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Helen Clark: UN progress on the global development agenda, post 2015 and NCDsFeb 11, 2013
Helen Clark, Administrator UNDP
Keynote Address at
Launch of The Lancet Non-communicable Disease series
Opening plenary: UN progress on the global development agenda, post 2015 and NCDs
John Snow Lecture Theatre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine,
Keppel St., London WC1, United Kingdom.
11:30 a.m., Monday, 11 February 2013.
My thanks go to The Lancet and the organizing committee for inviting me to take part in the launch of the fourth series on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), and to our hosts, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and especially, Professor Peter Piot.
This Lancet series of articles and comments on NCDs is a very significant contribution to the debate on the post-2015 global development agenda. It positions the prevention and control of NCDs at the very heart of the global development agenda, building on the outcome of the UN General Assembly's September 2011 High Level Meeting on NCDs.
The Political Declaration from world leaders at that meeting, acknowledged that NCDs constitute a major challenge to development and threaten the achievement of internationally agreed development goals. The leaders also recognized that NCDs are "a threat to the economies of many Member States, and may lead to increasing inequalities between countries and populations."
At UNDP we believe that NCDs pose a significant threat to improving and sustaining human development progress in the 21st century. That is because:
o NCDs, and the illnesses and suffering associated with them, stand in the way of people's aspirations, freedoms, and capabilities to lead lives they value – that is, they stand in the way of realizing the core objective of human development.
o At the household level, NCDs can push families into poverty when adequate social protection measures and access to affordable health care are not available. In such situations, children may have to give up their education to work or to care for parents – that makes the impacts inter-generational.
o For low-income countries, managing the growing burden of NCDs can be very expensive, and over time will put even more severe strain on already overburdened health systems. There are inexpensive and cost effective interventions, but to date they have not been widely implemented.
o At the macro level, morbidity and mortality related to NCDs sap productivity among working age populations and pose a significant economic burden. A report by the World Economic Forum and the Harvard School of Public Health suggests that over the next twenty years, NCDs will cost more than US$ 30 trillion, representing 48 per cent of global GDP in 2010, and pushing many millions of people below the poverty line.
As a former Prime Minister and Health Minister in New Zealand, and in my current role leading one of the world's largest development agencies, I appreciate that just as health shapes development, so development shapes health. Poor health impedes lifting human development. Equally, the conditions in which people live and work impact on their health and well-being. Further, inequalities in health outcomes tend to mirror inequalities and inequities present in broader society – and indeed in our world.
UNDP is not a specialist health agency. We are a general development agency working within the human development paradigm. As such, our core mandate of supporting countries to tackle poverty and inequality, promote gender equality, support inclusive governance, and achieve sustainable human development is central to lifting health status. Our work is a natural complement to that of the World Health Organization and other specialized global health agencies.
My remarks today will focus on three areas:
First, I will look at the progress being made on the health goals and targets in the current set of MDGs.
Second, I will look at how health broadly and NCDs specifically could fit into the post-2015 development agenda.
Third, I will comment on how development actors like UNDP, in partnership with the WHO and other health actors can support multisectoral action to tackle the NCDs.
Health and the MDGs
Health targets are very prominent in the current MDGs, recognizing that health and development are inextricably linked. Three of the eight MDGs were devoted to health outcomes, and significant progress has been recorded in some areas, such as turning the tide on HIV (MDG6) and reducing infant and child mortality (MDG4). Progress on achieving the MDGs, however, has been uneven across regions and within countries.
According to WHO, as of the end of 2011, eight million people were on life-saving antiretroviral therapy for HIV in low- and middle- income countries, and UNAIDS projects that countries are on track to reach the MDG target of having fifteen million people on that treatment by 2015. The number of deaths of under-five year old children worldwide fell from more than twelve million in 1990 to 7.6 million in 2010.
Progress on MDG 5 on reducing maternal mortality and ensuring universal access to reproductive health, however, has been less impressive. The obstacles in the way to achieving the targets extend beyond shortcomings in the health sector to gender inequality and disempowerment, poverty and poor nutrition, and inadequate infrastructure – including in the transport sector. This gives us insights into why multisectoral action to achieve health goals is so important.
Overall, the MDGs with their time-bound, and measurable targets have galvanized unprecedented global attention around a common agenda, and have succeeded in mobilizing action and directing resources to lift human development.
The Lancet's recent coverage of the 2010 Global Burden of Disease study tends to confirm this, with the paper by Chris Murray and co-authors on Disability-Adjusted Life Years suggesting that the 32 per cent decline in the burden from MDG-related disorders between 1990 and 2010 is largely due to the increased global attention they received.
The post-2015 development agenda debate and the shape of health goals and targets
The question now is: can the time bound, measurable, and easily communicated approach of the MDGs be brought to bear in the post-2015 development agenda on the threat posed to global health by the NCDs?
The Lancet's Editor, Richard Horton, notes in his commentary on the series of articles being launched today that their objective is to "present the case for including NCDs as part of the post-2015 framework being developed now and over the next two years by governments and the UN system." This issue is also the topic of the paper in this series by Sir George Alleyne and colleagues.
The series is timely, as major consultations on the post-2015 development agenda are currently underway, supported by UNDP and its sister organisations in the UN Development Group. Already:
o national consultations have been scheduled for 73 countries, and the number could rise to 100;
o eleven thematic consultations are being held on areas ranging from health to inequalities, environmental sustainability, and governance. The thematic consultations on health are being led by WHO and UNICEF, and will culminate in a high level meeting in Botswana next month. I understand that the background paper for the event is now available for comment.
o global consultations are being conducted through virtual platforms and social media, so that the voices of audiences far beyond official and expert circles can be heard. I encourage you all to participate in this process and, better still, ensure that widespread discussion takes place on these issues in your countries.
The information gathered in the various consultations is available to inform the UN system's advice to the Secretary General, the High Level Panel on Post-2015 appointed by the Secretary General, and the Open Working Group appointed by the UN General Assembly to work on the design of Sustainable Development Goals, as called for by the outcome document from Rio+20.
Sustainable development calls for integrated policy-making across the economic, social, and environmental spheres – an approach highly consistent with the multisectoral approach required to address NCDs. One of the challenges in this approach, and in designing sustainable development goals, is to ensure that economic and social development and environment actors work together.
So: what could the unifying concepts for a global health goal be?
There is strong advocacy for a focus on universal health coverage, and also some opposition. The UN General Assembly passed a resolution last December, recommending that: "consideration be given to including universal health coverage in the discussions on the post-2015 development agenda in the context of global health challenges", and asserting that " the provision of universal health coverage is mutually reinforcing with the implementation of the Political Declaration on the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases".
The concept of universal health coverage should be seen as covering preventive and long term care services as well as acute illness services. The concept is a departure from the element of verticality inherent in the current health-related MDGs, and, to some extent it addresses concerns of equity and inclusion, particularly for those who are financially excluded from accessing healthcare. Given the persistent, and likely growing, inequities in NCD burdens within countries, as articulated in this Lancet series by Majid Ezzati and colleagues, universal health coverage could offer a means of ensuring that everyone affected by them has access to the services they need, especially to essential medicines for NCDs ( see the paper in this series by Hogerzeil and colleagues) - and is not impoverished as a result.
Universal health coverage, however, desirable as it is, will not in itself deliver higher health status. Action on a much broader front is needed, including on tackling the socio-economic determinants of health. That is because various forms of stigma, discrimination, and marginalization, rooted in laws, policies, and economic, social, cultural, and other factors, have profound impacts on health status, and on whether people will access health services even when they are readily available.
At UNDP we know this well from our work with the Global Commission on HIV and the Law. Its report shows how discriminatory laws and stigma can prevent people seeking HIV services – even where the services are available. Indeed such discrimination can also be a constraint on MDG progress in general.
Moreover, social determinants shape not only access to and the use of services, but also the pattern of the underlying risks themselves. Risk factors for NCDs – such as tobacco and harmful alcohol use, and consumption of foods high in salt, saturated fats, and processed sugars – are influenced by underlying policy choices which span the areas of, for example, agriculture, trade, intellectual property and trade law, tax policies, and attitudes to regulation as highlighted in the paper in this series by Rob Moodie and colleagues. Similarly, preventive behaviours, such as physical activity, can be impacted by public policy in areas as wide ranging as sport and recreation, transport, and urban planning.
A broader chapeau for a health goal could therefore be envisaged – possibly around "universal health" – as in the Almaty Declaration's "Health for All" – or maximizing "healthy life", beneath which specific targets could be set; for example, for progress towards universal health coverage and on tackling the drivers of ill health. Such a goal could encourage multisectoral action on social determinants of health, embrace the WHO's agreed goal of a 25 per cent reduction in premature mortality from NCDs by 2025, and adopt targets for tackling major drivers of NCDs as agreed by the WHO Executive Board last month. A key lesson from the experience of working with the MDGs is the need for focus on a small set of clear targets.
Collaboration between health and development actors in advancing positive health outcomes
Global leadership on health lies with the World Health Organization, but development actors like UNDP can offer important support for building capacities in-country for stronger health systems and for multisectoral approaches to addressing major health challenges. This includes action on preventing and combating NCDs.
In an example of such collaboration, WHO Director General Margaret Chan and I wrote jointly to all the UN's Resident Co-ordinators in developing countries in March last year, encouraging them and their teams of UN agencies to support the integration of NCDs into their country partnership agreements and to work on multisectoral responses to the NCD challenge.
Around the world we do see countries acting on the NCDs as part of their efforts to achieve the MDGs. Rwanda, for example, has paid close attention to mental health within its MDG-based planning. Tonga has placed NCDs at the heart of its strategies to accelerate progress on the MDGs, drawing links between the NCD epidemic and poverty, hunger, and gender.
WHO and UNDP are collaborating at the regional level in the South Pacific to hold a workshop this month in Fiji on trade, trade agreements, and NCDs for Pacific Island policy officials. The aim is to identify strategies to align trade agreements with public health concerns, particularly those relating to NCDs. The workshop draws on WHO's extensive work on prevention and control of NCDs, on UNDPs work on intellectual property rights and access to medicines, and on human rights impact assessments of trade agreements.
At the global level, the UN Interagency Task Force on NCDs, chaired by WHO, is developing a joint UN programme framework for NCD prevention and control, to promote better cohesion and co-ordination among different UN actors, as well as an accountability mechanism for UN actions at the global and country level. I would note that independent accountability mechanisms can also play a critical role, as described in one of the comments in this series.
Priorities in the Framework are likely to include the integration of NCDs into development planning, strengthening the capacity of governments to respond, the creation of health-promoting environments and improving surveillance. It will be important for new efforts to be aligned with existing ones, such as those being made to implement the WHO Framework Convention of Tobacco Control.
The role of research is important – as we understand more about the impact which policies outside the health sector can have on reducing NCDs, and on the negative consequences of NCDs on development progress, more multi-sectoral action can be encouraged.
In conclusion, let me congratulate The Lancet again on publishing this timely series on the NCDs.
The record of responses to the HIV challenge suggests that firm and early action – as seen in countries like Thailand and Senegal – can change an epidemic's trajectory, saving lives in the short term, and significant resources in the long-term. This can be true for action on NCDs as well. The paper by Ruth Bonita and colleagues highlights the steps countries can take to make rapid progress towards the global NCD mortality goal of a 25 per cent reduction in death rates by 2025.
Failure to curb the growing NCD epidemic now will lead to a significant toll on human life and well-being, and to great strain on health systems and family and public budgets.
By placing NCDs permanently on the global development agenda, people's lives, opportunities, and future prospects will improve – thereby advancing sustainable human development overall.
I hope that all attending this important event will return home knowing that with a determined effort now, we can, working on a multisectoral basis, make huge strides on facilitating NCDs within the framework of a reinvigorated global development agenda.


