text:
OVVERO, DI COSA SIA UNA NO-FLY-ZONE (NFZ) E DEL PERCHE' CIO' CHE SI STA COMMETTENDO NON LE SOMIGLI AFFATTO (questo rapporto pubblicato il 3 marzo viene costantemente aggiornato)
Libyan no-fly zone: che la vogliate chiamare Operation Ellamy (UK), Operation Odyssey Dawn (US), Opération Harmattan (F), and Operation MOBILE (CAN), mentre aerei spagnoli, finlandesi, danesi, fan ressa per intervenire, è ben legittimo entrare nel merito delle "regole di ingaggio", seppure sia un ginepraio che implicherebbe capire chi tiri le fila, quale sia la catena di comando: "né USA né NATO", dicono, non più tardi della sera del 20.03.2011, gli Stati Uniti. Mentre qualcuno si chiede il perchè dell'interesse UK/F nell'intervento (ed è interessante trovare il link all'articolo del Time, in merito, sul sito di Africom) rispetto alle forti riserve espresse da Lega Araba e Unione Africana circa l'effettivo rispetto del mandato della UNSC Res. 1973, queste operazioni militari sembrano più volte all'allontanamento di Gheddafi piuttosto che a favorire l'accesso agli aiuti alla popolazione civile (vedi. le riserve su questo blog).
Di seguito, fermo restando affidabile il resoconto delle operazioni militari costantemente aggiornato da David Cenciotti sul suo blog: mappe, dati, links… tutti gli elementi che possano essere utili a fornirci un'idea più chiara di questo big mess e, dopo aver saputo che un Tomahawk costa 756.000 US$ e che l'intera Operazione, al 19.03.2011 costasse già 62 milioni di US$, facciamo pure una botta di conti e pensiamo a quale riscatto mai si voglia puntare.
E rieccoci sulla Quarta Sponda: nel frattempo, il 31 Marzo 2011, l'operazione ha cambiato nome sotto egida Nato e i militi Italiani hanno declinato a loro modo la loro partecipazione alla UNIFIED PROTECTOR OPERATION sotto egida NATO, senza tener conto delle implicazioni e degli "effetti politici collaterali" che stan mettendo (ulteriormente) in crisi la stabilità di un Governo [26 Aprile 2011] del quale il mio Paese si ostina a non sentirsi ostaggio.
Molte mappe si trovano raccolte in http://benghazipost.blogspot.com/ blog di un COMMAND (?) di cui non è facile comprendere esattamente la matrice (interessante interpretazione di NATO= NO AVAILABLE TACTICAL ORDNANCE)
Fonte inglese – http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/LibyaUpdate.htm
[si è scelto di rimuovere le immagini, copyright della coronoa, dioguardi]
Libya update – A Military Operations news article
20 Mar 11
The Chief of the Defence Staff's Strategic Communications Officer, Major General John Lorimer, briefed the media this morning, Sunday 20 March 2011, on Operation ELLAMY, the UK's military action in support of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1973.
Final preparations for the launch of RAF Tornado GR4 aircraft from RAF Marham for the first UK air combat mission in support of UN Security Council Resolution 1973
General Lorimer began the briefing by talking about the background to the operation. He said:
"As the Secretary of State for Defence said last night, the campaign Colonel Gaddafi has been waging against his own people is brutal and wrong; the international community has a duty to stop the violence against the Libyan people.
"The Prime Minister also stated that there is a demonstrable need, strong Arab and African support, and a clear legal basis in the form of a UN resolution for international action to protect the civilian population in Libya. UN Security Council Resolution 1973 laid out very clear conditions that must be met.
"The UK has made it very clear to Colonel Gaddafi that if he did not comply with UN Security Council Resolution 1973, the international community would enforce it through military action.
"The international community called for Colonel Gaddafi to stop his troops from advancing on Benghazi, pull back his troops from Ajdabiya, Misurata and Zawiya, and to re-establish water, electricity and gas supplies to all areas."
Breach of the Resolution
General Lorimer said that clear intelligence indicated that Colonel Gaddafi breached his self-declared ceasefire and has demonstrably breached UNSCR 1973. He went on:
"Libyan Regime forces continued offensive operations and moved into the outskirts of Benghazi with little regard to the safety of the civil population.
"There is a range of evidence suggesting that Libyan Regime forces continued offensive operations in Misurata on 18 March.
"On the same day, Benghazi was subjected to heavy shelling in the suburbs from pro-Gaddafi forces; tanks have entered from the west.
"There were reports of fighting in the streets and civilians fleeing for the Egyptian border."
"Last night, British Armed Forces participated in a co-ordinated strike using Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles launched from a Trafalgar Class submarine in the Mediterranean Sea."
Major General John Lorimer
Coalition operations
Last night, Saturday, saw the start of coalition operations:
"Targets were carefully selected to avoid civilian casualties and to strike at key military installations in Libya as part of a co-ordinated coalition plan to enforce the UN Security Council Resolution and protect Libyan civilians," General Lorimer said.
"It is too early to say what the impact has been to the situation on the ground or to the Libyan Regime forces.
"Our next steps are to continue to monitor the situation in Libya to ensure that there are no further breaches of the UNSCR, whilst deploying forces for the timely establishment of the UN-mandated no-fly zone and arms embargo."
The Coalition
Explaining who is involved in the operation General Lorimer said:
"This operation is currently under US command, supported closely by French and UK Armed Forces. AFRICOM [United States African Command] is the supported Combatant Command, and the UK has liaison officers and staff embedded at every level.
"This includes having staff based on the US command ship USS Mount Whitney in the Mediterranean Sea, where the US Joint Task Force Commander [Admiral Sam Locklear] is located.
"The UK's deployed assets and personnel fall under the operational command of the Chief of Joint Operations, Air Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, who commands the Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood.
"On the air side, the UK's Joint Force Air Component Headquarters is controlling the UK's contribution to the air operation in conjunction with the coalition. Air Vice-Marshal Greg Bagwell is the UK's Joint Force Air Component Commander; he is based with his staff at Ramstein with AFRICOM's Air Component HQ.
"On the maritime side, Rear Admiral Ian Corder, Commander Operations, is controlling the UK's contribution to maritime operations in conjunction with the coalition. He is based at Northwood."
RAF Tornado flies alongside an RAF air-to-air refuelling aircraft during overnight operations against targets in Libya
Last night's operations
General Lorimer said that from 1600hrs GMT on Saturday 19 March 2011, UK, US and French operations commenced against Colonel Gaddafi 's Libyan Armed Forces, under the auspices of UNSCR 1973. He continued:
"The UK Armed Forces are operating under the name Operation ELLAMY. This is the UK operational name, other allies may operate under a different operational name; for example, the US have called this Operation ODYSSEY DAWN.
"Last night, British Armed Forces participated in a co-ordinated strike using Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles launched from a Trafalgar Class submarine in the Mediterranean Sea.
"Subsequently Tornado GR4 fast jets from RAF Marham in Norfolk took off and flew to the operational area where they launched Storm Shadow missiles at targets. They then flew back to RAF Marham, arriving back this morning, completing a 3,000-mile [4,800km] round trip. All aircraft arrived back safely.
"Surveillance assets, including UK E3-D Sentry, Sentinel and TriStar and VC10 air-to-air refuelling aircraft, were also deployed in support of the operations.
"Targets were attacked that posed a threat to the enforcement of the UN-endorsed no-fly zone. Key elements of the Libyan integrated air defence system were targeted as a necessary step in shaping for the establishment of the no-fly zone, as part of the co-ordinated coalition plan to enforce the UNSCR and protect Libyan civilians.
"Targeting was and continues to be closely co-ordinated and is consistent with the terms of the UNSCR and international law.
"HMS Westminster remains off the coast of Libya and HMS Cumberland is in the region ready to support operations. Typhoon aircraft have been placed at reduced notice to move and are standing by to enforce the no-fly zone.The Trafalgar Class submarine remains in the area."
Next steps
General Lorimer said today that the Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox has confirmed that Britain will be deploying Tornado and Typhoon aircraft to the Italian airbase of Gioia del Colle in the south of the country:
"It makes operational sense to be closer to the no-fly zone and our military assessment confirmed that this is the most suitable forward mounting base for these assets," the General said. "RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus continues to support the operation under UN Security Council Resolution 1973 with a number of assets, including E3-D Sentry, VC10 and Sentinel."
British military authorities are discussing with our allies the most effective way of putting the no-fly zone in place. It is likely that this will be part of a NATO-led operation.
The no-fly zone is likely to be in place for however long we are tasked to do this. The UK's stated aims are to support UNSCR 1973 and the Libyan people.
The UK has a number of assets already in the region which have previously assisted in the evacuation of British nationals from Libya, and others which are ready to provide support as required.
Currently within the region, we have E3-D Sentry aircraft which are keeping us abreast of events in the area, HMS Westminster is off the coast of Benghazi and HMS Cumberland is in the region should she be required.
Deployed to Akrotiri, Cyprus, is a Joint Force Air Component HQ which co-ordinates movements of UK air assets and controls the airspace in operational areas.
The British involvement with operations in Libya currently has no effect on operations in Afghanistan; we are keeping the situation under review.
Operation ELLAMY update – 9 April 2011 – A Military Operations news article
9 Apr 11
Royal Air Force aircraft hit seven main battle tanks on Friday 8 April 2011 as part of the UK's continued support for NATO's Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR to safeguard the lives of Libyan civilians and enforce UN Security Council Resolution 1973.
[Picture: Senior Aircraftman Neil Chapman, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]
RAF Tornado GR4 aircraft used Brimstone missiles and Paveway IV bombs in the area of Ajdabiya, hitting two tanks, and in the area of Misurata, hitting five tanks.
The weapons were discharged as part of armed air reconnaissance and overwatch patrols conducted over Misurata, Brega and Ajdabiya.
RAF Typhoon aircraft conducted defensive counter air patrols as part of the no-fly zone enforcement. Two RAF VC10 tanker aircraft supported the Tornado, Typhoon and other coalition sorties by providing air-to-air refuelling.
HMS Liverpool has taken over from HMS Cumberland carrying out surveillance and embargo operations alongside HMS Brocklesby. HMS Cumberland will now return to the UK.
HMS Liverpool protects Libya's civilian population – A Military Operations news article
19 Apr 11
As part of the UK's ongoing involvement in Operation ELLAMY, Royal Navy destroyer HMS Liverpool has been working tirelessly to protect Libya's civilian population under threat of attack from Colonel Gaddafi's forces.
During the past week the ship ( HMS Liverpool ) has played a key role in Operation Unified Protector as a member of the NATO Task Group.
Alongside RAF counterparts, HMS Liverpool has controlled aircraft of the NATO-led coalition from the sea using her first-class air surveillance technology and has conducted boarding operations as part of the embargo task.
For a period of operations this week, HMS Liverpool controlled coalition aircraft in the western region over Libya.
The ship's Fighter Controllers worked with coalition F18 fighter jets and tanker support aircraft, as well as Maritime Patrol Aircraft. Liverpool's support ensured continuous control of the no-fly zone.
Commander Colin Williams, Liverpool's Commanding Officer, said: "I'm immensely proud of my ship's company for the way they have dealt with the challenges they have faced so far.
"HMS Liverpool is protecting the civilian population of Libya through enforcement of the no-fly zone and the maritime embargo, showing the value of maritime forces and the skill of the Royal Navy."
Tasked with enforcing embargo operations along the Libyan coast, HMS Liverpool has recently intercepted several vessels under UN Security Council Resolution 1973.
In one interception, the ship used its highly trained boarding team to board the roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferry Setubal Express, which was sailing from Valetta, Malta, toward Tripoli, Libya, with a cargo of vehicles which prompted the suspicion that they could be used by pro-Gaddafi factions.
The team boarded the ship and discovered during the search that the cargo record book contained irregularities. As a result, the Task Force commander instructed the ship not to enter Libyan territorial waters, but to redirect to the next port of call at Salerno, Italy.
UK military liaison advisory team to be sent to Libya – A Defence Policy and Business news article
19 Apr 11
The Foreign Secretary, William Hague, has announced that the National Security Council has decided to expand the diplomatic team already in Benghazi, led by Christopher Prentice, to include an additional military liaison advisory team.
