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Elise Hooper s debut novel conjures the fascinating, untold story of May Alcott Louisa s youngest sister and an artist in her own right.We all know the story of the March sisters, heroines of Louisa May Alcott s Little Women But while everyone cheers on Jo March, based on Louisa herself, Amy March is often the least favorite sister Now, it s time to learn the truth aboutElise Hooper s debut novel conjures the fascinating, untold story of May Alcott Louisa s youngest sister and an artist in her own right.We all know the story of the March sisters, heroines of Louisa May Alcott s Little Women But while everyone cheers on Jo March, based on Louisa herself, Amy March is often the least favorite sister Now, it s time to learn the truth about the real Amy , Louisa s sister, May.Stylish, outgoing, creative, May Alcott grows up longing to experience the wide world beyond Concord, Massachusetts While her sister Louisa crafts stories, May herself is a talented and dedicated artist, taking lessons in Boston, turning down a marriage proposal from a well off suitor, and facing scorn for entering what is very much a man s profession.Life for the Alcott family has never been easy, so when Louisa s Little Women is published, its success eases the financial burdens they d faced for so many years Everyone agrees the novel is charming, but May is struck to the core by the portrayal of selfish, spoiled Amy March Is this what her beloved sister really thinks of her So May embarks on a quest to discover her own true identity, as an artist and a woman From Boston to Rome, London, and Paris, this brave, talented, and determined woman forges an amazing life of her own, making her so much than merely The Other Alcott.
The Other Alcott Elise Hooper s debut novel conjures the fascinating untold story of May Alcott Louisa s youngest sister and an artist in her own right We all know the story of the March sisters heroines of Louisa M
I m running a giveaway on this book at Lit Wit Wine Dine Little Women was one of my favorite childhood reads I don t recall how old I was when I read it but I do remember that I longed to be one of the March girls And I was so proud to have finished such an unimaginably long book I found 449 pages very daunting back then Of course, once I began reading it was over all too soon Now that I think about it, Little Women may have been my first book hangover Therefore, I was very excited to hear that [...]
I was fortunate enough to win a Kindle ebook copy of this book in a giveaway Many thanks to the author and friend, Elise Hooper I wish you great success with your debut tale based on the life of Abigail May Alcott Nieriker 1840 1879.Elise has obviously done a great deal of research into not only May s life but also the historical background for the story, most especially the art scene in Europe during the fascinating period when a group of artists were experimenting with composition, style, and [...]
I confess to not having read Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, but that certainly did not detract from my enjoyment of The Other Alcott Anyone who has lingered in the shadow of an older sister or suffered the angst of sibling rivalry will relate to the plight of May Alcott, the youngest sister of Louisa May Alcott The feminist themes presented are equally as interesting as the familial relationships Both women are fascinating individuals who strove to support themselves as artists, one as a wri [...]
Though I love Little Women and knew it was somewhat autobiographical, I did not know a whole lot about the lives of the Alcotts I very much enjoyed this sensitive and well researched imagining of the life of the youngest Alcott, immortalized in Little Women as cute, willful, pretentious Amy The reality of May s life was far complicated, as was her relationship with her famous sister Louisa I was engrossed by this story and whipsawed by the ending Beware, you will cry.
Reading Elise Hooper s debut reminded me of one of the first books I fell in love with as a young girl I devoured The Other Alcott in the same fashion as Little Women Transported to another time, lost in the pages of this vivid world that sweeps from Concord to Paris and London and Rome, this story will make you fall in love with May Alcott, and when you reach that last page, and the journey is over, you ll want to go back to beginning, and start all over again it s that good.
Don t know how to rate this Coz it was both ok, and also my biggest let down of the year.I need to think, but I ll be back.
This was the September selection for Instagram s Salt Water Reads Book Club and loved it May Alcott is an aspiring artist, who is always living in the shadow of her sister, Louisa, who wrote the infamous book, Little Women May grows up longing to experience the world beyond Concord, Massachusetts, taking art lessons and turning down a marriage proposal from a well to do suitor, and facing scorn for what is very much a man s profession The Alcott family never had it easy, so when Little Women was [...]
This is the second novel of May Alcott I have read, and I enjoyed this every bit as much as the other Both stories focus on different aspects of May, highlighting times and places in unique ways, with THE OTHER ALCOTT giving special attention to the relationship between the sisters May and Louisa Hooper has done a marvelous job showing a flawed character who is a delight, even when she stumbles Like Jane Austen s Emma, May is charming and her struggles are relatable Her need to carve an identity [...]
FANS OF LITTLE WOMEN DON T MISS THIS ONE An absolutely fascinating debut by Elise Hooper Along with millions of other people, I ve long loved Louisa May Alcott s Little Women However, I knew little about the author s life, and even less about her sister, May I loved learning about the Alcott s unconventional family I thought concentrating on May in this historical fiction was a genius idea how must it have been at that point in history to have a hugely successful sister while you have professio [...]
You don t have to love Little Women or even have read it to get swept away by this absorbing novel about art and ambition, the complexities of sisterhood and friendship, and the struggles of choosing a creative path May Alcott was truly a remarkable woman for her time and Hooper s captivating prose brings her to vivid life with wit and grace I was sorry to turn the final page Here s hoping Hooper has like this up her sleeve
Gorgeously written required reading for fans of LITTLE WOMEN, THE OTHER ALCOTT is the rest of the story we have all been waiting for since childhood.Thanks to the author for providing me with an advance copy of this novel for review purposes all opinions are my own There are two types of people in this world those who have read Little Women, and those who haven t And there isn t a category for those who have read but didn t love it, because those people simply don t exist For all of us in the fi [...]
My Rating 4.5Favorite Quotes You two make me glad I m an only child.I m advising you to find the balance between painting your subject with mastery and sensitivity In other words, if a client hires you to paint a portrait of his horse faced wife, you better find a way to make those horsey features attractive.She had violet colored eyes that glowed like amethysts from under a fringe of long black lashes Between her size and extraordinary eye color, she looked like a fairy May eyed the remarkable [...]
This was such a fascinating book I loved reading about the Alcott family, particularly the close and at times contentious relationship between May and Louisa, and also about May s travels through Europe and her education in art In author Elise Hooper s skilled hands, May is than the other Alcott she s an ambitious, intelligent woman that readers will fall in love with.
I ll be honest and admit I ve never read Little Woman or anything by Louisa May Alcott That s to say, being familiar with the Alcotts is not a prerequisite to reading this book I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the Alcotts and now I m intrigued to look up May Alcott s paintings and read Louisa s words I found the family dynamic very interesting.This is one of those stories that you love to come back to It feels like real life It s not heavy with action, twists or turns there are some , but it [...]
4.5 5I completely loved The Other Alcott by Elise Hooper In some ways, it was very much like I was expecting, being a book about the other woman behind someone very famous I adore those books In other ways, it surpassed my expectations I knew going into it that I was getting a story about May Alcott, younger sister of Louisa of Little Women fame, but I had no idea that I was getting such a rich tale of travel, of art, and of May becoming independent in her own right I wanted to read it quickly, [...]
It s none of your business what other people think of you Marmee, The Other AlcottThe Other Alcott by Elise Hooper is a beautifully written debut novel I must admit that I have not read Little Women or any of the other titles written by Louisa May Alcott I was assured that I would still be able to enjoy this novel, even without knowing any prior history of the Alcott s They were not wrong, in fact, now I want to read Little Women, because Elise Hooper s riveting story sucked me into the world of [...]
A must read for Little Women fans First the Cons The writing style seemed a bit simple at times, but it was similar to Little Women so it worked May seemed a bit too petulant at times, acting like the Amy March she tried to avoid You might want to read a synopsis of the real May Alcott s life before reading But the story was good and kept me interested in throughout One purpose of a book is to inspire and it definitely did that I became interested in the art and artists mentioned It makes me wan [...]
Never realizedhow interesting a life and how successful an artistic career the Amy of Little Women had Fascinating window on life of a working woman artist.
Little Women has always been one of my favorite books During my childhood, I devoured every book I could find by Louisa May Alcott and did a term paper on her in high school it was about how much her actual life parallels her book, Little Women When I read the premise of The Other Alcott , I was so excited to read about my beloved Alcott family The Other Alcott by Elise Hooper is about May Alcott, Louisa May Alcott s younger sister In Louisa s book Little Women , the character Amy is modeled af [...]
I have been a Louisa May Alcott fan since I was a girl I loved reading Little Women and most of Alcott s other novels I also loved all of the different movie versions of Little Women I wanted to be part of the Alcott family believing they were the March family until I started reading biographies of Alcott and discovered that while there were similarities, there were also many differences in which the Alcott family struggled through very difficult circumstances I was very intrigued by this new n [...]
Received through FirstReadsWas quite happy to get this, as I m in the midst of a historical fiction binge All I really knew of any Alcott was that I read Little Women when I was young, and loved it Though this book is fiction, it made me want to read about this family, which says a lot for the author The surroundings came to life very well when they set sail for France, it was easy to picture, and even imagine the sounds The main character was sympathetic but not whiny or poor me An enjoyable b [...]
I loved this book and had a hard time putting it down May is such an engaging, realistic, relatable character Hooper s wonderful story poses such great and relevant questions about what it means to be a woman artist, then and now, and also about work life balance for such women, as well as what society demands of women artists Some of the questions May faced in her day we still do not have the answers to As such this book rang so true and really resonated with me.The relationship between May and [...]
The Other Alcott is an insightful biographical novel about Louisa May Alcott s less famous but equally talented younger sister, May As it turns out Abigail May Alcott, who was portrayed as the pampered Amy in her sister s book Little Women, had creative aspirations of her own This story of her life and the art world she lived in follows her from Concord and Boston to London, Rome, and Paris, where she twice exhibited at the Paris Salon It s rich in exploring the bonds and often times rivalry bet [...]
Don t worry Little Women fans, The Other Alcott is an enjoyable read that rings real I am not sure I would recommend this book to people who aren t fans of Little Women, I think there is so much tied to the novel you won t fully appreciate it.
I have read almost everything that Louise May Alcott has written and was always interested in her younger sister, May who wanted to be an artist I, like May, was always carrying a sketch book when I was younger and later took many art classes So that is why I wanted to read this book.The first thing that I noticed was that the pace was very slow, many times I felt that the story was not moving forward This changed after the first half but it greatly cut into my enthusiasm for this book Also, the [...]
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For all lovers of Little Women Grab this book.Amy March a sister we don t really know much about Is brought to life here.An artist searching for herself her family relations a multi layered wonderful read,
Hooper, Elise The Other Alcott Morrow Sept 2017 432p ISBN 9780062645333 pap 15.99 ebk ISBN 9780062645340 F DEBUT How do you know when you become an artist , ponders May Alcott, younger sister of author Louisa May May painted for years, furnishing illustrations for the first edition of Little Women 1868 Reviews that praise Louisa s novel while criticizing May s drawings, saying they lack realistic proportion and look stiff, devastate the 28 year old artist Disappointment pushes her to seek artist [...]
Dear Elise Hooper Your book gets a 1 because you are tacky enough to rate it yourself.That aside, you wouldn t have gotten much You ve fictionalized May s life the way Louisa May fictionalized her as Amy But Alcott was a skilled writer, and you re no match Sincerely,The Library Lady Who has read Little Woman zillions of times since 1971, read just about everything out there on the Alcotts, and spent money than she could afford on a Franklin Mint Amy doll back when she was just out of grad scho [...]
A delightful and charming book about May Alcott, the youngest sister to Louisa, the author famous for Little Women For many years, I worked in Concord just a mile from the Alcott house and I was always enchanted by the drawings left on the walls by May the same drawings that inspired Elise Hooper to write this fascinating story This is a novel of complex sibling relationships, of art, of love, and of a woman brave enough to pursue a career that was rarely considered suitable for a young woman I [...]