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Restart Gnome Shell when neededkmb42vt wrote:atlee wrote:
I've found no way to restart the DE or Gnome-shell from the command prompt though.
If Gnome starts to act slow, or if it crashes on you, be aware that you can restart it without closing your windows or logging out.
Simply do the following to restart Gnome Shell:
Press "Alt F2"
Type "r"
Press "Enter"
For more tips and tricks for Mint 12 visit http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/685

subset: commoncrawl


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I recieved an email today from my publisher Joes 2 Pros that my book was now available on Barnes and Noble's website in addition to Amazon in print and Kindle. This is very exciting.
In just three months SQL Backup and Recovery has sold nearly 500 copies. I am still in awe that my name is on the cover of a book and I really hope this is the beginning of many more to come.
It is such an educational process to write a book.


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The MAC - Metropolitan Arts Centre
The MAC (Metropolitan Arts Centre) is Belfast's brand new arts venue. Selecting, creating and mixing up music, theatre, dance and art – bringing you the very best of local and international talent under one roof.
Venue Type:
Gallery, Museum, Artist studio or collective
Opening hours
Monday to Sunday 10am - 7pm (later on performance evenings)
Admission charges
Tickets for theatre start from £9.50 - £22.00
The MAC - Metropolitan Arts Centre
10 Exchange Street West
Co. Antrim
Northern Ireland
All information is drawn from or provided by the venues themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.


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The 59-year-old, who trained the Bundesliga leaders for three years between 2004-2007, says that the team is playing better than it ever has done before, and he praised both current coach Jupp Heynckes and his predecessor Louis van Gaal for their work.
"After Barcelona's defeat at Milan you have to assume they are [the best side in Europe]," he told Die Welt.
"I am convinced they will reach the Champions League final. They are playing better than ever before.
"In any case, I have never seen them better. They have been able to play on that level since the start of the season. If they continue to keep it up chances are good that they can win the title.
"Jupp Heynckes does a great job. Without diminishing his work, I believe, the current shape Bayern are in, the extreme position play is down to Louis van Gaal. The club profits from the work he has done.
"Heynckes has taken on the structures and elaborated them, that is as important and valuable."
Magath also speculated about the future of the club under Pep Guardiola. The former Barcelona trainer takes over in Bavaria at the end of the season, but the former Germany international feels he could struggle to take the team much further.
He added: "FC Bayern have hired a top man, but expectations will be enormous. This can also turn out to be a problem if expectations are fuelled which, as they are too high, he has to fall short of.
"When I say Bayern play better than ever before, [I ask] how could Guardiola make them better? And just imagine if Jupp Heynckes wins three titles. There'd be none left for Guardiola."


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Most LSS meetings are at Secular Hall, 75 Humberstone Gate, Leicester LE1 1WB All Welcome (exceptions are shown in the detailed listings). Contact details are on our Home Page. Hire a room. Follow @LssCalendar
|Working with the citys Voluntary & Community Sector (VCS) to support engagement with communities
Consultation meetings 10 March to 29 May 2015 - see links below for full details.
"A number of public meetings will take place around the city, an opportunity for anyone with an interest in this review to discuss it with City Council officers and give their input to the ongoing public consultation. Dates, times and venues for these meetings are as follows:
"Thu 16 April, 10-12, New Parks Community Centre, Saint Oswalds Road, Leicester LE3 6RJ
Fri 24 April, 2-4, Eyres Monsell Community Centre, Hillsborough Road, Glen Parva, Leicester LE2 9PQ
Mon 27 April, 2-4, Manor House Neighbourhood Centre, Haddenham Road, Leicester LE3 2BG
Tue 5 May, 2-4, Netherhall Neighbourhood Centre, Armadale Drive, Leicester LE5 1HF
Wed 13 May, 2-4, Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre, Rothley Street, Leicester LE4 6LF
Thu 21 May, 10-12, The BRITE Centre, Braunstone Avenue, Leicester LE3 1LE
Fri 29 May, 10-12, African Caribbean Centre, Maidstone Road, Leicester LE2 0UA
"These public meetings are open to anyone interested in contributing to this review. Please register beforehand if you would like to come to any of them. Contact George Ballentyne, VCS Engagement Manager, Leicester City Council email@example.com 0116 454 4146.
"The City Council intends to add a few more public meetings to this list before the consultation period closes at the end of May, as well as announcing other ways in which service providers, service users can join the discussion."
Background and online survey - http://consultations.leicester.gov.uk/corporate-resources-and-support/vcs-engagement
Consulattion dates - http://www.valonline.org.uk/city-council-vcs-review-public-meetings-begin
|African Caribbean Centre, Maidstone Road, Leicester LE2 0UA
|Friday, 29 May 2015
|2 hours
|(i) External event of interest*
|Created by:
|Public Access ( by LSS editor )
|Sunday, 12 April 2015 10:38 GMT
In the interest of freethought and free speech we also list other selected events of interest - no endorsement or responsibility is implied. Always check details with the organisers.| Key (hover over icon to see description)
Home About Us Events before April 2008 Join Secular Hall Our History More about Secularism


