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What Our Members Say
"I am angry about faith schools, free schools, and ridiculous 'faith' based views such as teaching young women to 'just say no' in Sex Education."
"Religious belief, or the lack of it, should have as much place in the formulation of government policy as ducking stools and witchcraft."
'Generally speaking I am a realist rather than an idealist. That in the 21st Century supernatural beliefs still have a significant influence in matters of State is 'unreal'. The valuable work of the NSS must be supported.'
I chose a non-denominational school for my son and yet he still has to take part in daily collective worship including singing hymns. A theatre group called "Open the Book" entertain his class once a week with stories from the Bible. This is in addition to an RE class every week. I believe religion should be taken out of schools altogether and the hours currently spent on trying to instil Christian beliefs into our children given over to other aspects of the curriculum which will better ready them for adult life. What can I do to help this happen? I don't want to exclude him from anything his classmates are involved in as I feel this would just make him the odd-one-out.
"I strongly believe that religious laws should never be intertwined with state laws, in any shape or form. Whilst I believe that people should have the free will to practice whatever religion they wish, it should never interfere with the legal system, policy-making, and vital services such as education, health, and such like. I therefore support any actions that challenges religious organisations' campaigns to manipulate laws and services in accordance with their own biased belief systems/laws. Whilst I may not produce anything earth-shattering or revolutionary, I hope that my membership is enough to make a valid contribution to this important cause."
"We should not label our children as Christian, Muslim or any other religious group. So big NO to faith schools."
"I joined NSS because I sense that those who promote religious observance are becoming more strident, and I believe we need a stronger voice in opposition."
It is clear that on many secular issues, atheists and many theists have common interests, and by working together on these issues our voices will be louder... While I am personally no longer religious, I absolutely support people's right to religious freedom.
I am very keen on reforming RE in schools. My little grandson goes to a non-faith school primary, but since becoming an academy, the school seems to me to be trying to indoctrinate our children with religion.
Lesly, East Sussex
"I was spurred on to join the NSS by the recent torrent of attacks on secularism by Baroness Warsi and assorted clerics, columnists and politicos. Last year I was revolted by the Pope's poisonous and mendacious claim that nazi Germany was the result of atheism."
Michael, Scottish Borders
"Organised religion has had far too much privilege, power and protection for far too long. Humanity needs to evolve and the continued inclusion of superstitious beliefs in the affairs of state is not helping that process."
"The NSS is Britain's front line defence against the vested interests of organised religion that damage our public institutions, not least in education and local government."
My motivations for joining the Society are manifold and include the horrible feeling I get when I see and read about so-called faith schools, bishops in the House of Lords, and any situation where the pious are given more respect or airtime than other minority groups (e.g. Pagans, Airfix modellers, or national knitting circles). I am particularly nauseated by religious intolerance towards women and minorities, and the fact that people holding discriminatory views on religious grounds remain influential.
"I want to see a secular challenge to the automatic assumption made by the media and political leaders that religions have a monopoly on morals, which is why I joined the NSS."
"I thought it was refreshing to hear someone who was voicing my opinions without being offensive or belittling those who have religious beliefs. I'm an atheist myself and I have no problem with others believing whatever they like as long as it doesn't impact upon everyone else. I feel everyone should be treated equally regardless of gender, sexuality, colour, religion, etc and that nobody should have different treatment or rules over anyone else. I find it quite scary that our education and legal system is pandering to religion. Keep up the good work!"
"I am angry with what I view as the permitted brainwashing of children within our education system. Myself and my wife joined the NSS to help protect children from adults with religious and faith based agendas."
"Religious views should not be impressed upon others... We should not have religion involved in dictating law, meddling in politics and education."
"I have been thinking of joining for some time but Baronness Warsi finally talked me into it. I am particularly concerned about faith schools. I try to express these views reasonably and do not see why they should be labelled 'strident' at the first opportunity."
"It worries me that certain faith groups feel they can impose their views - on matters such as abortion, contraception and assisted suicide - onto others."
I think all groups, religious, atheistic or agnostic, have enough common ground to be able to live together in harmony under secular systems of governance, law, welfare, education, etc.
I have a profound interest in democracy, freedom of expression, inclusivity and equality - all of which are undermined by religious organisations.
When I studied law and politics at A-level then law at Newcastle University, I learnt of all the privileges given to religion which I strongly oppose. My main motivation for joining the NSS was to show my support and help raise awareness to the issues of inequality and unjust privileges religious institutes receive. As a law student one of my main interests is in a secular legislature that produces legislation founded in equality and does not legislate to protect special interests of religion in society and especially not ill-founded religious opinions into law.
Matthew, South Shields
|"The exposure of the redacting of exam questions and the scandal of gender separation at British Universities finally convinced me to give support to the NSS which is standing up for rationalism, fair treatment and civilised behaviour. Thankfully there is at least one organisation unafraid to stick its head above the parapet and expose the hypocrites, religious zealots and feeble-minded apologists that seem somehow to have joined the mainstream."|
In many ways I think it was inevitable that I would eventually get around to joining (the NSS) as their stated General Principles very accurately represent my outlook. I feel very strongly that religious beliefs are valid and appropriate when held and practiced privately, but that if you use your beliefs to justify your actions towards others then you must in turn be prepared to justify your beliefs.
What prompted me finally to join was simply that I felt I had had enough of religious organisations trying to establish themselves as being above criticism. That it is not possible to criticise or comment on religious practices without being told that you are being offensive frankly scares me.
My privately held views on dogma vs. reason are not something I feel I can act on publicly, but in Secularism there is a cause for which I can be politically active. Ultimately it's about removing the archaic rights given to religions to infringe my liberty.
Nicklas, Haywards Heath
"I refuse to have my children made to feel different by accepting the offer to 'opt out' of religious assemblies. I am joining the NSS because I find it reprehensible that faith plays such a large part in our education system."


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The weather here in the DC area is about as close to perfect as it can get. 70 degrees. Nice breeze. Low humidity. Even the pollen seems to be down. Where’s my hammock?
I went for a ride to close out the month and get away from the nonstop stress machines of TV and Twitter. I chose Charles County, Maryland because it is only a half hour from home by car and pleasantly rural.
The ride I did is called the Portside Pacer and traces a figure 8 through the Port Tobacco and La Plata areas. A few days ago I did a different ride in this area. Today’s ride did not involve the Indian Head Rail Trail or a climb up Rose Hill. Instead, I stayed entirely on roads and rode down Rose Hill. When I got to the bottom I got confused ending up on the wrong side of the Port Tobacco River. I rode about 3 1/2 miles before I clued in. (I should be heading east, shouldn’t I? Dang.)
No worries. The weather was so amazing that I didn’t mind the extra distance.
The ride does involved several short climbs but I was on The Mule with it’s ultra low granny gear. I didn’t really need it but, by using it, I can be assured that my left knee won’t wake me up at 3 a.m.
The short climbs also mean some short descents. The smooth, curvy roads made these joyful.
Of course, I did have to return to the start but the route goes more or less around Rose Hill so instead of climbing straight up I had a long gradual roll.
One thing I have noticed in recent days is how my body is almost completely healed after over a year of aches and pains. My pedaling is much, much stronger than it has been since my 2018 cross-country trip. My hip doesn’t hur893.t any more. I can get on and off my bike without feeling like my leg is giving way. I still have some soreness under my left kneecap but it’s not nearly as bad as a month ago. Unfortunately, my back still refuses to let me walk long distances but I am hopeful that it will calm down over time.
So I closed out May with a 40-mile jaunt. That brought my monthly mileage to 893, my biggest month since August 2019. (It’s nearly 500 miles less than last May, but I’m not on tour this year thanks to the pandemic. I’ve ridden 3,799 miles so far in 2020. If the news continues to be stressful, I may double that by September.
Stay safe. Deep breaths. Wear a mask. Call your momma.

