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Attorneys in the George Zimmerman murder trial have reached the magic number.
Yesterday, attorneys finally decided on a pool of 40 jurors after going through a week and a half of pretrial publicity questioning. Dozens of potential jurors were asked about their knowledge of the case, how they felt about Trayvon Martin and Zimmerman, and if being sequestered would be an emotional, physical, or financial hardship.
Today, round two will begin, but this time it will be much more like a traditional jury selection. The 40 jurors will sit together in the courtroom and answer questions on a wide variety of more general topics, such as if they’ve ever been arrested, if they have medical conditions or if they have opinions about law enforcement.
Lawyers on either side can excuse 10 jurors without reason. Others will be excused if Circuit Judge Debra S. Nelson deems them “unfit.”
Let the selections begin…
LATEST UPDATES FROM THE COURTROOM:
4:18 PM EST: Court recesses for night. All jurors due back at 9:00 AM.
4:10 PM EST: Defense attorney O’Mara predicts that evidence and testimony may start on Monday.
– “It looks like we may start Monday.”
4:00 PM EST: Nelson dismisses jurors for night. Does not want O’Mara questions split in two days.
– Questioning P67 alone. Juror wrote letter, is concerned about financial hardships and the safety of his family.
– Says he prefers to be referred to as “citizen,” “resident” or “Hispanic.” Not “Mexican.”
3:08 PM EST: Questioning continues. BDLR asks jurors if they have ever been in a altercation with another person. B25, B7, G66 among those who raised hand.
– 14 of 40 possible jurors say they are victims of crime, four of them violent crime
– BDLR asks if anyone has medical experience. A number raise their hands. Say it will not affect their opinion on case.
– BDLR asks if jurors own guns. More than a dozen of the 40 prospective jurors own guns (E40, B12, B7, E22, E13, K80, K95, P67, G66, I44, I33, I19, H86, H8, H7 member of NRA, H6) One has a concealed weapons permit (B35).
3:00 PM EST: Robert Zimmerman Jr., brother of George, issues a statement on his parents being present in the courtroom today.
“Our parents: Mr. & Mrs. Zimmerman along with our sister are in court today supporting George. Despite safety considerations, the time was right to do what they could to visibly advocate for George’s innocence. Our parents have avoided showing their face on-camera because of numerous death threats directed at our entire family. Our parents have served as primary caretakers for our grandmother Cristina for years. Alzheimer’s disease has left her requiring round-the-clock care & supervision. I am happy to care for our grandmother, as George, our sister & I were raised largely with her help and consider her a parent. Going forward, security and other concerns are paramount and our periodic absence from court should not be misinterpreted as a withdrawal of support. Our position as a family has been clear & consistent since the night George was attacked: We are all sympathetic to the tragic reality of outliving a son or daughter, however… George acted in self-defense, self-defense should not be criminalized & we stand by George because he told the truth.”
1:45 PM EST: Court resumes, questioning continues.
– BDLR asks jurors if they have experience in law enforcement. No jurors have experience, but a number do have family in law enforcement. Say that will not impact their decision.
12:45 PM EST: Court recesses for lunch
10:10 AM EST: BDLR continues to question jurors about their spouses, how long they’ve lived in Seminole County, and about their interests. After questioning, no one answer raises alarm.
– 7 out of 40 prospective jurors have been arrested. They are as follows (we are missing the other jurors): H7, B35, B29, B12.
– Others have had friends that were arrested. Jurors K95 and B7 says they had friends that were arrested and treated unfairly
10:07: BDLR questioning B76
– Has lived in Seminole since 1975. Has two children, one is a lawyer, one is a CNA
– Her passion is saving animals
10:05 AM EST: BDLR questioning B29
– Works as a CNA and has eight children
– Originally from Chicago
10:00 AM EST: BDLR asking B12 questions. Says she’s been a resident of Seminole County for 40 years.
– Also says she’s a widow with two children. Originally from Michigan.
– Never sat on a jury before.
9:54 AM EST: State Attorney Bernie de la Rionda addresses group of 40, tells them this is “their time to live out the Constitution.”
9:45 AM EST: Jurors get a list of potential witnesses in case, asked to specify what names they are familiar with.
– Jurors were also asked if they were family or friends to families on either side (state and defense). No one raised their hand.
– Jurors who knew witnesses on paper: B61, G63, G63, and I33
9:05 AM EST: Court starting late, Judge Nelson waiting on last juror to arrive.
9:00 AM EST: Court resumes
Here’s What To Expect Today:
– Round two of jury selection will start today. See above for a breakdown of how attorneys will conduct the process.
Here’s What You Missed Yesterday:
– Judge Nelson announced the 40 jurors who will continue on to the second round of selections. See who made the cut, below:
B-12: A middle-aged white woman who works the graveyard shift. She likes the crime-forensics show CSI and said she’d heard Zimmerman was following Trayvon.
B-29: A Hispanic nurse on an Alzheimer’s ward who has seven children and lived in Chicago at time of shooting.
B-76: A white middle-aged woman who said Zimmerman had an “altercation with the young man. There was a struggle and the gun went off.”
B-7: A middle-aged white man who listens to NPR. He remembered when Florida implemented its “stand your ground” law and the debate about whether it was needed.
B-35: A middle-aged black man who owns a vending business. He was critical of the Rev. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, and says this case is not racial.
B-37: A middle-aged white woman who works for a chiropractor and has many pets. She described protests in Sanford as “rioting.”
B-51: A retired white woman from Oviedo who has a dog and 20-year-old cat. She knew a good deal about the case, but said “I’m not rigid in my thinking.”
B-86: A middle-aged white woman who works at a middle school. She said if Trayvon had not been “expelled” from school in Dade County — he was actually suspended — “this could have been prevented.”
E-6: A young white woman and mother who used to work in financial services. She used this case as an example to her adolescent children, warning them to not go out at night.
E-40: A white woman in her 60s who lived in Iowa at the time of the shooting. She heard national news reports and recalls the shooting was in a gated community and a teenager was killed.
E-54: A middle-aged white man with a teenage stepson who wears hoodies. He recalled seeing photos of Zimmerman’s head and face that show injuries.
E-73: A middle-aged white woman active in Sanford’s arts community, who is raising her late brother’s 15 and 18-year-old children. The media interjected race in this case, she said.
M-75: A young African-American woman who says many of her friends have opinions on the case, but she doesn’t.
B-61: A young white woman who remembered that “after the protesters, it seemed to turn more into a racial issue…I don’t think it’s a racial issue.”
B-72: A young man who does maintenance at a school and competes in arm wrestling tournaments. He said he avoids the news because he does not want to be “brainwashed.”
E-22: A middle-aged African-American woman who said that after the shooting Sanford police should have booked Zimmerman and asked him more questions.
E-13: A young white woman who goes to college and works two jobs. She heard the shooting was a “racial thing.”
E-28: A middle-aged white woman who works as a nurse. She knew little about the case and has no opinion about Zimmerman’s guilt.
K-80: A middle-aged white woman with children who has not followed the case. She considers the “racial undertones” in the case “disturbing.”
K-95: A middle-aged woman who’s a full-time student and “IT geek” with two children. She was critical of protests calling for Zimmerman’s arrest.
P-67: A native of Mexico who seemed eager to serve on the jury, describing it as a civic duty. “Some people think it is a racist thing,” he said of the shooting.
G-14: A middle-aged white woman. “I remember a lot of anger, a lot of people upset that Mr. Zimmerman was not arrested immediately.”
G-29: A young black woman who has lived in Seminole County eight months. “There is a lot of racial tension built up,” she said, but she “stayed away from it.”
G-47: A young white man who works as assistant manager at restaurant. Zimmerman appears to be “stuck in the worst situation” possible, he said.
G-63: A young, unemployed man who described himself as “mixed race.” He knew few details about the case but denounced stereotyping and said people sometimes interject race into cases.
G-66: A retired white woman who cares for her toddler grandson and moved to Central Florida in 2011. When she saw photos of Zimmerman’s injuries, “I felt sorry for him.”
G-81: A tall black man who lives less than a half mile from the scene of the shooting. There is a racial divide in Sanford, he said, but the media has misportrayed the city.
H-6: A young white man who heard the phone call Zimmerman made to police before the shooting. “He sounded like he was concerned for his neighborhood.”
H-7: A red-haired man about age 50 in a business suit who recalled “a big brouhaha in Sanford,” described protesters as “a nuisance” and said, “I still don’t know why it became a high profile case.”
H-18: A handsome, muscled, dark-skinned man in his 20s with an accent who’s a mechanic, owns his shop with a partner and moved here from Kuwait. He said he avoids discussing certain topics. “When it’s politics, religion or race, I just don’t get involved.”
H-29: A white-haired man who described national civil rights leaders who led protests in Sanford “a little circus come to town.” It was “negative for the city,” he said. “That honestly turned me off.”
H-35: A young woman who said she knows little about the case. She “liked” a photo of Trayvon on Facebook. Needs to move by the end of June, which she said would be a hardship.
H-81: A middle aged man who described the shooting as an “incident” between Zimmerman and Trayvon. H-81 called the shooting a “very tragic situation.” He has two pending civil cases before Nelson.
H-69: A five-months-pregnant woman who said she saw news about the case on television at work. She mentioned several times that she recalled seeing pictures of Trayvon as “a young child” in the media.
H-86: A young white woman, who said she knows almost nothing about the case. H-86 says she keeps up with current events, but “certain cases and things I don’t follow.”
I-5: A middle-aged African American man, he said he heard self-defense was involved with the case, at one point referring to Zimmerman as “the gentleman that was defending himself.”
I-19: A young white woman identified as I-19, who said she hasn’t followed the case and knows only the basic details: “I don’t watch the news, I don’t read the news,” she said.
I-24: An older white woman who said she followed the case at first, but then “I just kinda tuned out.” Described the case as “a young man lost his life and another man is fighting for his life.”
I-33: An older white man, who said “the more I heard, the less I wanted to hear.” Heard there was a 911 call involved in the case, and “some controversy as to who was doing the screaming” heard in it.
I-44: A father of three who said he’s highly skeptical of the media and its “negativity.” He called himself a “sports nut.”
– To see a full recap of each trial day, see below:


