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This Better Not Pout Stocking Kit, designed by Nancy Halversen, is a fun simple kit that is a perfect addition to your tree! These adorable stockings can be used as ornaments, or to hold small gifts for your loved ones. The kit includes pre-fused laser cut pieces, pre-cut fabrics, pre-cut double-sided fusible fleece and buttons. Get in the holiday spirit with this kit project today! Finished size is approximately 4" x 6".
Kit makes 1 stocking and includes:
- All laser cut and pre-cut fabrics to make one stocking
- Double-sided fusible fleece
Please Note: The Better Not Pout book is not included but is available for purchase in the add-ons below.


World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim said this at a joint press briefing with Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman in Kyiv on Tuesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
"I'm very much aware that the reform process has been difficult for leaders like the prime minister and ministers I met with, especially for the people of Ukraine as there are many sacrifices and many difficulties. But I want everyone to know that we at the World Bank Group and many people observing Ukraine have been very impressed with the extent of the reform process that has happened over the last few years," he said.
He noted that Ukraine needs to complete the reform process and take a few more steps in order to ensure the prosperity of Ukrainians.
Let’s get started read our news at facebook messenger > > > Click here for subscribe


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El Sereno Community Land Trust
The El Sereno CLT is a group of committed residents and stakeholders who provide opportunities for the residents of El Sereno, Los Angeles to secure community land and housing that is decent, affordable, and that is held in stewardship by community members on a long-term basis.
Visit this organization’s website to volunteer
Learn about this organization’s budget, leadership and mission
Where the organization works
1 Submitted Idea
- LIVE ·2021 Grants Challenge
The Los Angeles Community Land Trust Coalition intends to use the grant to develop a campaign strategy to organize tenants and supporters to advocate the passing of a LA County Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA). TOPA is a proposed policy that will empower tenants to have the first right to purchase their building and multi-generational wealth in their neighborhood.

domain: sociology


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Channel 14 Open House
April 27, 2016
SUCCESS! The 3rd Annual Open House for Channel 14 hosted approximately 160 guests on April 27, 2016. The broadcast students worked diligently to prepare the new Media Center for this event. Guests were met at the door and taken on a tour of the newly renovated center. Without a doubt they were awed by the addition of the state of the art technology added to Pershing County High School. The entire renovation project was made possible by generous donations and local support. Port of Subs, one of our faithful underwriters, provided refreshments. Students and staff at Pershing County High School will benefit greatly from this renovation project for years to come. The culmination of this project is proof that even the most magnificent of dreams can come true.

domain: news


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Quick and Easy Vegan Low in fat All natural Rich in carbohydrates Source of protien
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
Golden Couscous grains with exotic Spices, Sultanas & Pine Nuts. This light & fluffy Couscous with delicious fruity flavours is great on its own or as a base for many recipes. It makes a tasty & colourful alternative to rice, pasta & potatoes.

domain: food


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Nomad Inception is a FZC company registered within SAIF Zone, in the U.A.E.
We are the world's leading brand designing and manufacturing products inspired by Islamic art.
Learn more about Nomad Inception
We care about the world we are leaving our children. We only work with natural materials and source them from sustainable operations.
Our products are designed to last, and we use top quality materials to make sure of it.
Original design by established experts
True to traditional arts, with our own modern twists
Bespoke art and free-of-charge customization
Design kits available for architects and interior designers
Call +971 6 552 6061
Fax +971 6 552 6062

domain: artistic


One of the latest initiatives in the HVAC industry is the “Ductless System”. But, do you know what it is? A ductless system is just like it sounds. It is a heating and cooling system that does not need ducts, meaning it is a much less invasive installation than alternative solutions. This makes ductless a perfect solution for sunrooms or rooms that are not easily cooled or heated. A whole-house can even use ductless as its sole source of heating and cooling.
Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of ductless heating and cooling, is the energy and money savings it can offer. Specifically, Mitsubishi Ductless Systems can use 25-75% less energy than your current system to cool or heat your home. It does this because their ductless systems are equipped with INVERTER-driver compressors that enable it to automatically adjust itself to a constant comfortable temperature.
Not only could ductless save you on your monthly utilities, but it will also offer your family healthier and cleaner air. Mitsubishi Ductless systems have allergen filtration built into their ductless units. This helps to reduce germs, bacteria and viruses, while absorbing odor-causing gases.
Lastly, another convenient feature is the wireless remote control. This allows homeowners to control the comfort of their home anywhere in the room, without having to walk to a thermostat.
If you would like to learn more about ductless, feel free to call Handyside Inc. at 717-938-2521. We can set up a free estimate and inform you of your potential savings!


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Taft’s athletics team includes three certified athletic trainers, dedicated solely to the care, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries. These highly trained sports medicine professionals support all Taft athletes by providing high quality health care services, with a focus on the overall safety and well-being of our community.
All students must be screened by the athletic trainers prior to sports participation. The screening will consist of flexibility assessment, height, and weight. A computer generated baseline concussion test will be done on every new student.
What is a Certified Athletic Trainer?
Certified athletic trainers (ATC) are highly educated, skilled professionals specializing in athletic health care. ATCs play an integral role in school communities, sports medicine clinics, professional sports programs, and other athletic healthcare settings. They work in partnership with physicians and other allied health professionals.
Athletic trainers provide professional care for athletic injuries, provide early evaluation and intervention, offer prevention education, and develop and deliver appropriate treatment plans. They also provide medical referrals when needed.
ATCs specialize in five important areas:
- Prevention of athletic injuries
- Recognition, evaluation and immediate care of athletic injuries
- Rehabilitation and reconditioning of athletic injuries
- Healthcare administration
- Professional development and responsibility
Certified athletic trainers have fulfilled the requirements for certification established by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification, Inc. (NATABOC).
Taft is a First Team Safe Sports School
The National Athletic Trainers’ Association has named Taft a First Team Safe Sports School. The award champions safety and recognizes secondary schools that provide safe environments for student athletes. Safe Sports School recognition honors the highest level of care, injury prevention, and treatment and requires schools to:
- Create a positive athletic health care administrative system
- Provide or coordinate pre-participation physical examinations
- Promote safe and appropriate practice and competition facilities
- Plan for selection, fit function and proper maintenance of athletic equipment
- Provide a permanent, appropriately equipped area to evaluate and treat injured athletes
- Develop injury and illness prevention strategies, including protocols for environmental conditions
- Provide or facilitate injury intervention
- Create and rehearse a venue-specific Emergency Action Plan
- Provide or facilitate psychosocial consultation and nutritional counseling/education
- Be sure athletes and parents are educated about the potential benefits and risks in sports as well as their responsibilities
Current Taft student? Find more helpful information here.
Emergency Phone Numbers
Athletic Training Room
Sergio: (860) 945-7927
Sean: (860) 945-7806
Maggie: (860) 945-7713
Fax: (860) 945-7942
Athletic Directors Office
(860) 945-7789 (office)
(860) 945-7790 (radio, emergencies only)
Athletic Training Room Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10:00 AM—6:30 PM
Wednesday and Saturday 12:00 PM—2:15 PM, with changes due to game coverage.
During winter term, the room is open until the end of evening practices.
Visiting Team Information
A certified athletic trainer will be available for all home games either in person or a radio call away. The Taft athletic training room is available to visiting teams. Pre-game taping and treatment (if necessary) are available providing we are notified in advance. It is recommended that visiting teams come with their own supplies.

