Dear Editor, Centro Bus should be an asset to CNY rather than constantly cutting service. Centro constructed a multimillion dollar bus hub while in financial crisis. This reveals mismanagement and misguided thinking. In an effort to increase ridership Centro focused on warmth in which to wait for the bus. This is nonsensical. New people are not moving to CNY and there are not enough people here to change the minds of current drivers into riding the bus to make any difference in ridership. The director of Centro Bus has too high a salary that is not proportionate to the amount … Continue reading Centro can be an asset to CNY rather than a loss.
Dear Editor, My son attends the North Syracuse Junior High (NSJH). A video showing bullying in the school recently went viral. In an e-mail, I asked NSJH for a response regarding their plan to prevent further bullying. I received none. Next, the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Florida, prompted conversation between my son and me. He informed me that two kids at NSJH have the nick name “the school shooters”. They are misfits and sing the song “Pumped up Kicks” (a song about shooting up a school) until teachers stop them. Why aren’t these wayward kids being helped? … Continue reading Positive reinforcement and acceptance are mere stepping stones to what our children need which is a firm belief system.
Dear Editor, Today I met a man who told me he’s not allowed to legally ride his small electric bike on public streets. This is because it is electric and electric bikes have yet to be regulated and so they are illegal. I disagree. The government too often tries to stop us from conducting personal business! If a person is not in anyone’s way; then let them get on their WAY! There is no need to register anything that goes as fast as a bicycle or even just slightly faster. People should be free to whiz around the town any … Continue reading IF A PERSON IS NOT IN ANYONE’S WAY THEN LET THEM GET ON THEIR WAY
To the Editor: Alan Jones’s release from prison after only nine years points to the epic disaster that is the child welfare system. We’ve all heard horror stories of foster care and youth homes, but even more horrific is the practice of mandated reporting and 9-to-5 Child Protective Services workers. “A mandated reporter” must report signs of abuse/neglect to CPS or risk losing their job. All adults who work with children are mandated reporters. A child telling a teacher they were home alone (even though a child can legally be left alone in New York state) can warrant a … Continue reading Child protective services overwhelmed by reports of child abuse


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"A Long time" (acoustic) Third song from "JUST EP"
"For You" (acoustic) song 2 from "Just EP"
"The End" FIRST SONG FROM "JUST EP"
Coming soon: "Just EP" The outcome will soon be releasing acoustic versions of a few songs plus 2 brand new releases!
Live @ Castle M Studios!
Days away from our CD release show! Come support "No Labels No Nothing" on October 15 @ The Atlantis Lounge (In Mississippi Pizza)
it's time get our debut album "no labels no nothing" now!
It's here on a variety of different sites. We'd recommend starting with getting a physical copy right from our site. Head over to the store page and get it now! If you just want a digital copy (mp3 or high-res), visit our Bandcamp site at theoutcomemusic.bandcamp.com. Either way, every album purchase comes with a free bonus track!
meet the outcome recording "no labels no nothing"
Welcome to our new Site! the outcome
Welcome to our brand new page! The Outcome is very excited to share our new music, our new photos & videos, and much more. Stay tuned!

domain: entertainment


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hello viewers how are you all welcome to our youtube channel diva logs today we are going to share the facts biography and amazing photos of another beautiful plus size model her name is fawn fawn belongs to united states of america she is very bold and brave model.
the model is known for her curvy figure and plus size body she is very beautiful and she is never afraid of her body weight the model is very confident that is why people are following her from all over the world fawn is included in those social media.
Celebrities who got fame at a very young age of her career she is famous among women and men equally fawn is a very hard working model she likes to wear colorful clothes and laundry she has been working with different.
Brands designers and modeling agencies fond is also famous for her digital content which is very creative and colorful she is also a brand ambassador of curve apparel shop the model is very simple and energetic she also shares her small and short.
Videos on her instagram profile fawn is very famous on all social media networks especially on instagram on which she currently has 67.1 k followers she has shared her 126 votes on instagram her real name is fawn she's from america.
That is why her nationality is american the model is currently 25 years old she has got red colored hair and early brown eyes her dress size varies from 16 to 18. her aim is to become successful model and influence other people as well her hobbies include she likes to travel.
And she is also a pet lover by profession this model is a social media influencer brand promoter and a very creative digital content creator thanks for watching this video we hope the video was entertaining for you all please do like share and subscribe to.
Our youtube channel for such more fun videos of your favorite social media celebrities

domain: celebrity


Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has returned from his official visits to Suriname, Guyana, Colombia and Brazil, where he discussed the possibilities of regime change in Venezuela, a nation which has drawn Washington’s ire for over 20 years.
On Saturday the 56-year-old former CIA Director announced a $348 million package he said was a “response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by the corrupt and illegitimate Maduro regime,” and signaled the U.S.’ “commitment to the Venezuelan people.”
“U.S. humanitarian assistance provides access to emergency food, safe drinking water, direct cash assistance, sanitation, and hygiene support, health care, medical supplies, psychosocial support, livelihoods, and protection for vulnerable groups including women, youth, and indigenous people,” the State Department’s press release on the issue read, programs that the U.S. government is failing to provide for its own citizens during the pandemic. It also noted that much of the cash would actually be going to neighboring countries that have taken in migrants, rather than individuals themselves.
Yet neither Pompeo nor the State Department noted that Venezuela is in such parlous economic straits in no small part due to the actions of the U.S. government. Washington has placed the country under ever-tightening sanctions for years, going after any individual, business or government who trades with the country. This has effectively led to an international blockade of the country, where Venezuela can neither import vital products like food or medicines nor sell oil, its primary export.
The long economic malaise also brought on by government incompetence, local elites’ intransigence, and a continued regional downturn has led to extreme hardship for millions, with the U.S. sanctions alone directly responsible for over 100,000 deaths, according to Swiss-American U.N. Special Rapporteur Alfred de Zayas, who visited the country and declared the U.S. guilty of “crimes against humanity.” Thus, it could be said that the State Department’s actions are merely attempting to put a bandaid over a deep cut they themselves stuck a knife into.
While in Colombia, Pompeo discussed regime change in Venezuela with Colombian President Ivan Duque, who described the Kansan as a “dear friend of Colombia” and accused President Maduro of Venezuela of crimes against humanity. In Brazil, Pompeo managed to get the Bolsonaro administration to sign off on his “Democratic Transition Framework” (DTS) for Venezuela as the way forward.
The DTS requires Maduro to resign and for the country’s Constituent Assembly to be completely dissolved, with all power going to the National Assembly, the only branch of government the opposition currently controls. From there, the National Assembly would appoint new members to the Supreme Court and the National Electoral Council. And while the DTS does not specifically state Maduro could not run for office again, Pompeo made it clear, stating, “Nicolas Maduro will never again govern Venezuela.” Therefore, it seems unlikely that Maduro, who was elected by a larger share of the electorate than Trump in 2016 or Obama in 2012, would sign off on such sweeping changes to the country that the Trump administration demands.
The United States also continues to support self-declared president Juan Guaidó, who has launched a series of unsuccessful coup attempts since January 2019. Washington has recently been transferring seized Venezuelan government assets to him so he can personally give every health worker $20 per month during the coronavirus pandemic. With the Venezuelan bolivar so weak, the stipend amounts to a sizable subsidy. Guaidó has retained strong bipartisan support in Washington, despite leaked contracts between himself and U.S. mercenary group Silvercorp showing he intended to rule alone after the coup, paying the organization to become his personal security force and crushing any resistance to his rule. Inside Venezuela, however, polls show only three percent of the population back him.
Biden: a break with the past or more of the same?
With elections coming up in November, it is possible that there will be a change in government in the United States before Venezuela. Democratic challenger Joe Biden currently holds a 6.5 point nationwide lead in combined polling. Over 100 organizations are urging the former vice-president to adopt a “good neighbor” policy with regards to the region. And while the Democratic National Platform is more progressive on Cuba, it makes clear that it wants regime change in Venezuela as well.
In order to better understand the potential for a different American path for Latin America under a Biden presidency, MintPress spoke with Dr. Barry Cannon, a sociologist specializing in Latin American politics at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth. Cannon was hopeful that a Biden presidency could mean a more multilateral approach in the region, some lessening of sanctions on Venezuela, and more openness towards negotiations. It could also mean the U.S. moving away from such close support with the far-right Bolsonaro administration and more cooperation with left-of-center governments, such as those in Mexico and Argentina.
“However, I wouldn’t expect any great departures from Trump-era policies,” he warned, noting that Colombia, “which has a far worse human rights record than Venezuela,” is, “almost always supported by the U.S.” While Washington will “continue to actively work against any Latin American country which challenges U.S. imperial power in the region,” such as Venezuela or Bolivia, where Movement to Socialism candidate Luis Arce is the frontrunner in October’s election. “It’s important to keep in mind the continuities in U.S. Americas policy with Trump in charge rather than the differences,” he concluded.
Feature photo | U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, second right, and Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo, are received at a reception center in the Boa Vista Air Base in Roraima, Brazil, Sept. 18, 2020. Bruno Mancinelle | Pool via AP
Alan MacLeod is a Staff Writer for MintPress News. After completing his PhD in 2017 he published two books: Bad News From Venezuela: Twenty Years of Fake News and Misreporting and Propaganda in the Information Age: Still Manufacturing Consent. He has also contributed to Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting, The Guardian, Salon, The Grayzone, Jacobin Magazine, Common Dreams the American Herald Tribune and The Canary.