domain: literature


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COMMENTARY | Have the Chicago Cubs been sold magic beans with Theo Epstein?
In 2011, Chicago fans jumped for joy over news the 37-year-old wunderkind, Epstein, who orchestrated two World Series titles for the Boston Red Sox during his time as their general manager, had agreed to bring his magic touch to Wrigleyville with the promise of building this organization into a winner.
Epstein became Boston's general manager in 2002, and two seasons later Beantown was celebrating a championship, as well as the exorcizing of an 86-year "curse." Epstein will be entering his third season with the Cubs in 2014, and impatient fans want to know, 'Where's our World Series title already?'
Does Firing the Manager Indicate Organizational Failure?
Dale Sveum was the man handpicked by Epstein and GM Jed Hoyer to be the one to lead the ballclub on the field. Their rebuilding plan had a lot to do with Sveum helping to change the organizational mindset that had seemingly become too accustomed with losing. But, after two seasons of rubbing people the wrong way -- and a 127-197 record -- Sveum was sent packing and the Chicago braintrust was forced to reevaluate their game plan for bringing this franchise back to respectability.
Blindly following the "In Theo We Trust" doctrine requires that fans assume there is an overriding plan in place, even when the contrary appear to be the case. With the names the Cubs brought in to compete to give Sveum's vacate managerial chair a new butt print in 2014, it is easy for some to question the new direction in which Epstein is taking the Cubs.
They ultimately chose Rick Renteria, the San Diego Padres' bench coach who has no managerial experience. Aside from Chicago's sudden need to only find coaches from the Padres' system, the other names they were interviewing left my wondering about Epstein's "plan."
The Associate Press reported Eric Wedge was being considered for the position after spending three years with the Seattle Mariners, leading them to a 213-273 record. As a manager, Wedge has a lowly record of 774-846 in 10 seasons.
Similar retreads, such as Manny Acta and A.J Hinch being bandied about as possible replacements in the Chicago dugout, had this hiring process feeling less like the magical Epstein rebuild we were promised, and more like the tired old plucking of familiar names from the MLB coaching carousel.
Boston Is Not a Fair Comparison
Epstein gets a ton of credit for turning Boston into a World Series champion, but, realistically, the Red Sox already had a lot of their pieces in place. Sure, it may have been Epstein's acquisitions of David Ortiz, Kevin Millar and Curt Shilling that eventually put them over the top, but they were a 93-win team before Epstein took over, whereas the Cubs were a sinking ship taking on water and asking Epstein to save them with nothing more than a roll of duct tape to plug the leaking holes.
The Cubs were not just a team looking for a quick makeover. This team had all the outward beauty of someone you'd expect to see being chased by villagers with pitchforks and torches.
The first step of this reclamation project: liposuction. In order for the team to be able to squeeze into its World Series uniforms, Epstein had to get this roster on a treadmill. In only his first year in the big chair, Epstein cut the Chicago payroll from $125 million to just $88 million in 2012.
After getting rid of the bloat created by the ridiculous contracts of Carlos Zambrano and Alfonso Soriano, the 2014 team should finally be able to wear a pair of pants it doesn't have to buy from a specialty livestock store in Paramus, N.J. Chicago will soon be able to resume its role as a big-market player in free agency to find those pieces that can put it over the top, the way Epstein was able to do in Boston.
The Future Is Not Here Yet … but It Will Be Soon
Although I do still have my reservations regarding the managerial hiring process, the one thing no one can deny is that Epstein and his staff has certainly begun strengthening the farm system. Fans who do not want to wait for results will complain that the team is struggling like always, but the future is in place -- fans just have to wait a little longer to see it on the big-league field.
Anthony Rizzo became the first major win for the Epstein team. The Cubs traded for Rizzo in 2012, and in just over 1 1/2 seasons in Chicago, the big first baseman has mashed 38 home runs and 128 RBIs. Continuing their strategy for buying cheap players with big upsides, Epstein locked up Rizzo to a very team-friendly seven-year, $41 million contract.
The team made a similar deal with minor league power hitter Jorge Soler when they signed him to a nine-year, $30 million deal in 2012. Soler is one of the pieces yet to make their debut on the major league level, but calculated risks like these could allow Chicago to become a contender -- seemingly overnight.
Junior Lake made his presence felt in Chicago in 2013, and everyone is eagerly awaiting the arrival of Cubs Minor Leaguer of the Year Javier Baez, who hit 37 homers and drove in 111 runs while splitting time between Daytona and Tennessee last season.
It is still unknown when all of these players will officially join the big-league club, but Epstein's architectural design to build the Cubs from the ground up will undoubtedly make them an annual contender in the future. But it's just so tough for fans to anticipate greatness on the horizon but unable to see it quite yet.
Dalton Russell is a sportswriter who has followed the Chicago Cubs his entire life. Like all practical Cubs fans, he knows it was Alex Gonzalez booting the double-play ball that cost them a World Series trip in 2003, not some overzealous fan reaching over the rail.
- Sports & Recreation
- Theo Epstein
- Chicago Cubs
- Boston Red Sox
- World Series

domain: news


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Vance River Rock Pillow (22x22)Regular price $432.00
Add organic warmth to your sofa, chair, even bed with our 22" x 22" throw pillow featuring alternating stripes of steel blue, muted gold, and white.
• 22 x 22 (including feather-down insert)
• Knife Edge & Exposed zipper with leather pull
Local? Store pickup option presented at checkout

domain: design


We want to hear about other anti-drunk driving heroes in Windsor-Essex. Send us an email.
When news went viral of
The Windsor businessman’s action in putting notes and gift cards on cars left in his parking lot, thanking his customers for not drinking and driving, was a powerful one and a positive reminder to everyone to leave their car parked if they’ve had one too many drinks. But we’re pretty sure he’s not the only one.
Are there are people and other business owners and employees in Windsor-Essex who have done things to discourage drinking and driving? Perhaps it’s handing out free taxi vouchers? Maybe it’s through car pooling? Or an education campaign?
Whatever they’ve done, The Windsor Star would love to hear about them. Send us an
Who knows? Maybe their story will go viral too?


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Payless BOGO half off sale
All shoes in the stores, plus handbags, earrings, and men's shoes, are buy-one-get-one 50% off. (That amounts to 25% off your total purchase if the shoes are the same price).
You get the discount on the cheaper pair of shoes. No coupon needed.