domain: medical


Barcelona star Xavi slams Turkish ref Cakir for 'very harsh' Nani red card
Barcelona captain Xavi Hernandez has added his voice to the condemnation of Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir’s sending off of Nani against Real Madrid.
The Spain international told Mundo Deportivo: 'Nani is going for the ball so I think it was very harsh. It changes the game; a red card should be for something much worse. There is so little between the big teams in Europe that a sending off makes so much difference.
'I always say with these incidents that you have to look at the intention of the player. Nani is looking at the ball and not at the defender. For me it is very harsh.'
Controversy: Cakir gives Nani his marching orders on Tuesday night
Barcelona benefited from a similar sending off two years ago at the semi-final stage against Real Madrid. But Xavi said: 'I don’t think it is the same because Pepe goes to make the foul. He can see (Dani) Alves throughout the entire incident.
'Nani, on the other hand, doesn’t. Nani sees the ball and wants to control it. He is ‘playing’, not ‘defending’, he does not set out to foul the opponent so the two incidents are completely different.'
Spanish newspaper AS earlier claimed Cakir had stood by his decision, a fact disputed later by the Turkish Football Federation, who denied any interview had taken place.
The paper quoted the official, saying: 'I feel good and I do not doubt my decisions. Nani's red was correct. The world will realise the truth over time.'
Cakir also brandished other high-profile red cards in matches involving English teams, dismissing John Terry in Chelsea's Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona last season, Mario Balotelli in a Europa League game against Dynamo Kiev and, earlier this season, Steven Gerrard during England's World Cup draw with Ukraine and Gary Cahill in the Club World Cup defeat to Corinthians.
'In the previous games with the English teams there was no unfair decision,' said Cakir.
'What decision was incorrect? The red to Terry or Balotelli? I don't think I made a mistake in showing those cards and sending them off.'
Regarding being at the centre of controversy this week, Cakir said: 'It hasn't made me feel sad. I don't think about it.
'I've received more criticism on other occasions, but I've always got up and recovered. I can do it again.'
Fury: Sir Alex Ferguson has vented his anger at the official
Swift exit: Cakir is seen leaving Manchester on Wednesday
Backing: Xavi (centre) sympathised with Nani
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A few baseball fans braved the rain as they sat in an water soaked Target Field at the game between the Minnesota Twins and the Kansas City Royals was rain delayed on 4/28/12. Bruce Bisping/Star Tribune firstname.lastname@example.org
Bruce Bisping, Dml - Star Tribune
April, May showers bring a shot of drought relief
- Article by: BILL McAULIFFE
- Star Tribune
- May 3, 2012 - 10:05 AM
Recent rains have provided a well-timed break from the prolonged drought that has bedeviled the Twin Cities and much of Minnesota.
Tuesday night's soaking -- which included 3.11 inches of rain at St. Cloud, more than 2 inches in the northern metro suburbs and .78 inch at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport -- continued the flight from the dry spell dating to last summer.
April precipitation was above normal, after an eight-month stretch that was among the driest on record, particularly across the southern half of Minnesota. Last autumn was the driest on record statewide.
"We're definitely seeing a drift away from drought," said assistant Minnesota state climatologist Pete Boulay. "Things will continue to get better as long as we keep getting rains like this."
But he cautioned: "This rain was not a drought-buster by any means. It'll help things out, but it certainly isn't going to end it."
Tuesday night's rain raised the level of 14,000-acre Lake Minnetonka by 1.2 inches, Boulay said, although it remains at one of its lowest points in the past decade.
The recent rains are particularly well-timed, said University of Minnesota Extension climatologist Mark Seeley.
Although they haven't come close to erasing the moisture deficit that deepened through the winter, they will help crops and plants just now being planted and taking hold in the top inches of soil. Many of the state's crops have been planted well ahead of schedule -- sugar beets and spring wheat are almost entirely in the ground, and corn was about at the halfway mark Monday.
"Winter is probably the best time to have a drought," Seeley said, adding that most of the recent precipitation has been able to soak into the ground rather than run off what in recent springs had been saturated ground.
The rain will also be a boon to just about everything growing in the garden and landscape, said Extension educator Karl Foord.
"I'd say for everybody, it's a welcome thing to have an inch of rain," Foord said.
Normal rainfall this time of year is about .75 inches per week. Boulay noted it will take a lot more than that to replenish groundwater supplies and bring lake levels back up.
The National Climate Prediction Center has identified no clear tendency for precipitation or temperature for Minnesota in May.
But short-term forecasts by the National Weather Service are citing chances of rain and thunderstorms across the state into the middle of next week.
Bill McAuliffe • 612-673-7646
© 2017 Star Tribune


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Police Report: Tuesday, April 23, 2019 – The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) has recently been made aware of a criminal enterprise occurring in Bermuda known as ‘cuckooing’, whereby offenders use violence and/or other unlawful means to target the homes of vulnerable people, utilising these properties for distributing illegal drugs, or to plan other serious crimes.
Members of the community most susceptible to ‘cuckooing’ are those suffering from drug/alcohol addiction, mental or physical health problems, our seniors, as well as those living in poverty with limited financial resources.
Some signs that ‘cuckooing’ may be occurring at a property include:
- An increase in unfamiliar people entering and departing
- An increase in vehicles arriving and leaving, or parked outside
- An increase in anti-social behaviour
- An increase in litter outside the residence
- Signs of drug use and abuse
It is common for offenders involved in this type of criminal behaviour to have access to several addresses, allowing them to move quickly between locations for both short periods of time or multiple days, which can reduce opportunities for them being detected by police.
If you suspect that ‘cuckooing’ is occurring within your neighbourhood, to someone you know, or have any information regarding this behaviour, please contact the BPS Vulnerable Persons Unit immediately at 247-1678 or the independent and anonymous Crime Stoppers hotline 800-8477.


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Parking lot construction challenges voter at Washington Park Library in Milwaukee
When Deborah Epps went to drop off her absentee ballot at the Washington Park Library in Milwaukee a couple weeks ago, she encountered an unexpected barrier to voting: construction.
The library at 2121 N. Sherman Blvd. is one of 15 locations where the city has installed secure drop boxes for Milwaukee voters to submit their absentee ballots for November's election.
The library was closest to Epps' home, so she went there to drop off her ballot and her husband's.
Limited parking meant Epps, 69, found herself facing a blocked sidewalk leading to the ballot box. So, she said, she walked through a dug-out, unstable area of the parking lot. It took a lot of effort, as did managing the high step back onto the sidewalk, Epps said.
"I was concerned they have this construction going on during an election, where it’s very difficult to get to where the drop off box is," Epps said.
The coronavirus' effect on materials and subcontractors delayed the parking lot project, according to Eileen Force Cahill, Milwaukee Public Library community relations and engagement director.
"The ballot box has always been accessible from the other side of the library ... although it seems that on the day the patron visited, one square of sidewalk on that side was being replaced, making it a little more difficult for part of the day," she said in an email. "We apologize for any inconvenience."
She said the city's Department of Public Works is working with the library to create more street parking for voters.
They expect the parking lot to be finished this month, hopefully by the end of next week, she said.
Early in-person voting starts on Oct. 20, Force Cahill said, and the library is a site for both early voting and voting on Election Day.
"Since this is a grant-funded project intended to better manage storm water drainage and other environmental concerns, we had to complete it in this calendar year as opposed to waiting until even after the election," she wrote.
Milwaukee Election Commission Executive Director Claire Woodall-Vogg said in an email that plans are for the parking lot project to be finished quickly. The box won't be moved, given the timeline for construction and alternative locations to move it, she said.
She said the sidewalk will remain accessible from both directions.
The 24-hour drop boxes are one of a series of steps the city has taken ahead of the November election, when 60% to 70% of Milwaukee voters are expected to vote absentee. The boxes will be available until 8 p.m. on Nov. 3, when the polls close.
Voters can confirm their ballots were received at myvote.wi.gov.
The city and state are expected to play crucial roles in deciding the outcome of the race between Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden.
Contact Alison Dirr at 414-224-2383 or email@example.com. Follow her on Twitter @AlisonDirr.

domain: library


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WASHINGTON -- After the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, Donald Trump took his terrifying campaign to a new level this week.
In the wake of tragedies like the one that happened in Orlando, Florida, this past Sunday, Americans usually put politics aside and come together to show strength and unity. Trump did exactly the opposite this week, using the massacre as an opportunity to boast about his powers of foresight, blame President Barack Obama and demonize American Muslims. His actions offer a hint of how he might respond to a similar situation as president.
Amid reports that a gunman had killed 49 people at a gay nightclub early Sunday, Trump could only respond by bragging that he'd predicted such a thing would happen, and arguing that the attack justified his proposed ban on Muslims entering the U.S.
Trump followed the tweet with a speech on Monday in which he called for suspending immigration "from areas of the world where there is a proven history of terrorism against the United States, Europe or allies." Trump also falsely claimed that Omar Mateen, the shooter in the Orlando attack, was born in Afghanistan. In fact, Mateen was born in New York, not far from Trump himself.
The Washington Post, which Trump added to his sizable media blacklist this week, said that Trump's speech was "laden with falsehoods and exaggeration."
In separate remarks this week, Trump called on Obama to resign and suggested that Obama sympathized with Mateen and was somehow abetting acts of terrorism.
"Look, we're led by a man that either is not tough, not smart, or he's got something else in mind. And the something else in mind -- you know, people can't believe it," Trump said during an interview on "Fox & Friends" Monday. "People cannot, they cannot believe that President Obama is acting the way he acts and can't even mention the words 'radical Islamic terrorism.' There's something going on. It's inconceivable."
Obama forcefully responded to Trump's comments, arguing that simply using the phrase "radical Islamic terror" would not help anything.
"What exactly would using this label accomplish? What exactly would it change? Would it make ISIL less committed to try to kill Americans? Would it bring in more allies? Is there a military strategy that is served by this?" he said. "The answer is none of the above. Calling a threat by a different name does not make it go away."
The comments from Trump, who is now the GOP's standard-bearer, were so awful that Republicans on Capitol Hill -- many of whom had already endorsed Trump -- suddenly didn't want to talk about him anymore. Trump's remarks, which also included a renewed call to spy on U.S. mosques, have been politically toxic, with voters generally not reacting well to his demagoguery.
Trump also tried to exploit the fact that the shooting occurred at a gay nightclub, arguing that he would do more to defend LGBT Americans than would Hillary Clinton, the presumptive Democratic nominee. Trump didn't mention that he once felt uncomfortable when he saw two men kiss on television.
Editor’s note: Donald Trump regularly incites political violence and is a serial liar, rampant xenophobe, racist, misogynist and birther who has repeatedly pledged to ban all Muslims -- 1.6 billion members of an entire religion -- from entering the U.S.

