The silver screen economy: Investigation reveals that a family evening of cinema and pizzas can cost an extra £32 - just because of where you live
A family night out in the South of England can cost more than double the equivalent treat in the North.
A trip to the cinema in the North East for a family of four costs £17.60, while Londoners will have to fork out £42.
And if families decide to round off the evening with a pizza delivery, the cost can be a further £7 dearer in the South.
It can be a costly affair for a South London family to visit the cinema and see the latest Ice Age film
Which means the difference for a family night can be a huge £32, thanks to the North-South divide.
Campaigners say the price variations are unjustified and claim millions of hard-pressed families are being ripped off.
Consumer adviser Jasmine Birtles, of Moneymagpie.com, said: ‘It is just plain unfair. We know that overheads are more expensive in some parts of the country, but the price differences are ridiculous.
‘It boils down to what some of these companies think they can get away with. If people will pay it, they will charge it.’
The variations in the price of family trips to the cinema in different parts of the country are uncovered in ITV1’s Tonight programme, broadcast on Thursday.
It compares the admission prices for families visiting Odeon cinemas in eight cities throughout the country.
Even a takeaway pizza from places like Dominos Pizza can be more expensive down south with the cost of two cheese and tomato pizzas being £3.50 cheaper up north
Further investigations by The Mail on Sunday also found gaping differences between ticket prices at Vue and Cineworld cinemas in the North and South.
All three cinema chains said the price differences were down to local markets and differences in rents and overheads.
Hollywood blockbusters like Spiderman starring Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield are cheaper in North England
The Tonight programme also reveals that the cost of having two large cheese and tomato pizzas from Domino’s in the North East is £9.99, while families in the South would have to pay £13.50.
A Domino’s Pizza’s spokesman explained: ‘Our franchisees set their own menu prices... based on input costs and local economics.
'The majority of cost is in rents, business rates and especially labour. As the figures vary across the country, this has a major impact on the franchisee’s pricing model.’
But Moneymagpie.com’s Ms Birtles adds: ‘With the cinemas especially, it seems like a cartel. The scale of the price differences are highly unfair and completely unjustified. These companies are making life much harder for already hard-pressed families.’
And Michael Ossei, personal finance expert at uSwitch.com, said: ‘For the average consumer, knowing that a cinema ticket could be noticeably cheaper if they lived elsewhere in the country will leave them feeling ripped off.’
Britons who want to enjoy family time with a sitdown meal also face significant price differences. Child-friendly pub Wetherspoons’ menu can vary hugely, with one serving of a roast beef dish costing £6.75 in London, but just £5.25 in Newcastle.
Spokesman Eddie Gershon said: ‘Rents at our pubs vary from £25,000 per annum to £370,000 per annum.
‘In these circumstances there has to be a price differential or the business doesn’t work.’
Family favourite Pizza Express also charges those visiting its Central London branches about 30p more for its pizzas.
A spokesman for Odeon cinemas said: ‘Odeon does not offer a set ticket price across its estate but instead provides ticket prices nationwide that are competitive but differentiate to reflect their individual market places.’
Vue’s spokesman added: ‘The price of tickets varies by location to suit the local market, which has been the case for many years. ’
And Cineworld’s spokesman said: ‘Any differentiation in prices can be explained by regional variables, including rent prices, supplier costs and other general expenses.’
Odeon Cinema says regional prices apply as rent and cost of staff differ between north and south England
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text:
by Magdalena König
This article is based on research presented at the UACES Graduate Forum Research Conference 2021 (17-18 June, online)
Counter-terrorism policy has never been such a prominent policy area in EU enlargement as it currently is. In recent years, the EU has put security policy, and in particular counter-terrorism policy, high on the agenda of the accession processes of the South East European EU membership candidates Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, and the potential candidates Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo. In this contribution, I sketch out three trends and practices that define the EU’s approach to counter-terrorism, an increasingly important policy area of enlargement: regional cooperation, externalisation of internal policies, and prioritisation of preventive counter-terrorism strategies over hard measures.
Not a new, but an increasingly highlighted enlargement topic
Even though counter-terrorism has never been as prominent for EU enlargement as it is currently, it is not a new topic within the field of enlargement. Indeed, counter-terrorism cooperation has previously been relevant to enlargement. For example, during the negotiations with Turkey, Croatia, Bulgaria or Romania, as well as in relations with non-EU states such as Ukraine or Moldova. However, with the ongoing enlargement towards South East Europe, counter-terrorism policy has changed – the scope of engagement on the topic has widened and a variety of levels of governance have become involved.
Since the departure of foreign terrorist fighters from South East Europe to Syria and Iraq as of 2011, the EU has put more emphasis on counter-terrorism in accession negotiations. The Commission’s 2018 Western Balkans strategy puts a particular emphasis on home affairs. Meanwhile, counter-terrorism and the prevention and countering of violent extremism (P/CVE) are part of one of six flagship enlargement initiatives. While the Commission’s Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) 2014-2020 had already assigned significant funds to counter-terrorism and P/CVE projects, the new IPA 2021-2027 will reflect the increasing focus on counter-terrorism policy by providing even more funding for related activities. Moreover, the 2018 Joint Action Plan on Counter-Terrorism for the Western Balkans is becoming increasingly part of the enlargement assessment. It is included in chapter 24 on justice, freedom and security, which is a prioritized chapter since a reform in 2012.
Three trends and practices
The EU’s priorities and practices regarding counter-terrorism policy in South East Europe show certain trends. Firstly, regional cooperation is a guiding principle of enlargement, beyond the realm of counter-terrorism. In the area of counter-terrorism, regional cooperation is particularly pursued with reference to terrorism being a mobile activity that crosses borders, ethnic lines and political differences. Moreover, the underlying assumption is that the challenges which the South East European states face with regards to terrorism and extremism are comparable. The Commission does not cease to highlight that rather than pursuing progress in counter-terrorism policy bilaterally, it prefers using a regional approach because of the “good neighbourly relations” that should be promoted through the enlargement process. An expression of this approach is the 2018 Joint Action Plan on Counter-Terrorism for the Western Balkans which was developed from several high-level counter-terrorism dialogues between SEE and EU representatives. The Joint Action Plan was negotiated on a regional level between both, SEE and EU representatives. Another important instrument reflecting this approach is the regional network of national Countering Violent Extremism coordinators in South East Europe. The network is chaired by the EU’s regional counter-terrorism advisor who is based in Sarajevo and was appointed specifically for South East Europe. The EU asked the South East European governments to appoint a national Countering Violent Extremism coordinator as a single contact point to participate in this network and to coordinate on policies with states in the region.
Secondly, in relation to counter-terrorism and P/CVE in enlargement, the EU has externalised some of its internal policies in these areas. Not surprisingly given the nature of the enlargement framework, the aim is to introduce EU-minded policies and practices in these policy areas. Therefore, there is a strong coherence between the EU’s internal and external counter-terrorism policies, in particular in relation to South East Europe. A good example of this approach is the Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN), a Commission-led network of practitioners working on (de)radicalisation. It is sought to be replicated in a two-fold way in the region. The Commission aims at integrating the South East European states into the EU-wide RAN as well as, in the long run, implementing a regional version of RAN. This again reflects the preference for regional cooperation in the EU’s strategy.
Thirdly, what is broadly referred to as counter-terrorism cooperation is clearly prioritising P/CVE activities, or so-called soft measures, over hard measures such as police work and law enforcement. While the EU engages in both dimensions of this work in South East Europe, more attention is given to P/CVE than to counter-terrorism activities. This is also underlined by the EU’s current priority topics of counter-terrorism policy: the prevention of radicalisation and the return and de-radicalisation of foreign terrorist fighters and their families. With this focus on P/CVE activities the EU has treated projects employing a so-called whole-of-society approach preferentially. This means that in its activities, the EU supports the use of a P/CVE approach which brings together a broad range of local authorities and institutions, such as doctors, psychologists, social workers, teachers, etc.
Given the relative novelty of enlargement focused on counter-terrorism, it will be crucial to accompany the integration in this policy field with academic analysis. For example, a question that arises from the three patterns sketched above is, what role does counter-terrorism play in the overall political integration of EU enlargement?
Magdalena König is a PhD researcher at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. Her research interests include EU enlargement, counter-terrorism politics, and the politics of prevention of radicalization. In her PhD research, she examines the role of preventive approaches to counter-terrorism within the ongoing EU enlargement towards South East Europe. Magdalena has a BA in European Studies from Maastricht University and a MA in Peace Research from the University of Tübingen.
Institutional website: https://www.rug.nl/staff/m.c.koenig/
The European Commission’s support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