Urs is the Head of Corporate Responsibility at Allianz SE1. In his role, he is responsible for ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) integration into business, sustainability ratings and reporting, corporate citizenship programs, donations and disaster relief.
Previously, he coordinated Allianz’s work on Climate Change and Sustainability Initiatives. This work covered the ongoing decarbonization efforts of Allianz Group across its business lines and operations. Also, he managed the ESG integration strategy of Allianz Group for investments
KPMG Advisory, Germany: Urs worked as a senior consultant for ESG integration across a range of sectors and with a focus on financial institutions.
Urs holds an interdisciplinary PhD from the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna. His research focused on climate governance systems in Europe; it was funded by the Ministry of Science and Research and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management.
Siemens Financial Services, Washington, DC: Urs worked in Siemens’ liaison office to the World Bank, IFC and IADB which coordinated project-financing for infrastructure projects with the involvement of international financing institutions.


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|Tour Powered by Geiranger Adventure|
On the Dalsnibba Skywalk & Eagle Road Excursion you will experience a fantastic bus tour through a landscape of majestic mountains, gorgeous waterfalls and beautiful lakes. One of our experienced guides, or by the use of audio guide pending on group size, will give you all the information about Geiranger and the UNESCO World Heritage area. You’ll reach four highlights: Flydalsjuvet (one of Norway’s most photographed viewpoints); the spectacular Djupvatn lake, the top of the famous mountain Dalsnibba at the altitude of 1500 m above sea level, and the spectacular Eagle Bend with great views of the Geiranger village, the Geirangerfjord and the Seven Sisters Waterfall. The tour includes the drive up the serpentine Eagle Road with great photo opportunities of the Geirangerfjord.
Note that if weather conditions are not favorable, Mt.Dalsnibba will be substituted with a different highlight that Geiranger offers.
Our excursions are adapted to arrival and departure times of cruise ships. Modified departure times will be announced in advance.
Back to ship guarantee for cruise line passengers provided that information regarding name of cruise ship is registered when you book (official tour time must end 1 hour before ship’s departure).
Appearance time 15 minutes prior to departure. It is of utmost importance that you kindly register correct mobile number with country code, so that we can reach you in case you have trouble finding us. There will be no refunds if we cannot reach you on your registered contact number.
|INCLUDED||Live guide or audio guide pending on group size.|
For any additional information you can visit our FAQ page or Contact us.
Photo Credits: @dconvertini / flickr
1- Departure: Centre of Geiranger
A beautiful small village in Sunnmøre region of Møre og Romsdal county in the western part of Norway. The Geirangerfjord is one of Norway’s most spectacular fjords. Since 2005 the Geirangerfjord area has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
2- Djupvatn Lake
Spectacular mountain lake. It lies at the altitude of 1030 meters above sea level and is at least 90 meters deep. The lake is normally covered with ice, depending on the temperature and on the season, the ice usually melts around mid of June/July.
3- Mount Dalsnibba
Majestic mountain with the highest fjord view from a road. It is located at the end of the Geiranger valley, approx. 22 kilometres south of the village of Geiranger and the Geirangerfjorden.The peak has an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level.
4- Flydal Gorge
Majestic views overlooking the Geirangerfjord. One of Norway’s most photographed touristic icons. When visiting Geiranger, this is the definitive must-see!
5- Eagle Road
The 11 hairpin bend serpentine road ascends all the way up to the Eagle Bend offering great views of the fjord and photo opportunities of the Seven Sisters Watterfalls.

domain: geography


Mikes Racing Products Copyright 2001 - 2020 All Rights Reserved
Red MRP stand spotted at the Honda test track.
MRP Tire Changing Stand - Mike's Racing Products - specializing in building the best motorcycle tire changing stand in the business - dirt bike tire changer - motorcycle bead breaker - dirt bike tire changing stand - hand made in the USA - Mousse tire changer - Tire Balls Changer - dirt bike bead breaker - Used by Dunlop Tire Changing Stand - mx tire stand - motocross tire stand - mx tire changer - motocross tire changer - tire changing stand made in the USA
This lucky racer won a blue MRP tire changing stand at the NECXC banquet for the 2015 season
Travis Wait won the tire change contest at the Dunlop Geomax Ride Day in 2015 and for that received a brand new MRP tire changing stand.


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Celebrity News October 31, 2013
Kim Kardashian Flaunts 50-Pound Weight Loss in See-Through White Lace
She endured months of fat-shaming during her pregnancy, and now Kim Kardashian is getting the last laugh by flaunting her 50-pound weight loss.
The reality star, who has been on the Atkins diet, left little to the imagination when she appeared on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” in a see-through white lace dress over a black bra and hot pants.
During the interview with Leno, Kim revealed that the nasty tabloid stories about her weight changed her.
“It really hurt my soul,” the new mom said. “It changed how I am in public. I've tried to live a more of a private life,” noting that she was never "in hiding" after baby North was born, she just simply needed a break from the scrutiny.
Kardashian also gushed about Kanye's “magical” wedding proposal and dropped some serious hints about their upcoming wedding.
"I want [Kanye] to have whatever he wants," she told Leno, adding that "someplace Parisian" might be nice. They are already thinking about tying the knot next summer, but haven't had a chance to “sit down and talk about it.”
As for her last name, "It'll definitely be West," she said. "My daughter's name is West, and we're a family."
Kim, however, will keep Kardashian as her middle name.
The 33-year-old swooned over her 4-month-old daughter, calling “Nori” the “perfect little angel.”
“I hope she grows up to be smart and opinionated like her dad,” she said.


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Hello. I’m Anna Mason from Surrey, UK.
What’s your background and inspiration? When did you start painting?
I didn’t study art at college or uni so I’m basically self-taught when it comes to watercolour. And – like a lot of people – I went for a long time without picking up my brush at all.
I LOVED painting and drawing as a child. I did it throughout school, but then when it came to decisions about careers, I was ‘sensible’ and ended up studying history at uni.
By my mid twenties I was working in local government management and hadn’t picked up a brush for 8 years.
So when I was 26 (10 years ago now) I was getting keen on gardening and I discovered ‘botanical art’ from some random googling.
As soon as I saw it, I knew it was THE thing for me. It’s intricacy and realism had a magnetic kind of appeal to me.
It brought together my love of nature (I grew up in the countryside) , gardening and COLOUR.
I’ve since ventured into birds, animals and even food, but I always come back to botanicals.
And I always work larger than life.
The bigger I paint (I work from around 12″ up to about 30″ square) the more detail I can paint and the more impact the painting has.
So, when I began, I bought myself a quality set of watercolours and began painting before work, after work and at the weekends.
I was hooked. I HAD to paint.
And my results were good. It took me about 3 months to ‘get my eye in’ to seeing all the detail and hone my technique.
I’m certain it only took that short amount of time because of the thousands of hours of painting I’d already done as a child.
18 months later, I entered and won Gold in a Royal Horticultural Society competition.
And within 2 years I made the scary/brave move to quit my ‘sensible’ job to pursue my painting full time.
What’s your painting process?
My watercolours are all about realism.
To that end I need complete control of where I put the paint.
So I developed a method which is the total opposite to what you usually associate with watercolour.
Instead of allowing any wet-in-wet effects, I work wet-on-dry – using wet paint but in tiny quantities (using really small brushes) to build up layers of paint – allowing each layer to dry first.
Working this way allows me to correct my values and hues as I work to get a really realistic result.
It sounds really controlled, and it is. But I work quite quickly and with a loose wrist. There’s a real flow and a freedom in the process to me.
Do you sketch?
I do love sketching – but these days it’s always as part of my preparation for a major painting.
So I might sketch a petal and play around with my colour mixing as I sit with the flower.
But for the main painting, I’ll always take photos. I see that as part of the creative process. I’ll set up compositions with my camera and play around that way.
Then when I come to paint – and a painting can take me a week or even 2 to do – I can work from a combination of the photos I’ve taken and any supporting sketches.
I begin the painting with a super detailed and accurate drawing (with measurements and/or use of a projector).
The accuracy of the drawing makes the painting process really ‘flow’ as I can then look back and forth from my photo to my painting without there being any drawing errors to interrupt that flow and I’m free to paint exactly what I see.
What materials do you use?
I use professional quality watercolours – the most transparent and bright I can find.
I have at the moment 20 colours in my palette. I LOVE vibrant colours that can match what I see in nature with the minimum of mixing, to keep them as transparent as possible (crucial for my layering technique).
Then I work on hotpressed (smooth) watercolour paper or even illustration board. This way I can achieve really smooth results with my paint – much smoother than would be possible when working on a rough textured paper.
And I use small, spotter style brushes.
What do you do now?
I spent 6 years working as a professional artist- exhibiting all over the UK and also in the US and teaching the occasional workshop.
At these workshops, I met people who were struggling to get back to painting after often 30+ years of not doing it.
I could relate.
But they were often so focused on wanting to get great results straight away that it undermined the confidence they needed to experiment and relax into their painting.
So, although I still exhibit my own work, helping adults to realize their painting dreams has now become a major focus for me.
It’s been really satisfying using the analytical left-brain skills I had from my previous jobs to break down the right-brain seeing/ painting process and explain it in a way that demystifies it.
In 2014, I had a book published and I launched my online school where I offer step-by-step tutorials via video.
It’s been a huge success and I feel massively privileged to have helped thousands of people paint the way they’ve always wanted to.
I offer a free video tutorial via my website here so give it a go if you think this style of watercolour might be for you!Recommended6 recommendationsPublished in

domain: artistic


A suite including a .NET grid, a thread-safe tool for application debugging and a system for storing and representing various log messages. Dapfor .Net Suite includes Dapfor .Net Grid, Dapfor .Net Inspector and Dapfor .Net Logger. Dapfor .Net Grid is a hierarchical data presentation grid that features: single or multiple headers, real-time row grouping, sorting, filtration, cell highlighting, rich custom cell editors and standard editors. Dapfor .Net Grid combines high performance (50,000 cell updates/second), thread-safe implementation, no deadlock risks, XML and binary serialization, data binding and more. Dapfor .Net Grid includes standard editors based on UITypeEditor class, advanced cell editors (created over cells - TrackBar, CheckBar, etc.) and row docking features. Dapfor .Net Inspector is a powerful and thread-safe tool for applications debugging. It can be used to inspect the business logic level of an application in real-time mode and to alter various application parameters. Dapfor .Net Logger is a thread-safe system for the storing and representation of various log messages. Besides text messages, a programmer can associate with data any object that can carry extended information.


