text:
political commentator * author * publisher * bookseller * radio presenter * blogger * Conservative candidate * former lobbyist * Jack Russell owner * West Ham United fanatic * Email iain AT iaindale DOT com
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Election Night Live Blog
3.06 Conservatives predicted to take Basingstoke & Deane. Previous was NOC (C:30/others:30).
All out election because of boundary changes, but it looks like Conservatives will get between 33 and 36 seats.
3.05 Alison Halford elected as Conservative councillor for Ewloe, Flintshire. Alison is a former Labour member of the Welsh Assembly (1999-2003 term). She defected to the Conservatives in 2006.
3.04 About to come on your TV screens again. Hmmm. Perhaps I should rephrase that.
2.52 Just had a text from a Shadow Cabinet member (not DD!) commenting on my attack on Michael Portillo. It reads: "Fucking right. Well done you." I'm Iain Dale, and I approved this message.
2.51 Cons gain two seats from Lab in Dyfan ward, Vale of Glamorgan.
2.46 Am basking in the warm afterglow of slagging off Portillo live on national TV. What an unbelievable performance from him tonight. he should bloody well remember he wouldn't be where he is without the Tory Party. All he's done this evening is read a book called LOST BOYS. he hasn't talked to a single person at this event apart from Fraser Nelson and Polly Toynbee. Unbelievable.
2.16 BNP gain a seat from Labour in Thurrock.
2.14 Second Tory gain in Chorley. In the Labour marginal of South Ribble there are now 45 Tories and four Labour councillors.
2.13 Three Line Whip reports the sad news that Kelvin Mackenzie didn't win. A nation mourns.
2.12 After 72 of 159 councils declared
CON +7 councils, LAB -2 councils, LD no change, NOC -5 councils.
CON +103 councillors, LAB -88 councillors, LD -3 councillors.
2.11 Sorry, got sidetracked chatting to Emily.
1.52 Conservatives win Rumney ward in Cardiff from Labour, winning two seats
1.51 The Conservatives have gained a seat in Barnsley!!!!!!!!!
1.51 Two eighteen year old Conservative councillors elected in Southampton.
1.49 Ewan Spence is a very fair and far-sighted man.
1.42 Two Tory gains in Flintshire. One gain in Cambridge. Greens gain a seat in Cambridge too.
1.40 Birmingham Tories have made 7 gains - just taken Longbridge aka home of Rover and Red Robo, not really Tory territory - Cons have also slashed Labour majorities. Gary Sambrook, aka Brummie Tory Blog, the youngest Tory candidate @ 18 lost by 80 votes in solid Labour territoy. Lib Dems could push Labour into third place in the city.
1.38 Sky have just captioned Gisela Stewart as "Conservative" Do they know something we don't ?
1.27 Our friends in the North
• Gained 5 seats in Sunderland
• Gained seats in Chester-le-Street and North Durham
• Gained 4 seats in Tameside - James Purnell would lose his seat based on tonight's results
• Gained 4 seats in Wigan
• Gained seat in Bolton
• Gained 2 seats in Bury
• Gained 2 seats in Carlisle
• Gained seat in Wirral
• Gained seat in Halton
1.20 77% on Guido want me to dress up as a cowboy! As if a serious political commentator would do such a thing. Oh, hello Jeremy...
1.19 From Caroline Hunt: "If Clemency and Emily made a porn film they'd be rich beyond their wildest dreams I suspect".
1.17 Labour is predicted to have a 24% share of the vote. Their worst ever. BBC calling Tories on 44%. Perhaps now we will have an end to the "Tories should be doing better" brigade.
1.17 "Gordon Brown has had his Life on Mars moment. Hhe went to sleep in 2008 and today he's waking up with support back to the worst his party has seen since records began in 1973." So said a Tory spokesman.
1.13 Where's Cleggy?
1.11 Conservatives officially predict a 43 per cent vote share.
1.05 Jeremy Vine seems to be the fall guy of the evening... This email from a correspondent is typical... "Whilst watching the local Election results with great interested my husband and I are very irritated by the way in which Jeremy Vine is setting out the results. Why can't we have the statistics done in an adult way instead of making us feel as if we are being talked down to and treating us like children. We don't need him walking around in a thick coat in simulated snow thank you very much, all we want is for us to see exactly what is happening around the Country. This type of reporting statistics has got worse and worse over the years."
1.04 Just been having a threeway (chat) with Polly Toynbee and Dizzy, who sent me a 1965 photo of Polly. She was most amused.
1.03 3 Con gains so far in plymouth - predicting 5 in total
0.55 Another email: "Hi Iain, loyal Tory voter (always by proxy though) and a military officer, but had a great day having taken leave from duty to vote personally for the very first time in my life at the age of 40. Great feeling putting that cross in the 'right' place on the ballot paper. Voted in North Tyneside and hope it goes well. Keep up the great work.
0.50 Just received by email.. Hi Iain, Just read your post about someone wanting to join the Tory party. I myself joined at he start of the year (always been a Tory voter) and I am a born and bred Scot who still lives and works in Scotland (don't give up on us). Please remind those you write to about the Tory party's new ways of showing support short of becoming a full member. We've had the ministrations of Lord Ashcroft and the example of Senator Obama to show how our party should be growing through the netroots and developing a broader donation base. Cheers. D
0.48 - Both Labour and Liberal Democrat group leaders in Southampton lose their seats to Conservatives.
- Marginal constituency: Clatterbridge ward, Wirral council, in Wirral South constituency, goes Conservative off Liberal Democrats.
- Marginal constituency: Cambridge ward on Sefton Council in Southport constituency, goes Conservative with 200 majority. Last year, we were 400 behind Liberal Democrats.
- Conservatives gain Radcliffe ward in Bury.
- Labour MP, Tony Wright, chairman of the Public Administration Select Committee, calls for individual electoral registration, warning of electoral fraud in ethnic minority communities.
0.42 And yes, that really was Emily... Oooh, about to get on screen again. Stand by, fans
0.41 FROM EMILY MAITLIS: i cant write this properly without leaning into iAINS CROTCH> WHICH IS HIGHLY ENBARRASSIN G
0.37 The Tory council gain in Nuneaton mans they control the Council for the first time since 1973.
0.36 Conservatives gain another seat, Quinton, in Birmingham.
0.35 LibDem council leader in Pendle loses seat to Conservatives
0.34 Labour now third in Ben Bradshaw's Exeter seat after two Tory gains from Labour.
0.33 Another Tory Gain in Norwich. The last time the Tories had 5 seats was in 1968 I think... The gain was in Catton Grove, the ward I stood in, in 1985!
0.30 Dizzy has a story about Boris involving marital aids...
0.29 - Conservatives win control of Nuneaton & Bedworth (was LAB)
- Conservatives win control of Elmbridge council (was NOC). One of the wards that we won was Walton Central - The successful Tory candidate was 20 years old, and wasn't even born last time the Conservatives controlled the council.
- Liberal Democrats predict they will be the largest party in Cheltenham.
0.27 Guido's Live Chat is, er, well, go and see for yourself. But do come back!
0.24 From the comments: hi im 19 just voted in my 1st election.1st of all i h8 labour.i did vote BNP. in years to come i want to be put first in houses and health care etc. but there are millions of other people to think about i know this. just wish people born in england got 1st choice. tell me why in furture i should give my surport to torys and not bnp.
0.23 Six Tory gains from Labour in Sunderland. Yes, you read that right. Sunderland.
0.23 To those of you who are outraged by the BBC Homo Erectus graphics, just wait till you see the ones on Gordon Brown. The Labour Party will explode with rage.
0.20 Conservative Party is now officially predicting 200 gains. Their initial briefings suggested 120, which I thought was about bang on the money.
0.17 Just had an email from someone who will be getting a very nice email from me tomorrow: "hi i am a yorkshire man who now lives in the wilds of essex and am tired of this labour goverment and its unelected pm, its old school communist mayor (red ken have a word!!! ) i am 34 married with a daughter and for the first time i feel engaged by politics, I am angry i feel mis-represented and want a better life for my family. I belive that the conservative party would do that for me better than the others and want to get involved how do i join the party? and get involved? Many thanks. E. D (a normal working class man who cannot belive the level of betrayal by the labour party)"
I am getting a lot of these at the moment.
0.16 EXCLUSIVE: CONSERVATIVES GAIN MAIDSTONE FROM NOC/LIBDEMS AFTER TWO GAINS (this assumes no Tory losses later)
0.14 Con Swing in Edgbaston is 10%.
0.13 Con gain Brockmoor ward in Labour heartland in Dudley by 68 votes. Bye bye Ian Pearson. Hello Chris Kelly.
0.13 Tory gain from LibDems in Maidstone. One more needed to gain the council.
0.12 Another Tory gain in Birmingham, Longbridge.
0.11 Conservatives gain Bowthorpe Ward in Norwich. Antony Little is an absolute hero.
0.07 Clemency Burton-Hill has just come over for a snog. You know, if things were different...
0.06 Michael Portillo is here ... sitting on a sofa, talking to no one ... reading a book. I shall try to see what it is in a minute.
0.05 Intimidation in Bolton. Nothing to do with Gary Megson, I am assured.
0.02 Yay, Polly Toynbee is in da house!
0.01 Croydonian reports a serious Tory effort in, er, Broadwater Farm!
23.52 - Conservatives pick up another seat from Labour in Southend (CON). Blaine Robin, former CCHQ's Social Action Manager wins seat - and first black councillor in Southend. Ward has never been won by Conservatives.
- Conservatives take seat off Labour in Eric Pickles' Brentwood.
- Liberal Democrats report that they have 'taken control' of Hull - however, council was already LibDem controlled.
- Labour hold Sunderland council, but Conservatives make second confirmed gain in Sunderland.
- Conservatives gain seat from Liberal Democrats in Halton (LAB council)
- Conservatives won have 3 gains in DC's area of West Oxfordshire.
23.51 Tory PPC Deirdre Alden wins seat in Birmingham Edgbaston by 1600 majority - best result there since 1992. Tories expect to gain 6 seats in Birmingham tonight. Bye bye Gisela Stuart. Best defect now, love.
23.49 Coventry is looking better than expected for the Tories. I had thought we were going to lose control, but we may just scrape it.
23.47 This is the row of shame at City Hall tonight. I'm the one on the left :)
23.41 Emily gets the programme going.
23.39 LibDems take 5 Labour seats in Hull to take overall control.
23.26 Somebody just told me the caricature of me on the BBC website looks like DI Burnside... Judge for yourself. Think I prefer the GQ pic... Luke Akehurst and Alix Mortimer are the other two sitting alongside me, blogging their little hearts away.
23.25 Another Tory gain, this time in Chorley from Labour. Con majority 150.
23.24 From a correspondent in Coventry: "I sincerely hope BBC coverage of the local elections is better than we are getting from the BBC local radio here in Coventry (BBC Coventry & Warwickshire). They have two "Political Experts" one a former Chief Exec of the City Council, the other who appears to be a self proclaimed expert on politics, Vincent McKee who just happens to be a Lib-Dem candidate in the city elections, who is getting far more air-time to promote his parties policies views etc, than any other of the parties. Why on earth they deemed it necessary to this Lib-Dem candidate to give us his opinion constantly is beyond me. No one else is there from any other of the main parties to commentate in the same way. I have called and complained and was told he is there not as a Lib-Dem, but as a Political expert!! Yeah pull the other one!"
23.21 First Conservative gain of the evening - from an Independent in Swansea. Go Wales!
23.16 A big shout for Islington Conservatives who have been up in Chingford this evening. Their knocking up efforts seem to have borne fruit. I am told that turnout up there is in the high seventies.
23.13 From London Tory: "I arrived to take over my telling slot for the Conservatives at about 8.10am and very shortly thereafter an irate gentleman came out complaining about the officers writing the polling numbers on the ballot papers, asking me and the one other teller present to confirm that what they were doing was wrong. We did so and the other teller, who was the Lib Dem peer Lord Oakshott (being a Tory naturally I deferred to rank!), went in and spoke to the very inexperienced officers administering the polling station and they agreed that they must have been mistaken in doing what they had been. They said that their instructions told them to write the polling number "alongside" the ballot paper number and they had thought that meant on the ballot paper. Oakshott explained it meant on the separate list. The irate voter then went off and said he was going to call the BBC etc. I must admit that I thought they wouldn't be interested, but clearly they were. I also think it is fairly outrageous if the 14 votes are rendered invalid when it was not the voters who had made the "distinguishing mark".
Now here is my only real scoop from having been there: I am fairly sure that the vote of Lord (Matthew) Oakshott himself was one of the 14 votes supposedly to be rendered invalid! I know this because once the irate other voter had complained Lord O. remembered that they had put the number on his own voting paper when he had voted a short time before but had not thought about it at the time. I do not think we will have lost even a second preference from him but early voters in a place like Kennington (these were in the first hour and a quarter) tend to be disproportionately Tory (City workers etc who go to work early). The polling station concerned is probably a fairly even three way split between the main parties (Lib Dem held the Ward until two years ago (Princes), then it went Labour, but we have been working it hard as we have been a very good third in a constituency where mostly we are a poor third). Anyway, I look forward to the Lib Dem peer in voting irregularity shock story from you.
23.09 Respect fliers in polling booths in Whitechapel telling people how to vote. Presiding officer not bothered.
23.06 So Labour say they can't do better than 25% and the Tories must get 47%. Ben Brogan reports Tory guffaws. For the record I stick by my 41% prediction for the Tories. If they get above that the champagne corks can truly pop.