domain: geography


Firearms Ship for FREE. $6.99 on everything else.
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The Otis Law Enforcement Cleaning System is designed for Law Enforcement pistols and sub guns 9mm through .45cal., .223 cal/5.56mm, .308 cal/7.62mm rifles, and 12 GA shotguns. It includes 8" and 30" Memory-Flex Cables, six (6) firearm-specific, heavy-duty bronze bore brushes to remove copper deposits and other fouling, and specialized precision tools allow complete breakdown and detailed cleaning of your firearm. This is all included in a lightweight soft case with belt loop for convenient carrying.
|Size||4" x 4" x 2.5"|
|Caliber or Gauge||9mm-.45cal, .223, .308, 12 ga|
Otis FG85211 Deluxe Law Enforcement Cleaning System 9mm-.45cal, .223, .308, 12 ga Cleaning Kit 4" x 4" x 2.5" 1 Kit
- Brand: OTIS TECHNOLOGY INC
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In this interview, H.E. Eng. Anmar Al-Khasawneh, Minister of Transport of Jordan, discusses the state of transport infrastructure in the country, and some of the achievements and goals of the ministry in addressing shortfalls.
What have been the main impacts brought by the development assistance to the improvement of transport infrastructure in Jordan?
The demand for goods and passenger transport is growing at a rapid pace due to population and economic growth in Jordan and the region. This growth is concentrated in parts of transport networks, near main urban areas and along major corridors. As a result, parts of the networks are under pressure. Performance does not meet the required need. According to the computerized system for forecasting transport, if not seriously intervene, the situation will worsen. At the end of the next decade, the transportation system will not be able to provide the required performance to support the Jordanian economy and the daily life of citizens. This will increase the delay and reduce reliability and increase the cost on the activities of citizens and workers, adversely affecting the economic performance of the country.
The provision of financial resources is one of the main challenges for the development of the transport system in Jordan to finance investment in new infrastructure, expansion or maintenance and renovation of the existing infrastructure, and to operate transport services for both passengers and goods.
The U.S Jordan free trade agreement was U.S’s first FTA with an Arab country. What has been the impact of this FTA to the transports sector?
The United States and Jordan continue to benefit from an extensive economic partnership. A key element of this relationship is the United States-Jordan Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which entered into force on December 17, 2001, and was implemented fully on January 1, 2010.
Jordan's economic and trade relations with the United States have increased over the last few years as a result of the entry into force of the QIZ and FTA agreements. These relations are particularly important for Jordan as an important hub in the Middle East. The volume of Jordanian exports to US markets has increased, with trade between Jordan and America increasing by 600 percent in recent years. The agreement revived the Jordanian economy through increased exports, which contributed to the revival of supporting services sectors such as transport, and made Jordan a center of trade in the Middle East.
The agreement encouraged the entry of US direct investment and the FTA allowed indirect investments from other countries. This is reflected in the transport and shipping sector.
Which are the best opportunities to foreign investors interested in Jordan transport sector right now and what are the advantages the country offers on this regard?
The most prominent projects submitted by the Ministry of Transport as investment opportunities are:
What are the advantages that a greater role of railways will bring?
To what extent are PPPs important to develop the new railway infrastructure and what opportunities arise regarding foreign investors on the sector?
The Ministry of Transport is looking for a strategic partner to implement this project as an investment opportunity, so the chance is open to all investors who pay attention in this project, and in accordance to Jordan local laws including Jordan Investment Fund Law No. 16 of 2016.
According to the Jordan Investment Fund Law (mentioned above), the project is excluded from the provisions of the Public Private Partnership (PPP).
What policies have been implemented by the new government until now to ensure reliable transport-connecting routes?
What would you say have been your most significant achievements in the public works and transport sector during your time as a Minister?
I worked in the Ministry of Public Works and housing as a secretary General of the Ministry and the most important achievements are as follows:
1. Road projects and circular road projects, for each of the centers of the governorates of the kingdom and the capital, three parts of the first phase of this project were implemented. The second phase of the project has been studied and is ready for implementation if the funds are available, Where the system will be implemented through (BOT).
2. Routine periodic maintenance bids were submitted through a study prepared by a foreign consultant and prioritization of road maintenance.
What would you aim to achieve as a Minister of the Government of Jordan and what are the main actions you are taking to make those ambitions real?


Written by ten anti-choice authors, the new study poses an unacceptable risk to public health because it could be used to advocate the criminalization of necessary health care for women.
I hope Suzanne Mazzola’s family hasn’t gotten around to reading the anti-choice articles about her, because whether they sound like touching tributes or not, I can tell you, it’s hard to grow up believing that your parent decided to die. It does things to people.
Last week, RH Reality Check met with six of the 17 Salvadoran women imprisoned for what amount to pregnancy complications. The women discussed the challenges they face, including harassment from other inmates and overcrowded conditions.
This isn’t how I wanted any of this to go. I didn’t go to my ultrasound hoping for a political statement; I wanted a due date.
Although feticide laws were originally intended to protect pregnant women from violence, such statutes are now being used to punish them, sending the message that women who do not have healthy pregnancies may be investigated for criminal acts.
The story of Purvi Patel’s prosecution, and the others lining up behind her, paint a bleak picture of life under the state’s ultra-conservative Republican reign and give a frightening look of what’s to come as increasingly draconian abortion restrictions force pregnant people to turn to other, sometimes illegal and often dangerous, means.
Recent efforts by reproductive justice organizations in Cleveland, including New Voices Cleveland, show that women will not stand idly by and watch their rights be taken away or have others—be it mainstream media outlets, anti-choice organizations, or anti-woman politicians—dictate their health and safety needs through racist billboard campaigns.
A new report from Choices in Childbirth adds to a body of evidence that doula care should be included in health plans and made available to all women, particularly women of color, who face disproportionate rates of maternal and infant mortality in the United States.
More and more states require employers to provide workplace accommodations for pregnant workers, but the Roberts Court is poised to screw that all up.
Colorado’s bishops, speaking through the Colorado Catholic Conference, say they’ve taken a “neutral” stance on Colorado’s “personhood” amendment. But they’ve backed church activity supporting the amendment and are criticizing a campaign against the measure by Catholics for Choice, which claims the bishops have tacitly backed Amendment 67.


text:
A modular outdoor seating system where precious materials and indoor elegance take over the open air.
Winner of the Wallpaper* Design Award 2017 in the “Best Landing Pad” category, Drive ican fit any sort of requirement.
Wood and saddle leather are combined to provide an unexpected tactile experience.
Sculptural and monumental the Amadeus table reveals in the research of details an unexpected formal poetry.
Architectural surface in walnut canaletto wood that enables to obtain multiple patterns thanks to two directions of laying it.
Aldìa is an outdoor table where precious materials and indoor elegance take over the open air.
Sculpture-vase made of rounded shapes in gold calacatta marble or in marble and walnut canaletto wood.
Equipped with a system for regulating the angle of the shade and a rotating structure that allows it to rotate through 360°, the parasol stands on a circular base that creates a balanced graphic mo
Sculptural and monumental, this cabinet reveals Giorgetti's cabinet-making tradition and the refinement of the forms in the research for details, without forgetting functionality.
A harmoniously irregular set of gometric elements gives life to Scaleno, a squared coffee table: a combination of materials that gives an unexpected optical effect.
Table lamp with structure in natural or grey Canaletto-Nussbaum, enriched by the detail of the finger joint and base in gold calacatta marble.
Gea [beach lounger]
With a delicate carob coloured steel frame, the base is abonos oak, a thousand-year old fossil wood sourced from rivers, which demonstrates the DNA of Giorgetti's workmanship.
Floor sculpture composed of white glazed ceramic modules with adjustable internal metal core. Available in two different heights.
Progetti is an armchair with a strongly recognizable image, that, thanks to the innovative and freshness design, it has become an icon for Giorgetti.

domain: design


text:
- How long does it take to feel the effects of food?
- What food make you feel happy?
- What happens to your body when you start eating more fruits and vegetables?
- How do I know if I’m eating healthy?
- Can losing weight too fast make you sick?
- Why do I feel fatter after losing weight?
- Does eating healthy really make you feel better?
- Why do you feel bad when you start eating healthy?
- Does your body detox when you start eating healthy?
- How much weight do you need to lose to notice a difference?
- Can you feel sick when eating healthy?
- How your body changes once you start eating healthy?
How long does it take to feel the effects of food?
The absorption process begins around 3-6 hours after eating.
“Nutrients get absorbed as the food is broken down, with the majority of nutrients being absorbed in the small intestine, where they’re then transported into the blood stream,” McLeod explained..
What food make you feel happy?
These foods will boost your mood and make you happyQuinoa. … Salmon. … Mushrooms. … Dark chocolate. … Foods with probiotics – i.e. kefir, yogurt, sauerkraut. … B6 vitamins – poultry, leafy greens, beef. … Grapes. … Folic acid – bok choy, turnip greens.More items…•
What happens to your body when you start eating more fruits and vegetables?
A diet rich in vegetables and fruits can lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, prevent some types of cancer, lower risk of eye and digestive problems, and have a positive effect upon blood sugar, which can help keep appetite in check.
How do I know if I’m eating healthy?
9 signs that you have a healthy diet even if it doesn’t feel like itYou eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re satisfied. … You aren’t jumping from fad diet to fad diet. … Your diet consists of a wide variety of foods. … You enjoy what you’re eating. … You’re consistently eating enough for your body’s needs.More items…•
Can losing weight too fast make you sick?
According to many experts, losing 1–2 pounds (0.45–0.9 kg) per week is a healthy and safe rate (1, 2 , 3 ). Losing more than that is considered too fast and could put you at risk of many health problems, including muscle loss, gallstones, nutritional deficiencies and a drop in metabolism (4, 6 , 7 , 8).
Why do I feel fatter after losing weight?
If you feel like you are losing weight but look fatter, now may be the time for you to reconsider your slimming means. Such unsatisfactory results may occur due to lack of sleep, water retention, an extreme caloric deficit, lack of exercise, lack of patience, and others.
Does eating healthy really make you feel better?
Week-to-week and month-to-month, keeping your body healthy and disease-free makes good moods more likely. For example, key nutrients you get in certain foods can influence the levels of feel-good hormones such as serotonin. Other nutrients can help prevent inflammation so blood circulates well to all of your organs.
Why do you feel bad when you start eating healthy?
When you eat healthier, your body will slowly give off more sustained energy over time. Because you’re not getting that immediate boost of energy, you could feel a little more tired than usual, and maybe even have a headache.
Does your body detox when you start eating healthy?
Natural Detox: You will begin a natural detoxification process as you consume more amino acids, micronutrients, and fiber; some people actually feel worse during the first week of clean eating because of this detox process.
How much weight do you need to lose to notice a difference?
Rule’s team also found that people needed to lose twice as much weight to be perceived as more attractive by others beyond just “you’ve lost weight.” The average amount of weight loss needed to make the faces in photos more appealing was about 14 pounds for women and 18 pounds for men of average height.
Can you feel sick when eating healthy?
If you feel terrible at first when you cut carbs and boost other macros, that’s normal, she says. It’s “how we respond when our diet has drastically changed. When we change our diets, our bodies need time to process that change.” The first few days of healthy eating can throw your body for a loop.
How your body changes once you start eating healthy?
Your body will become regular. This can come with a lower amount of bloating and discomfort along with looking slimmer as well. You’ll notice your moods are more stable. You have less ups and downs throughout the day and may even start to feel more empowered in your daily life.