domain: geography


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On line casino gaming is huge in 2021. Gone are the times the place we must journey far to go to a bodily on line casino institution. Now, we will simply sit again and loosen up in our personal houses, having fun with the identical video games over the Web. This text will discover the present state of the on line casino gaming scene and what lies in retailer for us.
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Slots and Progressive Jackpots
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Roulette is taken into account one of many greatest on line casino video games of all time, and for good purpose. The roulette’s core idea is easy – choose a quantity; in case your quantity comes up, you win. Granted, there are extra particulars, however that is the crux of it. Online roulette casinos can be found in all places, providing you with the chance to take pleasure in this all-time traditional.
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Video poker shouldn’t be fairly as well-liked as you’d suppose, however it has immense leisure worth for many who like maths and playing cards. There are numerous totally different variations of video poker, however the core rules are the identical. Merely, get the absolute best hand with 5 playing cards. Relying on what hand you type, you would possibly get a payout. The stronger the hand, the upper your payout.
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Stay casinos have grow to be an indispensable a part of fashionable on-line on line casino gaming. They’re not like the rest featured on this article. For one, these aren’t RNG-based video games. They’re performed at a bodily studio with a real-life vendor and desk. The gameplay is streamed to your machine, and you’re taking actions utilizing the sport’s interface.
The top live casino sites host all method of various traditional desk video games. Particularly, these embody blackjack, roulette, on line casino poker, baccarat, and extra. There are additionally the so-called recreation reveals, the place you play distinctive and memorable titles specifically designed for this fashion of on line casino gaming.
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On-line on line casino gaming has come a good distance. From easy video games in your desktop pc to full-fledged apps in your cellular machine, there has by no means been a greater time to be a on line casino participant. Now you can play on the go along with no difficulty. Trendy mobile casino sites offer you the chance to use your smartphone or pill to position bets in your favorite video games. Right here is our choose for one of the best cellular on line casino in 2021:
At cellular on-line casinos, you’ll take pleasure in varied kinds of on line casino video games. The cellular format shouldn’t be restricted to any specific style, and you’ll get to expertise all of them at your leisure. What’s extra, taking part in from a cellular machine doesn’t restrict you in any manner. Trendy operators supply all options and advantages to cellular gamers, together with bonuses, banking strategies, buyer help, and extra.
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As you could know, one of the best on line casino video games aren’t developed by the gaming websites personally. As a part of our on line casino gaming business overview, now we have to say the software program suppliers that make it a actuality. These are corporations that specialise within the improvement of on line casino video games and different playing merchandise. The business helps a wide range of suppliers, however there are a number of outstanding names that you’ll come throughout. These are the preferred builders, and their merchandise can be found globally. Beneath, now we have listed the most important software program suppliers and what they provide.
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There are numerous components that we will use to find out the standard of on line casino gaming merchandise. Nonetheless, we consider that it’s best to get into the maths behind all of it. On the finish of the day, playing is diminished to possibilities and probability. These will dictate your long-term success, even with one of the best on line casino video games.
Typically, the return-to-play proportion is indicative of how truthful a given recreation is. It reveals the whole sum of money returned to gamers within the type of winnings. The nearer the quantity is to 100%, the higher odds you’ll take pleasure in. Listed below are the approximate RTP values of the preferred kinds of on line casino video games:
- Slots – between 90% and 99%
- Blackjack – round 99%
- Roulette – between 94.70% and 98.65% (relying on the variation)
- Baccarat – between 98.7 and 98.99%
- Video Poker – round 99%
As you possibly can see, there’s some distinction within the odds of assorted video games. Judging by the numbers above, it could be cheap to imagine that blackjack and video poker are probably the most helpful to play. That’s true however solely when making use of excellent technique to your gameplay.
We additionally should level out that these proportion values imply nothing within the brief time period. They’re calculated following tens of millions of bets, and your short-term success will rely totally on luck. Nonetheless, it doesn’t harm to maximise your odds wherever doable.
In the event you nonetheless have questions relating to on line casino gaming, please take a look at the FAQ part under. We are going to define the hottest questions gamers have on the subjects and offer you clear and informative solutions.

domain: entertainment


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Terrorists struck at at least seven different locations in Mumbai after 10:30 pm local time on Wednesday, attacking luxury hotels and other landmarks in the Indian metropolis with bombs, gunfire and hand grenades. At least 80 people have been killed and 250 injured. Sporadic fighting continued for hours with security forces. The army was called in and entered the Oberoi and the Taj Hotel to free hostages.
A man injured in firing leans on a railing in Mumbai