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Five suspects have been arrested in connection with the May 15 bombing that targeted former Colombian Interior Minister Fernando Londoño.
The suspects "are persons who do not belong to the FARC," said Attorney General Eduardo Montealegre, according to EFE, adding that investigators were still considering the possibility that the country's oldest and largest leftist guerrilla group may have been involved in the attack.
"Obviously, one of our main working theories is that the FARC may have eventually been behind the attack," Montealegre went on to say.
Police could only say the suspects belong to criminal gangs that "work at the behest of terrorists," according to BBC News. One of the five detained is 16 years old.
More from GlobalPost: Colombia: Bogota bomb blast targets former interior minister Fernando Londoño
EFE reported Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon as saying the suspects belonged to El Parche de la Ley, a gang based in the southwestern city of Cali.
Londoño survived the May bombing, but two members of his security team were killed and nearly 40 others were injured, reported CNN. Bogota security cameras caught someone throwing a package at the vehicle where Londoño was riding and speeding away on a nearby motorcycle.
According to CNN, four of the men were arrested in Cali, and the minor was apprehended in Bogota. The 16-year-old is suspected of being the one who threw the bomb.

domain: news


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BOSTON - Two U.S. Marshals Service officials wearing makeup to disguise their identities have testified in the case of a former New England Mafia boss accused of killing a nightclub owner in 1993.
The officials took the stand using pseudonyms and disguises Wednesday to describe how Francis "Cadillac Frank" Salemme left the area where he had been living in the Witness Security Program and was later arrested after the remains of Steven DiSarro were found in 2016.
One of the officials wore a dark wig and bushy beard and what appeared to be a fake nose. The other had long red hair in a ponytail and a long, thin red beard.
Prosecutors say Salemme had DiSarro killed because he feared DiSarro would cooperate with authorities. Salemme denies any involvement in the killing.
MORE TRIAL COVERAGE FROM BOSTON 25 NEWS:
FBI taped secret meeting with New York crime family
Fellow mobster testifies about burying the body
2nd day of testimony provides look inside life of a mobster
Lawyer: Ex-Mafia boss charged in 1993 slaying 'no angel'
Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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An Integrated Ecological and Socio-Economic Approach to Evaluating and Reducing Agricultural Impacts on Upper Mississippi River WatershedsEPA Grant Number: R825761
Title: An Integrated Ecological and Socio-Economic Approach to Evaluating and Reducing Agricultural Impacts on Upper Mississippi River Watersheds
Investigators: Gowda, Prasanna H. , Haro, Roger J. , Napier, Ted L. , Ward, Andy
Current Investigators: Gowda, Prasanna H. , Burgess, Andrew F. , Dalzell, Brent , Haro, Roger J. , Kollman, Fred , Mendez, Aida , Mulla, David , Napier, Ted L. , Stombaugh, Susie , Tucker, Mark , Ward, Andy
Institution: University of Wisconsin - La Crosse , The Ohio State University
EPA Project Officer: Hiscock, Michael
Project Period: September 1, 1997 through August 30, 2000 (Extended to March 31, 2003)
Project Amount: $650,921
RFA: Water and Watersheds Research (1997) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Water and Watersheds , Water
Nutrient enriched waters from Mississippi River are one of the main causes of hypoxic zones in the Gulf of Mexico and adversely impact on aquatic ecosystems within the basin. Farming in the basin produces most of the nation's corn soybean, and wheat and is the primary source of sediment and nutrient loadings to the river.
Objectives/Hypotheses:This research will: (1) use a spatial-process model to predict agricultural discharges from two watersheds in the Upper Mississippi River basin; (2) use observed and predicted runoff, sediment, and nutrient loadings to estimate the contribution of urban areas, waste water treatment plants and point sources to the total loading; (3) use the model to evaluate potential water quality benefits associated with the adoption of alternative management strategies on these watersheds; (4) develop regional-scale predictive models of ecosystem health', biodiversity, and sustainability by relating information on biota and ecosystem functional processes to current and potential landscape composition and structure; and (5) identify factors that affect adoption of conservation production systems among land owner-operators in the two watersheds: the Lower Minnesota River watershed in eastern Minnesota and the Maquoketa River watershed in northeastern Iowa.
A new watershed modeling approach which incorporates the ADAPT model will be used to predict daily hydrologic and water quality responses. Landsat TM data, NRCS soils data bases, published farming system information, topographic and historic climatic data will be used to derive hydrologic response unit features which are inputs to the model. Potential alternative farming systems will be developed based on interactions with stakeholders in each watershed. Process model estimates will be made of potential reductions in environmental impacts associated with adoption of combinations of these alternative farming systems. Data on macroinvertebrate communities in the study watersheds will be collected and analyzed. Statistical relationships between the habitat, biotic community structure and land use activities will be developed and used for predicting their expected regional attainment for alternative management practices. Socioeconomic characteristics of the farm operator and the farm enterprise will be used to develop statistical models to predict: (a) adoption of specific soil and water conservation production systems; (b) agricultural productivity; and (c) propensities to adopt innovative conservation farming systems. A survey will be conducted by interviewing 750 land owner-operators in each watershed.
This research project is expected to isolate factors affecting adoption of conservation behaviors at the farm level and will generate knowledge bases that will make it possible to implement more effective technology transfer programs within the region. The study will provide a tool to assess the environmental benefits of alternative management strategies.

