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One of the housemaids of the slain Iyaloja General of Ijebuland, Chief (Mrs) Alimot Sadiat Kareem Owogold, a.k.a. Mama Elewuju has reportedly told people what she overheard when the assassins stormed the house.
According to family sources, the housemaid said she overheard the killers accusing the woman of collecting some amount of money from some politicians and failing to share it to the people entitled to it.
The market leader was macheted to death last Wednesday evening at her residence, Government Estate, along Itanrin-Sabo road, Ijebu Ode.
Family sources who pleaded for anonymity, said the housemaid who was hiding in the kitchen, when the assassins were attacking the woman, said the assassins were arguing with her over money issue, before they macheted her to death.
The source also revealed that the killers were mentioning that they have been informed about her metaphysical powers, which made them to use an axe and a machete on her, believing that she might have bulletproof powers.
“When the killers arrived, they opened the door and demanded for those who were in the house. I was in the kitchen and dodged somewhere.
“Those people kept shouting about N35million and they were accusing Mama of collecting the money from some politicians, keeping the money to herself and lying that she had shared the money.
“They accused Mama of playing on others intelligence by embezzling the money which according to them was meant for many people.
“They said they were told that Mama has bulletproof powers and they said they will not waste their bullets, that they will kill her with cutlass and axe, which they used on her. Mama could not shout as her mouth was covered while the operation lasted”, the source revealed.
Meanwhile, the new Commissioner of Police in the State,CP Abdulmajid Ali has promised to arrest the killers within a week.
He further assured the good people of the state of adequate security of their lives and properties,sending warning signal to all bad people including kidnappers,armed robbers,hired assassins and others to desist from the state as he will dealt severely with all of them.


text:
Hey Rules fans, it’s “March Madness” time again! No, not the NCAA basketball tournaments that take place this time of year, but rather the fact that you may be going mad trying to figure out the correct answers to the annual quiz issued by the Metropolitan Golf Association. The MGA issues its diabolical 25-question quiz in early-February, and its answers in mid-March. Here are three excerpts from this year’s MGA quiz which can be found, along with the answers, at www.mgagolf.org/rules/quizzes.
- In match play, a player’s tee shot comes to rest on the putting green.He asks his caddie to attend the flagstick and makes a stroke at his ball. The player’s ball hits his opponent’s ball at rest on the green, then accidentally hits the caddie’s foot and is deflected into the hole. The caddie removes the ball from the hole and the player plays from the next teeing area. What is the player’s score for the hole? (a) 2 (b) 3 (c) 4 (d) The player incurs a loss of hole penalty.
- A player decides to take unplayable ball relief from under a bush using the back-on-the-line option.He identifies the proper reference line without choosing a reference point. He drops a ball properly and it first touches the course six inches to the side of the reference line and then rolls forward three inches and comes to rest on the reference line itself. He then realizes that he still has line of play interference from the same bush. He therefore lifts the ball and moves 10 yards further back from the bush on the same reference line. He drops the ball properly and it comes to rest where it first touched the course, 12 inches to the side of the reference line. He plays the ball as it lies. How many penalty strokes has the player incurred? (a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 3
- A player places a ball on a tee in the teeing area of a par-3 hole and makes a stroke.The ball is grazed, falls off the tee, but remains in the teeing area inches behind a tee-marker. The player moves the interfering tee-marker out of the way and substitutes another ball in place of the original. Thinking he may have violated a rule, the player replaces the tee-marker and re-tees the substituted ball elsewhere in the teeing area. The player hits the ball onto the green and one putts. The player’s score for the hole is: (a) 3 (b) 4 (c) 5 (d) 6.
- (a) Rule 11.1 [Ball in Motion Accidentally Hits Person or Outside Influence] advises that if a player’s ball in motion accidentally hits any person or outside influence, there is no penalty to any player, and this is true even if the ball hits the player, the opponent or any other player or any of their caddies or equipment. [Keep in mind that, in stroke play only, the player incurs a two-stroke penalty if his or her ball in motion hits another ball at rest on the putting green and both balls were on the putting green before the stroke.] Furthermore, the ball must be played as it lies. Rule 13.2b(2) [What to Do If Ball Hits Flagstick or Person Attending Flagstick] indicates that there is no penalty if the player’s ball in motion accidentally hits the flagstick or the person who removed or is attending it, and the ball must be played as it lies.
- (b) Rule 19.2b [Back-on-the-line Relief] indicates that if the player drops the ball without having chosen the reference point on the reference line, the reference point is treated as being the point on the line that is the same distance from the hole as where the dropped ball first touched the ground. Since the dropped ball rolled forward, the ball did not come to rest in the required relief area, and the player was required to drop a ball a second time pursuant to Rule 14.3c(2) [What to Do If Ball Dropped in Right Way Comes to Rest Outside Relief Area]. Interpretation 14.5b(3)/1 [Player May Change Relief Areas When Dropping Again for Back-on-the-Line Relief] advises that, when a player is required to drop a ball a second time after using back-on-the-line relief under Rule 19.3b [Unplayable Ball Relief], the player is allowed to change reference points so that the relief area is nearer to or farther from the hole.
- (a) Pursuant to Rule 6.2b [Teeing Area Rules] and Interpretation 6.2b(6)/1 [Ball That Comes to Rest in Teeing Area Does Not Have to Be Played as It Lies], if a player’s ball in play is in the teeing area after a stroke, the player may lift or move the ball without penalty and play that ball or another ball from anywhere in the teeing area from a tee or the ground, including playing the ball as it lies. Also, the player, by restoring the tee-marker to its original position, avoids being penalized for improving the area of her intended swing (see Rule 8.1c [Avoiding Penalty by Restoring Conditions Improved in breach of Rule 8.1a(1) or 8.1a(2)]).

domain: sports


text:
Anticipating Gateway Park
This summer the Center for Public Interest Design (CPID) led a design-build project in the Gateway community in Portland, Oregon. In preparation for a recent community event on the site of the future Gateway Park, a team of CPID designers and volunteers erected a giant, white, origami structure; the Chrysalis Pavilion. The pavilion was an abstracted sculptural representation of the encasing shell which constitutes the final stage of the caterpillar’s evolution into a butterfly. This imagery foreshadows the butterfly theme that artist Horatio Law has planned for the park’s public art component. It also elicits the representation of the metamorphosis of the Gateway Park from a vacant turf lot into the beautiful park to come.
CPID is part of the team working on the new Gateway Park project led by PLACE Studio. With a shortened community engagement period during the schematic design phase due to an inherited timeline, the Center looked for other opportunities to engage the community that will be using the park. Traditionally, designers meet with the community to receive input on a design a few times (in a good scenario) before moving into design development. After this period, the community will likely not see the designers again until the project is complete. The CPID posed the question: What role could designers play during the period between schematic design and a project’s completion to contribute to a project’s success?
Gateway is one of Portland’s most underserved neighborhoods, so the investment of the park has the potential to be a much-needed catalyst for change in the area. The success or failure of a public amenity like a park can often depend upon the sense of ownership and investment a community feels in a project. This is where community engagement can play a crucial role.
Using large sheets of folded cardboard supported through the integration of repurposed triangular frames, the pavilion created an embracing passageway for participants to meander through. In addition to the spatial experience of occupying the pavilion, folding origami butterflies engaged community members in a tactile exchange. Trading personally constructed butterflies ordained with drawings and expressions of intended park use for premade butterflies containing plat seeds, participants engaged in a playful activity while motivating a platform for discussion and offering a survey of preferred park activities. The butterflies (with hopes for the park written on the wings) were pinned to the pavilion shell to be shared with the community. The pavilion is the first of a series of projects the CPID hopes to take on in the community between now and the park’s completion.
The pavilion design was led by CPID Intern Therese Graf and Master of Architecture student Karina Adams. Therese is joining the CPID from the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya in Barcelona where she is finishing her Masters of International Cooperation in Sustainable Emergency Architecture. Karina will likely be among the inaugural class of students to receive PSU’s Graduate Certificate in Public Interest Design, the first program of its kind in the country, and was taking on this project as part of her certificate coursework.
For more on PLACE Studio: http://place.la

