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A novel apolipoprotein E mutation caused by a five amino acid deletion in a Chinese family with lipoprotein glomerulopathy: a case report
Diagnostic Pathology volume 14, Article number: 41 (2019)
Lipoprotein glomerulopathy (LPG) is a rare kidney disease with a poor prognosis that is related to mutation of the apoE gene. More than 10 variants of apoE associated with LPG have currently been identified.
Case presentation
A male and his mother presented with proteinuria during a health examination. They went to hospital for further examination. Renal biopsy was performed, and the diagnosis was lipoprotein glomerulopathy (LPG), which is a rare, inherited renal disease. Medical histories were collected from the 2 LPG patients and their family members. The patients and family members underwent a routine urine test, and their renal function, blood lipids, and lipoprotein levels were examined. Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of 7 family members, and exon 2, exon 3 and exon 4 of apoE were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The purified PCR products were sequenced. Sequence analysis identified a 15 bp deletion (GCGCAAGCTGCGTAA) in exon 4 of the apoE gene that results in a novel 5 amino acid deletion in apoE (143 K-147R → 0). No mutations were found in exon 2 and exon 3 of the apoE gene.
This family study suggests that a novel ApoE mutation (143 K-147R → 0) may be etiologically related to LPG, and other genetic or environmental factors may be associated with the occurrence of LPG.
Lipoprotein glomerulopathy (LPG) is a kidney disease associated with abnormal lipid metabolism. It was first reported by Saito et al [1] in 1989 and named according to its pathological characteristics. Proteinuria and edema are the most common clinical manifestations. LPG is characterized by markedly dilated glomerular capillaries that are filled with layered lipoprotein thrombi. Immunofluorescent examination showed these tissues to be apoB- and apoE-positive. Laboratory tests showed elevated levels of apoE. LPG is a rare disease, with fewer than 200 reported cases worldwide. The majority of patients with LPG are Asians, and the familial aggregation of LPG has been shown [2, 3]. The disease can eventually progress to end-stage renal disease, and the prognosis is poor. At present, the pathogenesis of this disease has not yet been fully elucidated, but the disease is related to the mutation of the apoE gene. To date, more than 10 variants of the apoE gene have been found in LPG patients. To further study the etiology of LPG, urinalysis, renal function, blood lipids level, lipoprotein levels, and gene sequencing were performed in 2 patients with LPG and their family members.
Case presentation
We enrolled a family with 8 members in total, 2 of which were diagnosed with LPG. The proband's wife (Fig. 1, II2) was not involved in this study (Fig. 1). The proband, a male (Fig. 1, II1), presented with proteinuria during a health examination approximately 4 years ago. He was referred to hospital for further examination. Urinalysis showed a qualitative urine protein level of 3+ and an occult blood level of 3+. Blood examination revealed 28.9 g/L albumin and 88 μmol/L creatinine. A renal biopsy was performed in order to further clarify the cause of the abnormal results, and the pathological diagnosis was LPG. At the time of his visit, the patient was treated with fenofibrate. The proband's mother (Fig. 1, I2) first presented to the hospital with a 9 year history of edema and a 4 year history of hypertension. Laboratory investigations revealed a qualitative urine protein level of 2+, 31.85 g/L albumin, and 85 μmol/L creatinine. A renal biopsy was performed, and the diagnosis was LPG. The pathological findings of the two patients were as follows: the glomeruli were significantly enlarged under light microscopy, and the glomerular capillary lumen was markedly enlarged and filled with a pale, thrombus-like material (Fig. 2 a, b arrow). Oil red O staining showed many lipid droplets in the glomerular capillaries (Fig. 4b). A small number of renal tubular lumen were occupied by a lightly stained, vacuolar thrombus-like material (Fig. 2a, asterisk). Under electron microscopy, the glomerular capillary lumina were occupied with lipoprotein thrombi, and there were a large number of lipid vacuoles in the thrombi (Fig. 3 a, b). Immunofluorescence showed strong staining for apoB and ApoE. (Fig. 4 a).
The proband's mother had two sisters and two older brothers diagnosed with uremia, of which the eldest brother had died, and their specific medical histories were unknown. The proband's younger brother (Fig. 1, II3) exhibited clinical manifestations of nephrotic syndrome, and a renal biopsy was not performed at the time. The proband's second younger brother (Fig. 1, II4,) was diagnosed with IgA nephropathy (Lee grade V, Oxford classification: M1E0S1T2) 3 years ago. The proband's father (Fig. 1, I1) had no clinical manifestations, and laboratory investigations revealed hyperlipidemia and urinalysis. The proband's youngest brother (Fig. 1, II5) and the proband's daughter (Fig. 1, III1) also showed no signs of nephrotic syndrome.
To further study genetic mutations in the family, we sequenced exons of the APOE gene in its members (except for the proband's wife, Fig. 1, II2). The specific experimental steps were as follows. Genomic DNA was isolated from the family members' peripheral blood using the TIANamp Blood DNA Kit (Tiangen Biotech Co., Ltd., Beijing, China). Ten microliters of the extract was used as a template for polymerase chain reaction. A reaction mixture 50 μL in volume with 0.2 mM each dATP, dGTP, dCTP, dTTP; 1× PCR buffer for KOD-Plus-NEO; 1.5 mM MgSO4, and 1 U KOD-Plus-Neo (Toyobo Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan) was used for PCR amplification. OLIGO software was used for primer design (Table 1). The reaction conditions were as follows: 95 °C initially for 5 min, followed by a denaturation step at 95 °C for 30 s, annealing at 62 °C for 30 s and polymerization at 72 °C for 90 s for 35 cycles. The products were subjected to 1.5% agarose gel electrophoresis, and then the DNA was purified by a Tiangen Universal DNA Purification Kit (Tiangen Biotech Co., Ltd., Beijing, China). The purified PCR products were sequenced using an ABI 3730 automated DNA sequencer.
Gene sequencing shown a 15 bp deletion (GCGCAAGCTGCGTAA) in exon 4 of the apoE gene in the proband resulting in a 5 amino acid deletion in apoE (143 K-147R → 0) (Fig. 5). The proband's mother (Fig. 1, I2), younger brothers (Fig. 1, II3–4), and daughter (Fig. 1, III1) also carried the same apoE mutation. However, no mutations were detected in the proband's father (Fig. 1, I1) or his youngest brother (Fig. 1, II5).
To further gain clinical information about the family members, the subjects were instructed to fast, and blood samples were taken to test serum creatinine, serum albumin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL, apoE, apoA and apoB levels. Urine samples were taken for urinalysis. Increased urinary protein/creatinine ratios, proteinuria, serum lipids, and apoE levels were observed in proband and the proband's mother, who were diagnosed with LPG. The proband's younger brother (Fig. 1, II3) and second younger brother (Fig. 1, II4), who were carriers of the newly discovered apoE mutation, exhibited elevated TG, TC and LDL-C levels; proteinuria; and renal dysfunction. Moreover, the level of apoE in proband's younger brother (Fig. 1, II3) was significantly increased. The proband's youngest brother (normal apoE carrier, Fig. 1, I5) showed no abnormalities upon examination. The proband's father (normal apoE carrier, Fig. 1, I1) had normal kidney function but elevated blood lipid and apoE levels. There were no abnormalities in the urinalysis, including serum creatinine levels, albumin levels, and blood lipid levels, of the proband's daughter (mutated apoE carrier, Fig. 1, III1). However, unfortunately, for some reason, the apoE, apoA and apoB levels were not tested in the proband's daughter. The results of detailed laboratory examinations of the family members are shown in Table 2.
ApoE, an alkaline single-chain polypeptide glycoprotein of 299 amino acids, binds to cell surface receptors in the LDL receptor family and participates in lipid transport and metabolism [4]. In humans, ApoE has three common isoforms, named apoE2, apoE3, apoE4, that are controlled by three alleles of epsilon 2, epsilon 3, and epsilon 4, respectively [5]. ApoE3 is one of the most common isoforms. The amino acid residues in apoE at positions 112 and 158 determine the isoform type. ApoE3 has Cys and Arg residues at positions 112 and 158, respectively. ApoE2 has Cys residues at positions 112 and 158, while apoE4 has Arg residues at both positions. ApoE3 and ApoE4 bind normally to LDL receptors, whereas ApoE2 exhibits binding defects that affect lipid metabolism [6].
In 1997, Oikawa et al [7] sequenced the apoE gene and found a mutation in the apoE gene that resulted in the substitution of arginine at position 145 with proline, which was named the apoE-Sendai mutation (Arg145Pro). This gene mutation is associated with the incidence of LPG. Ishimura et al [8] confirmed this observation by viral transduction of the apoE-Sendai gene into apoE-deficient mice, which produced the same renal pathological changes as those seen in human LPG. Since then, researchers have discovered more than 10 new apoE mutations associated with LPG. Most of them are point mutations including apoE-Sendai (Arg145Pro), apoE Kyoto (Arg25Cys) [9], apoE Tsukuba (Arg114Cys) [10], apoE Chicago (Arg147Pro) [11], apoE Okayama (Arg150Gly) [4], apoE Modena (Arg150Cys) [12], apoE Guangzhou (Arg150Pro) [13], apoE Las Vegas (Ala152Asp) [6], apoE Osaka/Kurashiki (Arg158Pro) [14, 15], and apoE Hong Kong (Asp230Tyr) [16]. Deletion mutations such as apoE Tokyo (Leu141-Lys143 → 0) [17] and apoE Maebashi (Arg142-Leu144 → 0) [18] are not commonly seen. Most ApoE deletion mutations are found in patients in China and Japan, and patients with these mutations are rarely seen in the Americas and Europe. Among the deletion mutations, the apoE-Sendai and apoE-Kyoto mutations are the most commonly reported. In our study, we discovered a novel variant of apoE in two lineal relatives with LPG (Fig. 1; II1, I2) and their family members (Fig. 1; II3, II4, III1). The 15 bp deletion is in exon 4 of the apoE gene and results in a 5 amino acid deletion of apoE at positions 143~147 (KLRKR). It is noteworthy that the position of the amino acid deletion in this novel apoE variant is close to those in apoE Tokyo (Leu141-Lys143 → 0) and apoE Maebashi (Arg142-Leu144 → 0) reported in Japan. Some Chinese LPG patients also contained the apoE Tokyo and apoE (Lys143-Arg145 → 0) mutations. Thus, the apoE amino acid sequence 143 to 147 locus is a common apoE mutation site in patients with LPG.
Most of the mutation sites associated with LPG are located in the apoE amino acid sequence between positions 141 to 158. In addition, the amino acids at positions 136 to 160 in apoE are involved in binding of apoE to the LDL receptor [19]. Therefore, the binding capacity of the apolipoprotein for the LDL-R is likely affected, resulting in the aggregation and deposition of lipoproteins in the glomeruli. In addition, changes in amino acid residues may significantly change the three-dimensional conformation of the protein, thus making it easier for lipoprotein molecules to form polymer structures [5]. Hoffmann M et al [20] found that the ability of apoE2 to bind to the LDL receptor and HSPG were significantly decreased, and the binding capacity of apoE Sendai was similar to that of apoE2. However, the ability of apoE Sendai to bind to cell surface heparin sulfate proteoglycans was not affected by its mutation. This may make it easier for apoE Sendai to accumulate in the glomeruli and form lipoprotein deposits. Some mutations, such as apoE Kyoto (R25C), are located outside the LDL receptor binding region, and the binding capacity of apoE to the lipoprotein receptor is only 10% of that seen with wild-type apoE [9]. The possible reason for this is that the twenty-five Arg residues exposed to the surface in apoE form disulfide bonds with each other, which results in the aggregation of apoE [21]. In addition, oxidative stress may also be involved in the pathogenesis of LPG. The receptor binding domain of apoE is related to the antioxidant activity of wild-type apoE [22]. Abnormally structured apoE may lead to the oxidation of apoE. Oxidized apoE is more likely to form aggregates.
In this LPG pedigree, the proband (Fig. 1, II1) and his mother (Fig. 1, I2), who had been diagnosed with LPG, had elevated levels of proteinuria and blood lipids, and their levels of apoE and apoB were also elevated to varying degrees. By gene sequencing, we found a novel variant of apoE in these LPG patients but did not detect the mutation in the proband's youngest brother (Fig. 1, II5). Unsurprisingly, the proband's youngest brother (Fig. 1, II5) showed no clinical nephrotic syndrome with no abnormalities based on laboratory examination, suggesting that the apoE gene mutation is associated with the pathogenesis of LPG, dyslipidemia and lipoprotein metabolism. The proband's younger brother (Fig. 1, II3) had nephrotic syndrome, and laboratory examination showed proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia and a high level of apoB; the same apoE gene mutation was also detected, so we cannot exclude that the patient may be diagnosed with LPG. Renal biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis. It is worth noting that the same gene mutation was also detected in the proband's daughter. However, this patient did not show clinical symptoms and had normal urine tests and blood lipid levels. This phenomenon is consistent with the previous literature, in which a similar finding was reported [8, 13, 23]. Currently, it is hard to predict whether she will show clinical manifestations of LPG in the future. Continued regular follow-up is needed. Interestingly, the same apoE gene mutation was also detected in the proband's second younger brother (Fig. 1, II4). The patient clinically manifested nephrotic syndrome, but was diagnosed with IgA nephropathy by renal biopsy. In previous literature, cases of lipoprotein nephropathy associated with IgA nephropathy, membranous nephropathy, and lupus nephritis have been reported [24]. Therefore, we cannot rule out the possibility that the patient has IgA nephropathy and misdiagnosed mild lesions from lipoprotein nephropathy. Repeated renal biopsy is required to further evaluate whether the patient also has mild lesions from LPG. Previous studies from our group and others have shown that healthy carriers of apoE variants are very common, implicating that LPG is a dominant genetic disease with incomplete penetrance [5, 25]. The finding that FcRg-deficient mice has renal lesions that similar to those of patients with LPG suggests that FcRγ deficiency results in impaired macrophage function, eventually leading the development of LPG [26]. Thus, the pathogenesis of lipoprotein nephropathy involves multiple factors, among which apoE gene mutation is a major factor in disease development.
A 15 bp (GCGCAAGCTGCGTAA) deletion in exon 4 of the apoE gene was discovered in 5 family members (the proband's mother; the proband; the proband's younger brother, second brother, and third brother; and the proband's daughter), resulting in a 5 amino acid deletion in ApoE (143 K-147R), that has not been reported in previous literature and databases. This mutation may be the molecular basis for the pathogenesis of lipoprotein glomerulopathy in this family.
- Ala(A):
- ApoE:
Apolipoprotein E
- Arg(R):
- Asp(D):
- Cys(C):
- Dntp:
Deoxy-ribonucleoside triphosphate
- Gly(G):
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol
Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol
Low-density lipoprotein Receptor
- Leu(L):
Lipoprotein glomerulopathy
Polymerase chain reaction
- Pro(P):
Total cholesterol
- Tyr(Y):
Very- low-density lipoproteins
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This study was funded by the Science and Technology Program of Guangdong Province Grant 2016A090922005.
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YX carried out the molecular genetic studies, participated in the sequence alignment and drafted the manuscript. ZL carried out the immunoassays. XX participated in the sequence alignment. WX participated in the design of the study and performed the statistical analysis. YZ conceived of the study, and participated in its design and coordination and helped to draft the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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The present study was approved by the ethics committee of the The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University and adhered to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki.
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Xie, W., Xie, Y., Lin, Z. et al. A novel apolipoprotein E mutation caused by a five amino acid deletion in a Chinese family with lipoprotein glomerulopathy: a case report. Diagn Pathol 14, 41 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13000-019-0820-6
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13000-019-0820-6