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My Tutorials
Flow Versus Opacity In Photoshop
Denis G Lemay
09 May, 2016
Same People Different Poses Same Image
Same People Different Poses Same Image This tutorial is a great exercise, which will show you how to photograph and superimpose the same people multiple times into a background image in Photoshop. To view complete video tutorial click link: Superimposing
How I combined an old window with an image of a hummingbird feeding.
Window Perch How to combine an old window with an image of a hummingbird feeding. 1 Open two images as layers in photoshop. 2 Make a selection of all window panes on window layer. 3 Inverse selection and save selection in channels. 4 Click on hummingbird layer and change blend mode to overlay– move hummingbird layer for good composition (if need be stretch edges of canvas to fit all panes. 5 Hold option/command and click on create layer mask for black mask. 6 Slightly lower opacity
How to make a white background transparent in Photoshop
How to make a white background transparent in Photoshop load image into photoshop / duplicate layer Magic Wand or color select white to marquis white. Turn off bottom layer. Hit delete on your keyboard to remove white background. Create grey box / move grey box below image layer to check that all whites are removed. Save transparency by: file / save for web / check transparency / Srgb. To view complete video tutorial click link: Transparent


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This simple bedding features a clean look in your choice of chocolate, coral or sand. It's simple look allows you to mix and match with your unique style while keeping a cozy feel with its warm shades.
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Dead girls love Dead Boys
1980 Jayne County/Dead Boys viddie published on YouTube today
If you have a soul, this short performance (begin 15:20) by The Dead Boys in 1980 will turn it black. Cheetah Chrome's guitar will make you want to do bad things to your body. Stiv Bators' vocals will have you doing bad things with your body. Jayne County plays with Levi and The Rockats and there's some decent hillbilly music in the middle.
What is this you ask? According to Richard Metzger of Dangerous Minds, it's "the greatest underground video archive of late 70's, early 80's punk, post-punk, No Wave and New Wave music that exists": Paul Tschinkel's Inner-Tube, a Manhattan Cable show from the last century. God preserve us and our beautiful weird music. On YouTube if we're fortunate.


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PS3 & PS4 versions will have offline play.
if they have offline co-op i'll be elated
Not arguing with you, just asking - did they say that? Because if so, I'm like you. I'd really like to see it patched for the PC.
Been playing a bit of the 1.07 patch, and, I gotta say, they've made some massive improvements. Monster power allows you to tailor the Inferno difficulty to your liking, the Infernal Machine and endgame equipment adds a great deal of incentive for playing over and over again, and the insanity of some of the monsters and the amount of bullshit abilities they have access to has been greatly diminished (though you'll still run into some tough ones on occasion). I agree that all of this stuff should have been in the final version of the game, but Blizzard has done an admirable job of enhancing the core game and keep people coming back. Here's hoping the first expansion can add even more!


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LONDON — It was a German-born Russian empress, Catherine the Great, who first annexed Crimea more than two centuries ago. Can another strong-willed German woman — who keeps a portrait of Catherine in her Berlin office as a symbol of visionary leadership — loosen Russia's renewed grip on the peninsula?
Many in the West are pinning their hopes on Angela Merkel, Germany's long-serving chancellor, to stand at the forefront of a potent, united response by Europe to Russia's seizure of Crimea from Ukraine. Alongside fellow European officials, Merkel has categorically condemned the takeover and warned Moscow of the consequences, including possible economic sanctions.
Whether she feels comfortable as the conductor rather than just singing in the chorus, however, isn't as clear.
To take the lead would be something of a leap for the normally cautious Merkel and for the country she heads, which has studiously shunned a front-line role in European foreign policy since its disastrous history at the center of two world wars.
Voices from outside Germany and some in Merkel's own party are urging her to adopt a more muscular foreign policy, commensurate with Germany's status as Europe's biggest, most powerful economy. Such a shift has been under discussion in Berlin the last few years, but advocates say the crisis in Crimea has brought the matter to a head.
"Germany has to get used to really pursuing foreign policy as a player," said Norbert Roettgen, chairman of the German parliament's foreign affairs committee and a member of Merkel's Christian Democratic Union.
The nation's economic might has created a growing "expectation from our friends and neighbors that we live up to our responsibility," Roettgen said. "A leading role is upon Germany if we like it or not."
Plenty of people don't, especially those in German business circles who are worried about jeopardizing relations with Russia, an important trading partner and provider of as much as one-third of Germany's oil and gas. Most of Merkel's compatriots tell pollsters that they oppose sanctions on Moscow, at least for now.
Since Russia's incursion into Crimea in late February, Merkel has diligently worked the phones to broker a diplomatic solution. She has been in direct contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin more than has any other world leader.
Although the two aren't said to enjoy a deep rapport, they literally speak each other's language: Merkel is fluent in Russian, having grown up in the shadow of the Soviet Union, and Putin learned German during his assignment in East Germany as a KGB officer.
Yet her efforts to persuade him to pull back from Crimea and refrain from formally annexing it ultimately proved no more fruitful than the demands from President Obama and other Western leaders.
"You cannot expect that by one, two, five or 10 telephone calls by Angela Merkel, [Putin] comes to a better understanding and says, 'Oh, OK, now I understand that I made a mistake,'" Roettgen said. "What she can bring … is to have real contact with him, not only to talk, but to have a kind of mutual understanding. They know each other. Both have lived in East Germany, she for decades, he for years."
It's that personal experience, of an East Germany under the thumb of Moscow during the Cold War, that has informed much of Merkel's response.
Last month, in a tough speech in the parliament, she lambasted Moscow for applying the "law of the jungle" and reiterated the threat of economic penalties by the European Union if tension escalates, meaning if Russian forces cross into eastern Ukraine.
Yet Merkel is also finely attuned to popular opinion at home, enough that critics accuse her of habitually acting less from conviction than from waiting to see which way the wind is blowing.
Although EU countries such as Britain and Poland have pushed for a more aggressive answer to Putin, others have held back, most significantly Germany, where a majority of residents oppose a potentially costly political and economic standoff. With Merkel's blessing, the EU settled on a graduated approach to punishing Moscow, reserving economic sanctions as a last resort.
"She's never really in front," said Stefan Meister, a senior fellow with the European Council on Foreign Relations in Berlin. "She has experienced that waiting, not stepping forward … brings her more benefits. And this is how German society thinks; it's very conservative. They don't want German leadership. They don't want to pay money for Ukraine."
There are calls for Berlin to shake off its perceived passivity in foreign affairs.
Three years ago, Germany abstained from a United Nations vote on intervening in Libya, choosing to sit on the sidelines while Britain and France led the effort to impose a no-fly zone over the country during the uprising against dictator Moammar Kadafi. Berlin's opt-out dismayed many of its allies and some of its own politicians, and fueled a growing debate over whether Germany ought to finally shed its post-Nazi-era inhibition on flexing its muscles in foreign policy.
Before the Crimean crisis erupted, important German political figures — including President Joachim Gauck, Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen — came out in favor of a more active foreign policy.
Merkel has remained mum.
"There are people in her own party pushing her. Von der Leyen is a close ally," Meister said. "The environment is there."
Some analysts say they already detect a more energetic, high-profile approach. Steinmeier was one of three foreign diplomats — the others were from France and Poland — who flew to Ukraine in February to negotiate a deal between President Viktor Yanukovich and the protesters seeking to oust him. Yanukovich, a Moscow ally, later fled the country, prompting Russia's move into Crimea.
"Is Germany willing to lead? Yes. But it prefers to lead with others," said Philip Murphy, the U.S. ambassador in Berlin from 2009 to 2013. "Germany likes to be in a club. They like the G-7, they like NATO, they like the EU."
Murphy believes that many people mistake for caution Merkel's attempts to build consensus and solve problems. If Western sanctions or other unpopular measures become necessary to deal with Russia, he predicts, she'll step up to the plate.
"Merkel is tough-minded. She will make sure that she has Germany's interests in mind," Murphy said. "But she will be on the right side of history."


