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20 October is World Osteoporosis Day, calling for global action to help improve bone health and prevent fractures caused by this condition that, much too often, is diagnosed too late to make a difference. Osteoporosis is a growing problem around the world affecting one in three women and one in five men over the age of 50. Fractures caused by osteoporosis can have a devastating impact, not only on the sufferer but on costs to society and healthcare systems. And yet despite effective medical advances, only 10% of women with fractures will receive osteoporosis therapy. In 2010 in Europe alone it was estimated that 12.3 million high-risk patients were left untreated. Increased awareness is undoubtedly the key, both among the medical profession and among patients who should look out for the early warning signs and make lifestyle choices to help prevent osteoporosis from defining their old age.
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens the bones making them fragile and consequently more likely to break or fracture. The condition doesn't come on suddenly but develops over a period of time. Bones are at their thickest and strongest early on in your adult life. We gradually start to lose bone density around the age of 35. This happens to everyone but for some it happens much more quickly. The condition currently affects over 44 million in the US and more than 3 million in the UK.
Symptoms and signs of osteoporosis
- Many patients won't experience any symptoms or know they've got Osteoporosis until they break a bone for no obvious reason such as a sudden impact or minor fall. The most common injuries in sufferers are wrist and hip fractures and fractures in the vertebrae or spinal column. But the condition can affect other areas; something as simple as a sneeze is sometimes enough to cause a rib fracture
- Some older sufferers develop a characteristic stooped posture as a result of fractures in the spinal column which make it difficult to support body weight
- Receding gums can be attributed to a variety of factors, one of which is osteoporosis. Our teeth are connected to the jaw bone and if the jaw is losing bone, gums can recede
- In postmenopausal women handgrip strength is an important test factor related to overall bone mineral density
- Weak or brittle fingernails may indicate poor bone density
- Bone and muscle aches. As they are often associated with the ageing process, they are commonly overlooked but could be a sign of Vitamin D deficiency. Similarly, cramping in the leg can be associated with poor calcium and magnesium levels which in turn can lead to excessive bone loss.
Who is it at risk of osteroperosis?
- Women in the first few years after the menopause are more at risk, particularly if their menopause begins before 45. This is due to the fall in oestrogen levels which is needed for healthy bones
- Women who've had a hysterectomy before the age of 45
- A family history of the disease, and in particular a hip fracture in a parent
- Long-term use of particular medications, notably steroids and certain cancer treatments
- Those suffering from certain medical conditions, namely inflammatory or malabsorption conditions such as coeliac disease and Crohn's; also hormone-related illnesses such as hyperthyroidism
- People with a low body mass index (BMI)
- Heavy drinkers and smokers
- Men with low testosterone levels
- Sufferers of eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia
Diagnosis of osteoporosis
If your doctor suspects Osteoporosis, you may be referred for further assessment or a scan which measures your bone density. Tests may reveal you are instead suffering from Osteopenia which indicates a decrease in bone density but is not enough to be classed as Osteoporosis.
Treatment for osteoporosis
Osteoporosis treatment centres around preventing further fractures and using medication to strengthen bones. Your treatment plan will depend on many factors such as your age, previous history of injury and your risk of further fractures. Current treatments include Bisphosphonates which are designed to slow down the rate the bone is broken down in your body. Some patients are offered SERMs (Selective Oestrogen Receptor Modulators) which act like the oestrogen hormone in helping to maintain bone density. Parathyroid hormone treatments are also offered to stimulate cells to create new bone, as is HRT (Hormone Therapy treatment) to women going through the menopause.
Prevention of osteoporosis
While our genes are responsible for determining the height and strength of our skeleton, it is most commonly our lifestyle choices which influence the health of our bones. There are a lot of lifestyle changes we can make to stave off or hopefully prevent the onset of this debilitating condition:
- Healthy Eating: Calcium and Vitamin D are vital for maintaining strong bones, so make sure you include some of the following in your daily diet:
- Leafy green vegetables
- Dried fruit
- Yoghurt
- Tofu
- Oily fish
- Red meat
- Egg yolks
- Quit smoking and drinking, both of which are linked to an increased risk of osteoporosis
- Get lots of sunshine! Not always easy in certain parts of the northern hemisphere, especially in the winter months, but from March to September, short periods spent outside without sunscreen between the hours of 11am-3pm (depending on where you live) should be enough to boost your Vitamin D levels. Clearly care should be taken not to burn so make sure you apply suncream when the sun is hot. As a rule, the darker your skin, the longer it takes to absorb vitamin D. If you know you're not getting enough time outside, taking supplements is advised. Using sunbeds is not a recommended way to make Vitamin D.
- Regular exercise: Adults between the ages of 19-64 should do at least 2 hours 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week. Weight-bearing and resistance exercises are particularly important in improving bone density.
If, having read this blog, you suspect you could be a potential Osteoporosis sufferer, contact your doctor to see what action can be taken to help prevent the condition getting worse. You can also enter your symptoms into the Isabel Symptom Checker and discuss the results with your doctor.


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Fiber equipment suppliers often use two optical wavelengths to enable bidirectional transmission over the one fiber, usually 1310 and 1550nm on singlemode and 850 and 1310nm on multimode. See "Fiber Operating Wavelengths Why so many" for more background information on this. In actual fact, fiber can carry many more than just one or two wavelengths and that some telecommunications systems employ well over a hundred on the one fiber.
Why is this done? As with most things it comes down to costs. When transmission distances start climbing beyond hundreds of kilometers a major cost in the system is that of repeating the optical signals every 50 to 150km. With conventional systems with one electrical signal per fiber this adds enormously to the cost because each signal requires a receiver, regenerator and transmitter. Added to that are the associated costs of installation, maintenance, powering, etc. Even if many signals were to be somehow accommodated on the one fiber (thus saving fiber costs) there would still be the considerable costs of all these electronic modules. One solution might be to avoid the whole business of converting from light to electrical, regeneration then electrical to optical by directly amplifying the light signal(s) at the repeater sites. The Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) was invented in the late 1980s to do just this and within a few years of its invention was being widely deployed in terrestrial and submarine systems operating over thousands of kilometers. However, the EDFA can only amplify a relatively narrow spectrum of signals, typically about 30 to 50 nm centered on 1550nm so it is essential if it is to be used effectively to channel as many wavelengths through the fiber as possible within that range. Systems exploiting the EDFA have been developed and are often described as Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM). Typical spacings are 200GHz (wavelength separation of about 1.6nm allowing around 25 channels), 100GHz (0.8nm, 50 channels) and 50GHz (0.4nm, 100 channels). As you would expect, the costs of the precision lasers and optical multiplexers and demultiplexers increases with lower channel separation/increasing channel capacity.
Other techniques are becoming more available for field use that extend the optical wavelength range so that systems carrying 160 or even more separate optical signals are now practical.
All of which is great if you need to provide a backbone for a major telecommunications system extending over thousands of kilometers but may be of academic interest only to an operator of infrastructure such as railways or highways.
The good news for such folk is that much of the technology originally developed for the bleeding edge of telecommunications is now available in simplified and vastly less expensive form under the umbrella term Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM).
Originally, CWDM was intended only for the 8 wavelengths between 1470 and 1610nm on 20nm spacings because operation with many older fibers from around 1350 to 1450nm was a bit questionable due to their poor attenuation characteristics in this region. However, modern fibers exhibit little or none of the "water peak" that was the cause of this poor attenuation so it is now quite practical to use 18 wavelengths from 1271 to 1611nm. (Please refer to Tech Note "Fiber Operating Wavelengths Why so many" for a sketch of the typical characteristics of older fibers).
CWDM uses similar basic lasers as DWDM but they usually operate at lower powers and without the temperature controllers essential for DWDM so are far lower cost. Likewise, CWDM optical muliplexers and demultiplexers are of far less precision so are well suited to typical industrial and commercial applications.
Where are these things used?
Mostly, the technology is used simply to increase raw fiber capacity. For example, a few years ago OSD supplied a very high end surveillance system operating over 10 to 30km with 48 broadcast quality point to point uncompressed digital video links based on our OSD870 and OSD880 4-channel video multiplexers. This required 13 CWDM channels, 12 for the video and 1 for the reverse data control signals as shown in the sketch below.
However, CWDM can provide some other really useful features that go way beyond just adding capacity as shown in Tech Note "More on CWDM" which describes a further two CWDM systems, one in China and the other in Australia.