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For a movement that was over almost as soon as it began, the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal has propagated more column inches than most. Burning brightly and briefly, even some of its key players and most ardent fans are reluctant to call it a movement at all, preferring instead to view British metal's halcyon days as an accident of birth afforded inflated importance by a music press relentlessly searching for the next big thing.
Stylistically, the NWOBHM was a very broad church, taking in everything from borderline AOR, boogie and proto power metal to the Neanderthal noise of Venom. It has, however, acquired mythical status among old-school metal cognoscenti and come to embody a spirit of innovation and independence which many believe has never been surpassed. Unfettered by the vanities of rock's 1970s royalty – Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Pink Floyd et al – the NWOBHM relied on guts and sheer determination to escape a groundhog day of unemployment and social exclusion, cutting some damn fine records along the way.
Like most legends, the story of the NWOBHM has become suspended in time, its wild romance set in stone, its hard truths glossed over or distorted. Of the bands who stoked its fires with blood, sweat and beers, the myth canonizes the fallen and shackles the survivors to a rose-tinted past. Prise open the 'where are they now?' file, however, and there's a wealth of great music still being made. Passion, not fashion, fuelled the scene and, roaming beneath the mainstream radar, the NWOBHM lives on.
They won't be playing Twickenham Stadium any time soon, but behind the picket fences and net curtains of suburbia, bands such as Raven, Diamond Head, Tygers Of Pan Tang, Blitzkrieg, Avenger, Demon, Elixir and Bitches Sin are proving that they're still fit to boogie more than a quarter of a century down the line.
As one of the most successful second-tier acts, Raven's story is typical of the NWOBHM. Having released three barnstorming albums on the Neat label, the Geordie trio were picked up by Atlantic Records who immediately began to drive them in a more commercial direction. When this policy failed, the band were hung out to dry and left to pick up the pieces at a time when mainstream metal had moved on. The offending album – 1986's The Pack Is Back – was a messy compromise which pleased neither band, fans nor label.
"It's like, 'Let's make these guys this type of band', instead of asking why we got popular in the first place," laments bassist/vocalist John Gallagher. "'You got to level A so in order to get to level B you have to put on a clown outfit and start shitting yourself on stage. Can you do that for me?'"
With their ambitious and progressive third album Canterbury, Diamond Head had perhaps unwittingly brought enormous commercial pressure upon themselves, as guitarist Brian Tatler ruefully recalls.
"[Producer] Mike Shipley put us through the mincer. He'd worked with Def Leppard and was used to perfection. We weren't quite ready for it at that stage. It's partly what split the band up. It seemed such a long way from being friends back in Stourbridge."
Diamond Head aside, the Tygers Of Pan Tang were probably the most commercially viable NWOBHM band never to achieve major success. With show-pony guitar ace John Sykes and ex-Persian Risk frontman Jon Deverill joining the ranks for album No.2, Spellbound, the band looked set for stardom. Ultimately, they too were undermined by their label's apparent greed. The fourth album The Cage, although a hit, was too slick by far.
"_The Cage _was very Americanised," agrees guitarist and sole remaining original member, Robb Weir. "We used outside songwriters, but I felt we could write as well if not better. The first two albums proved that. [Debut] Wild Cat went into the British charts at 18 ahead of Michael Jackson."
With dole queues doubling between 79 and 80 and the winter of discontent still fresh in the memory, money – or lack of it – dogged the NWOBHM from beginning to bitter end. With limited funds available, the labels backed a handful of hopefuls at the expense of the rest. They didn't always get it right and as Diamond Head, Raven and the Tygers famously proved, signing with a major label was no guarantee of fame and fortune.
"Three big bands got signed in the same period," Robb Weir recalls, "The Tygers, Leppard and Maiden. Leppard signed to Phonogram and got a £250,000 advance, Maiden signed to EMI and got £100,000. We signed to MCA – the biggest record company on the planet – and got 25 grand. That's not a level playing field."
London's Elixir, whose self-financed 1986 debut The Son Of Odin is the last classic NWOBHM album, arrived at the party late, having struggled for years to secure suitable backing.
"CBS saw us a couple of times but didn't want to sign us at that time," said guitarist Phil Denton back in 1986. Today, he views this lack of investment as pivotal. "If we could've got some money invested in us and done a really professional album, we could've gone a lot further than we did."
Having bloated the scene with an indiscriminate feeding frenzy in which most established labels scrambled to sign their very own NWOBHM band, the big money was soon diverted in the direction of the American invasion which was gathering pace by 83. UK indie Music For Nations, for example, licensed debut albums by Metallica, Megadeth, Manowar and Ratt, to name but a few. The NWOBHM, suddenly starved of both cash and coverage, simply had no answer.
As part of the Newcastle scene which included Raven and Venom, Avenger were in good company. When the media lost interest in the NWOBHM, however, even having an American axeman wasn't enough to save them.
"Metallica gripped everybody's imagination," recalls vocalist Ian Swift. "We got left out. British bands weren't the in thing."
Although their debut full-length Predator emerged in 82, Cumbrian outfit Bitches Sin would wait a further six years – by which time they'd already split up – to see their second, and by far best, album Invaders get a UK release. By then, of course, it was much too late…
"We were straight off the street, no money, just jeans and t-shirts," says guitarist Ian Toomey. "There was no way we could compete with the American metal bands."
With Night Of The Demon and The Unexpected Guest, Staffordshire's Demon cut a pair of classics still held in high regard today. When the NWOBHM gave up the ghost, the tag would forever haunt them as they battled on gamely through both glam and then grunge.
"I hated it in the mid-80s," complains frontman Dave Hill. "After the NWOBHM died, having that label was like having a huge boil on your arse. It was awful."
As the excitement and edginess of the over-sexed and in-your-face US bands swept away the chips and gravy of regional UK rock, parochial attitudes – particularly to the importance of effective management – further sabotaged the British scene.
"I wish we'd been managed by Peter Mensch!" laughs Brian Tatler. "We supported AC/DC in 1980, and we had a little chat to him in the dressing room. He gave us the benefit of his wisdom for half an hour. In hindsight it would've been nice if our management – who got us to a certain point – had backed away and said what we need now is a world-class management team."
Robb Weir agrees. "We really needed a big-time manager to come in and go: 'You're gonna get in my car now. You've been driving around in a Mini and I've got a Jag.'"
"We never had a manager as such," adds Ian Swift. "If you have someone like Maiden's Rod Smallwood behind you, you're on a winner straight away."
Despite having endured their fair share of disappointment and disillusionment, most of the NWOBHM's hardened road warriors are refreshingly free of the bitterness one might expect. Brian Ross, the leather-clad frontman of genre institution Blitzkrieg, puts the situation into perspective.
"I've done a lot of stuff over the years that I'm very proud of and the only point I ever say 'if only' is when I look back at 1981 when Blitzkrieg originally split up. A tour with Saxon was on the cards and Carrere Records were gonna do an album. I think if we'd signed the contract, done the album, toured with Saxon – what could we have done? And then I think to myself: 'Well, there wouldn't have been a Satan album for a start'." [Ross joined Satan, later briefly known as Blind Fury, after Blitzkrieg split.].
"It's easy to say: 'Yeah but you never became huge'," continues Brian Tatler. "And yet how many great bands never made it? I'm not bitter about all that. There's only a handful at the top of the tree."
"We didn't end up with EMI like Maiden did," says Dave Hill, "but we've got a worldwide cult following, and we still believe we turned out good music."
"You're always gonna have something go wrong," reflects John Gallagher. "It's pure fate. Metallica opened for us in 83 and if anyone told me then they'd be a global phenomenon I'd have laughed my ass off."
"We always kept our day jobs," says Phil Denton, "and I think it was the right decision at the time, but whether it held us back… I don't know."
As the 80s rushed headlong into a glittering future of shoulder pads, leather ties and MTV, vast swathes of the NWOBHM moth-balled their guitars and headed for civvy street. The occupations favoured by retired 80s rockers such as painting and decorating, van driving and re-stocking fag machines in pubs were naturally taken up en masse by NWOBHM casualties. Some, such as Phil Denton – now working in security – also spent the 90s raising a family. Bitches Sin guitarist Ian Toomey – a former chemist and latterly with the nuclear industry – recently quit his job to once again pursue music full time. Without a family to support, he's in an unusual position. Brian Ross, a civil servant in the child benefit office, remains philosophical about the realities of life away from stage and studio.
"It's just something I gotta do to pay the bills," he concedes. John Gallagher, now an export manager, found himself literally stranded in America and lugging boxes of vegetables at an airport after Raven's deal with Atlantic imploded. "I was in upstate New York with 15 bucks in my pocket. You do what you gotta do to get through. There's no shame in hard work."
Dave Hill, originally a butcher by trade and later a record shop owner after Demon too fell foul of fashion, wholeheartedly agrees. "If you love music you tend to do anything to keep you going unless you hit the big one."
Brian Tatler, a mechanic before Diamond Head took off, hit the so-called 'big one' long after his band had fallen apart. "I was pretty much living off Metallica royalties," he says of his years in the wilderness. "When Garage Inc. came out – which had all four Diamond Head covers on – our Christmasses all came at once. Without those covers I don't think we'd have re-formed again."
But paying their dues to society and living the quiet life was never really on the cards. Often when they least expected it, the bug would bite once again. The call of the wild, the need for speed, the joys of noise call it what you will. Encouraged by the enthusiasm of promoters, webmasters, boutique record labels and a small but dedicated global fan base, literally dozens of NWOBHM bands have come out of retirement and embraced the brave new online world which refused to let them rest in peace.
"How much easier would it have been if we'd had the internet in 1980?" marvels Brian Ross. "The big reason Blitzkrieg split in 81 was because Jim [Sirotto, guitar] would've had to quit his teaching job to go out on tour and we didn't really know if people appreciated what we were doing. If we'd had the Internet, we would've known."
"Your website is your fan club and your point of contact," says Brian Tatler. "You can seemingly disappear without it." "It's been a great link for us," agrees Dave Hill. "A band at our level – a lot of people wouldn't know what we're doing. Over the last five years the Net has made a difference."