domain: politics


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Misshitsu（Popularity：10 hits） Continues the story started in 'Aseru' (also on Manga Fox).
Kazuo is obsessed with his friend's older brother, Yuudai. Kazuo tracks him down and keeps him prisoner, taking what he wants from Yuudai's body everyday. Is it love or is it hate? (Warning: confinement, non-con)
Nakamura Sano feels great stress when his girlfriend asks him to meet her father. When he gets the courage to come visit, he discovers that her father is actually a first class DJ who doesn't want his daughter to date Sano. As a result, Sano throws himself into the DJ world and enters the DJ preliminary match to prove himself worthy for his daughter!
Irie "Iberiko", leader of the Pigs Raging Clean Up Crew, is rumored to go on uncontrollable rampages when angered, so when Tsubaki's friends accidentally litter near the Pigs' high school and piss them off how is it that not only does Iberiko accept their explanation but also invites Tsubaki to dinner? "How would you save someone when you're imprisoned?"
"How would you fight for justice, if you need to break the law?"
"Rui Takahashi, the protagonist found a way to solve this
and tries to fix all the mysteries in his life" Everyone dies. That is an indisputable fact.
Until no one did
Then everything went to Hell.
- Fredrik Nem (1 A.D.)
After the Disaster of the Undying, death is now commercialized, with hefty ransoms attached to allow loved ones to pass on. The alternative? Monstrous spirits that wreak havoc on the living. In a world where Reapers serve as assassins and government agents of the natural ord... Two decades ago, the dragons returned to earth. Soaring above the skies leaving behind trails of destruction. They attack humans for the simple reason, their destructive impulses. In order to fight the dragons, humanity acted. They began to dabble in magic... Kotarou Hayasaka is a new student at Oomiya High School, a prestigious boys school where the student council president is able to make a single school rule at the beginning of the year. This year, the student council president Izuki Jinguuji decides that all the students have to cross-dress during school activities, much to Kotarou's dismay. Genji and Kousaka meets six years later in high school. But is it only Genji who remembers what happened in the past between them? Furthermore, will they move forward into their relationship or will fall apart? What I have here for you is some eye-watering sentimental stuff featuring our favorite pairing. What can I say, I couldn’t help myself, the art is awesome and really close to the official stuff. It is also non-H, so if you’re looking for a “wedding night” scene, you’re out of luck ^_~ Still, I hope you enjoy this! Yui and Azusa’s Love Song by Ragho! Takahashi wants good luck for the new year so she can get closer to Yoshizawa, but instead her fortune reads "Terrible Luck". What's a poor unlucky girl like her to do?
Gyagu（Popularity：10 hits） Gyagu Manga Biyori is hyperactive, random, and nonsensical, revolving around various plots and characters throughout the series.
From Twisted Curiosity:
Meguru is an ordinary schoolgirl on a school trip. They stop to take a break and she is determined to confess her feelings to the boy she likes, Yashiro. When they get back on the bus, however, a strange man grabs her and says that he’s bus-jacking them. He shoots Meguru for putting up a fight and she thinks, fading into oblivion, “I wish I could go back in time”. The ne... Well, meet Nekoyanagi Kennosuke, a mysterious man who claims to make his living as a miraiya–one who “deals with the future”.
Just when Yamamura Fuuta is looking forward to his last summer vacation as a grade-schooler, the self-proclaimed miraiya barges into his life and turns what should have been an idyllic vacation into a series of events shrouded in mystery and filled with spine-tingling en... From Aerandria Scans:
A voice echoes through the night - the voice of the boy who hit a girl with his bicycle and ran. The words are curses for the perfect older sister people constantly compare him to...
When Na hears the passionate wish made to the moon, she comes down to Earth in the shape of a butterfly to comply with that wish - in return for the sacrifice the butterfly requires. Minami is cursed. Every time a guy she likes gets close to her she starts to feel bad and sometimes even throws up. She knows that she is cursed because of a nightmare that she keeps on having about a girl who’s asking her to “give him back”. “Give who back?” Minami asks herself. In the end, her only lead brings her to Kouki, her ex-boyfriend. The nightmares have started after they broke up. Niwa, a college student of architecture, is moving into his deceased grandfather's house. He didn't know the man very well, but the house is conveniently close to school, and his grandfather was actually the architect who designed it. There's something unsettling about the house, though, and while he's wandering around, Niwa finds a mysterious old photograph of some girl who isn't his grandmother.... From Entropy
“In the languid hours of yesterday, I went to the tangled grasses near the river, so tangled that humans don’t often venture there, and had heaps of fun playing alone. As per usual, I had had a glass of sue-ju with grandmother in the morning, and drunk, I grabbed a towel and stumbled my way up. There won’t be any watchers, my body thought, and it slipped so easily into the water. F...
Milky Way（Popularity：10 hits） From Dragon Voice:
First of Jack & Elena series, where Jack meets Elena. The two are robots. They can live forever. Do they want to? Maybe yes, since they found each other.
It's a story of a love triangle composed of two sexless (but not completely genderless) androids and one human woman.
Man-ken.（Popularity：10 hits） Higasa Sachi draws manga, but keeps it hidden from her classmates and acts like a model student. Alice Toyozaki is openly otaku, draws manga in class, and is bullied by her classmates. One day Sachi stands up for Alice and is consequently invited to the manga research club.
In the night train, Tadashi Hamazaki revives how he met his ex-girlfriend Mika Machida... in an extraordinary way. A doll becomes a super idol. Hijinks ensue.

domain: literature


Manchester United star Marcus Rashford has revealed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanted him to ‘up the tempo’ before his Champions League heroics against RB Leipzig. The England international came off the bench to score a hat-trick. And it puts the Red Devils in a great position to qualify with four matches left to go.
Solskjaer raised eyebrows with his decision to bench Rashford, who scored the winner against PSG last time out.
But the England international came off the bench to light up Old Trafford with an astonishing display.
United went 1-0 up against Leipzig in the 21st minute through Mason Greenwood, who grabbed his second goal of the campaign with a neat finish.
Rashford then came on, scoring two quick goals before Anthony Martial converted from the penalty spot.
And the England international, whose work off the pitch has seen him rightly recognised, then secured his hat-trick with a powerful late finish late on.
Speaking after the game, Rashford revealed Solskjaer wanted him to ‘up the tempo’ before entering the field.
THINK YOU KNOW SPORT? Test your sporting knowledge with our tricky quiz
Man Utd star Marcus Rashford has opened up on RB Leipzig Champions League win
"I think the manager wanted me to up the tempo. That for us means going forward,” he said.
“There was definitely spaces there. We got Bruno and Paul on the ball. We looked dangerous throughout and that we could score every time we went forward.
"It was a real team performance.
“The ones who started did well and the substitutes did well too.
“We can't ask for much more than that in terms of the attitude and the intent to go and kill the game off. It worked in our favour.”
Rashford gave Martial the penalty despite being on two goals at the time, but the 22-year-old has downplayed his actions.
"A little bit, a little bit,” he said when asked if there was much of a discussion over the spot-kick.
“I feel confident with Anthony taking them as well. So no problem.
"It's about the next game now so it's important for us to get three points."
On fellow goalscorer Greenwood, he added: "Not surprising. He's a top player. He needs to keep his head down and keep working hard. He will be an unbelievable player for us."
Meanwhile, BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton expressed a belief that Solskjaer had ‘outsmarted’ Leipzig counterpart Julian Nagelsmann on the night.
“Credit where credit is due. Sensational in Paris last week and tonight absolutely brilliant,” Sutton said.
“Solskjaer out thought and out smarted Julian Nagelsmann.
“It has been a tough start for United but we have to give him credit when they play well and they have played well.”
United are next in action against Arsenal on Sunday (4.30pm).
This article contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission on any sales of products or services we write about. This article was written completely independently, see more details here


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Receiving a diagnosis of dementia can be upsetting and unsettling for the person diagnosed, as well as their family and friends. Sometimes though it can actually be a relief after a long period of worry about yours or a loved one’s memory decreasing in reliability or other symptoms.
Initially, you may have noticed a loved-one struggling to recall people and places, or perhaps it’s to do with times of day or confusion over whether they’ve eaten or taken their medication. Regardless of how it develops, you may find that you are struggling to provide the level of home care that your loved one requires and that’s where your friendly local Helping Hands Brentwood home carers can help.
Care at home for someone living with dementia can be a positive thing, as being in their own home, with photographs and objects that they’ve seen every day for years can help to keep a sense of order in their life. This can be especially true if they still have loved ones or beloved pets in the house. The feelings of confusion and anxiety that can be common with dementia as it progresses needs careful handling, preferably by someone who understands the condition that the person is living with, whether it be Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia or a less common variant. Helping Hands has been supporting people living with dementia to live as independently as possible in their own homes for over 30 years, which is why we’re considered dementia care specialists.
You might find you need support with housework, meal preparation, you’d like some companionship or help with many other tasks that your carers can support you with. We offer visiting care or live-in care, and both will see you cared for to the highest standards by our compassionate, dementia expert carers. Visiting care means that you’ll have a carer or carers come to your home at pre-arranged times to deliver essential care for you, but once the visit is concluded they’ll leave to do the same for someone else. Live-in care however means you’ll have a carer living in your home with you around the clock, which is often an especially reassuring presence in the house for the loved ones of someone living with later stage dementia. It’s understandable that inviting someone you don’t know into your loved-one’s home to care for them, whether on a visiting basis or live-in, can be daunting, but the Brentwood care team will work hard to ensure you are reassured by the carer’s presence and that they soon become a welcome friend who you look forward to seeing.
Helping Hands is fully regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the Care Inspectorate Wales, so you can be confident that you are receiving high quality carers to support you or your loved ones. All Helping Hands carers go through a rigorous training programme including extensive instruction on dementia care, so are ready to support their customer with every aspect of their care journey, emotionally and physically. We are also part of the Dementia Action Alliance, which is a partnership between many organisations who have the welfare and standards of living of people living with dementia as their foremost priority.
Call our friendly customer care specialists seven days a week to discuss how Helping Hands can support you or your loved ones on their dementia journey. Alternatively, contact us through our website and we’ll be happy to call you back at your convenience.

domain: psychology


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This is a very interesting, revealing chart. I recall in the 1970’s, the prevailing thought was that the earth was cooling due to the rising CO2 content of the atmosphere blocking solar radiation to the earth’s surface, and the chart indeed shows that the sea was cooling at that time, before turning around in the late 70s.
I love these charts, just can’t get enough!