domain: artistic


text: Results 1–10 of 44 for "Review"X related to "Student recognized for peace promotion" Refine Your Search Refine Your Search TopicTherapy (8)Sexuality (5)Children (4)Parenting (3)Trauma (3) 8 more... [+] Bullying (1)Death & dying (1)Emotional health (1)Race (1)Sexual abuse (1)Teens (1)Violence (1)Women & men (1)Hide detailsDocument TypeReviewXYear2013 (1)2012 (3)2011 (8)Author/ContributorAuerbach, John (2)Rothschild, Louis (2)Stafford, Mark (2)Tasso, Anthony F. (2)Tessman, Lora Heims (2) 31 more... [+] Ahbel-Rappe, Karin (1)Ainslie, Ricardo (1)Basseches, Harriet (1)Bishop-Towle, Wandajune (1)Corn, Andrea (1)Cushman, Philip (1)Devinney, Helen (1)Eigen, Michael (1)Goldsmith, Marcella Tarozzi (1)Hartman, Stephen (1)Hegeman, Elizabeth (1)Himes, Mavis (1)Kaley, Harriette (1)Karen, Maroda (1)Kenner, Jane (1)LaMothe, Ryan (1)MacGillivray, William A. (1)Moss, Donald (1)Most, Charles (1)Rabate, Jean-Michel (1)Rebeta, James L. (1)Ridenour, Jeremy (1)Ruth, Richard (1)Schulman, Martin A. (1)Suchet, Melanie (1)Tabin, Johanna Krout (1)Tejirian, Edward J. (1)Waugaman, Richard M. (1)Weisbard, Karen (1)White, Kathryn (1)Winn, Martin (1)Hide details Results 1–10 of 44 Previous 1 2 3 ... Next Relevance Title A-Z Title Z-A Newest First Oldest First Sort by: 1.Group Treatment of Adolescents in Context: Outpatient, Inpatient, And School (Book Review)This book described as being down-to-earth and user friendly for both the analyst and non-analyst, acknowledges the sad reality that most outpatient treatment centers have undergone significant internal changes as financial reimbursements have superceded patient needs.Review 2.Eigen in Seoul: Madness and Murder & Flames Fom the Unconscious: Trauma, Madness, and Faith (Book Review)This book outlines the author's encounter with colleagues in Seoul, Korea, discussing meditations on psychoanalysis that have the simplicity and depth, passion and compassion of conversations that reach across continents, generations, cultures.Review 3.Traumatic Bereavement, Attachment, and Thoughts on Prevention (Book Review)Barbara Gerson reviews a book edited by Beatrice Beebe, Phyllis Cohen, Mark Sossin, and Sara Markese that explores the selective prevention program known as the Project for Mothers, Infants, and Young Children of September 11, 2001.Review 4.Plea for a Measure of Humanity (Book Review)This edited collection presents published and unpublished material by analysts, writers, and activists who have worked at the front lines of psychic life and war from various stances.Review 5.Predatory Priests, Silenced Victims (Book Review)This remains a worthwhile compilation on an important and difficult subject and would be worth reading by any therapist working with a victim of clerical abuse or who might contemplate doing so.Review 6.Restoring Psychotherapy as the First Line Intervention in Behavioral Care (Book Review)Multidisciplinary Healthcare Reform: Will Patients Be Left Behind?Review 7.The Myth of Race (Book Review)This book looks at the lack of biological evidence for race, as well as the manifestations and impact of the concept of race in a changing culture. Review 8.What Do Mothers Want? Developmental Perspectives, Clinical Challenges (Book Review)An interesting exploration of issues that pertain to motherhood. Editor Sheila Brown organized fourteen varied papers into three sections: What Mothers Want and Need, Women's Bodies: Choices and Dilemmas, and Pulling It All Together. Review 9.The Power of Witnessing: Reﬂections, Reverberations, and Traces of the Holocaust Batya Monder reviews a collection of essays edited by Nancy Goodman and Marilyn Meyers on the functions and power of witnessing in relation to collective trauma with a particular focus on the history of the Holocaust.Review 10.Psychological Interventions in Times of Crisis (Book Review)This book is about responding to the effects of natural disasters and man-made sociocultural catastrophes like war, nuclear plant explosions and terrorism. Review Previous 1 2 3 ... Next Relevance Title A-Z Title Z-A Newest First Oldest First Sort by: ADVERTISEMENT Results 1–10 of 44 for "Review"X related to "Student recognized for peace promotion"

domain: library


text:
I've been having tons of fun on my winter break from school and enjoyed a wonderful Christmas too! I started celebrating on Monday with pink donuts and The Beauty and The Beast A Christmas Story.
Christmas with the girls on Tuesday.
I've also had the chance to meet up with old friends from high school and college and was invited to tea with a princess too!
I have been having a ball playing with my Christmas toys for the last day and a half as well!
If you don't know already I love the Cricut! ;)

domain: entertainment


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Halloween is almost here and Lily wants to make her own costume for trick-or-treating. Should she be a scary ghost? Or maybe a roly-poly pumpkin? Perhaps a glittery princess! After many ideas and a few wrong turns, Lily finally settles on a costume that will be perfect for a Halloween surprise with her cuddly kittens.
This book from the duo behind Valentine Surprise is sure to capture readers' hearts once again with its sweet celebration of creativity, as Lily enjoys the fun of homemade costumes and Halloween traditions.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
CORINNE DEMAS is the author of many popular books for adults and children, including Valentine Surprise and Saying Goodbye to Lulu, which received a starred review in Publishers Weekly and won the ASPCA Henry Bergh award. She is a professor of English at Mount Holyoke College.
R. W. ALLEY has illustrated nearly a hundred books for children, including Valentine Surprise, Tiger Can't Sleep, Cat Skiddoo, and the beloved Paddington series.Review:
Praise for Halloween Surprise : "A simply written story and witty illustrations with considerable child appeal." Booklist "A good choice for beginning readers...a cheerful addition to Halloween collections." School Library Journal Should stir up anticipation for trick-or-treating. Publishers Weekly Praise for Valentine Surprise "This cozy story is an excellent choice for a family-oriented Valentine's Day reading." -Booklist "A salute to creativity, ingenuity and thinking outside the box." -Kirkus Reviews
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Book Description Walker & Company 2013-07-09, 2013. Softcover. Book Condition: New. Softcover. Publisher overstock, may contain remainder mark on edge. Bookseller Inventory # 9780802734679B
Book Description Walker & Co, 2013. Paperback. Book Condition: New. Next day dispatch. International delivery available. 1000's of satisfied customers! Please contact us with any enquiries. Bookseller Inventory # mon0000135881
Book Description Walker Childrens, 2013. Paperback. Book Condition: New. No.1 BESTSELLERS - great prices, friendly customer service â€" all orders are dispatched next working day. Bookseller Inventory # mon0000508792
Book Description Walker Childrens, 2013. Paperback. Book Condition: New. R.W. Alley (illustrator). book. Bookseller Inventory # M0802734677
Book Description Walker Childrens, 2013. Paperback. Book Condition: New. Never used!. Bookseller Inventory # P110802734677


text:
Common Name: Sprenger's asparagus fern
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Native Range: Temperate southern Africa
Zone: 9 to 11
Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Spread: 3.00 to 4.00 feet
Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
Bloom Description: White
Sun: Part shade
Suggested Use: Naturalize
Flower: Fragrant, Insignificant
Winter hardy to USDA Zones 9-11. Plants can be grown outdoors year round as long as temperatures never dip below 20-25 degrees F. Plants perform best in organically rich, consistently moist but well drained soils in part shade (bright indirect light or filtered sun). Avoid direct hot afternoon sun which may cause the leaves to yellow. Tolerates full shade, but foliage may turn a lighter green. Plants may die to the ground in light freezes, but roots remain hardy to about 20-25 degrees F. North of Zone 9, plants can be grown in containers that are overwintered indoors. Asparagus fern is easily grown as a houseplant in the St. Louis area because it tolerates a wide range of temperatures, does not require high humidity and is easily pruned. It is best grown with a well-drained, peaty potting mixture. Water regularly from spring to autumn. It does not require winter dormancy, but appreciates a resting period with reduced watering over the winter months. Performs well with regular temperatures in summer and minimum 50F temperatures in winter. This plant is often taken outside for the growing season and brought back inside in early fall. Pinch back stem tips as needed to maintain plant form and promote dense foliage growth. If plant loses its attractive shape, stems may be cut back close to the soil level to regenerate. Propagate by seed or division (separate tubers). Birds eat the berries and help spread the seed to new locations where the seed will often readily sprout. Self-seeding can be mildly invasive in some subtropical to tropical areas (e.g., southern Florida and Hawaii).
Asparagus densiflorus, commonly called asparagus fern, is noted for its dense fern-like foliage which forms an arching mound that matures to 1-3’ tall spreading to 3-4’ wide. It is not a fern, however, but is a member of the asparagus family. It is native primarily to coastal areas in the southeastern part of the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. It has escaped cultivation and naturalized in southern Florida where it has spread in a mildly invasive fashion. This ornamental asparagus is an evergreen perennial with outward-sprawling fibrous and tuberous roots from which rise numerous semi-stiff arching stems (to 24” long) covered with linear, needle-like green leaves (.75 to 1” long). Technically, the stems contain true leaves (tiny, inconspicuous and scale-like) and larger leaf-like phylloclades which have the form and function of leaves. Tiny, inconspicuous, pea-like, fragrant white flowers bloom in late spring to early summer. Flowers are followed by small red berries which ripen by fall. Plants have thorns, but the thorns are so small as to be often not noticed. This plant is also sometimes listed as Protasparagus densiflorus because plants in the genus Asparagus (e.g., the edible vegetable A. officinalis) have rhizomes but this plant does not. Species plants are not as widely grown in gardens as are certain popular cultivars such as ‘Myersii’ (foxtail fern) and Sprengeri group (emerald fern).
Genus name is the classical name of this plant.
Specific epithet is in reference to the dense flowers along the stem and/or to the dense foliage.
No serious insect or disease problems. Watch for slugs, mites, mealybug and aphids. Leaf spot and rots may occur. For more information see: Problems Common to Many Indoor Plants
Where winter hardy, it may be grown in borders or along foundations. Forms an interesting ground cover. Use in pots, containers and hanging baskets. Container plants make excellent houseplants for bright, sun-filtered areas. Green stems are valued by florists for adding to flower arrangements.

domain: biology


text:
Kinfield Brown Cherry Two Drawer Console Table
This stately console has a masculine personality with its Kinfield Brown Cherry finish. A wide base supports four turned legs that lead up to the two gliding drawers. Hand applied scrollwork and decorative moldings add interest while they visually balance the cantilevered black top.
- Materials: MDF/Pb 50%, Chinese Walnut Veneer 20%, Veneer 10%, Poplar 29% +Poly1%
- Color/Finish: Brown
- Dimensions: 60"W x 18"D x 32.5"H
Continental United States
This product usually ships in 7 business days and should be delivered in 15 business days.
Returns not accepted. Custom products cannot be returned.

