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For months we played the waiting game as to when Emre Can would sign his deal with Juventus once we knew that he wouldn't be staying with Liverpool beyond the summer of 2018. When it comes to Juventus' second straight January foray into the Premier League's free agent midfielder waters, it looks like we could have a much faster resolution.
That's a good thing.
According to Sky Sport Italia's Gianluca Di Marzio, Arsenal midfielder and soon-to-be free agent Aaron Ramsey will finalize his move to Juventus following the Italian champions' trip to Saudi Arabia for the Supercoppa Italiana against Milan next week. The final details of the contract, according to Di Marzio, have been worked out and pretty much all that is left for Ramsey to do is to take a trip over to Italy, take his medical exams — which is important for this oft-injured player — and sign his contract that is rumored to be worth around €6.5 million per season.
#Juventus - #Ramsey: fissato l'appuntamento per la firma ✍ https://t.co/Uj6qzn3kHI
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) January 9, 2019
Ramsey, 28, has been at Arsenal for the past decade after signing from Cardiff City in 2008. He has started eight league games this season, appearing in 18 total matches while recording a pair of goals and six assists over that span. Ramsey's departure from Arsenal has become more and more of a formality as the season has gone on and he's been unwilling to even negotiate a brand new contract to extend his stay at the Emirates.
We can debate where Ramsey fits into Juventus' midfield later, but at this point every sign is pointing toward the Welshman, at some point, signing on the dotted line with Juve this month.


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Patresi is a beautiful village in the Commune of Marciana; The actual town of Marciana is about 10 km away.
It is on the western tip of the Island of Elba, right off Corsica.
This part of the coastal area seems to be able to maintain an incredibly unspoiled landscape, so much so that even today it is impossible to reach most of the inlets. Docking places are few and far between, and almost give the impression that the sea itself has simply cut them out of the cliffs.
With only a few houses scattered here and there in this area, Nature seems to rule over man, who has to adapt to its laws, its silence and its vast, open spaces. On a clear day, you feel as though all you need to do is stretch out your arm and you'll be able to touch the Island of Capraia; and the lighthouse in Patresi, surrounded by blue sky and blue sea, seems to be hanging in mid air in the centre of a blue painting.
On the right, reachable from a narrow path is the beach of Polveraia, a small inlet protected by the overhanging cliffs, of dark pebbles interposed by large white rocks.

subset: commoncrawl


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Revelations from Special Counsel John Durham over the weekend have shocked some of the political world in America. It should have shocked everyone, but corporate media has barely covered it. When they do, they blow it off as if it's a nothingburger, which it definitely is not.
It's a bombshell, and according to Todd Starnes, it shows just how effective the Democrats are at pulling off the "impossible."
Trending: The Real Problem With Julian Assange
On the latest episode of The Midnight Sentinel, Starnes told me he thinks the fact they were able to get away with spying on the White House for the entirety of a presidential term means stealing the election would have been easy.
"Well, first of all, it really is a great scandal," he said. "And when you look at what happened in Watergate and compare the media coverage from Watergate to where we are now, just imagine what it would have been like if Woodward and Bernstein, if they would have taken the side and depended the plumbers and Richard Nixon, the bad guys. That's exactly what has been happening with the mainstream media and Hillary Clinton.
"But beyond that, just to completely ignore the story, it's beyond me, but I think it really does expose this dirty underbelly of the mainstream media. They truly have become propagandists for the left. They hate Donald Trump. They want to destroy Donald Trump. And the reality is this one story, this one fact that John Durham has filed in federal court, destroys their narrative completely.
"And that, that's why I suspect they have not covered it. And I don't think they are going to cover it, JD.
"I mean, this is really a cyber coup if you think about it. They were very successful in what they did. If Donald Trump had not been dealing with the Russia collusion story, with Spygate, and all these other things, I think that we would be talking about a president already into a second term in office.
"So I think that not only was this ruthless and evil, it was very effective. And that's why Trump quite frankly, lost the election aside from the fact that the election was stolen. And by the way, when you see what they just did, I have no doubt that this election was stolen. I mean, these are people that would anybody who would, would spy on the white house, you better believe anything is possible. All, all bets are off the table at this point."
The remnants of integrity in corporate media have been slipping into oblivion for a while, but ignoring the Clinton bombshell is worse than just an embarrassment. It's an indictment of their complicity in the stolen election.
Watch the interview on Rumble.


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The US President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to withdraw financial aid from countries which back a United Nations resolution rejecting the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
"They take hundreds of millions of dollars and even billions of dollars, and then they vote against us," Trump was quoted as saying.
"We're watching those votes. Let them vote against us. We'll save a lot. We don't care," he added.
Trump's remarks came after the US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley's tweet saying that "the US will be taking names" of those criticizing the US choice at the UN General Assembly, Xinhua reported.
The UN General Assembly will meet for a rare emergency session to discuss the status of Jerusalem on Thursday after the US vetoed earlier an Egypt-drafted request asking Washington to withdraw its decision to recognize the city as Israel's capital.
The US on Monday vetoed a Security Council draft resolution on the status of Jerusalem.
All other 14 members of the Security Council voted in favour of the Egyptian-drafted text. But as the US, which is a permanent member of the Security Council, has veto power, the draft resolution failed to be adopted.


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weight loss for a cause Program
We are excited to offer a new program for 2020 to all who want to participate! In an effort to care for our body, soul and spirit, we as The Well Church Network family will be engaging in a fun, healthful and supportive way to lose some weight for a wonderful cause -- MISSIONS!
- Who is eligible? You do not have to be a member to participate! All are welcome. You don't even have to be local though we do encourage you to participate in the app message group for support! Those under the age of 18 will need approval by a parent or guardian (invite them to join you)!
- What does it cost? NOTHING! This program is absolutely free. We are using this program as a way to spread the good news through missions so if you'd like to contribute, see the details below!
- How does it work? We will have encouragement, idea sharing, recipe sharing and meal planning, fitness tips and community support just to name a few things. We also will have a private message group in our app for participants. (Be sure to download the app now!)
- How do I sign up? Just click the orange button below to complete the form!
- What are the dates of the program? We started on Friday May 1st and will be continuing through the duration of the 2020 year, ending on December 31st, 2020. You may join at any time!
- How much information do I have to share? We are calculating weight lost on the honor system. We will not ask you about your starting or current weight, we just ask that you keep track of your TOTAL weight lost in pounds from May 1st on. At end of each month, we'll ask you to submit your total, May 1st-to-current-date weight lost using this form (or see the blue button below).
For every pound lost by those participating, we'll be donating ALL PROCEEDS to Missions that are raised during this program once we have the total at the end of the year. We are prayerful that if the Lord puts it on your heart to chip in on a per-pound basis, you'll consider committing to a donation of any size. This will not be gathered until the end of 2020 when the weight loss totals are in! We are grateful for your support whether it be in prayer, participation, financial contribution, etc. You may sign up via the form by clicking the green button.
PARTICIPANTS! Please submit your TOTAL pounds lost since May 1st via the form below by using the blue button. Please update the form at the end (final day) of each month from May through December. Please also include today's date. Example: 5/31/2020, 5 pounds lost
DISCLOSURE & RELEASE OF LIABILITY: We are not medical professionals and are not providing health advice. Please ensure you consult with a physician before starting any weight loss, dietary or fitness program. By participating in the program, you automatically are agreeing to release The Well Church Network, The Well Church of Sidney, the Brown family and all church members and congregation from ANY AND ALL liability.
We love you and we want you well! Be sure to only do what is HEALTHFUL in this journey and seek the Lord through it all.
We love you and we want you well! Be sure to only do what is HEALTHFUL in this journey and seek the Lord through it all.


