|Original language||English (US)|
|Number of pages||9|
|Journal||IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control|
|State||Published - Sep 1987|
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Acoustics and Ultrasonics
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering


text:
Liberty Health Sciences (CSE: LHS); (OTCQX: LHSIF) Looks to Pounce on Florida’s Cannabis Explosion by Following a Proven Blueprint for Marijuana Success
In the United States market for medical marijuana, two states immediately come to mind as the most developed markets: California and Colorado. But a third state now stands poised to join those two as the next thriving U.S. medical marijuana market.
That state is Florida – a state that voted to legalize medical marijuana back in November 2016 and is projected to see compound annual market growth of 140% through the year 2020.
The red-hot growth now being seen in the Florida market has captured the attention of investors searching for the next high-upside legal marijuana play. One company – a firm with rapidly-growing Florida operations – has an experienced leadership team in place with a proven blueprint for legal cannabis success.
Bringing Aphria’s Proven Business Model to a Market in the Early Stages of Explosive Growth
Liberty Health Sciences (CSE: LHS); (OTCQX: LHSIF) was initially launched with $25 million in funding from Aphria Inc. (TSX: APH), one of Canada’s leading producers, suppliers and sellers of medical cannabis – a company with a market cap of $2.3 billion.
The purpose of Liberty Health Sciences’ launch was to acquire and operate U.S.-based companies in the medical cannabis market. Liberty is committed to delivering high-quality, clean and safe pharmaceutical grade cannabis to patients.
Aphria Inc. has a widely-recognized reputation as one of the lowest-cost – and most successful – producers in the Canadian cannabis industry…and now Liberty Health Sciences (CSE: LHS); (OTCQX: LHSIF) is bringing that expertise to the United States.
This makes Aphria the first Canadian cannabis company with a focus on cultivation and distribution to penetrate the U.S. market.
By bringing Aphria’s know-how – and the company’s proven blueprint for success – to Florida, Liberty Health Sciences (CSE: LHS); (OTCQX: LHSIF) offers investors the rare combination of a proven business model applied to an early-stage, rapidly-growing market.
The proven expertise that Aphria brings to the table with Liberty Health Sciences (CSE: LHS)includes…
- A history of success in commercial scale greenhouse growing at a low cost thanks to Aphria’s innovative greenhouse methods and technology…
- A proprietary seed-to-sale certified process with quality control that goes beyond industry standards…
- Thorough knowledge of regulated industries – including Liberty Health Sciences CEO George Scorsis’ more than 15 years of leadership experience in highly regulated industries such as alcohol, energy drinks and medical cannabis …
- And proprietary automation and processing methods honed and perfected by Canadian industry leader Aphria Inc.
Seizing the Opportunity: How Liberty Health Sciences
(CSE: LHS); (OTCQX: LHSIF) is Quickly Growing
its Florida Operations
On February 16, 2018 the company announced that it had closed the acquisition of a 387-acre parcel of land in Gainesville Florida that was previously owned by Alico Citrus Nursery, LLC.
This property will become the home of the new Liberty 360 Innovation Campus, with 200,000 square feet of state-of-the-art greenhouses and a new 12,000 square-foot processing area for the extraction and refining of cannabis oils.
As recently as July 2017, Liberty Health Sciences had just 11,000 square feet of growing space which could produce 800 kgs of marijuana annually. By comparison, the overall goal – including this new acquisition – is to increase grow capacity to over 200,000 square feet with annual production of over 14,000 kgs by the end of 2019.
On the distribution side, Liberty Health Sciences announced in January 2018 that it has opened its inaugural medical cannabis dispensary in Florida, strategically located in The Villages, the state’s largest retirement community.
The company is planning to open additional dispensaries throughout 2018 in as many as eleven additional strategic locations throughout the state of Florida.
Rapid Growth: Florida Will Soon Surpass Colorado in Marijuana Market Size
Why has Liberty Health Sciences focused its initial U.S. efforts in the state of Florida?
According to a report by industry research firm New Frontier Data, Florida’s medical marijuana market is projected to grow to $1.6 billion by 2020.
“Since Florida voters overwhelmingly legalized medical marijuana, the state has experienced a green rush.”
In fact, by 2020, Florida is projected to have a larger medical marijuana market than Colorado’s $1.5 billion projection.
