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Theatre Terror: POPCORN. One large, butter-soaked popcorn contains more than 1,500 calories and over 100 grams of fat! Run, don't walk, away from this nightmare-ish movie snack.
Take-Along Treat: The geniuses over at Jolly Time, Pop Secret and Orville Redenbacher have come up with single-serving popcorn bags that'll only cost you about 90 - 110 calories. Yummy flavors include Butter and Kettle Corn. We're in love...
S.O.S. Theater Treats: If you find yourself desperate for fluffy kernels at the theater, order a small popcorn and skip the butter. This treat will still rack up around 400+ calories and 27 grams of fat, but it's better than the evil, jumbo buttery version! If you can resist your popcorn craving but still need something carb-y, go for a warm and doughy soft pretzel instead (around 300 -400 calories for a small to medium-sized one). It may be a good idea to share either with a pal...
Theatre Terrors: SODAS AND SLUSHIES. You probably already know this, but sugary, regular soda contains tons of calories. A theatre-sized "small" (16 not so small ounces!) tips the scales at around 200 calories! The scary slushie machine pumps out an equally offensive bev, at around 220 calories for the same size. EEEK!
Take-Along Treat: Craving a sweet drink for your movie-going experience? Pocket a Crystal Light On the Go packet to toss into your water. Fruit Punch and Lemonade will fool your taste buds into thinking they're getting a sugary fix, and this lovely liquid will only set you back 10 measly calories.
S.O.S. Theater Treats: Stick to diet soda or water, and save the calories for something you can actually chew.
Theatre Terror: CHOCOLATE CANDY. A 3 oz. bag of Peanut M&Ms contains 470 calories and over 24 grams of fat! Avoid these and other king-sized chocolate blunders at all costs.
Take-Along Treats: Sugar Free Tootsie Pops Miniatures are a dream movie snack! They take a while to eat, and three minis have just 40 calories. Are you a gummi-lover? Weight Watchers Fruities are a fantastic alternative to the higher-cal gummies found at the theatre. With less than 70 calories in a whole pack, these chewy fruit snacks are sugar-free and fat-free. The catch is, you need to go to Weight Watchers locations (or scour eBay) to find 'em!
S.O.S. Theater Treat: While no movie candy is actually healthy, sweet and tarty Lemonheads are fat-free, and only about 100 calories per oz. Plus, their super-sour taste makes it hard for you to overindulge on these lemon-licious snacks.
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02월 04일 – 2013년 02월 08일
Hilton Tokyo, Tokyo (Shinjuku), Japan
We kindly invite you to meet us at at EU Gateway to Japan 2013.
There we will present our
- unique non-contact handling technology: ultrasonic suspension
and our latest products:
- singulation of solar cells
- transfer of solar cells
- placing and sorting of solar cells
each with a cycle-time of 0.5 seconds (2 wafer/second).
In addition, we will demonstrate our
- non-contact Thin-Film Glass-Grippers and glass-conveyors.
Take this opportunity to talk to us. We are very open to discuss your applications and look forward to seeing you at the exhibition. If you want to schedule a meeting in advance please contact our sales staff (email@example.com).

subset: commoncrawl


text: Intercultural Studies Minor The Intercultural Studies Minor equips students to minister cross-culturally in a variety of settings. It also allows students in other professional programs to develop complementary skills in Intercultural Studies. Such skills can enhance educational skills, ministry, teaching, nonprofit management, youth ministry, missions, and other fields. Students in the Intercultural Studies minor will benefit from Johnson's accreditation, affordable tuition, and an experienced and engaged faculty dedicated to the spiritual formation and professional preparedness of each student. This minor may be combined with any of Johnson's Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts programs. Students can choose from a wide range of Intercultural Studies course options, completing 21 credit hours for the minor at Johnson's Tennessee campus, Florida campus or online. When students complete this program, they will be able to do the following: Understand biblical, theological, and missiological foundations for their chosen ministry field. Engage in missional ministry within world contexts at the entry level. For a comprehensive list regarding student learning outcomes, see the catalog. Professional Area Course Sampling Missiological Anthropology Cross-Cultural Church Planting & Growth Introduction to Linguistics Understanding the Muslim World Animism International Community Development Bible and Theology Course Sampling Orientation to the Old Testament I Orientation to the Old Testament II Orientation to the New Testament Fundamentals of Christian Faith Exegetical Methods Old Testament Poetry/Wisdom or Prophets Selective New Testament Epistles or Gospels Selective Ready to apply? View our admissions information, affordable tuition or online application. Or request additional info.