domain: news


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Based on the evidence that IL-17 is a key cytokine involved in various inflammatory diseases, we explored the critical role of IL-17-producing γδ T cells for tumor development in tumor-bearing mouse model. IL-17−/− mice exhibited a significant reduction of tumor growth, concomitantly with the decrease of vascular density at lesion area, indicating a pro-tumor property of IL-17. Among tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), γδ T cells were the major cellular source of IL-17. Analysis of TCR repertoires in TIL-γδ T cells showed that circulating γδ T cells, but not skin resident Vγ5+γδ T cells, produced IL-17. Neutralizing antibodies against IL-23, IL-6, and TGF-β, which were produced within the tumor microenvironment, inhibited the induction of IL-17-producing γδ T cells. IL-17 production by tumor-infiltrating γδ T cells was blocked by anti-γδTCR or anti-NKG2D antibodies, indicating that these ligands, expressed within the tumor microenvironment, are involved in γδ T-cell activation. The IL-17-producing TIL-γδ T cells exhibited reduced levels of perforin mRNA expression, but increased levels of COX-2 mRNA expression. Together, our findings support the novel concept that IL-17-producing γδ T cells, generated in response to tumor microenvironment, act as tumor-promoting cells by inducing angiogenesis.
In order to understand how tumor cells can escape immune surveillance mechanisms and thus develop anti-tumor therapies, it is critically important to investigate the mechanisms by which the immune system interacts with the tumor microenvironment. The tumor microenvironment, which is mainly composed of tumor cells, stromal cells, and tumor-infiltrating immune cells, is entirely different from noncancerous tissues. This unique microenvironment potently inhibits immune responses against tumor cells via various soluble mediators and contact-dependent mechanisms 1, 2. Previously, it was suggested that T-cell responses within the local tumor tissue are completely inhibited. However, this concept was abandoned following the discovery of the regulatory T-cell and Th17 cell subsets, which are activated rather than suppressed in the tumor microenvironment via TGF-β and/or IL-6. Thus, the tumor microenvironment is conducive to IL-17 production. In fact, it has been shown that IL-17 is produced in human and murine tumor tissues 3–5. Tumor cells promote neo-vascularization into tumor tissues through hyper-production of angiogenic factors, which also support their own abnormal proliferation and survival 6. It has been reported that tumor cells over-expressing IL-17 significantly promote new vessel growth into the tumor tissues 5; however, physiological effects of IL-17 on tumor progression remain to be defined.
Th17 differentiation from naïve CD4+ T cells is regulated by TGF-β and IL-6. Proliferation, maintenance and full maturation of these cells are controlled by IL-23 7–9. Recently, it has been shown that IL-17 is produced by diverse T-cell subsets, including CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, NKT cells and γδ T cells 9–12. Physiologically, IL-17 plays a pivotal role in protecting the host against certain infectious microorganisms through the recruitment of neutrophils, by increasing the expression of multiple chemokines 13, 14. Furthermore, IL-17 has been implicated in many inflammatory and autoimmune disorders such as colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma 8, 9, 14, 15.
Th17 cells, as a helper T-cell subset distinct from Th1, Th2, and Treg, have a critical role in regulating the immune balance in co-operation with other T-cell subsets. We have proposed that the induction of Th1-dominant immune responses is an essential step in inducing strong anti-tumor immunity in response to adjuvants or tumor-specific Th1 cells 16–20. However, within the tumor microenvironment, the balance between IL-12 and IL-23, which directly reflects Th1 and Th17 cell responses, is shifted toward IL-23 via activation of STAT3 21, 22. Much attention has been paid to the finding that tumor stromal cells and tumor-associated macrophages, in part by producing IL-23, mainly contribute to the induction of cancer by promoting inflammation, whereas T cells suppress tumor development as part of the immunosurveillance system 23–29. Recent research has provided evidence for the involvement of T cells in promoting tumor progression 28–35; however, the precise effects of T cells and the cytokines they produce on tumorigenesis remain controversial.
In this paper, we demonstrate that (i) IL-17 is a pro-tumor cytokine, which supports tumor growth by promoting angiogenesis; (ii) γδ T cells, but neither TCRαβCD4+ T cells nor TCRαβCD8+ T cells, are the major cellular source of IL-17 in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL); (iii) blood circulating γδ T cells, but not skin-resident Vγ5+ γδ T cells, infiltrate into the tumor site; (iv) tumor-infiltrating γδ T cells differentiate into IL-17-producing cells but downmodulate their cytotoxic activity within the tumor microenvironment; (v) IL-17 produced by tumor-infiltrating γδ T cells promotes tumor progression by inducing angiogenesis. Thus, this paper proposes the novel concept that IL-17-producing γδ T cells play a crucial role as tumor-promoting T cells during tumor development. These findings provide new insights that can be employed for the development of novel cancer immunotherapies.
IL-17 promotes tumor development by enhancing angiogenesis
It has been demonstrated that IL-17 is expressed in tumor microenvironments 3–5. The precise role of IL-17 during tumor development, however, remains unclear. Here, we examined the physiological role of IL-17 in the growth of the transplantable methylcholanthrene (MCA)-induced tumor cell line CMS-G4. We found that the growth of CMS-G4 tumor cells was markedly decreased in IL-17−/− mice compared with WT mice (Fig. 1A). We further examined IL-17 contribution to the growth inhibition of transplantable tumor cell lines. Firstly, we considered the possibility that immune responses in IL-17−/− mice at tumor site were decreased as compared with WT mice. However, the ratio and absolute numbers of distinct T-cell subsets and prevalence of IFN-γ-producing cells among TIL, including CD4+, CD8+, and γδ T cells were similar between WT and IL-17−/− mice. These findings suggested that the reduction of tumor growth in IL-17−/− mice was not due to impaired immune responses (Supporting Information Fig. 1). Secondly, to investigate the possibility that IL-17−/− mice failed to produce certain tumor-promoting factors, we surveyed the vascular density in tumor tissues obtained from WT and IL-17−/− mice. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that the mean numbers of blood vessels in the tumor tissues were markedly decreased in IL-17−/− mice (Fig. 1B and C). In addition, IL-17 markedly increased the transcripts of Ang-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which are angiogenesis-related genes, in CMS-G4 fibrosarcoma cells in vitro (Fig. 1D). These findings indicate that IL-17 can promote tumor progression by the enhancement of angiogenesis.
IL-17 within tumors is predominantly produced by γδ T cells
To identify the cellular source of IL-17 production during tumor development, we prepared TIL from tumor-bearing mice 2 wk after CMS-G4 inoculation. IL-17 production by distinct subsets of lymphocytes was analyzed by intracellular cytokine staining assay after stimulation with immobilized anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 mAb in vitro. We found that IL-17 was predominantly produced by γδ T cells rather than CD4+ T cells or CD8+ T cells infiltrated into the tumor tissues (Fig. 2A and B). Similar results were obtained in the case of TIL of CMC-1 skin carcinoma or CT26 colon carcinoma (Supporting Information Fig. 2). The majority of IL-17-producing cell population was γδ T cells, but not CD4+ T cells or CD8+ T cells, even in the MCA-induced primary tumor tissues, though CD4+ T cells preferentially accumulate into the tissues (Fig. 2C and D). Furthermore, more than half of the γδ T cells infiltrating into the tumor tissues secreted IL-17, but these cells produced negligible levels of IFN-γ (Fig. 3A). These results demonstrate that tumor-infiltrating IL-17-producing γδ T cells, but not CD4+ T cells or CD8+ T cells, play a critical role in promoting tumor growth by influencing angiogenesis.
It has been reported that the Vγ5+ subset of γδ T cells resides in epithelial tissues, including skin, and represents a major T-cell subpopulation within this location. In our experimental model, transplantable tumor cells were inoculated into the skin of BALB/c mice. Therefore, we hypothesized that skin-resident Vγ5+ γδ T cells might be expanded within the tumor tissue and produce IL-17. Unexpectedly, however, FACS analysis showed that most γδ T cells infiltrating into transplanted tumor tissues were not Vγ5+ γδ T cells, whereas intraepithelial T cells within the skin were predominantly Vγ5+ γδ T cells (Supporting Information Fig. 3). We further examined the distribution of TCR-Vγ gene expression in normal skin, spleen, and tumor tissues by RT-PCR. Consistent with the results of the FACS analysis, TCR-Vγ5 mRNA was detected in normal skin, but not in tumor tissue or spleens of tumor-bearing mice (Fig. 3B). γδ T cell subsets with diverse TCR-Vγ gene expression were present within the tumor tissues, and composition of γδ T cells in tumor tissues was the same as found in spleen (Fig. 3B). These findings suggest that circulating γδ T cells but not skin resident γδ T cells migrated into the tumor tissues.
Recently, IL-17-producing γδ T cells have been defined as a CD27−CCR6+ γδTCR+ population 36–38. Accordingly, we analyzed the expression of these markers on IL-17-producing TIL and found that IL-17-producing γδ T cells did not express the CD27 molecule; however, both CCR6+ and CCR6− γδ T cells produced IL-17 in the tumor site (Fig. 3C). Although CCL20, a ligand of CCR6, is expressed by the tumor cells (data not shown), higher numbers of CCR6− γδ T cells migrated into tumor tissues in comparison with CCR6+ γδ T cells. Thus, these results indicate that a subset of the IL-17-producing γδ T cells in TIL was the pre-differentiated CD27−CCR6+ γδ T-cell population, however, most CCR6− γδ T cells might differentiate into IL-17-producing cells after exposure to the tumor microenvironment.
Generation of IL-17-producing γδ T cells requires the local tumor microenvironment
Next, we investigated the precise mechanisms involved in γδ T-cell accumulation and activation to produce IL-17. As shown in Fig. 4, although the ratio of IL-17-producing γδ T cells was markedly increased in tumor-growing skin tissue compared with normal skin, the ratio of IL-17-producing γδ T cells in draining lymph nodes and spleen of tumor-bearing mice was not different from that of normal mice. These results suggest that the local tumor site provides a microenvironment that is conducive to the induction of IL-17-producing γδ T cells.
Given that we have detected mRNA expression of IL-17-inducing cytokines such as IL-6, TGF-β, and IL-23 in the tumor tissue (Supporting Information Fig. 4), we next examined the effect of mAb against IL-6 receptor (IL-6R), TGF-β, or IL-23p19 on the induction of IL-17-producing γδ T cells in vivo. As shown in Fig. 5A, the mice treated with anti-IL-6R mAb, anti-TGF-β mAb, or anti-IL-23p19 mAb, partially but significantly reduced the ratio of IL-17-producing γδ T cells that migrated into the tumor tissue. In addition, we further showed that tumor-infiltrating γδ T cells, in the absence of TCR stimuli, markedly produced IL-17 in response to IL-23 in vitro, whereas IL-6 plus TGF-β did not induce IL-17 production (Fig. 5B). Therefore, these findings indicate that IL-6 and TGF-β were involved in the differentiation of tumor-infiltrating γδ T cells into IL-17-producing cells, and that IL-23 had a strong impact on IL-17 production by the differentiated γδ T cells.
γδTCR- and NKG2D-mediated signaling is critical for IL-17 production in the tumor microenvironment
T-cell activation typically requires stimulation via antigen-specific TCR and co-stimulatory molecules. To determine whether TCR-mediated recognition of specific antigen is essential for IL-17 production by γδ T cells, we first prepared a single cell suspension of CMS-G4 tumor tissues and cultured these cells in high-density cell culture conditions in the absence of exogenous stimuli. By using intracellular cytokine staining, we detected IL-17-producing cells only in γδ T cells (Fig. 5C). Thus, we measured IL-17-producing cells as IL-17-producing γδ T cells in this experimental condition. Since we detected NKG2D on tumor-infiltrating γδ T cells (Supporting Information Fig. 5), we added anti-γδ TCR or anti-NKG2D mAb in the cultures and evaluated the prevalence of IL-17-producing cells. As shown in Fig. 5D, IL-17 production was profoundly blocked by anti-γδ TCR mAb, and partially blocked by anti-NKG2D mAb. These findings suggest that γδ TCR engagement is essential for IL-17 production by tumor-infiltrating γδ T cells within the tumor microenvironment and NKG2D enhances these effects.
Tumor-infiltrating IL-17-producing γδ T cells play a crucial role in promoting tumor development
Our findings demonstrate that tumor-infiltrating γδ T cells exhibit an effector cell phenotype: NKG2D+, CD44high and CD62Llow (Supporting Information Fig. 5 and Fig. 6A). We isolated CD44high and CD62Llow γδ T cells from the spleen or tumor tissues and performed RT-PCR analyses to evaluate mRNA expression of effector molecules. As shown in Fig. 6B, γδ T cells isolated from tumor tissues expressed higher levels of Th17-related molecules, such as RORγt and IL-17 in comparison with γδ T cells from the spleen; however, mRNA levels of perforin, a key molecule for cytotoxic function, was reduced, whereas mRNA levels of COX-2, which is well known as a tumor-promoting factor, was increased in tumor-infiltrating γδ T cells compared with splenic γδ T cells. These findings indicate that IL-17-producing tumor-infiltrating γδ T cells had a role as tumor-promoting cells, i.e. lost their cytotoxic activity and instead acquired the capacity to express tumor-promoting molecules such as IL-17 and COX-2.
