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Russia's giant air force has not done it much good in Ukraine.
Its failure runs parallel to the frustration of Russian forces on the ground. Russia does not control the skies, which is one reason it's still possible for Ukrainian forces to keep fighting and for the U.S. to keep shipping them supplies. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi led the House last night in voting for a $40 billion aid package, even more money for supplies than President Biden requested.
NANCY PELOSI: We think the size of the package is significant because it will enable the Ukrainians to more efficiently and quickly - to deal with the challenge that they face.
INSKEEP: So how has Ukraine kept fighting in the air? NPR's Brian Mann has been hearing from some of the people who are doing it. Hey there, Brian. Who'd you talk with?
BRIAN MANN, BYLINE: I've been talking to Ukrainian fighter pilots, including a guy who goes by the call sign Juice. For security reasons, we can't use his real name. And he told me they expected Russia's bombers and jets to hit really hard and fast.
JUICE: We were waiting for a much more effective threat from the Russian air force side.
MANN: And it's easy to see why. An industry trade journal called FlightGlobal estimates the Russian air force has roughly 1,500 military aircraft. The Ukrainians, by contrast, have around 100. Russian planes are also far more modern and lethal than the antique MiG-29 jets that Juice flies.
JUICE: It's great problem to fight with their fighters for us, because they have an advantage in this technology. Unfortunately, our jets are not capable to be effective against them.
MANN: I also spoke with Mark Cancian with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and he says most military experts expected the start of this war to look something like the opening of the U.S. war in Iraq in 2003.
MARK CANCIAN: Hammer them for 48 hours until their air defenses and their air forces were defeated and then get air superiority, if not actually air monopoly.
MANN: But, Steve, Russia didn't do that. Its air campaign has essentially been a bust.
INSKEEP: Well, you've just listed the reasons they should have done that, or so it seemed. Why did it go wrong for Russia?
MANN: Some experts think Russia's big fleet of aircraft just hasn't been well maintained. And they also don't appear to have the logistical support, the fuel and the spare parts, to keep their jets flying. But another factor is the Ukrainians. In the years after Russia first annexed Crimea and invaded Donbas in 2014, Ukraine developed a pretty sophisticated air defense system, using that fleet of fighter planes working in tandem with surface-to-air missile systems. The Ukrainians I spoke to believe Russian pilots just don't have the training and experience to deal with that kind of threat. Here's a Ukrainian MiG pilot who goes by the call sign Moonfish.
MOONFISH: Sometimes we are able to hear their communications. When you hear those, they are actually really scared. And if anything goes wrong, they just turn away.
MANN: A senior U.S. defense official also told NPR the Ukrainian air force is being helped by real-time intelligence from the U.S. And experts think the Ukrainians are going to get better and better at defending their airspace, in part because of better weapons that are coming in from the U.S. and Germany.
INSKEEP: Nevertheless, Russia has that sheer weight of numbers. Have they succeeded in some ways?
MANN: Russian long-range bombers are launching cruise missiles, hitting civilian and military targets. It's not a game changer, experts say, but that is a factor. Ukrainian officials also acknowledged the Russians have established air dominance over parts of the Donbas region in the east, where some of the heaviest fighting is underway. But again, Steve, that's a tiny fraction of the country. Much of Ukraine remains effectively a no-fly zone for Russian planes and pilots.
INSKEEP: Can you just describe why that matters so much to the war on the ground?
MANN: Yeah, everyone I talked to says this is huge. You know, Ukraine is a vast country, and because the danger of Russian air attack is so limited, Ukrainians can operate their trains. Their roads are busy with supply trucks. That means the military can bring supplies, ammunition and weapons all the way to the front lines. Supplies are also flowing to critical cities like Kyiv and Odesa. Experts say if Russian aircraft were patrolling overhead, able to drop bombs at will the way they were able to do over Syria, this war would look entirely different.
INSKEEP: NPR's Brian Mann is just out of Ukraine. He's today in Zurich, Switzerland. Brian, safe travels.
MANN: Thank you, Steve.
INSKEEP: Here in the U.S., the Senate votes today on a bill to write abortion rights into federal law.
MARTÍNEZ: Democrats scheduled this in advance of a Supreme Court ruling on abortion. An early draft of a decision suggests its justices might be on their way to overturning Roe v. Wade, which established a constitutional right to abortion. Senator Patty Murray says that's why they're voting now.
PATTY MURRAY: When we vote on this bill, every single senator is going to have to go on the record as to whether they want to take their constituents' rights away.
INSKEEP: NPR Congressional correspondent Kelsey Snell is on the line. Good morning.
KELSEY SNELL, BYLINE: Good morning.
INSKEEP: I guess we should state the obvious. This isn't going to pass.