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2019 Kia Forte LXS
Stock # T90902, Regular Unleaded I-4 2.0 L/122, Variable, 14 mi., 30/40 MPG
Documentation Fee:
2019 Kia Forte Customer Cash []
Sale price
- Take it For a Ride | Schedule Test Drive
- Email to Friend | Send Now
- Type: New
- Model: Forte
- Trim: LXS
- Body: Sedan
- Exterior: Clear White
- Interior: Black
- Doors: 4
- Stock#: T90902
- Model #: C3422
- Engine: Regular Unleaded I-4 2.0 L/122
- Transmission: 1-Speed CVT w/OD
- Fuel: Gasoline Fuel
- Drive: FWD
- MPG*: 30 City / 40 Hwy
- Upholstery: Cloth
- Trunk Rear Cargo Access
- Light Tinted Glass
- Fixed Rear Window w/Defroster
- Spare Tire Mobility Kit
- Black Side Windows Trim
- Body-Colored Rear Bumper w/Black Rub Strip/Fascia Accent
- Variable Intermittent Wipers
- Black Grille w/Chrome Surround
- Body-Colored Door Handles
- Fully Galvanized Steel Panels
- Clearcoat Paint
- Front Windshield -inc: Sun Visor Strip
- Fully Automatic Projector Beam Halogen Daytime Running Headlamps w/Delay-Off
- Body-Colored Front Bumper w/Black Rub Strip/Fascia Accent
- Tires: P205/55R16
- Body-Colored Power Side Mirrors w/Manual Folding
- Wheels: 16" x 6.5" Machine Finish Alloy
- Analog Display
- Manual Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column
- Manual Adjustable Front Head Restraints and Manual Adjustable Rear Head Restraints
- 60-40 Folding Bench Front Facing Fold Forward Seatback Rear Seat
- Perimeter Alarm
- Air Filtration
- Power 1st Row Windows w/Driver 1-Touch Down
- Full Carpet Floor Covering
- Glove Box
- Day-Night Rearview Mirror
- Carpet Floor Trim and Carpet Trunk Lid/Rear Cargo Door Trim
- Gauges -inc: Speedometer, Odometer, Engine Coolant Temp, Tachometer, Trip Odometer and Trip Computer
- Driver And Passenger Visor Vanity Mirrors
- Cargo Area Concealed Storage
- Power Rear Windows
- HVAC -inc: Underseat Ducts
- Cargo Features -inc: Spare Tire Mobility Kit
- Driver Foot Rest
- Full Cloth Headliner
- 2 12V DC Power Outlets
- Front Center Armrest
- Remote Releases -Inc: Mechanical Cargo Access and Mechanical Fuel
- Rear Cupholder
- Cargo Space Lights
- FOB Controls -inc: Trunk/Hatch/Tailgate
- Fade-To-Off Interior Lighting
- Window Grid Antenna
- Trip Computer
- Front Cupholder
- Urethane Gear Shift Knob
- Delayed Accessory Power
- Power Door Locks w/Autolock Feature
- Front Map Lights
- Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning
- 2 LCD Monitors In The Front
- Full Floor Console w/Covered Storage, Mini Overhead Console w/Storage and 2 12V DC Power Outlets
- Remote Keyless Entry w/Integrated Key Transmitter, Illuminated Entry, Illuminated Ignition Switch and Panic Button
- Cruise Control w/Steering Wheel Controls
- Woven Cloth Seat Trim
- Streaming Audio
- Interior Trim -inc: Metal-Look Instrument Panel Insert, Piano Black Door Panel Insert, Piano Black Console Insert and Chrome/Metal-Look Interior Accents
- Instrument Panel Bin, Driver / Passenger And Rear Door Bins
- Radio w/Seek-Scan, Clock, Speed Compensated Volume Control and Radio Data System
- Radio: UVO Play AM/FM/MP3 Audio System -inc: 4 speakers, 8" touch-screen, rearview monitor, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, USB/Auxiliary input jack and Bluetooth wireless technology
- Front Bucket Seats -inc: 6-way manually adjustable driver and front passenger seats
- Driver Seat
- Passenger Seat
- 4-Wheel Disc Brakes w/4-Wheel ABS, Front Vented Discs, Brake Assist and Hill Hold Control
- Electric Power-Assist Steering
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Torsion Beam Rear Suspension w/Coil Springs
- Strut Front Suspension w/Coil Springs
- Gas-Pressurized Shock Absorbers
- Front Anti-Roll Bar
- Engine: 2.0L I4 DOHC D-CVVT MPI
- Single Stainless Steel Exhaust w/Chrome Tailpipe Finisher
- Transmission w/Driver Selectable Mode
- 120 Amp Alternator
- Transmission: Intelligent Variable -inc: Sportmatic and drive mode select w/visual display
