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by Mike Shea on 8 January 2017
If we distill down the 14,241 elements of data I captured using my Lifetracker app over the course of 2016 and ask a single question: "Hey Mike, how was your 2016?", the number above is the best single-digit representation. How was my year? About a 9 on a 1 to 10 scale. Of course, that's a pretty abstract way to look at nearly fifteen thousand points of data.
Over the past year, as I did in 2014 and 2015, I tracked my life using a web application I wrote called the lifetracker. Every day, at ten in the evening, I score six daily goals I've determined are important to my life on a 1 to 10 scale. These include Create, Relax, Love, Befriend, Health, and Happiness. I also track various daily activities in key and value pairs like "Movie: Rogue One" or "Code: Python".
All of this gets stored in a database which outputs a comma-separated-value (CSV) file that I process and analyze with R and Python to see what the last year of my life looked like in data.
The following chart shows my daily score for the top six categories I choose to track for my life on a 1 to 10 scale: Create, Relax, Love, Befriend, Health, and Happiness.
That's 2,172 points of data in one chart. We see big trends and specific dips. Even though my overall median score for "Happiness" was a 9, we can see four big drops throughout the year. One of those I bet you can guess. The other three are more personal than I plan to discuss here. Bad days are REALLY bad but most days are pretty great.
On a 1 to 10 scale I consider a 7 to be the lower limit of a good day for any given goal. If we take the scores of the six goals and look at days that measured 7 or better on an event plot, we get the following chart. Each day a category scored 7 or better it's marked with a vertical tick mark. Stretches of consecutive days look like a big blue bar.
Create, Relax, Love and Befriend all scored 7 or better on more than 95% of days in 2016. I was pretty happy on 92% of the days. Health, however, is still the outlier, but not nearly as bad as it was last year (8% in 2015 compared to 75% in 2016). That's a huge leap up. There's a story there too but not one I plan to share here. A careful observer might notice that I didn't record anything on four days out of the year.
I record keys and values for many of my daily activities. Here's an event plot of those activities. Each tick mark shows which day I conducted that activity. I cut off activities I did less than 10 times over the year. This chart displays 5,529 points of data.
Because I record daily activities as keys and values, I can analyze the values to see which days I did which specific activities. For example, which video games did I play over the year? Which TV shows did I watch? Which books did I read? Here are those charts.
Biggest creative accomplishments: publishing Sly Flourish's Fantastic Locations and running the 2016 Dungeons and Dragons Dungeon Master Survey.
Favorite coding package: Python Anaconda.
Favorite Video Games of 2016: Inside and Dark Souls 3.
Favorite TV Shows of 2016: Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell and Stranger Things
Favorite Books of 2016: Lies of Locke Lamora, Fifth Season, Monstress, Between the World and Me
Favorite Movies of 2016: Arrival, Rogue One, Sicario, 10 Cloverfield Lane
Each day I recorded around one to three "Thinking About" tags for a total of 1,040 total "thinking about" values. These are like one-line journal entries about whatever is in my head at the end of the day. For example:
Thinking About: New D&D announcement for Volo's Guide and Giants module
After some text processing I combined lists of top words, top bi-grams (word pairs), and top tri-grams (word triplets) into a single list. These give a good gauge of the main topics I thought about in 2016. This list is rather subjective. I cut out a lot of words that don't mean a whole lot on their own and removed some topics for privacy.
Top "Thinking About" Topics: Michelle (65), Trump (58), D&D (52), work (49), game (38), Fantastic Locations (38), art (29), good (28), fun (21), data (20), great (20), D&D game (20), survey (20), bullshit (20), life (20), meeting (19), Malevolent Arcana (18), working (18), worried (18), enjoying (18), writing (17), coding (17), pain (16), adventures (15), friends (14), R (14), George (13), Starbucks (13), DM (13), Mom (13), Python (13), hard (13), adventure (13), playing (13), wrote (13), ElasticSearch (13), Fantastic Adventures (12), coffee (12), lunch (11), Strahd (11), creative (10), write (10), world (10), AI (10), election (9), Kickstarter (9), awesome (9), finished (9), boss (9), dinner (9), people (9), DM survey (9), code (9), Hearthstone (9), walk (9), vacation (9), love (9), Origins (8), Dwarven Forge (8), WoW (8), text (8), customer (8), friend (8), future (8), crazy (8), fight (8), feeling (8), games (7), family (7), visualizations (7), birthday (7), podcast (7), Oculus Rift (7), Apple (7), died (7), management (7), encounter (7), presentation (7), busy (7), data analysis (6), vampires (6), book (6), relaxing (6), graphs (6), wedding (6), Universal (6), article (6), learning (6), science (6), campaign (6), wonderful (6), Dark Souls (6), Macbook (6), encounter building (6), Arcana Rising (5), Storm Kings Thunder (5), Disney (5), iPhone (5), conversation (5), 13th Age (5), Harry Potter (5), friendships (5), Pokemon (5), combat (5), president (5), clustering (5), Sly Flourish (5), innocent (5)
Using the bi-grams found in all of my "Thinking About" tags, we can create a "word graph". This graph shows all of the interconnections between word pairs that appear twice or more so we can start to see themes. It's a pretty effective way to get the gist of the year without having to read a thousand sentences. It also beats the shit out of word clouds because it actually shows the interconnections of words, not just a gross representation of frequency.
I've enjoyed both capturing these data each day of my life and spending time on the analysis. A data-driven study like this has helped me reinforce the things that are most important to me. Tracking this stuff every day has helped me build in daily habits that support these goals. Tracking these things helped me accomplish these things.
The system I have in place to do this won't, however, work well for other people. This whole thing is built on a nest of Python, PHP, R, and a bunch of other pieces.
If someone is interested in tracking daily habits I recommend the iPhone app Streaks. It helps you track six things each day, a good low number for habit building. Streaks has a simple user interface and you can export the results into CSV so you can do your own analysis in Excel. It won't track keys and values, though, which is too bad since I've gotten so much out of that, but it's a great way to focus on six specific habits each day and track the results.
Many people look at the new year with a set of big goals they want to achieve. The more I've focused on getting things done, the more I've come to realize that big goals aren't as important as small daily habits. Tracking daily habits has given me a lot of insight into what my life looks like at both a micro and macro level. Tracking these daily goals has helped me accomplish these goals and manage my expectations. It's also a lot of fun to do.


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TBM Avenger Released
Posted on July 21, 2011 in TBF Avenger
We are pleased to announce that the TBM Avenger is now officially released.
The avenger is a great success, receiving high praises from customers is always a good sign.
I'd like to thank all of our team that participated in the process of developing the Avenger.
To be able to purchase the Avenger please go to pcsimstore.com or click on the following link : http://www.pcsimstore.com

subset: commoncrawl


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Promise Technology addresses the recording and storage needs
Everywhere you look around Qatar it's obvious – the country is preparing for something big. Ever since the small and rich country was awarded the 2022 FIFA World Cup, preparations have been underway to build new stadiums, hotels, roads and even a new rail network. A reported $200bn will go into these infrastructure projects – with an estimated $22bn worth of new contracts available in 2016 alone.
High in demand is new IP video surveillance solutions which offer advanced analytics, crystal clear images, easier integration and the capability to easily access data that can be stored for long periods of time. With more than one million visitors expected to make the trek for the World Cup it's no wonder the surveillance market is set to grow exponentially as Qatar wants to ensure that not only these tourists, but also its citizens and workers, can safely enjoy everything the country has to offer.
As Qatar continues forward on its journey to become the prime tourist destination in the Middle East, its businesses and organizations are faced with the task of keeping up with some of the strictest requirements in the world for video quality and retention time – sufficient storage for a period of 120 days in MPEG-4 or H.264 format. This places an even higher level of importance on the recording and storage solutions deployed as part of the surveillance systems.
Promise Technology, a leading developer of open platform storage solutions for IP video surveillance, and its partner Business Automation and Security Services (BASS) are working closely with local system integrators and security professionals to ensure the demands of these projects can be met, including by hosting certified trainings. Promise certified over 30 new security professionals in Qatar at its trainings last week, helping the engineers develop the skills and expertise they need to design, install, configure and maintain the optimal security solution for their customers with the company's Vess NVR appliances and external storage solutions.
John van den Elzen, General Manager Surveillance Business Unit, Promise Technology said:
"Along with these massive infrastructure projects for the World Cup, the banking, hospitality, government, commercial office and retail markets in Qatar have been on the forefront of installing new IP video surveillance systems. One of the most critical areas in designing surveillance systems is the recording and storage solutions. During our training, the attendees experienced real world situations where they needed to manage, configure and troubleshoot issues in surveillance infrastructure which is extremely helpful to ensure the best solutions can be offered to the end user."
Saravanan Essakkimuthu Suyambu, Business Development Manager, BASS said:
"BASS is committed to the ongoing specialist training of ours clients to ensure the integrity of the systems and the protection of their customer's assets. There is a massive amount of opportunities in Qatar and through these trainings we were able to provide all the security professionals with the tools and knowledge they require about storage in video surveillance to succeed in supporting their customers."
For more information about future training courses and to preregister for the next training course in the EMEA region, please contact Promise at firstname.lastname@example.com.
[su_button url="http://www.promise.com/Solutions/Surveillance" target="blank" background="#df2027″ color="#ffffff" size="10″ radius="0″ icon="icon: arrow-circle-right"]Click here to learn more about Promise's video surveillance solutions[/su_button]


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Kloepfel Corporate Finance was founded after a merger of top M&A specialists from one of the major M&A advisory networks.
As a partner-managed company, we operate independently from any larger financial institution ensuring that we can give truly objective advice. Our M&A professionals have an outstanding track record of both national and international transactions.


