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A few years ago, my parents took a three-week vacation to Israel. They spent more than $6,000. I can't remember the last time I spent that much money in three weeks; that amount could last me up to half a year on the road. When I asked them what they spent so much money on, their reply amounted to, "Travel isn't cheap! Hotels, car rental, tours, and airfare all cost money!"
To me, that sums up the thinking I encounter every day. "I'd love to travel, but it's just too expensive," people say to me. "It costs a lot of money."
But that's because the travel we are exposed to costs a lot of money. The ads, TV commercials, and magazines all feature high-end vacations, resorts, and cruises—the kinds of operations that can afford advertising. But it's possible to travel in comfort without spending a ton of money.
I know this because I've spent the last six years or so doing just that. In that time, I've been to over 70 countries and started a blog to help others travel cheaper, better, and longer. Earlier this month, I put all my years of travel experience into a book, How to Travel the World on $50 a Day, to further break down the myth that travel must be expensive.
(MORE: When Airfare Is So Cheap It's a Steal — Literally)
No matter where you're going, there are plenty of simple ways to cut expenses and still enjoy the quality vacation you and your family desire. Sure, there are some tradeoffs. But cheap doesn't have to mean bad. Here are my top nine tips for turning any trip into an affordable activity:
Sign up for a travel-related credit card. By utilizing the signup bonuses offered with airline credit cards, you can accumulate hundreds of thousands of miles each year without ever flying or spending more than you normally would. All U.S. carriers offer a branded card that gives you 30,000-50,000 bonus miles when you sign up and make one purchase. That's a free round-trip economy ticket right there. By adding multiple users, you can multiply the bonus. Additionally, by signing up for non-branded cards such as Chase Ultimate Rewards, you can earn points offered by those cards and then transfer them to your favorite airline.
I've personally used such cards to collect over 500,000 frequent flier miles in the last year alone. A family of four can go anywhere in the world with that many miles.
Be flexible with flights. A minor tweak in your travel plans can save a bundle, especially if you're buying tickets for a whole family. Fly midweek instead of on the weekend; fly with stops instead of direct. Small changes can save you hundreds of dollars—multiplied by the number of people traveling. I recommend using airfarewatchdog.com; it sends out alerts when airlines have sales. Two other sources I often use are Kayak's Explore tool and Google's flight search, which both allow you to browse the cheapest fares to anywhere in the world from your home airport.
Travel off-season. Summer may be the best time to visit Europe, and winter's great in the Caribbean, but I try to travel in the shoulder seasons – just before or after peak season. Prices are low, the weather is nice, shops and restaurants are open and happy to see you, and there are few other people around. Shoulder seasons might not be the warmest or sunniest, but the prices are far better.
(MORE: Ugh More Airline Fees: Want a Decent Seat on Southwest? Pay Up)
Think outside the box. Why are the most popular destinations so expensive? Because everyone goes there. Looking for a beach but Costa Rica's a little pricey? Try Nicaragua. There may be no substitute for Paris, but there are plenty of less expensive European cities with charm and excitement—Budapest and Athens, to name two.
Skip the chain hotel. I rarely stay at big expensive brand hotels. They offer very little value, and there are many better alternatives available. Why spend $150 a night when $50 will get you the same thing? A few of my favorite lodging alternatives:
• Budget mom-and-pop hotels: I love small family-run hotels and guesthouses, as they are cheap and have much more personality to them than big box hotels. While many are listed on sites like Hotels.com, go to TripAdvisor for the best selection. Since listings are free, you'll see a lot more options.
• House-sit: Another good method to save money, especially when you're part of a large group, is to house-sit. In exchange for taking care of someone's home while they are away, you'll get free lodging. The length of your stay will depend on the homeowners, but you'll get access to the house or apartment, and usually a car to boot. Good house-sitting resources include Mind My House, House Carers, and Luxury House Sitting.
• Apartment Rentals: If you're traveling with friends or family and don't need a concierge, maid service, and other hotel amenities, this is the ideal accommodation option. Furnished apartment rentals have become enormously popular in recent years because they're easy to book via the Internet and they often cost half the price of a hotel on a per-person basis. Plus, you get a kitchen, allowing you to cook and reduce food costs. Great resources for this are Airbnb.com, vrbo.com, and Wimdu.com.
(MORE: Is Airline-Style Variable Pricing Coming to Theme Parks?)
Bid for hotel deals. OK, so sometimes you just want a standard hotel. There's still no need to pay top dollar. Simply head over to BetterBidding.com to find out what other travelers paid for rooms in major cities using opaque, name-your-price services from Priceline or Hotwire. Then, bid a similar price, cross your fingers, and hope that your bid is accepted. I used this method to get a hotel room in New York City's Times Square during Christmas for $85 per night. (A huge bargain!)
Take free tours. Sure, you could pay a sightseeing service for the standard tour. But in major cities around the world, free walking tours show you the city's highlights and teach you about the culture. You also meet cool, smart, genuinely nice people. In New York, use Big Apple Greeters; in Paris, there is Paris Greeters. New Europe Tours, meanwhile, operates throughout the continent in cities such as Edinburgh, Dublin, Berlin, and Amsterdam. You can also use the hospitality site Couchsurfing to connect with locals who are happy to show visitors around.
Book last-minute. Airfare costs tend to skyrocket when reserving at the last minute. Not all aspects of travel work this way, though. Book cruises and tours late in the game and it'll knock an easy 25% off your bill. No one wants to send out an empty ship or run an empty tour, so companies always scramble to fill spaces if they haven't sold. The ideal time to get the best deal is a couple of weeks before your departure date. Conversely, booking ridiculously far in advance (such as a year or more) can also score a great deal. Go-today.com and lastminute.com tend to have terrific bargains.
Pay for train travel strategically. Train tickets in Europe are up to 50% cheaper when you book two or more weeks in advance and are easily purchased via each country's national rail website. If you're embarking on a tour rather than traveling point to point, consider a rail pass. When used properly, a rail pass can help you save hundreds of dollars, especially if you are taking overnight, high-speed, or long distance trains. A pass lets you pre-book your train travel with a certain number of rides or a pre-set amount of time; if used to the maximum, you'll save significantly compared to buying individual tickets. Rail passes are associated with Europe, but they're available on several continents. In Australia, a pass can cut costs by up to 70%.
(MORE: Why an Airline That Travelers Love Is Failing: The Virgin America Story)
Sure, you could skip all of these suggestions and simply go online and book the first vacation that sounds nice. But that's the surest way to spend more than you need. Just a little more leg work will pay off in a big way.
Matthew Kepnes runs the award-winning budget travel site, Nomadic Matt. His advice has been featured in The New York Times, CNN, The Guardian UK, Lifehacker, Budget Travel, BBC, and Yahoo! Finance. His new book, How to Travel the World on $50 a Day, contains more tips and tricks to to turn any dream trip into an affordable reality.


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Mireille Chaleyat-Maurel
Mathematics Subject Classification: 60—Probability theory and stochastic processes
Advisor: Nicole El Karoui
No students known.
If you have additional information or corrections regarding this mathematician, please use the update form. To submit students of this mathematician, please use the new data form, noting this mathematician's MGP ID of 74469 for the advisor ID.

subset: commoncrawl


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Camp has become a part of the fabric of America — conjuring special memories of hiking, swimming, friendships, and adventure for generations. When children go to camp, they'll likely come home gushing about the lifelong friends they've made, and the exciting adventures they had. What they probably won't tell you about are the life lessons camp has given them — those skills that, if nurtured at home after camp, translate into a lasting self-confidence, an awareness of the importance of kindness, and a greater comfort in voicing their opinions.
For more than 150 years, camp has been changing lives — allowing all children to feel successful, especially those who may struggle with traditional educational settings. Camp is full of fun and excitement, but it is so much more — developing children who are better equipped to lead in the twenty-first century with skills such as independence, empathy, the ability to work as part of a team, and a broader world view.
- Camp is a safe and nurturing environment that enhances social skills. Camp is for everyone, so children and youth have the opportunity to meet and interact with peers from outside their school environment.
- Camp supplements traditional education. Camps use intentional programming to create a balance of experiential learning opportunities that are physical, emotional, and social.
- Camp provides experiences that promote self-confidence and future academic growth. American Camp Association® (ACA) independent research shows that parents and camp staff, as well as the campers themselves, report significant growth in several areas, including leadership, independence, social comfort, and values and decisions.
- Camp encourages a respect and love of nature. Children are able to learn about the natural world. Camp also gives them a chance to "unplug." More and more experts are advocating the value of time spent in nature for children — and camp is a perfect place to do that.
- Camp provides the opportunity to stay physically active. Camp is the ultimate outdoor experience with programs that offer physical activities and sports that enhance health and teach self-confidence.
Camp is a natural extension of the classroom. Research indicates that by participating in strategically planned, structured summer experiences, children reduce summer learning loss. Camp challenges children, keeps them engaged, develops creativity and their talents, and expands their horizons.