Comment On On The Obama Administration’s Transparency Directive
“I commend President Obama for issuing an historic directive on government transparency, participation and collaboration that will make our government more accessible and accountable to the American people. I am particularly pleased that, for the first time, the public will have immediate access to government data that for too long had been shielded from view by excessive secrecy and outdated technologies.
“From the start of his transition to the White House, I urged President Obama to make a clear commitment to open government. By issuing this directive, the President is taking another step away from the overreaching secrecy of the last administration. Today’s directive is a good and important step towards greater transparency. But, there is much more work to do to fulfill the promise to the American people to make our government more open and accountable than it has ever been in our nation’s history.”
# # # # #
Press ContactDavid Carle: 202-224-3693
Next Article Previous Article


text: Vegetarian, vegan and non-vegan, can lower the risk of metabolic syndrome disease caused by central obesity by measuring waist circumference and the general obesity by assessing Body Mass Index (BMI). One of alternative to prevent can be done by changing the pattern of diet habits from omnivores (the consumption of animal products and vegetable and dairy) become vegetarian (vegetable and dairy product consumption). The purpose of this study was to analyze differences in waist circumference and BMI in terms of nutrient intake in the vegetarian community members Indonesia Vegetarian Society (IVS) at the age of 30-58 years in Maha Vihara Maitreya Medan. This study was an observational with cross sectional design. These research subjects are divided into two groups, 42 vegans and 42 non-vegans selected by screening, and then determined by purposive sampling. Nutrient intake data collected by interview using the 24-hour recall, while the antropometry measurement using a measuring tape, scales and microtoise. Analysis were done using Independent T-test. The results showed there’s difference of waist circumference between vegan and non vegan (p = 0.008), but there is no difference of IMT (p = 0105). Statistically, energy and protein intake was not different (p> 0.05), however, there were differences found in carbohydrate intake (p = 0.001) and total fat (p = 0.005) in the vegan and non vegan. The continue research on the diet of vegan vegetarian adverse event to metabolic syndrome and the characteristics of the food based on local cultural wisdom needs to be done.

domain: biology


HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Felicia Parker, 40, died after contracting the new COVID-19 variant, known as B117. It's a tragic and rare case.
"The coronavirus is doing what all viruses do, mutating as it goes," said Dr. Linda Yancey.
This new variant spreads 70% faster and is extremely contagious, but it is not more deadly than the COVID-19 strain.
RELATED: Family of woman who died of new COVID-19 strain: 'This is serious'
The CDC issued a warning Friday that said this new variant could become the dominant source of infection in the U.S. by March and would likely lead to a wrenching surge in cases and deaths that would further burden overwhelmed hospitals.
By Saturday, authorities in Dallas and Corpus Christi reported the first known cases of the B117 variant in their communities.
"The emergence of strain B117, while inevitable given the mobility of the modern world and the fact that we are a major transportation hub, means that there is a strain that is 70% more contagious in our community and it will grow quickly, " Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in a statement.
Our local leaders explained more.
"The big concern is that, on top of the surge we are already experiencing, we're going to have this rapidly spreading through community," Yancey said.
"If this new variant means more people are infected more quickly, in turn it could lead to more people needing hospital treatment," said Dr. Sara Andrabi with the Baylor College of Medicine.
That's why Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said people should continue to mask up, social distance and practice proper hygiene, and most importantly, get the vaccine when possible.
"It means that we have to work even harder to prevent that spread," Hidalgo said.
Follow Mayra Moreno on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
CDC issues warning on New COVID-19 variant B117


As many as 804 sarpanchs and panchs have been elected unopposed ahead of the panchayat bypolls in Jammu and Kashmir, an official said Friday.
The first phase of the polls begins Saturday.
“As many as 768 panchs and 36 sarpanchs have been elected unopposed,” state election commissioner K K Sharma told reporters.
As per official data, 11,500 seats for the post of panchs and 890 for sarpanch are vacant in Kashmir, and 185 seats for panch and 124 for sarpanch in Jammu division.
In 2018, regional parties, including the NC and PDP, had boycotted the panchayat elections, when 83.5 per cent turnout was recorded in Jammu division while Kashmir Valley, which also included Ladakh then, recorded 44.4 per cent turnout.
The District Development Council elections and panchayat bypolls are being held in eight phases, between November 28 and December 19. The counting of votes will be conducted on December 22.


Steel Pegboard Side Panel for Rockler Pack Rack Plus
Load up the side of your Pack Rack Plus with neatly organized, easily accessible tools.
Nothing beats having your tools ready-to-go, right where you need them. Our Steel Pegboard Side Panel does just that for your Pack Rack Plus, providing a whole wall of hanging space for the gable end. With screwdrivers, pliers, chisels and clamps within easy reach, you'll have the ultimate mobile work station. The pegboard is spaced 1'' on center to accept commonly available pegboard hooks and accessories.
- Organize and store a wide variety of small hand tools and accessories
- Three solid steel panels with durable powder-coat finish—compatible with magnetic accessories
- Mounts to A-frame side of Pack Rack Plus (#53871, sold separately) to create a mobile pegboard wall
- 1/4'' diameter holes are spaced 1'' apart to work with widely available pegboard hardware (sold separately)
- Mounting hardware included—mounting holes align with Pack Rack for easy installation
Note: Only fits the Pack Rack Plus (#53871, sold separately). The original Pack Rack does not have pre-drilled holes on the uprights.
Steel Pegboard Side Panel Set for Rockler Pack Rack Plus
(3) Steel Pegboard Panels (top, middle, bottom)
(12) 1/4''-20 Screws
(12) 1/4''-20 Nylon Locknuts


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New Zealand, a breathtaking country in the southwest Pacific, is so much more than the setting of “The Lord of the Rings” movies and an adventure travel destination.
Its sporting culture reflects the Kiwi people’s passion and resilience. Whether you’re an avid sports fan or just visiting for an authentic experience, immersing yourself in New Zealand sports will be fun and absolutely worth it.
If you don’t know it yet, you can now get the express eTA to New Zealand in an hour. This is a mandatory entry requirement for a great number of visitors. Canadians are eligible for the eTA and should apply to enter New Zealand. The good news is that you can now do it even faster than before.
Now, let’s get down to business and talk sports.
Rugby Is King
Without a doubt, rugby union holds the heart of New Zealanders. The All Blacks, the country’s national team, are a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.
The Haka dance is a tradition deeply rooted in Maori culture, and seeing it performed before a rugby match is an unforgettable experience.
The Bledisloe Cup matches against Australia are among the most anticipated events in the sporting calendar, along with other matches against traditional rivals like South Africa, England, as well as India and Pakistan.
History: Rugby’s roots in New Zealand date back to the 19th century, growing over time to become more than just a sport—it’s a part of the national identity.
Super Rugby: Beyond international matches, Super Rugby is a premier professional competition where New Zealand teams like the Crusaders, Blues, and Hurricanes showcase their prowess.
Local Tip: If you’re in New Zealand during the rugby season, try catching a local club game. The passion and ambiance are unparalleled, and it’s a great way to mingle with locals.
Stadiums to go: Eden Park in Auckland and Wellington’s Westpac Stadium are among the top venues where the rugby magic unfolds.
Cricket – The Gentleman’s Game
Cricket is another sport that Kiwis have taken to their hearts. The Black Caps (New Zealand’s cricket team) have impressed in recent World Cups and bilateral series, and matches against arch-rivals Australia, India and Pakistan are often the talk of the town.
Domestic Scene: The Plunket Shield and Super Smash are domestic tournaments where budding talent is showcased.
Local Tip: Beach cricket is popular during summers. Don’t hesitate to join in if you see a game while strolling on the beach.
Stadiums to go: Seddon Park in Hamilton and Hagley Oval in Christchurch are cricketing shrines where many epic battles have been fought.
Netball, Football, and More:
While rugby and cricket are popular, netball and football have a substantial following in New Zealand, especially among the youth. The Silver Ferns, New Zealand’s national netball team, have multiple world titles under their belt.
Netball’s Significance: Netball isn’t just a sport; it’s a celebration of female athleticism in New Zealand, with schools actively promoting it.
Football’s Rise: With the Wellington Phoenix making waves in the A-League, football’s popularity is on the upswing.
Local Tip: Many schools have weekend netball and football matches. They’re free to watch and offer a grassroots sporting experience.
Adventure Sports in New Zealand
For those looking for adrenaline-pumping action, New Zealand is the epicenter of adventure sports. From bungee jumping in Queenstown to white-water rafting in Rotorua, there’s no dearth of heart-stopping activities.
Notable Mention: AJ Hackett’s bungee jump off the Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown started the global bungee jumping phenomenon.
Local Tip: If bungee jumping isn’t for you, try the Shotover Jet in Queenstown or go ziplining in Waiheke Island.
When are these sports played?
- Rugby season primarily runs from March to October, culminating in the exciting ITM Cup.
- The cricket season generally spans October to April, with both domestic and international matches dotting the calendar.
How can visitors take part?
- Tickets: For big matches, it’s advisable to book tickets well in advance, especially for crucial rugby and cricket matches. Websites like Ticketek and Ticketmaster often serve as primary ticket outlets.
- Join and Play: For those who wish to indulge, local clubs across the country welcome enthusiasts. Whether it’s playing a casual game of beach cricket or joining a community rugby match, Kiwis are always up for some sporting fun.
- Tours: Many stadiums offer guided tours, providing insights into New Zealand’s sporting history and infrastructure.
New Zealand’s sports scene is as diverse as its landscapes. Whether you’re watching the All Blacks perform the Haka or indulging in a game of cricket by the beach, New Zealand’s sporting spirit is palpable. So, if you’re charting out a vacation and looking for something different, why not let New Zealand’s sports allure you into an unforgettable experience?
“Typical beer trailblazer. Hipster-friendly web buff. Certified alcohol fanatic. Internetaholic. Infuriatingly humble zombie lover.”