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Our ships are remarkably sociable, with plenty of activities and opportunities for you to meet fellow guests and make new friends. We also hold sessions especially for solo travellers to meet up should you wish. Don't forget, if your holiday is all about finding your own quiet time - there are plenty of ways for you to do this too.
Every Cunard voyage is a memorable event in its own right, which is exactly why so many guests choose to celebrate important events such as birthdays, anniversaries or weddings on board. Whatever your reason to celebrate, we can help make your special occasion even more memorable with our range of unique celebration and gift packages.
Enjoy the ultimate in pampering and wellness at the exquisite on board Canyon Ranch SpaClub®. Indulge in signature Canyon Ranch massages, treatments and facials from the classic Canyon Stone Massage or Rasul Ceremony, to exotic Ayurvedic or Thai treatments.
Work off last night's delicious meal with a few laps around the running track or an energetic game on the sports court. Or for a more leisurely activity, why not try the traditional nautical games of shuffleboard and deck quoits.
Find time for your favourite pastimes in the afternoon - whether it's bridge, a board game, or getting lost in a good book. When you're in the mood for a little friendly competition there are tournaments throughout the day from quizzes to quoits.
The quality and range of literature available in this beautiful room magnifies the stunning views over the bow. Take the time to linger over more than 8,000 books, in the largest library at sea.
Soon enough after lunch, it'll be time for our famous Afternoon Tea, served with freshly baked scones and mouth-watering sandwiches. You can set your watch by it, and it's beautifully presented as always by white gloved waiters.
Lunch presents you with several delicious choices. The remastered Kings Court offers a wide selection of freshly prepared dishes in a casual setting. Alternatively, the Golden Lion's pub menu has a choice of all the traditional pub fare. Or, of course, fine dining can be enjoyed in your allocated restaurant or The Verandah. The choice is yours.
Relaxation happens so easily on our ships. Early on you'll realise just how carefree everything is. This feeling comes from the friendliness, comfort and space around you, and knowing that every day is your own.
Let yourself drift away and be pampered. The superb spa on board, just moments away, can lift you to another level of relaxation. Here you can slow the pace with that hot stone massage you keep promising yourself...
Treat yourself or your friends to a bottle of crisp white or full-bodied red from Cunard's well-stocked cellar. We can deliver it to your table at dinner or have it waiting for you in your stateroom. For a special celebration, why not put a bottle of bubbly on ice?
Take a virtual ride into outer space, view the stars and other visual spectacles or take a course on celestial navigation in Illuminations, Queen Mary 2's full-scale Planetarium and the only Planetarium at sea! Each day sees a new show to tantalise your imagination.
Enjoy the soft relaxing music from the beautiful ivory keys played by Queen Mary 2's talented resident pianist.
Once you've had lunch, why not enjoy some extraordinary shopping from top boutiques and brands such as Aspinal of London and H.Stern, in addition to exquisite jewellery, high fashion and further voyage souvenirs.
There's nothing quite like watching the sun set from the scenic Commodore Club, clinking flutes in the Champagne Bar or the social hubbub of the Captain's Cocktail reception. Evenings on board offer an array of priceless moments that will stay with you for years to come.
Cast your eye over the Martini menu before you take your seat for a thrilling music and dance extravaganza in the magnificent Royal Court Theatre. Watch lavish musicals and unforgettable hi-tech productions performed by the Cunard Royal Dancers and Singers in this elegant two-deck setting.
Step into the Monte Carlo-inspired Empire Casino which offers a full variety of opportunities to tempt Lady Luck.
What's on the menu tonight? Chateaubriand or sea bass at your reserved restaurant table, reservations at The Verandah restaurant to sample fine dining with a French flavour, or relishing every mouthful of the menu at Lotus, whose delicacies include snow crab soup and duck spring rolls.
Whether you're looking for a celebratory glass of fine champagne, a post dinner cocktail or a light refreshment during the day, our wonderful bars and lounges are renowned as some of the most comfortable and stylish at sea.
Here's your chance to foxtrot in the largest ballroom at sea. There is no better place to hone your dancing skills than under the dramatic high ceiling of the Queens Room ballroom, with its beautiful crystal chandeliers.
After the evening's entertainment, retire to your own personal sanctuary. Whether Britannia stateroom or Grills suite, you'll be sure to get an amazing night's sleep and awake refreshed to enjoy whatever tomorrow brings.
Travel back to the grand old days of Venice at one of our Masquerade balls. Every evening on board is a real event and attending one of our balls in the Queens Room means you're in for a truly special evening.
A delightful array of musical masterpieces await your presence on board. The string quartet is the perfect accompaniment to white-gloved Afternoon Tea. Or perhaps you'll prefer the sultry sounds of the jazz band in the Chart Room while you savour a pre-dinner canapé.
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A wreck without a woman
Written and directed by Neil LaBute
Starring Ed Harris
Through November 19 at
The Public Theater
425 Lafayette St. at Astor Place
(212-967-7555; publictheater.org)
Photo by Michal Daniel
"Wrecks" is a one-man forum for the gifted, Oscar-nominated actor Ed Harris, who plays widower Edward Carr, above.
By Scott Harrah
"Wrecks," the latest work by prolific playwright/screenwriter Neil LaBute, will thrill audiences that love surprise, "shocking" endings. The play's jarring twist toward the end is loosely based on a classic Greek myth, but even naming it would spoil the story. Those that prefer storylines that are more sober and rooted in reality will simply see the show, which premiered in Ireland last year, as a one-man forum for the gifted, Oscar-nominated actor Ed Harris, who plays widower Edward Carr.
Harris brilliantly portrays Carr as a chain-smoking, middle-aged Midwestern businessman who spends most of the play's 75 minutes talking about his happy 30 year marriage to "Mary Jo," who was 15 years his senior and died of cancer. His rambling monologue is basically a loving eulogy for her in which he discusses everything from how they met to their vivacious sex life. Wearing a dark suit, he stands beside her black coffin in a gloomy funeral parlor and gesticulates wildly as he talks about their wonderful life together. Harris truly "owns" this role, and he has never been better. It's obvious that Edward was a lost soul before he met his wife he was an orphan as a child and lived in 10 foster homes. Now that his wife is gone, he's knows there will be a huge void in his life, and he will regress back to the sad orphan he once was. Although the first half of the play contains a lot of mundane chatter about his everyday life, Harris manages to even make dull details about Edward's used rental-car business sound fascinating. One also must give credit to playwright LaBute for his quick-witted dialogue.
LaBute already established himself as a filmmaker in the late 1990s with his twisted indie film "In the Company of Men" (a story about two misogynist guys plotting to emotionally destroy a deaf woman). In 2002, his 9/11-themed play, "The Mercy Seat," shocked audiences with its tense story of a businessman (Liev Schreiber) who avoids the attacks on the World Trade Center because he was away from the office having sex with his mistress (Sigourney Weaver) on that horrifying day.
Now playwright/director LaBute is fast becoming the theatrical equivalent of an auteur who specializes in exposing the shortcomings of the American male, and "Wrecks" is yet another tale about a man who's lost without a woman in his life. Like Eric McCormack's character in "Some Girls" a womanizing man completely unable to function after dumping a string of girlfriends Edward Carr is a man who is almost emasculated without a strong woman to nurture him.
LaBute often goes for shock value which is certainly the case in "Wrecks," but he just may be the only modern playwright who writes stories about male attitudes toward women that have an underlying feminist subtext, exposing the true vulnerability of men and their inability to cope without women. Although "Wrecks" has a rather unsavory denouement, Ed Harris gives an outstanding portrayal of LaBute's signature "man as victim" character.
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With grid-tied PV systems becoming more and more popular, it is important for RE professionals and system owners alike to have realistic expectations of their systems' performance. Solar-electric power production can be affected by several factors. In this article, we discuss many of those factors and offer helpful tips for maximizing system performance.
One of the most important considerations is locating the PV array to maximize solar exposure. Industry experts recommend siting your array in an unobstructed solar window from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can use a solar site analysis tool (Solar Pathfinder, Solmetric Suneye, or Acme Solar Site Evaluation Tool) or a trusty compass and a sun-path chart for your latitude, to determine true south and the solar window at your site.
Shading. Many people—installers and homeowners alike—fail to consider the impact of even negligible shade caused by overhangs, second stories, trees, exhaust vents, and chimneys. Each PV module consists of dozens of cells that, when even partially shaded, will result in decreased performance, which is like throwing KWH and money down the drain. Lower performance means more electricity purchased from the utility, and less financial return on your solar investment. For those systems that qualify for performance-based incentives, even more revenue is lost with poor performance.
Most PV modules today incorporate bypass diodes that can route power around a shaded portion of the module, thus minimizing power losses from localized shading. Because of the resistance caused by an inactive portion of a series circuit, the impact of shading across a series of cells can be severe. Shading is the number-one system performance problem and should be avoided.
Arrays installed in rows and tilted up from the roof plane require special attention to avoid one row shading the next. Calculating the distance needed between the rows can be complex, but at least for flat roofs, there is a simple design rule—the space between a row of modules should be at least three times the height of the row in front of it. For example, if a south-facing array is mounted on a flat roof and stands 2 feet tall, each row would start 6 feet behind the row in front of it. This will provide a clear solar window from at least 9 a.m to 3 p.m., even as far north as 45 degrees latitude. In the southern half of the U.S., closer spacing may be possible, but minimum spacing should not be less than two times the height of the adjacent row. Those are minimums—wider spacing may be used to squeeze out a bit more energy production in the early morning and late afternoon.
Another method is to set up a first row, and then move behind it at roof level with a Solar Pathfinder until the no-shade spot is reached—that is where the next row would begin.
In snowy regions, drifts or accumulated snow can further complicate row spacing and array placement. Be sure to provide ample clearance under and around the array to help keep it clear.
Proper Array Orientation & Tilt. An array's orientation and