domain: economics


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One jumped from a tenth floor window while another blew himself up: How desperate Russian soldiers would rather take their own lives than be Vladimir Putin’s cannon fodder in Ukraine
When Mikhail Lyubimov returned to his mother’s Moscow flat last month, he was a very different young man from the one who’d gone to war in Ukraine.
In his three months on the frontline, the 25-year-old had witnessed scenes of scarcely believable horror. Stricken by panic attacks, he began drinking heavily.
But it was when he was ordered to return to his unit for a second tour of duty that he decided he could take no more.
The day before he was due to report back for another stint on the frontline, he threw himself out of a tenth-floor window — in full view of his mother — and fell to his death.
His tragic story offers a revealing insight into the state of Russia’s army.
Some 180,000 Russians have been killed or wounded during the war on Ukraine. Pictured: Newly-conscripted soldiers in Russia
25-year-old Mikhail Lyubimov (pictured) had witnessed scenes of scarcely believable horror. Stricken by panic attacks, he began drinking heavily and eventually threw himself out of a tenth-floor window
As it adopts a meat-grinder approach to warfare, with wave after wave of conscripts being driven into a hail of bullets, tank and artillery fire on battlefields all over eastern Ukraine, morale has never been lower.
Some 180,000 Russians have been killed or wounded, according to credible estimates from Norway’s army chief.
And after so many members of Russia’s standing army have been slaughtered, Vladimir Putin’s regime — like Stalin’s before him — is increasingly turning to its prison population to reinforce the frontline.
Many of the troops being used as cannon fodder are convicted murderers, rapists and thieves, all lured to the front by the promise of a pardon if they survive for six months.
Ukrainian soldiers who have been on the receiving end of Russian attacks are also convinced that enemy soldiers are fortified by drugs that enable them to keep fighting until they bleed out — ‘even when hit by machine guns’ — and which leave them so desensitised that they clamber over the corpses of their dead comrades as though they are nothing more than fallen tree trunks.
No wonder recruits such as the tragic Lyubimov prefer a quick end than a lingering death on the battlefield amid the carnage inflicted on them by the Western-armed Ukrainians.
As it adopts a meat-grinder approach to warfare, with wave after wave of conscripts being driven into a hail of bullets, tank and artillery fire, morale has never been lower. Pictured: Evgeny Prigozhin (left) assists Vladimir Putin during a dinner in 2011
One Russian draftee recently described how he had witnessed a desperate soldier take his own life after getting his first taste of the war.
‘He blew up a grenade in his hands,’ he said. ‘He was torn in half before my eyes.’
Others seek to avoid being sent to Ukraine by rendering themselves medically unfit. Gruesome videos have been posted online showing men getting friends to smash their arms or legs with sledgehammers. Internet searches for ‘how to break an arm’ or ‘how to break a leg at home’ have spiked in Russia since Putin’s notorious ‘partial mobilisation’ was announced five months ago.
While the draft officially ended at the end of October, when defence minister Sergei Shoigu insisted the Russian army had raised sufficient manpower, the fact is that men of fighting age are still being press-ganged into service on the quiet.
A year on from the invasion of eastern Ukraine, with the Russians losing men at a rate of an estimated 20,000 a month, Putin’s demand for more troops to hold the lines — let alone advance — remains insatiable.
One way of replacing the dead is to turn reservists and conscripts into regular soldiers, so the army can deploy them at will.
A report from Astra, an independent Russian news source, says some conscripts were taken to a forest a few days ago, cut off from outside contact and told to sign contracts as regular soldiers. There was ‘shooting at their feet’ to ensure they obeyed.
There has been little in the way of organised resistance to this sort of behaviour because, in the main, it is men from the poorest and most marginalised communities in Russia who have been targeted for the call-up.
Affluent families in Moscow and St Petersburg benefit from a policy not to recruit so intensively in places where the elite reside, and they can also draw on a wide variety of well-established techniques designed to help their sons dodge the draft.
These include keeping them in education, sending them abroad or soliciting treatment for non-existent problems with drugs or mental health. Then there’s that old favourite: calling on friends in high places.
Members of Russia’s ethnic-minority communities are not so lucky. They have been deliberately targeted by Putin, not only to swell the ranks but to diminish the likelihood of rebellion in remote regions. After all, many of the young men who oppose his rule will never return home.
One Russian draftee recently described how he had witnessed a desperate soldier take his own life after getting his first taste of the war. Pictured: Russian soldiers practice on a military training ground
Take the village of Gvasyuga in the Khabarovsk region, 5,250 miles east of Moscow. There, a staggering 30 per cent of the available men have been mobilised, according to a report this week by iStories, another independent Russian news source.
Meanwhile, the death toll in some ethnic Siberian communities is six times as high as the fatalities among the mainly Slavic soldiers drawn from Moscow and St Petersburg — cities where the wealthy are still partying as though there is no war.
The region sending most men to fight is Krasnoyarsk, also in faraway Siberia, which has provided a grossly disproportionate 28,000, or 5.5 per cent of Russia’s entire reserve.
Once drafted, it’s clear they enter a truly barbaric war. Late last year, the Ukrainian secret service intercepted a call between a Russian soldier and his family in which he admitted he and his comrades had eaten a dog.
Another told his mother he was in such despair he wanted to hang himself. The Russians were ‘shooting everyone, including civilians’, he said.
With their menfolk at the front, it has fallen to Russia’s wives and mothers to lobby the Kremlin. Relatives of soldiers from one region in Russia’s far east had the temerity to appeal to Putin directly after being stonewalled by their regional governor and the men’s commanders.
Their faces sick with worry, the women explained their husbands and sons — members of Regiments 143 and 394 — had been stationed on the frontline without proper weapons or equipment. Their uniforms were in tatters, they said, and they were riddled with fleas and scabies.
Putin ignored them.
A group of Chechen wives and mothers also begged that no more men be sent to the front. ‘We ask you to leave our men, our brothers, our children at home,’ they wrote to their regional leader Ramzan Kadyrov, one of Putin’s most fanatical warlords.
The response was brutal. Their husbands were told to ‘beat their wives’, who were now deemed to be ‘enemies of the people’.
Meanwhile, an understanding of the pointlessness of all this cruelty and sacrifice is setting in. Enraged at seeing Putin at a stage-managed gathering of supportive women, Olga Tsukanova, 46, head of the Russian Council Of Mothers And Wives — who has collected 700 complaints concerning soldiers — issued a brave and direct challenge to the president.
‘Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin], are you a man or what?’ she demanded. ‘Do you have enough courage to look into our eyes — openly, in a meeting with women who weren’t hand-picked for you? Women who aren’t in your pocket, but real mothers?’
She now stands accused of ‘discrediting’ the army’s campaign in Ukraine, a ‘crime’ that can easily lead to jail.
But still they speak out. Katya, from Siberia, recently buried her only son, who was 27. She wept as she said: ‘My boy was killed in some Ukrainian field, and for what? Ukrainians are not our enemies. I am half-Ukrainian. Why has Putin set us against each other? I stood bereft at my son’s funeral as a military official told me he had died a hero serving the motherland. But how can we have heroes in a criminal war?’
Across Russia, as such funerals go on and on, people are beginning to speak more openly.
Soldiers from one Siberian region, forced to the frontline, begged their wives and sisters to protest on their behalf. ‘It is now -20c outdoors. We have to live here, in the ice,’ said one.
Soldiers have warned of their uniforms in tatters and they were riddled with fleas and scabies. Putin (pictured) ignored them
In such conditions ‘we won’t be able to fight . . . We refuse to go to the front and sit in the trenches and wait for mortars to arrive’.
Only the convicts have answered Putin’s call with gusto. Remarkably, one in four members of the Russian military is estimated to be a former criminal, with most serving with the Wagner Group, a private army set up by Putin crony Yevgeny Prigozhin.
But the use of convicts threatens to unleash mayhem. Some of these hardened criminals have already survived their six-month stint at the frontline and are being sent home as free men. Law-abiding Russians are terrified that they will kill and rape once more.
Some of them have even been recommended for medals and hailed as Russia’s new heroes. One such unlikely figure is Alexander Tyutin, 66, who was jailed in 2021 for organising the brutal 2005 contract killing of his business partner, the latter’s pregnant wife and their two children.
Tyutin reportedly urinated on their graves after the funeral. He was caught years later after being duped by an undercover cop posing as a hitman when he tried to commission a second contract killing, this time of his late wife’s niece who was disputing his right to her aunt’s £93,500 inheritance.
This monster had served only 18 months of his 23-year sentence when he was sent to fight for Putin. His war service complete, Tyutin was freed last month and has been seen relaxing alongside Western tourists on holiday in Antalya, Turkey, with his glamorous new wife.
Of course, the Moscow elite are happy for convicts to be sent to the frontline. Many more middle-class Russians would be called up to fight if it wasn’t for the use of prisoners such as Tyutin.
Yet even with criminals to bolster its military ranks, all the signs are that Russia needs a larger supply of fighters than either the army or its jails can provide.
This is being achieved by a combination of carrot and stick.
Teenage conscripts — who are eligible for military training, but by law must not be sent to the front — are being quietly recruited on inflated salaries.
Meanwhile, new rules will prevent men of military age driving abroad (to countries such as Georgia and Kazakhstan) to avoid the draft. In future, drivers will have to book slots to leave Russia, making it easier for the authorities to halt them at the border.
How much longer can all this go on? We hear little of those who refuse the draft. But there is no doubt that mutiny is happening — and that Russia is hiding the true extent of it.
Deserters caught by the authorities in Russia are locked in hellhole makeshift jails, often cellars.
At the front, men labelled ‘traitors’ are being tortured and killed.
One deserter, Dmitry Perov, 31, was shot dead after he fled the war zone to see his wife. His body was left to rot in a snowy field as a message to others.
Historically, the Russian people have endured more torment than most, both at the hands of their own leaders and invaders such as Napoleon and Hitler.
But there has been no invasion of Russian territory and, as the death toll mounts and the futility and the human cost of this bloody war becomes more apparent, the internal opposition will only grow.
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The Wabash Apaches got off to another rocky start Saturday, falling behind 12-0 in the first quarter before coming back to take the lead in the second. The Apaches however could not hold off Lewis Cass, falling to the Kings 54-48.
Lewis Cass would start the game on a 12-0 run before Dereck Vogel drained a three, followed by a Luke Mattern three to make it 12-6. Cass would than go up 15-6 before Trenton Daughtry hit the final bucket of the quarter with Wabash trailing 15-8 after one.
The Apaches would score the first 6 points of the second quarter. Austin Vinopal would hit a bucket and two free throws, followed by a Logan Vander Velden bucket to close the deficit to 15-14 before Cass scored 5 straight to make it 20-14. Back came the Apaches with Elijah Vander Velden hitting, followed by a Logan Vander Velden bucket off a steal. Jared Holley would then convert a three point play with Logan Vander Velden following with a bucket to complete a 9-0 run to grab a 23-20 lead. Up 25-22 after a Daughtry runner, Cass would score the last 6 points of the quarter to lead 28-25 at the half.
Cass would extend their lead to 30-25 to start the third quarter before a Logan Vander Velden bucket made it 30-27. Cass would respond with 6 straight to go up 36-27 before Logan Vander Velden closed the gap to 38-32. Down 40-32 Vogel would hit a three, followed by a Holley free throw for a 40-37 score. Wabash trailed 42-37 after three.
Neither team could find the bucket early in the fourth quarter until Cass scored at the 4:18 mark. On the play Vogel would take a shot to the head that would put him out of the game. During the stopped play Wabash would be assessed a technical foul with Cass hitting three free throws to take a 47-37 lead. Luke Mattern would stop the run with a bucket. With Cass leading 49-41 Daughtry would convert a three point play with 2:05 left t make it 49-44. The Apaches would continue heavy pressure, getting a free throw and a bucket from Holley as the Cass lead was dwindled to 49-47 with .56 left. Wabash would have to foul, with Cass hitting 5 free throws the last 34 seconds to secure the 54-48 score.
|12||L. Vander velden (Jr)||13||6||7||86|
|20||Austin Vinopal (Sr)||4||1||5||20|
|22||T. Daughtry (So)||9||4||14||29|
|23||Luke Mattern (Sr)||5||2||6||33|
|30||Jared Holley (So)||9||3||6||50|
|34||E. Vander Velden (So)||2||1||4||25|
|5||Dereck Vogel (So)||6||2||5||40|
|#||Athlete Name||Off||Def||Tot Reb||Ast||Stls||TO|
|11||Blake Gribben (Jr)||0||0||0||0||2|
|12||L. Vander velden (Jr)||2||2||4||6||3||1|
|20||Austin Vinopal (Sr)||0||4||4||0||1||0|
|22||T. Daughtry (So)||1||2||3||2||2||6|
|23||Luke Mattern (Sr)||0||2||2||1||0||1|
|30||Jared Holley (So)||2||4||6||1||2||2|
|34||E. Vander Velden (So)||0||1||1||0||0||1|
|5||Dereck Vogel (So)||1||2||3||1||1||4|