“Florida has the potential to be one of the largest medical markets in the country,” said New Frontier Data Founder & CEO Giadha DeCarcer. “The state is home to the nation’s largest percentage of people 65 and older, a demographic for whom chronic pain is commonplace.”
|Florida Medical Marijuana Market At a Glance
|$1.6 billion by 2020
|6.06 million (30%)
|90,464 (up 300%+ over last 6 months)
|25 dispensaries / license (only 31 locations currently statewide
|Legal Product Scope:
|Cannabis Oil, Edibles andTransdermals
But as Florida’s cannabis market grows, early-stage producers must scramble to expand quickly in order to establish a sizeable market share.
This creates a scenario where companies with strong leadership – and excellent capitalization – have a clear advantage.
Liberty Health Sciences (CSE: LHS); (OTCQX: LHSIF) has the unquestioned knowledge and leadership of the Aphria Inc. team – an advantage no other U.S. producer can claim. And as for capitalization, the company has a strong balance sheet with available cash in excess of $20 million.
Liberty’s Experienced, Capable Management Team Provides an Unrivaled Advantage in the U.S.
Liberty Health Sciences holds an unmatched advantage over other U.S. cannabis producers when it comes to proven leadership.
That’s because the executives leading this company have a track record as industry leaders – establishing low-cost operations thanks to Aphria’s innovative methods and technology.
George Scorsis – CEO and Director
George Scorsis brings over 15 years of leadership experience to the Liberty team having led companies to rapid growth within highly regulated areas such as alcohol, energy drinks and, most recently, medical cannabis. Scorsis served as the President of Red Bull Canada and was instrumental in restructuring the organization from a geographical and operational perspective, growing the business to $150 MM in revenue. In that role, he also worked closely with Health Canada on guidelines regulating the energy drink category. Most recently, Scorsis was with Mettrum Health Corp as President and was fundamental in shaping MettrumTM&MettrumOriginalsTM. Under his leadership, the company was acquired for $430 M. Scorsis is a proven leader dedicated to providing results in business growth and development and brings a wealth of CPG experience to this exciting, burgeoning industry.
Rene Gulliver – CFO
Experienced C-Suite leader Rene Gulliver brings over 30 years of experience in finance, business development, and operations to Liberty Health Sciences. Before joining the team, Rene worked with Dream Global REIT as their CFO where the business grew from $1.4 billion in assets to just over $2.8 billion through acquisitions. Working with the capital markets in Canada and Europe, he was responsible for raising the funds to support this growth while maintaining acceptable capital ratios. Before his tenure at Dream Global REIT, Rene was CFO of the Americas at Cushman & Wakefield where he was responsible for financial oversight in the United States, Canada, South America and Mexico. Prior to these roles, he held senior positions at a First Service company as well as Royal LePage, where he was responsible for restructuring those organizations. His financial career started at PwC as part of their Mergers and Acquisitions group, focusing on international transactions.
Board of Directors
Vic Neufeld – Co-Founder, CEO, Aprhia
Vic Neufeld is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Aphria. Mr. Neufeld is the former CEO of Jamieson Laboratories (“Jamieson”) Canada’s largest manufacturer and distributor of natural vitamins, minerals, concentrated food supplements, herbs and botanical medicines. Mr. Neufeld brings 15 years of experience as a chartered accountant and partner with Ernst & Young and 21 years as CEO of Jamieson. During his tenure with Jamieson, the company went from $20 million in annual sales to over $250 million and expanded the company’s distribution network to over 40 countries, building Jamieson to a globally recognized brand name.
John Cervini – Co-Founder, VP Infrastructure & Technology, Aphria
John Cervini, Aphria’s Co-Founder, comes from fourth generation growers in southwestern Ontario with hydroponic agricultural experience. Together with his father and brother, Mr. Cervini helped established Lakeside Produce, a leader of North America sales and marketing companies selling fresh produce from Canada to multinational retailers throughout North America. Mr. Cervini has significant experience in greenhouse growing technology and has also overseen greenhouse expansions to California and Mexico. Mr. Cervini’s focus on improved efficiencies, healthier quality and the latest research studies helped him create an industry leading food safety program.
Aaron Serruya – Partner of Serruya Private Equity (SPE)
Aaron Serruya began his career at age nineteen as a co-founder of YogenFrüz. Aaron was also involved at various levels, in Coolbrands® and Kahala Brands®. Having over three decades of experience in the retail franchising sector, in addition to his position as a Managing Director at SPE, Aaron is currently the President of International Franchise Inc. (home of global brands such as YogenFrüz®, Pinkberry® and Swensen’s® Ice Cream), which has over 4,500 frozen yogurt and ice cream franchises worldwide, in over 50 countries. Aaron’s operational expertise is a driving force of his strength, which includes strategic planning, quality control, and marketing. Aaron specializes in Mergers & Acquisitions.