- 14 Gal. Fuel Tank
- 4.89 Axle Ratio
- 60-Amp/Hr Maintenance-Free Battery w/Run Down Protection
- Curtain 1st And 2nd Row Airbags
- Airbag Occupancy Sensor
- Low Tire Pressure Warning
- Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
- Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts -inc: Rear Center 3 Point, Height Adjusters and Pretensioners
- Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Rear Child Safety Locks
- Side Impact Beams
- Vehicle Stability Management ABS And Driveline Traction Control
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (fca)
- Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) Lane Keeping Assist
- Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) Lane Departure Warning
Matt Blatt Kia Internet price is valid BY APPOINTMENT ONLY through our Internet Department and must be PRINTED OUT and BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP. The internet Price cannot be combined with any other offers including other manufacturer programs including special APR or Lease Programs. Prices include all costs to be paid by a consumer except for licensing costs, registration fees, and taxes. Advertised price assumes primary lender approval with a 720+ credit score. All advertised offers are with approved tier 1 or 2 credit through Kia Motors Finance, not all will qualify. While every reasonable effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this information, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions contained on these pages. Please verify any information in questions with Matt Blatt Kia. Call (888) 334-5076 to make your test drive reservation.


text: Bangladesh Tongi Tablighi Ijtema Live Dua 26th Jan 2014: Tongi Ijtima 2014 Phase-1 will be ended on 26th January at Tongi, Bangladesh by the river Turag with lost of prayers. Tongi Ijtima stage will ended on 26 January 2014 with last prayer Munjat I mean like Dua. It is also called Akhari Munajat and Dua will be performed on last day ... Read More »


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Anagram Keyring Palladium
Gift Packaging
Care Guide
Your item will maintain all its qualities if it is not directly exposed to sources of light and heat; also if it is kept protected with silk coated paper.
Avoid contact with water, oils, perfumes or cosmetics.
Always follow care instructions described on the label.
We invite you to visit one of our stores, where we will be glad to offer our help!
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text:
In a surprising move, the Avalanche traded one forward (P.A. Parenteau) to the Montreal Canadiens for another forward (Daniel Briere), both of whom are slated to make $4 million this coming season.
The Avs also sent a fifth-round draft pick in 2015 to the Canadiens. In Briere, the Avs get a 36-year-old former big-time point producer whose production has slid steeply the last couple of seasons. But what he lacks in size (5-foot-9, 179 pounds), Briere has always made up for in toughness and character.
"Daniel is a veteran who brings experience to our hockey club. We're looking forward to him joining our team," Avs executive vice president Joe Sakic said in a statement.
Briere has played 916 career regular-season games in stints with Philadelphia, Buffalo, Phoenix and Montreal. He has 684 points (299 goals/385 assists) in the regular season, and 116 points (53 goals/63 assists) in 124 playoff games.
He had 13 goals and 25 points in 69 games for the Canadiens last season, and three goals and seven points in 16 playoff games. He can play all three forward positions.
Parenteau, 30, fell out of favor with coach Patrick Roy last season — at one point becoming a healthy scratch for a game. He scored 14 goals and 33 points in 55 games for the Avs, after leading the team in goals in the previous, lockout-shortened season (18).