Lawan in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Ola Awoniyi, on Thursday, commiserated with Buhari who turned 79 on Friday, December 17.
The senate president acknowledged Buhari’s purposeful leadership, vision, courage and steadfastness in the pursuit of unity and security of the nation.
He said, “I join the multitude of fellow Nigerians and your other well-wishers across the globe in thanking Allah for His great gifts of good health and long life to you.
“This benevolence of Allah has enabled Your Excellency to continue to provide purposeful leadership to our country in this time of unprecedented challenges across the world.
“You are a leader who has matched vision with courage and who is steadfast in his pursuit of the right cause and common good.
“Your Excellency, like most who have worked with you, I attest that you are passionate about the unity, security and prosperity of Nigeria.
“This attribute, with the focussed transformation of the nation’s physical infrastructure, social and economic reforms will enhance your legacy as a unique Nigerian leader.
“Mr President, your leadership of Nigeria is a blessing to our dear country as it offers our people and institutions confidence in confronting the current challenges and in laying the foundation for sustainable prosperity.”
The Senate President wished Buhari a happy birthday and prayed to God to continue to guide and protect him as he pilots the affairs of the country.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari departed Abuja on Thursday to attend the third Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit in Istanbul.


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Applications must be postmarked by December 31st, 2019 4 PM & submitted to:
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82 Lincoln Street #101
Newton, MA 02461


Bitcoin Cash (BCH) Civil War Ends? Billionaire Calvin Ayre Of BCH SV Echos ‘Permanent Split’
It started off as updates, snowballed into disagreements about implementations and came to a head with two rival factions that split the Bitcoin cash[BCH] community. On Friday, there were the first signs of an impending truce. Calvin Ayre, the billionaire entrepreneur who had backed Bitcoin Cash SV (BCH SV) has been quoted as saying that the Bitcoin SV “no longer want the name Bitcoin Cash [BCH]”.
This announcement comes from the crypto media outlet CoinGeek, which is owned by Calvin, where he boldly asserts that “Bitcoin SV is the original Bitcoin, not the original Bitcoin Cash.”He then went on to talk about how Bitcoin Cash SV intends to function independently of Bitcoin Cash (BCH), as it was the “original Bitcoin.” Further adding on to suggest a peace deal that would be to everyone benefit, calling for Bitcoin Cash ABC to “permanently split” the two chains.
This mellowed down tone was only after some fiery words, as the Coingeek boss went on to deride both Bitcoin and Bitcoin cash supporters. Referring to them as “Segwit BTC” in his write up, he accused the two coins to have spoiled the pure concept and “tinkered it to death.” He noted that each change and iteration has further “abandoned Bitcoin’s core principles by abandoning Nakamoto consensus and trust in miners’ Proof of Work.” This was, in fact, one of the core reasons for the purported dissident within the community.
As of the 24th of November, most major hardware wallets and ledgers have announced that they were resuming BCH trading “in the form of BCH ABC”. This is clearly not lost on Calvin, as he concludes his article on a note of optimism, stating that his hopes are that the next step would be to look forward to a separate coin so that this “can be the end of this episode.” He has already begun the groundwork and has had discussions with the Bitcoin SV team to start working towards a clean cut from Bitcoin Cash and release Bitcoin SV as its own independent token.
What Is The Backl Story
Many will recall the events leading to the fallout on the 14th of November when Bitcoin had a hard fork. The update of the Bitcoin Cash network led to a lot of debate and left the larger community divided. Some lending support to the updates, Bitcoin Cash ABC while others who wanted things to flow in a different direction, were behind Bitcoin Cash SV. While the two main camps argued over updating the network in different ways there was a “neutral” group, Bitcoin Unlimited, as well.
Subsequently, Bitcoin Cash ABC made a concentrated push to marshal its resources and, consequently, has outdone its rivel. On the 25th it was reported that in terms of the hashrate, Bitcoin SV has been comfortably outplayed, thus Bitcoin ABC has the right to keep the Bitcoin Cash brand name. As noted earlier, a majority of wallets and exchanges have noted this and resumed trade. BCH trading and withdrawals had been suspended due to all this uncertainty.
Due to the general market trends, Bitcoin Cash is currently also down by about 1.8 percent over the past 24 hours, as of 25th November, closing at $181. However, this hard fork war coupled with the general market trends means that more than half of its market capitalization has now been wiped off. Standing at over ten and a half billion dollars at the start of this month, today the market cap has shrunk to just over $3 billion. As this chapter gets relegated to the pages of history, one hopes the news can help the industry get back on track.


