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Monday, June 27, 2022 from 10:00AM-11:00AM (ET)
The Global Taiwan Institute is pleased to invite you to a speech on “Taiwan-US Epochal Cooperation under Global Supply Chain Restructuring” by Kung Ming-hsin, the minister of Taiwan’s National Development Council (NDC) and minister without portfolio of the Executive Yuan. GTI Chair of the Board of Directors Jennifer Hu will provide welcome remarks to open the event. Minister Kung’s speech will be followed by a moderated discussion led by GTI Senior Non-Resident Fellow Riley Walters, as well as an audience question and answer session.
Doors will open at 9:30 AM and the event will begin at 10:00 AM. We are no longer issuing new tickets for in-person attendance. To be added to the waitlist, register here and you will be notified if seating is available. The event will be live streamed on YouTube. Please direct questions or concerns to Research Assistant Adrienne Wu at firstname.lastname@example.org.
The event will also be broadcast live on our website and YouTube beginning at 10:00 AM.
**Media: Please contact Adrienne Wu at email@example.com if you would like to bring additional crew members or equipment, so that we can be sure to accommodate you.
COVID Procedures: Proof of vaccination will be required at check in. Attendees unable to provide documentation will be required to wear a mask. Masks are optional for vaccinated individuals who are able to provide proof of vaccination.
Jennifer Hu is the chair of the board of directors at the Global Taiwan Institute. A GTI co-founder, she previously served as vice chair of the board of directors from 2016-2020, before becoming chair in 2020. At GTI, she leads the institute’s strategic growth and development, planning, and fundraising initiatives. In addition to her work at GTI, she is responsible for legal and regulatory issues related to the operation of a proposed high-speed passenger rail system in Texas. She also advises on federal regulatory, policy, and legislative issues related to high-speed rail, railroad safety, and surface transportation. Ms. Hu serves as a voting member representing rail passengers on a federal advisory committee and also serves on two Transportation Research Board standing committees. Prior to joining the Texas project in 2010, she spent several years in Taiwan where she held public service positions including presidential aide at the Office of the President of Taiwan, and the director-general of the Bureau of Civil Affairs at the Tainan City Government. She received a BS from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, an MSFS from Georgetown University, and a JD and LLM from The George Washington University Law School. She is a member of the New York and Texas Bars.
Dr. Kung Ming-Hsin is the minister of Taiwan’s National Development Council (NDC), and has been minister without portfolio of the Executive Yuan since 2019. Previously, he also served as deputy minister of economic affairs from 2017 to 2019, and deputy minister of NDC, as well as convener of the National Development Fund (NDF) under the Executive Yuan from 2016 to 2017. Dr. Kung played a crucial role in promoting Taiwan’s 5+2 Industrial Innovation Programs during his time at both the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) and the NDC. These programs have been vital for the industrial policy and economic development of Taiwan over the past few years. In particular, during his chairmanship, the Asia Silicon Valley Development Program, one of the 5+2 Programs, has made decisive progress in building an ecosystem which takes R&D as the core for innovation and entrepreneurship in developing the next-generation industry. Prior to stepping into the political field, he served as a long-term policy advisor to the Taiwanese government, using his expertise as a leading economist in industrial economy, macroeconomics, and econometrics. Dr. Kung held several positions at the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research (TIER), where he started as a research fellow and later served as director of TIER’s Economic Development Strategic Planning Center and the Department of International Affairs, as well as vice president. Dr. Kung holds a PhD in economics from National Chung Hsing University, and an MA in economics from National Taiwan University.
Riley Walters is deputy director of the Japan Chair at Hudson Institute, as well as a senior non-resident fellow at GTI. He was formerly the senior policy analyst and economist in The Heritage Foundation’s Asian Studies Center. He specializes in macroeconomic issues as well as issues on foreign investment, trade, and technology. Walters has appeared on national television and radio extensively. In the past, he has written for a variety of publications including The Diplomat, The Hill, Washington Times, The National Interest, Fox Business, and more. Walters is a former Penn Kemble Fellow with the National Endowment for Democracy and George C. Marshall Fellow with The Heritage Foundation. He was a Mosaic Taiwan fellow with Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and is a national security fellow with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
On June 27, the Global Taiwan Institute hosted National Development Council Minister Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) for his speech entitled, Taiwan-US Epochal Cooperation under Global Supply Chain Restructuring. The in-person event began with opening remarks by GTI Board of Directors Chairwoman Jennifer Hu, followed by Minister Kung’s speech, and then a Q&A section moderated by GTI Senior Non-Resident Fellow Riley Walters. After thanking Minister Kung for visiting GTI a second time since his first visit in October 2016, Ms. Hu praised Taiwan for its leadership in the technology and manufacturing industries, and its role as an increasingly important link in the global supply chain. She further commended Taiwan for continuing to sustain its economic growth despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms. Hu wrapped up her opening remarks by introducing Minister Kung and his achievements as National Development Council minister, such as helping implement the Five Plus Two Industry and Innovation Plan and the Asia Silicon Valley Development Plan.
To begin his speech, Minister Kung outlined the main topics he would cover, including: Taiwan’s new economic policies, its role in the restructured international supply chain, and US-Taiwan cooperation in the trade and technology sectors. For the first topic, Minister Kung explained how Taiwan’s economy faced a critical juncture in 2016 when its economic growth decreased due to the overconcentration of investment in China, as well as industrial policies focused on China. In addition, Taiwan’s economy struggled with difficulties from focusing too strongly on original equipment manufacturer (OEM) development and China’s long-term trade surplus. To counteract these challenges, Minister Kung explained how President Tsai Ing-wen implemented a new economic development model in 2016 centered on innovative growth, investment and employment, and youth resource allocation.
Minister Kung then detailed the different steps that Taiwan has taken to carry out this new economic model. Through collaboration with the United States, Japan, Germany, and other European countries, Taiwan is improving development in seven key innovative industries, such as smart machinery and green energy. Additionally, since the US-China trade dispute began in 2018, Taiwanese businesses have started shifting supply chains away from China and back to Taiwan. The movement of these supply chains has increased both domestic and international investment in Taiwan. Taiwan also hopes to strengthen its global strategy through bilateral and multilateral partnerships, new southbound policy exchanges and access to multilateral trade organizations, especially the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Minister Kung concluded the first part of his speech by showcasing how these economic strategies have allowed Taiwan to weather both the US-China trade war and the COVID-19 pandemic, pointing to Taiwan’s positive economic growth rate since 2020.
In the next part of his speech, Minister Kung focused on how recent major global risks – such as the US-China trade dispute, climate change, COVID-19, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict – have led to a global supply chain restructuring, a digital transformation, and the need for net-zero carbon emissions. Minister Kung stated that after the onset of the US-China trade dispute, 90% of semiconductor production capability remains in Taiwan and that Taiwanese networking and communication businesses are beginning to shift production lines to regions outside of China (such as Southeast Asia, Mexico and India). Afterwards, Minister Kung elaborated on Taiwan’s three key elements of digital transformation: AI, 5G, and most importantly semiconductors. He conjectured that the development of these elements will lead to the introduction of smart cities, smart transportation, smart factories, etc. Then, Minister Kung moved on to reviewing Taiwan’s net-zero transition. Taiwan’s transition consists of publishing a net-zero carbon emissions roadmap in 2022 and drafting its net-zero goal as a legal amendment. He declared that the Taiwanese government plans to spend around $31 billion in the first year to reach this goal.
The last section of Minister Kung’s speech explored the various ways that the United States and Taiwan can continue to increase cooperation in the trade and technology sectors. He explained that since 2018, Taiwan’s exports to the United States, especially in the fields of networking communications, electronic components, and ICT products, have dramatically increased. The United States and Taiwan have also started to cooperate in four major technological areas: semiconductors, communication and internet technology, AI, and space technology. Minister Kung further detailed the three different cooperation models of digital transformation that Taiwan can undertake to expand cooperation in the aforementioned four major categories. These cooperation models consist of Taiwan and the United States cooperating with one another in semiconductors, AI, and 5G, expanding bilateral investment, and organizing an industrial alliance to expand global markets for technological new applications.
In his closing remarks, Minister Kung summarized several conclusions from his speech. Firstly, Taiwan is one of the most reliable partners to the United States in not only industrial development, but also in democratic values. Secondly, Taiwan-US cooperation is about both business opportunities and shared global responsibility. Lastly, Minister Kung finished his speech by declaring that the entire world will need to work together to overcome difficulties and achieve their goal of digital transformation. After Minister Kung’s speech, Riley Walters moderated the Q&A discussion. The questions covered a range of topics, covering the repercussions of becoming too dependent on an outside country for supply chain needs, including the role of digital issues in the US-Taiwan trade dialogue, how Taiwan will protect its intellectual property, and how Taiwan can stay ahead of its technology competitors.
This event summary was written by GTI Summer Intern Meghan Shoop.
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IMG Wins WVU Multimedia Rights, Previously Managed In-House
Published January 23, 2013
IMG College won the bid over as many as nine contenders, including Learfield Sports, Nelligan Sports, CBS Collegiate Sports Properties, Fox Sports Net, Front Row Marketing, Legends Sales and Marketing, XOS Digital and West Virginia Radio Corp. IMG College’s contract with WVU will kick in July 1, and the agency already has begun a search for a GM.