domain: medical


text:
It’s easy to mistake North York for Toronto. After all, North York lies within the larger city. However, there are plenty of things to do in North York without having to go into Toronto. From shopping centers to historic sites, museums, and even dog parks, it is easy to find entertainment within this small city.
North York deals can be found at one of the town’s many malls and shopping centers. The Yorkdale Shopping Centre on Dufferin Street is the fifth-largest shopping mall in Canada. Zara, Holt Renfrew, Old Navy, H&M, Sears, and Topshop all have stores within its walls. Fairview Mall consists of 80,000 square meters and is anchored by Sephora, H&M, Shopper’s Drug Mart, Sears, Laura, and The Bay.
A North York guide to museums and historical sites needs to include Black Creek Pioneer Village and the Ontario Science Centre. Those looking for North York things to do should spend the day at either of these family-friendly locations. Black Creek Pioneer Village is located on the banks of the Black Creek. The village consists of restored 19th-century buildings that have been moved there from their original sites. It has a period general store, water-powered grist mill, blacksmith’s shop, hotel, one-room schoolhouse, and church. For those who would rather look to the future, the Ontario Science Centre at 770 Don Mills Road has over 800 science-oriented exhibits, including those on astronomy, technology, geology, anatomy, and music.
No guide to North York is complete without mentioning the dog parks. North York is one of the most canine-friendly cities in Canada. The Beltline Trail, a fenced-in area between the Allen Expressway and Mount Pleasant Road, is one of the best places to take your pup. Complete with trails for walking or bicycling, plenty of dog bowls, water fountains, and benches, the Beltline Trail will make any pooch very happy.

domain: travel


text:
This game was so fun
A downloadable game for Windows
Game initially made for Ludum Dare 41 (Theme : Combine 2 Incompatible Genres )
The game is a Roguelike mixed with Dance dance revolution mechanic, 1 - 4 players local coop, with gamepad support, French and English languages.
Everything was going as it’s supposed to be in Tempo-City when, coming from nowhere, an army of monster appeared. Nobody could explain what happened ! Not even the city’s wizard, who couldn’t do anything to stop the creatures. He needs time to study them, he needs samples from them. But he can’t do that all by himself ! So he called the best musicians et Dancing Stage champions (those famous japanese arcade games where you dance on arrowed platforms) to help him in this quest !
HAVE FUN !
AAA - Tumblr
Théo Moyen - Music
Game illustration by AAA
|Genre||Action, Role Playing|
|Made with||Aseprite, GameMaker: Studio|
|Tags||french, GameMaker, Local Co-Op, Local multiplayer, Ludum Dare 41, Multiplayer, Music, Pixel Art, Roguelike|
|Average session||A few minutes|
|Inputs||Keyboard, Xbox controller|
|Player count||1 - 4|
|Mentions||itch.io Recommends: Ludum Dare 41 Games|
- Post jam versionApr 29, 2018
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Woah, this is really cool! I'm actually working on a very similar base mechanic for my games magic system, it's really interesting to get to see a similar concept in action!!
Firstly I would like to say I love this game. It is a very simple casual game that is super exciting. The combat system of using ddr as a means of attacking was interesting and the other buttons serve a purpose. Also once I got a map, it helped me find out where I was supposed to go which was very rewarding after doing a bunch of other mini dungeons and collecting pets and stat buffs. The boss fights were actually fun and manageable! I don't think any of them were too easy or too difficult. The simple style of the game adds to the casual fun atmosphere which is really good. Unfortunately I didn't try out co-op but I'm sure it will be a very fun experience. I love this game and hope you make more games!! I'll give this sick beats/10 :D
is you gonna put it on linux
it was really fun, good couch coop
can you tell us the secret of your good art
My controller isn't working on the game
Semi-interesting but I can't see the idea of the controls and what the main point is.
very fun game and has very good mechanics, however it doesn’t have a save system and there was a bug that I had killed a boss but he didn’t give his heart so I couldn’t proceed in the game and I had to start all over again. fix it !!!!!!!!!
Hey friend :)
We have a YouTube channel and we want to make a video about your game, we are asking for your permission to broadcast our gameplay.
If you want, we can show the progress of development, gameplay, concept art and more... Anything that you will share with us.
please contact us by mail: firstname.lastname@example.org
Or by twitter: @GeeksBoxs
We would love to hear back from you
Just beat every dungeon in the game and all the bosses. This was a blast the whole time. It's incredible that this was made for a game jam! Great Work. If you're reading this download it and play. Great with 2 people or more.
This is pretty great!
I play it again but this time both of us
I LOVE IT! You should think about make a bigger game out of it as a paid release. One of the best games I played here, well done! Love the art style tho!
Thanks, happy that you like it, we have not planned to make a bigger version for the moment but nothing is impossible !
I love this game! its so much fun!!!!
Seems like a really interesting game, unfortunately I can't seem to get it to run.
Hey this isn't half bad! my only suggesiton is make it easier to move while attacking, most of the boss fights I just stood there soaking damage
Thank you and yep I did not find a suitable solution for this problem with the time allotted sorry !
i was thikning if you made it dual stick setup, or perhaps left pad is for movement ( or stick ) and face buttons for directions, and hold RB or LB to activate the weapon?
i think that would be ideal, youd be able to move with left stick, direct attacks with face buttons and also be able to use the attack bc the shoulder buttons are easy to press even when both your hands are busy on the gamepad :3
The juicyness of this Ludum Dare 41 entry was incredibly high! I had a blast to shred my guitar (or to play my triangle :D ) in your game and to roll around to find new monsters and dungeons to fight against. <3 The whole audiovisual representation was excellent and all in all, I can absolutely imagine that this is a fun co-op game! Thanks so much for this entry. I'll make sure to give the post jam version a try as well, because I want to see the goddamn endboss. :D An excellent game, that I proudly praised in an article on our blog and also uploaded a quick gameplay video for. Good luck with the ratings for you three!
I definitely will be routinely streaming this game and trying out all the characters and stuff its pretty cool
how do you attack
when you press the attack key, arrows will appear above your char, you need to press it when there are monster near of you
i did not see the attack key or which is it
this game got the best out of it after the jam version i play!!!
i havent play every single LD41 games so i hopign the best will win!!!
if you are curious how the jam version and the post jam version that i play. Take a look at there video!!!
hope you enjoy it!!!
post jam version
In the post jam version, the city seems to be overrun with what I can only assume is the final boss, its both impassible for its difficulty and its lag. Otherwise, this game is probably the best of this Ludum Dare. I really enjoyed the combat and the sense of progression!
Shit, thanks for the feedback I had this problem one time but I thought it was settled, I try to fix it as soon as possible, can you DL the current post jam version again and tell me if the problem is still here pls ?
Ok I've the bug too, I'll fix that soon !
Getting white screen when running it. So, what i have to do?
I just uploaded the post jam version, try it and tell me if you still have the problem
Hello! I loved your game, it is gloriously designed and animated as well as just being such a fun and unique game to play! While I didn't quite master the musical madness right away I still had a great time in the monster filled shops and dungeons haha. I made a let's play of your game here~
Hey, thank you for the video, it was fun to watch ! Glad you've enjoyed the game despite of the bugs, the post jam version is avalaible now without these problems and with more contents / polish ( ending, boss and more ) if you have some time take it a look !
we know the objective, but i cant give the 4 hearts we collected to the mages. is it the last part thats unfinished? everything is polished by the way. great gameplay especially the control. may i request some of the control for pc WASD to move character, ARROW to play the tune, SPACE to roll and E for playing music. for those who enjoy watching than playing, this video is for you!
Thanks for the video ! Yes there is no ending is the jam version, I've just upload the post jam version, the game is now complete, you should try it !
Love the ideas going on here, on paper it sounds like shit but in practice its a strangely compelling mix! It is a little strange having to stop and start and I'd occasionally screw up combos trying to walk while transitioning in and out of the attack stance, but it flowed pretty well for how stop and start it seemed in the beginning. The lack of an end was a little disappointing, but completely understandable given the time constraints of the jam. Fantastic work!
Thanks man ! The post jam version is now avalaible with all things that we did not have time to finish in the jam version, take a look !
I failed to play this. the game bugged :( J and K did stuff but nothing that interacts with the environment. the shop was filled with monsters too. Only "Play 1" was displaying.
I don't know what I did but I'm sad because the idea hyped me!
Sorry for this, I'll try to fix all of this on the Post jam version who will release in some days !
whoa this is so cool! great game
This is so fun! I really hope I'll see more of it!
I'm curious though, are the drummers viable at all? They have 0 attack, how does that work?
Thanks ! The damage are always 1 minimum ( 1 + attack ), but I will make it clearer for the post jam version, your comment make me want to add a classe with 0 attack and a kind of alternative gameplay Haha
is it freeee?