In the current study, we first demonstrated that γδ T cells, rather than αβ T cells, were the major cellular source of IL-17 and exhibited properties of tumor-promoting cells in both transplantable sarcoma model and MCA-induced primary tumor model. In the transplantable tumor model by i.d. inoculation of CMS-G4 fibrosarcoma cell line, we showed that tumor-infiltrating γδ T cells were differentiated into IL-17-producing cells by exposing with IL-6 and TGF-β. Furthermore, it was found that the differentiated γδ T cells produced substantial levels of IL-17 in response to IL-23. In addition to the soluble factors, ligands of γδTCR and NKG2D, expressed within the tumor microenvironment, critically activated tumor-infiltrating γδ T cells, and significantly induced IL-17 production by the cells. IL-17-deficient mice markedly reduced angiogenesis and subsequent tumor progression, suggesting the significant roles for tumor growth of IL-17-producing γδ T-cell-dependent inflammatory responses in the microenvironment.
Although prior studies have reported that CD4+ or CD8+ T cells were implicated in IL-17 production in tumor-bearing hosts 3, 34, 35, these reports have not examined γδ T cells. In our experiments, we showed that whereas small numbers of CD4+ T cells produced IL-17, there were much more IL-17-producing γδ T cells in the transplanted tumor tissues (Fig. 2A and B). Moreover, this finding was generalized by detecting the prevalence of IL-17-producing γδ T cells, even in the established primary tumor tissues, induced by MCA injection (Fig. 2C and D). As shown in Supporting Information Fig. 2, we also obtained the same results in the transplantable tumor model with skin and colon carcinoma cells. Therefore, these findings provide clear evidence that γδ T cells would represent a dominant IL-17-producing lymphocyte subset during physiological tumor development. Consistently, previous papers demonstrated that a substantial number of γδ T cells were observed in human breast, prostate, and renal cancer tissues 39. As we confirmed that human γδ T cells differentiated into IL-17-producing cells, at least in the presence of IL-6, TGF-β and IL-23 (data not shown), IL-17 might be produced by γδ T cells in these types of cancer. However, recent studies have shown that CD4+ T cells were the main cellular source of IL-17 in human ovarian cancer tissues 40, 41. Therefore, in human cases, it is possible that the IL-17-producing cell subsets may vary among organs depending on the type of cancer.
In the latest report, Wu et al.42 suggested that IL-17 was produced by γδ T cells in addition to CD4+ T cells in the infection-induced colonic carcinogenesis model. However, they evaluated IL-17 production only at the early inflammatory phase during carcinogenesis, but not in established cancer. In addition, because of the infection-induced carcinogenesis, there is the possibility that bacterial stimuli generated IL-17-producing γδ T cells in the colon. In this current study, we first demonstrated that carcinogen-induced established tumor microenvironment preferentially induced IL-17-producing γδ T cells without pathogenic stimuli. In addition, we have already detected the prevalence of IL-17-producing γδ T cells in MCA-induced inflammatory sites and demonstrated the reduction of tumor incidence in IL-17−/− mice by MCA-induced carcinogenesis model (unpublished data). These findings strongly suggest that γδ T cells would be the subset responsible for controlling both tumor initiation and development in our model. We have clearly demonstrated that the established tumor progression was significantly diminished in IL-17−/− mice, due to a decrease of angiogenesis. Consistent with this finding, prior studies have shown that substantial IL-17 expression levels in human cancer tissues were correlated with increased vascularity 4, 5. Moreover, our findings are consistent with other reports that IL-17 directly influenced on the proliferation and survival of tumor cells and that IL-6-STAT3 pathway promoted tumor growth in IL-17-dependent manner 34, 43. However, it is an unresolved controversial issue whether IL-17 acts as a pro- or anti-tumor agent. Indeed, it was reported that B16 melanoma cells formed increased numbers of lung metastatic foci in IL-17−/− mice compared with WT mice 44. Thus, in the lung metastasis model, IL-17-induced inflammatory responses appears to be involved in anti-tumor immunity rather than tumor formation; whereas in cutaneous tissues, chronic inflammation mediated by IL-17 may facilitate tumor development, which is supported by our findings. In addition, in our intradermal transplantable tumor models, the growth of CMS-G4 sarcoma, CMC-1 skin carcinoma, and CT26 colon carcinoma cells, but not B16 melanoma cells were inhibited in IL-17−/− mice compared with WT mice (data not shown). This observation suggests that, in the case of B16 melanoma cells, IL-17 appears not to be involved in the promoting tumor growth. Resolving the mechanisms underlying these discrepancies would shed light on the regulation of anti-tumor immunity.
It has been demonstrated that T cells, including αβTCR+CD4+, αβTCR+CD8+, and γδTCR+ T cells, play a pivotal role in tumor immunosurveillance to eliminate tumor cells 23–29. Recently, it has been shown that αβTCR+CD4+ and αβTCR+CD8+ T cells also act as tumor-promoting cells in various mouse models 28–35. However, the previous studies have not examined a pro-tumor function of γδ T cells. Here, we show that circulating Vγ5− γδ T cells preferentially accumulate in the tumor site, and then convert into IL-17-producing pro-tumor cells at the skin tumor local site, though it has been reported that the skin-resident Vγ5+ γδ T-cell subset plays an essential role in immune surveillance during skin carcinogenesis 27. We also show a decreased expression of perforin and an increased expression of COX-2 in the infiltrating γδ T cells, indicating a pro-tumor cell phenotype for tumor development. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating tumor-promoting properties of γδ T cells, which is quite different from the generally reported tumor-inhibiting properties of skin-resident Vγ5+ γδ T cells.
Recent studies have shown that tumor antigen-specific Th17 or Tc17 cells, which were induced in vitro, were converted into IFN-γ-producing cells after transfer into tumor-bearing mice and subsequently eradicated tumor cells 45, 46. In contrast, IL-17-producing γδ T cells did not produce IFN-γ in the tumor microenvironment in parallel with the decrease of their cytotoxic function. Thus, our results indicate that IL-17-producing γδ T cells act as pro- but not anti-tumor effector cells in tumor-growing microenvironment. In our previous work 16–20, we have proposed that the introduction of Th1-dominant immunity overcomes strong immunosuppression in tumor-bearing host and induces complete cure of the tumor-bearing mice. Therefore, we now investigated whether Th1 cell therapy or introduction of Th1 immunity by IL-12 can induce a plasticity in IL-17-producing γδ T cells, namely, alter pro- to anti-tumor IL-17-producing γδ T cells. Recently, it has been reported that IL-17-producing cells exhibited anti-tumor immunity in vivo in an IFN-γ-dependent manner 46. Therefore it might be possible to control pro-tumor and anti-tumor properties of IL-17-producing γδ T cells by introducing Th1-dominant immunity at tumor-local site. Our findings provide novel insights into the role of IL-17-producing γδ T cells as tumor-promoting cells in cancer-related inflammatory environment, indicating that γδ T cells would be a potential target for developing novel cancer immunotherapies.
Materials and methods
WT BALB/c mice were purchased from Charles River Japan. BALB/c background IL-17−/− mice were generated as described previously 15. All mice were maintained under specific pathogen-free conditions and used at 6–8 wk of age.
Tumor-bearing mice model
The fibrosarcoma cell line CMS-G4 and skin carcinoma cell line CMC-1 were generated by injection of MCA into BALB/c mice. BALB/c background WT or IL-17−/− mice were inoculated intradermally with 2x106 CMS-G4 cells, and tumor growth was monitored at two day intervals. Tumor size was measured by micrometer calipers and the volume was calculated by the following formula: tumor volume=0.4×length (mm)×[width (mm)]2. In the antibody treatment experiments, CMS-G4 cells were inoculated i.d. into BALB/c mice (day 0), and anti-IL-6 receptor, anti-TGF-β or anti-IL-23p19 mAb was intravenously injected at day −1, 2, 5, 8, and 11. Anti-IL-6 receptor mAb (MR16-1) was a kind gift from Chugai Pharmaceutical, Shizuoka, Japan. Anti-TGF-β mAb (1D11) was purified from hybridoma cells, which was purchased from the ATCC. Anti-IL-23p19 mAb (G23–8) was purchased from e-Bioscience. Primary tumors were induced by i.d. injection of MCA (500 μg in corn oil) into BALB/c mice.
Preparation of tissue-infiltrating lymphocytes
CMS-G4, CMC-1, and CT26 cells were injected i.d. into BALB/c mice, and 2 wk after the injection, tumor tissues were dissected. In the primary tumor model, MCA was i.d. injected in to BALB/c mice, and 2–4 months after injection, primary tumor tissues were dissected. Tumor tissues were minced and digested with 1 mg/mL collagenase (Sigma). Single-cell suspensions were prepared, live lymphocytes were collected by density gradient centrifugation and used for the following experiments.
Flow cytometric analysis
For cell-surface molecules, cell samples were stained with fluorescent dye-conjugated mAb against selected markers on ice. For intracellular cytokine staining, lymphocytes were stimulated with plate-bound anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 mAb (BD Bioscience) in 96-well flat-bottomed plates for 6 h. For detection of cytoplasmic cytokines without exogenous stimuli, un-separated tumor-infiltrating cells including tumor cells (5×105 cells) were cultured in high cell density condition in 96-well V-bottomed palets for 12 h. Brefeldin A was added at 4 h. Then, cells were harvested and stained with 7-AAD, anti-CD4, -CD8, -CD45, CD27, CCR6, and/or −γδTCR mAb (BD Bioscience). In the blocking analysis in vitro, anti-γδ TCR (GL3, 10 μg/mL) or anti-NKG2D (C7, 10 μg/mL) antagonizing mAb were added in high cell density condition and cells were stained with 7-AAD alone. After fixation and permeabilization, cells were stained with anti-IFN-γ and anti-IL-17 mAb (e-Bioscience and BD Bioscience, respectively). Data were acquired on a FACSCalibur (BD Bioscience) and analyzed using CellQuest software (BD Bioscience).
Expression of cytokine genes
For analysis of gene expression, tumor tissues and local lesions of mice injected with MCA were collected 2 wk after injection. Then, CD44high CD62low γδ T cells were isolated from spleen or tumor tissue of CMS-G4-bearing mice by FACSAria (BD Biosecience). To examine the effect of IL-17 on tumor cells, CMS-G4 cells were treated with IL-17 (10 ng/mL) for 12 h in vitro. Total RNA was extracted by using ISOGEN RNA extraction kit (Nippongene) and RNeasy Mini kit (QIAGEN). First-strand cDNA synthesis was performed using Superscript II (Invitrogen), according to the manufacturer's instructions, and amplified with a thermal cycler system (Perkin Elmer) using gene-specific primer pairs as follows: mouse β-actin, 5′-GTGATGGTGGGAATGGGTCAG-3′ and 5′-TTTGATGTCACGCACGATTTCC-3′: IL-1β, 5′-TTGAAGAAGAGCCCATCCTCTG-3′ and 5′-GCTGATGTACCAGTTGGGGAAC-3′: IL-6, 5′-GAGGATACCACTCCCAACAGACC-3′ and 5′-AAGTGCATCATCGTTGTTCATACA-3′: IL-17, 5′-GCTCCAGAAGGCCCTCAGA-3′ and 5′-CTTTCCCTCCGCATTGACA-3″: TGF-β, 5′-GTTGTACGGCAGTGGCTGAAC-3′ and 5′-CCGGGTTGTGTTGGTTGTAGA-3′: IL-12p19, 5′-CAGCAGCTCTCTCGGAATCT-3′ and 5′-TAGAACTCAGGCTGGGCATC-3′: RORγt, 5′-CGCGGAGCAGACACACTTAC-3′ and 5′-CTCCCGTGAAAAGAGGTTGG-3′: perforin, 5′-CCGGTCCTGAACTCCTGGCCAC-3′ and 5′-CCCCTGCACACATTACTGGAAG-3′. The primer pairs for analyzing TCR-Vγ expression were described previously 12. For real-time PCR analysis, the indicated cDNA was specifically amplified by thermal cycler (LightCycler, Roche) using the corresponding primer pairs and probes for mouse Ang-2, VEGF-A, and β-actin. The sequences used were as follows: Ang-2, (sense) 5′- CATCTGCAAGTGTTCCCAGA-3′, (antisense) 5′- TTCAAGTTGGAAGGACCACA-3′, (probe) Mouse Universal probe library ♯75 (Roche); VEGF-A, (sense) 5′-GCAGCTTGAGTTAAACGAACG-3′, (antisense) 5′-GGTTCCCGAAACCCTGAG-3′, (probe) Mouse Universal probe library ♯64 (Roche); β-Actin, (sense) 5′-AAGGCCAACCGTGAAAAGAT-3′, (antisense) 5′-GTGGTACGACCAGAGGCATAC-3′, (probe) Mouse Universal probe library ♯56 (Roche).
CMS-G4 cells were inoculated into BALB/c mice. After 9 days, tumor tissues were harvested from the mice, embedded in optimal cutting temperature compound, and cryosections (5 μm) were prepared. The sections were fixed for 10 min in cold acetone and stained with purified anti-pan-edothelial cell antigen mAb (BD Bioscience) for 60 min at room temperature. Subsequently, sections were incubated for 10 min at room temperature with peroxidase-conjugated secondary antibody (Histfine symplestain MAX PO; Nichirei). Peroxidase activity was detected with diaminobenzidine (DAB; sigma-Aldrich) and counter stained with hematoxiline. Blood vessels were counted under light microscopy at ×200. Any distinct area of positive staining was counted as a single positive region regardless of size. The results are shown as mean±SD per 6 high power fields per tumor section.
The data were evaluated by two-tailed Student's t test. p<0.05 was considered significant in the present experiments.
We thank Chugai Pharmaceutical Company Ltd. for their gift of anti-IL-6R antibody (MR16-1) and recombinant IL-6. We would like to thank Dr. Luc Van Kaer for his critical reading of this manuscript. This work was supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (H.K. and T.N.), by a National Project “Knowledge Cluster Initiative” (2nd stage, “Sapporo Biocluster Bio-S”), Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan (MEXT), and by a JSPS Research Fellowships for Young Scientists (D.W.).
Conflict of interest: The authors declare no financial or commercial conflict of interest.