On their own comeback trail, Elixir enjoyed a very direct benefit of the Net. "It was through the Internet that Cult Metal Classics tracked us down," reveals Phil Denton. "Their re-release of The Son Of Odin got us re-started."
Bitches Sin, meanwhile, use the MP3 format to market their music online. Ian Toomey: "It's been invaluable. We're getting 2,500 unique hits a week. In the old days you'd be sitting there with your double cassette deck – if you were lucky – copying demos."
Rip-offs and rock'n'roll go together like denim and leather, and as the NWOBHM's popularity grew, so the sharks began to circle. For every tanned executive promising the world, there were a dozen chancers in sheepskin coats hustling for a fast buck.
"Hey, don't worry, I got this little job for you in Hendon next Tuesday and you might get paid then!" laughs John Gallagher. "We'll have you doing Wembley Stadium next year!"
Avenger – whose debut single Too Wild To Tame is pretty much the archetypal NWOBHM seven-inch – saw nothing from a "bitter and twisted" wrangle over royalties until their back catalogue was reissued in 2002.
"One thousand and one bands from the early 80s will tell you: 'No, you didn't sell anything,'" says Ian Swift, "and then you find out in later years it sold quite well."
Fast forward to 2008, and money matters are handled very differently indeed. By returning to financing and controlling their own music and merchandise, the bands are reviving a business model ideally suited to the 21st Century but one which was ill-designed to compete with the corporate behemoths which dominated the industry during the 70s and 80s. Even the legendary indie labels which helped define the NWOBHM – Neat, Heavy Metal Records, Ebony, etcetera – were largely unable to develop the careers of their best-selling bands, watching helplessly as they were poached by majors with little understanding of their hapless protégés.
Today, the DIY approach is back with a bang. Favouring licensing deals and partnerships in lieu of conventional contracts, the fruits of these fresh labours are not inconsiderable, and if you haven't bought a NWOBHM album since the days of Thatcher and her iron handbag, a bit of online shopping may be in order.
Despite having split with original frontman Sean Harris on less than amicable terms, Diamond Head have re-grouped behind current vocalist Nick Tart, releasing the critically-acclaimed All Will Be Revealed and What's In Your Head albums and touring extensively, including a support slot on Megadeth's 2005 UK tour. The Tygers Of Pan Tang's latest Animal Instinct recently garnered an impressive 8⁄10 rating in these very pages, while Bitches Sin's recent UDUVUDU album has been aired on Bruce Dickinson's radio show to warm words from the man himself. Blitzkrieg, meanwhile, continued an impressive run with last year's Theatre Of The Damned and only the most churlish would remain unmoved by Elixir's corking comeback efforts The Idol and 2006's Mindcreeper.
Raven, who have just completed a new album, aptly titled Walk Through Fire, are playing UK dates in October having kicked copious amounts of arse at both Bloodstock and Hard Rock Hell in recent times, while Demon's back to basics Better The Devil You Know! from 2005 features some of their best material in years. Avenger, although currently unsigned, have new tunes in the bag just waiting for the right opportunity.
If the NWOBHM is to remain a dynamic force, it's vital that its bands don't simply drift off into the sunset with their ageing fans. Fortunately, there's plenty of evidence to suggest that the high-energy, street-ready sounds that rocked the nation all those years ago are reaching a new generation, and not just via the Internet. Anyone who's attended the British Steel Festival – run by none other than Elixir's Phil Denton – or travelled to one of the many exclusive continental festivals such as Keep It True or Play It Loud, will attest to the modest but swelling hardcore of fresh-faced kids in search of honest, heartfelt, trend-free heavy metal. Nostalgia plays its part, of course, but for music born from a break with the past, misty-eyed reminiscing must never hold sway. The bands deserve better than that.
"There are festivals which bring back NWOBHM bands that haven't played for 20 years," explains Dave Hill, "and I think the first thing that they realise about today is the standard of playing, especially the American bands. People aren't daft, especially the Germans. They'll soon suss you out. If you're doing it from the heart and it doesn't sound particularly good, they'll put up with that. Everyone can have an off day, but if you're not very good, they'll let you know."
"There was a guy at the British Steel festival who used to be down the front at the Royal Standard," says Phil Denton. "It was great to see him again, but we're building up a following of new fans."
"Kids have had years of thrash and doom and whatever and they haven't heard any of the older stuff," reckons Ian Toomey. "Then they've started to discover their parents' record collections and there's been an upsurge in this type of straight rock with a bit more melody. The feedback we've been getting is great."
"There's a whole cadre of young people listening to metal and going: 'This is alright, but where did they get it from?'," adds John Gallagher. "They start digging back. There's a younger audience coming out to a lot of rock shows. I've seen that in England and I'm definitely starting to see it in the States. The old guard are still there but they're bringing their kids."
"It's vital to get young kids into it," says Brian Tatler. "MySpace helps with that. It's great getting kids coming down the front and enjoying it as much as the old die-hards."
"The future of British metal doesn't lie with me, it lies with young people," states Brian Ross. "If there aren't any, it's gonna die."
It ain't the drugs, it ain't the birds and it sure as hell ain't the cash – so just what is it that keeps these battle-scarred stagers cranking it out?
"At the end of the day I'm a kid, I've not grown up," laughs Ian Swift. "It's every kid's dream – if you're into metal – to be in a band and bang your head. I've got more enthusiasm now than I've ever had. It's rejuvenated everything. What more could I want? Apart from a nice record deal!"
"We've all gone through drinking yourself into oblivion and taking whatever comes your way," admits Brian Ross, "but then you come out the other side and the whole point of doing this is the music. You've gotta do it for the pure enjoyment of it first and foremost, because that's what you did it for originally. For that brief time when I'm on stage, I'm 18 again. You still get the same buzz. I met one of my old school friends in a shop about three years ago and he said: 'I owe you an apology. At least you've come damn close to realising your dreams',"
"It's better than golfing or fishing!" laughs Phil Denton. "I enjoy playing live more now than I did back in the 80s. Back then we had something to prove. We were young and wanted to try and make it professional. It was a pressure we were putting on ourselves. It comes across on stage and you can see we enjoy ourselves more now."
"It's electric when you've got a band with chemistry like the three of us," says John Gallagher. "We play loud, jump around and have a good time."
"We're still moving, looking good and people are turning out in their droves," adds Robb Weir. "We're obviously doing something right. The new album is the best thing we've ever done and the reviews have been fantastic. I'm 101 per cent confident that we'll give anyone a good run for their money."
If there was ever a time when playing in one of these bands seemed like an easy escape from everyday life, the years of living how the other half live has shown the opposite to be true. Playing heavy rock music is what these guys do; the rest is just killing time.
"The only thing I can do is play guitar and write songs," says Brian Tatler. "Guitar playing's a skill and I've spent years learning it. It's my craft and it's what I do best."
"I'm enjoying it more than I ever have," enthuses Ian Toomey. "It's a life experience. I didn't play my guitars for years and I thought I might as well sell them. I actually put them in their cases and took them downstairs but I couldn't do it."
The NWOBHM didn't wait for orders from headquarters. Gritty, gutsy, feisty and fearless, these bands took metal to the masses one shitty town at a time. In 2008, they're a living history of a unique period in time. "Music is my life," concludes Dave Hill. "It's a great thrill that things written in two minutes in your garage 20 years ago mean so much to so many people. To be greeted by people singing them still makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. I've been stood there in tears. You could give me a million pounds but that moment could not be bettered."
• As a reaction to the various excesses of both punk and prog, a grassroots movement of fledgling UK bands with a determinedly DIY ethic forged a new strain of high-energy metal by stripping away the self-indulgence and pomposity which had dominated the 70s.
• The precise starting point for the NWOBHM is debated, but the May 8 1979 issue of music paper Sounds put the term in the public domain for the first time.
• Both Def Leppard and Samson released singles in 1978 with Iron Maiden and Saxon following suit in 79. Saxon and Samson also issued their debut albums in 79 with Maiden, Leppard, Diamond Head and a host of others hot on their heels in 1980.
• 1980-1982 were the key years and saw the likes of Saxon, Maiden, Leppard, Diamond Head and the Tygers Of Pan Tang achieving considerable UK chart success. Many more including Raven, Angel Witch, Samson, Demon, Praying Mantis, Holocaust, Witchfynde and Tank also rode the wave.
• From Ace Lane to Zorro, the NWOBHM encapsulated well over 400 bands, most releasing at least one single.
• The demise of the NWOBHM is also hotly debated, but by 1983, it had begun a steep decline as its most successful acts went their own way and those left behind struggled vainly to compete with the emerging threat of glam and thrash.
• The 1990 retrospective album NWOBHM '79 Revisited, compiled by Metallica's Lars Ulrich and Classic Rock's Geoff Barton, generated renewed interest in the scene which gained further momentum following the explosion of Internet access.
These hardly get mentioned, but are in some cases are better than the high profile records. Warning: they could set you back a few pence if you wanna buy copies.
CHATEAUX – Chained And Desperate [1983 album]
The cheery Cheltenham chaps had a lot of primitive punch, but also a neat line in massive melodies. This album, their debut, had Steve Grimmett of Grim Reaper on vocals to add a touch of clas. Check out Spirit Of Chateaux here.
DEDRINGER – Sunday Drivers [1980 single]
A real road anthem…well, if you're from Leeds like this lot. The first single by the Ded' boys, and it races along with scarcely a look in the rearview mirror. Listen to it here.
TRIARCHY – Save The Khan [1979 single]
A cantankerous caterwaul from Kent, it might have graced a Dio era Rainbow album if the production had been of a more epic nature. But despite a budget that would barely feed an anorexic budgie for two days, there's a disarming charm about this song. Stream it here.
SARACEN – Heroes, Saints & Fools [1981 album]
The Derbyshire dervishes were influenced by Uriah Heep and Lone Star, and made a brave effort to come up with something of which Magnum could be proud. Studio naivete is very obvious, but it's on a par with what White Spirit were doing at the time. Listen to the title track here.
SILVERWING - That's Entertainment [1982 single]
The band who conquered Congleton and slaughtered Sandbach - titles of two official bootlegs - were attempting to emulate Kiss, Angel and Starz. They had the attitude, if not the financial clout, to make their dayglo dreams come true. The B side of this single was Flashbomb Fever, with lyrics by a certain Geoff Barton. Perhaps the greatest song Kiss never quite wrote. Check it out here.