domain: hobby


Clinton’s Myanmar Visit: The United States Responds to Reform
For the first time since John Foster Dulles did it in 1955, a U.S. secretary of state just wrapped up a visit to long-secluded Myanmar. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with government leaders, including President Thein Sein, in the current capital of Naypyidaw, as well as with democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi in the former capital of Yangon, during her November 30–December 2 visit. The trip had been announced by President Barack Obama just two weeks earlier in a surprise move on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit. Both the suddenness of the announcement and the rapid deployment of Secretary Clinton speak to the breathtaking speed with which the former pariah state has attracted international attention with its reforms.
Despite the reforms that have occurred in Myanmar over the last several months—easing censorship, unblocking the Internet, amnesties that included some political prisoners, cease-fires to end longstanding violence with several ethnic minority groups, allowing union and worker strikes, and permitting Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy (NLD) to register and run for office—critics warn that the Obama administration is running a serious risk by sending Clinton to Myanmar, risking political embarrassment should reforms prove illusory. Others insist that greater U.S. engagement is crucial to boost the domestic legitimacy and support for Myanmar’s reformers to keep up the momentum.
Q1: What did Secretary Clinton accomplish during her visit?
A1: Clinton touched down in Naypyidaw on November 30 and spent a day in the capital meeting with prominent Myanmar officials. She spoke with President Thein Sein, Foreign Minister Wumma Maung Lwin, Lower House Speaker Thura Shwe Mann, and members of Parliament. Her meeting with Thein Sein was described as “workmanlike” by a State Department official, who also noted that the president acknowledged that his country still has much to do to continue its reforms.
The secretary traveled from Naypyidaw to the former capital of Yangon for a dinner with opposition leader Suu Kyi on December 1, followed by a formal meeting with her and key members of her NLD the next day. Clinton also met with representatives of Myanmar’s ethnic minority groups and visited Yangon’s most famous landmark, the Shwedagon Pagoda.
Clinton made a number of concrete announcements while in Myanmar. Since sanctions prevent the United States from providing aid to the government, Clinton announced a package of $1.2 million to assist civil society groups in the fields of microfinance, healthcare, and aid to landmine victims. She also announced that the United States would support UN assistance for health care and small businesses, as well as for strengthening Myanmar’s programs for health, micro-finance, and counter-narcotics. The secretary invited Myanmar to join the U.S.-backed Lower Mekong Initiative that currently includes Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam and discussed the possibility of exchanging ambassadors should Myanmar’s reforms continue.
In what was potentially the most important announcement for Myanmar’s long-term reform, Clinton announced that the United States would no longer block assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank. The details of this announcement remain unclear. The United States is required by law under current sanctions legislation to vote “no” on any IMF and World Bank assistance to Myanmar, though its vote alone is not sufficient to block such aid. The sanctions legislation also requires that the United States lobby other countries to vote “no,” although what that provision requires is necessarily ambiguous. Clinton’s announcement seemed to suggest that the United States will now offer only token opposition to assistance from the international financial institutions. The new U.S. policy was underscored when Suu Kyi announced after her meeting with Clinton that the World Bank would send an assessment team to Myanmar.
Q2: What obstacles still stand in the way of an improved bilateral relationship?
A2: Throughout her trip, Clinton emphasized that Myanmar still has a lot of work to do before U.S. sanctions can be lifted and relations normalized. She stressed the need for the government to release its remaining political prisoners, end ongoing violence against ethnic minorities, and cut off all military relations with North Korea. While these issues will be difficult to resolve, Myanmar’s leaders addressed each of them during Clinton’s visit.
Speaker Thura Shwe Mann said he told Clinton that the government will work to ensure that “all citizens including political prisoners” can take part in rebuilding the country. President Thein Sein told her that the government is currently looking into ways to release remaining political prisoners. These statements, while vague and unsatisfying, are promising steps for a government that has long denied the existence of political prisoners.
Violent conflicts between the army and ethnic minority groups have plagued the country for decades. Government officials assured Clinton that they are pursuing cease-fire talks with 10 ethnic groups with the goal of a lasting peace and political participation by all. There have been confirmed talks between government representatives and Kachin, Shan, Mon, Chin, Karenni, and Karen groups in recent months. The government has already signed cease-fires this year with the Mongla, United Wa State Army, and Democratic Karen Buddhist Army. As if to underscore its stated commitment to ending the violence, the government announced a preliminary cease-fire with the Shan State Army-South on the last day of Clinton’s visit.
The final obstacle to improving U.S.-Myanmar relations is the long-time suspicion of military ties between Myanmar and North Korea. Worries among U.S. officials were heightened when a North Korean ship was intercepted on May 26 en route to Myanmar. After several days of diplomatic pressure and a standoff at sea, the ship returned to North Korea without incident, but it was widely believed to be carrying ballistic missiles in violation of UN sanctions.
More troubling have been suspicions that Myanmar has cooperated with Pyongyang on the development of nuclear weapons. President Thein Sein assured Clinton that his country will in the future uphold UN Resolutions 1718 and 1874 restricting the transfer of military technology from North Korea and that it is “strongly considering” signing an additional protocol from the International Atomic Energy Agency to prevent the proliferation of nuclear technology. Thura Shwe Mann admitted that his country had signed a military cooperation agreement with North Korea in the past, but he denied that any nuclear cooperation was involved. He said, “The U.S. has a very good intelligence system. It has not only people intelligence but also intelligence satellites. When I went to North Korea as a general in the past, the U.S. knew about it. It knows what we were doing.”
Q3: How have other countries reacted to Clinton’s trip?
A3: The international reaction to Clinton’s trip has been mostly positive. The other ASEAN member countries praised President Obama’s announcement of the trip, which followed their own decision to award Myanmar chairmanship of the organization in 2014. ASEAN secretary general Surin Pitsuwan said, “Secretary Clinton’s visit will help accelerate that momentum of change, widen its spectrum and deepen its substance.”
The trip was also well received in Japan, which has maintained a larger footprint in Myanmar and less restrictive sanctions than the United States and European nations. On the last day of Clinton’s visit, it was revealed that Japan too was arranging for trips to the country by Foreign Minister Koichiro Genba in December and Industry Minister Yukio Edano in January.
The response was noticeably less positive in China, where fears of growing U.S. influence in the region have been heightened by a new basing agreement last month with Australia and criticism during the East Asia Summit of China’s actions in the South China Sea. An editorial in the state-run Global Times on December 1 asserted that China would not let the United States “stomp on its interests” in Myanmar. The Chinese Foreign Ministry called on the international community to end all sanctions against Myanmar in a move that seemed designed to highlight the difference between the United States’ punitive measures and its own engagement with the country. When asked about the Chinese response, Clinton said only that, “We don’t see this as a competition with China.”
Greg Poling is a research assistant with the Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.
Critical Questions is produced by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a private, tax-exempt institution focusing on international public policy issues. Its research is nonpartisan and nonproprietary. CSIS does not take specific policy positions. Accordingly, all views, positions, and conclusions expressed in this publication should be understood to be solely those of the author(s).
© 2011 by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. All rights reserved.


text:
James Capper, 8 PROTOTYPES (2015)
8 PROTOTYPES (2015) is specially commissioned in celebration of James Capper’s largest solo presentation in London to date and is developed from an original prototype sketch included in the exhibition.
Archival Inkjet Print on 255gsm Somerset Velvet
29.6cm x 29.6cm
Numbered, with signed certificate
Edition of 50 (5 Artist Proofs)
£120 +VAT unframed
(Bermondsey Artist Group members receive 10% discount)
To reserve, arrange framing or for more information please contact us or call the gallery on 0207 237 1230.

domain: artistic


text:
I will create a work of art in pencil on quality bond paper from any reasonable picture that you submit. Other media (oil, acrylic, pastel, coloured pencil) available upon request. My prices are quite low and negotiable. Custom framing will be available at extra cost.
Pencil drawings will be on high-quality Strathmore 400 Series Bristol 3-ply paper unless otherwise negotiated.
Please contact me at email@example.com with any questions. Samples of some of my work follow.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Ottawa, 2010 - Mooneys Bay - Early Spring
5x8 Pencil on paper - from a photo by Rebecca First Prize (Blue Ribbon) at Champlain Valley Fair


text:
Set to Nickelback's 'Photograph', the clip pokes fun at users who regularly post clichéd photos of food, buildings and sunsets.
The lyrics to 'Look at This Instagram' include: "Started out as a lemon tart, then my phone went and made it art.
"Are you bored of city lights? Try seein' 'em in black and white."
The clip features Scott Rodgers and Andree Vermeulen doing their best Chad Kroeger impressions.
- Man raps whole chapter of Hitchhiker's Guide 0
- Conan vs Madeleine Albright on Twitter 2
- The Queen sends her first ever tweet 30
- NASA launches Soundcloud account 0
- Smash Bros announcer sings Pokemon theme 0
- Be inspired by Gaga's Halloween outfit 0
- Watch Brad Pitt squirm on Between Two Ferns 0
- X Factor star doesn't know what Ebola is 23
- Fancy a full body Power Ranger tattoo? 4
- Hobbit stars in epic flight safety video 2

domain: entertainment


Showing 2 of 2 results
Will Trump's DOE soon propose rolling back light bulb standards? Here’s what’s at stake
The Trump administration will soon release a proposed rule on light bulb standards. The details are under wraps, but manufacturers have lobbied for an illegal rollback of strong standards with which they must comply beginning in 2020. Our new issue brief shows what’s at stake.
Appliance standards create jobs — in every US state
National standards that require appliances and equipment to be more energy efficient do more than save energy and reduce utility bills. They also spur economic growth and create jobs — a lot of jobs. In fact, our new report reveals that they created or sustained nearly 300,000 jobs in 2016 and are projected to support 553,000 jobs in 2030. These jobs benefit every US state.