23.02 It would be rude not to mention Emily Maitlis's BBC Election blog, which she will be writing in between spots on BBC1.
22.55 News from the Former Socialist Republic of South Yorkshire: "Am in Gleadless Valley Ward in Sheffield: I was told at the polling station that there were 541 votes by 21.20. Given the electorate in the ward is 13,703 (according to the Council website), that implies a very low turnout (even if there are half a dozen polling stations)... Only the Lib Dems seemed to be campaigning here (and hard) despite the fact that the Council has currently got 41 Labour Councillors and 39 Lib Dems. Sounds like Labour might lose the capital of 'The Soviet Republic of South Yorkshire'."
22.53 From an Islington correspondent just after 10pm: Just voted at st peter and st paul on compton st. Left list campaigning inside polling station and fliers left in polling booth. Complained to presiding officer. He was not at all bothered
22.46 News from a senior political contact in Wales: Tories will make gains in Pembrokeshire, Conwy and Powys because independent tories are standing as official Conservatives for the first time so even without winning new seats they will be up considerably. They also should do well in Vale of Glamorgan. Turnout seems reasonably high in areas where Labour are not strong - West and Mid Wales (Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Powys) but seems low in the valleys. RCT (Rhondda cynon taf) and Caerphilly. Caerphilly will probably go NOC. Labour will keep RCT majority. Ceredigion might be interesting with Plaid getting close to majority but probably not quite making it. Interesting for Westminster seat where Lib dems currently hold majority of some 200. 22.34 ConservativeHome has called the mayoral race for Boris. I'm Iain Dale and I approve this message.
22.32 Am now ensconced on the 9th floor of City Hall with the lovely Emily Maitlis opposite me. I have just taught her how to twitter. I don't think her life will ever be the same. She has just been censored by the resident BBC killjoy (Joanna, you know who you are) for using a little known pornographic term in her first blogpost. Fluffer, anyone?
142 comments:
Mmm.. saucy !
- May 01, 2008 10:40 pm
Iain - please ask Alix (I assume she's there too) if she ever watched football with Mr Blair - her milk-snatching memory has familiar ring to it...
- May 01, 2008 10:42 pm
I'd hate to be Gordon's fluffer. How does Carter cope? I guess he just thinks of the money.
- May 01, 2008 10:44 pm
- Iain Dale said...
Alix says she is most amused at the assumption and very sorry if it upset you!
- May 01, 2008 10:45 pm
What are you hearing about turnout in London and elsewhere, especially up North and in Wales?
Thanks! - May 01, 2008 10:47 pm
- Alex said...
Alix Mortimer: Political confession: I wasn't remotely interested in politics as a student
Nothing's changed then, still a Lib Dem. - May 01, 2008 10:49 pm
I think you'll find RCT had a Plaid majority last time round. Twas considered a shocker...
- May 01, 2008 10:55 pm
I'm sure you'll be keeping us up all night, Iain :-)
- May 01, 2008 10:56 pm
- Peter from Putney said...
A very cruel caricature of you Ian, heavy jowels and virtually no hair.
- May 01, 2008 11:00 pm
Oops! Sorry. RCT has been Labour controlled for the last four years. It was Plaid before that. I suspect it might swing Plaid again.
- May 01, 2008 11:02 pm
RE Anon, 10:55...
Plaid Cymru lost their majority in Rhondda Cynon Taf in 2004, by a considerable amount. - May 01, 2008 11:03 pm
- Donal Blaney said...
The breach of the Representation of the People Act 1983 in Islington might lead to an election petition being brought...
- May 01, 2008 11:04 pm
August 31, 2007 4:46 PM , Laurence Boyce said...
"Anyway, all I really want to say is that if Boris Johnson becomes Mayor of London, I shall kiss Donal Blaney's arse."
I hope that this means we have seen the last of Laurence Boyce on this blog. - May 01, 2008 11:06 pm
Iain, the caricature of you on the BBC site makes you look like DI Burnside!
- May 01, 2008 11:08 pm
Things are looking good in Brum!
- May 01, 2008 11:09 pm
Well done! We need you! Dispatches from the front line....
- May 01, 2008 11:15 pm
Regarding the figures. I'll be like last year when that awful Blears woman was rabbiting on about how the Tories needed to win 500+ seats and that they weren't going to do it. 900+ says otherwise. I just wish she hadn't gone back to her hovel when those massive Tory gains started coming in later on. - May 01, 2008 11:16 pm
Tories must now get 47% for this to be a good night for them? Oh, boy!
If this is anything like the last round of council elections when the Tories first had to clear 600, then 700, and then 800, and then 1,000 to get any respect, it can mean only one thing: the Tories will get 46% of the vote and pick up more than 150 council seats--and be declared the night's losers by the BBC. - May 01, 2008 11:17 pm
- Old BE said...
Iain, sorry to plug, but I have a thing about the Durning Library thing on my blog...
- May 01, 2008 11:18 pm
- @molesworth_1 said...
Have you seen the 'cartoons' of you bloggers on Em's page?
- May 01, 2008 11:23 pm
Re: Lord Oakshott
I didn't think peers were allowed to vote? - May 01, 2008 11:28 pm
Vincent McKee is a published political science writer - I've seen at least one article of his in Parliamentary Affairs. I can't say how far he's able to give detached commentary, but his credentials as an expert are reasonably strong.
- May 01, 2008 11:29 pm
Oh, come along Dale - there aren't enough 'knocking up' jokes here for my liking.. Perhaps you could persuade Ms Maitlis to oblige..
- May 01, 2008 11:29 pm
Take 47% for the Tories. 25% for Labour, and give the Lib Dems 23% and plug them into one of those nifty--and habit-forming--sites that calculate election results. Yes, I know it's only council elections. Yes, I know, it's probably not right to extrapolate a few council races into General Election results. But, to see one site predict a Tory majority of more than 200 seats, an utter Labour rout in England, and big Tory gains in Wales, well, it is an amazing tonic for the soul.
- May 01, 2008 11:32 pm
Iain--There's a picture of you and your fellow bloggers on the BBC blog. You're looking good!
- May 01, 2008 11:37 pm
Ehh Mam - 'e's on Telly !!!
- May 01, 2008 11:40 pm
Hello all my election prediction - Boris Johnson to win London mayoral race, con to take 130 councils with a 43 share.
- May 01, 2008 11:40 pm
Are you getting a vibe that this will be a bad night for Labour ?...
- May 01, 2008 11:43 pm
Must run. Here on the American Eastern Seaboard, it's 1841--and time to run back home for dinner. Sorry to dash out on all the fun that I'm sure Iain and Company are about to have. Enjoy!
- May 01, 2008 11:44 pm
- Giles Marshall said...
I'm not sure McKee has always been a Lib Dem, although if he is one of their candidates now he shouldn't really be on as an objective 'expert'. But he has written one or two political articles in largely unread periodicals, and I even remember him interviewing me about TRG for a book that remains unpublished. Odd chap, though.....
- May 01, 2008 11:44 pm
Tessa Jawell "I dont feel ant forboading" ha yeah right they all know there in for a whipping
- May 01, 2008 11:47 pm
Tessa Jowell looks bored already !!
Chatshow Charlie is in the house - although I'm not sure he realises where he is... - May 01, 2008 11:49 pm
- Nich Starling said...
I can't believe you are waring THAT tie again !!!!
- May 01, 2008 11:51 pm
Such a contrast between the serious, interesting and sensible stuff on this blog and on the bbc website compared with the ghastly, pathetic, trivial cartoon-strip, bad-jokey contributions of Jeremy Vine on BBC1. Just hope they don't turn to him too often but having spent the money on the set I fear they will
- May 01, 2008 11:53 pm
Iain, could you blog in different entries, it makes it easier to follow and comment at the same time. Cheers!
- May 01, 2008 11:54 pm
- Ralph Hancock said...
Is that picture the first public view of the New Slimline Iain? Looking good. (Shame about the fat cartoon.)
- May 01, 2008 11:54 pm
I'm so exited. When is the next result expected?
- May 01, 2008 11:58 pm
Tories take Lib Dem seat (Milton ward) in Portsmouth...
- May 01, 2008 11:59 pm
Luke Akehurst looks like a trendier Simon Heffer. Not that much trendier, though.
I'm not at work tonight and it feels a bit weird. - May 01, 2008 11:59 pm
- Nich Starling said...
Iain, Hull is a Lib Dem gain as it was lost by virtue of a defection (you should know this - the Tories made a song and daance about it as he defected to the Tories).
- May 01, 2008 11:59 pm
- The Military Wing Of The BBC said...
Unbiased BBC commentator challenge:
Will that Canadian "unbiased" "expert" be able to say anything, and I do mean anything positive about the Conservative party's results at any time this morning?
Special prize for 1st positive comment. - May 02, 2008 12:00 am
it will be interesting to see how the cons do up here in yourkshire
- May 02, 2008 12:04 am
IT ISNT GONNA HAPPEN IAIN, IT ANIT GONNA HAPPEN !!!! - May 02, 2008 12:09 am
Nice tie, Iain! Any details on BNP? Don't want them winning anywhere tonight.
- May 02, 2008 12:09 am
Iain, whats your opinion on the breakdown of London voters today?
Have people been voting issues, values, party-based or personality?
Do you think the introduction of Johnson into the race changed the voters reasons for how they voted? - May 02, 2008 12:09 am
what... Edbaston in Bham. come Iain play with a straight bat.
as a ward it has always been Tory
but as MP it takes in parts of ladywwod ans bearwood... solid lab - May 02, 2008 12:11 am
Im not getting a sense of Lab Meltdown
- May 02, 2008 12:11 am
Iain, whats your opinion on the breakdown of London voters today?
Have people been voting issues, values, party-based or personality?
Do you think the introduction of Johnson into the race changed the voters reasons for how they voted? - May 02, 2008 12:12 am
Yourre calling it for Boris.
Even before a single vote is counted
WHAT are you a Florida Republican
WE dont CALL elections Iain.. Get your head out of McCain Arse - May 02, 2008 12:13 am
10% swing to Tories in Bolton according to ConcervativeHome
- May 02, 2008 12:13 am
What the f*ck is Jeremy Vine doing ?
Homo erectus !? Oohhh..
Matron Maitlis, a sponge down please... - May 02, 2008 12:13 am
Got to say, old Jeremy is enjoying his CGI... he's spent far too long on Radio Two...
- May 02, 2008 12:15 am
Could you get a message through to the BBC studios to shoot Jeremy Vine?
The man's puerile, ranty and shouty. - May 02, 2008 12:16 am
What the f*ck is Jeremy Vine doing ?
Homo erectus !? Oohhh..
Matron Maitlis, a sponge down please... - May 02, 2008 12:16 am
- @molesworth_1 said...
When is the earliest we can expect any news on the Mayoral election? I live 350 miles from the capital, & didn't get to vote today, so my interest is purely speculative...hem-hem...
- May 02, 2008 12:17 am
Look North in Yorkshire are saying 2 seats have been Barnsley to independants. Cons win West Linsey.
- May 02, 2008 12:17 am
- The Military Wing Of The BBC said...
what is that Canadians name?
- May 02, 2008 12:17 am
We are romping home in BIRMINGHAM - 5 gains, 2 recounts underway in non-traditional Tory wards, whopping majorities in all of our seats!
Waiting to find out if Brummie Tory Blogger has won Kingstanding ward from Labour. - May 02, 2008 12:19 am
Hmmm... so far your blogging style isn't brilliant.
It seems to be a mixture of bad half-baked un-confirmed facts and strange one-word opinions.
Do you think you could start actually blogging, perhaps some opinions in more than one word, a little party and personal perspective, some discussion would be good.
Ohh and heed "11:54 PM" advice, blog in seperate posts otherwise it'll be unreadable by morning.
Just some light criticism there, hope its ok! - May 02, 2008 12:21 am
- The Military Wing Of The BBC said...
Was that "the rise of Tory man" graphic supposed to be funny?
Was it unbiased?
Oh well at least the Conservative party is given the microphone with that well known mainstream commentator eh, Micheal Portillo. - May 02, 2008 12:22 am
Just seen Portillo being interviewed by Emily at City Hall. He was being quite bitchy about Boris. I think some people touted Portillo as a candidate. I wonder now if he regrets not having the bottle to stand (probably assumed Ken would be a shoe-in) and is now sticking the boot into someone that had the guts.
- May 02, 2008 12:23 am
- BNP 1st said...
hi im 19 just voted in my 1st election.1st of all i h8 labour.
i did vote BNP. in years to come i want to be put first in houses and health care etc. but there are millions of other people to think about i know this. just wish people born in england got 1st choice. tell me why in furture i should give my surport to torys and not bnp - May 02, 2008 12:23 am
- Liz said...
I'm just back from a bar in Cambridge, where the Green Party candidate and some rosette-wearing friends were at the next table. They all looked incredibly morose. This may have been to do with the fact that they were only drinking apple juice, but I suspect it has more to do with their perception of how they'd done at the polls today.
- May 02, 2008 12:26 am
I have calculated labour seem to be losing 9 seats every 400 council seats. So surely that puts them on course for 90 loss. With 4000 seats up for grabs. Please broadcast my brave prediction.
- May 02, 2008 12:27 am
- @molesworth_1 said...
What time are the Brown graphics scheduled for? Only I'm up at 6am for work...chiz
- May 02, 2008 12:28 am
- The Military Wing Of The BBC said...
But "Homo eructus" is being shown at 12.15
The Gordon Brown one will go out when no one is watching. - May 02, 2008 12:29 am
tessa flanneling and floundering !!!
- May 02, 2008 12:29 am
CON gain Erdington Birmingham from Labour - majority 1491! Thats in Sion Simon MP seat.
- May 02, 2008 12:30 am
Great blogging, enhances the TV coverage... i'll be back!
- May 02, 2008 12:30 am
- The Military Wing Of The BBC said...
Conspiracy Theory No 57
Iain - I bet your blog is experiencing "technology" problems inside the BBC studios.
Am I right? - May 02, 2008 12:31 am
Don't dangle this carrot..
"just wait till you see the ones on Gordon Brown. The Labour Party will explode with rage."
and leave us on the edge of our seats in anticipation..give us just a hint.. - May 02, 2008 12:32 am
Norfolk Blogger - I love that tie! It is totally Iain and he looks very cute in it.
- May 02, 2008 12:32 am
Con gain Quinton (Birmingham)from Lab
- May 02, 2008 12:35 am
Five seats for "Local Conservatives" in Sunderland!
- May 02, 2008 12:38 am