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On this page
What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is inflammation of the lung tissue, usually caused by infection with bacteria or viruses. The medical team looking after you during your hospital admission have decided that you are ready to be discharged from hospital. They will advise you if any further treatment is required once you leave hospital, such as completing a course of antibiotics.
What happens next?
You will need to have a chest x-ray approximately 6 weeks after treatment, to ensure the pneumonia has cleared. This is particularly important if you are over 50 years old or have a history of smoking.
How do I arrange to have the x-ray?
The x-ray has already been requested digitally for you by your treating hospital team.
You simply need to attend the walk in x-ray department at the Hove Polyclinic, Princess Royal Hospital or the Royal Sussex County Hospital the week commencing (space to fill in the date) between 09.00 to 16.30 Monday to Friday.
You will not be receiving a letter in the post so please hold onto this when you leave hospital to remind you of the date above.
If your x-ray shows there are ongoing changes, you will be contacted to arrange further follow-up and may need further tests or treatment.
Please seek medical advice if you feel your symptoms are worsening.
Ward: space to fill in the ward
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This leaflet is intended for patients receiving care in Brighton & Hove or Haywards Heath.
The information in this leaflet is for guidance purposes only and is in no way intended to replace professional clinical advice by a qualified practitioner.

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My first music entertainment shows were seen at The Latin Casino which started out in Philly and ended up on rt 70 in Cherry Hill NJ
- The Temptations / and lots more
Rock first rock concert
Cream invented “Rock Concerts” they are first band to play stadiums.
Down to Ginger Baker and the greatest drum solos, he was the first rock drummer that existed and his playing allowed songs to be improvise, become polyrhythmic, was the hallmark change in the sound of the 60’s.
Ginger Baker, center, Jack Bruce, left, and Eric Clapton started in 1966
Then helped produce
STANDING IN THE SHADOWS OF MOTOWN won 2 grammys 2003 with the FUNK BROTHERS

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Brand new 2 bedroom fully self contained bungalow set on rural acres surrounded by sugar cane on Palmers Island. 5 mins drive to beautiful Yamba, famous for its stunning surf beaches & Coastal Walks just 2 mins drive to the mighty Clarence River. Plenty of room for the boat crack a cold beer on the spacious deck & relax at Lazy Acres. We are only 5mins drive from the Pacific Highway if your looking for an overnight stop with the comforts of home while travelling North or South.
A large family home reminiscent of a Tuscan Villa, in a quite street with stunning valley views. The shared kitchen is fully equipped and guests can cook their own meals, breakfast will be available on request. I have three cats who run the place and small pets are welcome on prior arrangement. Enjoy the outside areas with a cold drink and listen to the abundant bird life or sit quietly and enjoy the valley views and cooling breezes. Close to shops, Lismore 10 min, Ballina and the beach 30 min.
“Gerry place is op perfecte locatie. Paar rijden naar Gold Coast en minder voor Byron Bay. We verbleven 4 nachten en de plaats is schoon en netjes. Er zijn huisdier katten en Bird is het huis allemaal vriendelijk. De wasruimte wordt gedeeld tussen 2 kamers. Plaats is uitgerust met alles wat u nodig heeft voor uw verblijf. Sterk aanbevolen. Ga er gewoon voor!”
Perfect if travelling on your own or for couples for that weekend getaway or short break. Fully self contained modern & spacious private guest studio with ensuite and kitchenette. Attached to our almost new home this separate studio is situated on front bottom level with its own side entry access and lovely outdoor sitting area to enjoy the beautiful country views and sunsets. Ideally located just off the highway at Ballina Heights and a short few minutes drive to the airport or city centre

domain: geography


Mar Vilaseca piano and vocals, Magalí Datzira double bass, Jordi Pallarés drums
Born in Barcelona in 1998, Mar Vilaseca is currently a student on the vocal jazz programme at the ESMUC. Belonging to a family linked to the artistic world – her father is the pianist Jaume Vilaseca – has helped her to grow musically, to create her own repertoire and to write her own music. In her compositions, influenced above all by jazz, we also find links to gospel and soul. The repertoire of this singer, who we have been able to hear in Jaume Vilaseca’s “Jazznesis” series, shows a deep mastery of the most evocative melodies and harmonies. As well as performing her own music, Vilaseca includes in her repertoire a series of standards she has arranged herself, reflecting her personality. At the Jamboree, she will offer the songs from her debut album, Find the Way, a reliable sample of the talent of the latest jazz musicians to emerge.


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Enter to win a new Era 300 Speaker
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Multiple agencies have combined to break up a suspected drug operation near Othello.
The suspect is now in the Franklin County jail
The Grant County Sheriff's Office, Adams County Deputies, the Washington State Patrol, and the Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team (INET) searched a residence in a rural area near Othello on Thursday.
If you’re looking for a peaceful home on the range, then this one-of-a-kind country estate is perfect for you. It’ll cost you though - $1.5 million dollars to be exact. But it's worth it as it includes just about everything you need – starting with privacy.


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This week I take a look at those nations in the Balkans region that have interesting and growing ties with China, but which have not yet received much attention or scrutiny thanks to the region’s focus on intergration with the EU and internal transformation after living through Communism and then widespread conflict. China has a lot to offer the Balkans, much needed investment and trade links as well as an economic success story not based on the Western model. For China the region represents another part of the world to pick up companies, sell products too and for Bulgaria and Romania a cheap way of locating within the EU and accessing the common market. For now Chinese relations with the region remain of secondary importance compared to other parts of the world but nonetheless definitely worth following and also a demonstration that Beijing’s influence will soon be felt in every part of the globe. Below I provide a brief take on China’s engagement with each country in the region.
The Balkan state recently entered the EU, but has suffered badly from the financial crisis and has welcomed Chinese investment, like so many others seeing it as a panacea to the economic downturn in Eastern Europe. China International Investment Stock recently took control of a Croatian papermill. The Qingdao based group took a 70% holding in the project, which will make it the biggest greenfield project in Croatia and a sign of things to come.
China and Serbia have strong political relations, dating from a time when the Balkan state was internationally isolated in the 1990s, these ties have manifested themselves in Chinese immigration to the country. Chinese migrants often sell consumer goods and have set up small shops and restaurants across the country. Large Chinese companies have set up a major wholesale centre in Belgrade and telecom company Huawai has also been actively investing in the country. Finance also has also made an appearance, the country recently receiving a €1 billion loan from the Chinese EXIM bank to help upgrade the country’s national grid.
Bosnia & Herzegovina
The Balkan country has been the scene of large scale Chinese investment in the power sector. Dongfang Electric group borrowed € 350 million from the China Development Bank to build a power plant in energy exporting Bosnia. However Dongfang are not looking to make a profit on this project, they see the investment as a stepping stone to greater things across Europe, particularly with so many decrepit power facilities in the region and a lack of capital to repair them.
China has a long standing alliance dating from the heights of the cold war, when Albania rejected the post-Stalinist USSR in favour of Maoist China. Both countries have moved on politically since that point and now view relations through a commercial lens. Albanian trade with China is still relatively small, as is inward investment, but the government are trying to woo Chinese companies into what is still one of Europe’s poorest countries, but so far activity has been thin on the ground. Bilateral trade has soared between the two nations, mainly in China’s favour.
Chinese – Romanian links have been small to date, but that could change in the near future, as representatives from the China Development Bank, China EXIM Bank and China Investment Corporation recently visited the country, looking for new opportunities. A new wave of privatisations across Romania is creating opportunities for investors looking for assets in Eastern Europe and if Chinese companies are involved, it be no great surprise.
Moldova and China have developed strong trading links, primarily in China’s favour, which has become the third biggest importer to the country after neighbouring Ukraine and Romania. However Moldova has started to have some success in exporting its wine to China. Red wine is taking off in a big way as Chinese consumers want to try new drinks aside from beer and local spirits. Although Chinese purchases of vintage French reds have taken the headlines, there is also a demand at the lower end of scale , which is where Moldovan produce can fill a niche.
Sino-Bulgarian ties have strengthened dramatically in recent years; trade between the two countries soared to EUR 1.9 billion in 2012. Inward investment by Chinese companies has also increased, most notably a deal between Chinese Great Wall Motors and Bulgarian Litex Motors, which allowed China to assemble its first cars in the European Union, a significant milestone, particularly after so many years of European car manufacturers investing in China. By 2015 the plan is for the plant to produce 50,000 Voleex, Hoover and Steed models for tariff free export across the continent.
Trade and investment between China and the landlocked Balkan state has been up til now quite insignificant, with Macedonia looking to its neighbours and of course the European Union as its main economic and political partners.