This contingent will be drawn from experienced British military officers. These additional personnel will enable the UK to build on the work already being undertaken to support and advise the National Transitional Council (NTC) on how to better protect civilians.
In particular, they will advise the NTC on how to improve their military organisational structures, communications and logistics. In doing so, the UK will coordinate closely with other international partners also assisting the NTC.
In a statement, Mr Hague said: "This deployment is fully within the terms of UNSCR [United Nations Security Council Resolution] 1973 both in respect of civilian protection and its provision expressly ruling out a foreign occupation force on Libyan soil.
Mr Hague said the UK regards the NTC as legitimate political interlocutors for the UK and in recent weeks the British government has decided to supply the NTC with non-lethal assistance in order to assist them in protecting civilians, including telecommunications equipment and protective body armour.
Separately, Major General John Lorimer, Strategic Communications Officer to the Chief of Defence Staff, has delivered an update on UK military action as part of the NATO mission in support of UNSCR 1973.
Major General Lorimer said that NATO has maintained a high tempo of operational activity under Operation Unified Protector, and allied air patrols have continued their regular armed reconnaissance missions, and attacked a number of regime targets.
On Monday, 18 April, a Tornado and Typhoon attacked a pair of multiple rocket launcher vehicles and a light artillery piece which had been observed firing on Misurata, then guided in a second pair of RAF aircraft to destroy a self-propelled gun and tank which were being brought into the area on a tank transporter.
However, he said that it has also been clear that more needed to be done to inhibit Colonel Gaddafi's strategic ability to direct his armed forces and their continued atrocities against large sections of the Libyan people.
"A carefully planned strike was launched by NATO over the past two nights against a number of command and control facilities across Libya, which had been identified as playing a key role in the coordination of the movement of Colonel Gaddafi's forces," Maj Gen Lorimer said.
"As part of this operation, a number of Tomahawk missiles were fired by HMS Triumph in the early hours of Monday morning. These were synchronised with precision strikes by coalition aircraft, including Tornados and Typhoons. A further salvo of Tomahawk missiles was launched by Triumph at additional command and control sites last night."
The General said it will take time for the full impact of these attacks to become clear, but that:
"… they do illustrate, in the clearest manner, NATO's resolution to take all necessary action to safeguard, wherever possible, the Libyan people under threat of attack, and its ability to strike, with sophisticated targeting and effective precision firepower, at the heart of the apparatus used by Colonel Gaddafi to terrorise the civilian population."
7 Aprile 2011 – http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/04/07/general-us-us-libya_8396918.html
vi prego di leggere bene quanto ho sottolineato in rosso… Iran?!!! Ne ho lette diverse versioni: neither mistakes nor jokes they are preparing to go to Iran!!!
General says US may consider sending troops into Libya as part of any international force
WASHINGTON — The U.S. may consider sending troops into Libya with a possible international ground force that could aid the rebels, the former U.S. commander of the military mission said Thursday, describing the current operation as a stalemate that is more likely to go on now that America has handed control to NATO.
But Army Gen. Carter Ham also told lawmakers that American participation in a ground force would not be ideal, since it could erode the international coalition attacking Moammar Gadhafi's forces and make it more difficult to get Arab support for operations in Libya.
He said NATO has done an effective job in an increasingly complex combat situation. But he noted tht, in a new tactic, Gadhafi's forces are making airstrikes more difficult by staging their fighters and vehicles near civilian areas such as schools and mosques. The use of an international ground force is a possible plan to bolster the Libyan rebels, Ham said at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.
Asked whether the U.S. would provide troops, Ham said, "I suspect there might be some consideration of that. My personal
view at this point would be that that's probably not the ideal circumstance, again for the regional reaction that having American boots on the ground would entail."
President Barack Obama has said repeatedly there will be no U.S. troops on the ground in Libya, although there are reports of small CIA teams in the country. Pressed by Sen. John McCain, a leading Republican, about the situation in Libya, Ham agreed that a stalemate "is now more likely" since NATO took command.
Ham also disclosed that the U.S. is providing some strike aircraft to the NATO operation that do not need to go through the special approval process recently established. The powerful side-firing AC-130 gunship is available to NATO commanders, he said. His answer countered earlier claims by the Pentagon that all strike aircraft must be requested through U.S. European Command and approved by top U.S. leaders, including Defence Secretary Robert Gates.
Ham said that process still applies to other fighters and the A-10 Thunderbolt, which can provide close air support for ground forces, He said that process is quick, and other defence officials have said it can take about a day for the U.S. to approve the request and move the aircraft in from bases in Europe.
Overall, he said the U.S. is providing less than 15 per cent of the airstrikes and between 60 per cent and 70 per cent of the support effort, which includes intelligence gathering, surveillance, electronic warfare and refueling. Recent bad weather and threats from Gadhafi's mobile surface-to-air missile systems have hampered efforts to use the AC-130 and A-10 aircraft for close air support for friendly ground forces. Ham said those conditions, which include as many as 20,000 shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles, contributed to the stalemate.
Ham said he believes some Arab nations are starting to provide training or weapons to the rebels. And he repeated assertions that the U.S. needs to know more about the opposition forces before it would get more deeply involved in assisting them. Sen. John Cornyn, a Republican, complained that the lack of knowledge about the rebels is a U.S. intelligence failure.
"It strikes me as unusual and maybe something that Congress needs to look at further, that our intelligence capabilities are so limited that we don't even know the composition of the opposition force in Libya, " Cornyn said.
Ham said it was important for the U.S. to turn control over to NATO because many of the troops involved in the Libya strikes are preparing to go toIran or Afghanistan or have just recently returned from the warfront.
"While we can certainly surge to meet operational needs," Ham said, "there is a longer-term effect if greater numbers of U.S. forces had been committed for a longer period of time in Libya and it would have had downstream operational effects in other missions."
Separately, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said U.S. envoy Chris Stevens' talks continue with the Libyan opposition in Benghazi.
Ora abbiamo visto che non solo a casa nostra non vi è la buona abitudine di discutere in Parlamento dei passi da compiere, ma molte altre faccende che ci riguardan sono saltate fuori (!!!)
Hague updates parliament on Libya – A Defence Policy and Business news article
27 Apr 11
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague updated parliament yesterday on events in Libya, saying that we are clear that Gaddafi should go, and it is impossible to see a viable or peaceful way forward for Libya until he does so.
Mr Hague said that Britain has continued to take a leading role in international efforts to protect civilians in Libya and the case for action remains compelling: Gaddafi's regime persists in attacking its own people, wilfully killing its own civilian population.
He said that our strategy is to intensify the diplomatic, economic and military pressure on Gaddafi's regime, and, since the House last met, we have made progress on all those fronts:
"On the diplomatic front, I co-chaired the first meeting of the Libya Contact Group in Doha on 13 April. The 21 states and seven international organisations represented demonstrated clear unity with participation from across the Arab world and the African Union in attendance," said Mr Hague.
"The Group agreed that Gaddafi's regime had lost all legitimacy, that the National Transitional Council should be offered further support and that the UN Special Envoy should take forward an inclusive political process. I will attend the next Contact Group meeting in Rome on 5 May. (!!!)
"At the NATO Foreign Ministers meeting in Berlin on 14 and 15 April, I joined colleagues in showing our determination to increase the pace of military operations to enforce UN Security Council Resolution 1973 [UNSCR 1973]. The 28 NATO Member States and six Arab countries that attended, 16 of which, out of the 34, are engaged in military action, agreed a common strategy.
"On the economic front, since my statement on 4 April, further Libyan entities have been sanctioned and the regime is now subject to some of the most comprehensive economic sanctions ever agreed by the United Nations.
"On military matters, since NATO assumed full control over all military operations on 31 March, more than 3,500 sorties and 1,500 strike sorties have been conducted."This action has seriously degraded Gaddafi's military assets and prevented widespread massacres planned by Gaddafi's forces: they remain unable to enter Benghazi, and it is highly likely that without these efforts Misurata would have fallen, with terrible consequences for that city's brave inhabitants.
RAF Tornado and Typhoon aircraft have continued to strike Gaddafi regime forces around the besieged city of Misurata
"Yesterday, Italy announced that its aircraft would take part in ground strikes (!!!) and the United States government has contributed Predator unmanned aerial vehicles to the coalition forces. My Right Honourable Friend the Secretary of State for Defence is in Washington today to discuss the military situation." (See Related News)
"Heavy fighting continues around the towns of Brega, Ajdabiya, Yefren and Misurata," continued the Foreign Secretary. "The regime's indiscriminate shelling of residential areas in Misurata shows that it continues to target the civilian population.
"Gaddafi has shown that he has no regard for civilian lives. The ICC [International Criminal Court] prosecutor has said that there is evidence of a case against Gaddafi for crimes against humanity. We look forward to the prosecutor's report to the UN on 4 May.!!!!
"By his actions it is clear that Gaddafi has no intention of observing the conditions in UNSCR 1973 that I described to the House earlier this month. He has repeatedly ignored the ceasefires that he himself has announced.
"Our military action is defined by the UN Security Council Resolutions. We are also clear that Gaddafi should go, and it is impossible to see a viable or peaceful way forward for Libya until he does so.
"We have supplied vital, non-lethal equipment to assist the NTC in protecting civilian lives. So far this consists of telecommunications equipment and body armour. We are considering with our international partners further requests.
"I am sure the House will join me in paying tribute to the skill, bravery and professionalism of the men and women of the UK's and allies' armed forces.
"Their actions in the NATO operations have already saved many lives and their efforts are essential to bringing a lasting peace and a better future for the Libyan people who have suffered so much at the hands of this brutal regime. And I also pay tribute to the brave humanitarian workers who put their lives at risk."
See Related Links to read the full transcript of Mr Hague's statement in which he also talks about other events across the Middle East. inserito di seguito da: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=PressS&id=588215282
Foreign Secretary updates Parliament on Middle East and North Africa
26 April 2011
Foreign Secretary William Hague said the UK will continue to stand for reform not repression in response to the events in the Middle East and North Africa.
In a statement to Parliament updating on the situation in the Middle East and North Africa the Foreign Secretary said:
Britain has continued to take a leading role in international efforts to protect civilians in Libya and the case for action remains compelling: Qadhafi's regime persists in attacking its own people, wilfully killing its own civilian population.
Our strategy is to intensify the diplomatic, economic and military pressure on Qadhafi's regime and since the House last met we have made progress on all those fronts.
On the diplomatic front, I co-chaired the first meeting of the Libya Contact Group in Doha on 13 April. The 21 states and seven international organisations represented demonstrated clear unity with participation from across the Arab world and the African Union in attendance. The Group agreed that Qadhafi's regime had lost all legitimacy, that the National Transitional Council should be offered further support and that the UN Special Envoy should take forward an inclusive political process. I will attend the next Contact Group meeting in Rome on 5 May.