RELATED: More thoughts on Daniel Briere trade
Briere will earn $4 million for the coming season, the last year of his contract. Parenteau had two years left on his deal, at $4 million per year.
Updated June 30 at 1:53 p.m. The following corrected information has been added to this article: Because of a reporting error, the terms of the trade were inaccurate. The Avs will send a fifth round pick to the Canadiens and P.A. Parenteau in exchange for Daniel Briere.
Adrian Dater: email@example.com or twitter.com/adater


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Learn how to contact each ARDA department.
Click here to view ARDA's staff by name.
February 27, 2012
Our latest Resale Study shows some clear strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as it relates to the timeshare industry overall, and within the different transaction channels.
Each channel has a largely unique set of strengths and weaknesses. The resale channel has a distinct advantage when it comes to perceptions related to price. But, while resale channels have an advantage on price, developers control advocacy. Previous research has underscored both the quality and importance of delivering an exceptional experience.
This represents one of the developer's greatest assets and strongest marketing tools: access to the resort is considered a requirement to purchase and many choose to access the resort by staying with current owners.
There are clear indications that customers and prospects trust what they see and hear, but only to a point: the use of the Internet for research purposes coupled with a disinclination to use it for transactions, the desire to work with a licensed real estate broker, and the increased confidence associated with increased oversight are all indications that credibility concerns exist.
The study goes into many more details and discusses additional important implications for the industry. Please contact us if you'd like to learn more.
February 23, 2012
ARDA World 2012 will be here in just six weeks, and everyone at ARDA is excited about this year's global theme—featuring attendees from over 35 countries, international development organizations from around the world, and internationally-focused sessions and events. The general sessions and one select session from each educational wave will feature simultaneous translation into Spanish and Portuguese. Expect valuable insight from this year's keynote speaker, loyalty expert Frederick Reichheld of Bain & Company's loyalty practice, which helps companies achieve results through customer and employee loyalty. New this year is the ARDA World mobile application, available for web-accessible and smart phones, where attendees can access or customize the convention sessions. ARDA World will also feature interactive Twitter (using the official hashtag #ARDAWorld), Facebook, and Flickr walls throughout the convention space.
Register now, or for more information, visit the ARDA World website.
February 16, 2012
The good news is that the Caribbean region continues to be the most travel and tourism intensive region in the world, according to the 2011 Caribbean Travel and Tourism Economic Impact Study, sponsored by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).
However, the Caribbean was also fraught with severe economic distress due to the global recession and now faces more potential legislative challenges as Caribbean governments face funding struggles in their recovery process. What that means for our industry is that we need to be prepared to fend off such legislative proposals that would negatively impact the timeshare industry (both developers and owners) and the entire Caribbean travel and tourism industry. Fortunately, ARDA-Caribbean is proactively addressing these challenges. One example of this can be found in the U.S. Virgin Islands where ARDA-Caribbean is actively involved in the strategic planning discussions with the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism and the Office of the Governor in their 5-year Tourism Development plan to chart a sustainable future for tourism in the territory. Look for more legislative updates in the ARDA-Caribbean section of the website.
February 14, 2012
The ARDA and ARDA-ROC government affairs team recently launched the Government Affairs Insider, a bi-weekly digital publication designed to keep you up-to-date on legislative issues and activities affecting the timeshare industry.
This week's Insider reports on ARDA-supported timeshare legislation in Florida, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona. These bills, some including legislation regarding timeshare resale companies, have received positive responses from state legislatures and are moving through House and Senate committees quickly.
ARDA-ROC has also begun working with the Virginia Resort Development Association (VRDA) on lobbying efforts for two bills that have been introduced in the Virginia House.
For more information on these news items in this week's Insider, as well as access to previous editions of the Insider, click here.
February 8, 2012
In January, Florida State Senator Andy Gardiner and Florida State Representative Eric Eisnaugle, with the support of Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, introduced the Timeshare Resale Accountability Act of 2012. The motivation behind the Act was to protect Florida consumers and help put an end to deceptive marketing practices conducted by fraudulent timeshare resale companies that have been targeting consumers under the guise of offering a service to help sell their timeshare product.