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With many countries worldwide lifting lockdowns and relaxing quarantine measures, Japan vigorously prepares to hold the upcoming Summer Olympics in the games’ host city of Tokyo. The long-awaited event was already postponed in the past year due to the devastating COVID-19 outbreak. As there are only less than two months left for the Games, questions remain about whether to hold or cancel the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics.
Nevertheless, at the beginning of the outbreak, Japan was one of the major East Asian countries that successfully combated newly emerged SARS-Cov-2 infections by adopting and implementing highly effective pandemic measures. Still, in terms of vaccination roll-out, the government has been facing mounting criticism for the slow vaccination drive compared to other large countries, primarily the United States and China. Indeed, Japan launched a nationwide immunization campaign early this year; however, according to official data, only less than 3% of the population has been fully inoculated so far, making it one of the least vaccinated nations among developed economies.
Despite overseas fans and tourists being completely banned from attending the event, according to the latest estimates, thousands of delegates with over 15,000 athletes from around 200 countries are expected to participate in these Olympics, which could easily spread variant strains among the population.
In fact, Japan has already faced three waves of COVID-19, resulting in over 13,200 deaths; at the present moment, the central government is struggling to contain a fourth deadly wave, as the number of people testing positive has steadily risen since mid-April. With new cases on the rise, restrictions are subsequently being tightened, and a state of emergency in major cities and prefectures has been extended for another month. In addition, the government set a goal of administering both jabs of the vaccine to older people by the end of July.
Despite the authorities’ attempts to ensure a safe and secure Games, the overall domestic reaction has been sharply negative, as recent opinion polls and surveys show that a majority of Japanese people are against the Tokyo Olympics. Given the level of concern over COVID-19 infections, the medical experts agree that it would be the rational decision to temporarily suspend the Olympics before it is too late. In this context, the Japan Medical Association insists that the central government has to urge the International Olympics Committee (IOC) to postpone or cancel the Games, as public health experts believe such mass gatherings could lead to an increase in cases. Accordingly, in the midst of the ongoing global pandemic, the more contagious variants might spread catastrophically in major cities across the country.
Even though rumors of a suspension persist, top-level signaling makes it seem unlikely that the government intends to call off the Games. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has been able to effectively resist public opposition and pressure so far, as he already stated his strong determination to proceed with the Tokyo Olympic and the Paralympic Games this summer during an in-person meeting with the US President Biden at the White House in April. In return, Joe Biden demonstrated his full support for Japan’s efforts to hold the Games.
The first time Japan hosted the Olympics was in Tokyo in 1964. The Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics marked a major milestone that propelled Japan onto the global stage as a major global power. Back then, staging the Olympic Games was seen as a chance to demonstrate a country’s prominence at both the international and domestic levels. Undoubtedly, the Olympics carries immense symbolic value; the cancellation or postponement of the event could even tarnish the national image and the international prestige of Japan, as there have only been three Olympics that were abandoned since its inception. This is why the government and organizers are pouring huge efforts into successfully staging the Games in Tokyo this summer.
Besides the symbolic significance of the Games, the Olympics principally presents an opportunity to stimulate socio-economic development by bringing some economic benefits to the host country, as well as projecting a positive international image to the rest of the world. At the same time, holding such a massive international sporting event requires a huge amount of investment in a broad range of fields, from constructing sport-relating facilities to enhancing security (spending on security issues have escalated since the 9/11 terrorist attacks). In this regard, in preparation for the Games, the Japanese government has already poured billions of dollars into infrastructure projects.
When Japan won the bid for the 2020 Olympics in 2013, the total cost for the event was estimated at nearly $7.4 billion. According to the latest government figures, the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games are expected to cost around $26 billion, well in excess of the original estimate, and enough to make it the third most expensive Olympics behind only the Games of Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic ($50 billion) and Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic ($42 billion). Nevertheless, Japan has consistently overrun budgets in the hope of getting a return on its investment, but there is still no guarantee that the Games will take place at all.
Furthermore, an unprecedented year-long delay has increased operational costs by another $2.8 billion ($900 million of which is for expenses related to COVID-19 prevention measures, such as testing, hygiene kits, and vaccines). Newly constructed and upgraded giant stadiums, sports halls, and residential buildings within the Athletes Village have been left empty and unused for an entire year. Despite implementing drastic measures, many additional events that would have brought in revenue have already been canceled due to the rising risk of infection.
From an economic point of view, hosting the Games does not necessarily convey a significant impact on the host country’s economy; the impact is short-term, lasting only the duration of the event. Moreover, as a part of Japan’s pandemic containment strategies, the country continues to dissuade foreign visitors, resulting in massive job and revenue losses for the tourism industry, which was one of the most dynamic and essential parts of the Japanese economy before the outbreak.
The global COVID-19 outbreak has presented enormous health risks and financial challenges for every state on the planet. As Japan is currently grappling with a fourth wave of infections, it needs to minimize negative socio-economic impacts and maintain the most extensive health care operation in Olympic history. Unfortunately, under the long shadow of COVID-19, the successful execution of such a large and high-profile megaevent will be no easy feat.
The views expressed in this article are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect those of Geopoliticalmonitor.com


The Broadband Tunable External Cavity Laser is an ultrawide tunable diode laser assembled into a 32-pin butterfly package that can be tuned across a range of 80nm. Extended models can be tuned across a range up to 510nm.
Luxmux's laser tuning is done with an independent electric signal, replacing the classical method of thermal tuning, which provides only a few nanometres of tuning range. As the laser is tuned, the fiber-coupled output power remains constant for all wavelengths.
The Broadband Tunable External Cavity Laser is designed for scalability, utilizing only one gain chip for fixed or multiple tuning range capability.
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Farmers suicides to figure in MP Assembly session
The budget session of MP Legislative Assembly which will begin on Monday is likely to be stormy, with the Opposition Cong ready to put the state govt on the mat over farmers suicides.
Bhopal: The budget session of Madhya Pradesh
Legislative Assembly which will begin on Monday is likely to be
stormy, with the Opposition Congress ready to put the state
government on the mat over farmers suicides.
"Thirty-eight farmers have committed suicide after crops
got ruined due to frost and cold wave two months back. The
state government has failed in preventing suicides", deputy
leader of the Opposition, Choudhary Rakesh Singh Chaturvedi, said.
He alleged that the state government announced relief
package of Rs 700 crore, but it benefited wrong people.
"The affected farmers have received only a fraction of
the relief amount", Chaturvedi said.
"We have informed the Assembly about our adjournment
motion over the farmers` suicides", he said.
"We are also going to raise the issue of deteriorating
law and order situation in Madhya Pradesh. Dacoities and
kidnapping are on the rise...Bhopal has become the capital of
these twin crimes as well", he said.
The ninth session of the 13th Legislative Assembly of
Madhya Pradesh will begin on Monday with the Governor Rameshwar
Thakur`s address and will end on April 8. Around 27 sittings
are scheduled to take place.
State Finance Minister Raghavji is expected to present
the budget on February 24.


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Silver-tone watch featuring bezel with screw accents and black guilloche dial with day, date, and 24-hour subdials
40.9 mm stainless steel case with mineral dial window
Six hand calendar chronograph in stainless steel with silver-tone finish and white dial
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Chris Thompson speaks on the new space industry with Seyka & Brian Mejeur
AdAstra With is here! AdAstra With is a new podcast that aims to share the insights and perspectives of leading NewSpace and Clean Tech industry figures. The founders of AdAstra Talent Advisors, Seyka Mejeur & Brian Mejeur, engage in real, authentic discussions with top industry experts on hot topics and provide engaging commentary in the signature AdAstra style!
In this first episode, we get to know much more about Chris Thompson, CTO of Phantom Space, and his journey through the last 30 years as he's made a substantial impact on the Aerospace and NewSpace industries. He shares his wisdom, lessons learned, and ways he incorporates this knowledge into his current work. Chris also shares his take on Horizontal vs. Vertical integration, including the risks and rewards of both approaches to company structure.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Buzzsprout, or watch on YouTube! Tune in to hear the latest insight from top industry leaders and game-changers.