domain: geography


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I know there are some people who dread their birthdays because it’s proof that they’re growing another year older. Then there are others who downplay the day – don’t want any fuss. Neither of these descriptions fit me. I love the anticipation – wondering what presents may arrive, reading sweet cards, and reflecting over a flood of Facebook messages. In a busy world, it’s easy to let events pass by without much notice. That’s why I appreciate birthdays and holidays. They are scheduled events that force us to take a little time to sit and breathe in a bit of happiness that we are alive, and that we’ve gotten to appreciate another year.
As you may have guessed from this lead in, I recently celebrated my birthday, and was joined by several family members for a day of sweet treats and a hike by the lake. My pre-teen niece even surprised me with a creation of her own – homemade Oreo’s from Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar. She is a consummate baker, and last fall we were talking about her penchant for cookie-making. She was asking about the differences between making vegan cookies and the kinds she typically makes with animal products. An idea was born, and in addition to the other things I’d already planned on getting her, Isa & Terry’s adorable book of vegan cookies found its way under the tree with a bow and a nametag with her name on it.
On my birthday she told me about her favorites from the book (Peanut Butter Chocolate Pillows top the list), and she graced me with these chocolate sandwich cookies, which are reminiscent of devil’s food cake and filled with vanilla cream. That she went out of her way to surprise me with vegan cookies (and mighty delicious ones at that!) was a highlight of the day.
In lieu of traditional birthday cake, I couldn’t let summer’s berries get away without using them to make the strawberry shortcake from Spork-Fed. The only work that has to be done in advance is letting a can of full-fat coconut milk partially-solidify in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, the cream is taken from the top and the liquid underneath is thrown away. The shortcake came together fairly quickly with my dad on strawberry slicing duty, my niece whipping the coconut cream, and me cutting biscuits. The shortcake is wonderfully light and sweet, with tones of lemon underneath. It’s amazing that something as simple as coconut milk, maple syrup, sea salt, and vanilla extract can make such a decadent whipped cream. The only changes I’ll make next time are reducing the salt in the biscuits and whipped cream and slicing each biscuit in half through the middle for a stacked presentation with coconut cream and strawberries in the center.
Jenny Engel & Heather Goldberg have the recipe for Strawberry Shortcakes with a Coconut Whipped Cream Topping here on their website. Check it out before berry season is over! (To read about more of my favorites from Spork-Fed, check out this post.)
After celebrating over sweets, cards, and presents, it was time to pack for a weekend getaway. More to come…
Disclosure: The links to cookbooks are connected to my Amazon Affiliate program. When you buy products through my site, I make a few cents.

domain: food


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Investigators from the state Attorney General's office served a second search warrant at the Warren County Justice Center on Thursday as part of their ongoing probe into allegations of misuse of public funds by County Attorney Mike Caudill.
Caudill, who has been Warren County's County Attorney for 25 years, is under investigation in a multi-agency probe that has specifically targeted the bad check account for the County Attorney's office. That account holds funds the office collects from prosecuting bad check writers.
The Kentucky State Police's Drug Enforcement/Special Investigations unit and the Warren County Drug Task Force (of which Caudill is a board member) have joined the Bowling Green Police Department and the Attorney General's Public Corruption division in the probe.
Caudill's attorney, David Broderick, says he doubts his client misused any funds, and says he and his client plan to fully cooperate with the investigation.
Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or firstname.lastname@example.org.


FRIDAY’S MINI-REPORT…. Today’s edition of quick hits:
* Pakistan: “At least 40 people were killed and scores were injured Friday when a pair of suicide bombers stormed a crowded mosque in the military district of Rawalpindi City, joined by assailants who hurled grenades and sprayed gunfire among the worshipers. Officials said two attackers died when they blew themselves up during the most well-attended prayer service of the week, and two others were killed by security forces.”
* NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, responding to President Obama’s speech, announced that NATO will send an additional 7,000 troops, all of whom will be “new forces,” to the coalition fighting in Afghanistan.
* Technically, the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty expires tomorrow, but both U.S. and Russian leaders will simply continue to operate as if it were in place as negotiators continue to work on a new deal.
* We will apparently learn about a new White House policy next week, intended to “jump start” the job market.
* In a surprise move, it now appears President Obama will appear at the international climate summit in Copenhagen at the end of the meeting, instead of at the beginning.
* Good news on H1N1: “Swine flu infections continue to wane, just as vaccine is becoming plentiful enough that some communities are allowing everyone to get it, not just those in priority groups.”
* G.M.’s management shake-up isn’t quite done.
* The Senate will be voting over the weekend on amendments to the health care reform bill.
* Congressional Republicans would have us believe cost-saving measures in reform aren’t to be trusted, because they won’t “stick” (Congress won’t follow through in the future). They should read this fascinating report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
* Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is very likely wrong about increased recovery efforts.
* World’s most deliberative body? Not if Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) has a say in the matter. What an embarrassment.
* Zero GOP votes: “The House voted to permanently extend the estate tax on Thursday, approving a measure that would lock in a top rate of 45 percent on some multimillion dollar estates.”
* Republicans attacking Dems on Medicare Advantage probably ought to take a closer look at their own record.
* The new, expanded GI Bill has so many applicants, officials can’t keep up with demand.
* Insightful post on health care reform from Ezra Klein: “Thousands and thousands of lives will be saved by this bill. Bankruptcies will be averted. Rescission letters won’t be sent. Parents won’t have to fret because they can’t take their child, or themselves, to the emergency room. This bill will, without doubt, do more good than any single piece of legislation passed during my (admittedly brief) lifetime. If it passes, the party that fought for it for decades deserves to feel a sense of accomplishment.”
* The investigation into Sen. John Ensign’s (R-Nev.) sex scandal continues to heat up.
* Some of Obama’s wealthiest contributors are “becoming a bit whiny,” because the White House isn’t doling out enough perks to high-dollar donors.
* Andrew Malcolm isn’t very good at what he does.
* Far-right activists are still going after Kevin Jennings? Aren’t we past this one, yet?
* And finally, the correction of the day, as published by the Washington Post: “A Nov. 26 article in the District edition of Local Living incorrectly said a Public Enemy song declared 9/11 a joke. The song refers to 911, the emergency phone number.”
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.