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Photo by Christian Berg
This Hanoian dish of smoky, grilled pork patties, fresh rice noodles and fragrant herbs is a go-to lunch for locals in the capital. Famously enjoyed by Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain in Hanoi, this humble yet addictive dish is simple enough to recreate at home.
Centuries ago, Hoi An was an important trading port where merchants from all over the region would meet to sell their goods. That's why you'll find echoes of Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese flavours combined in this delicious noodle dish.
Read more: 5 awesome Vietnamese noodles
Cao lầu from Vietnam Tourism Board on Vimeo.
There's nothing more Vietnamese than stopping your motorbike for a few moments to grab a freshly made bánh mì from a sidewalk vendor. Each region in Vietnam has its own take on bánh mì. This tasty, roasted pork version from Ho Chi Minh City is packed with flavour.
Hue's culinary traditions are regarded as among the best in Vietnam. Every morning, locals gather at sidewalk eateries all over the former imperial city to fill up on this hearty noodle soup, served steaming hot with fresh greens, bright chillies and a squeeze of lime.
Savouring a cup of freshly brewed robusta on the sidewalk is a classic Vietnam moment every traveller should have. While you can't recreate Vietnam's captivating street scenes at home, this heady cup of coffee should help you relive some sweet memories.
Read more: 5 fantastic Vietnamese coffees


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How to Drive External Traffic to Your Amazon Store and Product Listings With Influencer Marketing
Do you want to drive more traffic to your Amazon Listings?
Well, of course you do… who would ever say they get enough traffic?
Today we'll like to guide you through something fun and valuable in terms of boosting your Amazon traffic. We'd bet you haven't tried this before.
Why external traffic is important?
Just like with Google, traffic to your Amazon brand store or product pages will help boost your sales. Amazon's algorithm notices when external traffic comes in directly, especially to a specific product.
Amazon rewards this!
By working to send external traffic to your Amazon storefront and listings, you may improve rankings within Amazon, work toward a Best Seller Ranking, gain trust among consumers or simplify your new product launch.
In this blog article we'll talk about influencer marketing for Amazon merchants.
- What is influencer marketing
- Why does influencer traffic work for Amazon sellers
- What's in it for influencers
- What Amazon products work best for influencer marketing
- How to find influencers and 7 tools you can use today
- How to 💼 work with influencers or how Amazon merchants can use influencer marketing
What is influencer marketing?
Influencer marketing uses top content creators specialized in their respective niches (we'll talk about niches later in the article) to help you improve brand awareness and/or increase traffic.
When you enlist an influencer to assist you then you gain access to their audience and salesmanship.
Influencers are able to leverage their expertise and charisma to be salespeople for products not necessarily their own. Additionally, they leverage different channels including social media, blogs, videos, webinars, email lists and columns to market to your potential audience.
They don't have to have large followings, but great influencers have very dedicated followings that are proven to convert when the influencer pitches or promotes a product.
Let's dive into how you can use influencer marketing for your Amazon sales/marketing strategy.
Why does influencer traffic work for Amazon sellers?
Influencers have proven that they can do their job of influencing others to make decisions on key aspects of their niche. Influencers specialize to gain credibility in their field because they use tactics like word-of-mouth marketing and social proof.
For example, would you trust a chef to review beauty products?
(We wouldn't either.)
When influencers bring traffic to you, they bring qualified leads who are interested in your product and primed to purchase - or at least learn more - based on what the influencer has said about you.
What's in it for influencers?
Some people enjoy telling others what to buy and use and why - but the smart ones monetize it!
There are influencers who will do reviews in exchange for free products. Given that this may violate Amazon's TOS, it can be a tricky line to walk.
What's much safer is to approach influencers who are willing to exchange content (e.g. a guest blog) for payment or who are already part of the Amazon Influencer or Amazon Associations program. Both of these programs allow influencers/associates to make a small commission off sales that come from their links to Amazon.
If you offer products that are a great fit for their customer base, you help build the influencer's authority as someone who really knows their niche and understands what their followers want. They're always looking for what's new and next!
Influencers also benefit from increased exposure. If they review your product, it only makes sense to promote them in return.
Influencer marketing can be a win-win for everyone!
What Amazon products work best for influencer marketing?
An influencer can review anything, but there are some categories that stand head and shoulders above the rest in terms of influencers.
Beauty/skin care
This is an easy one. Anything cosmetic is a great product for an influencer to review along with showing off how it's used and the results of using the product. Though this is an extremely crowded category, every positive review matters and will help. Beauty and skin care products tend to lend themselves extremely well to videos and images.
Kitchen/cooking products
Another crowded category, but one in which influencers can have a big impact. Cooking gadgets and anything that makes life easier in the kitchen is a perennially popular option for not just regular purchases but for gifts as well! These products lend themselves not only to videos and images but also blog posts.
A picture is worth a thousand words, and so is an influencer review! Influencers are pros at making your products look great and can also expand on other aspects of the jewelry that are more difficult to capture in a product listing (think feel and quality).
What better way to showcase your unique designs than for customers to see how they look on someone they already love? This category lends itself to videos and images particularly well.
Baby products
With such a huge shift in priorities of parents, baby products are an ideal match for an influencer campaign. Parents scour the internet for anything to make their lives easier, and trusting a product reviewed by a person they trust will make all the difference. This is the perfect category for the mommy bloggers of the world.
Other CPG
The above are just some examples of categories that are conducive to Influencers and capitalize on popular influencer markets.
The fact is there is an influencer for everything, so do your research to find the right one for you!
How to find influencers and 7 tools you can use today
Not everyone has a list of influencers in their contacts list - but never fear, there are plenty of ways to find them.
Pro tip 💡: Offering a free product in exchange for a review violates Amazon's Terms of Service. Be mindful of this when requesting product reviews for the purposes of driving traffic to Amazon.
Using Google is a great way to find influencers, especially blog-based influencers. Simply putting in keywords related to your product is a fantastic way to start.
Tip: One great way to find influencers who may be willing to do a review of your product is to search for "Top 10 [+ your product type]".
Social media
Hashtags can really be your best friend here! Search relevant hashtags to uncover thought leaders and influencers in your specific product niche.
For example, if you sell eco-friendly cleaning products, try searching for hashtags like #greenclean to uncover not just competition but also influencers you may want to get in touch with.
If you are aware of influencer, you can also search for their accounts directly on social media.
Pro tip: most influencers have multiple platforms that they tailor their content to. You usually only need to contact them once, but if you have a specific platform you would like to be featured on you should tell them so.
Amazon Associates
Remember that pesky TOS requirement from Amazon that you not give away free product? A great way to circumvent that without violating those terms of service is to search for Amazon Associates!
Amazon Associates is an affiliate marketing program that anyone can sign up to join. The approval is fast and Associates start earning quickly.
While Associates are not able to select any product (Amazon offers around 1 million to choose from), they often feature best of lists that you may be able to be included on in order to better round out their product selection.
To find these Associates when you search on Google, add keywords like 'Amazon affiliate' to your query.
Pro tip: it never hurts to ask to be included on a top 10 or best of list!
Amazon has introduced its own program to capitalize on the influencer marketing trend - appropriately, it's called Amazon Influencer Program.
Influencers must apply to this program themselves and once accepted create a vanity URL that they can then use to direct their base to their own page on Amazon. This basic page features products that the influencer would like to promote.
While there is no list of Amazon Influencers, you can find them in your course of searching for other influencers using Google. Check the links that they use to direct their base to products - if Amazon shows up, they're likely an Amazon Influencer!
Marketing Platforms and Marketplaces
Sometimes it's more effective to identify a single place where you can find lots of influencers in one fell swoop. Furthermore, these platforms will often provide a way to verify that an influencer has done what was promised - and as anyone who has worked with influencers before knows, this is a huge pain point resolved.
Whether you're looking to create connections with fashion bloggers or advertise with a mommy blog, Tinuiti has a fantastic collection assembled of influencer marketing platforms and marketplaces.
Be aware, however - these platforms add additional cost to you even as they alleviate certain concerns.
Here's a list of 7 platforms where you can find influencers worldwide right away:
- https://www.socialbakers.com/free-social-tools/find-influencers
- https://www.ifluenz.com/
- https://awario.com/
- https://klear.com/
- https://www.upfluence.com/
- https://www.heepsy.com/
- https://hypeauditor.com/en/
How to work with influencers or how Amazon merchants can use influencer marketing?
Influencers can be established on a variety of channels. So firstly pick your potential influencers you're going to work with.
If one is a relatively modest-following influencer with hundreds or thousands of people in their niche, then you can have them write a post about your product, share an online review, or post a picture/video on Instagram with one of your products. Average costs of working with them is $80-$500 per piece of content.
If one is a blog influencer, you may collaborate with them by writing a guest post for their blog, ask to be mentioned in one of their earlier posts and back-linked to your Amazon listing or sponsor a post about one of your products. Associated costs are somewhere between $400-$5,500 per blog post depending on the size of their followings and how "famous" are they.
If one is a social media influencer, recognized on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram or Twitter, then opportunities open up for a large number of merchants in the Amazon. Because social media influencers share content about a wide range of topics such as health, cars, diet, outdoor activities, fashion, art, beauty, and interior design. Influencers can write a brief statement about your product on Twitter, upload an unpackaging video of your product or simple image post on Instagram with a backlink to your Amazon listing. Your potential costs of working with this type of influencers start at $100 and go up without the upper limit.
In addition, you can approach to influencers with open thinking, since usually they have their own way of collaborating with 3rd parties. In this way, they will be able to offer you several options for how both of you can work.
Also, you may negotiate a reward for influencers' work in other forms, too. Obviously, money could be one option. But it also could be free products from your inventory, discount codes or any other swag.
Over to you
Even if your first collaboration attempts with influencers doesn't work out as you expected -- don't give up! Perhaps, you chose the wrong partner or not an appropriate channel to reach potential buyers.
If you haven't worked with influencers, start thinking of including influencer marketing in your sales tactics today so that they can help you build new and lasting relationships among your target audience.