Iain - Can you impress upon Emily Maitlis how interesting and amusing she is, compared to the Deadly Dull Dimbleby and the increasingly out of his head bizarre Jeremy Vine..
Could you not organise a 'coup d'etat' to take control from David Dimblebore ?? - May 02, 2008 12:38 am
Please publish my brave prediction of a 90 - 100 seat loss for labour. I have worked it out they lost 9 after 400 seats had been counted and 14 after 600. I want credit for my prediction.
- May 02, 2008 12:39 am
- @molesworth_1 said...
I hope you're keeping an eye on Guido's chat widget - it's the coolest thing on the web.... poor old Jeremy Vine...
- May 02, 2008 12:44 am
BIRMINGHAM: Con gain Stockland Green and slash Labours Kingstanding majority to 80! Kingstanding was being contested by Brummie Tory Blog - 18 year old Gary Sambrook
- May 02, 2008 12:45 am
Portaloo proves once again what a horrible little man he is, and how lucky we were to lose him.
- May 02, 2008 12:46 am
- Liz said...
Iain - given you're actually in the building, is there anything you can do to stop Jeremy Vine? (Suggest using your laptop as a bludgeon.)
- May 02, 2008 12:47 am
Where is Emily Maitlis's Twitter Page?
- May 02, 2008 12:47 am
Mr BNP supporter. Your leader denied the holocaust. Your party is evil.
- May 02, 2008 12:48 am
- Adrian said...
Amazing - Tories within a whisker of beating Labour in Kingstanding, here in Brum.
- May 02, 2008 12:48 am
- Prodicus said...
Behave yourselves, you two. Tsk.
- May 02, 2008 12:49 am
- Adrian said...
I can only bear watching the BBC show for three minutes at a time. I think the three-politicians-round-a-table format should be banished for ever.
- May 02, 2008 12:50 am
Weoley (Brum) CON GAIN
- May 02, 2008 12:53 am
i thought the lib dem jeremy vine texan shootout was good stuff actually
- May 02, 2008 12:55 am
- Adrian said...
Brum again. More Labour devastation. Graham Green has (at the umpteenth attempt) won back Oscott ward for the Tories. This is my ward and I feel a bit sad for John Cotton, who's been a great councillor and led a good Labour team in a ward that otherwise would've gone Tory years ago.
- May 02, 2008 12:55 am
I am hearing from a trustworthy source at the heart of the Boris camp, that unofficial exit polls are putting Boris 2 points behind Ken on 1st prefs. Insufficient polling data to say how accurate the figure is, but word has it that Boris is very very worried. Turnout heavy in inner city boroughs as well as in Tory heartlands - that's what has Boris so downhearted.
Dominic Kelly - May 02, 2008 12:58 am
- Unknown said...
Why is jeremy Vine acting so stupidly? Do the BBC and the government truly expect that making people act stupidly will increase the appeal of politics? It only cheapens it more.
- May 02, 2008 12:59 am
I notice you've not mentioned the Rochdale result, where the only gain is Liberal and the Conservative Party remains insignificant.
- May 02, 2008 12:59 am
- Adrian said...
A bit late, but Bham council has Adrian Goldberg doing a live show at http://www.birminghamelections.org.uk/
- May 02, 2008 1:01 am
Does anyone else get the feeling that we're watching the implosion of the Labour Party?
- May 02, 2008 1:02 am
- Unknown said...
I'm 18, and feel that the Tory party has the most to offer me; i joined this year, and although studying history i know a fair amount about Margaret Thatcher's 'regime', i think David Cameron has done a fantastic job at turning around the party and putting it back into contention once more.
- May 02, 2008 1:02 am
- Unknown said...
With all the deserved negativity with Labour these days, I can see a good result for the Tories coming up, and about time too.
- May 02, 2008 1:04 am
OSCOTT (BRUM)CON gain from Labour - if my counting is correct thats 6 tory gains in Brum, amazing!
- May 02, 2008 1:06 am
- Richard said...
Who told Jeremy Vine a pink shirt and jeans was a good idea? As for the silly graphics and accents....please!
Let's keep it technical and factual BBC. - May 02, 2008 1:07 am
Longbridge CON Gain - 7 Tory Gains in Brum - we know have 50 cllrs in Brum! We are killing Labour here.
- May 02, 2008 1:07 am
1 gain from LD and 1 loss to LD in Winchester so far
- May 02, 2008 1:08 am
Hooray! Looks like Labour are on the way to losing control in Newport! Finally!
- May 02, 2008 1:16 am
it looks like were on track to forfill my prediction of 43 share for cons 200 seats and a win for Boris in london. Labour may be screwed
- May 02, 2008 1:19 am
Emily & Clemency + porn film = yes yes yes. I'd pay good money
- May 02, 2008 1:24 am
- Unknown said...
Interesting to see that we're making some good returns, but we're not doing as well as we would have liked i think...still, nowhere near finished yet.
- May 02, 2008 1:25 am
- Darren said...
I think we whould have another vote should jeremy vine stick to radio?
Although im sure the beeb are to blame. There is a reason he is on the radio and now we know why.
Ohh and cmon you tories! - May 02, 2008 1:25 am
The BBC phone line is permanently engaged: so many people ringing up asking Jeremy Vine to STOP NOW!
- May 02, 2008 1:25 am
Ed Miliband now on the Beeb, no doubt to start marking out the territory for a leadership contest...
- May 02, 2008 1:27 am
It's way past my bedtime, but it's just great to see such exciting results. Enjoying the blogging - hope you're having fun!
Jill - May 02, 2008 1:28 am
I'm a 19 year old and I'm absolutely shaking my head at the comment and views held by the fellow 19 year olf BNP supporter.
I voted for the first time today at 8am, near to Whitechapel. Later on in the day, there was a huge tour bus and display from what one would expect to be akin to a Miss World competition. It turned out to be Respect telling people how to vote. Everyone was slightly mesmerised and shocked.
Later on, cars with tannoy speakers were also cruising up and down telling us exactly how to vote: Ken for Mayor / the Respect Candidate / Respect. I'm absolutely disgusted and it's shocking because they are in effect advising a rather illiterate, politically unconcerned community who are heavily influenced by the "stop the war" hoopla. - May 02, 2008 1:29 am
please ask Emily to tuck me into to bed soon...I need top punani soon.
Alternatively get Vine to take his amateur antics to ceebeebies, where they will be more appropriaste - May 02, 2008 1:31 am
Labour have lost one seat to Independents in South Tyneside so far, but look likely to gain one from Progressives in a recount.
- May 02, 2008 1:33 am
That Tory man just on now - defending Boris - I like him.. what a nice, passionate person he seems to be!
- May 02, 2008 1:40 am
- Unknown said...
That national share is summerised by one word: Yes! :)
- May 02, 2008 1:43 am
Geoff Hoon: "There is no crisis"
- May 02, 2008 1:55 am
National Share = Labour screwed
- May 02, 2008 1:59 am
What a disloyal, self-righteous, bitter fraction of a man Portillo is. His performance on the Beeb just now just shows what a lucky escape the country had after he lost his nerve in 1995. Best of luck Boris, you'll need it with people like that on your "side".
- May 02, 2008 2:27 am
- Alexander Redpath said...
come on boris can Ken overcome a 20% deficit
- May 02, 2008 2:31 am
- Bill Quango MP said...
Right, its 2.35am and Andy Burnham is now almost ready to come out of makeup.
- May 02, 2008 2:37 am
"We must listen to the people more.."
We can't shout it any louder. Can't you hear?
We want you to leave. We want you gone. Hear it now? - May 02, 2008 2:40 am
Nice one Iain, Michael Portillo needed to be put in his place. "What planet is he on?" indeed
- May 02, 2008 2:45 am
- Michael said...
If Michael Portillo should "remember the party who made him" then maybe he remembers the party that lost him his seat in the 1997 General Election.
- May 02, 2008 2:50 am
I heard George Galloway won a London Assembly seat, is that true? I hope it is.
- May 02, 2008 2:51 am
- Daily Referendum said...
Is Portillo after a place under Gordon's umbrella? Tw*t! That's an A not an I.
- May 02, 2008 2:55 am
Not really hard to see why the Beeb likes Portillo as a "Tory" talking head.
If it isn't him, it'll be Clarke. - May 02, 2008 2:58 am
Go and push Toynbee off the balcony.
At least trip her up when she walks past you. - May 02, 2008 3:02 am
I am laughing at the repetition of the "we need to listen to the people" line by the Labour talking heads. What they will be hearing is "We don't want you to govern anymore".
- May 02, 2008 3:04 am
hi - amused my quote is on your blog but you haven't got it down right
"Conservatives win control of Elmbridge council (was NOC). One of the wards that we won was Walton Central - The successful Tory candidate was 20 years old, and wasn't even born last time the Conservatives controlled the council."
He was not born the last time a Conservative Councillor was elected in that ward to represent. The last time Elmbridge was Conservative controlled was in 1990. - May 02, 2008 3:07 am
- Bill Quango MP said...
there he is.. my word a poor night for labour but a good one for Max Factor.
and good one for the BBC tonight.
Very Balanced. [they may need to look up that word having had little cause to use it recently] - May 02, 2008 3:09 am
Somebody PLEASE get rid of Jermemy Vine!!! Arrrhhhh!
- May 02, 2008 3:12 am
Jesus, Vine again.
Let no one say the Beeb dumbs down...
PS: Eric Pickles is great. Should be used much more often. - May 02, 2008 3:13 am
Iain, Michael Portillo owes nothing to the Tory party. The party lost its collective sanity when it refused to make him leader in 2001 because of petty minded gay-phobia. To add insult to injury they elected instead IDS, the most hopeless man to lead a political party in living memory (and yes, Michael Foot is well within my living memory). So I forgive him if Michael Portillo looks at the Tory party with some disdain.
- May 02, 2008 3:16 am
- Unknown said...
Mierlo, The Netherlands, here !
Please don't slag off Michael Portillo as you have. He's the best Conservative leader we 'never had.'
The answers he gave when interviewed by Emilly were 100% honest, correct, and unbiased.
It was that lack of bias towards the Tories which seems to have upset you and caused you to get angry. On the Weekly Politics show he is also reknown for his totally honest and unbias opinions.
Regards, Greg Hiller
___________________________________ - May 02, 2008 3:22 am
- Unknown said...
Quite agree with the comments on Jeremy Vine. He isn't the slightest bit amusing...just juvenile. The guests, especially Vince Cable looked profoundly embarrassed as Vine was performing.
- May 02, 2008 3:22 am
If, as Peter Tatchell has just said, the Tories stole Green ideas, isn't that just an example of recycling?
As far as Michael Portillo is concerned, which Lost Boys was he reading? Not the fantasy novel where the main character has imaginary friends...? - May 02, 2008 3:26 am
I'm off to bed with a slight smile on my face - and why not? As a life long Tory who has been in the doldrums about the party since about 1995, tonight gives me real hope that the Phoenix may be about to arise once more - provided prats like Portillo (who I used to think was really quite good)remember that his fame came from being a Tory - well thanks Michael - you certainly know how to bite the hand that fed you. And as for NU LABOUR - oh how the mighty have fallen and how they protest! I love to see them squirm - Gordon Brown is at last reaping the rewards for his mis-spent last 11 years - he's destroyed the economy (despite what NU LABOUR Spin Doctors say)and now he's destroying the Labour Party because he simply is a dull and indecisive fellow with a charisma bypass. Let' hope good old Boris can complete the rout tomorrow by kicking Ken into touch. He is a bright intelligent chap with new ideas and even if he's prone to the odd gaff or two - so what? London is a world city that needs a bit of livening up - I reckon Boris will be the tonic that my birthplace needs. Bring on the Blues!!!
- May 02, 2008 3:29 am
Well done Iain.
Only more good news tomorrow!
Can't wait. - May 02, 2008 3:32 am
Please don't slag off Michael Portillo as you have. He's the best Conservative leader we 'never had.'
The answers he gave when interviewed by Emilly were 100% honest, correct, and unbiased.
It was that lack of bias towards the Tories which seems to have upset you and caused you to get angry. On the Weekly Politics show he is also reknown for his totally honest and unbias opinions.
Regards, Greg Hiller
___________________________________ - May 02, 2008 3:33 am
- Scary Biscuits said...
Iain, I missed your dissing of Portillo. Any chance of putting a clip on your blog?
- May 02, 2008 3:39 am
- Gregg said...
Am basking in the warm afterglow of slagging off Portillo live on national TV. What an unbelievable performance from him tonight. he should bloody well remember he wouldn't be where he is without the Tory Party. All he's done this evening is read a book called LOST BOYS. he hasn't talked to a single person at this event apart from Fraser Nelson and Polly Toynbee. Unbelievable.
May 2008: In a surprise move, Michael Portillo joins the Labour Party. He is immediately selected as the candidate in the Crewe and Nantwich by-election and duly wins, returning to the House of Commons after a three-year absence.
July 2008: To widespread shock, Portillo produces the 71 nominations needed to initiate a leadership challenge against Gordon Brown.
August 2008: As the Labour leadership contest gets under way, Portillo's campaign manager, Charles Clarke, is extremely confident about his candidate's chances.
September 2008: Leadership results announced at the Labour Party conference. Portillo wins! He becomes Prime Minister one week later.
May 2009: General Election - Michael Portillo leads the Labour Party to its fourth victory in the row. David Cameron resigns the Tory leadership and is replaced by a really cute puppy.
December 2009: Prime Minister Portillo reveals that he is, in fact, the Master off "Doctor Who". - May 02, 2008 4:27 am
Anonymous said...
Re: Lord Oakshott
"I didn't think peers were allowed to vote?"
They can vote at local elections. - May 02, 2008 9:28 am
Wasn't Alison Hallford the former senior police officer who was involved in a rather interesting court case?
- May 02, 2008 10:03 am
@BNP 1st:
just wish people born in england got 1st choice
Well, that would put Boris at the back of the queue. - May 02, 2008 10:17 am
Portillo's real problem, of course, is self-hatred at bottling out of the Torry leadership election, only to see Cameron have the balls to stand, win and reach last night's heights. To quote that great thinker of our times, CJ Cregg, "decisions are made by those who turn up". Where were you, Michael?
- May 02, 2008 1:11 pm


