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Equity Fellowships help to see 'trees and the wood'
16 March 2012
University of Sydney academics have been recognised with Equity Fellowships to support them in focusing fully on research.
The seven academics have been awarded Brown and Thompson Fellowships, which give them relief from teaching and administrative responsibilities in order to concentrate on research.
The fellowships are a joint initiative of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and the Staff and Student Equal Opportunity Unit with each Fellow receiving $60,000 over two semesters.
Recipients this year are from the University's Education and Social Work, Pharmacy, Veterinary Science and Health Sciences, as well as its Central Clinical School, University of Sydney Business School and Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
"I am thrilled to see the quality of the applicants and recipients for these Fellowships," says Professor Jill Trewhella, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research). "They were set up to help talented researchers contribute as best they can, helping them past hurdles that may have previously hindered their progress.
"In my discussions with previous recipients I have seen the impact one of these Fellowships can have and I am sure the latest recipients will also enjoy the time and space to focus on their research that these Fellowships aim to provide."
The University this year awarded five Thompson Fellowships, designed to enhance the careers of academic women and remedy the under-representation of women in senior academic positions.
"The Fellowship gives researchers the luxury of time to focus on their research, extend their expertise and create and embed networks," said Dr Lorraine Smith, from the Faculty of Pharmacy, whose fellowship will give her the freedom to pursue two research projects.
"I leave for Scotland in a month for an international collaboration with the University of Aberdeen, to trial my model of goal-setting for the management of hayfever in community pharmacies."
Dr Smith, a psychologist, has worked for eight years in Pharmacy applying her model of patient-focused self-management to chronic conditions.
The Fellowship will also assist Dr Smith with a cross-faculty collaboration with Professor Kathryn Refshauge from the Faculty of Health Sciences, adapting her goal-setting model to help people cope with chronic low back pain, a condition for which there is no proven effective treatment.
"Both these projects will open doors for future research for long term benefit," Dr Smith said.
The Brown Fellowships allow recipients to re-establish or enhance their academic careers after undertaking sustained primary caring duties.
One of this year's two recipients, Dr Diane van den Broek, from the University of Sydney Business School, will use her fellowship to research a book for Palgrave Press as part of their Migration, Diasporas and Citizenship series.
"I have previously researched in several fields, including on employment and call centre work but this year I will travel around Australia interviewing migrant nurses in the context of skilled migration and career identity in this profession."
"I applied for the fellowship because I had a contract to write this book in a new area of research and felt overwhelmed with how I would do that amid teaching and other responsibilities. I am really appreciative of this opportunity for uninterrupted research.
"These Equity Fellowships are a great chance to refocus on the research aspects of your career - they help you spend some time focusing on the trees as well as the wood."
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On Sep 19, Fred Friedberg, PhD, President of the IACFS/ME (www.iacfsme.org), informed the community of a major step toward better ME/CFS patient care.
To speed and broaden the education of healthcare professionals regarding evidence-based understanding, diagnosis and management of 'chronic fatigue syndrome' (ME/CFS) symptoms, a team of IACFS/ME members – leading ME/CFS clinical specialists and researchers* – have developed a Practice Primer for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Now the new 42-page 2012 ME/CFS Primer for Clinical Practitioners is available in a free access PDF file or spiral bound print booklet, and may be translated according to certain requirements, as follows:
1. The free-access PDF file. Patients, advocates, educators and practitioners are encouraged to download, print out, and distribute this as widely as possible.
• To view, download or print the Primer, just go to:
• To post a link to the Primer on your website, use this link:
Access to the Primer PDF is free, though donations are needed and greatly appreciated! A suggested donation of $15 via Paypal, or your own amount via Paypal will help support the IACFS/ME's "continuing advocacy efforts for increased scientific research and improved patient care." To select a Paypal donation, go to http://www.iacfsme.org/Home/Primer/tabid/509/Default.aspx
Or donate by mail to:
The International Association for CFS/ME
27 N. Wacker Drive Suite 416
Chicago, IL 60606
2. The spiral bound print version of the ME/CFS Primer for Clinical Practitioners. This format makes the Primer easy to use, especially for quick referencing of specific sections that may be of interest. It will be mailed directly to you, and can be ordered for $15 from www.theBookPatch.com.
3. Information regarding possible translation of the ME/CFS Primer for Clinical Practitioners. For information about this opportunity and contact information, go to http://www.iacfsme.org/Home/Primer/tabid/509/Default.aspx and scroll down.
The IACFS/ME indicates that it welcomes comments and suggestions about the Primer, and that it will publish updates online "as the field evolves."
* The developers of this consensus document are: Fred Friedberg, Lucinda Bateman, Alison Bested, Todd Davenport, Kenneth Friedman, Alan Gurwitt, Leonard Jason, Charles Lapp, Staci Stevens, Rosemary Underhill, Rosamund Vallings.

