text:
Each May our book group selects a food themed book or a cookbook for our June dinner meeting before breaking for two months over the summer. With everyone's busy schedules we've relegated the cooking to the wonderful culinary experts at Barbara Joe's Cookbook store, who host us in the shop amidst book stacks and their custom demonstration kitchen. Check-out bookstore owner, Barbara's pick list.
article:May 20, 2006 —
Gastronaut, by Stefan Gates. Adventures in Food for the romantic, the foolhardy and the brave. This book follows Stefans bold credo that dining should always become an experience to remember.
An Omelette and a Glass of Wine, by Elizabeth David. When Penguin launched its classic cookbook series this book was one of the first to make the cut. A real classic!
Spooning: A Novel The Cooking Club Divas Turn Up the Heat, by Darri Stephens and Megan DeSales This one is being billed as "Like Water for Chocolate" meets "Sex & the City." A witty, entertaining tale about discovering the recipe for grown-up success: best friends, good food and, of course, a liberal splash of glamour and romance.


text:
Microsoft announced on Friday that it'll discontinue three of its MSN apps (formerly known as Bing apps). The company is sending out emails to users that its MSN Food & Drink, MSN Travel, MSN Health & Fitness, along with Photosynth will not be offered anymore on all platforms including Windows, iOS and Android. Neowin notes that Microsoft will discontinue Food & Drink on September 28 along with Travel, while Health & Fitness will be discontinued starting November 1.
Though the company is not abandoning support for other MSN apps which include News, Weather, Sports and Money.
"We regularly evaluate our business to ensure we're focused on the areas where our users find the most value," Microsoft said in a statement. "We will continue to support those apps with broad consumer appeal including News, Weather, Sports and Money, which will be made available as apps on Windows 10 and will remain cross platform."
The decision to kill these apps seems rather strange, especially the Health & Fitness app that is a pretty impressive standalone app in itself. It works really well with the motion sensing capabilities of most modern Lumia devices, doing away the need for a dedicated standalone device. Apart from just aggregating news bits, the apps could also track workouts and diets along with providing a comprehensive list of the most common exercises. While according to reports, the Health & Fitness app will get rid of any data users might have stored in it by November 1.
The company also designed a newer Microsoft Health app to work exclusively with Microsoft Band, though retaining some of Health & Fitness app's capabilities will have made a lot more sense. In addition, Microsoft also announced that it'll stop providing support for its photo-stitching app — Photosynth. The company has not announced yet as to when it'll stop offering support for the app, though Microsoft is advising Photosynth users to take their pictures and data out of the app.
Microsoft is planning to get rid of the aforementioned apps much after the launch of Windows 10 Mobile. Hence, it seems Windows 10 will provide some viable alternative. However, then again, the company is killing a perfectly good app that too for no apparent reason seems a bit surprising at the moment.
Moreover, the fact that Microsoft's core area of focus includes Bing at the moment along with hardware, leading Nadella to announce that its 7800 employees will be laid-off.

subset: commoncrawl


text: Client: Toptable UK The company 'Toptable' is one of the global leaders of online restaurant reservation services. Based in London, the company contacted My French Communication Agency to accompany its conquest of the French market by creating and implementing a custom-made communication strategy. Our teams accompanied their sales teams to define the angles of attack. … Read More


text:
The plan is likely to involve the creation of a new, hybrid court that would combine elements of existing military tribunal system at the naval base in Cuba and criminal courts.
Throughout his campaign, Mr Obama pledged to close the prison, where hundreds of detainees have been held without trial for up to six years.
He described Guantanamo as a "sad chapter in American history" and has said generally that the US legal system is equipped to handle the detainees.
Under plans being put together in Obama's camp, some detainees of the 270 remaining detainees would be released and many others would be prosecuted in US criminal courts.
A third group of detainees – the ones whose cases are most entangled in highly classified information – might have to go before a new court designed especially to handle sensitive national security cases, according to advisers and Democrats involved in the talks.
Laurence Tribe, a Harvard law professor and Obama legal adviser, said: "I think the answer is going to be, they can be as securely guarded on US soil as anywhere else. We can't put people in a dungeon forever without processing whether they deserve to be there."
The major challenge will be allaying the fears of Democrats who believe the Bush administration's military commissions were a farce and dislike the idea of giving detainees anything less than the full constitutional rights normally enjoyed by everyone on US soil.
"It would have to be some sort of hybrid that involves military commissions that actually administers justice rather than just serve as kangaroo courts," Prof Tribe said. "It will have to both be and appear to be fundamentally fair in light of the circumstances. I think people are going to give an Obama administration the benefit of the doubt in that regard."
So far the trial has begun for five detainees charged with involvement in the September 11 attacks on America. Another "high value" prisoners are slated to go on trial under the tribunal system at Guantanamo.
The court has been criticized for its lower burden of proof and limitations on what evidence defendants can see. Some military defence lawyers have walked away from their trials in protest.
Mr Obama's transition team is preparing to overturn about 200 executive orders issued by George W Bush within months of taking office on January 20.
A small army of lawyers has been drafting reforms of Bush initiatives on climate change, oil exploration, abortion rights and stem cell research.


text:
Total undergraduate enrollment: 1342
Total institution enrollment: 1512
School type: 4-year private, not-for-profit
School classification: Baccalaureate Colleges--Liberal Arts: These institutions are primarily undergraduate colleges with major emphasis on baccalaureate programs. They award at least half of their baccalaureate degrees in liberal arts fields.
Bard College
Annandale-on-hudson, NY 11599
(845) 758-6822Website
Male undergraduate population: 44%
Female undergraduate population: 56%
Undergrad visible minorities: No Data
Degrees Offered: Bachelor's, Master's, Doctor's


text:
Hey there Head Squeezers I hope you're well
and if you're not this question is for you. It comes in from drooney187 who asks on YouTube
Why do you feel hot when you catch a cold? Yep, its that time of the year isn't where
we all seem to have a cause of the sniffles and by that I really mean you're probably
suffering from man flu you're completely full of snot you feel like you've got barbed wire
in your throat and your temperature is utterly sky-high. Give me an ironic thumbs up if so
far this winter you've been struck down. So what's going on? Well your body heats up
naturally; it's a natural response to fight the virus. You catch a cold if your body temperature
drops and also if you inhale droplets of water that contain rhinoviruses and adenoviruses.
Those viruses are always about but in winter when your body temperature has dropped because
of the cold weather and maybe you haven't been wearing enough layers. My coat is over
there. Your body just can't fight off that viral infection as well, in warmer temperatures
your body gives off an anti-viral immune signal when can defend against that sort of viral
infection. But when it's cold it can't do that as strongly so the viruses set off a
little Christmas party in your body. And that's why you get sick.
Now over the centuries those viruses have evolved to work very very well at your natural
body temperature of 37 degrees C. It's the proteins that replicate themselves that work
best at that temperature. Very crafty. So what your body does, it increases your internal
temperature by one or two degrees so it will take a day or two on the sofa or watching
a box set or chilling out in bed, but your body will manage to fight off those viruses
and then it's party over. So unfortunately those hot sweats may be keeping
you up all night but it is your body fighting back against the virus. You just have to grin
and bear it. That's all the time I've got right now, please do keep sending in your
questions, stay away from those sneezers and happy Head Squeezing.