Why the future of transport is electric
With huge pressure from pollution, cities are looking to more sustainable public transport.
86% of the total energy consumed in transport is still driven by fossil fuels, says Bharat Salhotra, Asia Pacific Vice President at Alstom. The company is the global leader in rail transport, which has contributed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector thanks to electric-powered engines and electrification of railway lines. The same cannot be said about road transport, which dominates the carbon emissions from this sector.
Electric buses could be the answer. “One thing that is very clear is that almost all the cities should very actively look at electric buses as the next big wave,” he says. GovInsider caught up with Salhotra to find out how some cities are already taking the lead.
Cities going electric
India is an inspiring example of the commitment governments should put behind electric buses. “India has a full-fledged programme for replacing fossil fuel driven buses with electric ones by 2030,” Salhotra says. Electric vehicles overall will save one gigatonne of carbon emissions by 2030 and about US$60 billion in annual fuel costs in 2030, according to the government’s policy think tank.
Ministries across the Indian Government are working to fund and encourage cities to buy electric buses. Those buying fully electric buses can now get up to 60% of the cost subsidised, or up to US$131,203. Delhi says it plans to buy 500 electric buses to start with.
Shenzhen city in China is set to becoming the first in the world with all-electric public bus transport at the end of the year. There are already over 14,000 electric buses on its roads, and the few hundred remaining diesel ones will be put out of commission by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur has been running an all-electric Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system for the last two years, and has 10 more routes in the pipeline. This year, its administrative capital Putrajaya also started testing electric buses.
Costs going down
The Mayor of Paris, along with 11 other major cities across the world, committed in October to buy “only zero-emission buses from 2025”. The city’s public transport operator, RATP, is working with Alstom to build and trial a bus that is 100% electric.
The bus, Aptis, is being designed to address the biggest challenges cities face with public buses today: it will cut carbon emissions; reduce noise pollution; improve accessibility; take up less space to turn and park; and can be charged to full capacity within five minutes. Alstom’s vision for Aptis is driven by a “fundamental belief” that “there is going to be more and more pressure on cities’ resources” with urbanisation and globalisation, Salhotra says.
What cities should do
Cities need to first move people away from private transport towards shared ones. “If we are unable to wean people away from personal transport to public transport, we will get into a literal urban gridlock,” Salhotra warns.
Governments must drive behavioural change by making trains and buses as easy to use as cars and motorbikes. This can be done by improving connectivity across different modes, like trains and buses, he says. “Last-mile connectivity” from bus stops and train stations to homes, offices and shops will also be crucial. “We have to provide the comparable level of accessibility and convenience. It we don’t do that, lifestyles will not change”, he says.
For example, India now requires cities to have a plan to integrate across transport modes to get central government funding. “If they don’t have that plan in place and it doesn’t talk about integrated transport, the central government is not willing to give any support,” he adds.
With the pace of interest in electric buses picking up, cities should also start looking at new infrastructure needed to support these. “To make sure that cities are geared up for the next few decades, they need to move towards setting up infrastructure for charging,” Salhotra explains. Over the next few years, there will be a “strong push” to establish “uniform, universal standards for charging buses”, he believes.
Given the state of the world, most people agree there is little choice but to cut down on fossil fuels. Salhotra is optimistic that there will be a “steady evolution” away from private transport - and electric buses will be the “next big leap”.


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B-12 does not occur in fresh vegetables; however fermented vegetable foods such as tempeh contain small amounts of B-12. The blue-green algae spirulina also produces small amounts of this necessary vitamin. Seaweeds, while not technically plants, also contain small to moderate amounts of B-12, depending on the species.Continue Reading
Tempeh is a soy-based food that originates in Indonesia. Indonesians traditionally make tempeh by injecting cakes of whole soybeans with a beneficial mold. The mold grows between the gaps in the soybeans, forming a solid mass. In addition to producing B-12, the mold also breaks down certain proteins in the soybeans, making digestion easier. Tempeh is the only soy-based food that has appreciable levels of B-12.
Spirulina, an algae that grows in ponds and other places with still water, produces B-12 in very small amounts. Because it is not a very appetizing food and only has a very small amount of B-12 by volume, most manufacturers process spirulina into pills, powders and solutions.
Seaweed, which is a relative of spirulina, also produces B-12. However, the amount of B-12 that seaweed produces is typically minimal, which means getting an adequate amount of B-12 requires eating a great deal of seaweed. Eating large amounts of seaweed is unhealthy because of the large amounts of sodium and iodine the food contains, making this a rather poor source of B-12.Learn more about Nutritional Content


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Deep Sea Fishing and Hotels, Playa Del Carmen
When looking for things to do outside hotels, Playa Del Carmen has sone of the more exciting adventures you can have during your escape to Mexico. One of the best is deep-sea fishing. From seasoned sportsman to the adventurous novice, it’s a perfect way to explore the beauty of the area while having fun on the water.
For the novice, you have local day cruises. Depending on how large your party is, you can rent a boat to comfortably accommodate everyone. They pick you up right on the beach! You can arrange to have a captain who knows the area well and a guide who can teach you and your party how to fish properly. If you’re a nature lover, encourage your guide to tell you about the geography of the area and the native wildlife. On the open water, you’ll also have the opportunity to swim in the waters. It’s best to prepare as if you were on the beach, so don’t forget your sun and swim gear: a suit, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen.
If you’re a seasoned fisherman, the best advice is getting a bigger boat and rent it by the week! Captains know exactly where to go for the perfect catch but one of the more successful places is Riviera Maya. From marlins to sail fish, you’ll have a successful day no matter what time of the year it is. When planning your trip specifically for deep-sea fishing, you’re going to want to book a boat anywhere from March to July, when it’s peak season for fishing. On most journeys, you may have to toss fish back if they don’t meet required weights, but chances are you’ll end up catching something perfect to take home such as mahi-mahi, tuna, snapper, grouper, or mackerel. If you’re planning on catching something to eat, try and arrange a rental service that can help you filet what you catch.
Best advice for deep-sea fishing? Bring your camera! The area is beautiful and you’ll want to capture all the memories from your day trip or a week on the water.


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Super Stories for Climate Heroes
Understanding the role money plays in our lives
Want to learn how to look after the planet and your cash? These fun stories are right on the money.
Food Glorious Food: “Food waste, poor taste!” A new celebrity chef arrives in town and gets Ashok thinking about what we can all do to reduce food waste.
The Gift of Thrift: Summer and Ruby are finding it hard to get along - until a planet-saving project brings them closer together. It’s the little things that count!
Our storybooks are available in a variety of accessible formats. See the related resources below for further information.
Super Stories for Climate Heroes is published by Scholastic – text © E.L. Norry, 2021 and illustrations by Iris Amaya © Scholastic, 2021
Scroll down to access eBook online or download

domain: literature


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Washington: Lindsay Lohan apparently obtains her dangerous combination of prescription drugs through “doctor shopping” across the country.
According to a source, Lohan goes to six different doctors for prescriptions.
"When one doctor says no to refilling a prescription, she will go to the next. It’s a whole process to get what she needed, ” TMZ quoted the source as saying.
Lindsay who has prescriptions for- Zoloft (antidepressant), Trazodone (antidepressant), Adderall (stimulant to control ADHD), Nexium (acid reflux) and the extremely powerful painkiller Dilaudid, have doctors both in Los Angeles and New York.
In fact, one of her past rehab facilities still prescribes her meds.
The source even added that, Lohan “would get a large supply every time” she visited a doctor.

domain: celebrity


May 14, 2016
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri lawmakers have passed a sweeping expansion of gun rights in the state, one that would allow people to carry concealed guns without requiring permits and widen their right to stand and fight against perceived threats.
The legislation, which now goes to Gov. Jay Nixon for his signature, was among the most prominent measures passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature on the final day of its annual session on Friday. Mr. Nixon, a Democrat, did not have an immediate comment on the bill.
Under the measure, most people would be able to carry concealed guns, even if they have not completed the training currently required to obtain a permit.
The legislation would also expand the state’s “castle doctrine” by allowing invited guests, such as babysitters, to use deadly force against intruders. It would also create a “stand your ground” right, meaning people would not have to retreat from danger in any place they are legally entitled to be present.
While many Democrats denounced it, Republican supporters of the bill described the measures as reasonable approaches to personal safety.
“There won’t be blood in the streets,” said State Representative Joe Don McGaugh, a Republican. “But what there will be is more people protected by the right to bear an arm legally.”
Ten other states already have what supporters describe as “constitutional carry” laws allowing concealed guns without permits, including ones enacted this year in Idaho, Mississippi and West Virginia, according to the National Rifle Association.
The N.R.A. says 30 states have laws or court precedents stating people have no duty to retreat from a threat anywhere they are lawfully present. But Missouri’s measure would make it the first new stand your ground state since 2011, according to both the N.R.A. and Everytown for Gun Safety, a gun control advocacy group.