subset: commoncrawl


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NBA Daily Fantasy Helper: Wednesday 1/2/19
If you're new to daily fantasy basketball -- maybe you started your DFS journey during the MLB or NFL seasons, or maybe basketball is your sport and this will be your first year giving it a shot -- you're in for a treat. The NBA scene changes hugely on a week-to-week, day-to-day, and -- depending on injury news -- even a minute-to-minute basis, making every slate a unique one that requires an ever-changing approach.
With so much changing so quickly, we're here with plenty of tools to help you out. We have daily projections, a matchup heat map, a lineup optimizer, and a ton of other great resources to help give you an edge.
We'll also be coming at you with this primer every day, breaking down a few of the day's top plays at each price point.
Let's take a look at who you should target on today's main slate.
Best of the Best
Anthony Davis ($12,700): Probable to suit up tonight after missing Monday's game due to illness, Anthony Davis should immediately step back in as the league's most dominant fantasy force. Davis is the only player averaging more than 60 FanDuel points per game this year, and he has topped 60 in 21 contests. For context, only two other players have 21 or more games with more than 50 FanDuel points, and nobody else has more than 12 games above 60. The Brooklyn Nets allow the league's most FanDuel points per minute to opposing centers, and Brow should continue to feast tonight.
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LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. — The parents of a second-grader are upset that she was exposed to porn and other inappropriate comments through a computer given to her by the Lee's Summit School District.
"I couldn't be more shocked," said Kris Mojica. "This content was there on my 8-year-old's laptop that the school hands her."
He said he saw two naked girls having sex in one of the videos, saying he considers what he saw "hard-core pornography."
The district has shut down most access to YouTube.com after he and his wife complained that their daughter had been exposed to porn and other inappropriate content. Other children at Meadow Lane Elementary School also saw adult content through their district-issued Chrome books.
The district has told the parents of the second grader that it was about 10 students, but the Mojicas believe the problem was more widespread than that. The parents also believe district officials in denial about how big of an issue that they have with computers issued to children.
Assistant Superintendent Kate Collier said the district regrets the mishap.
"We have expressed to the family that we are certainly sorry that they or any children were exposed to that content that would be inappropriate for children during the school day," Collier said.
The district says the inappropriate content was seen in late January and early February. The Mojicas say they alerted an assistant principal on Feb. 2, while the district says the conversation took place Feb. 3.
An investigation was launched and as a result access to the entire site was shut down the afternoon of Feb. 3 according to the Lee's Summit School District.
The district had allowed access to YouTube For Schools. District officials said they had a filter in place to block access to the regular site.
"Through the investigation, technology department staff members determined that our district's internet filtering did not catch a recent update to the regular YouTube website, allowing all YouTube content to be accessible for a short period," the district said in a statement.
Typically the YouTube school channel is available just on student devices.
"In this instance, (Lee's Summit district) staff members believe a recent firmware upgrade on the appliance, which manages the district's filter was flawed and caused full access to YouTube to open late last week," the district said.
Mojica kept his daughter out of school last week, but planned to return her to class this week. And then he realized that the district had blocked YouTube but his daughter and students could still access graphic content through a simple search on their web browser. He said he found images of people being hanged, swastikas and other content simply by typing in "white powder."
He said he shudders to think what else is available.
"You got a lion in a cage. The last thing you want to do is just hand an 8-year-old (the key) and just kind of see what happens," Mojica said. "And that's what they are doing. They're handing my daughter a web browser to put in whatever happens to blow through her mind."
His wife said that their daughter has had part of her childhood innocence taken away from her.
"Bottom line, if it's not educational, it does not belong in school," the father said.
District officials said a "few" other students were exposed to the inappropriate content, and administrators are working with the parents of those children.
But the couple believes their daughter viewed the video before Christmas. They said the filter has been off for weeks, and the district has refused to acknowledge it.
District officials refused to address whether the videos were pornographic. District spokeswoman Janice Phelan repeatedly said Wednesday that it was "inappropriate content."
Teachers continue to have "controlled access" to YouTube for Schools via their teacher computer devices, Phelan said.
She said the district is working to ensure this doesn't happen again.
"District staff members are continuing to work with senior engineers from the vendor of the content filter to address this situation and to prevent it from happening in the future," the district's statement said.
Meadow Lane parents interviewed by KCTV5 on Wednesday said they were stunned to hear about the issue, and were disappointed that the district didn't alert them to the problem.
Mojica said the district needs to do more and address a serious issue. He said young elementary school children should not need web browsers that provide access to anything but internal educational content.
"This whole thing is extremely wrong," he said. "Our education process (shouldn't) involve me having to explain lesbian activity to my 8 year old."
This is the district's entire statement:
"Lee's Summit R-7 School District officials were contacted by the parent of an elementary student about a potential problem with the district's Internet filtering on Feb. 3. The district's Technology Department immediately began an investigation regarding this situation and made the recommendation to close all access to YouTube for Schools (YouTube EDU) with this access shut down by the afternoon of Feb. 3. Through the investigation, Technology Department staff members determined that our district's Internet filtering did not catch a recent update to the regular YouTube website, allowing all YouTube content to be accessible for a short period. Normally, only YouTube for Schools is available on student devices. In this instance, R-7 staff members believe a recent firmware upgrade on the appliance which manages the district's filter was flawed and caused full access to You Tube to open late last week. Teachers continue to have controlled access to YouTube for Schools via their teacher computer devices for instructional purposes. Administration at the elementary school where the inappropriate access was reported have been working with parents of the few children who were able to access these websites."The R-7 School District has a CIPA (Children's Internet and Protection Act) compliant content filter in place as required by law and by the district's Board of Education policy. YouTube for Schools has been the only YouTube option open for elementary students. Through the district's filtering procedures, the full YouTube website should not have been available. District staff members are continuing to work with senior engineers from the vendor of the content filter to address this situation and to prevent from happening in the future."Here's additional information regarding our district's content filtering and monitoring from Board policy EHB:
"Content Filtering and Monitoring"The district will monitor the online activities of minors and operate a technology protection measure ("content filter") on the network and all district technology with Internet access, as required by law. In accordance with law, the content filter will be used to protect against access to visual depictions that are obscene or harmful to minors or are child pornography. Content filters are not foolproof, and the district cannot guarantee that users will never be able to access offensive materials using district equipment. Evading or disabling, or attempting to evade or disable, a content filter installed by the district is prohibited."The superintendent, designee or the district's technology administrator may fully or partially disable the district's content filter to enable access for an adult for bona fide research or other lawful purposes. In making decisions to fully or partially disable the district's content filter, the administrator shall consider whether the use will serve a legitimate educational purpose or otherwise benefit the district."