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Nicola Sturgeon's government has finally admitted "we didn’t take the right precautions" when thousands of elderly hospital patients were transferred into care homes at the start of the pandemic without being tested.
Jeane Freeman, the Scottish Health Secretary, said she and her colleagues did not understand "the social care sector well enough" despite warnings at the time the move would lead to a tsunami of Covid deaths in homes.
Ms Freeman, who is standing down at next month's Holyrood election, admitted "that was a mistake" and the policy "created a real problem" for the elderly Scots transferred out of hospital wards, those already in care homes and staff.
Douglas Ross, the Scottish Tory leader, accused SNP ministers of trying to cover up their "grave error" for months and said "it cost many vulnerable people their lives."
Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour's deputy leader, said: "These admissions will offer no comfort to the families of those who needlessly lost loved ones due to the Scottish Government’s errors."
SNP ministers decided at the start of the pandemic to free up hospital beds for Covid patients by clearing the backlog of delayed discharges - elderly people fit enough to leave hospital but without somewhere suitable to go.
An official report last October found 113 hospital patients who had tested positive for coronavirus, without later testing negative, were transferred to care homes in March, April and May last year.
A further 3,061 were sent from hospitals to care homes in the period without being tested. There are fears that these patients could have introduced the virus to care homes, with catastrophic consequences.
A policy requiring a hospital patient to test negative before transfer was not introduced until April 21. The latest official figures show the Covid death toll in Scotland's care homes has reached 3,292, a third of the total and a higher proportion than in England.
Ms Freeman told the BBC's Political Thinking with Nick Robinson podcast: "I think our failures were not understanding the social care sector well enough so we didn’t respond quickly enough to what was needed in our care homes but also in social care in the community."
Pressed what went wrong, the Health Secretary said: "We wanted people who didn’t need to stay in hospital any longer because they’d been treated and they were clinically well to be discharged as quickly as possible so we freed up those beds for Covid patients.
"Remember, the early predictions about the number of people going into hospital were terrifying actually. But we didn’t take the right precautions to make sure that older people leaving hospital going into care homes were as safe as they could be and that was a mistake."
When it was published, Ms Sturgeon seized on the October report's finding there had not been a statistical link proven between discharges of Covid-positive and untested patients to care homes and outbreaks.
However, its authors said that their “best estimate” was that sending a patient who had tested positive for coronavirus into a care home increased the risk of an outbreak by 45 per cent, and the figure could have been as high as 374 per cent.
Meanwhile, just 13.5 per cent of care homes which were never sent a hospital patient experienced a Covid outbreak, compared to 38 per cent among those that were.
Ms Sturgeon has said she wants a public inquiry into the handling of pandemic to start this year.
But Mr Ross said: "It’s a disgrace that the SNP covered up their mistake for so long. Their report on care home deaths was delayed and when it was finally published, they tried to spin it."
Dr Donald MacAskill, of the care home industry body Scottish Care, said there had been so much emphasis on protecting the NHS in the early stages of the pandemic that not enough was done to protect those in social care.

domain: sociology


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Who We Are
Roso & Pakula is a family-owned food brokerage firm with more than 100 years of combined industry experience, providing the highest quality products and service to customers throughout Maryland, Delaware and the Eastern Shore, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.
Founded in 1996 by Frank Roso and Louis Pakula, with only a single line — a brand of mushroom soup — our company has since grown and expanded to become a well-known and well-respected mid-size regional player. We now boast a wide variety of product offerings, from fine Italian meats and seafood, to breads and pastries, to beverages, along with a complementary mix of unique and successful manufacturers, suppliers, and partners.
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domain: food


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Record home price slump
Fourth-quarter report from National Association of Realtors shows largest price drop on record as markets with price declines now outpace those with gains.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The slump in home prices was both deeper and more widespread than ever in the fourth quarter, according to a trade group report Thursday.
Prices slumped 2.7 percent in the fourth quarter compared to the fourth quarter a year earlier, according to the report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). That's the biggest year-over-year drop on record and follows a 1.0 percent year-over-year decline in the third quarter.
In addition, 73 metropolitan areas reported a decline in the fourth quarter, compared to a year earlier. That outpaced the 71 that saw a gain. It was both a record number and percentage of markets showing a decline in the group's quarterly report. Five markets saw prices unchanged.
That decline was a far more widespread than the third quarter, when only 45 markets reported drops and 102 saw gains, or the second quarter when only 26 saw a year-over-year slump in prices. The national median price was still showing a year-over-year gain in the second quarter.
The most recent median prices are down even more: 3.4 percent since hitting record highs in the second quarter. Almost three-quarters of the markets, reported on by the group, saw declines in median prices over the past six months, with eight reporting double-digit declines.
Vacation markets, where investor-buyers had driven up prices during the building boom of 2005, were particularly hard-hit.
The Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice, Fla., market saw the biggest year-over-year decline in the fourth quarter, with prices plunging 18 percent.
When looking at the change between the fourth quarter and the second-quarter peak, the Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, Fla., market saw the biggest drop, with median prices plunging 19.5 percent.
But the weakness in prices wasn't restricted to those kinds of markets. Springfield, Illinois, reported a 16.2 percent drop in the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter, the biggest decline during that time frame, along with a 10.4 percent decline compared to a year earlier.
Still, the trade group statement said it believed that the worst was over for the drop in prices.
"Examination of data within the quarter shows home prices stabilizing toward the end," said a statement from David Lereah, the NAR's chief economist. "When we get the figures for this spring, I expect to see a discernable improvement in both sales and prices."
Part of the decline in prices was attributable to the drop in sales pace. Total existing home sales, including single-family and condo, were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.24 million units in the fourth quarter, down 10.1 percent from a 6.94 million-unit level in the fourth quarter of 2005.
And the slower pace of sales, coupled with investor-buyers from 2005 trying to sell homes and condos they had bought, created a glut of homes on the market, according to other real estate readings, which also fed into the decline in home prices.
NAR President Pat Vredevoogd Combs, a Grand Rapids, Mich., realtor, admitted the group doesn't expect to see a big gain in 2007 statistics.
"Right now, buyers are responding to seller pricing and incentives, and there's a bit of a pent-up demand as a result of buyer hesitation during the second half of 2006," she said in the group's statement. "We're not looking for big changes, but a gradual rise in sales and home prices is projected - that will be good for the overall housing market and related industries."
She said that since most homeowners stay in a home six years on average, a look at five-year price gains shows most homeowners are doing OK despite the recent weakness. The median five-year price gain is 41.8 percent, according to the group's figures.
The nation's leading homebuilders have all reported declining prices for new homes, which are not captured in this report. KB Home (Charts) reported a net loss of $49.6 million, or 64 cents per share, for the fiscal fourth quarter ended Nov. 30, earlier this week. Other leading builders reporting weakness in prices include Lennar (Charts), Pulte Home (Charts), Centex (Charts), D.R. Horton (Charts) and Toll Brothers (Charts).
The most expensive market in the latest report was San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif., where the median home price $760,000. That was up $20,000, or 2.7 percent, from a year earlier but down $19,000, or 2.4 percent, from the third quarter and off $35,000, or 4.4 percent, from the second-quarter peak.
The cheapest market was Elmira, N.Y., where the median price was $78,400. That was off 0.5 percent from a year earlier and down 16.2 percent from the third quarter, which is when prices there peaked.
Despite the record weakness, there were some markets that showed strong price gains. The best was Atlantic City, N.J., where the median price was $339,800, up 25.9 percent compared to a year earlier.
Defaults: The latest woe for housing


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India and Russia held wide-ranging discussions on issues on the United Nations Security Council agenda and recent developments.
On November 17, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin was received in New Delhi by Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary of the Republic of India, and had extensive foreign policy consultations with Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West), read the press statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Issues on the UN agenda were discussed in detail, with an emphasis on the Security Council activities in light of the completion in December the New Delhi’s two-year presence in the UNSC as a non-permanent member.
In addition, the sides touched upon topical regional issues, such as the situation in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, and Myanmar, as well as the state of affairs on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, added the statement.
Special attention was paid to the problems of combating terrorism and UN peacekeeping. The program of India’s chairmanship in the UNSC for the coming month was discussed in detail, too.
The consultations reaffirmed mutual commitment to further strengthen bilateral coordination and constructive cooperation at the UN platform on the basis of its Charter and in line with the special and privileged strategic partnership between Moscow and New Delhi, added the statement.
Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs led the Indian delegation for consultations on United Nations and multilateral issues with the Russian Foreign Ministry.
This was the third round of such consultations to be held between both sides this year. The Indian delegation included officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, read the Ministry of External Affairs press release.
The Russian delegation was led by Vershinin, Deputy Minister of Foreign (DFM) Affairs of the Russian Federation and included other senior officials from the Russian Foreign Ministry and the Russian Embassy in New Delhi.
Vershinin congratulated India on its upcoming Presidency of the UN Security Council in December 2022.
Both sides held wide-ranging discussions on issues on the UN Security Council agenda and recent developments. They agreed to deepen cooperation on counter-terrorism at the UN and other multilateral platforms. Secretary(West) briefed the Russian side on India’s priorities during its upcoming Presidency of the UNSC in December 2022, read the release.
During the visit, DFM also called on Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and briefed him on Russia’s position on UN-related issues.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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‘My Body Hurts’: Shraddha Walkar SOS That Went Unanswered


