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This is the result of raising a finger to the Assad fist: A harrowing account from the front line as the 'mother of all battles' looms in Syria's biggest city
It began in Aleppo as it began in Houla, Damascus, Homs and Douma . . . first, the shelling.
Many who thought they were safe, sheltering in parks and squares, away from buildings and more obvious targets, were caught out. At least 20 civilians were believed to have been killed on Friday morning alone.
Next, the air assault. Four Russian-built MI-25 helicopter gunships hovered over Aleppo – big, grey, slow monsters spitting bursts of heavy-calibre machine-gun fire into housing areas, as government forces massed around Syria's second city.
Scroll down for video
Devastation: Channel 4 News's Alex Thomson, circled amid the ruins of a destroyed building near Damascus, has seen firsthand the horrific carnage of the Syrian conflict
According to the state media, this promises to be 'the mother of all battles'. Control of the capital is obvious in its significance but control of Aleppo is equally important – Syria's biggest city of 2.5 million is set to become the next Damascus in a pivotal battle in this war.
Rebels hold areas in the east and west, with a toe-hold on the city centre close to the Old Town – a World Heritage Site.
The regime must regain command of Aleppo because it generates much of the country's industrial and food output. It is also close to the border and Adana, the Turkish city from where weapons and money (supplied by Saudi Arabia and Qatar) flow.
The pattern last week was familiar. First, the basics of sustenance and escape – bread and petrol – ran short.
Tanks were already being put in place and troops with heavy mortars were pounding outlying districts and the city centre.
But that's only one side of the reality. As a friend said: 'It's like Damascus, most of the city's fine. The airport's still open. I've got a decent enough hotel and it's safe here. It's the usual thing – just the disputed areas are being pounded.'
Horror: Syrians carry the body of a man allegedly killed in the bombardment of Sukari, southwest of the restive city of Aleppo, by regime forces
The shelling was not as indiscriminate as untrained witnesses claimed. Vast areas, where there are no fighters, escaped the mayhem.
If you watch only the short YouTube propaganda videos sent out by the rebels, it looks as if the entire city is under fire. That was never true in Damascus or Homs – and it is not true in Aleppo and nor will it be. The Syrian Army knows where its adversaries are and responds accordingly.
Of course, firing artillery into any urban area is only so accurate; there will always be civilians trapped with fighters, and they will always die as they have done by the thousand.
For the past three days, a variety of sources in the country have reported major armoured columns moving towards Aleppo to visit precisely the same destruction upon any areas harbouring rebel fighters as in Damascus the previous week.
understand what specific districts of Aleppo can expect in the coming
days, you only have to travel through the northern suburbs of Damascus
on the highway north toward Homs.
But under no circumstances slow down your vehicle to look too closely – let alone stop. There are soldiers and civilian militia everywhere and, as we found out, they will open fire.
Front line: Chief Correspondent for Channel 4 News Alex Thomson and his team have a close encounter at a Syrian checkpoint while reporting on the brutal conflict
A minor misreading of a soldier's hand-signals at a city checkpoint last Wednesday resulted in three bullets from a Kalashnikov pumped into the back of our van. As the back window exploded over me, I wondered if those three would be the last of it. Luckily, they were.
It was one tiny episode in the intensifying violence of civil war slowly – very slowly – engulfing all major cities in Syria.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad wants the devastated areas to stand as a warning to anyone who challenges him
week, I passed through Harasta, a north-eastern suburb of Damascus. As
we drove, I realised I had seen this before . . . on the coast of Japan
where towns were pulverised by the tsunami.
Here, of course, there had been no tsunami, only the Syrian air force and army: Harasta has been strafed, shelled, rocketed, mortared. That was phase one. It had also been looted and burned. Phase two.
Phase three was just beginning as ruined buildings were worked over by fleets of bulldozers, supervised by ever-vigilant soldiers in tanks. They moved from house to house, reducing already wrecked homes to unrecognisable piles of shattered concrete, twisted wire and the flashes of colour from mashed-up family belongings – clothes, furniture, photo albums and toys.
The Syrian government wants these areas to stand as a warning of what will happen if you raise a finger to the Assad fist.
We should also look carefully at the backers of the rebel Free Syrian Army. Sunni Saudi and Sunni Qatar are funding and supplying a mostly Sunni uprising in Syria. Do these countries want Western democracy and freedoms? Of course not.
They want to stop the Shia axis of power from Iran arcing through Assad's Syria and into Hezbollah's Lebanon. And they are acutely aware it is an axis of power that has Russian and Chinese support.
So Europe and the US tread carefully, talking about massacres and beseeching President Assad to go, but avoiding direct arming of his foes. The CIA and other Western clandestine forces are in southern Turkey but they are advising through third parties, not arming.
Deadly: Four MI-25 attack helicopters, similar to the one pictured, rained heavy-caliber machine gun fire down on Aleppo
President Obama is moving cautiously towards greater support of the rebels. The White House has crafted a Presidential directive called a 'finding' which would authorise greater covert assistance for the insurgents, but it stops short of arming them.
Should the rebels prevail, what kind of people win? And win in a country with a major arsenal of chemical weapons?
Or in the dying days and the chaos, do those Hezbollah fighters take their fill of chemical shells and covertly relocate them close to the border with Israel?
Make no mistake, Syria makes Libya look simple – the straight- forward matter of toppling an eccentric old dictator who had run out of foreign friends.
In Syria, the regime has big powerful foreign friends in Russia and China – the kind of friends who vetoed a third attempt at sanctions at the UN Security Council last week. And there's little doubt they will do the same again.
Yet the prize of Aleppo could turn the war. If they can control Aleppo, the rebels can control the in-flow of heavy weapons. They would also have a major airport or, in other words, a potential weapons hub.
Boris Johnson's political strategist has been secretly advising the Syrian rebels in their battle to overthrow Bashir Al-Assad.
Lynton Crosby, a Conservative adviser who has been described as the 'master of the dark political arts', has been helping the Syrian National Council (SNC) to swing the Western media behind its cause.
Mr Crosby's corporate lobbying firm, CTF Partners, has targeted wealthy Muslims in Britain to raise funds for the council – a coalition of Syrian opposition groups based in Istanbul – and placed anti-Assad articles in papers including The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times.
A campaign document, produced by the firm on the council's behalf, quotes Conservative Party officials praising Mr Crosby as 'the best campaign manager in the world' and talks about establishing a full-time communications office in London 'to co-ordinate the public image and statements of the SNC' and 'to maximise public and political understanding in the Western world of the situation in Syria with a view to securing diplomatic and other support for the SNC members'.
Last night Mr Crosby – who has been tipped for a role in No 10 – said the work had been carried out unpaid.
He added: 'We were willing to lend our support because they have a story to tell – and they are the good guys.'
For now, however, this is nothing but a pipedream. The regime still controls the skies and the Syrian Army vastly outguns the rebels. It has a command and control structure that their guerrilla hit-and-run force cannot match for months.
All around the suburbs of Damascus it is the smell that leads you to the sorry aftermath of the fighting. There are bodies lying bloated and rotting in the summer heat, across the northern, eastern and southern suburbs.
The police state shows its colours in many other obvious ways. The goons around my hotel always seem to know where I have been rather better than I do. We cannot take our television camera out for more than about two minutes before a plainclothed intelligence man with radio (the giveaway) wanders up demanding to see our permission to film.
They are always polite, efficient and courteous but they indicate a regime very much intact in a city where, in truth, there's no sign of a great majority wanting revolution.
In Aleppo, as in Damascus, the omens for the rebels are not good.
The Assad regime can survive indefinitely unless one or more of three key conditions are fulfilled. First, the army defections to the rebels increase. Second, the politburo around Bashar Al-Assad withdraws its support. Third, Russia pulls the plug on arming the regime.
There is little evidence to suggest any of these three scenarios are imminent, although they are getting perceptibly closer.
This is a war which will swing back and forth for some time, with the UN unable to act and the Saudis, Qataris and Turks unable to equip and supply as they would like.
For now, the regime remains intact, bolstered by its victory in the capital. The West, meanwhile, bides its time, unwilling to get too involved militarily.
And it sees Russia and China right across the table supporting the other side.
Remember how the Cold War ended last century? Well, it's warming up ominously in the hot summer of Syria.
Video: Amateur video shows military aircraft over Aleppo as battles rage
Video: Aleppo residents flee war-torn city as food shortages spread
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My name is Mike Bonales. I'm a cartoonist, illustrator and web designer from Spain, and I want to show you my webcomic Frustrated Rabbit.
What's it about?
Rudolph the rabbit was married once, but she left him for another guy. Unfortunately for Rudolf, the new guy was a lawyer. She kept the house and the car, but not his son Rudy. With no place else to go, he and his son were forced to move into an apartment with his old father.
How often will you update it?
One a week there will be a new comic strip
I hope you enjoy it!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The Gameplan
About This Show
The Gameplan will be a show geared towards increasing your intricate sports knowledge. My background as a player in both major college and professional football gives me the perspective of what life is like between the lines for athletes. My immediate success as a coach and broadcaster has been because of a detailed understanding of the game and an ability to communicate this understanding to those around me while engaging them. The show will contain facts, opinions, and stories from my deeply entrenched experiences in life, sports, and entertainment. We'll mainly cover football but will veer towards other sports when significant stories take place. Talk of pop culture events will also be infused as stories from tv, movies, and music often relate to the top sports news of the day. Your participation is STRONGLY encouraged by phone and email. There will be weekly segments and even occasional skits to look forward to. The Gameplan airs live Tuesdays at 2 PM Pacific on VoiceAmerica.Read more »