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Written by Steuart Pennington
Mike Schüssler recently wrote on MoneyWeb, 11 November 2015 "Welcome to the decline – South Africa – It is much easier to become poorer that richer".
I made a few corrections (see below)
"So much style without substance
So much stuff without style
It's hard to recognise the real thing
It comes along once in a while
Like a rare and precious metal beneath a ton of rock
It takes some time and trouble to separate from the stock
You sometimes have to listen to a lot of useless talk" – Neil Peart in Grand Designs.
It is not only South Africa's sport that is on a slippery downward slope in world rankings; the Springboks lost to Japan in the World Cup, Bafana is 75th in the world and our netball has slipped to fifth in the world.
Similarly, our economic rankings are also heading in the wrong direction, from the ease of doing business to our position on the World Economic Forum's competitiveness rankings.
Actually, in this year's WEF Global Competitiveness Report our ranking improved 7 (seven) positions. In respect of ease of doing business we are ranked 38/140 countries, down from 34/133 countries in 2009.
Even our highly-rated universities are slipping on international quality rankings. In fact, over the last two decades, we have fallen from the top 30th positions on international rankings to between 40th and 50th, and in other instances… even lower. Gone are the days when South Africa was in the top quarter or even the top third. Those days are now the heydays.
Actually, in the QS report ranking 20 000 universities globally, SA has 9 ranked in the top 4% (ie in the top 800) up from 6 in the top 4% a few years back. True UCT, our top ranked university, has fallen somewhat from 141 to 171st, but a number of others have improved (see below).
|QS World University Rankings 2015/16 – South Africa
|Institution Name
|© QS Quacquarelli Symonds 2004-2015www.TopUniversities.com All rights reserved.
But the real number that should get the attention is that which shows how South Africa is getting poorer. Not in absolute terms, but relatively speaking. In 1990 the average per capita income was ranked 50th in the world, but this has slipped to 77th in 2013.
Last year was a disaster and SA dropped nine places to 86th place. Today the average Chinese citizen and the average person from Azerbaijan; Turkmenistan; Belarus and Bulgaria are all richer than the average South African.
This is correct, in a survey of 185 countries, we are one place behind China, and a few places below the above. Is this not largely because of the devaluation of the Rand, as all the figures are measured in US$?
In fact, South Africans are now in the bottom half of the world in terms of income. On a per capita basis, the average South African earns only 63% of the average world citizen.
I'm not sure being placed 86th out of 230 countries in the world means that we are in the bottom half?
New data from the World Bank shows Chinese income overtaking our income, both in purchase power parity and market income terms. It is also evident that if South Africa cannot improve efficiency levels and commodity prices continue to fall, we may find ourselves on the wrong side of the 100th position in 2020.
In 1994 South Africa was the 25th biggest economy in the world. By 2014 we had slipped to the 33rd position and there is a good possibility that we will soon be surpassed by Denmark; Malaysia; and Singapore. If our current weak growth performance and the slide in the exchange rate of the rand worsens, it is also very likely that South Africa will no longer be in the top 40.
The Economist (2015) ranks us as 25th on the basis of purchasing power parity and 29th in respect of GDP.
Falling out of the top 40 largest economies is serious as many big companies only look at the top few markets to invest and sell in.
Generally these declines are not sudden, but this does not go unnoticed. South Africa's attractiveness as an investment destination will slowly start to disappear while we also lose our relevance on the political radar.
Agreed, FDI has levelled off due to government policy indecision.
This makes it all the more difficult to turn around the downward trajectory of economic growth. It not only becomes more difficult to retain sport talent, but also to retain our top scientists and entrepreneurs. Academics also look for greener pastures, and our top students follow suit.
According to the Global Competitiveness Report our capacity to 'attract talent" has improved, we are currently placed 41/140
Foreign investment then dries up. South Africa will become much less of an investment priority and when the Department of Health bullies another pharmaceutical company who wants to do business, they are likely to go elsewhere.
They will run even further in the opposite direction when our politicians and protesters continue to praise countries and rulers who have economically enslaved their people.
The reality is that South Africa's economic cupboard of ideas is empty. One top firm after another is chasing opportunity elsewhere. Our top 60 companies now earn 70% of their turnover outside of SA borders. In effect, they have left and South Africa is just another market.
BMW doesn't think so.
By most standards South Africa is not sitting at the main table anymore. We are actually fighting for the crumbs.
Remember it took 15 years of growth at 11% plus for Ethiopia to rise from the poorest country in the world to become only the eighth poorest. Zimbabwe fell 20 places in the same time.
It is so much easier to become poorer than richer.
But spare a thought for Zimbabwe, which could be seen as a benchmark South Africa needs to stay away from.
At independence Zimabawe was in the 67th position and firmly in the top half of the international rankings. The country is currently in the bottom 22 and is the worst performing country in the history of the modern world.
Why then do we constantly compare ourselves with Zimbabwe when we are in the Premier League of Nations at 49/140, and Zimbabwe is at 125/140?
Today the average Zimbabwean dies earlier and is hungrier than in 1980!
It is indeed much easier to get poor than to get rich.
The tables below indicates where we do best and worst in this year's Global Competitiveness Report
These discussions are difficult, we all know the 'lies, damn lies, and statistics' quote, and probably the 'everyone is entitled to their own opinion but not to their own facts' quote.
I think it is a question of balance, responsibly focussing on the good with the bad.
"We heard a lot of grumbling from middle-class black intellectuals and professionals about white supremacy, inequality and so-called decolonisation recently. And yet the establishment of a significant black middle and upper middle class over the past two decades has been spectacular and unprecedented.
- The number of black people earning more than R400 000 per year grew by 1 000% from 120 000 in 2000 to 1.2 million in 2014. Nine out of ten of them are in the private sector.
- The black middle class grew 300% from 1.8 million to 6 million during the last decade.
- In the five years between 1996 and 2011, black disposable income grew 370% from R161 million to R756 million – significantly higher than total white disposable income.
- Today, more black homeowners are paying off bonds on their properties than whites. Twenty-one years ago black people could not own property.
- Nine out of ten black households have at least one cellphone.
- Private schools are 72% black.
- Since 1996, black people living on less than $2 a day has fallen from 16% of the population to 2,5%.
We have extraordinary energy, vitality and goodwill in SA.
- We have civil society organisations like Equal Education, Freedom Under Law, Right2Know and Abahlali baseMjondolo.
- We have a vibrant and innovative business sector and leadership, such as in the farmers' community (agriculture will lead land reform).
- In the charity and welfare sector we have churches, NGOs, the Rotarians, Lions clubs, women's organisations, Gift of the Givers and many more.
Our energy problems are almost over – it's been nearly three months since the last load-shedding.
How do we drastically reduce inequality? Through wealth taxes, faster land reform and redistribution, says economist Thomas Piketty. Listen to him – but I would argue that his ideas go hand-in-hand with the imperatives that we have more efficient government, better education, more funding for students, less corruption, more cohesive policies, and fewer grand schemes.
Imagine a post-Zuma South Africa, a changed political environment of perhaps coalitions ruling in provinces and local councils, clear economic policies and a more efficient and accountable civil service.
I can realistically imagine an SA in the not-too-distant future with a 6% growth rate, an exchange rate of R10 to the US dollar, declining unemployment, a transformed education system and a new optimism replacing anger, intolerance and depression.
I can imagine a time soon when we South Africans can hold our heads high again in the world as we did immediately after 1994.
That's the SA we should work hard for. I want to be part of that SA and the battle to get there.


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I think this has been one of the best debates we have had so far in this Conference. The interest from the Floor has been shown in every speech. There were over 90 resolutions sent in on the subject of Education and then some six amendments to the motion. I may say that the complaints of yesterday have turned out to be totally unjustified. The choice of motion has neither restricted the breadth of the debate nor the advice tendered to the three Ministers sitting on the platform.
I must, first, congratulate Mr. Tunnicliffe, the mover, for the excellent way in which he reviewed what we are doing for education and the terms in which he proposed the motion. It is quite clear from the speeches that everyone is feeling strongly about the subject of parental choice. Therefore, may I say a few words about it first. The principle of parental choice is contained in the spirit [end p1] of the 1944 Education Act. When tested in the courts the Sections have turned out to be more limited than was supposed. May I make it quite clear that I should like a wider and more effective choice for parents. We must understand that we still have a number of schools where the facilities are way below those that we would wish to provide and these schools are naturally an unwelcome alternative to some parents, to the better ones that they would prefer. When I say that I want wider parental choice it means that we must concentrate as well on bringing up the standards of some of our poorer schools. This seems to me to be a far more important task than trying to destroy some of the very good schools. I would like to say to Mrs. Cooper that I have taken every opportunity to make my views known on parental choice, especially when local education authorities have attempted to apply an absolutely rigid zoning system as part of their re-organisation plans. She comes from an authority where I have had occasion to say something about parental choice. Sometimes it has meant acting through Section 68 and directing the local authority; othertimes it has been sufficient to write a very strong letter. However, I urge all local education authorities to give parents as wide a choice as possible of schools for their children.
May I accept the invitations of various speakers to point out what we have done and what we intend to do. I believe it is right for any Government to honour the terms of its manifesto. That is precisely what we are doing in education. I will, if I may, steadily go through the educational system pointing out how we are doing this. Our first promise was "to shift the emphasis in favour of primary schools." The action was a record programme for replacing and improving old primary schools, a programme which amounted to more than £200 million over a period of four years. It also included for the first time, Mr. Hill, the improvement of rural schools. We should have got a lot of blame if we had not put this programme into operation. I hope we shall get proportionate credit for the action we have, in fact, taken.
Our second promise in the manifesto—I am working through it steadily—was that "we also recognise the need for expansion of nursery education. This is especially important in areas of social handicap." A number of resolutions and a number of speakers have made the same point. Each year the share of the urban programme allocated to education has been used to provide more nursery places in the priority areas. In a debate in the House of Commons this Spring and at a conference of education committees I made clear my views that the right strategy for the future would be to concentrate on and extend the earlier stages of the education system. Since that time, further published reports of research work have confirmed this view.
Mr. Tunnicliffe asked that we make nursery education our next priority. I am happy to do so. Within the next few months I shall be announcing a programme for systematic expansion of nursery education on the education budget in pursuance of the duties laid upon local authorities under the Education Act, 1944. This will be yet another educational advance carried out by the Conservative Party in furtherance of its belief in education for all our people.
I agree with Mrs. Vivian that there is a case for nursery education for all of the younger children under 5, because there is such a rapid development of intelligence during that period, but I know that she will agree with me that during the early years of a new nursery programme it will be right to give a measure of preference to projects in problem areas.
I come on to secondary education, about which so many people have spoken so strongly. It is a very difficult area in view of the rights of local education authorities. What did we say about it? We said this: "In secondary education … we will maintain the existing rights of local education authorities to decide what is best for their area … They will naturally be slow to make irrevocable changes to any good school unless they are sure that the alternative is better."
The last Government attempted to vary those rights by administrative action under Circular 10/65. I withdrew that to give local education authorities a chance to re-consider their reorganisation programmes. Since then, local authorities have put up some 2,300 statutory proposals related to secondary schools.
There is a right on the part of local people to object to the scheme to the Ministry if they wish to do so, and before a decision is made upon any change I am bound to take those objections into account. Clearly it is best where the local authority is absolutely in step with the people and the objections are very few; but where the changes are proposed for famous grammar schools with supreme reputations the objections come in thick and fast. I have upheld 92 of the objections, mostly in favour of famous or well known grammar schools which have served the whole area regardless of the background of the children and which have therefore provided the educational ladder from the bottom to the top.
I can only express the hope that those who believe intensely in the future of grammar schools and what they have to offer will be as vocal in their own areas and outside this conference hall as they are today.
The next thing that we promised, and it is right that we should carry out our manifesto, was: "We will raise the school leaving age to 16 as planned." I know that some of you have doubts about this but it was in the manifesto. I think that some of you may have had doubts about raising the school leaving age to 15 many years ago, but now it is totally accepted. I believe that when we have got the curriculum right for those for whom a non-academic curriculum is required this will be an excellent reform and will be accepted and welcomed and of great benefit to the nation as a whole.
The next promise was: "We will encourage direct grant schools. Many of these schools have an excellent record." The attack on direct grant schools has come, not because they are bad, but because they are very good. What a terrible philosophy to try to hold back a good school while the others catch up. The direct grant schools have had great difficulties and [end p2] last year we increased the capitation grant to them and made a very much more generous income scale to enable people of all incomes to apply to go to those schools where they were near enough. Parents can apply directly to the school. The improvements in capitation grant I then introduced made the income from central Government to those schools equal to about one-third of their total income.
Since then, there has been a further Burnham award to teachers and other increases in costs. To retain the same proportion of grant to income, it will be necessary to review the grant annually. This I shall do, which means that this year the required increase in capitation grant will be about £9 a pupil, and Regulations will be laid before Parliament accordingly.
There were two more promises in the manifesto. The first concerned the demand for higher and further education. A number of speakers have spoken about the need for expansion in the polytechnics. I therefore take the opportunity of announcing the building programme for the polytechnics, nothing that there has been an increase in the proportion of students who are wishing to go to the polytechnics and who are using them.
The building programme which can start in this sector in the year 1973–74 will amount to £41 million, of which £19 million is for polytechnics compared with £7 million last year, and a further £19 million is for the further education colleges which do such a magnificent job.
There is one other point about that building programme. Undoubtedly some students have been and are in difficulties because there are too few residential places. Therefore in that programme we have allocated some £3 million for the provision of residential places. This compares with less than £1 million last year.
The last promise was: "We will institute an inquiry into teacher training." The James Inquiry was set up. It has reported. We are three-quarters of the way through the consultations and I shall hope to announce decisions, possibly in a White Paper, by the end of this year.
That is an account of how we have implemented our promises and how we shall continue to do so and of the priorities that we shall have for the future. We must be clear that education is not only a question of resources and statistics. It is a question of the quality of the teaching profession. It is a question of the standards which adults are prepared to set in the society into which we shall receive the school leaver. Our purpose is to create an education system which does justice to the talents of all our children and which will fit them for life in a free and responsible society. I am happy to accept the Motion.


