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Invitees who attended back-to-back World Health Organization (WHO) consultations at the start of February were required to sign confidentiality agreements prohibiting them from talking about the meetings. They had to promise not to divulge anything that was said during the three days — not to colleagues, not to their networks, and especially not to journalists, who might misreport the facts. The world health body explained that journalists often exaggerate, and the UN doesn't want to induce panic. The media will be informed when WHO holds an additional meeting of UN insiders on February 15, behind closed doors, and prepares a carefully worded public statement for release the next day.
The highly classified topic of discussion wasn't a nuclear threat or a new virus that can kill within days. It was birth control.
WHO's gag order is just the latest in a years-long effort by the United Nations' AIDS apparatus to limit how much women know about possible links between HIV and injectable hormonal contraceptives. The UN appears to have forgotten that its job is not to control women's sexual and reproductive decisions, but to inform them.
Here's what the UN knows: In July 2011, researchers led by Renee Heffron at the University of Washington in Seattle presented findings from studies involving 3,790 sero-discordant couples (one HIV-negative and one HIV-positive partner) in east and southern Africa.1 The data compared women who had and women who had not used hormonal contraceptives during the research periods: twice as many HIV-negative hormonal contraceptive users acquired the virus. The rates of transmission from HIV-positive women to their male partners was also two times higher for users of hormonal contraceptives. (The findings focused on injectables because very few study participants took hormonal contraceptives in pill form, making the higher rates of HIV infection and transmission in that group "statistically insignificant.")
In laypersons' terms, hormonal contraceptives are products that adjust a woman's hormone levels to prevent ovulation and pregnancy. In the east and southern African countries where the research was carried out, injectable hormonal contraceptives ("depot medroxyprogesterone acetate," or DMPA) are the top choice of women who use contraceptives, and the Depo-Provera brand owned by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, Inc. is the most widely used. Despite common side effects, popular features of the method are that one injection lasts three months, and a woman's sex partner need not know that she is using a contraceptive.
The findings by Heffron and colleagues weren't definitive; it would take years of additional research to determine beyond a doubt whether or not hormonal contraceptives actually double women's risks of acquiring or transmitting HIV during unprotected sex. But the research team was concerned enough last July to say: "Our findings argue for policies to counsel women about the potential for increased HIV-1 risk with hormonal contraceptive use, especially injectable DMPA use, and the importance of dual protection with condoms to decrease HIV-1 risk."
and GUESS WHAT ?, WHO has just declared that "hormonal contraceptives are safe to use for women with or at risk of HIV" based on the meetings discussed below.
WHO upholds guidance on hormonal contraceptive use and HIV
Geneva, 16 February 2012. WHO has concluded, on the advice of its Guidelines Review Committee, that women living with HIV or at high risk of HIV can safely continue to use hormonal contraceptives to prevent pregnancy. The recommendation follows a thorough review of evidence about links between hormonal contraceptive use and HIV acquisition.
Current WHO recommendations in the Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use (2009 edition) therefore remain: there are no restrictions on the use of any hormonal contraceptive method for women living with HIV or at high risk of HIV. Couples seeking to prevent both unintended pregnancy and HIV should be strongly advised to use dual protection – condoms and another effective contraceptive method, such as hormonal contraceptives.
Related articles
- HIV warning to women using injectable contraception (guardian.co.uk)


text: Crash1 is a premier auto body shop that provides over 36 years of expert collision repair to the Roscoe area. Our goal is to be the body shop that exceeds all your expectations. Crash1 works with insurance companies for ease of insurance claim filing, and we give you a 100% satisfaction guarantee for the best experience possible. If you are looking for an elite car body shop that stays on budget and restores your vehicle to good as new, look no further than Crash1.