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The Netherlands has an ageing population. Older people stay healthy and active for much longer, in music as well, and research shows that music has positive effects on staying healthy and active for longer. One of the forms in which older people can make music is the creative workshop: one or more musical sessions in which you work towards a new musical end result together.
Creative workshops in general have been studied extensively, but creative workshops with elderly people were new for both the elderly participants and the workshop leaders at the start of this project. In this exploratory research the researchers looked at the features of a creative music workshop for elderly people, and which competences a leader of creative workshops needed. It turned out that in addition to being a workshop leader, an appeal was also made on his/her role as a musician, improviser, conductor, composer, but also on their role as teacher, animator, organiser and producer. Simultaneously researchers looked for an answer to the question of what participation in a creative music workshop meant for an older person and also what participation meant for the care home.
In the spring of 2011 a number of pilot workshops was organised in various care and activity centres in the provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe. On various locations in Groningen (Pelsterhof, Veldspaat), Bolsward (Huylckenstein), Wommels (Nij Stapert) and Dwingeloo (De Weyert) workshops took place in which residents of the centres and elderly people from the neighbourhood made music together in a two hour session, where they played music and sang. It was a one-time workshop. Participants met each other for the first time during the session and some of them had never been involved in music before. Often carers and volunteers joined in as well. Besides making music, the participants were also told about the background of the instruments. During the course of the workshop they created a piece of music together.
Photo: Workshop in care centre Huylckenstein in Bolsward
In Haren (De Dilgt) and Franeker (Saxenoord) a series of workshops took place. A regular group of residents came together once a week for the duration of five weeks. This group also sang and played musical instruments such as percussion, organ, accordion and keyboards. Sometimes the participants brought their own instruments and wrote lyrics. During the last session they worked towards a result that could be performed in front of the other residents of the centre. A number of students of the Prince Claus Conservatoire played along on trumpet, bass and piano.
Photo: Workshop in care home Saxenoord
The reactions of the participants were largely positive. Clearly there is a need for creative music workshops in care centres for the elderly. Below a few reactions:
Mrs. Van der Molen: “When I make music I forget all my worries for a moment. I used to perform in plays, it's very nice to be doing something like that again.”
Mr. Slijver: “I have been playing the organ by myself for years, and I enjoy doing this with others around me for a change. What it sounds like is not that important.”
Mrs. De Vries: “I live in the neighbourhood. This workshop gives me the opportunity to meet people like myself. And I like trying out new things.”
This was not a stand-alone project. The research group also researched the practice of creative workshops with the elderly in a different way at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague. In addition there was the project "Rhythm for Life", set up by the Royal College of Music, London, which also conducted research into creative music workshops for the elderly. The three projects were closely linked and there was frequent contact about the achieved results.
Involved in the project were: Jaap Oosterwijk (workshop leader), Karolien Dons (researcher), Peter Mak (conceptual framework), Evert Bisschop Boele (leader research strand Healthy Ageing through Music & the Arts), Renee Jonker (Royal Conservatoire The Hague), Rosie Burt-Perkins (Royal College of Music, London).
Rhythm for Life
Jaap Oosterwijk (1957) studied trumpet at the MPA in Leeuwarden, after which he worked as a trumpet player for a.o. the Frysk Orkest, big bands and Tryater. In the same period he worked as a trumpet teacher for music schools and the Leeuwarden conservatoire. In addition he was also a conductor for choirs and music groups. Meanwhile he worked on developing his interest in the stage and in this way he also became a singer and actor (for Tryater and Keunstwurk), a stand-up comedian and a presenter. Oosterwijk composed a great number of songs for children, various pieces for choirs and music for the stage. He also wrote scripts and made programmes for school radio and TV (Omrop Fryslân), various shows for children and educational music programmes (Villa Aria with Frysk orkest, Opus Kriebel with NNO). At the CvK a7 in Heerenveen he further studied methodology and didactics and together with Immie Klaver he developed the instrumental orientation ‘Okkie Kruis’. He founded a department for people with a mental disability (music expression) , and did a great deal of work in the field of culture education in Zuid-Oost Fryslân. At Parnas in Leeuwarden he was head of the music department and at the Prince Claus Conservatoire he was a regular guest teacher for ‘orientation on the field of practice’.


I wonder if it would be in order for me at this moment to make a suggestion to the Minister? I think the Minister will agree that the debate, especially in the last couple of hours, has become very constructive, that a number of useful amendments have been accepted and that there are very important matters to come. If on our side of the House we are prepared to agree to expedite amendments as much as possible and to minimise discussion on them, would the Minister be prepared to permit discussion to continue from, say, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.? There is a danger for the Minister as well as for all of us that the Bill might have some defect because of inadequate attention in this House. I put this proposition to him now and I think we have shown the goodwill that would justify the acceptance of it.
Business of Dáil.
I am not averse in principle to what the Deputy suggests but I have a very practical problem in that I must go to another place this day. I will have to have the Bill tonight and it will have to be signed tomorrow. The present situation in one of these institutions is such that I cannot let it continue. It must be rectified tonight.
We appreciate that.
The Deputy will appreciate that by giving considerable precedence to the Dáil, the Seanad's opportunities are being diminished seriously.
In the past the Minister has accused me of being too theoretical but not practical enough. I was in the Seanad for four years and I have enough practical knowledge to know that we are much more likely to get amendments here.
There is a new Seanad now and the members are very intelligent.
That is not the point. When there is an element of urgency like this a Minister is always very reluctant to concede amendments to the Seanad because should he do so, he must then come back to the Dáil. With no reflection intended on the other House I think it would be to our advantage generally if there was a little more discussion in the Dáil on this occasion and a little less in the Seanad. Normally, of course, a debate in the Seanad is enormously helpful.
Surely Deputy FitzGerald must be aware that in the present situation the Government are in breach of the law and that the sooner this Bill is passed the better for the Government. Surely, then, the new coalition should co-operate to get the Bill through.
Deputy Sherwin's concern for the law is touching.
(Cavan): Would it be possible to postpone questions until 4 or 5 o'clock?
The position is that the House ordered this morning that the Bill be finished before 3 o'clock.
Deputy Fitzpatrick's suggestion would result in the Bill going to the Seanad an hour earlier and then we could have Question Time from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. if the House would so agree.
It would be preferable from my point of view to have a break now so as to enable me to consider the implications of the amendments. At the same time I would have to have an assurance from all parts of the House that I would have the Bill at a stated hour. I would suggest that if we recommenced the debate at 4 o'clock we could complete it by 5.30 p.m. The substantial amendments have been dealt with and the remainder of my amendments are only drafting amendments.
(Cavan): That is a reasonable suggestion.
Does the Minister mean that all Stages would be completed by 5.30 p.m.?
Hindsight is very valuable. That is what we suggested this morning. We have no objection to this but if it is to be completed perhaps we could have a little less talk from people who are talking merely for talk's sake.
That is an unfair reflection on Deputy Tully's party.
I have been here for most of the day.


text:
The Library will be closed on Monday, 1/21 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
In this memoir, singer-songwriter Patti Smith shares tales of New York City : the denizens of Max's Kansas City, the Hotel Chelsea, Scribner's, Brentano's and Strand bookstores and her new life in Brooklyn with a young man named Robert Mapplethorpe--the man who changed her life with his love, friendship, and genius.
|B SMITH||Adult Biographies||In|
Details & Subjects
Edition Statement :
Monday's children -- Just kids -- Hotel Chelsea -- Separate ways together -- Holding hands with God.
Publication, Distribution, etc. :
New York : Ecco, c2010.
Physical Description :
xii, 278 p. : ill., ports. ; 24 cm.