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- City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
- Dubai 05:24 06:42 12:10 15:09 17:32 18:50
When Graham Fitch moved to Dubai in June 2005 he was looking for a way of life that would leave him and his family financially better off. But three years on the 42-year-old has said goodbye to the "Dubai dream" and had to send his wife and children home to the United Kingdom while he stays put in the Emirate to pay back Dh300,000 of debt he has built up.
"I came to Dubai to start a well-paid job in an advertising company. I didn't have any debts at home apart from a mortgage, but that was being covered by renting it out.
"As soon as we arrived I had to look for a family house, two cars, a school for my thre children and home help. The costs began to mount and I wasn't prepared for the cost of my outgoings. What money I had saved was quickly gone."
Fitch decided to get a loan to pay for a year's worth of rent on a three-bedroom villa.
"That was around Dh200,000 but I figured I'd be paying that off monthly like I would rent. I then had to buy two cars on finance and also had to pay for school fees. My wife wasn't working at the time so we were relying on one income, and mine was not going quite as far as I had thought it would."
In the end things got so bad for Fitch that after a year and a half he had barely anything to live on and he had no other choice but to send his family home.
"Looking back I was stupid, but at the time I thought I could handle the situation."
Fitch is not the only person in the UAE with this story. Emirates Business spoke to a number of expats whose debt has significantly increased since arriving in the country.
According to figures from the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing 14 million people arrive in Dubai every year, with an estimated 100,000 of those staying to enjoy the sunny climes, lead a healthier lifestyle and have a better quality of life but the financial practicalities and realities of living abroad are often very far from the dream they had imagined.
Susan Wiggins, 30, a marketing executive who arrived from Australia in March 2006, says she has gone into the red trying to "live the lifestyle". She now owes Dh70,000 on a bank loan, Dh50,000 on a car loan and Dh40,000 on two credit cards.
"My job paid well, I had enough to cover the rent and bills and get a small car, but as soon as I started to make friends many of whom earned a lot more than me I began spending more than I could afford, paying for nights out and clothes on credit cards. It's very easy to get drawn into living a life you cannot afford," she adds.
"Now I will be here for at least another year in order to clear my debts."
Victoria Alderson, from Abbey Financial Solutions, a company that helps expatriates around the world with their finances says: "Many people move abroad for financial gain and a lifestyle change. In a country such as the UAE, where there is so much to do and no tax, it is very easy to fall into the 'live for today' mindset and not plan for the future.
By thinking about your financial future and working with a good adviser you can maximise your expatriate status without hindering your current standard of living.
"Even saving a small amount can make a difference. Don't be one of those expatriates who returns with nothing but a mass of photos and even worse still debt."
Research by Zurich International Life (ZIL) reveals that two fifths of expats in the Middle East rely on their own judgement to choose financial products, rather than turning to a financial adviser for guidance.
The Zurich Wealth Monitor surveyed 500 expatriate professionals living in the UAE and Bahrain, on their approaches to financial planning and lifestyle.
The results showed that seeking advice from financial advisers was particularly low amongst Arab expats in the UAE, with only two per cent preferring this channel compared to 12 per cent for Western expats and 16 per cent for Indian expats. Regional Director for Zurich International Life Paul Haran commented: "In the absence of professional guidance, there is a real risk expatriates will not be suitably prepared for their future. By enlisting the help of a qualified financial adviser, people can achieve a considered approach to their financial planning and tailor their financial goals to their changing working and living circumstances."
Figures from the UAE Central Bank show that personal loans in the Emirates amounted to Dh530 billion last year, up from Dh474bn in 2006.
And data from UK-based Lafferty Group, which conducts financial research around the world, found credit card debt in the UAE increased 35 per cent last year to $2.7bn (Dh9.9bn) compared to $2bn in 2006, while personal consumer loans topped $11.16bn (Dh41bn) in the third quarter a rise on the $8.5bn (Dh31.2bn) at the end of the previous year.
"Many banks want to know that there is a fixed income and because there is no way of telling if a person has other loans and finance, many are willing to give people more money than they can really afford to pay back," says Sam Ebbs a financial advisor from Holborn Assets based in Dubai.
"Look at what you have coming in, what your outgoings are, and don't get carried away trying to live beyond your means."
In November 2006, Emcredit, the UAE's first independent credit bureau, was set up to enable data sharing between banks. Banks who signed up to the scheme are able to see a customer's credit history before giving credit.
"It is beneficial to consumers as they get loans they can afford," says Emcredit's CEO Bashar Salah Qallab.
But at present only banks who sign up to the scheme have access to customers' credit history, which leaves many residents free to borrow what they wish.
"The only time I was asked about my other debts was when I was buying a car," says Wiggins. All I needed was a letter from my employee to say I could pay it, no one knew I already had a bank loan and a lot on my credit cards."
According to data from Dubai Police, 42 per cent of inmates at Dubai Central Jail are there for failing to repay loans.
But there are ways to get help. Many banks offer free financial advice to clients who get into financial trouble. Lester Wynne-Jones, Regional Head of Personal Financial Services at HSBC, says they are understanding if approached early on.
"Early contact with the bank gives us an opportunity to help the customer and work with them," he says.
Mashreq Bank also offers a credit control department whose responsibility it is to pursue customers who default on their loans.
"We offer customers debt counselling and restructuring options to ease their debt burdens. I advise customers who are worried to come and talk to us about it," says chief marketing officer Nabeel Malik.
The Numbers
Dh530bn: Total personal loans in 2007
81%: Increase in personal debt in 2007
Dh150,000: Average debt of a UAE national
Dh100,000: Average debt of an expat
42%: Occupants of Dubai Central Jail failed to repay loans
Source: Central Bank of the UAE, Emcredit
Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.


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An excellent article by the Solaris boss in News.com on the present future of software:
Computer operating systems are irrelevant, or should be, to most people.
To home and office users alike, it's the applications that run on top of the operating system that really count. To the developers who create applications and Web services, it's the middleware–the application server, directory, and so on–that counts.
The only people who should be concerned with the operating system are the chief information officer and folks who manage network resources. They're the ones who have to deal with questions of availability, security and scalability–the capacity to grow without adding undue complexity.
Developers shouldn't need to think about the OS; they should be able to aim higher, at a new software category I call the "service-delivery platform."
The aim of the service-delivery platform is to make it just as easy for developers to create a large-scale service as it was to create a single shrink-wrapped program for a standalone PC. Developers need to know that certain components are always going to be there–a directory, a network file service, an application server. Those are the components of the service-delivery platform.
Although part of the base platform, these components may also come from a variety of companies offering open-standards-based technology, so long as they present a set of core services that developers can count on–and no proprietary extensions or libraries to cause porting problems.
Exactly the way we need to think of the Emergic platform.


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Compliance with the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that was implemented May 25 has presented companies with challenges. But moving to the cloud can help them overcome many of those issues, according to Microsoft executives.
"When you think about it, the GDPR could not come at a more important time," Brad Smith, president and chief legal officer of Microsoft, said the same day GDPR was implemented.
Noting that Microsoft has strongly supported GDPR since it was first proposed in 2012 by the European Commission, he said during a webcast called "Safeguarding individual privacy rights with the Microsoft Cloud" that digital technology is "changing the way we live."
He added: "It's transforming how we connect with other people. It's impacting every aspect of our work. At Microsoft, we recognize that privacy is a fundamental human right because, when you think about it, we all need to share information with other people just to go about our daily lives. But it's more important than ever that people be able to exchange data [and] to share data on their own terms."
As examples, he pointed out that consumers typically want to share health info data with doctors but not strangers, while businesses want to share data with partners but not to competitors.
"Trust is more important than ever," he said, adding: "People, quite simply, won't use technology they don't trust. And that means that companies like ours that create technology have a huge responsibility – a huge responsibility to make sure that we protect peoples' personal information, that we safeguard privacy, and that we ensure that kind of trust."
Microsoft decided to "take the heart of GDPR – what's called the data subject rights – and apply them worldwide," he noted. The initiative required an "enormous engineering effort" by more than 1,600 engineers, who worked to get ready for GDPR implementation, he said, adding "we feel good about where we are today" and "will remain focused on GDPR."
But "we understand that compliance with complex regulations like the GDPR can be a long and difficult process," Alym Rayani, director of Microsoft 365, said on the webcast.
Microsoft launched a Compliance Manager tool last year to help customers achieve GDPR compliance, he noted.
And "we're seeing that ease of compliance as one of the key drivers for moving to the cloud because of this shared responsibility model" that's offered within the cloud, he said.
Explaining why that shared responsibility model benefits customers, Karim Batthish, director of Microsoft 365 engineering, said: "When data resides on premises, it is the customer's responsibility to meet all the regulatory requirements. But when customers move their data to the Microsoft Cloud, both Microsoft and the customer accept and share compliance obligations for that data. In the Microsoft Cloud, we provide enhanced tools that our customers can use to meet these obligations."
"The compliance landscape is evolving quickly," Rayani said, noting: "New regulations are popping up. Standards are evolving."
Microsoft is helping customers handle the complexities of those changing regulations and standards in "two core ways," Batthish said. "First, we're providing streamlined compliance tools…. Second, we've redesigned our service trust portal to be the single place where customers can discover new compliance capabilities; access documentation on Microsoft security, privacy and compliance practices; review third-party audit reports for our online services; and use new tools to help streamline compliance."
Discussing the challenges that Microsoft faced when setting out to meet the GDPR requirements, Batthish said the company needed to, among other things, "ensure that we had controls in place to manage the use of personal data across all of our endpoints, from Azure services to Office 365" to Xbox gamer tags. It also "required an immense engineering effort to standardize our data governance in order to deliver on GDPR obligations," he said.
Microsoft Azure specifically "developed a powerful set of tools to make compliance easier," he also said. For example, he pointed out that Azure information protection solutions can "help customers automate the process of classifying categories of data during the discovery phase." Also, "our identity management and security solutions can be used to minimize the number of people who have access to sensitive data," he noted.
Meanwhile, "cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated and persistent," he went on to say. "To combat against these, the Microsoft Intelligent Security Graph unifies preventative measures and improves the efficiency of protecting, detecting and responding to security incidents," he said.
Not discussed on the webcast was the massive cost that non-compliance with GDPR could cost any organization in fines.