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ampa Bay, FLA (July 5th, 2022) – The beautiful landmark of Downtown Tampa is looking to expand its work family.
The Floridan is hiring for key roles within the organization.
Front Desk Receptionist (Monday to Friday | Weekend availability)
This position involves greeting visitors, helping them navigate through an office, and supplying them with refreshments as they wait. In addition, maintain calendars for appointments, sort mail, make copies, and plan travel arrangements.Hiring multiple candidates for this position.
Accounting/HR Manager (Monday to Friday)
Assist the VP of Finance/GM by performing and overseeing financial functions related to the accounting and internal control over the financial reporting, assets and liabilities of the hotel in compliance with company policy and standard operating procedures. Engage in calculating, posting and auditing tasks required to record financial transactions used to produce accurate and timely financial statements.
Organize and maintain all local accounting and financial records. Local liaison for Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable matters. Provide direction and training to Front Office and Food & Beverage staff performing financial and accounting functions.
Sales Manager (Monday to Friday)
Help meet our customer acquisition and revenue growth targets by keeping our company competitive and innovative. You will be responsible for maximizing our sales team potential, crafting sales plans and justifying those plans to the upper management.
Catering Sales Manager (Monday to Friday)
Qualified candidates will possess previous experience as a Sales Manager, exhibit an interest in team building, and have a professional demeanor. The ideal candidate for this position will possess superior customer service skills, and will be comfortable working with a wide range of people and personalities.
Night Auditor (8 hour shift | Day shift, Night shift | Weekend availability | Holidays & Overtime)
Serve as guests' first point of contact and manage all aspects of their accommodation. Responsibilities include registering guests, managing reservations and providing information about rooms, rates and amenities. Hiring multiple candidates for this position.
For more information on these positions and to apply, visit the Floridan's job postings on Indeed.
FLORIDAN PALACE HOTEL: The Floridan Palace Hotel is a national landmark hotel and encapsulates all of Tampa Bay's old-world charm along with the highest quality service and a full range of amenities. The Floridan's Sapphire Lounge showcases this vintage charm and offers small plate wonders and craft cocktails, local beers and a collection of spirits and wines. The Floridan Palace Hotel is located at 905 N Florida Ave., Tampa, FL. 33602. www.floridanpalace.com
EVOLVE & CO: Evolve & Co is a full-service advertising agency located in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. The company is a collective of brand strategists and creatives, specializing in the lifestyle vertical. The firm is located at 475 Central Avenue Suite M7, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701. www.evolveandco.com
Editors: For details, or to schedule an interview, contact Lisa Williams firstname.lastname@example.com or 727.490.9835.
# # #


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Skip to Content
After 11 years of bringing you local reporting, the team behind the Vancouver Observer has moved on to
Canada's National Observer
. You can follow Vancouver culture reporting over there from now on. Thank you for all your support over the years!
Follow us
Special reports
public transit
Trudeau and Clark announce big transit dollars after epic SkyTrain entrance
The dramatic entrance was paralleled in awesomeness by the $460 million in federal investment for public transit that came with it.
Elizabeth McSheffrey
Jun 16th, 2016
Car owners dish on Evo Car Share
Eco-friendly, low cost convenience. Get to know Evo!
Sponsored Content
Apr 28th, 2016
City to celebrate one million cycling trips over Burrard Bridge in 2015
The bike counter will roll over one million rides any minute, proving that two wheels is the way to go in Vancouver.
Elizabeth McSheffrey
Aug 21st, 2015
Greenest City Action Plan keeps Vancouver on leading edge, despite imperfections
Councillor Andrea Reimer remembers the days when she was executive director of the Wilderness Committee, and marvels at how different things look on the other side of City Hall.
Jenny Uechi
Nov 6th, 2014
Hong Kong and Japan show Vancouver what a farecard can be
The octopus and the penguin revolutionized the commute.
Jordan Yerman
Sep 12th, 2013
Top Vancouver events Feb 16-22: flash mob, swing party and a benefit concert
This week is filled with fun, tasty and intellectually stimulating events in Vancouver. Don't just sit at home, take part in the cool events around town.
Ajay Puri
Miraj Khaled
Feb 14th, 2012
Key to smart transit is data sharing, experts say at Cities Summit
Sharing information is the city's best bet for improving public transit, according to panelists at Vancouver's 2012 Cities Summit.
Alexis Stoymenoff
Feb 2nd, 2012
Public transit viewed as 'inconvenient'; just 12% take train or bus: StatsCan
In Vancouver, transit users take 20 minutes more than drivers to get to work.
Vancouver Observer
Aug 24th, 2011
Finding spiritual meaning through mortality
It's Sunday afternoon. Even the cherry blossoms and daffodils won't stop the rain in Vancouver. Deep in thought, I head through the drizzle towards Horseshoe Bay on the express bus, oblivious to...
Carina Clark
Apr 3rd, 2011
My life as a passenger and pedestrian
An accidental car-free life.
Lori Kidwell
May 31st, 2010
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Kim Jong Un promotes sister during North Korea's ruling party summit
North Korean state media reports that its leader Kim Jong Un's younger sister Kim Yo Jong was promoted on Saturday at a key meeting of the country's ruling party
Kim Yo Jong's profile has been rising since 2014, when she was made deputy director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department of the Workers' Party. She and Kim Jong Un were born to the same mother, Ko Yong Hui.
According to NK Leadership Watch, she is a close aide of her brother "and since his accession manages his public events, itineraries and logistical needs, among other tasks."
Kim Yo Jong was selected as an alternate member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Worker's Party at the Second Plenum of the party's 7th Central Committee.
Also in the reshuffle, according to state news agency KCNA, North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho was selected as a member of the Politburo and Choe Ryong Hae, vice chairman of the Worker's Party and a close aide to Kim Jong Un, was appointed to the party's Central Military Commission.


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The everyday rangehood can be easily missed when admiring a newly built or renovated kitchen. So often we are used to laying eyes on the same funnel of steel that we forget to step away from the norm and take the opportunity to create something special.
Lucky for you, we have collated some of the most 'raunchy' rangehoods for your inspiration. Whether it be cylindrical shapes, tall stacks or timber cladding, these rangehoods are sure to have you hot under the collar.
View some of the best creative rangehoods below or by visiting www.houzz.com/au/range-hoods
Raunchy Rangehoods Gallery
All of these rangehoods have been sourced from www.houzz.com.au. Please note, goCabinets does not own the copyright to any of these images, we are just happy to spread the great variety of creativity we see within these rangehood designs.


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Degoogling myself
I am in the process of detaching myself from Google. By using less and less of their services, so that I depend less on Google the company.
It is not easy. Google/Alphabet have services and applications that cover nearly everything that I use. And are often the best alternative, sometimes by quiet a large margin.
This degoogling process started years ago and is still in progress.
And then I also am "Regoogling" myself using new Google services. 🤦
(The title is a spin on Tor Norbye's 2010 tweet when he cryptically hinted he was joining Google.)
Why degoogling
Depending on just one company for a lot of my digital life is risky. Suddenly I may not be able to use any of their services or access my data. That could be very problematic.
Google might close down
Google/Alphabet may go bankrupt. Unlikely as they are a very profitable global company, but quick surprise financial disasters have struck big companies before.
Google might get banned
The UK or the EU may for some reason ban access to some of Google services. For lack of tax payments, monopoly infringements or political security reasons.
Or the US might ban access to European users for some whimsical reason.
Something like this might happen but usually with a lot of warning ahead of time and probably only affect a certain service temporarily.
Google might ban me
This is the most likely.
Many people misuse Google's services and are rightly banned.
Unfortunately as Google services are used by so many millions they automate most of their interactions with their "customers", including getting banned.
This has let to many false positives and innocent people getting banned. Some just temporary, some permanently from one of the services, and some a total and immediate ban from all services for life.
And the main problem is that it is Google's policy to not to tell you specifically what they think you have infringed. This makes it hard to figure out how to you can fix whatever the problem is. Whether is it is an error, a misunderstanding, just a mistake, or nothing wrong at all.
If one service ban in error might lead to a total ban, including your email, all your documents, all your photos, analytics, servers etc it is very risky to rely totally on one provider like Google.
I got banned
I had an early taste of the automated false positives as I had an Adwords account closed for no apparent reason which lead me to wake up and realise they might come for me so I started the formal process of degoogling myself.
Degoogled so far
Whilst I do host my own mail servers flurdy.com/docs/postfix, for my main accounts they were still hosted with GMail.
I have migrated these to Fastmail. Highly recommended.
Google search is still the best search engine.
But I have for a number of years used DuckDuckGo as my default search provider. But I still often refer to Google for some searches.
I got so fed up with Android several years ago that I switched to IOS and can't see myself changing that.
I wanted to be more in control of my blog, and as part of reducing risk by degoogling myself I migrated my blog to a self-hosted Jekyll instance.
I wrote a blog post on why I left Blogger, and one on how to migrate/create a Jekyll based blog.
Google Drive
I have always used Dropbox and never used Drive as an online storage.
5ish years ago I went back to use Firefox as my default browser. With the Multi-Account-Container addon to sandbox Google, Facebook, etc…
As mentioned Google closed my Adwords account. And since they specifically ban you from creating another account, I can't see any way for me to every use Adwords again. Nor recommend it to anyone else.
Photo by Goodfreephotos. Public domain
Still googling
For some services I have not found a good enough alternative or I am too lazy to switch away.
Google Maps
Google Maps is still the best mapping solution. Some alternatives are good and I try to use Apple Maps, OpenStreetMap, TomTom for some parts but still the default is to use Google Maps.
Google Docs
I have not yet found good enough alternatives to Google Docs for editing documents in a browser. Their spreadsheet and text editor is still the easiest and smoothest to use.
Whilst I have dabbled with other ad networks, Adsense is the easiest to use so I have no immediate plans to change that.
Google Analytics is easy to use, but if I might try others soon to avoid the snapshot based data issue.
Google App
The IOS search app is actually quite good, both as a search engine but also as a news aggregator.
Regoogling myself
At the same time as I am reducing my exposure to Google I am starting to use some of their other services more.
I have in the last few years started to use Google's Computing Platform, especially their Kubernetes based GKE. I have a few clusters on there for my own development and some live services. And might migrate more productions loads to GCP away from AWS and DigitalOcean. Though they have lately started to charge more which is an issue.
Not sure if the acquisition is approved/complete yet but I like my FitBit Charge. Though if ever Apple releases a watch that is not square and dorky like their current ones then I could be tempted. I blame Pebble for making me wear watches again.
I love my Google Nest Mini so much we now have 3 of them. And I can see myself buying other Nest products such as the doorbell.
Google Assistant
Though not foolproof I am impressed by Google Assistant. And much prefer to use it instead of Alexa and Siri.
Google Photos
I have some very old albums from the Picasa days. But I avoided their Photos service like a plague when Google forced us to use Google Plus which I refused.
Since Google Plus is no more and Google Photos is now a standalone service it is again an alternative especially as many people I know highly recommend it.
So I plan to start migrating my albums to it. Though still duplicated in iCloud Photos and Dropbox.
To Google or not to Google
Well both.
I think I have reduced my exposure and risk. And increased back up options. But I know I still am and will be heavily reliant on Google's services as they make great products.
Unless otherwise specified, all content is licensed under Creative Commons by Attribution 3.0 (CC-BY).
Externally linked images and content are not included and are licensed and copyrighted separately.