7 Reasons Why Investors Should Consider Adding Shares of Liberty Health Sciences (CSE: LHS); (OTCQX: LHSIF)
Investors in search of high-upside opportunities in the U.S. legal marijuana market would be wise to consider the forecasts of strong growth in Florida over the next two years.
- Florida Marijuana Boom – Projections are calling for explosive growth in Florida’s legal marijuana market – with some estimates forecasting compound annual growth of 140% per year through 2020.
- Early Stage Opportunity – Liberty Health Sciences (CSE: LHS); (OTCQX: LHSIF) is one of just 13 licensed producers and sellers of medical marijuana in Florida’s relatively young market. The company has moved aggressively to expand production and open its initial dispensary to establish its position in this burgeoning market.
- Well Capitalized – The company has a strong balance sheet – with more than $20 million in cash on hand as of February 2018.
- Proven Blueprint – Liberty Health Sciences is following the same path to success that Aphria honed and perfected in Canada. The company is focused on becoming the leading cultivation and distribution network through low-cost production and high-end dispensaries.Continuous focus on quality and production standards appropriate to any medical product.
- Experienced Management – The company’s leadership team includes industry leading executives who have built low-cost producers in Canada along with extensive experience in highly regulated industries.
- Eye on Expansion into Other States – Now that Liberty Health Sciences has established a successful business in Florida, the team has proven that they can replicate their success into other states. It would be very easy for them to enter into additional medical states and take a leadership position.
- Legislative Protection – On March 23, 2018 the United States Congress passed an appropriations bill which included the Rohrabacher-Leahy Amendment, restricting the Department of Justice from interfering with the rights of patients and medical cannabis companies operating in compliance with State laws. This legislation marks a significant reversal in Federal policy since the January 4 2018 memorandum issued by Attorney General Jeff Sessions and restores the protections that January memorandum had threatened, allowing companies such as Liberty Health Sciences to continue pursuing their U.S. growth strategies.
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U.S. stock index futures were little changed on Friday as investors looked for fresh catalysts after the U.S. Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time this year.
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were up 0.07 percent at 20,955, S&P 500 futures were down 0.01 percent at 2,382.5 and Nasdaq 100 futures were up 0.09 percent at 5,418.
** VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS INTERNATIONAL INC, Thursday close $11.20, +3.93 pct premarket
ValueAct Capital raised its stake in the Canadian drugmaker, in a move that could provide a confidence boost to the drug company three days after its largest shareholder sold out of the stock.
** ADOBE SYSTEMS INC, Thursday close $122.35, +4.78 pct premarket
The company reported better-than-expected first-quarter revenue and profit as demand for Creative Cloud package of software tools, which includes Photoshop, continued to rise.
** TIFFANY & CO, Thursday close $89.98, +3.02 pct premarket
The jeweler reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter profit, helped by strong demand for its jewelry in Japan and China, as well as price hikes and lower costs.
** CRAFT BREW ALLIANCE INC, Thursday close $14.55 The beermaker reported weak quarterly results as wholesalers reduced inventories. (Compiled by Akankshita Mukhopadhyay in Bengaluru)


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Description for 498 Alma Avenue Elmhurst, IL 60126
PRISTINE ELMHURST 3 BEDROOM 2 BATH TRI-LEVEL IN DESIRABLE COLLEGE VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD. GLEAMING HARDWOOD FLOORS THRU-OUT 1ST & 2ND FLOORS. LARGE MASTER BEDROOM WITH ABUNDANT CLOSET SPACE. FENCED BACKYARD W/MATURE TREES AND OVERSIZED DECK.
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Ask most young people if they know who Malcolm X is and they will usually respond in the affirmative. The first annual Minnesota Malcolm X Conference, which will be held on Saturday, May 17 at North Community High School, 1500 James Ave., N., from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., was organized to educate people – especially young people –about Malcolm X and why he is still relevant today.
"Black self-determination is still important," explained Glen Ford of blackagendareport.com, who will be one of the keynote speakers at the May 17 event. "If we lose sight of the meaning of Malcolm then we risk losing our moorings. We live in an era in which people are struggling all over the world for self-determination. They and we are struggling to create a world that is fit for the habitation of people. And we are struggling against a very tiny group of mostly white people who with insane amounts of money for the sake of money are determined to make the world uninhabitable."