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Tonight's win in Minnesota wasn't an easy one to watch. While the 120-117 win is valuable in terms of this team holding off the Mavericks and making the post season, it isn't exactly the kind of performance you'd like to be seeing heading into the post season either.
The first half of the game was eerily sloppy. They turned the ball over at an alarming rate, 15 times in the first 24 minutes. When they weren't turning the ball over, they were playing some decent basketball, running the offense through their bigs Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol who combined for 21 points and 18 rebounds on eight-for-13 shooting. Kobe, although turnover happy, was in facilitator mode early and often in the first half and was the last of the Lakers starters to record any points. Antawn Jamison also came off the bench and had a productive first half with 12 points on 4-6 shooting and four rebounds.
Defensively, the Lakers were much improved from their last two outings, but still left much to be desired. Bryant seemed a bit more locked into running his guy off the line and closing out on shooters. They also did a better job of keeping guards (Rubio, Barea) out of the paint in the first half. When the perimeter defense did break down, Howard and, to some extent, Gasol both did a great job of protecting the rim. The 'Wolves shot 17-of-47 in the first half, which is just above a .360 clip. A lot of Minnesota's missed shots were a open looks that just didn't fall, but regardless, the Lakers defense did seem much improved on the night.
In the third quarter, the Lakers played a much cleaner game. The first two possessions of the third were turnovers, but they only finished the quarter with three total turnovers. The offense moved from playing inside-out to Kobe taking over (16 points in the 3rd), but the lack of turnovers allowed for a 41-point third and pushed the lead from four to 12 going into the fourth — and would have remained the same had Howard and Gasol received more touches.
However, the defensive struggles returned for the Lakers in the third, and would eventually spill over to the fourth. Barea and Rubio started getting into the paint while Dante Cunningham and Chase Budinger continually found themselves wide open — a 17-footer for Cunningham and the corner three for Budinger — were what continued to give the Lakers issues.
Regardless, the lead stayed at about 3-possession deficit for much of the second half. But in Laker-Like fashion, the Lakers couldn't hold their lead and were a non-called foul on a Ricky Rubio desperation three away from seeing the game go into overtime after pushing their lead to 14 points. In the last six minutes of the game, the Lakers gave up 25 points and lost the rebound battle 16-3. SIXTEEN TO THREE. And while it took the Wolves 23 shots to get their 25 points in the final six minutes, the Lakers afforded them nine extra possessions with two turnovers and giving up seven offensive rebounds. Nicola Pekovic, Budinger and Rubio all scored nine points in the final six minutes while the Lakers as a team shot three-for-eight in that same time.
Of course, the 'Wolves explored the Hack-A-Dwight option for a full minute and cut at 12-point lead to seven during that minute span, but the Lakers never really regained control of the game.
It was an ugly win, but a win nonetheless. They'll have another opportunity to prove that they can win on the road tomorrow night in Milwaukee with a Bucks team that poses a lot of match up problems for this Lakers game. It'll be interesting to see how they respond after an ugly win despite a few very good individual performances.


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Book Tour – "Ruling the Mob" by Kristen Luciani
Title: Ruling the Mob
Author: Kristen Luciani
Genre: Mafia Romance
Publication Date: September 6th, 2018
Cover Designer: Dark City Designs
Hosted by: Lady Amber's PR
Fear makes you weak. Weakness gets you killed.
Fear makes you weak. Weakness gets you killed.
This life. It becomes more toxic every day. There is no escape for me or the ones I love. I've done things to claim my rightful place. I've taken care of those who challenged that place, and I've made a mortal enemy in the process.
Now he's back, just like I always knew he would be. He's angry, tortured, and out for blood.
Perfect. That's just the way I want him. It'll make pulling the trigger so much more satisfying.
I'm a princess. But my life is no fairy tale. It used to be…but that was a long time ago, in a land far, far away. I had it all, until one blood-soaked night when I lost everything I wanted for my future.
Now I feel as if I'm locked in a tower, alone and isolated from the man I love. He's the one who saved me.
But I don't think anyone can save him.
Kristen Luciani is a USA Today bestselling author and momtrepreneur with a penchant for stilettos, Silicon Valley, plunging necklines and grapefruit martinis. As a deep-rooted romantic who prefers juicy drama to fill the lives of anyone other than her, she tried her hand at creating a world of enchantment, sensuality, and intrigue, finally uncovering her true passion. No pun intended…
Author Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristen_luciani
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kluciani0320/
Newsletter: http://www.subscribepage.com/t3n4i6
Website: http://www.kristenluciani.com
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2j76XlH
Buy Links:
Screwing the Mob – http://bit.ly/2HgVbfH
Ruling the Mob (Pre-Order) – https://amzn.to/2LGuG5R
"He's coming. He's coming!"
"Be prepared. Be ready. Be careful.
"You have a lot of responsibilities, Nico."
Bits of conversations ricochet off the walls of my mind, eating away at my confidence to uncover an all-consuming fear that lurks inside me like a predator ready to strike.
Because he's out there. I know it, Dad knows it, the guys know it.
And most of all, he knows it.
Fear makes you weak.
Weakness gets you killed.
I slide out of the passenger seat of my Audi R8, my feet landing on the concrete of my driveway. I slam the door shut and walk the few feet to the front door. Shaye is waiting for me on the other side, hopefully wearing nothing but the apron she uses when she cooks dinner. My stomach growls, but I'm not hungry. Not for food, anyway.
I slide my key into the lock and grasp the brass doorknob, ready to turn, ready to put this day behind me. Each day is just like the last…work, work, work, wonder…work some more…wonder some more. It's the wondering part that has my brain twisted. I never wonder. I always know.
But this time, I'm a sitting duck, waiting for the hunter.
I don't f*cking like it one bit, and the loss of control is crippling. And I don't know how much longer I can bury this shit and hang on to my last shreds of sanity. Sometimes I think these mind fucks are worse than someone putting a bullet in my brain.
I push open the door, but the house is dark. Even the kitchen. One light is on. Upstairs, in my bedroom. Maybe she decided to just order pizza. Later. Works for me. The sooner I can get Shaye naked, the sooner I can dive inside of her and escape all of this other bullshit. Then, it'll just be us.
The way I wanted it to be.
The way I know it never can be.
I toss my keys into a bowl on the hall table, nearly missing it because I can't really see it. I kick off my shoes and take the stairs two at a time. Seconds pass and I'm no closer to the top. The staircase looms above me. The faster I jog upward, the faster the steps seem to regenerate.
What the fuck is happening?
I place my hand on the railing, but I don't feel the smooth wood grain along my palm. Instead, it's submerged into a sticky, gel-like-liquid…like quicksand. I yank and pull, but it's useless. My hand is stuck.
I use my other hand as leverage and slap it against the wall. But it slices through the sheetrock, which morphs into the same type of gummy substance. I blink hard at the stairs that seem to lead into the heavens, stairs I can't even climb because I'm literally stuck to the wall. My heart thumps against my ribcage, blood rushing between my ears.
I can't move. But maybe I can scream. If Shaye is upstairs, she'll hear me and we'll figure this out together. "Shaye!" My mind hears the scream, but my mouth is still closed tight. I try to force my lips apart, but they're stuck. Just like my body.
My ears perk up. She's calling me! She is here! I try again. "Shaye!"
Nothing. Nothing but the shrieks that follow my name. And then…
"Help me, Nico!"
A loud crash follows, along with a sinister laugh.
I know that laugh. I've never heard it before, but I know it.
I yank my body left and right, trying to free my hands. Nothing.
"Help! Please!"
Bile rises in my throat. I need to break free. Now. All the preparation, all of the planning…none of it matters. This shit is happening now, and I finally need to reclaim my life. I tug and pull some more as her screams get louder and more desperate. I have to get upstairs now. I can't see through walls, but my gut tells me exactly what I need to know…Shaye is in danger. It's knowledge I've kept buried for years and unleashed without a solid plan for how I can protect her.
It may be too late…