text:
G20 summit: US 'encouraged' by eurozone plans
US President Barack Obama has said he is encouraged by European leaders' plans to tackle the eurozone crisis, as the G20 summit in Mexico ends.
In a final communique , world leaders said they would take "all necessary measures" to protect the euro area.
Leaders said they welcomed Spain's plans to recapitalise its banks, according to the communique.
The talks were being held as Greece seeks to form a coalition government and Spain's borrowing costs soared.
Speaking to reporters at the end of the summit, President Obama said that European leaders recognised that "bold and decisive" action was needed to address Europe's debt crisis.
"What I have heard from European leaders during these discussions, they understand the stakes, they understand why it's important for them to take bold and decisive action, and I am confident they can meet those tests," he said.
President Obama said that while there was no "silver bullet" to solve Europe's crisis, "each step points to the fact that Europe is moving towards further integration rather than break-up".
"I am confident that over the next several weeks, Europe will paint a picture of where we need to go," he added.
'Concrete steps'
As the summit came to a close the European leaders pledged to maintain stability in the eurozone and to work with the next Greek government towards reform and sustainability.
"Euro area members of the G20 will take all necessary measures to safeguard the integrity and stability of the area, improve the functioning of financial markets and break the feedback loop between sovereigns and banks," the joint statement said.
"We support the intention to consider concrete steps towards a more integrated financial architecture," it continued.
"The European Union members of the G20 are determined to move forward expeditiously on measures to support growth".
But German Chancellor Angela Merkel stressed that Greece must hold up its end of the deal.
"It's obvious that the reforms that were agreed in the past are the right steps and that they therefore must be implemented," Mrs Merkel told reporters.
She added that world leaders had "very balanced" talks on growth.
"We need the right mix of budget consolidation... and at the same time efforts for growth."
In the closing discussions of the summit, leaders also agreed not to introduce new protectionist measures until 2014.
But Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the imposition of trade barriers could be a vital tool in protecting Russian jobs.
Meanwhile, the "Brics" economies (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) also pledged to increase their contributions to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) - which has been seeking to boost its finances to prevent any future financial crisis.
The five Brics nations all offered to contribute $10bn (£6.4bn) to the IMF each in exchange for voting reforms that would give them greater influence in the organisation.
China also pledged $43bn (£27bn) to the IMF's crisis intervention fund, which has almost doubled to $456bn (£366bn).
The BBC's diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall, at the Los Cabos summit, says the offer of billions of dollars from the developing economies is perhaps the most tangible result of the two-day-long talks.
The funds, which would be released by the IMF if the eurozone crisis spreads, are a sign of support but also indicate how fragile many fear the economic situation in Europe to be, our correspondent adds.
* Euro area only, ** 2010 figs, *** Q3 2011. Note: External debt refers to debt owed to creditors outside the country. Countries with active financial sectors, such as the UK, tend to have large amounts of external debt.


text:
Contract Terms and Conditions
Contract Terms and Conditions
The Housing Contract is a legally binding agreement between you ("you" or "Resident") and The University of Toledo ("University") a public institution of higher education (University), located at 2801 W. Bancroft Street, Toledo, Ohio 43606-3390. Once you have submitted and signed your housing application and it is accepted by the University, your Housing Contract is valid for the entire academic year (fall and spring semesters) and can only be canceled in accordance with these terms and conditions of the Housing Contract. These terms and conditions outline both your responsibilities and those of the University.
Residency Requirement: All first-year and second-year students who live outside of a 25-mile radius from the University are required to live on campus and participate in the meal plan program.
In the event the University cannot provide a room or alternate housing, the housing and meal plan requirements will be excused, all rights and liabilities of the parties involved will cease.
University housing is provided to full-time (as defined by a Resident's academic program) undergraduate students. Limited spaces are available for graduate and professional students. Undergraduate students are placed as first priority.
Students who have been convicted or have pled guilty to a felony or misdemeanor offense including but not limited to, sexual offenses such as assault, rape or any violent crimes, or the use, possession, sale transportation or distribution of a controlled substance, are not permitted to reside in University housing.
All Residents who will be under the age 18 as of the first day of classes are required to complete a minor consent form. By signing and submitting this form, the Resident states he/she has read and accepted the terms and conditions of the Housing Contract as outlined in the online housing application. Parents/Guardians/Guarantees sign and accept responsibility for the terms of the contract until the Resident turns 18. The Resident also agrees to abide by all University and residence hall policies and regulations. Minor Residents will not be able to sign their housing contract until this form is submitted. The Minor Consent Form also gives consent in advance to medical treatment.
Occupancy is a privilege extended to the Resident by the University. The continuation of this privilege is dependent upon the Resident's reasonable and satisfactory personal conduct. You must abide by the Housing Contract, as well as the Residence Living Guide and McComas Village Living Guide (residencelife.utoledo.edu) (as applicable), the Student Handbook (utoledo.edu/studentsaffairs/pdfs/handbook.pdf), the Student Code of Conduct, and all other University policies, procedures and rules.
Your Housing Contract is a legally binding agreement between you and the University. Your Housing Contract is valid for the entire academic year (August – May), or as defined by your academic program unless terminated earlier in accordance with the terms herein.
All fees, including but not limited to housing and meal plan charges, tuition, and other associated fees, are due and payable as required by the University. Resident will not be permitted access to University housing or meal plan funds, if Resident's balance is not paid in full or until an approved payment plan is in place. Should Resident default in complying with any payment dates for any of Resident's financial obligations, the University may seek any remedy in law or in equity, including specific performance of the Resident's obligations or seek money damages. Resident agrees to pay all reasonable costs, attorney fees and expenses that are incurred by the University in enforcing this provision.
Occupancy occurs when you have been issued a key to your room by the University. Actual physical occupancy of the room by Resident and/or placement of Resident's possessions within the room do not constitute occupancy.
The residence halls officially open one week prior to the start of classes. Resident will be assigned a specific move in date which can be found on the Office of Residence Life website. If you want to move in prior to your scheduled date, you may move in on a designated early arrival date. If approved, the additional daily charge is $25.00.
If Resident is required by an office or department on campus to attend specific programs, the Resident may check-in prior to the designated early arrival date with approval from the Office of Residence Life.
You must claim your keys to your assigned room by 5:00 p.m. on the first day of classes, unless the Resident has advised the Office of Residence Life of delayed arrival. Failure to do so may result in Housing Contract termination and assessed fees.
Fall Break: The residence halls remain open with limited staff, meal plan service, and Front Desk services. There is no charge to stay.
Thanksgiving Break: The residence halls remain open with limited staff and Front Desk services. There is no meal plan service available and no charge to stay.
Winter Break: All residence halls are closed with the exception of International House and Ottawa House. There is limited staff, Front Desk and dining services. There is an additional charge of $25.00 per night for Residents pre-authorized to stay.
Spring Break: The residence halls remain open with limited staff, meal plan services and Front Desk services. There is no charge to stay.
The University reserves the right to reassign Resident at any time based on conduct, contract violations, resident conflicts, and to make the most efficient and beneficial use of available accommodations. The University may reassign or remove a Resident from on-campus housing at the University's or the Department of Health's discretion due to illness or disease and/or if in the best interest of the individual Resident's and the public's safety.
The Office of Residence Life has the right to consolidate Residents into rooms in order to maintain occupancy and accommodate additional students in on-campus housing. Resident must accept a room consolidation, if his/her roommate does not arrive or moves out mid-semester, by being prepared to receive a roommate at any time and by keeping half of the room unoccupied, or by moving in a new room with a new roommate. Consolidation may occur within the same residence hall or between residence halls.
All room changes must have prior authorization from the Office of Residence Life or the Hall Director. If the Resident is in violation of this Housing Contract, then he/she must meet with a Residence Life representative and may be charged in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.
University employees may enter a Resident's room at any time to assess and repair the physical facilities, complete inspections, verify occupancy, adjust temperature controls, maintain safety standards, and/or for other reasons determined necessary by Residence Life staff.
University employees may enter and search a Resident room and seize matter in violation of University policy or the law. Such search and seizure will be conducted in the presence of the occupant(s) of the room when there is reasonable cause to believe a violation has occurred, unless the matter necessitates an immediate entry. Conditions that necessitate an immediate entry include:
1. a person may be physically harmed and/or endangered;
2. when University property is being damaged or is reasonably in danger of being damaged;
3. as directed by The University of Toledo Police Department;
4. to silence disruptive noise;
5. to determine if Resident has vacated during a fire alarm or drill;
6. when necessary for the health, safety or welfare of Resident or anyone else in the room; or
7. for other reasons determined necessary by Residence Life staff.
The University assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to a Resident's personal property. The University highly encourages all Residents to get personal property insurance.
Resident assume care for the physical facilities of the residence units. Depending on the type of residential facility, a unit may be a room, suite or house. Damage to the Resident's room and furnishings will be the financial responsibility of the assigned occupant(s) of the room, if the responsible party(ies) cannot be identified. Damage to the common area of a suite will be the financial responsibility of all suite-mates, if the responsible party(ies) cannot be identified. If damage beyond normal wear and tear occurs to the public areas of the residence hall or house and it is not possible to determine the responsible party(ies), Residents of the floor/suite/wing or building may share the financial responsibility for such damage. Resident may not be permitted to live in a residence hall or house the following academic year if all property damages have not been paid in full. Resident may not install or use a satellite dish, cable, wireless router or any other device or contract with any provider to run television, internet, gaming, etc. to the facilities other than what is provided by the University.
Residential rooms, the building, its facilities and adjacent grounds are solely for residential purposes. Commercial for-profit businesses will not be permitted to operate from, or on residential premises owned or operated by the University.
Duplication and loaning of University-issued keys or ID cards or accommodation of unauthorized guests is prohibited. Residents found in violation will be subject to judicial action and fines.
A Guest is defined as any individual who visits a University residential facility in which he or she does not reside. Guests are expected to observe all University rules and regulations. Overnight Guests may be accommodated for a maximum of two consecutive nights with written roommate consent via a guest pass permit available at the information desk. Guests are not permitted during the break periods. Residents who have unauthorized overnight guests may be charged the daily cost of the room rate and may be subject to disciplinary action.
Violations of the Guest policy include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Allowing a guest to enter a residential facility without a host (i.e. tailgating)
• Violation of any State, University or Residence Life regulations by a guest.
Hosts assume full responsibility for the behavior and activities of their Guest(s) regardless of whether the host is present to observe the behavior of the Guest(s). For safety and security reasons, hosts are expected, whenever, reasonably possible, to accompany their guests at all times.
Guests are required to register at the residence hall information desk. Guests are to check out at the same location when the visit is complete. Overnight guests cannot be under the age of 6.
(prior to OCCUPANCY and after OCCUPANCY)
If Resident wishes to cancel the Housing Contract prior to occupancy, he/she must do so in writing, by 5 p.m. on the first day of classes of a term, to not be charged housing.
If you wish to cancel the Housing Contract after occupancy, you must submit a contract release request form which can be found on the Office of Residence Life webpage (http://www.utoledo.edu/studentaffairs/reslife/index/. Requests will be reviewed by the Office of Residence Life and if approved, release from the Housing Contract will be in effect upon the issuance of the decision but you will still be responsible for cancellation fees. If your request is denied, the Housing Contract will continue and you will be liable for the full amount for housing. Not checking into the residence hall or checking out of the residence hall does not release you from your Housing Contract. The Resident will still be responsible for the full financial obligation of the assigned room until a contract release has been submitted and approved.
Residents who are graduating or withdrawing from the University will be released from their Housing Contract upon filing a contract release request form and submitting supporting documentation.
If you become unregistered at any point in the semester (fall, spring, or summer), you are thereby automatically terminating the Housing Contract by your actions. You are required to immediately vacate the residential facilities. You will be financially responsible until the date you completely vacate the facilities and return your keys.
The Housing Contract may be terminated by the Office of Residence Life for: violation of law, violation of University or residence hall regulations or policies, conduct or existence of such conditions that would reasonably affect the health, safety or welfare of the Resident or others; revocation of student status; or nonpayment of housing or University fees.
If the University takes action to terminate the Housing Contract for failure to comply with any of the Terms and Conditions or violation of the Student Code of Conduct or any University policy, rule, or procedure, the Resident will receive a notice with a right to be heard and a hearing in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Section 5321.031.
In the case of early termination, the policies and information regarding housing and meal plan reimbursement for which Resident is subject can be found at:
If Resident breaches the Housing Contract, the Contract may be terminated in accordance with the Terms and Conditions herein. In addition, Resident may be charged in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.
Violations that may result in immediate termination of the Housing Contract include but are not limited to:
•physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment,
•use, possession, manufacturing or distribution of marijuana, heroin, narcotics, drugs, illegal or unauthorized possession,
•use or unauthorized storage of firearms, fireworks or realistic replicas of weapons on university premises,
•conduct that is disorderly, lewd, or indecent; disruption or obstruction of Education,
•attempted or actual theft or destruction of or unauthorized use or possession of property of any kind belonging to the University, a member of the University community, a campus visitor, or a person or agency participating in a University activity.
DISCLAIMER: The Office of Residence Life reserves the right to alter or change the Housing Contract as deemed necessary in writing to the Resident. Any Resident with a valid Contract will receive communication regarding modifications to this Contract via their University email account.