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World Heart Day
- Details
- Hits: 2872
25 September 2010
Mumbai, India
City's heart stronger than Delhi's
On the eve of World Heart Day, here's a chilling reminder of how prone Indians are to deadly heart diseases. A survey of 60,000 Indians shows that one in four has higher than usual levels of low–density lipoproteins (LDL), better known as the bad cholesterol that leads to development of plaque on the arterial walls.
According to Dr Shashank Joshi, editor emeritus of the Journal of Association of Physicians of India, the results reveal the hidden burden of dyslipidemia in India. "Dyslipidemia (or improper lipid levels) is an invisible disease, but it's the most prominent marker for heart disease,'' he said, adding that Indians have unhealthy levels of lipids due to urbanized diets and sedentary lifestyles. The rapid urbanization of Bangalore could be one of reasons as to why it heads the lists.
Other findings–oil major Saffola conducted the lipid profile of people across 50 cities and towns–one in 250 women had higher levels of all the three factors (low HDL, high LDL and TGL) while the one in 72 men had the same. Men in the 30 to 49 age group were highest at risk for heart diseases, while women between 50–59 years were at risk. In men, central obesity, lack of physical activity and change in dietary habits were the main reasons for dyslipidemia, while in women it was mainly hormonal changes brought on by menopause.
Not all agreed with the survey results. Said Delhi–based cardiologist Dr Ashok Seth, "To say that higher levels of lipids is equal to heightened risk for heart diseases is unfair. Heart disease is a 'multi–factoral' disease that develops due to factors such as family history, or diseases such as hypertension or diabetes and habits like smoking.'' He added that "people over 50 years of age or those with a disease should take be mindful of their lipid profile''.
Health Professional's NegligenceRecords of published articles in the newspapers helps common people about precautions to be taken while seeking the services from health professionals and also helps health professionals to rectify the negligence.
read more…


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- Year
- 1919
- Month Day
- October 02
On October 2, 1919, at the White House in Washington, D.C., United States President Woodrow Wilson suffers a massive stroke that leaves him partially paralyzed on his left side and effectively ends his presidential career.
At the time of the stroke, Wilson had poured all his strength into a last-ditch effort to win public support for the Versailles Treaty and its vision of international cooperation through a League of Nations in the aftermath of the devastating First World War. After the Senate Foreign Relations Committee began its debate on the treaty at the end of July, Wilson took the unprecedented step of appearing personally before the committee to argue strenuously for ratification, making it clear he would accept no changes to the treaty as written. While the committee—headed by Wilson's nemesis, Republican Senator Henry Cabot Lodge—voted on various amendments to the treaty, Wilson took his case to the American people, ignoring his doctors' advice and embarking on a whistle-stop tour of the country to drum up support for the treaty and the League.
The trip began on September 2, 1919; by the end of that month, after traveling continuously and making as many as three speeches a day, Wilson was crippled by exhaustion. On September 25, he collapsed after delivering a speech in Pueblo, Colorado, and subsequently returned to Washington, where a massive cerebral hemorrhage on October 2 nearly killed him. Even while incapacitated, however, Wilson continued to influence proceedings regarding the Versailles Treaty. After a long and bitter struggle, the Senate voted on Lodge's motion to ratify the treaty—but only with a number of amendments attached—on March 19, 1920. Thanks to the senators loyal to Wilson—who remained steadfastly unwilling to accept ratification of any compromised version of the treaty—and those who opposed the treaty in any form, the ratification resolution failed to obtain the necessary two-thirds majority, and the Senate consequently refused to ratify the Treaty of Versailles.
The recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1919, Wilson completed his term as president and spent the last three years of his life in retirement, nursed by his second wife, Edith. He died in 1924.


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At the core of Trudesk is tickets. Real time tickets, keeps everyone up-to-date on the information they need.
Big budget or no budget, IT or sales – Trudesk Cloud fits any organization. Free to use.
Looking for Trudesk Self-Hosted? Visit Github · Docs
At the core of Trudesk is tickets. Real time tickets, keeps everyone up-to-date on the information they need.
Customize permissions to your organization needs. You control what access your customers and agents have.
Rather its in the office or on the go, communication with co-agents or customers is easy with real-time private messaging built right into Trudesk.
Built in private messaging and chat. Users can get responses instantly.
Stay up to speed on your entire workflow with just a glance.
Notifications are sent in real time without ever hitting the refresh button.
Well documented API makes it easy to create thrid party apps and plugins.
Tickets can be submitted via email. Trudesk will check the mailbox and convert the message to a ticket.
Built with sass, its very simple to change color scheme and branding.
It should never be hard to find what you're looking for. From the design to the development, Trudesk makes find and updating task and issues a breeze. It's striaght forward layout is to blame; all important information is set front and center.
Easier and quickly see where the majority of your work is being spent, and what to do to help resolve this.
No need to burn your eyes fishing through a spreadsheet to crunch data. Trudesk can manage the numbers for you and display in an eye pleasing way.
We all respond to colors faster than text. At a glance get the status of tickets to quickly determine what needs attention.
Opt in to join the Trudesk beta program. Your feedback is important to the success of the project. Provide your email below to test Trudesk iOS, Android, and core features.
If you're looking for our full-featured, always-online, cloud-hosted solution, please apply for the beta program.
To try Trudesk Self-Hosted, download the server from github and read up on the docs. Built with Node.JS and MongoDB. Please refer to the documentation on both Node.JS and MongoDB to run the server. Note that Trudesk Self-Hosted does not have all the same features as Trudesk Cloud.


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How Well Do You Know Sharks?
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Question 1/10
Lend us your ear, sharks are unusual fish because their skeletons are made of this tough, but flexible tissue:
- Cartilage
- Dermis
- Muscle
- Toilet
Question 2/10
McDonald's be damned, sharks don't have "McThese!" Not even for a limited time.
- Tongues
- Genitals
- Ribs
- Nervous systems
Question 3/10
Living up to its name, this shark is the largest known living fish species:
- The Moby Shark
- The Whale Shark
- The Great Shark
- The Big Ass Shark
Question 4/10
Ol' Ben Franklin would be proud! In addition to smell and sight, sharks use this to sense prey and possibly to navigate:
- Sonar
- Radar
- A kite
- Electro-magnetic sensitivity
Question 5/10
Ew! Because they are attracted by the scent of certain chemicals, sharks often hang out near what?
- Katy Perry
- Underwater volcanoes
- Sewage discharge
- Oil spills
Question 6/10
Good thing they never drink alcohol since sharks rely on this for buoyancy:
- Their liver
- Their lungs
- Their kidneys
- Their brains
Question 7/10
While they might not melt your heart with their sad eyes, baby sharks are called this:
- Sharklettes
- Kittens
- Pups
- Chicks
Question 8/10
It's not exactly a hot topic, but unlike most shark species, Great Whites can do this:
- Swallow without chewing
- Regulate their body temperature
- Replace lost teeth
- Shoot freakin' laser beams
Question 9/10
Since sharks need to keep water flowing over their gills to breathe, some sharks may have developed the ability to do this:
- Hoard air like a cat lady hoards cats
- Swim while asleep
- Hibernate
- Hold their breath
Question 10/10
Ouch! Sharks really bite off more than they can chew because…
- Their jaw is disconnected from their head
- Their eyesight is so poor
- Their large snouts affect their angle of attack
- Who's going to stop them? You?
Calculating Result...
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3 Tips to Help you Prepare for Your First PiercingApril 18, 2018
Elite Ink Wins 'Best of Detroit 2018' Ninth Year in a RowMay 17, 2018
In the United States, over 37 million people suffer from migraines. Research shows that about 13% of adults suffer from them, with two to three million people suffering from chronic conditions. Despite the number of migraine sufferers, there's still little known about this condition. There are a wide variety of treatment options, and in this article, we're going to delve into one possible treatment option: the daith piercing.
What Kind of Treatment Is Available for Migraines?
Migraines are one of the most misunderstood chronic conditions. Many people believe migraines are just really bad headaches. But in reality, migraines are incapacitating episodes of severe, recurring head pain that can be accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, dizziness, and light, sound, or smell sensitivity. Each person is different and therefore has different experiences with this condition. But one commonality can be seen amongst all sufferers: the desperate need for pain relief.
Unfortunately, there is still no one known cause of these incapacitating episodes. Scientists know that this condition can run in families and may involve the nerve pathways and brain chemicals. But since there is no specific cause, treatment options don't always work. Many sufferers treat their episodes with over-the-counter pain medications. Others seek prescriptions from their doctors. Aside from medication, many patients try acupuncture, aromatherapy, and other holistic approaches to provide migraine relief. So while there are pain management options available, some methods might not work. For that reason, people have begun turning to the daith piercing in recent years.
Can a Daith Piercing Really Help Migraine Sufferers?
With no "one size fits all" treatment option, sufferers have been visiting tattoo shops to get their daith pierced. The daith is the smallest fold of cartilage in the ear just above the ear canal. While you may not think about getting a piercing being an appropriate pain relief activity, a MigrainePal survey found that 47% of respondents said that after getting a daith piercing, their episodes became less frequent. Furthermore, 50% said that getting a daith piercing helped to reduce the severity of their episodes. So, how exactly does a daith piercing help with migraines? It's believed that the daith piercing hits a pressure point that is associated with digestive organs. When this area is pierced, it provides constant pressure, which can then provide pain relief.
While there are some skeptics about this piercing being an option for migraine relief, many people have found it to be successful. Like previously mentioned, not all treatment options for everybody. But even if it doesn't help lessen migraine episodes, it's still a cool piercing to get.