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A former London Marathon associate has teamed up with Crewroom to launch a new scheme that will save UK charities an estimated £100,000 this year
The money-saving scheme already involves dozens of charities across the country forming a 'buying supergroup' that enables them to order high-quality race shirts and vests in bulk at low prices.
The man launching the initiative is Mark Ussher, co-founder of Run for Charity, an organisation dedicated to supporting UK charities and their runners. He's joined forces with Crewroom, who are official race shirt suppliers to popular high-profile races such as the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon and Ultra.
Ussher, 32, Run for Charity's new business and partnerships director, said: "This scheme is just plain common sense and is based on the 'strength in numbers' principle.
"We're starting with race shirts but the idea in the future will be to reduce costs for charities using a number of new and innovative methods.
"After analysing the struggles charities face in regards to buying quality running vests and T-shirts for their devoted supporters, we wanted to try and do something to help.
"Following the runforcharity.com philosophy, we came to the conclusion that charities need to work together to reduce costs and increase quality. It's common sense that the more vests we order, the cheaper they become."
The scheme is thought to be the first "buying supergroup" of its kind within the sector. Over 50 charities have already signed up for the Run for Charity programme, including Great Ormond Street Hospital, The Alzheimer's Society and Dreams Come True.
Kate Giles said: "Crewroom supplies sportswear to organisations around the world and we also have many clients in the UK. It strikes us that, at the moment, many British charities are buying cheap running shirts at a premium price.
"Often the vests are poor quality too, which is a shame. We're delighted to support Mark and Run for Charity with this initiative. Because of the quantities involved, we can supply a high-quality garment while keeping prices low.
"The charities we've spoken to through Run for Charity all agree that makes sense and are pleased to order through us in bulk."


text: SXSW Outdoor Voices Promotes Its AR App at SXSW to Get People Outside—and Shopping The experience is available for only 2 daysBy Ann-Marie Alcántara|March 10, 2018 The Outdoor Voices Trail Shop augmented reality app.Outdoor VoicesShare By Ann-Marie Alcántara|March 10, 2018 Share For a company whose slogan is "Doing Things," Outdoor Voices couldn't have picked a better weekend with great weather to promote its new augmented reality app.Outdoor Voices encouraged consumers and Austin residents (where the company is headquartered) to leave the convention center at South by Southwest and instead head to a nearby park to get outside and check out its AR shop.The five-year-old digital native brand's new AR app lets consumers shop for products at a certain location. The idea behind the location-specific shopping experience is to get people out of their homes and reward them with exclusive apparel for doing so, explained Tricia Katz, senior software engineer at Outdoor Voices. To use the Outdoor Voices Trail shop app, users point their phone downward to scan the ground and then walk toward specific products. As people get closer to a product, the app displays information about it. If they want to know more, they can slide the product tab up or they can tap to use Apple Pay to complete a purchase. Users can also walk around the products to see it from a 360-degree perspective or spin the product around on the app.Katz shared that the app ties into the company's mission of bridging retail with getting people moving."[The app] allows some individuals to really experience it and kind of see the future of retail and of our brand's commitment to being outside and getting people away from their computer," Katz said. "It's a really unique combo of how we build technology in ways that still support our brand mission and also serve all of the people that for the most part purchase online these days." In future iterations of the app, Outdoor Voices hopes to use it to deliver highly specific experiences that are tailored to the weather or location, with the AR store setup looking different depending on what the company is aiming to promote.Part of the company's reasoning to officially promote the app at SXSW was to join a week where innovation and entrepreneurs are celebrated, explained Katz."We wanted to play in that prototype and innovative space," Katz said. "AR is such a new technology but forging that path and really seeing what we can do with it from a retail and recreational experience." Share http://adweek.it/2HobOq7 copy Ann-Marie Alcántara @itstheannmarieAnn-Marie Alcántara is a tech reporter for Adweek, focusing on direct-to-consumer brands and ecommerce. Adweek Adweek


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The #WontBeErased White House protest of the Trump administration's consideration of defining transgender people out of legal recognition was largely successful and deserving of praise. It showed unity of action by advocacy and civil rights groups, raised the voices of those targeted by the administration, and it created a visibility across multiple media platforms that can propel the campaign forward.
But as often occurs in nascent campaigns and movements, missteps were made out of passion for our own citizenship and rights that did not respect those of others or our founding American ideals.
As #WontBeErased commanded the attention of the nation from Pennsylvania Avenue, making our voices heard, the protest was chastised by an ardent anti-war protester. Through her bullhorn, she decried the #WontBeErased demonstration for its lack of interest in her cause. It was at that moment, when I had joined with scores of other transgender Americans and our allies to demand our full citizenship be recognized: that we be seen, heard, and respected; that some of my fellow protesters made an error in judgement in the heat of the moment. They were covering the anti-war protester's face and megaphone with signs and attempting to crowd her away. They were so aggressive that a Secret Service officer repeatedly ordered that they cease and desist.
It was a mistake to impede the very rights and responsibilities of citizenship we were both exercising, #WontBeErased and the anti-war protester alike. It would be an understandable mistake were it younger folks, or others who could be forgiven for their commitment to the cause of civil rights or for their inexperience. But among the group of people who forgot themselves and harassed the woman were staff of advocacy and civil rights organizations present at the protest, and also included some of my fellow veterans — to my great disappointment.
Together, some of these people play a visible role in the LGBTQ community in the struggle to secure our inalienable rights under the Constitution and others, the veterans, once swore an oath to support and defend that Constitution. Collectively, they embarrassed themselves and stained the fight for the rights of transgender Americans, and all of us as a group, whether present at the protest or not. The people and forces wishing to cast us out of society will readily and gleefully seize upon any justification to deem us unworthy as they press home their sustained assault. We cannot hand them more slings and arrows than those they already hurl at us. Protesting at one of the most recognizable and meaningful locations in the country doesn't simply carry a responsibility to make the most noise possible to draw attention to the fight and the cause it advances, it carries the responsibility to put our values on display to set an example for all of those we fight for and all those we want to find common cause with us.
Our actions at the height of our struggle matter. They define us and our cause. The people claiming roles in the struggle and those who have defended the nation must do better. Leadership is not defined by titles, tweets, likes, the volume of one's voice, or the applause within the advocacy echo chamber. Leadership is defined by example, by deed, and by the character and conduct displayed when the fight is joined. There should not be a LGBTQ American who is not heartened and inspired by the unwavering support of a true American hero such as Rep. John Lewis. The privilege of hearing him speak of our common humanity and our common cause remains one of the most profound inspirations I have ever known. If that man sees my fight as his, then my fight must be worthy of his example. Leadership is required to ensure that it is.
We must all be equal to our cause and ensure that in winning the struggle for our own rights as transgender Americans and LGBTQ people overall that the rights of others are not demeaned, but that the rights of everyone are championed and elevated. Our fellow Americans, the world, and history are watching.
Shawn Skelly is a retired Navy officer who served in the Obama administration and is currently a commissioner on the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service. The comments offered here are hers alone.