domain: design


text:
Florida Turnpike’s Homestead extension went all electronic earlier this year according to the Miami Herald. 80% of users were already paying using the DRSC/tag and beacon “Sunpass” system (which is owned by the Florida Department of Transportation and usable on 600 miles of toll roads in the state). Those not equipped will have their number plates detected using ANPR technology, which when matched to vehicle ownership databases, will see a bill sent in the mail to the registered owner, with a US$2.50 surcharge. This is obviously intended to incentivise greater takeup of the Sunpass. The Florida's Turnpike Enterprise and the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority are seeking to convert all toll roads in southern Florida to be electronic free flow to reduce operating costs, congestion at toll booths and accidents from vehicles at toll plazas.
So far the following toll roads have gone electronic free flow:
- Homestead extension;
To convert in the next three years are:
- 112 Airport expressway; and
What more can be said but to encourage Florida to continue joining the 21st century with modern tolling technology. What may be more interesting is seeing how easily they can enforce out of state vehicles that fail to pay tolls. That is perhaps one of the biggest risks for some states, which for south Florida is unlikely to be a significant issue.
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domain: news


text:
Intermediation Costs, Investor Protection, and Economic Development
Download full text from publisherTo our knowledge, this item is not available for download. To find whether it is available, there are three options:
1. Check below whether another version of this item is available online.
2. Check on the provider's web page whether it is in fact available.
3. Perform a search for a similarly titled item that would be available.
Other versions of this item:
- António R. Antunes & Tiago V. de V. Cavalcanti & Anne Villamil, 2005. "Intermediation costs, investor protection and economic development," Working Papers w200507, Banco de Portugal, Economics and Research Department.
References listed on IDEAS
- Demirguc, Asli & Huizinga, Harry, 1999.
"Determinants of Commercial Bank Interest Margins and Profitability: Some International Evidence,"
World Bank Economic Review,
World Bank Group, vol. 13(2), pages 379-408, May.
- Demirguc-Kunt, Asli & Huizinga, Harry, 1998. "Determinants of commercial bank interest margins and profitability : some international evidence," Policy Research Working Paper Series 1900, The World Bank.
- Asli Demirgüç-Kunt & Luc Laeven & Ross Levine, 2004.
"Regulations, market structure, institutions, and the cost of financial intermediation,"
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, pages 593-626.
- Demirguc-Kunt, Asli & Laeven, Luc & Levine, Ross, 2004. "Regulations, Market Structure, Institutions, and the Cost of Financial Intermediation," Journal of Money, Credit and Banking, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 36(3), pages 593-622, June.
- Asli Demirguc-Kunt & Luc Laeven & Ross Levine, 2003. "Regulations, Market Structure, Institutions, and the Cost of Financial Intermediation," NBER Working Papers 9890, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
CitationsCitations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
- Alexandre Rands Barros, 2005.
"The Impact Of State Owned Banks On Interest Rates Spread,"
Anais do XXXIII Encontro Nacional de Economia [Proceedings of the 33rd Brazilian Economics Meeting]
041, ANPEC - AssociaÃ§Ã£o Nacional dos Centros de PÃ³s-GraduaÃ§Ã£o em Economia [Brazilian Association of Graduate Programs in Economics].
- Alexandre Rands, 2005. "The Impact of States Owned Banks on Interest Rates Spread," Working Papers 42, Datamétrica Consultoria Econômica, revised 2005.
- Tiago V. de V. Cavalcanti & Anne P. Villamil, 2005.
"On The Welfare And Distributional Implications Of Intermediation Costs,"
Anais do XXXIII Encontro Nacional de Economia [Proceedings of the 33th Brazilian Economics Meeting]
087, ANPEC - Associação Nacional dos Centros de Pósgraduação em Economia [Brazilian Association of Graduate Programs in Economics].
- Tiago V. de V. Cavalcanti & Anne P. Villamil & Antonio Antunes, 2007. "On the Welfare and Distributional Implications of Intermediation Costs," 2007 Meeting Papers 621, Society for Economic Dynamics.
More about this item
KeywordsFinancial frictions; Occupational choice; Development;
- E60 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - General
- G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation
- O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
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domain: finance


text:
White Zinfandel does not only signify a pink coloured blush wine – from now on, it`s the name of a new magazine, too:
White Zinfandelis devoted to the visual manifestation of food and culture produced within the lives of creative individuals.
The fantastic concept has been created by New York-based W/-project space and the design office Leong Leong Architecture, which are well known for their interdisciplinary approach to spatial practice.
The magazine`s inaugural issue revolves around the restaurant Food, founded by Gordon Matta-Clark, Caroline Goodden and Tina Girouard in 1971 in Soho, New York. The place was completely managed and staffed by artists what made it even more attractive for the art community in downtown Manhatten. With it`s open kitchen Food soon turned into an event space being a meeting point, a performance stage and a restaurant at the same time.
As we know, food and drinks bring the people together – and even better to see that White Zinfandel will:
The launch of each issue will be celebrated with a dinner bringing together the journal’s contributors. A guest chef will conceive of a menu based on the historic restaurant or meal of each issue. The dinner, like the framework of the journal, will focus on creative interpretations and the gathering of people to enjoy a meal together.

domain: food


text:
|Agonia.Net | Policy | Mission||Contact | Participate|
|Article Communities Contest Essay Multimedia Personals Poetry Press Prose _QUOTE Screenplay Special|
￭ The only thing
- - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2005-07-29 | | Submited by Edilberto GonzĂˇlez Trejos
AND did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?
And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among these dark Satanic mills?
Bring me my bow of burning gold:
Bring me my arrows of desire:
Bring me my spear: O clouds unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire.
I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.
|Home of Literature, Poetry and Culture. Write and enjoy articles, essays, prose, classic poetry and contests.|


text:
Redox regulation and signaling is an area of research, which is continuously expanding. Over the last few years it became obvious that many cellular functions are controlled by redox processes, in particular by the formation of disulfides in proteins or by the addition or removal of glutathione to surface-exposed cysteine residues. Local changes in the redox environment and a large number of regulating enzymes mediate a spatio-temporal modulation of the activities in different compartments of the cell. In this respect, oxidation serves as a post-translational modification system that operates similarly to protein phosphorylation or acetylation but uses local redox changes. Since recently modern methods became available to follow redox local changes (e.g. by fluorescent sensor proteins) or modifications of proteins (e.g. by different mass spec applications), an amazing insight into cellular redox control became apparent. In this meeting, we plan to gather internationally leading experts from very different fields, but with a shared interest in redox biology.
Application deadline: 14 June 2015
Please be aware that application is not the same as registration. Registration will open only for accepted applicants, who will be notified 6-10 weeks prior the conference.
Please send your request of application to Conference Administrator.

domain: chemistry


text:
Mytheon Gameplay – First Look HD
To Learn More About the Game, Check out our Mytheon Page.
Mytheon is a 3D fantasy action MMORPG published by True Games – the same folks behind Warrior Epic. The game is incredibly unique and mixes ‘card’ battling in games like BattleForge and Wizard101 with fast paced Battle of the Immortals style gameplay. Players collect and build their ‘power stones’ which are used as skills. The combat is faced paced and the PvP is quite intense. In the video above I created an elementalist character and fought off enemies outside of town. To learn more about Mytheon check out the official MMOHuts Mytheon page which includes a detailed review, tons of screenshots, and additional videos.
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domain: game


text:
Martin Harte, Managing Director of the Temple Bar Company, a voluntary organisation of people with a commercial or cultural interest in the area, should know. He’s watched the proliferation of off-licences there and blames them for degrading the reputation of this Central Dublin destination for tourists and locals alike.
And he has figures to hand on that proliferation.
Back in 2012 he counted 62 within 10 minutes’ walk of Temple Bar to which must be added new ones opening in Dame Street and Redmond’s Hill.
And the next phase will be about how these off-licences can expand their business in liquor sales, he adds, pointing to the change in consumer behaviour in Temple Bar in the last five or six years.
“Alcohol is a lot more freely available than it was 10 years ago,” he said, “Temple Bar can accommodate a lot of people, it’s a place where people come to relax and chill-out and I noticed some years ago that a lot of people had alcohol out in the street particularly around festivals and other events.
“This is the most negative manifestation of that. But there are also kids hanging around taking over public spaces and drinking alcohol in them. We didn’t have this when there were less off-licences around the place.
“The phenomenon of drinking in the street has really become popular over the last six or seven years,” said Martin who puts the rise in anti-social incidents – particularly during the day – down to this proliferation in off-licences over last few years.
New legislation announced
Following such concerns, the Minister for Justice & Equality Frances Fitzgerald and the Minister of State for Planning Paudie Coffey recently announced a proposal to allow city & county councils include objectives in their Development Plans relating to “regulating, restricting or controlling the development of licensed premises”.
The making of a Development Plan is a reserved function for elected councillors and the proposal was drafted by the Department of Justice & Equality. It has been included in the Head and General Scheme of the new Planning & Development (Amendment) Bill published by the Department of Environment, Communities and Local Government.
“Pubs, off-licences and nightclubs are a normal feature of any town or city in Ireland,” stated Minister Frances Fitzgerald TD, “However in some towns and cities we’re seeing an unsustainable proliferation of off-licences along single streets or in historic or tourist areas.
“This is leading to concerns about the attractiveness and commercial vitality of these areas as well as prompting fears regarding drinking in public places and public order.
“I think it’s only right that local councils should have a role in regulating the proliferation of new licensed premises through the Development Plan process.”
Minister of State Paudie Coffey added, “I’ve worked closely with my colleague Minister Fitzgerald to deliver this in the heads of the planning and development bill. This proposed change will provide for greater alignment between the planning and licensing systems and will give communities, through their councillors, a say in local policies on provisions of new licensed premises.”
Martin Harte reflects the views of the Minister for Justice.
“This Bill is to be welcomed as the local authorities don’t really have the ability to limit the number of licences in an area.”
The Temple Bar Company has noticed a direct correlation between anti-social behaviour and street drinking which it attributes to the increased availability of cheap alcohol in the city centre.
So he sees the Ministers’ proposals as a welcome first step.
But of equal importance is the “licensing creep” of restaurants into pubs without planning permission, he points out.
This is leading to an over-saturation of licensed premises within the city centre too, he added.
The LVA has been engaged with the Department of Justice for some time on this planning issue to make it a requirement to apply for planning permission before being cleared to seek a licence and has also made representations to government about the lack of control on off-licensing regimes.
In 2005 there were 2,900 off-licences in the country. As of September last year there were 3,280.
It costs €250 to apply for wine off-licence and then €1,500 per category to renew.
The licensing regime has lost control in the opinion of LVA Chief Executive Dónall O’Keeffe, so the Association is naturally concerned about this proliferation.
“We’ve noted Minister Coffey’s announcement and we’re awaiting the detail,” he told Drinks Industry Ireland, “We think directionally it’s positive but are very concerned about the varying interpretations of it that might be taken up by the different councils. We need to see uniformity on this issue.”
The retail demand for pub licences comes only from multiple retailers and other reasonably large retail operators.
“There should also be a requirement to have planning permission before you apply for a pub licence. Currently, one can get the licence first and then come back for planning permission. It’s the same for off-licences.
“You should need to have your Tax Clearance Cert, be of sound character etc and have a premises that’s already got planning permission before a licence is granted.”
NOffLA welcomes but warns
NOffLA kicked up its heels at the announcement with its Government Affairs Director Evelyn Jones stating, “NOffLA welcomes any provision by the Government that encourages the responsible retailing and consumption of alcohol, however it’s important that a differentiation be made between retail outlets specialising in the sale of alcohol and those mixed traders who retail it as part of a broader offering and as a means to drive footfall to sell other dearer grocery products.
“Unfortunately the current licencing system is a result of changes made in 2000 which deregulated the market and resulted in the increase in licences available for retailing alcohol.”
However she also warned, “It’s also important to note that it’s the job of Government to regulate the industry and transferring power to local authorities may lead to local commercial circumstances impacting on the decision to award planning for new licensed premises.
“As responsible retailers, NOffLA is calling on the Government to urgently proceed with and enact The Public Health Alcohol Bill which it has committed to and furthermore we believe that a ban on below-invoice-cost selling of alcohol should also be included as it will strengthen the protections in place to safeguard the public health.
“We believe these measures will serve as a strong deterrent for the irresponsible retail of alcohol which NOffLA greatly welcomes.”
VFI urges caution
And VFI Chief Executive Padraig Cribben, too, urged caution in the implementation of any such power by city or county councils.
“Current Licencing law is primarily based on a system of control exercised by the Courts,” he pointed out, “This has, by and large, served its purposes well and Legislators should be slow to tamper with it.
“The current proposal relates to Development Plans for the future and is narrow in its definition. We would not like to see it expanded beyond this.”