Ford comes out of the late 1970s era of struggle and has been a journalist most of his career. His newsmagazine, Black Agenda Report, has been on the cutting edge of radical and left leaning Black America. He is well known for his critique of the Obama administration and was a YouTube sensation after his debate with the Rev. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, in which he pointed out the flaws of the present White House administration.
One of the day's featured speakers is Omali Yeshitela. One of the last active members of the Student Non Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), Yeshitela is known by some in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area as the "last man standing" because of his steadfast adherence to his principles. Yeshitela is chairman of the African Peoples Socialist Party.
Many may be familiar with Yeshitela's collaboration with the conscious hip-hop group Dead Prez. He can be heard on the "Let's Get Free" CD, featured on a single called "Wolf." In it he describes how this system gets Black people to destroy themselves, much in the same way that wolves are tricked into doing themselves in by native peoples in the Artic.
"The struggles confronting African-American people in the world today are essentially the same as those that existed in Malcolm X's day. He exposed the colonial nature of our oppression and the need for revolutionary organization as the solution," stated Yeshitela.
Yeshitela's organization has been in the forefront of the struggle against police brutality in Tampa and was active in the effort to get justice for the family of Trayvon Martin.
The Minnesota Malcolm X Day event will include several workshops led by Ford and Yeshetela among others, including Malcolm X's influence on the Civil Rights and Black Power Movement, Black economic self- empowerment, pan-Africanism and internationalism.
There will be panel discussion and audience participation as well. Heading the panel discussion are University of Minnesota professors, Dr. Rose Brewer (professor of African and African American Studies) co-author of "The Color of Wealth" and "Black Radical Theory and Practice: Gender, Race, and Class" along with Dr. August Nimtz (professor of political science), well known for his analysis of the Katrina aftermath.


text:
ROME — The European Union was stumbling through a Covid-19 vaccine rollout marred by shortages and logistical bungling in late March when Mario Draghi took matters into his own hands. The new Italian prime minister seized a shipment of vaccines destined for Australia — and along with them, an opportunity to show that a new, aggressive and potent force had arrived in the European bloc.
The move shook up a Brussels leadership that had seemed to be asleep at the switch. Within weeks, in part from his pressing and engineering behind the scenes, the European Union had authorized even broader and harsher measures to curb exports of Covid-19 vaccines badly needed in Europe. The Australia experiment, as officials in Brussels and Italy call it, was a turning point, both for Europe and Italy.
It also demonstrated that Mr. Draghi, renowned as the former European Central Bank president who helped save the euro, was prepared to lead Europe from behind, where Italy has found itself for years, lagging behind its European partners in economic dynamism and much-needed reforms.
In his short time in office — he took power in February after a political crisis — Mr. Draghi has quickly leveraged his European relationships, his skill in navigating E.U. institutions and his nearly messianic reputation to make Italy a player on the continent in a way it has not been in decades.
With his friend Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany leaving office in September, President Emmanuel Macron of France facing tough elections next year and the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, struggling to demonstrate competence, Mr. Draghi is poised to fill a leadership vacuum in Europe.
Increasingly, he seems to be speaking for all of Europe.
“The difference is that everybody, when Mario Draghi speaks, knows that he is not just pushing, boosting the Italian interest” but rather the European Union’s, Italy’s minister for European affairs, Vincenzo Amendola, said in an interview.
Knowing full well that Mr. Draghi derived his influence from his international reputation, Mr. Amendola said that given the potential void of leadership in Europe, “you need stable leaders who bring confidence.”
At home, Mr. Draghi’s vaccine gambit in March provided political red meat to an Italian population starved for vaccines and a sense of agency, but it was calculated to improve Europe’s leverage as a whole.
Abroad, his first stop, to Libya, sought to restore waning Italian influence in the troubled former Italian colony that is critical to Italy’s energy needs and to efforts to stem illegal migration from Africa. He has also not shied away from picking a fight with Turkey’s autocratic leader, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. “With these dictators — let us call them what they are — one must be frank in expressing one’s diversity of views and visions of society,” Mr. Draghi said.
But it is within European Union that Mr. Draghi has shown that Italy is now punching above its weight.
Last week, Mr. Draghi, who is by turns droll and wonky but always direct, kept the pressure on Brussels when it came to vaccine exports. He referred to “lightweight” efforts in the original contract negotiations with the pharmaceutical companies, and noted that despite its new tough rules on export bans, the European Union had yet to act.
But he also deftly balanced his criticism of Ms. von der Leyen’s Commission by defending her after Mr. Erdogan denied her a chair, rather than a sofa, during a visit to Turkey last week, saying he was “very sorry for the humiliation.”