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Techologie- Aimed at the hardcore Android gamers, the NyKo PlayPad connects to your Android device via Bluetooth. This bad boy allows for console style gaming where ever you may be. Stuck in traffic, no problem, whip out this bad boy and your good to go.
I think you have a very low target demographic. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the mobile gaming thing for casual gamers?
I'm sorry, but if you actually use something like this on anything smaller than a 10" tablet, you need to have your gaming privileges revoked. Even using it on a large tablet should only be for long flights or bus trips. If I see somebody on public transit using a controller with a phone, it will be very hard for me not to punch them.
This really does deafeat the purpose of easy mobile gaming. If it was that serious for someone then their best option would be a 3DS or Vita.
Getting this definitely....
Hope it works great with my Nexus 7.


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Blood pressure is a measurement of the force against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood through your body. Hypertension is another term used to describe high blood pressure.
Blood pressure readings are given as two numbers. The top number is called the systolic blood pressure. The bottom number is called the diastolic blood pressure. For example, 120 over 80 (written as 120/80 mmHg).
One or both of these numbers can be too high.
- Normal blood pressure is when your blood pressure is lower than 120/80 mmHg most of the time.
- High blood pressure (hypertension) is when your blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or above most of the time.
- If your blood pressure numbers are 120/80 or higher, but below 140/90, it is called pre-hypertension.
If you have heart or kidney problems, or you had a stroke, your doctor may want your blood pressure to be even lower than that of people who do not have these conditions.
Alternative Names
Hypertension; HBP
Many factors can affect blood pressure, including:
- The amount of water and salt you have in your body
- The condition of your kidneys, nervous system, or blood vessels
- Your hormone levels
You are more likely to be told your blood pressure is too high as you get older. This is because your blood vessels become stiffer as you age. When that happens, your blood pressure goes up. High blood pressure increases your chance of having a stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease, or early death.
You have a higher risk of high blood pressure if:
- You are African American
- You are obese
- You are often stressed or anxious
- You drink too much alcohol (more than 1 drink per day for women and more than 2 drinks per day for men)
- You
eat too much salt
- You have a family history of high blood pressure
- You have diabetes
- You smoke
Most of the time, no cause of high blood pressure is found. This is called essential hypertension.
High blood pressure that is caused by another medical condition or medicine you are taking is called secondary hypertension. Secondary hypertension may be due to:
Chronic kidney disease
- Disorders of the adrenal gland (such as
pheochromocytomaor Cushing syndrome) Hyperparathyroidism
- Pregnancy or
- Medications such as birth control pills, diet pills, some cold medicines, and migraine medicines
- Narrowed artery that supplies blood to the kidney (
renal artery stenosis)
Most of the time, there are no symptoms. For most patients, high blood pressure is found when they visit theirdoctors or have it checked elsewhere.
Because there are no symptoms, people can develop heart disease and kidney problems without knowing they have high blood pressure.
- Severe headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Confusion
- Vision changes
- Nosebleed
Exams and Tests
Yourdoctor will
- All adults should have their blood pressure checked every 1 to 2 years if their blood pressure was less than 120/80 mmHg at their most recent reading.
- If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, have your blood pressure checked more often -- at least once every year.
Blood pressure readings taken at home may be a better measure of your current blood pressure than those taken at your doctors office.
- Make sure you get a good quality, well-fitting
home blood pressure monitor. It should have the proper sized cuff and a digital readout.
- Practice with your doctor or nurse to make sure you are taking your blood pressure correctly.
- Bring your home monitor to your appointments so yourdoctor can make sure it is working correctly.
Yourdoctor will do a physical exam to look for signs of heart disease, damage to the eyes, and other changes in your body.
Tests may also be done to look for:
- High cholesterol level
- Heart disease, using tests such as an
echocardiogramor electrocardiogram
- Kidney disease, using tests such as a
basic metabolic paneland urinalysisor ultrasound of the kidneys
The goal of treatment is to reduce your blood pressure so that you have a lower risk of complications. You and your doctor should set a blood pressure goal for you.
If you have pre-hypertension, your doctor will recommend lifestyle changes to bring your blood pressure down to a normal range. Medicines are rarely used for pre-hypertension.
You can do many things to help control your blood pressure at home, including:
- Eat a
heart healthy diet, including potassium and fiber.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Exercise regularly for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise a day.
- If you smoke, quit.
- Limit how much alcohol you drink to 1 drink a day for women, and 2 a day for men.
- Limit the amount of sodium (salt) you eat -- aim for less than 1,500 mg per day.
- Reduce stress. Try to avoid things that cause you stress, and try meditation or yoga to de-stress.
- Stay at a healthy body weight.
Your doctor can help you find programs for losing weight, stopping smoking, and exercising.
You can also get a referral from your doctor to a dietitian, who can help you plan a diet that is healthy for you.
The most commonly used blood pressure targets for treating high blood pressure are:
- Below 140/90 mmHg as an overall goal for most people
- Below 130 to 140/80 mmHg for people who have heart disease, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease
But you and your doctor must weigh the side effects of medicines used to lower blood pressure with the benefits of lowering your risk for heart disease, stroke, and other related problems.
There are many different
- Often, a single blood pressure drug may not be enough to control your blood pressure, and you may need to take two or more drugs.
- It is very important that you take the medicines prescribed to you.
- If you have side effects, your doctor can substitute a different medicine.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Most of the time, high blood pressure can be controlled with medicine and lifestyle changes.
When blood pressure is not well-controlled, you are at risk for:
- Bleeding from the aorta, the large blood vessel that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs
Chronic kidney disease
- Heart attack and
heart failure
- Poor blood supply to the legs
- Problems with your vision
When to Contact a Medical Professional
If you have high blood pressure, you will have regular checkups with your doctor.
Even if you have not been diagnosed with high blood pressure, it is important to have your blood pressure checked during your regular check-up, especially if someone in your family has or had high blood pressure.
Call your doctor right away if home monitoring shows that your blood pressure is still high.
Most people can prevent high blood pressure from occurring by following lifestyle changes designed to bring blood pressure down.
Goldstein LB, Bushnell CD, Adams RJ, et al. Guidelines for the primary prevention of stroke: a guideline for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. 2011 Feb;42:517-584.
Kaplan NM. Systemic hypertension: Treatment. In: Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, Libby P, eds. Braunwalds Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 46.
Victor, RG. Systemic hypertension: Mechanisms and diagnosis. In: Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, Libby P, eds. Braunwalds Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 45.
Goldstein LB, Bushnell CD, Adams RJ, et al. Guidelines for the primary prevention of stroke: a guideline for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. 2011 Feb;42:517-584.
American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes -- 2014. Diabetes Care. 2014;37 Suppl 1:S14-S80.
Handler J, et al. 2014 evidence-based guideline for the management of high blood pressure in adults: report from the panel members appointed to the Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC 8). JAMA. 2014 Feb 5;311(5):507-520.
Peterson ED, Gaziano JM, Greenland P. Recommendations for treating hypertension: what are the right goals and purposes? JAMA. 2014 Feb 5;311(5):474-476.
Weber MA, Schiffrin EL, White WB, Mann S, Lindholm LH, Kenerson JG, et al. Clinical practice guidelines for the management of hypertension in the community:a statement by the American Society of Hypertension and the International Society of Hypertension. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2014 Jan;16(1):14-26. Epub 2013 Dec 17.
Wright JT Jr, Fine LJ, Lackland DT, Ogedegbe G, Dennison Himmelfarb CR. Evidence supporting a systolic blood pressure goal of less than 150 mm hg in patients aged 60 years or older: the minority view. Ann Intern Med. 2014 Apr 1;160(7):499-503.
Review Date:
Reviewed By:
Michael A. Chen, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.