Under the new law, timeshare owners would be given more information about resale companies and the ability to rescind a sales contract, helping to protect them from bad actors. The House bill was passed unanimously out of House Judiciary Committee and will make its next and final stop in the House Economic Affairs Committee. Its companion bill in the Senate will be heard in the Senate Budget Committee, also its final stop. Similar legislation has been introduced in Colorado and will begin to move through legislative process shortly.
February 3, 2012
How many of us start the year with a resolution to get healthier? Luckily, our research shows that for many consumers they stick with that for the entire year when it comes to their travel choices. Consumers want their vacations to reflect a healthier lifestyle factor. While the timeshare industry has long advocated the healthful benefits of regular time away to rejuvenate and relax, resort developers continue to expand their vacation products with more options and access to healthful programs and activities. Many timeshare resorts have expanded their offerings to include health and wellness components such as fitness programs, enhanced spa services, cuisine packages, weight-loss regimens and concierge services to customize a specific healthy vacation experience. One example is the Wellness Center at Marriott's Desert Springs Villas, offering classes ranging from yoga and Tai Chi to water fitness and shoulder and back strengthening. And, according to Interval International, many of their clients' properties in the Americas and the Caribbean have fitness centers and full-service spas, and those with restaurants are presenting healthier menu options. This increased consciousness of wellness is reflected in Interval's most recent U.S. member profile. Reporting on their preferred vacation activities, nearly half of those surveyed include working out and exercising while close to 40 percent cite spa services. How important is a healthy vacation to you? Let us know in the comments!
Copyright 2014. American Resort Development Assoc. All rights reserved.


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Finally! Skyrim's downloadable content, until now exclusive to Xbox 360 and PC, is making its way to the PlayStation 3.
Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn will all be on the PlayStation Network in February. They'll all be 50% off during their launch week.
In case you're a PS3 player and you haven't been paying attention, here are some links to our coverage for the vampire-filled Dawnguard pack (not great), the home-making Hearthfire pack (lovely for fans of domestic activity), and Dragonborn, the best of the three.
So what took so long? Dunno. Last August, Bethesda said bringing Skyrim's DLC to PS3 was a complicated issue.
Dragonborn will also hit PC on February 5, Bethesda's Pete Hines announced today.


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Rudi Sebastian
Barcolana IAbout this photograph
His working method has become increasingly conceptual and his pictorial language increasingly unique. Influenced by late-period impressionism, by the modern classical period and classical and contemporary music, he has distanced himself increasingly from landscape photography with its strict and restrictive aesthetic rules, such as for instance the golden rule and central perspective. Today, he expresses himself with works that are clearly and freely worked out within the space and thus stands out on the art market. For 2013, a unique exhibition dedicated to his career will be organised in Wiesbaden.Read more Read less
|Standard Delivery
|Icon, Classic, Colorful
|Giant, Collector, Exception
In his photographic work, Rudi Sebastian deals with the question of individuality with respect to the overwhelming aspects of natural phenomena. However, his visual concept does not limit itself to the latter, but also presents subjects close to nature, such as, for instance, the sailboats of his work 'Barcolana in 2012' or 'Lignano', which show the situation of the individual holidaymaker in a succession of series shot on the Adriatic coast.Rudi Sebastian was born in 1960, he studied design communication in Wiesbaden from 1978 to 1983. Alongside his work in his own advertising agency, he devoted himself with great success to photographing landscapes and regularly published in renowned magazines such as 'Holiday', 'Traveller's World' and 'Dines Club Magazine'. Major photography agencies such as 'Plainpicture' and 'Getty Images' have collaborated with him.


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Latest releases of new datasets and data updates from different sources around the world
Our Insights blog presents deep data-driven analysis and visual content on important global issues from the expert data team at Knoema.Learn more
Quick data summaries and visualizations on trending industry, political, and socioeconomic topics from Knoema's database.China: Is Pork a Barrier to Economic Stimulus? US Purchasing Managers Index Falls Below 50, Signals Contraction US Agricultural Exports to China Falling, Farmers Seek New Markets Learn more
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Unfortunately, our featured source does not publish data for the combination of country and indicator selected by you. Would you like to search Knoema for other sources that may publish this information?