Kobukuro's new music video for "Sotsugyou" starring TWICE member Sana has been uploaded onto YouTube.
"Sotsugyou" was released as Kobukuro's single in March of last year. At the time, they revealed an MV utilizing footage from TikTok users. They decided to make a new MV with the theme "a graduation that adults can look back on" so that everyone, who at one point in their lives were graduates, can listen to it. It was directed by Shimpo Takuto.
This is the first time that Sana has appeared in a Japanese artist's music video. During her days as a student, Sana often listened to Kobukuro's songs such as "Tsubomi," "Akai Ito," and "Eien to Tomo ni" together with her family and friends. "It's an honor," she expressed.


America’s nuclear weapons could not prevent the 9/11 terrorist attacks or restrain insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some say this shows that nuclear deterrence does not work, or at the very least is irrelevant to contemporary security challenges. This is dubious logic since of course the fact that nuclear weapons do not serve every national security purpose does not mean they are not critically important for the roles they do play, like helping to prevent nuclear attacks and discourage large-scale wars. Nevertheless, such arguments may have contributed to decades of modernization postponements and general neglect that, as both the Trump and Obama Administrations have warned, leave the United States with nuclear forces that will “age into obsolescence” unless they are replaced within the next generation.
With the federal budget season underway, it is a good time to remember that nuclear weapons cannot solve all of America’s problems. Just as they are not well suited to preventing terrorist attacks, nuclear weapons cannot solve major DoD or national budget challenges. This is because even drastic cuts to U.S. nuclear deterrence capabilities, which might have significant negative repercussions for American security, would likely reduce long-term defense spending by less than 1%.
In recent years, many who oppose nuclear weapons on various grounds have taken to arguing that modernization programs are unaffordable in light of overall defense spending and national debt and that America cannot afford to pay for both nuclear and conventional military modernization. They point to a 2017 report by the Congressional Budget Office, or CBO, and similar analyses suggesting that over the next 30 years it will cost the United States about a trillion dollars to maintain its nuclear deterrent and replace Cold War-era systems as they reach the end of their service lives.
Proponents of the current U.S. nuclear modernization plan—which the Obama Administration put in place and the Trump Administration has left largely unchanged—point out that total spending on nuclear weapons is projected to rise from only about 3% of overall DoD spending today to about 6% in the late 2020s, and then remain at that level for about a decade.


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SPORTY people in Littlehampton are being called upon to dig out their jogging bottoms and trainers to take part in Sport Relief, this year.
It has been two years since the last Sport Relief event along Littlehampton’s seafront. And on Sunday, March 23, it will be back, bigger and better than ever, with organisers hoping 1,000 people will take part.
The fun run’s start point will be between Harbour Park and the Windmill Entertainment Centre and it is open to all ages and all levels of fitness, from super sprinters to willing walkers.
They can choose to run one, three or six miles.
Joint organisers Andy and Bren McTaggart said: “This is the fourth time the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile has come to Littlehampton so let’s don the headband, get training and show the rest of the country what we can do.
“There will be plenty of activities on the day, so don’t forget to rope in your mates, family, boyfriend, girlfriend and colleagues, too.”
This is the fourth Sport Relief event in Littlehampton since 2008.
More than 600 people took part in the last Sport Relief run along Littlehampton’s seafront, in 2012.
Inspire Leisure is supporting this year’s effort, providing rowing and cycling machines.
Money raised will help some of the world’s poorest countries.
To join, see here.

domain: hobby


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Easy, Festive Vegan Brunch Recipes and Menus
Here is a lovely selection of easy vegan brunch recipes and menus that require minimum time in the kitchen, so you can relax with your guests! Brunch evokes images of leisurely eating, casual elegance, and celebrations large and small. This time of year is filled with occasions that call for a gathering—Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and graduations. The much-awaited arrival of spring and summer alone gives ample reason to celebrate. Photo of Tofu Scramble with Jalapeño and Cilantro by Ellen Kanner.
Contemporary brunches can be designed around wholesome, natural ingredients and seasonal produce. The following menus for intimate, low-fat brunches are not only free of the usual meat, eggs, and dairy that usually play a big role in traditional brunches, but are healthy and colorful as well.
Aside from the two easy menus below, you’ll find other ideas for brunch fare in Bountiful Brunches, which include the following recipes. And if you’re a complete brunch aficionado, you’ll enjoy exploring Vegan Brunch by Isa Chandra Moskowitz, a complete book dedicated to this celebratory meal!
Pancakes and French Toast
- Cinnamon-Apple Pancakes
- Strawberry Pancakes
- Apple-Almond Butter Pancakes
- Berry-licious Vegan Stuffed French Toast
- Fantastic French Toast (vegan and gluten-free)
Tofu scrambles, quiches, and more
- Crustless Tofu Quiche with Mushrooms and Herbs
- Classic Tofu Quiche (with a gluten-free crust)
- My Big Fat Greek Scramble
- Tofu Rancheros
- Southwestern Tofu Scramble
- Tofu Scramble with Jalapeños and Cilantro
- Tofu Shakshouka (Middle Eastern Inspired Scramble)
- Spinach, Broccoli, and Tomato Scrambled Tofu
- Composed Individual Fruit Platters with Tropical Yogurt
- “Tofuna” Salad Sandwich Spread
- Deviled Tomatoes
The two menus following are built around just a couple of easy items, leaving the cook plenty of time and energy to spend with guests rather than slaving in the kitchen. These vegan brunches will leave you and your guests satisfied but not satiated. After all, dinner is just a few hours away.
MENU #1: FRESH FRUIT PLATES AND MUFFINS
This menu abounds in fresh, fruity flavors. Lush, colorful fruit platters team perfectly with fresh muffins.
Choice of Muffins:
MENU #2: CONTEMPORARY SCRAMBLE AND HASH BROWNS
Complete the menu with a platter of cherry tomatoes and black olives, warm breads, and fresh fruit.


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Victor Manuel Velasco Herrera
- Ph.D. National Aerospace University of Ukraine, July 2001
- M.C. (Physics) Kharkov State University, January 1996
- B.Sc. (Physics) Kharkov State University, January 1995
Yorkshire district Ryedale will be “devastated” and “changed forever,” campaigners warned Monday evening, after county councillors gave the go-ahead for the first fracking tests in the...
Dr. Kiminori Itoh received his Ph.D. in industrial chemistry from University of Tokyo in 1978. Presently, he is a faculty member of the Engineering Department at the Yokohama National University.
Go to Elections.Desmogblog.com for News and Analysis
Election fever has captured the U.S. and Canada simultaneously and the outcome of these two contests may affect the future of humankind more critically than any previous elections in this history of either country.
Given the recent (i.e. George Bush-induced) climate policy in the United States, U.S. voters are choosing between one candidate (John McCain)who is better than the last guy and one who may actually show leadership on this, the most important environmental issue in human history.The situation is more clear cut - if more dire - in Canada. Four of the five credible party leaders have climate change platforms that would take Canada off the list of greedy nations that put their own short-term profits ahead of global environmental safety. But one leader, current Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper, has made it clear that his most important constituents are the people who want unfettered rights to develop the tar sands - environmental consequences be damned.
My post about the World Bank loaning India $450 million to build a new coal-fired power plant prompted a DeSmog reader to ask if I’m “against the idea of a plant that has less pollution than previous ones?”
I’m not opposed to a less-polluting plant. As a committed opponent of global warming and greenhouse-gas emissions, I’m certainly in favor of reducing pollution.
But the plant in question is going to be burning coal.
Dr. Frederick Seitz passed away on March 2, 2008. He was the former head of Rockefeller University, a former head of the National Academy of Sciences and the principal scientific advisor to the R.J. Reynolds medical research program.