text: Dr. Marney Isaac is a Professor and Canada Research Chair in Agroecosystems and Development, and is the Director of the University of Toronto’s Sustainable Food and Farming Futures Cluster. Dr. Isaac’s research develops novel social-ecological methods to generate contemporary insights into sustainable agroecosystem policy and practice. Her interdisciplinary research lab explores plant-soil interactions, nutrient cycles and ecosystem function in diversified agroecosystems and agroforestry systems, and the social processes that lead to agroecological transitions. Dr. Isaac is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Applied Ecology, Agronomy for Sustainable Development, and Biotropica. Currently, Dr. Isaac serves on multiple research networks, including the NSERC funded Design of Living Infrastructure for Ecosystem Services training platform, the international Diversified Agroecosystems Research Network, and the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada supported Organic Science Clusters program. She publishes widely in environmental science, agronomy, ecology, and multi-disciplinary sustainability science journals.

domain: agronomy


text:
Welcome to this luxuriously furnished apartment, where comfort and style come together to provide you with an exceptional stay. As you arrive, you'll have the convenience of free parking, ensuring that your vehicle is secure throughout your time here.
Inside the apartment, you'll find a fully equipped private kitchen that features a refrigerator, freezer, oven, cooker, cutlery, crockery, microwave, and kettle. Whether you're a culinary enthusiast or prefer simple meals, you'll have everything you need to prepare and enjoy your favorite dishes. Additionally, a washing machine is provided for your convenience, allowing you to take care of your laundry needs at your leisure.
The bedroom is furnished with two comfortable single beds, complete with high-quality linens, bath towels, blankets, and pillows. This ensures a cozy and restful sleep experience during your stay. An iron, ironing board, and hairdryer are also available for your convenience.
The full bathroom features a bathtub, providing you with the option to relax and unwind with a soothing bath after a long day. Enjoy a luxurious bathing experience in the comfort of your own apartment.
The living area is equipped with a big LED TV, perfect for enjoying your favorite shows and movies. Stay connected and entertained with the free high-speed WiFi provided throughout the apartment. Additionally, a comfortable sofa set is available for you to relax and unwind.
Step out onto the balcony and take in the surrounding views. Whether you want to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning or soak up the evening ambiance, the balcony provides the perfect space to enjoy the outdoors from the privacy of your apartment.
With a size of 657 square feet, this apartment offers ample space for you to move around and make yourself at home. Whether you're traveling alone or with a companion, there's plenty of room to relax and enjoy your stay.
Experience the ultimate in luxury and comfort in this beautifully furnished apartment. Enjoy the fully equipped kitchen, the comfort of the single beds, and the convenience of the full bathroom with a bathtub. Relax in the living area with the big LED TV and stay connected with the free high-speed WiFi. Don't forget to step out onto the balcony and enjoy the views. Your stay in this 657-square-foot apartment is sure to be memorable and enjoyable.
About the Building:
Axis 8 is a part of Axis Residences, a grand complex consisting of eight residential buildings. Global Village, a well-known tourist attraction, is a 13-minute drive away from the residential building in Dubai. The massive multicultural amusement park has plenty of leisure, entertainment and shopping activities for people of all ages.
About the Area:
Dubai Silicon Oasis is ‘a city within a city’ and a self-sufficient community offering residents all facilities at a hand’s length. Moving to Silicon Oasis has its perks. The community offers a balanced lifestyle with dedicated commercial spaces and a wide range of residential properties to choose from. The expansive network of roads makes it a well-connected neighbourhood.


text:
About: Brittleness is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 20939 publications have been published within this topic receiving 461437 citations. The topic is also known as: Brittle.
Papers published on a yearly basis
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe the mixed mode cracking in layered materials and elaborates some of the basic results on the characterization of crack tip fields and on the specification of interface toughness, showing that cracks in brittle, isotropic, homogeneous materials propagate such that pure mode I conditions are maintained at the crack tip.
Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter describes the mixed mode cracking in layered materials. There is ample experimental evidence that cracks in brittle, isotropic, homogeneous materials propagate such that pure mode I conditions are maintained at the crack tip. An unloaded crack subsequently subject to a combination of modes I and II will initiate growth by kinking in such a direction that the advancing tip is in mode I. The chapter also elaborates some of the basic results on the characterization of crack tip fields and on the specification of interface toughness. The competition between crack advance within the interface and kinking out of the interface depends on the relative toughness of the interface to that of the adjoining material. The interface stress intensity factors play precisely the same role as their counterparts in elastic fracture mechanics for homogeneous, isotropic solids. When an interface between a bimaterial system is actually a very thin layer of a third phase, the details of the cracking morphology in the thin interface layer can also play a role in determining the mixed mode toughness. The elasticity solutions for cracks in multilayers are also elaborated.
TL;DR: A structural polymeric material with the ability to autonomically heal cracks is reported, which incorporates a microencapsulated healing agent that is released upon crack intrusion and polymerization of the healing agent is triggered by contact with an embedded catalyst, bonding the crack faces.
Abstract: Structural polymers are susceptible to damage in the form of cracks, which form deep within the structure where detection is difficult and repair is almost impossible. Cracking leads to mechanical degradation of fibre-reinforced polymer composites; in microelectronic polymeric components it can also lead to electrical failure. Microcracking induced by thermal and mechanical fatigue is also a long-standing problem in polymer adhesives. Regardless of the application, once cracks have formed within polymeric materials, the integrity of the structure is significantly compromised. Experiments exploring the concept of self-repair have been previously reported, but the only successful crack-healing methods that have been reported so far require some form of manual intervention. Here we report a structural polymeric material with the ability to autonomically heal cracks. The material incorporates a microencapsulated healing agent that is released upon crack intrusion. Polymerization of the healing agent is then triggered by contact with an embedded catalyst, bonding the crack faces. Our fracture experiments yield as much as 75% recovery in toughness, and we expect that our approach will be applicable to other brittle materials systems (including ceramics and glasses).
•24 Sep 1993
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a unified continuum, microstructural and atomistic treatment of modern day fracture mechanics from a materials perspective, focusing on the basic elements of bonding and microstructure that govern the intrinsic toughness of ceramics.
Abstract: This is an advanced text for higher degree materials science students and researchers concerned with the strength of highly brittle covalent–ionic solids, principally ceramics. It is a reconstructed and greatly expanded edition of a book first published in 1975. The book presents a unified continuum, microstructural and atomistic treatment of modern day fracture mechanics from a materials perspective. Particular attention is directed to the basic elements of bonding and microstructure that govern the intrinsic toughness of ceramics. These elements hold the key to the future of ceramics as high-technology materials - to make brittle solids strong, we must first understand what makes them weak. The underlying theme of the book is the fundamental Griffith energy-balance concept of crack propagation. The early chapters develop fracture mechanics from the traditional continuum perspective, with attention to linear and nonlinear crack-tip fields, equilibrium and non-equilibrium crack states. It then describes the atomic structure of sharp cracks, the topical subject of crack-microstructure interactions in ceramics, with special focus on the concepts of crack-tip shielding and crack-resistance curves, and finally deals with indentation fracture, flaws, and structural reliability.
TL;DR: In this paper, the breaking strength of tungsten or molybdenum wires, uniaxially aligned in a copper matrix, was found to be a linear function of the wire content.
Abstract: T ensile tests at a variety of temperatures have been carried out on composites consisting of tungsten or molybdenum wires, uniaxially aligned in a copper matrix. Both continuous and discontinuous wires have been used, and both brittle and ductile tungsten wires. It is found that the breaking strength is a linear function of the wire content. A simple theory to explain this is developed and auxiliary experiments to check the theory are described. Some simple predictions about the behaviour of fibre reinforced metals are made from the results.
Trending Questions (10)

domain: chemistry


text:
The last time Dallas Braden made headlines was for a perplexing run-in with Alex Rodriguez – the game’s highest-paid and highest-profile athlete.
This time, he dominates the headlines all on his own.
For just the 19th time in Major League history, and just the second time in Oakland Athletics history, Braden tossed a perfect game on Sunday, besting the Tampa Bay Rays, 4-0, at the Oakland Coliseum.
“Pretty cool,” Braden said. “I don’t know what to think about it just yet. There’s definitely a select group. I’d like to have a career more than today.”
Although not an upset in MLB Sportsbooks, the win itself was a relative surprise after Tampa Bay came in with only two road losses on the year – one of them coming the day before.
Braden’s biggest previous highlight had been for his squabble with Rodriguez. He told the Yankees’ third baseman to “go do laps in the bullpen” if he wanted to run all over a pitcher’s mound.
Rodriguez didn’t talk much about the incident afterwards, saying he didn’t want to extend Braden’s “15 minutes of fame.”
“I’ve learned in my career that it’s always better to be remembered for some of the good things you do on the field, and good for him,” Rodriguez said after learning about the game. “He threw a perfect game. And, even better, he beat the Rays.”
It was the second year in a row the Rays have been victims of a perfect game. Lefty Mark Buehrle did it last season for the Chicago White Sox.
“I’m a bad omen. That’s the third perfect game and fourth no-hitter I’ve been on the wrong side of,” Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon joked to the Associated Press “When Kenny Rogers threw his I was the bullpen coach. If you want to see another one, just follow me around.”
Braden paid tribute to his passed mother, who died of skin cancer when he was a high school senior. His grandmother, who took over raising him, was in the stands and embraced him on the field after the postgame celebration.
“It hasn’t been a joyous day for me in a while,” Braden said. “With my grandma in the stands, it makes it a lot better.”
Braden struck out six, and had to survive a couple scares in the late-innings to complete the effort. Third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff snagged a long foul ball that almost landed safely in the dugout.
“I told him he needs to quit stealing my thunder,” Braden joked. “He makes ridiculous plays.”
In the ninth inning, Willy Aybar and Dioner Navarro both hit liners straight at a fielder. And on Braden’s last batter, Gabe Kapler, who had battled for a 12-pitch at-bat the last time up, worked a 3-1 count before grounding out to end it.
Catcher Landon Powell and Ryan Sweeney both had RBI singles added to two unearned runs Oakland scored in the in the fourth inning.
First baseman Daric Barton led the team with two runs on a 3-for-5 performance at the plate.