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text:
TASER International Receives Two Large Orders
Scottsdale, Ariz. -- TASER International, Inc. (NASDAQ: TASR), a global provider of safety technologies that prevent conflict, protect life, and resolve disputes, announced two significant follow-on orders for TASER® X26™ electronic control devices (ECDs) and related accessories.
The first order received provided an unnamed international agency with 1,080 TASER X26 ECDs with 59,000 TASER® cartridges and 100 TASER® Cam™ units. The second order received provided an unnamed U.S. agency with 200 TASER X26 ECDs. These orders are anticipated to ship the Second Quarter of 2011. Further customer information is not being released at this time.
For TASER X26 information visit: http://www.TASER.com/products/law-enforcement/TASER-X26-ecd. For product photos video visit: http://www.TASERBranding.com/x26-press-images/ and http://www.TASERBranding.com/x26-videos/.
About TASER International, Inc.
TASER International, Inc., (NASDAQ:TASR) is a global provider of safety technologies that prevent conflict and protect life. More than 16,000 public safety agencies in 40 countries rely on TASER® electronic control devices (ECDs) and AXON on-officer camera systems to help protect and serve. TASER innovations benefit individuals and families too; providing personal protection and accountability while maintaining regard for life. Since 1994, more than 230,000 individuals have relied on TASER technology as a means for effective personal safety. Learn more about TASER International and its solutions at www.TASER.com, www.Evidence.com and www.Protector.com or by calling (800) 978-2737. Be a part of the TASER community by joining us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Request more product info from Axon Enterprise
Thank You!


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Update on Recent Developments in Ukraine and Jewish Agency Activities There
Courtesy of the Jewish Agency for Israel Prepared on Tuesday, April 29, 2014
By Roman Polonsky, Head of the Unit for Russian-Speaking Jewry
Update on Recent Developments in Ukraine and Jewish Agency Activities There
Our general feeling is that the winds of war are blowing," Jewish Agency emissaries write from Ukraine. "We believe that we are living through a historic process today, which will probably bring even harder times. Suddenly, Israel is again seen as a real security alternative to what is taking place in Ukraine."
Reports of Escalating Violence
The violent confrontations around government buildings throughout eastern Ukraine are escalating, with pro-Russian protesters demanding independence from Kiev and a constitutional change for federalization, while Ukrainian forces try to retake the regional administrations' buildings and many other groups involved in demonstrations and armed clashes. Chaos has become the norm – people are reported to disappear without a trace, and some are beaten to death in the streets, while dozens of others are reported to be shot.
The escalation reached a new level on Tuesday April 28, when Kharkov Mayor Gennady Kernes (of Jewish origin)was assassinated. The Mayor was jogging on a highway when he was shot in the back by an unknown gunman. He was severely wounded and operated on in a local hospital. The operating surgeon said that Kernes' condition is life-threatening, and refused to make any predictions. The next day Kernes was brought to Israel with a special flight.
Similarly, the local economy has taken a turn for the worse. Our emissaries in Ukraine report that local employers have had to cut wages by a third, at minimum, as production has slowed down all over Ukraine and demand is on the decline. Small independent business owners – restaurants, repair shops, garage operators – are left without customers, as money is scarce and as people are cautious to spend. The erosion of the local currency (by about 40%) makes it close to impossible for prospective emigrants to sell homes and property.
In a region gripped by anarchy and violence, several anti-Semitic incidents have been reported lately:
- On April 27 (Holocaust Memorial Day celebrated in Israel), the 71st birthday of the Galician of Waffen SS Division, which consisted of ethnic Ukrainians, was celebrated in the streets of Lvov. About a thousand people took part in the march in honor of the Division, though the Head of the Lvov Regional Administration asked residents not to participate.
- On April 22, a monument to the Holocaust victims was desecrated in Sevastopol in Crimea. Established in 2003, this memorial is located in the place where 4,200 Jews were murdered in 1942 by Nazis. After the local Jewish community complained, a criminal file was opened by the police to investigate.
- The militant group that has captured the town of Slovyansk launched a TV channel in order to "attack Zionist broadcasting", as they put it in an opening program.
- A synagogue in Nikolaev was attacked on Friday night of April 18. Two firebombs were thrown at a door and at a window.