SNELL: Right.
INSKEEP: Democrats need 60 votes. They ain't got them. But will Democrats themselves be united?
SNELL: You know, that is, at this moment, still unclear. And as is often the case, we are watching Joe Manchin of West Virginia. Now, he has voted against abortion protections in the past, but he has avoided giving reporters any answer on this specific bill. Now, the legislation they're voting on would guarantee the right of women to obtain abortions and for providers to provide them without, as the bill calls them, "medically unnecessary restrictions." A version of this bill did fail in February. And, you know, Democrats say they're trying again because they say this is different now. It is a live issue. This is not a theoretical question as a result of that draft opinion. Now, Manchin voted against the version of the bill that was on the floor in February. And there had been some hope among Democrats that they could pressure two Republicans, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, to vote for this bill because Collins and Murkowski have supported abortion rights in the past, but that seems kind of unlikely at this point. You know, Collins and Murkowski have their own bill, and that does include some restrictions that Democrats reject.
INSKEEP: On the other side, would Republicans really pursue an abortion ban if they regain control of Congress?
SNELL: Well, you know, it kind of depends on who you ask. If you ask Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, he says that Republicans do not support getting rid of a filibuster and no issue is exempt from that, though, you know, he never explicitly said that they would never get rid of the filibuster to pass an abortion ban.
MITCH MCCONNELL: I think the sentiment in my conference is for this issue to be dealt with at the state level, if we are, in fact, confronted with a final Supreme Court decision that throws this issue back into democratic processes.
SNELL: That's a long way of saying he wants to let the states decide. You know, he also said that both parties have held abortion votes in the past, and both parties have failed to get 60 votes when they've tried. But this is right now. Even if Republicans win control in November, President Biden would still be president, and there's virtually no chance that they'd have enough votes to overcome a veto. So this is a question for some time to come.
INSKEEP: OK, Congressional stalemate, as on many, many issues, as a matter of fact. So what do Democrats, the people in control for the moment, plan to do next?
SNELL: There really isn't much that they can do. You know, some are promising a vote, and they want to keep voting and voting and voting to keep up the pressure. But, you know, that's not really a tactic meant to change the votes inside of Congress. It's more of a defensive strategy and an attempt to show voters that Democrats are trying on an issue that's very important to voters. And it's not clear that voters actually think that's useful. Virtually every Senate Democrat I've spoken to - and that's dozens in the past week - says that they just need more Democrats in the Senate, so they plan on campaigning on it. But like you said, this is a tale Democrats are all too used to right now. Police reform, voting rights, climate change - you know, all of these things are things that voters want and Democrats can't pass.
INSKEEP: NPR's Kelsey Snell, thanks, as always.
SNELL: Thanks.
INSKEEP: Record dry conditions have made it hard for firefighters to contain a wildfire in New Mexico.
MARTÍNEZ: Todd Abel is a federal operations chief for Southwestern fires.
TODD ABEL: That fire had a lot of energy. And what I mean by that - it throws spots out in front of it. It moves extremely fast. There's no way to get people in front of it to do anything with it. We couldn't even get aircraft to drop retardant in front of it.
MARTÍNEZ: This fire started as two smaller fires. It's now reaching as many as 30 square miles per day. East of Santa Fe, it's destroyed hundreds of homes as thousands evacuate.
INSKEEP: NPR's Eric Westervelt is in Las Vegas, N.M., meaning it's very early where you are. Eric, good morning.
ERIC WESTERVELT, BYLINE: Morning, Steve.
INSKEEP: What are conditions like there?
WESTERVELT: Well, they've got these unusually high winds, and many meteorologists and firefighters on the line are calling these winds, you know, unprecedented. They just haven't seen them before. I mean, it's called the Calf Canyon-Hermits Peak Fire, and the wind just doesn't seem to let up, Steve. I mean, it's yet another example of sort of extreme weather we keep seeing in this era of climate change. I mean, they've had more than 20 days of these red flag warning. That's extreme wind, 40 to 70 miles per hour, during this fire, just over a month old. That includes six straight days of red flag warnings, Steve. And today and tomorrow are again red flag days. And everyone you talk to says, look, we just haven't seen this many dangerously high wind days in a row. Dave Bales is the fire incident commander here.
DAVE BALES: Man, I tell you, it's - that's been a huge challenge for us. And I've been doing this for just about 3 1/2 decades, and I have not seen that many red flag events in a row. Specifically, this last event we just went through was up to five days straight of a red flag, you know, day and night.
WESTERVELT: And Steve, that last point is key, day and night. They're lasting longer. Usually red flag days, you know, the wind sort of dies down at night. That's the pattern, but not on this fire. On several days, these howling winds have lasted throughout the night, and that's created really dangerous conditions, as we heard from Todd Abel at the top there - you know, tossing embers 1, even 2 miles from the main fire, where crews have built containment lines.
