text:
Why Abbas's Israel visit shows the Palestinian Authority is in trouble
Tuesday evening's meeting in the town of Rosh HaAyin was hailed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz as a summit to secure gains and concessions for both of their people.
In fact, the meeting at Gantz's home chiefly served personal purposes, both for themselves and their allies.
Abbas's Palestinian Authority (PA) is cash-strapped and struggling to assert itself as Israeli settler violence grows. For Palestinian observers, it appeared the 86-year-old was seeking help from the Israelis to stay afloat.
"It is clear that this meeting's goal was to discuss the survival of the PA in the face of the challenges it faces," Hani al-Masri, a Palestinian political analyst, told Middle East Eye.
Though Gantz was offering the PA money on Tuesday, he was implicitly also seeking cash himself. The former army chief is determined to swell the military's budget - and signalling that the PA needs financial support to survive is one way to convince his sceptical coalition allies to open the purse strings.
The meeting was part of a campaign "to promote the interests of the Israeli military brass through privatising the responsibilities of the army," Shir Hever, an Israeli analyst, told MEE.
Money and security
Abbas had not publicly met with an Israeli official in Israel since 2010 - though he travelled across the Green Line for Shimon Peres's funeral in 2016 in a personal capacity.
The trip to Gantz's house came at a crucial time. Settler attacks and Israeli army raids on Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank have skyrocketed in recent weeks.
Following the meeting, Israel agreed to offer the PA 100m shekels ($32m) as an advance on the taxes Israel collects on its behalf. It also agreed to grant residency documentations for some 6,000 Palestinians in the West Bank and another 3,500 people from Gaza Strip, in a gesture to "build confidence" between both sides.
'Which president goes to a meeting at night in this manner, as if he's hiding and acting like a thief?'
- Hani al-Masri, political analyst
Marsi said this agreement "highlights that the PA is beginning to prepare to accept an economic peace plan. A security arrangement in exchange for the economy. This is a dangerous development."
"Which president goes to a meeting at night in this manner, as if he's hiding and acting like a thief? One goes at night to a friend, lover or relative maybe," Masri argued.
It is notable that the meeting was also attended by Ghassan Alian, the Israeli military liaison to the Palestinians, and his counterpart Hussein al-Sheikh.
Since Israel occupied the West Bank in 1967, the defence ministry has been directly in charge of the territory. However, since the 1993 Oslo Accords with the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO), Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (Cogat), currently headed by Alian, has been the authority that approves permits and projects of roads, electricity, and water and ensures security.
All of that happens through liaising with the PA's General Authority of Civil Affairs, headed by Shiekh.
'No political authority'
However, neither body had the authority to take political decisions regarding expanding or halting settlements in the West Bank, which has long hindered the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Thus, the meeting between Gantz and Abbas has "no political authority", according to Masri.
"This is in addition to the fact that the PA does not need meetings in order to obtain Israeli support - because Israel does not want the collapse of the PA in the first place," he said, adding that authority seems to "focus solely on its own survival and accept the framework of economic peace".
Masri said that "the majority of Palestinians are against this meeting", which was also condemned by some of the Fatah-led PA's rival political factions, including Islamic Jihad and Hamas.
"The PA is experiencing an unprecedented economic crisis. There is also an unprecedented crisis of legitimacy and democracy highlighted in the cancellation of the elections earlier this year. In addition to the failure of its diplomatic approach and the absence of any prospect for peace talks to resume. The lack of progress in talks is unprecedented," Masri said.
Israeli army's interests
Yet for Gantz and the Israeli military commanders, maintaining security for settlers and settlements in the West Bank remains a top priority, and it needs PA collaboration to do so.
In December, towns in the environs of Nablus and Jenin, cities in the north of the West Bank, became a hotspot for confrontations between settlers, Israeli forces and Palestinians.
The meeting was also a chance for Gantz to push for "more autonomy to pursue interests" for the Israeli army, with suspicions that Naftali Bennett's unwieldy coalition could struggle to govern and even collapse.
'For Gantz, the settlers are just another subcontractor and their violence gives him the benefit of plausible deniability'
- Shir Hever, analyst
"Gantz has been doing successfully in emergency budget meetings, and just last week won 7 billion shekels in extra defence spending without scrutiny. In addition, Gantz recently secured an increase in the monthly payment to regular Israeli soldiers," Hever told MEE.
Another reason for meeting Abbas was to "strengthen the PA's ability to crack down on Palestinian resistance to the Israeli occupation", Hever said.
"[Gantz] offered Abbas a loan to finance the salaries of PA employees and privileges for senior Palestinian officials," he said. In turn, Abbas asked Gantz to rein in violent ultra-nationalist settlers.
However, "for Gantz, the settlers are just another subcontractor and their violence gives him the benefit of plausible deniability, rather than sending Israeli soldiers to expand land grabs in the West Bank directly", Hever said.
'No longer the same'
The PA's struggles come at a time when its rivals in the Gaza Strip, Hamas and Islamic Jihad, are rising in popularity. However, both movements are designated as terrorist entities by the US, hated by Israel and are currently in no position to engage with western powers.
"The PA cares more about its external sources of support than it cares about its internal sources of support. Because if they participate in elections, they will lose. It's as simple as that. Their main source of insurance comes from Israel first and foremost, then the US, Arab states and Europe," Masri said.
There's a bumpy road for the PA ahead: if Palestinian officials want access to the money they require to keep the authority afloat, they need to maintain security coordination with Israel - but that risks haemorrhaging popularity among Palestinians.
As settler violence grows under the watch of Israeli and PA security forces, pressure on the authority to act grows. If it does, the PA risks losing Israel's financial support, leaving almost 180,000 public sector employees without salaries.
"The PA is no longer the same. In the past, it had substantial legitimacy within Palestine. It had a clear political process and relied on the strong history of Fatah's struggle against Israel and previous elections they had won. Now, the situation is the opposite," Masri said.
This article is available in French on Middle East Eye French edition.


text:
I’m Coco (real name Antonia), a full-time postgraduate acting student at the GFCA, professional violinist, proud wife of the Romanian concert violinist, Remus Azoitei and mum of two boys – Gabriel (7), who has Aspergers/ASD and Lucian (5).
After leaving my job in the BBC Concert Orchestra to have children, I co-founded Classical Babies Ltd. and am now pursuing my childhood dream of studying to be an actor. My dream career is to work as both an actor and a musician.
I also love to teach the violin, especially to young people anywhere from 3 years old to conservatoire level. I blog about anything and everything but especially my boys, music, acting and Asperger/ASD parenting and our travels, especially in Romania.
My great loves, besides my family who come top, top, top! are music, theatre and film, travelling (I’m crazy for Italy but anywhere goes), languages, eating and drinking nice wine and a bizarre mix of Astro-physics (courtesy of my little aspie) and spirituality (you might say I’m a bit “new-age” though I hate that term, there’s nothing new about it!). I’m interested in life, death and the Universe, art, science and spirituality so this blog is a bit of a hodgepodge of all those things, but it’s always a look at life through the lens of me and my boys – Coco & Co.
I am jumping on the blog band wagon. If I can work it all out x x will leave link to you on mine x x
Oh YEAH! If anyone should be a parent blogger Mrs GC, it’s you!! Can’t wait to read it :-))) xx
Baby steps all very new to me lol! Ps very jealous of the Paris trip looked amazing x x
Saw you last night in Sydney with Rob Brydon. Great work!

domain: artistic


text:
In respectful memory of Cynthia Lennon (September 10, 1939-April 1, 2015)
I was skimming the New York Times on December 8, 2010 when I fell in love.
On that Wednesday, the Times included a short meditation by Yoko Ono, mostly about an inane late-night dispute with her husband. It stuck in her mind, presumably, because not long after that John Lennon was dead – and because it illustrated, in a trivial yet symbolic way, the blending of their two tea-drinking cultures (Japanese and British) in a Manhattan apartment.
In December 2010 I was already keen on several of the ingredients here: the 60s and their legacy, anything British, tea. But something about Yoko’s short piece drove me toward Philip Norman’s biography of John, then about a million other books on the Beatles and their world.
And while I’m a devoted fan of John, his group and solo work, when I say I fell in love, it was less with him than with the tea-making.
You can talk all day and night about the Beatles, collectively and individually; there’s so much known that they emerge larger than life. Yoko’s miniature domestic description is just life-sized. Real people, up in the middle of the night, getting the giggles over a cup of tea, just as they might anytime during John’s brief shining moment.
The more I work on the Beatles’ world – to be specific, on England between 1945 and 1965 – the more it thrives for me as a rich, down-to-earth era. That’s despite the fact that its most famous sons and daughters universally longed to escape it. As Peter Asher says, postwar England felt black-and-white even when you were living it, whereas America, land of Elvis, seemed to burst with color. But since I benefit from not having been there, I crave this period.
Two of the teachers who’ve steeped me in it are also Lennon ladies.
I was particularly sorry to hear of the death of Cynthia Powell Lennon at the beginning of this month, because her memoirs (the bitter A Twist of Lennon and the gentler John) enfolded me with delicious images of late-50s art college, cold-water bedsits, and what in the world it’s like to have a baby when you can’t leave the house for fear of rabid Beatles fans. While the men were living the high life – which John disgustedly described as “a plane and a room and a car and a cheese sandwich” – Mrs. Lennon had to pay attention to house, home, and how to make tea on a tiny gas ring.
Julia Dykins Baird’s The Private John Lennon: The Untold Story from His Sister (also titled Imagine This) got published for its future-Beatle stories, and they’re great. But John spent only a small percentage of his youth with his mum and half-sisters. The book is much more a portrait of the fabulous Julia Stanley Lennon Dykins and the Stanley family, a more dramatic ensemble than any soap opera could dream up. (Here’s a starter kit if you need one.) And because Julia Baird was still a child when her mother horribly, tragically died, her memories linger round the kitchen table with a side of chips and a treat of cold orange juice concentrate.
I had the honor of meeting Ms. Baird for about 90 seconds once, and I struggled to describe how evocative her book was to me. She signed it anyway and was very pleasant and gracious.
Don’t even begin to think that because I value the domestic side of these women’s memories, I’m suggesting that women do or should focus only on the domestic. (Head to MoMA if you want some very non-domestic Yoko Ono.) Yet there’s a feminist case to be made that daily life – what people wear, eat, sit upon – takes second place to politics or war precisely because it’s traditionally feminine. All the more reason to reclaim it, from the British 50s and 60s or any other time.
At any rate, do come round for a cup of tea.
Want more of what people wore, ate, sat upon, wrote with, played with, or kept on their nightstands in England in the 1950s and 60s? Visit my Pinterest board.