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Apple Vs. FBI Controversy: What's Wrong With Absolutes Like 'Privacy' And 'Security'
More than a week ago now Apple received an order by a federal judge to unlock the iPhone belonging to the San Bernardino attacker Syed Farook. Apple's ongoing legal battle to dismiss the order has sparked a debate of utmost national and international importance, simply framed as privacy vs. security. But there is more to consider than the pure absolutes in this case.
Apple vs. FBI
Instead of merely putting at stake two of our democratic core values this debate should be approached via a more balanced and streamlined consideration of the long-term implications for our society. This is not a debate about privacy and security but rather one about the current standing of our democracy and efficiency of the organs of administration that should be maintaining its pillars. The authorities' ability to infringe upon the citizens' privacy without their knowledge for the foreseeable future would undermine the civil liberties and the very means through which democracy operates, resulting in a 1984-esque society and making a myriad of conspiracy come true.
Over the past few days a number of Silicone Valley tech companies, including Microsoft, Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo and Google, have announced that they are backing up Apple in its battle for the maintenance of current encryption technologies, which allow the personal information and data stored on our devices to remain secure. Creating a new version of the current software allowing for the circumvention of those security features, or what Apple CEO Tim Cook describes as "an overreach by the U.S. government," would set up a dangerous precedent that would place us on the brink of an abuse of power that would compromise our essential democratic principle to control such abuses.
In a message to their customers sent on February 16, 2016, Apple explained the details surrounding the case, the FBI's demands and what is at stake:
The government would have us remove security features and add new capabilities to the operating system, allowing a passcode to be input electronically. This would make it easier to unlock an iPhone by "brute force," trying thousands or millions of combinations with the speed of a modern computer.
The implications of the government's demands are chilling. If the government can use the All Writs Act to make it easier to unlock your iPhone, it would have the power to reach into anyone's device to capture their data. The government could extend this breach of privacy and demand that Apple build surveillance software to intercept your messages, access your health records or financial data, track your location, or even access your phone's microphone or camera without your knowledge.
Conversely, the FBI argues that the increasing sophistication of encryption technologies has prevented the authorities from successfully fighting and preventing crime and terrorism as in the current San Bernardino case. Under the 1789 All Writs Act (AWA), signed by George Washington himself, the federal courts have the power to compel parties to do things within the law. The invoking of AWA, however, is questionable because of the act's lack of specificity. Furthermore, as Apple has maintained in court, the court order issued, asking Apple to fundamentally change the code in their operating system, is essentially unconstitutional because it infringes upon their First Amendment rights, under which code is recognized as speech. And if this
A week of entertainment news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.
And if this is not cause to seriously question the FBI's request and the possible outcomes, then what is? This truly begs the question why is there the need for such a radical change in the conventional methods of investigation. Is the bypassing of individual privacy the only way to efficiently fight crime in our day and age? How firm is the ground upon which democracy stands and how can its principles and branches be made to work together more successfully?
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A MAN who rugby-tackled an obese woman just as she was reaching the counter of Greggs has been hailed as a hero.
Following the chief medical officer's warning that obesity could cause more deaths than terrorism, fitness instructor Nathan Muir saw the threat in the Nuneaton bakers and decided there was no time to call police.
He said: "It was like everything went into slow motion.
"I saw the £20 cocked in her hand and knew that, as it was only half-eleven, the shop would be fully stocked with a devastating arsenal of steak bakes.
"Lives were at risk if I didn't act, and that gave me the energy I needed to burst through the door and bring her down without any thought for my own safety.
"When she recovers from her injuries, I'm sure she'll thank me."
Mayor of Nuneaton Susan Traherne said: "I knew Nathan took a tough line against female obesity in nightclubs and on social media, but now he's shown he can walk the walk.
"If only this country had a few hundred more like him."


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Website Devlopments
Internet is growing by leaps and bounds. No organization in today's world can afford to ignore the importance of web presence. Professional website design solutions make strong impact on the image of your company. It is very important when you are more concerned about exploring your business worldwide. If you are into the business, an owner of small or medium or big company, or a professional or free lancer you need to have your own website for many reasons. It is a most efficient way to get potential customers from all over the world through web presence.
Krishna Infoways, full-service IT solutions company is an India based complete website design and development services firm. The company is equipped with qualified and talented professionals capable of delivering the best of web design and development solutions including ecommerce projects on latest web technologies. The company is committed to offer professional website design and development solutions and more importantly to deliver them effectively and on time.
Our Web Design and Development Solutions Include:
>> Web Design Services
>> Website Redesign
>> Web Site Maintenance
>> Logo Designing
>> Flash intros
>> Movies and Animation's
>> Banner Designing
>> E-commerce Website Development
>> Custom Web Application Development
When it comes to custom web application development, we follow a strategic methodology to ensure we gain an in depth understanding of your business model and technological needs. This affords us the opportunity to tailor a solution that addresses your specific business challenges and needs.


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Okay this week in crime according to the Broward County Sun Sentinel we had a woman who received only a 60 day sentence after pleading to allegations of robbery by use of drugs. That sentence was out of the ordinary for the court that the newspapers reporting on the newspaper was reporting on this undoubtedly due to the fact that the sentence seemed extremely low for an individual accused of what's considered a pretty serious crime in Florida.
Based on my experience as a criminal defense attorney practicing the same jurisdiction, I would bet that there were some pretty good reasons that the judge had with respect to why this defendant only received a two-month incarceration sentence. Our felony criminal court judges as well as a misdemeanor court judges certainly know what they're doing and know what an appropriate sentence is for the particular severity of the crime charged. Remember the crime severity degree or level is but one factor in determining an appropriate sentence. Most importantly in any criminal prosecution are the facts and circumstances surrounding that particular case the exact same crime came from be committed in two ways that are entirely distinct from one another in terms of severity. My name is William Moore and I can be reached for comments on this issue by calling (954) 523-5323.
Crime News in Fort LauderdaleAlso on April 8, 2015 the Broward County Sun Sentinel reported on a pretty outrageous case of sexual assault and battery. And this is this is actually the second of this kind reported this week by the sun sentinel. Ian Charles Dewson, a man in his early 30s has been arrested for several counts of lewd or lascivious battery person between the ages of 12 and 16 this guy was caught by Broward Sheriff's office deputies having had sex numerous times throughout the course of one month with a girl who was only 14 years old at the time. There is evidence to suggest that Mr. Dewson took reasonable steps when trying to cover his tracks by removing any evidence from the crime scene which included the removal of use prophylactic devices. He did not, however think to avoid electronic communication such as text messages with the underage girl which seem to be some of the strongest evidence in the Broward County prosecutors case against him.
The victim apparently lives in a gated community with her parents refused to identify defendant Watson out of the police lineup and it is unclear whether or not she intends to part participate in the police investigation and/or prosecution. Evidence of electronic communications seems to be very important to the survivability of this case. Mr. Dewson was ordered held unles a $100,000 bond was posted. According to the Broward County Sheriff's website, Mr. Dewson is no longer in custody which leads us to believe that this bond has been posted.
It is worth mentioning that the 14-year-old victim has made statements to Broward Sheriff's detectives that were later found to be untrue however the untruths appear to be attempts to protect Mr. Dewson from being prosecuted and may not necessarily weaken the state attorney's case against him.
Just yesterday we had another sex case reported in Broward County. This one involved an organized scheme designed to either single out or convince young girls to have sex for money. The plan utilized social media sites. Specifically, the defendant befriended underage girls through casual conversation in order to learn things about them which included whether or not they would be willing to have sex for money. Those that would were singled out by the defendant who had sexual intercourse with as many as three of the underage girls. His bond was set at $100,000
Our next case this week doesn't involve allegations of sex crime it does it did happen at a strip club. BSO deputies yes more of them in trouble again. Apparently this time a group of Broward Sheriff's deputies were working privately for cash under the table in exchange not only for security services but also for some pretty significant perks. The pink pony strip club located in Pompano Beach must have thought that it hit the jackpot upon learning that they could extend the hours of operation well beyond 4 AM as required by all well beyond 2 AM as required by so many of the nightclubs serving alcohol in Broward County. The ability for bars especially one that is also a strip club has been a hot issue in Broward County for years. Staying open later equates to a heck of a lot more money for the club's owners. Apparently in this most recent case the Broward Sheriff's deputies were allowing the pink pony to stay open in exchange for money. This is tantamount to receiving compensation the deputies were receiving unlawful lawful compensation and receiving a benefit in exchange for their failing their civic duties to which they swore to uphold. Officers the officers involved are also two of alleged to have looked the other way during drug transactions and following the arrests. Following the arrests, things just seem to get worse for these officers as telephone calls were made to the potential witnesses that would testify against them. Records indicate that significant attempts were made to convince them to do otherwise by the suspected officers. It is unknown at this time as to whether or not witness tampering charges will be filed against the officers involved.
Attorney William are more has been practicing in Broward County Florida four years. He often speaks openly about recent allegations current allegations against Broward Sheriff's deputies as well as Fort Lauderdale police officers such as in the recent Scott Rothstein case. He can be reached for comment on any issue regarding unlawful compensation of police officers by calling (954) 523-5333