At the NATO Foreign Ministers meeting in Berlin on 14 and 15 April, I joined colleagues in showing our determination to increase the pace of military operations to enforce UN Security Council Resolution 1973. The 28 NATO Member States and 6 Arab countries that attended, 16 of which out of the 34 are engaged in military action, agreed a common strategy. That is an important milestone in world affairs, a sign of a growing ability to work across traditional regional divisions and a demonstration of the breadth and unity in the international coalition in support of the Libyan people.
On the economic front, since my statement on 4 April, further Libyan entities have been sanctioned and the regime is now subject to some of the most comprehensive economic sanctions ever agreed by the United Nations.
On military matters, since NATO assumed full control over all military operations on 31 March, more than 3500 sorties and 1500 strike sorties have been conducted. This action has seriously degraded Qadhafi's military assets and prevented widespread massacres planned by Qadhafi's forces: they remain unable to enter Benghazi and it is highly likely that without these efforts Misrata would have fallen, with terrible consequences for that city's brave inhabitants.
Yesterday Italy announced that its aircraft would take part in ground strikes and the United States Government has contributed Predator unmanned aerial vehicles to the coalition forces. My Right Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence is in Washington today to discuss the military situation.
Heavy fighting continues around the towns of Brega, Ajdabiya, Yefren and Misrata. The regime's indiscriminate shelling of residential areas in Misrata shows that it continues to target the civilian population.
Qadhafi has shown that he has no regard for civilian lives. The ICC prosecutor has said that there is evidence of a case against Qadhafi for crimes against humanity. We look forward to the prosecutor's report to the UN on 4 May.
By his actions it is clear that Qadhafi has no intention of observing the conditions in UNSCR 1973 that I described to the House earlier this month. He has repeatedly ignored the ceasefires that he himself has announced.
Our military action is defined by the UN Security Council Resolutions. We are also clear that Qadhafi should go, and it is impossible to see a viable or peaceful way forward for Libya until he does so.
The Libya Contact Group's statement made clear that, in contrast to Qadhafi, we and our allies regard the National Transitional Council as a legitimate interlocutor, representing the aspirations of the Libyan people. Our diplomatic mission in Benghazi is working with it. Our Special Envoy, Christopher Prentice, will shortly be succeeded by John Jenkins, currently Her Majesty's Ambassador in Baghdad.
Last week I announced our decision to expand this mission with a small advisory team of British military officers. Their sole purpose is to support the NTC's efforts better to protect civilians by advising on military organisational structures, communications and logistics. They are not involved in training or arming the opposition's forces, nor are they executing or providing operational military advice.
This is fully in line with the UN Resolutions and I reiterate to the House that we will remain wholly in accordance with the UN Resolutions, retaining the moral, legal and international authority that flows from that.
We have supplied vital, non-lethal equipment to assist the NTC in protecting civilian lives. So far this consists of telecommunications equipment and body armour. We are considering with our international partners further requests.
In the coming week, we hope to agree internationally the process for establishing a Temporary Financial Mechanism to provide a transparent structure for international financial support for the financial requirements of the NTC such as public sector pay. Yesterday Kuwait announced around 110 million pounds' worth of support for the NTC.
I am sure the House will join me in paying tribute to the skill, bravery and professionalism of the men and women of the UK's and allies' armed forces. Their actions in the NATO operations have already saved many lives and their efforts are essential to bringing a lasting peace and a better future for the Libyan people who have suffered so much at the hands of this brutal regime. And I also pay tribute to the brave humanitarian workers who put their lives at risk.
The UK is also supporting the other needs of the Libyan people in every way we can. The humanitarian situation in the West of the country is getting worse every day. Many civilians in Misrata lack access to basic necessities, including food, water and electricity. There is a shortage of some crucial medical supplies.
That is why my Rt Hon. Friend the International Development Secretary announced last week that the UK will provide medical and other emergency supplies and undertake evacuations for 5000 migrants stranded at Misrata port in squalid conditions. The UK has so far given over £13 million to meet immediate humanitarian needs, providing funding for medical and food supplies, emergency shelter, and assistance for evacuating poor and vulnerable migrants. In Misrata alone, British support has given 10,000 people food, 2000 families water and hygiene kits and provided essential medical staff. But the regime must guarantee unfettered humanitarian access, not just broken promises which then put the lives of aid workers and volunteers at risk.
The wave of demand for change in the Arab World continues to gain momentum in other nations. As I said earlier today we condemn utterly the violence and killings perpetrated by the Syrian security forces against civilians who are expressing their views in peaceful protests. This violent repression must stop. President Assad should order his authorities to show restraint and to respond to the legitimate demands of his people with immediate and genuine reform, not with brutal repression. The Emergency Law should be lifted in practice and the legitimate aspirations of the people met.
The United Kingdom is working intensively with our international partners to persuade the Syrian authorities to stop the violence and respect basic and universal human rights to freedoms of expression and assembly.
Syria is now at a fork in the road. Its Government can still choose to bring about the radical reform which alone can provide peace and stability in Syria and for the long term, and we urge it do so. Or it can choose ever more violent repression, which can only bring short term security for the authorities there. If it does so we will work with our European partners and others to take measures, including sanctions, that will have an impact on the regime.
Given our concerns for British Nationals in Syria we changed our Travel Advice on Sunday to advise against all travel there and to advise that British Nationals should leave unless there is a pressing need for them to remain.
In Yemen, the United Kingdom welcomes the news this morning that the efforts of the Gulf Co-operation Council countries to resolve the current political deadlock are close to success. I understand that President Saleh and the parliamentary opposition have accepted the GCC's proposal. This is potentially good news.
Both sides now need to come together to confirm their commitment to the peaceful, inclusive and timely transition process that the GCC has brokered. The UK remains committed to our long-standing support for Yemen in these difficult times.
Although the immediate situation in Bahrain is calmer, there continue to be credible reports of human rights abuses. I urge the Government of Bahrain to meet all its human rights obligations and uphold political freedoms, equal access to justice and the rule of law. Dialogue is the way to fulfil the aspirations of all Bahrainis. And I urge all sides, including opposition groupings, to engage with each other.
In Egypt, which I will visit shortly, we welcome the actions being taken by the authorities to move towards a broad-based, civilian-led government and an open, democratic society.
In Tunisia, with EU partners we are providing support to help the government in Tunisia meet the wishes of the Tunisian people. On 11 April, the Commission responsible for bringing together opposition parties and civil society approved the draft law for the Constituent Assembly elections scheduled for 24 July. This is a step further towards free and fair elections and an open, democratic society.
The European Union has a crucial role to play in the southern Mediterranean. The great changes in the Arab world are truly historic and the response from the nations of the European Union should be bold and ambitious.
The review of the European Neighbourhood Policy is due to be published in a fortnight. We have been making the case that we have the opportunity to use that Policy to help the peoples of the Southern Mediterranean achieve their desire for freer and more prosperous societies. A renewed Neighbourhood Policy should see the EU using its economic magnetism to encourage and support political and economic reform in neighbouring countries. A partnership of equals should reward those who make the necessary political and economic reforms, and – importantly – withdraw benefits from those who do not.
Finally, it remains essential that progress is made in the search for a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This is what the majority of Palestinians and Israelis demand of their leaders. The extraordinary changes in the region are an opportunity to be seized, not an excuse for further prevarication leading to more frustration and discontent.
Mr Speaker, in our response to the dramatic events in North Africa and the Middle East we will continue to stand for reform not repression, for the addressing of grievances rather than brutal reprisals. It is a policy in accordance with our own beliefs, in line with our own national interest, and in pursuit of the peace and prosperity of the wider world.
By air and by sea, more UN relief aid arrives for civilians in strife-torn Libya
26 April 2011 – Vital United Nations relief assistance has arrived by sea and by air in the Libyan cities of Benghazi and Misrata in the past couple of days, as fighting continues to rage between the Government and rebels seeking the ouster of Colonel Muammar Al-Qadhafi.
In eastern Libya, a plane chartered by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) arrived yesterday in Benghazi carrying hospital tents, kitchen sets and plastic sheets for shelter.
This is the first UN humanitarian flight to land in the rebel-held city, according to the agency, which said the airlift also brought cars and equipment for UNHCR to support the opening of an office in Benghazi together with other UN agencies.
Meanwhile, a ship chartered by the UN World Food Programme (WFP) has delivered more than 500 tons of food assistance, three ambulances, medical supplies and other relief items to Misrata.
It is the second time this month a WFP-chartered vessel has delivered aid to the people of the north-western city, which has been the scene of continuous fighting this year between military forces allied to the Qadhafi regime and opposition groups.
"The humanitarian situation is growing increasingly urgent," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned today, adding that the priority is to protect civilians.
He told reporters after briefing the Security Council in a closed-door meeting that the Libyan regime has lost both legitimacy and credibility, particularly in terms of protecting its people and addressing their legitimate aspirations for change.
Diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a ceasefire and achieving a political solution are continuing, Mr. Ban added, noting that his Special Envoy, Abdel Elah al-Khatib, will travel once again to Benghazi on Friday.
As fighting continues to rage in Misrata, the families recently evacuated by boats to Tobruk describe a "catastrophic" situation with many having lived in fear of indiscriminate shelling, UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic told a news conference in Geneva.
"Many houses and buildings have been destroyed and some families had to move several times. Parts of Misrata have had neither electricity nor water. Sniper fire, street clashes and shelling have prevented people from venturing outside of their homes to get food and medicine," he said.
"Families evacuated from Misrata also say they have been hiding in their homes for the past two months before seizing the opportunity of a lull in fighting to get to the harbour and board a boat," added Mr. Mahecic.
Evacuees also told UNHCR staff that in some neighbourhoods in Misrata, pregnant women gave birth in their homes as it would have been too dangerous to make the trip to the hospital.
The agency also reported that an estimated 30,000 Libyans have fled their homes in western Libya and crossed into southern Tunisia over the past three weeks, many of them ethnic Berbers.
A UN inter-agency humanitarian team travelled from the Tunisian border to the Libyan capital, Tripoli, on Sunday with the goal of re-establishing an international presence there and to review humanitarian needs. The team is also discussing humanitarian access in the west with the Libyan authorities.
As of today, the $310 million aid appeal for Libya is 42 per cent funded, with $129 million received and $1.4 million pledged, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The appeal covers assistance for a three-month period in areas such as food security, nutrition, health care, water and sanitation and shelter.