text:
"The Act will contribute to transforming generation rent into generation buy," says Housing Minister Brandon Lewis
But critics warn that a diktat on starter homes will not solve the housing crisis
August 17th 2016
The Housing and Planning Bill received Royal Assent on 13th May, the final day of the last parliamentary session, following a lengthy battle of parliamentary 'ping pong' between the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The Act only applies to England and includes sections on new homes, rogue landlords, the recovery of abandoned premises, social housing, planning, compulsory purchase, and public authority land. [1]
Despite pressure from the House of Lords concerning the need to incorporate energy efficiency and sustainable drainage into the Act, the Act merely commits the Secretary of State to carrying out a review "of planning legislation, government planning policy and local planning policies concerning sustainable drainage in relation to the development of land" (in paragraph 165) and a review "of any minimum energy performance requirements approved by the Secretary of State under building regulations in relation to dwellings" (in paragraph 171).
In a press release, the Government highlighted three features of the new legislation. Firstly, the Act will "help more people own their own home" by extending the 'Right to Buy' to housing association tenants and by placing a statutory duty on local planning authorities to promote the development of starter homes. Secondly, the Act will "get the nation building homes faster" by unlocking brownfield land, supporting custom-build and self-build homes, reforming the compulsory purchase system, speeding up neighbourhood planning, and ensuring that all local planning authorities have a local plan.
The third feature of the Act has caused much of the controversy in debates about the Bill. This is the package of measures that, according to the Government, "will ensure the way housing is managed is fair and fit for the future." The measures include the requirement for social tenants on higher incomes to pay higher rents (the so-called 'Pay to Stay' requirement), placing a duty on local councils to consider selling their "higher value housing assets" as they become vacant, and reducing the regulatory controls on private registered providers of housing. The management package also includes measures to tackle rogue landlords and measures to enable local authorities to access data on the private rented sector.
The End of Localism?
Further controversy has focused on the centralising of power under the Act. When the Bill received its second reading in the House of Lords in January, Labour peer Baroness Andrews highlighted the fact that the Bill contained 34 new powers for the Secretary of State whilst Lord Kerslake, chair of the Peabody Housing Association, said that the Secretary of State will have considerable powers to dictate the number of starter homes that local authorities will build, even down to individual schemes. Labour peer Lord McKenzie cited a number of measures which showed that the Government was moving "inexorably away from a planning system anchored in the democratic process of the local community," whilst Lord Kerslake said the measures amounted to a complete denial of localism. [2]
Affordable Housing and the Right to Buy
There has been an equal amount of controversy concerning the Government's treatment of affordable housing. Peers expressed concerns in January that starter homes were included in the definition of affordability, pointing out that starter homes were still unaffordable to many people, and that the initiative would lead to a reduction in other forms of affordable housing. Peers also pointed out that the first tranche of buyers would be free to sell their assets after five years at market value. Lady Andrews said: "We will be minting a new generation of property speculators." Lord Kerslake said the bill promoted home ownership at the expense of social rented housing. Taking into account other measures in the Bill, he said the "only reasonable conclusion is that social housing is being written out of the script." On the Right to Buy, he pointed out that councils would be required to sell off their "higher value" properties as they become vacant to fund the cost of Right to Buy discounts. Speaking on the same topic, Baroness Blackstone said, "It is, in fact, an unscrupulous assets grab."
The Local Government Association
The Local Government Association (the body that represents local authorities) expressed similar concerns. It published a briefing paper in March, saying it would like to see the Bill amended "to enable local planning authorities to deliver the number, type and quality of starter homes based on their local assessments of need and viability on a site by site basis, alongside other affordable housing options." It also sought amendments "to give councils maximum freedom to manage their own housing stock and to locally retain capital receipts for reinvestment in new and existing housing, as a minimum retaining sufficient receipts to replace every home sold."
Parliamentary Ping Pong
By the beginning of May, the Government was embroiled in what BBC News called "a race against time" in its attempts to enshrine the Bill into law before parliament broke up for the summer. The Government had made a number of concessions after suffering 18 defeats in the House of Lords, but the Bill was now bouncing between the Lords and the Commons. The latest Lords amendments concerned the 'Pay to Stay' and 'Right to Buy' measures. Housing Minister Brandon Lewis had warned that some of the these amendments were budgetary measures, which meant that the House of Commons would have the final say. However, the Lords persisted, voting to soften the impact of the 'Pay to Stay' requirement, and seeking guarantees that high value properties sold off by councils would be replaced by similar homes in the same area. Over to the Commons on Tuesday, 3rd May, and MPs vote to reject 13 Lords amendments. Back to the Lords on Wednesday, 4th May, and the amendments are reinstated. In the following week, the Bill bounces between the Commons on the Monday, Lords on Tuesday, Commons on Wednesday, and Lords also on the Wednesday. The final Lords amendment sought a guarantee of funding from the Government to replace affordable homes. The Government said this would reduce the amount of funding for the Right to Buy discount. The Lords conceded and the Bill was given Royal Assent on Thursday 12th May.
Following the final vote, the Local Government Association published another briefing, detailing what it and the Lords had sought to achieve, and what concessions had been made. The retention of capital receipts from the sales of council homes to fund the provision of a replacement property had not been accepted, the only concessions on this point being, firstly, a commitment from the Government that the change in wording from "high value" to "higher value" council property would not be used to raise additional funds from local government; and, secondly, that a levy on "higher value" council property, instead of the sales revenue, would be passed on to the Government. On allowing local councils discretion on the promotion of starter homes, the Government remained firm that this would be a statutory duty, the only concession here being a longer period of time before the property can be sold.
With regard to the sale of council property, the Act now incorporates the requirement that properties sold will be replaced on a one-for-one basis, whilst in London the requirement rises to a two-for-one basis, though in either case there is no guaranteed funding for the replacement. On the 'Pay to Stay' requirement, the Government rejected attempts to raise the minimum income threshold, so the threshold stays at the proposed level, meaning people with a household income of £31,000 or more (£40,000 in London) will be expected to pay higher rents. There were some concession here, regarding how the thresholds will rise over time and how the rents will increase; the Government also conceded that an exemption could be made if the costs of administering the scheme outweigh the benefits. Attempts to thwart the Government's goal of ending lifetime tenancies were defeated, with limited concessions for families with children and the disabled concerning the maximum period of a tenancy. [3]
Delays in Implementation
Given the post-referendum confusion and ministerial reshuffle, the timetable for implementing many of the provisions in the Act is unclear. Speaking at a housing conference in July, officers from the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) indicated that delays are likely in implementing the regulations, determinations and guidance on a number of measures included in the new Act, principally the sale of "higher value" properties, the Right to Buy levy, the Pay to Stay provisions, and the phasing out of lifetime tenancies. Reporting on the conference for 24 Housing, Bill Tanner says that DCLG officers were unable to give a firm date when local authorities could expect to see any guidelines, but suggested that regulations and determinations on the definition of "higher value" property and the Right to Buy levy were unlikely to be decided before September.
Meanwhile, April 2017 has been proposed as the implementation date for the Pay to Stay regulations. However, DCLG officers have been discussing the timetable with the new ministerial team and, according to Bill Tanner, have asked local authorities for evidence of difficulties in implementation by the proposed deadline, "together with evidence of implementation costs and forecasts of additional rental income expected as a result of the agreed income thresholds and tapers."
Precisely how the Pay to Stay requirement will be implemented remains a mystery, but some of the practical difficulties, as well as the potential impact, have been assessed by Liz Davies and Justine Compton, two barristers specialising in housing law. In an article written for the Legal Action Group, they analyse the social housing provisions in the Act and assess the likely impact, focusing on the depletion of affordable housing stock and the ending of lifetime tenancies. On the Pay to Stay requirement, they say that regulations made under the Act "may 'require the rent' to be raised to the whole, or part of, local market rents. Powers may be given to local housing authorities to require tenants to disclose details of their income and to ask HMRC for the same information. If a tenant refuses, and the information cannot be obtained from HMRC, the local housing authority might be required to charge the maximum rent. A tenant who refuses to pay will accrue rent arrears and face possession proceedings. It remains to be seen how regulations can have the effect of, essentially, inserting a new clause into existing tenancy agreements, requiring tenants to disclose their finances."
The End of Social Housing?
Whilst Liz Davies and Justine Compton describe the Act as "a devastating blow to social housing," Lord Bob Kerslake, chair of the Peabody Housing Association and also president of the Local Government Association, goes further. In an article written for The Guardian, shortly before the Parliamentary ping pong reached its conclusion, he says: "Over the course of this bill, I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that for the leading figures in this Government, publicly provided, social rented housing is now seen as toxic. This is something that I deeply regret. In time, I believe the Government will come to regret this also. It is simply not possible to deliver the new housing the country needs without building more houses of all types and tenures, including social housing."
Also writing for the The Guardian, Harry Blain describes the Act as "a direct attack on local government." The Secretary of State for housing will have 32 new powers under the Act, he says. In particular, chapter four of the Act gives the Housing Secretary "powers to prohibit local authorities from appointing officers to the boards of housing associations, and to curtail council voting rights on those boards. The Housing Secretary is also able to change the meaning of the new affordable home, to define the higher value threshold at which councils must sell their homes, and to decide how much extra rent will be paid by so-called high-income council tenants."
As for the impact on local authorities: "Most councils expect the Act to result in increased homelessness, longer waiting lists for homes and an increase in spending on housing benefit… Councils are footing the bill for the discounts being given to housing association tenants wanting to buy their homes, and the Local Government Association estimates that forcing councils to sell off homes combined with social rent reductions of 1% a year for the next four years will take £2.2bn from council housing budgets by 2020. The LGA argues that this will make it all but impossible to build replacements for homes sold off."
In the press release delivered after the Bill received Royal Assent, Housing Minister Brandon Lewis said: "The Act will contribute to transforming generation rent into generation buy." With homelessness on the increase, there are many in local government and elsewhere who will question the Government's priorities.
[1] The Housing and Planning Act 2016 is available as a PDF download from the UK Parliament website.
[2] For a more detailed summary of this House of Lords debate, see the article by Laura Edgar in The Planner, 28/01/2016. See also our previous articles on the Housing and Planning Bill by using the search facility on this website.
[3] For a more detailed analysis of the amendments and their final outcome, see the article by Sophie Barnes in Inside Housing, 19/05/2016.
Photograph: Affordable housing at Lower Slackbuie, Inshes, Highlands © Copyright E Sandland and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence. The Housing and Planning Act 2016 does not affect people in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In England, however, affordable housing faces an uncertain future. Bob Kerslake, president of the Local Government Association, says there are leading figures in the Government who see social housing as "toxic."