text:
Dr. Bill.TV - Video Netcasts
Dr. Bill Bailey
High Point, NC
Description: Join Dr. Bill as he examines the wild and wacky world of the web, computers, and all things geeky! Hot tech tips, tech news, and Geek Culture are examined... with plenty of good humor as well!
Now Playing
Dr. Bill.TV #264 – Video – "The Really Wonky Tablet Edition!"
Wonky Viewsonic tablet issues, DC Comics makes a deal for digital distribution, an Adobe Reader X Zero Day exploit is being sold! Firefox is eight years old! GSotW: Chrome Remote Desktop! A walk-through of that on Windows 8. Geek Wisdom from Star Wars!
Links that pertain to this Netcast:
clicking on the "Play" Button in the center of the screen. (Click on the buttons below to Stream the Netcast in your "format of choice")
function openpopupvideo() { windowhandle=window.open("", "newwin", "height=380, width=660, status=1, toolbar=0, resizable=0, scrollbars=0"); windowhandle.document.write(''); windowhandle.document.write(''); }
Download M4V Download WebM Download MP3 Download Ogg (Right-Click on any link above, and select "Save As…" to save the Netcast on your PC.)
Available on YouTube at: http://youtu.be/mWkskls7aMg
Available on Vimeo at: https://vimeo.com/53268569
Released November 11, 2012 Original Post » Comments »


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Calendar Month View
Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) Hybrid Course
- Date: 10/21/2017 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Location: Jefferson County Emergency Services Agency
419 Sixteenth Avenue
Ranson, West Virginia 25438
Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) is the leading prehospital advanced medical assessment and treatment program that offers a "think outside the box" diagnosis methodology and is endorsed by the National Association of EMS Physicians.
This class is a HYBRID class. ALL precourse modules MUST be completed prior to class date. Providers will be issued a code for the modules via email with registration. You WILL be responsible for the cost of the modules if you don't complete the course.
This course is free for all Jefferson County EMS Providers. For all others, the course fee is $85.00. The current version of the AMLS textbook is available (on loan) to students for use before and during the class or may be purchased at an additional cost through JCESA or any third-party seller. For questions or additional information, contact Beth Jeffries or Bob Burner.
To attend this course you MUST call 304-728-3287 no later than Oct 15 at 4pm.
Audience: ALS/BLS


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They Wrong For Laughing At This: Guy In A Wheelchair Hypnotized & Falls Off A Stage! (Old Clip From 2009)
Thats horrible...
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


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Astros hand sinking Pirates another loss
Houston, TX – Jed Lowrie hit a three-run homer, while Justin Maxwell and Brett Wallace added solo shots in the Houston Astros' 7-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the opener of a three-game set.
Edgar Gonzalez started the game for Houston, but left in the second inning with a strained right hamstring. Fernando Rodriguez (2-10) tossed 3 1/3 innings of shutout ball to pick up the win.
"Fernando Rodriguez really stepped up today," Astros interim manager Tony DeFrancesco said. "He got some big outs for us, filled some innings for us. He made some pitches."
Jeff Locke (0-2) fanned eight, but surrendered three runs on three hits and three walks in five innings for the sinking Pirates, who have dropped four in a row and 12 of their last 14 contests.
The Astros jumped out to a 7-0 lead after tallying three runs in the opening frame, three more in the sixth and another in the seventh.
Brandon Barnes hit a one-out single to right field and Maxwell walked two batters later before Lowrie belted a three-run shot into the Crawford Boxes in left field.
"Out of the gate, down 3-0. It's always tough for a team to play from a hole," Locke said.
Maxwell led off the sixth with a laser into the left-field seats and after Lowrie was hit by a pitch, he scored when Wallace lined a triple down the right-field line. With the bases loaded later in the frame, Jose Altuve was hit by a pitch to force in another run.
Wallace hit a two-out solo blast in the seventh.
The Pirates finally got on the board in the eighth when Garrett Jones cracked a solo homer to right field.
Game Notes
Pittsburgh was 1-for-4 with runners in scoring position, while Houston finished 1-for-8 with RISP ... Maxwell's homer was his 17th of the season ... Altuve stole his 32nd base of the season.


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Launching on Product Hunt
Budget $250-750 USD
I have a mobile app and looking for help to lunch it on Product Hunt. I am looking for someone who knows the Product Hunt community very well, its culture, weaknesses, and strength. The ideal person needs to a member of the community, be able to hunt products, know how to optimize the strategy, and more importantly be able to create upvotes to get featured.