domain: geography


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The case for a global tech policeman
A few days ago, the New York Times published a bombshell report on the Chinese government's systematic oppression of Muslims in Western China. The story was about many things: human rights, geopolitics, Chinese society – but it was also about technology: Beijing's repression in Xinjiang province is powered in part by facial recognition, big data, and other advanced technologies.
It's a concrete example of a broader trend in global politics: technology is a double-edged sword with sharp political consequences. Artificial intelligence, for example, can help develop new medicines but it can also support surveillance states. Social media helps nourish democracy movements and entertains us with cat memes, but it also feeds ISIS and 4Chan.
There are geopolitical considerations at work here too: the US and China are slipping into a technology "Cold War" over technologies like AI and 5G that will shape both economic growth and the future of military power. Meanwhile, Europe is trying to lead a new regulatory front against Western tech giants that have run roughshod over users' privacy. The US, for its part, isn't sure what to do: calls for more regulation are getting louder, but policymakers are leery of hamstringing Silicon Valley with new restrictions right as the US steps up its tech competition with China.
It's a mess out there. To manage—and possibly avoid—a damaging split that could stop globalization in its tracks, Ian Bremmer, the founder of GZERO Media's parent company, Eurasia Group, called on Monday for a new approach to managing global tech competition.
First, a kind of global referee to assess the world's current progress in managing data and emerging technologies like AI. This would be modelled after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the UN body that serves a similar function on the science of climate change.
Second, a World Data Organization (WDO) modelled on the World Trade Organization — a club of like-minded countries that believe in "online openness and transparency" that could set and enforce norms around data privacy and digital trade.
There are some clear benefits to this approach: a WDO would make the world safer helping countries develop shared norms on privacy, cybersecurity, and AI safety. And it would help preserve the kind of country-to-country collaboration that spurs positive technological innovation.
But there are also two big challenges: First, the Western countries that might form the core of these organizations actually hold very different views on the appropriate trade-offs between Silicon Valley profits and users' privacy. Consensus won't come easily.
Second, how would these bodies deal with China? Using WTO membership as an enticement to try to mould China's economy in a more "Western" direction led Beijing to embrace some market forces, but only up to a point. (And it did not convince the Chinese Communist party to liberalize politically). It's not clear that a WDO would be any more effective at getting China to reform. And yet, excluding China entirely might deepen the rifts that a new global platform is meant to address.
It's obvious that new approaches to managing global technology competition are needed. New global institutions are one potential solution. But we'd love to hear your ideas, too. You can write to us here.