WFP today voiced concerned about access to food for people stranded in areas heavily affected by the fighting, as well as about food security and the future of the public food distribution system in Libya as food stocks in the country are being consumed without replenishment.
"The longer the conflict lasts, the more likely that the number of those in need of food assistance will increase," the agency stated in a news release.
A recent inter-agency mission found that food stocks in the eastern parts of the country are not being replenished at normal rates and the current stocks are enough for up to two months only, WFP said, warning of a potential massive food availability problem for all of eastern Libya if the country's import capacity is not restored quickly.
The fighting in Libya started out as protests against the Qadhafi regime, and is part of a broader pro-democracy movement across North Africa and the Middle East that has led to the downfall of long-standing regimes in Tunisia and Egypt.
News Tracker: past stories on this issue
UN and Libya reach agreement on humanitarian presence in Tripoli
April 30, 2011 20:28 EDT
Gadhafi said to survive reported missile attack
TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — Libya says neither Moammar Gadhafi nor his wife was hurt by a NATO missile that hit the home of their youngest son, killing the son and three grandchildren.
A government spokesman says it happened in a residential neighborhood of Tripoli. Journalists who were taken to the walled complex saw heavy bomb damage.
Seif al-Arab Gadhafi was said to be 29, and had spent much of his time in Germany in recent years. The government says he was "playing and talking with his father and mother and his nieces and nephews and other visitors" at the time of the attack.
The reported airstrike came just hours after Gadhafi called for a mutual cease-fire and negotiations with NATO. A NATO official says Libya has "announced cease-fires several times before and continued attacking cities and civilians."
NATO Strikes Draw Scrutiny After Qaddafi Family Deaths
By KAREEM FAHIM
BENGHAZI, Libya — NATO's campaign of airstrikes against Libya came under the most intense criticism yet on Sunday, with Russian officials accusing the alliance of using "disproportionate" force in civilian areas a day after a strike on central Tripoli was reported to have killed a son and three grandchildren of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi.
Although NATO commanders insisted that they had struck a legitimate military target on Saturday night and had not, and would not, specifically target Colonel Qaddafi, the Libyan government accused the NATO of mounting an assassination attempt illegal under international law. On Sunday, the Russian foreign ministry and a lawmaker close to the Kremlin sounded those themes as well, directly challenging the aims of the NATO mission.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry accused NATO of exceeding the mandate of a United Nations resolution allowing it to maintain a no-fly zone over Libya and to protect civilians. The attack, it said, "arouses serious doubts about coalition members' statement that the strikes in Libya do not have the goal of physically annihilating M. Qaddafi and members of his family."
Foreign Minister Sergei V. Lavrov said on the political talk show "Postscriptum" that the attacks bore out Russia's concerns about the resolution, which at the time led it to vote to abstain. "And now we see in practice that our misgivings were justified," he said.
Konstantin I. Kosachev, chairman of the international affairs committee in Russia's lower house of parliament, said that if the reports of the deaths of Qaddafi family members were confirmed, it would drive home the point that the Western operation "is unacceptable to the same degree as the attacks by Qaddafi and his forces on civilians."
"I am very surprised by the total silence of the presidents of the U.S., France, and some other Western countries," Mr. Kosachev said in an interview on the radio station Ekho Moskvy.
In Tripoli, the British and Italian embassies and United Nations offices were vandalized early Sunday morning in apparent revenge attacks for the aistrikes, though no one was reported hurt.
Britain responded by ejecting the Libyan ambassador, Foreign Secretary William Hague said. And the Italian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that, "The attacks against our embassy will not weaken Italy's determination, along with that of the other partners in the coalition, to continue protecting the interests of the Libyan civilian population." Both Britain and Italy are involved in the Libya air operation.
A United Nations spokeswoman said a mob broke into a building housing various United Nations offices in Tripoli and ransacked the place. No one was in the office at the time. The agency reported that it had begun pulling the rest of its personnel, less than a dozen people, out of Libya entirely.
In Libya, allied airstrikes continued, as did the government's bombardment of rebel strongholds, including the besieged city of Misurata in western Libya. Heavy artillery strikes repeatedly hit near the city's port and airport, and the sustained bombardment destroyed many houses in the city over the past two days.
Colonel Qaddafi's opponents continued to question whether the colonel's son, Seif al-Arab al-Qaddafi, 29, and three unidentified grandchildren had actually been killed or whether the announcement amounted to a ploy by Colonel Qaddafi to blunt criticism of his attacks on several rebel-held areas and win sympathy.
"We do not have verification," said Jalal al-Gallal, a rebel spokesman. "Whose children were there and what were there names? Nobody should have survived the blast in that building," he said, referring to video footage that Libyan officials said showed the destroyed house where Seif Qaddafi was killed and where Colonel Qaddafi and his wife narrowly avoided injury.
In response to that skepticism, Libyan state television showed images of a body the government claimed was the son, the satellite channel Al Jazeera reported.
The footage showed what appeared to be two adult bodies, both of them completely covered, one of them with a green flag.
Reporting was contributed by Ellen Barry from Moscow, Rachel Donadio from Rome and Dan Bilefsky from New York.
COMMENTI E CRITICHE Ho molto apprezzato la concatenazione logica del ragionamento di Richard Branneman nel suo blog, dove dimostra attraverso riflessioni e testimonianze, come l'intera operazione e il coinvolgimento di AFRICOM in particolare, sia parte di una strategia coloniale e di mero interesse economico. Non dimentica neppure di citare un articolo della stampa Ghanese in cui si fanno giuste illazioni sulla risoluzione anomala del caso della Costa d'Avorio (si sarebbero semplicemente dovute rifare le elezioni sotto stretto controllo di commissioni internazionali) che, portando alla cacciata di Gbagbo, ha cancellato una opposizione anti-francese decisamente scomoda… il fatto che l'annuncio di tale risoluzione sia stato dato dal Governo francese non è da poco. Riporto la citazione di Campbell, ma leggete l'intera pagina nell'originale…
15 Marzo 2011
Horace Campbell, Pambazuka News
The Western bombardment of Gaddafi's forces in Libya has become an opportunistic public relations ploy for the United States Africa Command (Africom) and a new inroad for US military stronghold on the continent. This involvement of Africom in the bombardment is now serving to expose the contradictions and deceit that have surrounded the formation of this combatant command, which is a front for military humanitarian assistance to Africa in coordination with the US Department of State and the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Attempts by the US to re-militarize its engagement with Africa is extremely dangerous, given the fact that the US does not have any positive or credible tradition of genuine assistance to freedom fighters and liberation movements in Africa.
The US was complicit in the planning of the murder of Patrice Lumumba of the Congo, after which they propped up the monstrous dictator Mobutu Sese Seko who raped and pillaged the country and established a
recursive process of war, rape, plunder, corruption, and brutality which the Congo still suffers from till today. Jonas Savimbi was sponsored by the US to cause destabilization and terror in Angola. The US gave military, material and moral support to the apartheid regime in South Africa while anti-apartheid freedom fighters, including Nelson Mandela, were designated as terrorists. It was only in 2008 that the US Congress passed a bill to remove Mandela's name from the terrorist watch list). The US has yet to tell the truth about how Charles Taylor escaped from its prison custody in Massachusetts to go destabilize Liberia. Young people who are recruited for the US military and deployed to Africom may not know much about the notorious history of US military involvement in Africa. The military top brass take advantage of this ignorance among the young folks.
Just as the US military carried out psychological warfare against US senators, one of the tasks of Africom is to rain down psychological warfare on Africans. Built in this subtle psychological warfare is the concept of the hierarchy of human beings and the superiority of the capitalist mode of production and ideas of Christian fundamentalism. It is on this front that we find a section of the US military known as the "Crusaders."
27 April 2011
In Libya, 'mission creep' sets in
The most likely outcome in Libya is Moammar Kadafi's massacre of his political opponents.
Predictably, though, mission creep is what's occurring in Libya. Each halting step the United States and its NATO allies take deeper into a morass none of them really understands makes it more likely that this ill-considered intervention will end in precisely the event it set out to prevent: Moammar Gadhafi's massacre of his political opponents.
That's because even the most enthusiastic of the strongman's foreign antagonists, France, is unwilling to commit troops to dislodge him from power. Without foreign troops it seems less and less likely that an untrained, sketchily equipped, ill-organized and divided insurgency will overthrow Gadhafi, who has all the resolve of a man with nowhere else to go and the support of his tribal allies and the considerable number of Libyans who somehow have benefited from his misrule.
Speaking to U.S. troops in Baghdad this week, Adm. Michael G. Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, admitted that the Libyan civil war — which is what the uprising has become — is "certainly moving toward stalemate." Moreover, the half steps the allies announced this week are unlikely to break the deadlock on the ground. France, Britain and Italy will send a handful of "military advisers" to assist the rebels, while the United States will commit missile-armed Predator drones to the air campaign and $25 million in non-lethal aid.
For once, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had matters about right Thursday when he said, "We consider these moves extremely risky. … There've been cases in history when it all started with sending in military advisors, and then it dragged out for years and resulted in hundreds and thousands dead on both sides."
Moreover, as security analyst Anthony H. Cordesman pointed out this week, the "announcement that British and French military advisors are going to help is not going to alter that situation quickly. It will take months more — at a minimum — to properly train and equip them, and it will take a radical shift in rebel leadership to give them meaningful unity and discipline. In the interim, an enduring war of attrition will turn a minor humanitarian crisis into a major one — driven by the reality that Libya has to import over 75 percent of its food, and the Gadhafi regime was so corrupt and self-serving that the CIA estimates that 30 percent of the population was unemployed and one-third was at the poverty line before the crisis began."
If, as is entirely possible, Gadhafi and his kleptocratic family dynasty somehow survive, the Libyan people will have passed through the privations of a stalemated civil war only to suffer the horrors of an unrestrained tyrant's revenge. Something similar happened after the Persian Gulf War, when the victorious allies quietly encouraged the Shiite Muslims of southern Iraq to rise against a weakened Saddam Hussein, and then stood by while he slaughtered them.
For historians, Cordesman argues, the ill-conceived Libyan intervention "is yet another demonstration that they have the world's easiest profession — all they have to do is wait for history to repeat itself. Unfortunately, there is nothing amusing about the fact that the lives and futures of some 6.6 million Libyans are at stake. The Franco-Anglo-American gamble now seems far too likely to fail at their expense."
Even the more concrete of the steps grudgingly taken by the Obama administration this week is as likely to backfire as it is to succeed. The ostensible military purpose of the Predator drones is to operate in close support of the rebel forces at low altitudes, where piloted aircraft would be at unacceptable risk from Libyan ground fire. Analysts familiar with the drones' operations in Pakistan and Yemen, however, point out that, with proper intelligence, the unmanned craft could be used to assassinate Gadhafi, his sons and lieutenants. In other words, kill the snake by cutting off its head. It may sound like a good idea, but … Something deep and unexpected — perilous, but promising — is welling up across the Arab world. Whatever the outcome, it must be the work of the region's people themselves. If the United States intervenes with military force and summary executions — even of loathsome lunatics like Gadhafi — the consequences could be catastrophic.
LINKS per approfondimenti