domain: game


The Kyiv Independent, Ukraine’s main English-language publication, is looking for a commercial editor. This can be a part-time or a full-time position.
The Kyiv Independent was founded in November 2021 by a team of reporters and editors who were fired from the Kyiv Post for defending editorial independence, and media consultancy company Jnomics. Publishing in English, we serve as the world’s window into Ukraine and Ukraine’s voice in the world. Today we are a team of 34 people, with most based in Kyiv.
- Editing commercial content for the Kyiv Independent and preparing commercial stories for publishing on the website;
- Providing guidance to commercial writers as they develop stories;
- Suggesting and finding heroes for commercial stories;
- Generating ideas for native content production in different formats (including text, photo, video and audio) based on the client’s brief;
- Communicating with clients and partners;
- Uploading commercial content to the website;
- Strong command of English language (fluent or native);
- Native or strong command of Ukrainian language (enough to read and understand news, as well as understand a statement delivered in a video/audio form);
- Full understanding of Western news style in terms of language and story structure;
- Experience in a similar role (commercial or editorial) would be considered an advantage;
- Good understanding of news and current affairs in Ukraine and the region;
- Ability to work under tight deadlines and with rigorous accuracy;
- Ability to communicate effectively with team members, external subcontractors and commercial partners of the Kyiv Independent;
- Devotion to the values of independent journalism and understanding of the importance of commercial revenues for media sustainability;
- Being based in Kyiv isn’t necessary but would be considered an advantage.
- Market-level compensation;
- Working with a young and highly motivated team for an award-winning media startup;
- The ability to work remotely upon agreement;
- Flexible work schedule;
- Consistent mentoring;
- Work with top Ukrainian and foreign companies.
Please submit your CV and a motivation letter to email@example.com and state the name of the vacancy “Commercial Editor” in the title of the email.


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Black Cat 2
In a stunning announcement by the Cubs today, the Ricketts family extended a 2016 World Series championship ring to exiled super fan Steve Bartman. But lost in the fine print were details on the other commemorative rings the team discretely opted to issue.
To commemorate the Cubs' 100th year since a World Series title, The Heckler is taking a look back at some of its more memorable editions. So far we've given you 1908, 1916 and 1945.


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Chesapeake Energy Corporation's (NYSE:CHK) recent second-quarter report was filled with surprises. While its financial results were in line with expectations, the company's outlook and future plans were not. Here's a look at three surprising things the company unveiled to investors in its report.
1. Surprise: We're boosting our production guidance
During the second quarter, Chesapeake Energy's production averaged 703,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, or BOE/d. That was 13% higher than the year-ago quarter, and up 2% sequentially when adjusted for asset sales. While that was a solid result, the surprise came from the company's outlook for the full year, which it's actually increasing.
The company now expects production to average 667,000-677,000 BOE/d, which is 4% higher than the midpoint of its previous guidance. That's surprising for two reasons.
First of all, the company is voluntarily curtailing 50,000 BOE/d of production in the Utica Shale, which is a drag on production. Further, the increase is coming despite the fact the company is keeping its capex budget at its previous range of $3.5 billion-$4 billion for the year. Instead, what's driving the better-than-expected production growth is a combination of strong well results, as well as reduced well costs.
2. Surprise: We're thinking about selling more assets
Despite talk that the company might use its $2 billion cash position and a further $4 billion in borrowing capacity on its credit facility to buy cash flowing oil-rich assets during the downturn, Chesapeake Energy is instead considering more asset sales. The company believes that potential asset sales could unlock the value of some of its assets. Further, proceeds from any asset sales would be used to fund additional drilling in 2016, as well as enhancing the company's capital structure.
3. Surprise: We're looking for development partners
In addition to asset sales, Chesapeake Energy is also considering joint ventures or other drilling partnerships. Such transactions could also unlock the value of the company's assets, as well as provide it with more cash to fund its 2016 capex budget.
According to an article by Bloomberg, Chesapeake is said to be leaning toward joint ventures instead of outright asset sales. That's because these partnerships would enable the company's engineers, geologists, and physicists to take the lead in developing the fields that they have been studying for years.
Further, the company said it's not worried about seeking partners at a low point in the downturn because these partners will value the assets based on potential production, as well as the low-cost nature of its assets. In its mind, the company has some of the best assets in the country, and therefore potential partners will want to work with Chesapeake to develop these assets.
Chesapeake Energy was full of surprises during the second quarter. Topping the list is the fact that the company surprisingly raised its full-year production outlook despite some production being curtailed, and the fact it's not spending any additional money. On top of that, the company also surprised investors by saying it's considering more asset sales, as well as seeking financial partners, as it explores ways to both unlock the value of its assets and fund more wells.
Given the fact that oil and gas prices remain weak due to an oversupplied market, the company's plans are a head scratcher. It simply doesn't make a whole lot of sense to grow production when the market already has more than it needs.


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The witness, Karl Oltermann, said he and Becky Bryan had never flirted before and knew each other from taking real estate classes together. Asked if the text messages came completely out of the blue, he said, “Yes sir, very much so.”
He said she wanted him to come to Tulsa and have drinks with her.
The witness said the text messages got extremely explicit about what she wanted to do afterward.
He said at one point she wrote “she wanted to ride that tall cowboy.”
In the hospital interview, with a Mustang police detective and an Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation agent, Becky Bryan claimed the intruder had apologized after shooting her husband point blank.
She said the intruder had, using an expletive, told her, “He should have … hired me.”
She said she and her husband had been watching “Carrie,” a horror movie. She graphically described the shooting, saying her husband's eyes bulged out.
During the interview, she admitted she had filed for divorce the year before and had moved out for a time.
“Yes, we had our problems,” she said. “He was like a totally different person after I came back. We were quite in love.”
One witness said Monday that Becky Bryan in 2010 had called her former lover her soul mate and talked of faking a pregnancy so he would be with her. The witness, Pamela Woodard, was a longtime friend of the victim.
“It was very difficult. It was very sad to relive everything,” Woodard told reporters afterward about her testimony. “It was very surreal.”
Becky Bryan talked about her former lover on the way to the hospital after her husband was shot, another witness, Sharon Valdez said.
Valdez told jurors Becky Bryan said, “Have you ever loved somebody so much you would do that?”
Becky Bryan did not explain what she meant, according to the testimony.
Cut pounds of stomach fat every week by using this 1 weird old tip.


More than 80 design engineers from leading manufacturing companies and research institutions gathered at the 2012 Optimus World Conference in Munich, Germany.
Keynote speakers from Optimus customers Snecma, Federal-Mogul and Audi highlighted the role of process integration and design optimization (PIDO) in their development process. Industry presenters showed how they actually apply automated ‘Engineer by Objective’ optimization strategies, covering multiple engineering disciplines, to deliver better products faster.
The projects brought forward showed that this ‘Engineer by Objective’ approach is much more efficient and targeted than traditional simulation-based development efforts – allowing development teams to adopt ‘right-first-time’ design optimization. They confirmed Optimus as a leading PIDO solution for design engineers to gain up-front insight into the product performance that is within reach. Optimus automatically directs virtual prototyping toward those design candidates that deliver benchmark performance, while taking into account all relevant design constraints.
Click here to check out the pictures taken during the 2012 Optimus World Conference.


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More to explore:
This turtle tart is swirled with caramel and chocolate then topped with pecans and sea salt!
Almonds, sea salt, rosemary recipe
Cinnamon Candied Walnuts, Pumpkin Pie Pecans, and Cocoa Sea Salt Cashews, inspired by the #Ziploc #HolidayCollection. | #food #recipe #gift #healthy
Pecan Pie Cake.
Salted Pecan Pie Bars
A combination of balsamic vinegar, sea salt, and brown sugar turns pecans into a toasty, addictive snack that's perfect for nibbling alongside apéritifs.
Salted Pecan Pie Bars from pinchofyum.com
Caramel Sea Salt Cupcakes
Brown Butter Waffles with Honey-Apples and Pecans
... pecan banana bread ...

domain: food


We’re going to spend this week playing Half-Life 2: RAVENHOLM!!!
Here is a link to the Guild Wars 2 Manifesto, which has the guy who posed as the face model for Father Grigori. (He appears around the one minute mark.)
Next week, we begin the new season with (assuming all goes to plan) Assassin’s Creed 2.
The Best of 2011
My picks for what was important, awesome, or worth talking about in 2011.
Zenimax vs. Facebook
This series explores the troubled history of VR and the strange lawsuit between Zenimax publishing and Facebook.
MMO Population Problems
Computers keep getting more powerful. So why do the population caps for massively multiplayer games stay about the same?
Programming Language for Games
Game developer Jon Blow is making a programming language just for games. Why is he doing this, and what will it mean for game development?
The Opportunity Crunch
No, brutal, soul-sucking, marriage-destroying crunch mode in game development isn't a privilege or an opportunity. It's idiocy.