INSKEEP: How are the evacuations going?
WESTERVELT: The people in the path, for the most part, have evacuated if they're in the direct path of the fire. Some 300 structures, including dozens of homes, have been destroyed. And as, you know, the intense winds continue and the fire spreads, the shelters are filling up. But not everyone in the fire's path has left their homes. So police continue to, you know, encourage locals to heed the evacuation orders in their area when they're given.
INSKEEP: OK, you got to tell us about how this fire started. I gather that one portion of it, one of the two fires that combined into one, started intentionally. What happened?
WESTERVELT: Yeah. This was an intentional or prescribed burn set by the U.S. Forest Service and the Santa Fe National Forest. The wind picked up, and the blaze just took off. The fire then merged with a separate, smaller wildfire a few weeks later, and it's become this big blaze known as Calf's Canyon. And people are frustrated and angry that, you know, this big disruption was caused in part, it looks like, by, you know, an intentional blaze that got out of control. Members of New Mexico's congressional delegation and others have called for a full investigation. The Forest Service says it's doing its own internal investigation. And New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham yesterday said the federal government should accept significant liability and pay for much of the wildfire recovery.
MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM: For me, it's negligent to consider a prescribed burn in a windy season in a state that's under an extreme drought warning statewide. So I think that it is likely, likely, that Congress and most of our federal partners accept that there is significant federal liability.
WESTERVELT: Steve, I would add, I spoke with an official at the Santa Fe National Forest, which did this burn. She told me they've been doing prescribed burning in that part of the forest for over 10 years with many successful burns, and they had a strict burn plan for this one as well. They looked at weather, wind and moisture as they do in all of these prescribed burns. And the official said, look, the weather forecasted, you know, was - conditions were within the parameters for a safe burn. But again, this has been an unprecedented wind event, and that controlled burn quickly got out of control.
INSKEEP: NPR's Eric Westervelt in Las Vegas, N.M. Eric, thanks.
WESTERVELT: You're welcome. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


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9 Expert Tips to Help You Buy a Luxury Home
If you are looking to purchase a luxury home, you can choose from a lot of options. In this article, we are going to share with you a few tips from experts that will help you go for the best luxury home. Read on to find out more.
1. Find out about the Search Process
A lot of luxury homes are not listed in order to protect the privacy of the seller. Often, these properties can be found by talking to the personal connections of the realtor. So, what you need to do is check out several online sources as searching on big search engines is not enough.
2. Don't make your Decision based on Photos only
If you make your buying decision based on the photos of the front of a property, you are making a mistake. It is important to note is that some homes are not photogenic and should be seen in person for a better idea of their suitability.
If you are going to buy one, you may want to find out about the vicinity of the property on Google Earth.
3. Hire a Local Expert
It is better that you work with the local real estate agent as they have a lot of information about luxury homes in your area. They can help you get an appointment to see the property of your choice.
4. Contact your Bank
Experts suggest that you contact your bank as well as they have your portfolio. Apart from this, you may want to understand the difference between the pre-qualification letter and the pre-approval letter.
5. Document Everything
These days, the high-end real estate market is going through a lot of scrutinies. Therefore, it is a must to have financial documents. So, you may not want to shelter your money as it can create difficulties for you later on.
6. Hire Reliable Advisers
Your real estate agent should not be your decision-maker. Their job is to give you useful suggestions to help you make a better decision. Therefore, you may want to make your decision and hire only a reliable advisor.
7. Consider the Title Insurance
You may want to go for title insurance as this can help you be on the safe side. Apart from this, you may want to check out the exception page of your title insurance prior to closing time.
8. Look into the Future
You may want to find out more about the properties being planned around your property. If your neighbor builds a building taller than yours, it may have an impact on your property as well. Besides, you may want to consider the timeline as well. This is important if you want to avoid construction delays.
9. Cooperatives and Condominiums
In case you are going to buy condominiums or cooperatives, make sure that you hire the services of an attorney that can help you know the financial viability of the building.
Long story short, if you are going to invest in a luxury home, we suggest that you consider the 9 tips explained in this article. This will help you make an informed decision and by the house of your dream.

subset: commoncrawl


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The finalists in this years eWEEK Excellence Awards program show that innovation is alive and very well.
We started accepting entries for our sixth annual program in November, and we were impressed not only by the sheer number of products nominated but also by the products diversity—based on open-source and proprietary code, from vendors big and small, and targeted at organizations of all sizes and stripes. The program was open to any enterprise product or service that had been announced in 2005 and would be available before March 31, 2006.