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Pet Owner in Victoria
Hi there my name is Chloe I am looking for a pet sitter in there own home to take care of my babies max and sherlock for a couple or few weeks as I am in the midst of finding and moving into a new place more pet friendly for all of us to call home. Max is my 4 month old pit bull bull mastiff he is still a baby with energy and need lots of walks or just outside backyard playing that I can't be doing right now for I don't have the time and also sherlock is my 5 month kitty he is a very gentle cat just needs some time in a more vast bigger environment that I am not able to provide at this moment. If anyone has anything available for them at a affordable rate as I don't have the greatest financial budget but am doing my best as this move will cost a lot for sure. Can you please call me at 250-415-... or email me at thank you
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text:
Three Bears RV Park, Cabins & Storage is located in Kalispell, Montana. The West entrance to Glacier National Park is thirty minutes away and all town services and attractions are within short distance. Three Bears RV Park, Cabins & Storage offer outstanding accommodations for all RV sizes. Trees enhance the manicured lawns and flowerbeds.
"Overnight Stop encounter to Glacier"
Very impressed. We stopped on our way to GLACIER. Plenty of room for our 37 ft Motorhome. Picnic table, firepit, full hookups. And very reasonable. There is WiFi. Gentlemen at the office kind and helpful. We would come again, family friendly with swings.


text:
Hiring Procedures for On-campus Employment:
- Necessary Paperwork: Your employer will have you complete an Employment Verification Form (I-9), Federal and State Tax Withholding Forms, and a Direct Deposit Form. These forms must be completed before you can begin working. The Student Payroll office, Scholfield 220, can provide assistance in completing the I-9 and tax withholding forms.
- Paychecks: You will receive payment for hours worked every two weeks. All payments will be directly deposited into your checking or savings account:no checks will be issued. Direct deposit forms can be completed by accessing http://www.uwec.edu/hr/forms.htm.
- Background Checks: All jobs will require a basic background check. This will be arranged through your employer.
- Student Employment Manual - Please review the Student Employment Manual at: http://www.uwec.edu/finaid/employment/student-employment-manual.htm for information, rules and guidelines for student employment at UWEC. Your employer may have additional guidelines.


text:
Legal Status
Document Details
Published Document
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
Temporary rule; closure.
NMFS announces that the percentage of the tilefish annual total allowable landings (TAL) available to the Full-time Tier 2 permit category for the 2005 fishing year has been harvested. In response, commercial vessels fishing under the Full-time Tier 2 tilefish category may not harvest tilefish from within the Golden Tilefish Management Unit for the remainder of the 2005 fishing year (through October 31, 2005). Regulations governing the tilefish fishery require publication of this notification to advise the public of this closure.
Effective 0001 hrs local time, June 28, 2005, through 2400 hrs local time, October 31, 2005.Start Further Info
Brian R. Hooker, Fishery Policy Analyst, at (978) 281-9220.End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental Information
Regulations governing the tilefish fishery are found at 50 CFR part 648. The regulations require annual specification of a TAL for federally permitted tilefish vessels harvesting tilefish from within the Golden Tilefish Management Unit. The Golden Tilefish Management Unit is defined as an area of the Atlantic Ocean from the latitude of the VA/NC border (36°33.36′ N. lat.), extending eastward from the shore to the outer boundary of the exclusive economic zone, and northward to the U.S./Canada border. After 5 percent of the TAL is deducted to reflect landings by vessels issued an open-access Start Printed Page 37057Incidental permit category, and after up to 3 percent of the TAL is set aside for research purposes, should research TAL be set aside, the remaining TAL is distributed among the following three tilefish limited access permit categories: Full-time Tier 1 category (66 percent), Full-time Tier 2 category (15 percent), and the Part-time category (19 percent).
The TAL for tilefish for the 2005 fishing year was set at 1.995 million lb (905,172 kg) and then adjusted downward by 5 percent to 1,895,250 lb (859,671 kg) to account for incidental catch. There was no research set-aside for the 2005 fishing year. Thus, the Full-time Tier 2 permit category quota for the 2005 fishing year, which is equal to 15 percent of the TAL, is 284,288 lb (128,951 kg).
The Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) monitors the commercial tilefish quota for each fishing year using dealer reports, vessel catch reports, and other available information to determine when the quota for each limited access permit category is projected to have been harvested. NMFS is required to publish notification in the Federal Register notifying commercial vessels and dealer permit holders that, effective upon a specific date, the tilefish TAL for the specific limited access category has been harvested and no commercial quota is available for harvesting tilefish by that category for the remainder of the fishing year, from within the Golden Tilefish Management Unit.
The Regional Administrator has determined, based upon dealer reports and other available information, that the 2005 tilefish TAL for the Full-time Tier 2 category has been harvested. Therefore, effective 0001 hrs local time, June 28, 2005, further landings of tilefish harvested from within the Golden Tilefish Management Unit by tilefish vessels holding Full-time Tier 2 category Federal fisheries permits are prohibited through October 31, 2005. The 2006 fishing year for commercial tilefish harvest will open on November 1, 2005. Federally permitted dealers are also advised that, effective June 28, 2005, they may not purchase tilefish from Full-time Tier 2 category federally permitted tilefish vessels who land tilefish harvested from within the Golden Tilefish Management Unit for the remainder of the 2005 fishing year (through October 31, 2005).
This action is required by 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.Start Signature
Dated: June 22, 2005.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05-12745 Filed 6-23-05; 2:57 pm]


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Established 2014
Paperback-Press, a paid service provider, was founded by independent author Sharon Kizziah-Holmes and her husband Dennis. Sharon has been assisting writers in self-publishing since the mid 1990's. In 2014 she observed many colleagues were under-compensated and under-served by small press/hybrid publishers (who typically require certain rights, demand purchase of a designated number of books and take part of the author's royalties). As a result, she developed this affordable, professional indie assist publishing venue to serve fellow writers.
As a value-added, indie assist service provider, Paperback-Press works for and with independent authors who may utilize PBP's brand while retaining the rights of a self-published author. (However, there is no obligation to use their brands or logos.) In being your partner in publishing, Paperback-Press does not require a minimum amount book purchase, does not receive royalties and the author keeps 100% of his or her rights.
PBP has also helped a number of well-established authors who previously had arrangements with traditional publishers. These authors see the value in partnering with Sharon's company to re-release their titles.
In essence, PBP offers a unique option between the author doing all the work themselves before self-publishing, and an author being picked up and published by a traditional house. For example, an author can become tired or disappointed while waiting for a traditional publisher to respond to a submission. Then if an author is fortunate enough to be accepted by a traditional publisher, it can take up to two years, sometimes longer, to get the book released.
We can do better than that. If you are ready to publish your work, novel, short story/stories, memoir, novella, picture book, children's book…Paperback-Press is the indie assist publishing partner for you!
For more information regarding services offered, or for a personal estimate on your project, email email@example.com.


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Welcome to the Manchester Metropolitan University United Arab Emirates page. Manchester Met welcomes 3,000 students from over 120 countries. Located in the dynamic city of Manchester and with more than £350 million invested into the University to create a world-class learning environment.
Holders of the Higher Secondary School Certificate - the Tawjihiyya
Year 1 entry: Holders of the Higher Secondary School Certificate - the Tawjihiyya who have completed a recognised Foundation Year, Higher College of Technology Diploma, Associate Degree (American University of Dubai) University Diploma or first year of a Degree programme in UAE . Other points of entry are considered on a case by case basis.
Holders of a good UK Honours Degree, A good (4 years) Bachelor Degree from a recognised university in UAE Relevant work experience may be taken into account. MBA requires a good honours degree and a minimum of 3 years managerial and /or professional experience in a full time position.
Holders of a good Bachelor degree and a Master's degree. Each application will be assessed on it's own merit and relevant work experience will be taken into consideration
We accept qualifications based on education systems from other countries such as India, Pakistan, Iran and the USA. Please refer to the relevant country pages for the appropriate entry requirements.
For Undergraduate courses, we usually ask for IELTS 6.0 (No less than 5.5 in any section) or equivalent.
For Postgraduate courses, we usually ask for IELTS 6.5 (No less than 5.5 in any section) or equivalent.
See the full list of English qualifications we accept
For information relating to qualifications please contact us. Entry requirements may vary from programme to programme and on a case by case basis.
If you have studied UK qualifications such as A Levels, you can calculate your UCAS Tariff points then check the individual course descriptions to see if you meet requirements. You can also find the minimum IB scores required by checking these descriptions.
For information relating to additional qualifications please contact us. Please note that these entry requirements are intended as guidance only and we do not guarantee entry to holders of the above qualifications. Minimum grade requirements may apply and entry requirements may vary from programme to programme and on a case by case basis.
Abu Dhabi
Union National Bank Building
1802 Airport Road
near Corniche
Abu Dhabi
Phone 00 971 2 622 8367
Fax 00 971 2 662 8369
Dubai Knowledge Park, Block 2B
Office F30
Phone +97143910022
Office no 104 Century Plaza building
Jumeira 1
PO box 50085
Phone 00 971 4 344 6814
Fax 00 971 4 344 6817
Mobile 050 2310 625
Office 1903, Grosvenor Business Bay Tower
Business Bay
Phone +971 569940084
There are no events to announce at the moment, but we do run events in United Arab Emirates. Please contact us for more information about upcoming events.
*Based on data from the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2016-2017