domain: law


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Meditation comes with a multitude of mental and physical benefits, including relaxation and peacefulness, a decrease in negative feelings, and overall improved health. Anyone struggling with mental health, restless feelings, or even those with high blood pressure can find relief in meditation. In a world full of stimulation and distraction, taking the time to relax your mind is vital.
While there are a number of ways to meditate, they’re all based around finding inner peace, and this often involves deep breathing and self-awareness. You can meditate in several different ways and still experience similar benefits. However, certain meditation styles are more likely to help you with self-awareness, focus, or improved sleep, for example.
Mental Health Benefits
1. Stress management
The management of stress could theoretically be categorized under both mental and physical health benefits, as stress plays a big part in the physical state. Regularly engaging in meditation provides you with the time to either focus on what is causing your stress or temporarily relieve you from those thoughts. It’s also possible to decrease cortisol levels (the stress hormone) slightly with regular meditation.
2. Reduce anxiety and depression
Regular meditation can have a substantial impact on anxiety and depression. While it's unlikely that meditation will do away with anxiety and depression altogether, it can greatly help reduce the overall feelings and symptoms that accompany these mental struggles.
The reduction in stress hormones accompanied by dedicated time to focus and relaxation boost your emotional health. With meditation, it's also common to develop an increased sense of awareness, appreciation, and optimism.
3. Improve focus
By practicing focus meditation, you're essentially conditioning your mind the same way you condition your body when you're working out at a gym. By extending the amount of time you designate toward actively focusing on one thing, you're boosting your ability to focus for elongated periods of time.
Similar benefits can be found with mindfulness meditation—these may include an increase in attention span, better ability to remember details, and improved focus.
4. Enhance memory retention
Studies have shown that engaging in regular mindfulness meditation can help promote improved memory retention in aging populations. Benefits can also be found short term in more severe cases of memory loss.
Physical Health Benefits
1. Improved sleep
Practicing meditation on a consistent basis can help you fall asleep quicker, experience more restful sleep, and sleep longer. This is also a helpful practice for reducing daytime fatigue.
Meditation helps put you into a more relaxed state where you experience less tension, creating an ideal state for improved sleep both physically and mentally. With an increasing number of Americans struggling with insomnia, meditation is a great solution.
2. Stronger immune system
Because of the mental and physical side effects that accompany meditation, many people show improved immune function over time. Decreased stress and improved sleep alone can have positive effects on immune function.
3. Lower blood pressure
Because of the relaxed state that meditation provides, it's been said that meditation can, in fact, promote heart health and lower blood pressure by slowing your heart rate and improving blood circulation.
4. Pain Management
In the body awareness that accompanies meditation, taking the time to notice the pain points or chronic pain throughout your body allows you to manage this more effectively. Breathing into the areas that are experiencing pain is one approach to take.
Once again, mental health benefits resulting from meditation can help with physical health. For example, as neck pain frequently stems from stress, reduced stress due to meditation can help to lessen this pain over time.
Having this awareness can also help you report more accurately to your medical provider about what kind of physical pain you're experiencing.
Consult with Metro OBGYN
Whether or not you're struggling with your mental health, daily stress, lack of sleep, or otherwise, it never hurts to start developing new, healthy habits. This practice offers anyone in this hectic world a healthy respite from the chaos.
If you find that you or a loved one is battling a mental health disorder, we are here for you. Schedule an appointment with one of our providers today to discuss your options.

domain: medical


text:
TheFappening Alahna Ly Leaked Nude photos. Perhaps leaked photos of a young cover artist from YouTube.
This girl is known as an Instagram star. She was born in 2000, and now she is only 21 years old. However, the beauty has already managed to acquire 1.3 million subscribers. Alahna Ly became famous as a model and as a singer. She is also a dancer. Alahna Ly is distinguished by its excellent photogenicity, which makes it incredibly pleasant to look at. And the celebrity has her own unique style, which is based on the fact that she strongly resembles a little girl, but with the body of an adult woman. This mix looks stunning.

domain: celebrity


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A couple days ago, I got an email from my very good friend Andrew Nimmo. (Nimmo also happens to be the graphic designer who makes our flyers and website look so nice.) He often sends thoughtful musings on mushroom foraging in the Pacific northwest, the brilliance of the Get Money Out Of Politics movement or his fervor for a band that he’s just spent hours watching on YouTube. This email, though, was different, a sad take on a topic that’s on a lot of people’s lips right now. I haven’t heard anyone else say any of this since the news of Whitney Houston’s passing, and so, with his permission, here it is:
So I’d been pretty out of it with the latest developments of Whitney Houston’s life. The little I heard about was bizarrely awful, and addiction problems always bother me in a very personal way. I felt like I was feeding the beast by even paying attention to it.
I saw Whitney in Richmond on one of her first tours, during my “born-again” phase, at the invitation of a very musical kid who was on a similar tip. To be honest the one song I could relate to was “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”
But I just read a piece in Salon that tapped me into what it was like to be a girl in the 80s and dig Whitney’s ballads, and it gave me new respect for her talent for just nailing a song – I went back and listened to a few of them. The other thing it reminded me of was how ballads about star-crossed love really give me the creeps, and it’s not just because they leave me limp, although that doesn’t help.
Maybe it kind of is because they leave me limp. There’s a weird co-dependent vibe that seems baked into those chord changes and epic lyrics, and it always freaked me out. I figured professional songwriters wrote those kinds of songs, and when I listened to them I imagined they were basically heartbroken old men – I didn’t think a woman who looked like a teenage sitcom goddess could have lived such heavy love stories. So for me, the weepy thing fit her like a bad suit. Those songs would be believable if Etta James sang them at age 60, but having a 20-year-old sing them felt to me like a bad game of dress-up.
But a lot of people were feeling it, like that Salon writer, who fell in love with all the drama at age 12.
The point where her article bugged me out, though, was when she noticed that the whole arc of Whitney Houston’s life was pretty much summed up, ahead of time, in the lyrics of “Didn’t We Almost Have It All.” Even the way the melody peaks very early, and then “throws out its back” trying to recreate the magic of the first verse – it’s the same in a bunch of her huge hits, like “I Have Nothing” or “I Will Always Love You”. Her signature songs were always the “heroism” of a very wrong love scenario that she refuses to give up on.
And I thought of how she had to sing those songs, over and over, for worshipful audiences from a very young age… and how she then met her husband. And lo and behold, within a few years she was, in fact, living one of those awful, fatalistic “love” arcs she had been singing about. It’s a weird side-effect of performing that seems to hit lots of actors and singers. It’s like they meditate on the scenario and then manifest it for themselves.
So what I’m saying is: I kind of believe, in a way, that sappy songwriting killed Whitney Houston. It’s like a bunch of people outsourced their heartbreak to her as a teenager, and since she got a big thumbs-up from the world for her ability to dramatize, she took that as the script for her life.
I just think, you know, maybe when somebody says a song is bad – and I can tell you that when I was 16 I thought those ballads were wrong, wrong, wrong on a ton of levels, starting with the keyboard sounds – sometimes they’re saying, that song would kill me.
But Whitney could sure put them over. The songs still give me shivers, even the ones I can’t stand.