subset: commoncrawl


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Official Name: Republic of Uzbekistan
Area: 447,400 sq. km., slightly larger than California.
Major cities: Capital–Tashkent (pop. 2.5 million); Samarkand (600,000); Namangan (378,000); Bukhara (350,000).
Terrain: Flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat, intensely irrigated river valleys along Amu Darya, Syr Darya; shrinking Aral Sea; semiarid grasslands surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan in east.
Climate: Mid-latitude desert; long, hot summers, mild winters.
Nationality: Uzbek.
Population (July 2011 est.): 28.128 million.
Ethnic groups (1996 est.): Uzbek 80%, Russian 5.5%, Tajik 5%, Kazakh 3%, Karakalpak 2.5%, Tatar 1.5%, other 2.5%.
Religions: Muslim 88% (mostly Sunni), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3%.
Languages: Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1%.
Education: Literacy–99.3% (total population).
Health (2011 est.): Life expectancy–69.48 years men; 75.71 years women.
Work force (15.28 million): Agricultural and forestry–28.2%; industry–33.9%; services–37.9%. (Source: World Development Indicators Database, April 2009).
Type: Republic.
Independence: September 1, 1991.
Constitution: December 8, 1992.
Branches: Executive–president, prime minister, cabinet. Legislative–bicameral Supreme Assembly or Oliy Majlis consists of an Upper House or Senate (100 seats; 84 members are elected by regional governing councils to serve 5-year terms and 16 are appointed by the president) and a Lower House or Legislative Chamber (150 seats; elected by popular vote to serve 5-year terms). Judiciary–Supreme Court, constitutional court, economic court.
Administrative subdivisions (viloyatlar): 12, plus Republic of Karakalpakstan and city of Tashkent.
Political parties and leaders: Adolat (Justice) Social Democratic Party–established February 18, 1995 in Tashkent, number of seats in the Legislative Chamber of the parliament 18, Ismail Saifnazarov, first secretary; Democratic National Rebirth Party (Milly Tiklanish Democratic Partiya) or MTP–established on June 3, 1995 in Tashkent, and merged with the National Democratic Party "Fidokorlar" ("Selfless men") on June 20, 2008, number of seats in the Legislative Chamber of the parliament 31, Ulugbek Muhammadiev, chairman; People's Democratic Party or PDPU (Uzbekiston Halq Democratic Partiya, formerly Communist Party)–established November 1, 1991 in Tashkent, number of seats in the Legislative Chamber of the parliament 32, Ulugbek Vafoev, first secretary; Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan–established December 3, 2003, number of seats in the Legislative Chamber of the parliament 52, Muhammadyusuf Teshaboev, chairman; Ecological ("Green") Movement–established 2009 in Tashkent (15 seats, as reserved according to the constitution), Boriy Alixonov, chairman.
Other political or pressure groups and leaders: Birlik (Unity) Movement–Abdurakhim PULATOV, chairman; Erk (Freedom) Democratic Party–Mohammad SOLIH, chairman (banned Dec. 1992); party of Agrarians and Entrepreneurs of Uzbekistan–Marat ZAHIDOV, chairman; Ozod Dehkon (Free Farmers) Party–Nigara KHIDOYATOVA, general secretary; Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan–Abdujalil Boymatov, chairman; Independent Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan–Ismoil ODILOV, chairman; Ezgulik–Vasilya INOYATOVA, chairwoman.
Suffrage: Universal at age 18, unless imprisoned or certified as insane.
Defense: Manpower fit for military service–males age 16-49 fit for military service: 6,566,118 (2010 est.), females age 16-49 fit for military service: 6,745,818 (2010 est.); 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 1-year conscript service obligation.
(Note: Government of Uzbekistan statistics are not consistently reliable. This report relies on unofficial estimates and states clearly when a figure is an estimate. Estimates by international financial institutions also use Government of Uzbekistan statistics.)
GDP: 2010 real GDP growth was 8.5%, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) based on Government of Uzbekistan statistics. Actual GDP growth was likely lower.
Inflation: The IMF estimated that consumer price inflation reached 7.3% in 2010, though actual inflation was likely higher, between 35%-40%.
Per capita GDP: Estimated per capita GDP in 2010 was $1,336; GDP per capita on a purchasing power parity basis was $3,012.
Natural resources: Natural gas, petroleum, gold, coal, uranium, silver, copper, lead, zinc, tungsten, molybdenum. Natural gas production in 2010 was 60.1 billion cubic meters (bcm); oil production was 3.7 million tons.
Agriculture: Products–cotton, fourth-largest producer worldwide; vegetables, fruits, grain, livestock.
Industry: Types–textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy, natural gas, automobiles, chemical. The industrial production growth rate was estimated at 8% in 2010; electricity production was 51.7 billion kilowatt hours in 2010.
Budget (2010 estimates): Revenues–$12.25 billion; expenditure and net lending–$12.3 billion.
Trade: Exports (2009)–largest contribution from energy products, cotton, gold, mineral fertilizers, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, textiles, food products, machinery, automobiles. Major trade partners (2010)–Russia 29.2%, China 9.5%, Kazakhstan 8.3%, South Korea 7.4%, Turkey 4.4%. Imports (2009)–largest imports were machinery and equipment, foodstuffs chemicals, ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Primary export partners (2009 est.)–Ukraine 29.91%, Russia 13.94%, Turkey 7.53%, Kazakhstan 7.26%, Bangladesh 6.83%, China 5.69%, South Korea 4.19%. Primary import partners (2009 est.)–Russia 23.72%, China 20.36%, South Korea 13.03%, Germany 6.09%, Ukraine 5.39%, Kazakhstan 4.68%.
External debt (total gross, 2009 est.): $4.33 billion.
Uzbekistan is Central Asia's most populous country. Its 28 million people, concentrated in the south and east of the country, are nearly half the region's total population. Uzbekistan had been one of the least developed republics of the Soviet Union; much of its population was engaged in cotton farming in small rural communities. The population continues to be heavily rural and dependent on farming for its livelihood. Uzbek is the predominant ethnic group. Other ethnic groups include Russian 5.5%, Tajik 5%, Kazakh 3%, Karakalpak 2.5%, and Tatar 1.5%. The nation is approximately 88% Sunni Muslim. Uzbek is the official state language; however, Russian is the de facto language for interethnic communication, including much day-to-day government and business use.
The educational system has achieved 99% literacy, and the mean amount of schooling for men is 12 years and for women is 11 years. However, due to budget constraints and other transitional problems following the collapse of the Soviet Union, texts and other school supplies, teaching methods, curricula, and educational institutions are outdated and poorly kept. Although the government is concerned about this, budgets remain tight. Similarly, in health care, life expectancy is long, but after the breakup of the Soviet Union, health care resources have declined, reducing health care quality, accessibility, and efficiency. Uzbekistan continues to enjoy a highly educated and skilled labor force.
Located in the heart of Central Asia between the Amu Darya and Syr Darya Rivers, Uzbekistan has a long and interesting heritage. The leading cities of the famous Silk Road–Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva–are located in Uzbekistan, and many well-known conquerors passed through the land. Alexander the Great stopped near Samarkand on his way to India in 327 B.C. and married Roxanna, daughter of a local chieftain. Conquered by Muslim Arabs in the 8th century A.D., the indigenous Samanid dynasty established an empire in the 9th century. Genghis Khan and his Mongols overran its territory in 1220. In the 1300s, Timur, known in the west as Tamerlane, built an empire with its capital at Samarkand. Uzbekistan's most noted tourist sites date from the Timurid dynasty. Later, separate Muslim city-states emerged with strong ties to Persia. In 1865, Russia occupied Tashkent and by the end of the 19th century, Russia had conquered all of Central Asia. In 1876, the Russians dissolved the Khanate of Kokand, while allowing the Khanates of Khiva and Bukhara to remain as direct protectorates. Russia placed the rest of Central Asia under colonial administration, and invested in the development of Central Asia's infrastructure, promoting cotton growing and encouraging settlement by Russian colonists.
In 1924, following the establishment of Soviet power, the Soviet Socialist Republic of Uzbekistan was founded from the territories including the Khanates of Bukhara and Khiva and portions of the Ferghana Valley that had constituted the Khanate of Kokand. During the Soviet era, Moscow used Uzbekistan for its tremendous cotton growing and natural resource potential. The extensive and inefficient irrigation used to support the former has been the main cause of shrinkage of the Aral Sea to less than a third of its original volume, making this one of the world's worst environmental disasters. Uzbekistan declared independence on September 1, 1991.
The constitution of Uzbekistan provides for separation of powers, freedom of speech, and representative government. In reality, the executive holds almost all power. The judiciary lacks independence, and the legislature–which holds a few sessions each year–has limited power to shape laws. The president selects and replaces provincial governors. Islam Karimov, former First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Uzbek SSR Communist Party, was elected to a 5-year presidential term in December 1991 with 88% of the vote. In a December 1995 referendum, his term was extended to 2000. President Karimov was re-elected in January 2000 with 91.9% of the vote. In a January 2002 referendum, the term of the presidency was extended from 5 years to 7. President Karimov was re-elected in December 2007 with 88.1% of the vote. None of these elections or referenda were deemed free or fair.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) did not deploy a full election observation mission to the December 2009 parliamentary elections due to threshold concerns that the elections did not offer a real choice between political alternatives. It did send a smaller election assessment mission, however, which noted some improvements in the way the elections were conducted.
In the late 1990s, Uzbekistan began battling a low-intensity insurgency. Early in the following decade, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) launched a number of small, cross-border raids. The IMU in summer 2001 allied itself with the Taliban government in Afghanistan, where most of its troops were then based, and subsequently engaged U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Since the fall of the Taliban government in 2001, the IMU appears to have become less active in Uzbekistan.