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ESPN's Vaughn McClure reported early last week that the Atlanta Falcons and wide receiver Julio Jones had yet to begin contract negotiations which came as a mild surprise considering that the team indicated following the draft that getting Jones signed to a contract extension was their biggest priority.
However in reality, McClure's report really only meant that contract negotiations had yet to begin, not that they weren't going to try and get something done. The Falcons have made it a habit of giving out their biggest contract extensions on the eve of training camp, both signing wide out Roddy White and quarterback Matt Ryan the past two summers within 24 hours of their first practice.
It's very likely that Jones will follow suit, signing a deal before the team kicks off camp this summer on July 31 as McClure later indicated. The fact that the team hadn't really started negotiating yet shouldn't be too surprising since former Green Bay Packers cap analyst Andrew Brandt always notes: "deadlines spur action."
The Falcons really didn't need to start negotiating a new deal with Jones until after July 15, when a pair of franchise-tagged wide receivers: Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas, signed their deals. The Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos had to sign both players by that deadline in order to free up their ability to use their franchise tags again in 2016. Now that both players signed eerily similar five-year contracts worth $70 million, the Falcons now have firmer parameters at where the negotiations can begin and end with Jones.
Last month I tried to project Jones' contract, basing it primarily on the deal signed by Detroit Lions wideout Calvin Johnson back in 2012, a deal that made him the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL. With Bryant and Thomas signing new deals, the "floor" for where Jones' contract has likely been set.
Jones Should See More Money Than Bryant and Thomas
It's very likely that the Falcons will pay Jones more than what either Bryant or Thomas made. That's largely because neither Bryant nor Thomas have potentially as strong a negotiating stance as Jones and his agent, Jimmy Sexton, likely have with the Falcons.
The biggest feather in Sexton's hat is the fact that had Jones not missed the team's Week 15 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers last year, he would have likely led the NFL in receiving yards last season. Jones finished the year with 1,593 yards, just 105 shy of Pittsburgh's Antonio Brown. Jones averaged 106 receiving yards per game, indicating just an average performance in Week 15 would have netted him the title. Considering the Steelers allowed 131 yards to Harry Douglas, it's likely that Jones could have potentially eclipsed 150 had he been healthy enough to play that game.
If Bryant and Thomas' deal represent the floor of Jones' negotiation stance, then it's likely that Johnson's deal represents the ceiling. Despite arguments made otherwise in June by myself, it's going to be a lot harder for Jones' new deal to eclipse that of Johnson's considering that Bryant and Thomas' don't. They represent his peer group, as Jones, Bryant and Thomas all are between the ages of 26 and 27.
So what is this spectrum where Jones' contract could lie? As mentioned earlier, Thomas and Bryant both signed five-year deals worth $70 million. Johnson signed a seven-year contract worth $113.5 million, but his five-year payout was $78.2 million according to Over the Cap. Jones' deal almost certainly will fall somewhere with that $8.2 million-range.
I noted before that Johnson received a three-year payout of $51.75 million, which could have been something that Jones' new deal might try to beat. It's less likely that will be the case since Bryant and Thomas' three-year payouts came in a bit lower. Bryant will receive $45 million over the first three years of his contract, while Thomas will receive at least $43.5 million with the possibility of $4 million more if the Broncos exercise an option bonus during the calendar year of 2017. That likely means that Jones' contract will seek to reach $48 million in terms of three-year payouts as opposed to $52 million.
For both Bryant and Thomas, most of those three-year payouts are guaranteed. Bryant received an initial guarantee of $32 million at signing, but that likely is going to increase as the Cowboys have to decide within the first week of the 2016 league year whether they want to guarantee his $13 million 2017 base salary, pushing that initial guarantee up to a extremely-likely-to-be-paid $45 million.
Thomas on the other hand received initial guarantee of $35 million, with his 2017 base salary of $8.5 million becoming fully guaranteed for skill and injury in the first week of 2016's league year. Again like Bryant, it's very likely that Thomas will get the full extent of his $43.5 million in guaranteed money unless something catastrophic happens in the next seven months.
What'll be interesting is how the Falcons might structure the deal. The Falcons have typically opted to have tiered bonuses in their big-money deals, meaning that bonus money is usually tied to an initial signing bonus followed by a second-year option bonus.
Bryant's deal includes $20 million in signing bonus all up front. Thomas only got an $11 million bonus at signing, but is due a $6.5 million roster bonus today, giving him an initial payout of $17.5 million.
Ryan's deal back in 2013 included an initial signing bonus of $28 million followed by an option bonus of $14 million in the second year. Ideally, the Falcons would want to spread out that second payout to Jones over another year, thus lowering his cap hit. There is incentive for the Falcons to try and lock up Jones to a six-year deal instead of a five-year one. But Sexton may balk at this, hoping that his client will hit free agency at the same time that Bryant and Thomas do, so that he'll once again have leverage at the negotiating table.
As these things go, there is an obvious give and take with negotiations. The Falcons could try to compel Sexton to accept a six-year deal, but likely in order to get that from him they'd have to give him a larger initial payout. That could mean a deal that rests much closer on the contract spectrum to Johnson than it does Bryant or Thomas. The question the Falcons would then have to ask is having that sixth year that important if it means committing a few extra million up front?
But despite a slow beginning, it's likely that negotiations will begin to pick up over the next 10 days between the Falcons and Jones. Getting a deal done now behooves the Falcons, as waiting only leaves questions.
Trufant Expected to be Next High-Priced Falcon Contract
As I noted back in June, Jones is the first of what will likely be several homegrown Falcons players that will get large extensions over the next few years with the next most likely player being cornerback Desmond Trufant. If Jones sets a new precedent for the Falcons to renegotiate their first-round picks the summer after their fourth seasons, then Trufant is likely to land an extension in the summer of 2017.
The highest-paid corners in the NFL: Darrelle Revis, Richard Sherman and Patrick Peterson all have contracts that average around $14 million. Joe Haden is next on the list at $13.5 million per year. Unfortunately for Trufant, there isn't likely to be another cornerback that comes along between now and 2017 that is likely to going to set a new higher benchmark.
Eventually Trufant is likely to be joined by fellow 2013 first-round cornerback in Minnesota Vikings' Xavier Rhodes as the corners likely to get large extensions two years from now. Both are players that could potentially add their names to the short list of elite corners based off their emergent play in 2014. Given their current level of play, neither Trufant nor Rhodes could potentially demand Revis-level money. But with two more good seasons, Trufant and Rhodes' agents of Doug Hendrickson and Sunny Shah, respectively, will have a stronger negotiating stance. Rhodes played as well as any corner in the second half of 2014 and as was the case with Bryant and Thomas for Jones, the Vikings cornerback could serve as a benchmark for Trufant's future negotiations.
After Trufant, offensive tackle Jake Matthews and defensive end Vic Beasley will be the next likely to get long-term extensions. While some might think Matthews getting a long-term deal is premature, I'm very confident that Matthews' play will improve over the next three years before he's due in 2018. As I noted in May, outside a four-game stint in the middle of 2014 where he was suffering from a severe ankle injury, Matthews graded in the middle of the pack among offensive tackles. He's only likely to improve from that point as young left tackles are wont to do. Duane Brown, Trent Williams, Eugene Monroe and Joe Staley all had notable struggles early in their NFL careers but were able to quickly turn it around to become some of the best left tackles in the league. There's absolutely no reason to think Matthews' won't follow suit considering his bloodlines and flashes of ability he showed as a rookie.
Expectations are of course high for Beasley in Atlanta and considering the monster $101 million contract that Justin Houston signed last week, one can also expect that if Beasley lives up to them, he could be due a fairly fat check come the summer of 2019.
Unlike cornerback, there are substantial number of notable free agents at offensive tackle and defensive end between now and the summers of 2018 and 2019 when Matthews and Beasley are expected to get paid, respectively. These players could set new price points for what top players at their respective positions get paid. For offensive tackle, Washington's Trent Williams is probably the most notable of the group, as he is set to become a free agent next spring. Von Miller, Ziggy Ansah, Ryan Kerrigan, Khalil Mack and Jadaveon Clowney are all edge-rushers that are likely to get their second contracts between now and 2019, most of whom have the potential to join the elite group of defenders making over $100 million like Houston.
Falcons Will Give Out Big Money to Core Players
What it translates to is the possibility of the Falcons having a core group of young players that are among the highest-paid players at their respective positions. Quarterback, offensive tackle, edge-rusher and cornerback are the four "pillar" or premium positions within the NFL, with many considering wide receiver to form the fifth position. Is it a coincidence that by 2019, the Falcons may have a player considered among the top five or 10 players at each of those positions and paid accordingly?
The Falcons have the potential for a strong core and foundation of players to build around for the long-term future. Of these five players, Ryan is the eldest having turned 30 in May. But since he's a quarterback, there's reason to believe that he could continue to play at a high level for another seven to eight years, meaning that all five of these players could still remain the foundation of the Falcons for the better part of the next decade.
The key for Dan Quinn's Falcons is to do the opposite of what general managers Thomas Dimitroff and Rich McKay did before him, which is to get off track by chasing a Super Bowl after three years. And as I noted back in December, that may have less to do with the men making the football decisions and more to do with the guy that paying all this money: team owner Arthur Blank.
The pressure to win and win big in the NFL is very high so it's understandable that there may have been "environmental factors" within Flowery Branch that might have prompted both team's GMs to abandon their usual "draft-first" building strategy midstream. However under Quinn, the Falcons can't fall into that same trap.
Dimitroff should only know from his experience in New England that there are no shortcuts to winning. Continually building over time is the best path to success because it increases a team's odds. Instead of trying to condense things into a three or four-year window, NFL teams need to try to expand their window over the course of a decade and that involves adamantly focusing on building via the draft.
I've continually noted that free agency rarely nets long-term building success. Building via the draft may take longer but it also means that the return on those investments are spread out over a longer period time than the typical two to three-year window of free agency. Ryan has already given the Falcons the best seven years of any quarterback in team history and potentially could give them seven more. Jones has already given the Falcons four good years and could easily add twice as many more.
There's reason to be optimistic that Trufant can play at a high level until he's 32, suggesting another seven years of high-caliber play. A good left tackle like Matthews could play until he's 32 or older, indicating the Falcons' young left tackle might play another nine years with the team at a high level. An edge-rusher like John Abraham played at a high level until he was 35 years old, meaning that Vic Beasley could have a dozen more good years in him.
Falcons Supplementing Core Tied to Good Drafting
While these five players might all form the core of the team for the next seven or more seasons, it'll be important for the Falcons to supplement them heavily in the draft. Given that this core is likely to take up substantial amounts of cap space in the coming years, the Falcons won't be as readily able to spend as freely in free agency for other teams' free agents to fix glaring holes. Thus their ability to build and build well will be tied to whether they can continually find and replenish talent in the draft.
If the Falcons do it right, then their future might work similarly to that of the Baltimore Ravens. Under GM Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens consistently let go of their non-first-round picks due to other teams valuing them higher than the Ravens. Largely because those players don't become core pieces of the Ravens teams. This often turns into players like Paul Kruger, Ovie Mughelli, Torrey Smith, and Pernell McPhee signing lucrative contracts with other teams, which in turn nets the Ravens back compensatory draft picks.
The case of the Falcons cornerback position potentially illustrates this well. With Trufant likely to be paid a large contract in the summer of 2017, it likely means that Robert Alford will be left out in the cold at the negotiating table a few months earlier when he hits free agency. The Falcons aren't likely to pay market value to two cornerbacks, rather settling for just one. Between the two, Trufant is definitely the likelier of the two at this point. Also hurting Alford is the newfound presence of Jalen Collins, who by the time Alford is set to be a free agent will be entering his third season with the Falcons and likely poised to take over the starting position (if not sooner). Should Alford leave in 2017 and nets a large enough contract, the Falcons could receive a third or fourth-round compensatory pick in the 2018 draft that could potentially help replace him.
Collins' contract expires after 2018 and it's possible that he'll play at a high enough level between now and then that the Falcons might make an exception and sign a second cornerback besides Trufant to a lucrative contract. But it's just as possible the team may decide to replace him just as they did Alford with a high pick they take in 2017 or 2018.
In order to facilitate that, the team must draft well and get quality players and starters with their second, third, fourth and occasionally fifth-round picks. That is something that the team did not do well under Dimitroff and that will have to change now that Quinn is heading the team, if the Falcons want to have sustainable long-term success.
The Packers are another example of a team that has been successful by focusing on the draft. GM Ted Thompson took over the team in 2005, yet the Packers remain a strong Super Bowl contender a decade later because of his ability to consistently add quality draft picks.
The Packers have made it to the NFC Championship game three times over the past decade with Thompson calling the shots and also sported the league's best regular-season record in 2011. That means there were basically four times over the past 10 years that the Packers had a legitimate chance of winning a Super Bowl. They managed to take advantage of one of those opportunities back in 2010.
The Falcons on the other hand have made one NFC Championship appearance over the past decade thanks to less-than-stellar drafting. Even if you were to add in the team's 2010 season where the Packers beat the No. 1-seeded Falcons in the playoffs as another legit chance of winning a Super Bowl, that's two chances.
It's simple probability, there's a much higher chance of hitting once if given four opportunities than there are if given one or two. The Packers potentially have a fifth opportunity this year and may have a sixth and seventh opportunity in the future, thanks largely to their ability to draft well. They've been able to find not only star players like Clay Matthews and Aaron Rodgers in the first round of the draft over the years, but also been able to hit on second and third-day selections like Eddie Lacy, Mike Daniels, T.J. Lang and Morgan Burnett in recent drafts.
The Falcons' 2015 draft class certainly gives optimism that they can potentially follow suit and continue to find quality players deeper into the draft thanks to selections like Tevin Coleman, Justin Hardy and Grady Jarrett in the third through fifth rounds. Assuming they succeed, the Falcons need more picks like Ra'Shede Hageman and Devonta Freeman in the future. Even if several of those players follow down the path that Alford is likely to forge and not get a second contract, the Falcons' ability to continually find those types of talents and producers outside the first round of the draft will be critical to their long-term success.
In recent years the team has simply missed the mark with selections like Peter Konz, Lamar Holmes, Akeem Dent and Prince Shembo with those valuable picks, not to mention the frequent trades that lost them picks in that same range.
The past 17 years has been a relative "golden age" for being a Falcon fan. Since 1998, the Falcons have had more winning seasons (eight) in that span as they had in the previous 33 years (seven) of the team's existence. That 17-year appearance includes one Super Bowl appearance and two trips to the NFC Championship. But should the Falcons continue to find success with the draft-first approach and adhere to it for multiple years, there's reason to believe that the team can do more in the next decade than they've done for the previous 17.