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From Pro-Line:
The future of Stadium Truck Tire Performance is here with Pro-Line's all-new Positron T Tire! Designed from the ground up with a futuristic directional tread design, the Positron delivers true next generation performance with improved grip and corner speed on indoor clay tracks. The tread design pays homage to the Electron and ION tire before it with the 2 center pins boxed in by connected bars for a familiar Pro-Line signature look. From there the connected bars shoot off at angles that have been specifically designed to provide maximum Forward Bite combined with unmatched corner speed all while lasting longer than the competition. The Positron is directional, which adds another tuning option for the racers always looking for that extra edge since it will perform differently depending on which direction it is run. Get the newest and best race tire for your Stadium Truck – the Pro-Line Positron!
- All-new Ground up Design for Maximum Performance
- Futuristic Directional Tread Design
- Angled Connected Bars for Maximum Forward Bite & Unmatched Corner Speed
- Improved Tire Wear Over Previous Race Tires
- Tune Performance by Choosing Tire Direction
- Outlast the Competition
- Made in the USA, since 1982
What's Included:
- Positron T 2.2" Tires (2 pcs)
- Closed Cell Foam Inserts (2 pcs)
Height: 3.93″ (100mm)
Width: 2.08″ (53mm)
#8262-03 – 4 (Super Soft) – MSRP $28.95
#8262-17 – MC (Clay) – MSRP $29.95
Visit Prolineracing.com
See more posts about Pro-Line


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On The Road is a simple, stylish and addictive little top-down arcade driving game where you attempt to keep your car on the road for as long as possible to earn points.
You start On The Road with a randomly selected car, a randomly selected color palette and a procedurally generated track stretching out in front of you. Your aim is to stay on the track for as long as possible, earning you points in the process. You can cut across small pieces of the road, but if you're off-road for more than a second of so then you'll lose all power and it's game over.
It's a very stylish little game with fast paced arcade gameplay that keeps you coming back for one more go. The randomly selected cars, visual flourishes and procedurally generated tracks are a great touches and turn a relatively simple top-down racer into a very addictive experience.
Controls: A/D – Turn, LMB – Play Game
Available On: Windows


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|Page Type:
|Trad Climbing
|Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
|4200 ft / 1280 m
Echo Pinnacle along with its slightly shorter neighbor, Aeolian Tower, are the two most prominent formations in an area called the Courthouse Pasture. At ~220 feet tall, Echo Pinnacle is a narrow "fin" of rock lying along a north-south direction. The rock here is Entrada sandstone (like in Arches NP) with the solid material being located about 100 feet above the base (which itself is composed of looser sort of Entrada). The north prow of the tower has a separate sub-summit separated from the bulk of the formation by a narrow (<1 foot) gap staring about 170 feet up. The formation is not to be confused with a larger (and more serious) Echo Tower in the Fishers.
From Moab, head north on highway US 191. In ~10 miles, you'll pass junction with UT 313. Keep going north on 191 for another >4 miles till a signed junction with Mill Canyon Road (dirt) on left. Turn onto the dirt road immediately crossing the railroad track. Follow it for >0.5 miles to a signed junction: take a left heading towards Mill Canyon (Tusher Canyon is to the right). Drive for about 1.5 miles into the canyon as it narrows down occasionally catching glimpses of Echo Tower (and group). Road deteriorates as you enter the canyon and stays really rough (wash/stream crossings etc…) till you're within ~1.5 miles of the formation. At this point the canyon once again opens up as you enter an area known as Courthouse Pasture. If you're still driving you will be on the Merrimack Jeep trail (somewhat marked). Note that there are numerous turn-offs (dirt bike/ATV trails) – key is to keep heading in the direction of the towers using established roads. You will not make it in a sedan – high clearance and 4-wheel drive seemed mandatory (I believe the roads got much rougher following the floods of the century in fall of 2006). When you can drive no longer, start hiking staying on the roads (flat and easy) all the way to the base of the east face of the formation.
None. This is BLM land. Tread lightly avoiding crypto soil and drive ONLY on established roads/tracks. Note that you should be able to do the entire approach (whether hiking or driving) on very well established roads. No need to cut cross country and trample the delicate cryptobiotic soil!
Primitive camp sites available (free, BLM land) along the approach dirt roads. Practice leave-no trace ethic. For other camping options around Moab see camping information on these pages: The Priest Ice Cream Parlor Wall Street
Echo Pinnacle page on mountainproject.com.
Local climbing information can be obtained from the friendly folks in the local climb shop, Pagan Mountaineering located in Moab, UT. Their number is 435-259-1117. Also check: Moab Climate Summary Page. Moab area web-cam.
Echo Pinnacle hosts three established routes and one variation. All of these are described in Eric Bjornstad's Desert Rock: Wall Street To The San Rafael Swell (ISBN 1-57540-004-9). Additionally, the most popular Window Route is described in Cameron Burns' Selected Climbs In The Desert Southwest (ISBN 0-89886-657-X; also describes No Reply) and Fred Knapp's Classic Desert Climbs (ISBN 1-892540-17-7). The above mentioned routes are: East Face III 5.7 A2; Window Route III 5.10+ C1 (and one variation); No Reply III 5.9 A2+.


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Building Component Library Access the Building Component Library (BCL)
Energy Models EnergyPlus input files are now available for the 50% Advanced Energy Design Guides from the Department of Energy EERE Commercial Building Resource Database. The information in the models has also been incorporated into the Open Source Building Component Library (BCL) on the NREL website. Access the EnergyPlus input files
Toolkits and Related Links Additional information and resources are available at these other web sites.
The American Institute of Architects
The Illuminating Engineers Society of North America
U.S. Green Building Council
The U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable EnergyHigh Performance Buildings
NBI Advanced Buildings
Windows for High Performance Buildings


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According to a report from Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, Lakers PF/C Jordan Hill will not need surgery on the herniated disc in his back and, if everything goes well, should be able to play in their season opener on Oct. 30.
Hill will likely miss practice over the next two weeks as he tries to rehabilitate the injury, although the timetable for his return will depend on how his back responds to the treatment.
The Lakers acquired Hill in a deal with the Rockets at last season's trade deadline, and he emerged as a reliable back-up at both the power forward and center positions, averaging 5 points and 6 rebounds on 43 percent shooting in the post-season.
LA signed Hill to a 2-year, $8 million contract in the off-season and they're counting on him to provide rebounding and athleticism behind Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol.
In his absence, the Lakers will turn to Antawn Jamison, Earl Clark and maybe even second-round pick Robert Sacre for front-court depth.
This post originally appeared on SBNation.com.


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Fierce clashes as army shells Syria's Aleppo
Fierce fighting broke out in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo on Sunday as rebels attacked an army checkpoint near the capital, killing nine soldiers, monitors said.
Hours after a fire tore through a historic souk in Aleppo, fighting erupted in and around the Old City as rebels tried to seize control the district, said Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Since last week, much of the fighting has focused on the area around the Old City, and this is believed to have sparked the fire in the centuries-old souk which destroyed many shops, said an AFP correspondent and the Observatory.
Meanwhile the army subjected several of the city's districts to intense shelling, and battled rebels in the northern district of Jandul, said the Observatory.
"There were many rebels and soldiers killed, but both sides are trying to conceal their casualties," Abdel Rahman said.
Among the districts shelled by the army overnight were the southwestern neighbourhood of Salaheddin, the main theatre of combat between rebels and troops in mid-summer, the Britain-based watchdog said.
In Damascus province, the rebel Free Syrian Army attacked an army checkpoint on the road linking the southwestern town of Qatana to the capital, killing nine soldiers, the Observatory said.
The FSA also attacked a checkpoint in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor, killing four soldiers, the monitoring group said.
Many areas of both Damascus province and Deir Ezzor have suffered intense army assaults, as the regime of President Bashar al-Assad tries to crush the insurgency.
Also in Damascus province, soldiers backed by aerial firepower stormed the rebel stronghold of Harasta as regime forces carried out arrest raids in the town of Zabadani, said the Observatory.
Violence across Syria killed at least 118 people on Saturday -- 48 civilians, 41 soldiers and 29 rebels, the Observatory said, adding to its toll of over 30,000 killed since an anti-regime uprising erupted in March last year.