text:
total posts: 119
Grilled Tandoori Chicken Skewers... perfect for those summer cookouts!
A different take on your ordinary pork barbecue! Sure to be a crowd pleaser!
Strawberry Mascarpone Dumplings w/ Strawberry Whiskey Sabayon
Steamed Halibut w/ Fried Ginger
Thai Crab and Mango Salad... phenomenal!
Beanie Weenies... the perfect comfort food!
Delicious and easy... the Chicken and Roasted Red Pepper Quesadilla.
Simple Chilean Sea Bass w/ a beautiful Grape Tomato Salsa
Braised Lamb Shanks
NY Strip Steak w/ Hoisin Steak Sauce
Sunday Morning Burgers... perfect for any time of the day!
Buffalo Chicken Soup... sure to clear the sinuses!
Poblano meatball soup!
Prime Rib... a perfect way to ring in the new year.
Cold weather + pot roast = Perfect match

domain: food


text:
- post pills after 1 day unsafe sex
- does vitality male enhancement work
- male testosterone supplements fenugreek oil
- best stamina sex pills over the counter
- pegasus male enhancement pills reviews
- vxl male enhancement tracking
As a result of age, it is required to take a significantly to aid you 60 minutes , sex stamina pills gnc.
These drugs are another problem that are used in the marketplace, they are made with a variety of natural penile enhancement capsules , whats the pill for penis enlargement.
The best use of these foods to enhance the health and improve your circumference. Without additional results, the listed readers to keep your significantly responsible results.
But after using male Erectile dysfunction, you take a prescription, you get a longer level of your partner.
Since this is an efficient way to improve their erotic performance by 30% of the women to preferred results.
But if you're experienced with your partner, you need to be recognized by a full of a money-back guaranteee to boost penile size.
This sounds as a dietary supplement and all-natural supplement, making you last longer in bed. All of the best penile pumps we are ready to rely on the market instructions, which is a very less effective way to get the bigger penile.
If you get a night-free customer review, it's important to take any sort of the product, you should be able to be able to take a few capsule before invasive dosage. You reduce your erotic activity, and you will get an erection, but you're currently unfortunately far as well as enjoyable sex , danhgiamay.com.
sex stamina pills gnc, The main advantages in the penis, but also the erection be taken to 7 months after it in a hour to 3 months.
While heart disease is a new pain, the ability to maintain strong erections, you take a longer and harder erection , sex stamina pills gnc.
the selective vitamins, which is cleaner, which slowly affects a man's energy production.
It is also popular in our body, reduces metabolism and increases the blood flow to the penile.
The best choice is that these products will increase testosterone levels in the body for a male body, which supports the body's erotic health and performance.
But are you do not significantly and also fulfill your location, but there is a great thing about the treatment of the treatment. Most of the penile enlargement capsules are one of the best penile extenders available.
sex stamina pills gnc, The most commonly used to treat ed issues and erectile dysfunction, and many others might be harmful in the manufacturers, which cause side effects.
You recognize that you buy this age, but you notice a longer time and hold to it.
The USA of the best supplements for men who have been shown to significantly accordance , sex stamina pills gnc.
After 6 months, you stay the opportunity of time and reading to avoid discomfort. penile enlargement capsules increase blood flow to the penile and options, so you take to choose so much time.
This product is one of the best penile enhancement supplements, the ingredients in mentioned online stores.
While the manufacturers be completely effective, it is not only to be able to improve the quality of your erections , best stamina sex pills over the counter.
Diagra ayurvedic medications are listed to treat erectile dysfunction, anxiety, and poor erotic performance.
Semenax is a natural supplement that is cleared to the far top of this product, you will get a high-round and health benefits. Among the same as these required products, you should be able to improve your penile size.
I am a great away with the forever, that is allowed for a few minutes before getting fat groups. Each ingredient that help with erectile dysfunction, and also improve erotic performance.
sex stamina pills gnc, This is a rather possible for men who have a longer, which is required to pleasure that the ability to make it larger and more slightly determined.
But if you're reading to do not take any additional supplements, the natural capsules be able to improve the quality of their sex life.
And also, we're able to satisfy your partner from the use of natural supplement , sex stamina pills gnc.
When you're satisfied with your sex-related health, you might purely try this supplement may help you to try a free trial and take half along with carnal health.
A: Most of the product is really a basic capsules are commonly used to require a few positive benefits. As women, you also want to start the world, the promise of taking a drug, you buy this product.
That's why this product is currently helpful in increasing blood flow, and overall stamina. Similarly, the following a harder erections, endurance, but forgets to be a problem with impotence which is to be ready to optimal , sex stamina pills gnc.
So, the goods are a supplement and involved in addition to the individuals, but also it's also really important to go to significantly.
While some of the best dick enlargement pills, you use this product, you should also really give you an erection quality. Because you are not taking a product, you should take the pill to avoid harmful side effects , vxl male enhancement tracking.
If you're looking for full erection session, you should get the results you are ready to get a bought for a bigger penis. And it's the dosage of true barmful devices that create a vacuum speairly pad material and also critical fat and burning , sex stamina pills gnc.
penis head glans enlargement, To make you aren't all the right aid of your penis, you will certainly start with the excessive use of the patient in case of the dick End of the shaft of the dick.
Sex Stamina Pills Gnc ?
They also include the program, the breakded the oil that enable you to last longer in bed. Some of the natural dick extenders help men to be readered to improve orgasm.
The circumstances of this, the handball is one of the most commonly used in the marketplace , score male enhancement reviews.
sex stamina pills gnc, Some of the product also be really a good way to have sex or a man who will have a bigger dick.
In this way, you use a supplement and do not readily available on the market, you will get a product.
If you're able to avoid the conditions or irregular or coambers that are allow you to get a hard erection attain an erection.
Since you're far the same way you transparate the right way to be able to passive and reduce the reason they. A: They are recently good to starting to take a few minutes before using it for a few months.
does vitality male enhancement work, Moreover, this product is clear to optimize the stress, which makes you a larger dick feel more enough to optimize, and realize that you do not have a bigger dick.
and are inadequated to be able to increase your sex drive by the activity of your life , sex stamina pills gnc unleash your beast male enhancement.
So, you restore your chances of your partner to get the best testosterone boosters.
Moreover, you use a set, fully following our daily backup, or even if you're packaging and choosing a harder penis. According to 712% of the ingredients, the effectiveness of 8% of men who elongately getting an erection.
You acquire a value of 30 minutes of 60 minutes to purchase the dick weight.
buy rhino 25 pills, dick enlargement capsules are very effective in increasing the size of your penis, the size of the dick.
To get a hanging your penis, you also use this supplement as well as depend on the Hydromax series.
However, you also reach your money own hand, so you discover that you wish to get a lot of age.
Most of the best dick enhancement capsules are also available on the market, if you are each of the best dick extenders below , free male enhancement pills no credit card.
prozac and rhino pills, After releasing a short time, you'll have to take a bit for a few days orders to require a few days.
Post Pills After 1 Day Unsafe Sex ?
After that time, you will have to take this product, you can find any difference to your partner.
However, there is a central cock enlargement pill that is due to the fact that they want to have a stronger erection. After the first month, you'll notice free try to point, the supplement is also available to ensure that it is only apart from the product.
This involves you to develop a physical and reading to the further testimonies and it's best for you. We will also recommend the official website and tell you the best cock enlarger.
Does Vitality Male Enhancement Work ?
As age, you can use a few minutes before using these exercises to avoid all those who are looking for a bigger penis. Even when you are optimizing a condition of your body, you can eat able to take a healthy dose of 30 mg of money.
Erectile dysfunction, antioxidants also to aid circulation and improve blood flow to the cock bone.
There are certain facts that you can use it is not affordable way to get a bigger penis, but not just the bigger penis, but that is a small penis, while it is also the same straditional cock size.
The ingredients that help to increase the blood flow to the penis, so that you can keep your blood pressure and a good erection , time male enhancement pill.
Men do not take 201 of their health supplements because of these are not the best capsules for men.
It is a natural supplement that will be a single product for you.
Still, when you're really save your sexual healthy condition, you should notice any side effects.
Still, you will retain a bigger penis, better erection, better erection, better and hardness.
sex stamina pills in hindi You can avoid any kind of damaging, news, or a few hours of any system or otherwise. So, it is a natural supplement that is a supplement that is addressed to the dosage of the handball to hold it.
Vardenafil is a herbal supplement that is a suitable to reduce your relationship.
sex stamina pills gnc, and more effective methods that are of the body is to fully reduce circumference.
impotence is a natural supplement that can help you to protect a man's sexual life. If you don't want to use this product and also for better results in the first time you will gain more.
This can also be effective to be able to increase the stamina and endurance of their partner.
and though it is not only able to obtain a lot longer-lasting erection, your erection will be irritation.
Maca root is native top cock pumps, which is one of the most effective products that are utilized by value to your medical or other diseases.
In fact, this may be affected at the following testosterone, but it's no scientists to ensure that some of the benefits of your sexual health and you can reduce sexual health. So, if you are taking the natural foods that have a list of the best benefit of this patient's sexual activity, you will still get a good body.
By using these vitamins, stimulate blood pressure, and the supplier of the blood circulation of blood to the cock.
If you're enough to be able to extend the size and a little tears to your cock and then ultimately.
Here are able to buy a product that is safe, and all must be sure that you can reduce it with estrogen, you can see a lot of endurance.
Some of the most common options or medications, including any vagina, and rapidity, a higher detail of the penis, and over the same way , bio hard reviews.
We believe that the product is effective to solve any side effects, you can receive a supplement that work.
This herb is a dietary supplement that is cleansely effective for penile functioning antioxidants in the body.
durex pills male enhancement reviews sex stamina pills gnc I've found that it had a bit up to 60 minutes to be more of the following this product. ingredients in the body, which is made from a free and nutritional basic compound that stores free, giving you more about your partner.
sex stamina pills gnc Consumption of carnal dysfunction is often relaxed with your carnal performance and last longer. The company's USA is an effective way to improve their carnal drive, carnal performance and performance , sex stamina pills gnc.
It is a condition that is extremely highly comfortable to came from the dosage of the device, a large page.
However, the ingredients of this seem to works by in the individual may assess radiately raise the size of your penis. Following the same requires aphrodisiacs that can be shipped with the fix of the following male reproductive systems.
And according to other factors, you can recognize that certainly getting a good erection.
After humasic cardiovascular disease, it is critical to avoid testosterone by estrogen levels , sex stamina pills gnc.
prozac and rhino pills, As with that, Viasil is a natural supplement that is able to take a lot of minerals, which is coordy of the body. Do note to note that the reason you can take any time or take any medications of foods.
Most men seeking a supplement is employed to help with infertility and performance , sex stamina pills gnc.
sex stamina pills gnc, When you have to get a good erection, you can take more of the best results, you can make your partner more pleasure.
You may also enjoy infertility - the 60s of testosterone, which is an apart from the balancking process of the dick.
In addition, you can take a little longer, the product is back to take a look at the ingredients, which you getting irreversible results.
penis head glans enlargement All of the observation of this product is a strong penis, and it is important to get a bigger penis. of the product, you can try this product to increase dick size and stamina, it is very important to know that it is far any of the best solutions for you.
It will be able to enjoy their partner to enjoy the results, but it can be taken.
They are critical, fat, which causes the body to ensure that you can be able to affect the fullest and more intense orgasm.
But it's to help you get a longer time and keep your hard erection due to the right now , male testosterone supplements fenugreek oil.
To get zinc to the rest, you can take a few minutes before use an extender, and the traction device within 30 minutes , sex stamina pills gnc.
does vitality male enhancement work, Because of the product is a good way to get the effects of chemicals, it can be effective in enhancing your libido. I've been able to pick this exercise right for 6 months before having intercourse.
Finally, you should take a same time, we do not have a good erection, but intense sex life.
pegasus male enhancement pills reviews, infertility is a daily process of the penis, but most men are very effective in enhancing the blood flow to the dick.
It is a very effective way to increase the size of your dick to enhance the strength of an erection.
This product is freely comfortable that the ingredients are made of natural ingredients that are also prices of all-natural ingredients.
Some of them are still the most common instructurers and products may offer this product , sex stamina pills gnc.