domain: medical


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This is an exciting and historical weekend for film in Salt Lake City- it's the weekend of the very first Salt Lake City Film Festival! So, if you're a film enthusiast or just itchin' to catch a new flick, make sure to catch a screening this weekend. The festival runs this Friday, August 14 through Sunday, August 16.
Here's a little excerpt from the SLCFF website:
"The Salt Lake City Film Festival has been in development for years. It became a reality when the festival directors, Chris Bradshaw and Matt Whittaker, decided to create an artistic outlet for local and international talent. Led by a creative team of artists and event coordinators, the Salt Lake City Film Festival was designed to provide exposure and commercial avenues for independent films. The Salt Lake City Film Festival will take place August 14th, 15th and 16th 2009. We invite you to come participate in the newest artistic event in Salt Lake City."
The film festival was also highlighted in this month's issue of SLUG! Check out the interview with Festival Co-Directors, Chris Bradshaw and Matt Whittaker, here.
I am personally looking forward to seeing "Hi My Name Is Ryan," which is a documentary about Ryan Avery- a musician who visited Slowtrain just last month and shared his wit and insight on life through song.
Also, after looking through the SLCFF's program, the film "Breaking Upwards" looks pretty amazing.
For information regarding movie screenings, dates and any thing else you'd like to know, check out the SLCFF website. Check out some movie trailers and head to Slowtrain for your tickets! Don't miss out on this exciting, new event!

domain: artistic


text:
April's Client Spotlight
Emily joined the studio in 2017 and has taken over 250 classes with us!
EW: Back dancing and anything abs.
EW: Saturday barre Bootcamp
Emily enjoys spending time outside with her dog at the dog park, the beach or hanging out with friends.
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Version: 1.4 Updated: 06/10/03 (yy/mm/dd)
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text:
Journalists at the Brighton Argus struck on Thursday and Friday of last week against management’s plans to move the paper’s sub-editing operation to Southampton.
This will see seven staff made redundant.
Strikers in the NUJ union have won wide support from local people and politicians.
One striker said, “We’ve been truly overwhelmed by the support we’ve received today.
“There has been a non-stop symphony of tooting horns from passing motorists, and other workers also facing the prospect of the sack coming along to join us on the picket line to show their support.”
The fight in Brighton is just one part of the battle against the Newsquest/Gannett group’s attempts to force through cost-cutting across its empire.
Journalists at the Bradford Telegraph & Argus, Ilkley Gazette, Wharfedale & Airedale Observer and the Keighley News face the sack and the humiliation of having to apply for replacement jobs on far worse terms and conditions.
Bob Smith is the union rep at Newsquest Bradford and the UK-wide Newsquest group chapel [workplace union branch].
He said, “Newsquest’s reward for loyal journalists who have endured a pay freeze lasting more than 1,000 days and the closure of their pension scheme, is to throw them on the scrapheap.
“These proposed redundancies are the latest kick in the teeth for journalists working for a company that has lost the plot.
“The chapel will fight these job cuts tooth and nail.
“We intend to ballot for industrial action in Bradford to resist redundancies and to gain a pay rise for our beleaguered members.”
NUJ members at Newsquest Northeast—which includes the Northern Echo, Darlington and Stockton Times, Durham Times and the Advertiser series—have also begun a ballot for industrial action against redundancies and the group-wide pay freeze.
Members have also unanimously passed a motion of no confidence in their chief executives.
The attacks come at a time when Newsquest is making healthy profits.
Gannett’s chief financial officer, Gracia Martore, said last month, “Let me dispel the myth that Newsquest doesn’t make money. Newsquest makes a lot of money.”
For more information about the Brighton strike go to http://brightonargus.blogspot.com
Build momentum now
The determination to organise is growing


Clean and pure water is the source behind the smooth functioning of manufacturing plants. But once this water gets polluted with dirt and other contaminants, it increases corrosion and scaling of equipments, wastes energy, lowers thermal efficiency and can go on to affect the quality of the product being made. Water contamination is inevitable. But the solution to restore it to its clean and pure self is simple. Industrial Water filtration is the answer to all these problems. It is the least expensive and most effective ways to combat equipment scaling and fouling problems all of which are caused by dirty water
In today’s day water needs to be sourced from all possible channels ground water. Water from contaminated wells and other such sources are being used by municipalities and industries alike and water treatments have become the need of the hour. Industrial water filtration systems are required for treating contaminants such as Arsenic, Chrome, Manganese, Nitrates, VOC (Volatile organic compounds), MTBE (Methyl tertiary-butyl ether) etc which are present in ground water.
Industrial water filtration is used in several industries. Cooling towers, Mining, Food and Beverage, Automotive, Pharma are some of the industries where water filtration finds great use.
In cooling towers industrial water filtration is required to reduce the downtime of condensers and heat exchangers. These filtration systems reduce scaling and ensure that operational costs remain low as frequent cleaning requirements are taken care of.
In the automotive industry having clean and pure water is a great necessity. High purity of water is required for the assembly plant paint lines, Zero Liquid discharge and for e-coating. Along with this wastewater treatment and water recovery are also of importance to this industry. Filtration systems such as Reverse Osmosis Systems and Deionization systems are most commonly used in this industry
Pharmaceutical industries require high purity water, USP purified water, boiler feed as well as wastewater treatment. Commonly used industrial water filtration systems in this industry are Deionization and reverse osmosis. Some companies also use technologies such as electrodeionization for bio pharmaceutical water purification
In the Oil and Gas industry it is crucial to meet water quality specifications. Injection and reinjection is important to preserve reservoir permeability. Water filtration technologies used are coarse screening filters, solid separation filters, deareation, sulfate removal through nano filtration membrane systems, electro-chlorinization, chemical feed systems etc.
Reverse osmosis also finds its place in the Food and Beverage industry. In this segment industrial water filtration is required for water and waste water treatment using physical/ chemical, biological, evaporation and recovery technologies. Water treatment processes include disinfection, oxygen removal systems, membrane filtration etc.
Every industry has its own specific water treatment requirement. It is best to have a professional assess your water through water testing so that you can select the correct water filter size and type. Through industrial water filtration other water sources such as rivers, lakes, streams and wells can be utilized in plants where raw quality water do not meet permitted standards. These filtration techniques reduce plant water expenses by reconditioning it and making this water re-usable.
Did you know that Sweden has been the leading innovator of flavored carbonated water
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More and more people are turning to flavored carbonated water due to its amazing refreshing
taste and huge health benefits as is has no added sugar, colors, preservatives, sweeteners,
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And for the first time ever, owners of home carbonating machines have quick and easy access
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text:
Tony Pulis has slammed Liverpool striker Luis Suarez for committing what appeared to be a blatant dive against the Potters, in the 0-0 draw at Anfield yesterday.
The Stoke City boss has been regularly making the point that the FA should be clamping down on simulation, as similar scenarios occurred with both Ivanovic and Oscar when his side travelled to Stamford Bridge earlier this season.
Pulis was not shy to comment that he was baffled by the decision from the referee not to book Suarez.
“The FA should be looking at this. Give him three games (banned) and he will stop falling over,” he told Sky Sports.
The Stoke manager was however, happy to praise Glen Johnson for his reaction to a full blooded challenge from Jon Walters earlier in the game, saying his “behaviour was fabulous”.
Stoke face a trip to Old Trafford to take on the last season’s Premier League runners up on 20th October.