In his debut in a European meeting as Italy’s prime minister in February, Mr. Draghi, 73, made it clear that he was not there to cheerlead. He told an economic summit including heavy hitters like his European Central Bank successor, Christine Lagarde, to “curb your enthusiasm” when it came to talk about a closer fiscal union.
That sort of union is Mr. Draghi’s long-term ambition. But before he can get anywhere near that, or tackle deep economic problems at home, those around him say Mr. Draghi is keenly aware that his priority needs to be solving Europe’s response to the pandemic.
Italian officials say his distance from the contract negotiations, which were completed before he took office, gave him a freedom to act. He suggested that AstraZeneca had misled the bloc about its supply of vaccine, selling Europe the same doses two or three times, and he immediately zeroed in on an export ban.
“He understood straightaway that the issue was vaccinations and the problem was supplies,” said Lia Quartapelle, a member of Parliament in charge of foreign affairs for Italy’s Democratic Party.
On Feb. 25, he joined a European Council videoconference with Ms. von der Leyen and other European Union leaders. The heads of state warmly welcomed him. “We owe you so much,” Bulgaria’s prime minister told him.
Then Ms. von der Leyen gave an optimistic slide presentation about Europe’s vaccine rollout. But the new member of the club bluntly told Ms. von der Leyen that he found her vaccine forecast “hardly reassuring” and that he didn’t know whether the numbers promised by AstraZeneca could be trusted, according to an official present at the meeting.
He implored Brussels to get tougher and go faster.
Ms. Merkel joined him in scrutinizing Ms. von der Leyen’s numbers, which put the Commission president, a former German defense minister, on the back foot. Mr. Macron, who had championed Ms. von der Leyen’s nomination but quickly formed a strategic alliance with Mr. Draghi, piled on. He urged Brussels, which had negotiated the vaccine contracts on behalf of its members, to “put pressure on corporations not complying.”
At the time, Ms. von der Leyen was coming under withering criticism in Germany for her perceived weakness on the vaccine issue, even as her own commissioners argued that responding too aggressively with a vaccine export ban could hurt the bloc down the road.
Mr. Draghi, with his direct talk during the February meeting, tightened the screws. So did Mr. Macron, who has emerged as his partner — the two are dubbed “Dracon” by the Germans — pushing for a more muscular Europe.
Behind the scenes, Mr. Draghi complemented his more public hard line with a courting campaign. The Italian, who is known to privately call European leaders and pharmaceutical chief executives on their cellphones, reached out to Ms. von der Leyen.
Of all the players in Europe, he knew her the least well, according to European Commission and Italian officials, and he wanted to remedy that and make sure she did not feel isolated.
Then, in early March, as shortages of AstraZeneca’s Covid vaccine continued to disrupt Europe’s rollout and increase public frustration and political pressure, Mr. Draghi found the perfect gift for Ms. von der Leyen: 250,000 doses of seized AstraZeneca vaccine earmarked for Australia.
“He told me that in the days before he was on the phone a lot with von der Leyen,” said Ms. Quartapelle, who spoke with Mr. Draghi the day after the shipment freeze. “He worked a lot with von der Leyen to convince her.”
The move was appreciated in Brussels, according to officials in the Commission, because it took the onus off Ms. von der Leyen and gave her political cover while simultaneously allowing her to seem tough for signing off on it.
The episode has become a clear example of how Mr. Draghi builds relationships with the potential to yield big payoffs not only for himself and Italy, but all of Europe.
On March 25, when the Commission became suspicious over 29 million AstraZeneca doses in a warehouse outside Rome, Ms. von der Leyen called Mr. Draghi for help, officials with knowledge of the calls said. He obliged, and the police were quickly dispatched.
In the meantime, Mr. Draghi and Mr. Macron, joined by Spain and others, continued to support a harder line from the Commission on vaccine exports. The Netherlands was against it, and Germany, with a vibrant pharmaceutical market, was queasy.
When the European leaders met again in a video conference on March 25, Ms. von der Leyen seemed more confident in the political and pragmatic advantages of halting exports of Covid vaccines made in the European Union. She again presented slides, this time authorizing a broader six-week curb on exports from the bloc, and Mr. Draghi stepped back into a supportive role.
“Let me thank you for all the work that has been done,” he said.
After the meeting, Mr. Draghi, however modestly, gave Italy — and by extension himself — credit for the steps allowing export bans. “This is more or less the discussion that took place,” he told reporters, “because this was the issue originally raised by us.”