Terrorist bombings, blamed on the IMU and splinter groups, have occurred sporadically, including multiple, simultaneous attacks in Tashkent in 1999 that destroyed a portion of the Ministry of Interior headquarters and narrowly missed President Karimov. Death estimates in those attacks and in subsequent shootouts in Tashkent with alleged bombers range as high as 200. The official government death tally was 16. In March and April 2004, suicide bombers struck the U.S. and Israeli Embassies in Tashkent and also detonated devices in the city of Bukhara.
In May 2005, armed gunman in the city of Andijon attacked a police station, seized weapons and then stormed a prison, freeing members of a local Islamic organization accused by the government of extremism. In events whose details remain unclear, the attackers then gathered in Andijon's main square. Thousands of local residents also gathered in the square. Shooting erupted between government forces and the insurgents, and a large but undetermined number of individuals were killed. The Government of Uzbekistan, which put the death toll at 187, refused to heed European and U.S. calls for an independent international investigation. Unofficial death toll estimates range as high as 700 to 800. While an international investigation did not take place, the government claimed to have conducted internal investigations into the May 2005 events. It discussed investigation techniques and results with diplomats and other international representatives in 2006, 2007, and 2008.
In May 2009, a suicide bomber in the city of Andijon and an assault on a border post near the town of Khanabad on the Uzbek-Kyrgyz border caused the Uzbek Government to temporarily close its border with Kyrgyzstan and to place some portions of the Ferghana Valley under lockdown conditions. In mid-June 2010, up to 100,000 ethnic Uzbek refugees fled from Kyrgyzstan to Uzbekistan following ethnic clashes in southern Kyrgyzstan. The Uzbek Government worked closely with international organizations to provide food and shelter to the refugees until they returned to Kyrgyzstan in late June.
Human Rights
Uzbekistan has no meaningful political opposition. Five pro-government political parties hold all seats in the parliament, and independent political parties have been effectively suppressed since the early 1990s. Multiple independent and governmental media outlets (radio, TV, newspaper) exist. Self-censorship is the norm. Editors and journalists who have broached politically sensitive topics have routinely experienced repercussions, including criminal libel charges and loss of employment.
Since 1991, many prominent opponents of the government have fled, and others have been arrested. The government severely represses those it suspects of Islamic extremism, including those suspected of any affiliation to organizations such as the banned extremist Party of Islamic Liberation (Hizb ut-Tahrir) or the more moderate Nurchilar (followers of Said Nursi of Turkey). Thousands of suspected extremists have been incarcerated since 1992. The exact number remaining in custody is unknown but may be several thousand. The police force and the intelligence service have used torture as a routine investigation technique. A large number of prisoners have reportedly died in custody, many from disease and other poor conditions and others from mistreatment and abuse. Political prisoners and suspected extremists are allegedly treated worse than ordinary prisoners.
In May 2003, following the visit of the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, the Government of Uzbekistan drafted an action plan to implement the Rapporteur's recommendations. The government has since restarted cooperation with international organizations involved in prison monitoring. Prison conditions and the prevalence of torture are widely believed to remain problematic. Uzbekistan abolished the death penalty in January 2008. It became a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in February 2009.
Principal Government Officials
President–Islam Karimov
Prime Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers–Shavkat Mirziyaev
Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament–Ilgizar Sabirov
Speaker of the Legislative Chamber–Diloram Tashmukhamedova
Deputy Prime Ministers
First Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance–Rustam Azimov
Geology, Fuel and Energy, Chemical, Oil-Chemistry and Metallurgical Industry–Gulomjon Ibragimov
Social Issues, Education, Health Care, Information and Communication Technology–Abdulla Aripov
Communal Service, Transportation, Capital Construction and Construction Industry–Batir Hodjaev
Automobile Industry, Machinery, Electric-Technology, Aviation, Standardization of Products–Ulugbek Rozukulov
Women's Issues–Farida Akbarova
Foreign Affairs–Elyor Ganiev
Key Ministers
Agriculture and Water Management–Zafar Ruziev
Foreign Economic Relations, Investment and Trade–Galina Saidova
Defense–Kobil Berdiyev
Foreign Affairs–Elyor Ganiev
Internal Affairs–Bahodir Matlyubov
Justice–Ravshan Mukhitdinov
Public Education–Avazjon Marahimov
Higher and Special Secondary Education–Bahodir Hodiev
Emergency Situations–Tursinhan Hudaybergenov
Finance–Rustam Azimov
Economy–Ravshan Gulomov
Health–Adkham Ikramov
Labor and Social Protection–Aktam Haitov
Other Key Officials
Chairman, National Bank-Foreign Economics–Saidakhmad Rakhimov
Chairman, Central Bank–Fayzulla Mullajanov
Chairman, State Committee on Statistics–Botir Turaev
Chairman, State Property–Aziz Abduhakimov
Chairman, State Committee for Customs–Zahid Dusanov
Chairman, State Committee for Taxation–Botir Parpiev
Chairman, State Committee for Geology and Mineral Resources–Ilhomboy Turamuratov
Chairman, National Security Service–Rustam Inoyatov
Secretary, National Security Council–Murod Ataev
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Uzbekneftgaz–Shokir Fayzullaev
Ambassador to the United States–Ilhom Nematov
Ambassador to the United Nations–Murod Asqarov
The Republic of Uzbekistan maintains an embassy at 1746 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel.: (202) 887-5300; fax (202) 293-6804. Its consulate and mission to the UN in New York are located at 801 Second Ave., 20th Floor, New York, NY 10017. Consulate tel.: (212) 754-7403; fax: (212) 486-7998.
The economy is based primarily on agriculture and natural resource extraction. Uzbekistan is a major producer and exporter of cotton, but natural gas has replaced it as the dominant source of foreign currency earnings. It also is a major exporter of gold, uranium, and strategic minerals. (Uranium is Uzbekistan's largest export to the U.S.) Manufacturing has become increasingly important, particularly in the automotive sector, which is aimed primarily at export to the Russian market. Since independence, the government has followed a policy of gradual transition to a free market economy but most large enterprises are still state owned or controlled.
It is difficult to accurately estimate economic growth in Uzbekistan due to unreliable government statistics. Economic growth has been strong in the past few years, but wealth is strictly held by the elite. According to the CIA World Factbook, approximately 26% of Uzbeks live below the poverty line.
The government implements a strict import substitution policy to control foreign trade and prevent capital outflow. Substantial structural reform is needed, particularly in the area of improving the investment climate for foreign investors and liberalizing the agricultural sector. Although the government has committed itself in theory to the provisions of the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Article VIII regarding currency convertibility for current account operations, in practice firms can wait months or even years for currency conversion. Convertibility restrictions, difficulty withdrawing local currency from bank accounts, and other government measures to control economic activity, (e.g., import and export restrictions, and intermittent border closings) have constrained economic growth and led international lending organizations to suspend or scale back credits.
GDP and Employment
The International Monetary Fund estimates the 2010 GDP growth figure as 8.5%. The IMF projects 2011 GDP growth of 7%. Unemployment and underemployment are very high, but reliable figures are difficult to obtain, as no recent credible surveying has been done. Unofficially, unemployment is estimated around 8% and underemployment around 25%. Underemployment in the agricultural sector is particularly high–which is important given the fact that 62% of the population is rural-based. Many observers believe that employment growth and real wage growth have been stagnant, given virtually no growth in output.
Literacy in Uzbekistan is almost universal, and workers are generally well-educated and well-trained. Worsening corruption in the country's education system in the past few years eroded Uzbekistan's advantage in terms of its human capital, as grades and degrees are routinely purchased. Additionally, elementary and secondary students in the remote provinces have poor access to basic education. Most local technical and managerial training does not meet international business standards, but foreign companies engaged in production report that locally hired workers learn quickly and work effectively. Uzbekistan subsidizes studies for students at Westminster University–one of a few Western-style educational institutions in Uzbekistan.
The government has implemented salary caps in an attempt to prevent firms from circumventing restrictions on the withdrawal of cash from banks. Some firms had tried in the past to evade these limits on withdrawals by inflating salaries of employees, allowing firms to withdraw more money. These salary caps prevent many foreign firms from paying their workers as much as they would like. Labor market regulations in Uzbekistan are similar to those once used in the Soviet Union, with all rights guaranteed but some rights unobserved. Unemployment and underemployment are persistent problems, and a significant number of people continue to look for jobs in Russia, Kazakhstan, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Business analysts estimate that a high number of Uzbek citizens are working abroad. Estimates range from lows of 3 million to highs of 5 million Uzbek citizens of working age living outside Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan signed a labor agreement with Russia in 2007 to facilitate the temporary migration of Uzbek workers and the taxation of their income.
Prices and Monetary and Fiscal Policy
Macroeconomic performance has been strong over the last 3 years and resulted in a positive trade balance. Real GDP growth was high, and official reserves continued to rise. Inflation is expected to be between 7%-9% in 2011. In order to combat inflation, the government has exercised strict currency controls, causing periodic shortages of cash. Reacting to the weakening of the dollar to the Euro, the government recently switched to the Euro for its accounting and financial management. The hospitality sector is following suit.
Gross official reserves in 2010 were estimated at $13.5 billion. In 2007, the World Bank and the UN Development Program (UNDP) provided technical assistance to reform the Central Bank and Ministry of Finance into institutions that conduct market-oriented fiscal and monetary policy. But official economic data on Uzbekistan is still often unreliable and not always available. Bank reform is very slow and inhibits the ability of citizens or private companies to obtain credit and other banking services.