text:
3 credits
Click here to view course poster
Course Description: Influence of culture on mind and of mind on culture. Relationship of the individual to culture and of personal experience to collective meaning. Topics include religious experience and altered states of consciousness; cultural basis of emotions, the senses, and "psychosomatic" and mental illnesses; relationship of selfhood and identity to nationhood and citizenship.
Prerequisite: 070:101 or permission of instructor.
Most Recent Syllabus


text:
Do you prefer driving a Standard or an Automatic?
39 Answers
- FredLv 73 months agoFavorite Answer
I live in a rural area where manual transmissions are way better. Those living in cities generally prefer automatics as traffic is stop/start and many people do not want to be constantly clutching and changing gears.
Manual transmissions give way better control of the car as you control the gears and can down shift to slow down without wearing out the brakes and have more control through things like corners and difficult driving conditions. You choose what gear you are in to suit your driving and do not have to accept the factory pre-set gearing which is a compromise to what they think the car should be doing.
Automatic transmissions in small cars are now those stupid CVT transmissions most people hate as they are not as positive as the older type of auto transmissions. They suffer from what many call the sling shot effect where you go to start off and they seem to not respond properly and suddenly they are away. I think the current Toyota Corolla has a special low gear so the car moves as soon as you press the accelerator and then the CVT transmission takes over so you don't get the sling shot effect. Likely others will adopt an idea like this.
I like your answer. It's nice to get an answer from someone that knows something about automobiles. My first vehicle was a 1965 Econoline Van 3 speed on the column. My second vehicle was a 1974 MGB. Now that's the kind of car to have a standard. Lots of fun!
- atomic fireballLv 63 months ago
A stick shift with a foot-operated clutch (not paddle shifters) is 'driving'. Everything else is sitting on your butt pushing down on a pedal with your right foot only and turning a steering wheel with one hand while you play with your iPhone with the other.... because basically the car is so over-engineered and takes so little skill to drive, it barely needs your presence at all, particularly if it's a Tesla etc.
- 3 months ago
Automatic. When i'm racing i'll drive manual
- 3 months ago
Automatic .............
- How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
- Anonymous3 months ago
automatic any day
- SpinLv 43 months ago
i prefer automatic
- 3 months ago
I prefer standard, so I can feel the pleasure of driving.
- jimanddottaylorLv 73 months ago
I prefer a manual transmission in most every situation except bumper to bumper traffic. But I also realize that most any automatic does most everything better than I can do by hand
- atomic fireballLv 63 months agoReport
It's such a cliché to say that it's 'hard to drive a manual in heavy traffic'. It's not. Unless you really don't know how to drive one very well. It's called a sensitive pedal foot.
- regeruggedLv 73 months ago
Automatic. I never learned to shift and text at the same time.
- dtstellwagenLv 73 months agoReport
You should try voice-to-text options, makes it easier! :)
- Anonymous3 months ago
An automatic in traffic, a manual in my sports car if the road is open to have some fun.
Up in the mountains, I will take a manual gear box any day. It's no fun riding the brakes!
I did Pikes Peak last summer, a place where you want that manual to make it a fun drive.
Some new cars, difficult to get idle speed down. Isn't always some "idle screw". Putting in Platinum plugs can increase idle..