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Some Churches Need To Die!
Some churches need to die! This sounds harsh, but it's true.
The past 30 days, our Conference has closed 2 churches (out of 30). Both of these churches should have died! Thankfully, this year we planted one church and are being joined by up to three more…
My newest gauge for an "effective church" is simply this: If your church disappeared tomorrow, would it leave a gaping hole in your community? If there would be no gaping hole upon your disappearance, your church should die! Effective churches are making an impact for Christ in their communities! Ineffective churches somehow perpetuate unfruitfulness. Salt and light are commanded and observable, the absence of salt and light is inexcusable and are thrown away, or worse, burned.
Asked another way, if your church disappeared tomorrow, would anyone outside your church even notice? If the answer is no, your church is impotent and slow death is imminent. Why would God bless your church to continue? We aren't supposed to be clubs or social centers; we are supposed to be hospitals for the sick and orphanages for the alone. Effective churches are vital to their communities!
BEING SMART ABOUT CONGREGATIONAL CHANGE, by Diane Zemke, PhD at Gonzaga University, illustrated well the life cycle of most churches:
"All living things have lifecycles. They are born (or sprouted), they grow, mature, age, and eventually die. We are all very familiar with this pattern and familiar with the effects time has on living things. This pattern occurs with non-living entities as well. Institutions and organizations are born as very small groups or even ideas. They grow and become larger and more influential. As time moves forward, their growth and influence plateau. Eventually, the organization or institution dwindles and dies. This death can be a take-over, a closing, or a sale, but the organization, as it was originally conceived, no longer exists." [1]
Unfortunately, a rather large portion of the churches in my Conference are in plateau or decline. As a Conference Superintendent, I am humbled to see churches in all the life stages above—birth, growth, plateau, dwindle, death.
I think many denominations in America are the same as us. Fortunately, God through his Holy Spirit, revitalizes old bones, makes new paradigms, and reinvents local church vision.
Zemke had a section devoted to "economics" which is right up my dissertation alley. Finally, we have a stewardship bridge to my research, yippee. She states, "The economic times can affect how congregational members think about congregational finances. Do members worry over every last penny and argue over the price of toilet paper? Or do they take on debt and overspend? Those congregations founded with a Depression-era cohort, which had a similar economic situation as today, may struggle with spending for the life of the congregation. Alternately, those congregations founded when money was easier may face the world believing money will always be available. They may be more open to risk-taking but also struggle with meeting the bills even with good cash flow." [2]
Let's look into my two churches that just closed, from a financial perspective. I realize finances were not the problem, only a symptom of the problem. As the late Larry Burkett used to say, "How someone handles their finances is actually a spiritual indicator." [3]
Church Y had over 60 people connected to the church, had some money in the bank, although offerings were in decline. Their mission statement talked about the importance of the Great Commission but 100% of their every dollar was spent internally. In fact, not a single penny was expended outside the four walls of the building. They had 7 people getting paid to do ministry for the church, but hardly anyone outside the 7 used their spiritual gifts serve others and live out the command "While you go, make disciples." [4] when 5 of the 7 leaders got burned out and considered other plans, the church died. Gratefully, the church had a death with dignity after realizing their church had reached the end of their life span. They blessed another church with the residual finances.
Church W had over 100 people connected to the life of the church. A whistle blew and the check engine light came on, so we dove under the hood. Three weeks later the church was dead! We realized the church was like a house of cards, solely relying on the charisma of its leader. He was the most positive person on planet earth, but over promised and under delivered. They started a building campaign when the church was growing, but mis-spent $67,000 of designated funds. The Pastor signed authorizations to proceed with building, against the advice of his leaders, and without proper permits. I am currently writing off a $100,000 loss and have weekly meetings with several lawyers. It more than kinda sucks.
I so much appreciated Dr. Zemke's thoughts on being "change agents" [5] and I am thankful for her words, "Business wisdom regarding change and high performance does not transfer easily or well into a congregational framework. Business wisdom must be adapted to a framework that lacks external motivation for change, is concerned about maintaining community over growth, and doesn't have authentic metrics to measure success." [6]
I also was immediately drawn to her book title about being SMART about change…[7] Thank you Diane!
[1] Zemke, Diane. Being Smart About Congregational Change. Kindle Edition. Spokane, WA: Createspace Independent Publishers, 2014. Loc 631.
[2] Ibid., Loc 132.
[3]Burkett, Larry. The Complete Financial Guide for Young Couples. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1993. 42.
[4]Barker, Kenneth L. Zondervan NIV Study Bible: New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008. Matthew 28:19-20.
[5] Zemke, Diane. Being Smart About Congregational Change. Kindle Edition. Spokane, WA: Createspace Independent Publishers, 2014. Loc 38.
[6] Ibid., Loc 324.
[7] Ibid., Loc 2.
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Radio 4's fifteen minute profile of Andy Coulson
- Max Clifford questions Andy Coulson's maturity while at the News of the World.
- Peter Oborne says he was "horrified" at David Cameron's appointment of Andy Coulson given what had happened at the News of the World.
- Tim Montgomerie says Coulson helped save the Conservative Party from Gordon Brown's mid-2007 plans for a honeymoon election.
- Laura Kuenssberg notes Andy Coulson's important role in helping David Cameron manage tragedy in the public spotlight, including the death of his son and father.


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text: We are happy to announce that our Instagram has been launched! ? Don't hesitate to have a look and check our first posts. We'll be using this account to share our know-how of IT recruitment, remote work and Digital Nomads trends. In addition, we will try to make it colorful and with a bit of humor. ? We'll be happy if you are interested in the content that we create for you and encourage you to follow our profile. If you feel like it, feel free to comment, share or like our posts. See you on Instagram! ? #WeAreEagles https://www.instagram.com/p/CRWuB9NrZ8p/


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Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more.
View All Calendars is the default. Choose Select a Calendar to view a specific calendar. Subscribe to calendar notifications by clicking on the Notify Me® button, and you will automatically be alerted about the latest events in our community.
Don't miss out on the festive fall fun at your South Branch Library as we gear up for our Annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest. Anyone may enter the contest as an individual, or a team, but only one pumpkin entry per person or team can be entered. Once you have your pumpkin, decorate it using paint and other art supplies (no carving) and return it to your library. The library may have a limited supply of pumpkins available for you to pick up and decorate, or you can feel free to get one of your own, just be sure to keep all decorations family-friendly.
Your decorated pumpkins can be returned to the South Branch Library during regular business hours between October 19-22. Once we have all the entries, we'll display them at the library for the week of October 23-30 and that's when the public is encouraged to come in and vote for their favorites. You may do so in person, or by going online to our Facebook page to vote for your favorite with a "like" on the photo in the created album. Winners will be announced on Tuesday, October 31 and candy prizes will be awarded to the winners. All pumpkins can then be collected the following week until November 5. All pumpkins not picked up will be disposed of by the library.
If you have any questions, contact Alyssa Crow at 325-698-7565.