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BCashflow Positive / Blog
The tightening of the lending criteria by banks is hurting small businesses looking to raise funds for meeting their cash flow needs.
A few years ago, profitable businesses operational for a period of time and with a good credit history found it quite easy to get approved by banks for a loan. This is no longer the case. Banks are making it harder, even for financially sound businesses to borrow money.
It's not just hurting small businesses. According to the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell, the nation is in serious trouble if small businesses aren't given help to grow in a flat economy.
Large businesses, on the other hand, continue to benefit. According to the RBA, lending to big business in the past five years has increased by a third, while bank lending to small business has been flat.
In 2017, the Reserve Bank had clearly said it wasn't the lack of entrepreneurial spirit which was responsible for the economy slowing down, but the absence of entrepreneurial finance which was holding back the small-business part of Australia's economy.
Late Payments Adding to the Cash-Flow Crunch
Compounding the difficulty to borrow funds when required, many small businesses are not getting paid on time. In turn, they aren't able to pay their suppliers in a timely manner. This often results in supplies being cut off.
A research study carried out by Intuit across the globe found that 61% of small businesses are finding it difficult to manage their cash flow. The survey was carried out among 3,000 business owners from companies based in Australia, U.S., U.K., Canada, and India.
Despite their cash flow being choked, small businesses need to pay staff and their dues to the ATO. The Intuit study found that 32% of the businesses were unable to pay their vendors on time, while 43% had occasionally delayed payments to employees.
In comparison, large businesses have 60 and 90-day payment terms, as well as huge reserves of cash and, are easily able to tide over a short-term cash crunch.
Invoice Financing – Banks are Not the Answer
Small businesses who approach banks complain that banks will lend them money when it's not needed and ask them to return it when cash reserves are depleted.
With problems such as cash flow and late payments, small businesses are looking for alternative financing solutions to fund their operations and growth.
Among these are invoice financing offered by companies such as BCashflow Positive. Essentially, invoice financing works by unlocking the cash tied up in invoices, thereby speeding up cash flow.
With the growing popularity of invoice financing, small businesses are able to take advantage of competitive rates compared to what's offered by banks.
Working With BCashflow Positive – A Win-Win Solution
Partnering with a reputable and established invoice financier like BCashflow Positive is a positive step for SME'S. BCashflow Positive takes care to maintain a client/debtor relationship. We work closely with our clients to fully understand their business and customer needs before providing an invoice financing solution.
If you're looking to have fast access to cash locked up in your invoices, we can get you up to 90% of your invoice value as quickly as 4 hours and the remaining 10% as soon as your customers make payment to us. Call us on 1300 937 292 for more details or CLICK HERE to get a quote.
"We used BCashflow Positive when our bankers didn't want to know us, as we operate in an industry that was going to be affected by the introduction of the carbon tax.Traditional lenders were unable to deal with the uncertainty and risks.
BCashflow Positive understood the risk and assisted us with our cash flow, which was great"
"Getting instant funds from our invoices is crucial to our business success. It means we can pay wages on time and grow our business. The staff are also great to deal with."Owner, Recruitment, NSW
"We engaged BCashflow Positive to get on top of our ATO obligations. Constant cash flow allows us to meet our operating expenses and grow our business."Accountant, Earthmoving, QLD
Call Us: 1300 937 292
Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm (AEST)


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Stay Abroad
We have dedicated this page to provide you with everything that you need to know about your stay abroad. If you are looking for general information concerning your stay abroad, have no idea where to go, what to do or how to finance it, this is the right place for you. You will find information on the different ways to go abroad, be it as a student at a partner university, as an au-pair in a family, or simply working and travelling. This page serves the purpose of providing you with as much help and information as possible to help you plan and make your stay abroad an unforgettable experience.
- Deadline for ERASMUS applications: January 15, 2023
- International day "Ich bin dann mal weg...": Wednesday, 14 December 2022, 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m..
General Information
The stay abroad is mandatory for all our study programmes, except for those who decide to go into primary school education (and started studying English before WS 2021/2022). However, for these students as well, we highly recommend spending time in an English-speaking country. A good, native-like pronunciation and a correct and fluent English is, needless to say, vital for all teachers of English. We would also like to point out that an experience abroad is something very special, an experience that will have a positive impact on your life as it not only helps improve your English skills but also broadens your horizons, helps you meet new friends, experience other countries and cultures, as well as different walks of life, etc. Most, if not all of our students who have spent time in an English-speaking country, say that this was one of the greatest experiences that they have had (see below for student reports). There are numerous possibilities for going abroad to spend a longer period of time (and not just a vacation) in an English-speaking country. Moreover, everybody can afford to go abroad if they are willing, for instance, to work in order to support themselves during that time. Listed below are the different possibilities that will help you make your stay abroad possible.
The red tape information first: You need to have your stay abroad accredited. For this, you have to fill out the accrediation form (please note that there are two versions – one for students who started their studies before WS 21/22 and one for students who started in WS 21/22 or later) and hand it in together with your documentation of the stay abroad (flight tickets etc.) at the department's secretary's office. If you are unsure about whether or not your stay abroad will be accredited (e.g. because of the country that you selected), please contact us. Please note that your stay has to be at least 90 days long.


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Lacy Eggs , Crispy Eggs with step wise pictures
Delicious crispy fried eggs which has a crisp white layer with a creamy yellow yolk. Perfect for a toasted bread to dip into.
Eggs are such a versatile ingredient to have on hand. They taste delicious even when boiled, scrambled. But this lacy eggs are next level. The egg white gets nice and crispy and the yellow stays set and still creamy. Total yummo.
The eggs are fried in a hot oil till the white part gets nice and crispy. You can top this eggs over some toasted bread or noodles or even fried rice.
More Egg Recipes,
Breakfast Burrito
Korean Egg Rolls
Veg Omelette
Fluffy Egg Omelette with Sausage filling
Cheese Omelette
Spicy Egg Omelette for Rice
Hope you will give this a try and let me know how it turns out for you.
📖 Recipe Card
Lacy Eggs Recipe
- Oil - 3 tblsp
- Eggs - 2
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Heat oil in a nonstick pan.
- When the oil is hot, crack open the egg and cook till it get golden on the bottom.
- Remove and serve with toasted bread.
1)Heat 3 tblsp of oil in a nonstick pan
2)Crack open 2 eggs and add it into the oil
3)Since the oil is hot, once you add the eggs it will bubble up and fry
4)Cook on low heat till the eggs get little brown in the bottom
5)Now the eggs are almost done. The white should be crispy and the yellow will be still creamy
6)Now it is done
7)Take it in a serving plate and season with salt and pepper
8)Toast some bread slices till golden
9)Serve with the eggs


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Documenting the Attack on the Pentagon on 9/11
Oral Histories: W-Z
The oral histories listed here are from Navy Archives collection AR/670 DET 206: Documenting the Attack on the Pentagon on 9/11.
Each oral history page provides a brief summary of the oral history, contextual information about the individual(s) who gave the oral history, and a PDF copy of the abstract and transcript for download.
The abstracts and transcripts that have been provided have been reviewed for FOIA exemptions and redactions have been made where necessary. These abstracts and transcripts were not proofread or checked against the audio before being made available online. Any typos, misspelled words or proper nouns, or transcription errors were made by the original transcriptionist in the early 2000s.
Many of the pages also include photos and additional materials that directly relate to the oral history. Most pages also include links to related oral histories. Links were included for individuals who were directly mentioned in the oral history and individuals who witnessed or were involved in the same events in the aftermath and describe them from different perspectives.
Where necessary, content warnings have been included on the individual oral history pages. The content warning Sensitive Content means the oral history features graphic descriptions of injuries, deaths, and/or human remains. The Sensitive Content label can also indicate other subject matter that would likely be considered upsetting by the reader. The content warning Sensitive Language generally indicates the oral history contains words that would likely be dubbed over or bleeped out on network television (e.g. swear words).
Please note, given the subject matter addressed by all of these oral histories, most of them have some content that could be considered sensitive, even those that are not labeled with that particular content warning.
For more information on the collection and a complete list of the oral histories from the collection that have been released to the public, visit the AR/670 main collection page.
Wagner, Glenn CAPT, 1 March 2002
Way, Michael LCDR, 14 December 2001
Wetherald, Denny CDR, 31 October 2001
Whitmarsh, Cean YNSN, 29 October 2001
Wilson, Barbara, 11 April 2002
Wirick, Gail, 27 June 2002


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Phone: (562)367-2548
I believe this is why men/women who are unfamiliar with such arrangement or are simply selective about whom they choose to meet, end up being the perfect match for me. No game, no question, no strings: it is all about adults having a wonderful time together. It really is about QUALITY not quantity to me, which keeps it fresh and exciting! Call me or send an email lindsay (562)367-2548
Phone number


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On the evening of June 10, 1872, a "fine mare" owned by David Graham fights with a cougar to protect her colt. Graham's farm is located at Seattle's present-day south boundary just east of the Duwamish River (45th Avenue S to 50th Avenue S and S Leo St to S Juniper St). The mare suffers "deep and severe cuts" on her neck and face (Puget Sound Dispatch). The colt dies of its injuries the following day.
The Weekly Intelligencer described the encounter between the mare and cougar as follows:
"Her appearance would indicate a long continued struggle, and, from the fact that she prevented the animal from killing her colt outright, which it injured, however, so seriously as to cause its death the next morning, it would seem that she must have used her hoofs most adroitly and successfully, and rather discomfitted [sic] that sanguinary and terrible specimen of the feline race" (The Weekly Intelligencer June 17, 1872).
On July 31, 1872, a cougar, apparently the same one, killed one of J. B. McCallister's calves. McCallister, a farmer of land located near Graham's, allowed his cattle to range over the countryside without fences. Concerned that his other stock might be injured or killed, McCallister acquired some strychnine and applied it to the carcass of the calf killed by the cougar. The following morning he discovered that the cougar had returned and consumed more of the dead animal. McCallister followed its tracks and located the cougar suffering from the effects of the poisoned meat. He shot the cougar and skinned it. McCallister planned to tan the eight-foot-long hide and turn it into a robe.