text:
Title: The Pact
Author: Karina Halle
Publisher: Metal Blonde Books
Length: 379, Kindle Book
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Rating: 2.5 Folded Pages
Warning!: Super steamy bits in this novel not meant for anyone under 18. Please be aware.
It all started with a pinky swear…
Linden McGregor is tall, rugged, and gunslinger handsome; a helicopter pilot with a Scottish brogue and charm to spare. He's also one of Stephanie Robson's best friends and has fit into that box for as long as she's known him.
Beautiful, funny and an ambitious businesswoman (with one hell of an ass), Stephanie Robson is one of Linden McGregor's best friends and has fit into that box for as long as he's known her.
But some relationships can't be boxed, can't be classified, can't be tamed.
Back in their mid-twenties and tired of the competitive hit-or-miss dating scene of San Francisco, Steph and Linden made a pact to marry each other if neither one of them were in a serious relationship by the time they hit thirty.
It sounded like fun and games at the time but as the years to thirty tick past and lovers come and go out of their lives, the pact becomes larger than life.
Sex is inevitable. Friendships are tested. Hearts are on the line.
The pact is about to change everything.
Note: due to the dirty talk and sexy times, The Pact is not meant for anyone under the age of 18. All characters in THE PACT are in their thirties, therefore this is NOT a new adult book…even though love can mess you up at any age.
Okay, so I KNOW that the author (or whoever wrote the blurb) says this isn't a New Adult novel because they are in their 30s but from the brief time I've been reading new adult this definitely reads like one. I feel like it counts because the characters start off as 25 AND they don't act quite as mature as I feel they should if she was truly trying to market this not as a new adult. Moving on!
I both liked and disliked this novel. I love that fact that it's a stand alone in a world of series. (I won't even get started on how sick I am of everything being a series). But I think there were definitely some scenes that should have been cut and some decisions that I didn't quite agree with.
I ended up skipping/skimming several chapters in the last 100 pages or so because I was so sick of it dragging on. The first 150 pages were amazing. I flew through them. I loved watching the main couple realize their feelings. BUT! Once they were together the super obvious and annoying cliches of tearing them apart was awful.
I did enjoy the last 50 pages so I think it slightly redeemed itself but I can't give this a high rating since I physically couldn't force myself to read those chapters. I needed to know how it ended which is the only reason I didn't DNF it. I think that says a lot.
Although I'm bagging on this book a bit, I did really enjoy it. I'm starting to think that books purely about romance might not be my thing. I love South Korean Romantic dramas so I thought I'd like novels that are similar but I could be wrong. I digress…
I really enjoyed all the characters. They were flawed and real and I loved that about them. Halle has away of making all her characters extremely distinct and I hope to be able to conquer something similar in anything I may end up writing.
Overall an enjoyable and fast read. I really enjoyed the premise and just wish it didn't get so boring right before the end.


text:
New Jerusalem, located on the west side of North Philadelphia, is a residential addiction recovery community run by Medical Mission Sisters. In the 1990s, the non-denominational organization took over vacant lots and turned them into fruit and vegetable gardens. The gardens serve as a local and fresh food source for the community as well as meditation spaces for the Sisters and people in recovery.
We represented New Jerusalem as part of our Garden Justice Legal Initiative. In Philadelphia, community spaces like New Jerusalem are facing intense pressure from development and gentrification. Through advocacy and legal action, we were able to help the Sisters secure possession of both privately owned and city owned vacant lots that they have stewarded and improved for more than 20 years.
In March 2018, we filed a successful adverse possession lawsuit that helped New Jerusalem obtain the deeds to two privately owned lots, with the help of pro bono counsel Morgan Lewis. Most of the garden's plots, however, were owned by the city. After several months of advocacy, in May 2018, Philadelphia's Vacant Properties Review Committee recommended that the city transfer ownership of five parcels of city owned land to New Jerusalem. We worked with the Philadelphia Land Bank to facilitate the transfer.
May 2018
The Vacant Property Review Commission recommends that the land bank transfer five city owned plots to New Jerusalem
March 2018
After we file an adverse possession lawsuit, New Jerusalem gains permanent title to two privately owned lots


text:
You read that right, friends. I paid off my car loan in 2 months!
How'd I do it?
I will show you how. Keep reading to learn my payoff strategy down below.
A Short Background on My Car Loan
This is simple. Most people get a car loan because they are buying a car, right? I got my car loan as a personal loan.
How does that work?
Well, if you own your car free and clear ( that means with no auto loan or any other loan on it) you can get a personal loan using the car as collateral. Basically, a personal secured loan.
Why does it matter?
A loan with collateral generally has more favorable terms than an unsecured loan with no collateral. Better terms mean a lower interest rate, a lower payment, longer repayment terms, and more flexibility in general.
It's like this because, if you were to default and stopped making your payments, the bank could recoup their loss by collecting your vehicle (a repossession)! With an unsecured loan, a bank would just have a loss.
And, of course, your credit would be negatively impacted in both scenarios, usually.
So, I got the loan to pay off some short term debt. It was an emergency-type situation that arose unexpectedly and despite how prepared I usually am, I was totally caught off guard by this one.
So, I looked at my options. Tap my savings? Borrow from family? Do a secured loan?
I settled on the secured loan and paid that puppy off in 2 months!
How I Paid Off My Car Loan in 2 Months
Once I took out the loan, I made it my goal to pay it off quickly. Here's what I did:
Step 1.) Figure out how much I could save to make large chunk payments toward the loan
Step 2.) Put my "make extra money" hustle on supercharge so I could earn extra cash fast to put toward the loan
Step 3.) Save, save, save
That's it! Three steps and in 2 months, car loan paid off!
Figure out how much to save
This isn't too hard. I started with my balance and then looked at my budget. So, looking at the two, side by side, I was able to determine how much extra I could save to put toward the car loan.
Some things to cut back on:
- Dinner dates out
- Eating out
- Shopping
- Limiting citywide driving excursions
Some things to cut out:
- Cable
- Lawn maintenance ( we get our lawn cut professionally )
- Grocery shopping without a list
These cutbacks are only temporary. I could add them back in when my loan was paid off OR I could continue to have them out, and just pocket that savings! I'm a big saver so you know I went with the saving option.
Cutting back can be hard but it doesn't have to be. You don't have to completely wipe out what you love, just take cheaper alternatives.
- Instead of expensive $40 dinners out on date night with hubby, make dinner at home and have a movie night with wine. Heck, 2 glasses of wine can be the same price as a whole bottle at our local grocery store!
- Cut out cable in lieu of cheaper Netflix. We actually have an Amazon Fire which means we get Netflix, Amazon Video (I'm a Prime and Video member), and more apps available.
- Letting our lawn grow out. It's winter anyways. Turning off service or cutting back for a few months out of the year is a great savings.
Make money side hustle
Doesn't everybody have a side hustle nowadays? I certainly do and so does hubby. When it's time to make some extra money, I put my efforts into hyperdrive!
Here are some ways to make extra money:
- Blogging: Start a blog (psstt..it's pretty cheap to start one, see here) and monetize it with affiliate marketing, products/services, sponsored posts, and ads. My last blog started earning just under four figures in month 1!
- Drive for Uber
- Sell extra stuff on eBay: So easy. Look around your home for items you can sell (items you would regift, gently used clothing, small appliances, etc.)
- Become an eBay reseller: I opened a store on eBay 2 months ago just to see if I could make money by reselling. I earned over $400 in the first month!
- Get paid to be a transcriptionist: This is easy and hard at the same time. Easy, because all you're doing is typing what you hear in a recording. You are typing out what you hear, that's it! Hard, because each transcription company you work for has a style guide that you must follow exactly. It takes effort and dedication to study the guide and do your transcription work according to the company's rules.
Save, save, save
Once I create my saving plan (above), I just set aside the money in my savings account.
Related Posts You'll Love:
Paying Off the Loan
So, I put this plan into action and then I executed it! Less than 2 months later my car loan was paid off! It's a truly exhilirating experience to pay off debt. I hope you find this plan useful. Share your own debt payoff stories below in comments!
Note: This post may contain affiliate links.
BLUEHOST: My #1 choice for hosting that I use for all my blogs. Super simple 1-click WordPress install and packages come with the best perks including domain email addresses, marketing credits, and more! Starts at $3.95/month. Highly recommended.