We noted that its getting more challenging to categorize products because so many products do so many things. The finalists reflect the need for technology to drive business processes and organizational growth, while keeping those organizations—and their customers—safe from internal and external threats, as well as compliant with a host of regulatory mandates.
"This years finalists remind us that innovation comes in many forms," said eWEEK Technology Editor Peter Coffee. "Some of these are new products from new companies, some are reinventions of mature products that result from fresh thinking after a vendor acquisition. As a group, they demonstrate that every tier of the IT stack is subject to continued improvement."
The initial categorization of entries was performed by eWEEK Labs analysts, who worked with members of the eWEEK Corporate Partner Advisory Board to winnow down the entrants to three finalists in each category.
The Corporate Partners are senior IT professionals who represent eWEEK readers, and their input was invaluable in determining which products would provide the most value in real-world enterprise environments. The winners will be announced in May, and an Excellence Awards special report will appear in June.
Click here for more information on the Excellence Awards program.
E-mail Executive Editor Debra Donston at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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VIDEO: Dwayne Johnson Watches His First WWE Match
Dwayne Johnson celebrates his birthday on May 2, and regardless of the millions…and millions that he earns from his absurdly successful acting career, he will always be The Rock.
Of course, he didn't start off as "The Rock."
In the video below, Johnson looks back on his WWE debut that took place at Madison Square Garden on the Survivor Series pay-per-view event on November 17, 1996. Then billed as Rocky Maivia, he was a long way from becoming "The Most Electrifying Man In Sports Entertainment," but even The Rock had to start somewhere.
Seriously, that hair alone was ridiculous (which he acknowledges), never mind his gear.
Eventually, crowds everywhere would soon sour on the squeaky clean Maivia. As if almost by fate, a knee injury put Johnson on the shelf for four months, and when he returned in August 1997, The Rock was born.
The rest is history.


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How far would you go for love? In Sara Farizan's debut novel, a studious 17-year-old girl named Sahar finds herself deeply, head-over-heels in love with her childhood best friend and neighbor — another teenage girl named Nasrin.
Their story takes place in Iran, where homosexuality is illegal, making their love that much more forbidden. When Nasrin is engaged to be married to a man, Sahar is crushed. In order to openly be with Nasrin, Sahar considers gender-reassignment surgery, which is more accepted in Iran than homosexuality.
Iranian-American author Farizan, herself a lesbian, raises complicated questions about identity and acceptance in If You Could Be Mine. She speaks with NPR's Jacki Lyden about why she decided to write this story as a novel for young adults.
Interview Highlights
On cultural pride and being gay
"I was taught by my parents to be very proud of my heritage and my cultural background, and so I was always very vocal and outspoken about who I was culturally. I was proud to be Iranian, I was proud to be American. And so that was never a problem."
"The problem for me was that I realized from a very young age that I was gay, or at least had same-sex attractions that weren't going away. And I really struggled with that, and I was very closeted for about six or seven years, where I was just outside very bubbly and happy, and inside was very angry and sad and didn't feel like I could talk to anyone, based on where my parents were from. ... It's a very taboo subject in the Persian community, at least in the West, anyway."
On Sahar's consideration of gender reassignment
"I think the longer people read it, they'll see that there's a great distinction between gender identity and sexual orientation. I think Sahar realizes that, too ... through meeting other transsexual characters — some who are very confident and very happy and are actually trans, and then some who have kind of undergone the gender reassignment because they feel like it's their only option. So it brings up a lot of questions, the book, but I don't think it gives a lot of definite answers. But she really just sees it as a way to stop her girlfriend from leaving."
On deciding against using a pen name
"I think we decided that visibility's so important. ... Really the whole point of my writing was — it was helpful for me in a way. ... But also if it could help, you know, like one family or one parent or one kid who's perhaps going through a similar thing. And not necessarily in Iran, but you are in a family where you're of a different cultural background, and it's a taboo subject, and maybe it opens up people's hearts and minds a little bit to people who are not like them."
On writing for young adults
"I think it's a really strange, bizarre age that almost everyone really vividly remembers in a lot of ways — the good and the bad. And it is an issue that is happening to a lot of teenagers now. And I understand if parents don't want to get the book, and they're like, 'I don't know how I feel about that,' and I totally get that. But I don't ever want to condescend to a teenage audience. ... "
"I'm just very fascinated with teenage voices and the kind of wonder and fear and all the different, conflicting feelings that go along with that age."