- As previously reported, an anti-Semitic provocation in Donetsk on April 15, involved distributed leaflets near a synagogue, ordering Jews to register with the Nationalities Commissioner and pay $50 or lose their citizenship and face deportation.
- As I heard today from our emissary in Donetsk, the Jewish community was advised by the authorities of the city to refrain from organizing mass events and celebrations on May 9 (the WWII Victory Day traditionally celebrated in the FSU countries) in order to avoid possible anti-Semitic provocations.
Aliyah and the Activities of the Jewish Agency
As previously reported, The Jewish Agency offices throughout Ukraine have seen significant growth in Aliyah numbers, as well as in prospective olim seeking information and assistance. The security situation continues to be concerning, and our local coordinators are working non-stop in order to provide whatever help they can.
The tendency of growing Aliyah is continuing in the registration for Aliyah flights to Israel for May and the following months. About 777 new immigrants have arrived in Israel from Ukraine with the flights of the Jewish Agency in January-April. This is 142% more than during the same months of last year. The most significant growth of new immigrants is noted from Odessa and the region (+315%) Dnepropetrovsk (+266%), Kharkov (+124%). 71 new immigrants have arrived from Simferopol, growth of 294%. This tendency will continue in the next months as over 200 new immigrants have already registered in Ukraine for May flights and the registration for June is still growing. All of these numbers are not final and do not include those who have changed their status from tourists to new olim in Israel.
In addition to the work of RSJ Unit's Aliyah coordinators in Simferopol, Odessa, Kiev, Dnepropetrovsk, Kharkov and smaller surrounding towns, the Global Center of the Jewish Agency is assisting both in answering phone inquiries from Ukraine and in holding marketing operations for different regions of Ukraine. As our emissaries report, some people are afraid to leave their homes amidst the violence; informational assistance by phone is becoming an increasingly valuable and necessary tool.
All Jewish Agency offices in Ukraine remain open and activities continue:
In Ukraine, our reports show that local Jews find they are faced with two difficult options: to either close oneself at home and not leave, or to emigrate to Israel.
Our programs – ulpanim, Sunday schools, aliyah consulting, and community events – offer invaluable support to local traumatized communities, strengthening their faith in the future, in an active Jewish life, and in the knowledge that Israel is always there as a Jewish homeland and as a beacon of hope.
Entrance exams for Na'aleh were held at Jewish Agency offices in Kiev, Dnepropetrovsk, Kharkov, and Odessa, with 291 candidates. An additional professional team of the Jewish Agency and the Na'aleh professionals is planned for May, as some 30-40 new candidates are registered in Kiev and the towns of Vinnitza, Chernigov, Chernovitz, Lvov and some others. (Na'aleh is a three-year study program in Israeli high schools; boarding and amenities are provided to students from the FSU.)
Between March 14 and April 14, interviews for Selah candidates were held in Ukraine (Selah is a 10-month academic preparatory course and Aliyah program for recent high school graduates from the FSU who immigrate to Israel prior to their parents or on their own.).
In today's circumstances, representatives of the RSJ Unit and the Aliyah and Absorption Unit had to reinforce local staff resources, and several teams have been sent to Ukraine. These were highly professional and experienced teams who worked with both youth and their parents. 117 candidates for Na'aleh program were interviewed in Kiev, Kharkov, Dnepropetrovsk and Odessa.
The members of the interviewers' teams wrote: "Our general feeling is that the winds of war are blowing. This feeling strengthened during the interviews we conducted with children and especially with their parents…We met very particularly impressive children who are most likely to successfully integrate into Israeli society….To our surprise, we met wealthy parents, business people, who had not visited the offices of the Agency before the crisis…We have repeatedly encountered parents who are eager to send their children off from Ukraine as a first step for the whole family…We believe that we are living through a historic process today, which will probably bring even harder times. Suddenly, Israel is again seen as a real security alternative to what is taking place in Ukraine. We must not lose this momentum, and we have to increase the number of places for new olim from Ukraine and expand the number of participants in Selah."