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National Orgs Release Pediatric Readiness Recommendations
By Jonathan Springston, Editor, Relias Media
Five expert groups recently released a joint policy statement regarding pediatric readiness in emergency medical services (EMS) systems.
The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), in conjunction with the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Emergency Nurses Association, the National Association of Emergency Medical Services Physicians, and the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, crafted specific recommendations regarding equipment, personnel, and treatment protocols involved in treating children outside the hospital.
“Effective emergency care often begins outside of the hospital walls,” Jeffrey M. Goodloe, MD, FACEP, immediate past chair of the ACEP EMS committee, said in a statement. “Collaborating to strengthen the infrastructure for out-of-hospital emergency care of children will improve systemwide efforts to treat some of our most vulnerable and precious patients.”
Regarding equipment, the guideline authors stressed the importance of traveling with medical equipment designed especially for pediatric patients, and the need for EMS employees to be trained to use such tools appropriately.
Beyond these fundamentals, the joint statement authors asked EMS professionals to consider communication issues, such as crafting terms that are easy for children and their parents to understand. Also, the recommendations urge EMS to create procedures for addressing non-English speaking patients/family, and how to care for unaccompanied children injured in a disaster.
“Pediatric readiness encompasses the presence of equipment and medications, usage of guidelines and policies, availability of education and training, incorporation of performance improvement practices, and integration of EMS physician medical oversight to equip EMS systems to deliver optimal care to children,” the guideline authors wrote. “It has been shown that emergency departments [EDs] are more prepared to care for children when a pediatric emergency care coordinator is responsible for championing and making recommendations for policies, training, and resources pertinent to the emergency care of children. The specialty of EMS medicine has the potential to derive similar benefits when members of the EMS community are personally invested in pediatric patient care.”
The November 2019 issue of ED Management includes an article about a study that raised serious concerns regarding EDs that are not considered “pediatric ready” to manage emergencies involving children. Investigators say critically ill children brought to these centers are three times more likely to die when compared with children in similar condition who are taken to hospitals with EDs that are well equipped to care for this age group.
For more on pediatric readiness, particularly these recent recommendations for EMS, be sure to check out future issues of Pediatric Emergency Medicine Reports. On a related note, listen to Episode 9 of the Relias Media free podcast series, "Rounds with Relias," which concerns limiting liability risks in pediatric emergency care.

domain: medical


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Last week was a really busy time for me. When I was not meeting with clients or attending other appointments I had several time consuming projects I was working on. All of it was productive, worthy and noble causes, things that made me feel good about myself at the end of the day – the kind of good feeling we might experience after a workout at the gym or digging in the garden. Yes, I am proud to say I put in an honest week’s work last week.
Hold on a minute, though. Before I break my arm patting myself on the back I need to ask this question. How much of that time and energy was spent on things that were simply expected of me instead of those things only I can do, specific to my own unique gifts and talents? Consider this for example, what if Mozart or Rembrandt had only done those things that others expected of them? What if Mozart had become an accountant or Rembrandt a bricklayer – both worthy and noble professions all right? But then the world would have been deprived of the musical compositions and beautiful paintings they created. You and I, though, were not given such special talents we might argue. Or were we? According to co-authors Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton in their popular book Now Discover Your Strengths we all have unique gifts and talents, and if you buy the book there is a psychological assessment included that is designed to identify your own top five natural strengths. Not only that, their research also shows that your specific combination of top five strengths is unique to one in thirty-three million people. In other words the chances of ever finding a perfect match of someone like you who has your exact gifts and talents are almost infinitesimal.
In a Gallup survey of over two million global workers it was revealed that only 20 percent of employees working in large organizations feel that their strengths are in play every day. If that’s so does it mean those organizations are operating at only a 20 percent capacity? Does it also mean that you and I by spending the preponderance of our time and energy simply doing things that are expected of us – regardless how worthy and noble those deeds may be – are in fact utilizing only about 20 percent of our God-given gifts and talents?
Yeah, I may have put in an honest week’s work last week, but here’s the challenge – for you and for me: How can we increase our capacity from 20 percent to, say, 30 percent? And why is that so important if we are doing good works in the first place? Because if we don’t we may be depriving the world of what we were uniquely made to do.

domain: psychology


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Striving For Perfection Will NOT Make You Happy
Val Baldwin, CPC
Live Your Ultimate Life
Our culture seems to have elevated the quest for being perfect. When someone is described as a perfectionist they are frequently admired and envied. A perfectionist, however, is usually someone living in a constant state of dissatisfaction and that isn't healthy. To perfectionists, no one, including their spouse, children, family, friends and themselves ever measures up to their impossible standards. Perfectionists spend their lives never being happy with what they have accomplished always wanting things to be perfect.
In many situations where 70% perfection could be good enough, people who are perfectionists think they have to achieve 110%. Then, if they only achieve 95%-100% perfection, they feel devastated, believing they are failures.
What Is Perfectionism?
- The irrational belief you and/or your environment must be perfect.
- When you are constantly fearful of making mistakes which you believe will lead to humiliation or criticism.
- When you demand perfection and are intolerant of other’s mistakes.
- When you never seem to have enough time to do your best. This is because you focus so much on completing every unimportant detail of a task so perfectly that you never get around to getting the task completed.
- The belief that no matter what you attempt it is never “good enough” to meet your own or others’ expectations.
Why Perfectionism Will Cause You Harm
- It creates low self-esteem and guilt. Perfectionists have low self esteem because they can't accept themselves as they really are – imperfect….as all humans are. There is a huge difference between failing at something you do and thinking that means you are a failure as a person.
- It will stop you from being happy. You can’t be happy if you cannot accept the world or your life as it is. You will constantly try to make everything perfect, which is impossible. Happiness depends on acceptance and joy in the present, with how things are now.
- It will hurt your relationships. Perfectionists create stress on themselves and on their friends or partners and are very demanding. Relationships need give and take and acceptance of one another's faults is a big part of that.
How To Overcome Perfectionism:
Tip 1: Make a Cost-Benefit Analysis: Make a list of all the ways that being a perfectionist is hurting you and those around you. You will be more motivated to shed those tendencies.
Tip 2: See the positive. If you find something that you do not like about yourself or your work, look for 5 other qualities that you do like. This will balance out your critical focus and may start a positive attitude.
Tip 3: Instead of focusing on how people fail to reach your standards, ask yourself what did they do that you’re grateful for.
Tip 4: Accept that the ideal is only a guideline or goal to be worked toward, not to be achieved 100%.
Tip 5: Make friends with your imperfections and those of others. Instead, create a new label for your less than perfect performances. You can call them, “an opportunity to improve in the future”. And most important, give yourself a lot of credit for having the courage to try, and try again.
Tip 6: Recognize that the human condition is one of failings, weakness, deviations, imperfections and mistakes. Accept yourself as a human being.
Tip 7: Strive to find pleasure in what you do, not perfection.

domain: sociology


So you have got to replace the transmission and you are asking yourself what are the particular positives and negatives when this comes to utilized transmissions vs. remanufactured transmissions. The key difference between utilized and remanufactured feeds is that a good used transmission is definitely just that it can be used; it was in a car that is definitely likely not in the road any longer. A remanufactured tranny has been remanufactured with a machine shop to create it back again to factory technical specs this includes exchanging all internal parts inside of the original transmission covering.
The remanufactured transmitting is usually gonna have a few key advantages more than an used one particular. Shemale tubes will be that a refurbished engine because a machine shop has re-built it and recertified it will have a warranty of some type. A used transmission is likely to be sold as is with no warranty or 30 times at most and even no guarantees regarding how long it is guaranteed to survive you.
An additional of a remanufactured gears vs. the applied transmission is that will a remanufactured transmission has usually got any issues with the transmission set as a portion of the re-build process where most of the internal parts are substituted however an applied transmission has had nothing fixed about it so it’s a crap shoot whether or not it can work for an additional 10 years or 10 miles.
The a single caveat towards the remanufactured engine being more preferable an applied one is that you need to know it seemed to be re-built by the quality shop. The rebuilt transmission will be only as very good as the device store that repairs this. Using quality pieces and processes for the particular rebuild is essential. In case you or your mechanic are getting coming from a reputable re-builder you will be very probable to get a transmission that will certainly last you a long time.
You are probably will be working using a mechanic to be able to get your tranny replaced and your mechanic likely has suppliers he works with for gears. One of the particular ways you may sometimes save big money is by having quotes separately for the part as well as the labor. This demonstrates how much of the particular total job is going into the purchasing the remanufactured or perhaps used transmission. Occasionally a little analysis and moment is likely to make it therefore you can get the part much cheaper then deliver typically the transmission to your auto technician and only purchase the labor.
Eventually unless you understand exactly where used transmission is rushing in coming from when it comes to the applied transmissions vs . brand new transmissions battle the particular remanufactured transmission is usually usually the sharp winner.


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We help you find the best time to buy your flight to Dominica. Price'n'Fly searches for the best available travel options to Dominica among what airlines and agencies offer, including special promotions, direct flights and with stopovers and last minute tickets.
Our search engine compares cheap flights to Dominica among more than 350 providers, both airlines and travel agencies.
Price'n'Fly helps you find cheap flights to Dominica. You just need to state which city you'd like to depart from. Price'n'Fly will review prices among hundreds of flight providers and shows you the cheapest, since you can see offers, last minute flights and other flights taking into account several departure and arrival airports in some cases.
You can also state the number of travelers and class to obtain a more accurate result. Once you get the list of flights to Dominica you can apply other filters and check prices for other dates to save the most on your next trip to Dominica.
|Barbados - Grantley Adams • Dominica - Melville Hall From 14/12/2019 to 09/01/2020 Round trip Search date 10 days ago||£217|
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|London • Dominica - Cane Field From 07/02/2020 to 14/02/2020 Round trip Search date 3 days ago||£1,182|
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If you are looking for cheap flights to Dominica you are in the right place. Price'n'Fly's mission is to save on your next trip by comparing all available flights.
|Flights from London|
|Flights from Barbados - Grantley Adams|
|Flights from Manchester - Ringway|
|Flights from London - Gatwick|
|Flights from London - Heathrow|
|Flights from Sint Maarten - Princess Juliana|
|Flights from Birmingham|

domain: geography


text:
DOI link for Iterative interactions
Iterative interactions book
This chapter puts contemporary media theory and contemporary philosophy of history into conversation and under mutual scrutiny, proposing that an era’s representational media technologies consistently inflect that era’s reigning conceptualizations of history. The Civil War serves as the chapter’s source of case studies because of the intriguing span its history of representations occupies on the timeline of visual media technologies’ evolution. What can representations of history in different media teach us about how historians, both academic and lay, imagine(d) history and delimit(ed) or set the bounds of its aims?