text:
Above is the title to what has, up until now, been called the dwarf thing. All tolled, there are like 200 keyed areas. Most of them are done, but my disire to provide unique monsters and magic items is definitely slowing things down. Imma blow my xmas deadline, I think. Apologies. Right now without graphics the document is 40 pages single spaced and around 13k words.
I am very much committed to infusing a fairy tale vibe into this thing, hopefully that will evident in the short piece below, so opinions in regards to the same (or anything else, really) are very welcome. I also welcome name calling and profanity.
Warriors of the Black Sun is a B/X fantasy adventure/campaign supplement. Adventure material is presented first, as it is assumed that the referee will place the regions detailed herein into the context of their own campaign. Referees who choose to do so should encounter no difficulty utilizing whichever version of the classic game they prefer.
Part two of the document, however, includes some detail on the Wide World and related material. The Wide World can easily be used as a campaign setting on its own; but it is likely small enough that it could be placed into an existing campaign world in its entirety. A short section on house rules has been provided, which lists character generation options specific to the Wide World. More specific detail regarding the races of the Wide World, especially in regards to dwarfs, can be found in this section as well.
Character Details
No specific range is suggested, but characters should probably be of at least 4th level before entering the ruins beneath Urux. Although much of the setting material is slanted towards dwarfs, any and all classes and races are suitable for play.
The Bird of Omens is a magical peacock that can answer one question about anything, once a year, at midnight on Midsummer's Eve.
Three days ago, a band of gnolls acting as agents of Riktus, the Hex-King, stole the magic bird from the Elfs of Glistendome Castle. The bird has lived at the castle for centuries. Over that time, the elfs there have bonded with the enchanted creature on an elemental level; as a result, in the days since the theft, excepting the royal family, all the elfs of Glistendome have fallen into a cursed magical slumber. As time goes on, the sleepers seem to become transparent. The king's scholars believe that if the bird is not recovered by Midsummer's Eve' five months hence, the elfs of the castle will sleep until they fade to nothing.
The band of gnolls, who call themselves the Warriors of the Black Sun, have been tracked as far the front door of Zimon's Gate, a subterranean complex thought to date from imperial times. It is thought the place may contain a magical passage to another part of the world.
Fully equipped by the elf king, Theopolis, the player characters stand now in front of that door themselves, about to set off on a quest to retrieve the Bird of Omens. It is up to the individual players to determine why they have joined the expedition.
Concept sketches:
Concept sketches:

subset: commoncrawl


text:
They say that what you learn as a child influences you through your life. Your interests especially should be nurtured and allowed to develop. As a child I was first introduced to jewelry making. I was always involved in some form of arts and crafts and enjoyed any form of expression.
It wasn't until I was in my early 20's and pursuing a spiritual path, different careers, extreme health issues and walking a path that didn't fit for me that I found jewelry once again. But by this time I was now mentored by my teachers and guides in spirit and on my new path.
The first time I ever saw a crystal completely amazed me. I was simply shopping for a gift and stumbled upon a showcase of crystals. The man behind the counter told me that they vibrate to specific frequencies and they speak to us. He then asked me if I was drawn to any of them which I was. He then handed it to me and asked if it spoke to me. All I heard was Arkansas. Not knowing anything about where they come from and what they do. To my amazement that was where it was from. And to this day it is still by my side.
This was the beginning of my jewelry making with crystals and stones. They are my greatest ally. With inspiration, channeling and my new relationship with crystals and stones Seeds of Light was born in 1989. Since that day I am continually creating new product that are specifically channeled by my teachers to promote change, growth, well being and finally the Ascension process. I do however honor request from anyone who may require or desire something different.
This is how my soul purpose was discovered and now currently, I celebrate 35+ years in business!


text:
This product includes the Atown Grillz "8" Special choose from 10k, 14k. If you would like to modify this set please message us and we can give you an accurate price.
You can place an order online and get molded in store for this special only. The steps to place online and have the kit shipped to you are below.
This is how it works:
Step One: Select your Grill
Step Two: Place Your Order.
Step Three: Wait for your mold kit to arrive
Step Four: Make a mold of your teeth and ship back to us.
Step Five: We will make your grill and ship back to you.
Mold Kits are Shipped Using Standard Shipping. Finished Grillz will be shipped by the shipping method you select at checkout. Once your payment has cleared we will ship you your mold kit, once you take the mold of your teeth you will then ship the mold back to us and we will then begin the process of creating your grill and then ship it back to you


text:
Man Photographed Wrestling Shark Ashore
Elliot Sudal, 24, recently was photographed wrestling a 7-foot shark to shore.
July 16, 2013 — -- Nantucket in July, the perfect place to wile away the long summer days taking in some sun, flying a kite, building a sand castle or wrestling a shark.
Elliot Sudal, 24, who recently moved to Nantucket, Mass., from Florida to take a job at a mooring company, was captured in an incredible image wrestling a seven-foot shark onto shore on Sunday. He said it is his favorite hobby.
"First of all, I'm obsessed with fishing," Sudal told ABC News. "I've caught over 100 sharks in the last eight months. It's my favorite thing to do."
The Nantucket Police Marine Department confirmed to ABC News that Sudol really did wrestle the shark ashore.
Sudal said he was out fishing for bluefish when he sensed there were sharks lurking nearby.
"It just kind of seemed sharky," he said. "There was something coming by and chomping them [the bluefish] in half. I thought, 'It's got to be a shark.'"
Sudal then took a half-eaten bluefish he had reeled in earlier, put it on his fishing line, and cast it out. Within two minutes, he had shark on the other end of the line.
Sudal said he grappled with the shark on the fishing rod for about 45 minutes before it tired. He then handed the rod to his cousin and charged into the waves.
"The crazy part is you have to run into the water and grab it by the tail and put it on shore," said Sudal.
He said about 20 spectators had gathered on shore to witness him drag the shark to shore.
"Everyone was freaking out, I got a slow clap when I was walking away," he said.
"I've been fishing for everything since I was a kid," said Sudal. "I got into this shark thing about two years ago. It's just like this epic battle between you and this sea beast. You cant go back to a little fish after that. Everything else is bait."
Sudal said the shark was out of the water for about a minute.
"I always let the sharks go," he said. "It's important to release these things. I'm very conservation-minded when it comes to taking care of them."
It's not the first time beachgoers have gotten up close and personal with the finned predators. Last month a video emerged of a teen hitching a ride on a 30-foot whale shark, and early in June a group of fishermen caught a record-breaking 1,300 pound shark off the coast of California.
There have been an increase in the number of great white shark sightings along the coast of cape cod, though officials are not planning on closing any beaches because of them.


text:
It's finally here, the eagerly anticipated second novel by Debra Anastasia. Debra wowed me with her first release Crush Seraphim and has done it again with Poughkeepsie.
Format: Paperback or eBook
He counts her smiles every day and night at the train station. And morning and evening, the beautiful commuter acknowledges him—just like she does everyone else on the platform. But Blake Hartt is not like the others . . . he's homeless. Memories of a broken childhood have robbed him of peace and twisted delusions into his soul. He stays secluded from the sun, sure the world would run from him in the harsh light of day.
Each day, Livia McHugh smiles politely and acknowledges her fellow commuters as she waits for the train to the city. She dismisses this kindness as nothing special, just like her. She's the same as a million other girls—certainly no one to be cherished. But special or not, she smiles every day, never imagining that someone would rely on the simple gesture as if it were air to breathe.
When the moment comes that Livia must do more than smile, without hesitation she steps into the fray to defend the homeless man. And she's surprised to discover an inexplicable connection with her new friend. After danger subsides, their smiles become conversation. Their words usher in a friendship, which awakens something in each of them. But it's not long before their bond must prove its strength. Entanglements from the past challenge both their love and their lives.
Blake's heart beats for Livia's, even if her hands have to keep its rhythm. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love never fails. Love never fails, right?
In an interwoven tale of unlikely loves and relationships forged by fire, Debra Anastasia takes readers into the darkest corners of human existence, only to show them the radiant power of pure adoration and true sacrifice. Complicated families and confused souls find their way to light in this novel, which manages to be racy, profane, funny, and reverent all at once.
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text:
AUVSI's The Economic Impact of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration in the United States report shows the economic benefit of UAS integration. AUVSI's findings show that in the first three years of integration more than 70,000 jobs will be created in the United States with an economic impact of more than $13.6 billion. This benefit will grow through 2025 when we foresee more than 100,000 jobs created and economic impact of $82 billion.
To download the full report, click here
To download/listen the Economic Report Webinar, click here. (For audio assitance please click here)
To download/listen the Q&A section of the Economic Report Webinar, click here. (please login)