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Thompsons Australia are a well respected organisation and I would recommend them to anyone who asks for financial help.
– Robert Gouttman
I have been a client of Thompsons Australia for over ten years, and they have been helpful during this period and particularly my move into retirement. Their service is a combination of courtesy, sound knowledge, and ready to help at any time. My wife and I are very fortunate to have Thompsons as our Accountant and Superannuation Administrator. We have been more than satisfied with their assistance and their kindness, both evident in dealing with Management or their staff.
– Richard Stephens
Greg is always available to listen and offer advice no matter how small or simple the question. Greg is very knowledgeable on all tax matters and his charges are very reasonable.
– Euan Jones
Any staff member, that I have had contact with has always given the same outstanding service. Any business for myself or for my parents has always been dealt with extremely well.
– Jenny Barker
I have found Thompson's Australia to be one of the most proactive Accounting firms we have ever used. I would highly recommend Greg Thompson and his team.
– George Peat
A firm that treats its clients with consideration and respect.
– David McClay
Thompsons Australia is a very professional company and as a client I am secure in the knowledge that the services I receive are always client based and value for money.
– Jennie Davie
Marietta Natoli is exceptional in her endeavours to provide appropriate advice.
– Mladen Sinozic
Greg Thompson is one of the most helpful people I have ever worked with. He should get a pay rise.
– George Peat
All the staff great service.
– Frederic Meyering
Marietta has been great.
– David McClay
Vivian is always so helpful and I would recommend her every time.
– Jennie Davie
Very happy with Greg.
– George Jovanoski


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Hi everyone! Today I have the bornprettystore (affiliate link) Ongle Liner Nail Art Brush review for you. While I was waiting on this brush to arrive, I knew that I was going to need to freehand something for the review. Eek. Freehand is not my strong suit, so I was pretty nervous. I
PPSA Nail Challenge – Traffic
Hi everyone! It's time for the next prompt in the #PPSAnailchallenge 🙂 This entire month all my nail posts will be for the Polished Pretties South Africa Nail Challenge. Polished Pretties South Africa is a Facebook group started by the Nail Anarchy ladies and we decided to do a month long challenge and
Christmas Nails
Hi everyone! A very blessed Christmas to all my readers who celebrate. To those who don't, I hope you've enjoyed the day off and to those colleagues that stand in for us so that we can have the day off, thank you! I just wanted to pop up a post to
Christmas Minions!
Hi everyone! How on EARTH are we halfway through December?! Can someone please just sit me down and explain this to me? I just can't even! Anyhoo, since I started doing nail art, so many people have asked me to do minion nails. At some point it seemed like everyone was doing
Born Pretty Store Review – Full Nail Water Decals
Hi everyone! Today I have a review for you from one of my favourite places to shop online – Born Pretty Store! If you are a regular reader of my blog, you would have seen that I often feature nail art using supplies I have purchased from Born Pretty. I was thrilled


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From Plates to Pinatas and Everything in Between, We Have Everything You Need for Your Next Party!
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Hungary to cut personal income tax rate to just 9 percent
The personal income rate cut will be made if economic growth climbs above 3 percent on a sustained basis
Hungary could cut its personal income tax rate to 9 percent from the present 15 percent in 2018, it has been reported today.
According to Reuters, the rate cut will be made if economic growth climbs above 3 percent on a sustained basis, Mihály Varga, minister for National Economy, told business daily Vilaggazdasag.
Earlier this week, Hungary raised its economic growth forecast to over 4 percent in the next two years after unveiling a batch of stimulus measures.
The sharp improvement in growth outlook follows an agreement with private sector employers on big hikes in the minimum wage for the next two years in return for cuts in payroll taxes and a reduction in the corporate tax to a flat 9 percent.
Minister Varga said that the government, which has stabilized the budget with so-called unorthodox measures such as a bank levy and a string of sectoral taxes on companies, could also consider other benefits which would stimulate the economy.


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Do you want to have long skateboard deck or you want to start while learning simple tricks. In order to land your first few kick flips you're going to have to actively push yourself outside of that safe territory, so before you do, make sure you've got your technique of flicking the board and making it rotate underneath you one full time and catching it with your back foot and then once you've got that down, take a deep breath and really give it an honest attempt now you might end up taking a couple of spills here, but if you already have some practice falling, which you should, and especially if you have some pads on, it's not going to be the end of the world and then, before you know it, you're going to be able to start landing your kick flips without having to worry about being afraid of falling any more. Now, some people will say that in order to make landing your kick flips easier that you should try them on to an extent that is true; it is it is a little bit easier to flip a smaller board faster, but by no means is it necessary.
As you can see here, I have an 8.75 inch wide board and I'm still able to do kick flips and double kick flips on it, so don't feel like you need to go out and buy a whole new board just in order to learn this one trick. Now, another thing that has the tendency to give people a little bit of a problem is that when they imagine what they need to do in order to get the board to rotate in this direction, they think that what they need to do is to apply a force straight down on this side of the board, which would make sense if the board was just floating in the air, but it's not.
It's being popped up like this, and it's already angled, and then this right here is also angled up more than just the side of the board so instead of jumping up in the air and kicking your foot straight down, what you need to do is drag your front foot up, and then flick it out, in this direction, and that's going to make the board rotate the way that you want it to and get it to level out in the air so that you can catch it with your back foot.
Another thing you're going to want to keep in mind about this trick is that whenever you go to pop it, you don't want to have your back foot positioned too far heel-side or else what's going to happen is the board is going to pop off the ground and start rotating a little bit in a kick flip motion, but it's going to be too early, and you're not going to have anything to kick your front foot off of, so what I usually do is I take the ball of my back foot and I position it right on this center line of the tail, and if you want to you can even position it a little further toe-side than that, but what that's going to allow you to do is pop the board off the ground and have it rotate kind of in a heel flip motion into your front foot and allow you to get a really nice strong flick with your front foot and make the board go all the way around.
The last piece of advice I have for you is that you're going to need a lot of patience in order to learn this trick. Most people are going to underestimate how many hours it actually takes in order to develop the motion that you need to do with both of your feet as well as getting the timing down between them, so even if you're not seeing a lot of progress, you just need to stick with it and try to focus on what it is that you're doing wrong that's holding you back and correcting that motion over and over again until you're doing it properly, and soon enough you'll be landing your kick flips every single try.
A good technique that you can use in order to determine where exactly it is that you're getting hung up would be to just film yourself doing a few kick flip attempts and then compare what those attempts look like to someone who already does kick flips very well. Just remember, it's easier to see your progress when you compare two practice sessions together rather than comparing two individual attempts back-to-back.


text: Cobb Salad 13.50 Crispy Romaine Lettuce, Grilled Chicken, Avocado, Crispy Bacon, Sliced Egg & Crumbled Blue Cheese Related 0 comments on "Cobb Salad" Add yours → Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment Name * Email * Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Notify me of new posts by email.


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VICE has a new three-part series looking into the tragic world of Gay Conversion Therapy. Luckily they also speak with detractors from the movement, including those who used to be faces of ex-gay organizations, and visit the recent Gay Christian Network conference where they speak with National Center for Lesbian Rights' Samantha Ames. The NCLR is behind the #BornPerfect campaign, which aims to make conversion therapy illegal.
While most of the people featured in the series are homosexual men, women are also a part of the ex-gay community. Some of the most powerful voices include self-professed ex-lesbians Janet Boynes, Jackie Hill-Perry, and Charlene Cothran. Toward the end of the third segment, two gay women talk about the damage conversion therapy has done to them.


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About this item
#1 New York Times BestsellerThere have been many books - on a large and small scale - about Steve Jobs, one of the most famous CEOs in history. But this book is different from all the others. Becoming Steve Jobs takes on and breaks down the existing myth and stereotypes about Steve Jobs. The conventional, one-dimensional view of Jobs is that he was half-genius, half-jerk from youth, an irascible and selfish leader who slighted friends and family alike. Becoming Steve Jobs answers the central question about the life and career of the Apple cofounder and CEO: How did a young man so reckless and arrogant that he was exiled from the company he founded become the most effective visionary business leader of our time, ultimately transforming the daily life of billions of people? Drawing on incredible and sometimes exclusive access, Schlender and Tetzeli tell a different story of a real human being who wrestled with his failings and learned to maximize his strengths over time.