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Cosmopolis will have a special screening at TIFF Bell Lightbox in Canada on January 11th 9:30pm and 12th 12:30pm.
From TIFF
Canada's Top Ten celebrates and promotes contemporary Canadian cinema and is intended to raise public awareness of Canadian achievements in film.
From @TIFF_NET:
David Cronenberg will be at the Friday night screening of COSMOPOLIS but not the Saturday screening.
For all upcoming events click here
Keep up to date and connect with

subset: commoncrawl


text: Entertainment 10 Bhojpuri Movie Title That Are So Hilarious, You'll Literally 'Rolling On The Floor Laughing' Deep Akash 1 year ago Facebook Prev Article Next Article We bring to you some ROFL ride! Here are 10 Bhojpuri movie titles that are so bad, they're actually good. 1. 2. 1 2 3 4 5Next Prev Article Next Article Tags: BHOJPURI


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Andrew Wuensche
This paper examines the basins of attraction of random Boolean networks, a very general class of discrete dynamical systems, in which cellular automata (CA) form a special sub-class. A reverse algorithm is presented which directly computes the set of pre-images (if any) of a network's state. Computation is many orders of magnitude faster than exhaustive testing, making the detailed structure of random network basins of attraction readily accessible for the first time. They are portrayed as diagrams that connect up the network's global states according to their transitions. Typically, the topology is branching trees rooted on attractor cycles. The homogeneous connectivity and rules of CA are necessary for the emergence of coherent space-time structures such as gliders, the basis of CA models of artificial life. On the other hand random Boolean networks have a vastly greater parameter/basin field configuration space capable of emergent categorisation. I argue that the basin of attraction field constitutes the network's memory; but not simply because separate attractors categorise state space - in addition, within each basin, sub-categories of state space are categorised along transient trees far from equilibrium, creating a complex hierarchy of content addressable memory. This may answer a basic difficulty in explaining memory by attractors in biological networks where transient lengths are probably astronomical. I describe a single step learning algorithm for re-assigning pre-images in random Boolean networks. This allows the sculpting of their basin of attraction fields to approach any desired configuration. The process of learning and its side effects are made visible. In the context of many semi-autonomous weakly coupled networks, the basin field/network relationship may provide a fruitful metaphor for the mind/brain.
This paper is not available online


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Whew. What a day. Again I got up at 5:30. Again I took my morning walk while doing 300 reps of grip exercises on each digit. Again I ate my standard egg and cheese sandwich for breakfast, and again my body demanded more sleep. Grace tells me that Jack, our cat, was up to some noisy antics last night; presumably that explains why I felt like I got a whole lot less sleep than I did.
I had my usual 10:00 Zone Bar with tea, got a bunch of housework done, had a big helping of broccoli and some vegetable melange at 1:00, then dropped my car off at the garage and took the train into Manhattan for a 3:45 dentist appointment. The cleaning was unpleasant, but I've had worse. And the checkup was a relief: my teeth are fine, so I don't need to come back for six months.
I had brought my unnecessarily heavy pack with me, so I was all set for a walk along the west side — after I ate the roast beef "sandwich" I'd packed: three slices of beef and half an ounce of extra-sharp cheddar on one slice of whole wheat bread.
I spent two hours hiking along the water from around World Financial Center, then cut east around 12th Street and picked up the High Line. I walked north along it all the way to 20th Street, then made my way east and back south to Union Square. After failing to find this week's new comic books at Forbidden Planet and asking the cashier about them, I finally found out that it was, in fact, Tuesday, not Wednesday. Day of the week awareness FAIL.
I walked up to meet Grace for our weekly walk around Manhattan. I had my usual out-on-the-town meal of a Zone Bar and some black tea that I bought at a bodega, plus a Minneola and a banana. That capped another day of exercise and eating right.