text:
Love Hurts (Other People), New Study Finds
SAN DIEGO - The singers who croon "Love Hurts" are right — but it's not just jilted partners and unrequited romantics who are at risk. It turns out that romantic love can also burn innocent third parties to a relationship.
People who are primed to think about how madly in love they are with a partner put down other appealing members of their own sex, and are even more aggressive toward them, compared with people who are instead encouraged to ponder sex with a significant other, according to new research presented here last week at the annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology.
"Love, arguably the most positive of all human emotions, also comes with a dark side," study researcher Jon Maner, a psychologist at Florida State University, told reporters at the meeting.
Rating others
In a trio of studies involving 130 people in long-term relationships, Maner and his colleagues found that to protect their own commitment to their partner, people would lash out at potential threats. In the first study, researchers asked students at Florida State University in long-term relationships to write about either a time when they felt intense love for their partner or a time when they felt intense sexual desire for the person — both positive relationship-related experiences. Next, the students looked at pictures of either an attractive or an unattractive man or woman, followed by a picture of a Chinese character. They were then asked to rate the appeal of the character; since the Chinese character is neutral, this question was meant to gauge the participants' leftover feelings about the real target of the study — the pictures of the men and women.
The students also filled out questionnaires about their basic levels of jealousy, answering questions such as, "How likely are you to surprise-visit your partner to see who is with him/her?"
The results showed that jealous sorts and more laid-back types rated the characters as about equally attractive when they'd thought of intense sexual desire for their partner. But when they thought about intense love for their partner, the jealous sorts suddenly became very negative about other attractive people, rating them much less appealing.
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In a second study, the researchers upped the ante. They again had people in long-term relationships reflect on their love or sexual desire for their romantic partner, or some other nonrelationship-related story. But this time, the participants were told they were going to play a computer game with a partner in another room. Whoever lost got blasted with painful, but ultimately not harmful, bursts of white noise through headphones. The winner got to pick how long and how loud those blasts would be.
The researchers then showed the participants pictures of their alleged partners, who were always attractive and the same sex as the person in the experiment. Again, high-jealousy types who were reminded of their love for their partners treated this outside person harshly, blasting their eardrums with louder and longer stints of white noise.
Hey, jealousy
At this point, the researchers wondered if low-jealousy people were somehow different than jealous types. So they created something designed to really freak people out. [7 Personality Traits That Are Bad for You]
The students were told that researchers needed their help evaluating prospective daters for a new university dating site. The students then saw a number of profiles of "attractive, interesting, outgoing, fun-loving" people of their own sex, Maner said.
These photos were designed to be as threatening as possible, said Jennifer Leo, a study researcher and graduate student at Florida State. "Not only are they very attractive, and interesting, they're on their campus, they're single and they're on the prowl for a mate," Leo said.
This time, the students who were reminded of their deep, romantic love for their partner responded harshly to the potential daters, rating them as unattractive, unfriendly and other insulting adjectives. The results held regardless of students' levels of jealousy.
"The surge of romantic love leads them to derogate these people," Maner said. "The more love they felt for their partner, the more negatively they tended to evaluate these objectively attractive members of their own sex."
In fact, the jealous types even said nasty things about the daters when they weren't reminded of their love for their partners, suggesting that the threat was so strong that love's dark side kicked in without help.
The takeaway, Leo said, is that there may not be a difference between low- and high-jealousy people. All that matters is the level of threat.
"Ultimately, love works in the service of protecting the relationship and maintaining it into the long term," Leo said. "Even if that means acting out."
You can follow LiveScience senior writer Stephanie Pappas on Twitter @sipappas. Follow LiveScience for the latest in science news and discoveries on Twitter @livescience and on Facebook.
Stephanie Pappas is a contributing writer for Live Science, covering topics ranging from geoscience to archaeology to the human brain and behavior. She was previously a senior writer for Live Science but is now a freelancer based in Denver, Colorado, and regularly contributes to Scientific American and The Monitor, the monthly magazine of the American Psychological Association. Stephanie received a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of South Carolina and a graduate certificate in science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz.


text:
Performance in the Swedish Building Code
Time: Mon 2019-10-07 10.00
Location: KTH, sal A124, plan 1, Osquars backe 5, 100 44 Stockholm (English)
Subject area: Architecture
Doctoral student: Marja Lundgren , Arkitekturteknik, White arkitekter AB
Opponent: Professor Anne Beim, Institute of Architecture & Technology, The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts School of Architecture, Design & Conservation
Supervisor: F.d. lektor Timothy Anstey, Arkitekturteknik, The Oslo School of Architecture and Design; Professor Fredrik Nilsson, Chalmers Arkitektur och Samhällsbyggnadsteknik; Universitetslektor Meike Schalk, Arkitektur
This thesis investigates performance-based regulation in Sweden and its consequences for architectural design. In the last 50 years, there has been a transition from prescriptive to performance-based regulation, propelled by the drive to further innovation, productivity and competitiveness by expressing the functions expected of the buildings as performances. This thesis examines the promise of freedom in design and solution that this regulatory construction offers, considering two specific performance aspects of the Swedish building code: the requirements regarding energy performance in relation to user-comfort, and the requirement in terms of daylight in relation to health and hygiene. Each case investigates the implications of the performance-based system of regulation for the synesthetic and multidisciplinary process of design, focussing on how it affects the work of architects.This thesis also addresses the disciplinary knowledge necessary for assessing performance requirements, which in turn connects to the entry into building regulation of abstract natural science models quantifying societal goals in legislation, and to the disciplinary histories of the engineering and architectural professions.Speculating on ways forward that address the concerns that emerge from this analysis, the thesis turns to a historical example that dealt with a similar problem to evaluate its potential for developing current architectural practice. The dual nature of design, reaching into both expressional and technical concerns, has been the subject of research and eloquent discussion within the architectural concept of tectonics. The concluding section of this thesis raises questions about the architectural discourse in relation to tectonics. It suggests that there is work to be done to reconcile the division between architectural design and technical characteristics connected to building physics that permeates systems of building regulation in Sweden and more generally. The thesis suggests that if performance-based regulation is to offer freedom in architectural design, the architecture community needs to be much more involved in both the research and critique of performance requirements and of their formulation and assessment methods when addressing this.


text:
We have an exciting opportunity for a Service Advisor looking to join a busy team within a successful main car dealership
based in Basildon.
We are looking for an experienced Service advisor who understands the demands of the role and who has the ability to meet the demanding standards that this position brings. Working as a Service Advisor, you will be responsible for delivering an outstanding customer experience ensuring that all work carried out is communicated in a clear and precise manner. Selling additional products, services and repair work is essential to maintain profitability and meet targets set. You must have the ability to upsell and have a consultative approach to selling.
Your main duties will include meeting and greeting, booking in vehicles, keeping the customer updated and informed of the technician's progress, up selling additional work and accurately invoicing and documenting all work completed.
You will be able to deal with customer enquiries over the phone and in person building rapport to ensure repeat business.
Key Tasks
Ensuring a consistent level of excellent customer service in line with company and manufacturer standards.
Providing customers with accurate estimates and invoices, whilst fully explaining the work carried out by the service department.
Ensuring that the service reception is staffed at all times to be able to greet customers at any time during business opening hours.
Selling additional products, services and repair work in a professional manner and within set targets.
Identifying any areas of lost sales and revenues and bringing them to your line manager's attention.
Ensuring all job cards are raised accurately, detailing the work needed and ensuring that they have met the manufacturers' standards required for warranty.
Ensuring all customers have sufficient credit to enable all work advised to be carried out and authorities for work to be carried out are gained, where applicable.
Ensuring all work has been carried out as detailed and charged for.
Keeping customers updated of any changes to agree completion times and additional work required.
Ensuring all Company Health & Safety procedures are strictly adhered to.
Maintaining a high standard of personal appearance, ensuring corporate workwear is worn at all times and kept in good condition.
Key Performance Indicators
Customer Satisfaction Index
Compliance to Policies and Procedures
The ability to up sell additional work and service plans
Excellent computer literacy and administration skills
Great organisation and ability to communicate well
Dealer / Franchise experience desirable
Maximum 45 minute commute time
Flexible in approach
Good communicator
Balanced approach
Ability to work within a team frame work
Ability to take instruction
Can deliver a world class customer experience
You will need be very well presented
If you are interested in applying for this role, please contact Carl at firstname.lastname@example.com. You must have recent or current experience within a Service Advisor role within a main car dealership to be considered
We specialise in automotive recruitment and the following positions: Accident Repair Centre Manager, Accountants, Aftersales Manager, Area Manager, Bodyshop Advisor, Bodyshop Assessor, Bodyshop Manager, Local Business Development Manager, Business Development Manager, Business Manager , Dealer Principal, Estimator, Fast Fit Technician, Fast Fit Manager, F & I Manager, General Manager, General Sales Manager, Group Aftersales Director, Group Aftersales Manager, Mechanic , MET Fitters, Panel Beater, Paint Sprayer, Panel Beater, Parts Sales Representative, Master Technician, Motor Cycle Mechanic, Motor Cycle Technician, Vehicle Technician, MOT Tester, Q.C, Commercial Vehicle Technician, LCV Technicians, Trade Parts Representative, Parts Advisor, Parts Manager, Receptionists, Regional Sales Manager, Sales Administrator, Sales Controller, Sales Executive, Sales Manager, Senior Service Advisor, Service Advisor, Service Manager, Service Team Leader, Technicians, Tyre Fitters, Valeters, Warranty Administrator, Warranty Manager, Workshop Controller,
All available across the whole of the UK, including: Harlow, South, Kent, Maidstone, Sittingbourne, Crayford, Dartford, South East, Canterbury, Tunbrudge Wells, Tonbridge, Croydon, Surrey, Berkshire, Reading, Slough, London, East Anglia, Bedford, Luton, Northampton, Bury St Edmunds, Beccles, Bishop Stortford, Cambridge, Southend, Chelmsford, Brentwood, Huntingdon, Milton Keynes, Colchester, Norwich, Ipswich, Grays, and Northampton