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The Million-Mile 2007 Toyota Tundra Pickup: The Teardown
The high-mileage truck was torn down to check its health—here's what Toyota found.
Four and a half years ago, the odometer in owner Victor Sheppard's 2007 Toyota Tundra pickup passed one million miles, with the truck still on its original engine, transmission, and paint—an impressive feat for a vehicle just nine years old. Toyota thought so, too, swapping the heavily used rig for a brand-new model and sending the Million-Mile Tundra on a months-long tour of various company facilities. Once that was complete, the Million-Mile Tundra's body, interior, and mechanicals were torn down to examine how well its constituent parts held up during its high-mileage duty cycle. The plan was to identify any defects and work with engineering to increase future quality. Here's what Toyota found:
It was the night shift on March 28, 2007, at Toyota's Huntsville, Alabama, engine plant when the Beast's 4.7-liter V-8 began life as a nondescript piece of cast iron. Machined on site and then transported on a line around the facility, the engine was quality-checked several times before making its way onto a shipping crate bound for Toyota's San Antonio, Texas, assembly plant. The engine was one of several thousand the facility would build that year.
When the plant opened in 2003, it only built the 4.7-liter 2UZ-FE engine and was the only facility outside of Japan to build a V-8. Being a new plant with a small group of employees helped create a family atmosphere, as the employees focused on quality in an attempt to make an impression on Japanese headquarters. "Our goal was to make the best quality we could." Shane Perry, Toyota production group leader said. "I don't think a million miles ever crossed our minds, at least not mine."
When the Million-Mile Tundra's engine ultimately made its way back home, the Huntsville team was very eager to examine it. However, exactly how they would do so created a considerable debate. Perry wanted to start the process by putting the engine on a dynamometer to see how its performance had degraded over time. However, Bruce Myatt, Toyota quality manager, was very concerned about damaging the engine. Also making the dynamometer issue tough was the fact that Huntsville doesn't build the 2UZ-FE engine anymore. Its dynamometer is set up for only the engines the plant currently builds, and it would need to make or modify parts, and even scavenge one from a display, to connect the engine to the dyno. "Perry called me one night and said they'd hooked it up," said Myatt. "I was hesitant. He said it idled really well."
The next night, the team turned it over and pushed the engine to its 5,700-rpm redline. "It was exciting to see the power figures from the engine in our cell," said Gary Baker, quality team leader. "The engine performed better than many new engines off our line. " Perry says the better numbers are likely due to the engine being broken in. However, for a mill with a million miles on it, the strong dynamometer results were impressive. The team now knew they had a good engine on their hands.
Related: Top 10 Toyota Engines of All Time
Tearing down would confirm their suspicions. From the piston heads, valve stems, crankshaft journals, and the block itself, the engine was in impeccable condition. Examining the parts in person was quite amazing. There was very little carbon buildup on the valve stems, the cross hatching was still visible on the cylinder walls, and the crankshaft journals had no visible wear marks. The only real blemish found was one slight mark on a bearing.
"We remeasured the head, the block, and cams in our lab," said Connie Roberts, Toyota quality manager. "Nothing was abnormal. It wasn't within specifications, but after a million miles it isn't going to be. The biggest surprise to me was the bearings. They are probably the cleanest I've ever seen come out of an engine. "
After examining the parts, measuring them against specs and testing the engine on the dyno, the team was pleasantly happy to discover that, as it sits, the engine would have scored a 99/100 on their quality tests—high enough to pass it as a good engine. "We have seen our durability test engines have a considerable amount more wear and tear than this engine," Myatt said several times during our visit. Each time he said it, he smiled.
The Rest of the 2007 Toyota Tundra
Sitting 615 miles north of Huntsville lays the rest of the Tundra, now a collection of parts for the first time since it was on the assembly line in April 2007. Like the Alabama team, Toyota engineers didn't initially start tearing it down. Rather, they all were eager to drive it, including one of the original ride and handling engineers from when the truck was first being developed.
"It held up extremely well," said Stephen Provost, senior principal engineer in vehicle performance development. "The performance at the end was amazingly close to the original truck. We do an initial mileage accumulation with the trucks and then we drive them after that to get a sense of how they will perform through what would be considered a normal life cycle. It was amazing to see how close this Tundra was to a normal-accumulation-mile vehicle."
Impressed with the driving dynamics of the truck even after all the miles, the team started a meticulous disassembly process, including removing the body from the frame. Each part was labeled and placed with similar parts on a collection of shelves. As with their Alabama colleagues, what they didn't find is the amazing part of the story.
The most obvious visual cue that Sheppard really used the truck is the bed. With it removed and elevated on a rolling stand, the engineering team was able to thoroughly examine the bed from all angles. Viewing the dents from the top and underneath, the team didn't find a single instance of a deformity due to engineering shortfalls. In fact, the only major damage is found on the wheel wells, which Sheppard told the team was due to pallets, a common item he loaded into the bed, being wider than advertised.
Remarkably, the tailgate itself still worked, even after Sheppard's numerous cross-country hauls, which ranged from 1,500 to 2,700 pounds, were loaded and unloaded. The only casualty was the dampener, which, to no one's surprise, didn't work as well as a brand-new unit. "We can learn from the truck and how it was used," said Kevin Gileo, executive program manager for the Tundra, "then feed that data back into the future development of the truck."
Additional areas of interest are the frame and leaf springs. Sheppard carried a considerable amount of weight long distances through a variety of weather and road conditions. With Toyota's history of frame rust issues, as well as the amount of weight often loaded into the bed, the expectation was there would be something to see. Like much of the truck, however, the unremarkable becomes remarkable. The frame didn't show any surface rust and the leaf springs were in good shape.
"It is surprising with the loading this went through, how well the leaf springs held up," said Gileo. "To be honest, we don't really have a million-mile expectation, but it met the expectation [we did have]." It really is remarkable how well multiple items still work. For example, the driver's side door latch, an item Sheppard used thousands of times, still worked exactly to specifications. The center-console latch and the glovebox tell the same story. Then there is the driver's seat. This was a key item for Toyota engineers considering Sheppard said he often slept in the truck, and he's not exactly a small guy. In fact, the seat was such a source of excitement and curiosity among the engineers it was shipped to Japan to be examined by a team there.
Having been returned to the U.S. technical center prior to our visit, it sat alongside the cloth interior that once covered it. After being thoroughly reviewed by American and Japanese engineers, the seat was found to be completely functional and meeting specification. "Seat architecture isn't just a Tundra product, this is used in a variety of Toyota and Lexus products globally and various engineers wanted to see it. It's impressive how well it held up." Seat development involves a lot of testing, but can't replicate this amount of use. Toyota engineers did find one tear on the cloth about the length of a quarter. This tear could have been from a variety of things and was a concern until they noticed the tear was just on the surface layer. It never made it through to the seat padding.
The reality is this truck—designed in Michigan, built in Texas, unique to Toyota's global portfolio, and with a million miles on it—could still be on the road today with such a short list of needed repairs that a mechanic wouldn't believe you. When the interior was stripped down to bare metal, as another example, it proved rust-free and looked very much like it did when the cabin trimmings were installed for the first time.
What's Next for the Million-Mile Tundra?
With the truck thoroughly disassembled, both the Toyota Technical Center and Huntsville, Alabama, plant had similar plans: to bring in suppliers to look over their specific parts and continue to show off the components to various Toyota engineers. Then each group rebuilt the truck in a specific way for display. Huntsville intended to use it as a training tool for new employees when they talk about quality. Later, the Toyota Technical Center planned to set up a permanent display. In each case, the Million-Mile Tundra stands as a physical embodiment of Toyota's mantra of quality, durability, and reliability. Well, until Sheppard brings in another million-mile Tundra to replace it.


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- November 2021 (Revised May 2022)
- HBS Case Collection
QuantumScape's Mission to Revolutionize Energy Storage for a Sustainable Future
By: William A. Sahlman, Allison M. Ciechanover and Jeff Huizinga
QuantumScape CEO Jagdeep Singh juggles the many activities required to lead the next-generation battery pioneer. Founded in 2010, QuantumScape's mission was to develop new "solid-state" car batteries that would improve upon traditional lithium-ion batteries in key areas such as range, charging speed, durability, cost, and safety. Success, they believed, would accelerate the transition from gasoline-powered cars to electric vehicles. Between 2010 and late 2020, QuantumScape operated in stealth mode and raised venture financing totaling more than $800 million. The team grew to over 200 employees, nearly all scientists and engineers working on the technical challenges associated with creating a solid-state battery that could be produced at scale. By summer 2020 it was clear to Singh and the board that the company required more capital to help fund its commercialization plan. In November 2020, QuantumScape went public by merging with a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC). Now, with that capital in hand, production facilities under construction, and a signed joint venture with Volkswagen, Singh expected to see cars with its batteries on highways by 2025.
Batteries; Electric Vehicles; SPACs; Innovation and Management; Technological Innovation; Science-Based Business; Environmental Sustainability; Auto Industry; Energy Industry; California; San Jose
Sahlman, William A., Allison M. Ciechanover, and Jeff Huizinga. "QuantumScape's Mission to Revolutionize Energy Storage for a Sustainable Future." Harvard Business School Case 822-044, November 2021. (Revised May 2022.)