text:
Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act1 ("Dodd-Frank Act") provides a detailed framework for regulation of derivatives products, markets and participants. But it is by no means self-operating; the daunting task of making the regulatory scheme, and the markets, work is left to rulemaking by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") and the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
The two agencies have been busy and productive in the early stages of their efforts to turn Title VII into a set of rules that implements the new framework for the derivatives markets. Thus far, the CFTC has issued seven rule proposals under Title VII, and the SEC has issued parallel rule proposals for two of them.2 In addition, on October 26, 2010, the CFTC voted to publish six additional derivatives rule proposals for comment.3
Recently, the CFTC and SEC each adopted interim final rules (together, the "Interim Final Rules") for reporting of all unexpired pre-enactment swaps and unexpired pre-enactment security-based swaps, respectively.4 The Interim Final Rules are notable in two respects. First, they require some action (or inaction, more precisely) to be taken by swap counterparties. Second, they recognize an inconsistency in the statute relating to reporting of pre-enactment swaps, and resolve it. The latter point is particularly important to those of us who struggled to determine how the timing of the pre-enactment swap reporting requirement would operate.
Below we outline the provisions of the Interim Final Rules and their practical effect on OTC derivatives market participants. For ease of reference, and because the rules are substantially similar, reference will be made to the CFTC's rule, unless otherwise noted. References to the "Commission" are to either or both the CFTC and the SEC, as the context indicates.
The Interim Final Rules Generally
The Interim Final Rules have three basic requirements that impose both present and future obligations on swap counterparties:
The notes to the Interim Final Rules provide examples of the types of information to be retained, including:
Both the CFTC and SEC have emphasized that information and documents relating to pre-enactment unexpired swaps be preserved in their existing format. The CFTC and SEC have indicated that they believe recordkeeping costs should be low, since no modification to existing information is required.
The CFTC and SEC have solicited public comments to assist in the final rulemakings on this subject.5 Permanent reporting rules for pre-enactment swaps are required to be adopted no later than January 12, 2012.6
Who/What is Subject to the Interim Final Rules?
The Interim Final Rules apply to any counterparty to a pre-enactment unexpired swap. A pre-enactment unexpired swap is defined in the CFTC's interim final rule as: "any swap entered into prior to the enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010 (July 21, 2010) the terms of which had not expired as of the date of enactment of that Act".
Only one counterparty to a pre-enactment unexpired swap is expected to report. The Interim Final Rules incorporate the Dodd-Frank Act's order of reporting obligations among different types of counterparties. As between a swap dealer or major swap participant and any other party, the swap dealer or major swap participant will be required to report the transaction. If the transaction is between a swap dealer and a major swap participant, the swap dealer will be required to report. If neither party is a swap dealer or a major swap participant, the parties will select who reports. To the extent the parties have equal status (i.e., both are swap dealers, major swap participants or unregistered entities), they must select which party will report the transaction. Until terms such as "swap", "swap dealer" and "major swap participant" are further defined by rulemaking, the actual effect and scope of the Interim Final Rules will remain uncertain. It is advisable that any counterparty to a pre-enactment unexpired swap retain all records related to such swap.7
Scope of the Reporting Requirement
If the Interim Final Rules are adopted as final rules, the information required to be reported to a swap data repository or the Commission for each swap transaction will be a copy of the transaction confirmation, in electronic form if available, or in written form if there is no electronic copy, and the time, if available, that the transaction was executed.
Furthermore, the Commission reserves the right to request data in another form or manner. For example, the Commission may request non-transaction specific summary data from swap dealers, such as a description of counterparties, the total number of pre-enactment swaps entered into and the frequency and duration of pre-enactment swaps entered into.
The Interim Final Rules specifically address reporting and recordkeeping requirements for pre-enactment unexpired swaps and security-based swaps only. The Commission has not yet issued parallel interim rules for reporting and recordkeeping for post-enactment swaps. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, reporting rules for post-enactment swaps are required to be adopted by July 16, 2011, 360 days after enactment. Such rules will most likely apply only to counterparties of uncleared swaps. The SEC implies in its interpretive note to its interim final rule that the record retention requirement in its interim final rule may apply to post enactment security-based swaps as well.
When Will the Reporting Requirement Take Effect?
The Interim Final Rules are already in effect. They will remain in effect for pre-enactment swaps and security-based swaps until the earlier of the effective date of "final" recordkeeping and reporting rules for such swaps or January 12, 2012. A counterparty to a pre-enactment unexpired swap transaction must report the transaction to a registered swap data repository or the Commission by the earlier of the date established in the final reporting rules and 60 days after a swap data repository becomes registered and operational. We note that no swap data repositories have yet registered and that neither Commission is currently prepared to receive swap data.
Swap counterparties should adopt and implement procedures for the retention of swap transaction and summary data in order to comply with the requirements of the Interim Final Rules. Market participants should expect to retain such data until a final rule is issued or submission to a registered swap data repository or the Commission is made possible. Of course, regulated entities may have independent duties to retain that data even after that time.
The reporting requirements are a critical step in achieving one of the core legislative and regulatory objectives under Title VII: bringing transparency to the derivatives markets. Both the CFTC and SEC believe that the enhanced market knowledge achieved through pre-enactment swap reporting will lead to more informed rulemakings going forward. With rulemakings under Title VII in full swing, Bingham lawyers will continue to monitor and communicate future developments for our clients.
This article was originally published by Bingham McCutchen LLP.


text:
Junta's oppressive rule of law – Blogger Nay Phone Latt sentenced to over 20 years
Burma blogger jailed for 20 years: opposition
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia –
Burma has been ruled by the military since 1962. Human rights groups estimate that there are more than 2000 political prisoners in Burma.
20 years for blogger Nay Phone Latt
Democratic Voice of Burma, Norway –
11 Nov, 2008 (DVB)-Burmese authorities on Monday sentenced blogger Nay Phone Latt who was arrested early this year to 20 years in prison, his family said. …
Myanmar blogger jailed for 20 years
… year to suppress anti-government demonstrations, said The Irrawaddy, an online newspaper published by exiles from Myanmar, which is also known as Burma. …
Blogger Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison
Jawa Report, TX –
Simply put, Latt is going to prison because the military junta became outraged by his reporting of actual events and circumstances in Burma (Myanmar) on his …
Blogger jailed for 20 years over poem that mocked Burmese dictator
Times Online, UK –
They join more than 2000 other political prisoners in Burma's jails, half of whom have been incarcerated since last September's "Saffron Revolution", …
Blogger jailed for 20 years in Burma
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom –
Military censors in Burma – also known as Myanmar – launched an investigation in January after a poem by Saw Wai appeared in a newspaper. …
Blogger gets 20 years in jail
News24.com, South Africa –
Yangon – A court in military-ruled Myanmar sentenced a prominent blogger to more than 20 years in jail on Monday for his internet activities. …
Internet newsman arrested in Myanmar
Pakistan News, Pakistan –
A Myanmar man has been sentenced to 20 years in jail for posting a cartoon of the military leader Than Shwe on the Internet. …
Myanmar blogger jailed for 20 years
Aljazeera.net, Qatar –
The post was created by the US congress with an eye on increasing pressure on the military government of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.
Burma blogger jailed for 20 years
BBC News, UK –
Than Shwe: "Foolish with power", says Nay Phone Latt
A Burmese blogger has been sentenced to 20 years in jail for posting a cartoon of the military leader Than Shwe. Nay Phone Latt, 28, was sentenced by a …
Myanmar blogger jailed for 20 years: opposition
YANGON (AFP) — A popular Myanmar blogger arrested after massive anti-junta protests last year has been jailed for 20 years at Yangon's notorious Insein …
Protests urged as Myanmar jails blogger
NDTV.com, India –
In a statement in Montreal, Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association in Canada said that a Myanmar court on Monday jailed blogger Nay Phone …
Burmese democracy blogger sentenced
EnerPub, TX – In September of 2007, on the pages of his website, the young man recounted the massacres carried out by the junta against Burmese monks, becoming a valuable …
Court sentenced blogger for over 20 years, poet for two years
Mizzima.com, India –
Meanwhile, media watchdogs the Reporters Without Frontiers (RSF) and Burma Media Association (BMA) has slam the junta for its unfair trials on the two …
Burmese blogger sentenced to 20 years for "mocking" General Than Shwe
AsiaNews.it, Italy –
In September of 2007, on the pages of his website, the young man recounted the massacres carried out by the junta against Burmese monks, becoming a valuable …
International Herald Tribune, France –
Blogger Nay Phone Latt, 28, was arrested in January this year and given 15 years under the Electronics Law, two years for "creating public alarm," and 3 1/2 …
Dissident blogger given 20 years
First Post, UK –
A young Burmese blogger who fed the outside world news from a locked-down country on the September 2007 uprising was sentenced to 20 years and six months …
Young Burmese Blogger Sentenced to more than 20 Years in Jail
The Irrawaddy News Magazine, Thailand –
He was convicted of contravening Public Offense Act 505 B by posting a cartoon depicting junta leader Snr-Gen Than Shwe on his blog site. …
Prison court sentences blogger to 20 years, poet to two years
Reporters without borders (press release), France –
Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association are appalled by the combined sentence of 20 years and six months in prison that a special court in …
One Response
Hi guys
To raise awareness, why not enter the General Than Shwe Poetry Competition and spread the word over here: http://margosmaid.blogspot.com/2008/11/general-than-shwe-poetry-competition.html