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The ransomware attack killed a baby born in a hospital in Alabama after being attacked by a hacker, the lawsuit said.
Tyranni Kid, who suffered from preeclampsia, was unaware that a cyberattack at Springhill Memorial Hospital brought down the network and severely limited the ability of staff to treat patients on July 17, 2019. Said it was triggered by.
Her daughter was born in a mobile hospital with an umbilical cord around her neck. It took eight minutes for the neonatologist to arrive at the bedside.
She was diagnosed with brain dysfunction caused by oxygen deficiency, renal failure, and many illnesses.
A toddler girl named Nicko Silar died of an injury on April 16, 2020.
Teiranni Kidd accused her daughter of death in a cyberattack that brought down the Springhill Memorial Hospital network. Nicko Silar was born on July 17, 2019 with a brain injury
She was born at Spring Hill Memorial Hospital and said she closed the network to protect her data.
Spring Hill Memorial Hospital first acknowledged the July 9 ransomware attack, stating that “network events” would not affect patient care.
On July 16th, when Kid arrived at the hospital, the day he was “unaware of the impact” of cyberattacks on operations, he shut down the network to protect his data.
Without hospital computers and network systems, doctors and nurses would rely on textual communications, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing court records.
According to court documents, one manager told the nurse, “I don’t know how long, so I don’t have a computer chart.”
“They print the lab’s lab and send it on paper,” he sent a text message to another employee.
Another nurse sent a text message saying “I want to run away.”
The hospital’s “ineffective and non-functional” system contributed to Nico’s injury and subsequent death, the proceedings said.
Nico was born with an umbilical cord around her neck and died a few months later.
Infants suffer from many other illnesses, including kidney failure, which the mother said could have been avoided with the use of appropriate skills by nurses and doctors.
“Based on information and belief, the only fetal tracking available to health care providers during Teiranni’s hospitalization was a paper record at her bedside,” he said.
“Many electronic systems were endangered by cyberattacks, and doctors and other health care providers who were not physically present in the nurse station or Tyranni’s delivery room had no access to fetal tracking information. . “
The hospital failed to use a fetal scalp monitor that may have been used to track the fetus during labor, the proceedings said.
“The only fetal chase available to health care providers during Teiranni’s hospitalization was a paper record at her bedside,” the proceedings filing said of her childbirth experience.
Hospital staff said they were unaware of the seriousness of the life-threatening situation.
Delivery nurses should properly monitor emergencies that should have been known to nursing staff based on Nico’s fetal tracking and / or that would have been known to nursing staff if proper fetal tracking had been performed. Could not be observed, reported, treated, and responded to. Using a fetal scalp monitor, “said the proceedings.
The hospital has not publicly identified hackers, but the Wall Street Journal said sources blamed Ryuk, who was targeting the hospital at the time.
Marian Fork, a hospital spokesperson, said he was proud to respond to cyber attacks.
Outlets previously reported that Ryuk has hit at least 235 general hospitals and other medical facilities since 2018.
Ransomware hackers earned at least $ 350 million last year, according to a Chainalysis report.
A Springhill spokeswoman told Dailymail.com that he was proud of how the hospital address worked during the cyberattack.
“We remained open and dedicated healthcare professionals continued to take care of our patients,” Springhill spokeswoman Marian Fork told Dailymail.com.
“Of course, we did this because the patient needed us and, with an independent therapist who exercised privileges in the hospital, concluded that it was safe to do so.”
She said she could not comment further due to the proceedings in dispute and the confidentiality of the patient.
If the case is proved in court, it will be the first known case of death related to cyber hacking.
Mom sues Alabama Hospital for the death of a baby born during a ransomware attack
Source link Mom sues Alabama Hospital for the death of a baby born during a ransomware attack


TSN Bridge PCIe NIC
RELY-TSN-PCIe is the first out-of-the-box solution for Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) that allows seamless implementation of deterministic Ethernet networks and abstract user equipment and applications from these technical complexities.
This device can be used as a PCIe TSN Endpoint and as a TSN Bridge providing 2 multi-media Gigabit Ethernet ports and 2 internal ports. As an Endpoint, it offers the possibility to introduce TSN technology in the device where it is hosted, for its integration in a deterministic network.
PCI Express (PCIe) is the most extended high-speed serial computer expansion bus. It is the de-facto standard for expansion boards in PC computers and it is gaining acceptance in Industrial PCs and even in SCADA systems.
RELY-TSN-PCIe next generation is a smart pluggable board that comprises in the same device hardware and software resources based on Xilinx UltraScale™ technology to implement specialized networking, synchronization and security oriented services.
These key features makes RELY-TSN-PCIe platform the most reliable and multipurpose networking device for critical environments.
- 2x TSN Ethernet ports
- Media options (SFP cages):
- RSTP IEEE802.1w
- LLDP support
- VLAN support
- IEEE 802.1P Traffic prioritization
- 1 PPS output
- PCIex1. Seamless integration on old Legacy PCI Systems through optional adapter
- IEEE 802.1AS – Timing and Synchronization
- IEEE 802.1Qbv – Enhancements for Scheduled Traffic
- IEEE 802.1Qav – Forwarding and Queuing Enhancements for Time-Sensitive Streams
- IEEE 802.1Qcc – Enhancements for Stream Reservation Protocol
- IEEE 802.1CB – Frame Replication and Elimination for Reliability
- IEEE 802.1Qci – Per-Stream Filtering and Policing
- Ethernet network drivers available for most OS:
- Linux, Windows, VxWorks, etc.
- On-board UltraScale™ FPGA for high-speed network switching and PTP timestamping
- Multi-core CPU unit to support autonomous software application
Configuration & Management
- SSH, Netconf support
- On-board integrated Web Server to provide HTML5-GUI configuration access:
- Accessible through HTTP(S)
- Configuration profiles and Firmware updates
- Real-time network monitoring


The characteristics of an indoor 8 fibers splicing box can vary depending on the specific model and manufacturer. However, here are some common characteristics you may find:
Fiber Capacity: The splicing box is designed to accommodate 8 fibers, allowing for the termination and splicing of up to 8 individual optical fibers.
Compact Size: Indoor splicing boxes are typically compact in size, making them suitable for installation in indoor environments such as data centers, telecommunications rooms, or indoor distribution points.
Protection and Enclosure: The box provides protection and enclosure for the spliced fibers, shielding them from dust, moisture, and other environmental factors that could potentially degrade the optical signal.
Cable Management: The splicing box usually includes features for effective cable management, such as cable routing guides, tie-down points, or cable strain relief mechanisms. These help organize and secure the incoming and outgoing fiber cables.
Splicing Tray: Inside the splicing box, there is a splicing tray or organizer where the actual fusion splicing of the fibers takes place. The tray provides a platform for aligning and fusing the fiber ends and offers storage for excess fiber lengths.
Access Ports: The box may have entry and exit ports to facilitate the routing of fibers into and out of the box. These ports are often designed to accommodate different types of fiber connectors or adapters.
Connectivity Options: Depending on the specific requirements, the splicing box may offer connectivity options for different types of connectors, such as SC (Subscriber Connector), LC (Lucent Connector), or other common connector types.
Easy Access and Maintenance: The splicing box is designed for ease of access, allowing technicians to perform splicing, testing, or maintenance tasks conveniently. It may have removable or hinged covers for easy opening and closing.
Material and Construction: The splicing box is typically made of sturdy and durable materials such as metal or high-quality plastics to provide protection and longevity.
Labeling and Identification: The box may have labeling options to help identify and organize the spliced fibers, such as labeling plates, sleeves, or marking areas.