domain: news


But to talk about retirement earlier, since the decision of the Chamber must still approve the Senate of the United States, where the majority – representatives of the Republican party.
The house of representatives voted for the impeachment of President Donald Trump, and at once under two articles of the charges of abuse of power and obstructing the work of Congress.
As reported today by TASS, in the first article of the indictment on the excess trump their authority was supported by 230 members of Congress, 197 opposed, and one abstention. The second article was given to 229 votes, against voted-198 congressmen, with one abstention. Naturally, the reaction from trump followed immediately.
“Slackers Democrats openly Express their deep hatred for American voters. This lawless and politically motivated impeachment March is political suicide of the Democratic party,” hit the President for congressional Democrats, speaking to supporters in Michigan.
Discussion of impeachment was held against the backdrop of rallies in support of trump across the country. The American leader announced that as a result of all the hassle of impeachment has increased his popularity among voters.
“Have you seen my ratings for the last few weeks? It’s crazy. Democrats in the House of representatives are trying to quash the voices of tens of millions of American patriots,” —said the American President.
When speaking about opponents, Donald trump does not mince words, calling them “fools”, fools, “fools”. It should be noted that in reality the Democrats are not so easy to dismiss trump. The decision of the house of representatives still needs to approve the U.S. Senate, and there the majority is the party of the President. Chairman
the judicial Committee of the Senate Republican Lindsey Graham has promised to do everything to impeachment “disappeared” in the walls of the upper chamber of Congress.


text:
This I Believe
This past spring, I was fortunate enough to have to the chance to study abroad in Rome, Italy. For four months, I lived in an apartment in the northeastern section of the so called “eternal city” with five other students, one of which was Italian. To say living there was a good experience would be an understatement. It was life-changing.
Those four months abroad taught me something of great importance. It taught me to appreciate the rest of the world for its differences, whether it is the food, customs, behavior, or any other small detail that seems unusual. It taught me to appreciate ancient architecture, such as the Colosseum which has been standing since 72 A.D., and timelessly exquisite art, like the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel painted by Michelangelo. In short, it taught me to believe in travel.
I now understand what people mean when they say you have caught the “travel bug.” It’s almost as if the more you see of the world, the more you realize you have seen so little. I spent most of my savings on traveling to other foreign cities, including Paris, Prague, Budapest, and Barcelona. In addition to the major metropolitan areas, I visited small, rural towns in Italy that amazed me with their simple yet absolutely wonderful lifestyle.
By traveling to these relatively few countries in Europe, I was able to gain valuable knowledge on people and places. Not only did I see incredible, historic sites, but also I met so many interesting people from all over. For instance, while out one night in Prague, I was introduced to people from Germany, France, Brazil, and the Congo. The fact that they all spoke fluent English made it easy for me, but it also made me realize how little I knew of their native countries.
Many new interests and beliefs have developed since my semester in Europe, but the one that I am certain of is the significance of travel. I have formed new attitudes and broadened my views since my arrival in Rome last January. In a world where phenomena such as globalization and foreign affairs are increasingly relevant, knowledge and openness to different cultures everywhere is exceedingly important. Perhaps American writer Miriam Beard said it best when she stated “certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.”
If you enjoyed this essay, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to This I Believe, Inc.


P228-Camo is a variant of the P228 pistol featured in Crossfire.
The P228-Camo features similar woodland camouflage as with the USP Camo, but with a tinge of navy blue. The pistol has an expanded 17 round magazine (+4) and enhanced accuracy.
It is very useful for closed quarter combat thanks to its large magazine, decent firepower and good accuracy.
- CF North America
- CF Philippines
- CF Russia
- CF Vietnam
- CF Indonesia
- CF Korea
- CF Europe (soon)
- After being a staple in CF PH's GP Mega Lotto (Black Market) for many years, it was quietly removed.


text:
First Federal Savings and Loan Association of East Hartford said Wednesday that it earned $4.1 million, or $1.71 a share, in 1992 in its highest annual earnings since converting to a public company in June 1987.
First Federal, which has $646.7 million in assets, said the earnings represented an 87 percent jump from its 1991 profit of $2.2 million, or 93 cents a share.
In the fourth quarter of 1992, First Federal earned $1.1 million, or 44 cents a share. That compared with a profit of $624,000, or 26 cents a share, for the same three months a year earlier.
First Federal attributed the improved results to a drop in bad loans and other nonperforming assets. The company also cited increased net interest income, the difference between the interest earned on loans and paid on deposits, in light of lower interest rates.
Nonperformers dropped to $5.5 million as of Dec. 31, from $5.9 million at the same time in 1991. Net interest income rose to $17.8 million in 1992, from $13.9 million in 1991.
Loan-loss reserves, the pool that protects a bank from bad credit, totaled $2 million at the end of 1992 after a provision for the full year of $1.25 million. First Federal added $432,000 to reserves in the fourth quarter.
Reserves were up from $1.8 million at the end of 1991. First Federal added $1.3 million to reserves in 1991. The company made a $175,000 provision in the fourth quarter of 1991.
Assets were up from $598.9 million at the end of 1991. Deposits totaled $505.8 million, compared with $487.9 million. Loans were listed at $181.9 million, compared with $225.9 million


text:
EU NAVFOR Force Commander Visits Palais De Justice And Montagne Posée Prison During Flagship Port Visit To The SeychellesDecember 30, 2013 - 14:53
During a recent port visit of the EU Naval Force flagship, FS Siroco, to The Seychelles, the Force Commander, Rear Admiral Hervé Bléjean visited the Palais de Justice and Montagne Posée Prison.
During his visit to the Palais de Justice, where he met the Chief of Justice and the President of the Court of Appeal, the Force Commander stated “I am very pleased to see how, after apprehending suspect pirates at sea, the EU Naval Force can work with the Seychellois authorities to help provide a fair and rigorous prosecution process. Admiral Bléjean also commented “This regional legal support from The Seychelles is a key tool in order to set up the conditions for a safe and secure maritime environment. The legal finish is a crucial aspect of Operation Atalanta objectives.”
The Force Commander also visited the Montagne Posée Prison to get an overview of the capabilities of the impressive detention facility, where around 40 convicted Somali Pirates are currently being detained.
After visiting the prison and speaking to some of the inmates who were engaged in wood and leather work training, Rear Admiral Bléjean expressed his admiration for the work of the prison to Raymond Saint-Ange:
“The motivation and commitment you and your team show here, not just for the detainees’ security but also for their welfare, is just outstanding. I wish you well in continuing to provide, with international community assistance, rehabilitation to convicted pirates to prevent them from returning to their illegal activities.”
EU NAVFOR ATALANTA MONTHLY BULLETIN
GERMANY REDEPLOYS ITS CONTINGENT IN DJIBOUTI
EU NAVFOR Somalia CTF-465 conducts integration activities off the Coast of Somalia for the new 37th rotation to settle in
Force Commander EU NAVFOR Somalia meets with his CMF counterpart to coordinate and de-conflict after approval on new Operation Atalanta mandate
Operation ATALANTA´s new mandate enters into force on 1st of January 2021. New tasks will reinforce the EU NAVFOR’s counter-piracy core responsibilities.
EU NAVFOR ATALANTA PROVIDES SUPPORT TO UNODC YEMEN COAST GUARD REGENERATION STRATEGY