subset: commoncrawl


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Nail art and polish blog - freehand nail art and swatches! Neglelak blog, frihånds neglekunst og neglelak swatches!
søndag den 23. februar 2014
Chanel Django 485 Bohemian Fantasy collection spring 2009 swatches
17 kommentarer:
Looks like perfect choice for bridal mani.SvarSletSvar
Yes, it really wood be :)Slet
nice! very gentle color =)SvarSlet
so prettySvarSletSvar
I'm so glad you like it :)Slet
This is that kind of neutral which I kinda like :)SvarSletSvar
Me too - because I actually can wear it, it's nice with my skin tone :)Slet
I like the shimmer, but I can't pull off a nude like that myself :)SvarSletSvar
Nudes are demanding, but this is one that I think I can pull off ;)Slet
I like nudes and this one is pretty with the shimmer :)SvarSletSvar
I'm so glad you like it too :)Slet
Wow this one looks fabulous on you!SvarSletSvar
Thank you so much Viviana!Slet
This shade is lovely on you :DSvarSletSvar
I'm so pleased you think so :)Slet
i loved 'django unchained' movie ;)SvarSlet
lovely nude... and look at your nails, now i'm jealous :DSvar
LOL - my silly friend ;) <3Slet
Please do NOT link spam! Comments with links will very likely be removed. If you want me to look at your blog, send me an email!


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PHT Morning Skate: Where Fasth might still get playoff starts
PHT's Morning Skate takes a look around the world of hockey to see what's happening and what we'll be talking about around the NHL world and beyond.
The Anaheim Ducks started Jonas Hiller on Tuesday, but Viktor Fasth might get a shot before their series against Detroit is over. (Detroit News)
Anze Kopitar will be looking for the Los Angeles Kings to do better when it comes to special teams after their 2-1 overtime loss in Game 1 of their series against the St. Louis Blues. (LA Kings Insider)
Peter Karmanos is looking to sell the ECHL Florida Everblades, but that doesn't mean he plans on shopping the Carolina Hurricanes next. (News & Observer)
Now that they've been eliminated from the playoffs, the Dallas Stars have revealed that Jamie Benn had been playing through a wrist injury. (The Dallas Morning News)
What were the two best games of the Washington Capitals' 2013 campaign? (CSN Washington)
Ottawa Senators goaltender Craig Anderson was stunning in the regular season. Perhaps the 31-year-old will finally be a major part in a deep playoff run. (Ottawa Sun)
Will San Jose forward Patrick Marleau prove to be the difference in the Sharks' series against the Vancouver Canucks? (CSN Bay Area)
Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle has been impressed by Joffrey Lupul in his second stint as the forward's bench boss. "He is a much more mature athlete," Carlyle said, who previously coached Lupul in Anaheim. "Much more understanding of where he is at in his career. I don't think he takes anything for granted anymore." (Toronto Sun)
Highlights of Anaheim's 3-1 victory over Detroit:


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The Oregon State Beavers have defeated only one FBS team with a record above .500 record: the San Diego State Aztecs. And the odds makers in Vegas expect Arizona State to prevail by around two touchdowns on Saturday.
Todd Graham doesn't care about the Vegas lines or opinions, as he dished out some lofty praise toward the Beavers.
"We obviously have one of the best coaches [Mike Riley] in the Pac-12 conference coming in here. We have got the No. 1 passer [Sean Mannion] in the country. The No.1 receiver [Brandin Cooks] in the country," Graham said. "One of the best teams in the Pac-12 coming here. A team that beat Utah. A team [Utah] that we just went down to the wire with. Our guys know it's a big challenge. We've had a good week of preparation, probably the best Thursday I know we've had from a defensive preparation stand point. But we better, because these guys have a lot of weapons and explosive potential."
Mannion and Cooks are the headline acts for the Oregon State offense. The combination could arguably be one the best in the nation. Therefore, it's common to forget about the capable running backs in Terron Ward and Storm Woods.
Despite the tendency for Mannion and Cooks to put the Beavers on the scoreboard, Graham refuses to scoff at the Beavers' ground game.
"Obviously everybody looks at the yards they have passing and all that. You absolutely better not overlook [the running game]," Graham said. "They have two really solid running backs. You definitely make sure you put the running game first. So many plays of their plays, like the screen, is like a run play. It's the No. 1 play that their running backs run. They are going to run power, they are going inside zone, 13-personnel, three tight ends."
Game planning for the vast variations of the Oregon State offense has been demanding. From marking Cooks to slowing down Ward and Wood on the grounds, the job at hand won't be easy.
"They [the offense] are a very multiple, very unique, innovative group that makes you work," Graham said. "This week I've had to spend more hours than any week up to this point since Stanford. To me, it reminded me a lot of Stanford and how well coached they are offensively. And how hard they play."
Throughout each week of practice, Jackie Shipp and the defensive line partakes in drills to help with the recognition of screen passes. Those daily should pay huge dividends against Oregon State, which relies heavily on the screen. Paul Randolph loves to bring the blitz, but doing so against screen reliant teams can be problematic.
"We have accountability. We work that [defending the screens]. If you're going to be a pressure team, we practice year round the reaction to screen," Graham said. "Obviously we emphasized that this week but you just got to be assignment oriented. Because we are going to bring pressure."
Other practice notes
- The team didn't wear pads, which is unusual for Thursday practice.
- Jaelen Strong took first team kick returns in place of Deantre Lewis. Strong would be lined up next to Marion Grice.
- De'Marieya Nelson special teams contributions are getting noticed. Graham called him the MVP of the unit.
- Anthony Jones got repetitions with the starters at SPUR linebacker in place of the injured Laiu Moekiola.
- Alex Garoutte and punting game are starting to show signs of progress, according to Graham. The new nickname for Garoutte is slash.