When the semi final of this year’s Aiteo Cup was made, the following fixtures emerged – Kano Pillars will slug it out with fellow northern flagbearer, Katsina United and they will have their all Northern slugfest at the Agege township stadium in Lagos. The second fixture was the flying Antelopes Rangers International of Enugu and coal warloads Nasarawa United. The dream fixture on the lips of everyone that knows the rich traditions of the FA Cup over the years was Kano Pillars vs Rangers International. Before this dream fixture could be achieved the hurdle in Lagos- Katsina United and Kano – Nasarawa United must be crossed.
KANO PILLARS 2-2 KATSINA UNITED (PILLARS WON 4-1 PEN)
The matches were played simultaneously on the 10th of October 2018, at the Lagos centre Kano Pillars took the lead via a deflected Junior Lokosa shot and they went into the break with that one goal lead . On resumption of the second stanza Katsina United that knocked out favourites Kwara United at this same Agege stadium came out strong and resolute but they were pegged back by the more experienced Kano Pillars boys. The pyramid guys increased the tally with a well worked out second goal that will be a contender for the goal of the year anywhere in the world. The Katsina guys rallied immediately after captain and cult hero Rabiu Alli of Kano pillars was substituted and the flood gates opened and in a dramatic twist the boys from President Buhari’s State turned things around and scored two goals to level matters. There were shouts of legitimate penalty from the Kano Pillars boys but the centre referee from Lagos wasn’t impressed. After 90 odd minutes and a winner couldn’t emerge it was straight to penalties. Kano Pillars came out tops by scoring 4 of their 5 spot kicks while Katsina United could only convert 1 out of their 4 spot kicks.
RANGERS INTERNATIONAL 4-2 NASARAWA UNITED (BATTLE OF THE COAL WARDLORDS)
This is a classic any day, anywhere and the guys from Nasarawa will live to forget how they completely collapsed in the second half of this match. On the 44th minute mark it was Nasarawa 2, Rangers yet to score and Rangers converted a resultant corner kick going into the break. Then the Tsunami happened in a quickfire mode the flying Antelopes ran riot and scored 3 classic goals, a replay of those goals showed that they were a beauty to behold. The distraught Coal lords didn’t know what their fellow coal lords from Enugu did to turn things around, a fifth goal was unjustly ruled offside by the assistant referee.
All is set for the dream final between two teams that have great following in the Nigerian football scene; Kano Pillars vs Rangers International at the Stephen Okechukwu Keshi Stadium in Delta state on Wednesday 24th of October 2018. The winner will pick up the sole ticket for the CAF Confederations campaign. It promises to be a massive advert for the Nigerian Professional Football League.


by Christian Duque
When the news hit that legendary Men’s Physique Pro Jeremy Potvin had made the decision to move up to Classic Physique, many had flashbacks to the not-so-distant past, when Sadik tried a similar stunt. Back then, Hadzovic was on top of the world, dominating MPD; however, when he met 3x Mr. Olympia Frank Zane, the compliments went to his head. When The Chemist goes on record as saying that a current competitor looked like him, exemplified his training ethic, and posed like the guys from The Golden Era of Bodybuilding, that was enough of a push to get anyone re-thinking their game.
Sadik moved fast, stating he’d go on to dominate the next division up. Although he placed well, he wasn’t the overnight sensation he thought he would be, and ultimately had to return to Men’s Physique. Jeremy has a different outlook and it seems that his move up is one based on careful thought. In fact, Potvin doesn’t believe he has room within the parameters of MPD to grow his physique any longer. He also prefers the Classic Physique look, from good legs to perfect proportions, and wants to emulate the greats like Lee Labrada, Bob Paris, and contemporary champions like C-Bum. Jeremy also has a realistic timeframe for how long it will take him to evolve into Classic, be competitive, and ultimately get on stage. There’s no rush. Unlike Sadik who set himself up to fail, by trying to do everything in a hurry, Potvin will be taking his time. Another positive aspect to Jeremy’s way of thinking, is that he’s not looking to dominate the new division, initially; he simply wants to be competitive. Overall, I like what Jeremy is doing, but will this be the beginning of a wave of MPD guys wanting to move up?
Jeremy Potvin is no stranger to being among the best of the best. He’s been earning top placings at the Olympia for years, going back to 2016. Whenever his name is seen on competitor lists, the media can’t help but handicap him either winning or placing in the Top 5. He’s a competitor who may very well have outgrown the division he competes in.
Although, many often joke around about MPD guys and legs, many actually have pretty decent wheels, train legs hard, but get zero credit for their efforts. If a guy wants to have teardrops, quad sweeps, shredded hams and striated glutes, then they need to look at Classic Physique or Bodybuilding. Men’s Physique isn’t about big muscles, ultra conditioning, or possessing the freak factor. While it’s safe to say that the Division has moved away from the days when Mark Anthony ruled and even when Jeremy Buendia was on top, it’s still not a bodybuilding division. While some of the most accomplished MPD pro’s have put on considerable size, only the upper body will get scored. This raises many of the concerns highlighted by Potvin. Many of the guys who move up to Classic or Open Bodybuilding, do so, because they want to build and present a complete physique. They want to have big shoulders, tiny waist, and huge wheels. They want to be bodybuilders.
A lot of people are dismissive of a wave of crossovers, but Jeremy, much like Sadik, could very well cause that reaction. Just bear in mind that at the 2020 Men’s Physique Olympia, Potvin finished 4th. That’s a hell of a place!! Top 4 at the Superbowl of Physique based sports, is a springboard to winning the title, not leaving the division. Very few media outlets have really touched this story, largely because Potvin has set a Spring 2022 date for when he plans on hitting the stage. Some pundits and writers might rather take a wait-and-see approach. Could Potvin simply be thinking out loud? Maybe he needs to recharge, take some time off, or yes, maybe he’s serious.
The fitness industry has become so skeptical, that even if an athlete makes his case and makes his intention crystal clear, the media drags its feet. It’s almost as if media outlets rather speculate, incorrectly, and run with stories they later (embarrassingly) have to publicly retract, than reporting on actual news – such as this. That’s ok, though, the beauty of writing for Iron Magazine, is that we can do whatever we want. I’m happy to cover real news, whenever I can!! With regards to the mass exodus out of MPD, I doubt that will ever be the case. While Classic has grown like wildfire and Bodybuilding is stabilizing itself after years of stagnation, MPD continues to hold strong. It’s the most attainable look, it’s the best bet to do well in mainstream circles, and packs the house at the local and regional levels. Those are the contests that truly pay the bills!!
So how do I think Jeremy will do? Well, I don’t think he’ll be winning the Classic Physique Olympia anytime soon, and that’s ok! He’s not saying he’s going to build a winning physique in a year’s time. I think what he wants to do is ensure he has enough time to put together a competitive look, come in humble, and start from the ground up. With a game plan like that, you know he will be successful. He’s shown great respect to the division where he started and he’s moving very gradually into the Division where he, ultimately, wants to test his mettle. I think that as long as he grows smart, keeps his midsection tight, and really brings up his lower body, there’s no reason he won’t rise to the top in Classic, as well. The beauty of the move up, is that the MPD champion is going into a division that has rigid parameters that work with height and weight. While Pro’s get a little bit more weight than amateurs, there’s practically zero risk that Potvin, or anyone else, will blow up in size. That’s always a fear when guys move up from Classic to Bodybuilding. We’ve seen guys literally get big, puffy, and lose all their lines – in a single prep!! That’s not going to happen here, but the growth needs to be carefully charted, just the same. I’d imagine that if Jeremy hits his legs hard, he’s going to grow FAST!!
Is this the right move for the top MPD Olympian? Do you think Jeremy will find his home in Classic?


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Salman Khan's Bharat is probably the biggest and most ambitious film that he has ever done till date. Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, the film has Priyanka Chopra and Disha Patani in pivotal roles. And now, Tabu has joined the cast as well.
Zafar made the announcement on social media. In a statement he said, "I've been a huge fan of Tabu's work and always wished to work with her. After several meetings with her, I'm happy it is finally happening with Bharat and am looking forward to the shoot."
Zafar will be directing Tabu for the first time in Bharat, which is a remake of the Korean film, Ode To My Father. He has earlier worked with Salman in Sultan and Tiger Zinda Hai, and Priyanka in Gunday.
Salman and Tabu last worked together in Jai Ho, where they played siblings. Prior to this, they have also starred in films like Hum Saath Saath Hain and Biwi No. 1.
Disha Patani will play the role of a trapeze artist in Bharat.
Bharat is expected to release on Eid, next year.