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There is a time bomb ticking in China. It's a demographic one, created by the disastrous "one child, one family" policy pursued by Beijing for many years in an attempt to curb population growth in the world's most populous country.
According to China's 2010 census, its population then numbered 1.34 billion people, 51.27 percent male and 48.73 percent female.
The sex ratio at birth, however, shows a far more threatening imbalance: 118 boys for every 100 girls. (In most Western countries, the ratio is 105 to every 100.) This imbalance is projected to rise to an astonishing 20 percent by 2030, and to slowly decrease thereafter. In China, particularly in impoverished rural areas, male offspring traditionally are preferred over female, in part to better provide next generation support for the elderly.
A few years ago authorities, recognizing the problems their ill-considered policy had created, relaxed somewhat the draconian measures taken to enforce one child, one family. These included not only fines but forced abortions and sterilizations. Ironically, the marketplace in communist China also has helped slow growth in the imbalance of the sexes. As the Chinese population becomes more urbanized and relatively more wealthy, large family units are viewed as a hindrance to enjoyment of the material benefits the new economy provides. (This is not something unique to China. In the developed world, greater wealth and the financial ability to support more children leads not to preference for larger family units, but for smaller ones.)
One child, one family has created in China a situation in which more than a 100 million Chinese men eventually will have no Chinese women to marry.
Much is made of China's yen for the commodities that fuel its rapidly expanding economy. In family-oriented China, though, the greatest demand by the bereft bachelor ultimately will be for his better half.
China's next growth market will be either marriage brokers or lonely hearts clubs.


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The Daily Maverick's investigative unit Scorpio is in possession of newly leaked emails indicating that former CEO Brian Molefe started planning his cushy retirement nest egg at least as early as a year before, in November 2015.
According to AmaBhungane journalist Pauli van Wyk, the emails show a conversation between Eskom and Eskom's pension fund PPF about Molefe's pension.
She says the emails shows exactly what transpired at Eskom with regards to Molefe's confusing retirement, retrenchment and at some point unpaid leave.
Read: Brian Molefe will fight for his job in court
The emails shows the chronology of exactly what happened because South Africans were mostly confused.— Pauli Van Wyk, Mail & Guardian investigative reporter
Van Wyk says Molefe was employed by Eskom on a fixed five-year contract. The emails reveal that someone from HR was already inquiring about Molefe's pension.
A certain Anton Minnaar tweaked the factors used to calculate pension funds which in the end amounted to R30.1 million, says van Wyk.
In a telephonic conversation with Molefe he admitted that he did a preliminary inquiry about his pension fund.
He showed no remorse...Molefe said the only mistake he made was to think that he could retire at age 50.— Pauli Van Wyk, Mail & Guardian investigative reporter
Aside from that, it appears he has no memory of any other payouts.
According to Molefe he can't remember any other bonuses he received from Eskom or annual remunerations that he received two days after Thuli Madonsela published her damning state capture report.— Pauli Van Wyk, Mail & Guardian investigative reporter
Eskom's spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe says the matter of retrenchment or reinstatement of Brian Molefe is with the courts and cannot be commented on further. He says Eskom will take its queue from the courts.
I am afraid I am not in a position to confirm or deny any of the reports. This is a matter that Eskom is taking very seriously especially at board level.— Khulu Phasiwe, Spokesperson
He added that when Eskom releases results on Wednesday, it will "have something to say" about this matter.
To hear more of this interviews, listen below:


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|Work hours
|Welcome to our page. We are a part of Wyevale Garden Centres, bringing joy and inspiration to everyone's garden.
The centre started life as a large family owned fuchsia nursery in the 1960s. Even when it was sold and converted into a garden centre, the family stayed involved, with old man Blackwell's sons at the helm - where they remained until the early 1980s! Several developments at the centre have resulted in a very large plantarea with a large covered area from the entrance of the centre.
Links with the local community are strong and the centre works closely with schools and charities across Swindon and Wiltshire. We have arranged successful bingo nights and quiz nights which have raised money for local charities.
Our air conditioned and licensed restaurant sells a wide range of delicious home-made snacks and lunches. There is also free wi-fi available.
Our helpful horticultural experts pride themselves on giving good practical advice to expert and amateur gardeners alike.
We all look forward to welcoming you to the centre soon.