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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text: Professor Messer's CompTIA A+ Study Group – May 2018Professor Messer's A+ Core 1 Course Notes: Click here to learn about my Core 1 and Core 2 A+ downloadable PDF Course Notes. Professor Messer's 220-1001 Core 1 A+ Practice Exams: Are you ready for your 220-1001 exam? Click here to learn about my 220-1001 Core 1 A+ Practice Exams. CompTIA Exam Objectives – http://www.professormesser.com/objectives/Audio Replay


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A new report, however, reveals that the pine marten is starting to regain a foothold in parts of England and Wales.Conservation groups have reported sightings in 25 "hot spots" around the Lake District, Yorkshire, Snowdonia and even as far south as Staffordshire.Experts using DNA testing have also found evidence of pine martens in the Cwm Rheidol valley, near Aberystwyth, Wales, for the first time in 50 years.
"It now looks like there is evidence of pine martens in England and Wales for the first time since they are thought to have died out (in 1994)," said zoologist Professor David MacDonald, "There are still question marks over how viable those populations are, but it is a positive result in those areas that contrasts quite starkly with how pine martens are seen in the north of Scotland.They are relatively widespread there, but are not universally welcomed as the game keeping fraternity regard them as pests that prey upon pheasants and capercaillie."
Pine martens were once common across much of the UK, living in predominantly wooded areas and sections of moorland where they preyed upon small rodents, birds, insects and eggs. They were heavily hunted and poisoned by landowners who feared they were damaging game bird populations.In 1988 they were given full protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act but continued to decline and by 1994 had disappeared from England and Wales.They are now thought to be the UK's second rarest carnivore after the Scottish wildcat.
Recent research has also revealed that the creatures are widespread across much of Northern Ireland. The UK as a whole is thought to be home to more than 3,600 pine martens.It is not known whether the pine martens in England and Wales came across the border from Scotland, or were isolated populations which have managed to survive unnoticed until now.
The Forestry Commission is also attempting to capture pictures of the shy mammals on film by baiting camera traps with jam and peanut butter, a favourite treat for pine martens, which have a sweet tooth particularly over the winter months when they normally eat berries.Brian Walker, wildlife officer at the Forestry Commission, added: "We have had some very reliable sightings by national park rangers. There is a lot to suggest they are living on the Yorkshire Moors now. Of course, the real clincher will be to get some DNA or a good photograph as we can't ask for money to conserve a species until we can prove it is really living here."
Northumberland Wildlife Trust will next year also begin a new pine marten monitoring scheme to provide estimates of the pine marten populations living in the area.Steve Lowe, conservation manager at Northumberland Wildlife Trust, said: "Northumberland Wildlife Trust receives regular reports of pine marten sightings across the county. Located just south of the pine marten's traditional stronghold in Scotland, Northumberland is of particular interest to researchers."
There are relatively few good news stories to go round but it's glad to end the year on one.


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I & II Samuel: An Expositional Commentary
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"And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle [is] the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands." And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine..." -1 Samuel 17:47-48
The two books of Samuel form a basic foundational study in the Old Testament. An understanding of this basic history is essential, not only to understanding the Old and New Testaments, but in gaining a valid perspective of eschatological issues as well.
This study contains 16 hours of verse by verse teachings.
Copyright © 04-01-2003
- I Samuel Chapters 1-3 - Hannah's vow: Hannah's prayer answered: The evil sons of Eli: God rebukes Eli: Samuel is called.
- I Samuel Chapters 4-6 - Philistines capture ark of God: Eli's two sons slain: Eli dies: God's glory departs from Israel: God provoked with Philistines because of the ark: Ark returned to Israel.
- I Samuel Chapters 7-9 - Summary of Samuel's ministry: Israel demands a king: Samuel warns about a king: God Chooses Saul as king.
- I Samuel Chapters 10-12 :- Saul privately anointed king: Saul publicly installed as king of Israel: Saul defeats the Ammonites: Samuel recounts the LORDS past deliverances of Israel.
- I Samuel Chapters 13-16 - Saul's self-seeking and cowardice: Saul intrudes into priest's office and is rejected by God: Israel is helpless before the Philistines: Jonathan's bold assault: Subsequent victory of Israel: Saul's rash order overridden: Saul's incomplete obedience:
- I Samuel Chapters 17-20 - David slays Goliath: David beloved by Jonathan: Jealous Saul attempts to slay David: David Marries Saul's Daughter: David is protected from Saul: Saul angry with Jonathan.
- I Samuel Chapters 21-26 - David seeks safety from Saul at Gath: Saul slays priests: David saves Keilah from the Philistines: Samuel dies and is mourned: Nabal's ingratitude, Abigail's wisdom.
- I Samuel Chapters 27-31 - David seeks shelter: Philistines plan attack: Saul consults witch of En-dor: David kept from fighting Israel: David rescues Ziklag captives: Israel defeated on Gilboa: Saul and Jonathan slain.
- II Samuel Chapters 1-4 - David hears of Saul's death: David received as king by Judah: Joab murders Abner: Ish-bosheth is murdered.