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The ISSB Releases Drafts of Global Baseline Sustainability Disclosure Standards
The International Sustainability Standards Board (“ISSB”) marked its first significant milestone recently with the release of exposure drafts of the first two sustainability disclosure standards for public consultation:
- IFRS S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information (found here) (the “Sustainability Standards”); and
- IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures (found here) (the “Climate Standards”, and together with the Sustainability Standards, the “Proposed Standards”).
The Proposed Standards are a significant development in the global movement towards mandatory climate-related disclosures, as their final iterations are intended to provide the first global baseline of sustainability-related disclosures. With that objective in mind, the ISSB is working with stakeholders to ensure the Proposed Standards can be adopted into jurisdictional requirements. In Canada, this would mean that accounting and capital markets regulators would have to adopt the Proposed Standards in order for them to apply to Canadian reporting issuers. Although the Canadian Securities Administrators (“CSA”) has not publicly stated whether it would adopt the Proposed Standards it strongly supported the establishment of the ISSB. In additional several Canadian securities regulators are members of the Sustainability Taskforce of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (“IOSCO”), which is working with the ISSB through the review process of the Proposed Standards.
The public consultation period for the Proposed Standards will close on July 29, 2022. The ISSB intends to review received comments during the second half of 2022 and issue the final standards expeditiously. On April 6, 2022, the International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) Foundation, which established the ISSB, announced an agreement with the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada. After Frankfurt, Germany, Montreal will host the ISSB’s second home office that will carry out several key functions for the board.
Context and Purpose of the Proposed Standards
The development of a global baseline for sustainability- and climate-related disclosures is expected to bring needed consistency and comparability to sustainability-related disclosures, which will make such disclosures more useful for investors and other end users. Globally accepted standards will also facilitate corporate disclosures across multiple jurisdictions, reducing the costs and difficulties associated with preparing disclosures that comply with varied requirements. Recognizing these benefits, the ISSB’s Proposed Standards are responsive to stakeholder feedback from entities such IOSCO and build upon the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosure’s (“TCFD”) voluntary but widely recognized recommendations as well as the industry-based disclosure requirements derived from the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (“SASB”) standards.
The Proposed Standards also build upon the prototypes and recommendations of the Technical Readiness Working Group (“TRWG”), which was created in March 2021 by the IFRS Foundation Trustees to prepare substantive materials for the ISSB’s consideration after it was formally announced. Our review of the TRWG prototypes is found here.
Facilitating accurate assessments of enterprise value is a driving purpose for the Proposed Standards. With respect to the Sustainability Standards, the disclosure requirements are explicitly intended to allow end users of disclosures to assess enterprise value. Further, materiality assessments must be made by reporting issuers in the context of the information necessary for users to assess enterprise value. In the case of the Climate Standards, the driving purpose is to allow end users of disclosures to assess the effects of significant climate-related risks and opportunities on an entity’s enterprise value.
I. An Overview of the Sustainability Standards
A. Objective and Scope
The Sustainability Standards set out the key requirements for sustainability-related financial disclosures with the overarching requirement for entities to disclose material information about their significant sustainability-related risks and opportunities. The Sustainability Standards build upon the TCFD’s recommendations, as well as components of various frameworks and standards published in a December 2020 presentation by a number of leading reporting organizations, including SASB and the Climate Disclosure Standards Board (the “December Presentation”). The Sustainability Standards also provide guidance on identifying and developing appropriate disclosures for risks and opportunities that are not addressed by an IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standard, such as by directing reporting issuers to industry-based SASB standards, non-mandatory ISSB guidance, and other recent pronouncements from prominent standard-setting bodies.
Information disclosed pursuant to the Sustainability Standards must include a complete, neutral and accurate depiction of the reporting issuer’s sustainability-related financial information. Such information is broader than information reported in financial statements, and may include information about:
- an entity’s governance of sustainability-related risks and opportunities, and its strategy for addressing them;
- decisions made by the entity that could result in future inflows and outflows that have not yet met the criteria for recognition in the related financial statements;
- the entity’s reputation, performance and prospects as a consequence of the actions it has undertaken, such as its relationships with people, the planet and the economy, and its impacts and dependencies on them; and
- the entity’s development of knowledge-based assets.
The Sustainability Standards are designed to be used by profit-oriented entities that have their financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards or other generally accepted accounting principles (also known as GAAP). It may also be possible for non-profit and public sector entities to apply the Sustainability Standards, provided the descriptions for certain disclosure items are modified in recognition of those differences. An entity that complies with all relevant Sustainability Standards is expected to include an explicit, unqualified statement of compliance in its financial statements.
B. Core Content of the Sustainability Standards
The Sustainability Standards require a reporting issuer to provide the following disclosures, which mirror the TCFD’s recommendations:
- Governance: The governance processes, controls and procedures an entity uses to monitor and manage sustainability-related risks and opportunities;
- Strategy: The approach for addressing sustainability-related risks and opportunities that could affect an entity’s business model and strategy over the short, medium and long term;
- Risk Management: The processes an entity used to identify, assess and manage sustainability-related risks; and
- Metrics and Targets: Information used to assess, manage and monitor an entity’s performance in relation to sustainability related risks and opportunities over time.
II. An Overview of the Climate Standards
A. Objective and Scope
The Climate Standards set out the key requirements for the disclosure of information necessary for investors to assess the effect of climate-related risks and opportunities on an entities enterprise value. The Climate Standards prescribe the requirements for the identification, measurement, and disclosure of significant climate-related risks and opportunities, with the objective of providing disclosure users with assistance to assess future cash flows over short-, medium-, and long-term time horizons. This in turn will enable users to assess enterprise value. The Climate Standards will also allow users of disclosures to understand how an entity’s use of resources corresponds with its strategy for managing climate-related risks and opportunities, as well as how it adapts its business model and operations to these risks and opportunities. As with the Sustainability Standards, the Climate Standards build upon their predecessor TRWG prototype, the TCFD’s recommendations, and the December Presentation.
Risks within the scope of the Climate Standards include, but are not limited to, the physical risks associated with climate change as well as the risks associated with the transition to a lower-carbon economy.
B. Core content of the Climate Standards
As with the Sustainability Standards, the Climate Standards mirror the TCFD’s recommendations, with climate framing the disclosure requirements in place of sustainability:
- Governance: The governance processes, controls and procedures an entity uses to monitor and manage climate-related risks and opportunities.
- Strategy: The approach for addressing significant climate-related risks and opportunities that could affect an entity’s business model, strategy, and access to capital over the short, medium and long term, including an entity’s climate resilience.
- Risk management: How climate-related risks and opportunities are identified, assessed, managed, and mitigated by an entity.
- Metrics and targets: The metrics and targets used to manage and monitor an entity’s performance in relation to climate-related risks and opportunities, including performance and outcome measures.
III. General Features of the Proposed Standards
The Sustainability Standards contain certain prescriptive guidelines for reporting issuers preparing disclosures compliant with its requirements. These include:
- Connected and Comparative Information: Entities must disclose comparative information in respect of the previous period for all metrics that are disclosed in the current reporting period. Where such information would be relevant to understanding a current period’s disclosures, entities must also disclose comparative information for narrative and descriptive disclosures.
- Frequency of Reporting: Entities must report their disclosures at the same time and for the same reporting period as the related financial statements.
- Location of Information: Entities must disclose information required by the Sustainability Standards as part of its general purpose financial reporting information. This may include in an entity’s management commentary, where such commentary is part of the entity’s general purpose financial reporting.
- Errors: Entities must correct material errors from prior periods by restating the comparative amounts for the prior periods disclosed, unless it would be impracticable for them to do so.
The Climate Standards are to be prepared in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Sustainability Standards. However, there are notable, additional requirements set out in the Climate Standards:
- Scenario Analysis: Entities must use climate-related scenario analysis to assess their climate resilience unless they are unable to do so. In the event that an entity is unable, it must use an alternative method to assess its climate resilience.
- Scope 3 Emissions: Entities must disclose their absolute gross greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions generated during the relevant reporting period. These emissions are to be measured in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standards (“GHG Protocol”), and include all three emissions classifications: Scopes 1, 2, and 3.
Canada and the Proposed Standards
The publication of the Proposed Standards, particularly the Climate Standards, will likely be an influential consideration in the development of Canada’s climate-related financial disclosure regime. The Proposed Standards have arrived shortly after the end of a public consultation period for the CSAProposed National Instrument 51-107 – Disclosure of Climate-Related Matters (“NI 51-107”) and its companion policy, which were published for comment in October 2021. Our review of NI 51-107 is found here.
Although NI 51-107 is, like the Proposed Standards, influenced by the TCFD’s recommendations, there are prominent discrepancies that make the Climate Standards more rigorous than the proposed Canadian regulations. As mentioned above, the Climate Standards would mandate the disclosure of Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions in accordance with the GHG Protocol, whereas NI 51-107 would feature a “comply or explain” regime (or, as a possible alternative, mandated Scope 1 disclosures) as well as scenario analysis. This is significant because Scope 3 emissions are, for most entities, the greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions and scenario analysis is intended to reveal the entities resilience under certain global warming scenarios. With international momentum behind the Proposed Standards and with Montreal home to the ISSB’s second office, these draft standards will almost certainly be weighed by the CSA as they consider alterations to NI 51-107.
The bottom line
The release of the Proposed Standards marks the first significant milestone for the ISSB on its path to creating a comprehensive set of baseline sustainability standards for global use. The Proposed Standards will, once finalized, facilitate the harmonization of sustainability disclosures across jurisdictions and replace the use of existing voluntary standards. End users of disclosures will benefit from consistent and comparable climate-related financial information, and reporting issuers will benefit from a streamlined and prevailing disclosure framework. However, the release of the Proposed Standards will also likely influence the ongoing development of Canada’s own disclosure regime, as proposed in NI 51-107. With the ISSB’s standards also following the recent release of the United States’ own proposed climate-related disclosure regime, which we reviewed here, the only certainty in respect of Canada’s nascent climate disclosure regime is that it is far from settled.
We’re here to help
McCarthy Tétrault has a leading securities regulation practice and a multidisciplinary ESG and Sustainability team. We are especially well-equipped to provide clients with a full suite of advice and support to assist them in integrating ESG thinking into their organizational DNA. With a robust understanding of business, industry, and market drivers, we can deliver contextualized advice and guidance. Please contact the authors to learn more – we would be happy to assist you, including by helping to prepare submissions in respect of the Proposed Standards.

domain: finance


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One person who’d be forgiven for nursing a headache today is Sarah Wood, co-founder of the advertising tech start-up Unruly. She has just been crowned Veuve Clicquot’s Businesswoman of the Year after all. In fact, she’s bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and found the time to speak to MT in between a raft of broadcast appearances. ‘It was such a fantastic party, but I made it home for my children’s bed time, so I’m actually feeling in really good spirits,’ she says.
Wood has joined a pretty formidable cohort – past winners include former Pearson boss Marjorie Scardino and easyJet chief exec Carolyn McCall. ‘It was a huge moment and I think the reason for that was the enormity of the awards hit me on the night where I met so many of the previous winners,’ she explains. ‘It has such a heritage – there have been so many women who I personally admire, such as Zaha Hadid, Anita Roddick and then Madame Clicquot herself who was an incredible pioneer.’
The other finalists were Clare Gilmartin, the CEO of Trainline, and celebrity make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury, who set up her own business in 2013. The judges (including MT’s editor Matthew Gwyther) pointed to Wood’s demonstration as a standout female role model and Unruly’s international growth as a clear indicator of success – the tech company has expanded to 15 offices and 200 staff since 2006. Wood was also crucial in Unruly’s acquisition by Rupert Murdcoch's NewsCorp late last year in a deal worth a cool £114m.
Along with her co-founders Scott Button and Matt Cooke, Wood tapped into the trend of viral videos early on and Unruly works with a range of brands from Adidas to Evian on videos to catch consumer attention, notching up some two trillion views in the process. ‘As a company we’ve just been very tenacious over the years,’ Wood says. ‘We’ve invested in data, we’ve invested in expertise and understanding video. We were very early into the market.’
Diversity has also been of great importance to Wood and currently over 48% of Unruly’s workforce is female. Perhaps more impressive is the fact 46% of managers are female and 44% of the board. ‘It’s not just women coming in at the start of their careers, but really succeeding in leadership roles – high profile, big, hairy leadership roles in a fast-paced, evolving landscape,’ Wood says. ‘And watching women do that with large families at the same time, so that’s really incredible.’
Many of Wood's own role models are those around her - she points to Unruly's marketing and comms director Louise Tullin (who made the 35 Under 35 shortlist in 2014) as an example, as well as her daughters. 'My eldest is doing her GCSEs and I see her working every weekend determined to do the best she can'
She thinks the company's consistent approach to diversity partly stems from the fact Unruly has three co-founders. ‘We’re all very different – not just in terms of gender, but temperament, life skills, experience, what we enjoy doing,’ she explains. ‘I think anyone coming into the company can see there’s no Unruly way; there’s no one set style of leadership. If you come here wanting to do the best job you possibly can for clients, then there is a place for you at Unruly and you will succeed.’
Propercorn's Cassandra Stavrou
Propercorn co-founder Cassandra Stavrou also had a good night, pipping dating app entrepreneur Robyn Exton and Entrepreneur First’s Alice Bentinck to the New Generation award, which celebrates upcoming talent.
Stavrou formerly worked at ad agency BBH, but quit her job and spent a couple of years living back at home with her parents while cooking up recipes for her budding business. Since launching in October 2011, Stavrou’s healthy popcorn business has steamrolled into 15,000 stockists, including Waitrose, Tesco and Boots and is available across Europe. By the end of last year it had made annual sales of £9m, selling three million popcorn packets a month.
She said, ‘It’s such an honour to receive the New Generation award and to appear alongside such an impressive group of finalists. The awards are an amazing celebration of entrepreneurs from around the world.’ Time to crack open the bubbly?