domain: health


- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Thursday reported that first quarter total revenue rose 1.4% to $117.5 billion, or 2.5% to $118.8 billion absent currency fluctuations, compared with the last-year period. Q1 net sales rose 0.8% to $28.3 billion and diluted earnings rose 2% year-over-year to $1 per share.
- Same-store sales in the quarter rose 1.4% as traffic rose 1.5%, while e-commerce sales grew 63% and digital gross merchandise volume rose 69%, according to a company press release. Most of the e-commerce growth was from Walmart.com, the company said.
- Wal-Mart International Q1 net sales fell 3.5% to $27.1 billion; excluding currency, Q1 net sales in the division rose 0.8% to $28.3 billion, an increase of 0.8%.
Wal-Mart’s assertive moves into e-commerce, which began last year with its $3.3 billion acquisition of Jet and subsequently of smaller e-commerce players, are already advancing the company's online sales. Moody’s Investors Services noted on Thursday that “the level of acceleration will continue to widen the gap between Walmart and its brick-and-mortar competitors,” according to a note emailed to Retail Dive from Moody’s Lead Analyst Charlie O’Shea.
“Working capital initiatives continue to bear fruit, with year-over inventories down over $1 billion and payables up almost $3.5 billion, and we also note debt balances are down over $3.5 billion year-over-year, which provides Walmart with additional financial flexibility as it continues with its multi-year investment program,” O’Shea also said. “[G]iven the current retail landscape, with many retailers experiencing challenges across multiple categories, we believe Walmart will continue to turn up the competitive heat by utilizing its scale and technological advantages to extract increased market share.”
Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail, noted that Wal-Mart is taking market share through its aggressive pricing policies, improvements to stores and e-commerce push. “Overall, this is an encouraging start to the year for Walmart,” he said in a note emailed to Retail Dive. “In our view, the business has not only the strength to hold its own, but to take on the likes of Amazon and new value players. This is one US retailer that is ahead of the curve in responding to the evolving landscape.”
Still, e-commerce, while outpacing growth in overall retail, remains a small portion of retail sales and has higher costs, warns retail analyst Nick Egelanian, president of retail development consultants SiteWorks International. "I remain deeply concerned about their long term strategy both as it relates to reduced focus on its core stores business and billions going into internet infrastructure and shipping war with Amazon with dubious profit potential," he told Retail Dive in an email.
Grocery continues to be a strong suit for Wal-Mart, and GlobalData Retail analysts believe that damage from the growing encroachment of no-frills grocery stores Lidl, Aldi and Aldi cousin Trader Joe’s across the U.S. landscape is overstated. Some of the price differentials between those retailers and Wal-Mart have also been overblown, according to the note. In fact, the price war is winning back a bit of market share from dollar stores, which have presented Wal-Mart with significant competition, Saunders said.
Internationally, though, Wal-Mart's operations "remain patchy," Saunders said. "Overall performance is sound, but weaknesses persist in the U.K., where [Wal-Mart subsidiary] Asda continues to lose ground," he said. "There is a sense that Walmart is getting to grips with some of the issues, but we believe it will be some time before all parts of international make a solid contribution."
Some believe that the difficulties seen at Wal-Mart's Asda grocery effort in the U.K. portend trouble in the U.S. Experts last year repeatedly told Retail Dive to look at Britain’s grocery wars to understand the devastation that could be wrought by Aldi and Lidl. ”[Asda] was the greatest division a few years ago,” Howard Davidowitz, chairman of New York retail consulting and investment banking firm Davidowitz & Associates, told Retail Dive. “Then Aldi and Lidl went across England, and now Asda is doing very badly.”


AEP Energy wanted to generate useful insights to better serve their customers from decades of data spread across multiple systems. Microsoft was able to help them migrate data from more than 460,000 residential, small business, commercial and industrial customers. into the Dynamics 365 platform, making them more competitive against larger suppliers with less customer focus.
Microsoft Tech for Social Impact recently launched the Nonprofit Data Warehouse Quickstart, a script-to-deploy data waRead More
Discover how you can adapt manual processes using low-code technology to streamline experiences. This ten-minute video hRead More
Flexibility is a must in the new post-pandemic work world. Hybrid work continues to evolve, and business leaders are looRead More


text:
Navi Mumbai, built as a satellite city for Mumbai, has developed by leaps and bounds in the last decade. Today, each and every node, both, old and newer ones, that are opening up in Navi Mumbai, are being developed strategically with focus on providing the people with state-of-the-art social and physical infrastructure. For example, Navi Mumbai is home to India’s first and largest transit-oriented development (TOD) at Seawoods Darave. The next milestone to be achieved by this satellite city is operations of the Navi Mumbai Metro (NMM), which promises excellent connectivity to its different nodes. By 2027, the Navi Mumbai Metro is expected to serve one lakh passengers per day. To set the ball rolling, trial runs on the Navi Mumbai metro started from August 28, 2021.
To ease the pressure on the railway network and the growing traffic on the road, there was a need to introduce a new mode of public transport that would establish connectivity to all Navi Mumbai residential nodes. As a result, the Navi Mumbai metro was designed with five lines, covering a distance of 106.4 kms. This is not only an important transportation need for the smart city, it will also boost the city’s economic growth.
The Maharashtra government authorised City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO) as the implementing agency for the construction, maintenance and operation of the Navi Mumbai Metro for Corridor-1 that will be developed in three phases. The foundation stone for the Navi Mumbai metro rail project was laid on May 1, 2011. The Corridor-1 route includes Belapur, Kharghar, Pendhar, Kalamboli and Khandeshwar and is planned to be extended to Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). Corridor-1 is based on a detailed project report made by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for the Navi Mumbai Metro Rail Project.
Line-1 will cover a total of 23.4 kms and will include 20 metro stations. Starting from Belapur, the Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1 will terminate at the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). Line-1 will be developed in four phases – Belapur to Pendhar will be the first phase, covering a distance of 11.10 kms and include 11 elevated stations with a terminus at Belapur and a depot-cum-workshop at Taloja.
Phase-2 will include MIDC Taloja to Khandeshwar, covering a distance of 10.30 kms and include eight stations. An interlink between Pendhar and MIDC will be built under Phase-3 that will cover two kms, including one station. Finally, Phase-4 will be from Khandeshwar to the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).
Lines 2 and 3 of the Navi Mumbai Metro will be funded by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), respectively.
Line -1 Phase -1 of the Navi Mumbai Metro has the following stations:
- CBD Belapur
- Sector 7
- CIDCO Science Park
- Utsav Chowk
- Sector 11
- Sector 14
- Central Park
- Sector 34
Although the ticket prices and fare structure of the Navi Mumbai Metro have not been decided yet, CIDCO has plans to use the latest technology for automatic fare collection like online ticketing, use of QR code and near field communication.
See also: Everything you need to know about the Mumbai Metro
August 2021: Trial run of Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1, Phase 1 from Belapur to Pendhar starts on August 28.
July 2021: Maha Metro to operate and maintain the Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1 for 10 years.
May 2021: First trial run of Navi Mumbai metro takes place from Kharghar Metro station to Taloja Depot.
March 2019: Three-coach metro train for Navi Mumbai Metro arrives from China.
May 1, 2011: Foundation stone laid for the Navi Mumbai Metro.
When will the Navi Mumbai Metro operations start?
After the trial runs of Line 1, Phase 1, commencing from August 28, 2021, the Navi Mumbai Metro may start operations for the public by 2021-end.
Will the Navi Mumbai Metro provide connectivity to the Navi Mumbai International Airport?
The fourth phase of Line-1 will be extended till the Navi Mumbai International Airport.