- II Samuel Chapters 5-7 - David becomes king over all Israel: Jerusalem becomes capital: David brings ark to Jerusalem: David's desire to build the LORD a house.
- II Samuel Chapters 8-10 - Extension of David's kingdom: David and Mephibosheth: The Ammonite-Syrian campaigns under Joab.
- II Samuel Chapters 11-12 - David's great sin: Nathan rebukes David: David repents of his sin with Bathsheba: Birth of Solomon.
- II Samuel Chapters 13-15 - Consequences of David's sin: Absalom avenges Tamar and flees to Geshur: David Forgives Absalom: Absalom's rebellion: David flees: Ark returned to Jerusalem.
- II Samuel Chapters 16-18 - Ziba, the false servant of Mephibosheth: Shimei curses David: Hushai's warning saves David: Joab slays Absalom.
- II Samuel Chapters 19-21 - Joab reproves David: David restored to his kingdom: Joab murders Amasa: Restitution to Gibeonites.
- II Samuel Chapters 22-24 - David's song of deliverance: David's last prophetic words: Three days' pestilence: Plague averted by David's offering.
Session 1 of 16 - I Samuel Chapters 1-3 - Hannah's vow: Hannah's prayer answered: The evil sons of Eli: God rebukes Eli: Samuel is called.
Available in the following formats:
Audiobook Download:- Digital Audio Files
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Chuck Missler was the Founder of Koinonia House and Koinonia Institute. It was Chuck's vision for this ministry that brings us together. His aim was to stimulate us to dig into the Bible ourselves because as we study there is a real opportunity for us to encounter the God of the Universe. Chuck passed away on May 1st, 2018.


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Spanish - Defender El AmorSpanish - Defender El AmorEl P. Ángel Espinosa de los Monteros Gómez Haro, es un sacerdote nacido en Puebla, México. El P. Ángel ha impartido más de 2000 conferencias sobre matrimonio, valores familiares y espiritualidad por todo el mundo. Sus charlas en internet tienen millones de visitas y se ha convertido en uno de los conferencistas católicos de habla hispana más popular. Con sentido del humor y aplicando su vasta experiencia, nos ilumina sobre las raíces de los problemas matrimoniales y ofrece soluciones prácticas. ¡El Padre Ángel sabe cautivar a la audiencia con sus ejemplos para hacernos contemplar y valorar nuestros matrimonios! ¡Una charla que toda pareja necesita escuchar! Fidel - Guerrero, MX |
Family & Parenting, Marriage, Spanish |
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Spanish - El Anillo Es Para SiempreSpanish - El Anillo Es Para SiempreView book sampleFor the first time ever, we are excited to offer a Spanish language book that is not a translation of a previously released English title. This book was written in Spanish by a native speaker specifically for the Spanish-speaking world. A wedding ring is something very special, and we normally wear it at all times because it signifies the most important things in our lives. It symbolizes our marriage relationship, our family, our children, our home, and the blessings of God, as well as many other things. Fr. Ángel asks: "How can such a small object— a ring—signify something so great: love and fidelity?" In these pages, he offers us the answer. With a simple approach to the marital commitment, and using the visible appearance of the wedding ring, Fr. Ángel teaches us about the profound plan that God has for marriage. In his unique style, he brings us from tears to laughter, oftentimes on the same page, to remind us that, like the ring, marriage is forever. *In order to qualify for FREE shipping, ensure you are logged in to Parish Access and choose UPS ground shipping at checkout. Free shipping only applies to these promotional products shipped within the Continental United States. If you would like to purchase any other products they must be ordered separately. About the AuthorFr. Ángel Espinosa de los Monteros Gómez Haro is a Catholic priest who was born in Puebla, México. He has a degree in the Classical Humanities from the Instituto de Estudios Humanísticos de Salamanca in Spain. He studied philosophy in the Pontifical Gregorian University and theology in the Ateneo Regina Apostolorum in Rome from which he received a degree in Moral Theology and another in Bioethics. Since he was ordained as a priest in November 1994, he has worked as a youth counselor and later as a family counselor in Mexico, Colombia, Italy, and France. Fr. Angel has given more than 2000 conferences around the world on the topics of the family, family values, and spirituality. His internet talks have received millions of visits, and he is one of the most popular Catholic speakers in the Spanish-speaking world. |
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Spanish - Un Dios A Mi MedidaSpanish - Un Dios A Mi Medida
¡Excelente!! Me fascinó la forma de enseñar del Padre Ángel. Con su espontaneidad de decir las cosas y explicarlas, hace que conocer el amor de Dios sea divertido. Gerardo - Guadalajara, Jal |
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Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Indian Cravings
I've been in the mood for Indian food, especially seekh kebab. My version may not be completely authentic, it's not even in the form of a kebab, but the flavors are true, and it sure hits the spot. I served it on a bed of Spiced Basmati Rice* and with a side of cauliflower with ginger, nigella, and chile.