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Are You Affected By The Cyberattack On Excellus BCBS
More than 7 million may be affected by the cyberattack on Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield. Hackers may now have your personal information.Here is a statement from Christopher C. Booth, President and CEO of Excellus:
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield was targeted in a very sophisticated cyberattack. We recognize the frustration and concern that this news may cause, and we are making services available to protect you and your information moving forward.
We are providing two years of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services. You can sign up for these services today. We have also established a toll-free number – 1-877-589-3331 – where you can call with questions related to this incident.
Excellus BCBS investigation revealed that the first attack occurred December 23, 2013, and the FBI was notified. The investigation also determined that the attackers may have gained unauthorized access to individuals' information, which could include name, date of birth, Social Security number, mailing address, telephone number, member identification number, financial account information and claims information. This incident also affected members of other Blue Cross Blue Shield plans who sought treatment in the 31 county upstate New York service area of Excellus BCBS. Individuals who do business with us and provided us with their financial account information or Social Security number are also affected.
According to the Excellus website, this incident affects members, patients, or others who have done business with the impacted plans listed:
- BlueCard Members
- BlueCross BlueShield of Central New York
- BlueCross BlueShleld of the Rochester Area
- BlueCross BlueShield of Utica-Watertown Area
- Excellus BlueCross BlueShield


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Unintentionally I have carved out something of a niche in my repertoire, in the form of evaluation. I'm not sure if its because I naturally love to disect and deconstruct what is seemingly apparent to see what else is really going on; or whether it's simply because other people don't enjoy it and are happy to hand it to someone else. (I'm lucky in that much of my evaluation work comes through recommendation). I know at times it's because organisations know in great detail so many things about what they do and the way they work, but need to be able to show that they have explored this objectively, and so hire an external consultant. Often I never know how much it influences organisations to change, adapt and experiment, though I have one client who I know does read them with a fine tooth comb, come back to me query and delve deeper into some parts, and act on it annually, which is very rewarding indeed. For reasons not exciting enough to share here, I spent much of today re-reading past evaluation reports and realising how fascinating this process of reflection really is. It was refreshing to read these again, with space and time, for what they really say, rather than in a proof reading and contract fulfilling, deadline looming frame of mind. There are themes, successes and challenges which regularly crop up across all the evaluation work I do which disheartens me a little, I wonder why it's necessary to keep reinventing the wheel and make the same mistakes at the expense of scarce public funding. But I also know there's nothing like first-hand experiential learning to build people's professional development, that circumstances are different for everyone and something that works at one place may not in another, and the only way to really find out is to try. But for what it's worth I will be trying to share some of these reports and uploading them here as resources in the hope that they might help others (with clients' permissions of course). Meanwhile this one, Little Acorns, explores artists and other creative practitioners working in early years settings as part of Liverpool Capital of Culture, and is already in the public domain so feel free... Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
...BlogI'm most interested in how the public, your public, whoever that may be, engages with culture and creativity.
And if it nurtures creativity and develops personal, social or professional skills I'm absolutely all ears. Categories
May 2023


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Tough new restrictions are set to be imposed upon our daily lives this week as England battles to drive Covid-19 cases down.
From Thursday (November 5), the country will go into its second national lockdown amid fears that the second wave is spiralling out of control, with Boris Johnson saying it would be a "medical and moral disaster" not to act.
New data from the MRC Biostatistics Unit at the University of Cambridge puts the R number above 1 in most regions and the group estimates that the daily number of new infections each day across England is 77,600.
Under new rules, published last night, people will be told to stay at home for four weeks.
The lockdown will largely mirror the first national lockdown imposed in March, although there will be some differences to the rules.
Schools and workplaces are allowed to remain open and there are more exemptions for leaving your home.
Here is what you can and can't do from Thursday.
You can leave your house to take exercise and buy necessities
People are advised to stay at home as much as possible - unless they have a reasonable excuse, reports the Mirror.
Exemptions to the rules include buying necessities for your household or someone vulnerable.
You can exercise outside as much as you like, either alone or with members of your own household.
There is a new rule allowing you to meet one friend or family member from another household in a public space to exercise.
Visiting a church, mosque, synagogue or other place of worship for individual prayers is allowed.
Estate agents can remain open and people can attend house viewings as well as moving house.
Visits to waste disposal units and recycling centres are allowed.
Medical appointments can continue and you can provide respite care for vulnerable people.
Deathbed visits are allowed by close family members and friends.
Schools can remain open
A big change from the last lockdown is that schools and universities can remain open.
The Government and Labour have agreed that keeping children in the classroom is vital, after many spent months away from school.
Universities are also allowed to stay open, though many are doing the majority of teaching virtually already.
People who cannot do their jobs at home can continue to work
Workplaces can remain open under Covid-secure guidelines if necessary.
This means industries such as construction and manufacturing are allowed to continue operating.
People who can work from home are advised to do so during the four-week lockdown.
There are exemptions for childcare
Parents can still access some childcare if needed while they work or provide care for others.
Early years settings can remain open and some youth support can continue.
Children whose parents are separated can still travel between households.
Holidays are banned and you should not travel out of your area
People should reduce the number of journeys they make and avoid travelling outside of their local area.
Holidays abroad are banned and you cannot go on holiday in England, including to a second home.
Overnight stays away from your home are banned except if you need to for work or education purposes.
Most gatherings are banned
Household meet-ups are banned indoors unless they fall under specific exemptions, such as childcare.
Outdoor meet-ups are allowed with one person from outside your household in a public place, such as a park or a beach.
You cannot meet up with a friend in your garden.
Children under 5 and carers are not included in the limits.
Support groups of up to 15 people are allowed in public places, such as for victims of crime, new parents, LGBT support groups and those who have suffered bereavement.
Expectant mothers can have their partner or a close friend with them, as can people staying in hospital, a hospice or a care home.
Restaurants can sell takeaway booze... if ordered in advance
Pubs and restaurants have been ordered to close under the new rules.
But they can continue to sell takeaway food and drinks for consumption elsewhere.
Sales of takeaway pints were initially expected to be banned but the regulations reveal a loophole for ordering alcohol by phone, online or by post.
This means a 'restricted business' - such as a pub - can sell alcohol for consumption off the premises up to 10pm.
It appears the loophole is to allow takeaways to sell booze with food as drinking takeaway pints on the pavement or outside pubs is not allowed.
Leisure facilities must close
Gyms, leisure centres and other sports facilities such as swimming pools, dance studios and soft play centres must close.
Outdoor facilities such as golf courses, driving ranges and riding centres must also shut.
Professional athletes will be allowed to continue to attend training and competitions.
But grassroots sport is banned, including children's sport.
Funerals can continue take place
Funerals can take place with up to 30 mourners.
Wakes or gatherings after the ceremony can also take place with 15 guests, as long as the event is not held at home.
Weddings are banned except in "exceptional circumstances" - although it is not clear yet what this means.
Businesses that can stay open
Retailers regarded as essential can stay open.
Here's the full list:
- Food shops, newsagents and off-licences
- Pharmacies
- Hardware stores and building merchants
- Petrol stations and garages
- Bike shops
- Taxi and vehicle hire services
- Banks, building societies, credit unions, currency exchanges
- Post offices
- Funeral directors
- Laundrettes and dry cleaners
- Health services such as dentists, opticians, osteopaths and mental health services
- Vets and pet shops
- Agriculture supplies shops
- Storage facilities
- Car parks
- Public toilets
- Garden centres
Rule-breakers face massive fines
People who flout the rules could be fined up to £6,400.
Fines start at £100 if paid within 14 days, otherwise it's £200. These penalties double each time for repeat offenders.
Businesses can be slapped with £10,000 fines, starting at £1,000 in the first instance and rising with further offences.
When will these measures end?
The restrictions automatically expire after 28 days. The Government will then set out what its next steps will be.
MPs have been promised a vote on what happens next amid anger from Tory backbenchers over the restrictions.
Keep up to date with all the latest news
Download the LancsLive app for free on iPhone here and Android here.
You can sign up for free daily updates with the LancsLive newsletter here.
To keep updated, follow LancsLive on Facebook and @LiveLancs on Twitter.
Have you got news for us? Contact our newsdesk on firstname.lastname@example.com.
Do these restrictions apply across the UK?
No, these rules only apply in England.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have separate lockdown rules.