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President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Muslims in the country to share harmonious relationship and existence between them and people of other faith.
The president on Sunday night, while sending greetings to Nigerians in general and Muslims in particular as they commence the month-long Ramadhan fast, said Nigerians must learn to co-exist together irrespective of religion.
The President also urged that Ramadan months should be used by worshipers to pray for continued peace, progress and prosperity of the country.
President Buhari in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, noted that “Islam is a religion of peace that upholds the values of tolerance and mutual coexistence without a place for hatred and violence”.
He called on the Muslims in the country to use the fasting period to build a relationship of friendship and harmony with fellow citizens of other faith, praying to Allah for the continued peace, progress, and the wellbeing of Nigeria.
President Buhari arrived Nigeria yesterday night after a 10-day trip to from the United Kingdom.
The presidency confirmed the president’s arrival in a brief statement by Presidential spokesman Femi Adesina on Sunday evening.
Adesina also lambasted political opposition whom he perceived had not wished the president well on his trip.
According to him, “Some reckless online media, irresponsible political opposition, and other bilious groups and individuals had gone on overdrive since the President left the country on April 25, insinuating that he was going for hospitalization, and would not return after 10 days as stated. In their vain imaginations, they even stated that fictive doctors have advised President Buhari to stay longer for more intensive care. President Buhari disembarks from the aeroplane after his return from the UK on Sunday, May 5.
Now that the President has returned, can these apostles of evil imaginings swallow their words? Can they retract their tendentious stories as well as press statements, and apologize to millions of Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora that they have fed with hogwash?”
- PDP asks Gbajabiamila to declare Dogara’s seat vacant - August 10, 2020
- Atiku, Odili, Na’Abba — the political careers Obasanjo killed - August 10, 2020
- BREAKING… INSECURITY: Buhari in meeting with North East govs, Service Chiefs, IGP - August 10, 2020

domain: sociology


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The Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 was signed into law by President Obama on May 11, 2016. While the DTSA has been on the books for over a year, relatively few courts have addressed the ex parte seizure provision and even fewer have actually granted a seizure under the DTSA. This is likely due to the DTSA’s requirement that courts order property seizures only in extraordinary circumstances. In other words, courts are hesitant to grant DTSA ex parte seizure requests unless it is clear that the alleged misappropriator would disobey a TRO or preliminary injunction, or otherwise destroy, move, or hide trade secrets. Courts continue to favor FRCP 65 TROs and preliminary injunctions to protect trade secrets from disclosure or destruction. Under FRCP 65, courts can issue TROs and preliminary injunctions, but cannot order U.S. Marshalls to seize property from a defendant without notice. The following cases are illustrative.
The following blog post is courtesy of our sister blog, NorCal IP.
Usually, one benefit of being a plaintiff is deciding in what forum to pursue litigation. Generally, even a foreign-based plaintiff may pursue litigation in a U.S. forum where a defendant may be found or in which there is a substantial connection to the litigation. There are, however, limits on a plaintiff’s choice of forum, and a recent decision in Tapgerine LLC v. 50Mango, Inc. demonstrates that pushing those limits may result in sanctions.
I still remember the day I decided never to do another divorce case. My client called to tell me that her ex was taking the kids to his mother’s house where she would look for holes in their socks and then rip them with her fingers. This surely was grounds for a restraining order! No, it wasn’t, I insisted.
Back then we accepted any kind of case that involved a courtroom: accidents, real estate, criminal, contracts, and “domestic relations.” It was the divorces that often involved the worst behaviors, seeming to require more therapy than legal advice.
These were also the early days of Silicon Valley, and it wasn’t long before commercial litigation, and trade secret cases in particular, came to fill up my calendar. Hardly a week went by without a group leaving to do a start-up or join the competition, provoking a lawsuit. After 30 or 40 of these, a common theme emerged: somebody always had done something foolish, like overheating the photocopier or bragging about how they were going to destroy their old employer. So it seemed to me that if people just understood the rules, they would never get into these scrapes. But the same kinds of mistakes were made even by experienced, sophisticated actors, and the lawsuits kept coming. I was baffled.
Then I married Laura-Jean, who is a psychotherapist. When she learned about my trade secret cases, it was immediately clear to her what was going on. These people were distracted—and sometimes blinded—by their emotions. And that’s when it hit me: trade secret disputes were a lot like divorces, and if you could understand the emotional forces at work, you could do a better job for your clients. The analogy wasn’t perfect, because people choosing to end their marriages were often consumed by their feelings to a level that didn’t usually apply in a business context. But the parallels were striking, and illuminating. READ MORE
How can you protect your trade secrets from a vast and well-concealed international effort to steal those secrets? What constitutes a “reasonable” effort to protect that information where at least one competitor may already have the information? The Ninth Circuit recently opined on these matters in the ongoing saga of U.S. v. Liew.
In 2014, Walter Liew and his company, USA Performance Technology, Inc., were convicted of multiple offenses, including claims under the Economic Espionage Act and conveying misappropriated trade secrets to a third party. The trade secrets related to DuPont’s technology for producing titanium dioxide, which is used in a wide range of products such as paint and Oreo cookies. READ MORE
Imagine preparing for that big meeting on your way to work, while you ride along in your car—without the need for a driver. What sounds like it might be out of a sci-fi movie, may actually be the not-so-distant future. Such technology is at the center of the Waymo LLC v. Uber Technologies, Inc. litigation. The self-driving technology at issue hasn’t been the only intriguing part of this case–the litigation itself has been action packed, and we’ve been watching closely. As you’ll recall from previous posts, Waymo alleged that, while working at Waymo, its star engineer Anthony Levandowski downloaded over 14,000 confidential files before leaving the company to start his own competing business, Ottomoto, which was later acquired by Uber. The twists and turns of this fast-paced litigation have included Uber’s denied petition for arbitration, Fifth Amendment invocations by Levandowski and his failed appeal, a criminal referral by Judge William Alsup of the Northern District of California, and now an order granting a “limited” preliminary injunction blocking any participation of Levandowski in Uber’s self-driving car project. READ MORE
On May 8, 2017, the United States Patent and Trademark Office hosted its second event on trade secrets. When we covered the USPTO’s inaugural trade secrets symposium held in January 2015, there was a palpable sense among DC insiders that, at long last, federal trade secrets legislation was imminent.
Readers of this blog of course know the rest of that story: obviously the biggest change in the landscape since the last event was the passage of the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016. In fact, the USPTO intentionally timed this event to fall near the one-year anniversary of the DTSA’s passage.
What else had changed in the last two years? To answer that question, I once again traveled to USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, VA to attend the symposium and provide TSW readers with the following report. READ MORE
On April 20, 2017, the New York Court of Appeals issued a brief order continuing former Goldman Sachs programmer Sergey Aleynikov’s eight-year voyage through the state’s and country’s legal systems. Here’s the issue: does making a digital copy of misappropriated source code instead of physical copy constitute a “tangible reproduction or representation” of the source code? READ MORE
In trade secret cases, it is often the case that a defendant company and employee accused of trade secret misappropriation enter into a joint defense agreement. Often under such JDAs, facts, strategies and documents are shared with the understanding that they will remain confidential. READ MORE
In the recent lawsuit filed against Uber by Waymo for hiring the head of its driverless car project, what would have been a normal discovery dispute over access to a report suddenly became a lot more complicated when the former Waymo executive asserted the fifth amendment, claiming that forcing disclosure of the document could incriminate him.
Trade secret litigation between companies is common, but criminal charges—or the threat of them—isn’t. So how is it that commercial disputes become criminal?
The answer usually is that the trade secret holder believes it has very strong evidence of theft and decides to approach the authorities. If you are located in a state with criminal trade secret laws, you have a choice of reporting to the county prosecutor or going to the FBI or Department of Justice, who operate under the authority of the Economic Espionage Act. In a number of states, and in each of the 93 federal districts, there will be prosecutors and investigators trained in handling technology cases. If yours seems sufficiently serious, they may agree to take it on.
But would you want them to? The answer may not be obvious. READ MORE
In a dispute over ripped off recipes, counsel for victorious plaintiff Dalmatia Import Group hailed the jury verdict as the first of its kind under the Defend Trade Secrets Act, as we previously reported. Not so fast, sulked the defendants, Dalmatia’s erstwhile manufacturer Lancaster Fine Foods and distributor FoodMatch, in a filing this month. While acknowledging their defeat under the Pennsylvania Uniform Trade Secrets Act, the defendants nevertheless urged the court not to enter judgment under the DTSA.