domain: news


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Philips Go-down bridge on Tadbun-Diamond Point stretch to be demolished The Hindu, 2 months ago
Hyderabad: A cursed lake — that's what many residents of Lakshmiguda think of Umdasagar. As many as 12 children and teenagers have drowned, all at one part of the lake in April. The unidentified body of an adult was fished out of the lake as ...Deccan Chronicle, 2 weeks ago
The city woke up to uprooted trees, snapped power lines and flooded streets, after torrential rains triggered by a cyclonic circulation lashed the city before dawn on Friday. Even as the rains were a welcome relief for denizens, who have been ...Times of India, 3 weeks ago
11:20PM Share Hyderabad, Apr 21 (UNI) The entire city police personnel will be on alert for the Hanuman Jayanti 'Shobha Yatra,' which be taken out by a few organisations tomorrow. Besides 1500 policemen, additional force, including home guards, ...United News of India, 1 month ago
Hyderabad: A GHMC sweeper was run over by a TSRTC bus while she was cleaning the road at Ramanthapur on Monday. After the accident, GHMC workers along with family members of the victim and locals staged a rasta roko, triggering a massive traffic jam ...Times of India, 2 months ago
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ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Is the India-Pakistan match worth the hype?
The greatest rivalry in cricket. The biggest game this year. The final before the final. An epic showdown that overshadows all else. The marquee contest that brings the Word Cup alive.
India meet Pakistan in a World Cup group stage encounter at Old Trafford this Sunday, and the hype is on.
The teams are unified by their penchant for the big win over the neighbour on the field. Outside the cricket field, good neighbourliness is in short supply.
Cricket takes a backseat when India play Pakistan, more so when the stage is the World Cup.
Yet, it is hard not to notice that cricket's greatest rivalry has hardly delivered on its biggest stage. India enjoys a formidable 6-0 record against Pakistan. Barring poetic uncertainties of the game, the likelihood of the men in green winning tomorrow looks improbable.
It may be pertinent to ask the question. Is the encounter worth the hype?
Punctuated by the 1965 war, India and Pakistan didn't play each other from the early 1960s till 1978.
Imran Khan, the current Prime Minister of Pakistan, who is undoubtedly a larger-than-life figure in world cricket, was in his shorts when the neighbours went to this war. The 1971 conflict that led to the creation of Bangladesh out of East Pakistan further strained ties.
The two countries met on the cricket field in 1978, by when Imran was a fearsome bowler, the lynchpin of his team's attack.
And though the two sides did not meet in a World Cup till 1992, cricket diplomacy in the late 1980s ensured that Imran led his team to play in India in 1987 as the magnificent Sunil Gavaskar's career came to a close.
The rivalry was worth the hype, at least when it started.
In 1992, Javed Miandad's 'Jumping Jack' imitation of Indian stumper Kiran More made headlines even as India polished off their rivals by 43 runs. The fact that the same Pakistan team would go on to win that very World Cup perhaps fuelled the intensity, and the impact of India's win over Imran's 'cornered tigers', a rather expansive alliteration that found its way into popular sport literature after they trumped England to become world champions.
The 1996 quarter-final face-off at the World Cup gave Indian fans bragging rights because of two incidents that got more attention than India's convincing 39-run win.
The first was Ajay Jadeja's 22-run shellacking of the fiery Waqar Younis in an over that sent the Bangalore crowd, and Indians the world over, into raptures.
The second was the confrontation between Aamir Sohail and Venkatesh Prasad. Sohail pointed his bat at Prasad in a condescending manner after hitting him for a boundary, as if asking the lanky paceman to 'go fetch that'.
With the next delivery Prasad clean bowled Sohail. Then the Indian pacer mouthed a special send-off bordering on the profane to Sohail. He also pointed to the Pakistani dressing room, as if to tell Sohail that was now his place.
The rivalry had found new, aggressive images to become etched in every Indian cricket fan's memory.
If you talk of the big India-Pakistan games anywhere, whether it is Toronto or Tuticorin, Malda or Manchester, these incidents pop up.
These moments may have also fed the nationalistic slant in fan following.
An India-Pakistan match has never been about subtle nuance. The cricket comes second to the compelling images of men aggressively facing off on the pitch, even though all they are trying to do is just win a bloody game!
I most humbly beg to differ (rather, just differ) with the 'war minus shooting' tone that is usually attached to these matches.
It has never been that. It has just been about pride, about the need to best another team with a shared history marked by strife and conflict, but similarly engaged and turned on by the passion for the game.
India-Pakistan matches have yielded some compelling performances on the big day. The epic battle isn't, and shouldn't be about the More-Miandad joust, or the Prasad-Sohail face-off. It should rather be about the way Sachin Tendulkar started India's run chase at the SuperSport Park with an emphatic six over the square third-man fence off Shoaib Akhtar. Cricketing gold.
It was an absolute delight to watch Tendulkar in such an imperious mood. More followed. Delectable wrists dispatched another Shoaib missile to the square leg fence. Then, of course, triggering across to the off stump, zero backlight, no follow through, as bat met ball, Shoaib's bullet was sent back down the ground for four. It was the beginning of another defeat for Pakistan in India's hands.
Pakistani fans would have similar winning memories rafted together by their brand of nationalistic symbolism and cricketing excellence. They go back time and again to Miandad's last ball heist in 1985, and why shouldn't they?
But frankly speaking, when it comes to the World Cup, jingoism aside, India have been calling the shots. This time around too, they look to seal another win over their famed rivals, unless the heavens come pouring in Manchester. India goes in with two wins and one match with no result. Pakistan has won a single match, lost two and has one encounter with no result. The no-result games are because of the rain that has somewhat spoilt this Cup. On the points card, India has 5, Pakistan 3.
To beat Pakistan six times out of six on the World Cup stage is no mean feat. A look at previous scorecards or even match summaries will surely help in assessing why it's always been a one-sided affair, and not the thrill-a-moment dogfight that fans have always imagined it to be.
Yes, this will be the most keenly watched sporting encounter of the year. The numbers at least still do justice to the contest.
An audience of almost hundred times that of the NBA finals, many times over the millions who watch the Super Bowl finale, television and digital audiences for this World Cup's Manchester derby will surely topple everything on the charts.
Yet it is important to remember, there are other games too being played that are likely to bring out better cricket. After all, why talk of rivalry, when the contest ain't as compelling.
Just let there be no rain. Let the game begin.
Sanjeeb Mukherjea is a sports television personality. An award-winning journalist, Mukherjea is also the lead anchor and commentator for the 2019 World Cup for Star Sports 1 Bangla


Khloe Kardashian: Kris Humphries is 'gross,' 'delusional,' 'fame hungry'
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Nothing's off limits for Khloe! Khloe Kardashian was game for any and all questions while chatting with Andy Cohen on Bravo's "Watch What Happens Live" on Thursday. The 28-year-old reality star didn't flinch when asked about her sister Kim Kardashian's very estranged husband, Kris Humphries. "It just needs to get over already!" Khloe said of Humphries' protracted legal dispute with her sister, 32, to end their brief union. (Either by divorce or annulment.)
"He's, in my opinion, delusional," Khloe sniped of the NBA star's claims that his marriage to Kim was a fraud. "I don't know why he's asking for anything? He's fame-hungry, in my opinion. He wants money ... I just think everything he's doing is so -- it's just gross to me."
Khloe had kinder words for Kanye West, pregnant Kim's current beau -- not to mention Scott Disick, the longtime love to her eldest sister Kourtney. During a round of "Not Plead the Fifth," Cohen asked which of her sister's beaus she'd rather get intimate with. "Who do I want to bone?! I can't bone, they both are having babies with my sisters!"
After Cohen urged her to reply for the sake of the game, she mused, "I'm really proud of Scott right now, I'm really liking Scott, and I've always loved Kanye. But since I've only gone black, I got, like once you go black, you stay there, so …" cracked the reality star, married to Lamar Odom since fall 2009.
Her favorite siblings, by rank? Naming Kim first and Kourtney second, she put her brother, Rob, 25, in dead last, after reading Rob's "25 Things You Don't Know About Me" in Us Weekly -- where he named sister Kylie as his "favorite sister." "I hate him right now!" she joked.
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Doppler tracking is the most common method of tracking the position of vehicles in space. It involves measuring the Doppler shift of a radio signal sent from a spacecraft to a tracking station on Earth, this signal either coming from an onboard oscillator or being one that the spacecraft has coherently transponded in response to a signal received from the ground station. The second of these modes is more useful for navigation because the returning signal is measured against the same frequency reference as that of the originally transmitted signal. The Earth-based frequency reference is also more stable than the oscillator onboard the spacecraft.
Related category• SPACECRAFT COMMUNICATIONS AND TRACKING
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Police said Tuesday they’ve charged a 30-year-old man in connection with a single-vehicle collision on the University of Ottawa campus Monday afternoon.
A Hydro Ottawa cube van was allegedly stolen and later crashed into concrete barricades at the intersections of Waller and Nicholas streets in the downtown core around 2:45 p.m. on Monday.
A spokesperson with the local utility provider confirmed the company’s van was stolen and involved in the incident, but declined to comment further, saying both the Ottawa Police Service and Hydro Ottawa were conducting an investigation.
The driver of the vehicle initially fled the scene of the collision, according to police, but was later located and taken to hospital with injuries.
An OPS spokesperson told Global News on Tuesday that the injuries were not deemed serious and the driver was released from hospital Monday night.
Eric Sikala of Ottawa is facing charges of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, theft of a motor vehicle, failing to stop after an accident and failing to comply with an undertaking.