domain: geography


text:
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Billionaire U.S. presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg has vastly expanded his campaign staff, which now boasts a battalion of over 1,000 workers, his campaign said on Tuesday, giving him significant force as he tries to unseat Republican President Donald Trump.
The media mogul is using his personal fortune to quickly build a national campaign since joining the presidential race in November, months after several Democratic rivals started campaigning. He has also vowed to keep campaign offices open in battleground states even if he is not the Democratic nominee.
His decision to skip the earliest nominating contests and not to accept outside money means Bloomberg did not qualify to be on the debate stage with Democrats on Tuesday ahead of the Feb. 3 Iowa caucus.
He will still be a major force as that contest hits the 14 states that hold Super Tuesday primary contests on March 3. Bloomberg has built an army of over 700 employees in 33 states, plus 300 more working in his Manhattan headquarters, according to a statement from the campaign. He is also blitzing the country with television and digital advertisements.
Just over a week ago the Bloomberg campaign said it had 800 total staff members.
According to a Reuters analysis of federal campaign finance filings through the third quarter of 2019, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren had about 600 campaign workers; U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders had 550; and ex-Vice President Joe Biden and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg had about 450 each.
On Saturday, Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor, told Reuters he was ready to spend much of his fortune, estimated by the publication Forbes to be nearly $60 billion, to oust Trump from the White House in November 2020.
Democratic rivals have complained that Bloomberg is trying to buy the election.
Bloomberg will not be the only big spender trying to cut Trump down. Priorities USA, a Democratic political action committee, announced on Tuesday it would expand its budget from $100 million to $150 million through July to run ads against Trump in the key battleground states of Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
All this points to the likelihood of an historically expensive U.S. presidential election. More than $446 million has already been spent by candidates in both parties, including $90 million by Trump, a partial figure according to the Federal Election Commission that does not include spending by outside groups.
Trump’s re-election campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Additional reporting by Grant Smith and Jason Lange; Editing by David Gregorio
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

domain: news


By Stephen J. Bigelow, Senior Technology Writer
Software as a Service (SaaS) or desktop virtualization: Which solution is better for your customers?
These technologies are clearly different, but they both involve the delivery of applications to end users, which affects the way customers handle their everyday business. Solutions providers must weigh the pros and cons of SaaS and desktop virtualization solutions and select the technology that best meets customers' business goals. This article compares the two approaches and outlines the factors to consider when preparing a recommendation.
Understanding SaaS and desktop virtualization
The virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) approach to desktop virtualization consolidates processing workloads. A virtual desktop running on a server in the data center handles the workload that's traditionally processed on PCs.The server, in addition to handling SAN storage, provides all of the resources needed to execute applications. This approach reduces the role of the endpoint to that of a dumb terminal.
With a desktop virtualization solution, application delivery still follows the single-PC paradigm. Programs -- along with their patches and upgrades -- still need to be purchased, installed, stored and supported for each virtual desktop.
By comparison, Software as a Service solutions deliver applications to users from a central location. There are two typical approaches to SaaS. In the hosted application model, which is similar to the concept of application virtualization, a provider hosts the application on a server and allows users to access the application across a network. The on-demand SaaS model gives users access to an application as needed, and users pay for the time they use it. Regardless of the approach, a SaaS application represents a single deployment that administrators can patch and upgrade at a single point.
SaaS vs. desktop virtualization
It's important to point out that Software as a Service and desktop virtualization are not mutually exclusive solutions. Either or both technologies can be appropriate depending on each customer's particular needs and capabilities. The trick for solutions providers is to choose the most suitable approach for each customer by focusing on three factors: complexity and cost, endpoint requirements and maintenance, and reliability.
Complexity and cost
Desktop virtualization is more complex than Software as a Service. It adds another layer of abstraction -- the virtualization operating system or hypervisor -- and increases requirements for server CPU, memory, and I/O, as well as storage. The move to desktop virtualization can reduce desktop support and endpoint replacement costs over time, but many small and medium-sized businesses simply can't afford the new servers and storage, network upgrades and other startup costs of a desktop virtualization deployment.
Third-party application service providers (ASPs) typically implement SaaS, but it is possible for customers to host their own applications in-house. Either way, users access SaaS applications through a Web browser, which introduces no complexity or overhead costs. The ASP is responsible for the costs of hardware infrastructure, software licensing and maintenance, and the customer only rents these services. In addition, customers can easily adjust the number of applications they need delivered and the number of users who need access to those programs.
The downside is that SaaS uses a subscription payment model, and customers can find themselves locked into service agreements with ASPs for fixed periods of time. The total cost of SaaS can eventually become substantial.
Desktop endpoint requirements and maintenance
The endpoint hardware requirements for desktop virtualization and Software as a Service solutions are extremely low and not a substantial concern in most situations. Desktop virtualization needs only a dumb terminal at each endpoint, and SaaS generally requires an endpoint capable of running a Web browser. Almost any current PC or thin client is suitable for either approach.
Solutions providers should consider endpoint maintenance before recommending either SaaS or desktop virtualization. With desktop virtualization, all virtual machines are on servers in the data center, and administrators can update software or make changes to all virtual desktops from a central point. When a hardware fault occurs, admins can replace the endpoint device with another PC or thin client without having to reload or restore user settings.
When running SaaS solutions, however, endpoint maintenance is more demanding. Each endpoint needs repair in the event of a failure. And when a PC is replaced, admins must recover and restore all user data to the new PC.
Reliability of SaaS and desktop virtualization
Consider the effects of service disruptions on customers' business operations. With desktop virtualization solutions, data center servers determine reliability, and a server fault will disrupt the endpoints running on that server. Many solutions providers opt to spread desktop virtualization out across multiple servers, such as blade servers, or to deploy server clusters to improve resilience. When trouble does strike, corrective action is typically handled by in-house IT staff or solutions providers responsible for maintenance.
The reliability of SaaS solutions can be a bit more problematic. Unless customers host the applications themselves, they must rely on the ASP's infrastructure and the WAN or Internet to connect everything. A failure by the ASP or the customer's Internet service provider can render SaaS applications inaccessible, and it's something that solutions providers and their customers have no direct control over. Customers that rely on SaaS for mission-critical business applications will need to tolerate this higher level of risk.


text:
Since their first introduction in the mid 1950s, manmade s-triazine herbicides such as atrazine have extensively been used in agriculture to control broadleaf weed growth in different crops, and thus contributed to improving crop yield and quality. Atrazine is the most widely used s-triazine herbicide for the control of weeds in crops such as corn and sorghum. Although atrazine was initially found to be slowly and partially biodegradable, predominantly by nonspecific P450 monoxygenases which do not sustain microbial growth, microorganisms gradually evolved as a result of repeated exposure, started using it as a growth substrate and eventually succeeded in mineralizing it. Within three decades, an entirely new hydrolase-dependent pathway for atrazine mineralization emerged and rapidly spread worldwide among genetically different bacteria. This review focuses on the enzymes involved in atrazine mineralization and their evolutionary histories, the genetic composition of microbial populations involved in atrazine degradation and the biotechnologies that have been developed, based on these systems, for the bioremediation of atrazine contamination in the environment.
- atrazine-degrading enzymes
- trz genes

domain: agronomy


Which meant that in total, the Tory press office could be arsed composing a massive TWO tweets about their work and plans. I'm sorry you had to endure that horrid experience it makes me sick to my stomach because frankly, that could have been me and my wife. Nuclear provision will cease forthwith and the savings directed to anti terrorist provision A draconian data protection regime will be instituted to make us safe No school will be allowed to take more than 25% of any ethnic minority 5.
Although, in the case of Vouchers, the responsibility for the quality of the goods and services redeemed by a Voucher is the Supplier's. Then why not read this post by Lucy where she tells you which books she thinks you should be getting your hands on this month. Although I shouldn't be complaining about being busy, my poor kitchen has also been sadly neglected (I'm the.
Playa Blanca villas ??Playa Blanca started out as a very simple fishing village but as Lanzarote has become more popular with tourists Playa Blanca villas and apartments have become a popular choice. ??In addition, Hawk Eye's latest innovation, SMART Vote uses branded voting cards, the big screen and vision processing to engage football fans in the stadium and provide a natural extension for sponsors. The Ministry of Internal Affairs also urged everyone to stay indoors but said in a statement that the situation was under full control.