subset: commoncrawl


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Goalkeeper fitness update: Alisson Becker, Caoimhin Kelleher, Kamil Grabara
John Achterberg has provided an update on the injury rehabilitations of Liverpool goalkeepers Alisson Becker, Caoimhin Kelleher and on-loan Kamil Grabara.
Alisson missed three matches before the Premier League was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, after sustaining a muscle issue in training at the beginning of March.
But the Brazilian was concluding his recovery at that point and is now following a training programme to maintain his fitness in line with the rest of the squad.
"He sent videos, doing some jumping and exercises," Achterberg told Liverpoolfc.com. "Obviously, we were working with him until the lockdown and he was basically fit.
"Now it's for him to maintain it in the house, like the other goalkeepers. They all get their programmes from the fitness department so they will do the job and the work to try to stay as fit as they can, like all the other players as well."
Grabara is on loan at Huddersfield Town for the season but has not featured since January 28 having suffered a head injury that night which required careful assessment.
The Pole, who has played 28 times in the Championship this term, made a comeback for Town's elite development squad on March 3.
Kelleher, meanwhile, continued his rehabilitation from a knee issue at home this month and is set to be ready to return to action when football resumes.
"Kamil is still on loan at Huddersfield," said Achterberg. "I texted him, he has his programme there to keep fit and he said, 'Don't worry, I know what I have to do to stay fit.'
"Caoimhin had an injury with his knee, he said he is feeling in good shape. He thinks when we come back he is fit to go again, so that's all positive. He is in touch with the medics and the physical department.
"And Adrian and [Andy] Lonergan also have the programme from the fitness department. Jack [Robinson] made some goalie videos in the garden to send them as well so they can practise that as an extra really."
On how the goalkeeping team have adapted to the requirement to work from home, Achterberg added: "We try to supply everything they need.
"If they needed boots, we got them boots; if they needed balls, we got them some balls. So at least they have the stuff to work in the house as much as they can.
"The physical department sent all the weights around that the boys wanted and needed, because some live in apartments and some didn't have all the equipment needed, so the club has provided that with Andreas [Kornmayer's] team.
"They put all together all exercises and some live training sessions. So we've all been in there to try to keep the banter going but also keep the fitness levels going."