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I don't know about you guys but masks are a big part of my weekly cleansing routine. Biotherm Pore Reducer mask is quite wonderful for those nights when you're thinking you're due for a mask but you just don't have time. Bring this into the shower with you and just before you soap up your beautiful body, pop this on your face. Soap your body up, rinse and then wash the mask away. It only needs to be on for a minute (this is why I put mask in quotations). And that minute will be the tingliest, coolest (yes temp wise!) minute ever! If you have super, super, super sensitive skin, this product will most likely burn instead of tingle/cool. So I wouldn't recommend you using it in that circumstance.
Now, I don't notice that it helps reduce the size of my pores, but what I do notice is that it helps bring the black heads up to the surface and be easily extracted. And that's really the only thing I can claim that it does. Honestly, I'm ok with that! Sometimes I feel I need something to get those blackheads out, and I don't feel like getting nose strips, forehead strips or whatever else there is out there. This does the job quickly and effectively. You wouldn't die without this product, but give it a try.


text: You know what you sleep on in our hotel. All of our rooms are equipped with top-quality mattresses Chianti from the Italian leader in healthy sleeping Magniflex. The mattresses have obtained the highest health certification in the EU - 1st category health product. Right backbone support, release of muscles and joints, allergenic materials.


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Which U.S. restaurants are licensed to serve Fugu for 2011 aka blowfish?
I know a great black market place behind the Red Lobster in Des Moines, Iowa.
Where can I find a current list of resturants that sell fugu (blowfish)?
You could try google and ask it "Restaurants San Diego Fugu".
Are there any restaurants in Portland that serve sweet tea?
You bet. It's become quite the phenom as of late.I know when I was down south a couple of years ago I hadn't heard of it either, but it's all over the place Mary so no need to worry.Portland, is a...
Read More »
What restaurants in Gulfport, Ms can serve a party of 40 to 50?
Dick's Clam ShackClam's Dick ShackDunkin' DonutsMarshall'sGulf Gas stationCarl
What restaurants in San Francisco serve conch?
Kiss SeafoodCategories: Japanese, Sushi Bars, SeafoodNeighborhoods: Lower Pac Heights, Japantown, Pacific Heights413 reviews, 4.5 stars1700 Laguna StSan Francisco, CA 94115(415) 474-2866"sashimi wa...
Read More »


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Team Estates Realty
Team Estates Realty is a real estate company with 1 employee(s). Hatim Bilal is the Broker. This company has been part of Connected Investors since 02/16/2017 - Team Estates Realty Based out of . Connect with the employees and team members of Team Estates Realty on Connected Investors.
Company Team Results
Hatim Bilal Broker : Team Estates Realty
Looking for Multi-familydeals
In: Eden Prairie MN, Minnetonka MN, Minneapolis MN
In: Eden Prairie MN, Minnetonka MN, Minneapolis MN
Licensed BrokerBio: My name is Hatim Bilal. I am primarily a Multi-family investor based out of the Eden Prairie, MN area. I am looking to connect with Investment properties. Make... More to Friend me and Like my Connected Investors profile. Less


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buyer's agent, cupertino, los altos, mountain view, santa clara, silicon valley real estate, sunnyvale
You already know you live in a great community and you can see yourself living here for years to come. You love the specialty lattes at the corner coffee shop, are on a first name basis with the local vet and can't imagine life without that honest mechanic it took years to find. You're not leaving anytime soon, so why are you renting?
The Hassles of Renting
The benefits of owning a house far exceed the headaches associated with renting; for starters, that creepy landlord who's always showing up on your doorstep for one reason or another. One day, he's knocking on your door wanting access to your apartment because your neighbor's garbage disposal needs to be fixed and before you know it, 5 maintenance men with muddy boots are tracking dirt across your kitchen so they can snake the sink. Your neighbor thought it was a good idea to put grease down the drain and now you have to deal with the consequences.
Shared Walls
If you're currently renting or have rented an apartment unit in the past, you are well aware of the downsides of having to share walls. Most of us don't care to know what music our neighbors listen to, nor do we want to have to listen to it ourselves. Especially at a time that is as inconvenient as when we're trying to sleep or study. Music or TV at a volume even the deaf can hear is a common complaint among apartment dwellers. When owning a home instead of renting an apartment, not only is this much less likely to happen, but there are additional perks to ensuring financial stability in your future as well.
If your rental unit is upgraded with hardwood flooring, consider yourself one of the lucky ones. If the choices in flooring, paint and hardware in your apartment are unfortunate, there's not much you can do about it. One of the major reasons to buy a house versus rent is the control to do almost anything you want. Kitchen counters too low? Fix it. White walls bore you? Add some color!
As long as modifications don't go against the HOA or break area building codes, feel free to add your own personal style and functionality. Never again will the decisions of your living space be in the hands of a landlord whose answer will most likely be NO.
Rent Increases
You have had a long day at work and you're so happy to finally be walking up to your doorstep, all you can think about is how you're going to kick off your shoes and put your feet up. That's when you spot an envelope wedged in the door. It's a notice of rent increase.
Not only does your landlord have the right to enter your apartment within 24 hours, your landlord also has the right to increase the cost of your living space at any time. For many of us, the last thing we want to come home to, is an unexpected notice of rent increase. Life is stressful enough as it is and living expenses are already high. Buying a home means knowing your monthly cost will never fluctuate and ensuring you'll never have to come home to one of these depressing letters again.
Want to find out how to purchase a home the right way? Give me a call at 408-830-0092 or send me an email to email@example.com to get started. We'll arrange to meet to get to know each other and I offer a personal, private consultation with me — a top real estate negotiator. I'll educate you on the home buying process, how lenders work, the importance of inspections, information as to escrow and give you background as to how I use key strategies I've developed to help buyers navigate the multiple offer situations prevalent in the market without overpaying.


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See Worcester County MA courts and search free public court records. Courts are legal institutions which resolve disputes between parties and rule on legal cases related to civil, criminal, and administrative matters.
Clinton District Court 300 Boylston Street Clinton MA 01510 978-368-7811
Dudley District Court 110 West Main Street Dudley MA 01571 508-943-7123
East Brookfield District Court 544 East Main Street East Brookfield MA 01515 508-885-5500
Fitchburg District Court 100 Elm Street Fitchburg MA 01420 978-345-2111
Gardner District Court 108 Matthews Street Gardner MA 01440 978-632-2373
Leominster District Court 25 School Street Leominster MA 01453 978-537-3722
Milford District Court 161 West Street Milford MA 01757 508-473-1260
Uxbridge District Court 261 South Main Street Uxbridge MA 01569 508-278-2454
Westborough District Court 186 Oak Street Westborough MA 01581 508-366-8266
Winchendon District Court 80 Central Street Winchendon MA 01475 978-297-0156
Worcester District Court 50 Harvard Street Worcester MA 01608 508-757-8350
Worcester Superior Court 2 Main Street Worcester MA 01608 508-770-1899
Marlborough District Court 45 Williams Street Marlborough MA 01752 19.3 miles from Worcester County 508-485-3700
Palmer District Court 235 Sykes Street Palmer MA 01069 22.5 miles from Worcester County 413-283-8916
Eastern Hampshire District Court 205 State Street Belchertown MA 01007 24.8 miles from Worcester County 413-323-4056
Ayer District Court 25 East Main Street Ayer MA 01432 24.9 miles from Worcester County 978-772-2100
Burrillville Municipal Court PO Box 419 Burrillville RI 02830 26.6 miles from Worcester County 401-568-9494
Windham Judicial District Court 155 Church Street Putnam CT 06260 27.1 miles from Worcester County 860-928-7749
Framingham District Court 600 Concord Street Framingham MA 01702 27.1 miles from Worcester County 508-857-7461
Orange District Court 1 West Orange Road Orange MA 01364 28.0 miles from Worcester County 978-544-8277
A court is a judicial body charged with resolving violations of a legal right. Judicial courts are created by the government and enforce the law by hearing civil and criminal matters.
Court records are available to the public. Court documents contain valuable information on a range of legal issues, including felony and misdemeanor cases, traffic accident reports, tax court records, and more. Many court records are available online.


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So, we are back in Toronto for part 2 of our Canadian adventure. Although it is not in the league of such great sequels as Godfather Part II, Toy Story 2 or the epic Short Circuit 2, we are hopeful that it won't be a disaster of Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry met Lloyd proportions! (Although it does have some similarities – an example being my response to the Air Hostess asking "Red or white wine?". My reply? "Yes please." *shakes a blushing head*)
Category Archives: New Year
2013 has me worn out already…
and it's only 6 days in!
A quiet New Year's day prepared us for a very unquiet January 2nd! We were going to Liverpool to watch Sunderland, and staying over at our friends Darren and Dawn"s house in Manchester. Anytime we are with Darren and Dawn, whether it be for a few sociable drinks or a big night out, it is always messy. This trip was no different. Double D seem to have that effect on us, although I am sure they will say it is our fault! 😉
…And a Happy New Year!
Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to wish my family, friends and blog followers a very happy new year and all the best for 2013.
Traditionally the beginning of a new year is taken by most to have a fresh start, a chance to right some wrongs and to make promises about new gym subscriptions, sobriety and opening a savings account. I fall into this category of people, and my list of resolutions is as long as my arm!
However, saying that, personally I am very sad to say goodbye to an absolutely fantastic 12 months. As with every year, there have been great highs and some real lows, but in general 2012 has been a total life changer.