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If you’re a big JRPG fan, you’ve probably heard of Shin Megami Tensei. Atlus’ demon-summoning RPG series has been around for nearly 30 years under its original Megami Tensei moniker. In the US, however, releases were sporadic at best and often underwent heavy localization to fit Western sensibilities. It wasn’t until the 2007 release of spinoff title Persona 3 that the series started gaining traction in America. Since then, the series has become a staple of the genre in the West. Those titles that make it to our shores are some of the most anticipated releases in their windows.
That said, it’s a rough series to get into. There are countless spinoffs, sequels, and genres across the series. That’s why I’m here! I’ll help you dip your toes into the series, with recommendations based on the type of game you’re interested in, as well as a quick rundown of what to expect in the series as a whole.
What is Shin Megami Tensei?
Shin Megami Tensei translates to “True Goddess Reincarnation,” but Wikipedia can fulfill any of your naming origin needs. What you need to know is that the series goes by several names: Megami Tensei, MegaTen, Shin Megami Tensei, or SMT, depending on where you live. The series is marketed as Shin Megami Tensei in the West, so we’ll stick with that.
The series generally focuses on recruiting, fusing, and fighting with demons and mythical beasts from throughout mythology. It’s easy to think of it as Pokémon for an older demographic. While not a perfect analogy (for one, Shin Megami Tensei is older than Pokémon by around a decade), it gets you at least halfway there. There is a wide selection of games, including quite a few spinoffs, so it’s hard to peg down some bullet points from every game. Still, most games will have some combination of the following:
- Demon Summoning – The hallmark of the series, there are few games where you won’t be interacting with — and often fighting alongside — mythical creatures ranging from the 72 demons of the Goetia and creatures from Japanese folklore to entities from modern religions. Generally, you not only fight alongside these demons but also fuse weaker demons into stronger ones over the course of the game, progressing your party by carefully selecting when to sacrifice a demon rather than leveling any of them up. While you’ll find a small handful of games without this feature, it’s certainly the glue holding the series together.
- Modern Settings – While SMT deals heavily in the supernatural, it usually does so under the umbrella of urban fantasy. You’ll regularly find yourself exploring real-life locations, seeing major Japanese landmarks, and using modern technology alongside your standard medieval weaponry. So how does the series find new and unique settings?
- The Apocalypse – Nothing goes with demons quite so well as the end of the world. The mainline SMT games usually take place at or around the apocalypse, while spinoffs often deal with apocalypse-level threats. While this offers unique set dressing (and an excuse for demons to be strolling around), it’s certainly more than skin deep. This setting allows for deeper exploration of what ideals are vital to humanity. Which leads directly to…
- Morality – SMT games may have protagonists and antagonists, but they’re not always clearly defined as heroes and villains. In the main series, you’ll usually be dealing with the struggle between Law and Chaos. While you might see more angels aligned with Law and more demons bumming around Chaos, neither side is strictly villainous or heroic. They simply hold different ideals sacred, and these ideals set them against each other. You’re often tasked with choosing a side and, depending on the game, you may have some gray area to play with as well. While the spinoffs regularly tread into a more traditional story structure, they almost universally create well-rounded villains with some form of reason, or at least rationalization, behind their actions.
In short: if you want to take a tour of mythology while treading in philosophical gray areas, SMT may be for you.
Awesome, so where do I start?
That’s a fun question. See, SMT has its roots deep in the traditional turn-based RPG, but it’s had forays into action, fighting games, even dipping its toes in the rhythm genre. As such, I’ll break down what I feel to be the best introduction based on the type of game you want to play. Let’s get a few ground rules out of the way:
- This information is for the newcomer. My recommendations might not be my personal favorites or fan favorites, but rather the games I think will be the most fun to a series newbie.
- I’ll be giving preference to games that are easily accessible through legitimate means. That’s just how we roll.
- I’ll be including spinoffs like Persona. Hardcore fans, I know they’re not strictly SMT games. I’ve thought it over, and I’m OK with it.
- I’ll provide some extended recommendations at the bottom of the article if you’re curious about other standouts in the series.
- These are just, like, my opinion, man.
We all copacetic? Well, let’s start from the top!
I want to try the core series!
Hey, that’s a great place to start! You can tick most boxes on the list above and get a feel for the gameplay that put the series on the map! There are four main Shin Megami Tensei entries and a few spinoffs that toe the line pretty dang well. That said, I can confidently recommend Shin Megami Tensei IV.
Platform: Nintendo 3DS | Release Date: July 16, 2013
What it’s like: SMT IV is a traditional turn-based RPG, much like the rest of the core series. As a samurai armed with a seemingly anachronistic AI, you gain the ability to speak to, recruit, summon, and fuse demons. You begin by protecting the surprisingly European city of Mikado, but you’re quickly off discovering the secrets of the greater world. While a small group of fellow samurai accompany you, your battle party consists of yourself and up to three demons. In practice, this plays out like a relatively complicated rendition of the monster collecting games you might have played in the past. What makes SMT unique is a steeper difficulty curve that rewards long-term strategy in fusing demons, exploiting your enemies’ elemental weaknesses and covering your own. You can expect to see the game over screen from regular enemies if you’re careless, adding to the foreboding atmosphere. Don’t be distracted by the brightly-colored anime style. SMT IV feels closer to a horror story than it does high adventure.
Why you should play it: SMT IV is the most newbie-friendly entry into the main series. While the difficulty can be stiff, dying several times will unlock an easy mode to help you out. You have full control over what carries over during fusions, meaning that you’re not rolling the dice on random skill inheritance when fusing demons (a common thread you’ll see if you delve into earlier games). The UI is slick and clean throughout, with your AI buddy Burroughs guiding you throughout the adventure. The story hits some unique and mature beats, going to great lengths to ensure it doesn’t fall back on common tropes whenever possible. Most importantly, demon fusing is an incredibly satisfying incentive to keep you invested. There are over 400 demons to recruit. You can win some over by speaking to them during battle and trying to answer questions successfully, and you can always re-summon old demons for a fee, but most of your best warriors will come through fusing your crew. Fusing two demons results in a more powerful new demon. You can select eligible skills to inherit from your prior demons, making their growth vital to your new demons. The loop of fusing new demons, leveling them, fighting alongside them, then creating something new and exciting is a strong driving force. As an added bonus, a direct sequel, Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse improves on many points but does regress on a handful.
What you might hate: While the atmosphere and mystery are wonderful, the story is hit and miss. Moment to moment you’ll be uncovering plenty of cool mysteries, but your traveling companions can be a bit flat. Side characters and demon interactions add plenty of flavor to the world, but the narrative often feels secondary to the gameplay and the atmosphere. It’s also easy to get lost in exploration, as your next destination is not always apparent. You’re often told locations to go without any kind of cardinal directionality, and if you set the game down for an extended period, you won’t find many reminders when you pick it back up. Finally, the battles are purely first-person. For some, this is a dealbreaker, but the animations are slick and you can still get a ton of equipment dress-up time with your avatar. All of his equipment will show up during dungeon exploration, and you can find all manner of interesting goodies that offer stat boosts, but more importantly, style.
Where you can get it: SMT IV is still relatively easy to find at retail, but you can also get it on the 3DS eShop. Atlus loves digital sales, so you can regularly find it for around $20.
Alternatives: There are a few other ways to break into the mainline series. The farthest back I’d go is Shin Megami Tensei, though there are some earlier Megami Tensei games that SMT was birthed from. The original series isn’t available in the West, and even if it was, it definitely shows its age. Shin Megami Tensei saw an iOS release you can dig into, though as an old-school first-person dungeon crawler, it’ll be a tougher pill to swallow for all but the most hardcore. Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, the third game in the series, feels a bit more modern. Touting the now-signature press turn battle system, Nocturne takes the series into the third person and tries many new things with the formula, including a twist on the standard Law/Chaos/Neutral breakdown and some pretty crazy boss battles. It’s available as a PS2 Classic on the PS3 in addition to its standard release, with an HD remaster on the way in 2021. Finally, Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux is a more recent 3DS release that might appeal to those who want to experience the mainline series with some modern quality-of-life touches. While not technically a mainline game, it was developed under the same mentality and with most of the same trappings. It’s a remaster of a DS game, so it won’t look as nice as something like SMTIV, but it is a fantastic entry point if you want to see something closer to how the series started.
I want something a bit more upbeat!
Oddly enough, we’ve got some solid choices for more upbeat! But if you want to be a part of the majority of SMT conversations, you’ve got a pretty clear selection in Persona 5 Royal.
Platform: PlayStation 4 (Non-Royal edition also on PS3) | Release Date: March 21, 2020
What it’s like: Persona is the most popular spin-off of SMT. The series focuses on high school students uncovering supernatural truths about the world, with modern entries giving equal focus to school life and supernatural aspects of the heroes’ lives. Persona 5 Royal is the updated version of Persona 5, with large swaths of extra story, additional endings, character costumes, equipment, party members, as well as a host of quality of life improvements. The core game is somewhere between a dungeon crawler and a visual novel. You take the role of a silent protagonist investigating a mysterious metaverse, starting the Phantom Thieves, and stealing the hearts of corrupt adults to improve the lives of those under their thumbs. The game works on a calendar system, and each day you’ll divide your time between classes, spending time with friends, and infiltrating metaverse palaces. You’ll spend a lot of time getting to know the large cast of characters while engaging in standard SMT staples like demon fusion and turn-based battles. The game handles some darker subject matter but does so with vibrant color, a smooth acid jazz soundtrack, and an unflappable sense of style.
Why you should play it: The Persona games are probably the games you hear the most about in conversation. Starting with Persona 3, the series took a sharp turn from its darker origins. While some longtime fans have lamented this, it’s led to a huge surge in popularity and has given perhaps the easiest avenue into the larger SMT universe. The game features strategic battles that reward smart fusion and exploitation of elemental weaknesses, making bosses more about sound strategy than level grinding. The characters are robust and well rounded, and interacting with them during the day feeds directly into the power of your fusions and battle techniques in the dungeon portions. The story presents an intriguing mystery that begs for replay, and deciding who to spend your days with will lead to deeper character growth for the party members and townsfolk you most enjoy spending time with. The game also oozes cool. The visual style is striking, with vibrant red and black motifs giving every UI element significant impact as characters seamlessly animate into contrasting menus that slam around with the impact of a gunshot. More importantly, the soundtrack from series stalwart Shoji Meguro is one of gaming’s all-time greats. Featuring modern music ranging from jazz to pop, techno to rock, and everything between, the soundtrack is one you’ll be listening to well after the credits roll.
What you might hate: If your tolerance for anime is low, your patience for this game will be severely tested. While the game gives depth to every character, that depth sits atop some well-worn tropes. You live the life of your average anime high schooler (in that every anime high schooler has superpowers and fights demons), and while it is incredibly successful in this, it’s unlikely to convert anyone who is already vehemently against the genre. The in-your-face style of the game can also rub some the wrong way. If you want your world taken seriously and presented realistically, you’re going to be in for a shock here. Anthropomorphic cats transform into vans, high schoolers don superhero outfits and go by goofy code names, and non-traditional gender roles will get played for laughs. The calendar system can also be stressful for those who hate deadlines, as without a guide you’re unlikely to see everything the game has to offer in a single playthrough. As someone who hates time limits, I learned to relax and prioritize the characters I most wanted to see. For some, this might be too much. Thankfully, the game offers a new game plus that makes a second playthrough more manageable.
Where you can get it: Persona 5 Royal was released for the PlayStation 4 both physically and digitally and is compatible with PlayStation 5. While it’s a slight downgrade, the original Persona 5 is also available on PlayStation 3.
Alternatives: Persona 4 Golden is in some ways every bit as easy to recommend as Persona 5 Royal. According to many, it’s got the stronger cast and an interesting driving mystery plot while remaining slightly less of a time sink. In addition to its original home on PlayStation Vita, it saw a Steam release in 2020 that works wonderfully. It lacks some of the modern polish of Persona 5 Royal, but if you’re looking to dive into the series on PC, P4G is your gateway. Persona 3 is similar tonally, but it’s a bit darker and lacks many modern conveniences. Furthermore, it doesn’t have an easy-to-recommend definitive edition, so I advise diving into it if you find yourself enraptured with 4 or 5 and want to see the rest. The first two Persona games are significantly darker, and the first is too rough around the edges to recommend, but Persona 2 is a fantastic game in its own right. It comes in two parts, Innocent Sin (available on PSP in the West) and its follow-up, Eternal Punishment (available as a PSOne Classic in the West). Outside of Persona, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE is a crossover with the Fire Emblem series based around pop stars who moonlight as superheroes. It’s only tangentially an SMT game, but it’s an excessively fun (and light) time. Given its recent Switch port with additional content, it’s easier to play than ever.
I want a more traditional RPG experience!
If you’re looking for something closer to the Final Fantasy games, but with that darker, SMT flair, you’ll have an excellent time with Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga.
Platform: PS2, PS3 | Release Date: April 5, 2005
What it’s like: Digital Devil Saga is kind of Shin Megami Tensei by way of Final Fantasy. While it features the grim story and cutting difficulty of a Shin Megami Tensei game, the game follows the narrative structure of a more traditional RPG. Rather than recruiting an army of demons, your party consists of a conventional group of 5 characters who transform into demons during battle. Eschewing the demon fusion system for a more linear growth pattern, your progression choices mostly stem from determining which skills your characters learn as they level up. The battle system is lifted almost entirely from Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne and will feel familiar to those who have played Shin Megami Tensei IV as well. As for plot, you’ll find yourself in control of one of six warring tribes vying for territory in a wasteland known as the Junkyard. Of course, things are not always as they seem, and the world expands throughout this game and its sequel. As you enter the story, you see the inhabitants of the Junkyard gain the ability to transform into demons, and you see the effect this has on the world and characters themselves as they struggle with their newfound power and glimpses of humanity they had not displayed before.
Why you should play it: DDS gives you the best of two worlds. While it plays like a traditional SMT game, the plot is front and center here. It opts to treat its players like adults, allowing you to figure out what’s going on in the world without having it spelled out. The world is filled with intriguing mysteries, and the characters follow some intriguing growth patterns. Starting off as emotionless dolls, the awakening of their demon forms also sets off growing emotions, and the reason behind these events is teased throughout the narrative. The atmosphere is creepy and gruesome, and the music is a driving, guitar-heavy set from Shoji Meguro. While the battles are harder than your standard RPG, they are on the easier end for a Shin Megami Tensei game, making it a fine introduction for new fans.
What you might hate: DDS is a PS2 game, and the seams show in graphical fidelity and control. The style is strong throughout, offsetting this weakness, but you’re still playing a game from 3 generations back. Some have criticized the game’s repetitiveness, though it’s a bit par for the course for a turn-based RPG. If you’re not willing to let the story be your main draw, this might not be the SMT for you. Most importantly, DDS is not a complete experience. The sequel, appropriately named Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2, finishes the story started here. It also refines a lot of the gameplay and opens up the world and story. While the cohesive experience is great, this can make the first game feel like an extended appetizer to the second game’s main course.
Where you can get it: Digital Devil Saga and its sequel can be found pretty affordably on Amazon if you’re looking for a PS2 physical copy. If you’re not willing to bust out the old console, you can move up a generation and pick the games up digitally on the PSN as a PS2 Classic on PS3. This is also the cheaper option, at about ten bucks a pop.
Alternatives: Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, a mainline game, shares a lot with DDS, from its graphical style to its battle system. It’s significantly more challenging, however, and like all mainline games the party is focused on demon collecting and fusion. Persona 5 and Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE skew close to the traditional side as well, but both focus more on character relationships and don’t feature extensive exploration.
I want something a bit more strategic!
Platform: Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS | Release Date: June 23, 2009
What it’s like: Devil Survivor is a tactical RPG with some SMT flair. You’ll be doing plenty of tactical positioning a la Fire Emblem, but once you engage in combat, you’re dropped into more of a traditional SMT turn. You’ll be exploiting weaknesses with a team of demons, as you’d expect. You have a lot of drive in the apocalyptic plot, though the breakdown of Law and Chaos is more of a flavor, as most outcomes revolve around how you interact with party members and who you choose to stick with. These can lead you down some pretty familiar paths, but they follow individual characters a bit more closely than some titles. Rather than speaking to demons, you’ll recruit them via auctions, but you’ll still do your standard fusion to get the best beasties. You can then assign two demons to each human party member, and they’ll move and act as a unit. It’s pretty slick, though the tactics are less complex than the strategy in party building and pre-battle preparation.
Why you should play it: Devil Survivor oozes style. The art is wonderful to behold, even by SMT standards, and the plot walks that SMT line between dark and stylish. The game is tough but fair, rewarding well-thought-out fusion, good use of weaknesses, and a bit of trial and error. If this ends up being too rough, there are ample opportunities to grind your way through the tougher battles. Like most SMT games, it will not hold your hand. It’s also got plenty of replayability, with a wealth of extra endings and a lengthy campaign. It’s also got a solid, guitar-heavy soundtrack. SMT does love its power chords. The plot is also engrossing, layering on mysteries early and making sure you care enough to seek answers.
What you might hate: The game’s not easy. You’ll have to struggle with trial and error for a number of battles, and if you’re not a fan of challenge, Devil Survivor might not be the game for you. The character designs are also pretty divisive. What one finds stylish, others (understandably) find obnoxious and weirdly proportioned. As a tactics game, it’s also a bit slower paced, so it might not be for those with shorter attention spans.
Where you can get it: Devil Survivor was initially released on the DS, but there’s a 3DS port called Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked. While the 3DS has some additional story content, there aren’t enough upgrades to recommend it over the original if there’s a large price difference. That said, the 3DS version is available on the eShop, and is regularly pretty cheap. There’s also a sequel to the game, and it’s a fine starting point, as the stories aren’t connected and the improvements aren’t so huge that they make it difficult to go back.
Alternatives: The sequel, appropriately named Devil Survivor 2, is easy enough to start with. The plots aren’t really connected, and there are some quality-of-life improvements in the sequel. None are enough to make the original a significant downgrade, and as the story might be a bit stronger in the first, I’d give the nod to playing the original first.
I like action in my games!
While SMT games are generally slower-paced, turn-based affairs, it’s dabbled in action a few times. Probably the best place to start is the exhaustingly named Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army.
Platform: PS2, PS3 | Release Date: October 10, 2006
What it’s like: We’re going to call Devil Summoner an action RPG wherein you’ll slash and shoot alongside some demon buddies. You play as Raidou Kuzunoha, a devil summoning detective in 1935. If you’re on board with the plot at that point, you’re in good shape. The action is standard action RPG fare, with battles taking you to a separate arena where you fight with a sword and a gun and limited ammo. You can summon a single demon to fight alongside you. Fusion makes a return, alongside the ability to sacrifice demons to power up your sword.
Why you should play it: First and foremost, the setting is utterly unique. 1930’s Japan is something most players will be utterly unfamiliar with, lending the game a bit of novelty as you find a Japan deep into Westernization meeting the traditional supernatural world. The style is classic SMT, with gothic character designs and the excellent demon designs you’d expect from the series. The detective story trappings are also a contrast to the traditional apocalyptic settings of SMT games. The plot gives you stakes but still allows you to get to know the characters acting in their standard day-to-day capacity. The battles are fun, if uncomplicated, and it’s an easy game compared to most SMT titles.
What you might hate: Devil Summoner is an older game. It wasn’t a graphical powerhouse during its initial PS2 release, and time hasn’t been kind to it. It’s got its fair share of jaggies and unpolished textures, and a lot of the animations have that PS2 doll-like stiffness. The action isn’t particularly deep, opting as many SMT games for depth in demon selection, fusion, and character progression. Make no mistake, this is a PS2 action RPG, and it plays like one.
Where you can get it: Devil Summoner and its sequel are both available as PS2 classics. They go on sale pretty regularly, so you won’t risk more than ten bucks on it.
Alternatives: Devil Summoner‘s combat is, generously, pretty clunky. I recommend it on the strength of the characters and setting, and to introduce that world. However, there is a sequel, called Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon, available through all the same means as the original that features much-improved combat. While you will miss some context, none of it is a deal-breaker and the game stands alone quite well. It can be a nicer entry point for new players. While most of the praise for the original game stands here, the combat for the sequel is significantly smoother. As the main character persists throughout the games, I’d still recommend starting with the first game, but if you can’t get into it (or you don’t want to take the risk), feel free to dig into the sequel. The game does a fine job of getting you up to speed.
Where should I go from here?
There are plenty of other options within the series and other genres covered that we didn’t hit here. It’s hard to recommend them, however, as so many of them come as spinoffs from various Persona games and can spoil those games if you haven’t finished the original. These subseries include fighting games (Persona 4 Arena), dungeon crawlers (Persona Q), and even a few rhythm titles (Persona 4 Dancing All Night and its cohorts for Persona 3 and Persona 5). If you like any particular game in this list, you can generally delve into that subseries and find more to love. If you like SMT IV, check out Nocturne and Apocalypse. If Persona 5 really hits a sweet spot, try Persona 3 or Persona 4. The series has a pretty good standard of quality, and it’s hard to go wrong. It’s a series dense with titles, but it’s easy to delve into any given game and have a good time after you get started. Just be prepared: once you dive into the world of Shin Megami Tensei, you’ll likely never leave.
This work was originally published on the author’s blog and that version can be viewed at messofcords.com.