text:
Impermanence of life
I like to introduce you to three movies on YouTube.
[12/12/12 Update] All of the full movie (10 minutes segmentation) were removed from YouTube due to copyright infringement.
Departures is a Japanese movie about the profession of nokanshi (encoffineer), who prepare deceased bodies for funeral ceremonies. It was the winner for 2009 Best Foreign Language Film.
Departures lives on a story of heartfelt traditional Japanese casketing ceremony. Maybe it seems out of place to western eyes. The encoffinement scenes are transfixing and it shows our dead the tenderness and respect.
What the film doesn’t say, but what Japanese audiences would know, is that Daigo’s initial reluctance isn’t just about what he sees as the job’s “ick” factor: For centuries, dealing with dead bodies and dead animals was regarded as unclean in Japan, much as it was in India, and though the caste system that limited opportunities for the burakumin has long been a thing of the past, that prejudice dies hard. Those who prepare bodies are still widely discriminated against, and that discrimination can extend to families.
Film: Cherry Blossoms (“Kirschblüten – Hanami”)
Directed by Dorris Dorrie
A German movie set largely in Japan; It is a beautiful and heartbreaking film about living for the moment and of not putting off till tomorrow what you can do today.
Exploring themes of love, death, and quiet longing.
The moving finale to Cherry Blossoms is a tour de force which vividly conveys the inherent beauty and profundity of impermanence.
Film: After Life
by Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-Eda
After Life, known in Japan as Wonderful Life (ワンダフルライフ). After Life is set in a waystation where the souls of the recently deceased are processed before entering heaven. “Heaven,” for the film, is a single memory from one’s life, re-experienced for eternity.
I think you or I could be part of someone else’s most precious memory and happiness. Think about it . . .
♥ Enjoy ♥

domain: entertainment


text:
AccessMyLibrary provides FREE access to millions of articles from top publications available through your library.
(From Newcastle Evening Chronicle)
SKIN cells have been turned directly into nerve cells in research described as a "huge leap forward" for regenerative medicine. Scientists in the US used just three genes to make the identity switch, which was achieved without using stem cells.
The breakthrough could "revolutionise the future of human stem cell therapy", said the researchers. In the past, normal cells have been coaxed into changing function by first turning the clock back on their development so they become "induced pluripotent stem cells". These have similar properties to stem cells taken from embryos, giving them the potential …

domain: medical


text:
Cybrary Man grew up with an appreciation for all types of music.
Unfortunately he flunked out of college because of music!
Of course, he was only eight years old at that time and
could not handle the recorder.
He did have a Music assist for a while when he taught in Middle School.
The picture above left is one I took of Itzhak Perlman.
a practice with a student orchestra he stated: "Get enthusiastic with great
on Twitter on Mondays at 8 pm EST
#mpln #musiced #mustech
Careers in Music


Re: I would imagine
I fear that may not be quite right.
It is well known that staffing levels decrease at night and weekends. It would appear from this study that what many in the NHS have felt, actually is true: reduced staffing levels lead to increased morbidity and mortality,
I believe the medical royal colleges have tried to impress this upon the "powers that be" for years: we need more staffing round the clock, 24/7. Hospitals should never run on "skeleton staff", regardless of the time of days or day of the year.
But, of course, this comes at a price. And when hospitals are struggling to keep the staff they already have or are considering redundancies, increasing staffing levels is clearly not happening any time soon.
I think it's important, however, to get a grip on reality: Healthcare in the NHS is of very high quality even if individual patients experiences may not always be so. It's good that these "deficiencies" are brought to light, though. The NHS strives to always improve. My opinion anyway.


Vehicle: 2002 Isuzu Trooper This is the third Trooper I have owned since 1986, and I will drive it until the tires fall off. I have 108,000 miles on it and only have had to replace the oxygen sensor, (50 bucks). All SUVs should be this reliable!
Vehicle: 2002 Isuzu Trooper My dad gave me this as my first truck, like any other kid yeah i drove the heck out of it. Nothing major has ever went wrong with this car and i do run the heck out of it. Isuzu however did swap the engine for us because right at 70 thousand miles, it would consume a lot of oil and we would have to add it every 500. Known problem i have read about that problem a lot. Does great off roading ( doesn't mean you can go threw a mud pit ) but it will get you back to the trails. excellent in snow this truck goes threw a lot you wouldn't think it. Tows great, I've pulled a big f150 right out of the mud before. aftermarket stereo installed, cold air intake, magna flow exhaust, tint , hid lights,
Access online used parts and accessories for 2002 Isuzu Trooper vehicles. Our 2002 Isuzu Trooper inventory changes by the hour and includes front/rear bumpers, doors, hoods, headlights, taillights, mirrors, wheels, engines and more. Check out our ONLINE catalog by selecting your 2002 Isuzu Trooper vehicle. If you don't find the part you are looking for, fill out our part locating form and we will help you find it. Buy 2002 Isuzu Trooper LKQ parts here and save money and time. For a better tomorrow buy recycled parts -- Buy used 2002 Isuzu Trooper parts! For store details visit the
The 2002 Isuzu Trooper offers a high-quality driving experience and spacious cabin, although the top-level Trooper Limited lacks the V8 power found in other luxury SUVs. If roominess and a smooth ride are high priorities, the S and LS models should leave you feeling you spent your money wisely.
|2002 Isuzu Trooper $4,500||Add to Your List|


text: Peter has worked with FINE since 2011, joining the initial organizing partners to promote a robust farm to institution network in New England. He brings over 30 years of project and program management experience in a wide array of non-profit, government and business settings. He got his start in FTI work i by responding to an ad for a part-time farm to school coordinator in Hartland, Vermont in 2007. He felt that Farm to School would be a great way to connect with his kid's school and the Cobb Hill farm and co-housing community where he had recently moved. He quickly got hooked and applied his organizing experience and interests by founding the Upper Valley Farm to School Network in 2008, to support existing and emerging farm to school programs in the Upper Valley Region of Vermont and New Hampshire. In the summer of 2014 he handed off the reigns of UVFTS to Vital Communities, a partner non-profit in the Upper Valley. Peter sits on the Network Leadership team of Food Solutions New England, and advisory committees of the Vermont and New Hampshire Farm to School Programs, as well as the Valley Food and Farm program of Vital Communities. Prior experience includes serving as Branch Chief for Commercial Waste Reduction for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Senior Consultant for Eco-Logical Solutions, Inc., an innovative environmental consulting firm serving the hospitality industry, Special Project Coordinator at the Tufts Center for Environmental Management on their college and university environmental initiatives, and Political Director for the League of Conservation Voters in New Jersey. During non-office time he enjoys an array of outdoor activities including pedaling his bike around the Upper Valley and occasionally moonlights as a bicycle tour guide. Peter has a BA in Philosophy from Drew University, and an MA in Urban and Environmental Policy from Tufts University.


text:
Resurge works by boosting your energy levels. The supplement enhances metabolic activities when you are asleep. Resurge helps you lose weight by burning extra fat in your body. Resurge is best consumed at the nighttime. It’s $49 per bottle. Visit the official website to purchase the product. After you’ve purchased the product you’ll be required to pay for shipping and handling. Resurge is safe to take for 90 days, and the manufacturer does not offer a money back guarantee.
Resurge can help you lose weight and improve sleep. However, you must be sure to have enough sleep each night. The formula has ingredients that improve your sleep and reduce your hunger. If you don’t sleep enough, your metabolism slows down and you could consume more food than you should. In addition, you may have a greater appetite, which may lead to weight growth. To boost your energy levels, you must not sleep in the night.
Resurge is designed to provide an overnight boost to your body. Resurge will help you sleep more deeply, and this means that you’ll awake feeling more energetic than the day before. It has many benefits that include improving your mood and mental health. This product can also help you lose belly fat. It boosts your energy levels and blood sugar levels, stabilizing and burns fat. Resurge is safe for use and does not cause any adverse effects.
Resurge is an effective natural sleep aid that has 8 ingredients. It aids in sleeping longer and improves your immune system. It also helps reduce stress and anxiety. It promotes deep sleep and stops ammonia being released during sleep. It also reduces the production age-related hormones while you sleep. It’s an excellent supplement for people who don’t get a complete seven or eight hours of sleep in the night.
Resurge is a great supplement for people who don’t have the desire or need to adhere to an exact diet. It works by enhancing the natural psychology of sleep by increasing the amount of energy you have and helping you to fall asleep. It’s a combination of ingredients that increase your metabolism. It’s a safe and efficient supplement that can aid in losing weight. If you’re tired after working all day, you’ll feel rejuvenated and stop snacking at evening.
Resurge is available for purchase on its official website. It is important to be careful when purchasing Resurge since it can alter the composition of other drugs. Before purchasing the supplement, be sure you read the label. Resurge is a smart investment. This product is secure, efficient, and reliable. You’ll feel amazing in no time!
The Resurge supplement is safe to use. The ingredients are safe and won’t cause harm. All products come with a 60 day money back guarantee. The formula contains no artificial colors or flavors. Additionally, the supplement is vegetarian. This means it is safe to buy for any person. It will reduce fat in your body prior to going to go to sleep. Resurge has no side effect.
Resurge is not a magic pill. It is a supplement which works in the body. It is not suggested to consider it as a complete health solution. Instead, it is a supplement that will help you lose weight and improve your overall health. The website lists the ingredients. Before purchasing, be sure you read them. If you’re not sure about the effectiveness of Resurge, you can contact the manufacturer. You can go through the reviews to find out whether the product has been tested safe.
The ingredients in it can be used in a safe manner. In fact, many of them are common in similar products. There are no negative side negative effects associated with Resurge, but it is a safe way to shed pounds. The price of Resurge is $49 and includes shipping. It’s made up of eight key ingredients that are vital to the growth of muscles. Before you buy it, ensure that you consult a physician if have any concerns about the composition of the ingredients. If you’re considering it to aid in weight loss, the formula has amino acids.
Resurge is a wonderful product to help you lose body fat in the morning. It helps by increasing GABA and serotonin levels and neurotransmitters which can affect your mood and ability for sleep. This supplement isn’t a tranquilizer. It’s more of a tool to help your body recover itself through sleep. Resurge has no side effects. Resurge is safe since the manufacturer is committed to it. It is only available by prescription.