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Session 4 of TED2017 kicked off with an interview with perhaps the greatest athlete of all time, Serena Williams, and closed with the potentially world-changing announcement of this year’s TED Prize wish from Raj Panjabi. In between, the session saw a surprise talk directly from the Vatican by His Holiness Pope Francis — the culmination of a year of collaboration — and a heartfelt talk by Anna Rosling Rönnlund along with a short remembrance of her father-in-law, TED legend Hans Rosling. Hosted by TED’s curator, Chris Anderson, and TED Prize Director Anna Verghese, the session will likely go down in history as one of TED’s most memorable.
Below, recaps of the talks from Session 4, in chronological order.
An interview with Serena Williams. Twenty-three Grand Slams later, tennis superstar Serena Williams sits down with journalist Gayle King on the TED stage to share a warm, mischievous conversation about her life, love, wins, losses — starting with the story of how she accidentally shared her baby news with the world. Read a full recap of the interview here.
How to get better at what you do. “It’s not just how good you are now, it’s how good you’re going be that matters,” says journalist and surgeon Atul Gawande. So when, several years into his surgical practice, he noticed that his skills were no longer improving, he asked a simple question: How do we get better at the things we do? He found that the answer was divided into two camps. The first was the traditional view, which emphasizes education and learning how to manage your own improvement (the view favored by most professional fields), and the second was the athletic view, which emphasized continuous coaching. Gawande wondered if the principle of coaching held for other fields, testing it first on himself and then in delivery centers in Uttar Pradesh, India. In both cases, the results were remarkable. “[Coaches] are your external eyes and ears, providing a more accurate picture of your reality,” he says. “They break your actions down and help you build them back up again.”
How can we better understand the world? Our understanding of the world typically stems from school, data, media or the internet. The result is an extraordinarily narrow worldview that leaves us unable to grasp how normal people live their daily lives. Passionate about the visual side of data and changing people’s mindset about the world, the co-founder of Gapminder, Anna Rosling Rönnlund, invented the project Dollar Street. Imagine if the world lived on a street where houses are ordered by income, the poorest on the left and the richest on the right, with everyone else in between. Now, imagine if you could visit these homes and compare the everyday functions of the homes. This is Dollar Street: a well-structured database of everyday life on different income levels that draws data, photos and video from 270 homes in 50 countries and counting. Through the website, you can easily see and compare beds, stoves, toilets and other household items based on income levels all over the world. And we find that, as Rönnlund says, “The person staring back at us from the other side of the world actually looks like you.”
A special message from the Vatican. A single individual is enough for hope to exist, and that individual can be you, says His Holiness Pope Francis in a searing TED Talk delivered by video directly from Vatican City. After a brief intro from TED’s International Curator, Bruno Giussani, who coordinated the creation of the talk over the course of a year with the Vatican. Francis delivered a hopeful message to people of all faiths, providing illuminating commentary on the world as we currently find it and calls for equality, solidarity and tenderness to prevail. A talk of this significance required careful planning, collaboration, attention to detail — and the ability to keep a secret, as Pope Francis was not announced in the event’s public program. This is the first time he has addressed an international conference. Watch the full talk here.
Remember to love thy mother, the Earth. Movement artists Jon Boogz and Lil Buck debut their newest work, “Honor thy mother,” a delicate yet powerful performance that draws from nature’s tormented relationship with humanity. The visual message, punctuated by Mother Earth in spoken word and dance, is accompanied by an epic, original composition of violin and cello. As Mother Earth warns of escalating elements, voice awash with scorn from the lists of human neglect, the piece reaches a soaring crescendo with neon-colored Native American dance. In the end, the storm passes and all is quiet before Mother Earth plants the seeds of life and hope again.
Now we shift gears to the TED Prize. Director Anna Verghese steps onstage to tell us about the $1 million award, which is given annually to a bold thinker with an ambitious idea to spark global change. TED Prize wishes have big impact — and in the fall, the TED Prize is teaming up with CNN’s Great Big Story for a six-part docu-series called “Torchbearers” that will follow inspiring individuals who are transforming their communities by turning TED Prize wishes into action. Verghese is excited for the 2017 Prize winner to reveal his wish. But first, an update from the 2016 winner.
Indiana Jones hats, all around. Sarah Parcak‘s GlobalXplorer lets everyday people live out their archaeology dreams. This citizen science platform launched in January 2017, and so far its 45,000 registered users have searched more than 10.5 million satellite images in an effort to map sites in need of exploration and protection across Peru. It’s an area equivalent to 100,000 square kilometers, and Parcak says it would have taken her team working nonstop for a year to do the same amount of work. (Read more on what they’ve found.) Sarah takes off the Indiana Jones hat she brought with her onstage when accepting the TED Prize last year, and throws it to the audience. “This dream doesn’t belong to me any more,” she says. “It belongs to you.”
A personal, local revolution in health care. After Liberia’s devastating civil war, the country was left with just 51 doctors to treat a population of four million. This, says 2017 TED Prize winner Raj Panjabi, is the equivalent of the city of San Francisco having just 10 doctors. To help fill this shocking gap in care, Panjabi founded Last Mile Health with $6,000 he and his wife received in lieu of wedding gifts. In the ten years since, the organization has created a model to train, equip and pay community health workers who are able to bring lifesaving health care door-to-door in the remote rainforest regions of the country where the nearest clinic is too far away. Hear Raj’s incredible story — and read the reveal of his ambitious wish to bring health care to the billion people around the world who currently lack access to it.


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The Republican National Convention has kicked off with all kinds of almost laughable madness, from Scott Baio going full-on MRA, to Paul Ryan pissing off the whole of Cleveland by waving a Terrible Towel, and Melania Trump whole-sale stealing a Michelle Obama speech. But The Donald himself has insulted rock royalty with the choice of his intro anthem.
EW reports Donald Trump took to the stage at the RNC with Queen’s “We are the Champions” resounding in the auditorium. On a surface level, the ultimate sports anthem makes sense for the Cheeto-American’s campaign, as it boasts lines like “no time for losers.” But considering Queen was led by a bisexual man, the always outrageous and extraordinary Freddie Mercury, there’s also a jarring element to playing the jam before a party that’s made toppling LGBTQA rights a part of their platform.
This isn’t the first time that Trump’s invoked the anthem. Last June, Surviving Queen member Brian May responded with dismay when fans made him aware of the use, promising a fan via posted reply, “I will make sure we take what steps we can to dissociate ourselves from Donald Trump’s unsavoury campaign.”
He followed up with a more thorough statement on his personal site:
I’ve had an avalanche of complaints - some of which you can see in our ‘LETTERS’ page - about Donald Trump using our We Are The Champions track as his ‘theme’ song on USA TV. This is not an official Queen statement, but I can confirm that permission to use the track was neither sought nor given. We are taking advice on what steps we can take to ensure this use does not continue. Regardless of our views on Mr Trump’s platform, it has always been against our policy to allow Queen music to be used as a political campaigning tool. Our music embodies our own dreams and beliefs, but it is for all who care to listen and enjoy.
May has been calm about the song’s use, Twitter less so.
The sound u hear is Freddie Mercury rolling over in his grave.— Chris Meloni (@Chris_Meloni) July 19, 2016
@costareports And overlooks the meaning/irony of the lyrics as the Great Ronald Reagan did with "Born in the USA"— David (@ATHOMEINBKLYN) July 19, 2016
Trump comes out to Freddie Mercury, who the GOP platform would send to ex-gay therapy.— igorvolsky (@igorvolsky) July 19, 2016
GOP would have been split on whether to deport Freddie Mercury or send him to a Pray the Gay Away camp.— Scott Beggs (@scottmbeggs) July 19, 2016
Freddie Mercury died of AIDS. He was a queer immigrant of non Euro heritage. Glad Trump used his music with dry ice. 🔥🔥🔥🔥— Melania Trump (@SaraJBenincasa) July 19, 2016
These people would deny Freddie Mercury a wedding cake but yeah sure use his song.— Courtney Enlow (@courtenlow) July 19, 2016
FREDDIE MERCURY IS SPITTING ON YOU AND YOUR HATEFUL HOMOPHOBIC AGENDA FROM HEAVEN WHERE HE IS HAVING GAY SEX WITH LINCOLN— billy eichner (@billyeichner) July 19, 2016
Kristy Puchko can’t even sometimes.