text:
America's celebrities have joined actress Amy Schumer in mourning the tragic deaths of two women after a gunman opened fire in a Louisiana cinema.
John Houser, 58, opened fire during a screening of Schumer's film 'Trainwreck', killing cinemagoers Jillian Johnson and Mayci Breaux and wounding several others.
Schumer wrote of her horror online at the gunman's actions.
Director Judd Apatow also issued a statement saying the US needed to find a way to do "better".
"One of the reasons we make these movies is because the world can be so horrifying and we all need to laugh just to deal with it," he said.
"So to have this happen in a room where people were smiling and laughing devastates me."
Other high-profile celebrities posted about their sorrow on Twitter, including comedian Patton Oswalt, author John Green and singer Sam Smith.


text:
Ratatouille is a hearty, one dish meal that's equally good the day after it's made. Reheat it, covered, in a 350F oven for ~30 minutes.
It's nice to have a grain to serve with all these vegetables. Plain rice works well, but a rich risotto is even better. Place the risotto or rice in the bottom of a shallow bowl and top with the ratatouille.
1 medium or 2 small eggplant
2 red, yellow, or orange bell peppers
3 medium summer squash
3 ripe medium tomatoes
2 medium onions
4 Tbsp olive oil
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 bunch of basil + 6 basil leaves, chopped
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Salt, to taste
Cut all vegetables in 1/2″ pieces and place into separate bowls.
Place the eggplant in a colander and sprinkle with salt. Rest for 20 minutes then pat dry.
Heat 2 Tbsp olive oil in a large, heavy pot on medium heat. Add the eggplant and cook, stirring frequently, until golden, adding more oil if needed. Remove the eggplant and set aside.
Add another 2 Tbsp olive oil to the pot and cook onions until soft and translucent, 5 – 10 minutes. Add garlic, 1/2 bunch of basil, red pepper flakes, and a sprinkle of salt; cook for 2 minutes.
Stir in peppers and cook for 2 minutes. Add the squash and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes.
Place the eggplant back in the pot and cook for 10-15 minutes, until all the vegetables are soft.
Remove the basil and add salt to taste. Stir in chopped basil and serve immediately.
Barely adapted from Alice Waters as found on Food 52


text:
Learnworks has build the best platform for e-Learning, classroom-teaching and publishing content. It is content-focused and device agnostic.
- Stage Full Product Ready
- Industry Education
- Location Apeldoorn, GE, NL
- Currency USD
- Founded August 2001
- Employees 4
- Website learnworks.com
Company Summary
Our company developed a platform for building content (for courses, trainings, books) and having the output running as e-learning and/or as books and/or as e-books. Our clients can with this build and reuse content for new courses. The data can be on their private cloud. This is important for clients who want to protect they content (Universities, Colleges, large companies, Government), and who are also focussed on privacy.
Roel Albert HogendoornFounder, CEO
Born 1968, University of Twente: Electrical Engineering, Post-doc training of teachers: Physics, University of Twente, Worked as a Physics Teacher (1994, 1995). Then: Developer at Baan, Trainer at Oracle. In evening: studied Theology at University of Utrecht. Started Learnworks.com in 2001. Worked as trainer, writer, e-learning-developer.
Curt Handley, EsqLawyerUnconfirmedBoon Accountants, The NetherlandsAccountantUnconfirmed


text:
THIS MUSIC COMPOSER IS THE SECOND LEADHome > Tamil Movies > Tamil News Stories
By Jyothsna | Mar 12, 2017
Music director Siddharth Vipin has also been making his appearances in front of the camera in quite a few films and his next will be bramma.com where Nakul plays the lead and Vipin the second lead. Ashna Zaveri is the heroine and the ensemble supporting cast includes K Bhagyaraj in a cameo supported by Jagan, Motta Rajendran and others.
The film is produced by Karthik for Ganesh Dream Factory who also plays Motta Rajendran's son in the film. Bramma.com is right now in its post-production phase.
On his musical career, Siddharth says that he is working with Shahjahan director Ravi's film Seyal which has many newcomers. "There are five songs in the film and I have completed recording for three. It is wonderful working with Ravi who had given a musical hit through Shahjahan. Villain portions of the film are completed and the unit will be going to Kerala for further shooting. I am also done with Major Ravi's 1971 Beyond Border which would be a Vishu release", Vipin adds.
Wish you the best Siddharth!
- Music Director Siddharth Vipin Talks About His Projects That Include Jackson Durai.
- Music Director Siddharth Vipin On His Baddie Role In Navarasa Thilagam
- Music Director Siddharth Vipin's Production Venture Lens
- Vijay Sethupathi Sings For An Untitled Film, Featuring Vaibhav Reddy For Siddharth Vipin's Music
- Chumma Lolai: Siddharth Vipin's Response - Videos
- Nee Naan Nizhal Audio Launch - Videos
- Nee Naan Nizhal Audio Launch - Photos
- Vallavanukku Pullum Aayudham Success Meet - Videos
- "Nee Dum Adicha Vaai Pathikanum Da" - Siddharth Vipin - Videos
- Vallavanukku Pullum Aayudham Team Meet - Videos
- Vallavanukku Pullum Aayudham Team Meet - Photos
- "AR Rahman Is The Reason Behind My Being In The Industry" - Siddharth Vipin - Videos
- Kaliyugam Music Review
- Asthamanam Trailer - Videos


text:
"These are amazing, aren't they? This is chard, and the color is awesome. What we're cooking is a recipe my godfather taught me, Harold Dejan. He was at our house a lot. He and my dad played in the Olympia Brass Band, and Harold was a Creole and he still spoke Creole. He really lived that life. In fact, this is Harold's ring; my wedding ring. It's in all his pictures. He gave it to me before he passed away. When Harold would come pick my dad up at the house, it was kind of a ritual. They were never in a hurry; they would have a glass of wine and double-park on the street. We lived in the Quarter so there was always commotion. Harold was one of those guys; there was always a pot on the stove. Harold mostly cooked stews, like Shrimp Creole, dirty rice, a lot of red gravies and brown gravies, and then gumbo. That was his thing, gumbo, different kinds; seafood gumbo, filé gumbo, and then around Lent, he would always cook what he called Zeb. I've heard people call it different things [gumbo aux herbes, gumbo z'herbes], but he always called it Gumbo Zeb.
Harold grew mirlitons and mustard greens in his backyard, always fresh greens. He would cook Gumbo Zeb with meat, or seafood—it wasn't a green gumbo—he'd cook shrimp into it, and sometimes he would cut up sausage in it as well. I hate to say this; he might have been a bad Catholic.
So this is what we've got here: chard, spinach, cabbage, kale, mustard greens, collards. You're basically just making soup. Green soup. Someone would argue with me that therefore it's not gumbo, because I'm not making any kind of roux, or adding any filé.
There's so much similarity between our music and our food because there's a rhythm to it. Like right now, Harold might stop and make a phone call, and come back. It was a very slow, all-day thing. He would forget something and we would have to go to the grocery store, come back, the pot would still be cooking, and it was just a beautiful day together. I don't think there was ever an exact science to it. Like music; people just say there was. [laughs]
As long as the food is cooking, you don't have to put it in the refrigerator. Harold was always cooking because he didn't have to refrigerate it. He would keep it warm, and it was always ready to eat too.Ifhecamehomefromagigat2 a.m., he could eat. So his house was always hot. Even in the summertime, he would have the oven on and the stove on in the house.
I cook on the road. I cook all the time. I always have a suitcase full of food with me. If I'm not at the venue and doing sound check or performing, I'm at the grocery store. My whole thing has been trying to get my band to eat healthier, and find new ways to cook New Orleans food. [The Preservation Hall Jazz Band] is mostly older gentlemen who've grown up with a very traditional New Orleans diet. They ask, 'What are you eating?' 'Oh, this is hummus.' 'What's hummus?' 'It's garbanzo beans.' 'What's garbanzo beans?' 'Chick peas.' 'What are chick peas?' 'It's beans, it's beans!' They really can't believe that I don't partake in fried food. I don't eat bread, I don't eat white flour or sugar, I don't eat any nightshade vegetables, like squash, zucchini, mirliton. I don't eat any potatoes, no tomatoes. And I don't eat bell peppers, so I don't eat a lot of things that are in the New Orleans diet, traditionally.
I don't like to think about what I don't eat; I like to think about what I do eat because when I start to think about what I don't eat, I get a little sad. Everyone is like, 'You're crazy man, you don't eat cantaloupes and honeydew melon?' And it's not like I don't love fried food; it's just a choice that I've made in life because of the way I feel the minute I'm finished eating. But it's hard, man. It's hard to eat in moderation here because everything tastes so damn good, you know. Everything tastes so damn good."
Gumbo Zeb
1 gallon water
2-3 bay leaves
1/4 cup Paul Prudhomme's Vegetable Magic
black pepper to taste
2 large two-handed grabs each of finely cut mustard greens, collard greens, cabbage, kale, chard and spinach (cut out and discard tough stems)
Bring water to a boil with bay leaves and Vegetable Magic. Add greens, and simmer, covered, over low heat for about six hours. Add black pepper to taste. Add water if the gumbo is too salty.