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Love Song (2017) HC
Written and illustrated by Christopher
200 pages; hard cover; full color
Like the best rock n' roll bands, Love Song is four parts that harmonize the muddy and messy chords of life into a breathtaking resolution. United by a shared love of music, this collection of four "albums" is composed of a series of short stories, each running into the next like best cuts from your favorite records. And like a classic album, Love Song gets the joy and humor out of the way up front, letting the story wind its way into the dark and serious corners of adult life. Alternating between loud and quiet or hard and soft, this story will sink its hook into readers like a jingle or riff that just won't be easily forgotten.


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1. Curiosity Finds Evidence of Persistent Liquid Water in the Past
Just after landing, Curiosity found smooth, rounded pebbles that likely rolled downstream for at least a few miles in a river that was ankle- to hip-deep. When Curiosity reached Mount Sharp, the team found that over 1,000 vertical feet of rock formed originally as mud at the bottom of a series of shallow lakes. Rivers and lakes persisted in Gale crater for perhaps a million years or longer.
Read More:
Williams, R.M.E. et al., Martian fluvial conglomerates at Gale Crater, Science, 340(6136):1068-1072, doi:10.1126/science.1237317, 2013.
2. A Suitable Home for Life
The Curiosity rover found that ancient Mars had the right chemistry to support living microbes. Curiosity found sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and carbon-- key ingredients necessary for life--in the powder sample drilled from the "Sheepbed" mudstone in Yellowknife Bay. The sample also reveals clay minerals and not too much salt, which suggests fresh, possibly drinkable water once flowed there.
Read More:
- NASA Rover Finds Conditions Once Suited For Ancient Life On Mars
- Two Different Aqueous Environments
- NASA's Curiosity Mars Rover Nears Turning Point
- Studying Habitability in Ancient Martian Environments
- NASA Rover Confirms First Drilled Mars Rock Sample
Grotzinger, et al., Habitability, Taphonomy, and the Search for Organic Carbon on Mars, Science, 343(6160):386-387, doi:10.1126/science.1249944, 2014.
3. Organic Carbon Found in Mars Rocks
Organic molecules are the building blocks of life, and they were discovered on Mars after a long search by the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument in several samples drilled from Mount Sharp and the surrounding plains. The finding doesn't necessarily mean there is past or present life on Mars, but it shows that raw ingredients existed for life to get started there at one time. It also means that ancient organic materials can be preserved for us to recognize and study today.
Read More:
Freissinet, C., et al., Organic Molecules in the Sheepbed Mudstone, Gale Crater, Mars, JGR, 120(3):495-514, doi: 10.1002/2014JE004737, 2015.
4. Present and Active Methane in Mars' Atmosphere