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Standpipes with pumps lead to sumps which drain off accumulated moisture. |
Building a landfill that will hold up to the elements of weather and natural phenomenon is somewhat like building a house. Without a firm foundation the structure will eventually fail.
The foundation of a landfill is how the cell site is designed and built. These sites will have to safely contain materials for thousands of years, so flaws in them cannot be allowed. Each cell is lined with special liners, three in all, with soil in between them. These liners run along the walls of the cell as well as under the floor.
The bottom layer is a geotextile non-woven cushion (GCL) layer laid on top of a 5″ thick soil cushion layer. This material is impervious to water.
On top of the GCL is laid a 60 mil secondary liner, a layer of fabric drainage net and then another layer of GCL.
Then a layer of separation soil 18″ thick is laid on top of these materials. The process of laying the membranes in the exact same order is repeated on top of this level of soil.
The non-woven Geotextile layer is only one of the three kinds of liners that is used along with soil to protect the ground water at the ECDC landfill. |
Finally the inner lining of the cell is another two feet of soil. That is the base on which the refuse is placed in layers.
Once a cell is full ( and only one MSW cell has been totally completed in the 10 year history of the landfill) it is covered with soil and the same liners in a similar way to top it off. This keeps the cell dry and ground water out.
However, the possibility of some water still leaking in exists, so a sump system has been designed so that landfill personnel can pump it out of the confines of the cell. The sump itself has even more protective layers of soil and liners to keep any water that accumulates contained in the sump. In the past 10 years, little water has accumulated in any of the sumps at the site and most of that is from moisture contained in the refuse and trash deposited.
Pumps are stationed in these sumps and can be activated by portable generators that can be moved from stand pipe site to stand pipe site. The pumps are set up with a cable so that they can be brought to the surface and replaced in case they fail.
Designed controls and testing make sure each cell site is consistent and totally contained.


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About 1 million children in the United States and about 30 million worldwide have gotten Rotarix vaccine, the FDA says.
(CNN) — Federal health authorities recommended Monday that doctors suspend using Rotarix, one of two vaccines licensed in the United States against rotavirus, saying the vaccine is contaminated with material from a pig virus.
"There is no evidence at this time that this material poses a safety risk," Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg told reporters in a conference call.
Rotarix, made by GlaxoSmithKline, was approved by the FDA in 2008. The contaminant material is DNA from porcine circovirus 1, a virus from pigs that is not known to cause disease in humans or animals, Hamburg said.
About 1 million children in the United States and about 30 million worldwide have gotten Rotarix vaccine, she said.
Rotavirus disease kills more than 500,000 infants around the world each year, primarily in low- and middle-income countries, she said. Before rotavirus vaccine became available, the disease was blamed for more than 50,000 hospitalizations and several dozen deaths per year in the United States, she said.
The FDA learned about the contamination after an academic research team using a novel technique to look for viruses in a range of vaccines found the material in GlaxoSmithKline's product and told the company, Hamburg said. The drug maker confirmed its presence in both the cell bank and the seed from which the vaccine is derived, suggesting its presence from the early stages of vaccine development, she said. The FDA then confirmed the drug maker's findings.
GlaxoSmithKline emphasized Monday that the pig virus is not known to cause illness in humans, saying "it is found in everyday meat products and is frequently eaten with no resulting disease or illness."
"No safety issue has been identified by external agencies or GSK," Thomas Breuer, the drug maker's chief medical officer, said in a written statement. "GSK is committed to patient safety and to the highest manufacturing standards for all our vaccines and medicines. We are already working closely and discussing this finding with regulatory agencies around the world."
Another vaccine, RotaTeq, is made by Merck and was approved in 2006. There is no evidence that the Merck product is affected, Hamburg said. Both vaccines are given by mouth to infants to prevent rotavirus disease, which is marked by severe diarrhea and dehydration.
Asked whether Merck would be able to meet the nation's demand, Merck spokeswoman Pam Eisele said, "Obviously, we will work with the … FDA to evaluate supply needs."
In the next four to six weeks, the drug agency will convene an advisory committee to make recommendations and seek input on the use of new techniques for identifying viruses in vaccine, Hamburg said.
"We're not pulling it from the market, we're just suspending its use during this period while we're collecting more information," she said. "It should not be in this vaccine product and we want to understand how it got there. It's not an easy call and we spent many long hours debating the pros and cons but, because we have an alternative product and because the background rates of this disease are not so severe in this country, we felt that the judicious thing to do was to take a pause, to really ask the critical questions about what this material was doing in the vaccine, how it got there."
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, said "a substantial amount" of the DNA was found in the vaccine. But, he stressed, "there is no evidence that it causes any disease. … There is no evidence that it ever does anything."
The research group that discovered the contamination has asked not to be identified pending its paper's publication in a scientific journal, Hamburg said.
Anyone who has already received a dose of Rotarix should switch to the Merck product for the next two doses, Hamburg said. Preliminary testing of the Merck product has found no evidence of the porcine circovirus 1 DNA, she said. Doctors should be able to tell parents which of the two products their children received, she said.
Hamburg stressed that the suspension applies only to the United States. Public health officials in countries where the incidence of rotavirus is more severe may decide that the benefits of continuing to use the vaccine outweigh any concerns raised by the contamination, she said. "Such a decision would be very understandable," she added.
A similar virus, porcine circovirus 2, also does not cause disease in humans, but it does cause disease in its pig host, Hamburg said.
By Tom Watkins, CNN
March 22, 2010 — Updated 2022 GMT (0422 HKT)
Source: CNN


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Lea M. Johnson is a strategic consultant and fundraiser for Twin Cities based nonprofit organizations. Since launching LMJ Solutions in 2004, Lea has worked alongside nonprofit organizations' leadership and staff to help nonprofits reach their full potential.
Why Choose LMJ Solutions?
Lea has nearly two decades of experience as both a grantmaker and a grant seeker. She combines her knowledge and experience from both roles to provide nonprofit organizations in Minneapolis and Saint Paul with exceptional knowledge into the grant writing process. Lea helps nonprofits strategically convey their activities and goals in compelling, well-researched prose that appeals to the expectations of donors and funders—and that secures winning grants.
Combining her educational background in group communication and persuasive writing, with her time-tested professional experience, Lea is able to help nonprofits tell their stories in a way that donors will hear.
Lea tailors her knowledge to the unique needs of each client and helps them to solve problems, secure winning grants, and reach their full potential.


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United Nude collaborates with fashion designer Iris Van Herpen for their wildest shoes yet. This is Van Herpen's 9th consecutive collaboration with the brand and this is the first time that two, instead of just one, designs that graced the runway are being offered by United Nude.
In the following images the shoes are shown alongside the beautiful fashions from Iris Van Herpen's 2014 Fall/Winter Biopiracy collection.
These come in the form of the wild Biopiracy Boot ($1,995.00) and the unusual Biopiracy peeptoe ankle Bootie ($995.00), both on staggering 7 inch tall platform cantilevered heels.
The Biopiracy Boot Black Nappa
The Iris Van Herpen X United Nude Boot overrules the natural shape of the foot; this makes the graphically leather molded boots futuristic sculptures extending the legs. With a new silhouette into motion. Only 200 hand-made pairs available worldwide.
Available in Black Nappa Leather only.
Expected delivery is August 2014.
$1995 Buy them here.
The Biopiracy Bootie Shoe
The Biopiracy Bootie shoe is the result of a collaboration between Iris van Herpen and United Nude. It is part of the Biopiracy collection showed on the Paris runway during Fashion week AW14. Only 200 hand-made pairs available worldwide.
Available in Black, Ivory and Off-White Nappa leather.
Expected delivery is August 2014.
$995 Buy them here


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Good morning. I'm Rachel Martin. For Chelsea Blackwell, it was unthinkable. Her companion of 15 years, a dachshund named Blue, was lost. She looked and looked, until she came upon a crowded movie set. There she found lights, cameras and Blue, who'd been rescued by the actor Hilary Swank. Blackwell got her dog back and a selfie with an Oscar winner, who coincidentally founded an organization that unites rescued dogs with people to love them.
It's MORNING EDITION. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


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mageba sa
Trafostrasse 1
8180 Bulach
Tel: +41-44-872 40 50
The idea to link the two districts trough a bridge from Ikoyi to Lekki, was mooted in 2003 by the state government to decongest traffic on New Epe Express Way.
Lekki-Ikoyi-Bridge bridge across the Five Cowry Creek in Lagos, one of the largest cities in the world, will connect two heavily congested districts, thereby relieving city traffic. The plans for Nigeria's first cable-stayed bridge were drawn up by design specialists from Julius Berger Nigeria.
The structure comprises a 700-meter full-span approach bridge. Connected to this is a cable stayed segmental bridge of more than 600 meters in length, at the center of which is a 91-meter high pylon.
Two TENSA-FLEX rubber compound sliding finger expansion joints with longitudinal movement capacity of 400mm each will be installed. The very slender design of the bridge decks required a technical solution without major interaction with the structure itself. The proposed joints are simply bolted onto the deck structure ensuring 100% water tightness. The sliding fingers of the upper part are installed with a downward pre-tension and therefore apply a permanent pressure to the opposing sliding surface of the lower part allowing for small vertical movements as well as for rotations.
Products: | TENSA-FLEX finger joints type RC |
Features: | max. movement 400 mm |
City: | Lagos |
Type: | Cable-stayed bridge |
Length: | 700m |