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Own Your Awesome and clear blocks to your vision of a creative, authentic and profitable business.
FEES from $99 USD to $1375 USD for coaching packages. more...Request a free consultation Contact Me
An award-winning editor with more than 20 years experience in marketing, public relations and science communication, Carma Spence is a multi-dimensional entrepreneur, science fiction writer and poet.
With the increasing importance of the Internet in marketing communications, Carma has developed an expertise in online presence and strategy. Her book, Home Sweet Home Page, has received positive reviews and she now helps clients hone in on their core message and brand, develop their product lines and market themselves throughout the Web.
Her latest book is 57 Secrets for Branding Yourself Online (from Logical Logical Expressions Publishing) and Public Speaking Super Powers is due out sometime in 2015.
Her areas of coaching expertise are conscious creation (sometimes referred to as universal laws or the Law of Attraction), online presence & marketing (leveraging the power of the Internet to market your business) and public speaking.
The wind beneath her clients' wings, Carma provides more...
* Be crystal clear about your vision for your creative business … as well as the kind of income you want it to generate.
* Break through the hidden barriers that may be crippling your success in business and life.
* Feel refreshed, revitalized and ready to finally create the business you love once and for all.
* Identify your ideal readers and drafting an Ideal Reader Profile.
* Develop a strategic plan for increasing your visibility to your ideal readers, a plan that works best for your audience, your skill set and your current and projected resources. Some implementation of the key components of that strategic plan also available.
* Discover the value of your book/information product/service and draft the copy that communicates that value to your ideal readers.
* Develop marketing funnels using your content so that you can deliver your expertise in a wide variety of formats, reaching more people with your message.
* Grow the connection between you and your ideal readers so more ...
I use a combination of my 20+ years experience in marketing, my natural intuitive talents and proven coaching tools to guide my clients in clearing their blocks and building a creative, authentic and profitable business.
My private coaching is conducted primarily over the phone. Depending on my client's needs, I can work free flow on your particular needs for that session, or I can guide you through a curriculum that will help you reach your stated goals.
Please feel free to visit my shop to see the details of my offerings.
Sessions are 45-60 minutes. Packages are available.
Some packages include online coaching in addition to private coaching.
Topics covered include clearing prosperity & money blocks, creating a business and marketing plan, selling more books and information products, living in gratitude, owing your awesome, online marketing, public speaking
Professional Background:
* 20+ years marketing, public relations, writing and editing experience
* 10+ years online content development experience
* 5+ years web and graphic design experience
Personal Background:
* Lived in Kenya ages 3-5
* Grew up with a disabled little sister
* Experienced abusive relationships
* Lived in California, Arizona, Texas, Florida and Maryland as an adult
Fees: from $99 USD to $1375 USD
Private coaching: $499 – $1,375 per month
Semi-Private coaching: $378 – $756 per month per person (2 people, partners)
Group coaching/training: $99 – $995 per person
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The one that has currently had the most positive impact you can find HERE!
From these social media outlets, I even started following some plus size fashion pages. Recently, I've started wearing different clothes. I found that even though I was heavier than I was two years ago, I wasn't nearly as self-conscious in my clothes as I used to be. Whereas before, I had to make sure that the outfit I was wearing was flattering and I had to make sure there weren't any bulges sticking out. (there are ALWAYS bulges, c'mon!) But if I believed they weren't there, they weren't there. Ha!
That's why in the past when I lost a significant amount of weight, even though I was still large, I felt like I looked acceptable on the outside, looked good in my clothes, and therefore, I was "happy". Inside I was still a hot mess.
I have always been meticulous about the way that I look and wanting to look my best on the outside. I grew up with a family that looked meticulous at all times. It didn't matter what was going on inside the house, when the Douberly's stepped out, well, we looked like we had it together. So, even though I don't care about looking perfect now, I have used looking good on the outside as kind of my mask for a long time.
Whenever I have lost weight in the past and gotten semi-close to regular-sized clothing, it never failed I would head over to Lane Bryant thinking how happy I would be that I would be rid of this store once and for all. Part of my shame in being fat is having to shop in specialty stores.
Of course, eventually I would regain the weight back and there I would be.....back at LB shopping for my 22/24. *sigh*
There is nothing wrong with having to shop specialty stores. Back in the day, when I was much younger, there just wasn't the choices available like there are today. It was kind of an ordeal to find fashionable clothing that fit when I was a teenager. Don't even get me started on shopping with my mom at Proffits Department store in 1982.....
The thing that I have realized is that I was the one who heaped that shame and guilt upon myself. I, again, was adding shame and guilt to something that no one was doing to me, I was doing to myself. Ugh.
What created the shame in the first place? When you don't let people in and you look meticulous on the outside, it is hard for someone to understand the depth of shame a person holds within them. I take responsibility for allowing shame to grow and build in my life, but it didn't just "pop" in my head to feel shame.
It was carefully taught.
The adults in my life when I was an adolescent were key in also contributing to the belief in myself that I was less than. There is really too much to write. I was also bullied by my peers because of my weight (they didn't call it bullying back in the day....). Even family. Loved ones with good intentions spread shame. I took it in, I allowed it to shape me. I believed it.
I have rehashed this junk with people over and over again. It doesn't accomplish anything. It's done. Over. What I allowed it to do to me, however, wasn't. What I have also learned in therapy this past year and a half is that anger turned inward turns into shame. Ding! Ding! Ding! Talk about eye opening.
Anger with no place to go but in, equals shame, guilt and self-hate.
I certainly heard many other positive things about myself from my peers and the adults in my life. There were many positive experiences in my adolescence, to only focus on this junk would be unfair.
I guess my pain didn't have anywhere to go or I didn't have the tools to get it out so it went inside and my shame ended up being seen on the outside. And it's been haunting me for 30 years.
Even though I know and feel responsible for my eating habits since the time I became an adult, for years I turned what happened in my adolescence and allowed it to shape what I believed about myself. My 30's came the first true spiritual freedom, first experience of the freedom from food, lots of healing....just no way to make it last. The cycle would win again. Heaping more guilt, shame and self-hate. Confirming all those negative beliefs I had about myself. Yes, you are a fat slob who will NEVER change. No one will EVER love you.
So, even though the 22/24 still haunts me, I've gotten so much more comfortable in my skin the past year and a half. I have learned that all the messages that pop into my head are not ones I need to be meditating on. I have learned to accept myself (for the most part) as I am right now without self-hate and shame. I am surrounded by people who love me and accept me. When I expose myself on this blog, I get acceptance. And part of why this journey is continuing, is able to exist, is the people around me. Encouraging me. Loving me. Helping me. Accepting me.
I guess it's kind of like hearing truth instead of lies. When you hear truth there is no shame, there is no fear. There is love. Acceptance. A kind of nodding your head in agreement moment with people, rather than ringing of the false, conditional statements from the past in my ear one. last. time.
The past is past. Thank God.
The present is pretty awesome.
I think it's time I accept the 22/24's of my life and live in the current moment in all this love I am surrounded with. It's time to accept not push away. It's truly the only way to make permanent, lasting change begin.
Next post I will discuss the biggest factor in helping me love and accept myself.... stay tuned!


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Google's founder letter has the following highlights
- Looking to the future, the next big step will be for the very concept of the "device" to fade away. Over time, the computer itself—whatever its form factor—will be an intelligent assistant helping you through your day. We will move from mobile first to an AI first world
- Virtual reality is also showing incredible promise—Google Cardboard has introduced more than 5 million people to the incredible, immersive and educational possibilities of VR
- Already, there are exciting developments as screens extend to your car, like Android Auto, or your wrist, like Android Wear.
- Google sees huge opportunities to dramatically improve how people work. Your phone should proactively bring up the right documents, schedule and map your meetings, let people know if you are late, suggest responses to messages, handle your payments and expenses, etc.
- Poor infrastructure keeps billions of people around the world locked out of all of the possibilities the web may offer them. That's why we make it possible for there to be a $50 Android phone, or a $100 Chromebook. It's why this year we launched Maps with turn-by-turn navigation that works even without an Internet connection, and made it possible for people to get faster-loading, streamlined Google Search if they are on a slower network.
SOURCE – Google Blog


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Dance, Politics & Co-Immunity
Current Perspectives on Politics and Communities in the Arts Vol. 1
Distributed for Diaphanes
- Contents
Gerald Siegmund and Stefan Hölscher
1. The Politics of Enjoyment
André Lepecki
From Partaking to Initiating:
Leadingfollowing as Dance's (a-personal) Political Singularity
Oliver Marchart
Dancing Politics. Political Reflections on Choreography, Dance and Protest
Bojana Kunst
Working Out Contemporaneity. Dance and Post-Fordism
2. The Politics of Sense
Erin Manning and Brian Massumi
Coming Alive in a World of Texture
For Neurodiversity
Ulas Aktas
Civilisational Wilderness or Civilderness and Cultural Immune Systems
Petra Sabisch
Choreographing Participatory Relations Contamination and Articulation
3. The Politics of Modernism
Bojana Cvejić
On the Choreographic Production of Problems
Gabriele Brandstetter
Heteropolitics of Contemporary Dance
Xavier Le Roy's "Le Sacre du printemps"
Mark Franko
Myth, Nationalism and Embodiment in "American Document"
4. The Politics of the Social
Ana Vujanović
Notes on the Politicality of Contemporary Dance
Gabriele Klein
The (Micro-)Politics of Social Choreography
Aesthetic and Political Strategies of Protest and Participation
Randy Martin
Mobilizing Dance
Toward a Social Logic of the Derivative
Saša Asentić and Ana Vujanović
"My Private Bio-Politics"
A Performance on the Paper Floor (Third phase)
5. The Politics of Community
Ramsay Burt
The Biopolitics of Modernist Dance and Suffragette Protest
Isabell Lorey
Politics of Immunization and the Precarious Life
Gerald Raunig
After Community: Condividuality
Notes on Contributors
Philosophy: General Philosophy
You may purchase this title at these fine bookstores. Outside the USA, see our international sales information.