The Tunable Laser Spectrometer within the SAM instrument detected a seasonally varying background level of atmospheric methane and observed a ten-fold increase in methane over a two-month period. The discovery of methane is exciting because methane can be produced by living organisms or by chemical reactions between rock and water, for example. Which process is producing methane on Mars? What caused the brief and sudden increase?
Read More:
- NASA Rover Finds Active and Ancient Organic Chemistry on Mars
- Potential Sources and Sinks of Methane on Mars
- The Five Most Abundant Gases in the Martian Atmosphere
- Volatiles on Mars
- Shooting Lasers
Webster, et al., Mars Methane Detection and Variability at Gale Crater, Science, 347(6220):415-417, doi:10.1126/science.1261713, 2015.
5. Radiation Could Pose Health Risks for Humans
During her trip to Mars, Curiosity experienced radiation levels that would exceed NASA's career limit for astronauts, if left unshielded. The Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD) instrument on Curiosity found that two forms of radiation pose potential health risks to astronauts in deep space. One is galactic cosmic rays (GCRs), particles caused by supernova explosions and other high-energy events outside the solar system. The other is solar energetic particles (SEPs) associated with solar flares and coronal mass ejections from the sun. NASA will use Curiosity's data to design missions to be safe for human explorers.
Read More:
- NASA Rover Providing New Weather And Radiation Data About Mars
- Longer-Term Radiation Variations at Gale Crater
- Data From NASA Rover's Voyage To Mars Aids Planning
- NASA Curiosity: First Mars Age Measurement and Human Exploration Help
Zeitlin, C., et al., Measurements of Energetic Particle Radiation in Transit to Mars on the Mars Science Laboratory, Science, 340(6136):1080-1084, doi:10.1126/science.1235989, 2013.
Hassler, D.M., et al., Mars' Surface Radiation Environment Measured with the Mars Science Laboratory's Curiosity rover, Science, 343(6169), 1244797, doi:10.1126/science.1244797, 2014.
6. A Thicker Atmosphere and More Water in Mars' Past
The SAM instrument suite has found Mars' present atmosphere to be enriched in the heavier forms (isotopes) of hydrogen, carbon, and argon. These measurements indicate that Mars has lost much of its original atmosphere and inventory of water. This loss occurred to space through the top of the atmosphere, a process currently being observed by the MAVEN orbiter.
Read More:
- NASA Rover Finds Clues to Changes in Mars' Atmosphere
- Remaining Martian Atmosphere Still Dynamic
- NASA Rover Confirms Mars Origin of Some Meteorites
- NASA Rover Finds Active and Ancient Organic Chemistry on Mars
- Argon Isotopes Provide Robust Signature of Atmospheric Loss
Mahaffy. P.R., et al., Abundance and isotopic composition of gases in the martian atmosphere from the Curiosity rover, Science, 341(6143):263-266, doi:10.1126/science.1237966, 2013.
Mahaffy, P.R., et al., The imprint of atmospheric evolution in the D/H of Hesperian clay minerals on Mars, Science, 347(6220):412-414, doi:10.1126/science.1260291, 2015.
Webster, C.R., et al., Isotope ratios of H, C, and O in CO2 and H2O of the martian atmosphere, Science, 341(6143):260-263, doi: 10.1126/science.1237961, 2013.