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[Plural, vibaba] In Tanzania, at least as early as the 19ᵗʰ century – 20ᵗʰ century, a unit of capacity. The government of Tanganyika reported to the United Nations, mid 20ᵗʰ century, that the kibaba = 1 liter¹, but other observers in the same period, and earlier, record it as "about an [imperial] pint."²
Four vibaba = 1 pishi.
1. United Nations 1966. Technical Conversion Factors…, 1972, page 318.
2. D. V. Perrott.
Teach Yourself Swahili.
English Universities Press, 1957.
Page 152.
The smallest unit is the Kibaba, a measure of perhaps a pint.
Kibaba cha tele, if the measure is heaped up — the usual proceeding.
Kibaba cha mfuto, if cut off flat.
2 vibaba (vya tele) = 1 kisaga.
2 visaga = 1 pishi, about half a gallon.
Edward Steere.
A Handbook of the Swahili Language as Spoken at Zanzibar. 3rd ed.
London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1884.
Page 457.
Copyright © 2000-2017 Sizes, Inc. All rights reserved.
Last revised: 23 September 2017.


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A blog post from Google has revealed that it is making its most significant algorithm change in several years, as it aims to get the search engine to better understand the language humans use every day.
The algorithm alteration is called Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT). It focuses on the problem users sometimes face in converting a query they have in their minds into words a search engine can understand. Search Engine Land describes it as the "biggest change in search since Google released RankBrain" in 2015.
BERT was available on an open source basis last year, but as of last week it began to be rolled out by Google and is likely to be fully live in the near future. Google explains that the algorithm helps the search engine understand the nuance of the user's query, and has given examples to illustrate this.
One example is that with a search for "2019 brazil traveler to usa need a visa", a pre-BERT Google would have returned results related to US citizens travelling to Brazil. It would have overlooked the word 'to', which indicates the opposite – a Brazilian visiting the USA. Once BERT is fully operational, such a search will direct the user to the site of the US embassy in Brazil.
A second example is related to Google Snippets, and shows that they previously sometimes put too much emphasis on nouns and not the prepositions around them. In a search for "parking on a hill with no curb", Google previously provided a Snippet that looked for the word 'curb', so in effect it failed to answer the question. The implementation of BERT means that it will now understand that the user wants guidance on situations where there is no curb (or 'kerb' here in the UK).
From an SEO perspective, this has interesting ramifications on the concept of 'stop words'. Traditionally, these are words like 'to', 'the', 'a' and 'some' that search engines tend to ignore. As search engines come to understand human language better, they are learning that these words can actually change the meaning of a sentence.
- Five life skills learned from internet marketing - January 3, 2024
- How artificial intelligence can (and can't) help you write content - September 29, 2023
- Is Google OK with AI content or not? - September 25, 2023


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What: Los Angeles Clippers (8-6) at Dallas Mavericks (7-5)
When: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. PT
Where: American Airlines Center (Dallas, Texas)
TV: Bally Sports SoCal (Southern California, Las Vegas and Hawaii)
Radio: KLAC 570 AM (Southern California), KLUC 98.5 FM2 (Las Vegas), KGU 760 AM (Hawaii)
Circa Sports Line: Clippers +7/212 (Reserve a seat at the Circa Sportsbook or Stadium Swim.)
The Los Angeles Clippers will play the second leg of a Texas back-to-back on Tuesday night, visiting NBA leading scorer Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.
Los Angeles scored its third win in the past four games with a 122-106 victory over the Houston Rockets on Monday. Clippers forward Paul George finished with 22 points, eight rebounds and five assists, continuing to shoulder the load with Kawhi Leonard out.
After missing the entirety of last season due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament sustained in the 2021 playoffs, Leonard appeared in two of the Clippers' first three games this season before returning to the sideline with knee issues.
George, meanwhile, has scored at least 22 points in seven of the past eight games. Los Angeles is 6-2 over that stretch. For the season, George is averaging 24.5 points per game on 45.7 percent shooting from the floor.
"It's more so a credit to our team when we are moving the ball, sharing the ball," George said Monday after five teammates joined him with double-figure scoring on the night.
Six Clippers who have appeared in at least 10 games are averaging 10.5 points per game or more. Among that group is John Wall at 12.6 points per game.
Wall missed the Monday game due to injury management, but Los Angeles coach Tyronn Lue told reporters afterward that Wall would be available for the Tuesday trip to Dallas.
The Clippers come in to face a Mavericks squad that opened a five-game homestand with a victory over Portland on Saturday. Dallas rebounded from a two-game losing streak to defeat the Trail Blazers 117-112.
Doncic recorded a triple-double of 42 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists, continuing his impressive opening stretch to the 2022-23 season.
Doncic's average of 34.3 points per game leads the NBA, outpacing the second-most prolific scorer, Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid, by two points per contest. Doncic also is tied for fifth in the league in assists at 8.1 per game.
As explosive as Doncic has been on offense, Dallas will enter the Tuesday matchup having thrived on defense. The Mavericks are holding opponents to 107.2 points per game, which is ranked fifth in the NBA.
Another statistic of note: Dallas is 7-0 when Josh Green makes a 3-pointer.
The reserve wing, who is averaging 6.3 points per game, is shooting 50 percent from beyond the arc this season. He was 2-for-5 against the Trail Blazers.
"Honestly, I never really looked at it," Green said following Dallas' practice on Monday. "My goal is every game, just go in the game and shoot the ball. I know I can shoot the ball, no matter what the percentages are. I trust my teammates, they trust me. If I'm open, I'm going to shoot it."
As a team, Dallas is attempting an average of 38.3 3-point shots per game and making 13.3 per contest, a rate of 34.8 percent that ranks 18th in the NBA. Los Angeles comes in holding opponents to 34.7 percent from deep, the 10th-best figure in the league.
–Field Level Media


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Cooking 33 Dishes In One Hour, The 10-Year-Old Master Chef From Kerala Records Her Name In Asia Book Of Records
Hanima Anand |Oct 14, 2020
The pretty Saanvi Prajit is exactly the little Indian version of Gordon Ramsay when finishing up to 33 dishes in just 60 minutes without others' help. Read on!
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Photos of a 10-year-old girl in Kerala are going viral on the Internet. In the picture, Saanvi M Prajith is holding her certificate from Asia Book of Records for the maximum number of dishes cooked by a child. The title also specifies her exact age of 10 years 6 months and 12 days.
According to reports, Saanvi was born in Ernakulam in Kerala to the Wing Commander of the Indian Air Force Prajit Babu. The girl soon expressed her special interest in cooking at a very young age. With support from her mother Manjima Prajit and her grandparents, Saanvi has learnt and cooked many dishes on her own.
This 10-year-old Master Chef also has her Youtube channel named Saanvi Cloud 9 to showcase her culinary products as well as her dancing moments.
Earlier this month, she has registered the event with Asia Book of Record to cook most food as a child. The event took place at her house in Vishakhapatnam, witnessed online by the committee. When time is up, the girl finished up to 33 dishes in total, including a variety of tastes as idli, mushroom tikka, uttapam, chicken roast, appam, fried rice, papdi chaat or pancakes.
Right when she was awarded the title, her mother took it to her social account. The girl receives countless praises from Indian netizens.
We believe Saanvi, with her culinary gift, will go much further in the future. She can compete in not only domestic cooking contests but also international cooking shows.
Should your child love cooking, don't hesitate to guide them from easy dishes to more complex ones. You can never know what children can do with their creative mind and impressive inquisitiveness.
>>> Also check: Indian Girl Stopped By Simon Cowell Shook BTG Show, Heading Straight To The Final!!!
- Tag


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Genes Controlling Black Seed Coat and Pod Tip Color in Cowpea: Output data for the MAGIC population
Seed coat color is an important part of consumer preferences for cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp). Color has been studied in numerous crop species and has often been linked to loci controlling the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway. This study makes use of available resources, including mapping populations, a reference genome, and a high-density single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping platform, to map the black seed coat and purple pod tip color traits, with the gene symbol Bl, in cowpea. Several gene models encoding MYB domain protein 113 were identified as candidate genes. MYB domain proteins have been shown in other species to control expression of genes encoding enzymes for the final steps in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway. PCR analysis indicated that a presence/absence variation of one or more MYB113 genes may control the presence or absence of black pigment. A PCR marker has been developed for the MYB113 gene Vigun05g039500, a candidate gene for black seed coat color in cowpea.
Querying over HTTP
Splitgraph serves as an HTTP API that lets you run SQL queries directly on this data to power Web applications. For example:
curl https://data.splitgraph.com/sql/query/ddn \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -d@-<<EOF {"sql": " SELECT * FROM \"usaid-gov/genes-controlling-black-seed-coat-and-pod-tip-hczb-g6ai\".\"genes_controlling_black_seed_coat_and_pod_tip\" LIMIT 100 "} EOF
See the Splitgraph documentation for more information.


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- All of your Heathrow parking questions answered
- Accurate, up to date information
- Award-winning BCP Customer Service
These frequently asked questions regarding Bristol airport parking are designed to answer the queries dealt with most regularly by our customer service team, saving you the hassle of calling us. Of course, you can still phone us if your question isnt answered here!
Question: How does BCPs Price Protection system work?
Answer: We check our competitors prices on a weekly basis to make sure we offer the best value for money in the UK. However, if you find a service youve booked with us cheaper anywhere else within seven days, we promise to refund the difference.
Question: Will BCP look after my car keys once Ive parked?
Answer: You should only leave your keys with a staff member if you have booked the following service:
At all other car parks, just park your vehicle yourself and take your keys away with you so keep them safe!
Question: Are transfers to the Bristol Airport terminal included in the parking price?
Answer: Yes, transfers are included in the booking price, unless you have booked a valet service, or Bristol Airport Premier Parking, which is only a few minutes walk from the terminal building.
Question: What measures are in place to keep my car secure?
Question: Is it possible to book a Bristol Airport hotel with parking through BCP?
Answer: Yes, if you book a Bristol Airport Hotel with us, youll be able to park for up to 15 days for no extra charge. However, there is a charge for transfers to the airport.
Question: Do you sell travel insurance?
Answer: In conjunction with our partners, Holiday Extras, you can get great deals on travel insurance when you book with BCP.