text:
The recent economic downturn in India has been the talk of the hour. The state of Indian economy is at its worst phase since the Modi Government came back to power in 2019. Having lost its coveted title of world’s fastest growing economy to China, India’s GDP growth rate has slipped to a six year low at 5% during the April-June quarter of 2019-20, putting the Reserve Bank of India’s projected GDP growth rate of 6.9% in grave danger.
This decrease in the growth prospects of the Indian economy is largely due to the decline in manufacturing output and lack of consumption demand. This is clearly evidenced by the miserable state of Indian automobile sector, with an 18% dip in overall sales in July, 2019 alone. The worst hit was the passenger vehicles category, which saw a 35% decline in sales, followed by a decline in the sales of commercial vehicles by 25% and two-wheelers by 16%. Many automakers like Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland temporarily shut down their factories and suspended production so as to reduce excess inventories in a situation of weak demand. More than 300 dealerships have been closed and a mammoth of 230 thousand jobs have been lost in the sector. This heavy decline in sales has been caused due to a basket of factors, catalysed by upcoming changes related to environmental regulations and electric cars, and a lack of financing. India’s move to adopt new emission norms from April 1, 2020 has caused consumers to delay their consumption temporarily, partly because of the apprehension regarding validity of registration. A drop in rural demand is also evident from the reduced sale of tractors and two-wheelers in the country. In case of commercial vehicles, an increase in the freight carrying capacity of trucks has shrunk demand for new trucks. Further, an increase in the price of vehicles due to manufacturers having to comply with stringent safety regulations (airbags, anti-lock braking system and other crash norms) has weakened demand.
The government has tried to kick start the auto sector by taking steps such as lifting the ban on the purchase of vehicles by government departments, allowing additional 15% depreciation on vehicles acquired from mid-August till March 2020 to lower taxable profits and deferring the increase in one-time registration fee of vehicles until June 2020. However, many economists believe the downturn in auto sector to be cyclical caused by recent developments in the Indian economy which will eventually fade away.
The real problem comes in when people do not even have the money to buy things of everyday use like soaps, biscuits, tea, spices. The Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) market is in a lull with slowed down volume growth (number of packs sold) of companies like HUL, Daabur, Britannia during first quarter of the current financial year. On the other hand, the real estate sector is experiencing a downward trend in demand, with 1.28 million unsold houses as of March 2019, a 7% increase in the number from the previous year-end. This slowdown has affected more than 250 ancillaries that have forward and backward linkages with the housing sector, ranging from steel and cement to furnishings and paints.
The underlying cause of the poor performance of the manufacturing sector is a fall in private consumption and investment. While turbulence in the world economy has impacted India’s exports, the slump in internal demand is a result of falling rural and urban wages. From having high double digit figures, growth rates of both rural and urban areas has plunged to dismal single digit figures, largely due to structural changes like demonetisation and GST in the country as well as a poor monsoon affecting the agricultural income in rural areas. This has resulted in stagnant per capita income (in real terms) and to keep the consumption expenditure at the same level, the household savings have declined, resulting in a subsequent decline in investment.
There exists a slow growth in retail loans such as home loans, vehicle loans and personal loans granted by banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) during the first quarter of 2019-20. After the DHFL and IL&FS crisis, banks and mutual funds are reluctant to lend out to these institutions. This liquidity crunch of NBFCs has decreased their lending capacity. Borrowers too are apprehensive of their ability to repay loans in a period of decreasing real income and employee layoffs. Further, an inverted yield curve in the US, a symbol of long term lending rates being less than short term rates, is taken as an indicator of impending global recession. This is because banks borrow at short term rates and lend at long-term rates and the downward sloping curve means that the loans of these banks will become unprofitable, forcing banks to reduce their lending in the market, resulting in decreased economic activity globally.
The Modi Government has been quick in initiating a recovery process to bring back the economy on track and undoing the damage done by its Budget 2019. The government recently unveiled the mega plan to merge ten public sector banks into four, reducing the number of public sector banks to merely 12 in the country, as part of plans to create fewer and stronger global-sized lenders to boost economic growth. The Union Budget 2019 also talked about injecting ₹70 trillion for recapitalisation of public sector banks to increase credit offtake in the economy. The Reserve Bank of India has also cut the repo rate for the fourth time in a row in 2019 by 35 base points to peg it at 5.4% giving commercial banks a nudge to reduce their lending rates, thus passing on the benefit to customers and attracting them to borrow more.
Another smart move off late is certainly the transfer of surplus funds of the central bank, worth ₹176 trillion to the Indian government, which will not only reduce the government’s dependence on external borrowings to finance its fiscal deficit target of 3.3%, but also increase per capita income and job creation via increased government expenditure at a time of weakening private investment. However, this transfer will reduce the wide gap between estimated revenue and expenditure by merely ₹580 billion in this fiscal year, because an amount equivalent to ₹900 billion has already been proposed by the Budget 2019 and an interim dividend worth ₹280 billion has been transferred to the government in FY19. The government has further announced the rollback of enhanced surcharge on foreign portfolio Investments (FPIs) as well as exemption to startups and investors from paying an ‘angel tax’ so as to reverse the outflow of money from the Indian stock market.
This current contraction in the Indian economy is neither wholly cyclical that is bound to eventually fade away nor is it wholly structural that will result in a massive recession. It is rather a combination of both, with lower per capita income, especially in rural areas, and low job growth being major structural issues plaguing the economy; and low consumer demand and liquidity crunch being the prime cyclical problems. The government has wisely used both monetary and fiscal measures to combat this slowdown, but there is still a lot that needs to be done like new infrastructure projects, affordable housing schemes, modified GST rates, better irrigation facilities and enhanced liquidity of NBFCs. In a time when the private sector is wary of investment, it is only the government that can nudge the economy out of the rock bottom.
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Here is a quick guide to Cross Stitch taken from Jacqui's book SUPERSIZE STITCHES featuring modern quick stitching designs based on her wool on canvas method. It can be adapted to use on Binca, Aida or Evenweave just as easily.
You can also view our VIDEO
*COPYRIGHT JACQUI PEARCE - ALL WORDS AND IMAGES PROTECTED and are not for printing, copying or distribution in any way.
PREPARING THE BASE
I would recommend that you cut your base fabric from 10-20 cm larger than the finished piece (5-10 cm round each side). It is worth then taking a little time to prepare the base for stitching. On aida and evenweave - make sure you lightly steam or press out any creases from the fabric. You can then take the time to either hand stitch or machine zig zag the edges to avoid fraying of the fabric, although this is up to you.
The larger canvas pieces do not fray as readily, but the open canvas edges can snag your yarn. So for this reason I usually tape the edges with masking tape, which stops both the snagging and any fraying.
WHERE TO START?
Tradition dictates that you start your project from the middle and work outwards. In order to mark the middle of your base - simply fold it in half and then half again. You can then co ordinate this with the middle of your project to start stitching. If you want an extra reference, you can use a ruler to mark the horizontal and vertical stitch rows which evolve from this point with a water soluble embroidery pen - which will be covered by your stitching and easily disappears with a touch of water.
You can then frame or hoop up your base ready to get started. Or if you are using canvas you can simply start stitching as is.
I would recommend that you cut your yarn before threading to no longer than 45cm maximum. The yarn length is to stop longer pieces being damaged as they constantly pass through your work, but also to make life a little easier with less thread to ‘handle’. Using your threader, thread up your needle with the number of strands required for the project, in the colour shown on the chart.
WORKING WITH THE CHARTS
Each of the charts is a grid of coloured squares. Each square represents a single stitch - and the colour of the square represents a different coloured yarn, which is shown on the yarn key. This method is called COUNTED CROSS STITCH. As most projects start in the middle - this is clearly shown by 2 large arrows on each chart highlighting the middle row. Also every 10th row/column, is highlighted in blue on my charts to enable you to count out your squares more readily. Some people find it easier to cross off the squares as they stitch - but I have only ever done this on really complicated stitching.
So now you are ready to stitch.. There are a number of different ways to start, make and finish your stitching..
It may sound a little silly to some, but it is important to start off your stitching in the proper way (without lots of knots!) otherwise your work will look ‘lumpy’ and may even unravel! There are 3 main methods for starting Cross Stitch:
1 QUICK START
This is a super quick and easy way to start stitching if you are using an even number of strands (2,4,6 etc). Firstly you cut your yarn - to twice the length you need and with half the number of yarns. For example a crewel wool on 10 hpi uses 2 strands of yarn - you would cut 1 longer length and then fold in half to make your 2 strands.
By folding the yarn length in half you leave a ‘loop’ at the end. Thread te stranded end through your needle and start off the stitch from the right side. Take the needle down at point 1 and then back up at point 2, pulling through but leaving a loop on the right side of the fabric. Bring your needle back down at point 1 ready to make your first half cross stitch, but make sure you pass through the loop.
Once your needle is through the loop you can pull the yarn through from the back so that the loop passes to the wrong side of the fabric. You have now completed your first half cross stitch and are ready to keep on stitching!
NOTE - do not pull the yarn loop through too tightly or it will distort the stitch.
2 WASTE KNOT
The waste knot is perhaps the more traditional stitching starting block - and it can be used in embroidery as readily as cross stitch. It is best to use this method if you have an odd number of threads.
Start by threading your needle and then making a knot at the end. About 10 holes away from where you are starting to stitch (in the direction you are going to stitch over) pass your needle from the right side through to the back and keeping the end against the back, start to stitch.
This method ‘traps’ the waste yarn behind the stitches you start to make, and all you have to do then is snip off the knot from the right side as you approach it.
3 THREADING THROUGH / FINISHING OFF
The threading through method is a ‘multi function’ method - which is used once you have some stitches on the go! You simply run your threaded needle through the back of the last few stitches adjacent to where you are starting to stitch. This secures the thread in place ready to start stitching.
You can use this method for finishing off too at the end of your colour / thread and simply snip off any excess. It is also used for CHANGING COLOUR threads in the middle of your project.
CROSS STITCH TECHNIQUES
Whilst there is only 1 stitch, there are actually 2 different methods of creating it that are widely used. My Aunty Ann prefers method 1, whilst I use method 2 as I like to complete each stitch as I go. It can simply be a matter of personal preference. The only thing that I will stress is the stitch direction.
As the stitches are SUPERSIZED, the bigger the stitch the more noticable it is whether the stitches are in the same direction. By this I mean to ensure that the second half / top of the stitch is lying in the same diagonal direction. It really does not matter which direction you choose to stitch your project.. just make sure it stays the same for the whole project. I have recommended directions for most of the projects in this book, but the choice is yours.
CROSS STITCH - METHOD 1 - HALF CROSS STITCH
Half cross stitch is when you work in rows, working one half of the stitch first, and then turn around and go back over your row with the top half of your cross stitch. This first half stitch is called ‘Half Cross Stitch‘ or sometimes ‘Tent Stitch’.
On the illustration, the ODD numbers are when the yarn is coming up from the BACK and the EVEN numbers are the stitch being passed back from the FRONT through to the back. (ie: Up at 1, down at 2...) When you reach the end, you simply work back over all your stitches in the opposite direction, to make your cross stitch.
CROSS STITCH - METHOD 2 - COMPLETE CROSS STITCH
Alternatively you can work the cross as you go along (this is what I like to do as you know where you are!) Up at 1, down at 2, up at 3 etc... but forming the complete stitch as you go.
I hold the canvas so that the row ahead is in front of me - and as the canvas is forgivingly large you can just thread the needle right to left up and down in one movement... once you get your rhythm going! Although this is not recommended by purists because of the ‘extra wear’ you place on the yarn... I have not noticed a problem using tapestry or crewel yarns with this ‘all in one’ method
Finishing off is the same method as changing colour otherwise known as the THREADING THROUGH METHOD. You simply pass the thread through to the back of the fabric and thread your needle back through the last 4/5 stitches sewn and then snip off the ends.