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Wildcard domains in Azure Web Sites
03 April 2014
Combine wildcard domains with SNI SSL to secure all your subdomains, without creating individual bindings. To add a wildcard hostname, point a wildcard CNAME record to your site just like you would for a regular hostname (e.g., "*.contoso.com"). Then use Azure's domain configuration to add that domain to your site.
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Evidence In Focus[1]
The Evidence In Focus section in each issue of the Federal Evidence Review provides an overview of key evidence cases published the prior month. The summaries include references to the evidence principle and page numbers in the Evidence Case Docket [2].
See Sample Evidence In Focus from:
7 Fed. Evid. Rev. 598-602 (Aug. 2010) [3]
See also Sample Issue of the Federal Evidence Review:
6 Fed. Evid. Rev. 936 (Oct. 2009) [4](reviewing cases and evidence issues from Sept. 2009)
Subscribe Now To The Federal Evidence Review
** Less Than $25 Per Month ** Limited Time Offer **


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Carey Training's goal is to form strong, trusting and mutually beneficial relationships with organisations, their staff and all clients and course participants to ensure the desired high quality outcomes are achieved.
To succeed in today's fast paced and competitive world of business, organisations need to maximise the potential of their staff through high quality, effective and relevant training.
Carey Training is guided by industry in the development and delivery of relevant cutting edge training that increases the skills, knowledge and capabilities of your staff while simultaneously providing organisations with the competitive edge required to succeed in a global market place.
Our qualified trainers will deliver a highly professional program that will challenge your staff in a workplace relevant, dynamic and interactive environment with a range of adult learning techniques that maximise learning outcomes for the benefit of the workers and their organisation.


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By The Creative Talent Network (Artist)
Artist : The Creative Talent Network
Product Dimension (in Inches) : 15 x 16 inches
Product Description :
This Non-woven tote bag is a great way to share the CTN spirit. Large enough to be used as a book or grocery bag yet flexible enough to fold and stow in your car.
Mage of water-resistant polypropylene
24" Handles
Out Of Stock!
Special Price $10.00


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Join Our Interest List
Great decision! And we think you'll agree, because once you join the interest list, you'll receive special invitations, announcements and updates about The Pinehills and our builders. Also, we promise to respect your privacy and contact you only when it's important. Read our privacy policy here.
* Red asterisk = required.


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Dementia care added to Medicare Advantage insurance model
A value-based, clinically-focused insurance model will add benefits tailored for people with dementia in its second year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced on Thursday.
The Medicare Advantage Value-Based Insurance Design, set to kick off tests in 2017, offers "clinically-nuanced benefit designs" for enrollees that have certain clinical conditions such as diabetes, congestive heart failure or past strokes.
The model will add dementia, as well as rheumatoid arthritis, to its covered conditions beginning in 2018, CMS said.
The MA-VBID update also includes plans to expand testing of the model in 2018 from the originally announced states — Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Tennessee — to Alabama, Michigan and Texas as well. Tests will run for five years.
"As part of the 'better care, smarter spending, healthier people' approach to improving healthcare delivery, CMS will test VBID in Medicare Advantage and measure whether structuring patient cost sharing and other health plan design elements encourages enrollees to use healthcare services in a way that improved their health and reduces costs," the agency said in a fact sheet.


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Many times our clients have spent a lot of money calling our office reason they can not locate their local printer as a result they can not print. This prompted me to write an article on how to install a local printer.
Below are the steps you should follow to install a local printer;
1. Open the Printers folder (Start->Settings->Printers
2. Double-click the "Add Printer" icon
3. When told to begin installing the printer, click Next, Do So
4. You are asked if you wish to install a Local or a Network Printer. For this FAQ, choose, Local Printer
5. Next, you need to enter the manufacturer and model number. If you cannot find it, or you have a disk that came with your printer, choose the "Have Disk" option and browse till you find it.
6. You will now be asked to select a port. Standard is LPT1, but COM2 can also be used. There are other options, but these are very rarely used.
7. You are asked to give the printer a name and whether it will be your default printer.
8. Then, you are asked whether to print a test page. It is suggested that you do.
9. Windows will now copy the files that it needs.


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To create a world worth living in
CSU researchers are collaborating with businesses and the community to find new ways to create meaningful impact on local, national and global levels.
These case studies highlight the breadth of research at CSU, and our ability to bring together experts from a range of disciplines to explore real world problems. Our research generates insights to address issues of deep social significance, inform policy and decision making, and to support people and communities to flourish.
"When our brightest minds in research and business collaborate to create cutting-edge solutions and job-creating enterprises, these businesses are three times more likely to experience productivity growth."– National Innovation and Science Agenda Report
What is research impact?
Research impact is the demonstrable contribution that research makes to the economy, society, culture, national security, public policy or services, health, the environment, or quality of life, beyond contributions to academia.
Emergency services, community service organisations and the community collaborate to build resilient communities.
Making learning to write a fun and positive experience for kids by linking drawing and storytelling.
Working with water management organisations and communities, and contributing to planning and decision-making for this valuable resource.
Planting perennials to individualise farming systems; increasing profits and reducing environmental impact.
Informing how child abuse cases with multiple accusations against a single person are dealt with.
Supporting the Chinese government to restore nearly degraded grasslands, improving the livelihoods of impoverished herders.


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Key to My Heart Night Light by Porcelain Garden
Ready to Buy?
Maker: The Porcelain Garden
Product ID: NR286
Key to My Heart Night Light by Porcelain Garden features a steampunk mechanical heart constructed of various gears, a clock, a keyhole, and compass. Porcelain Lithophane night light. 3.5" x 4.5". Slightly curved panel. Handcrafted in the USA using the same lithophane process invented in France over 150 years ago. Includes standard 7 watt bulb and clip.
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Price: $28.00
Sale: $25.40
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Ex Rated Stainless Steel Enclosures Available from CE-TEK
- Details
- Published: Wednesday, 25 September 2013 12:28
The ACEX range of stainless steel enclosures available from CE-TEK UK has been developed over the past 15 years to help reduce project costs whilst still providing a full Ex rating and a protection class of IP66 as standard. Protection to IP67 is also available.
Approvals include:
• Ex II 2GD Ex e IIC T5 and T6,
• Ex II 1G/2D Ex ia IIC T6
• Ex II 2 (1) G/2D Ex ia IIC T6
Manufactured from 316 stainless steel in a range of 27 popular sizes from 110 x 110 x 65mm to 1177 x 777 x 300mm with the customer choice of an orbital or electro-polished finish. Custom sizes are available on request. Fire rated versions available to 950°C for 3 hours and meeting BS 6387 CWZ standards.
Although manufactured to exacting technical CEX specifications the ACEX range offers customers a low cost Ex solution that comes equipped with hinges, hank bushes and a return flange which allows water to drain away and provide a knife edge high grade seal.
The range is available with full width, full height gland plates in 3mm to 6mm gauge as options on all sides.
ACEX can be supplied with component approval, as empty enclosures, or apparatus approval as junction boxes.
Tags: CE-TEK, New Product News, Enclosure News, panel building news, e-lec.org