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Agriculture and the agro-industrial sector contribute about 17% to Uzbekistan's GDP. Cotton is Uzbekistan's dominant crop, accounting for roughly 11% of the country's GDP in 2009. Uzbekistan also produces significant amounts of silk, wheat, fruit, and vegetables. Nearly all agriculture involves heavy irrigation. In 2008, the President signed a decree on enlargement of private farms, which has led to the redistribution of small farmers' land in favor of large farms. Farmers and agricultural workers earn low wages, which the state seldom pays on a regular basis. In general, the government controls the agriculture sector, dictates what farms grow, and sets prices for commodities like cotton and wheat. Most farms grow wheat and cotton to meet the state order, and farmers can face losing their leased land if they do not meet state quotas.
Natural resources, minerals, and mining are integral to Uzbekistan's economy. Natural gas is Uzbekistan's most important foreign exchange earner, estimated at around 24% (2010). Gold is another important source of foreign earnings (about 7%-10% of total exports). Uzbekistan is the world's seventh-largest producer of gold, mining about 80 tons per year, and holds the fourth-largest reserves in the world. It produces oil for domestic consumption and has significant reserves of copper, lead, zinc, tungsten, and uranium.
Trade and Investment
Uzbekistan's export/import policy is based on import substitution. The highly regulated trade regime has led to both import and export declines since 1996, although imports have declined more than exports, as the government squeezed imports to maintain hard currency reserves. Draconian tariffs and sporadic border closures and crossing "fees" decrease legal imports of both consumer products and capital equipment. Uzbekistan's traditional trade partners are from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), notably Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan. Non-CIS partners have been increasing in importance in recent years, with the European Union, China, South Korea, Germany, Japan, and Turkey being the most active.
Uzbekistan is a member of the IMF, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. It has observer status at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and has publicly stated its intention to accede to the WTO. It is a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization and is a signatory to the Convention on Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States, the Paris Convention on Industrial Property, the Madrid Agreement on Trademarks Protection, and the Patent Cooperation Treaty. In 2008, Uzbekistan was again placed on the special "301" Watch List for lack of intellectual copyright protection.
Since Uzbekistan's independence, U.S. firms have invested roughly U.S. $500 million in Uzbekistan. In 2007 GM-DAT, a Korean subsidiary of GM, entered Uzbekistan when it signed a joint venture agreement with UzDaewoo to assemble Korean-manufactured cars for export and domestic sale, including Chevrolets. This plant in Asaka now produces many lines of cars under the Chevrolet nameplate for export to Russia as well as the domestic market. General Motors also signed a deal to begin producing powertrain engines in Uzbekistan at a new plant just outside Tashkent. As of August 2010, the plant was in the construction phase and was scheduled to begin operations in late 2010. Boeing also has a longstanding relationship with the national airline of Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Airways. Coca Cola, Baker Hughes, Nukem, Hewlett Packard, and other U.S. companies conduct small-scale operations in Uzbekistan as well. Nonetheless, some foreign investors are departing Uzbekistan because of declining investor confidence, harassment, and currency convertibility problems.
Uzbekistan possesses the largest military forces in the Central Asian region, having around 65,000 people in uniform. Its structure is inherited from the Soviet armed forces, although it is moving rapidly toward a fully restructured organization, which will eventually be built around light and Special Forces. The Uzbek Armed Forces' equipment is not modern, and training, while improving, is neither uniform nor adequate yet for its new mission of territorial security. The government has accepted the arms control obligations of the former Soviet Union, acceded to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (as a non-nuclear state), and has supported an active program by the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) to demilitarize and clean up former weapons of mass destruction-related facilities in western Uzbekistan (Nukus and Vozrozhdeniye Island), as well as to guard against the proliferation of radiological materials across its borders. The Government of Uzbekistan spends about 2% of GDP on the military (2005 est.).
Beginning in the late 1990s until 2004, the government received U.S. Foreign Military Financing (FMF), International Military Education and Training (IMET), and other security assistance funds. Beginning in 2004, new FMF and IMET assistance to Uzbekistan was stopped, as the Secretary of State, implementing U.S. Government legislation, was unable to certify that the Government of Uzbekistan was making progress in meeting its commitments, including respect for human rights and economic reform, under the U.S.-Uzbekistan Strategic Framework Agreement. Uzbekistan approved U.S. Central Command's request for access to a vital military air base in southern Uzbekistan following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S., but asked the U.S. to leave in July 2005. All U.S. forces had departed this facility by November 2005. In 2011, President Barack Obama submitted an FY 2012 budget request to Congress that included $100,000 worth of FMF assistance for Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan is a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the United Nations, the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, NATO Partnership for Peace, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), and the Economic Cooperation Organization–comprised of the five Central Asian countries, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. In 1999, Uzbekistan joined the GUAM alliance (Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Moldova), which was formed in 1997 (making it GUUAM), but formally withdrew in 2005. Uzbekistan hosts the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's (SCO) Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent. In 2006, Uzbekistan joined the Eurasian Economic Community (EurASEC), comprising Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, but subsequently withdrew in 2008.
Uzbekistan participated in the CIS peacekeeping force in Tajikistan and in UN-organized groups to help resolve the Tajik and Afghan conflicts, both of which it viewed as posing threats to its own stability. Uzbekistan is a supporter of U.S. efforts against worldwide terrorism and joined the coalition combating terrorism in Afghanistan. It continues to support coalition anti-terrorist operations in Afghanistan by allowing shipment of non-lethal goods through by rail to Afghanistan and by granting access to Germany to an air base in southern Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan has actively participated in regional efforts to combat terrorism and the narcotics trade.
The U.S. recognized the independence of Uzbekistan on December 25, 1991, and opened an Embassy in Tashkent in March 1992. U.S. policy since that time has been to support Uzbekistan's development as an independent, sovereign country with democratic institutions rooted in the rule of law. The U.S. and Uzbekistan cooperated closely following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the start of the war in Afghanistan. However, relations cooled following U.S. and European demands for an independent, international investigation into the May 2005 Andijon violence and as the Government of Uzbekistan sought to limit the influence of U.S. and other foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working on civil society, political reform, and human rights inside the country.
Since mid-2007, the United States and Uzbekistan have begun to rebuild cooperation on issues of mutual concern, including security and economic relations, as well as political and civil society issues. Uzbekistan has Central Asia's largest population and is important to U.S. interests in ensuring stability and security in the region.
Bilateral Economic Relations
Trade and investment. Trade relations are regulated by a bilateral trade agreement, which entered into force January 14, 1994. It provides for extension of most-favored-nation trade status between the two countries. The U.S. additionally granted Uzbekistan exemption from many U.S. import tariffs under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP status) on August 17, 1994. A Bilateral Investment Treaty was signed December 16, 1994; it has been ratified by Uzbekistan and received advice and consent of the U.S. Senate in October 2000. However, the Bilateral Investment Treaty will be unlikely to enter into force until Uzbekistan embarks on economic reform. The government is taking some modest steps to reduce the bureaucratic restraints on the nascent private sector.
Assistance. The only country bordering all other Central Asian states, Uzbekistan's growth and development invariably affect issues such as energy, water, trade, and, ultimately, political and social stability within the region. U.S. Government assistance to Uzbekistan seeks to mitigate potential instability while bolstering social protection mechanisms and providing the basis for economic growth.
With a 2010 assistance budget of approximately $12 million, the U.S. Government achieves these aims through improving the livelihoods of individuals engaged in agriculture; increasing the role of citizens in governance; reducing deaths due to infectious diseases; enhancing the Government of Uzbekistan's responsiveness to transnational crime and security threats; and expanding opportunities for development cooperation between the two countries. In addition, U.S. assistance focuses on strategies to mitigate potential conflicts around issues such as water and energy. Since 1993, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided over $330 million in assistance to Uzbekistan.
[Highlights of FY 2010 U.S. assistance to Uzbekistan.]
Principal U.S. Embassy Officials
Charge d'Affaires, a.i.–Duane Butcher
Political/Economic Chief–Nicholas Berliner
Public Affairs Officer–Molly Stephenson
Management Chief–Robert Pitre
Consul–David Mico
Defense Attache–LTC Michael Yuschak
USAID–John Pennell
The U.S. Embassy in Tashkent is located at 3 Moyqo'rq'on, 5th Block, Yunusobod District, Tashkent 700093; tel. [998] (71) 120-5450; fax: [998] (71) 120-6335; duty officer (cellular): [998] (90) 108-6911.
Filed under: Asia Issues | Tagged: U.S.State Dept. Backround Note : Uzbekistan |