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GrainCorp (ASX: GNC) was up 7.3% at the open after the grain exporter updated its FY22 underlying earnings (EBITDA) to $590-670m, up from the $480 – 540m range the company guided to on 7 February, while expected FY22 underlying net profit has also increased to $310-370m from $235-280m previously.
In addition to favourable planting conditions for the upcoming east coast Australian winter crop, managing director and CEO Robert Spurway also attributed an improved outlook to the significant ongoing global demand for Australian grain and oilseeds.
Spurway specifically noted the impact that disruption from the war in Ukraine is having on increased demand right now.
“The conflict in Ukraine and resulting trade disruptions in the Black Sea region have created uncertainty in global grain markets, with buyers looking for alternate sources of supply,” said Spurway.
“This has further increased both the demand for Australian grain and oilseeds and export supply chain margins.”
At the AGM in February, GrainCorp noted that high global demand for Australian grain and oilseeds and strong supply chain margins for grain exports was being driven by two consecutive bumper crops in east coast Australia (ECA), coupled with supply shortages in the northern hemisphere.
“Recent weather patterns and continued La Nina conditions have provided excellent planting conditions for the 2022 winter crop to date, building confidence in grain supplies from ECA and further supporting export sales and supply chain margins.”
Despite recent weather-related supply chain disruptions across the ECA, the company has continued to operate its ports at close to full capacity, exporting as much grain as possible to international markets.
Spurway believes supply chain resilience demonstrates both the value of the company’s infrastructure assets and the capability of its operations and planning teams.
GrainCorp's share price has significantly outperfomed the ASX200 over the last 12 months.
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domain: finance


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Tettey blundered for one of Chelsea's goals on Sunday, but Hughton insists it was just a blip.
"Alex is absolutely key in that role because it does give Leroy and Jon a bit more of a licence, Jon (Howson) perhaps more so in that respect, because as we all know he has a great energy to drive forward," he told the Pink 'Un. "Knowing Alex is there and doing what he does best frees Jonny to play a little bit off the shape. It worked (at Stoke) and its always a little bit easier to talk about it when it works.
"Alex had played a lot of games last season and not just that but a lot of games consecutively which perhaps he had not done before in his career. He picked up a little injury problem that knocked him back and he found it a little bit difficult to get back into a rhythm.
"Over the summer we went out and brought in other options and for me it is trying to get the right mix but he is a very good athlete. He trains well every day and he is always good when he has a little bit of momentum in his game."
For breaking stories and all the great banter like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tribalfootball

domain: sports


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Morton's Neuroma (Peri-neural Fibroma)
What is a Morton's Neuroma?
Morton’s Neuroma is a swollen nerve in the 3rd to 4th inter-metatarsal space which develops in the ball of the foot. This causes shooting pains and a sense of burning up into the toes.
What causes it?
Often pinching and pressure from the joints in the ‘ball’ of the foot lead to thickening of the nerve. Tighter closed in shoes increase the problem. Patients often feel the urge to remove their shoe and massage the foot to relieve the pain. Numbness can develop over time along with a feeling of ‘rumpled up socks’ under the toes.
Wider shoes are recommended as a first line course of action in conjunction with steroid injections to reduce inflammation. Surgery involves removing the swollen portion of the nerve.

domain: medical


text: Here we report progress toward the fabrication of adaptive or active Si X-ray mirrors via a two step process. The first step is to curve a Si flat and then coat it with Terfenol-D that will allow the shape control via the application of a magnetic field. The goal is to create a mirror whose local (a few mm-length scale) slope can be changed and left for several hours or more. The current work described here was done in on Si to demonstrate the ability to produce the initial curvature, and in parallel, work to on magnetically hard NiCo 5 cm x 5 cm square plus on a glass sample. The glass sample was used a proto-type to model making changes in two different locations on a mirror. The NiCo sample was used to show that a magnetic field can be retained in a magnetically hard substrate such that the magnetically induced stress in the Terfenol-D was able to maintain a deformation for as long as time permitted to make the measurement which was 71 hours.

domain: design


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Get stuck into the awesome football and and see how many goals you can get? Can you get 5 to win or will you be beat to the 5 goals by the visiting team? If you are bored and can't wait for a game it's your perfect chance.
Thanks for taking your time to give us feedback!
Your feedback has been received.


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Singapore: Should constitutional principles be eternal?
By 6 October 2014
While there may be some basic features of the Constitution that we should be slow to change, we should not make gods out of the creators of the Constitution by making these principles eternal. Certain amendments can be made after holding a national referendum, the writer argues. ST FILE PHOTO
<p>In August, the Law Gazette published an article by lawyers Calvin Liang and Sarah Shi on a legal doctrine known as the basic structure doctrine, which says that a country's Constitution has features so fundamental, they cannot be changed by Parliament through constitutional amendments. Mr Liang and Ms Shi cite two: the separation of powers and the legality principle, meaning all power has legal limits. Their arguments were reported in The Straits Times last month by senior law correspondent K. C. Vijayan. His article focused on what the doctrine might mean for calls to scrap the elected presidency. </p><p> </p>
Read the full article here: The Strait Times

domain: law


Paris St Germain forward Kylian Mbappe has been ruled out for three weeks after he suffered an ankle injury in Friday's French Cup final win over St Etienne, the Ligue 1 champions said on Monday.
It means Mbappe will miss PSG's Champions League quarter-final against Italian side Atalanta in Lisbon on Aug. 12.
"The results of today's scan confirmed an ankle sprain with damage to the external ligament. The player is expected to be sidelined for approximately three weeks," PSG said in a statement.
A rough tackle from Loic Perrin saw the St Etienne defender catch Mbappe on the ankle and the 21-year-old collapsed on the pitch in pain before being substituted.
Perrin was sent off for the challenge as PSG won 1-0.
Also Read | Champions League: Paulo Dybala injury not as serious as thought, Juventus forward could face Lyon
IndiaToday.in has plenty of useful resources that can help you better understand the coronavirus pandemic and protect yourself. Read our comprehensive guide (with information on how the virus spreads, precautions and symptoms), watch an expert debunk myths , and access our dedicated coronavirus page . Get real-time alerts and all the news on your phone with the all-new India Today app. Download from