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Tuesday, December 19, 2006
"And The Winner Is..."
Mauldin High School.
For those of you that have been asking and waiting for Matt's decision-He has chosen the slightly nicer (okay LOTS nicer) school. Lots bigger, too, with about 2,300 students in their high school.
For those of you that haven't heard...the job dilemma has been resolved. Matt's going back to teaching and he's opted for public school for the first time in his career. Should be pretty exciting if he can keep himself from getting stabbed! (That's for you, Mom!)
He starts on the 3rd and already has his books. It will be interesting to see how much he gets mocked over his name.
I will get to share parenting again AND go back to running at night! YEAH! (It's the little things that keep me going!)
Watch out Mauldin Mavericks...here we come!
Posted by Charity Harmless at 12/19/2006 07:35:00 PM
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Elliott Almond story on swimming – pix by me
USA Women's basketball (no story)
Pictures from the Velodrome (no story)
"Hello Cleveland!" – i hope you recognize that from the Rob Reiner movie Spinal Tap – one of my all time favorite movies – today I had a total Spinal Tap moment. Had lunch with Paul Kitagaki and Scott McKiernan (from Zuma) and John at the MPC… Had some pretty decent beef stew in the cafeteria… After that we figured it would be faster to walk to the Velodrome then take the bus — I think it was faster only took about 15 minutes. I had never photographed inside the Velodrome and always wanted too. Here is Paul – sort of having fun – oh yea and it was pretty hot in there – apparently they have to keep it at a certain temperature so that the tires remain at a certain temperature:
It was neat and all – but I was a bit confused – for example – one of the races went eight laps – but some dude on an electric bike was "pacing" them for like the first 5 1/2 laps – so they really only raced the last 2 1/2 laps – ? It was interesting. The venue is cool looking from the outside and kinda small on the inside – and everything looked kinda of the same. After we were done shooting we started to head back to the media center – but none of the helpers knew where we were supposed to go – they kept directing us to different places – the arrows would be pointed one way and they would point us in the opposite direction.
Heres the Spinal Tap moment. – we were following the signs and one sign pointed directly to a dead end glass wall / "Hello Cleveland" – Really?!?
Today was a little frustrating… everything that I want to cover is at the SAME time! Swimming starts a 7:30 – but I'm in the A spot so I need to be there early – probably by 5:30. What else would I like to cover – Volleyball – 8:00, water polo – 7:40, swimming – 7:30, I would kinda like to shoot fencing final – 6:45. Can only cover one of those events.
I could have gone to judo but that's at Excel – near my dorms which is about a 50 minute commute from the MPC and I needed to go to the MPC because I needed to get a swim ticket from Bill Hancock. So I didn't really want to go up to the MPC get the swim ticket and then back down to Excel – but probably should have. After I picked up the ticket from Bill and chatted a little bit with him and then met Paul, Scott and John for lunch… As of now the only other events that will be ticketed are Men's basketball and closing ceremonies!
After the Velodrome we all headed to swimming – yea the last day of swimming!!! – at least for me – there is one more day but I won't be covering it. I sat in the front row of A cause I got there about an hour and a half early. The US did great tonight – three golds, a couple silvers and a bronze. That's Missy Franklin from Colorado posing for photographers with her gold medal:
Headed to Women's basketball after that. It was nice – few photographers – ran into SI's John Beiver – super nice and talented of course, and another guy from SI named Mark (I think his assistant?). Smiley popped in while I was shooting – we both just shot the first half – then headed out.
One of the good things about being in a place that is off the beaten path, the UEL (University of East London), is that the train station has not been busy. Apparently there was a mega long line to get into the Tube to go downtown – where many photographers are staying. Anyway long day for me tomorrow so signing off!


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Patient: My husband was a big drinker and almost died .He is trying really hard to get well.His Kidney count was at 300 it is now 196,is there anything natural he can do to help improve this ,
Doctor: Improvement of renal (kidney) function will depend on whether the kidney failure is an acute process or a manifestation of chronic renal failure. The fact that the creatinine level has dropped from 300 to 196 suggests there is some reversibility present, however it may never completely return to normal, this depends on the degree of insult to the kidney tissue. To encourage adequate perfusion of the kidneys it is important to stay well hydrated with both oral and intravenous fluid supplementation in a hospital setting, with monitoring of input and output volumes. It is vital to discontinue or avoid prescription of any medications that may be toxic to the kidney, to prevent further insult. Blood pressure should be optimally controlled. Low potassium and low protein diets may be beneficial especially if the renal failure is chronic. Referral to a nephrologist is advisable for specialized advice.


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In most arenas of life, you and I spend massive amounts of our energy and resources exploring and investing in areas outside of what we already have. It's the human condition to want more, to explore and to venture into unchartered waters, to advance our territory.
And it's completely legitimate and often hugely rewarding. We look for new work, new entertainment and new experiences on an almost constant basis, and with fantastic results. The sky's the limit! Pulling us in that direction are a million voices – online, on-screen, on billboard, and on-radio. We're bombarded with opportunity moment by moment. It's an exciting world, and it awaits us.
There's one area of our lives however that must be treated very differently. Investment of energy and resource outside of this area, never produces a greater experience. No matter how hard we try, to invest outward yields no returns, no revenue, no joy – despite what's promised to us on-line, on-screen, on-billboard and on-radio. To waste energy and resources outside of this arena only brings us inevitable hurt and heartache.
It's called marriage. It's a unique area of your life which enables the rest of the components of your life to be lived in the joy of shared experience. It must be treated differently. The commitment of marriage is to focus the required energy and resources inside its sphere, not outside of it, for as long you both shall live. A marriage experience is expanded when focus of time and action is inward and on the person that shares your existance.
In this arena of life, the rewards and dividends go to the ones who pour their energy inside of its parameters, creating a foundation and safe place for the rest of life to be explored and expanded…..together.


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letspal Fundamentals ExplainedGo swimming at an area pool or Pal's property. All through summer months, among the finest things to do to try and do with friends is always to go swimming.
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whats up and whats on your own thoughts these days I've a great deal enjoyable ,personnel on my minds i keep contemplating Imagine if hahahaha I like laughing dancing and looking out immediately after my relatives.
It's crucial to be versatile with your quest as it could be difficult to find your excellent penpal. Try out trying to find penpals with distinct interests and ordeals as you often learn a lot more from these correspondences. [6]
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up vote 2 down vote I don't know the answer for XP, but for latter:


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Woo hoo, it's sunny outside and the snow melted that had fallen last night so no shoveling necessary! It's days like these I soak up because we don't have that many. I've got a few things to do but would rather sit listening to meditation music and let the sun filter through my blinds. Besides, I work better at the last minute! My portfolio homework can wait 😀
How is your Friday going? I hope it's sunny where you are or whatever weather it is you like best 🙂
Natalya, 2013.


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Hebron, KY (PRWEB) February 27, 2013
Pomeroy, a global leader in optimizing the IT infrastructure, announced today that it has been designated as an authorized Cisco® HealthPresence™ Technology Partner (CHP). Pomeroy, a Cisco Gold Certified Partner, recently completed specialized technical and customer support training on the configuration and deployment of this Medical Device Data System (MDDS) that collects, retrieves and transmits medical data which adheres to all FDA regulatory requirements while improving healthcare delivery to a broad spectrum of providers and patients. Pomeroy is one of only a few Cisco-partnered service providers to have earned this designation.
This authorization enables Pomeroy to provide its healthcare clients an advanced, care-at-a-distance technology platform that allows patients to connect with doctors and clinicians for healthcare consultations in ways never before possible. The Cisco HealthPresence technology combines high-definition video, advanced audio and network-transmitted medical data that creates a patient-care environment similar to what people experience when they visit their doctor or health specialist, and allows for collaboration with healthcare providers across multiple locations.
"While there are many Cisco partners, relatively few are authorized HealthPresence partners", said PJ Thelen, Pomeroy Senior Vice President of Public Sector, Commercial and Enterprise Markets. "We are proud to have earned this distinction from Cisco, and we look forward to helping our healthcare clients deliver remote patient care and improve outcomes using this new technology."
About Pomeroy
Pomeroy provides high quality managed IT infrastructure services, professional and staffing services and procurement and logistics services to Fortune 500 corporations, global outsourcers and the public sector throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe. A recognized leader in the service desk and managed desktop services markets, Pomeroy's ITIL certified professionals employ a process-centric approach to working with clients, either remotely or on-premise, to plan, design, deploy, manage and ultimately optimize each client's IT infrastructure, leading to the creation of tangible business value and return on their IT investments. Learn more at http://www.pomeroy.com.