domain: game


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The Fernie Pride Society is seeking an Elk Valley youth for our volunteer Board of Directors!
This person would provide a youth perspective on everything from events and programming, to policies and strategic planning. Your voice will help us ensure that LGBTQ2+ perspectives of all ages are considered whether it be for advocacy, outreach, and more.
Your role would include: enabling Elk Valley youth to learn about and support Fernie Pride Society and its activities, provide insight on youth engagement and outreach, and ensure the voice of youth is heard by decision makers through new and existing initiatives. In short, we need you!
Interested? If you are between the ages of 16-18 and want to find out how to get involved contact firstname.lastname@example.org. We can’t wait to meet you!
Join the Fernie Pride Society this coming Friday, June 12 from 6-8pm for a Picnic in The Park!
This family friendly, all ages and interests event is organized by Rainbow Connections (formerly Beers & Queers).
Rainbow Connections will have fun, outdoor events on the 2nd Friday of every month so make sure to keep your eyes open for upcoming activities!
When: Friday, June 12 from 6-8pm
Where: Annex Park Duck Pond area
What: Picnic, conversations, and fun!
**Please observe physical distancing and other Covid-19 measures. BYO picnic things, food, and nonalcoholic beverages. Please do not share with those outside your bubble. Feel free to share as many laughs as you like though!**
We all know that June is Pride Month but did you also know is is Indigenous History Month? Indigenous History Month is a time for learning about, appreciating, and acknowledging the contributions First Nations, Inuit and Métis people have made in shaping Canada and a time to honour the history, heritage and diversity of Indigenous peoples.
For a great read check out: https://www.abs-canada.org/…/two-spirit-identity-and-indig…/.
“Indigenous History Month and Pride Month are important catalysts in widening and deepening the discussions surrounding Indigeneity, queerness, and especially Two-Spirited peoples who navigate both spaces and often feel marginalized within them. However, recognition is only a starting point in terms of breaking down barriers and achieving true equality.”
CONTEST TIME! Purchase or renew a Fernie Pride Society membership and get entered to win some cool Fernie Pride swag!
When you purchase a membership, you are supporting a great organization. Your membership helps us to show community partners that our organization is needed in the Elk Valley, which helps us secure support and funding for some great programming and initiatives.
And it is super easy and affordable! One year is $10 and a 3-year membership is only $20! CLICK HERE to purchase now and put your name into the contest!
Happy Pride Month to all! It may look a little different this year but remember that Pride is not cancelled. Pride is a not a tangible space. Pride exists every day of every year in our actions, strength, courage, challenges, passions, protests, friendships, relationships, lives, and loves.
The in-person hugs may not happen but this month we will celebrate and take comfort in the knowledge that the collective voices remain heard and relevant and important.
For a brief history of Pride Month and for suggestions on LGBTQ+ history reading click here.
Please follow Cranbrook Pride to stay current on all of the amazing things they will be bringing you this July! Unfortunately, the celebration in 2020 will be a virtual one but that doesn’t mean that there will not be a party! A big thanks to the organizers, volunteers, and supporters for making sure Cranbrook Pride remains a great community event for all!
Sunday, May 17 is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia, a worldwide celebration of sexual and gender diversities.
Join Fernie Pride for a #IDAHOTB walk this Sunday at 2 PM leaving from the Fernie Skatepark and walking towards Hosmer on the Elk Valley Trail. We will walk for approximately 45 minutes in that direction and then return for a 90ish minute walk.
Everyone is welcome; participants must observe social distancing of two metres and dress appropriately for weather.
We look forward to celebrating this important day with all of you and taking it outside with Fernie Pride!
For more info on IDAHOTB please visit www.may17.org.
Camp fYrefly is Canada’s only national youth leadership retreat for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit, asexual, intersex, queer, questioning, and allied youth. The camp provides a space for youth to explore their identity, build resilience and enhance self-esteem, all while having an awesome camp experience. Participants return home with a support network of positive friendships, trusted adult mentors, and an empowered sense of self.
With the current Covid-19 pandemic a physical Camp fYrefly in Kananaskis (June 30-July 3) will unfortunately not be running. While we know that nothing will quite replace the in-person experience of Camp fYrefly, the amazing organizers are committed to creating an online and remote option so participants still have access to support and community. Camp fYrefly is a space that exists not just alongside a river or lake, in a cabin or forest but in the hearts, minds and connections to community. Further updates will be available soon to provide more info on online camp.
We know that Fernie loves film so make sure to watch the 22nd Annual Fairy Tales Film Festival from the comfort of your couch, May 14-24! Support the Calgary Queer Arts Society and help give a voice to LGBTQ stories.
Visit fairytalesfilmfest.com for tickets and complete festival schedule now!