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Statement of Sarah Poole
Regional Bureau for Arab States
United Nations Development Programme
On the occasion of
Behavioral Insights for Women’s Economic Empowerment
October 11, 2018
Check against delivery
Excellencies, colleagues and friends,
We are so grateful to have you here with us today to dive deep into the topic of Behavioural Insights for Women’s Economic Empowerment.
I’m sure many of you are asking yourself, “What exactly is Behavioural Insights, and how does it relate to Women Economic Empowerment?”
Across the globe, people sometimes make choices that are not conducive to their own well-being or not in their own self-interest. Saving enough for retirement, eating healthy, investing in education – all too often we humans postpone intended actions to ‘tomorrow’, succumb to inertia or get stuck in habits.
Behind every policy lie assumptions that humans will behave rationally, and that this will inform why we act the way we do. But these assumptions are not always correct, and more important, they are often left untested.
But evidence shows that there is a lot more driving us than self-interest—and this has implications for development and public policy.
Enter Behavioural Insights… a school of thought that is being increasingly leveraged by policy-makers around the world.
Behavioural Insights is a combination of psychology, economics and neuroscience that examines how people make decisions.
Over the past five years, UNDP has been investing in applying findings from behavioural science in its programme design and its support for policy formulation. What began as a first experiment to support the Government of Moldova with improving the adherence rate of tuberculosis patients, matured into an emerging service line of the organization. We have designed and scaled behaviourally-informed interventions to address environmental protection in China and Mongolia, to address gender-based violence in Egypt, Georgia and South Africa, to increase tax compliance in Moldova and Armenia and to improve our cash-transfer system to poor households in Bangladesh – to name a few.
UNDP and the Behavioural Insights Team are coming together again to support young women entrepreneurs in the Arab States like Hayfa, Hanane and Moneera - who are here with us today. These young women are all entrepreneurs and changemakers in UNDP’s pioneering ‘Youth Leadership Programme: Innovation for Sustainable Impact’, also known as YLP.
YLP was launched in 2015 to empower young women and men in the region and to nurture their creativity, strengthen their leadership skills, and support them in designing and implementing innovative initiatives to improve their communities, whether local, national, or global. YLP is based on the idea that young people are a key resource for solving development problems in the Arab region. We are thrilled that behavioural insights will begin to play a role in the support that UNDP provides to these young change-makers.
Hayfa, Hanane and Moneera will provide us a first-hand understanding of the challenges, particularly those related to gender bias, that young women entrepreneurs face. Their experiences will be at the core for our hands-on investigation into behaviourally informed interventions for this topic.
Today, I look forward to a discussion that helps us better understand the power of biases, stereotypes and prejudices, and how we can leverage them to provide better support to young women as they strive to become successful entrepreneurs.
UNDP is committed to embedding behavioural insights as a key approach in our toolbox to address complex development challenges.
I would like to thank :
- HE Dr. Maya Morsy and the National Council for Women in Egypt for her leadership in exploring Behavioral Insights.
- Our YLPers: Alumni of UNDP’s Youth Leadership Programme: Innovation for Sustainable Impact whose stories will be the core for our work today on gender bias.
- The UK Behavioral Insights Team, and today’s co-host, Evie Monnington-Taylor. For the past years, colleagues from the Behavioural Insights Team, have been working with UNDP and our Innovation Facility on the design and implementation of trials as a trusted partner.
It will be my great pleasure to learn from our young entrepreneurs and you, our distinguished guests. Let us explore together the intricacies of our way of thinking and how we might apply insights to design better policies and programmes for helping young women take full advantage of economic opportunities and make their best contribution to the success of the 2030 Agenda.
Now, it is with great pleasure to introduce H.E Dr. Maya Morsy, President of the National Council for Women in Egypt, and a beacon of strength to us as we innovate for our future.
Welcome, Maya and thank you for being with us today.

domain: sociology


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Wales could become a GM-free zone. Protesters may have succeeded where the National Assembly failed in making Wales a no-go zone for GM crop trials.
The only GM trial site in Wales has attracted so much attention that it may never be used for GM tests again.
Scientists from GM company Aventis visited Birchfields Farm near Sealand, Flintshire, to assess the remains of the GM maize planted there to monitor environmental factors and found that nearly half the crop had been wrecked.
Farmer John Cottle says his fields have received disproportionate attention because they are unique in Wales. He is expecting a decision from Aventis next week or the week after on whether his Deeside farm will be used for GM trials again.
He claimed yesterday that the activists had shot themselves in the foot because the trials had produced a huge increase in wildlife in the GM field.
The GM trial on his land this year and last provoked anger not just because of the sensitive issue of GM crops but because the Assembly was powerless to stop the trial despite having reservations about allowing GM maize to be planted in Wales.
Flintshire county councillor Klaus Armstrong-Braun, Wales's only elected Green Party politician, says he is delighted that Aventis could now pull out of Flintshire.
"It's not down to the pussyfooting of the Assembly, who should have gone to court to test its rights as a region of the European Union," he said. "They haven't done anything at all. It's down to the activists who have taken it into their own hands to act on behalf of Wales."
Mr Cottle said he would be no worse off financially if Aventis pulled the plug.
"This was an environmental trial," he said. "Scientists had traps down to measure the seeds falling from the weeds but the demonstrators have spoiled a lot of that. It's a shame. Data from this site would have helped them measure in 10 years how the environment has changed."
Mr Cottle said normal maize crops had to be sprayed with a weedkiller so strong that it was banned in some European countries but GM maize, once established, was able to thrive despite competition from other plants. Therefore weedkiller sold for use in gardens could be used to help the plants in the initial stage, after which weeds could be left to grow.
"On the GM site we've got six or seven types of weeds, compared with only one with the conventional maize," said Mr Cottle. "That's because the residual spray used on the conventional site is in the soil for three or four months and slowly washes out into the rivers. The spray we use on the GM site is very safe. It doesn't harm insects or aquatic life."
Julian Rosser, of Friends of the Earth Cymru, disputed Mr Cottle's claim that wild plants had flourished in the GM test field.
"This GM maize was not developed to feed the Third World; it was designed to withstand weedkiller that kills everything else," he said.
Mr Rosser added, "It's a pity the people of Wales have been forced into direct action to stop these trials when the Assembly has voted to keep Wales as GM-free as possible.
"It's unfortunate that the Assembly has limited powers when it comes to control of GM crops in Wales and the Assembly hasn't been too keen to use some of the powers it does have for control of GM crops."
Anti-GM campaigners are still planning to stage a rally and 24-hour vigil at Mr Cottle's farm on Saturday. firstname.lastname@example.org
What do you think? To Have Your Say, click here.

domain: agronomy


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Handcrafted Kuutar three stone pendant with woven 18k gold bail and a rustic set cluster of two rose cut sapphires and one rose cut black diamond. Beautiful statement pendant on a 18k gold chain.
The pendant drop is measured at 2.5 cm long, chain length 16 inch.
If you have questions about sizing, customisation or any other query, please send us an e-mail. We will be happy to hear from you!

domain: design


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IDBI Bank’s board of directors has re-appointed Shri Samuel Joseph Jebaraj as its deputy managing director for three years. His term as DMD will commence on September 20, 2022.
“Shri Samuel Joseph Jebaraj is not related to any other Director on the Board and KMP (key managerial personnel) of the Bank. It is further confirmed that Shri Samuel Joseph Jebaraj, DMD is not debarred from holding the office of director by virtue of any SEBI order or any other such authority,” IDBI Bank said in an exchange filing, reportedly.
From verticals for large and mid-sized corporates to trade finance and NPA (non-performing assets) management, Jebaraj has been handling these segments, along with being a member of internal committees for more than a decade, said IDBI Bank.
IDBI Bank stake sale
As per media reports, the government is likely to invite next month preliminary bids for selling its stake in IDBI Bank. It was also revealed by an official that the discussions with the RBI are at the final stages.
In May 2021, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs gave in-principle approval for strategic disinvestment and transfer of management control in IDBI Bank.


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ISLAMABAD: After consultations and due recommendations by the concerned ministries, the Finance Minister Ishaq Dar Thursday decided that payments against exports to Afghanistan would no longer be in Pak Rupees and the normal trading regime would apply with effect from March 17, 2014.
The Federal Minister Ishaq Dar chaired a high level meeting to review Pakistan’s trade with Afghanistan at the Finance Ministry on Thursday.
A two-month period was, however, being given to allow exporters serving any existing contract, Dar said. It would be pertinent to mention here that the decision has been taken in view of the fact that normal banking channels were now available for transactions between the two countries.
In a meeting held today, the President KCCI drew the attention of the Finance Minister to the difficulties being faced by exporters to utilise the route of Ghulam Khan, as it was restricted for exports of cement only. He suggested that other export items should also be allowed.
The Chairman FBR and the Ministry of Commerce supported the contention of President KCCI. The Finance Minister, therefore, decided to also allow export of all other items from Ghulam Khan, which would help develop business in the backward areas of KPK and also stimulate growth of exports to Afghanistan.
To block the misuse of present limit of $10,000 for each person per trip and to check this tendency it has been decided that the present limit of $10,000 per trip per passenger be reduced to $5000. Each child up to 12-year would be entitled to 50 percent allowance while an infant would be permitted an allowance of 25 percent.
The meeting was informed that Pakistan’s export to Afghanistan during 2012-13 amounted to $2.3 billion. This also included trade undertaken in Pak Rupee estimated at 50 percent of the total exports.
The concerned ministries who shall issue necessary amendments and streamline procedures would implement these decisions.
The decision is likely to earn foreign exchange of one billion dollar, increase exports to Afghanistan, benefit business community as well as the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and reflect actual export figures of the country.
In a separate meeting held with the representatives of State Bank of Pakistan, the finance minister reviewed the limit of currency notes allowed to Pakistanis traveling abroad.
The governor SBP raised the issue that the present limit of $10,000 for each person per trip was being misused and to check this tendency it was decided that the present limit of $10,000 per trip per passenger be reduced to $5000.
The finance minister emphasised that the limit of $5,000 or equivalent per person per trip was applicable to passengers who were carrying currency notes.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Finance Dr. Waqar Masood, Secretary Commerce, Qasim Muhammad Niaz, Chairman FBR Tariq Bajwa, Adviser to Finance, Rana Asad Amin, Governor State Bank of Pakistan Yaseen Anwar and President Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce Zahid Ullah Shinwari.
LAHORE: Many textile mills are closing down one shift and laying off textile workers in Punjab due ...