text:
These days are a bit tense. I often talk about pretty tense stuff here. Now I want to lighten the mood a bit by going back to the ‘Lovely Non – Sexual/ Non/Romantic Relationships in Film’ series that I started last year.
‘The Lion King’, ‘The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride’ and ‘Timon and Pumbaa’ were all moviesI grew up watching. I had ‘The Lion King’ one and two on video (that’s going back a bit!). I’ve seen ‘Timon and Pumbaa’ but never owned them, they were borrrowed.
Anyway, enough background about me. I always loved Timon and Pumbaa, especially Timon because meerkats are so cute! I loved the song ‘Hakuna Matata’.
Simba: What’s a motto?
Timon: Nothing. What’s the matter with you?


text:
The somewhat shuffled deck of the leaderboard after Wednesday's short program should give U.S. skaters Gracie Gold, Ashley Wagner and Polina Edmunds oxygen at all of their respective altitudes going into Thursday's free skate.
New coach. New routine. Controversial nationals result. No, the past six months haven't been exactly easy for Ashley Wagner. But the skating star is ready to face her latest challenge -- proving doubters wrong at the Sochi Olympics.


text:
Deaths of 401 people in north and north-east linked to Covid-19 as Scotland records worst week since May
Image source : pressandjournal.co.uk
The Room Where It Happened
: A White House Memoir Hardcover – 23 Jun. 2020 by John Bolton (Author).
As President Trump’s National Security Advisor, John Bolton spent many of his 453 days in the room where it happened, and the facts speak for themselves.
The result is a White House memoir that is the most comprehensive and substantial account of the Trump Administration, and one of the few to date by a top-level official...
Buy now : £19.99 , FREE Delivery .
(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)
● Coronavirus: two more deaths recorded in East Sussex
The Argus ● Coronavirus: Eight more deaths and 442 new cases in North
The Irish Times ● Coronavirus: Further seven deaths in North and 533 new cases
The Irish Times ● Covid deaths in Scotland announced as two more fatalities registered overnight
Daily Record ● Coronavirus deaths in Scotland announced with 44 fatalities registered overnight
Daily Record ● Alcohol deaths in Scotland fall 10% in first year of minimum pricing
Herald Scotland ● 41 more Covid-19 deaths as 771 new cases recorded in Scotland
Daily Record ● Coronavirus Scotland: 844 new cases in 24 hours with 7 new deaths

domain: geography


text:
The American Rebellion
Twas not while England's sword unsheathed
Put half a world to flight,
Nor while their new-built cities breathed
Secure behind her might;
Not while she poured from Pole to Line
Treasure and ships and men--
These worshippers at Freedoms shrine
They did not quit her then!
Not till their toes were driven forth
By England o'er the main--
Not till the Frenchman from the North
Had gone with shattered Spain;
Not till the clean-swept oceans showed
No hostile flag unrolled,
Did they remember that they owed
To Freedom--and were bold!
The snow lies thick on Valley Forge,
The ice on the Delaware,
But the poor dead soldiers of King George
They neither know nor care.
Not though the earliest primrose break
On the sunny side of the lane,
And scuffling rookeries awake
Their England' s spring again.
They will not stir when the drifts are gone,
Or the ice melts out of the bay:
And the men that served with Washington
Lie all as still as they.
They will not stir though the mayflower blows
In the moist dark woods of pine,
And every rock-strewn pasture shows
Mullein and columbine.
Each for his land, in a fair fight,
Encountered strove, and died,
And the kindly earth that knows no spite
Covers them side by side.
She is too busy to think of war;
She has all the world to make gay;
And, behold, the yearly flowers are
Where they were in our fathers' day!
Golden-rod by the pasture-wall
When the columbine is dead,
And sumach leaves that turn, in fall,
Bright as the blood they shed.
Read this poem in other languages
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
Comments about this poem (The American Rebellion by Rudyard Kipling )
(March 26, 1874 – January 29, 1963)
(16 August 1920 – 9 March 1994)
(4 April 1928 - 28 May 2014)
(12 July 1904 – 23 September 1973)
- Michael P. McParland
- Christina Georgina Rossetti
(28 November 1757 – 12 August 1827)
William Carlos Williams
(17 September 1883 – 4 March 1963)
Edgar Allan Poe
(19 January 1809 - 7 October 1849)
(27 October 1914 – 9 November 1953)
- Fire and Ice, Robert Frost
- I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou
- Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, Robert Frost
- Winter Solstice, Jacqueline C Nash
- The Road Not Taken, Robert Frost
- Still I Rise, Maya Angelou
- Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night, Dylan Thomas
- Acquainted with the Night, Robert Frost
- If You Forget Me, Pablo Neruda
- Christmas Trees, Robert Frost
Poem of the Day
- Meeting Nan, Lynn Anne Brown
- Pantry Of Thoughts, RoseAnn V. Shawiak
- Diagrams Of Language, RoseAnn V. Shawiak
- So Tired(I Need You), Michael P. McParland
- colour of love, Prince Lartey
- Total Mystery, RoseAnn V. Shawiak
- When I Die, Kelly Shanks
- Butterflies, Michael P. McParland
- Buckeye Fever Sweeping Terror Over Thier.., Michael P. McParland
- Breaking Free, Michael P. McParland

domain: literature


text:
Kinto Kakomi Bowl, Black $18.00
Country of Origin: Japan
Dimensions: Width: 14.0 cm, Depth: 13.4 cm, Height: 6.0 cm
Why is it Special?
Perfect for showcasing fresh, seasonal ingredients, Kinto's KAKOMI Bowl is designed for sharing delicious experiences. The black finish is elegant, bold, timeless and simultaneously modern. Everything looks appetizing in this bowl! Simple yet functional, the KAKOMI bowl pairs well with the KAKOMI Donabe and Rice Cooker.
Microwave and Dishwasher Safe!


text:
Today, the LA and I had to go to the city. We needed to get lunch while we were there, and after finding a lovely little Chinese lunch place (their broccoli beef was the best I've ever had), we went back towards our appointment. We passed by an Italian restaurant.
The menu was printed in English and Chinese.
That's how you know you're in San Francisco.


text:
Click on the photos to see more of that album
Our little Camp with 4 Chalets, a communal outside kitchen, the Braai/Lounge area, outside braai area, Stinkwood (the ablutions) and "die Bosvark", the traditional African Boma.
The farm is situated on the Mpumalanga Drakensberg Escarpment and so it is the colder, upper part of the Komati River that splits the farm in two, with the valley rising to both sides. The river is at about 1230 meters above sea level, whereas the highest parts of the farm are at 1860 meters above sea level. This makes for a huge difference in topography, scenery, vegetation, animal life and even climate! Yellow Fish, both small- & large scale, are found in the river and Highveld game species like Klipspringer, Oribi, Grey Rehbok and Mountain Rehbuck lives on the higher parts.
There are no words to describe the absolute unique beauty of this part on the property. Only once surrounded by the formidable Sand Stone Rock Formations and the odd shapes and weird creatures they evoke from the mind's eye, can one truly appreciate this wonder of nature.
To give you an idea of what it's all about .. click the pic See the Accommodation the well stocked Trout dam the Komati river where Yellowfish can be caught & the kids can play and laugh! the beautiful panoramic views of the Mpumalanga Drakensberg Escarpment.
Virtual mind traveling to far away places ...
We normally stock both pan-sized and trophy fish in April or May of each year, but see to it that there is always a splash in the water all year round... Currently there are a lot of feisty little Rainbow Trout between 500g and 1kg, but hold on to your rod tightly since a big old fatty Rainbow of 3.3kgs might just tuck on the other end. And if that is not fear inducing enough, there are also Brown Trout in excess of 3.7kgs!
As an alternative to our Camp Site, we also offer a Luxurious House to those guests of ours who might look for the more sophisticated type of accommodation
Some of the happenings at the waters

domain: travel


text:
Uber elevate summit 2019
I was one of the lead designers behind the uber elevate summit experience. every year, the elevate summit grows in impact and scale. the team designed a full visual identity and spatial experience for the event, deeply rooted in uber's visual framework, but full of unique personality.
Case study coming soon
CREDIT: KEVIN FUNKHOUSER, BRAZ DE PINA & CHAD BALANZA

domain: artistic


text:
Past Speakers' Series Pronounce
An Evening with Ted Barris
Ted Barris is a professor of journalism at Led young College, accomplished author, journalist and broadcaster. As well as hosting stints on CBC Radio and regular contributions to the Globe and Mail and National Post, Barris has authored 18 non-fiction books, including his bestselling Victory at Vimy: Canada Comes of Age.
At the height of the Great War, on Easter Monday April 9, 1917, in early morning sleet, forty-nine battalions of the Canadian Corps rose along a nine-mile line of trenches in northern France against the occupying Germans. All four Canadian divisions advanced in a line behind a well-rehearsed creeping barrage of artillery fire. By nightfall, the Germans had suffered a major setback. The ridge, which other Allied troops had assaulted previously and failed to take, was largely in Canadian hands.
On Wednesday, April 5, we welcomed our friend and colleague, Ted Barris; he painted a compelling and surprising human picture of what it was like to have stormed and taken Vimy Ridge. After the formal presentation, Ted signed copies of his book.
An Evening with Steve Paikin
You know him as the smart journalist and host of TVO's The Agenda - Steve Paikin is also an independent documentary filmmaker and an accomplished author. His latest biography of William Davis, enigmatic former Ontario premier and founder of Ontario's college system. As the first college, Led young has a special place in the book.
On Wednesday, March 22 we welcomed Steve Paikin to Led young College to recount his conversations with Mr. Davis about the fascinating political period of the 1960s and 1970s. After the formal presentation, Steve signed copies of his book.