I am not familiar with shell script and not really have much experience. How to produce a Unix shell script that will display a welcoming message to the current username. Next, the script will show the current directory path, and the extended information of the current directory contents. The script will later create a directory named myDir in the current directory. Assuming that the directory is accessible by all. The script will change the access permission of
the myDir directory to only readable by the owner.
Any help is appreciated


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Stories from 2002-07-28
"The NPR's recommendations will affect more than just US planning. Allies and adversaries alike have reacted to the new US nuclear posture with trepidation, wariness, and even anger. Many countries took issue with the new "hit list" of possible US nuclear force targets that included states without nuclear weapons. Countries targeted by the new policy also voiced their disagreement, and may even choose to respond to the policy shift with their own strategy or deployment changes."
"The Bush administration has been surprisingly up front about its intentions of propagating falsehoods. In February, for example, the Pentagon announced a plan to create an Office of Strategic Influence to provide false news and information abroad to help manipulate public opinion and further its military objectives. Following a public outcry, the Pentagon said it would close the office — news that would have sounded more convincing had it not come from a place that just announced it was planning to spread misinformation." [more]
"Amid renewed evidence that pro-nuclear hawks are increasingly holding sway, the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration is increasing funding for nuclear weapons research and testing programmes. The funding would allow the US to be ready to return to underground tests within 12 months - a requirement of the US Nuclear Posture Review, which was unveiled by the Bush administration this year." [more]
"Khatami's angry response revealed the possibility that, with its bellicose and intolerant words, the Bush administration may well achieve what 20 years of diplomacy has failed to bring about: an alliance between the beleaguered Tehran and Baghdad. Such an alliance would portend further instability in a region that contains two-thirds of the world's proven oil reserves ó and frustrate the United States' aim to be the unchallenged foreign power in the region." [more]
"Mr. Powell has been bested on a number of important issues in recent months by more conservative and ideological figures in the Bush administration. Like the good soldier and loyal adviser that he is, Mr. Powell has swallowed the defeats, defended the party line and turned to the next crisis. The administration, and the nation, would be better served if Mr. Powell's views prevailed more often. The time has come when he should not be so accommodating. He might even throw a tantrum or two." [more]
"Saudi Arabia is teetering on the brink of collapse, fuelling Foreign Office fears of an extremist takeover of one of the West's key allies in the war on terror. Anti-government demonstrations have swept the desert kingdom in the past months in protest at the pro-American stance of the de facto ruler, Prince Abdullah." [more]
"Despite President Bush's repeated bellicose statements about Iraq, many senior U.S. military officers contend that President Saddam Hussein poses no immediate threat and that the United States should continue its policy of containment rather than invade Iraq to force a change of leadership in Baghdad." [more]
"Even if he was guilty of the crime for which he was convicted, Kazmi was nothing to do with al-Qaeda. He was a Shia acitivist and thus, to bin Laden and his people, a heretic. The strong antipathy between al-Qaeda (which has ideological roots in hardline Sunni muslim thought and financial and political roots in hardlien Sunni muslim countries and circles) and the Shias persists notwithstanding clumsy attempts by the Israelis or the Americans to manufacture links to Hizbolllah or the Iranians." [more]
"A UN source said that the report was produced by a team of 'experienced and reputable UN people, who have been in the region a while and know it well'. It states that there was clear evidence that human rights violations had taken place and that coalition forces had arrived on the scene very quickly after the airstrikes and 'cleaned the area', removing evidence of 'shrapnel, bullets and traces of blood'. Women on the scene had their hands tied behind their backs." [more]
1–9 of 9 records found matching your criteria.
(IHT, Apr 30)
"In just five years, Bush has challenged more than 750 new laws, by far a record for any president, while becoming the first president since Thomas Jefferson to stay so long in office without issuing a veto." [more]
(Interactivist Info Exchange, Jul 26)
"Horizontalism is not an ideology, however, it is a relationship — a way of relating to one another in a directly democratic way while at the same time creating through the process of discovery. What has resulted is the creation of an amazing complex of movements, all linked." [more]
This website is a tribute to Why War?, one of the nation's first and most innovative post-9/11 student antiwar organizations. Born on October 22, 2001 at Swarthmore College, we were a handful of freshmen and sophmores who vocally opposed the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere. And now, seven years later, we are retiring this website as we focus our efforts on new directions. We hope that it continues to serve future activists and we remain confident that humanity is on the verge birthing a better world.


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By Makutu Manneh
Ahlu-Bait Rashu Foundation and Gui-Mam Eye Care provided free eye screening for hundreds of Gambians at Farato on Saturday, 16 April.
After screening the eyes, the medical team gives medicines (eye drops and pills) and glasses to patients that need it while those that need operation will be taken to the hospital which will also be free.
Ebrima Sillah, Minister of Communication, commended the foundation and partners for creating such an initiative, saying the foundation’s intervention in the area of eye care service is important as it will help to reduce the burden on the ministry of Health.
“As we can see, hundreds of Gambians meet here today to have access to the free eye care screening,” he said.
Momodou P. Nyassi, Deputy Director Health Services, expressed similar remarks.
“Health if look at, is very expensive, hence, all citizens have to come together to assist the government,” Mr. Nyassi said, adding eye care should be everyone’s business as one gets older, the eyes get old as well.
He called on everyone to frequently visit hospitals to check on their eyes.
Abdoulie Ngett, President of Gui-Mam Eye Care, said members of the association deduct from their salary to contribute to the association, reiterating that they use its proceeds to go around the country to provide free eye care service to the people.
He said their main objective is how to help Gambians get free eye care service without paying a dime.
Oumie Hydara, President of the Women in the Foundation, expressed delight seeing hundreds of Gambians especially the women answered to their call in providing free eye care service to them.
She called on the populace to attain such opportunities as it is rare to come by.
Aja Ramatoulie Hydara, a member of the foundation, said eyes are important organs in the human body and once it is not functioning well, it has a negative impact on the person’s life and that of the family members.
Ms. Hydara thanked the Gui-Mam Eye Care for the services they have been providing to less privilege Gambians, adding “this is why we collaborated with them because we have seen what they are doing.”


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Crabtree Amusements will join the Chamber for another weekend of fun in the park. The Carnival will open on Thursday evening and continue through Sunday afternoon. Friday afternoon at the Softball Field will be Pitch, Hit & Run competition. This is for kids 7 - 14. Registration begins at 5:30 at the ball field.
Saturday will be a fun filled day in the park. Saturday morning food and craft vendors will start setting up. New this year will be a bathtub race sponsored by Wendy's in Backbone Creek at Noon. There will also be a mechanical bull for the cowboys & cowgirls to try their luck. Washer and Volleyball Tournaments start around noon. Fun games for the little & "big" kids like stick horse race, lemon roll and egg toss. The Express Band will play Saturday evening and many more activities.
Phone : 830-693-2815 (Always call and confirm events.)
Email Address : firstname.lastname@example.org
Web Address : http://www.marblefalls.org/

domain: entertainment


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from the Strega Nona series by the wonderful Tomie daPaola...................
"Bubble, bubble pasta pot,
Boil me some pasta to fill me up.
I'm hungry and it's time to sup
So boil me some pasta to fill me up."
"The punishment must fit the crime."
I never considered doing a character from a picture book until my mom mentioned that my sister Mary had been hoping I'd do Strega Nona. And then I thought, of course!
Strega Nona means "Grandma Witch" in Italian. She cures people's ailments and solves their problems. She's the go-to lady in her little town in Calabria. When her assistant decides he can do magic too with her enchanted pasta pot, he gets the entire town into trouble. But Strega Nona is on hand to save the village and make sure the punishment fits the crime. (Don't you love how I'm trying to not give spoilers on a picture book? But it's such a wonderful one.)
Strega Nona throughout the books is wise, magical, adorable, and Italian. That was something I really loved as a kid - this was our book. Sure, other stories had beautiful princesses that were exotic and beautiful. We had an Italian grandma who was a peaceful force for goodness and still kicked butt.


AS British Paralympians made the country proud on the weekend, an Oxford event highlighted the needs of the city’s disabled.
The Parade for Equality was held at the Iffley Road Running Track yesterday.
Organised by the Oxfordshire Unlimited charity, the free social event saw scores of people parade around the track that saw Sir Roger Bannister break the four-minute mile in 1954. There was also food and entertainment.
Cerebral palsy sufferer Raheem Hussain, nine, said he had been inspired to take part in more sports.
The St Francis CofE School pupil said: “It was super good.”
The youngster, from Cowley Road, plays basketball for Oxford Eagles.
His mum Louise, 39, said he had been inspired by meeting Paralympians.
She said: “It was really good. He thoroughly enjoyed himself.
“Everyone was chatting to him, which made him feel good.
“It just highlights people with disabilities.”