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Published on : 09 April 20213 min reading time
Galerie Estades and Galerie Arts Factory
Galerie Estades Paris is not only one of the best art galleries in Paris. It is famous in the world for the works of Bernard Buffet that are exhibited there. The Galerie Arts Factory, on the other hand, presents many of the world's most beautiful works of graphic art. Children and all fans of comics and cartoons will certainly find their happiness there. Its exhibition space is spread over several floors to allow everyone to take their time during the visits. You can also find in this place organized meetings with the artists, workshops for all ages as well as some small concerts in small groups. Note that this gallery, unlike the others, allows you to discover artists and music groups with whom you can eventually collaborate.
The Slow Galerie and Les Douches La Galerie
The best art galleries in Paris are countless. Among them are notably the Slow Galerie and Les Douches La Galerie. You will discover at these addresses very diversified works. The decor will not leave you speechless. From the outside alone, it will capture your attention. At the Slow Galerie, you will find silk-screen prints by young artists. Poetic works are also exhibited, as well as colorful prints and engravings of all kinds. The Les Douches La Galerie, for its part, offers you exhibitions centered on the contemporary photographs. You will also be able to see some old relics, namely a shower of the 30s still in working order.
The Perrotin art gallery
Galerie Perrotin is one of the best art galleries in Paris. It is present on three continents, each hosting regular exhibitions. It is a contemporary gallery located at 76 rue de Turenne, in the heart of a private mansion and unrecognizable among all. In this unique place, you can discover artists as talented as each other. You will be able to see some works of the famous Maurizio Cattelan. You can go to the city's website to check the opening hours. You can find other interesting information about the gallery and upcoming exhibitions.


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Home minister Amit Shah's recent statement praising Hindu Rashtra proponent Vinayak Damodar Savarkar for being the first to describe the 1857 revolt as India's first war of independence appears contrary to the government's position as articulated in Parliament two years ago.
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on December 18, 2017, then junior human resource development minister Satya Pal Singh had described the 1857 uprising by sepoys as a "larger scale" version of the 1817 rebellion by the Paika militias of Odisha.
Singh was replying to a question posed by then Congress MP Mullappally Ramachandran: "Whether the government has taken any decision to announce Paika Bidroha as first war of independence? If so, details thereof and reasons there for."
"Paika Bidroha is one of the earliest resistance movements bravely put up by the people against the British colonial rule in India. This uprising was set off in March 1817 and continued until May 1825," Singh's reply said.
"Other than Paikas, ordinary peasants, landholders, salt-makers, etc, had all risen in unison against the British during this period making it a popular movement."
Singh went on to say the Paika Bidroha would feature in the school history books prepared by the National Council of Educational Research and Training, which was then reviewing its textbooks (the revised books became available last year).
"Later, in 1857, we see a movement or uprising of similar nature though on a much larger scale. Therefore, from a historical point of view it can be said that the Paika Bidroha had set an example for the classes as well as the masses in India to follow later on as and when circumstances so warranted," the minister said.
"Therefore, considering that this is one of the beginnings of popular uprisings against the British in India, it has been decided to include it as a case study in the Class VIII history textbook of NCERT, which deals with the 1857 event."
The revised book, Our Past III, for Class VIII students describes the Paika rebellion in the chapter "When People Rebel: 1857 and After".
"It (Paika Bidroha) was the first such popular anti-British armed uprising in Odisha, which had a far-reaching effect on the future of British administration in that part of the country. To merely call it 'Paik Rebellion' will thus be an understatement," the textbook says.
The chapter describes the 1857 uprising as a "massive rebellion".
"After a hundred years of conquest and administration, the English East India Company faced a massive rebellion that started in May 1857 and threatened the Company's very presence in India," it says.
"Sepoys mutinied in several places beginning from Meerut and a large number of people from different sections of society rose up in rebellion. Some regard it as the biggest armed resistance to colonialism in the 19th century anywhere in the world."
Shah had on Thursday said: "It was he (Savarkar) who wrote that the uprising of 1857 (portrayed by British historians as a mere mutiny or revolt by sepoys) was the first Indian war of independence. Otherwise, we would have still been looking at this event through the eyes of the British."
Pritish Chandra Acharya, a professor of social sciences and humanities at the Regional Institute of Education, Bhubaneswar, said that labelling resistance movements as first or second was not the way to understand historical developments.
Before the 1857 rebellion, he said, there had been many instances of popular resistance to British rule. Immediately after the 1757 Battle of Plassey, there was the Sanyasi rebellion of 1761 in eastern India when the British tried to restrict the Sanyasis from moving in groups. Many landlords had supported this rebellion, which continued for almost 40 years.
In 1799, there was the Poligar uprising against the British in Tamil Nadu. People had rebelled against British occupation in the Parlakhemundi area of present-day Odisha in the 1760s. The Santhals revolted in the 1850s in present-day Jharkhand, Acharya said.
Since Britain did not annex the country at one go, the timings of the various popular revolts owed to the situation and the time of annexation, he said. Since the British conquered Bengal first, the early rebellions were witnessed in Bengal; when they later annexed other places, they too witnessed uprisings.


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High employee turnover is a problem for many industries, but it's especially tough for those in the call centre sector.
In the US, the average employee turnover rate stands at 15.1%. Unless you happen to work in a call centre. That turnover rate comes in at a whopping 30% to 45%.
A high turnover rate can have severe financial consequences, as the average cost of losing an employee is 21% of their yearly salary. So how can you tackle turnover, while boosting employee morale?
GetVoIP, a US based start-up, polled over 1,000 professionals to find out what really mattered to them in the workplace, and compiled the responses in the infographic below.
While it's no surprise that monetary compensation is still the leading motivator in the workplace, it's interesting to note that flexible vacation time and simple recognition from the boss came in respectively in second and third place for the most valued form of recognition.


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I am currently hosting my own Radio Show weekly on sense.fm, However i need a logo to advertise the show. I have chosen the name ReLoaded and i have created the name using photoshop to a certain extent, The logo needs finalising with weekly show times which i am able to email to who ever is interested along with the logo i have made up and till now. I also have a special friend of mine working on the logo for me but is very busy with label work and producing so may take some time before it gets finished. Any help would be much appreciated :grinning:


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Simon is a self-taught photographer and a graphic designer for a Warner Bros company, based in London. Born on 1983 in UK, Simon wants to bring to surface buried emotions and a sense of escapism from his series of dream like concepts.
Simon's work has been featured within Saatchi's gallery space on two occasions as his image 'An Underwater Spell' being used for the forefront of Google's and Saatchi's collaboration project, Motion Prize. Simon's work has also appeared in publications, such as Vogue Italia, My Modern Metropolis, Phlearn, Dodho and Worbz.
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I'm a self-taught Fine Art and Fashion photographer based in London, UK. I had started photography a little over a year ago and it has become an active hobby of mine.
How did you get interested in photography?
I love to tell stories and I find that photography is one of best mediums to take short moments of that story and letting the viewers to be inspired to fill in the rest of the story.
Have any artist/photographer inspired your art?
Tim Walker and Tim Burton are my current inspirations.
Could you please tell us anything about your technique and creating process?
I don't really have a standard process, but generally a concept idea can spark from a conversation, an object or location. I write down a short story based on these elements to build up the image and then go out and shoot.
Describe your ideal photographic situation
A shoot that inspires another idea and then perhaps another idea.
How much preparation do you put into taking a photography?
Depending on the details of the shoot and that everything is all planned out, then it can take between 10mins to one hour. I even have times where I have to take a week to prepare because I needed certain props, costumes and even location scouting.
What's your useable-to-unusable ratio when you review images from a shoot?
For planned shoots, it's pretty small like 3/4 useable. It get's smaller and smaller when you know what you want.
What quick advice do you have for someone who wants to improve his or her photography skills?
Do it everyday,
From time to time many photographers find themselves in a creative rut or uninspired to shoot. Does this ever happen to you and if so how do you overcome these phases?
I would go do something that is outside your comfort zone. This will keep you on your toes and eventually you'll find yourself back on track again, because doing something new will force you to think differently and that'll become your inspiration.
What future plans do you have? What projects would you like to accomplish?
I would love to visit the world with photography in mind and be inspired by my discoveries. I also want to collaborate with other talented people (be they musicians, actors, writers or filmmakers) to create amazing bodies of art. [Official Website]


text: Corporate Events Are Very Important To Every Company. Reasons Are – Binds Employees – Gives Employees Motivation – Everybody Comes Closer To Company's Vision And Mission Private Limited Firm Events In Gurgaon Bring Together People Together From All Company Departments For A Huge Range Of Occasions And Company Chairman Love To Capture Them All. From… Continue reading Corporate Events Without Professional Video Shoot Is Like Wedding Day Without Food


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Beccy is our Front Office Manager and has been a dedicated part of the Riverside team since 1989. She attended Okanagan College and Cariboo College to study Arts and Humanities, however her passion for animals and people led her to the veterinary practice.
Over the years Beccy has enjoyed many animals in her life including: dogs, cats, rabbits, and horses. The current loves of her life are her chihuahua Millie and ragdoll cat Daisy. She takes pleasure in working in a progressive and positive environment, and in her spare time she enjoys gardening, camping, and traveling.