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Socceroos rookies vie to cement spot
Tom Rogic and his fellow Socceroos debutants have come away from their first match in the green and gold determined to cement their spot in the national fold.
An experimental Socceroos squad posted a 2-1 come-from behind win over South Korea in their friendly match in Hwaseong on Wednesday night.
Exciting youngsters Rogic, Aziz Behich, Eli Babalj and Mathew Leckie were all handed debuts off the bench and hope their impressive showings will earn them another call-up.
And it could come sooner than they think as the Socceroos will next month travel to Hong Kong to play the hosts, Guam, Chinese Taipei and North Korea in a qualification tournament for next year's East Asian Cup before resuming their World Cup qualifying campaign against Oman next March.
"Yeah of course (I want to be a permanent part of the Socceroos)," Central Coast young-gun playmaker Rogic said.
"I'm not getting carried away but like anyone else in the squad you want to stay part of the team.
"So now I'll go back to my club and do everything I can to put my case forward and hopefully get a call-up again."
Former Melbourne Heart striker Babalj, who now plays for Serbian team Red Star Belgrade, says his first taste of national duty has fired him up to work harder than ever to ensure it's not his last.
Babalj was unlucky not to score on debut after hitting the woodwork in the dying minutes before fringe Socceroo Robert Cornthwaite netted the winner.
"It just makes you want to work so much harder and make sure you make it the first of many," he said.
"Yeah it would have been nice to score, it was just rolling around the line and didn't want to go in.
"But lucky enough it ended up being a goal so I'll take the assist."
Veteran skipper Lucas Neill has welcomed the competition for spots and says it will force those vying for a place in the squad to lift their standard.
"They showed they really deserve and warrant a place in the squad," Neill said of the debutants.
"It's given the manager some nice selection problems and a really deep squad to choose from.
"It's going to mean that players have to be in form at club level to play for their country.
"Because it gives us more options it creates more competition for places and that can only be a good thing for our qualification campaign."
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KLRU-Q's Saturday Night at the Movies presents a full-length feature film every Saturday night, plus extra content that gives the evening an exciting spin. Each film explores the work of legendary actors and actresses through many important films from their careers. Here is a peek of what this Saturday has in store:
7:30 – Just Seen It
JUST SEEN IT is the review show where film school graduates and working entertainment professionals review the newest in theaters, on TV and cable as well as offer industry interviews. We review Stand Up Guys, Starring Al Pacino, Christoper Walken and Alan Arkin, Based on the novel by Jack Kerouac – On The Road, and from Oscar-Winning Director Kathryn Bigelow – Zero Dark Thirty.
8:00pm – Hawaii
A New England missionary (Max von Sydow) and his bride (Julie Andrews) bring Christianity to 1820s Hawaii. Cast: Julie Andrews, Max von Sydow, Richard Harris.
10:45pm – Over Hawaii
An one-hour special explores the scenic wonders and rich cultural traditions of Hawai'i. Interwoven with striking visuals, locals offer insights into the distinctive landscapes and culture of the islands, share surprising facts about Hawai'i's geology, plants and animals; relate ancient stories of Hawaiian deities and discuss traditional beliefs that still play an important role in Hawaiian life today. OVER HAWAI'I presents an illuminating, off-the-beaten-path tour of Hawai'i's six major islands and popular visitor destinations.