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Two women are selected to represent the Maiden and the Crone. the Priestess will represent the Mother.
The members of the group should bring with them the candles which they will use for the year for blessing.
The altar is at the Northeast and is covered with a white cloth. Evergreens are used as decoration. A basket filled with tiny bundles of straw or wheat rests on the altar [there should be one bundle for every person participating in the ritual], as well as two (2) white candles. A black ribbon at least twelve (12) inches in length is placed in the basket. A single white flower tied with a white ribbon (to symbolize Bride) and the wand rest together in front of the altar. Four (4) white candles stand between the quarter candles. The cauldron is placed at the South, and a white candle is situated inside. A dark colored scarf or shawl (for the Crone) and a bouquet of flowers (for the Maiden) are on the altar, as well as a single white taper (for the Mother).
Full Circle is cast.
The two women prepare "Bride's Bed." The MAIDEN and the CRONE pick up the flower and the wand respectively, and take them to the center of the Circle. They place the flower and the wand side by side in the center of the Circle, with the heads toward the altar. They place the altar candles on either side of the "bed" and light the candles.
The two women and the Priestess stand around the bed and say together three times:
The Maiden comes to bring us light!
The Winter dies, and all is bright!
The frozen ground shall disappear -
And all shall sprout, for Spring is near!
The Priestess now summons the two women, and the three of them stand in front of the altar, assuming their Triple-Goddess roles. The MAIDEN kisses the Priestess (MOTHER) on both cheeks and hands her a white candle. The CRONE lights the MOTHER's taper. The CRONE stands to her left. The MAIDEN drapes the shawl over the CRONE'S head and shoulders. The MAID stands to the MOTHER'S right and picks up the bouquet of flowers. The PRIESTESS says:
Behold the three-fold Goddess;
Maiden, Mother, and Crone;
She is one - yet She is three
Together and Alone
Summer comes not - without Spring
Without Summer, comes no Winter chill;
Without the Winter, Spring isn't born
The Three, life's cycles, fulfill!
The Charge of the Goddess is then recited. After the recitation is finished the Priestess says:
Now let us celebrate Imbolc!
The MAIDEN picks up the besom and makes her way SLOWLY deosil around the inside edges Circle, ritually sweeping it clear of all that which is old, useless and unnecessary. MOTHER and CRONE walk behind her in stately procession. While sweeping, the MAID says:
With this besom filled with power
Sweep away the old and sour
Sweep away the chill of death
As Winter draws its last cold breath
Round, round, round about
Sweep the old and useless out!
The Maiden replaces the besom and the women resume their places in front of the altar. The MAIDEN picks up the basket of straw bundles and presents each member of the group with one. The CRONE goes to the South, kneels before the cauldron and lights the candle inside. She explains to the group that the bundles of straw which they have been given are symbolic of Winter and Death, but also that any negativity with which they are charged will be burned along with it. A few moments of silence are allowed so that each person may charge their bundle with their own negative thoughts, habits and shortcomings. The CRONE then collects the bundles, walking widdershins. She then ties the bundles together with the black ribbon, lights the "community straw man" and places him in the cauldron to burn, saying:
Thus we melt the Winter!
And warm the breath of Spring!
We bid adieu to what is dead,
And greet each living thing.
Thus we banish Winter!
Thus we welcome Spring!
The Rite of Cakes and Wine is appropriate at this time. All members have libation, sit and relax and visit amongst themselves.
When libation is finished, the MAIDEN collects candles from the coveners to be blessed for use during the coming year, placing them in a basket. The basket is placed on the altar. The PRIESTESS says:
I bless thee creatures of wax and light
Casting out all negativity
Serve your purpose, flaming bright
Infused with magic, you shall be
Instruments of light and strength
Wick and wax though you may be
I give you life of needed length
To aid in creativity!
In the Names of the Lord and Lady, so mote it be!
The candles are then redistributed to the coven members. The Priestess says:
As we close this celebration of Imbolg, let each of us find joy in the power of the returning Sun! As each new day dawns and the light of day becomes brighter and stronger, remember that your inner light should burn as brightly. Feel the changes in the earth around you, as the chill of Winter recedes and all sprouts in the greeness of fresh, new life. Remember the wonder you felt as you awakened from Maidenhood to Womanhood - from Boyhood to Manhood. Relive the joy of that awakening and heal any emotional scars you may have! Breathe deeply of the harmony of the Earth's new life and rejoice in your own!
Dearest Bride, Maiden of all that is fresh and new, we warmly thank you for attending our Rite of Imbolc. As this Circle is dissolved, we ask that you guide us in our new beginnings and inspire us with the fresh creativity that you bring to all life.
Routine dissolution.
Outdoor libation to the Lord and Lady.


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Codebureau can consult with your business from website and security audits to performance testing and architectural application design.
Welcome to Codebureau. An intelligent, Australian-based software consultancy, specialising in web design and web development.
Software is a combination of creative design and technical engineering. Whether we're producing enterprise systems for large corporates, or marketing websites for small businesses our creative engineering approach to applications development is the same.
We have provided an end-to-end service for software applications since 1995 and have a wide experience in delivering practical, business-focused solutions for our clients.


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Design an enterprise that exemplifies everything you desire to experience in a beautiful world. 8 weeks x 90 minutes
Learn to speak the radical wholehearted truth with compassion and care. 8 weeks x 90 minutes
Change your relationship to money, value, accounting, contribution, power, equity, control and provisioning. 7 weeks x 90 minutes
In your own time. Access to all materials and the opportunity to upgrade to the LIVE masterclass.
Create your Trust Manifesto over three weeks.
One Year of group coaching and 1-1 support for Syntropic Application
Syntropic Contemplations is a weekly ODE to businesses and organizations building the world we KNOW is possible in enterprise design, finance, currency, technology, leadership, community, politics, governance, legal.
Short contemplations on life, business, partnership, current affairs and culture. 365 days a year
Sunday Syntropy|Syntropic Contemplations as a podcast with the opportunity to ask questions.
How to speak the radical truth with compassion. A 7 step process. Available to purchase.
Access to Abundant Resources
Syntropic Blue Community of Practice. All the opportunites available for gradutes of the Syntropic Enterprise Foundations Masterclass (Live and On-demand)
Learn from our globaly diverse Syntropic Blue Community of Practice. Hear their stories. Meet our alliance partners.
Hosted by the wonderful Syntropic Blue Community in March 2022. 24 hours of Syntropic models, lessons, experiences. Acces all €10
Here are the many testimonials from our global community in 32 countries
Access Syntropia (members only)
This is who we are, why we do what we do, what matters most.
Meet the Syntropic Global Team of coaches, facilitators and stewards leaders.
Meet Christine McDougall, Founder and Chief Steward of Syntropic World
Build a Syntropic Enterprise. Either have us walk beside you or do it for you. 1-1 Mentoring, Bespoke programs, full Syntropic Design.
Access to Sunday Syntropy|Syntropic Contemplations Archives plus Beauty of Beginnings daily blog
Learn more about Syntropic World
October 14, 2014 | Beauty of Beginnings, Personal Development, Personal Sustainability
On this morn I was fighting inner demons. Old stories of failure, hardship, of being alone in the world. It seemed fitting that the sky was a story of greys. Yet I found beauty here, in the drizzle. The drama of the greys. And from the other side of the world a voice...


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Even though you're attending a Canadian institution, you may still be eligible for U.S.-based financial assistance. Direct Loans, Plus Loans, and Veterans Administration Grants are all available for study in Canada. Unfortunately, Pell Grants are not available.
If you will be using student loans to pay for your education, the Student Loan Plan is for you. To use this plan, you must complete the loan process by August 15 for the first semester and December 15 for the second semester. If your student loan is not confirmed by these dates, you'll enter one of the other payment plans available. If your student loan is not enough to cover all of your costs for each semester, you'll make payment arrangements for the difference with post-dated cheques, by credit card, or by pre-authorized debit.
Please note: US loan students may not registered for Distance Education courses. If a Distance Education course has been registered for, you will no longer be eligible for US government loans (direct loans).
Types of loans
- Direct Subsidized Loan - The government pays the interest on the loan while you are studying full-time.
- Direct Unsubsidized Loan - Interest accrues (or accumulates) on the loan. You may pay the interest monthly or have it deferred (delayed) until you begin paying back your loan.
- Direct Plus Loan/Direct Parent Plus Loan - Loan money available to cover costs that Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans do not cover. Parents may take out loans for their undergraduate students in this program.
- Private loans - Loans offered through financial institutions. Contact Student Finance email@example.com for more information.
Eligibility requirements
Graduate level (seminary) - Nine credit hours per semester in an MA or MDiv program (Certificate does not qualify). Must be a campus resident.
How to receive U.S. Student Loans
Step one
Complete FAFSA (Free Application for Student Assistance) by visiting their website http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. You must complete this step every year to continue receiving funding.
Briercrest College and Seminary's school code is G11722.
First-time users will need to apply for a PIN number online. Your PIN serves as your electronic signature and provides access to your personal records, so make sure to keep your record in a safe place for future use.
Step two
Contact the Student Finance office, email@example.com, to let them know that you need U.S. student loans.
You will receive an award letter from the Student Finance office with the exact amount of money for which you are eligible.
Step three
If you are a first-time borrower, complete entrance counselling online. Entrance counselling outlines the process of student loans and your responsibilities as a borrower.
Step four
Complete the Master Promissory Note online. In this step, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions of the loan (this means you must pay it back). You must complete this step annually to continue receiving student loans.
How the funds are received and disbursed
Loans are distributed twice a year-typically by the end of September and end of January. Funds come directly to the school. We will place them directly in your tuition account.


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The Ultimate Con is a 9/11 based documentary with no narration, no script, no conjecture. There are no "theories" put forth in this documentary, only facts, eyewitness testimony, news reports, interviews, and various other clips that are combined together to tell a story. The Ultimate Con is 100% free. It is not for sale in any retail outlet or book store anywhere. It is more important to get the word out to every single person possible while we still have the chance.
This documentary is the very best documentary for people who are unfamiliar with the controversy surrounding 9/11, or people teetering on the edge of finding out the truth. The documentary was designed specially for those who still believe the "Official" story, to best wake them up using various media and news clips. I created The Ultimate Con documentary to help wake up fellow Americans and people from around the globe to the lies that we have been told about that fateful day. I created The Ultimate Con for the victims, the victim's families, the soldiers, and the various other innocent people who have become the victims of the wrath set forth by America's military industrial complex.