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What Kind of Paper can be Recycled?
Many different types of paper can be recycled. Some paper is more complicated to recycle because it blends several elements. For example, envelopes with plastic windows may not be recyclable. Paper with plastic coatings also may prove a challenge. Your normal, ordinary household paper can be recycled, but you should always check with your local recycling company about exclusions.
The following types of paper can be recycled with ease:
- Cardboard
- Construction paper
- Newspaper
- Magazines (remove staples)
- Circular advertisements in magazines
- Computer paper
- Copy paper
Other types of paper can be recycled with a little work. For instance, if you have envelopes with plastic windows, you can cut the windows out, and then recycle the envelopes. Be wary of junk mail, especially if you shred it. Much of its paper is recyclable, but you may need to pull out things like blank plastic cards or plastic coated paper.
It gets easier to figure out which paper can be recycled by using recycle-friendly paper as much as possible. Instead of buying "virgin" paper, made of plant products, look for paper that has already been recycled. Also, when buying paper cups, you can look for those with no plastic coating so they can be recycled.
Paper made from products like corn can be recycled as well. This is a relatively new form of paper that resembles foam. Instead of the non-recyclable foam products, you can generally toss corn-based containers straight into your paper-recycling bin. Chinese food containers also can be recycled as long as you remove their metal holders.
If you can't recycle a certain type of paper, consider reusing it. Photographic paper used in printers can be used to print more than one picture. Also, schools often look for extra paper supplies for art projects. You should let the school know whether the paper can be recycled, since leftovers typically end up in paper recycle bins.
You can encourage greater use of paper that can be recycled by attempting to purchase only recycled or recyclable items, and by writing to businesses you frequent that don't use recyclable paper. By recycling paper, large industrial companies can help minimize the use of new paper and create less debt to the environment.
Some companies respond well to consumer requests to use recyclable paper. This has been the case with many food companies, many of which now feature cups made of recyclable paper. Given the huge numbers of people who frequent such restaurants on a daily basis, a company's choice to use recyclable paper can prove popular and responsible.
Discussion Comments
Questions about the recyclability of specific materials should be directed to your local/specific recycling hauler, as policies vary from business to business and market to market. Sometimes businesses won't have the machines or manpower to sort unique materials. Other times there is not a regional market available to sell the sorted materials.
So can credit cards or other cards be recycled after you cut them up or shred them?
When we first started putting our recycled products in a recycle bin I wondered if we could include the advertisements that came with the newspaper. With that paper being shiny and slick I didn't know if we could throw it in the bin with everything else or not.
I called the company and they said these inserts were OK to recycle. I was glad to hear this because I rarely look through these ads and am glad to know that paper can be recycled and used over again. Otherwise it would seem like a lot of waste that was filling up the landfill.
@anon172434-- This is the first I have heard that the envelopes with plastic windows can't be recycled unless you cut out the plastic part. I have been putting these in the recycle bin for years. Now I wonder if I am supposed to be doing that or not. I think if I had to cut out the plastic of all those envelopes I would just throw them out with the regular trash.
Regarding envelopes with plastic windows, I live in Minnesota and we've been able to recycle these with paper for years. I'd say to check with your recycling provider before assuming you can't recycle these.
No, you should be able to recycle paper twice (unless the recycled paper has had some time of plastic coated onto in, which is rare). They may be confused with the old printer rule: once a page has gone through a laser printer, you shouldn't send it through again. Then again, I'm not sure if that's quite accurate either.
The business I work at claims it doesn't recycle its paper because its already recycled and you can't recycle it again. Is this true?
Can paper that has been colored on with crayon, marker, or paint (washable) be recycled? What about receipts?
I found this quite informative. I just sent off an email to a company I use frequently that uses wax or plastic coated cardboard. The recycle facility here in Portland does not want this as it clogs up their machines. I was appalled to find this out because I have put these in the recycle bin for YEARS. sigh.


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Dustin Brown is quite adept at hammering the opposition's captain
Dustin Brown's making a name for himself this postseason, and in a variety of ways.
One is by scoring -- Brown leads the Kings with nine points in eight games.
Another is by killing penalties -- Brown leads all postseason skaters with four shorthanded points.
But perhaps the most noticeable thing is how, as Kings captain, Brown seemingly turns into a heat-seeking missile upon seeing someone else wear the "C".
In Los Angeles' opening-round defeat of Vancouver, No. 23 shook up the Canucks by hammering their captain, Henrik Sedin:
The Vancouver Province's Ben Kuzma described the collision as such:
It was a hit that could have registered on the Richter Scale because it was looking like the biggest impact the Los Angeles Kings would make Sunday.
When Dustin Brown rocked Henrik Sedin with a heavy forearm check to the shoulder in the second period, a blow that also caught his chin, it sent the Vancouver Canucks captain crushing to the ice and striking his head. He struggled to regain his footing and had to be helped to the bench before briefly leaving Game 3 of the Western Conference quarterfinal.
It left an impression and an ensuing scrap between Anze Kopitar and Alex Burrows was about as heated as it got because there was simply too much at stake.
Now, fast forward to Thursday's Game 3 win over St. Louis, when Brown sent St. Louis captain David Backes up and over the boards and into the Blues bench:
From Jill Painter of the LA Daily News:
Nothing summed up the Kings' swagger more than the hit captain Dustin Brown put on St. Louis winger David Backes that sent him into his own bench in the second period.
Backes is supposed to be the Blues' big, physical, imposing threat. He's supposed to embody the aggressive nature of the Blues. The Kings were supposed to give him that always-know-where-he's-at-on-the-ice attention.
Brown made a clean hit on Backes, but it was more than just a hit. This was a message. The Kings aren't just winning. They're pummeling the Blues, and the visitors have shockingly given up.
(Yeah, we know Backes is a center, not a winger.)
In an earlier episode of PHT Extra, I noted the Kings were an awful lot like the 2004 Calgary Flames -- with Brown filling the Jarome Iginla role.
Think about it:
-- Both are captains
-- Both play the robust, power-forward game
-- Iginla was 26 when he led the Flames to the Cup finals
-- Brown is 27
-- Iginla had eight points in his first eight playoff games that year
-- Brown has nine in eight
-- Iginla led the playoffs with two shorthanded goals
-- Brown is tied for the playoff lead with two shorthanded goals
Throw in the Jonathan Quick-as-Miikka Kiprusoff angle and yeah, it's a pretty compelling comparison.


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What fun plans are on your Summer Bucket List? Whether you are visiting grandma this summer, going to VBS, our theme parks, or even taking a mission trip in another country, Ellis and I would love to go with you! Click here to print and cut out your very own Flat Ellis and Tyler.
Include Flat Ellis and Tyler in the pictures you take on your adventures this summer! Have mom or dad upload your pictures below and we will add them to our Adventures Scrapbook on our Z88.3 Mornings Facebook page!
Thanks for taking us with you. We can't wait to see where you will take us this summer!
<3 Tyler
Z88.3 Mornings with Ellis and Tyler
Oops! We could not locate your form.


text: ...and some chick you'd use-to-hit. (Side thought: Hannah should've vied for a role in the Expendables so her, Stallone, Micki Rourke, Dolph Lungren, and Kenny Rogers could've told their stories about what it's like to have your face melt--the price of vanity.) http://www.usatoday.com/story/enter...rested-in-texas-oil-pipeline-protest/1615203/ If they can take her land, they can take your land.


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After years of promises, Audi is finally ready to roll out plug-in hybrid versions of its core models globally.
They will feature the automaker's next-generation plug-in hybrid powertrain, and the first of them was confirmed on Tuesday as the Q5 55 TFSI e. Others will include A6-, and A7- and A8-based models.
Audi A8, A7, A6 and Q5 plug-in hybrids
The Q5 55 TFSI e's lengthy name represents the new format Audi is using for its plug-in hybrids, as the previous e-tron badge is now exclusively reserved for battery-electric models, like the e-tron and upcoming e-tron Sportback.
Its powertrain meanwhile consists of a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 working in conjunction with an electric motor integrated with a 7-speed automatic. The system develops a peak output of 367 horsepower, all of which is channeled to the four wheels via a standard all-wheel-drive system. For efficiency, drive is normally sent to the front wheels only but can be split with the rear wheels when extra traction is required.
2020 Audi Q5 55 TFSI e
Audi quotes 0-62 mph acceleration of 5.3 seconds and a top speed of 148 mph for the Q5 55 TFSI e.
A 14.1-kilowatt-hour battery is able to hold enough charge for an electric range approaching 25 miles. With only the electric motor working, output is limited to 140 horsepower and the top speed to 84 mph, however.
2020 Audi Q5 55 TFSI e
As is the case with most plug-in hybrids, Audi's system lets the driver choose from multiple powertrain modes. In addition to the pure EV mode, the driver is able to maintain a certain battery charge for later use via a Battery Hold mode. The standard mode is Hybrid, where both power sources are used. This mode also has the ability to work with the navigation system to reduce fuel consumption, typically by switching to electric driving in urban areas and stop-and-go traffic.
The Q5 55 TFSI e will start deliveries in Europe this fall. Availability in the United States, together with the all-important EPA fuel economy numbers, will be announced at a later date.