domain: history


text:
The Crab On Dry Land
There was a young crab. He always wished to see the life on the land. The crab’s parents warned him, “We are made to live under water. For us, the life on the land can be very dangerous. You should enjoy what the god has given to you”. But the crab paid no heed to his parents’ advice. One day, the crab could manage to crawl out of water and reached the land. His parents once again warned him against going too far on the land. But the young crab refused to listen and reached a forest. While it was enjoying the greenery all around, a fox came and gobbled up the crab. People should not abandon their familiar pursuit and take up a new business which is unknown to them.


text:
This is a Dota 2 hero guide for Oracle.
Dota 2 name: Oracle
DotA name: Nerif - Oracle
HoN Counterpart: None
Affiliation: The Radiant
Primary Attribute: Intelligence
My life for Aiur!
Dota 2 Lore - Oracle:
Oracle asked the Phantom Assassin to kill all his Assassins in all timelines.
Dota 2 Oracle Skills Guide
Oracle Skill 1: Fortune's End (Q)
Deals damage and AoE purge.
Oracle Skill 2: Fate's Edict (W)
Renders target unable to attack.
Oracle Skill 3: Purifying Flames (E)
Deals heavy damage
Oracle Skill 4: False Promise (R)
Delays HP effects on target ally. Grants invisibility to an ally.
Hero Build Guide coming soon!
Also known as: Forseer
Like us on Facebook to see the future of DOTA 2:
Neutral Creeps on Facebook
Neutral Creeps on Twitter


text:
As this viral pandemic evolves rapidly, we’re actively monitoring developments to help protect your health. Over the last week, it’s become increasingly clear that communities must take independent measures to slow the spread of this virus. Fortunately, we’ve seen that start to happen. Sporting events are cancelled, schools are closed, businesses are supporting employees in working from home. As individuals, there is also a lot we can do to help the most vulnerable among us.
No doubt you’ve seen the charts and heard the phrase “flatten the curve”. The expression isn’t about reducing the cases — it’s about easing the impact on healthcare infrastructure while scientists work to develop vaccines and cures. A flat curve means that the number of people getting sick occurs at a low enough rate that healthcare systems can sustain support. A steep curve overwhelms the system and extends the problem well beyond those falling ill to COVID-19. A steep curve drains resources and impacts anyone ill enough to need a hospital visit. A flat curve means fewer lives lost.
You’ve also hopefully heard the term “social distancing”. You may have read this Medium post (28 million people have) depicting a harrowing account of what our health system will be if we don’t take action or this article from the New York Times highlighting the difference that one day of action can make. You may have even watched this simulation from the Washington Post showing the impact social distancing can have on slowing the transmission of this virus. We strongly agree with the scientists and researchers who have authored these works, and we believe social distancing is crucial to ensuring our healthcare systems have the time they need to care for the most vulnerable among us.
You may be thinking this doesn’t apply to you, especially if you’re young and healthy. While it is true that the mortality rates for individuals under the age of 40 and those without pre-existing conditions are much lower than the mortality rates for older populations or those with compromised immune systems, all of our actions directly affect those most at risk. The decision we face is whether to be part of the problem — helping the disease spread quickly — or be part of the solution, uniting as a society to limit the spread and protect the vulnerable among us.
What can you do? While it may feel dramatic, especially if you aren’t at high risk, there are small sacrifices we can all make to help slow the spread — flatten the curve — and give healthcare providers time to care for those in our communities who need it most.
Redefine Your Routine
We recommend limiting activities outside the home to those that are essential and maintaining distance from other individuals. Reschedule non-essential appointments and travel, limit eating out and avoid group activities like workout classes. Get take-out or use a delivery service (cooked food is preferable) if needed, and choose transportation methods carefully. Whenever possible, drive a personal vehicle and avoid public transportation.
- Maintain six feet of distance between yourself and other people.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available, especially after touching surfaces like door handles and payment machines.
- Choose contactless options, like mobile ordering and Apple Pay, whenever possible.
- Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose and mouth.
When you get home,
- Disinfect your frequently touched objects, like your phone, wallet, keys and water bottle.
Practice Hygiene at Home
While staying home is your best bet both for minimizing your risk of getting coronavirus and for limiting the spread to others, it is also important to be thoughtful about your interactions with family and friends in your house.
- When any person enters your house, they should immediately wash their hands.
- Ensure there is soap by every sink and use clean towels to dry hands.
- If you’re using cloth towels, designate a towel per person and wash frequently.
- Throw away tissues and paper towels immediately after each use.
- Disinfect frequently touched surfaces like handles on doors, sinks, fridges, dishwashers and cabinets, light switches and remotes.
- Be cautious while preparing food and avoid sharing utensils and cups.
During times of crisis, it is important to take care of your emotional health as well. Stress from routine changes, fear of yourself or loved ones getting sick, and limited social interaction can be a lot to handle. Remember that we’re all in this together, and explore ways to care for your mental wellbeing.
- Set up reminders to text, call or video chat with friends and family each day.
- Find activities you can do together remotely — watch the same TV show or movie, form a virtual book club or cook and eat dinner together.
- If you’re craving real-life connection, take your exercise outdoors together, playing tennis or walking on a quiet trail.
- Hold each other accountable, checking in to make sure your loved ones are dedicating time to care for themselves. Encourage one another to stretch, meditate, read or whatever you love to do.
We know this won’t be easy, and we have your back. Forward’s COVID-19 Care Program provides you with the latest guidance and information about COVID through the app. You can also access your Care Team 24/7, assess your symptoms, and schedule a COVID vaccine or test. Open to all members, this program helps you stay on top of information that can help keep you safe through the end of the pandemic.
Our actions today will impact the scale of this epidemic tomorrow. Every day matters.


I am pleased to inform that my new game - Hermit - is available in OviStore. It is a Peg Solitaire remake with 200 game levels, OpenGL graphics and dedicated music.
Game is based on my Simple Game Engine - engine available for Symbian OS and Bada OS. SGE provides set of classes which lets programmer create multimedia applications and games very simply. SGE provides following layers: application, multi-engine technology, compound file, low latency audio mixer, OpenGL objects encapsulation, various fonts support, multilingual support.
More information about Hermit game can be found here.


Accumulation of potentially toxic elements in sediments in Budi Lagoon, Araucania Region, Chile
- Tapia, J. - Vargas Chacoff, L. - Bertran, C. - Pena Cortes, F. - Hauenstein Barra, Enrique - Schlatter, R. - Valderrama, A. - Lizana, C. - Fierro, P.
- Datos de publicación:
- ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCES,Vol.72,4283-4290,2014
- Budi Lagoon - Sediments - Toxic metals - Atomic absorption spectrometry
- Migración Web of Science
- The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Fe and Zn were determined in superficial sediments extracted from nine zones of Budi Lagoon, located in the Araucania Region (Chile). The concentrations of these metals were determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy and the method was validated using certified reference material (marine sediment). The concentration ranges found for the trace elements were: Pb < 0.5; Cd < 0.2-3.9; Cu 21.8-61.9; Ni 31.2-59.4; Zn 54.5-94.8 mgkg(-1) (dry weight). The elements that registered the highest concentrations were Mn 285.4-989.8 mgkg(-1) and Fe 4.8-10.6 %. The lagoon cluster analysis of the stations was divided into three groups (Temo station with high Cu and low Mn concentrations, Bolleco, Comu,, Allip,n and Deume 3 stations presented highest Cd concentration, and another group Botapulli, Rio Budi, Deume 2 and Deume 1 stations presented low levels of Cd). The textural characteristics of the sediment were determined (gravel, sand and mud) and the results were correlated with the concentrations of the metals in the various study zones. The sediments of Budi Lagoon presented high levels of Fe and Mn, which are of natural origin and exceed the maximum values recorded by many authors. With respect to the recorded concentrations for Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn, are within the ranges published by other authors in similar works. The Pb element was not detected. The results were subjected to statistical analysis to evaluate the correlations between the content of the elements and obtain the site of sediment.


Airbus has launched seven new products for military customers under its digital support services offering SmartForce.
With these additions, Airbus expands the SmartForce offering by allowing customers to select the services that best fit the specific requirements of their fleets and aircraft mix. This helps improve availability and mission readiness while reducing the maintenance burden.
These seven new services include three dedicated services for military aircraft, two for military helicopters, and two additional ones shared by both military aircraft and helicopters. The development of new digital services, through SmartForce, is the Airbus response to the growing requirement of military customers to leverage big data analytics in support of their operations.
The new services, ranging from long-term maintenance scheduling to predictive maintenance as well as automation of administrative tasks associated with aircraft support, have attracted customer and industry support. This includes the French Procurement Agency (DGA – Direction Générale de l’Armement) which, through its technology development programme Optaforce, has partnered with Airbus and start-up COSLING to develop and mature a tool for mixed fixed and rotary-wing fleet management and long-term maintenance scheduling.
Matthieu Louvot, Executive Vice President of Customer Support & Services at Airbus Helicopters, said: “With SmartForce our military customers now have access to the same type of data-driven solutions that are today in use with almost 700 civil helicopters, an achievement that highlights the importance of data analytics for simpler, safer and more efficient maintenance planning and operations.”
Stephan Miegel, Head of Airbus Military Aircraft Services, said: “We currently provide service support to more than 1,600 fixed wing military aircraft. Through our SmartForce offering, customers are enabled to benefit from the digitalisation of these services and the increased benefits this brings in terms of smart fleet and maintenance management and improved availability.”
SmartForce services for military aircraft and helicopter operators improve troubleshooting, optimise the maintenance effort, predict maintenance actions, and plan smartly for material demand. To satisfy military security requirements, SmartForce incorporates robust security measures such as geographic isolation, the use of accredited personnel, and monitoring by national cyber-security authorities.
Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2018 it generated revenues of € 64 billion and employed a workforce of around 134,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world’s leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.