domain: library


German engineering is renowned worldwide for its precision, reliability, and innovation. When it comes to professional products, whether in the realm of technology, automotive, or manufacturing, German-made goods stand out for their exceptional quality. Let’s explore the myriad benefits of opting for German professional products:
*1. Unparalleled Quality:*
German products are synonymous with quality. From the meticulous attention to detail in manufacturing processes to rigorous testing standards, German-made goods consistently deliver superior performance and durability.
*2. Precision Engineering:*
Precision is the hallmark of German engineering. Whether it’s automotive components, industrial machinery, or electronics, German products are engineered with precision to ensure optimal functionality and efficiency.
Germany has long been at the forefront of innovation across various industries. German companies invest heavily in research and development, constantly pushing the boundaries of technology and design to create products that set new standards in their respective fields.Precision is the hallmark of German engineering. Whether it’s automotive components, industrial machinery, or electronics, German products are engineered with precision to ensure optimal functionality and efficiency
German professional products are known for their reliability and longevity. Businesses and professionals rely on these products for critical operations, confident in their ability to perform consistently under demanding conditions.
Efficiency is ingrained in the design philosophy of German products. Whether it’s energy-efficient appliances, streamlined manufacturing processes, or advanced automation solutions, German-made products are engineered to maximize efficiency and productivity.
*6. Environmental Sustainability:*
German manufacturers prioritize sustainability and eco-friendliness in their production processes. From using renewable energy sources to implementing recycling initiatives, Investing in German professional products is a testament to a commitment to quality and excellence. While the initial cost may be higher than alternatives, the long-term durability, reliability, and performance of German-made goods offer excellent value for money over their lifespan. German companies are committed to reducing their environmental footprint and promoting sustainability.
*7. Global Reputation:*
German products enjoy a sterling reputation worldwide. The “Made in Germany” label is a symbol of excellence and craftsmanship, commanding trust and respect from consumers and businesses alike.
*8. Superior Performance:*
German professional products consistently outperform their counterparts from other countries. Whether it’s the precision of German power tools, the efficiency of German automotive engines, or the reliability of German industrial equipment, these products excel in their respective domains.
*9. After-Sales Support:*
German manufacturers provide excellent after-sales support and service, ensuring customers receive prompt assistance and solutions in case of any issues or queries. This commitment to customer satisfaction further enhances the value proposition of German professional products.
*10. Long-Term Investment:*
Investing in German professional products is a testament to a commitment to quality and excellence. While the initial cost may be higher than alternatives, the long-term durability, reliability, and performance of German-made goods offer excellent value for money over their lifespan.
opting for German professional products is a decision backed by a multitude of benefits, including unparalleled quality, precision engineering, innovation, reliability, efficiency, sustainability, global reputation, superior performance, excellent after-sales support, and long-term value. With German products, professionals can unlock excellence and elevate their operations to new heights.


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Past Popular News & Videos - Page 230:
|ABC Announces Finale Dates, Including 'Housewives', 'Cougar Town' ...|
The ladies of Wisteria Lane will say goodbye with a two-hour episode on May 13 as 'Desperate Housewives' wraps up for good after eight seasons.
|Showtime Sets Season Premiere Dates For 'Dexter' and 'Homeland' ...|
Showtime has announced that two of its top-rated dramas, 'Dexter' and 'Homeland', will return on September 30.
|Kim Kardashian Responds To Jon Hamm's 'F--king Idiot' Slam ...|
Kim Kardashian is responding to Jon Hamm's slam in the April issue of Elle UK.
|David Spade Tells Girls What He's Really Thinking As 'Honest Bachelor' ...|
ABC's 'The Bachelor' may have wrapped up its season last night but maybe they can give David Spade his own spinoff.
|George Takei Does Happy Dance To 'Sexy And I Know It' ...|
Former 'Star Trek' George Takei does a happy dance to celebrate his new musical Allegiance reaching the $158,000 mark.
|'Schwarzenegger' Sings In 'Batman and Robin: The Musical' ...|
Two brothers finally get some use of the debacle that was 1997's 'Batman & Robin' with 'Batman and Robin: The Musical'.
|Dick Van Dyke, 86, Marries 40-Year-Old Makeup Artist ...|
At age 86, Dick Van Dyke is a newlywed for the second time.
|Bobbi Kristina On Whitney Houston: 'I Can Always Feel Her With Me' ...|
Whitney Houston's only child, 19-year-old daughter Bobbi Kristina, says she couldn't bring herself to sleep in her mother's Atlanta mansion after her death.
|Shia LaBeouf Sports Scraggly Beard and Ponytail In LA ...|
Shia LaBeouf, who has been laying low after his bar brawl in October, stepped out in Los Angeles with a new look.
|Olivier Martinez Confirms Engagement To Halle Berry ...|
French actor Olivier Martinez has confirmed that he's engaged to Halle Berry.
|Server Fired For Sharing Photo Of Peyton Manning's Generous Tip ...|
A server at the The Angus Barn in Raleigh, North Carolina has been fired after sharing a receipt from Peyton Manning's night out with friends.
|Dennis Quaid's Third Wife Files For Divorce ...|
Actor Dennis Quaid's third wife has filed for divorce after nearly eight years of marriage.
|Romanian Sends Up Lego Space Shuttle To Edge Of Space ...|
Raul Oaida, a Romanian steam and rocket enthusiastic, sent a space shuttle made entirely out of Lego to the edge of space with the help of a hot air balloon.
|Ski Resort Promotes Itself With Snowboarding Possum ...|
Liberty Mountain Resort promotes itself with the help of a possum on a snowboard.
|James Cameron Plans Record Dive To World's Deepest Ocean Trench ...|
'Titanic' director James Cameron is planning to dive to the deepest place on Earth, further than any other human has gone on a solo mission.
|Whitney Houston's Family Says 'The Handwriting Was On The Wall' ...|
Oprah Winfrey's interview with Whitney Houston's family, including daughter Bobbi Kristina, won't air until Sunday but we're getting our first excerpts from the conversation.
|Reese Witherspoon Launches $5 Necklace Against Domestic Violence ...|
Reese Witherspoon has teamed up with Avon to launch a necklace to raise funds for a Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program.
|Jamie Oliver Calls Reporter 'Bitch' For Asking About Weight Gain ...|
Jamie Oliver snapped at a female reporter in Australia after she asked him about his recent weight gain.
|Britney Spears In Talks With $10 Million Offer To Join 'X Factor' ...|
Talks are getting serious between Britney Spears and 'The X Factor' with a deal for $10 million on the table.
|Megan Fox Scared By A Giant Banana On Ellen DeGeneres Show ...|
Megan Fox is startled by a giant banana right in the middle of her story about how she used to dress up as a banana for her job at a smoothie shop before she was an actress.
|‘Community' Gets Action-Spoof Trailer With Chang Wars For Return ...|
NBC has released a two minute trailer for the return of ‘Community' that reveals the fate of the Greendale Seven and the foes they will battle upon their return.
|Russian Buranovo Grannies Sing 'Party for Everybody' (Video) ...|
The Russian group known as the Buranovo Grannies swept aside its competition this week to represent the country at this year's Eurovision Song Contest.
|'Survivor: One World' Tribe Gives Up Immunity In 'Single Dumbest Move Ever' ...|
Last night's episode of 'Survivor: One World' saw the men's tribe do something that hadn't been done on 24 seasons of the show.
|Sandra Bullock Tries To Put An End Rumors Of Night With Brett Ratner ...|
Sandra Bullock and Brett Ratner have released a joint statement to try to put an end to rumors that they spent the night together following the 2012 Academy Awards.
|Jennifer Love Hewitt: 'I Like My Boobs, They've Always Served Me Well' ...|
Jennifer Love Hewitt doesn't just strip down to bra and panties for the newest Maxim, she also talks about the assets that are front and center on the cover.
|Miley Cyrus Faces Backlash On Twitter Over 'Forget Jesus' Remark ...|
Miley Cyrus is facing backlash from some of her more devout Christian followers after sharing a photo that contained a quote from physicist Lawrence Krauss.
|Whitney Houston Leaves Everything To Daughter, Nothing To Bobby Brown ...|
Whitney Houston left everything to her 19-year-old daughter, Bobbi Kristina.
|Jessica Sanchez Does 'I Will Always Love You' On 'American Idol' ...|
'American Idol' contestant Jessica Sanchez earns rave reviews from the judges after taking on Whitney Houston's cover of 'I Will Always Love You'.
|Hilary Duff Battles Pregnancy Mustache and Hair Growth In Skit ...|
Mother to be Hilary Duff shares pregnancy beauty secret NoGrowactive, with a special appearance by Hair Baby.
|Snooki Confirms She's Pregnant, Engaged To Boyfriend Jionni LaValle ...|
Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi has finally confirmed that she's pregnant.
|'Bachelor' Creator Mike Fleiss Quietly Gets Divorce ...|
'Bachelor' creator Mike Fleiss is now a bachelor himself after quietly divorcing his wife of 24 years.
|Hulk Hogan Sex Tape Being Shopped To Adult Film Studios ...|
A sex tape featuring wrestler Hulk Hogan is being shopped around to major adult film studios, according to TMZ.
|Paula Deen's Lawyers Call Harassment Lawsuit 'Baseless' ...|
Paula Deen's lawyers are responding to the lawsuit filed by a former employee of her restaurant in Savannah, Georgia.
|Demi Lovato: 'I Can't Tell You That I Haven't Cut Myself Since Treatment' ...|
Demi Lovato, who proudly showed off her bikini body after treatment for her eating disorder, says she's still dealing with issues.
|Kim Kardashian Makes Donation To Charity For Unreturned Wedding Gifts ...|
Rather than return wedding gifts to her guests, Kim Kardashian has chosen to make a charitable donation instead.
|Adam Sandler Torments Andy Samberg In 'That's My Boy' Trailer ...|
Don't ask us why but Adam Sandler is pulling out the Little Nicky voice for his upcoming comedy with Andy Samberg called 'That's My Boy'.
|First Look At 'The Voice' UK With Jessie J and Will.i.am ...|
Here's your first look at 'The Voice' UK with coaches Jessie J, Will.i.am, Danny O'Donoghue and Sir Tom Jones as they take their seats on the singing competition.
|Prankster Tricks Cops With Water Bottle Pee Prank (Video) ...|
A prankster runs an old fashioned trick on a number of cops with help of his handy water bottle.
|Katy Perry Insists 'Part Of Me' Is Not About Russell Brand ...|
Katy Perry says her song 'Part Of Me' isn't about ex-husband Russell Brand.
|George W. Bush Impersonator Steve Bridges Dead At 48 ...|
Steve Bridges, an impersonator known for mimicking President George W. Bush, has died. He was 48.
|Paula Deen and Brother Sued For Sexual Harassment By Employee ...|
Paula Deen and her brother have been sued by a woman who claims she was sexually harassed when she worked at the Georgia restaurant they own.
|Limbaugh Dropped By Station For 'Intolerance', Loses More Sponsors ...|
Despite his apology for calling Georgetown law student and advocate Sandra Fluke a 'slut' and 'prostitute', advertisers are still heading for the exits.
|'Terra Nova' Cancelled By Fox After One Season ...|
Fox has cancelled its Steven Spielberg-produced adventure series 'Terra Nova' after one season.
|'Men In Black 3' Trailer Features More Of Josh Brolin As Young K ...|
The first trailer for 'Men In Black 3' introduced us to the film's time travel plot but merely gave us a glimpse of Josh Brolin.
|'Ice Age: Continental Drift' Brings End Of World, Pirates In Trailer ...|
Scrat is back in the trailer for the upcoming 'Ice Age' and this time he's got to contend with the continental drift.
|Kate Upton With Spring In Her Step For Paparazzi (Video) ...|
Sports Illustrated cover girl Kate Upton has a spring in her step after her recent rise to fame.
|Christina Hendricks & Olivia Munn Caught Up In Nude Photo Scandals ...|
Christina Hendricks and Olivia Munn are the latest victims of alleged phone hacks.
|Kirk Cameron: Homosexuality Is 'Unnatural, Detrimental and Destructive' ...|
Former 'Growing Pains' star Kirk Cameron is letting his opinion be known by calling gay marriage and homosexuality "destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization."
|Oprah Winfrey To Interview Whitney Houston's Daughter and Family For OWN ...|
Oprah Winfrey has landed an exclusive interview with late singer Whitney Houston's daughter, Bobbi Kristina, and other family members for a special that will air on OWN.
|'Simpsons Does 'Game Of Thrones' Opening Sequence ...|
'The Simpsons' gives a nod to 'Game Of Thrones' during last night's opening credits by turning Springfield into a kingdom ruled by Mr. Burns.