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Every 3 years the City of Cape Town does a revaluation of all properties in accordance with market values to ensure that the property rates charges are assigned fairly and correctly.
How is your property valuation calculated?
Property valuations should reflect the market value of a property. The City uses a property's value to calculate the monthly rates property owners should pay for their property.
The municipal valuer, as in the City's valuer, is responsible for producing the General Valuation Roll (GVR) and is assisted by professional valuers, statistical analysts, data collectors, and support staff.
- The valuations staff collect and review sales that take place around the date of valuation – the latest valuation forms part of the General Valuation (GV2015) Roll with property values as at 1 August in 2015.
- The sales data is used in the Computer-assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA).
- CAMA is used by valuers to value properties in Cape Town.
- To ensure fairness, the GV Roll is audited by an independent body – the GV2015 was audited by International Property Tax Institute.
In most cases, properties are only physically inspected when the property's information on the valuations database is doubtful or where changes have taken place.
2018 General Valuation Roll (GV2018)
- The City Valuation Office is currently preparing the GV2018 valuation roll.
- The new value will be based on sales prices around July 2018
- The GV2018 will be published in February 2019 for public inspection and objection.
- Look out for your GV2018 valuation notice in February 2019.
- More information will follow in January 2019 about the GV2018 and the public inspection and objection period.
- Implementation of the new Municipal Valuation and your new rates account will be 1st July 2019.
eNeighbourhoods will keep you informed with communications on the 2018 Valuation with comment and advice from professional valuers including from Steer & Co. To get this information all you need to do is subscribe to this blog or send a blank email to firstname.lastname@example.com
* Only 2018 Valuation specific notices will be sent to you *
Information sourced for Cape Town City Council and professional valuers.


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Don't Forget to Shred
Anyone can go through your trash once you put it out for the garbage haulers. People dumpster dive for recyclables or food or what they perceive to be treasures. If you place financial material, like used checkbooks, financial statements, bank docs, etc., in the trash, a dumpster diver or thief may find those items and use them for identity theft or who knows what.
A way to stop identity theft is to properly dispose of your financial docs by professionally shredding them. This is a good defense especially if you generate business documentation as a result of a home-based enterprise. Many Postal Connections now offer Secure Document Shredding services on site. It's one of the many services that our stores perform for businesses and residences in our area. Contact your local Postal Connections for more details and availability of this service.
United States Postal Service (USPS)
Come into your local Postal Connections store for all your USPS needs. We offer Priority Mail®, Priority Mail Express®, International Mail, postage stamps and more. Stay away from the long lines at the local post office and come see us for fast, efficient service with a smile!
USPS delivers Monday through Saturday, and sometimes Sunday so you can rely on your items being delivered in a timely manner. Postal Connection stores are all official USPS Approved Shippers. This allows us to offer convenient postal products and services to fit every need, including:
- Stamps and First-Class Mail ®
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- USPS Tracking
- Priority Mail Express International®
- Priority Mail
Please note, not all stores offer all services, but most stores offer 20+ different services and products that will make your life easier. Check local stores services and product availability here: https://www.postalconnections.com/store-locator/


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Dina Manzo and this Black Swan queen: "Perfect!"
I just returned, with my at-gunpoint cameraman José, from the 25th annual Night of a Thousand Gowns, a benefit thrown by the Imperial Court of New York to honor LGBT activist David Mixner and Princess Boy author Cheryl Kilodavis that raises cash for the Trevor Project and the Ali Forney Center.
Ru the day: Alexis Mateo, Delta Work, Manila Luzon & Sahara Davenport
As you know, I have done drag—I made a right camp Sam Fox. However, the Imperial Court is not bullshitting around when it comes to drag. They're a serious (and seriously regimented) org; camp was in short supply even if half the sequins on the East Coast were in the Marriott with me.
We arrived to find a larger-than-expected area for the press line. However, as guests began arriving—I'm not sure why some queens did the photo call and others didn't—it was apparent that NO print press showed up and very few online outlets, leaving me as the first person on the line. It was awkward, so we just began grabbing interviews where we could, either as attendees arrived or after they'd posed for the photographers. I was especially interested in (my new pal) Ally Sheedy, Honeymooners legend Joyce Randolph (who later received an award for which she was asked to kneel—not cool to ask of someone cruising toward 90, girls) and Carson Kressley...so of course not one of them did the carpet. Still, the people who did were quite diverse and easy to grab and I was able to chat with Joe of Joe.My.God. and more formally meet Mr. Broadway, Michael Cusumano.
Bill Cunningham (and Matthew Rettenmund) New York
I was most excited to meet and chat briefly with Bill Cunningham, the legendary octogenarian fashion shooter for The New York Times. A new documentary on him (Bill Cunningham New York) is getting lots of good press, something he seemed a bit shy about when I mentioned it. "I haven't seen it," he told me, "but I understand the filmmakers deserve a lot of praise." He remembered my name when thanking me. It was fascinating to watch him work the line; so many of the queens had no idea who he was and seemed bemused when he would hand them a pad to write down their names. (This old-school method is fail-safe, though, if you want to avoid being Miss Identified.)
Mike Ruiz of The A-List: New York and his partner Martin Berusch are supernice and supersexy each time I meet them. Ruiz noted that two more A-Listers are on the way for season two—and that the show was seeking supervillains. Super!
I grabbed Dan Choi—with a new friend, as in, a drag queen he met at the elevator, on his arm—and asked him a bit about marriage equality. He's a nice guy to talk to always. I feel like he has his regular personality—a little shy, nervously joking around—and then when he speaks about serious subjects he kicks into his activist persona. It's nice that he has a sense of humor; he needs one considering the schism in the community over whether he is our new Harvey Milk or is just milking every opportunity for attention. I don't think he's a messiah (and I don't think he thinks he is, either), and I occasionally disagree with him, but I like him and there's no denying he's had a major, grassroots impact on DADT and other gay issues. And he's hot in a suit.
As a bonus, I finally got to meet LGBT activist David Mixner, a gracious dude with a righteous sense of conviction about getting 'er done, rights-wise.
Amanda LePore walked right past me as I asked to take her picture. It felt like there was no way she didn't hear me, but she was as methodical as a glacier if a bit faster about it. It was...odd.
Ari Gold knows how to make an entrance...
...but his slaveboys know a thing or two about making an exit!
Ari Gold—who released his new single as "Sir Ari Gold" thanks to being knighted by this group last year—made an entrance that would have had Lady Gaga gagging with jealousy: He waltzed in clad in a gold Arabian number with two boyslaves on leashes. I hope he curbed them. I wish I'd seen the reaction of the gorgeous hospice dog that was in the house! (Dude brought his parents. He's one of the lucky ones who could do such a thing.)
He looked sexy in his version of drag, but it was soon back to the more traditional, can-I-pass-as-a-flamboyant-chick style of drag.
The RuPaul's Drag Race girls—Manila Luzon & BF Sahara Davenport, Delta Work and Alexis Mateo—made quite a splash and I would say outdid the drag royalty around them. Maybe it's not fair, these being showgirls, but they definitely had that extra spark of je ne sais quWTF about them. Ms. Work was someone I didn't love on the show, yet I found her to be charming and likable in person. I couldn't resist asking her if she saw any boogers about, and she couldn't resist saying yes—but instead of calling anyone out, she turned it into a self-deprecating joke, which was classy. She also looked the best I've ever seen her. Loved her hair and gown. Mateo was a doll and happily posed with José, who is in full support of anyone (or anything—he lights up at tourism commercials) having to do with his native Puerto Rico. We think Mateo won the show...there was just something extra-regal about her.
Both Wilsons—Rent boys Wilson Jermaine Heredia and Wilson Cruz—were dreamy and dreams to speak with. The former told me he's always available for charity and the latter's BFF is in the Imperial system as extra incentive to attend.
Dragging his friend Wilson into it
Chi Chi was dressed down in sparkling black and dressed down Black Spark
Skinny bitch Chi Chi LaRue claimed to have dressed down so as not to compete with the Imperials, yet looked pretty sparkly to me. Speaking of which, I remembered a brief exchange between her and Black Spark and wanted to see what was up with that, but she wasn't interested in speaking about him. To her credit and perhaps to my discredit, considering my stance on it in general, she told me off-camera she disapproves of the barebacking. She might seem harsh in my video, but was actually quite nice.
Finally, the Real Housewives reps were Dina Manzo of the New Jersey syndicate franchise and Alex McCord and hubby Simon van Kemper from New York, the latter another pair of people I strongly disliked on their show at first then later liked about the best, and who are really sweet and unpretentious in person.
I never watched Jersey at all, but understood Manzo to be one of the nicest ones. In person, she was totally stunning and perfectly willing to do press. In fact, she was trailed by an imposing camera crew. She told me loved producing My Big Gay Italian Wedding Off-Broadway and to look for her name on some other projects—it seems very likely this would include some kind of Dina-centric TV series.
Dina: The gays are like family to her
The carpet wrapped (and I have no doubt a couple of the attendees might have been eyeing swatches of it for future outfits) and we went in to see a bit of the show. I have to admit, it's just not up my alley. Not drag in general, which for me can be fun, funny (Varla Jean Merman) and sometimes moving or inspiring (Jimmy James), but the more regimented Imperial Court vibe. For example, the national anthem was sung by a drag queen with a definite Christina Aguilera look, but her performance was in no way intended to be a hoot, nor was the bizarre invocation that referenced an all-powerful being. We took off right after a lengthy baton-twirling act.
Nightlife legend Rollerena shows them how it's done
Miss New York and an unidentified Miss Thang
It was a fun night, not a drag in the end, but I'm probably no closer to—and am perhaps a bit further away from—getting back into a dress.
More pix:


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HON Bookcases
Organization helps people stay focused, so provide quality Hon bookcases to your staff to keep them at their most productive. Whether your decor calls for mahogany or steel, Hon has the piece that will fit with your interior design scheme. Hon provides you with many choices, including the number of shelves, color choices, and custom options ,such as locking cabinet doors.


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For the best cleaning a patio wexford company, call Southeast Contractors.
Home decoration can be a pleasure giving hobby, but country home decor is fun. Unlike home decor, country home decor does not have any standards or fixed format to follow. There is a lot of scope for experimentation in country home decor. Normally, sky is the limit for experimentation.
county home decor, home decor, decor
To find the best cleaning a patio wexford company, click here for Southeast Contractors.
Home decoration can be a pleasure giving hobby, but country home decor is fun. Unlike home decor, country home decor does not have any standards or fixed format to follow. There is a lot of scope for experimentation in country home decor. Normally, sky is the limit for experimentation.
Generally, very few people decorate their house in a country fashion since it is not part of the current trend. However, people love and appreciate country home decor. One does not need to employ a professional home decorator for country home decor. You can try it on your own.
The tips for country home decor are not too many. Just give the home a country look by placing furniture that resembles village art and craft. Again, ensure there is a adequate space for movement and ventilation.
Within country home decor, there are various categories — metal signs, wooden signs, rusted signs, humorous signs, seasonal decor, French country decor and retro decor. It is very easy to practice country home decor and can be inexpensive hobby. Convert some old unused stuff into an art form or furniture for use at home.
For instance, old wooden furniture can be crafted into small stools and tables for use in kids' room. Old metal plates can be used with drawings as hangings inside the house. However, the entire should have country decor. There cannot be a mix of contemporary home decor and country home decor. It drastically reduces the in-house beauty.
One can start with the doors. While the door wood should be of top quality, the exterior finishing and coating can be of country home decor. Paint the door with a color more often seen in villages, mud color or rough. Etch the door with markings. Spread metal hangings. The nameplate can be of old galvanized iron.
The furniture can resemble a village setting. Use wooden furniture extensively. If possible get a cane furniture for the house. The wooden furniture should not sport expensive appearance. Let the drawing room have lot of implements used in village. It can be a clay pot or painted vase with flowers. Paintings of village landscape will also add aesthetic value to the room.
Include accessories like wooden clock, metal farmed paintings, baskets, primitive candle stands, wrought iron, rugs, grapevine and twig in clay pots, homespun textiles, pitchers and jars.
Country home decor accessories and products are widely available at all retail stores. Since the categories are big, there is a limitation on choice. Products displayed in retail stores are less when compared to the offered list in the catalogue. Normally, country home decor is supplied against pre-placed orders.


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BROOKLYN, Iowa -- New details in the Mollie Tibbetts case indicate that she was stabbed to death, and new details reveal that it's possible the suspect's girlfriend knew Tibbetts.
Mollie Tibbetts died from "multiple sharp force injuries," according to a preliminary autopsy report released by the Iowa State Medical Examiner Thursday. This would indicate she died after being stabbed, ABC News reports.
Tibbetts' death was officially ruled a homicide, and Cristhian Bahena Rivera has been charged with first-degree murder.
RELATED: What happened to Mollie Tibbetts? An overview of the case
New details continue to come to light in the case. Tibbetts attended the same high school as the suspect's girlfriend, Iris Monarrez, ABC News learned on Friday morning. It appears the two were friends on Facebook, but investigators stated that this does not mean they were personally acquainted. Because Brooklyn, Iowa, is such a small town, they may have connected simply because they went to the same school.
Earlier this week, investigators said they were uncertain how Tibbetts was killed or whether she was sexually assaulted. They've made no mention of recovering a weapon linked to the death.
The examiner did not release additional details about the injuries Tibbetts suffered or what caused them, but said further examination of her body may result in additional findings. Autopsy reports are confidential under Iowa law, except for the cause and manner of death.
Tibbetts was last seen July 18 in Brooklyn, a rural town of about 1,400 people, as she took a routine evening jog. It's unclear whether she returned to the home where she was dog-sitting for her boyfriend and her boyfriend's brother, who have said they were both out of town. She was reported missing by her family the next day after she didn't show up for work at a day camp for children.
Her funeral will be held Sunday afternoon in Brooklyn, Iowa.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Funeral plans announced for Mollie Tibbetts
Employers say Rivera was working under a fake name
Who is Cristhian Bahena Rivera? What we know about the suspect


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Product Description
Fascinating, luxurious and rich, the new Modern Antique 14K Turquoise Gold 3.0 Carat Black Diamond Solitaire Wedding Ring R214-14KTGBD evokes absolute beauty and elegance, is sure to please the most discriminating feminine taste. It's design is inspired by ornamental element of Tigranes the Great period Armenia dating back to 95–55 BC. Terms: "Turquoise Gold", "14K Turquoise Gold" and this color style "Black Gemstones set in Turquoise Gold" has been first introduced to luxury bridal and fashion jewelry category trend by Art Masters Jewelry.
* Modern Antique 14K Turquoise Gold 3.0 Carat Black Diamond Solitaire Wedding Ring R214-14KTGBD
* 1 x over 5.0 grams TW (approx) of cast solid 14K turquoise gold ring (Italian semi-organic turquoise rhodium coating on 14K solid white gold)
* 16 x round 0.015 carat (approx 0.24 CTW) laboratory grown black diamonds
* 1 x round 3.0 carat (9.0 mm diameter) laboratory grown black diamond center stone
* Ring size 7 (United States), N 1/2 (United Kingdom) sizable
* Deluxe jewelry box
* Also available in yellow gold, rose gold, green gold, black gold and 950 platinum
* Styles: Modern Antique, Armenian Antique
* Suggested Retail $6,999
* Occasion: Engagement, Wedding, Anniversary
* Advanced CAD Jewelry Crafting
* Artistic Jewelry Design
* Comfort Fit Shank
* Solid Metal Casting
* Master Hand Polish
* Official Metal Stamp
* Designer Direct Savings
* Visual Appeal and Elegance
* Free USPS insured delivery within United States
* Free USPS Insured Express International delivery world wide
* Takes 8 to 10 business days to make and ship
Special note:
This wedding ring is a designer exclusive jewelry show piece, it is ceremonial and is not practical for everyday wear, unless you are into unique vintage looks. Turquoise (Italian semi-organic ceramic rhodium coat on 14K solid white gold) will wear off in few weeks to few months if worn frequently. When turquoise coating partially wears off, rings turn uniquely vintage by partially exposing solid white gold base on the edges and flat surfaces. Once partially worn, turquoise coat cannot be effectively reapplied. This semi-organic coating has a ceramic base and is hypoallergenic. As any ceramic piece, it should be worn with care to not get accidentally hit by hard object or dropped to ground.
* When checking out, please make sure to write in the special notes your finger size and your verified shipping address to avoid unnecessary delays. If your finger size is over 9.5 to 11.5 there will be a price adjustment based on significant difference in cast metal and stone carat wights, hence contact me prior making your purchase to discuss the matter.
* Make sure you are absolutely satisfied with the jewelry style, it's price, you acknowledge reading the product's description, ordering and shipping terms and all questions are asked prior ordering this piece of jewelry.
* All metal and stone measurements and totals are approximated by production manufacturing computers and may differ slightly on 0.005 fraction levels.
* Stone settings in pave, prongs, bezel, channel or invisible may differ slightly from an image as the stones are set by a master hand.
* All jewelry images are professional catalog renderings generated by production imaging computer in 3d and are not real photographs, it's visual perceptions may differ slightly from monitor type and resolution.
Modern Antique 14K Turquoise Gold 3.0 Carat Black Diamond Solitaire Wedding Ring R214-14KTGBD
Art Masters Jewelry