text: New York's high court finds jurisdiction over foreign bank on basis of correspondent bank account activity Letter from America Share this 21 DEC 2016 Par: Douglas Walter Mateyaschuk Richard F. Hans John J. Clarke, Jr. Kevin Walsh In a ruling that three dissenting judges warned would "have grave implications for correspondent banking relationships," New York's Court of Appeals has reinstated claims against a Swiss bank after concluding that its alleged use of New York correspondent accounts was sufficient to establish personal jurisdiction over it. This decision, Al Rushaid v. Pictet,1 reflects the increasing willingness by New York courts to exercise personal jurisdiction over foreign banks in cases where funds transferred through New York correspondent accounts are, in some manner, allegedly related to plaintiff's claims. Foreign bribery scheme orchestrated on foreign soil The dispute in Al Rushaid centers on conduct that occurred far from US shores. The plaintiff, a Saudi oilman, alleges that a private bank based in Geneva ("Pictet") and its officials assisted former employees of his Saudi corporation ("ARPD") in a money laundering scheme. As alleged, the ARPD employees, who were responsible for procuring vendors in connection with a Saudi oil rig contract, accepted bribes and kickbacks from these vendors. Pictet and its officials allegedly knew these employees well, assisted them in registering a 'bogus' corporation in the British Virgin Islands to conceal their ill-gotten gains, and maintained bank accounts in Geneva for both the employees and the bogus corporation. The only alleged US connection in Al Rushaid is that the ARPD employees issued invoices to vendors directing them to make payments - bribes and kickbacks - to Pictet's New York correspondent accounts for the benefit of their bogus corporation. According to the complaint, once those payments were made, Pictet credited the Geneva account of the bogus corporation, and subsequently transferred those funds into the personal Geneva accounts of the ARPD employees. Lower courts find insufficient basis to retain jurisdiction The trial court and intermediate appellate court in New York rejected the plaintiff's claims, finding that there was an insufficient basis to assert personal jurisdiction over Pictet based on its receipt of funds from third parties into New York correspondent accounts. In reaching this conclusion, these courts followed the traditional rule: mere maintenance of New York correspondent accounts, standing alone, is insufficient to subject a foreign bank to jurisdiction in New York. Court of appeals reverses lower courts, finds jurisdiction Plaintiffs appealed the dismissal of their claims to New York's Court of Appeals, arguing that they alleged more than Pictet's maintenance of New York correspondent accounts and passive processing of transfer instructions. Plaintiffs argued that they sufficiently alleged the repeated, purposeful misuse by Pictet of its New York accounts in support of a money laundering scheme, and that these allegations fit neatly within the parameters set forth by the Court of Appeals in a 2012 opinion which found jurisdiction over a foreign bank based on allegations that it purposefully routed transfers from abroad through its New York correspondent account to allegedly aid and abet terrorism. In a 4-3 opinion, the sharply-divided Court of Appeals agreed with the plaintiff and reinstated the claims against Pictet. The Court drew analogies to its 2012 opinion, and found that the allegations were sufficient to establish that Pictet was "no innocent banker," but rather one alleged to have intentionally assisted a money laundering scheme, shared in the goals of that scheme, and used its New York correspondent accounts to guarantee the scheme's success. There is, however, at least one material distinction: unlike in the 2012 case, Pictet was not responsible for routing any of the alleged illicit transfers on behalf of its foreign customers to correspondent accounts in New York. Here, it was third party vendors, acting on invoices issued by ARPD employees, who sent payments as instructed to Pictet's New York correspondent account. In dismissing this distinguishing fact, the Court held that "a foreign bank with a correspondent account … that repeatedly approves deposits and the movement of funds through that account for the benefit of its customer is no less 'transacting business in New York' because the customer, or a third party at the customer's direction, actually deposits or transfers the funds to New York." The focus of the Court's jurisdictional analysis was on Pictet's "conduct vis-à-vis [its] correspondent bank, meaning how it uses the correspondent accounts." In concluding that this correspondent activity was sufficient to establish jurisdiction over the bank, the Court appeared convinced by the allegedly purposeful nature of Pictet's conduct, the fact that the ARPD employees and the bogus corporation it helped them to establish were Pictet's clients, and the repeated nature of the transfers from Pictet's New York correspondent accounts to the illicit Geneva accounts. The Court attempted to distinguish these facts from what it described as "passive," inter-bank correspondent transfer activity, which, of course, includes the processing of international fund transfers initiated by non-customers. The Court acknowledged that the jurisdictional analysis in cases like Al Rushaid is fact-intensive, requiring an assessment of the "quantity and quality" of the foreign bank's contacts with the correspondent bank. Under this test, "jurisdiction is proper even though the defendant never enters New York, so long as the defendant's activities here were purposeful and there is a substantial relationship between the transaction and the claim asserted." It is not entirely clear from the Court's opinion precisely what "purpose" Pictet manifested in New York, other than to maintain correspondent accounts for its Geneva branch. Although it appears that Pictet's failure to "ignore or reject" the alleged tainted deposits into its New York accounts was central to its holding. Dissent warns of upending over forty years of precedent Three dissenting judges warned that the majority opinion risked "upending over forty years of precedent." The dissent was particularly concerned that the conduct that the majority found to be "purposeful" on Pictet's part was in fact the "unilateral choice" of third parties to direct funds to Pictet's New York correspondent accounts. The dissent cites long-standing precedent that "a foreign entity must initiate purposeful contact with New York, beyond mere maintenance of a correspondent account, in order for its relationship with a New York bank to form the basis for the exercise of personal jurisdiction" and concludes that the majority's opinion flouted the traditional rule finding the existence of correspondent accounts insufficient to establish jurisdiction. Especially notable is the dissent's clarion warning that only confusion can result: the majority's "retreat from that principle eschews the clear and predicable rules that are importance in this area of the law." Conclusion The Al Rushaid decision demonstrates that US courts are increasingly willing to exercise jurisdiction over foreign banks on the basis of their US correspondent banking activity. It remains to be seen if, as a concurring judge asked, Al Rushaid will "chill" correspondent banking in one of the world's pre-eminent financial centers; that judge answered his own question with a terse, "so be it," if that were the price for curbing money laundering and illicit financing. Financial institutions operating outside of the United States must now recognize that whether a New York court may exercise jurisdiction over them for their ubiquitous reliance upon US correspondent accounts may turn on the adequacy of their compliance programs to detect potential money-laundering activity in those accounts. The Al Rushaid decision is final. The only recourse the defendants have is to file a petition for certiorari with the US Supreme Court to contest whether the Court of Appeals' decision violates the Fourteenth Amendment of the US Constitution, which constrains a State's authority to assert jurisdiction over a nonresident defendant by requiring that the defendant have "certain minimum contacts" with the forum State. The Supreme Court rejects approximately 96% of the petitions filed in such paid (i.e., non-indigent) cases each year.