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Alabama Sen.-elect Doug Jones on Sunday said it’s time to “move on” from sexual-misconduct claims against President Trump, breaking with members of his own party. “Those allegations were made before the election, and so people had an opportunity to judge before that election,” Jones said on CNN, echoing earlier statements made by the White House. “We need to move on and not get distracted by those issues. Let’s get on with the real issues that are facing the people of this country right now,” he said. Several women who accused Trump of sexual misconduct during his campaign demanded a congressional investigation last week. Some Democratic lawmakers have taken the allegations seriously and called on the president to resign. Jones himself had urged Sen. Al Franken to resign this month over similar allegations.
TOP 10 RIGHT NOW

domain: law


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How to Transfer Ethereum to a Ledger Nano S – Ledger Tutorial 3
Once you have your Ledger Nano S configured and the Ethereum wallet app installed on your computer, you need to send your Ethereum to the Ledger. If you’re unsure of how to do this, it’s okay. In this guide, we’ll show you how to transfer Ethereum to a Ledger Nano S.
If you missed our Ledger Nano S Setup Guide, you can follow it here.
How to Transfer Ethereum to a Ledger Nano S
Step 0. As always, you first need to connect your Ledger to your computer and enter your pin code.
Step 1. Open the Ledger Wallet Ethereum app on your computer. You’ll probably see a message to unlock your Ledger.
Step 2. Open the Ethereum app on your Ledger. If you don’t have the Ethereum app on it, download it from the Ledger Manager.
*NOTE: If your computer app is still telling you to unlock your Ledger even though your Ledger’s Ethereum app is open, you probably need to switch your Browser Support settings. On your Ledger, navigate to Settings -> Browser Support, and switch to “No.”
Step 3. If this is your first time using the Ethereum wallet, you’ll have to choose between the Ethereum and Ethereum Classic chains. Because we want to receive Ethereum, choose that chain.
Step 4. Now, you’re in your wallet. It’s here that you can see your balance, last operations, and make transactions.
Step 5. Click on the down arrow at the top of the window to receive funds.
Step 6. Now, you should see a QR code and a string of numbers and letters. This is your address. In most scenarios, you’ll use the HEX address, not the IBAN one.
Step 7. Finally, copy/paste that address, or scan the QR code, into the designated spot in your funding source.
Step 8. Transfer your Ethereum.
Step 9. Depending on network congestion, your account balance and transaction history should update within a few minutes.
Additional Ledger Nano S Guides
Congratulations! You’ve officially sent Ethereum to your Ledger Nano S. If you’re interested in learning more about your wallet, check out our guides below:


Can Greece Break Its Deadlock With Lenders? A Q&A With Greece’s Papadimitriou
By Nektaria Stamouli
Feb 9, 2017 8:46 am ET
Greece's Economy Minister Dimitri Papadimitriou, shown here during an appearance in Athens last month, said a deal with international creditors should help Greece to borrow on bond markets again by the end of 2017.
Greece’s Economy Minister Dimitri Papadimitriou believes Greece will strike a deal with its international creditors by the next meeting of Eurozone finance ministers on February 20. This, he says, could pave the way for the country’s inclusion in the European Central Bank’s bond-buying program and help Greece to borrow on bond markets again by the end of 2017. Here is an abridged transcript of his conversation with The Wall Street Journal’s Nektaria Stamouli in Athens on Tuesday.
WSJ: Not much has changed since the IMF’s board meeting [about Greece on Monday]. How do you move the ball forward?
DP: The IMF meeting shows that debt restructuring needs to be addressed, and not only in the form of the [eurozone bailout fund] ESM’s short-term measures, but also through medium and long-term measures. This is a very important issue for the government and obviously for the IMF. It is important for the rest of the international lenders, but they have different opinions about how to handle it.
Most important thing is that there is a disagreement among us and the European Union leaders about the projections of the IMF on how the Greek economy will perform. We are sure that we have turned the corner. The results point in that direction since the third quarter last year, and therefore we will be on the road to recovery and significant growth, allowing us to deal with the obligations that we have in servicing the loans, once we have a clear idea what the restructuring will be. Both in 2015 and 2016, the primary surpluses have been much better than what the program required and therefore we are confident that the goals that have been set for 2017-18 will be met.
WSJ: But all creditors have lined up behind the IMF’s demand for upfront legislation [of new fiscal measures] and say that Greece should deliver first. Everybody is standing firm in their position and somebody has to make the first step.
DP: Well it is not clear that everybody has lined up behind the IMF. The IMF is suggesting specific measures be voted now. Everybody has lined up in the sense that Greece has to provide some kind of guarantee that in fact if things do not go well, something will be done. The Greek government has indicated that the mechanism that we have for automatic cuts will be put in place if the results do not meet the targets.
That seems to satisfy everyone except the IMF, which insists on specific targeted measures to be put in place now, which is very unreasonable and cannot be adopted.
WSJ: There are indications that the government is working on a compromise solution that could involve lowering the threshold for paying personal income tax. How far can the government go?
DP: Both the prime minister [Alexis Tsipras] and the finance minister [Euclid Tsakalotos] have indicated that Greece is not interested in negotiating any of these items, whether it would be the threshold or tax-exempt level, or to create any other mechanism that includes specific spending cuts. So the negotiations have to move in a different direction, towards accepting the mechanism we have, which provides the guarantee for international lenders. At the end I think that this will be the agreement because there isn’t any other reasonable offer that the Greek government can make.
WSJ: What guarantees does the Greek government want to in return for this compromise? What is the comprehensive agreement that the government wants?
DP: The Greek government wishes to have an agreement on debt restructuring. This takes many forms. It can be a complete reduction of the real value or of the present value. That includes fixed interest rates at a very, very low rate, perhaps at the basic lending rate of the EU, which is now at less than 1%, which will ensure the long-term stability of debt servicing without the vagaries of changing interest rates. So there will be a guarantee from the international lenders to provide this measure in return for Greece agree to this [fiscal] guarantee—the “cutter” or whatever you call it.
WSJ: So should Greece make the first step back for the negotiations to be unlocked?
DP: Negotiation is like dancing the tango: you need both and who would make the first move is not clear. The finance minister is working through the various channels to restart the negotiations. There is willingness, as far as we can see, from our international partners to have the mission return to Greece and iron out the details of the negotiations. It is my expectations that on February 20 at the next Eurogroup meeting, the agreement will be reached and the country will be eligible for QE, which is very important for lowering interest rates, not only for us in terms of the short-term treasury bills that we issue, but also for banks and companies.
WSJ: There have been press reports that many members of the government are not on the same page.
DP: There are many discussions that go on. This is not unique to Greece. In [the governing coalition in] Germany they don’t agree with each other either: the SPD says Germany is very hard on Greece. In Greece it’s the same thing, there are echoes, voices from different corridors that disagree on how one should proceed. I don’t pay very much attention to this. The negotiation is a difficult process. The Greek government has placed its cards on the table that there are things that are not negotiable.
WSJ: Germany wants 3.5% primary surpluses to be maintained for 10 years, others suggest five. For how long do you suggest Greece should run high surpluses?
DP: My suggestion is that we shouldn’t accept it for any years. I’m all in favor of the IMF’s position of 1.5%. I think these surpluses are unnecessary. Once the restructuring of the debt is done, we will see exactly what’s needed as a primary surplus. What the IMF says, in the words of its managing director Christine Lagarde, is that Greece cannot take any more austerity, therefore it must have the 1.5% primary surplus.
WSJ: In reality is the IMF an ally on this front or is it sitting on a fence waiting for Greece and Germany to have this argument?
DP: The IMF’s experience is that it’s not a friend of anybody. It has its own policy and it unfortunately applies it in every case irrespective of what the particular circumstances are in each country. When they represent themselves as doctors, they make no distinction between a disease in the stomach or a heart failure. Therefore it’s not clear that one can say the IMF is a friend of Greece or of Europe. I think it maintains its policy, it’s consistent. However wrong it is, it’s consistent.
WSJ: Will the Greek economy be able to accelerate this year and reach the target of 2.7% growth?
DP: The 2.7% growth target is certainly an ambitious one, but it can be met. The early indications show that investors, both from Europe as well as businesses here and from overseas, have expressed dramatic interest in coming to Greece. One of the major resources that Greece has is the labor force, which is extremely well-trained and very gifted.
WSJ: The cabinet reshuffle [in late 2016] was mainly done to make the government more investment friendly. Are the results more investment friendly?
DP: You are actually referring to this ministry and my appointment and therefore I naturally have to say that yes I think there is a change of the climate. The government is trying to create a friendlier investment climate and my meetings with many of the investors indicate that people are very much interested.
What is important is for the second review [of the bailout program] to be closed as quickly as possible and for Greek bonds to become eligible for QE. That would symbolically give investors the opportunity to see that there is a normalization in the country that perhaps has not been there for the past seven years. I don’t believe that there is any instability. Most people tell me do not under any circumstances go to elections, because irrespective of what differences might exist between the government and the opposition, stability is very important.
WSJ: So you don’t think elections are an option for Syriza at the moment?
DP: Absolutely not.
WSJ: When could Greece access the markets again?
DP: Our view is that, if we enter QE, we could tap the markets towards the end of the year.