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How Buffett, Musk and Other Multi-Billionaires Hit It Big (Interactive Graphic) This interactive infographic breaks down the early steps and career highlights of Warren Buffett, Elon Musk, Liliane Bettencourt, Oprah Winfrey and Li Ka-shing.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
It used to be the first million. Now, you only turn heads when you hit a billion.
Warren Buffett, the iconic chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, is worth $53.5 billion. He wasn't always. But Buffett started early. When the "Sage of Omaha" was in high school, he spent $25 on a pinball machine that he put in a barbershop. With an eye for a good investment, Buffett ended up selling the pinball machine for $1,200, according to this infographic compiled by eBay Deals. He bought his first stock at age 11 and started at the Wharton School of Business at University of Pennsylvania at age 17.
Related: Life Advice From 18 of the Wealthiest People in History (Interactive Graphic)
Meanwhile, Elon Musk, the inventor behind Tesla Motors, was born in South Africa and taught himself to program computers as a kid. He had programmed and sold a video game by the time he was 12.
Take a flip through the interactive infographic below to see the early career highlights of other now multi-billionaires getting to their first billion. To access the five billionaire slides, first click on the blue text "Click to Enlarge and Interact (+)" and from there you can move through the graphic.


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Bluey Wizard Raglan
All Trendy Twins items are designed, hand-cut, and sewn in Minnesota, USA. All products are created using high quality custom knit fabrics.
-Print placement on each item varies. Your placement may not look exactly like the one pictured.
- Cropped fit is an option too! Leave a note at checkout.
-Options : Short sleeve, Long sleeve or 3/4th length.
-All items should be washed inside out on gentle. Hang or lay to dry.
** SIZE AND STYLE SELECTIONS CANNOT BE CHANGED AFTER AN ORDER IS PLACED. Please verify all choices are correct before completing checkout.
Please See Size Chart before ordering.
Make sure to follow and tag us on social media! We love seeing our creations in action. @trendytwinscompany #trendytwinscompany


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GENEVA (AP) — FIFA acknowledged Wednesday that past World Cups were awarded based on bribes, and the organization wants U.S. prosecutors to give it "tens of millions of dollars" seized from former FIFA officials who skimmed cash from broadcasting rights.
FIFA submitted a 22-page claim to the U.S. Attorney's Office in New York on Tuesday that seeks a big share in restitution from more than $190 million already forfeited by soccer and marketing officials who pleaded guilty in a sprawling corruption case that mostly involves non-FIFA competitions.
Tens of millions of dollars more is likely to be collected by U.S. authorities when sentences are handed down, and from dozens of officials currently indicted but who have denied bribery charges or are fighting extradition.
FIFA claims it is the victim of corrupt individuals, despite widespread criticism that bribe-taking was embedded in its culture in the presidencies of Joao Havelange and Sepp Blatter, who was forced from office after 17 years by the current scandal.
"The convicted defendants abused the positions of trust they held at FIFA and other international football organizations and caused serious and lasting damage to FIFA," FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Wednesday in a statement. "The monies they pocketed belonged to global football and were meant for the development and promotion of the game. FIFA as the world governing body of football wants that money back and we are determined to get it no matter how long it takes."
In documents seen by The Associated Press, FIFA asks for:
— $28.2 million for years of payments, including bonuses, flights and daily expenses, to officials it now says are corrupt
— $10 million for the "theft" of money that FIFA officials transferred as bribes to then-executive committee members to vote for South Africa as 2010 World Cup host
— "substantial" cost of legal bills since separate U.S. and Swiss federal probes of corruption in international soccer were revealed last May
— damages for harm to its reputation, plus other bribes and kickbacks for media rights to non-FIFA competitions but "which were made possible because of the value of the FIFA brand"
"FIFA has become notable for the defendants' bribery and corruption, not its many good works," lawyers for soccer's world body state in the claim. "FIFA is entitled to restitution for this harm to its business relationships, reputation and intangible property."
FIFA's grab for a share of the money sets up a battle with two of its regional confederations — CONMEBOL, the South American confederation, and CONCACAF, the body running soccer in North America. It was officials and competitions from those regions that were most involved in the corruption crisis.
It also signals a change in strategy for FIFA, after months of senior officials distancing Zurich from the scandal, instead blaming confederations which are beyond its control.
Most of the already seized money — $151.7 million — will come from Brazilian marketing executive Jose Hawilla, whose group of agencies were heavily involved with matches CONCACAF and CONMEBOL controlled but not FIFA directly.
In an initial claim for $28.2 million, FIFA specifies an amount for each of 20 men from the Americas over many years that it says it should be repaid from money held by U.S. authorities.
FIFA wants more than $5.3 million it spent on Chuck Blazer, the disgraced American official who has pleaded guilty, allocates $4.4 million of its claim for former FIFA vice president Jack Warner, and $3.5 million for Ricardo Teixeira, Havelange's former son-in-law form Brazil.
Warner, a long-time powerbroker from Trinidad and Tobago until resigning in a 2011 election bribery scandal, is identified by FIFA in its 22-page claim for receiving a $1 million bribe from 1998 World Cup bid candidate Morocco, and ensuring the $10 million bribe from South Africa shared among three voters was paid via a FIFA account in 2008.
FIFA insisted Wednesday that its claim for money did not mean it believed South Africa "bought" hosting rights when it beat Morocco 14-10 in a vote by FIFA executive committee members.
"The U.S. indictments, which FIFA is relying upon in its restitution request, merely accuses certain individuals of criminal behavior," FIFA said in a statement.
FIFA claims a further $2 million for payments to Jeffrey Webb, the Cayman Islands banker who was arrested at a luxury Zurich hotel last May, and now lives at his home near Atlanta, Georgia, awaiting sentence in June.
"These dollars were meant to build football fields, not mansions and pools; to buy football kits, not jewelry and cars; and to fund youth player and coach development, not to underwrite lavish lifestyles for football and sports marketing executives," Infantino said.
It is unclear how much influence Infantino, a former lawyer, had had in the restitution claim since he was elected only three weeks ago, with strong support from voters in the Americas.
Infantino's signature pitch to voters on election day was about finances, saying bluntly "It's your money." That resonated with members of CONMEBOL and CONCACAF, who have had a combined $20 million central funding frozen by FIFA.
CONCACAF, based in Miami, has had its past three presidents implicated in the U.S. case. But it has passed wide-ranging reforms to clean up its operations, and has targeted restitution money to rebuild.
"CONCACAF views itself as a victim of a number of the offenses described in the indictments and intends to seek restitution at the appropriate time," the regional body said in a statement.