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I'm just getting my head round dynamic layout for the first time, having coded fixed-sized sites up until now.
I want to have a neat grid of items (each will be a square image link with a caption on top) that display neatly in a horizontal line (ideally centred on the screen), which then wrap and start placing elements below when the screen gets smaller (so will appear in a column on a phone)
Will I need to use some jQuery grid plugin for this? Most seem to aim at grid that support dynamically sizing content, but I'm happy for my containers to be fixed size.
I've tried starting the elements off with html like this:

Text 01

Text 02

Text 03

Then my CSS is this:
.sq_link_box {
display: inline;
margin: 1em;
background: #AAA;
width: 300px;
height: 300px;
position: relative;
.sq_link_img {
margin: 0;
z-index: 1;
.sq_link_text {
width: 280px;
height: 30px;
top: -50px;
background: #272727;
color: #fff;
position: relative;
z-index: 2;
padding: 10px;
For some reason, they all appear in a column from the start, even though I've specified 'inline' for the container element. Any ideas why it's not working? And if there's a simple way of achieving this? Any help gratefully received!!
Got it - using
float: left;
was the key.


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My first ever interview for a sales job consisted of one question and lasted less than a minute. How I answered that question, and what followed, was one of the defining moments in my sales career. It just happened to occur before that career had even begun.
Now here is a great example of effective storytelling and story selling by sales professional Andy Paul in several ways:
- It is a terrific story that is the entire blog post (conveys messages through the story; does not contain lots of information with a little story sandwiched in between).
- The story conveys principles on multiple levels (personal values, sales values, corporate values)
- The story demonstrates/shows the value of integrity -- Andy doesn't talk about it, he brings us into his experience.
- The story contains all the elements of a compelling story (setting, problem, drama/tension/conflict, resolution), including a key message at the end.
- It is easy to read (language, layout, length).
LOL -- Andy's a client -- can you tell?!
And I love that the story is about sales, but is not trying to sell you anything. Yet after reading the story, I bet most people would be very interested in purchasing and reading Andy's book.
You too can do this in your blogging and on your website. The more stories you can tell following the points above, the more trust (and sales) you will gain.
Thanks for sharing one of your stories Andy!
This review was written by Karen Dietz for her Just Story It Scoops at www.scoop.it/t/just-story-it


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Wapakoneta outlasts Shawnee in 9 innings
The only walk of the game was basically intentional. It loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, put the Wapakoneta Redskins' best hitter Renee Lovett on base and brought a struggling Redskins sophomore Sierra Sammons to the plate.
Sammons, who was 0 for 4 until that point, sliced a grounder to shortstop which was bobbled, allowing Bridgitte Weaks to score from third, giving Wapakoneta a 2-1 win Friday in nine innings over the Shawnee Indians in a Western Buckeye League varsity softball contest.
"It was nice to see them walk our best hitter," Wapak varsity coach Bill Sammons said. "My daughter, Sierra, who has been struggling the past two days, at least put the ball in play to make good things happen."
A lot the balls Wapak put in play Friday were in-between holes in the Shawnee defense, and several times the Indians made exceptional but lucky outs to hold down the Redskins.
Rare was a Wapak ball in play Friday which could have been labeled routine, except for the Sammons' grounder to shortstop. This time it was mishandled.
"If you look at how it went, we hit the ball all night," Sammons said. "We hit shots to the outfield and they made great catches. We were doing the job we had to do, but as far as softball goes, it's just how it is. Sometimes you make plays. They were making great plays.
"We were doing our job offensively. It evened out at the end of the game. They made some errors when we could have gotten hits."
The Redskins' walkoff winner ended a tremendous pitching duel between Lovett and Shawnee's Kaylyn Shick.
Shawnee was put to the brink of a 1-0 loss during its at-bat in the top of the seventh before getting some help to put the game in extra innings.
Alyssa Windau reached on a fielder's error with two outs. The next hitter, Courtney Young, ripped a line drive to the outfield which got past Wapak's left fielder. The error allowed Windau to score the tying run from her starting spot at first base and let Young reach second base after her single.
Lovett struck out the next hitter for the third time in the game with Young, the go-ahead run, at second base.
Lovett singled and advanced to second base on a passed ball in the bottom of the seventh but was stranded to send the game into extra innings.
Each team went 1-2-3 in the eighth inning.
Shawnee's cleanup hitter, Kierstan Courtney, previously 0 for 3 in the game, opened the top of the ninth with a single. After a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly, Courtney, the go-ahead run, was on third base with two outs but Lovett induced a Windau pop-up to end the inning, setting up Wapak's game-ending theatrics in the bottom of the inning.
Morgan Dirr led the frame with single but was retired as the second out of the inning on Bridgette Weaks' fielder's choice two batters later.
Tiffanie Camper then reached hit a grounder to third base. The throw across the diamond to first base was not caught, allowing Weaks to reach third with the ball on the ground.
Camper stole second, so the Indians intentionally walked Lovett to load the bases, leading to Sammons' ball in play to shortstop, where an error gave the Redskins a 2-1 walkoff win.
Lovett (5-0) threw nine innings to earn the win, allowing one run (zero earned), six hits and zero walks, posting 13 strikeouts. Lovett reached a two-strike count against 20 of the 34 batters she faced Friday.
Shick, meanwhile, tossed 8 2/3 innings. She allowed nine hits, two runs (zero earned) and the intentional walk to Lovett, striking out eight Redskins hitters.
The extra-inning affair went scoreless through four full innings Friday.
The Redskins posted the game's first run in the fifth. Riley Culver singled and replaced by pinch runner Weaks, who advanced to third on a Lovett single and scored on a fielder's error.
Lovett, Blasia Moyler, Megan Fisher and Morgan Dirr each had two hits Friday for Wapak.
Sammons explained his thoughts on the win over Shawnee itself, which gave Wapak at 2-0 start in WBL play and kept his team unbeaten through six games this season.
"This big thing is any rivalry you gotta take out the records," he said. "They have an amazing team. We each have young, great teams.
"I just knew this was a game we needed to win for maturity reasons. The girls are so young. I wanted to show the girls that if you stay focused and keep working hard, good things are going to happen. That's exactly what happened."
Friday's game was the Redskins' fourth in four days.
They will be off today and resume their season Monday against the Celina Bulldogs in the first of three straight league games on the road.
Sammons provided closure on a busy week for his team.
"I just want to keep them humble. I'll run them (today)," he said wryly. "We'll keep them humble and go from there."


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A recent toast to James Watson highlights a tolerance for bigotry many want excised from the scientific community.
Not Immune to Fat
November 1, 2015|
The effect of a high-fat diet on murine T cells
November 1, 2015|
The effect of a high-fat diet on murine T cells
October 26, 2015|
Given the right environment, cKit+ cells from the mouse heart can develop into new cardiac muscle, according to a study.
October 16, 2015|
Mice given a dietary supplement had faster-progressing melanoma, a study shows.
October 14, 2015|
Researchers derive trophoblast stem cells from mouse fibroblasts, paving the way for cell therapy for placental dysfunction diseases.
October 13, 2015|
Two studies reveal that the giant mammals have dozens of extra copies of a cancer-preventing gene.
October 12, 2015|
Despite known problems with contamination and mislabeled cell lines, most researchers continue to operate without authenticating cells' identity.
October 1, 2015|
Neuron nurseries in the adult brains of rodents and humans appear to influence cognitive function.
October 1, 2015|
Researchers devise new techniques to facilitate growing bacteria collected from the environment.
October 1, 2015|
A common tissue fixation method distorts the true neuronal landscape.
September 30, 2015|
Scientists discover a novel antibacterial molecule that targets a vital RNA regulatory element.


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6) The Gecko build date in the "Gecko/yyyymmdd" token has been frozen to 20100101 for Firefox releases. This means:
* If you want to detect whether the browser is genuine Gecko, search for the strings "Gecko" and "rv:". The presence of these two strings will distinguish Gecko from browsers who state they are "like Gecko" in the UA string.
* If you want to determine the Gecko version, first — as noted above — consider carefully whether you can feature-sniff instead. If you must, obtain it from the "rv:x.y.z" string.
If you are presently using the build date or otherwise depending on the exact format of the "Gecko/yyyymmdd" token, stop! In the next major release of Gecko, this will be replaced by the string "Gecko/". If you rely on the fact that this will be followed by a date string, you will break.