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We love to hear feedback from our customers, below is a cross section of what our customers have to say about our services.
Completed : July 2018
Churchfield Home Services recently completed external insulation on my house and I couldn't be happier.
From the very start, Sean Ruane looked after everything for me, he was very responsive, giving me the best advice and answering any questions I had. It was an absolute pleasure to deal with him. The workmen were extremely polite and were very considerate, never interfering with my day to day while doing the work. In addition to this they made sure around my house was spotlessly clean every evening before finishing up.
I am so pleased with the finish, it has given my house a brand new look and I can already feel the benefits as my house is lovely and warm when I get up in the morning.
From the minute the scaffolding came down, I had 12 people come over to see the finished work and they were all admiring the quality of the finish and how well it turned out.
I would highly recommend Churchfield Home Services to anyone looking to get home insulation works on their home.
Completed : July 2015
We would like to thank Churchfield Home Services for carrying out the external insulation on our home recently. We are more than delighted with the appearance of our home and are looking forward to a very cosy winter!
We would like to thank Thomas Ryan and John Rowland for their help and advice. A very special thank you to Alex and Victor who carried out the work. They were hardworking, neat, tidy and true craftsmen.
A company's employees are its greatest asset and your people are your product!
Thank you Churchfield
Completed: June 2015
John was very clear in his communication, and listened carefully to all requirements and considerations. He provided informed and intelligent feedback on our ideas, and we were very happy with both the survey and the quote.
The quote was very clearly itemised and easy to understand. The work was specified to a quality level that we were comfortable with, and individual costs were very clear
Keep up the excellent level of customer service - we have been very happy with the project from beginning to end, and were delighted with the customer service from John, Mark, Killian, Marilyn and Maureen.
Completed: May 2015
"I came to Churchfield Home Services on recommendation and I must say I was highly impressed with the service I received. The Project Manager Tony O'Brien gave excellent customer service and was so easy to deal with, as were his team, both of whom were excellent workers. Because of this service I will be recommending your company to anyone thinking of insulating their home"
Completed: April 2015
"We were extremely satisfied with Churchfield Home Services, especially with our Project Manager Tony and his team, Lukas and Marcin. They were professional, hardworking, neat and tidy and performed the work to a very high standard. Tony was also very responsive to queries as the project progressed. The communication was very good. I would be more than happy to recommend Churchfield Home Services."
Completed: March 2015
"From the first phone call to the final hand over I have found Churchfield to be totally committed. They kept to their word around the work time frame. We were informed at every stage what was happening and could ask any question at any time. Their workers on site were discreet and friendly. The Project Manager was always available to explain something or to answer any queries. I would be very happy to recommend this company to anyone."
Completed: June 2014
"Our house was a cold house we just moved in and something we had wanted to do was improve insulation. We noticed that is was much cosier once we got it done. Our friends had got it done and recommended it to us so we went for it. I have to say Tony was first class and very obliging as were the guys at the house, they were neat and clean in their work. Our house has limited space for scaffolding and parking but it was not a problem for them. You would not know they were there. With Tony nothing was a problem he would discuss it with you and it all went very smooth."
Completed: June 2014
"We had a cold house which was facing the sea, the house was built in 1978 and it had no insulation at all. We noticed the difference immediately, there was no draft in hall anymore and the house much warmer. The lads on site were fantastic they took pride in their work, they were clean and tidy and made sure they cleaned up after themselves. Overall a really good experience and would recommend it. In face people stop me when I am in the garden & walking down the town to ask about it. The Churchfield experience is one to be remembered and I am looking forward to a comfortable winter at last."
Completed: April 2014
"We were conscious that we were losing heat in the house and it was cold we have a north facing gable wall. The first few nights after it was put up there was a definite difference it kept the house nice and cool in the summer. The work was very good and professional, Fred and Tony were excellent they looked after themselves and there was no hassle. Our neighbours were commenting on the look of the house after."
Completed: April 2014
"The house had no insulation so I wanted to get external insulation. It was warmer straight away, I was very pleased with Alex & Victor. They would not take any time out, and could not have been nicer. Tom dealt with all my problems and was very charming I could not recommend them highly enough"
Completed: June 2014
"The house was built in 1971 and there was little or no insulation in house there was some internal slab downstairs but there were drafts getting in and there was no insulation in bathroom at all. It much warmer immediately there was a noticeable difference. The house retains heat if we are cooking we need to open windows. We decided to get it done now that we have the money and we will be happy in the winter that we got it done. Tony was brilliant I could not complement him enough as were the lads Eddie and Lucas. We needed to get access to our neighbours garden and they were so respectful and took care not to affect them."
Completed: March 2014
"It is a 1962 house so there is no insulation, it is about 1800 square feet so it is hard to keep the house warm. We seen the team at a neighbours place and decided to do it. The house looks so much better and it is nicely finished. The guys at the house were very good, Tony kept the same guys here throughout the job and they were excellent. They worked very hard in bad weather with lots of wind and rain. Tony kept us informed during the bad weather when work had to stop. They covered the cobbles up and drive up all around the house. They brushed up every day and were very reliable I would be happy to recommend Churchfield."
Completed: February 2014
"Our house was cold there were drafts coming the gable end we would have the heat on for hours and there would be no impact. We noticed that after there were no drafts and nice feeling of being more sealed in from the bad weather. I have to say Thomas was excellent and they did great work. If they were ever delayed with traffic they would ring ahead and at the end they tidy up after themselves. John and Shane the guys that were doing the attic were very nice and accommodating. Thomas looked after the little things like painted window sills and fixed our gutters which was important for us most workmen are fine for big but don't like doing small jobs."
Completed: February 2014
"We were looking to save on energy and increase the comfort of our old house which we always felt was cold in the winter. We did see a big improvement with our gas consumption reduced and a noticeable reduction on the bill. The project was well managed by Thomas and the lads were tidy."
Completed: November 2013
"My house was very cold so I wanted to make it warmer. Afterwards the house retained heat much better and would retain it for many hours. Thomas, Alex and Victor could not have been better, they were here on time and had little or no breaks. They looked after themselves and left the place spotless every evening I have been recommending Churchfield to our neighbours and friends"
Job Completed: February 2017
The Project Coordination team were so flexible with installation dates and extremely efficient with all correspondences
Job Completed : January 2016
Shane has installed the boiler and zoning. It all went well and we are very delighted about it. Shane and Ciaran are very professional and did their job very well. They left the place clean and neat after all the work. Boiler and heating controls are working great now. Thank you very much for your help and arranging all this.
Job Completed : November 2015
Mark and Ciaran have just left after spending almost three weeks here. I cannot speak highly enough of them. not only do they appear to be amazingly gifted at the plumbing and heating work itself, their tireless work ethic, good humour and unending willingness to meet all demands no matter how big or small with a positive attitude is unlike anything we have ever experienced before.
They have worked incredibly hard and we are thrilled with the results. I am a very picky lady and I can't find one single criticism or fault of them or their work.
You should definitely give them a raise as they are unlike any other tradesmen we have worked with before and we have done many renovations over the years. I will be recommending Churchfield to everyone I encounter based on our experience of Mark and Ciaran.
Completed : August 2015
These guys were great - did a real good job installing our new boiler and zone controls. Any time I have had an issue since this work they are always quick to respond and resolve the issue. Example, my heating wasn't working as it has not been turned on for over 3 months, Churchfield were at my house 1 hour after I called to fix the issue.
Completed: April 2014
"Our house was always a house that was difficult to heat, we have a large living room that would not heat and yes it is much easier to heat the living room now, upstairs is warmer and we noticed the heating bills were less we are using less gas. There was a good crew of lads knew their job, we got extra work done and anything we wanted they did it well. They were easy to get along with."
Get a Quick Quote
Our expert external insulation surveyors will pop out to you FREE OF CHARGE, survey your home and provide you with a detailed quotation and will be able to answer any of your queries.


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Keilwerth MKX Alto Saxophone In Antique Brass Finish
To pay and reserve this product click Place On Order and the product will be shipped once back in stock
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Keilwerth MKX Alto Saxophone In Antique Brass Finish
The Julius Keilwerth MKX Series marks the next evolution of the saxophone for this historic brand. By combining tonal characteristics of the legendary SX90R along with physical characteristics reminiscent of vintage saxophones, the MKX Series allows the player to have the best of both worlds; a modern sound with a vintage feel.
The name MKX was chosen to pay tribute to those who have contributed to or inspired the development of this new line. The letters MK represent Markneukirchen, the historic town in the same region of eastern Germany where the Julius Keilwerth brand began in 1925. Boasting a long history of musical instrument makers and manufacturers, Markneukirchen is now home to the factory and skilled workers who carry on the traditions of their forefathers, and whose craftsmanship is essential to the quality of this instrument.
In honouring the kinship to the legendary Julius Keilwerth SX90R Series, the letter X reminds us of the influence and inspiration from those who paved the way for our success. While the MKX and SX90R series do share some characteristics, they can be likened to cousins who share a common blood line, but have individual qualities and personalities that allow them a unique voice of their own.
The Julius Keilwerth MKX Series is a professional level saxophone that will offer German quality engineering and manufacturing at prices competitive to the global scale, and allow a new generation of musicians to use Keilwerth Saxophones in bringing their voice to the world stage.
This model is in a vintage finish.
Why Buy From Ackerman Music?
Leading Specialist Supplier
We are one of the top suppliers of woodwind, brass and orchestral strings across Sussex and are main agents for most of the instruments we sell. We only list instruments we normally carry in stock.
Full Workshop Facilities
Our instruments are fully checked and set up through our workshop to ensure perfect playing.
Expert Advice
Our team of knowledgeable staff will be only too pleased to answer any queries you have, just call us or drop us an email.
Best Prices
Our buying power enables us to sell instruments at the very best prices you will find. However, should you find an instrument cheaper elsewhere, give us a call on 01273 702444.
Fast, Free Delivery
Instruments are normally dispatched within one working day by secure courier. UK Delivery is free.
Buy With Confidence
All our instruments have at least a 1 year warranty, most have 2 years. We also have a 14 day return policy.


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Health experts suggest best ways to avoid mosquito-borne illness in Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY – Doctors said they are expecting more cases of mosquito-borne illnesses as more people are heading to the great outdoors.
The Oklahoma City County Health Department has a few suggestions to help residents avoid bug bites.
Officials said mosquitoes that carry West Nile Virus are most active during the hours of dusk and dawn, so take precautions if you are out at those times.
Health officials also suggest wearing long sleeves and long pants; don't forget to cover your ankles as well.
Doctors said bug repellents with DEET are the best ways to keep the bugs away but be sure to wash them off afterwards.
Also, regularly check for stagnant water around your home.
INFO: How to avoid bites and protect against mosquitoes
Oklahoma City residents can also report any possible sources of stagnant water breeding mosquitoes online here or by calling (405) 425-4347, (405) 425-4348 or (405) 425-4319.