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Google's April Fools' prank puts Pokemon in the real world
The search giant's latest addition to its Maps smartphone app includes 150 "catchable" Pokemon, part of a hoax we can only hope foreshadows augmented reality uses down the line.
An augmented reality Pokemon game utilizing Google Maps sounds too good to be true. Unfortunately, on the eve of April Fools' Day, Google is pulling a fast one on diehard Pokemon fanatics, albeit in the best way possible.
Using a slick, well-produced YouTube video featuring some unprecedented augmented reality software, Google launched a fake competition wherein one person who seeks out every Pokemon hidden in real-world locations can join Google in the role of the Pokemon Master.
Google has been known to pull a prank or two -- in recent years more like a dozen -- every April since 2000, with the effort getting seemingly more involved and epic in scope each year. In 2013 alone, Google announced YouTube was shutting down for 10 years to pick a "winning video," debuted a treasure hunt mode for Google Maps, announced a beta launch of a smell-searching product called Google Nose, and released a fake Gmail update that was said to make the product better by making it the color blue.
So the Google Maps Pokemon Challenge is but one of what will likely be a large number of hoaxes to continue rolling out today and tomorrow. The video showcases some extreme scenarios and illogical feats, like rock-climbing with your Nexus 5 to seek out a hidden creature in a cave and attempting to catch a rare Pokemon mid-parachute descent as it whizzes by.


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Breaking Down Justin Bieber's 'Changes,' Billie Eilish's Bond Moment and More in First Stream Podcast
Happy Valentine's Day, First Stream listeners! It's been another week of new music, and the Billboard First Stream Live podcast is breaking down what you need to know about every major release.
In Friday's episode (Feb. 14), co-hosts Fernando Ventura and Chelsea Briggs dive into Justin Bieber's highly-anticipated fifth studio album, Changes, and chat with Billie Eilish about her new theme song for the upcoming James Bond movie, No Time to Die.
Elsewhere in the episode, they run down Monsta X's English-language LP, All About Luv, the longing title track for Sam Smith's upcoming third album, To Die For, Tame Impala's The Slow Rush, the heralded return of Huey Lewis and the News with Weather and more.
Stream this week's episode of First Stream Live below.


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Something extraordinary happened.
A record became a hit, a new technology was proven to work, someone raised their hand and asked an important question…
On this date, someone took a chance, connected, opened a door or showed up with generosity.
We can celebrate each of these momentous events today. The best way is by doing it again.


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Why Don't Californians Talk About Politics?
That was the question posed by a Zocalo forum this evening here in Los Angeles. I wasn't there — I was actually at my daughter's school's ice cream social, talking with other parents about politics, actually. But had I been at the forum, I would have mentioned one partial theory that a friend of mine, …
Continue reading "Why Don't Californians Talk About Politics?"


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Former Chiefs wide receiver Bobby Engram moved on to the coaching ranks after a long and productive NFL career, and now he will continue to do so at the University of Pittsburgh with new head coach Paul Chryst. The former Penn State star was named to Chryst's staff today as his new wide receivers coach after spending last year as an assistant with the San Francisco 49ers. From the release:
Engram played 14 years in the NFL with the Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs. He's arguably the greatest receiver to ever come out of Penn State as a three-time All-American and three-time All-Big Ten selection from 1993-95.
Engram still ranks as the Nittany Lions' all-time leader in receiving yards (3,026), receiving touchdowns (31) and 100-yard receiving games (16). He is second in receptions (167) behind Deon Butler (179).
Engram played only one season in Kansas City in 2009 and it was his final year in the NFL.


text: Zelienople (Pittsburgh – 28) COORDINATES: 40.799811, -80.138028 (original location) COUNTY: Butler DISTANCE TO NEXT: Pittsburgh - 28 EXPLANATION OF NAME: Named for Beautiful Daughter of Dr. Detmar Basse FOUNDED: 1803 MANUFACTURER: ? SHAPE: Standard 1-sided STATUS: Unknown. April 1978 photo by Fred Yenerall Originally US 19 at north end of town near Connoquenessing Creek


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Lithuania's economic comeback over the past five years has been impressive, according to the IMF. Real GDP has surpassed its previous peak and external and internal imbalances have been corrected. Euro adoption in January went smoothly and came with important upgrades to policy frameworks. Financial stability has increased further. Resilient growth in the face of recent external challenges speaks to Lithuania's strong economic fundamentals and augurs well for the future, but risks in the external environment persist, the IMF warns.
The Article IV discussions focused on policies to support the next chapter of convergence with standards of living in Western Europe and to ensure continued stability in the face of population ageing and wage convergence with the EU. When it comes to fiscal policy, repair of public finances has come a long way in Lithuania, but there is a need for some further consolidation to build fiscal space. Structural reforms to defuse spending pressures, raise spending quality, and reduce the tax burden on labour are also called for, the IMF says.
Lithuania's authorities, according to the IMF, should take corrective measure this year to avoid backsliding, target a structural fiscal balance of -0.5 percent of GDP from 2016 onward to put the public debt ratio on a downward trajectory, and articulate a strategy for fiscal structural reform.
Investment and innovation in Lithuania need to be stepped up. With one of the most challenging demographic profiles in Europe, Lithuania needs to make the most of available labour resources. The labour market is rather flexible in practice, but the rigid and poorly applied labour code should be modernised, mismatches between skills taught by the education system and those sought by the labour market need to be addressed, and budget-neutral alternatives to currently high labour taxation should be actively considered, IMF believes.
Economic growth in Lithuania should remain largely unchanged at 2.8 percent from last year in 2015, as positive external factors counterbalance negative ones and domestic demand remains robust, IMF predicts. The economic recovery in the euro area and low energy prices are major boons, but the deepening recession in the CIS and geopolitical uncertainty will hold back growth of exports and investment. Risks are moderately tilted to the downside, with deepening geopolitical tensions the main concern, although the effect of lower energy prices could surprise on the upside. Inflation will turn positive again, but average below zero for the year as a whole.


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Giannini, Tyler
Tyler Giannini is the Clinical Director of Human Rights Program, and a Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School. Prior to coming to HLS, Tyler was co-director of EarthRights International (ERI), an organization at the forefront of efforts to link human rights and environmental protection. As a founder of ERI, Giannini spent the past decade in Thailand conducting investigative fact-finding efforts on human rights abuses in Burma and groundbreaking corporate accountability litigation.
Working Group(s) / Area(s) of Work:


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Surat-based Alpha Plastomers is a small but fast-growing packaging film manufacturer which has carved out a niche in the Indian market and is gradually expanding overseas. Alpha Plastomers has been aggressively working towards expanding its market share in developed regions of the world, namely USA and Europe, by exhibiting in major shows like interpack and Pack Expo International.
The company manufactures flexible packaging solutions like POF shrink films and speciality products such as collation shrink films and mulch films. Alpha Plastomers also manufactures PET bottles for the pharmaceutical industry.
At Plastindia 2018, Alpha Plastomers is showcasing its complete range of products which are already well established in the market. It is also promoting two recently developed products: printed shrink sleeves and hot perforated packaging films.
"These two newly developed solutions are very niche; in fact, we are India's first and only company to make hot perforated films locally. These solutions have a great potential in the food packaging segment as India is a huge producer of food items such as eggs, meat, bread, sandwiches, etc. There is a dearth of quality packaging material for food items like these," says Saurabh Agarwal, director, Alpha Plastomers.
Talking about the salient features of the hot perforated films, Agarwal says that it helps in increasing the breathability of food items, enhancing the shelf life of the product. "Another interesting feature of hot perforated film is that one can even print on it. This can help brand owners up the brand value of the product being sold," he shares.
The company has two manufacturing plants located at Daman and Roorkee. The combined production capacity for shrink films is about 350 tons per month, which is expected to increase to 400 tons per month by next month.
Mulch films
Alpha Plastomers started manufacturing mulch films last year, which are used in the agricultural sector. The black & white mulch films guard cultivation from insects and weeds besides improving crop growth by preventing water and necessary nutrients from evaporating.
"We showed our mulch films at interpack 2017 and since then we have grown in this category as well," Agarwal shares.
The company will be next seen promoting its products at Pack Expo Mexico, which will take place in June this year.