Seekh Kebab-Style Lamb
Printable Recipe
1 pound ground lamb
1 large egg
1/3 cup grated onion
¼ cup minced cilantro
1 small jalapeno, seeded and minced
1 tablespoon coriander seeds, toasted and ground
2 teaspoons cumin seeds, toasted and ground
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Canola oil, for greasing the grill grate
Mix together the lamb, egg, onion, cilantro, jalapeno, coriander, and cumin. Season generously with salt and pepper. Divide into 12 equal portions and gently form each portion into a ball. Gently pat each ball into the shape of a small patty.
Heat the grill to high. Grease the grill grate with canola oil using a heat-proof brush. Add the patties and cook without disturbing for 7 to 8 minutes, or until they release from the grate and are crusty and brown. Using a spatula, turn the patties and continue to cook over high heat another 6 to 7 minutes, or until cooked through. Moisture will pool on the surface of the patties and they will be firm to the touch when they are done. Remove the patties to a plate, tent with foil to keep warm, and allow to rest 5 minutes before serving.
Serves 4. The uncooked lamb patties will be very moist and soft, so to prevent sticking, handle them with a light touch, be sure to preheat your grill thoroughly, and grease the grill grate well.
*For the Spiced Basmati Rice recipe and everything you ever wanted to know about searing, plus dozens of fabulous searing recipes, look for my book Seared to Perfection in stores in the fall of 2010.
1 comments:
- avaserfi said...
Just finished grilling these and they were great. Went wonderfully with the spicy Basmati rice I made.
- August 10, 2009 at 4:39 PM


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The National Structured Settlement Trade Association (NSSTA), in partnership with CLM Advisors, has recently completed a three-part structured settlement survey project of senior claims executives (Part 1), claims professionals (Part 2) and plaintiff attorneys (Part 3) the results of which provide NSSTA members with marketing tools for discussions with the audiences surveyed.
Complementing NSSTA's surveys, NSSTA member and structured settlement provider Prudential recently published the results of its own 2013 survey of 400 claimants who had entered into a settlement of a physical injury or workers' compensation claim of at least $100,000 from 2003 to 2013.
Considered together, these four surveys provide valuable insights into how key stakeholders currently view the structured settlement market. They also provide a point of reference for, and comparison with, other structured settlement market surveys several of which have been completed or updated since S2KM published this previous blog post in November 2008.
What follows are brief summaries of prior structured settlement surveys. In subsequent blog posts, S2KM will review and evaluate the most recent NSSTA and Prudential surveys.
- NSSTA 2006: Survey of Plaintiff Attorneys and Structured Settlement Recipients - This NSSTA-sponsored survey was titled: "A Study of the Structured Settlement Process Conducted on behalf of the National Structured Settlement Trade Association" and was directed by Robert E. Hoyt, the Dudley L. Moore, Jr. Chair of Insurance at the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia. It consisted of attorneys involved in structured settlements (43 telephone surveys) and structured settlement recipients (1275 telephone and Internet surveys). Among the reported results:
- Only 7% of personal injury settlements between $75,000 and $100,000 include structured settlements; and only 30% of personal injury settlements above $1 million included structured settlements.
- When asked: "Whom do you prefer to use for purposes of financial planning for your clients?" , surveyed attorneys responded: trust company/department - 30%; Financial planner - 28%; Structured settlement consultant - 23%; No response - 19%.
- American General 2007: Survey about Structured Settlement Public Awareness - Sponsored by AIG American General and conducted by Esearch.com, Inc. in September 2007, this survey included 1000 U.S. participants - 80% had no connection with any personal injury case; 20% had previously been involved directly or indirectly through a family member in a personal injury case. Respondents who had no connection to a personal injury case were asked to read two hypothetical scenarios and answer questions on how they would react.Those with a direct connection to a personal injury case were not only asked to read the hypothetical scenarios, but also to answer questions based upon their real life experience. AIG's conclusion: the structured settlement industry needs to better educate Americans about structured settlements.
- J.G. Wentworth 2008: Survey of Structured Settlement Recipients - The survey consisted of 115 structured settlement recipients who had previously sold payment rights to J.G. Wentworth. The survey questions addressed both primary and secondary market issues, focusing upon the reasons the respondents: 1) first agreed to a structured settlement; and 2) then subsequently sold (transferred) some or all of their structured settlement payment rights. S2KM's prior reporting about the survey's primary market questions, responses plus related S2KM comments appears here. S2KM's prior reporting about the survey's secondary market questions, responses plus related S2KM comments appears here.