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The best organizations realize that investing in learning and development is the key to creating and keeping a high-performance workforce. In fact, talent development remains a top priority for companies worldwide as they set and execute strategies to compete in today's environment of unprecedented change.
The LIMRA Leadership Institute fully understands our industry — and how to help our members succeed. We are here to partner with you to design programs that meet your unique needs and objectives, and we will craft each component of the curriculum to align with your organizational goals to ensure success. By running programs for groups of your own leaders, your company will provide a cohesive learning environment that results in everyone "speaking the same language" and leveraging a core set of concepts to move forward.
As a leading provider of development solutions to the insurance and financial services industry, we offer programs that are practical, industry-aligned, and applicable to learners' reality. Each program is designed to be highly interactive and grounded in real-world experience. To ensure each learner understands, retains, and fully comprehends the concepts presented, our faculty experts use a variety of teaching methods. They ensure that theory is put into practice and integrated into business strategies and insights that learners bring back to their roles and use immediately.
We look forward to talking with you about how our company-specific programs can play an incredibly effective role in your talent development plans.


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Thousands of Burundian refugees are under mounting pressure to return to their country where they would be at risk of death, rape and torture, said Amnesty International in a report out today.
Conform or flee: Repression and insecurity pushing Burundians into exile launches after two East African countries stopped automatically granting refugee status to Burundian asylum seekers. Tanzania stopped in January, and Uganda in June this year.
The Burundi government has been pressing refugees to return. On a visit to Tanzania in July – his first foreign visit since a coup against him failed two years ago – Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza called on the more than 240,000 refugees there to return home. His comments were echoed by President John Magufuli of Tanzania. Other senior Burundian officials have taken the same message to Uganda's refugee settlements.
"While the Burundian government says all is well and urges refugees to return, more Burundians continue to flee the country due to repression and insecurity," said Rachel Nicholson, Amnesty International's Burundi researcher.
"Let's be clear, Burundi has not yet returned to normality and the government's attempts to deny the horrific abuses still taking place within the country should not be given credence."
The report sheds light on the pervasive climate of fear in Burundi more than two years after the president's decision to seek a third term ended in crisis.
The security forces and the Imbonerakure, the increasingly militarized youth wing of the ruling National Council for the Defence of Democracy – Forces for the Defence of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) party, continue to commit human rights violations against perceived government opponents, including killings, unlawful detentions, rape and torture.
Amnesty International researchers interviewed 129 Burundian refugees in Tanzania in June 2016 and Uganda in July 2017, including some who had just arrived in the camps at the time, about why they fled their country and why they did not feel ready to return.
The vast majority said they had left due to insecurity and repression at the hands of the Imbonerakure, the police, the intelligence agency (SNR) and the army.
The violations and abuses the refugees cited included killings, beatings, threats of sexual violence, torture in detention and extortion.
"Belonging to an opposition party, associating with opposition members, refusing to join to the ruling party or simply trying to leave the country is enough to create suspicion and the threat of arrest or worse," said Rachel Nicholson.
"In these circumstances, it is imperative that Tanzania and Uganda continue to provide a safe haven for Burundian refugees in line with international law."
One young man told Amnesty International, "If you are not CNDD-FDD, you are considered their enemy."
Sixteen people told Amnesty International that they were tortured or ill-treated while in detention. One of them, a young man who was detained for a week in May this year in Kirundo Province, northern Burundi, said he was held in a tiny unlit room with three others, repeatedly beaten with batons, and made to eat his meals in the toilet next door.
"They tortured us to make us confess that we worked with the rebels. One day they tortured us in an atrocious way. They took a bottle filled with sand and hung it from our testicles," he said.
One woman who told Amnesty International that she was raped by two Imbonerakure members in her home in the presence of her two children, said "I just wanted to escape the country. I knew I wasn't safe."
"Many refugees are still traumatized by the human rights violations and abuses they suffered or witnessed. Neighboring countries must continue to welcome them and protect them from harm. The international community must also step up and provide adequate funding to the seriously underfunded Burundi refugee response," said Rachel Nicholson.
The report launches on the day the UN Human Rights Council is due to decide whether to renew the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi. In a report earlier this month, the Commission said it had strong evidence that crimes against humanity had been committed in Burundi. Amnesty International has called on the UN Human Rights Council to renew the Commission's mandate.
"The Burundi authorities would like the world to turn their attention away from the human rights violations and abuses being committed in the country. The Human Rights Council must refuse to allow this to happen," said Rachel Nicholson
According to the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), more than 400,000 people have fled Burundi since the conflict began in April 2015. They are hosted primarily in Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Only 6% of the funding requested for the UNHCR's Burundi Regional Refugee Response for 2017 has been received.
Within Burundi itself, more than 200,000 people (roughly 2% of the population) are internally displaced.
For media inquiries, contact: Jacob Kuehn, Media Relations at (613) 744-7667 ext 236 or firstname.lastname@example.com


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The White House on Monday backed down from its threats to revoke Jim Acosta's press pass.
"Having received a formal reply from your counsel to our letter of November 16, we have made a final determination in this process: your hard pass is restored," the White House said in a new letter to Acosta. "Should you refuse to follow these rules in the future, we will take action in accordance with the rules set forth above. The President is aware of this decision and concurs."
The letter detailed several new rules for reporter conduct at presidential press conferences, including "a single question" from each journalist. Follow-ups will only be permitted "at the discretion of the President or other White House officials."
The decision reverses a Friday letter by the White House that said Acosta's press pass could be revoked again right after a temporary restraining order granted by a federal judge expires. That letter -- signed by two of the defendants in the suit, press secretary Sarah Sanders and deputy chief of staff for communications Bill Shine -- cited Acosta's conduct at President Trump's November 7 press conference, where he asked multiple follow-up questions and didn't give up the microphone right away.
"You failed to abide" by "basic, widely understood practices," the letter to Acosta claimed.
CNN won the temporary restraining order earlier on Friday, forcing the White House to restore Acosta's press access for 14 days. Judge Timothy J. Kelly ruled on Fifth Amendment grounds, saying Acosta's right to due process had been violated. He did not rule on CNN's argument that the revocation of Acosta's press pass was a violation of his and the network's First Amendment rights.
Many journalists have challenged the administration's actions against Acosta, pointing out that aggressive questioning is a tradition that dates back decades.
But Trump appeared eager to advance an argument about White House press corps "decorum," no matter how hypocritical.
Since the judge criticized the government for not following due process before banning Acosta on November 7, the letter looked like an effort to establish a paper trail that could empower the administration to boot Acosta again at the end of the month.
The letter gave Acosta less than 48 hours to contest the "preliminary decision" and said a "final determination" would be made by Monday at 3 p.m.
CNN's lawyers had signaled a willingness to settle after prevailing in court on Friday. Ted Boutrous, an attorney representing CNN and Acosta, said they would welcome "a resolution that makes the most sense so everyone can get out of court and get back to their work."
But in a new court filing on Monday morning, CNN's lawyers said the defendants "did not respond to this offer to cooperate." Instead, the letter from Shine and Sanders was an "attempt to provide retroactive due process," the filing alleged.
So CNN and Acosta asked the judge to set a schedule of deadlines for motions and hearings that would give the network the chance to win a preliminary injunction, a longer form of court-ordered protection to Acosta's press pass.
They were seeking a hearing "for the week of November 26, 2018, or as soon thereafter as possible," according to the court filing.
A preliminary injunction could be in effect for much longer than the temporary restraining order, thereby protecting Acosta's access to the White House.
In a response Monday morning, government lawyers called the CNN motion a "self-styled 'emergency'" and sought to portray the White House's moves as a lawful next step.
"Far from constituting an 'emergency,' the White House's initiation of a process to consider suspending Mr. Acosta's hard pass is something this Court's Order anticipated," they said.
The DOJ lawyers continued to say that the White House had made "no final determination" on Acosta's access, and asked the court to extend its own deadline, set last week, for a status report due at 3 p.m. Monday, in light of the White House's separate self-imposed deadline for the Acosta decision.
At lunchtime, Kelly granted the government's request and extended the status report deadline to 6 p.m. Monday.
The case was assigned to Judge Kelly when CNN filed suit last Tuesday. Kelly was appointed to the bench by Trump last year, and confirmed with bipartisan support in the Senate. He heard oral arguments on Wednesday and granted CNN's request for a temporary restraining order on Friday.
"We are disappointed with the district court's decision," the Justice Department said in response at the time. "The President has broad authority to regulate access to the White House, including to ensure fair and orderly White House events and press conferences. We look forward to continuing to defend the White House's lawful actions."
Trump seemed to shrug off the loss, telling Fox's Chris Wallace in an interview that "it's not a big deal."
He said the White House would "create rules and regulations for conduct" so that the administration can revoke press passes in the future.
"If he misbehaves," Trump said, apparently referring to Acosta, "we'll throw him out or we'll stop the news conference."
"This is a high-risk confrontation for both sides," Mike Allen of Axios wrote in a Monday item about Trump's new targeting of Acosta. "It turns out that press access to the White House is grounded very much in tradition rather than in plain-letter law. So a court fight could result in a precedent that curtails freedom to cover the most powerful official in the world from the literal front row."
™ & © 2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.


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Featuring Pierre, Jaymie and Rida with special guest Hoang! We give insightful advice (not) for the gaming industry. Million dollar ideas, I swear! 3 Canadian Thumbs is a gateway of casual discussions on gaming and entertainment. 3CT Discord: tinyurl.com/3ctdiscord Official Site: jaymietoodee.com
Our conversations in this episode:
Video gaming, Super Mario World, Resident Evil 2 Remake, God Eater 3, Overwatch, AGDQ, Celeste, The Messenger, Fire Emblem Heroes, Castlevania Aria of Sorrow, Zelda Breath of the Wild, YIIK, Nier Automata, Nier Replicant, Microtransactions, Marathon, Eternal Castle Remastered, Vrchat, Platinum Games, Return of the Obra Dinn, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Tales of Vesperia