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I'm wondering how you like this speaker compared to the NHT Classic Three? I will probably try both the Three and Verus Grand bookshelf in my living room. Measurement-wise, I haven't been able to find a better measuring speaker under $1K than the Threes.
Aperion Verus Grand Bookshelf loudspeaker
The Verus Grand Bookshelf is a stand-mounted descendent of Aperion's flagship model, the Verus Grand Tower ($1798/pair at time of review, $1999/pair as of January 2013). The two-way, bass-reflex Bookshelf features Aperion's Axially Stabilized Radiator (ASR) silk-dome tweeter (patent pending), which has a small plate in front of the dome that appears to support a secondary suspension at the apex of the dome. The woofer uses a black, woven-Kevlar cone. The Grand Bookshelf also shares with the Tower its curved sidewalls and internal bracing. The gloss piano-black finish of the review samples was gorgeous and suggested a much higher price (a gloss cherrywood veneer is also available).
I was quite taken with the ease of installation of the magnetically secured cloth grille with metal frame. I listened to the Verus Grands with the grilles on and off, and heard little difference in the sound, though I ultimately preferred to leave the grilles on: the presentation was then slightly more coherent, and the highs and midrange were better integrated with each other; the only downside was a very slight loss of detail. I placed the speakers on Celestion Si stands with their center pillars loaded with sand and lead shot.
Though there's no substitute for a knowledgeable, trustworthy, full-service audio retailer, you can't beat the terms of Aperion's direct-sale offer: a 30-day, money-back guarantee with free shipping both ways; a 10-year warranty; and trade-in at the full purchase price should you decide within a year to upgrade to one of their more expensive models.
The Verus Grand Bookshelf's open, vibrant, uncolored midrange gave me a sense of real musicians playing in real spaces with such well-recorded jazz as the title track of Charles Mingus's Pithecanthropus Erectus (CD, Atlantic AMCY-1036). As the Aperions let loose the full, boisterous bloom of Jackie McLean's alto sax and J.R. Montrose's tenor, they sounded like much larger speakers. However, although the Verus quite naturally reproduced the midrange timbres of all the male and female voices I listened to, it also ruthlessly revealed the subtle textures of recording techniques. For example, Col. Bruce Hampton's prominent tenor voice in "Hendon," from the Hampton Grease Band's Music to Eat (LP, Columbia 30581), has a forward, in-your-face quality through a good system. The Aperion revealed that Hampton's voice was a bit too high in the mix, somewhat out of balance with the instruments.
I particularly liked female voices through this speaker: Soprano Elizabeth Suderburg sounded angelic and pure in George Crumb's Madrigals (LP, Turnabout TV-1 34523), and her upper register had an airy, haunting quality. This was largely due to the speaker's clean, extended, uncolored highs, which worked as well with Fender Stratocasters as with classical sopranos. For many years, Jeff Beck has been my favorite rock guitarist, and my favorite of his guitar solos is the tersely concise one in the title track of Stanley Clarke's Journey to Love (LP, Nemperor NE 43). Beck uses a lot of delicately chiming upper-register harmonics, articulated with some tremolo-bar embellishments, before bursting forth with soaring, bending licks throughout the instrument's entire register, Ö la keyboardist Jan Hammer. The Aperion gave every note an airy shimmer that captivated me. A similar quality was evident in Roger Woodward's performance on prepared piano of Toru Takemitsu's Corona (UK LP, Decca Head 4). The upper registers sparkledevery minute transient was intact, with a sweeping and natural decay. However, I did note that, in the highly modulated passages of Chick Corea's solo in Wayne Shorter's "Nefertiti," from Corea, Barry Altschul, and Dave Holland's A.R.C. (LP, ECM 1009), the upper register of his piano did seem a bit forward.
The Verus Grand's articulation of transients made it a natural match for recordings of acoustic guitar. Larry Coryell and John McLaughlin's burning, rapid-fire duels in the Django Reinhardtinfluenced "Rene's Theme," from Coryell's Spaces (LP, Vanguard VSD 79435), were reproduced with speed, clarity, and nary a touch of smearing. Not only did both guitars sound natural and resonant throughout their range, whether during solos or comping, but with Coryell in one channel and McLaughlin in the other, the Aperions made it very easy to distinguish each virtuoso's unique picking technique.
One of my favorite Kraftwerk recordings is the early Kraftwerk 2, from 1971 (German LP, Philips 8305117), which predated founders Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider's use of synthesizers. The introduction of "KlingKlang" features a panoply of delicate percussion instruments played by Hütter and Schneider. Through the Verus Grand, the percussion was delicate and detailed, airy and shimmering. All transients were appropriately fast, with no trace of unnatural sharpness, and each percussion thwack had a long decay with a sense of spaciousness.
At the lower end of the audioband, midbass timbres were especially natural, with an amazing amount of weight for a modest bookshelf speaker, but with no sense of overhang or loss of definition. I listened to many jazz recordings that spotlit the double bass. After focusing on Mingus's opening bass figure in "Jump, Monk," from Mingus at the Bohemian (LP, Debut 123), I scribbled these notes: "woody, earthy, clean, and clear."
I own a pair of Aperion 6B speakers which I like very much. I was advised that I should use them for a while before making any judgements about the sound. I think there is some validity to this suggestion as the low bass did improve after maybe 30 or 40 hours of general use. Did the author do this or did the this occur naturally as the review was in progress? Well written review.
I have seen your reviews, and you seem to really praize the Epos m5i. However it seems the model has been discontinued. Hopefully you will have a chance to review its successor (elan 10?)
Regarding your comments on my review:
1) I did not compare the Aperion directly to the NHT but like the NHT Classic 3 very much. However, I did compare both the Aperion and the NHT to the Epos M5i so if you reread both reviews you may be able to extrapolate a comparison by using my comments on the Epos as a benchmark;
2) Not everyone believes in break-in, but I feel that most high quality components improve with break in. Every pair of speakers I review in stereophile has been subjected to at least 50 hours of break in. In the past, I've found that with many speaker models low bass and high level dynamic range can improve with break-in.
3) Mike Creek occasionally discontinues speakers when he has new ideas. My understanding is that Creek's goal with the Elan series was to create a line of speakers that are easier to drive and have less costly cabinetry than the M series. I plan to review a speaker in the Elan range at some point in the future. That being said, I stand by my love for the M5i speaker and it still holds up to currently available speakers. It should be a great buy today in the used speaker market.
Hope these comments help. Sorry it took a while to respond to these. Have been traveling quite a bit recently and a more of a "glossy paper" guy than a "web" guy.


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2011 Ford F-350 - Black Mamba
Hulst Customs' Sleek Super Duty Bares its Fangs
In its natural environment, the Ford F-350 is a hard-working powerhouse. Whether it's hauling a gargantuan trailer, oversized load of lumber, or six passengers, the F-350 is anything but delicate and subtle. Jason Hulst of Hulst Customs in Merlin, Oregon, knows this fact well, and that's exactly why he chose to defy it. Hulst Customs has become famous for turning this muscular Ford truck into a sleek, high-performance sledgehammer. This turnkey conversion, dubbed the Striker, debuted at SEMA back in 2008 to much critical acclaim. Since then, the Striker line has been featured in more than 13 magazines and even won the prestigious Ford Design Excellence Award. Never complacent, Jason forged on toward SEMA 2011 to create an even more refined Striker known as the Black Mamba.
As with all of the Striker line, the build of the Black Mamba began with an ordinary factory-fresh Ford truck, in this case a 2011 F-350 Lariat dualie. Before starting the teardown process, Hulst wisely conceptualized the truck's final form with a rendering. "We design every element on paper first," he writes. The drawing's smooth lines and two-tone brushed silver and gloss black paint seem to take cues from Rolls Royce, bringing the ordinary Ford into the realm of opulent luxury. With the end goal established, Hulst and his team got to work.
First on the chopping block was the F-350's grille, which appeared much too aggressive to be part of the elegant new look. The center section was removed, and then the grille housing was wrapped in 3M brushed aluminum vinyl and filled with stainless steel mesh. The same 3M DI-NOC vinyl was also applied to the truck's hood and windshield surround. Detail work like a recessed blue oval on the fascia and thin stainless steel strip down the centerline show additional finesse. Up front, the headlight housings were also blacked out, and wider fiberglass fenders were applied. Moving rearward, bodywork continued with the addition of Scissor Doors' suicide rear doors and a custom-machined aluminum door handle setup. With the suicide doors open, the already roomy interior appears truly cavernous. Finally, Hulst Customs' cab lights were added, the cab corners were filled, and a Gaylord's tonneau cover and fiberglass rear fenders were installed. Bodywork complete, Hulst Customs sprayed the exterior in glistening Planet Color Black paint.
"Like a bodybuilder in a carefully tailored tuxedo, this F-350 is the perfect combination of power and class."
With the Black Mamba's extensive bodywork, it was quickly approaching the initial rendering. However, the truck's high ground clearance still hinted at its humble origins. To prevent this, Hulst's team lowered the Ford using DJM Dream Beams, new DJM shocks, and a flipped leaf spring setup. The factory 17-inch alloys were replaced with customized 26-inch American Force Phantom wheels wrapped in 305/30R26 Pirelli rubber. The new wheels feature floating center caps, and were painted satin silver to match the new brushed aluminum trim. With SEMA looming, the only remaining untouched section was the interior, which was crafted by Ed Harr Upholstery in Prospect, Oregon. The F-350's factory seating was wrapped in creamy white and pitch black Katzkin leather, with the remaining panels painted in the same two-tone theme. To further distinguish the truck, sections on the dash and doors were accented with burl wood and aluminum trim, also from 3M.
After many long days, weeks, and months of effort, Hulst Customs' magnum opus was finally ready for SEMA. Even to an untrained eye, the hard work put into this cohesive design is obvious. From the initial vision on paper to the project's completion, the Striker Black Mamba is the pinnacle of refinement and luxury. Like a bodybuilder in a carefully tailored tuxedo, this F-350 is the perfect combination of power and class. Hulst and his team were pleased to see Ford Motor Company recognize this by naming the truck their Best of Show at SEMA 2011. Jason Hulst would like to thank Ford Motor Company, Pirelli, DJM, Bully Dog, Bed Rug, Katzkin, Gaylord's, Planet Color, American Force Wheels, American Rebel Manufacturing, Scissor Doors, and the rest of his team for the project's success.
We would like to thank Mikell Louise and Caroline Signorello for help with the photo shoot.


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27 September 2006 14:15
Carte Vitale, nouvelle formuleby 7 others
Carte vitale, nouvelle formule pour les assurés
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