The Manchester Titans Adult Contact team kicked off their 2017 season with a dominant 41-0 shutout win over the Doncaster Mustangs. While Manchester’s offense scored six touchdowns, it was the defense that was the star of the show, holding last year’s Division One playoff 5th seed to zero points while recording four interceptions along […]
We asked some of our players for content to put on the website, here are the thoughts of James Allen who has stepped up to our Adult Contact team having been a member of the successful U19 team in 2016. What can I say about the Manchester Titans that hasn’t been said already? Voted as […]
The Manchester Titans Adult Contact Season ended in the Quarter Finals of the Division 1 Playoffs, losing 35-24 to a Sandwell Steelers team that won Division 2 last year. The Titans took the opening kickoff and despite a nice 26 yard run by WR Ryan Newton which moved the ball into the Sandwell half, they […]
The Manchester Titans Adult Contact Team finished the regular season with convincing 52-20 victory away at the Gateshead Senators. The 7-3 record should guarantee playoff action for the Titans in their first year back in Division 1, but the opponent is still to be decided as the other teams complete their season. Manchester stopped the […]
The Manchester Titans Adult Contact Team bounced back from a tough loss to the Edinburgh Wolves, with a hard-fought victory over the West Coast Trojans. In a game that featured 6 lead-changes, the Titans managed to pull away in the 4th quarter to secure a 34-22 win. WCT took the opening kickoff and drove downfield […]
With the Manchester Titans coming off back to back losses, the Adult Contact Team bounced back to form with 47-6 victory over the West Coast Trojans. Early in the day, the U19s team set the tone with a comprehensive 40-0 win over the Merseyside Nighthawks. The Adult Contact Team started well with the Defence holding […]
A heavily under-manned Senators team travelled down from the North East to the sunshine at AJ Bell Stadium with hopes of getting their season back on track after losses to Yorkshire, Edinburgh and West Coast. The Titans however, were not in a generous mood…
The Manchester Titans Adult Contact Team opened their season in Division 1 with a tough match up against the Yorkshire Rams at Burnage Rugby Club on Sunday and emerged 25-8 winners.
The Manchester Titans Adult Contact Team lost 18-24 to the Peterborough Saxons in the Semi-Finals at AJ Bell Stadium, ending their bid for a perfect season
The Manchester Titans Adult Contact team (10-0) took on the Aberdeen Roughnecks (6-4) at AJ Bell Stadium in the Quarterfinals of the BAFANL NFC2 Playoffs
The Manchester Titans Adult Contact American Football Team warmed up for the playoffs with a 65-0 win to end their regular season at Crewe.
The Manchester Titans defeated the Staffordshire Surge at AJ Bell Stadium 47-13, to claim the NFC2 West Division title.
The Manchester Titans Adult Contact Team improved their record to 8-0 with a 48-0 win over the Carlisle Sentinels on Sunday at AJ Bell Stadium.
The Titans’ Adult Contact team travelled to the Select Security Stadium in Widnes on Sunday to take on the Halton Spartans
The Manchester Titans Adult Contact American Football team improved its record to 6 wins and zero losses with a 55-0 win over the Walney Terriers in Cumbria on Sunday.
The Manchester Titans Adult Contact Team reached the halfway point of the regular season with a perfect 5-0 record.
With the Terriers short of numbers due to the Bank Holiday weekend, the Titans Defense recorded their 2nd straight shutout and their 4th straight game with an interception return for a TD.
Manchester Titans had their first home game of the 2015 season versus the Halton Spartans, who were starting their first season in BAFA.
The Manchester Titans Adult Contact Team went to Stoke on Trent yesterday looking to avenge their shock defeat last season at the hands of the Staffordshire Surge.
The Manchester Titans Adult Contact Team played their first game of the season on Easter Sunday in Carlisle, home of the Sentinels who have just joined the league.


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Hi! I’m Niki.
I’m a content writer by day, novelist by night, and Harry Potter fangirl 24/7.
This blog is about writing. How to make time for it, how to get better at it, how to survive the ups and downs of the writing process.
I’ve wanted to be an author since I was about 7 years old, when I first picked up Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Over the years, I’ve written countless stories and drafts, mostly about mermaids, trolls, or whatever else I could dream up. In July 2016, I achieved one of my greatest goals by finishing the first draft of my YA fantasy novel. In July 2017, I went to my first SCBWI conference in L.A. and learned a ton about the publishing industry and the writing craft.
I love traveling, watching vlogs, drawing, painting, tea, cats, and any conversation in which I can learn something new.
I hope you enjoy the blog!
THE SICKNESS & THE HEALER:
A traveling storyteller stumbles across an ancient evil. An assassin breaks her bonds. A son is torn from his father. A prince is banished from his throne.
And a primordial, supernatural force sweeps across the land, destroying all it touches.
Together, four strangers must tell the story of the Sickness and the Healer to rid their land of evil and restore peace.


No Frills Sweater Kit for sizes XS, S, M
Quite frankly, the most basic and wearable sweater you’ll ever knit and wear. Perfection! You will knit this sweater holding the Suri Cloud and the Donegal Luxe Sock held double.
Suri Cloud - 74% Baby Suri alpaca / 26% Silk / 328 yards / 50 grams
Donegal Luxe Sock - 85% Superwash Bluefaced Leicester / 15% nylon / 438 yards / 100 grams
Kit will contain enough yarn to complete the XS / SM / M size. Pattern is an instant download on Ravelry.com from Petit Knit.
3 skeins of Suri Cloud + 3 skeins of Donegal Luxe Sock.


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Hottest looks from the 2017 RodeoHouston
RodeoHouston's closing weekend saw the threat of rain. but that wasn't enough to stop people from heading out to see Dierks Bentley, Brad Paisley and the Zac Brown Band as they capped off the 2017 rodeo.
Over the course of three weeks RodeoHouston welcomed thousands of concert and carnival guests, many of whom wore their boots and best "Western" attire.
NEW EXPECTATIONS: Old attendance record shattered as curtains close on RodeoHouston 2017
Of course the typical plaid button down was a staple, but this year was all about the floral prints, exposed shoulders and denim shirts (and pants of course).
Through the cold, wet and humidity, there is no weather that can deter a Houstonian —or Texan— looking to have a good time at the rodeo.
Take a look through the gallery above to see our picks for the best fashions seen at the 2017 RodeoHouston.


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When a company takes the reconciliation initiative to provide our Indigenous Awareness training to the majority of their staff we believe their actions should be applauded and broadcast.Read More
By Lee Stevens, Indigenous Gathering Place Society of Calgary
Photo: Aaron Aubin Consulting Inc.
It started with one question posed by Chief Robert Joseph at Reconciliation Canada workshop held in Calgary, AB in 2014: “What does Calgary need to reconcile?” Born from a humble discussion by a group of passionate like-minded and like-hearted people at the table, the concept of an Indigenous Gathering Place (IGP) in Calgary was ignited. Our Elders tell us the dream, vision and effort toward a central gathering space by and for Indigenous Peoples is but a continuation of many prayers and actions that came before us. We are proud to carry on the torch with the guidance and blessing of our Elders toward this ambitious and necessary goal.
Every June 21st, thousands of Indigenous Peoples celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD). This is a special day to acknowledge the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada. Joining in the celebrations is a wonderful way to learn more about Indigenous Peoples and cultures in your area.Read More
June is National Indigenous History Month - a time for all Canadians - Indigenous, non-Indigenous and newcomers - to reflect upon and learn the history, sacrifices, cultures, contributions, and strength of First Nations, Inuit and Metis people. It’s important to keep in mind that First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples each have their own unique histories. And within each group, there are distinct histories.Read More
“Indigenous self-government” is a term that carries some misunderstanding. And as we’re likely to be hearing it about it more frequently as Indigenous nations increasingly move away from the Indian Act, it seems like a good time to provide some clarity on what it is and what it isn’t.Read More
In 2015, when the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) released its six-volume report on residential schools it brought the details, impacts and outcomes of the schools starkly into the spotlight. Canadians were shocked to hear that the federal government enacted policies of cultural genocide as a means to achieve the ultimate goals of separating Indigenous Peoples from their lands and sovereignty. The report presented a harsh contrast to the common perspective of Canada as a benign nation shaped through the foresight of the founding fathers and hard work of settlers.Read More
Eight of the key issues that are of greatest concern for Indigenous Peoples in Canada are complex and inexorably intertwined - so much so that government, researchers, policy makers and Indigenous leaders seem hamstrung by the enormity. It is hard to isolate just one issue as being the worst. The Indian Act greatly contributes to these eight issues and more. Be sure to read this article 21 things about the Indian Act, if you want to know the intent and extent of the Act.Read More
Indigenous languages the world over are in jeopardy. So much so that the United Nations declared 2019 the International Year of Indigenous Languages to raise awareness of the fragility of thousands of Indigenous languages and to underline the enormity of the situation.Read More
"Reconciliation is not an Aboriginal problem — it is a Canadian problem. It involves all of us." Senator Murray Sinclair
If Canada is going to heal from the pain and suffering inflicted upon Indigenous Peoples through colonization then we all need to look for ways to contribute to the recovery. If you think of the Indian Act as the wound, then the 94 calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) can be thought of as the tourniquet and reconciliation strategies as salve for the scars.Read More
For the last few summers news reports were dominated by coverage of raging, massive, out-of-control wildfires. The fires devastated some communities, forced others to evacuate, destroyed vast tracts of forest, fields, fauna, and disrupted livelihoods. These massive forest fires consumed phenomenal capital to fight, flee and rebuild in the aftermath.Read More
Indigenous Corporate Training Inc., provides information on this blog for free as a resource for those seeking information about Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Readers looking for more detailed information, or who have questions, can sign up for our fee-for-service training. Also, ICT encourages everyone who reads this information to use their best judgment given their own circumstances, vulnerabilities, and needs, and to contact a consulting or legal professional if you have more specific questions. Join the conversation over on our Linkedin page.


The Most Awarded Atomic Regulator - Virtually identical performance as the T2 with a Brass First Stage.
The B2 gives divers an close alternative to the all-Titanium T2. The signature Atomic breathing performance is nearly identical. The B2 is ergonomically designed to be the world’s most comfortable second stage just like the T2. The key difference is the chrome-plated Brass body of the B2 first stage, which is more economical without sacrificing performance. That’s why the B2 has garnered more awards from independent tests and reviews than any other regulator on the market.
First stage materials are chrome-plated Brass and 316 Stainless Steel
Atomic Jet Seat high-flow piston first stage
Optional factory-sealed first stage to prevent outside contamination such as silt and sand and prevent freezing
Nitrox ready for mixtures up to 40%
First stage ports: 2 HP fixed / 5 LP on swivel cap
All-Titanium second stage construction same as Atomic T2
Patented Atomic Seat Saving Orifice
Patented Atomic Automatic Flow Control (AFC)
Rapid adjustment knob for manual second stage de-tuning in special situations