text:
Dr Brychan Thomas, Centre for Enterprise, University of Glamorgan Business School, assesses the importance of the food and farming sectors
Similar to previous Top 300 figures for the business activity area of agriculture, fishing and forestry, this year shows a turnover of £394.9m – representing 2% of the total figure.
Our analysis also shows profitability of £9.3m (1%) and employment of 1,352 (1%) out of the total 20 business activity areas for this year’s list.
By taking into consideration food companies categorised under other areas (consumer packaged goods – packaged food; pharmaceuticals; process industries – food processing; leisure – food and leisure), it is possible to obtain a clearer picture in terms of the activity of the food and farming sector and its supply chain. Using this more wide-ranging definition of food and farming for the Top 300 companies gives us turnover of around £1.1bn and employment of nearly 10,000.
Noteworthy companies in food and farming include the Wynnstay Group (ranked 15th), which supplies agricultural farms; Finsbury Food Group (26th), the produce of premium and speciality breads and cakes; The First Milk Cheese Company (28%); brewing and hospitality company SA Brain (49th) and meat processing firm Dunbia (59th).
These companies can be seen as the best in their class in terms of turnover in the priority sector of food and farming. For this sector to have a greater presence in future global markets a sustainable business approach appears appropriate.
The food and farming industry in Wales, however, operates within a global food industry involving many different types of firms which together supply an ever increasing world population of some seven billion people.
The main forms of business in the industry include manufacturing (agrichemicals, seed, farm machinery and supplies, agricultural construction), agriculture (raising of crops, livestock and sea food), food processing (the supply of fresh products to market and the manufacture of food products) and wholesale, distribution and retail (warehousing, transportation, shops, supermarkets and catering).
Euromonitor International reports the packaged food industry to be worth nearly $1.6 trillion and the World Bank estimates the food and agriculture sector to be 10% of global GDP. In Wales and the UK the whole food industry is defined by the Food Standards Agency as being “from farming and food production, packaging and distribution, to retail and catering”. Taking into consideration this structure and the need for efficient food and agriculture production the question arises, what sustainable business strategies can food and farming companies in the Wales Top 300 adopt to enhance their presence further in the global market?
Due to the competitive pressures of the global market the need for a sustainable paradigm is emerging which requires the integration of economic, environmental and social elements. Here food and farming businesses face community pressure instead of competitive forces for sustainable food production which can be seen as a future competitive advantage.
It is possible to have innovative approaches in order to integrate economic, environmental and social elements through strategies to reform business procedures. A problem that is inherent in the industry is that power is biased towards retail in the value chain and this is further complicated through complex global supply chains.
There is consequently the need for good relationships with retailers for effective distribution to minimise changes in supply chain costs. Interestingly, in terms of effective distribution, the largest growth engine is the developing world with countries such as Brazil, China, India and Russia changing their eating habits as they become wealthier and creating greater demand for more meat and packaged foods.
In recent years the farming industry has commanded between 2.62% and 2.29% of GDP in Wales, and although historically this has shown a downward trend the industry is still seen as important, especially in terms of the challenges now facing food and farming in terms of food price rises.
According to the recent Foresight report The Future of Food and Farming, food prices over the next 40 years are likely to rise considerably. Moreover, in 2009 Defra figures showed that Wales imported £342.1m and exported £143.8m of food and drink. Wales accounted for about 5% of UK agricultural output in 2008 and Welsh farmers sold an estimated 75-80% of produce through supermarkets making them dependent on this supply channel (Welsh Government, 2011).
In 2009 Welsh agricultural output was some £1,043m with three quarters of this being accounted for by beef, lamb and dairy, and Wales was responsible for 22% of UK sheep meat, 4.8% of UK beef and veal and 11% of UK milk production (Welsh Government, 2011).
In response to the challenges faced the Welsh Government published its new food strategy for Wales, ‘Food for Wales, Food from Wales 2010-2020’ report in December 2010 with aims to improve the Welsh food industry’s sustainability, resilience, competitiveness and profitability.
The overarching theme in the strategy is to build connections and capacities. According the Welsh Government: “The central idea is to build greater diversity into the food sector to create new and more sustainable relationships (or connections) between rural and urban areas, between food producers and consumers and between policy sectors. The connections that exist now will also be strengthened.”
Therefore, in response to the question regarding sustainable business strategies, food and farming companies in Wales need to embrace the five key strategic drivers in the Food for Wales, Food from Wales 2010-2020 report.
These are market development, food culture, sustainability and well-being, supply chain efficiency and integration. In particular, in terms of global market development, there is the need to improve marketing to develop export markets as well as domestic ones, evolve a robust Welsh brand, improve local and regional markets and encourage entrepreneurial initiatives.
For supply chain efficiency there should be support of entrepreneurship, innovation, niche product development and collaborative partnerships between industry and academia. Here the structure of the global food industry is constantly changing as the needs of customers are met by food retailers, manufacturers and suppliers.
While food manufacturer concentration may not be evident at a global level for certain products it may exist at a national level. Examples of this are cheese production with more than 50 Welsh cheeses, up-market bottled water from over a dozen natural springs in the Wales, and about 15 small vineyards in Wales producing vintage wines.
At a national level these manufacturers can be developed in accordance with the strategic drivers and by following sustainable business strategies it will be possible to enhance the capacities and capabilities of these food and farming enterprises to compete effectively in the global market.

domain: food


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Wednesday, December 9, 1998 Published at 19:29 GMT
Lauren's welfare had been concern
Graham Sate: Guilty of murdering Lauren Creed
Lauren Creed was allowed to stay with Graham Sate and her mother Sharon despite concerns about her welfare, it has emerged.
The jury at Norwich Crown Court, which convicted Sate of Lauren's murder, heard evidence suggesting that social workers, health visitors, police and probation officers could have done more to help save the five-year-old.
Sate was convicted of attempted murder in 1993. Until July, he was on licence to Humberside Probation Service and could have been returned to prison had he stepped out of line.
Sofiah Baker, who lived next door to Creed and Sate at RAF Coltishall, was reported to have made her concerns known to the police.
Mrs Baker became so concerned about Lauren's welfare that she recorded an interview with the girl to find out why she was bruised after Creed took Lauren to her house following a row with Sate.
"Lauren was not herself. She was very, very frightened. I don't think she clearly understood what was going on," said the 20-year-old, who informerd the police about the tape.
"She was covered in bruises head-to-toe. She had bruises mainly on one side of her face. She had bruises on her arms."
On another occasion, the jury was told that the police were called to a domestic dispute between Sate and Creed on 7 July, but the Probation Service was not informed about the incident.
"As far as we were concerned there was nothing that came along to make alarm bells ring," said a Humberside Probation Service spokesman.
"We were not informed about the events of 7 July. No one contacted us. If we had been aware of that sort of thing then the cogs would have gone into motion.
"The probation officer had met Sate, Lauren and Sharon Creed on a number of occasions. Sharon Creed seemed very relaxed and confident with Graham Sate, and the little girl seemed to be perfectly happy and normal."
Social workers told of tape
Social workers were told of the tape and the incident in July, but, according to Norfolk County Council's social services department, no-one felt that there was a need for quick, protective action.
In August, Stephen Cotton, a GP at RAF Coltishall, saw Creed and Lauren after being contacted by a social worker.
Dr Cotton was concerned about Lauren's "lethargic" manner, her behaviour and an adult's bite mark on her knee.
Concerned health visitors contacted the Probation Service and a social worker interviewed Creed and Sate for the first time.
Creed said neighbours had encouraged Lauren to tell lies about Sate.
The social worker said she had no personal concerns that Sate might harm Lauren.
When Lauren became a pupil at Buxton Primary School in September, the school was given no information that might have given teachers a reason to keep an eye on her.
Lauren, who had until then been to school regularly, made her last appearance at school on 3 October. She was found dead at her home on 21 October.


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The Inspector-General of Police, Ag. IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has led a delegation of Senior Officers of the Nigeria Police Force to the prestigious International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference 2023 in San Diego, Carlifornia, United States of America.
The conference which is themed, ‘The Real Advantage’, is geared towards providing an invaluable platform for police leaders and professionals around the world to engage with contemporary law enforcement issues of global significance.
The Conference which began from 14th will end on 17th October 2023 and presently ongoing at the San Diego Convention Centre hosts International Police Chiefs and Senior Officers, as well as experts and practitioners in various fields of law enforcement.
Recognizing the value of professional development, the Inspector General of Police, Ag. IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, and the Assistant Secretary of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Service (INL) of the United States, Todd Robinson have during the conference agreed to consider programs aimed at “training the trainers” to enhance the capacity of the Nigeria Police Force through the development of skilled and knowledgeable trainers, as well as the importance of digitalization and cloud-based data integration for the Nigeria Police Force.
The partnership was sealed at a meeting, which took place on 15th October 2023, at Hilton Hotel, Downtown, San Diego as part of the professional working visit to the United States for the 130th Annual International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conference. This was made known by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a press statement on Monday.
During the discussions, the IGP highlighted several key areas of focus and collaboration, including the Special Intervention Squad in addressing critical security challenges in Nigeria.
He expressed gratitude for the support received from INL, which has greatly contributed to the development of the Transitional Police Unit and the progress of the Special Intervention Squad initiative.
The meeting equally touched the need to strengthen efforts related to the Sex Offenders Registry Database, an essential tool in safeguarding communities from sexual offenders and public safety. Both parties discussed ways to enhance community safety through effective management and utilization of this registry.
The INL Assistant Secretary, while congratulating the IGP on his appointment, reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to assisting the NPF, including readiness to support ongoing reform efforts within the Force, emphasizing the importance of prompt action. He encouraged the Nigeria Police to provide specific requests for support, pledging assistance in all areas deemed necessary for the force’s continued improvement.


How The Masked Singer reveals more than celebrity
by Kate Kohn
From the kitchen, my roommate screams:
“it’s gotta be Joey Fatone”
We’ve been watching The Masked Singer, and some C-to-D-list celebrity has just wowed a panel of B-list celebrities (featuring the questionable Robin Thicke) with his rendition of a non-descript pop hit while dressed as a rabbit in a straitjacket. While Nick Cannon gives increasingly cryptic hits to the panel, my roommate scrolls through Joey Fatone’s Wikipedia page--“see, he used to host a cooking show, so the carrot makes sense. He’s too big to be JC Chasez.”
My roommate has a few years on me, so I don’t know who JC Chasez is. I barely know who Joey Fatone is (except that he might be this rabbit guy), and I can only name *NSYNC songs so long as they had a second life as memes in the mid-twenty-teens. Though there is still something familiar about this performance. I remember doing it.
Like all digital natives, I grew up with warnings to never reveal my identity to internet strangers. What a load of bull. Under fake, cutesy nicknames, my internet friends and I would talk about our tween angst, the new starter Pokemon, whatever anime we were all watching together. We would follow each other from oekaki boards, to Tumblr, to Twitter. The same, solid group of people, who I knew everything about--except their names.
Sure, I knew Micchi and Kizu and Kino; I knew whose family was moving to a different state, whose parents got divorced, who passed a test they thought they were going to bomb. I knew birthdays, I knew interests, I had the vaguest sense of geography. Accommodating time zones for those in California or Italy wasn’t an issue. We were Always Online, revealing intimate information that stopped short at social security numbers. But I never knew their real names.
The idea of internet friends has advanced a bit. Mutuals, as they’re called on Twitter, can grow close, like siblings even, and never know the name of their dearest friend. This kind of anonymity is freeing for many people. Everything is laid bare emotionally, but stakes are low without a real-world identity.
The principles are the same in The Masked Singer. Celebrities looking to rise from the edge of obscurity ghost-write their own memoirs. They gift spectators clues that are easy enough to dissect with a few minutes of casual Googling. Maybe less if you’ve previously reserved some folds in your brain for celebrity trivia.
The Masked Singer holds a mirror to our avoidant eyes. Internet identities are all curated. Your name, your icon, your font color of choice. To call them masks isn’t revolutionary. But for many people who grew up in tight-knit internet communities, that mask is superficial at best. Underneath the mask is frantic tweets about a late night bout of suicidal ideation, underneath that mask is oversharing on LiveJournal to an audience as anonymous as you deem it to be.
The reflexive, automatic spilling-of-guts complicates internet-era notions of anonymity. Being let into someone’s life without knowing their name is an intimacy from another time. Somewhere between pen pals, or a priest in the confessional, there is no face to imagine as you absorb stories of agony and love. It’s romantic in an age where Tinder accounts can be verified.
When anonymity is performed online, it’s done so with the caveat of “does anyone care?” No. Because the user has become their own persona. That there is someone named Chelsea under the mask of Micchi doesn’t matter, because there is no reward to unmasking users. Your pseudonym is a challenge to others to respect your boundaries.
You may know this information about me, but you may not act on it. I need your support, not your obsession. But The Masked Singer and its Korean parent King of Masked Singer (미스터리 음악쇼 복면가왕) reward the social impulse to just wanna know. They are voyeuristic, and obtrusive, and they reject the network of unconditional support that anonymous posting constructed. The reveal violates that one plea that mattered: respect my anonymity.
But when the mask does come off, the answer to “does anyone care?” remains the same. No, nobody cares. The participants are struggling ex-celebrities looking to sell their bodies for infomercial work or a bit part on a sitcom that won’t be renewed. It hurts how inconsequential the reveal is. That you wasted an hour to see someone you’ve never heard of underneath. Through that lens, it’s a postmodernist’s dream--that the only reason we care is because we’ve decided we care. It provides a perfect analogy to our current age, where we reveal ourselves drip by drip, but never who we are.