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best dressed: chanel's tribeca film festival party
because joan smalls in blue mascara is too good to miss.
When Chanel throws a party, you know the guest list is going to be crazy well-dressed. Case-in-point: The Tribeca Film Festival fete Chanel hosted last night at NYC hotspot Balthazar.
With Joan Smalls in a gold choker, Jen Brill proving that culottes are cool, and Constance Jablonski in a chic beige outfit there's enough spring fashion inspiration in the slideshow at right to potentially last you until spring 2015. No really, see for yourself, but don't blame us if you find yourself shopping for Chanel brick bags on eBay at 1 AM tomorrow morning.
Laura Love
Greta Gerwig
Harley Viera-Newton
Hannah Bronfman
Mickey Sumner
Jen Brill
Lily Aldridge
Leigh Lezark
Atlanta de Cadenet Taylor
Anja Rubik
Hilary Rhoda
Constance Jablonski
Joan Smalls


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aespa are set to become the first K-pop girl group to perform during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York later this month.
On November 1, Macy's announced that the up-and-coming quratet will be joining the performer line-up for the forthcoming 95th iteration of the annual parade, joining artists like Andy Grammer, Darren Criss, Kim Petras, Nelly, Kelly Furtado and Kristin Chenowith.
According to the Macy's website, the girl group will be performing on Olay's "Her Future is STEM-sational" float, which hopes to inspire women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math.
THIS JUST IN! Here's the star-studded lineup for this year's 95th #MacysParade!
Check out who's joining the party! https://t.co/20Zc7A5ox9 pic.twitter.com/IrtZKGTXcm
— Macy's (@Macys) November 1, 2021
This feat will also make aespa the second-ever K-pop act to perform at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, following labelmates NCT 127's performance in the 2019 parade.
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is one of the oldest Thanksgiving Day parades in US history and is considered one of the biggest parades in the world. This year's parade will take place on November 25, marching from Manhattan to Macy's Herald Square from 9am to 12pm. EST.
"For our 95th celebration, Macy's has created a spectacle to remember featuring a dazzling array of high-flying balloons, animated floats and incredible performers," said Will Coss, executive producer of the parade. "We can't wait to help New York City and the nation kick-off the holiday season with the return of this cherished tradition."
Aespa recently made their comeback with their first-ever mini-album 'Savage'. It included the title track of the same name and five other album cuts, including 'Lucid Dream' which was co-written by American singer-songwriter Hayley Kiyoko.
In an interview with Grammy.com, the group shared that they were "so surprised" when they found out that Kiyoko had written a song for them, adding that they "[are] so glad that we were able to sing it".


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According to Leadership Newpaper, the tragedy happened at Asaba on Friday. Maureen Akowe, a 37-year-old Delta State University graduate of sociology and a full time housewife lost her baby, Chinonso, to her dog. Chinonso was driven in
Maureen's car alongside the dog to a popular supermarket along Okpanam Road, Asaba, where she had gone for shopping.
She left her, a nanny and the dog inside the car. She wound down the window to allow ventilation into the car before moving into the supermarket. But while she was busy shopping, the dog allegedly attacked Chinonso while the nanny screamed for help all to no avail. The shouts by the nanny attracted two security personnel at the supermarket to the car but by which time Chinonso had been bitten severally on the stomach.
The dog had gone wild and was barking menacingly to scare onlooker by the time Maureen got wind of the development and rushed to the scene. Chinonso later died on her way to the hospital. The Nanny later said: "Madam carry the dog and baby and asked us to stay inside the car, because the dog was to be treated at the veterinary, suddenly I saw the dog moving closer to the baby and I shouted for help when the dog opened its teeth and I ran out of the car to call madam but she did not come on time."
Maureen has been married for 3 years without a baby before being bless with Chinonso. Her husband, amidst tears, said: "my wife said it is the devil's work and the devil's work will take her out of my house, I have warned her about the dog when I notice that the dog had been behaving funny. She still kept carrying the dog claiming that she was going to give treatment to it. This is how the devil has ruined her."…. R.I.P little Chinonso……


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i Khedut Yojana Gujarat 2022
ikhedut Portal Gujarat 2022 Yojana List, ikhedut Scheme: Gujarat Government Always support farmers so He launched ikhedut portal and throw this portal government-run many helpful schemes for farmers.
i Khedut Yojana Gujarat @ikhedut.gujarat.gov.in Gujarat Government launched an online portal to provide benefits to the farmers of the state. The government starts several schemes for farming, horticulture, fisheries, water conservation, and many more.
All information regarding the scheme is available on the ikhedut portal. Any eligible citizen of the Gujarat state can apply for the scheme through the online portal and check their application status for free.
ikhedut Portal Gujarat 2022 Yojana List
- Article Name:iKhedut Portal 2022
- language:English and Gujarati
- purpose:To give the benefit of agricultural schemes to the farmers of Gujarat
- Beneficiary:Farmers of Gujarat
- Total plans:A total of 49 agriculture
- department schemes will be launched on i-farmer portal
- Official Website:https://ikhedut.gujarat.gov.in/
Gujarat is an online portal for Farmers in Gujarat. This portal provides all information about the latest Gujarat Government farmer scheme. Also, Farmers can online apply for any schemes throw ikhedut Portal.
so we must recommend to all farmers to register on ikhedut portal it's free. after that, you get latest farmers scheme information and apply easily. Today we know one of the Farmer's Scheme as a benefit of this schemes farmers get up to 1.5 lakhs benefits.
i Khedut Yojana 2021 Required Documents :
- Khedut Nondhni Patra No.
- 7-12, 8-A Khata No.
- Bank Seving Account No.
- Cheque No.
- Aadhar Card No.
- Ration Card No.
- Mobile No.
Component of ikhedut gujarat government in
Government of Gujrat has introduced I- Khedut Yojna for view to helping farmers of gujarat with better agriculture growth. First of all meet the computer operator of the village panchayat of your village to apply online application. Following are
Necessity Document for I Khedut yojna.
- 8 / A new original
- Bank pass book xerox or cancel check xerox
- Aadhar card xerox
- Caste Certificate xerox for a Scheduled Caste farmer only
- Mobile number (for registration )
- Attach these all documents and do signature on it and give it to the Gram Sevak.
I Khedut Gujarat Yojana List 2022
Name of the scheme:Link
- Other tools:Click Here
- Agro Service / Provider Unit:Click Here
- Combined harvester:Click Here
- Cultivator:Click Here
- Scheme to encourage farmers to increase crop value:Click Here
- Groundnut digger:Click Here
- Chaff cutter (engine / electric motor operated):Click Here
- Chaff cutter (tractor/power operated):Click Here
- Tractor:Click Here
- Tarpaulin:Click Here
- Paddy Transcend Planter (Self:Click Here
- Plow (all types):Click Here
- Planter (other types):Click Here
- Animal powered sowing:Click Here
- Crop Storage Structure (Godown):Click Here
- Power tiller:Click Here
- Power thresher:Click Here
- Potato digger:Click Here
- Potato planter:Click Here
- Post Harvest equipment:Click Here
- Post Hall Digger:Click Here
- Form Machinery Bank – Up to 10 Lakh:Click Here
- Form Machinery Bank – Up to 25 Lakh:Click Here
- Form Machinery Bank (selected district / village):Click Here
- Brush cutter:Click Here
- Baler:Click Here
- Man-operated site (harvesting tool):Click Here
- Cargo vehicle:Click Here
- Reservoir:Click Here
- Ripper / Binder (all types):Click Here
- Rotary Power Tiller (Self Propelled) / Power Weeder:Click Here
- Rotavator:Click Here
- Land Leveler:Click Here
- Laser Land Leveler:Click Here
- Wheel Ho:Click Here
- Sowing / automatic drill :Click Here
- Winning fan:Click Here
- Shredder / Mobile Shredder:Click Here
- Subsoiler:Click Here
- Smart Hand Tools Kit:Click Here
- Hero (all types):Click Here
- High-tech, high productive equipment hub:Click Here
- Tractor operated sprayer :Click Here
- Crop Protection Equipment – Power powered:Click Here
- Solar light trap:Click Here
- Assistance on the purchase of a smartphone:Click Here
- Pump sets:Click Here
- Plan to help build water tanks:Click Here
- Water Carrying Pipeline:Click Here


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Government employees arrive at the office, passing an area occupied by protesters outside the government headquarters building in Hong Kong on 5, October. Carlos Barria / REUTERS |
Frustrated that their illegal campaign is running out of steam, a group of radical "Occupy Central" protesters stormed the Legislative Council (LegCo) building early on Wednesday. This was in a desperate move to boost morale.
An unruly mob of masked men clashed with police after breaking at least three glass doors in the early hours of Wednesday. Injuries were reported on both sides. The assault forced the legislature to cancel its Wednesday meetings.
The premeditated attack on the legislature constitutes a blatant challenge to the rule of law. It is a criminal act no civilized society would tolerate.
In the face of public outrage, leaders from the opposition camp, including those who have been maneuvering and instigating the "Occupy" movement, were quick to distance themselves from the incident. Rather than trying to dodge responsibility, they should now call off the illegal protests which have dragged on for weeks. After all, they are the ones who have sowed the seeds of lawlessness in Hong Kong society.
The people of Hong Kong have long been known for their respect for law and order. The rule of law has been cherished by the society as one of the key cornerstones of the city's social stability and economic prosperity.
But this has now been shaken to the core by the illegal "Occupy" campaign orchestrated by the opposition camp. To promote their unconstitutional demands, they jeopardized the well-being of society by blocking the city's main traffic arteries.
To justify their illegal actions, key figures from the opposition camp have also deliberately distorted the notion of the rule of law. In defending "Occupy" protesters who had flouted court injunctions to clear the streets, "Occupy" initiator Benny Tai and opposition lawmaker Albert Ho - both law experts - have advocated the idea that citizens are free to break the law as long as they accept their punishments. Tai has also claimed that disobeying a civil court order poses no challenge to the rule of law.
They are, in effect, encouraging people to take the law into their own hands. This idea of lawlessness and a warped notion of the rule of law have given rise to mob politics as evidenced by the attack on the LegCo building.
Concerns over the "Occupy" campaign have been mainly focused on its potential damage to Hong Kong's economy. But the biggest damage of all is mob politics becoming even more prevalent.