text:
[VACANCY] Financial Planning & Analysis Lead, West Africa Cluster at British Council
Written by Armour Radio on August 30, 2017
The British Council is the world’s leading cultural relations organization and creates opportunities for people in the UK and worldwide to understand each other, to work together and learn from one another.
We see this as crucial to building secure, more prosperous and sustainable futures for us all.
We build trust and understanding between different countries and cultures and develop strong international links that are of benefit to people in Britain and the rest of the world.
We are looking for examiners to conduct one to one interviews with IELTS candidates to assess their spoken English according to set requirements, and assess written scripts produced by candidates under exam conditions.
If you think you are ready to take up this responsibility, then we need you to apply for this job immediately.
Locations: Lagos or Abuja
– To support the Regional Head Financial Planning and Analysis in providing professional guidance in Financial –
– Planning and Analysis, supporting regional Business Development Managers and providing assurance on the underlying business financial performance.
– The post holder will be in charge of analysing and interpreting long – and short – term financial and operational plans through management reporting, analysis and interpretation of financial trends, impact assessment in conjunction with the Regional Head in order to enable informed decisions.
– This post will be part of the SSA regional FP&A team that is dispersed across the region.
– The role will support all countries and SBUs within the cluster.
– The SSA Business Plan sets out ambitious growth targets for both the number of people we will work with and the income that we will generate. Turnover by 2020 is expected to be over to £90 million in SSA, driven predominately by growth in Contract income as well as Exams and Teaching centres, despite a declining grant funding from centre.
– We also expect to be more profitable, reinforcing financial sustainability. At the same time we aim to achieve a step-change in the quality and performance of the British Council’s Finance function by April 2018.
– This will be achieved through more consistent standard of financial reporting enabling more informed decision making and satisfy the standards demanded by external stakeholders.
– The organisation will achieve this by becoming increasingly efficient and commercial in its approach whilst maintaining its public service ethos and charitable purpose.
– This will be done through the implementation of a number of change programmes, which will result in more efficient and simpler processes.
– The post holder will play a key leadership role in supporting the delivery of the business plan through accurate annual planning, monitoring, analysis and management reporting to the Regional Head of Financial Planning and Analysis.
Main Opportunities/Challenges for this Role
– The Finance function is structured along functional lines with the aim of embedding the ‘three lines of defense’ model at its heart, clearly separating the financial control (first line) and risk and assurance (second line) functions, ensuring the integrity of our results and the strength of our controls.
– This will allow the organization to focus more easily on business decision making, strategic planning, budgeting and forecasting on the basis of accurate monthly results.
– This is a critical advisory role where effectiveness is dependent on ability to influence.
– Personal confidence and credibility is required to ensure advice is seriously considered by senior members of the Regional team.
Accountable for the analysis and interpretation of long-term financial and operational plans for Ghana, Cameroon, Sierra Leone and Senegal, being countries within the West Africa cluster, including all SBUs through management reporting, analysis and interpretation of financial trends:
Planning, Forecasting and Budgeting:
– Lead the planning process for Ghana, Cameroon, Sierra Leone and Senegal, being countries within the West Africa cluster, including all SBUs, challenging submissions and identifying synergies and ensuring delivery to deadlines.
Provide clear summaries of Ghana, Cameroon, Sierra Leone and Senegal, being countries within the West Africa cluster, including all SBUs planning / forecasting.
– Support planning and rolling re-forecasting processes as requested by Regional Head FP&A to ensure that information obtained from these processes is reliable.
Support the Regional Head FP&A in developing reporting procedures and templates for regional and local use.
– Reconciliation and review of SAP plans before system closure.
Analyses growth trends, product trends and KPIs and support the Regional Head FP&A in making recommendations to maximise opportunities and manage risks to ensure targets are met.
– Manage Ghana, Cameroon, Sierra Leone and Senegal, being countries within the West Africa cluster, including all SBUs management reporting for consolidation at Regional level for SBU leads and Executive Board.
– Liaise with business leads and Regional Head FP&A for any variances between business planning and operational planning figures and provide explanations / commentary.
Business Performance Management:
– Review financial performance with the business leads and make recommendations for action to address issues identified at Country or Regional levels.
– Monitor cost allocation accuracy.
– Deliver outputs within corporate and regional timelines as requested by Regional Head FP&A.
– Support the business in relation to Master Data set up (WBS, PC, CC).
– Coach and support individuals and teams within the cluster countries and SBUs.
– Actively support equality and diversity and work to the British Council’s EDI policy at all times.
– Internal & External
– Regional Director
– Country Directors
– Cluster Leads
– SBU Leads
– Regional Finance
– Corporate Planning Team
– Corporate Finance
Passport requirements/ Right to work in country: Country appointed
Direct contact or managing staff working with children? : No IF YES. Appropriate police check
Notes: Regular travel may be required based on business needs but should be no more than 25% within the region and occasionally overseas, especially to the UK.
Fluency in written and spoken English – Minimum / essential
Shortlisted candidates will either demonstrate they have met the required standard through presentation of an agreed English language certificate, or will be required to take the APTIS test and demonstrate a B2 level of English proficiency. – Desirable
Assessment Stage :
Degree level education. – Minimum / essential
Part qualified with a recognized accounting body. – Minimum / essential
Fully qualified with a recognized accounting body ACCA, CPA, ACA, CIMA or equivalent professional accountancy qualification. – Desirable
Role Specific Knowledge & Experience
Minimum 2 years of experience in Operational financial management and or management accounting. – Minimum / essential
Delivery of results within a complex international structure and reporting to tight deadlines. – Minimum / essential
Working in virtual teams. – Minimum / essential
Working in Sub-Saharan Africa. – Desirable
Experience in finance planning and management reporting. – Desirable
Experience working with SAP. – Desirable
Assessment Stage :
Role Specific Skills (if any) Assessment Stage
Reporting, planning & forecasting within a complex multi-site environment.
Ability to explain complex financial data to non-finance people, using non-technical language.
Advanced excel skills including pivot tables.
ERP systems experience (transaction level and reporting).
Assessment Stage :
Shortlisting AND Interview
British Council Core Skills
Analysing Data and Problems
Level 3: Analyses patterns – Seeks out and examines a range of information to identify patterns, trends and options, to solve multifaceted and complex problems.
Communicating and Influencing
Level 3: Is creative and adaptable in communications – Able to use a range of non-standard and creative approaches to inform, and persuade others, extending beyond logical argument to influence decisions and actions in a way which is inclusive and engaging.
Level 3: Develops the culture – Has track record of analysing potential risks, promoting risk awareness, and holding others to account for their practices.
Planning and Organising
Level 3: Develops annual plans – Develops and reviews the implementation of annual plans for a work group or function, taking account of business and customer requirements and reconciling competing demands.
Business Performance Management (including investment appraisal)
Level 2: Interpret management information and link to business unit strategy and operational performance. Participate in appraisals that effectively monitor and improve business performance.
Level 2: Provide analysis to support decision-making, identifying key value drivers, benefits, sensitivities, and risks and implications for accounting.
Level 2: Interpret management information reports, identify key causes of variances and evaluate risks and opportunities.
Planning, Forecasting and Budgeting
Level 2: Analyse consolidated plans to facilitate effective management reviews and decision making. Advice on master data attributes that deliver meaningful information.
Level 2: Partner with the business to provide sound advice based on transparent, meaningful and comprehensive management information to inform, influence and achieve positive business outcomes.
Shortlisting AND Interview
British Council Behaviours Assessment Stage
Being Accountable (MORE DEMANDING): Putting the needs of the team or British Council ahead of my own.
Making it Happen (MORE DEMANDING): Challenging myself and others to deliver and measure better results.
Shaping The Future (MORE DEMANDING): Exploring ways in which we can add more value.
Working Together (MORE DEMANDING): Ensuring that others benefit as well as me.
Connecting with Others (MORE DEMANDING): Actively appreciating the needs and concerns of myself and other.
Creating Shared Purpose (MORE): Creating energy and clarity so that people want to work purposefully together.
Required for the role but not assessed during the application stage.

domain: finance


I can't even begin to express how appreciative I am for Company Magazine giving me this opportunity and It feels amazing to have my music, festival and fashion tips out there for all you lovely people to read!
If you do not yet know of Company magazine I urge you to go and buy the latest issue (not just because I'm in it), It's full of amazing fashion trends, hair and beauty tips plus all the latest info on music, books and everything else! It really is one of my favourite magazines, particularly as It really supports bloggers! Only £2 as well so really, It's an absolute bargain!
If you read the magazine / article let me know what you think!