text:
Grow your tentacle to claim control of the swamp; but look out, because others will try to stop you! A family friendly competitive territory control game with a grief element (like Trouble or Sorry).
[8+ years, 4* players, 45 minutes]
*Note* Number of players can be extended to 2-6 with additional game boards
Ready… Aim… Fire!!! Blow up your opponent's castle before they destroy yours! A family-friendly head-to-head game that mixes spacial logic and simultaneous turns.
[8+ years, 2 players, 30 minutes]
An Unwinnable Game in the Desert
You read that right, this game has no win condition. Everyone will die. This game is part Forbidden Island, part Pandemic, and all punishment.
[13+ years, 2-6 players, 60 minutes]
Evil Genius vs The World
It's classic James Bond and friends versus the evil genius in this one-vs-many game.
[13+ years, 2-6 players, 60 minutes]
Lost in the Woods
A single-player, anti-deckbuilder. A cross between Friday and The Revenant. Can you limp across the finish line?
[12+ years, 1 player, 30 minutes]
Punching & Kicking
Punching & Kicking is a retro arcade deckbuilder.
[8+ years, 2 players, 30 minutes]
Murder Motel
A group of psychopaths are drawn to a motel for a final showdown! A mature competitive player elimination game that draws on horror movie tropes.
[16+ years, 3-6 players, 60 minutes]


text:
The Umpqua Community College Men's Basketball program is excited to announce the signings of Pacific High School (Langlois, Oregon) teammates and All-State performers John Morrill-Keeler and Jack Lehnherr. Morrill-Keeler, a 6'9" center, was named Co-Player of the Year for the OSAA 1A classification, while Lehnherr, a 6'3" forward, was named to the 2nd Team All-State. The Pacific High School Pirates won the 2018 OSAA 1A State Championship.
Head Coach Daniel Leeworthy had this to say about the signings, "John is a skilled big man who has all the tools to be a dominate player in college basketball. He is light on his feet, and has a soft touch on his outside shot. Lehnherr is a hard-nosed, hard-working player that brings a ton of energy. Both of them fit our team's culture, and both are willing to work hard and put the team first. I couldn't be more excited about them signing today."


text:
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience while browsing it. By clicking 'Got It' you're accepting these terms.
Most recent
The best of EcoWatch, right in your inbox. Sign up for our email newsletter!
Striped Hyenas Don't Have Magical Powers, But Their Disappearing Act Is Real
25 January 2018Animals
A striped hyena in Gujarat State, India. Hemis / Alamy
By Jason Bittel
The striped hyena gets a bad rap. Not only does much of the world mistake it for its cousin, the spotted hyena—which The Lion King taught us to despise—but its shaggy coat, skittish nature and nocturnal lifestyle have all contributed to the idea that this creature is spooky at best. And at worst?
Read More Show Less
india hyena hyenas animals researchers for wildlife conservation onearth international union for conservation of nature iucn endangered species wildlife nrdc natural resources defense council
EcoWatch Daily Newsletter


text:
Marvel Studios: An All Female Avengers Team-Up Film
0 have signed. Let's get to 500!
Marvel Studios has just hit it's tenth year of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In this time an entire universe of characters and storylines have been shaped and recently, made Black Panther (2018 film) that shown recognition to black people and superheroes and how they can have their own solo films. However, not one of their twenty films has been a solo film about a female superhero. Captain Marvel is expected to change this in March 2019, along with a potential Black Widow film in 2020 but apart from that, we don't know Marvel's plans other than Kevin Feige recently saying that their will one day be more women then men in MCU films. While I think that it should be 50:50 to avoid men protests, I absolutely agree that there should be more female solo films and for this matter, a female team-up. I don't want this to mess up with any Phase 4 plans but this would be awesome to see and show recognition that you don't need more men then women for a successful team-up as seen in Ocean's 8 (2018). In this film I would like to see Black Widow, Valkyrie, Scarlet Witch, Captain Marvel, Shuri, Okoye, Pepper Potts, Gamora, Nebula, Mantis, Wasp, Sharon Carter and Maria Hill appear in a movie together. I think this will start off a whole lot of female superhero solo and team-up movies that will inspire women and girls just like the male superheroes have inspired men and boys. I personally would love to see this in the cinema (possibly Ocean's 13, A-Force or Birds or Prey?), and I am excited to see how Marvel would use this possibility in Phase 4 and beyond.
Complete your signature
0 have signed. Let's get to 500!


text:
Visualizing Complexity: Data is Useless, Wisdom is Priceless
1 pm CT, June 26, 2018
Now fully immersed in the waxing years of the Data Age, the world is generating more data by volume each year than was created cumulatively by our species in all prior years combined. All facets of daily life are increasingly interconnected within a dynamic and ever-shifting landscape of data collection mechanisms. Phones are no longer communication devices--they are data acquisition pipelines. And yet, the overwhelming majority (some claim 99%) of data goes unanalyzed, unprocessed, and unused.
I argue that advanced visualization techniques can greatly enhance the utility (and adoption) of analytics, simulations, and other complex data endeavors. Beautiful, highly-functional visualization environments convert messy, intimidating data outputs into clear, concise, and actionable insights across a wide range of audiences. By improving the methods by which the world leverages data to inform more poignant decisions, we can confront resilience risks and solve complex problems across a wide range of industries, sectors, geographies, and cultures with agility, efficiency, and effectiveness never before possible. Data is useless, but wisdom is priceless. To generate meaningful outcomes, data (bits) must be converted to information (intelligence), then to knowledge (actionable insights), then to wisdom (decisions which created proven results). I offer a framework for critical steps in crafting a visualization to make a successful conversion from data to wisdom—from scattered digital bits to real-world change.
With a deep history of analyzing, representing, and modulating complex systems as an architect and urban designer by trade, Brian Barnes is Director of Strategic Markets at RS21. He is well known as a practicing advocate for data-driven decision-making and of advanced digital visualization techniques as mechanisms to simplify and address complex human challenges across multiple combinations of anthropogenic and natural environments and the many interconnected systemic forces which shape them. Brian began his career in complex analytics in Los Angeles at UCLA's world renowned NOW Institute (a research partnership between UCLA and Morphosis Architects). Currently, he oversees strategy and conceptual development for many of RS21's major exploratory analytics and visualization initiatives in young and burgeoning markets from community health to supply chain resilience. Additionally, Brian remains active in academia as an instructor in representation of visual information for architectural and urban design, as well as private-sector advisor to the Computational Ecologies Master of Science in Architecture track at the University of New Mexico School of Architecture and Urban Planning.


text:
Sometimes there are stories so big, so controversial, so complicated that it takes more than one movie to tell them.
"Snow White" is not one of those stories, but it's getting two film adaptations in the next year anyway.
Relativity and Universal have been staffing up their respective pics and will go head to head at the theater in 2012.
In the meantime, here's your guide to the two would-be blockbusters -- you can decide which fairy tale is worth the ticket price.