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Torsional Divergence
Lets first try to explain and interpret torsional divergence for the aerofoil structural model physically. An additional figure describing the mechanical system to discuss torsional divergence is given In steady flight the aerodynamic forces and moments, acting on the wing and trying to deform it, are balanced by the elastic restoring forces and moments. The wing does not deform from its steady position. A disturbance of the steady flight conditions introduces an additional aerodynamic moment trying to twist the wing which is resisted by the elastic moment.While the elastic moment is independent of the flight velocity, the aerodynamic moment is not. Basically, the aerodynamic moment linearly increases with the dynamic pressure. An incremental increase in twist may cause an incremental increase of the aerodynamic moment, which in turn incrementally increases the twist. Then, there may exist a critical dynamic pressure (flight velocity), when the elastic stifiness can not resist the aerodynamic moment, and the wing becomes torsionally divergent.
Lets add some mathematical expressions. The flap deflection is locked and set to zero when discussing torsional divergence. In steady flight there is assumed to be a "rigid" angle of attack αr. The angle from zero lift line is then the sum of αr and an elastic twist αe in the torsion spring due to aerodynamic loading:


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307 1561 W 57th Avenue, Vancouver MLS®: R2235140
Shannon Wall Centre Kerrisdale -- Vancouver's best neighbourhood! Secluded behind heritage stone walls, mature trees and generous setbacks, elegant new residences and contemporary amenities intermingle with the heritage precincts. Thoughtfully connected via cobblestoned lanes, pathways and formal gardens with parks, ponds and unique places to gather and celebrate, this spectacular heritage landscape and 10-acre property allows for an abundance of fresh green space and beautiful architecture. This 1 bdrm 1 bath unit is located in the final phase -- Beverly House. 660 sqft, one parking and one locker included. Completion is estimated to be end of 2018. Call for other available units
- Air Cond./Central
- Exercise Centre
- Garden
- In Suite Laundry
- Pool; Outdoor
- Air Conditioning
- ClthWsh
- Dryr
- Frdg
- Stve
Site Influences
- Golf Course Nearby
- Private Setting
- Recreation Nearby
- Shopping Nearby
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Listed By: Rennie & Associates Realty
Disclaimer: Listing data is based in whole or in part on data generated by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley Real Estate Board which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy.


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Tree Surgeons for BromleyInsured • Qualified • Professional
Darwin Tree Services are qualified arborists providing professional tree surgery and other tree services throughout the London borough of Bromley. We are fully insured, and can provide references on request.
Responsible Tree Surgery
Over the years, we have gained a reputation for high-quality, reliable tree work, with a responsible attitude and personable manner. We are also an environmentally friendly business and all waste material is transported for biomass power generation.
My team and I aim to provide high quality tree surgery with a holistic approach and an empathic understanding of the nature of trees and other plants. We will treat every job individually and will offer you a range of possible options according to the situation and your requirements.
Local tree services from skilled professionals
We have the right mix of equipment and experience for every task at hand. Our work ranges from commercial tree work at London airports, local authority and forestry commission work, to smaller tree surgery jobs for landlords and private individuals.
- All our work is carried out safely and efficiently
- All our tree works are carried out to British standard BS3998
- We always leave your property spotless
- We are fully insured and DBS checked
- We have an established health and safety policy
- We can supply references on request (do check our testimonials)
Oak Tree Removal and Planking, Bromley
We were called in to remove an oak tree in a rear garden in Bromley…
Our services include
Tree Surgery
Felling and removal of trees, and managing their shape and size.
Tree Planting
We can recommend, supply and plant trees for various situations
Logs & Firewood
Logs and firewood delivered to your door. Local and seasoned.
Specialist Timber
Choice of milled and locally-sourced softwoods and hardwoods
Unimog Hire
Unimog with PTO chipper available to hire for tree and clearance work
Hedge Cutting
Professional maintenance for your hedges, large or small
Stump Removal
Safe and efficient removal of tree stumps with ground ready for reuse
Site Clearance
Efficient site clearance using our tough off-road vehicles
Every Job Different
We will assess your tree surgery job individually and offer you a range of possible options
Professional Service
We provide friendly and professional tree services tailored to your needs and situation
Environmentally Friendly
We are an environmentally friendly business with a policy of sustainability and not waste
For professional tree surgery in the Bromley area, do get in touch to arrange a free quotation
Thanks for the work – the trees look greatCelia, SE15
You and the team did a really great jobMrs J W, SE19


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A massive leap in the values of "toxic" MBS since March - albeit from record lows - may lessen the urgency prompting the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Public-Private Investment Program (PPIP). However, it may also dampen investors' returns and increase their risk.
The Treasury chose nine fund managers to partner with July 8 and gave each of them 12 weeks - ending last week - to raise at least $500 million in capital. The government would then match their capital and provide financing to double their firepower to invest in the securities.
But, the agency announced Sept. 30 that only two, Invesco and the TCW Group, were successful, raising a total of $1.13 billion.
The Treasury said it expects the remaining seven to meet the requirements throughout October, and that public-private investment fund (PPIF) managers will have two additional opportunities to bring investors into the funds and still receive government equity and debt financing.
The inability of the seven fund managers, including powerhouses such as AllianceBernstein, Blackrock and Wellington Management Co., to meet the deadline, however, suggests waning enthusiasm in what earlier this year appeared to be one of the few high-yielding, longer-term investments available.
Amherst Securities Group's research illustrates just how far MBS has recovered since its March lows, dulling return prospects for the MBS that PPIP fund managers have in their sights. The firm found securities based on prime and Alt-A loans falling between 40% and 60% in value from the start of 2008 through March 2009, and recovering between 50% and more than 60% by August. MBS comprising 30-year-fixed prime loans are still down 14%, and those based on riskier Alt-A hybrids are off 38%, but those price increases mean significantly less upside potential today than six months ago.
"If you're a PPIP manager, in order to get double-digit returns you're going to be pushed into investing in riskier securities," said Dan Nigro, an ABS portfolio manager at Dynamic Credit Partners, a New York-based investment manager with $5 billion under management.
The Treasury and its chosen fund managers have been tightlipped about PPIP's progress. None of the fund managers responded to queries about the terms to invest in their funds. However, a Sept. 2 memo by Connecticut Retirement Plans and Trust Funds' chief investment officer, according to Bloomberg News, said Wellington Management Co. - a more conservative investment manager - forecasted 13% to 17% gains, while AllianceBernstein and Marathon Asset Management each estimated returns of 18%.
Scott Buchta, head of investment strategy at Guggenheim Capital Markets, the broker-dealer affiliate of Guggenheim Partners, which manages more than $100 billion, said the first round of toxic-MBS buying was alpha-seeking investors such as hedge funds and broker-dealers anticipating demand from PPIP fund managers. Then came the money managers seeking to reinvest capital they had pulled out of the market and needed to "put to work," Buchta said, adding that managers with money on the sideline who wanted to catch at least part of the upside have been more recent buyers.
"Most of the stuff the PPIP managers will have left to focus on is the dicier stuff, priced between 50 cents and 70 cents on the dollar," Buchta said.
That's occurring just as currently higher valued MBS puts pressure on anticipated returns. Because returns are unlikely to achieve the pop that early MBS buyers found, traditional institutional investors such as pension funds and insurance companies are PPIP fund managers' likeliest investor prospects, sources said.
Timothy Isgro, an MBS strategist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, said the PPIP funds' expected lifetimes - eight to 10 years - and the government-financed leverage make PPIP conceptually attractive to institutions due to the long-term nature of the financing, typically not otherwise available in the market today. The program gives fund managers the option to reinvest the cash flows for the first three years and also to pay investors as much as 8% before allocating cash to Treasury debt repayment.
Isgro believes PPIP managers may find the 8% distribution option advantageous as it improves yields for investors. "Distributing carry has the important effect of supporting falling leverage ratios over time, increasing the effective leverage against which investments are made and amplifying yields," Isgro recently wrote in a report entitled PPIP: Distributing Carry.
However, PPIP managers investing in riskier securities could suddenly find those terms challenging. "If you have securities that aren't distributing a lot of interest payments, you could find yourself in danger of not being able to pay that 8% coupon," Isgro said in an interview.
The run-up in MBS prices does appear to have given investors pause. Aside from fund managers' apparent slow going in raising investment capital - some of which is attributed to government bureaucracy - PPIP does not appear to be a priority among more traditional qualified investors. Jeff Mahoney, general counsel at the Council of Institutional Investors, said the trade group hasn't received any member inquiries about PPIP, and it wasn't scheduled to be discussed at its three-day conference last week, called Navigating the Future.
"We haven't gotten any calls, so I suspect either not too many members are investing in PPIP, or there are no corporate governance issues," Mahoney said, adding that the second possibility was unlikely given the government's heavy hand in the program.
The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), one of the largest pension funds, is not investing in PPIP. "We hope it is successful, but at this time we don't see it as the best risk/return trade-off for us," said CalPERS spokesman Clark McKinley, who declined to elaborate.
Part of their reluctance may be investors' gut feeling that they could do better on their own, without the Treasury's helping hand. Christopher Sebald, chief investment officer at $17 billion Advantus Capital Management, noted that the anticipation of PPIP has played an important role in regenerating the MBS markets. Those markets, Sebald said, are now functioning again, and PPIP now mainly serves to remove the most toxic assets from banks' balance sheets.
"Those tend to be the assets that are lowest in value and provide the biggest potential for return, but because of the nature of the underlying loans, they also provide the greatest risk," Sebald said.
Sebald said the PPIP may work out well, but other strategies are now preferable. Referring to the PPIP fund managers' lower end of return estimates, at 13%, he said Advantus anticipates higher returns without using leverage, in part by investing in distressed securities outside the PPIP's focus. They include seasoned subordinated residential MBS backed by 15-year and 30-year loans, as well as auto subordinated securities.
Eton Wells, head of structured products at SecondMarket, which specializes in creating platforms to trade illiquid financial instruments, said his firm is assuming that MBS prices will continue to rise, but, he added, a double-dip is far from unlikely. Either way, institutions participating in those investments may want to trade out of that exposure instead of holding it long term. SecondMarket, Wells said, is now analyzing the potential for building a market in PPIP participations.
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