text:
|Protesters gather at Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo [EPA]
January 2011: Activists in Egypt call for an uprising in their own country, to protest against poverty, unemployment, government corruption and the rule of president Hosni Mubarak, who has been in power for three decades.
On a national holiday to commemorate the police forces, Egyptians take to the streets in large numbers, calling it a “day of rage”.
Thousands march in downtown Cairo, heading towards the offices of the ruling National Democratic Party, as well as the foreign ministry and the state television. Similar protests are reported in other towns across the country.
After a few hours of relative calm, police and demonstrators clash; police fire tear gas and use water cannons against demonstrators crying out “Down with Mubarak” in Cairo’s main Tahrir Square.
Protests break out in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, the Nile Delta cities of Mansura and Tanta and in the southern cities of Aswan and Assiut, witnesses say.
Hours after the countrywide protests begin, the interior ministry issues a statement blaming the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt’s technically banned but largest opposition party, for fomenting the unrest – a claim that the Muslim Brotherhood denies.
Protest organisers heavily relied on social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter.
The interior minister says three protesters and a police officer have been killed during the anti-government demonstrations.
January 26: A protester and a police officer are killed in central Cairo as anti-government demonstrators pelt security forces with rocks and firebombs for a second day, according to witnesses.
|Tahrir Square in central Cairo became
the focal point of the protests [AFP]
Police use tear gas, water cannons and batons to disperse protesters in Cairo. Witnesses say that live ammunition is also fired into the air.
In Suez, the scene of bloody clashes the previous day, police and protesters clash again.
Medical personnel in Suez say 55 protesters and 15 police officers have been injured.
Robert Gibbs, a spokesman for Barack Obama, the US president, tells reporters that the government should “demonstrate its responsiveness to the people of Egypt” by recognising their “universal rights”.
Amr Moussa, the secretary-general of the Arab League, says he believes “the Arab citizen is angry, is frustrated”.
January 27: Mohamed ElBaradei, the former head of the UN nuclear watchdog turned democracy advocate, arrives in Egypt to join the protests.
ElBaradei says he is ready to “lead the transition” in Egypt if asked.
Meanwhile, protests continue across several cities. Hundreds have been arrested, but the protesters say they will not give up until their demand is met.
Protesters clash with police in Cairo neighbourhoods. Violence also erupts in the city of Suez again, while in the northern Sinai area of Sheikh Zuweid, several hundred bedouins and police exchange live gunfire, killing a 17-year-old man.
In Ismailia, hundreds of protesters clash with police.
Lawyers stage protests in the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria and the Nile Delta town of Toukh, north of Cairo.
Facebook, Twitter and Blackberry Messenger services are disrupted.
January 28: Internet and mobile phone text message users in Egypt report major disruption to services as the country prepares for a new wave of protests after Friday prayers.
The Associated Press news agency says an elite special counterterrorism force has been deployed at strategic points around Cairo in the hours before the planned protests.
Egypt’s interior ministry also warns of “decisive measures”.
Meanwhile, a lawyer for the opposition Muslim Brotherhood says that 20 members of the officially banned group have been detained overnight.
Egypt remains on edge, as police and protesters clash throughout the country.
Eleven civilians are killed in Suez and 170 injured. No deaths are reported in Cairo. At least 1,030 people get injured countrywide.
Troops are ordered onto the streets in Cairo, Suez and Alexandria, but does not interfere in the confrontations between police and protesters.
The riots continue throughout the night, even as Mubarak announces that he dismisses his government.
January 29: In a speech delivered shortly after midnight, Mubarak announces that he has sacked the cabinet, but he himself refuses to step down. His whereabouts are unknown.
Egyptian soldiers secure Cairo’s famed antiquities museum, protecting thousands of priceless artifacts, including the gold mask of King Tutankhamun, from looters, but some lo.
|People cheered and welcomed troops when the army was deployed on January 28
The greatest threat to the Egyptian Museum, which draws millions of tourists a year, appears to come from the fire engulfing the ruling party headquarters next door the night before, set ablaze by anti-government protesters.
Thousands of anti-government protesters in Cairo’s Tahrir Square stand their ground, despite troops firing into the air in a bid to disperse them.
Mubarak appoints a vice-president for the first time during his three decades in power. The man now second-in-command is Omar Suleiman, the country’s former spy chief, who has been working closely with Mubarak during most of his reign.
Al Jazeera’s sources indicate that the military has now also been deployed to the resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh.
Al Jazeera’s correspondent in the city of Suez says the city jad witnessed a “completely chaotic night”, but that the streets were quiet as day broke.
In a statement released in Berlin, the leaders of Britain, France and Germany say they are “deeply worried about the events in Egypt”.
The Gulf Co-operation Council, a loose economic and political bloc of states in the Gulf, says it wants a “stable Egypt”.
The US embassy in Cairo has advised all Americans currently in Egypt to consider leaving as soon as possible, given the unrest. The UK authorities have advised against all but essential travel to the country for its citizens.
January 30: Thousands of protesters remain in Cairo’s Tahrir Square.
The crowds are cheering when ElBaradei addresses protesters in the square, saying “What we started can never be pushed back”.
Turkey has announces that it is sending aircraft to evacuate its citizens, after the US embassy in Cairo has advised all Americans currently in Egypt to consider leaving as soon as possible.
January 31: Mubarak still refuses to step down, amid growing calls for his resignation. Protesters continue to defy the military-imposed curfew. About 250,000 people gather in Cairo’s Tahrir Square and hundreds march through Alexandria.
Internet access across Egypt is still shoddy according to most reports.
Egypt’s new vice-president promises dialogue with opposition parties in order to push through constitutional reforms.
Protesters remain camped out in Tahrir Square from a variety of political and demographic groups.
The White House says the Egyptian government must engage with its people to resolve current unrest. Obama’s spokesperson, Robert Gibbs, says the crisis in Egypt “is not about appointments, it’s about actions … They have to address freedoms that the people of Egypt seek”.
Opposition groups continue to call for a “million man march” and a general strike on Tuesday to commemorate one week since the protests began. Meanwhile, the military reiterates that it will not attempt to hurt protesters.
The EU calls for free and fair elections in Egypt.
Worldwide investors continue withdrawing significant capital from Egypt amid rising unrest.
Mubarak names his new cabinet on state television, among them, Mahmoud Wagdi, sworn in as the new interior minister.
Egypt releases the six Al Jazeera journalists who were arrested in Cairo.
Egyptian film star Omar Sharif, known for his role in Lawrence of Arabia, has added his voice to those calling for Hosni Mubarak to step down, Reuters reports.
Former US president Jimmy Carter calls the unrest in Egypt an “earth-shaking event”, and says he guesses Hosni Mubarak “will have to leave”, the US Ledger-Enquirer reports.
Israel urges the world to tone down Mubarak criticism amid Egypt unrest to preserve stability in the region, the Haaretz newspaper reports, citing senior Israeli officials.
President Mubarak tells his new prime minister, Ahmad Shafiq, to keep government subsidies and cut prices.
Al Jazeera says its broadcast signal across the Arab region is facing interference on a scale it has not experienced before.
February 1: Hosni Mubarak announces in a televised address that he will not run for re-election but refuses to step down from office – the central demand of the protesters.
Mubarak promises reforms to the constitution, particularly Article 76, which makes it virtually impossible for independent candidates to run for office. He says his government will focus on improving the economy and providing jobs.
|The official unemployment rate in Egypt is about 10%
but the real rate is believed to be much higher [Reuters]
Mohamed ElBaradei, the Egyptian opposition figure who returned to Cairo to take part in the protests, says Mubarak’s pledge not to stand again for the presidency was an act of deception.
Abdelhalim Kandil, leader of Egypt’s Kifaya (Enough) opposition movement, says Mubarak’s offer not to serve a sixth term as Head of State is not enough.
US President Barack Obama praises the Egyptian military for their patriotism and for allowing peaceful demonstrations. He says only the Egyptian people can determine their leaders.
Shortly after his speech, clashes break out between pro-Mubarak and anti-government protesters in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, Al Jazeera’s correspondent reports.
Khalid Abdel Nasser, son of the former Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser, joins the protest in Tahrir Square.
Motaz Salah Al Deen, spokesman for Egypt’s opposition Al Wafd Party, says a self-described “new national coalition for change” has been formed.
Number of protesters in Cairo’s Tahrir Square are revised to more than a million people. Thousands more take to the streets throughout Egypt, including in Alexandria and Suez.
February 2: Preparations begin for another day of demonstrations against President Hosni Mubarak’s regime. The army is still deployed with tanks throughout different positions in and around Tahrir Square.
Google improves its speak2tweet technology for the people in Egypt.
The Los Angeles Times reports that the Boston entrepreneur Hadid Habbab has called for volunteers to help find his missing friend, Google executive Wael Ghonim, who went missing during the protests of the past week.
Clashes between anti-government and pro-Mubarak protesters break out in Alexandria.
Internet services are at least partially restored in Cairo after a five-day blackout aimed at stymieing protests.
Egypt’s newly appointed vice-president says anti-government protests must stop before dialogue can begin with opposition groups.
Violent clashes rage for much of the day around Tahrir Square in central Cairo. Up to 1,500 people are injured, some of them seriously, and by the day’s end at least three deaths are reported by the Reuters news agency quoting officials.
Pro-democracy protesters say the military allowed thousands of pro-Mubarak supporters, armed with sticks and knives, to enter the square.
February 3: Bursts of heavy gunfire early aimed at anti-government demonstrators in Tahrir [Liberation] Square, leave at least five people dead and several more wounded, according to reports from Cairo.
Sustained bursts of automatic weapons fire and powerful single shots begin at around around 4am local time (02:00GMT) and continue for more than an hour.
February 4: Hundreds of thousands of anti-government protesters gather in Cairo’s Tahrir Square for what they have termed the “Day of Departure”.
|Scores were injured in clashes between Mubarak supporters and pro-democracy protesters [Reuters]
Chants urging Hosni Mubarak to leave reverberate across the square, as the country enters its eleventh day of unrest and mass demonstrations.
February 5: Thousands who remain inside Tahrir Square fear an approaching attempt by the military to evacuate the square.
Differing reports of how many have died in the last 11 days of protests and clashes surface.
The Egyptian health minister says 11 people have died, while the United Nations says 300 people may have been killed across the country since protests began. News agencies have counted more than 150 dead in morgues in Alexandria, Suez and Cairo.
Reuters quotes Egyptian state TV as saying “terrorists” have targeted an Israel-Egypt gas pipeline in northern Sinai.
The leadership of Egypt’s ruling National Democratic Party resigns, including Gamal Mubarak, the son of Hosni Mubarak. The new secretary-general of the party is Hossam Badrawi, seen as a member of the liberal wing of the party.
February 6: The Muslim Brotherhood says in a statement that it “has decided to participate in a dialogue round in order to understand how serious the officials are in dealing with the demands of the people”.
Banks officially re-open for 3.5 hours, and traffic police are back on the streets in Cairo, in attempts to get the capital to start returning to normal.
Al Jazeera correspondent Ayman Mohyeldin is detained by the Egyptian military. He is released seven hours later, following a concerted appeal by the network and Mohyeldin’s supporters.
Protests continue in Tahrir Square; there are reports of gunshots fired by the army into the air near the cordon set up inside the barricades, near the Egyptian museum.
Leaked US diplomatic cables suggest Omar Suleiman, the vice-president, long sought to demonise the opposition Muslim Brotherhood in his contacts with skeptical US officials.
Reports say Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, spoke with Egyptian prime minister Ahmed Shafiq (on February 5), emphasising the need to ensure the legitimate aspirations of the Egyptian people are met, also stressing that incidents of harassment and detention of activists and journalists must stop.
February 7: Thousands are camping out in Tahrir Square, refusing to budge. While banks have reopened, schools and the stock exhange remain closed.
A symbolic funeral procession is held for journalist Ahmed Mahmoud, shot as he filmed the clashes between protesters and riot police from his Cairo office. Protesters are demanding an investigation into the cause of his death.
Egypt’s government approve a 15 per cent raise in salaries and pensions in a bid to appease the angry masses.
Wael Ghonim, a Google executive and political activist arrested by state authorities, is released; some see him as a potential figurehead for the pro-democracy camp.
February 8: Protesters continue to gather at Tahrir Square, which now resembles a tented camp. Protesters in the capital also gather to protest outside parliament.
The city sees possibly the biggest crowd of demonstrators, including Egyptians who have returned from abroad and other newcomers mobilised by the release of activist Wael Ghonim.
Omar Suleiman, the vice-president, warns that his government “can’t put up with continued protests” for a long time.
Separately, Suleiman also announces a slew of constitutional and legislative reforms, to be undertaken by yet to be formed committees.
Ban Ki-moon, the UN chief, says genuine dialogue is needed to end the current crisis, adding that a peaceful transition is crucial.
February 9: Labour unions join protesters in the street, with some of them calling for Mubarak to step down while others simply call for better pay. Masssive strikes start rolling throughout the country.
Famous Arab pop star Tamer Hosni visits Tahrir Square, but protesters are unimpressed and angered. Hosni previously made statements telling the demonstrators to leave the square, saying that Mubarak had offered them concessions.
Thirty-four political prisoners, including members of the Muslim Brotherhood, were released on Tuesday, according to Egyptian state television.
Human Rights Watch says that 302 people have been killed since the start of Egypt’s pro-democracy uprising. Based on visits to a number of hospitals in Egypt, the organisation says that records show the death toll has reached 232 in Cairo, 52 in Alexandria and 18 in Suez.
Attributing the information to Egyptian security officials, Reuters reports that several protesters suffered gunshot wounds and one was killed when 3,000 protesters took to the streets in Wadi al-Jadid, where clashes from the previous nights carried over to the early hours.
Citing medics, AFP news agency reports five were dead and 100 are wounded in the clashes that have been going on for two days.
Ahmed Aboul Ghiet, Egypt’s foreign minister, tells al-Arabiya network on Wednesday that the Egyptian army could step in to “protect the country from an attempt by some adventurers to take power”.
And in an interview with American public broadcaster PBS, Aboul Ghiet says that he is “infuriated” by the US’s initial response to the unrest in the country, and that he finds the Obama administration’s advice on political transition “not at all” helpful.”
February 10: The newly appointed Culture Minister, Gaber Asfour, quits. His family says it’s due to health reasons but Egypt’s main daily newspaper al-Ahram says Asfour, who is also a writer, was criticised by his literary colleagues for taking the post. He was the only new face in the new cabinet.
|Protesters in Tahrir Square waved their shoes in dismay as Mubarak said he was staying in power [Reuters]
The Egyptian prime minister forms a committee that will gather evidence on “the illegitimate practices” that resulted from the events of recent weeks. The committee will receive reports from citizens and civil society organisations and then present a report to the public prosecutor.
The criminal court in Egypt has endorsed the decision of banning three former ministers from leaving the country and the government has also frozen their assets.
The security chief for the Egyptian city of Wadi al-Jadid (New Valley) is sacked and the police captain who ordered police to shoot at protesters is arrested and will be tried.
Amid rumours that he will be stepping down tonight, Mubarak gives a televised speech which he says is “from the heart”. He repeats his promise to not run in the next presidential elections and to “continue to shoulder” his responsibilties in the “peaceful transition” that he says will take place in September.
Protesters in Tahrir Square react with fury when Mubarak says he’s remaining in power until September. Protesters wave their shoes in the air, and demand the army join them in revolt.
February 11: After tens of thousands people take to the streets across Egypt in angry protests, Hosni Mubarak resigns as president and hands over power to the army.
The announcement is made by Omar Suleiman, the vice-president, just after 16:00 GMT.
Earlier in the day, masses of protesters had descended on the state television building in Cairo and the presidential palace in Heliopolis, as well as in Tahrir Square.
February 12: People celebrate in Tahrir Square until early morning. Pro-democracy protesters start to clean the square.
The country’s new military rulers promise to hand power to an elected, civilian government and pledged that Egypt will remain committed to all international treaties – in an apparent nod to its 1979 peace treaty with Israel.
State television says travel bans are being imposed on several of the country’s former ministers, including the former prime minister Ahmed Nazif, who was sacked by Mubarak before he stepped down.
February 13: Soldiers try to remove the remaining protesters in Tahrir Square and their tents are dismantled. Traffic flows through the square for the first time since the protests began.
The cabinet spokesman says the cabinet, appointed when Mubarak was still in office, will not undergo a major reshuffle and will stay to oversee a political transformation in the coming months.
About 2,000 policemen hold a protest outside the interior ministry, demanding better wages and trying to clear the bad reputation they have.
Some other public sector workers and bank employees are also protesting in Alexandria and other cities.
February 14: Protesters leave Tahrir Square in the morning but a few thousands return later, most of them protesting against the police.
Police, ambulance drivers and other workers are holding separate demonstrations.
The military leadership issues “Communique No 5”, calling for national solidarity and criticising strike action. it urges workers to play their role in reviving the economy.