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Injecting a rare shot of bipartisanship in the nation's contentious health care overhaul, the Obama administration cleared four Republican-led states to build their own consumer-friendly insurance markets on Thursday.
With open enrollment for millions of uninsured Americans just nine months away — Oct. 1, 2013 — the four GOP-led states joined 17 states plus Washington, D.C., that have gotten an initial go-ahead to build and run insurance exchanges. Seven were approved Thursday.
Significantly, the list also included California, which has nearly 7.5 million uninsured residents. Democratic-led California was an early supporter of President Barack Obama's health care law and had been working diligently on its plan.
Insurance exchanges are not something consumers are familiar with.
"Most people don't really know what those words mean, but that's OK," said Rachel Klein, executive director of Enroll America, a nonprofit trying to educate the public about new benefits under the federal health care law. "What they really need to know is that there's going to be a new way to buy health insurance."
The new marketplaces are supposed to take the confusion and anxiety out of buying private health insurance for individuals and families who buy their coverage directly. Exchanges are meant to have the feel of an online travel sitean Expedia or Orbitz.
Exchanges will also offer some relief from sticker shock. Under the new law, about eight in 10 customers in the new marketplaces will be eligible for income-based federal aid to help pay their premiums.
Small businesses will have separate access to their own exchanges.
The approvals announced Thursday are provisional; administration officials said more work remains to be done before they'll issue final sign-offs.
The GOP-led states conditionally approved are Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. Idaho and Utah have Republican governors and legislatures. Nevada and New Mexico have GOP governors, but Democrats control their legislatures.
"We're on track for Idaho having a say over how this process works, instead of having the federal government dictate all of it," said Jon Hanian, spokesman for Republican Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter. The legislature still has to weigh in.
A fifth Republican-led state, Mississippi, may yet win approval. However, the administration's decision is complicated by a legal dispute between Republican state officials. The governor does not want to participate, while the insurance commissioner does.
The federal government will set up and run the new marketplaces in states that opt out of playing any role, and 19 Republican-led states have taken that route. The rest of the states are either pursuing partnerships with Washington or still mulling their options.
Two states, Arkansas and Delaware, have been approved for partnerships. That means a state will handle consumer issues and oversee health plans while Washington takes on the back-office tasks of enrolling consumers and determining subsidies.
Right now, exchanges exist in only a couple of states, although some large private employers are also experimenting with them.
Originally a Republican idea, exchanges won bipartisan support, only to be abandoned by many in the GOP once they were incorporated into Obama's health care law.
The basic concept is that setting up a marketplace with clear-cut rules would benefit consumers and encourage insurance companies to compete, helping keep costs in check. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney set up an exchange in that state under his 2006 health care overhaul law. And Utah has already launched one that caters to small businesses.
Under Obama's law, plans in the new marketplaces will have to cover a set of "essential" benefits, including hospitalization, doctor visits, prescriptions, prevention and care for pregnant women and young children. Cost to the consumer will be the main difference among plans, with four levels of coverage: bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. A consumer with a bronze plan will pay lower monthly premiums, but would face higher cost sharing for medical care.
Exchanges will also steer low-income people to state Medicaid programs. The law gives states the option to expand Medicaid to cover more of their low-income residents, with the federal government picking up about 90 cents of every dollar in added costs.
Coverage through exchange plans will begin on Jan. 1, 2014.
Related stories:
Health reform a winner in November elections
Federal government releases long-awaited health rules


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December is all about looking back at the year that was. Now, it's time to look forward -- to the films, musical events and more heading our way in 2013.
Here are some that have us excited about the year ahead:
• "The Americans" -- For TV viewers suffering "Homeland" withdrawal, FX has a remedy. The cable station debuts "The Americans" Jan. 30. The 1980s-set drama stars Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys as KGB spies posing as Americans Elizabeth and Phillip Jennings in suburban Washington, D.C. They're forced to balance a network of other spies, the escalation of the Cold War, Phillip's growing connection to America and an FBI agent neighbor. And, oh ya, two kids who have no clue about their parents' double lives.
• Earth + Ocean -- The crew that first worked together at the acclaimed Sundra in Chicago plans to open a new eatery in Mount Prospect's retail/restaurant/entertainment complex known as Randhurst Village. Chef Rodelio Aglibot and partners Aeron Lancero and Paul Lee hope to open Earth + Ocean in February. The restaurant's menu will reflect the philosophy that wholesome food is connected through earth and ocean.
• Pat Benatar -- Benatar owned the 1980s with a string of rock hits that showcased her tough persona and powerhouse voice. Few who were around back then can forget songs like "Hit Me With Your Best Shot," "Heartbreaker" and "Love is A Battlefield." Benatar and her husband/guitarist/producer Neil Giraldo will appear Feb. 7 at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles. Tickets are going fast, so don't wait on this one. oshows.com.
• "Picasso and Chicago" -- The Art Institute of Chicago this year celebrates its unique 100-year relationship with Pablo Picasso with an exhibit that brings together 250 of the Spanish artist's paintings, sculpture, prints, drawings and ceramics. Running Feb. 20 to May 12, "Picasso and Chicago" is the first large-scale Picasso exhibit in 30 years at the Art Institute, which in 1913 became the first art museum in the country to display his work. artic.edu.
• "Die Meistersinger von Nuremberg," "Rigoletto" and "Joan of Arc" -- Commemorate the 200th anniversary of the births of 19th-century opera composing titans Richard Wagner and Guiseppe Verdi with three special Chicago productions. The Lyric Opera of Chicago goes big with a new coproduction of Wagner's 5½-hour comedy, "Die Meistersinger von Nuremberg" (Feb. 8 to March 3). The Lyric also revives Verdi's popular tragedy "Rigoletto" (Feb. 25 to March 30). And Chicago Opera Theater does its part to appease Verdi fans by presenting the rarely staged "Joan of Arc" ("Giovanna d'Arco") for four performances on Sept. 21, 25, 27 and 29. lyricopera.org or chicagooperatheater.org.
• "Scenes from the Stone Age: The Cave Paintings of Lascaux" -- Full-sized replicas of prehistoric cave engravings and paintings are part of "Scenes from the Stone Age: The Cave Paintings of Lascaux," opening March 20 at The Field Museum. Visitors can walk through a cavelike galley with oil lamps and torch lights to see the drawings -- first discovered in 1940 in a cave in southern France -- as the ancient artists would have viewed them. Other highlights include a lifelike sculpted stone-age family. The exhibit runs through Sept. 8. fmnh.org.
• "Big Fish" -- Musical theater fans will be abuzz when the Broadway-bound world premiere "Big Fish" tries out at Chicago's Oriental Theatre starting April 2. This musical version of Daniel Wallace's 1998 book, "Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions" (which in turn inspired the 2003 film), features an A-list of creative theater types to tell this American Southern fantasy of epic adventures and tall tales. Tony Award-winning actor Norbert Leo Butz will star in the production staged by five-time Tony Award-winning director/choreographer Susan Stroman. "Big Fish" will feature a score by Andrew Lippa and a script by John August (who also wrote the "Big Fish" screenplay). broadwayinchicago.com.
• "Evil Dead" -- Can Uruguay-born director Fede Alvarez possibly pull off a worthy remake of Sam Raimi's 1981 ultra-low-budget cult horror movie about demons bothering young people in an old cabin? The original movie cost an estimated $150,000. The remake, due out in April: $14 million. Alvarez has promised no chintzy digital effects, but a reinvention of the project Stephen King referred to as the "most original" horror tale he'd ever seen. The unrated "Evil Dead" inspired a superior sequel, "Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn," an R-rated sequel "Army of Darkness," plus six "Evil Dead" video games.
• "The Great Gatsby" -- Robert Redford's 1974 "Gatsby" was such a boring flop that it took almost 40 years before anyone tried to make another movie based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel about the whims and tribulations of upper-crust society. This time, flamboyant Aussie filmmaker Baz Luhrmann ("Moulin Rouge," "Romeo+Juliet") promises to actually make Fitzgerald exciting with a cast that includes Leonardo DiCaprio as Gatsby, Carey Mulligan as his coveted Daisy, Joel Edgerton as Daisy's inferior-class hubby and Tobey Maguire as the narrator/witness to the plot that unfolds. Look for this one in May.
• "igNIGHT" at Great America -- The Six Flags Great America amusement park in Gurnee this summer will light up the night sky with a new show featuring pyrotechnics, video and laser elements, as well as music and dancing. "igNIGHT" will take place in the renovated Hometown Square. sixflags.com/2013news.
• "Man of Steel" -- Spring and superheroes are old hat. But Zack Snyder's Superman tale, due out in June, comes with lots of local flavor. Scenes were shot in Sugar Grove and other Illinois sites. This time out, Brit Henry Cavill dons the cape, with a supporting cast that includes Russell Crowe as Jor-El, Amy Adams as Lois Lane and Chicago's own Michael Shannon as General Zod.
• Taylor Swift -- America's favorite ex-girlfriend brings her live spectacle to the home of the Bears this summer, armed with a battery of hits like "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," "Mean" and "Love Story." Standard tickets for the Aug. 10 Soldier Field concert will run you as much as $99.50, but Swift's elaborate, explosive stage production gives you plenty of bang for the buck. British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran will open the show. ticketmaster.com.
• "Next to Normal" -- Drury Lane Theatre in Oak Brook scores another coup with the regional premiere of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical "Next to Normal" by Tom Kitt (music) and Brian Yorkey (book, lyrics) that will likely take subscribers out of their comfort zones. The show about a woman suffering from bipolar disorder and the impact her illness has on her family asks the question: What sacrifices and accommodations are we willing to make to be "normal"? Previews begin Aug. 15. drurylaneoakbrook.com.