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NEW YORK (AP) — Target said Friday that its massive pre-Christmas security breach affected potentially millions more people than it previously thought.
Target Corp. disclosed last month that about 40 million credit and debit cards may have been affected by the breach that occurred between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15. But according to new information released Friday, those criminals also stole personal information — including names, phone numbers as well as email and mailing addresses — from as many as 70 million customers who could have shopped at stores outside of that timeframe.
Some overlap exists between the two data sets.
Here's what you need to know if you think you're a potential victim:
Q: How did this happen?
A: Target has said that the breach was caused by malware that affected its U.S. stores.
Ken Stasiak, founder and CEO of SecureState, a Cleveland-based information security firm that investigates data breaches like this one, says it's likely that the perpetrators infiltrated Target's main information hub with malware and from there were able to access the store point-of-sale systems. Once the malware was in the POS systems, it could collect credit and debit card numbers as the cards were swiped.
Stasiak notes that retailers routinely collect personal information such as addresses, emails and phone numbers through things such as rewards cards when sales are made, so that information is also contained on POS systems just like credit card numbers.
Q: If my card number gets stolen, what exactly am I on the hook for?
A: In most cases consumers aren't responsible for fraudulent credit card charges.
Credit card companies are often able to flag the charges before they go through and shut down your card. If that doesn't happen, the card issuer will generally strip charges you claim are fraudulent off your card immediately. Usually the worst thing consumers have to deal with is the hassle of getting a new credit card.
But since debit cards don't come with all of the same protections, holders of those kinds of cards may have a harder time getting their money back.
And the banks and credit card companies ultimately won't be stuck with the bills, either. Since the fraud has been tied to Target, the retailer will be responsible for compensating them.
Q: What are the odds that my identity will be stolen?
A: There's no way to know. But Stasiak says the revelation that personal information was taken in addition to card numbers makes it much more likely that the thieves weren't just out to steal credit card numbers for financial gain.
For instance, criminals could use that personal information to send specific phishing emails to Target shoppers that prompt them to click on links that send malware to their own computers and steal even more information.
And identity theft damage could be much harder for victims to repair than credit card fraud. In addition, if the theft is discovered months or even years down the road, it will be much harder to tie to the Target breach, Stasiak says.
Q: What should I do to protect myself?
A: Consumers who think they may be affected should check their credit card statements carefully for potentially fraudulent charges. Experts say in cases like this when a huge amount of information is stolen, the thieves often sell it on the black market to the highest bidder. As a result, it could be a while before someone tries to use the information for nefarious purposes.
If you see suspicious charges, report the activity to your credit card companies and call Target at 866-852-8680. You can report cases of identity theft to law enforcement or the Federal Trade Commission.
Stasiak says that since it could be a long time before identity theft victims even realize they've been hit, people should take Target up on its offer of free credit monitoring. Those services, for instance, inform consumers if someone takes out a loan in their name.
He also advises potential victims to change email passwords and to make sure that the same passwords aren't being used for other accounts like Facebook. And while the company has not said that its website was compromised in the attack, he says shoppers also should change their passwords related to those, since it's apparent that Target doesn't yet have a full grasp of the damage.
Consumers can get more information about identity theft on the FTC's website at www.consumer.gov/idtheft, or by calling the FTC, at 877- IDTHEFT (438-4338).


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Senior Designer Position Available at Fossil
Vintage-inspired fashion house Fossil is looking to hire a Senior Designer. Responsibilities will include collaborating with and supporting the Art Director in the design and development of the Fossil brand image. Potential candidates must be aware of vintage looks and contemporary design and fashion trends. For more info on this job listing see the grain edit job board.
Also from the job board:
Art Director – Swink (Madison, WI)
Web Developer – fred flare (Brooklyn, NY)
You can subscribe to our job listings via RSS, Email or follow at Twitter and Facebook.
Not signed up for the Grain Edit RSS Feed yet? Give it a try. Its free and yummy.


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isubscribe REWARDS
Instant £2.50 credit > Read more
At isubscribe you can buy from a huge selection of subscriptions including the largest range of print and digital magazine subscriptions and a fantastic, growing number of subscription boxes. Since 2000, we've sold over 4 million subscriptions across our Australian, UK and NZ websites to happy customers all over the world.
There are great offers and fantastic discounts on the site, and all prices include delivery. You are sure to make a great saving on your subscription.
You can choose from over 3,000 different subscriptions on isubscribe. Ranging from gifts for kids, fashion followers, foodies, creatives and everything in-between. Treat yourself or give the gift that keeps giving, you can't beat the joy of receiving your magazine or subscription box through the door!


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"T" Style Draft Beer Tower - 8 Faucets - Stainless Steel Mirrored Finish
*Please allow up to 3 weeks for this product to ship*
T-Towers are designed to mount to one or more pedestals. Our Pedestals are 10" tall. T-Towers are made of 18 ga. Stainless Steel in #8 Mirror Finish. The removable faceplate is used to attach beer lines as easily as possible. T-Towers come with Styrofoam and Rubatex insulation and Neoprene gaskets to aid in keeping the product cold. Pedestals come in 3" diameter. The flanges on the pedestals are welded to the tubing thus eliminating dirt catches and producing a smooth seamless joint. The flanges are press formed from a single piece of material and have 4 countersunk holes for mounting. We supply the metal housing for that the beer lines go into. We do not include or sell taps or beer lines. We supply the suppliers of the Beer and Restaurant Industry with the finest stainless steel metal products since 1959.
- Face Plate is Removable for Quick Installation of Beer Lines
- Made In the USA
- Flanges on the pedestals are welded to the tubing = NO Dirt Catching =)
- 4 countersunk holes for mounting.
- Stainless Steel in #8 Mirror Finish
We offer rush orders for products with 2 or 3 week lead times. If your lead time in green/red meets those requirements, please add the rush charge. The rush charge is 60% of the cost of each product. If you choose this option, the order will have a 7-working day in process lead time.
If your product has a 1-2 day lead time, this means your product is in stock or can be made quickly and will ship within 1-2 days. A rush order for 1-2 day products is not necessary.
If the rush order does not appear in the cart, then the rush order option is not available online. We may still offer it for phone orders if you call us at 951-943-1495. One of the reasons for the rush order to be turned off is our work/order volume is too high or metal demands.
Remember you must still choose the best shipping option for you. A rush charge does not mean the shipping will be expedited.
If you have any other questions, please contact us.
Free Ground Shipping on Orders over $100 (Taxes and Fees Not Included)
Free Ground Shipping on Orders over $100 or more (Taxes and Fees Not Included). This only applies to the continental United States. Free ground shipping in the cart will be applied by default if it is an option for your location.
Free ground shipping will be shipped via UPS Ground.
This will be labeled as UPS Ground and the price would be set to Free (Zero dollars).
Rinser Collection(s) are now included. Please give us time to make this transition correctly. Thank you.


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Answers to 30 Common COVID-19 Vaccine Questions
On Dec. 14, 2020, the United States began vaccinating people against the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the COVID-19 illness. The vaccine rollout has been very fast, as the virus was only identified for the first time in November 2019. While impressive, this speed has also left a lot of people with a lot of questions. The questions range from the practical--how will I get vaccinated?--to the scientific--how do these vaccines even work?
A successful vaccination campaign relies on a large enough group of people getting the vaccine in order to achieve what is known as herd immunity. While that exact number is still unknown, it is estimated the 80-90% of the population must be immune--either by vaccination or prior exposure to the virus--in order to achieve herd immunity. This means it's extremely important that people feel confident in the vaccines and vaccination process.
In order to help people better understand both, Stacker scoured news outlets and public health resources, especially the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) COVID-19 vaccines FAQ site, to compile and answer 30 common questions about COVID-19 vaccines. This resource will explain how the vaccine works, when and how you should expect to receive yours, how it will be distributed, who should and shouldn't get the vaccine, when more vaccines will be available, and what to expect now that scientists are discovering new coronavirus mutations even as vaccinations are taking place.
LOOK: Answers to 30 common COVID-19 vaccine questions
While much is still unknown about the coronavirus and the future, what is known is that the currently available vaccines have gone through all three trial phases and are safe and effective. It will be necessary for as many Americans as possible to be vaccinated in order to finally return to some level of pre-pandemic normalcy, and hopefully these 30 answers provided here will help readers get vaccinated as soon they are able.


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Emergency Alerts
The decision to close or delay schools due to inclement weather begins as early as 4:30 am. Student safety is the first priority in any decision to open late or to close. If it appears conditions will be safe with a delayed opening, then schools open 2 hours late and the bus schedule is adjusted accordingly. Dismissal is at the usual time in the afternoon, even if the opening of school is delayed. In very rare cases, a decision to delay or close is made a day in advance, but with changing weather forecasts, this should not be expected.
The Superintendent of Schools consults with Town officials and neighboring superintendents. The amount of snow, visibility and road and parking lot clearance are major factors. The Department of Public Works and Police and Fire Departments also weigh in on safety. Still, the decision is not an exact science, and must be made by 5:30 am for both a delayed (2‐hour) opening and closure. Notification to parents and the media will follow as soon as possible after that time. Parents should ensure they are set up properly in Infinite Campus to receive school closing, delay and early dismissal notifications.
It is not always prudent to make early dismissal decisions by 5:30 am. The Superintendent may decide, after classes begin, that an early dismissal is warranted. When this happens, this decision is made by 10:30 am. Notification to parents will follow after that time. Generally, in the event of an early dismissal, afternoon and evening activities are cancelled.
*The following methods of communication will be used for notification of school closures and delayed openings:
1. | FPS Website |
2. | CT Weather IAN Cancellations |
3. | Infinite Campus |
4. | Radio: Local Stations |
5. | TV: Cablevision Channel 12 |