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Now that December is in full swing it's officially time to dig out the Christmas decorations (on mass). And if you're not into recycling, then now's the time to go shopping for new ones.
Jessica Alba and her husband Cash Warren spent the weekend with their brood shopping for glitzy decs in LA looking pretty snug in their winter gear.
The 32 year-old American actress wore an oversized, chunky knit cardigan with a plaid shirt, black leggings and biker boots.
Can we just take a moment to talk about the said knit, because it's the perfect way to do festive cool this season: check out the navy, white and red colourways, the zip front and the tassel detailing.
Not only did Jess show us exactly how to do casual-Christmassy-cool (it's a thing) street style but she also went matchy-matchy with Cash and her youngest daughter Haven in tartan. Navy and white plaid is perfect weekend attire.
If you're going to invest in anything this season (on top of your red party dress and dreamy clutch!) make it a Christmas jumper. You don't have to go all out with bells and whistles but take stock of Alba's look and opt for woolly outerwear that you'll wear beyond the festive countdown.
That said, if you're looking for chintz and cheer this season you need to take a look through this gallery of jumpers:


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Weddings are memorable experiences that take a lot of planning to go smoothly. Those last few weeks the stress can really stressful. With proper planning, you can have confidence that everything will all work out, even if you run into small snags. These tips below can help with your wedding.
Religion is possibly the most influential aspect of your wedding and married life.
This will give you much more confidence on the time comes.
You can get a better rate on almost any venue by booking during an off season wedding date. The traditional season is traditionally from May lasting through September. If you plan on getting married during these months, book your venue as soon as possible to get a great deal.
Purchasing wedding gowns through the Internet can help save you a lot of money, but it's important to buy early so you'll have time to alter it before the big day. Include the additional cost when you plan for your budgeting.
When someone is going to talk during your wedding, have them rehearse the things they would say in front of you so you can determine if everything they say will be appropriate. There will be people of all ages present, so sometimes a joke between young people is not received well by elders.
Look at samples of any makeup artist you are considering for your wedding day. Do you really like how they do their style? Be sure that you are happy. You do not want to find yourself with a make up artist who does your make up in a way that you dislike.
If the bride has sensitive skin she can find excellent ways to take the stress out of their lives so they don't end up with facial irritation.Look for a bridal facial treatment that includes skin-soothing and brightening ingredients like rose, rose, oatmeal proteins, and creamy scrubs.
If you're a bride that's passionate about fashion and luxury, use crystals, diamonds, or even diamonds. This can be done with the addition of adhesive or thermally attached crystals, some costume jewelry or even attach a heirloom piece. To ensure that it coordinates with the rest of your ensemble, ensure that the size, color, and the size of any stones you use match or compliment each other.
If your family joins you for a destination wedding, ask if they want to enjoy the honeymoon with you as well. This allows them a vacation afterwards!
Ask your close friend if you could borrow which would match your big day.
If you are giving a speech at a wedding, make sure you write it out and practice before the wedding. If you don't plan and rehearse properly, you may lose your guest's attention, make a misstep, or losing the audience.
Make sure your caterer aware that the reception will be outdoors.You may consider using decorative covers for your food. You could even run an extension cord and plug in a bar fridge to keep the drinks cold.
Always understand the legal requirements and restrictions when planning to get married abroad.
If you can't afford expensive floral arrangements, you can use a variety of different potted plants instead. The guest's wedding favor can be the plants in the pots, or the bride and groom may choose to take the plants home.
Gift registries are a wedding. Let your guests know that they are not needed to bring a gift.Give them several gift options to choose from. People should be comfortable to give you what they can afford bringing.
Add flowers of different heights. Surround those vases with more voluminous flowers that are shorter, stocky flowers. The short and full flowers should be a lighter than the tall flowers.
When thinking about a videographer, be certain to see clips from prospective candidates, and always ask to view sample videos. Decide who you want to choose based on those factors and your impression you get with each.
One of the most important things in a wedding is the that the couple enjoy their special day. Even if you are sure you know your partner, life will still be difficult, meaning you will need to draw closer to your partner in tough times as opposed to letting them pull you apart. Use what you learned here and make memories.


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Our third visit was to a site of industrial importance. Stott Park Bobbin Mill used to be a hive of industry, being one of many such places in Cumbria (or Cumberland and Westmorland and part of Lancashire as it was then) to produce bobbins for use in the textile mills of Lancashire, Yorkshire and farther afield.
The day we chose to visit was one of the regular steam days. The horizontal engine, which drove the lathes and other machinery, was working. The guided tour was extremely well done and lasted about 45 minutes. Admission to the mill building is only permitted with a guide; tours are repeated at hourly intervals through the day. The life of the workers in the mill was portrayed with words and actions. The dangers of the working conditions and the production of coppice poles, which were grown locally were explained. From these poles items other than bobbins were also manufactured at the mill.
We ate a picnic lunch in the grounds and took a scenic route home. It would have been possible to go on to visit Furness Abbey again and see the Medieval Fair, which was taking place that day. However we enjoyed the outing we had and returned home with time to catch up with other members of the family using modern means of communication.
In the days of the mills there was not the kind of technology we have today. I was impressed by the design and engineering of the engine, though. The Victorians were very good at what they did. At one time there was a water-wheel at the mill.
It was interesting that the people on the tour included some with an interest in steam engines and others, whose ancestors had worked in the textile industry. Workers in wood and social historians would also find much of interest. There were no young people in this party, but there is plenty to learn here about how young people lived in former times. Stott Park Bobbin Mill was the first industrial site to be saved for the nation. It was a forerunner of Quarry Bank Mill, National Trust – a place we have enjoyed visiting several times.


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Single room, shower, toilet
Description:The non-smoking single room has cable-TV, telephone and a desk. Some of the rooms are with balcony. WiFi free of charge.
Room/apartment features (6)
- hairdryer
- desk
- telephone
- balcony (in some rooms)
- cable TV
- WiFi
Bathroom facilities (1)
- shower, toilet


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Our Challenge for you at Midweek Magnolias this week is to Use a Non Domestic Animal. I thought this would be the perfect occasion to ink up my sweet little Walter the Moose and add to my Christmas card stash .
This is what I came up with:
My image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black onto Copic Express Card and coloured with Copic Sketch Markers. The Copics used are as follows: E47, E44, E43, E42, E41, E40,W5, W4, W2, W0
For a closer look:
And another:
The wonderful Jute Fabric is from Live and Love Crafts and the gorgeous array of Die Cuts are from Marianne Designs
We have our wonderful regular sponsor Magnolia Sweden who offers an awesome prize to the lucky Challenge winner so pop on over to Midweek Magnolias and have a look at the fabulous creations from the rest of the DT and why not have a try at our Non Domestic Animal Challenge for a chance to win a terrific prize
One last look:
Stamps: Magnolia Walter The Moose, SU Tiny Tiny Sentiments
Paper: SU Speciality Mocha Morning
Cardstock: SU Soft Suede and Crumb Cake
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Distress Inks Frayed Burlap
Accessories: Marianne Dies LR0136 Fence, LR0205 Tree, LR0245 Fern, Live and Love Crafts Jute Fabric,SU Button, SU Word Window and Modern Label Punches, Martha Stewart Leaf and Woodland Branch Border Punches, Silk Ribbon and Netting from Stash, sponge Dauber
I will enter this card into the following Challenges:
Amusing Challenges Use Markers For Colouring
Magnolia Stamp Lovers Animal
No Matter Which Die Cuts and/or Punches
Crafty Calender Browns and Creams
Secret Crafter Animal Antics
AUD Sentiments Christmas Card with Sentiment


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Oracle Essbase has a great reputation for being a powerful financial analytics tool (and rightfully so). As a result of its multidimensional nature and reporting flexibility, Essbase has built a strong base of advocates in departments beyond just finance. A global investment management firm is a longtime champion of Essbase.
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PCG sends teams to Ilocos vs oil spillMarch 22, 2007
FEARING another environmental disaster, the Philippine Coast Guard has sent environmental protection teams to Ilocos Norte to the area where a cargo ship sank Wednesday.
Radio dzBB reported Thursday that the Coast Guard sent an environmental management team and an oil spill response team to the site to check for possible damage to the environment.
It said Coast Guard spokesman Lt. S.G. Armand Balilo is not discounting the possibility that oil may have leaked from the sunken Panamanian-registered cargo vessel "Unicorn Ace."
At least one crewman was found dead and five others still missing after the "Unicorn Ace" sank in the South China Sea off Ilocos Norte Wednesday morning.
Rescued were at least 13 crewmembers of the ill-fated vessel, even as teams from the Coast Guard, Philippine Navy and Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Center continue to conduct search-and-rescue operations.
Only last August, the cargo vessel Solar I sank off Guimaras in the Visayas, leaking more than 200,000 liters of fuel into the waters.
That incident, which involved oil owned by Petron Corp., threatened the environment of Guimaras province and of neighboring Iloilo province in Western Visayas.
Efforts to recover the oil off Guimaras Strait started only last March 14.
Posted in Environment, Guimaras, News, Petron, Philippines oil spill, Spills elsewhere (related) |


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As a marketer or advertiser, do you keep on changing your brand visual or visual treatment frequently? If yes, thenyou must rethink!
It would be great if a brand is able to possess a particular word inside the mind of a target audience. Well, there can be many ways to reach such a situation but the most effective means can be visual or visual treatment.
What comes first to your mind when you think of Marlboro Cigarettes? Cowboy, right! Why this happens? As this brand has never deviated from visual of a cowboy, we associate all attributes of cowboy with Marlboro. All advertisements, posters and packaging were prepared with an image of cowboy. Only placing the same visual everywhere is not enough. Sticking to that strategy is of prime importance. While Marlboro Man was conceived in 1954 by Leo Burnett it was used until 1999. A visual of Cowboy was used for 45 years! Due to this, even today, when Marlboro Man is considered as an icon of past it easily steps to the top when it comes to the matter of recall. Practically, Marlboro Cigarettes possessed the word cowboy inside the mind of target audience.
Do you recall beauty soap TV Commercial, where a married woman with a child is mistakenly considered as a college girl? Yes, I am talking about Santoor beauty soap. As long as I assume, you would be able to recall some variation of this ad with change of ambience and models but visual treatment would be the same, mistaken identity as a college girl.
Early ad on Doordarshan in which model goes to buy bangle to recent ad creation with Saif Ali Khan, these series of ads could establish a connection between younger-looking skin attribute and the brand Santoor. As they have hardly deviated from this treatment, Santoor succeeded in taking possession of the word 'younger-looking skin' which accurately defines their differentiating point.
While other aspects of branding and advertising are important, use of visual should top the list. As your target audience is going to look at the visual, they will remember the visual and visuals will inspire them so, as long as possible, try to use the same visual or visual treatment for the longest possible duration of time. You will experience the positive results in sales figure.
I advise, think twice or thrice before changing core visual or treatment of your brand.
Tags: advertising, brand management, branding, case study, core visual, differentiation, focus, importance of visual, Kirit JAsani, marlboro, psychology of visual, santoor, Spotlight, Spotlight Communication, visual, visual for long time, visual treatment