domain: celebrity


text: The use of lockdown to slow the spread of COVID‐19 has been unprecedented in its scale, scope and duration despite early predictions that such a measure would have a negative impact on the mental health and well‐being of many young people and their families. From a developmental psychopathology perspective both direct and indirect effects of lockdown‐related harms to young people’s mental health were predictable: Direct effects, for instance, being due to the negative psychological impact of social isolation and confinement on children; Indirect effects being exerted via negative impacts on family and parent mental health and wellbeing. That these effects would vary from person‐to‐person was also predicted from this perspective; with vulnerable individuals with pre‐existing conditions and those living in high‐risk settings being at particular risk. The presumption has been that such negative effects, if they do occur, would be time limited and that everything would return to normal once lockdowns ended. But this is not necessarily the case. In this editorial we ask whether lockdowns could have long‐term effects on young people's mental health and then briefly outline three putative mechanisms through which such long‐term effects might occur.


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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie went public with their engagement last Friday just days after she was spotted wearing her large diamond ring on her left hand. It appears quite larger in carat size than the ring Brad gave to Jen several years ago, but is it prettier?
In 1999, Brad gave Jennifer Aniston a gorgeous diamond and platinum engagement ring that he designed with Sylvia Damiani, a famous Hollywood jeweler. The setting featured a round brilliant stone surrounded by different diamonds circling around the main stone, was valued at the time at around $500,000.
Pitt also co-designed Jolie’s engagement along with Robert Procop. This time he went with a different cut of diamond entirely known as an emerald cut. Though it is currently unknown how many carats Angelina’s ring is it appears that the main diamond is quite large and also features cut stones on each side of the main diamond. The jeweler has confirmed that it was designed specifically to her small fingers and is of the highest quality.
It was cut to an exact custom size and shape to suit Angelina’s hand. Angelina’s ring took over a year to design. Angelina’s ring is said to be valued at a fraction of Jennifer’s ring at $250,000.
So which ring do you think is the prettiest? Would you prefer Jennifer’s ring or Angelina’s ring?
Let’s hear your thoughts….


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The next step is to visit the Animal Shelter to redeem your animal. If you want to feed your cat or small canine once you’re out, the PetSafe 5-Meal Computerized Pet Feeder is accurate, inexpensive, and onerous for a pet to break into. For a lot of ailments, nuclear medicine scans yield essentially the most useful information wanted to make a analysis or to find out appropriate remedy, if any. However, these scans needs to be learn rigorously by your doctor, as it’s possible for noncancerous conditions to seem like most cancers on a scan. It is also frequent for solid tumors to fail to appear on PET scans.
The high plasticization temperature of PET in the vary of 280 °C (536 °F) is the explanation why virtually all common natural impurities such as PVC , PLA , polyolefin , chemical wood-pulp and paper fibers, polyvinyl acetate , soften adhesive, coloring brokers, sugar, and protein residues are reworked into coloured degradation merchandise that, of their turn, might release as well as reactive degradation products. clarification needed citation wanted Then, the variety of defects in the polymer chain increases significantly. The particle size distribution of impurities may be very broad, the large particles of 60-a thousand µm—that are seen by naked eye and straightforward to filter—representing the lesser evil, since their complete floor is relatively small and the degradation velocity is therefore decrease. The influence of the microscopic particles, which—because they’re many—improve the frequency of defects within the polymer, is comparatively higher.
Because the doses of radiotracer administered are small, diagnostic nuclear medicine procedures end in comparatively low radiation exposure to the affected person, acceptable for diagnostic exams. Thus, the radiation risk may be very low compared with the potential benefits. After the check, you can go about your day except your doctor gives you other directions. However, as a result of radioactive material will stay in your body for about 12 hours, you’ll want to restrict your contact with both pregnant women and infants during this time.
The radiotracers used in PET scans are made by attaching a radioactive atom to chemical substances that are used naturally by the actual organ or tissue throughout its metabolic process. For instance, in PET scans of the brain, a radioactive atom is applied to glucose (blood sugar) to create a radionuclide called fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), as a result of the brain uses glucose for its metabolism. FDG is broadly utilized in PET scanning.
Your pet’s conduct might change dramatically after a catastrophe, turning into aggressive or defensive. Be aware of their effectively being and protect them from hazards to make sure the safety of different folks and animals. Verify that your contact data is right and upload a current picture of your missing dog, cat, or different pet. For all adoptions it’s essential to go to the Pet Useful resource Center in individual during regular operating hours, Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

domain: chemistry


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The Palestine Solidarity Campaign's anti-Israel rhetoric is "infused with antisemitism" and its members engage in "racist conspiracy theories," according to the Board of Deputies.
Attacking the group and its Scottish counterpart, the Board said the PSC's recent actions reinforced the view that it had become an "impediment" to peace.
PSC director Sarah Colborne said the claims were "smears and false allegations".
Board president Vivian Wineman said a number of campaigns in the past six months highlighted how the PSC had been "totally discredited".
In July, the chair of Waltham Forest PSC, Ellie Merton, claimed Anders Breivik's massacre in Norway, in which more than 70 people were killed, was "an Israel government-sponsored operation". The PSC said her views did not represent those of the campaign, but did not remove her from her role.
Scottish PSC members last week led demonstrations in support of the student found guilty of racially abusing a Jewish postgraduate, lambasted the sheriff who heard the case and pledged to protest at the guilty student's sentencing.
Mr Wineman said: "We are alarmed by the way in which anti-Israel rhetoric has now become infused with antisemitism and members of organisations which claim to be combating racism are in fact now engaging in racist conspiracy theories and condoning racist acts.".
Mark Gardner, CST communications director, said: "In their extreme hatred of Israel and its supporters, PSC and the wider anti-Israel movement risk echoing the old ugly themes about evil Jewish power and conspiracy."
On Wednesday PSC members demonstrated outside a London art gallery hosting a show by gay Israeli artists.
Ms Colborne attacked the exhibition as an attempt by Israel to "co-opt the LGBT community into its 'pinkwashing' campaign, which aims to rebrand Israel as a haven for queers while drawing attention away from its numerous crimes against the Palestinian people".
The PSC was due to picket yesterday's performance by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall.
Responding to the criticism, Ms Colborne insisted: "Those few organisations and individuals who still uncritically support Israel's policies are finding it so difficult to justify Israel's war crimes and illegal occupation that they are resorting to attacking those defending human rights."

domain: politics


Once the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the whole world went into lockdown. The casino locations and different businesses casino and resort too had to shut down, and economies around the globe went right into a tizzy. But, even the leisure and gambling world was in a repair concerning whether people will eat up their material today or not. With thousands dropping their jobs, everybody was trying to find methods to survive. At that time, we found that the internet casino industry was still thriving and how! Persons began checking websites like Belfair, Bettered and reading their reviews as they prepared to bet.
Where was the Modify Visible?
The significant modification was visible when coordinators began canceling major sporting events. The physical gambling settings used suit and suggest the internet gambling had taken over. But and also this induced many issues for the gamblers to find alternatives. The BBC wrote a write-up about how gambling on the web induced gambling watchdogs to take action. That generated the ban on using charge cards and e-wallets like PayPal in gambling in Great Britain from April 14.
Was just this grim outcome visible as a change in the internet gambling groups? No. GameStop found an increase of 15% from the former gamblers seeking self-exclusion. That said, since the lockdown began, there has been an increase in the advertisements for on the web casinos. It can also be correct that the number of queries on the web for casinos has increased within the last 30 days. It’s correct that in this run to check out new casinos, and people usually dismiss reading reviews. For example, a casino like Bettered, with lots of experience in this gaming area, has reviews. We recommend visiting OLBG’s Bettered casino site, as it gives everything required to know, including how exactly to open a consideration, they are provided, acknowledged payment practices, and an unbiased, honest individual review. Similarly, they also offer detailed reviews on all prime and trusted casinos for the gamers to remain safe.
That evaluation reading is of paramount significance to the players as it provides a better comprehension of the casino’s certificate and security-related parameters.
Have the Overall Results in Sports booking Scene been as Heartening?
No. The whole sports world believed a significant impact when the functions were canceled. But this did not mean that people couldn’t guess about electronic sports. The simulation gambling firm WhatifSports stated to obtain an increase in sales by 25%. That implies that electronic activities such as Australian Rugby and Aussie Rules Baseball have also observed an increase in use and popularity.