domain: politics


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By RUSSELL BAILLIE
Paul Casserly has been making music as the Strawpeople since the mid-80s - a period he keeps updating with makeovers of the decade's more enduring hits, which themselves have become a trademark of the studio outfit's albums.
The new and sixth effort, Count Backwards From 10, is no different. There's a cover of the Psychedelic Furs' Love My Way sung by Leza Corban (also the voice behind the band's classic original track Sweet Disorder). As usual, Corban is but one of a near-netball team of voices which include the third Runga sister, Pearl, Jordan Reyne (whose own album is reviewed on page 15), Mahinarangi Tocker and regular collaborator Fiona McDonald in her first recorded outing post NZ Idol.
Casserly has a double life involving the small screen, he's the director and producer of Eating Media Lunch - though with the Jeremy Wells-fronted show between series, you can hear Casserly as the host of bFM's The Wire on Mondays and he's also the voice of local big-cat nature show The Lion Man in prime time on TV2 on Sunday nights.
So the album's been a while coming.
I'm feeling like it's four weeks overdue. It's just taken a bit longer. But I also wanted to take as long as I needed. In the past I've thought I've had to get things finished by some deadline which, in hindsight, if something took six months more, there wouldn't have been a difference.
How's this for a first impression: It's the first Strawpeople album you can actually dance to.
Really? I listened back to the last album and I thought, 'Ah, yeah, it's got some nice moments'. But it dragged and it was a bit dreary and I thought I would like to be a bit more uptempo, essentially. The other one I thought, 'It needs a bit more [expletive] life'.
Whether you are making music or television, you always have somebody else out front. Discuss.
Um, because in some cases I don't have the skills required to be up front. And so I recognise where my talents lie and it's definitely backstage, and when it comes to music I don't play an instrument and I don't sing, so that's pretty clear. The same with TV stuff. I can get by on radio but it's a different skill to get by on television. I'm not a show pony, as such.
But you do a pretty good David Attenborough as the voice of The Lion Man.
Well that's nice of you to say.
I take it you aren't responsible for the really bad African muzak that springs up.
No, I'm not, actually
Anyway, you're covering [the Psychedelic Furs early 80s hit] Love My Way on the new album, why?
Just always loved it. It kind of fitted the bill of that something from the 80s that I don't think has been thrashed too much.
Like the Cars' song [Drive] you did last time.
Yeah, it was one of the those songs that was well known enough so people would go, 'Oh, what's this?', but hasn't been on a Mitsubishi ad or a Telecom ad or a bank ad.
Is there a connective tissue between the songs on this one, or were the tracks project by project?
You know, pretty much project by project. But, at the same time, because I have the overview, I would maybe push things a certain way. But if you are using some of the same people you start to have a bit of connection anyway. Also, if I'm using the same software and the same plug-ins and the same synths that I like, the sound of that appears on a few tracks - it all starts meshing together, even though I think some songs are completely different.
You've been doing Strawpeople for how long?
Since about '86.
You are seen as a pioneer of electronic music in New Zealand. Do you feel any affinity with the new guys - the Sola Rosas and Conrays and SJDs?
Absolutely. I feel twinges of jealously quite often. I hear their stuff and go, 'Shit that's good, that pisses me off'. You know that terrible feeling? You must get it when you pick up the Truth or something.
You know that feeling when you like something and you move on from liking to going, 'That's a bit better than what I can do'. So, yes, I do feel an affinity with some of those acts and I do feel the appropriate level of either jealousy, or just admiration.
So that veteran status kind of makes you the Dave Dobbyn of dance music.
That's an interesting picture. I think Dave possesses a level of talent and success that I could only aspire to.
All those singers - do you hassle them, or they hassle you?
In the case of Pearl it was me hassling Boh [to hassle Pearl]. And in the case of Mahina, I think we ran into each other at a drunken awards night somewhere and had one of those conversations - the usual mutual admiration jamboree, and we actually did it, which is amazing, because usually you have those conversations and never do anything about it.
You've only used women's voices again. Why no guys?
I really wanted to because everyone keeps [expletive] asking me that. We recorded about 14 or 16 tracks which were culled and one of them was with singer Chris Melville of Grand Central Band, who's a great singer but the song just wasn't a very good song in the end, so we ended up not being able to make it work. But maybe next time. There's a whole bunch of male singers that would be great to work with. But there aren't as many good men singers as there are women because there are a lot of women for whom it's a bit of a craft. With men they usually have their own bands and their egos are usually big enough where they think I don't need to sing well, I just need to have my own character. Whereas I think women actually get the technical thing down.
Is Fiona McDonald's high profile as a NZ Idol judge a blessing or a curse for you?
I think things have died down now, but I think a bit of both. It certainly will be a reason that certain publications will want to do a story, and for them that will become the story.
The Strawpeople ... hey, it's not actually Shihad, it's not exactly the Dead C. There is no reputation to lose, which is actually a good place to be. It's certainly something else to talk about.
And it may enhance sales to Woman's Weekly readers.
Well, the ones who like her. More coverage can presumably only help. I guess the people who have a problem with her being a judge on that show would never buy a Strawpeople album anyway.
So you do music, radio, television. Is there any media you're not a master of?
Yes, all of them.
By RUSSELL BAILLIE


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|Reviews for New beginnings|
| You Are Love chapter 37 . 3/10
Raoul just doesn't get it, does he? I am so glad she stayed and didn't go away.
| PhantomFan01 chapter 37 . 3/10
Well at least Erik and Raoul have settled their differences now and hopefully Erik won't kill him anytime soon :) (Wait I must be ill I am supporting this!) :/ Ok even though I am not really a Raoul supporter I guess he can't be all bad :/ Can't wait for the next chapter :D
| PhantomFan01 chapter 36 . 2/25
Awwww they are so perfect for each other :D Loving the story so far and can't wait for the next chapter :D
| Deadtom77 chapter 36 . 2/25
Wow lots of cliffhangers ;-)
Will Erik's temper survive a meeting with the fop ;-)
I look forward to finding out ;-)
Good luck at college ;-)
| You Are Love chapter 36 . 2/24
Looks like Christine isn't missing any meals. LOL
Very touching scene.
| Anonymous chapter 35 . 2/22
I love this! Please keep on writing!
| Deadtom77 chapter 35 . 2/10
Well done Erik for not exploding at Christine :)
I just hope Erik's temper holds out whilst he talks to the fop :)
Cool to see Christine and Marine becoming friends :)
| You Are Love chapter 35 . 2/10
Regarding Erik ever hitting Christine: Erik didn't "hit" Christine. He pushed her down out of being out if his wit in the lair. He would never hurt her, no matter what.
| PhantomFan01 chapter 35 . 2/10
Oh oh this doesn't look good for Erik at all :/ At least Erik isn't that mad at Christine :D Can't wait for the next chapter :D
| DeAndrea chapter 18 . 2/2
Why is his wig blond?
| DeAndrea chapter 16 . 2/2
Are you basing your story off of the book? Because in the musical, the Phantom/Erik did hit Christine I think once or twice. This reminds me off Love Never Dies because of Erik on Coney Island.
| Kitkat chapter 34 . 1/31
Boy, Meg and Marine love life are a mess. Meg is being so stubborn and Marine can't believe Jonathon will accept her son. Hopefully things will straighten out. Great chapter though.
| You Are Love chapter 34 . 1/31
Wonderfully tender and moving. Good to see Meg with some bite.
| Deadtom77 chapter 34 . 1/31
I hope Meg and Christine make up soon:)
And that Marine trusts Jonathon enough to see her boy not his scars :)
I look forward to seeing how it will all unfold :)
| PhantomFan01 chapter 34 . 1/31
At least she has someone like Erik there for her :) Hopefully Meg will come to her senses soon :/ Can't wait for the next chapter :D

domain: literature


Thursday, 24th November 2022 at 7:30pm. Register your interest via Eventbrite.
Vicki Spooner will be discussing Falmouth Harbour’s sustainability work, what has been achieved locally, and future initiatives.
About our speaker: Vicki Spooner
Vicki is the Environment and Quality Systems Manager at Falmouth Harbour responsible for developing and maintaining the organisations integrated management system. She has always been inspired and fascinated by the marine environment. Vicki studied Marine Zoology at University and found that she wanted to understand more about human impacts and how these can be mitigated. She is motivated to continuously develop ideas and work collaboratively with colleagues and wider stakeholders to find solutions and opportunities to lead and advocate for change to make a positive impact on the environment and communities.


Sewn & Quilted Home Goods FAQ
How do I take care of quilts?
Do not overwash them. Only wash when absolutely necessary. Our quilts are made of 100% cotton fabrics (unless noted otherwise) and a cotton/poly blend of batting (unless otherwise noted). We suggest washing by hand or on gentle cycle with gentle bleach-free detergent. Use of color catcher sheets (available in the laundry section by stain removers) is recommended especially with bright colors. Dry on low in dryer or air dry if able. Drying in dryer may shrink your quilt a bit, but it also gives it a more vintage look. I usually dry in dryer for 30 minutes and let them air dry to finish.
How should I store my quilt?
Quilts need air so please store them in a chest that is not airtight or in a pillowcase. Take them out occasionally and refold it to help avoid fold lines.
How do I care for smaller quilted home goods?
See instructions for quilts, but note that we recommend hand-smoothing after washing and air dry them. I use pant hangers and clip them up to air dry in our laundry room.
Updated March 28, 2021


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Colorful Metal Planter with Stand - 6 inches height
Delivery in 5-7 working days.
Made of metal, strong and durable, this planter is great for the creative gardener to decorate their home. Suitable to use indoors or in balcony, it can also accompany you to table, desk or living room decor. Feel good with these bright happy color plant pots, a touch of nature into your living space.
Material - Iron metal
Color - Multicolor
Dimensions - Diameter 14 cms, Height 14 cms
Net weight - 300 gms
Made in Jaipur
Care instructions - clean with dry cloth only
Since this is handmade, kindly consider small flaws and color variations