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Professor Falken wrote:Dropping back by here in case anyone else finds this string later also looking to strip leading zeros off of single digit days and/or hours ("May 3" instead of "May 03", or "5:45 pm" instead of "05:45 pm") as I was. Dave's script above works, but it turns out there is a way to do it right from the date formatting.
I found this more robust list of date/time formats, and it includes options for both of those (%e and %l, respectively). These do seem to be working in Indigo. The one for lowercase am/pm (ironically the uppercase %P) doesn't work for me. I haven't tested any of the other ones on this list.
Platform specific directives: The full set of format codes supported varies across platforms, because Python calls the platform C library's strftime() function, and platform variations are common. To see the full set of format codes supported on your platform, consult the strftime(3) documentation.
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|A4-27fenghuangshan international E-commerce industry Park,No. 3 fenghuangshan Road , Tianqiao District, Jinan City.
Product Details:
Payment & Shipping Terms:
|Fuel Tank Trailer
|3x13 Ton Axle
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1 compartment 50000liters fuel tank trailer for Mali
TITAN vehicle is mainly manufacture kinds of tank trailer. Fuel tank trailer is one of popular products. Our factory owns advanced tank body shape and welding manchineries which ensure the tank body with a perfect seal performance. Our fuel tank trailer with 1 compartments, 2 manhole, equipped with 4' bottom valve. Axles from FUWA factory, It equipped with triangle brand 12.00R20 radial tires, WABCO brake system.
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It's hard to believe, but the holidays are once again right around the corner. Last week, I went to Target mere days after Halloween and found it fully decked out for Christmas. I'll admit, this doesn't make me sad. If you've followed my blog for a while, you know that I truly LOVE the holiday season. What really freaks me out about the holiday season, however, is getting everything done! This year I've vowed to be better about getting everything done in a timely manner. That's why today, on November 10th, I'm bringing you a post about creating and printing holiday cards.
For the past few years, I've created and printed Christmas cards to share with my family and friends. I find it to be a fun and personal way to say "Happy Holidays" and document your family at the same time. It's not always easy though. Creating a card, finding a place to print it, pleasing your mother who doesn't like the card because "it's of the girls' backs" (true story…lesson: don't use an artistic photo to create a profound card) and then having to get the cards out on time, all make the idea of Christmas cards so daunting.
Luckily, there are TONS of resources out there for creating and printing Christmas cards. I wanted to share some of my favorites with you today.
Many digi scrap designers are now creating pre-made Christmas cards that you just pop your pictures into, much like a quick page. Take a look at a few of my favorites right now.
Of course, you can always use your favorite digi kit and design your own card too. Also, many printing sites offer pre-made cards for you to put your pictures in as well.
There are a few different places that I like for printing cards.
VistaPrint – I've used VistaPrint a few times, and I was happy with the quality and the price. They offer cards in various sizes, and have an array of pre-designed cards if you wanted to use one of them. They also have an option for printing a card you designed or created using a product like those above. For a set of 10 4×8 photo cards, it's $7.99 (and on sale for $3.99 as I am writing this).
Shutterfly – I've also used Shutterfly and been pleased with their products. They also have an array of pre-designed cards, many of which are very attractive and fun. From what I found, Shutterfly does not currently offer an option for printing your own cards (I may be wrong, but it's not easily found if there is one). Their cards are priced separately, and start at $0.40.
Persnickety Prints – This year, I am planning on using Persnickety Prints. I've documented here on the blog many times how pleased I am with the quality and customer service I've received from Persnickety Prints. Like the other sites, they have a variety of pre-designed cards to choose from, they offer an option for printing your own card, and have a variety of sizes. Their cards are available in sets of 25. A set of 25 Flat Photo Cards starts at $14.99.
There are tons of great options out there to pick from. I hope that you find the options that fit best for you, and helps you get your cards printed and enjoy the holiday season!!


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Now go to your local grocery store and purchase a specially-marked box of Post cereal, then you'll get a unique PIN code on the inside of the carton. You can use the PIN code to enter The Post Presents the Nintendo Switch Instant Win Game on the website PostSweepstakes.com, which will give you a chance to win a Nintendo prize pack that includes a Nintendo Switch system plus a Super Mario Odyssey game.
How to enter & win:
Once you get a PIn code, open the promotion website link PostSweepstakes.com in your web browser.
Then follow the instructions to enter your code and complete the registration by providing your name and residential address, phone, date of birth and a valid e-mail address.
After clicking the "Submit" button, you will receive receive one instant win game play. After the Game Play, you will receive notification on the Website screen as to whether or not you're a potential winner. Limit one person one time per day.
Click here to enter your PIN code now!
Contest Prizes:
There are five hundred (500) prizes available to be won, each consisting of a Nintendo prize pack that includes a Nintendo Switch system plus a Super Mario Odyssey game.
Contest Rules:
The promotion is open only to all Canadian residents over the age of majority in their province/territory of residence at the time of entry.
There is no limit to the number of Entries or Discount Codes per person during the Promotional Period. Each PIN may only be entered on the Website one time. More codes you enter, more entries you receive. Please retain your original PIN code for verification. You should submit your code before March 31, 2018.
See more official rules at PostSweepstakes.com!


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PRAGUE 70ºF
TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: Transfer in. Night transfer to the Old Town. Welcome to Prague! At your airport of arrival, we shall be waiting with transport to take you to your hotel. At the end of the afternoon, we provide transport to take you to the Old Town Square. This central location is full of energy and touristic activities. It's a marvellous place to acquaint ourselves with Prague. Indian dinner included. Return to hotel.
PRAGUE 70ºF
TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: City tour of Prague. Visit to Castle. Boat tour along the river Vltava. Indian dinner.Today we are visiting the capital, which is the Baroque jewel of Europe. Our local expert will provide an informative city tour, which will include the outstanding monuments. During the visit we walk through Prague Castle (admission included). Subsequently, we shall take a magnificent boat tour on the river Vltava. Free time in the afternoon to explore Prague. In the evening, we enjoy time in the historic city centre. Indian dinner included. Return to hotel.
PRAGUE 70ºF - MUNICH 75ºF - INNSBRUCK
TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: BMW WELT and Old Town Innsbruck. Dinner included. We will leave early and travel to Bavaria arriving to MUNICH at midday. Next to the Olympiapark, we will visit the futuristic BMW WELT with its fascinating architecture and multi-use exhibition of BMW, the prestigious German vehicles brand. After that, time for lunch and a stroll in the historic centre. In the afternoon we will travel to Austria. Arrival in the evening to INNSBRUCK. Indian dinner included.
TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: Visit to Swarovski Museum. Dinner Incluided. Begin your day by discovering the Swarovski Museum, the renowned home of crystals. We shall visit its impressive gardens and learn how the pieces of crystal are produced. Then, time to stroll in the historic centre of Innsbruck. Dinner included.
TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: Alps, lakes, castle, exciting landscapes. Lunch included.Today, we will enjoy a stage full of excitement. Arriving from the Austrian side, ZUGSPITZE is on the border between Austria and Germany. We will go to the summit of the highest mountain in Germany via the modern. Zugspitse cableway (included). On fine days, we can see a panoramic of the snowy mountain peaks across 4 countries!. Lunch included. Then, we will travel to REUTTE, a unique experience to feel a remarkable floating sensation at the longest Tibet-style footbridge (entrance included) We will continue to FELDKIRCH, a medieval city in the western Austrian state of Vorarlberg on the border with Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
FELDKIRCH - MAINAU - STEIN AM RHEIN 77ºF - RHINE FALLS - ZURICH 77ºF
TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: Constanza Lake. Botanic Gardens. Rhine Waterfalls. Fantastic scenery. Dinner included. We start our day by Constanza Lake, between Germany and Switzerland. We will have time for a walk at Constanza's center before visiting MAINAU Island (access by pedestrian bridge) with its stunning botanic garden (entry included). Then, in Switzerland, we will take a stroll in STEIN AM RHEIN, a typical village on the Rhine River with precious houses with painted walls. We will also visit Rhine Waterfalls (entry included), the waterfalls with the most abundant flow in Europe. Arrival at ZURICH at the end of the day. Indian dinner included.
ZURICH 77ºF - LUCERNE 77ºF - ZURICH 77ºF
TODAY´S HIGHLIGHTS: Admire the fantastic landscapes. Cable car included to Grindelwald first. Lunch included. Today´s stage has beautiful landscapes with high mountains and lakes. Breathtaking scenery. GRINDELWALD where we will have time for a coffee before taking the cable car (ticket included) up to Grindelwald first. We will walk along the path (30 minutes) in which we shall be able to take the "footbridge over the empty" among the fantastic scenery enjoying glaciers around us. Lunch included (vegetarian option available). After that we continue through the region of Interlaken to LUCERNE, one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland. Time at the end of the day to stroll, enjoy the city and dine before returning to the hotel in Zurich.
ZURICH 77ºF
After breakfast, end of our services.