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It is unimaginable to take pleasure in your life without sound health. If you catch sight of negative changes in your body, or want to consult for chronic illnesses, you may contact Health way massage. It is located in Auckland. Doctors who work here may:
Rating 4.6 shows that users like this location!
You might find reviews to understand what people mentioned as positive moments and negative moments in their visiting Health way massage. or just pay a visit to the company in New Zealand, Auckland 0622, Takapuna, shop 4/78/62 Hurstmere Road.

domain: health


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China Huaneng opens the door to UK green electricity
- In recent years, the UK has been promoting the development of renewable energy to achieve carbon neutrality targets
- According to the plan, the UK will completely stop coal-fired power generation by 2020 to reduce carbon emissions.
Massive battery storage plants could soon become a familiar sight across the UK, with hundreds of applications for construction already submitted to authorities.
The proportion of renewable energy power generation in the UK continues to increase, but renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power are intermittent, posing great challenges to the stable operation of the power grid. China Huaneng has built Europe's largest single battery energy storage power station in Mendy, Wiltshire, England, which can continuously supply power to 40,000 households. This is also the first large-scale battery energy storage project built by a Chinese power company in a developed country, creating the possibility for the British power grid to absorb more renewable energy.
Traditionally, fossil fuel power plants have been used to manage these peaks and troughs, but over time, battery storage facilities could replace some of these original peaking generators. As more electricity comes from wind and solar, demand for these batteries and similar energy storage facilities is expected to increase significantly. Editor/Xu Shengpeng
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Meet and greet Gdansk Airport
Meet and greet Gdansk Airport Meet and greet Gdansk Airport gives you comfortable way to get from Gdansk airport to your destination in Gdansk, Sopot and Gdynia. Thanks to short distance from the airport to Gdansk it takes up to 40 minutes depending on traffic jams. Gdansk is the largest city in Northern Poland. Millions […]
Gdansk Airport taxi transfer to Gdansk Centre and Old Town. How much does in cost in 2023?
Gdansk Airport taxi transfer to Gdansk Old Town. Gdansk Airport official name is Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport (GND). The airport is located roughly 16 km from Gdansk Old Town. There are many ways to get to Gdansk Center – by train, by bus or by taxi. Taxi is the fastest way to get from the […]


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Garden design is a complex process. Every garden is different and every client wants something that little bit special to set theirs apart. Faced with the challenge of creating gardens at two of this year’s RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) shows, one of Europe’s leading garden designers has turned to the versatility of MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME to help provide stand-out features.
Andrew Fisher Tomlin is well known for creating gardens and landscapes around the world that are stylish and of the highest quality. His creations at this year’s RHS Hampton Court and RHS Chelsea Flower Shows both feature the innovative, engineered timber product, MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME and both won awards. For the Bowel Disease UK garden for Crohn's Disease at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, Andrew found that MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME was his material of choice. Used to create the distinctive boundary fencing, the highly durable product enabled him to add that element of individuality by using the centuries old Japanese ‘Shou-Sugi-Ban’ technique of charring wood surfaces.
This ancient, but now rediscovered, practice of burning the surface of the wood, wraps it in a protective layer of carbon, resulting in a stunning crackled finish. The garden was awarded a Gold Medal and Best Summer Garden, receiving perfect marks for its construction and planting with the judges praising the use of unusual and rare plants and the quality of the detail. Commenting on MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME, Andrew Fisher Tomlin said: “When we source materials we look for products that are well made, sustainable and have consistent quality. Proven performance is also essential and a product that can provide long-term exterior use, requiring little or no maintenance, is really good. MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME is such a product.” MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME is an extremely durable, FSC® certified wood panel benefiting from the latest advancements in proprietary acetylation technology which alters the wood’s chemical structure making it practically impermeable to water and therefore not vulnerable to swelling or shrinkage. Its attractive finish and ease of handling makes it the perfect product choice for a wide variety of applications.
Carrying a 50-year guarantee, it is backed by an assessment by the independent British Board of Agrément (BBA) to provide long-term peace of mind. “It was great to introduce a new material for fencing that people haven’t thought of,” added Andrew Fisher Tomlin. “We found MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME flexible and really easy to work with. The deep black, charred surface we applied gave it a contemporary look which has provided a unique way of framing and showing off the plants in the garden.” A finalist in the RHS Chelsea Product of the Year 2016 and handcrafted by Oxford Planters, Andrew’s Stud Planter and bench was also created from MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME along with ACCOYA wood.
The collection was nominated for the sustainability of the materials, design and its innovative copper-studded band feature which repels pests such as slugs. Sarah Pierce, Oxford Planters’ Director, commented: “MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME was crucial to the design. We chose it because everything we make from it lasts. We’ve been using it for a long time and it’s never let us down. It’s absolutely amazing.”


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Hangout With Tee is an undeniably rewarding platform that seeks to inspire women into attaining sterling heights in their various fields while also keeping up with social life
This was the ambience that greeted guests at the 7th edition organised in Lagos State was on the theme, “Unwrap Am”. The all-female gathering had motivational speeches from great minds, dance competition, perks, raffle draw, music, arts and crafts, photography and lots more.
With an undying aim to pull women together for networking, boosting their confidence, and unwind, participants were treated to a sumptuous musical delicacy by Eniola Larondo, a talking drum arriste; DJ Jenny Switch; Kemistree; Ebele the Flutist; and Lydia Johnson.
In the words of the Convener, Hangout With Tee, Titi Oyemade, her passion is for the women to thrive.
“I observed that a lot of women don’t have time for themselves because they are so occupied with work and taking care of everyone around them,” she said.
That is why she felt the need to organise this event for them to loosen up and enjoy themselves. Adding, she expressed that the programme is on the quest to promote self confidence, positivity and self love.
Speaking with newsmen, popular broadcaster, Mrs. Bimbo Oloyede, said this platform is relevant for women who wish to improve themselves, exchange ideas and synergise.
While urging women to empower themselves financially and be self-reliant, she harped on the need for multiple streams of income.
“Women should be natural and stop limiting themselves. We have different talents embedded in us that could be used in a variety of ways,” says Oloyede.
Not paying so much attention to the many hurdles, the guest speaker recommended that women should focus on turning those challenges into strengths or learning from the mistake so that it won’t repeat.
On her part, Nollywood star, Marcy Dolapo Oni, charged women to expand their knowledge. “Knowledge is power. Women should unwrap their skills and talents.
“They should think about what comes to them naturally and nurture it. Women should put themselves out there and keep pushing.”
For Oni, women should strive to put their best foot forward, especially when they find themselves in a male-dominated environment. “I also think women should go out there and do what they need to do.”

domain: artistic


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Know your birds
Different species eat different things. Sparrows and finches like seeds; tits like fat; and thrushes and robins like fruit and worms. And starlings will eat just about anything. Make sure you’re providing the right menu for your diners – find out what to feed birds. (Not sure which birds are visiting you? Try the RSPB bird identifier)
Look out for leftovers…
Some of our own food can be good for birds – for example, fruit cake or mince pies, dried fruit, unsalted nuts, or apples and pears past their best. Try sprinkling grated mild cheese under trees and bushes for more timid birds like wrens and dunnocks. Here’s a fun family recipe for making special cake for birds.
Choose the right stuff…
Birds probably won’t eat your unwanted Christmas Day sprouts. And putting out turkey fat is a big no-no – it’s so soft it’ll stick to birds’ feathers and stop them from keeping waterproof and warm. Avoid anything mouldy or salty (too much salt is poisonous to small birds).
Don’t poison your pets!
Birds love dried fruit. But if you have a dog, don’t put grapes, currants, raisins or sultanas within their reach. Vine fruits can be toxic to dogs (check the RSPCA’s advice).
Keep water in bird baths and ponds unfrozen
Birds need to drink and bathe every day – even when it’s really cold outside. A pond or bird bath is great, but even an upturned bin lid or plant saucer can give birds the water they need. We’ve got lots of useful tips on how to keep water from freezing.
Put out the right amount of food
Only put out what will get eaten during the day. This is important if you want to avoid unwanted visitors like rats. It’ll also mean that there aren’t big piles of mouldy food on your bird table.
Keep it clean!
Dirty bird feeders and bird tables can help spread diseases. Make sure you clean them regularly to keep your visitors healthy and happy. And always wash your hands after feeding the birds!


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The motorway has been closed in both directions between J11a and J12 near Gloucestershire while the body is recovered from the scene.
The incident was first reported to Gloucestershire Constabulary shortly before 4.10am this morning (October 30).
A serious incident investigation is now taking place and the road has been closed while the circumstances of the death are established.
You can follow the latest updates on this incident in our M5 traffic live blog .
In their most recent update this afternoon, police urged motorists to remain patient amid ongoing delays.
Specialist capabilities chief inspector Alistair Barby said: "We appreciate that these closures have caused a significant impact on people travelling in the area today and I would like to thank everyone for their continued patience throughout this.
"Our officers remain at the scene investigating the circumstances of what has taken place and we have had a number of people contact us with information following our appeals.
"We're working to get the roads open as soon as possible and hopeful that the northbound carriageway will be opened later this afternoon and we will keep you updated on this.
"Our officers are also being supported and assisted by colleagues from both Wiltshire Police and Avon and Somerset Police and I would like to pass my thanks on to them.
'It is our responsibility to get answers for their family'
"While we understand how much impact these closures are having, someone has died and it is our responsibility to get answers for their family as to what has happened, while also protecting the dignity of the person involved.
"The investigation continues and we are still keen to hear from anyone who has not yet contacted police who travelled between junctions 11 and 12 on either carriageway between 3.45am and 4.15am today."
For the latest news in and around Bristol, visit and bookmark Bristol Live's homepage .