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Philanthropy is a wonderful endeavor and, in addition to providing others with much-needed time and resources, it can be extremely rewarding to give back to one's community. However, this mutually beneficial effort can be strategically done to reap even more returns.
Let me start by saying that donations should not be done selfishly. While you may gain a business advantage from your contribution, that should be a secondary reason. Still, if you give things away for "free," you must find the ROI that connects your efforts to your business directly. Social media shout-outs and minimal event signage are hardly a return, so you need to recognize how much your donations will truly impact your business.
The idea behind strategic donating is to give back to your community in a way that grows your network and opens up new opportunities for you and your business. With that said, you won't get much out of your strategy if it's not done meaningfully and authentically.
Why donate?
Donations can seem like doing extra work on an already limited pool of time and resources. However, if done correctly, you can contribute while still working on business development. You see, today's event clients (mainly millennials and Gen Z-ers) want to know that you give back to the community, but they don't want to pay for it. That's why it doesn't often work when we tell them we'll give 10% back to a charity—they'd rather just have the 10% off their services.
Our donation strategy is community-based, with access to clients that would be our ideal. This puts us in the right circles to showcase our philanthropy, while also connecting with the local community on the ground level. Partnering with other companies and organizations is a great way to expand your reach and build new relationships within your chosen cause.
For example, we work with the local high school band to help raise money for a competition that they attend annually. The band promotes our floral design company as a supplier of corsages and boutonnieres for prom and, in return, a portion of the proceeds go to their fundraising efforts. We get the chance to give back, but we also get our name into the community, gain top-of-mind brand awareness, and earn new business that will likely revisit us for anniversaries, birthdays, and Mothers' Day.
Aligning with a charity that matches your core values can also bring in positive reviews, which are extra valuable when they are coming from a known business. If a prospective client is looking at your reviews, they will place more significance and worth in a five-star rating from another company than from another individual. The third-party validation speaks volumes about your services.
At the end of the day, you can use your donation strategy to build a community and nurture relationships that can continue to serve you in the long run.
What to donate
There are three main things that you can donate as a company: time, goods, and funds. Through my experience, I've found that time and goods are the most valuable as those build stronger relationships more than donating money.
Many non-profit boards are made up of prominent business owners in the area, so giving your time to serve can connect you with some important people. I sit on a gala committee where I'm valued as an event professional, which allows me to engage with the board of executives at the gala—I thank them for contributing to our cause and set a reminder to connect with them on LinkedIn.
"When I donate goods, I request an email blast with a promo code for tracking. Otherwise, you're just giving stuff away without a strategy."
Donating goods is another great way to spread your brand recognition and put your art in front of potential clients. If we provide floral arrangements for a community engagement, they will be seen by local people who are likely to have floral needs in the next year — so, when they see our brand as a sponsor, they'll make a mental note for future reference. Just be sure that you can track the return. When I donate goods, I request an email blast with a promo code for tracking. Otherwise, you're just giving stuff away without a strategy.
It's worth noting that, when it comes to donating goods, you don't need to lose money. As business owners, we still need to see a return. I typically ask organizations to fund the wholesale costs, but I'll cover the cost of labor and installation. This type of partnership is advantageous for everybody, with both sides getting a return from the collaboration.
Where to donate
It can be a challenge to determine the best outlet for your donations. Start by identifying your core values and what you're most passionate about—the relationships you form need to align with the essence of your brand. I contribute most to children's societies because, as a mother, I recognize the importance of caring for all children from a young age. At the same time, I understand that flowers lift people's spirits, so we consider things like hosting a free flower design workshop in elderly communities.
Know your specialties and look for ways that you can give back in your own unique ways. Remember that giving doesn't need to be grand. It doesn't need to be the biggest gala that raises the most money; it can be a small brunch at the country club or weekends given to the local community center. Giving can be done on so many levels. Start small and go from there.
How to get started
Once you find something that speaks to who you are, commit and dive in. I got involved with a women's auxiliary for that children's nonprofit and started out by simply attending a brown bag lunch each month and providing treats for kids' birthdays. Easy. Soon enough, somebody asked me why I wasn't on the gala committee when they found out I was in the events industry. I hadn't even known there was one! Five years later, I sit proudly on that committee and I've built countless valuable relationships from it.
As event professionals, we are in a unique position to give back to the community because we have the resources and creativity to do so. Most people lack the creativity that we've honed over years of working at it. We're an asset to organizations because we understand that one buffet line is not enough for a brunch with 500 people. We know how early invitations must go out and we're great at keeping up with an event timeline. We will not let an annual event run out of alcohol before the main speaker takes the stage (true story).
Others tend to be immersed in charity work, but we understand the logistics of events. For that reason, we quickly become the expert of the group. People trust us and let us make the final decisions because it's our career—when the event is successful, they look to you with thanks and accolades. That is how you build strong, long-lasting relationships through strategic philanthropy.


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A house of worship is more than its walls, stained glass, and architectural details. It's a faith family. We're here to help protect all of that. No matter your faith, our House of Worship package offers insurance protection for churches and religious centers with at least 75 members.
We also offer resources such as forms, checklists, and safety education and programs for staff you hire. Plus, we work with Intellicorp® to offer background screenings.
These are just some of the coverages we offer. Find out more.
Contact an agent
*Higher limits may be available.
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Email 800-362-2041
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