text: Events Red Jacket Mountain View Resort is well known for summertime traditions, seasonal events, and live entertainment with great views of the surrounding White Mountains. Take a peek at what's on the schedule and come join the fun for yourself. Menu Resort Menu - Red Jacket Mountain View Resort Accommodations Offers Activities Events Dining Weddings Back Weddings Overview Wedding Venues Meet The Team Groups Back Groups Overview Meeting Spaces Meet The Team FAQ Quick Links - Red Jacket Mountain View Resort Kahuna Laguna Water Park Start Date End Date Category All CategoriesFamily FunFestivalsFood & DrinkMusic, Arts & CultureOn PropertySporting Events


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Property Details
#2401 939 HOMER STREET, Vancouver West, BC, V6B 2W6, Ca
Studio unit with solarium & designated Bedroom area. Suite has stove, fridge, dishwasher and own clothes washer & dryer and unit has 1 parking stall #13 and 1 locker #273. Indoor pool, sauna, hot tub, exercise room nicely equipped and concierge. Unit was rented unfurnished for $1400 monthly.
Elevator, Exercise Centre, In Suite Laundry, Pool; Indoor, Sauna/Steam Room
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"largely" well it either DOES or it DOES NOT. how can you be pedantic and yet vague when identifying your own rulebook as it suits. that's just...
i'm sorry but because of the bulletpoints i couldnt preface that with my comments.
imo whats black is useful and whats red is less than useful.
Critique is given to help people become better photographers, artists, and occasionally business people.
I will offer honest critique when it is...
it looks it, doesn't it! probably only 10-15mm body. but with those
front legs...the alien!
thank you sir!
this is what irritates me on this forum, and reinforces my doubts...
the photography is 'chaotic and messy' ? well..not in my opinion.
the photography is carefully approached, and high quality.
the setting is...
nice pictures ;0) especially the beers
Link gone :(
Soligor 350mm f3.5 handheld. manual-focus. trying out this lens. $15 from
a charity-store. Canon 1000D (2:3 crop. maybe ~50%)
1 and 3 are super, documentary monochromes, IMO.
you use that 400mm to good effect. hope to see more of your work.
maybe a simple solution is, in the same fashion as we can elect/decline editing of our photos,
we could elect/decline coaching on photography or...
@Garbz quote: Summary comments along the lines of "I like it!" or "Great job!" or "It sucks!" do no one any good and will be avoided at all costs....
czj sonnar 135/3.5
Separate names with a comma.


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Sending messages while waiting for today's protest march
to start at Victoria Park's Central Lawn
Out on the streets with thousands of others
What a nice surprise it was to see that Civic Square
has been reopened (at least for today)!
Since I began taking part in the annual July 1st march in 2012 (the year that Hong Kong's fourth -- and thus far most unpopular by far -- Chief Executive took office), I've noticed how different the mood among its participants can be from year to year. Over the years, I've sensed -- and experienced -- anger, hope, joy, frustration and defiance. Depending on the year, I've also found myself marching along to music (including the Cantonese version of Do You Hear the People Sing?), political chants or dogged silence.
At today's pro-democracy rally, my general impression was of the crowd embodying a quiet but resolute determination to prove wrong those who have argued that it's illegal and also to not be cowed by the threat of police violence (that comes from the now well-known tendency of the Hong Kong police to over-react against non-violent protest). The mood on the street most definitely was not as festive as I've felt it to be on at least one earlier occasion but neither was it as fractious as I've also felt it to have been on a couple of other ones.
It undoubtedly helped tempers stay even that this year's July 1st march actually got going very close to the official start time (in contrast to the more than hour long delays in previous years that were the result of such as the police not ensuring there would be adequate lanes closed off to vehicular traffic on the streets that the protesters would be walking along). In addition, spirits were lifted by our seeing how sparsely attended the pro-Beijing event which Victoria Park's football pitches were booked up for (in order to deny their use by pro-democracy activists) was and, also, how vastly out-numbered the pro-Beijing counter-protesters were by those who had taken to the streets to show their care, love and support for Hong Kong, and wish to see genuine universal suffrage attained by its residents.
A word on the march numbers: it's been reported as being the lowest in three years but my view, as someone who took part in all of them is that this year's attendance was definitely higher than last year's (which, incidentally, I attended with just one friend compared to triple that number this year) and 2015's (which I went to alone) and also possibly 2016's (which I attended with another friend). More than incidentally, I also found it interesting that this year, the march organizers actually announced where they would be doing their count and that it was fairly early along the route that they had told people days before that they were welcome to join the march midway.
Take it from someone who was there right from the start to the end of the march: it was noticeable how certain points of the route seemed to be more crowded than others. So I can but surmise that a number of people actually opted to take part in the protest without going along the entire march. In light of certain of the participants being on the elderly side as well as some other participants being reliant on wheelchairs to get around, I fully sympathize if the spirit was willing but the flesh was weak as far as they were concerned; and this too with regards to those parents who brought their young children along (because, this being Hong Kong, it is indeed a regular thing for pro-democracy activists to range from the very young to the very old, and for people to want to educate the next generation about their rights!).
For the record: this year's July 1st march began at a section of Victoria Park closer to the Tin Hau MTR station than Causeway Bay and passed through Causeway Bay and Wan Chai before ending in Admiralty; with the route taking me some three hours to complete (not least because there were times when the march became a crawl because of how thick the crowd on the street got). However tired we participants were though, we became all smiles at march's end when we discovered that Civic Square had been re-opened to the public (at least for today) and we could set foot in it for the first time in years!
Adding to our cheer was the weather gods appearing to be on our side this afternoon: for even though the Hong Kong Observatory had issued a thunderstorm warning, it only sprinkled on us for a few minutes. In addition, the clouds that gathered in the sky provided us with welcome shade and made it so that we didn't have to use the umbrellas that pretty much every protester had brought along to the march to protect us, if needed, from the sun, rain, tear gas or pepper spray! :)


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Last week saw the start of Gatwick Airport police force's Operation Disrupt, a crackdown on inebriated passengers boarding planes – it is, after all, an offence to board a plane whilst drunk in the UK. That same week, Cheapflights.co.uk released data that shows 62% of British travellers hit the bar as soon as they pass security.
Their data also shows almost a third of Brits admitted to boarding a plane whilst drunk, and much of this airport boozing goes on as early as 8am. But is that really an appropriate time to be reaching for a G&T when the rest of the country is sipping coffee?


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As many of you might know, I'm Canadian. I have a fairly good understanding about how Canadian politics work, but I don't really know anything about U.S. politics (and I don't pretend that I do). In light of this, I decided that this semester I should take Media & the Presidential Election, an upper division Communications class, to learn more about the politics that turn Americans into crazy people every four years. This is part of what we learned in yesterday's class:
Gov. Palin and Senator Clinton address the nation
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Monday, September 01, 2008
Skipping Rocks
Today's "How to of the Day" on my iGoogle account piqued my interest so I clicked the link and this is what I found: How to Skip Rocks. I read through the information in order to become a more proficient rock-skipper myself and then came to the videos. While the first video was mildly amusing to those of us that learned how to skip rocks before we started school, the second one, showing the world record holder in rock skipping with 51 skips, was mind-blowing! I thought it blog worthy and I hope you'll agree. Take a look...
Posted by Ali at 16:36 3 comments:
Labels: media
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