domain: library


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Militarism - belief that a country should have a strong military force and be prepared to use it to aggressively promote its interests., Alliances- agreements between nations stating that each country will assist the other if they are attacked, Imperialism- act of extending control over a foreign nation or territory., Nationalism- pride in one’s nation and the accompanied development of patriotic feelings, shared histories, and efforts to protect national interests., SPARK - Archduke of Austria-Hungary is assassinated by Serbian nationalist Princip , July, 1914 Austria-Hungary (backed by Germany) declares war with Serbia , Russia mobilizes to support Serbia , Germany declares war on Russia & France , Germany invades neutral Belgium to quickly defeat France. Great Britain declares war on Germany. Germany is not successful at defeating the French., Central Powers - Germany, Austria Hungary, Ottoman Empire , Allied Powers - France, Russia, Great Britain , Due to industrial revolution and the invention of the machine gun, movement of soldiers stopped and trenches were dug on the Western Front , Western Front- Germany vs. France & UK, Eastern Front - Germany vs. Russia , New technology to overcome the stalemate was developed including poison gas, airplanes, and tanks , Fall of 1917, Russia drops out of World War 1 due to a communist revolution , US troops arrive in Europe after declaring war on Germany in Spring of 1917, Germany and her allies realized it was no longer possible to win the war. The leaders of the German army told the government to stop. Kaiser Wilhelm, Germany's ruler, stepped down on 9 November 1918. The leaders of the German army told the government to stop. Kaiser Wilhelm, Germany's ruler, stepped down on 9 November 1918., The leaders of the German army told the government to stop. Kaiser Wilhelm, Germany's ruler, stepped down on 9 November 1918..
World War 1
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domain: history


We had to Bless The Mic with this duo out of Louisiana, Undeniably Genuine or better known as UNG has just released their lead single titled "Necessary" off their EP "Very Necessary" this track hit the streets and is on fire, its a hard hitting banger that everyone can vibe to!
There is no doubt that this hit single will heard in clubs, on the radio, in cars, at bbq's and WORLDWIDE!!
Follow UNG on all social media @itsungmusic to stay up to date with everything they have going on!!


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New Dementia VR Study
A new study suggests that virtual reality could help those with dementia to recall memories and could contribute to an improved relationship with caregivers.
The study – largely led by researchers from the University of Kent – recruited eight people with dementia aged between 41 and 88 years old. The participants were asked to access five environments via virtual reality (VR) over sixteen sessions. These environments were: a cathedral, a forest, a sandy beach, a rocky beach and the countryside.
Over the course of the sessions, the researchers monitored and recorded feedback from the patients and their caregivers. One of the main findings was that the participants were able to recall old memories in response to the scenery they were experiencing through virtual reality.
Due to poor health or accessibility issues, it is often not possible for those with dementia to be taken to locations that may trigger memories in reality, which is where VR can help by transporting the user anywhere. For example, VR developers could recreate a person’s home or somewhere that they have a strong attachment to so they could ‘revisit’.
The participants reported that the experience was a positive one, and recalling memories not only put them in a better mood, but gave caregivers a better insight into their lives, improving that relationship and social interaction.
Of course, this was a study conducted on just a small selection of individuals, though Dr Ang of the School of Engineering and Digital Arts claimed that this study reveals that VR could have huge potential when it comes to helping those with dementia.
"It provides a richer and more satisfying quality of life than is otherwise available, with many positive outcomes. With further research, it will be possible to further evaluate the elements of virtual environments that benefit patients and use VR even more effectively."
At Wolfeton Manor Care Home Dorchester, we provide residential care for the elderly in the village of Charminster and the surrounding areas.


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North East Kent - Golden sandy beach, joining sandy tidal beach that runs along and beneath a Harbour Arm. Nearby white steps up to the promenade. Close to the Old Town, and Amusement Park and modern Art Gallery.
North East Kent - Long sweeping shingle beach; sand flats, salt marshes and coastal sand dunes and scenic footpaths. Historical golf courses with dunes, paths, an enlarged green and wetland.
Long stretch of golden sandy beach, dunes, chalky cliffs near a power station. Pub, car park, coastal paths, green open pastures above on the cliff top.


MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT 2011
Today’s economy has not left Glen Cove untouched. However, signs of life are obvious in downtown Glen Cove. New businesses have opened, our downtown events have taken off with incredible energy, and the downtown looked better than ever this past year.
This effect is the result of the countless hours of time donated by the Glen Cove Downtown Business Improvement District Board of Directors, our members and volunteers. Guiding them all is the Downtown B.I.D. staff: our Executive Director, Francine Koehler, and our Executive Assistant Mary Jirsa.
The B.I.D. has continues to serve as an advocate for the business and property owners and residents of downtown Glen Cove. Regular meetings with the Mayor and attendance at City Council, Planning Board and other agency meetings as necessary have resulted in many issues being addressed and resolved.
Several beautification projects took ugly, overlooked areas and landscaped them back into attractive spots. New holiday lighting increased the brightness of downtown during the dark days of winter. The nicer we make downtown look and feel, the more people will want to be here, and to return. Bringing people downtown is key to attracting desirable new businesses and retaining existing business.
Supporting our downtown community through events that make Glen Cove the place to be also makes Glen Cove stand out on the map. Downtown Sounds on Friday nights in the summer has people thronging the streets. Cruise Night has grown exponentially, bringing people downtown on Thursday nights, normally an off night. Several big, new shows and festivals have also helped to make a name for Glen Cove and its downtown.
To close, I would like to thank our many past and present Board Members for their donated countless hours of service. Our members and our volunteers are the backbone of our programs; they get special thanks for their extraordinary efforts. And finally, the assistance provided by the City of Glen Cove and our other partners and sponsors has made our efforts to date a success. On behalf of our grateful downtown community, please accept my thanks.
Alvin Batista, President
Glen Cove Downtown District Management Association, Inc
OfficersAlvin Batista, President
Michael Puntillo, Vice- President
Leonard Gleicher, Treasurer
Jennifer Rehm, Secretary
Charles E. Parisi, Esq.,
StaffFrancine Ferrante Koehler,
Cover Photo: Deutsch Photographics


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A youth was killed in the Venezuelan city of San Felix overnight when demonstrators protesting power and water outages partially burned a small police station, police said on Tuesday. Reuters India Also reported by •Reuters
· *Weekly API report shows a 629,000 barrels increase in U.S. crude stocks.*
· *WTI comes under selling pressure after settling for the day at $68.08.*
Crude oil met a fresh selling wave in the.. FXstreet.com
Turkey's Tayyip Erdogan fulfilled a long-held ambition on Monday when he was sworn in as president with sweeping new powers over a country he has dominated and reshaped during his 15-year rule. Emily..
Crab meat from Venezuela has been linked to a multi-state outbreak of food poisoning that sickened 12 people and led to four hospitalizations, prompting the FDA and CDC to warn consumers about eating.. Newsmax
Venezuela’s Oil Minister Manuel Quevedo has discussed plans with state-held oil company PDVSA to raise the country’s crude oil production in the second half of the year. While Venezuela and its.. OilPrice.com
A twelve-year-old boy was killed in the Venezuelan city of San Felix overnight in an incident in which demonstrators protesting chronic power outages partially burned a small police station, police.. Reuters Also reported by •Reuters India
In the past, oil has accounted for 96 percent of Venezuela's exports and over 40 percent of government revenues. Now, as the nation’s economy continues to crumble amid sanctions, political strife,.. OilPrice.com
*Trump trade war threat*
A continued world recovery, led by the US with good support from Chinese growth among the emerging markets, is a positive backdrop for share markets. The Trump tax cuts and.. City A.M.
The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease and Control said fresh crab meat from Venezuela carries a bacteria known as Vibrio parahaemolyticus, which has infected at least 12 people.. azcentral.com Also reported by •Delawareonline •USATODAY.com
HOUSTON (AP) — A former official at a state-run electric company in Caracas, Venezuela, pleaded guilty Monday to money laundering conspiracy relating to an alleged multibillion-dollar graft scheme in.. Seattle Times