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Hospital Flower Delivery
Grower Direct - Thunder BayYou can send flowers from . Grower Direct - Thunder Bay . to any hospital or care facility listed below. Please refer to this list for the names, addresses and phone numbers.
Hospital Flower Delivery
Hospital Flower Delivery
|Thunder Bay, ON
|Balmoral Detoxification Ctr
Po Box 3251 Stn P
Thunder Bay, ON. P7B 5G7
|(807) 623-6515
|Central Park Lodge
315 Syndicate Ave S
Thunder Bay, ON. P7E 1E2
|(807) 623-6919
|Diabetes Health Thunder Bay
285a Memorial Ave
Thunder Bay, ON. P7B 6H4
|(807) 344-3422
|Hogarth-westmount Hospital
300 Lillie St N
Thunder Bay, ON. P7C 4Y7
|(807) 625-1110
|Pinewood Court Dist Home
445 James St S
Thunder Bay, ON. P7E 2V6
|(807) 577-1127
|St Joseph's Care Group
Po Box 3251 Stn P
Thunder Bay, ON. P7B 5G7
|(807) 343-2431
|Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
980 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, ON. P7B 6V4
|(807) 684-6000
|Versa-care Ctr
135 Vickers St S
Thunder Bay, ON. P7E 1J2
|(807) 623-9511
*** Please note that lilies and other highly fragrant flowers are not allowed to be sent to hospitals, so some substitutions may be required. Also, some floors/rooms at the hopsital do not allow flowers or gift baskets. If possible please check with the hospital before placing an order. ***


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PRP is an amazing treatment to help treat hair loss, and skin problems by using factors that promote cell growth.
The Medical Spa at PRO Medical is now introducing PRF, the advanced version of PRP.
What is PRP?
PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) is a component of your own blood. It contains special "factors," or proteins, that promote healing, cell growth, and even help your blood to clot. When PRP is isolated from blood, its amazing healing properties can be directed to areas of the face, hair, and more.
What is the difference between PRP and PRF?
Simply put, PRF is the more advanced version of PRP. By containing the additional fibrin matrix component, it allows for a longer timed release over a few days. PRP, when done, is released over a few hours. PRF leads to less downtime and improved results.
What is it used for?
PRP and PRF have been used for years in a variety of medical settings. At PRO Medical Spa, this safe and effective treatment is used to boost collagen, improve skin texture, and stimulate growth factors. It's recommend with treatments in conjunction with Microneedling, alongside facial fillers and Botox, and even as a hair restoration treatment for thinning hair.
– PRP and Microneedling
Patients have experienced great results when we combine PRF with Microneedling for acne scarring, enlarged pores, fine lines, and aging skin. Patients also love to use PRF after resurfacing treatments, such as HALO, for maximized results and to promote quicker healing.
– PRP with Botox and Fillers
Used in conjunction with these treatments, PRF can help further rejuvenate the face by stimulating collagen production to refresh and renew the skin. Learn more about Botox and filler treatments here.
– Hair Restoration with PRP
Hair regrowth and thickening from PRP treatments have been shown effective for a variety of ages and hair types.
What can I expect?
The after-care and experience will vary from procedure to procedure. However, one of the many benefits of PRF and PRP treatments that patients report is the minimal downtime and discomfort.
As with all cosmetic treatments, a complimentary consultation at the Medical Spa is a fantastic way to see if you are a candidate for PRF.
By: Tina Biggs, RN, Cosmetic Injector at Medical Spa at PRO Medical
Prior to joining PRO Medical, Tina worked as a nurse in pre-op, circulating, and post-op care for a variety of specialties such as cardiac CCU, orthopedic/spine surgery, hand surgery, and plastic surgery. Tina has a background injecting for well-known cosmetic surgeons on the Eastside and was trained by some of the best in the industry from New York to Scottsdale to Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. She is also passionate about vitamin IV therapy and injections and loves sharing her knowledge on this amazing treatment modality.


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Israel will make a serious effort to bring about a new diplomatic initiative via dialogue with the Palestinians, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said in a closed-door meeting of the Kadima faction on Wednesday at the Knesset.
Olmert warned that since the end of the war in Lebanon, many diplomatic initiatives have been raised, in a reference to Arab League and Palestinian Authority plans that call for Israel to return to pre-1967 borders.
Kadima officials said Olmert sounded like his predecessor Ariel Sharon, who said he initiated his Gaza Strip disengagement plan due to pressure from the Geneva Initiative and other independent diplomatic maneuvers.
"After the war, many ideas and proposals have been raised on the diplomatic process," Olmert said. "The Palestinian problem remains on the agenda, and we must develop processes and create options so the initiative will remain in our hands. In this period, we need to see how to achieve and maintain the momentum necessary for dialogue that will strengthen the atmosphere of international cooperation against terror."
In a speech to Kadima activists at the party's inaugural council meeting at Kadima's Petah Tikva headquarters on Wednesday night, Olmert hinted that a new diplomatic effort was in the works.
"People want someone who is ready for serious steps that can bring the horizon of negotiations and create hope to reach some kind of diplomatic agreement," Olmert said. "We will search for any path that can bring us to dialogue and hope. We want to find a path that can lead the way to serious talks that can take us many steps forward."
A Likud spokesman said in response that Olmert was ready to sacrifice Israel's strategic interests to survive politically. He said the fact that he was ready to take such steps at a time when the PA is controlled by Hamas, proved that Olmert's continued rule was dangerous for Israel.
The prime minister referred to Likud chairman Binyamin Netanyahu when he told the Kadima council that Israel needed a "sane and responsible voice" and not "people who threaten our enemies irresponsibly."
The prime minister's rivals in Kadima were prevented from speaking at the event. Former MK Uriel Reichman, who quit the Knesset to protest Olmert not appointing him education minister, said he had wanted to speak about the need for a state commission of inquiry into the war but he was not permitted.
Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz told reporters that he favored such a commission not because of his rivalry with Olmert but "to restore the public's confidence in the government."
Interim Justice Minister Meir Sheetrit was granted the microphone briefly to complain that his recommendations for Kadima's internal court were not accepted.
The council approved extending the party's membership drive by six months. Olmert strategist Eyal Arad vowed that the prime minister would register thousands of supporters ahead of a potential leadership race in Kadima.
In his speech, Olmert referred to Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik as the acting president due to Wednesday's Knesset House Committee decision.
"Even in this, Kadima has made history," Olmert said. "For the first time in 60 years of Israeli history, a woman is president of Israel for a period of time and she is a representative of Kadima."


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Office of Sponsored Programs
Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG)
- NSF announced a number of enhancements for proposals submitted in Research.gov, Fastlane and Grants.gov.
NSF has published a revised version of the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide (NSF 21-084) to align with the changes to the PAPPG (NSF 22-1) referenced below. The Guide will be effective for applications submitted (via Grants.gov) or due, on or after October 4, 2021.
Please note that a revised version of the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 22-1) has been issued. The new PAPPG will be effective for proposals submitted or due on or after October 4, 2021. Significant changes include:
- A new section covering requests for reasonable and accessibility accommodations regarding the proposal process or requests for accessibility accommodations to access NSF's electronic systems, websites and other digital content;
- A table entitled, NSF Pre-award and Post-award Disclosures Relating to the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support. This table identifies where pre- and post-award current and pending support disclosure information must be provided. Proposers and awardees may begin using this table immediately;
- Increasing the page limit for the biographical sketch from two to three pages;
- Updates to the current and pending support section of NSF proposals to require that information on objectives and overlap with other projects is provided to help NSF and reviewers assess overlap/duplication;
- Adding planning proposals and Career-Life Balance supplemental funding requests as new proposal types;
- Updates to travel proposals will require that AORs certify that prior to the proposer's participation in the meeting for which NSF travel support is being requested, the proposer will assure that the meeting organizer has a written policy or code-of-conduct addressing harassment.
You are encouraged to review the by-chapter summary of changes provided in the Introduction section of the PAPPG.
NSF plans to conduct a webinar covering these changes. Visit the NSF policy outreach website to sign up for notifications about this and other outreach events.
If you have any questions regarding these changes, please contact the DIAS/Policy Office at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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https://www.nspt4kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Blog-Handwriting-FeaturedImage.png 186 183 Kimberly Reid https://nspt4kids.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/nspt_2-color-logo_noclaims.png Kimberly Reid2017-07-12 10:26:482020-03-09 15:21:304 Fun Ways to Practice Handwriting
4 Fun Ways to Practice Handwriting
As we all know, practicing handwriting is not a kid's top pick for a summer activity. Luckily, there are ways to make handwriting fun!
Try some of these ideas and see if you can't trick your kid into becoming a handwriting master:
Use Different Mediums
- Try practicing writing numbers and letters in shaving cream on a tabletop or tray. Kids love the feel and it adds a whole other element to learning the formation!
- Other ideas include drawing in sand or dry rice in a cookie tray.
- You can also make a mess-free activity with colored gel in a plastic zipped bag; you can use your finger to write and draw on the outside of the bag!
Play a Game
- There are plenty of games out there that you can use to practice handwriting. Try playing Boggle and have your child find a word and then write a sentence with that word in it.
- Playing Guess Who can become a sneaky secret game, where questions can only be written and transferred across the table to the other player who then writes the answer (Yes/No) and returns it.
- Hangman is a classic game that already incorporates writing! That is a fun one that can also be played in shaving cream. Other games you can incorporate writing into include Scrabble and HeadBandz.
Try Different Writing Utensils
- Sometimes kids are just sick of using paper and pencil all day. Adding in the novelty of using a dry erase marker or chalk on a small board can totally change their attitude!
- Practicing writing on an iPad can also be fun, ideally using a stylus.
Be Creative
- Try writing a creative story together; take turns writing sentences, trying to create a story. It will likely turn out to be silly! They can even illustrate a picture to go with it.
- Another idea is to write a letter to their favorite author/singer/actor. There are also lots of websites with creative writing topics that might motivate your child to write.
NSPT offers services in Bucktown, Evanston, Deerfield, Lincolnwood, Glenview, Lake Bluff, Des Plaines, Hinsdale and Mequon! If you have any questions or concerns about your child, we would love to help! Give us a call at (877) 486-4140!