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Final: Celtics 118-114: Jason Terry is the hero with a steal from Andre Miller and then makes a layup at the buzzer for the final margin. Paul Pierce finishes with 27 points. 14 rebounds and 14 assists while Kevin Garnett added 20 points and 18 rebounds and Terry finishes with a season-high 26. Ty Lawson finishes with 29 points but none in the third overtime. Danilo Gallinari had 18 and 10 rebounds while Andre Miller pitched in with 15 off the bench. Seventh straight win for Celtics. Nuggets win streak stopped at nine.
Game Recap:
Second overtime, 5.2, Tied at 107: Paul Pierce works the clock down but hits a stepback 3-pointer for the tie. And as usual tonight, it is being reviewed. It stands. Crazy game.
Second overtime, 18.9, Nuggets 107-104: Kevin Garnett ties the game with a jumper and Paul Pierce draws shooting foul but only hits one of two with 32.5 left, Ty Lawson, who is unstoppable tonight, comes back with 18-footer. Celtics ball.
Second overtime, 1:01, Nuggets 103-101: Jeff Green hits a runner and then makes a steal and tries to go for tying score but loses ball. Celtics awarded ball but officials are reviewing once again. Celtics ball officially.
Second overtime, 2:30, Nuggets 103-99: The iron has been unkind to the Celtics, who are 16-for-53 shooting since halftime. Open shots are going in and out while Denver continues to push the pace. The Nuggets have 22 fastbreak points.
End of first overtime, Tied at 99: Ty Lawson tries a 25-footer at buzzer that clangs off rim. Celtics get stop to force second overtime. Great time so far.
Overtime, 23.8. Tied at 99 Jeff Green hits a corner 3-ball to tie it, Denver ball. Each team has 2 timeouts.
Overtime, 1:30. Nuggets 99-96 The Celtics suddenly can't hit a shot, evidenced by missing three on the same possession. Andre Miller just hit a 18-footer to give Denver its biggest lead of the game. Kevin Garnett is 5-for-18 shooting tonight. Celtics ball.
End of regulation, Tied at 92 Jason Terry misses a 30 footer at buzzer and we're headed to overtime. Fourth quarter, 0.8, Tied at 92 Officials award Denver ball after review and Ty Lawson hits hurried runner with 0.8 left. Celtics ball.
Fourth quarter, 3.6, Celtics 92-90 Wow, well Jeff Green hits a go-ahead jumper with 47.9 left and Kenneth Faried gets fouled by Paul Pierce and misses first of two FTs and intentionally misses second, Celtics awarded ball but it's being reviewed.
Fourth quarter, 1:27, Tied at 90 The Nuggets took their first lead of the game on a Ty Lawson jump shot with 1:43 left but Jason Terry sank a technical free throw to tie it again. The Celtics gained possession but Paul Pierce fumbled the ball out of bounds. After review, Celtics ball off JaVale McGee.
Fourth quarter, 2:34, Celtics 89-87 The Nuggets are on a 7-2 run to get close again, sparked by Andre Miller, whose 11 points and three assists are deceiving. He has been more important than that shows. Jason Terry has 20 points on 8-for-14 shooting while Avery Bradley has 13 but the Celtics need to get some easy shots. Depending too much on the perimeter.
Fourth quarter, 5:58, Celtics 87-80 Boston on a 9-2 run with baskets from four players, including a corner 3-pointer from Avery Bradley. Kevin Garnett just hit a midrange jumper from the baseline to force Denver into a timeout. The Celtics are now 3-for-10 shooting in the quarter.
Fourth quarter, 9:53, Tied at 78 The Celtics fell asleep and can't make a basket while Andre Miller has sparked Denver's 8-0 run to begin the quarter with a gorgeous ball fake and layup. He has 9 points. The Celtics have stopped running and Doc RIvers may be forced to go back to Paul Pierce and Avery Bradley, who are on the bench.
End of third quarter, Celtics 78-70 The Celtics are winning this game from the 3-point line, hitting nine of 17 so far and Paul Pierce and Jason Terry each have four. This is one of Terry's better games of the season as he is hitting the open shot and spreading the floor. The Nuggets are led by Ty Lawson, who has 19 points while Corey Brewer is the only other Nugget in double figures with 11.
Third quarter, 5:10, Celtics 69-58: The Celtics have used 10 points in a row by Paul Pierce to extend the lead to 11. Pierce has 21 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists while Kevin Garnett has 8 points and nine rebounds. Ty Lawson is leading the Nuggets with 14 points on 6-for-9 shooting. Avery Bradley has helped out with 10 points and four assists while Jason Terry just hit a jumper off the fastbreak for his 12th point.
Halftime, Celtics 50-46: Nuggets end the half on a 10-4 run and are back int he game after the Celtics led by as many as 11. The Celtics committed eight turnovers in the quarter, most of them of the sloppy variety. Jason Terry leads the Celtics with 10 points and Paul Pierce has 9. Ty Lawson and Kenneth Faried each have 8 for Denver.
Second quarter, 2:46, Celtics 46-36: The Celtics have caused 10 Denver turnovers and are making good court decisions in building a 10-point lead. Paul Pierce has 9 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in 17 minutes. Denver is shooting 41 percent and is 2-for-10 from 3-point line.
Second quarter, 5:36, Celtics 40-33 : Kevin Garnett just ended a 6-0 Denver run with a layup and was fouled by Danilo Gallinari. Garnett has missed some open jumpers but already has six rebounds. Jason Terry has sparked the Celtics with 10 points, exceeding his season average. Corey Brewer leads Denver with 7 points and two steals
Second quarter, 8:59, Celtics 33-27 : The Nuggets are showing some life after their starters were unproductive. Andre Miller came off the bench for a 3-pointer while Corey Brewer has scored 5 points in the quarter. The Celtics are making some silly mistakes and poor decisions on the fast break. Jason Terry has 7 points in seven minutes.
End of First quarter, Celtics 29-19 : The Celtics shoot 52.4 percent, convert three 3-pointers and get points from eight players as they look to maintain a comfortable lead over the Nuggets. Denver sliced the deficit to 3 after the Celtics scored the first 12 points of the game, but Boston ended the quarter on a 15-8 run. Paul Pierce and Avery Bradley have 6 for the Celtics while Ty Lawson has 6 for Denver.
First quarter, 5:46, Celtics 14-11 : The Celtics actually scored the first 12 points of the game while Denver had five early turnovers. But the Nuggets have warmed up in the cold weather and scored 9 straight points to cut deep into the lead. Ty Lawson has 4 points for the Nuggets. The Celtics are led by Paul Pierce with 6 points and Avery Bradley with four. The Celtics are playing at a fast pace, let's see how it affects their depth.
First quarter, 9:20, Celtics 5-0: Paul Pierce opens the game with a 3-pointer and Kevin Garnett adds a jumper. Denver has missed its first four shots with two turnovers. The Celtics are 2-for-6 shooting.