Armed with the Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance, the Civic Initiatives Youth Programme launched an official appeal to all municipals and cities in Serbia, asking what assets they had and what the way for young people to get them was. Two thirds of all 167 municipalities reacted to the appeal mostly by stating that they did not posses a record of municipal assets. Although at the very beginning, the campaign was in the gap between judicial resolutions becyause it turned out that the whole property was in possession of the government authorities and that municipalities and cities are the sole administrator. This argument, among others, was and still is one of the most frequent answers and `alibis` of the local authorities when it comes to negotiations on space issues. Since 2009 until the adoption of the Law on Public Ownership (September 2011), a great deal of assets and public spaces `got lost` and became privatised. In our subsequent work, we focused on areas where different groups and youth organisations had already started an initiative for obtaining space. At this point we have entered another campaign pillar, which is: strengthening youth groups seeking space.
There are only a few of them. They don't know how. They are often discouraged and unmotivated.
It is disappointing to notice how young people in Serbia act very little about public spaces and how pessimistic they are in acquiring them. By constant connecting, information dissemination, workshops, official and unofficial meetings, introducing to regional experience, we tried to strengthen all formal and informal groups, organisations and individuals who started initiatives for space acquiring. Through consulting, directing and helping in strategy making, negotiating with local authorities, conducting actions for public spaces revival, we reached a few examples of good practice.
Aradac. New Belgrade. Bezistan. Inex.
After a group maps a public space they want to `conquer`, they can start taking actions in it (arranging space, gathering, conducting various artistic interventions in space) or start the negotiations with local authorities right away. No matter whether the conquest starts with actions or negotiations, the most important thing is not to give up in case of defeat, negative outcome of negotiations or disapproval. Young people often give up after beginner's failure, they don't want to displease anyone, they are unorganised and pessimistic. Unlocking of public spaces...takes time. It requires a lot of action, ideas and persistence. In Aradac (near Zrenjanin), youth organisation Photo Expo has been using rooms of local community office. Associations Context, ApsArt and informal scene Carina were allowed to use an area of 100 square meters in the local community Studentski Grad in New Belgrade. Bezistan is the name of street passage in the centre of Belgrade, where MicroArt Company will make the first street gallery in town. More than 10 associations, youth groups and independent artists at this time are arranging and renewing a big abandoned building of 1500 square meters in Belgrade. The owner of this building, which was once the central office of Inex Film, gave the young people permission to use these rooms because he is not going to invest in reconstruction any time soon.
Local authorities and institutions? Closed. Centralised. Uninformed.
Public spaces and groups which take them are a very changeable entity which adjusts to modern circumstances. Inex Film is, conditionally speaking, a gained public space for a certain period of time and that is great! We are gradually changing the system through little initiatives and steps. Institutions and local authorities often have prejudice, in negotiations they are closed, uninformed, slow and centralised in decision-making. They do not see their benefits in opening to young people and that every given public space is a bonus. Their bonus. `Keeping` abandoned buildings, factories, parks etc., in order to gain economic benefits in some distant future, is of no use to anyone. "A famous director will come to open a multiplex cinema or a theatre." No, that will not happen in 2011, in the middle of an economic crisis! Megalomania blinds. Let abandoned spaces to those who have the knowledge, will, interests and ideas to make something out of them. You will see amazing things.
Openly about Public Spaces - the roof for all initiatives
Barracks in Novi Sad and Nis, abandoned facilities in Majdanpek, Inex, Livnica in Kragujevac, initiatives in Smederevo, Krusevac, Gornji Milanovac. No more painting for free. People are more and more using campaign terms, the topic is more present in the public, young people are beginning to realise that they will achieve more in gaining the public space through results and conducted actions in the space itself. It is a slow process, but things are changing. As an umbrella to all the initiatives and groups, the Civic Initiatives will, through "Openly about Public Spaces" continue to provide support, advice, contacts and will unite the actions in order to accomplish a hidden but very important agenda of this project and that is: citizen participation in community life. The citizens should be involved in everything that happens in their surrounding and the public spaces are one of the learning mechanisms.
Get informed. Make a team. Map. Create. Unlock public spaces...
The campaign is supported by the ISC and USAID within the Civil Society Advocacy Initiative Program.


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Anastasia , Anastasia, Kyle Landry and 2 more
Browse our 21 arrangements of "Once Upon a December."
Sheet music is available for Piano, Voice, Guitar and 20 others with 10 scorings and 3 notations in 10 genres. Find your perfect arrangement and access a variety of transpositions so you can print and play instantly, anywhere.
Lyrics begin: "Dancing bears, painted wings, things I almost remember."


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Understanding blood cancer
Blood Cancer Awareness Month, observed annually in September, aims to spotlight various blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and others. The focus is raising awareness about the symptoms, early detection, and management of blood cancers. Additionally, we emphasize the crucial aspect of end-of-life care and the significance of hospice care for those battling these relentless diseases.
Blood Cancer Awareness Month
Blood Cancer awareness month is a global opportunity to raise awareness of one of the most dangerous cancers. Over a million people are diagnosed with some form of leukemia every year. Yet, there is still low awareness about these blood cancers, including leukemia, myeloma, lymphoma, and Hodgkin’s disease. Leukemia is most common among adults 55 years and older but is also the most frequent cancer in children under 15. The treatments for leukemia can be complex and dependent on the patient’s overall condition. However, many resources and strategies may combine for a successful outcome.
It is a time to honor the efforts of organizations and foundations to fight against leukemia. This month, landmarks and the city’s icons will ‘turn red’ to support the patients, families, researchers, and medical centers in fighting and understanding the disease.
Recognizing blood cancer symptoms
Leukemia is a prevalent concern during this awareness month. Understanding leukemia symptoms can be a vital step in early detection. Common symptoms include persistent fatigue, unexplained weight loss, frequent infections, bruising easily, and swollen lymph nodes. Early diagnosis and timely intervention can hugely improve the quality of life for leukemia patients.
Lymphoma, another blood cancer, presents its own set of symptoms. In the later stages of the disease, recognizing symptoms associated with end-of-life care is critical. These can include extreme weakness, severe pain, shortness of breath, confusion, and a decline in consciousness. Understanding these signs can help patients and their families make informed decisions about appropriate care and support during this challenging time.
Hospice patients with blood cancer
People with advanced blood cancer may opt for hospice care when they reach the final stages. This type of care prioritizes enhancing the patient’s quality of life, managing symptoms, and offering emotional and psychological support to both the patient and their loved ones. Hospice care can help patients deal with the physical and emotional challenges that come with the disease.
Cancer patients in hospice care receive specialized attention and personalized care to manage pain, provide emotional support, and discuss end-of-life wishes and directives.
At Ascend Hospice Care, we believe that Blood Cancer Awareness Month is a crucial opportunity to have meaningful discussions about blood cancers, the need for early detection, and the importance of end-of-life care and hospice services. This month serves as a chance for us to come together and share knowledge, inspire hope, and offer support to those impacted by blood cancers. By working together, we can strive to enhance the lives of those fighting these diseases and provide them with compassionate care during their final days.

domain: health


Songlines: Culture Night 2009
Published on 10th October 2009
On 25th September 2009 Dublin city’s museums, galleries, churches, historic houses, artists’ studios, libraries and more, opened their doors late for a night of entertainment, discovery and adventure. Hundreds of free talks, tours, performances and events were enjoyed throughout the city.
As part of Culture Night, 'Songlines' - an evening of words and music took place in Dublin City Library & Archive, Pearse Street. A group of new writers read from their work and musicians performed traditional and classical music. The writers featured are members Cumann Scríbhneoirí Úra na Gaeilge and students from the 2008-2009 MPhil in Creative Writing at the Oscar Wilde Centre, Trinity College Dublin. The musicians featured are students at the Royal Irish Academy of Music.


Johnny Manziel repents for his sins
Cleveland Browns say "Manziel is ready to lead"
Repentance includes dating violence.
Stating that the role was not for money or adoration, he went on to add "I do this because I love my team, no matter their race background or relations because we are all family, knowing that none of us are cocky children playing in a man's sport."
Despite the positive press and outcry about the already star's launch into mega stardom, some say the pay raise and added fans will be too much for a young adult coping with growing up in the NFL. Manziel denied this in a tweet, including a picture of him, seemingly intoxicated at a strip club. Luckily, one of his friends at least looked sober, so no one got a ticket like in years past. Despite the accusations calling Manziel a child, he states that he "totly arnt a child doods" while enjoying the fermented joys of adulthood.


Listen to this show here!
In 2017, a few concerned people in Canada came together intent on crafting a way through the plight we find ourselves in: a planet laden with cruelty, pollution and health issues culminating in a climate emergency. It is clear that we have to act quickly and directly.
In this episode of Animal Voices, we introduce you to three of these people: Jenny Henry, Ben King and Jeff Donkervoort. They tell us why they started Nation Rising and what needs to happen in Canadian animal agriculture in order to effect the changes we need. Their demands are simply:
1. Stop animal agriculture subsidies
2. Make healthy food affordable to all
3. Help farmers transition into plant-based farming
One key to this movement is forming strong coalitions with other animal rights and environmental groups, and they already have several of these allies on board. Learn how you can get involved and help with their mission. You can download an information kit from their website, and have a chat with your Member of Parliament. This is an election year in Canada, and a prime opportunity to promote a healthy plant-based diet and the agriculture infrastructure that will help get us there.