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http://www.eslflow.com/debateanddiscussionlessons.htmlRelated: ressources elearning du prof d'anglais de LP • LISTEN AND SPEAK • e-nglish • TIK • Level 3
Conversation Questions for the ESL/EFL Classroom If this is your first time here, then read the Teacher's Guide to Using These PagesIf you can think of a good question for any list, please send it to us. Home | Articles | Lessons | Techniques | Questions | Games | Jokes | Things for Teachers | Links | Activities for ESL Students Would you like to help? If you can think of a good question for any list, please send it to us. 64 Sites for Digital Storytelling Tools and Information Julie Greller's blog A Media Specialist's Guide to the Internet features some great content for teachers. Posts are sorted by subject and grade level, and there's also a link to some free ebooks. In this post, she offers a list of links to resources for digital storytelling. 100+ Digital Storytelling Tools for Your Digital Selves part I 100+ Digital Storytelling Tools…part II Aniboom– animation studio
The Monkey's Paw Adapted from a story by W W Jacobs by EFLshorts.com Chapter 1 The night was cold and wet. But in the small living room of Laburnam Villa, a fire burned brightly and a father and son played chess*. The father was a good player, but the son was better. His wife watched them play and warmed her hands in front of the fire.
Our Teachers - Learning Resources - English - British Council Hong Kong Friendly and supportive Our team of over 110 teachers in Hong Kong are trained to help students achieve their goals. We support students in their learning and motivate them to do their best. Internationally qualified All British Council teachers have native speaker proficiency. Randall's Video Snapshots: For ESL/EFL Students The movie clips called Video Snapshots are designed to provide additional learning content related to other listening activities on my site. To learn more about this project, read the Frequently Asked Questions below: Current Videos (Click the picture to watch the video - Click the link below the picture to visit a related listening activity). You can also search by title below: Why did you create this section of your Website? There are three main objectives for the videos: (1) add new materials to support existing content on my site through the recycling of vocabulary and topics (e.g., a video on trains is linked to a conversation called, Train Tickets: Getting Around Tokyo), (2) provide more visual multimedia content that can aid students in the language-learning process, and (3) share my own personal life experiences that might be of benefit to those who want to see new things (for example, how many people have camped in freezing, snowy conditions . . .
The 10 Best Places to Find ELT Listening Materials – Teach them English If, like me, you find that one of the most commonly heard requests from your learners is to provide them with additional listening materials to study with outside of class, this post is definitely for you. I've trawled the internet and the result of my extensive labors is the list of ten great resources you see below… enjoy! 1) Link Eng Park This site doesn't actually produce any of its own materials, but it's as close as an encyclopedia of all ESL online listening materials as you're ever likely to find. If you can't find something here for your teaching context, you almost might as well stop searching! Editable old newspaper template Views 393,984 Filed under Educational , english, history, newspaper, school, sepia We have just added to our popular editable PowerPoint newspapers with this Old Times newspaper design. With these you can create your own news headlines, articles and insert your own pictures. This spoof newspaper template could have many uses, including college and school projects and fun cards to send news to your friends and family. You could make a nice news magazine using the template or create an old-style "Wanted" poster with reward.
Benjamin's English Classes (engVid) Join me as I go to a top language school in London and see what it's like to study English there. I'll show you classes, and talk to students from around the world about their experience. Whether you want to study for the IELTS, prepare for university in an English-speaking country, or just improve your English for personal reasons, studying at a language school is a big decision. See what it's like and decide if it's right for you! Thanks to The London School of English: English conversation phrases and expressions for speaking practice JOIN THE ESLgold COMMUNITY We will enter you into the drawing for the iPod on December 31st, 2015 and add you to our monthly newsletter. Welcome! Skills Learn Conversational English by Watching Vlogs (Note: If you want to reach a high level of English, click here.) As I talk about in The To Fluency Program and in my videos on YouTube, getting more input will help you progress at a faster rate. And in this video, I talk about one of the best ways to get more conversational input, helping your speaking skills. Watch in HD! Share the video with your friends, and then read the article below…
25 maps that explain the English language by Libby Nelson on March 3, 2015 English is the language of Shakespeare and the language of Chaucer. It's spoken in dozens of countries around the world, from the United States to a tiny island named Tristan da Cunha. It reflects the influences of centuries of international exchange, including conquest and colonization, from the Vikings through the 21st century. Here are 25 maps and charts that explain how English got started and evolved into the differently accented languages spoken today. The origins of English
How to Write a Letter (with Free Sample Letters) Steps Method 1 Writing a Formal Letter


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investors look to profit on Brazil rate hike
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[April 05, 2014]
By Ashley Lau and David Randall
NEW YORK (Reuters) — Brazil's decision
to hike its key interest rate to 11 percent, its highest level in
two years, has some yield-hungry U.S. investors smacking their lips.
After all, they argue Brazil has an upside and may carry less risk
than the other BRIC countries of Russia, India and China. Hopes that
Brazil's next president to be elected in October will rein in
spending and adjust macroeconomic policies sparked a rally in
domestic markets in the past few days.
The big question is whether Brazil's currency, the real, will sink
further and wipe out returns on real-denominated bonds. For some the
danger is modest enough to handle, especially for the sweet double
digit yields.
"When you look around at the local emerging market debt market,
Brazil actually looks very attractive," said Gerardo Rodriguez,
senior investment strategist for BlackRock's emerging markets group.
"There was some uncertainty in the policy mix, but now with the
central bank being more aggressive on the tightening cycle, you're
having some stability and it has been a good entry point for many
investors, especially on the long end of the curve."
Brazil's central bank on Wednesday raised interest rates for the
ninth straight time, extending one of the world's longest rate
tightening cycles after a surge in food prices added to the
country's already high inflation. Since April 2013, the central bank
has increased its benchmark interest rate 3.75 percentage points.
That has prompted some investors, who had been rushing out of the
country's equity market over concerns about high inflation and tepid
growth, to consider Brazilian bonds. Brazil's 10-year bond yields
12.8 percent in local currency, according to Thomson Reuters data,
compared with a yield of 2.79 percent for a 10-year note in the
United States.
"If you're an investor (in the Brazilian market) sitting on money,
and you're saying where should I put my next incremental investment,
the rates you're going to get in that bond market just got more
attractive," said Dave Nadig, chief investment officer at San
Francisco-based research and analytics firm ETF.com. "That's where
there's an immediate direct impact."
Investors who buy fixed income securities run the risk that
inflation will continue to cut into real returns. On March 27,
Brazil's central bank increased its 2014 inflation forecast to 6.1
percent from its earlier estimate of 5.7 percent, and raised its
2015 inflation estimate to 5.5 percent from 5.4 percent.
Those moves have come amid wide swings in the value of Brazil's
currency. Since January 2013, the value of the real against the
dollar has fallen approximately 15 percent, from 1.96 per dollar to
2.26. Should the real continue to fall, U.S.-based investors who
convert their earnings from reais to U.S. dollars will see the value
of their positions erode.
U.S. investors typically cannot buy Brazilian bonds directly unless
they put in a large order through their broker. And, with no
exchange-traded funds investing solely in Brazilian debt, analysts
say the best alternative are emerging markets bond ETFs which count
Brazil among their largest country allocations.
The WisdomTree Emerging Markets Local Debt Fund, for example, has
its third largest country allocation, roughly 10.6 percent, in
Brazil. The fund, which invests in bonds denominated in emerging
market currencies, has gained about 4.5 percent over the past two
months, since falling in late January.
For those that want to hedge out exposure to the real, the Vanguard
Emerging Markets Government Bond ETF — with its second largest
country weighting in Brazil — and the iShares J.P. Morgan USD
Emerging Markets Bond ETF, track bonds denominated in U.S. dollars.
The Vanguard fund, launched just last year, is up about 3 percent
since early February, while the iShares fund is up about 3.8 percent
since then.
[to top of second column]
The volatility of the Brazilian real makes buying Brazilian bonds
unattractive for some investors, despite the alluring yields.
Instead, some fund managers say they are buying Brazilian corporate
bonds that are denominated in dollars rather than adding bonds
issued in the real, effectively trading a safer currency for lower
"You're just not getting paid enough to take on the risk," that
Brazilian inflation will cut the real's buying power against the
dollar, said John Lekas, a senior portfolio manager at Leader
Capital who oversees roughly $1 billion in assets among two funds.
Though Brazilian sovereign bonds carry investment grade credit
ratings, their corporate counterparts issued in dollars allow a
better way to tap into the Brazilian economy without taking a
currency risk, Lekas said.
Instead, he has been buying bonds issued in dollars by Brazilian
industrial, materials and telecommunications firms. For example, he
recently took a position in dollar-denominated bonds issued by
telephone company Oi that matures in six years and pays an interest
rate of 5.7 percent.
Jenelle Woodward, director of research at BMO TCH, which runs the
BMO TCH Emerging Markets Bond Fund, said that Brazil's rampant
inflation will likely eat into real returns. The fund instead has
been picking up dollar-denominated bonds issued by global companies
headquartered in Brazil, such as a 10-year bond issued by energy
company Petrobras that yields approximately 6 percent.
Even as U.S. investors shy away from Brazilian equities and go
towards bonds, some see long-term opportunity in the country's
stocks, which have been selling off. Brazil's benchmark Bovespa
index had fallen some 12.7 percent from Jan 1 through mid-March, but
has been on the ascent in recent weeks.
"Valuations in the equities space are starting to look attractive,"
said BlackRock's Rodriguez.
While most Brazilian stocks pay a dividend, there are few direct
ways for fund investors to focus on dividend-paying stocks. The $4.3
billion MSCI iShares Brazil Capped fund, for example, offers a
dividend yield of 3.2 percent, a level slightly less than the 4.3
percent yield of the broader WidsomTree Emerging Markets Equity ETF.
"Emerging markets are much more volatile, but if you stay invested
through the investment cycle, you can expect to get double digit
returns," Rodriguez said.
Still many say they are in no rush to get into equities.
Right now, "you're really stuck between a rock and a hard place"
with Brazil, said King Lip, chief investment officer at San
Francisco-based Baker Avenue Asset Management.
"We think it has further to fall before we see a rebound," Lip said.
"I'd rather be investing in bonds than equities right now because I
do believe eventually inflation will be controlled and they're going
to be happy to reduce rates to stimulate the economy and then bonds
are going to be rallying on that."
(Reporting by Ashley Lau and David Randall; editing by Linda Stern
and Andrew Hay)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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