- Jeremy Babener 2009: Dissipation Legal Research Paper - Titled "Justifying the Structured Settlement Tax Subsidy: The Use of Lump Sum Settlements," this paper examines and challenges the myth of the squandering injury victim. In it, Babener refutes the existence of any published study supporting the statistic that "90% of lump sum recipients dissipate their recoveries within five years" and identifies 12 existing dissipation studies relevant to structured settlements that reach a contradictory conclusion: injury victims have no greater propensity to dissipate money than non-injury victims.
- Towers Watson 2011: "Update of U.S. Tort Cost Trends" - The 2011 update represents the 15th study of U.S. tort costs, and the most recently published, by Towers Watson. Note: a Tower Watson representative has informed S2KM it has no current plans to publish further updates. The 2011 study reported $264.6 billion of 2010 U.S. tort costs and excluded: 1) no-fault auto insurance; 2) property coverages; 3) workers compensation; 4) certain extraordinary (one time) costs. Tower Watson's 2002 study had previously translated overall tort costs in 2001 into these additional cost categories and percentages: 1) administrative costs - 21%; 2) defense costs - 14%; 3) plaintiff attorneys -19%; 4) economic loss - 22%; and 5) non-economic loss - 24%. Based on the 2011 study and utilizing Tower Watson's 2002 "best estimate" of payout percentages, S2KM has estimated that since 2011 more than $170 billion of United States tort costs annually have represented payments to injury victims and their attorneys.
- Claims & Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) 2011: "National Litigation Management Study" - This survey of litigation management executives analyzed 30 litigation-related service areas including structured settlements. Commissioned by CLM (formerly the Council on Litigation Management ) and conducted by Revere Advisory, it identified structured settlement as the "most penetrated external initiative" among 30 litigation-related service areas analyzed based upon interviews with leading litigation management executives. CLM membership includes: corporations, insurance companies, government agencies, defense attorneys and law firms plus individuals "who participate in litigation and the management thereof (Corporate Counsel; Risk, Claims and Litigation Managers; Adjusters and Service Providers etc.)."
- Daniel Durbin 2013: Survey of Structured Settlement Brokers - Durbin, a former NSSTA President and Senior Structured Settlement Sales Manager with Allstate Life, conducted an informal survey with a group of leading structured settlement brokers to obtain their input and evaluate their interest in representing a potential new structured settlement product provider. Durbin identified himself as part of an investor group of individuals including insurance executives who see underdeveloped opportunities in the structured settlement primary market. Although Durbin has not published the results of his survey, he has presented to several industry groups and stated that the survey showed the interest is high as long as the new firm is financially strong with competitive rates.
- Melissa Evola Price 2002-2015: Quarterly Reports of NSSTA Member Structured Settlement Annuity Provider Sales - Melissa Evola Price's quarterly structured settlement report, selectively distributed to NSSTA members, is now copyrighted by her company, Structured Financial Associates, Inc. (SFA). Price and SFA have granted S2KM permission to publish selected portions of her report on both S2KM's blog ("Beyond Structured Settlements") and the structured settlement wiki. Her reports include historical data from 1975-2001 which is sourced with permission from "Structured Settlements and Periodic Payment Judgments" (S2P2J). Evola Price most recently reported 2015 first quarter structured settlement annuity premium of $1,332,047,252, an increase of more than $230 million (21%) compared with the 2014 first quarter structured settlement annuity premium of $1,101,839,529.


text: When raking leaves, use a "scissors" stance. This entail keeping your right foot forward and left foot back for a few minutes. Occasionally switch by putting your left foot forward and right foot back. Always bend at your knees, not the waist, as you pick up leaves. Make piles small to minimize the possibility of straining your back.


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Adi is a Partner in Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) Strategy and Transactions in the San Jose office specializing in divestitures. His industry focus is within the technology and telecommunication sectors including the software, SaaS, IT and managed services, internet and communications equipment sub-segments. In his role, Adi has led numerous divestitures for emerging growth and Fortune 500 companies for both corporate and private equity. Adi's carve out divestiture experience includes sell-side due diligence, SEC compliance and reporting matters, financial statement preparation and project management.
Prior to joining EY US, Adi worked in the financial advisory practice for another Big 4 firm, providing financial restatement, litigation support and other business advisory services to both public and private companies primarily in the manufacturing and business services industry.
Adi earned an MBA from University of Illinois and a BSc in Accountancy from University of Mumbai. He is also a Certified Public Accountant licensed in California.
How Adi is building a better working world
"Data is transforming our world and it applies to M&A as well. I pride myself on using data to articulate a story that will maximize value for my client and create certainty around a transaction."