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A judge has scheduled another bail hearing for Eric Largy, the Nashua man who has been locked up for seven years and was only recently re-indicted for the 2009 beating of his father, retired Nashua Police Chief Clifton Largy.
The hearing will be Tuesday in Hillsborough County Superior Court South in Nashua. It will immediately follow Largy’s Probate Court hearing in Concord that day, which could lead to his discharge from the New Hampshire Hospital.
On Friday, Hillsborough County Superior Court Judge Charles S. Temple indicated Largy’s $100,000 cash bail could potentially be reduced to personal recognizance if he is discharged from the state’s psychiatric hospital.
Temple has been adamant that Largy, 49, not be held at the Valley Street Jail in Manchester awaiting trial. Largy has been held for seven years since the incident with his father, although the criminal charges filed against him at the time were dismissed. Those same charges – two counts of first-degree assault and one count of kidnapping – were re-filed in May.
“Mr. Largy, I want to make it very clear to you that your bail will be addressed before you spend any time in (Valley Street Jail),” Temple said Friday at a bail review hearing in Hillsborough County Superior Court South in Nashua.
After the April 22, 2009, incident with his father, Largy was first held at Valley Street Jail. He was deemed incompetent to stand trial and involuntarily committed to the Secure Psychiatric Unit at state prison for five and a half years. He was moved to the New Hampshire Hospital a few months ago.
Merrimack County Probate Judge David King didn’t make a final ruling on the state’s most recent petition to have Largy recommitted, but instead told the New Hampshire Hospital that Largy could be discharged before a final hearing on July 14. That hearing was later rescheduled and will be held on Tuesday.
The state had argued that Largy should be involuntarily re-committed because he still suffers from delusional disorder and continues to be a danger to himself or others. His treating psychiatrist, Dr. Matthew Davis, who no longer works at the hospital, disagreed and said he wasn’t sure Largy suffers from delusional disorder.
Soon after it became clear that Largy could soon be released from the hospital, a grand jury re-indicted him. Largy is accused of restraining his father in an antique barber’s chair at Eric’s home and torturing him for 12 hours on April 22, 2009.
The senior Largy suffered a broken chin and fractured eye sockets and told police he was lured to his son’s home and attacked. Eric Largy says he was defending himself that day from an abusive father. He said his father then manipulated his criminal case. Clifton Largy denies his son’s allegations.
Judge Temple made arrangements on Friday that would guarantee Largy’s bail hearing is held immediately after Tuesday’s hearing on his involuntary commitment. If Largy is not discharged from the hospital at the hearing in Merrimack County Probate Court in Concord, the Nashua bail hearing will be canceled, Temple said.
Last week, Public Defenders Michael Davidow and Suzanne Ketteridge filed a motion asking Temple to reconsider denying their motion to dismiss the criminal charges against Largy.
It asks that Temple hold a hearing on the matter and stay his order requiring Largy undergo another competency evaluation.
The defense had argued the state violated the law by failing to petition to have Largy re-evaluated for competency either before or after re-indicting him.
The state also failed to show a “reasonable basis” to believe that Largy’s competency situation had changed, the defense said. Prosecutor Michele Battaglia hasn’t responded to the motion to reconsider.
But she originally argued she had reason to believe Largy was restored to competency because he allowed his Probate Court hearings open to the press. They are usually closed to the public and press. Battaglia also suggested that Largy is now competent because he invoked his right against self-incrimination.
In his order, Temple said a prosecutor may order a further competency evaluation before re-indicting if there is a “reasonable basis” to believe the person’s condition has changed, but it is not required by law.
Temple also dismissed Largy’s argument that the state must have a “reasonable basis” to believe his competency has been restored before refiling the criminal charges against him. But even if it did, Temple said the state met that burden because Largy was moved to a less restrictive setting and may soon be discharged.
Largy refused treatment during most of his stay at the Secure Psychiatric Unit. At Probate Court hearings, Largy’s psychiatrists described him a perfect gentleman who was always helpful to other patients, especially if he believed they were being bullied.
Besides all of the legal machinations in Superior and Probate courts, the New Hampshire Hospital has drafted an agreement that outlines what help would be offered to Largy if he is released to the community, which Largy has not agreed to.
It says, among other things, that if Largy is released to the community within 30 days of being discharged, the New Hampshire Hospital would pay for him to stay in a rooming house for 30 days, help him with food and help him find work.
It is unclear what will happen at Tuesday’s Probate Court hearing.
In his most recent order, Judge David King said some experts who testified “seemed to suggest that if Mr. Largy continues to politely decline to engage in psychotherapy, he would never be released.”
King wrote: “Surely a lifetime commitment for a (2009) assault charge, which has not resulted in a conviction, is not how the courts can be expected to treat someone because he has a mental illness, absent clear and convincing evidence of present dangerousness.”
He also noted that Largy never exhibited any violent tendencies while at the Secure Psychiatric Unit.
“The court recognized …. that there should be few dangerous acts during the time that a person is involuntarily admitted, however in this case there have been none, during a seven-year period,” King wrote, emphasizing the word none.


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Hale Center Theater Orem To Stream MAN WITH THE POINTED TOES With Hale@Home
Man With The Pointed Toes will be streamed online June 5th, 6th, and 7th from 5PM to Midnight MST. Tickets are $5 per viewer and available at: https://tickets.haletheater.org/overview/645
"From the Hale Center Theater Orem archives, join our 2007 cast in this wild western cowboy comedy! Take a group of rough-and-tumble tough guys, add a well-to-do school teacher tasked with civilizing them, and you've got the perfect comedy to brighten your day and leave you laughing all night long!"
You will receive an email with detailed instructions and a password to access the stream the day before your purchased performance. For tickets purchased after 8PM the night before or on the same day as the performance, you will receive an access email at 5:00PM the the day of your purchased performance.
Note: This recording was not made for streaming purposes. It is archival footage of a live performance with a live audience, and there may be moments where sound and/or visuals are not ideal.


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Bow ties are cool. Someone told me that, but I can’t remember who…
Remember the sartorial premiere of Series 5?
Amidst all the madcap humor in the premiere, the Doctor gets down to business, conceives an impossible scheme and saves the day. As a reward, he treats himself to a wardrobe update, solidifying what will become the 11th Doctor’s “uniform” — a tweed jacket and jaunty bow tie.
Considering the various Doctors’ looks that came before him — ranging from Doctor No. 4 Tom Baker's Hogwartsian striped scarves to Doctor No. 10 David Tennant's dramatic floor-length dusters — Smith could very well have been saddled with an outfit he couldn't stand for his “Doctor Who” tenure. A tweed jacket and bow tie don't seem that bad.
"Love both of them," Smith said. "I embraced both items fully and there are many variations of each in the wardrobe department."
- Hanh Nguyen, April 18, 2010
Do bow ties go with Stetsons? We’ll allow it, Doctor.
As we count down to Saturday’s premiere (this is the Facebook event page, btw, let us know you’ll be watching too), these are the ones we keep saying.
What’s your favorite Doctor Who phrase?


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Losing $500 million was just another day at the office for U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu.
It's official: Everything about the federal government's backing of a loan to California-based Solyndra was A-OK.
There were no mistakes of judgment. There was no improper influence on the loan process by connected politicos. Everything was done exactly as it should be.
So testified U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu last week when he appeared before a congressional committee. It was almost as if the $500 million-plus loss of taxpayers' money, which Chu described as "unfortunate," was an afterthought.
Unfortunate? It was obviously that and a lot more.
At least that's how the average Joe would see it. In the real world, perpetrators of such a financial failure would not just be apologizing and begging forgiveness but updating their resumes.
In the federal government, it's standard operating procedure.
One shocking disclosure from the congressional hearing is that the feds have set aside $10 billion in anticipation of further financial catastrophes like the Solyndra loan. That's roughly 19 more failed investments in private companies like the one made in Solyndra, a solar-energy equipment manufacturer. So get ready for more bad news.
Members of Congress have been investigating this failed example of a public/private partnership based on indications that the September 2009 government-backed loan guarantee was made because company backers were close politically to the Obama administration.
There clearly was some political influence in this matter. Why, for instance, was repayment of the government loan given second-tier status behind any repayment to private investors? That almost guarantees the loss of taxpayer money.
But the real scandal is the federal government getting involved in supporting selected private enterprises, particularly when the profits go to the private investors and the losses go to the taxpayers.
This is the bank bailout all over again, except most of the banks bailed out still are in business and taxpayers have been or will be repaid. The Solyndra money is gone, and the people responsible don't appear to have learned anything from the experience.

domain: politics