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Stress Gene Regulates Brain Cell Power and Connections in Rodents
A gene activated by stress adjusts energy output and synapse number of prefrontal cortex neurons, finds a study of male mice and rats published in JNeurosci. The results were validated in brain tissue of deceased patients with Alzheimer's disease and depression, two disorders known to be aggravated by stress.
Margarita Arango-Lievano, Freddy Jeanneteau and colleagues found that the gene NR4A1 is involved in regulating mitochondria, the cellular powerhouse, of PFC neurons in response to stress. This may help conserve the cells' energy in the context of immediate stress when demand is high. However, excessive activity of this gene during chronic stress may interfere with the normal functioning of circuits between the PFC and the rest of the brain through its impact on connectivity of individual cells. The researchers show that altering the expression of NR4A1 in animals exposed to chronic stressors protects PFC cells from synaptic loss. This gene may therefore represent a target to explore in future studies of stress-related disorders.
Article: The stress-induced transcription factor NR4A1 adjusts mitochondrial function and synapse number in prefrontal cortex
Corresponding authors: Margarita Arango-Lievano, firstname.lastname@example.com and Freddy Jeanneteau (Institut de génomique fonctionnelle, INSERM, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, France), firstname.lastname@example.com


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The city of Del Mar and the California Coastal Commission have put off a decision that would have tackled the difficult issue of managing climate change.
The coastal regulators and San Diego's smallest coastal city are locked in a battle over how to plan for sea-level rise.
The upscale enclave of about 4,500 residents is just over two square miles in size, but it could impact how communities along the California coast plan for climate change.
That is in large part because sea-level rise threatens more than $1 billion worth of prime coastal real estate.
"That's a difficult issue in Del Mar," said Terry Gaasterland, a Del Mar City Council Member. "Because we have 600 homes that are vulnerable and at-risk if we initiate managed retreat on the beachfront homes."
Homes right along the beach are actually in a better spot.
Those houses sit about 13 feet above sea level. Gaasterland says homes behind them are only seven to five feet above.
RELATED: Del Mar, California Coastal Commission Clash Over Climate Change Plan
And there is no appetite for giving the property back to the ocean.
So Del Mar's plan is to bolster local beaches with sand and protect lower-lying homes close to a lagoon and river with a natural berm.
That's enough for now, argue city officials, and it will be enough for the next few decades.
"After that 50-year mark, after 2070. The cone of uncertainty broadens. And so to plan for the worst-case scenario is to plan for great extremes... that we don't know what timeline it's on."
State not convinced
But the California Coastal Commission is not convinced the Del Mar local coastal plan does enough.
Commission staff is recommending rejecting the coastal development blueprint unless the city accepts 25 amendments.
The coastal staff praised the city for its near term plan but found the document lacking when it comes to long-term strategies. City officials worry those changes are just a clever way to introduce managed retreat.
"And buried in those 25 changes is what I characterize as take-backs. It is an undermining of the basic premise that they're letting us go with our plan A. They're not," said Dwight Worden, a Del Mar City Councilmember.
The Surfrider Foundation disagrees. The organization has long advocated against armoring the coast to protect the land from the ocean. Surfrider argues the commission changes are practical and help the community draw up a long term plan to cope with a retreating shoreline.
"We cannot put our heads in the sand and look down the road and pretend that we're not going to have to deal with that," said Stefanie Sekich-Quinn. "So, if we do that now, we put our head in the sand now, and ignore the inevitable parts of climate change it's just going to get harder in the future."
RELATED: Melting Arctic Ice Caps May Speed Up Global Warming
Adjusting the local coastal plan would allow Del Mar to prepare now for changes that are coming.
"It's the long term proactive planning that Surfrider wants to get out there," Sekich-Quinn said. "Because, again, we owe it to future generations for them to have these tools. Because when the time comes they're going to need to have all of these things on the table."
Change is happening
And change is already underway. The ocean is getting warmer, ice sheets are melting, and the pace of ocean level rise is increasing.
Researchers can predict that change will happen, but they find it difficult to say with certainty how much will change and how fast that change will occur.
That makes policy discussions difficult.
"We need to think about ways that the science can support those adaptation pathways," said Laura Engeman, a researcher at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. "And give a sense for the pace and acceleration as much as possible. One thing we can do is work with our cities to really develop more strategic monitoring so that we're really tracking what's happening to our shoreline."
The Coastal Commission and Del Mar city staff continue to talk about the city's local coastal plan in an effort to find common ground. A decision on this issue could set a precedent for the rest of the state's coastal communities.


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Type: | Bus Sales | Year: | 1996 | Date Posted: | 07/16/2009 | Make: | Prevost | Model: | H3 41 |
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This is a 1996 Prevost H3 41 with a Series 60 11.1 with a total of 850,000 coach miles. It runs very well and is equipped with a Jake Brake. It also comes with an Allison B-500 Transmission that is 2 years new and was serviced in June 2009. This coach runs excellent and absolutely does not smoke. The coach is mechanically in excellent order. It seats 48 passengers plus a jump seat. zit is 102 inches wide and 11.2 feet high. The fuel tank holds 240 gallons.
This 1996 Prevost just had new airbags installed (front) and the following are a few of its' features; very cold air conditioning, window shades, double pain windows without fog, aluminum rims, 3 monitor DVD system, PA system and much more. There are no interior issues.
This 1996 Prevost 48 passenger bus has some minor body damage and needs fresh paint. The differential was rebuilt in February 2009 with synthetic oil and it has new bushings installed (front), new disc brakes and new brake pads (front), new air dryer (front), new steering wheel and new tie rods among several other items. Overall, this bus is in good condition.


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It's one of the few psychology certainties, our brains need time for rest – Sleep is key, but we also need longer breaks. It's often the case that vacations give moments of inspiration and new ideas. Brain science reveals that resting brains put together fragments of information that we've been gathering, then stores and connects them to other thoughts and ideas from past experiences.
And so on.
And also be part of the dialogue. If you have some experiences, either in the past or from this year, where you've gotten some new inspiration while on vacation or traveling, join in on the conversation on our social media links below. We'd love to hear from you. Enjoy your summer! And come back in the fall recreated, renewed and refreshed.
Connect with us on social media and be part of the dialog.


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The Andhra Pradesh State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) has approved four mega industrial projects. With a total investment of Rs 26,630 crore, Essel-GCL alone has proposed to invest Rs 21,300 crore into the project. It will spend the same on a solar panel manufacturing unit in Chittoor. The projects have an employment potential of 53,100 reportedly.
The next big investment comes in from Anil Dhirubai Ambani Group's Reliance Defence, with a proposal to invest Rs 5000 crore for the shipbuilding unit in our city. The other proposals include Gokaldas Exports Limited's garment unit at Anantapur with an investment of Rs 180 crore, and Dixon Technologies Pvt. Ltd., an electronics manufacturing unit in Chittoor with an investment of Rs 150 crore.
The projects had signed MoUs with the state government during the CII Partnership Summit held in the city in January. The SIPB has also approved proposals of investors located in other states. In addition to these, United Seamless Tubular Pvt Ltd, Kamineni Steel & Power Ltd and Oil & Country Tubular Pvt. Ltd. projects worth Rs 2000 crore have been approved.
375 projects with an investment proposal of Rs 3,31,650 crore collectively had been identified in the last two and a half years. Out of them, 253 are already in process and land has been allotted for the remaining 55. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said that Rs 350 crore was given by the central government to Rayalaseema and north coastal Andhra Pradesh. The money will be spent on basic amenities in these districts.
Investors looking to invest in the tourism sector have been invited to do so as there have not been enough investments in the tourism sector lately.


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Small figurine carving of Deku Butler's Son from the game The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.
It is in the round carving in cottonwood bark and it stands 7.5'' tall.
The piece was carved as a custom request and is not for sale.
The branches are thicker than in the original artwork, it was carvable but I was afraid the finished piece would be too fragile. For the same reason all leaves were carved individually.
I had to find a nice thick piece of bark to be able to do full dimensional carving, if I wanted to carve the ''legs'' as seen in the game artwork, I'd need to carve the whole piece way smaller - so it could stay on the base without attaching to another piece of wood. That is why I decided to keep the legs sturdy, the carving can stands as it is.
The leaves are attached with the help of tiny toothpicks, they can be eventually glued on if desired.
The carved piece before the applied finish. I used linseed oil on eyes and mouth to give a slight colour distinction, water based lacquer was used afterwards.


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The Full Court of the Federal Court on Monday 21 August 2017 dismissed an application for made by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
The matter involving 21-year-old Liam McGarrigle will now be returned to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) for re-consideration.
This follows a ruling made by Judge of the Federal Court on 28 March 2017. That ruling also made it clear that laws governing the NDIS do not allow the agency to only partially fund reasonable and necessary supports.
In its public of 18 April 2017, the NDIA said that it appealed this decision because of its 'implications for the long-term financial sustainability of the NDIS.'
Liam has autism spectrum disorder and an intellectual disability. He needs to use taxis because he can't drive, and there is no public transport available in the small town of Moriac. In effect, this meant that his family was being asked to pay $4000 each year for Liam to be able to go to work and to participate in a disability and social group.
Reconsideration of this matter by the AAT will have implications for other people supported through the scheme. It will apply to funding of all NDIS supports.
'Not fully funding NDIS supports shifts the burden onto families and undermines the intention of the scheme.'
'People with a disability, their families and carers should not be forced to bear a financial burden because of the way the National Disability Insurance Agency makes funding decisions.'
Dan Nicholson, Executive Director Civil Justice, Access and Equity
More information
Read the Federal Court ruling at National Disability Insurance Agency v McGarrigle [2017] FCAFC .
Read about the Federal Court win that was unsuccessfully appealed at NDIS test case win for young Liam McGarrigle in Federal Court.
We also made a submission to the Productivity Commission's inquiry into NDIS costs. In that submission, we said that not all participants are benefiting from the scheme and that this is eroding the intentions of scheme.
How we can help
See Your appeal rights and the National Disability Insurance Scheme
Reviewed 14 April 2022