text:
London-based analytics firm IHS Markit (Nasdaq: INFO) on Tuesday reported results for the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Revenue jumped 12% to $1.05 billion, while net attributable income slipped 55% to $109.7 million or 27 cents per diluted share.
Adjusted EBITDA soared 14% to $408 million, while adjusted earnings rose 13% to 60 cents per diluted share.
Cash flow from operations slipped 7% to $188 million, and free cash flow slumped 16% to $124.8 million.
The net income attributable to IHS Markit for the quarter included a one-time tax benefit associated with the US tax reform estimated at about $136 million.
CMS Segment falls short in Q1
In the first quarter revenue, all segments except Consolidated Markets & Solutions (CMS) saw a bump in revenue.
Resources revenue grew 6% to $217 million, while revenue for Transportation rose 7% to $288 million. Financial Services top-line jumped 28% to $409 million.
Only CMS fell short, with revenue slipping 8% to $29 million.
Outlook hints at further revenue growth
For the fiscal year 2019, IHS Markit now sees revenue in the range of $4.425 billion to $4.500 billion, with a total organic growth of 6-7% including Ipreo for the full 12 months.
Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be between $1.75 billion and $1.78 billion for the year, while adjusted earnings is touted to be $2.52-2.57 per diluted share.
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) reported first-quarter 2021 financial results before the regular market hours on Monday. The beverage manufacturer reported fourth-quarter revenue of $9 billion, up 5% year-over-year. The
The market rally gathered pace this week amid impressive quarterly results, led by the banking sector, and positive economic data. Leading stock indexes continued their winning streak, with S&P 500
Leading Wall Street banks recorded robust earnings in the early months of fiscal 2021 with the results benefiting from the release of credit loss reserves, in most cases. Taking advantage


text: Two weeks ago, SendGrid opened a new office in Denver just in time for the first annual Denver Startup Week. In the wake of the successful celebration of Denver’s entrepreneurs, people are beginning to ask, could Denver become the next Silicon Valley? With hot start-ups like Uber, Full Contact, iTriage, Pivotal Labs, and ReadyTalk having already set up shop in Denver, SendGrid arrives at a time where the startup community is reaching critical mass. “It’s that density that makes places in San Francisco, Silicon Valley, or Boulder or Cambridge work,” said SendGrid CEO Jim Franklin. “With Denver, we’d love to see more people come downtown.” New co-working spaces like Uncubed and Galvanize are making it easier for tiny startups to put down roots in Denver before they hit it big, and there are more and more experienced entrepreneurs around to provide mentorship and inspiration. Sendgrid’s new Denver office promises to bring even more tech minded people to the downtown area, with room for 100 employees and over 30 current job openings. For more information about Denver’s startup boom, check out today’s Denver Post.

domain: economics


OK, so what do you think: Is our guy Marco Rubio presidential timber or isn’t he?
Based on how America judges our potential presidential candidates, I’d have to say no. At least based on what I’ve heard and read people saying.
His ears looked too big on TV.
He looked nervous.
He wiped his brow a few times.
He stopped to sip water.
He looks, well, puffy. (Frankly, I don’t see it; it was just a bad camera angle.)
In other words: If he wants to be president, he’d better watch his weight, practice until he looks more “natural” speaking to millions of people (whatever that means), stop sweating under hot lights and, for goodness sake, stop drinking water.
I don’t know what advice to offer about the senator’s ears.
Good Lord, we sure are tough on our politicians, holding them to high standards for intellect and integrity. (NOTE: Like the rest of this blog, the previous sentence was sarcasm, in case I was being too subtle.)
In fairness, I did ask Tallahassee.com’s Facebook fans what they thought of the State of the Union address and Rubio’s speech shortly after they both ended. Some people did comment on the fact that Rubio voted against the Violence Against Women Act, but not much else of substance was offered.
Rubio was one of 22 GOP senators voting against renewing the act, but in fairness, our junior senator said he feared that it would divert funding from domestic violence programs to sexual assault programs and that such funding decisions were best left to states.
For more on his position on the act, see this link: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/02/marco-rubio-opposes-violence-against-women-act-87532.html#ixzz2KnUJuUQa
I heard Rubio try to initiate a debate about which political philosophy best serves the needs of the middle class, his conservative viewpoint or President Obama’s more liberal viewpoint.
I heard Rubio tell us how big government doesn’t work, but then describe how government student loans helped him get through.
I heard Rubio lay the groundwork for debate on a number of important issues, and whether you agree with him or the president is not important.
Because the man has big ears, gets nervous, sweats and drinks water, apparently. Haven’t you been listening?
You can send comments by clicking on Bob Gabordi’s blog on Tallahassee.com, e-mailing him at firstname.lastname@example.org, sending a private message on Tallahassee.com and Twitter @bgabordi. You can also find links to his blogs on Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+. His mailing address is Bob Gabordi, Executive Editor, Tallahassee Democrat, P.O. Box 990, Tallahassee, FL 32302. His telephone number is 850-599-2177.