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- Where a person left his wife and stepdaughter because his wife had started divorce proceedings against him, and made no contributions or other provision for his stepdaughter's support during the week between his departure and the date of his death, held, the child was not dependent on her stepfather at the time of his death and cannot become entitled to child's insurance benefits on his earnings record.
When M divorced her first husband in September 1947, she retained custody of their 7-month-old daughter, C. M married F in July 1953 and she, F, and C lived together in an apartment. M and F both worked and both earned about the same amount. They pooled their incomes and paid all expenses of the family group from the pooled funds. On November 14, 1960, F was served with notice that M had filed suit for divorce against him and had petitioned for a restraining order against his interfering with, molesting, bothering, or hindering M or C in any way. F left the apartment immediately, rented quarters elsewhere, remained away from the home and made no further contributions or other provision for meeting the expenses of C or M. He died on November 21, 1960, one week after leaving their home. In December 1960, M filed an application on C's behalf for child's insurance benefits on F's earnings record.
Under section 202(d)(1)(C) of the Social Security Act, one of the conditions for entitlement to child's insurance benefits on the earnings record of a deceased person is that the child must have been dependent on that person at the time of death.
Section 202(d)(4) provides in effect that a child shall be deemed dependent upon his stepfather at the time of the latter's death if, at that time, the child was living with or was receiving at least one-half of his support from the stepfather. Accordingly, C can be entitled to benefits only if she was either living with F on November 21, 1960, or was receiving at least one-half of her support from him at that time.
Regulations No. 4, § 404.723(a), requires that where a child is claiming benefits on the earnings record of his deceased stepfather, to establish that the child was living with the stepfather at the time of death, there must be evidence showing that at that time:
- Such individual and such child were living together at a common place of abode, giving address of such place, or if they were temporarily living apart, giving the reason therefor, the residence of each, the length of the separation, and the expected duration thereof; * * *
When F left the household where C and M were living, M's divorce suit was pending against him and he gave no indication that he was planning to return. Instead, all the circumstances establish a separation from M and C which was intended to be permanent and which in fact continued to the time of death. The present facts do not provide a basis for a finding that C was living with F when he died. Therefore, in order to meet the dependency requirement in section 202(d)(1), C must have been receiving at least one-half of her support from F at the time of his death.
The law does not require that the stepfather must actually have made a contribution on the day of his death. However, it does contemplate the existence of an economic relationship under which the child was dependent upon contributions by the stepfather for at least one-half of his support and that this relationship must have continued up to the time of the stepfather's death.
In determining what was the dependency or support situation at the time of death, consideration is given to the events which occurred during that period (up to 12 months) immediately preceding death which accurately reflects the situation at the time of death. Where events occurred during the 12-month period before the worker's death which show that the economic relationship had changed basically immediately before death, the determination of dependency or support must be made on the basis of the changed situation, even though the change occurred shortly before death. Thus, where a stepfather had been making contributions to the support of his stepchild, but left the family and discontinued his contributions at some time within the 12 months before his death, the economic relationship previously in existence has terminated before his death.
In the case at hand, there was a basic change in the economic relationship between F and C when F left the family home. He made no provisions for C's support after leaving, nor did he make any actual contributions for C's support. Under the relationship from that point on, she could not look to F for support, nor was she dependent upon F for any contributions at all.
Therefore, it is determined that C was not in fact receiving at least one-half of her support from F when he died.
Accordingly, it is held that C was not dependent on F at the time of F's death and is not entitled to child's insurance benefits on F's earnings record.
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Promising cervical cancer study
Research on cervical cancer performed by a physician at the University of Arizona Cancer Center at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The multi-site research project by Bradley J. Monk, MD, is expected to change the standard of care for women with advanced cervical cancer.
The featured research revealed that women with advanced cervical cancer live about four months longer with the combined use of bevacizumab (Avastin®) and chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone. Women who combined bevacizumab with chemotherapy lived an average of 17 months after diagnosis, while those who received chemotherapy alone lived 13.3 months.
"This research proves that there are new options for patients with metastatic cervical cancer," says Dr. Monk, the project's senior author. "I predict that adding bevacizumab to chemotherapy will become the new standard of care." Dr. Monk is nationally recognized for his expertise in cervical cancer and chairs the Gynecologic Oncology Cervical Cancer Committee for the National Cancer Institute funded Gynecologic Oncology Group. Krishnansu S. Tewari, MD, at the University of California Irvine was the first author on the study published online February 20 in the Journal. (GOG 240ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT00803062)
The research was conducted between April 2009 and January 2012. A total of 452 women participated in the trial and were enrolled from 164 institutions in the United States and Spain. St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center was the only site enrolling in Arizona.
During the clinical trial, patients were randomly assigned to groups who only received chemotherapy and to groups who received both chemotherapy with bevacizumab.
Approximately 12,000 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed in the United States annually, and with continued increases in vaccinations, numbers of cases are expected to decrease further. However, for vulnerable populations without access to health care, cervical cancers remains a serious problem, with 500,000 new cases and 250,000 deaths annually.
"There has been a large unmet medical need for active treatments for cervical cancer," says Dr. Monk. "We believe the results of this study are a significant step forward and now we will move to trying to add bevacizumab to a front-line treatment when cancers are more curable, rather than using it at the time of recurrence."
Lynne Reaves
St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center


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Login | Viewpoint
Does college prepare students for jobs or for life? And does IT care?
I recently read--and highly recommend--Louis Menand's article in the June 6 New Yorker, entitled "Live and Learn: Why we have college."
What spurred the essay, in part, was the "Academically Adrift" report from two sociologists, Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa. This study has received a lot of publicity for its claim that colleges are failing to teach students "to think critically, reason analytically, solve problems, and communicate clearly," primarily because of grade inflation and a less-than-rigorous curriculum.
In his essay, Menand posits that there are two theories about the value of a college education. Theory 1 believes that college is a sorting mechanism that uses a grading system to identify "intelligent people early on so that it can funnel them into careers that maximize their talents." According to this theory, Menand says, "college is a four-year intelligence test" that not only sorts people by their innate abilities, but also their aptitudes for specific disciplines to ensure that the right people are in the right jobs.
Theory 2 believes that colleges should "expose future citizens to material that enlightens and empowers them, whatever careers they end up choosing." The idea here is that in a society where people are incented only to learn things that will get them the best possible job, it is college's role to expose students to thoughts and ideas that will make them more informed and culturally aware citizens. Menand points out that US higher education has, since 1945, been committed to both theories of college. "The system is designed to be meritocratic (Theory 1) and democratic (Theory 2)."
To my mind, the challenge of meeting both goals has fueled the recent criticisms of higher education--not only Arum's and Roksa's critique that colleges are failing in their responsibility to prepare our citizens, but other charges that colleges are not adequately readying students for the 21st century global economy.
Technology has a central place in this debate, and it's not just a utilitarian one. Technological tools have an obvious role in 21st century job preparedness, and they are also, aside from books, the main instrument for teaching critical thinking and problem solving--as well as one of the key conduits of an informed citizenry.
Yet campus technology leaders can do more than simply promote appropriate tool use. With all the challenges that higher ed faces--competition from for-profit institutions, the astronomical rise of tuition, brutal budget cuts, an impenetrable job market, and the increasingly basic academic needs of entering students--the argument about the role of higher education in society goes beyond Menand's twin theories. It goes to the heart of the future of our culture and our country. And campus technology leaders need to be doing more than providing the wires that facilitate the conversation.
About the Author
Therese Mageau is the former editorial director of THE Journal and Campus Technology. She can be reached at [email protected].


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God has made preparation for all those who will follow his commands to have an eternal home in heaven.
Man could not have salvation by any means he would determine. It took the mind of God to make a plan and ensure it was carried out. This plan required a perfect sacrifice be made to atone for sin. The giving of Jesus was the only sacrifice worthy of this task, as God willing gave his Son (John 3:16-17).
While on Earth, Jesus told of the place prepared for the faithful. He said, "Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be, also" (John 14:1-3). Heaven waits, but man must desire to go and be willing to follow God's commands if he is to ever enjoy what God has prepared.
Man's preparation needs more than just believing in God; it requires obedience to God's word. "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things, which he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him" (Hebrews 5:8-9). "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God, and the books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged out of those things, which were written in the books, according to their works" (Revelation 20:12).
James wrote of how the devils believe in God, yet they are not saved (James 2:19). There is more that man must do.
God did not leave man to find his own way. God, in his Word, has given examples of how to prepare.
In the book of Acts, the Gospel of Christ was preached to men. It tells of the sacrifice made by Christ for mankind — how he was crucified for the sins of all men and how he died, was buried and then arose from the grave, triumphant over death.
Paul reminded those at Corinth of this: "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
We can make this same preparation today. If we have faith in Christ as the Son of God, turn from our sins, willingly confess his name among men, are baptized for the remission of our sins and live faithfully to God for all our lives, we will be able to go to heaven.
Let's all work to that end.
God has prepared a way, if man will follow
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