text:
AN accountant who stole £1.7million of government money to buy luxury cars and properties must pay back more than £680,000.
Jeffrey Bevan, 50, made more than 50 fake payments into his own bank.
He spent it on Mercedes Benz cars, properties, paying off his £140,000 mortgage and gambling away £500,000.
Bevan, of Cwmbran, Torfaen, had been the £80,000-a-year payment manager for the Accountant General of Bermuda.
He got seven years jail at Cardiff crown court in 2018 after admitting transferring and converting criminal property.
He later got a further 18 months for stealing £50,000 from his mother.
The court has ordered him to pay £654,757 back to Bermuda and £33,333 to his mother’s estate.
most read in uk news
Juliette Simms, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Bevan wholly exploited his trusted position as an accountant to take money from a government body.
“Not content with taking taxpayers’ money he also took money from his own mother and spent the stolen funds ostentatiously on racehorses, luxury cars, and gambling.
“The CPS has helped to secure the property obtained by Bevan’s criminal activity and will now be able to ensure these funds are returned to his family and for the benefit of the people of Bermuda.”
- GOT a news story? RING us on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL email@example.com

domain: law


text:
"God's greatest creation is music. The music of Raga is your
greatest joy, better than land, wisdom or being father of a
thousand sons. Music contains all of life."
Alternatively known as When the Road Bends: Tales of a Gypsy Caravan, the DVD-titled Gypsy Caravan: When the Road Bends is a both documentary portrait of five Romani bands as they embark on a sell-out six week tour of North America and a hymn to the Rom people and their music. How familiar you are with what could loosely be termed gypsy music will depend on the breadth of your musical tastes or, as in my case, your exposure to the cinema of Tony Gatlif, a filmmaker enamoured with all aspects of the Romany lifestyle. But unless you really know your stuff then I'll wager that Gypsy Caravan has a couple of surprises in store for you. It certainly did for me.
Described early on by the US tour manager as "five bands, four countries, nine languages, thirty-five people on the road," the Gypsy Caravan in question is a collective name for five diverse but celebrated Romani musical acts, who have been brought together specifically for this tour. They are, in no particular order: Macedonian vocalist and songwriter Esma Redzepova; Maharaja, who hail from the Indian desert state of Rajasthan and specialise in exuberant local folk tunes and songs; Fanfare Ciocarlia, a twelve piece Romanian brass band who play a range of tunes at sometimes lightning speed; Taraf de Haidouks (which translates as "Band of Outlaws"), a Romanian string band who specialise in weddings and funerals and whose elderly patriarch Nicolai has a most unusual way with a fiddle; and Antonio El Pipa and his flamenco ensemble, who hail from Spain and whose performances have, like those of their esteemed colleagues on this tour, already met with international acclaim.
It's that last one that really caught me out. Maybe I've been living in an information shell, but I genuinely wasn't aware that flamenco was gypsy in origin, although it's been long enough since my first and only viewing of Gatlif's Latcho Drom (which also featured Taraf de Haidouks, amongst others) to have forgotten that Indian folk music could also be on the musical menu. All five groups turn in storming stage performances, but the star of the show is the matriarchal Esma, whose extraordinary voice has no doubt contributed to her modestly worn label of Queen of the Gypsies.
Comparisons made to Wim Wenders' Buena Vista Social Club are valid, with performance material intercut with behind-the-tour moments and biographical asides that take us to the home towns and villages of selected members of each act. Poverty and prejudice prove common issues, the continuing misperception of gypsies as people to be sidelined and feared being neatly if depressingly captured by a comment left in the guest book at one of their tour stops (see the film to find out what), while enthusiastic talk of the money to be made from music springs not from greed, but their collective stories of earlier impoverishment. The most poignant of these has to be the Taraf musician Calíu's still painful memory of his four-year-old daughter, who died in boiling water and whose funeral he could not afford to pay for. Even now the groups' success marks them as exception to the hardship rule, with Taraf de Haidouks' concerts being the primary income of the village from which they hail.
Structurally a little ragged and lacking the sheer energy and density of musical performance of Fatih Akin's exhilarating Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul, Gypsy Caravan is still consistently enjoyable and often enlightening viewing. The backstage material is lively and fun and occasionally unexpected – it's hard not to smile when the all-Indian members of Maharaja order a curry and specify that it be "not too bland, not too hot" and then are startled that even the bread is spicy. Johnny Depp pops up to recall his experience sharing a trailer with Taraf de Haidouks on Sally Potter's The Man Who Cried (2000), young Harish of Maharaja performs the physically demanding knee dance in female costume – which caught me out when I realised that it was he I had seen on the publicity stills and mistaken for a bewitching Indian princess – and in the tradition of Direct Cinema documentary, there's on-screen interaction between cast and crew in the shape of the young sound operator who accompanied the American tour, himself of gypsy descent and keen to learn from the musicians about his own ethnic history. The Direct Cinema link is given serious credibility by the presence of octogenarian genre legend Albert Maysles (Salesman, Grey Gardens), one of ten camera operators employed for the film's location and concert footage.
Personally I would have liked a little more music, but would nonetheless be reluctant to lose any of the background material, which most effectively highlights the past and present plight of the gypsy people and the importance of music to their culture. Fate delivers the film an unexpected final twist that completely blindsided me and made the final performance in which all of the musicians share the stage all the more emotionally affecting. I was left wishing above all else that I had even a modicum of the musical talent on display here, and that I might be allowed, just for a short while, to sit and play in such fine company.
Gypsy Caravan was shot at least partly on film and so really should look better than it does on ICA's DVD. The framing is correct at 1.85:1, the print is clean, but the transfer is letterboxed rather than anamorphic, the contrast sometimes a bit harsh on the shadow detail and the colours a little over-saturated, resulting in some bleeding on bright reds and blues. The running time matches that of the cinema release, suggesting an NTSC to PAL transfer (the fixed subtitles are in American English and are also there for any English delivered in a strong accent). Detail is reasonable within these constraints, but the lack of definition is illustrated well during the end credits, which are sometimes hard to make out.
The sound is Dolby 2.0 stereo and just cries out to by 5.1. It's a reasonable mix but the music doesn't quite have the clarity and breadth of sound I'd have hoped for.
None, at least on the review disc.
A film that educates as it entertains and one that celebrates music and, by its own association, life itself. It calls for better DVD handling than it gets here, especially given the potential for supplementary material and ear-rocking sound. But see it nonetheless – it deserves to transcend these technical constraints.
Note: No screen grabs have been included in this review because of timecode on the review disc obscuring part of the picture.


text:
A Canadian city will be making the most of World Vegan Month, by encouraging diners to try vegan food with special prix fixe menus in restaurants across the city.
The veg-friendly event – which organizers are calling the ‘restaurant tour’ – runs until November 20.
The tour will culminate in the city’s VegFest – which attracted more than 7,500 visitors in a single day last year.
Taste of Vegan London: London’s only vegan restaurant tour will encourage people to try plant-based foods with special plant-based menus on offer in both exclusively vegan eateries, as well as veg-friendly ones for the duration of the event.
The diners involved, including Plant Matter Bistro, The Root Cellar, and Glabally Local, will offer tasty options like nut cheese fondue and buffalo cauliflower wraps.
According to an event spokesperson: “[We want to] invite London foodies to expand their seasoned palates and try something new.
“We aspire to draw vegans and non-vegans alike – from across the city, province, country, and continent – and establish a new food event which will support the tenets of veganism and celebrate the power of this rapidly expanding community.”
The menus have been specifically created to appeal to both vegans and non-vegans.
The spokesperson said: “Taste of Vegan London menus are specially crafted by the participating restaurants and are available to customers throughout the Taste of Vegan London event dates.
“Specialty menus offer great value to the consumer by presenting an opportunity for new audiences to try vegan foods for the first time and for longtime vegans to explore a wide variety of establishments and taste various menus.
“Restaurants should view this event as an opportunity to showcase their creativity and go cutting edge! In order to stand out among the dozens of restaurants offering vegan fare, menus should be tantalizing and lure consumers in with a description of their fresh, local ingredients and tempting tastes.”
You can view the menus and find out morehere