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android 10 stock mobile wallpaper
android 10 stock mobile wallpaper download at HD Mobile Walls in high resolution. You may like other wallpaper in this
category. Stay visiting, We post Mobile wallpapers Daily. We notify you latest wallpaper, so don't forget to subscribe. 😍😘
- Wallpaper Name : android 10 stock mobile wallpaper
- Label : abstract
- Date Added 2020-11-11T08:51:00-08:00
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Whether you are expecting to encounter all weather conditions during one expedition, or you need a versatile shelter to protect you all year around, Snugpak's All Weather Shelter will consistently protect you from the sun, wind, rain and snow.
Designed by experienced outdoorsmen and military veterans, this versatile shelter can be configured as a Fly, Pup Tent, Lean-To Shelter, Emergency Biwi, the list goes on. The All Weather Shelter is great if you want just one shelter solution to suit all of your expeditions and ideal if you want to travel light and move fast.


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So the Supa Mandiwanzira radio interview by ZiFM Stereo's powerful interviewer Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa made clear some of the perspectives of government in pushing for operators in Zimbabwe to share infrastructure. It helps you understand better the government's (or at least the minister's) thinking on the matter. I recommend that you take some time to listen to it.
A number of times the minister effectively says that stronger operators who have bigger market share, must share infrastructure so that weaker players, who have smaller marketshare, are able to grow their marketshare and become more viable businesses.
You read that right.
And here it is in his own words:
TelOne owes money to Econet, NetOne owes money to Telecel for interconnection fees. Now you either – as someone who's owed money – continue to live in that situation where you're continuously owed money, or you help that guy access better and more markets, so they can now begin to earn money, so that they can pay your debt. You can choose to do that.
It's like a bank: they lend you money and you fail to pay the money. They either choose to sell your house, which they know will go for $150,000 but you're owing $300,000. They can choose to do that and lose money. Or they can choose to say, "we're now going to give you more money, so you can grow the business, so you're able to pay us back". It's a simple concept.
This is interesting in that, actually in business you don't try to help the competition take some of your market share. At the very least, you'd just be ok to have them in the market so that your subscribers are clear about the value you provide – because there's opportunity for comparison. In business you try to own the market. Like Google owns search. They don't try to help Bing provide better search results.
Secondly, the banking analogy the minister gives is broken. No bank manager says "Hey, you lost all my money, but here's a bit more so you can work on recovering that lost money". Well, unless they have strict conditions on how that money is going to be used. Conditions like appointing a new CEO (or leader to be general manager) and other stringent terms that ensure the same mistakes are not repeated. What demonstration has the government made to show they are differently behaved debtor from the one that owes millions in interconnection fees? Both at operator level and at macro national level? The state of the economy is very clear on what kind of debtor you're dealing with.
But the thinking of entitlement to more money from the lender whose money you just lost may actually be understandable from a government perspective. Governments and lenders to government do that for and to each other. It doesn't help ofcourse, but they do it anyway. See Greek crisis!
But even if the banking example made sense, Econet are not a lender so the analogy still breaks down. Again, Econet has no interest in increasing NetOne market share. In fact the interest they have is to grow their own. Grow the pie, yes; reduce general costs in the industry for everyone, maybe, but grow competitor market share? No.
What is interesting is that the minister is a business person himself (he owns ZiFM and has a film production company amoung other assets) and he definitely understand the economics. This makes it difficult to understand if he believes in what he's said.


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"She's difficult." These two words were all it took for me as a university administrator to deny a colleague a seat at the table. With these two words I finalized a team without her, brought them together to develop a plan and then implemented and finally celebrated its successful conclusion. She missed out.
Now, years later as a pastor once more, I still remember the chain of events and conditions I created with these two words for my Black, female colleague, for myself and the team and for the university and community. It would take weeks and months for me to learn about the part I played in perpetuating systemic racism and to begin repenting of it.
As significant as it is to me, my repenting is only a drop in the deep-running river of recognizing and dismantling the sin of systemic racism. I am only now in the last eight years awakening to the realities of it in American society and my part in it. The fact that I am beginning to see systemic racism, to feel remorse for it and to redress it in my life and in the church does not deserve a shift of the spotlight from the lived experience of those like my colleague who have suffered on account of it for generations. If my story is to contribute, then let it turn your attention and open your eyes and ears to those who have suffered and suffer from it still.
I had no idea
It had not occurred to me that my colleague was anything else but difficult. I certainly wouldn't have said she was difficult because of her race, nor would I have attached my perception to her gender. I'm smarter than that; I'm neither a racist nor a misogynist. Looking back, I can see how such positive self-assessments actually blinded me to the truth about myself, society and people of color like my colleague.
Smart as I thought myself to be, I had failed to learn anything meaningful about her or from her prior to that decision. I had made my assessment having never once even worked with her. Colorblind as I prided myself to be, I had failed to see the impacts of our racialized society on her life or how her Black heritage had given her a wealth of wisdom, experience and fortitude the team might have needed. And as egalitarian as I was, I had failed to recognize the mettle she had developed on account of her gender.
I had no idea the perseverance she had demonstrated as a Black woman to earn her doctorate. None of these things mattered to me then. As a professional white Christian man, I was simply accustomed to setting standards and defining norms for my family and the churches and communities I served. I judged her to be "difficult" and acted to exclude her because I was in a position to do so for the best interest of the team and organization. That she spoke up in disagreement with my decision, not unlike protests following brutal police actions, only reinforced the rightness of my decision and my assessment that she was difficult.
Over the next few weeks following my decision, a series of events put my colleague and me in closer proximity to each other. Her office was near mine and when I stopped by on one occasion, she mentioned that she had volunteered for the team I had put together. She wondered why she hadn't been selected. I hesitated to say the words, but finally told her I perceived her as difficult. That confirmed what she had been told. Could I give an example? she asked. As I did, I realized I had only been judging her from a distance. I didn't know her and hadn't cared enough to try.
Listening and learning
And so, a relationship began. I listened, and I learned. I saw how the small decision I had made about her had been made from a place of privilege and power, the kind that was able to set standards for how people worked and by which she had been judged "difficult."
Did I care to know of the crucible her difficult life had provided as a foundry of her character? Was I prepared to see the difficulty I was perpetuating in her life? In the shared difficulty of that current situation, could she count on me to be empathetic, understanding and open to listening and learning? Was I the difficult one? Such questions gnawed at me.
I had hurt my colleague deeply and recognized how vulnerable she had been in sharing that with me. And because of her persistence in challenging me, we entered a process with others to gain understanding and to seek restoration. Little did I know the grace, wisdom and strength of my colleague! What I discovered through her and the process was instructive and transformative. I was living and leading while never examining the influence and the privilege systemic racism had provided me. She and other colleagues, alongside the Word and work of the Lord in my life, had revealed what should have been self-evident: I was participating in the perpetuation of systemic racism.
Learning to be difficult
At the conclusion of the process, my colleague invited me to a table of repentance. Before two dozen of our colleagues I laid out the role I had played behind the scenes in her life and in ways that had affected them in the organization, too. My decisions were influenced by my assumptions, virtually none of which I had examined. She was a single Black woman with an earned doctorate, a devoted follower of Jesus, an educator and an activist committed to breaking down the barriers of systemic racism. She was difficult, indeed. She'd had to be all her life. And though I had not known it, I needed her to be.
I am learning to be difficult, too. My ongoing repentance, growing recognition and calls for redressing the privilege and power from systemic racism in society and in the church has created difficulty for some around me. Much of that difficulty is exacerbated by the polarized politicization of systemic racism as an issue and the way it is portrayed in the media. And yet some are engaging and learning along with me.
Whole generations are growing up around me already awakened and increasingly active in exposing and dismantling these systems. They are looking for spiritual leaders to take the Bible's calls for justice and righteousness seriously. One of the ways I've responded was to purchase and use the newly published and first-ever New Testament commentary from an African American perspective, True to Our Native Land, to help me see and share the text from that lens of experience. As a pastor and leader, my words matter.
Two words set me on a course I could not have predicted. I came to value my colleague in ways I had not imagined. New insights continue to spark increased empathy. And though the experience was one of difficulty, it has opened a path to greater understanding and a shared hope for God's justice and righteousness—his kingdom—on earth as it is in heaven. In the words of the song known as the Black national anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing:
Thou who has brought us thus far on the way
Thou who has by Thy might
Led us into the light
Keep us forever in [that] path, we pray.
Mark Isaac is lead pastor of New Life Community, formerly Dinuba MB Church, in central California. He is a graduate of Tabor College and MB Biblical Seminary, now Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary, and has pastored churches in California, Oklahoma and Kansas. Mark and his wife, Laurie, have four grown children and three grandchildren.


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By Euronews
May faces calls to resign after Conservatives lose majority
The British Prime Minister is expected to visit the Queen to ask for permission to form a minority government at Buckingham Palace around 11.30 GMT.
Theresa May faced calls to step down after her Conservative party failed to win a majority in parliament, a gamble she took to win a stronger mandate.
The result of the election has thrown UK politics into turmoil and potentially disrupting Brexit negotiations.
This is a developing story, please follow our live coverage for more on the UK election.