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All the dangerous animals are in Australia, but New Zealand has built up an adventurous reputation over the years. If you want to do something wild New Zealand adventure experiences are a must try. It doesn’t hurt that the country is absolutely stunning 365 days a year. Not only does New Zealand have every type of landscape some of the best adventure opportunities would demand but it also offers a fantastic line of activities that guarantees something for every level of ability and daring.
Even if the adrenaline junkie inside you is desperate for something to do, you might not have any ideas. It won’t take long to find some of the most enjoyable things on earth. Here are a few you should definitely try out. These adventurous experiences will take you by land, sky, and sea to explore the best that nature offers.
Table of Contents
Top 10 – New Zealand Adventure Experiences
1. Go On A Road Trip
The best way to explore the real New Zealand is obviously a road trip! If you take one of the NZ South Island tours you’ll get to do it looking at the most scenic views in existence. You will jump between glaciers, rainforests, beaches, and turquoise-colored lakes. You are sure to fall in love again with the outdoors it features, no matter you choose hotel stays while traveling in a car or pick enjoying the campervan days. Road trip possibilities in New Zealand are many of which the North Island short trip is the best recommended for those who have little time to spend.
You can take any of the routes and enjoy seeing Bay of Islands, vineyards, natural parks, spas and rugged mountains while meeting the friendly natives. Alternatively, you can choose from numerous routes to South Island to explore New Zealand’s natural beauty sights.
2. Go Swimming with Dolphins
Everyone needs to go swimming with dolphins at least once in their lifetime. There is no experience that matches this one. New Zealand is the ideal place to experience it. You swim in a dolphin environment and they can often be close and playful. You just need to make your way to the Bay of Islands first.
The North Island is warmer and you won’t need to wear a suit. Warm waters in summer make a pleasant option to swim with dolphins. Kaikoura offers all the year-round opportunities to swim with dolphins along with whale, seal and albatross sightings as a bonus. Another option is swimming with Hector’s dolphins, the smallest in the world of the species. They are quite friendly and you are likely to see them close enough as you enjoy the blue waters in Akaroa.
3. Hike the Tongariro Crossing
The Tongariro Crossing is one of the most popular day hikes on the planet. It’s so impressive Peter Jackson decided it would become Mount Doom, which Lord of the Rings fans will enjoy. The special thing about this place is that one can see the forces of the earth at work here. You feel like walking on some other planet as you move across the landscape of active volcanoes, craters, mountain springs, scoria, lava flows, scattered pumice and volcanic rocks that look like carved statues.
You also see contrasting blue lakes amidst the natural beauties. The 19 km hike into the volcanic environment should be a must-do to complete your New Zealand adventures. It is a 7-8 hours trip which offers different views all through the years. You experience an adventurous workout session where you are either climbing mountains or trekking through the valleys to explore some of the most beautiful sceneries ever found.
4. Tamaki Maori Village
The most awarded cultural attraction in New Zealand, Tamaki Maori Village is about the journey to the time of mighty warriors. The Polynesians settled here back in the 13th century, but Tamaki Maori Village is livelier than ever before. If you want to learn more about the culture it’s a must-see. The Powhiri welcoming ceremony is magical to watch. You get to know about the stories, protocols, and customs that passed through generations.
You can embrace ceremonial rituals, powerful performances, and the traditional Hangi feast, the attractions of this place. An evening at Tamaki Maori Village lets you experience the power of Maori culture as you explore the interactive pre-European village beneath the 200-year-old dense Tawa forest after a warm welcome ceremony.
You get to participate in poi dance, Maori war dance and warrior training, view displays of the facial tattoo, wood carvings and arts weaving. It is a truly rich experience not worth missing on a New Zealand tour.
5. Whitewater Rafting
With some of the most beautiful whitewater rivers of the universe found here, New Zealand visitors can include rafting on their adventures list to explore the white waters.You should have a bit of experience under your belt, but you’ll be able to tackle class five rapids in New Zealand when you go whitewater rafting. There are even high ledges where you can throw yourself into small rapids from 5 meters in the air.
The exploration would demand multiple days but there are many one-day river trips available to choose from. The legendary river of the Rangitikei has acquired great fame through the time and is the best selection for white water rafting in New Zealand along with The Rangitata, The Mohaka, The Shotover and more.
A trip on any river is a must have New Zealand adventure experiences and fun as all of them have unique scenery, geology, flow and rapid numbers and can deliver a distinct rafting experience.
6. Zorbing Down a Hill
Do you have any idea what a ZORB is? It’s a giant ball you’ve meant to stand inside. You position yourself at the top of a hill and somebody rolls you down at high speed. They’ve become synonymous with New Zealand in recent years. This is because you can find the longest zorbing course of the world here, 350 meters straight down the hill such as the Lombard Street of zorbing.
You can choose one of the two options – either roll down the hill inside the ball or float inside the warm water filled ball. This crazy activity is one of the most popular New Zealand adventure experiences and worth giving a try.
7. Visit Some Glowworms
Everyone will spend a lot of time in the water, but you’ll need to pay a visit to certain caves. There will be thousands of glowworms waiting to meet you. When they emit bioluminescently it will light up the water and blow your mind. The creatures can be found everywhere in New Zealand but there are some free glowworm caves worth visiting. Waipu Caves located along the gravel roads are one of the best displays of these native creatures. Another great place is the limestone Clifden Caves which provides an adventurous track and glowworms in bonus.
For a fun and adventurous experience, you can visit this unmarked cave for glowworms and much more be waiting for you. Abbey Caves is another network of caves all of which display glowworms and you should stay prepared for getting your feet thighs wet here.
8. Go Skydiving
There are a couple of exciting ways to fall from a great height. Skydiving is popular due to the wonderful sights you’ll see on the way down too. New Zealand, with such amazing scenery, is a great place for skydiving. You just need to launch yourself out of a plane first. Don’t forget you can go bungee jumping instead. Taupo is the best choice for drop zones with views like Mt. Doom and the lake and the pink plane makes it perfect. Another great option is Queenstown that throws you through a rain cloud and you come out of it to see miles of snow-capped mountains.
Skydive Paradise in Queenstown offers out of the world sights at an affordable price. You can also choose from views of Lake Wanaka, Bay of Islands, golden sand coastlines of Abel Tasman and of course, glaciers. With lots of jump locations to choose from, skydiving should be a top name in your list of New Zealand adventure experiences.
9. Trek the Fox Glacier
You won’t get a lot of chances to trek across glaciers in your lifetime, especially if they all melt away. The Fox Glacier is probably one of the easiest and quickest ones you can do. It will give you a taste of what massive ones feel like. Fox Glacier is the longest West Coast glacier and is special for its ending in the temperate rainforest with more number of 3000m peaks at the head than any other New Zealand valley.
The walk takes about one hour to walk through moraine debris to a viewpoint located 450 meters from the glacier. You can enjoy a stunning view of the glacier’s snout and terminal face along with the Fox River behind the ice wall. The terminal face is around 250 meters above the sea level.
10. Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland
Located at a short distance from Taupo and Rotorua, Wai-O-Tapu is the most colorful thermal attraction in New Zealand. I hope you enjoy the heat because Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland is home to lots of geothermal activity. You’ll get to stroll along volcanic and acidic lakes. This place was made after thousands of years of efforts and lets the visitors choose from one to three walks that take 30 to 75 minutes. Also, the geothermal pools, steaming ground, and bubbling mud will warm you up.
You can also find refreshment options at the modern designed Visitor Centre consisting of various souvenirs of New Zealand along with a cafe that offers dining facility. The natural bush setting along with the Lady Knox Geyser erupting every day at 10.15 am up to 20 meters of height would take the experience to the next level.
Don’t Sit Around Doing Nothing!!!!
You won’t have any excuses to sit around doing nothing when you visit New Zealand. There are so many adventurous things to do every day. Try out all of these the next time you’re visiting the country.


text: This enamel Huey Dustoff Large Pin would make a great gift for yourself or a Veteran in your life! The pin depicts a green enamel Huey helicopter with black tinted windows and the red cross indicative of a Medevac aircraft. Directly beneath the helicopter reads the phrase “DUSTOFF,” which refers to “the Dustoff Men” - medics and MEDEVAC pilots who risked their lives rushing into hot zones during the Vietnam War. This design utilizes metal stamping, a technique which provides greater depth, texture and detail. The pin measures 2.25 inches, has a double pin clutch backing, and is 100% USA MADE. The pin can be displayed on a hat, other gear, or in a personalized shadow box. Shadow box customization is available right here at Medals of America.

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