Unfortunately, resources allow for only 150 places in the Selah program, though we have at least 80 applicants more seeking opportunities in Israel. Additionally, as the needs grow more serious, so the costs keep rising. As summer camp season approaches, we anticipate parents to be afraid to send their children to camp during such a difficult situation. We are considering taking the children to Israel for the summer, and building a summer camp there for children from the troubled regions of Donetsk, Slovyansk, Kharkov, Odessa, and Crimea.


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Plant Pot Shot
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SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — Start spreading the news: Google Inc. is offering free wi-fi to one neighborhood in the Big Apple.
Google GOOG, -0.67% on Tuesday said it's offering free wi-fi access to the city's southwest Chelsea neighborhood, creating what the Internet giant said is the "first wired neighborhood in Manhattan and the largest contiguous wi-fi network in New York City."
Google said the network will cover all outdoor areas in a 10 city-block neighborhood and will benefit hundreds of thousands of people, including public school students and residents of Fulton Houses, a public housing complex run by the New York City Housing Authority.
"New York is determined to become the world's leading digital city, and universal access to high-speed Internet is one of the core building blocks of that vision," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement.
Google also has about 3,000 employees based in the neighborhood.
"We want to give back to the community and help bridge the digital divide in Chelsea," William Floyd, a Google senior manager in New York, told MarketWatch.
The Chelsea initiative will be "primarily an outdoor amenity," although some of the homes will be able to access the network, Floyd said.
Back to 1987
for stocks?
Our Trading Deck has been home to a spirited debate over whether we're in for a crash.
• L.A. Little: Don't worry | Michael Gayed: Worry
• The warning signs of a 1987-style crash
• Hulbert: Stocks as overvalued as at 2007 high
The wi-fi network will benefit the 5,000 students who go to school in the area. "Our neighborhood is home to several public schools and we're hoping that this network will be used by students and teachers alike," Floyd said.
Google has set up wi-fi networks in places where the company has a major presence, including Mountain View, Calif., where the search giant is based, he said.
Contrary to earlier speculation, a Google spokesman said the Chelsea plan is not an expansion of Google Fiber, the company's enhanced Internet connection network.
Google's New York City initiative comes at a time when its mobile business is increasingly becoming critical for the Internet powerhouse. The company is also seen facing increased competition from the likes of Facebook Inc. FB, -0.52%, Microsoft Corp. MSFT, -0.72% and Apple Inc. AAPL, +0.53%.
Bank of America Merrill Lynch analyst Justin Post maintained a neutral rating on the stock on Monday, saying: "While mobile will drive solid revenue growth in 2013, we expect uneven results driven by the mobile and Google product search transition to continue in the first half of 2013."


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Runway Magazine's upcoming cover girl, E! News host, and Fashion Police extraordinaire, Giuliana Rancic, shares her skin secrets and winter style cravings.
When asked about her flawless complexion, Giuliana shared her year-round skin secret. "I actually use Revolve by DDF. You can buy it at Sephora for $98. I use it twice a week and it's like a microdermabrasion at home. It just totally changes my skin and gives it no open pores. It just makes everything very clear and I love it. DDF also has other great products including their Advanced Firming Cream, Sensitive Skin Cleansing Gel, and Wrinkle Resist Plus Pore Minimizer."
Aside from her beauty favorite, Giuliana's absolutely coveting animal prints and cashmere. When we spoke, she was wearing a Rachel Roy animal printed cashmere sweater, combining the two trends. "I love cashmere animal prints. Animal anything right now is great," she gushed. A great example of this trend combo is the Yarnz 'Zebra Toile' Cashmere Scarf found at Nordstrom for $198. It's a fusion of classic style and edge, perfect for Giuliana's Love List. Another great option is Crumpet's Leopard Print Cardigan in cashmere at Net-a-Porter for $555.
Giuliana also enthused about color saying, "I love colored jeans. Today I'm wearing tan jeans —they're kind of like a milk chocolate color. I love that as opposed to just blue jeans or black jeans. I also have a pair of deep red jeans that I love. I think it's important to wear some color, especially in the winter when we have a tendency to dress really dark. A pop of color is so fun." She is so right! This season has been all about color-blocking, bold hues, and vibrant colors. Spice up your winter wardrobe with pieces that pop like One by Habitual's Coated Skinny Jeans available at Shopbop.com for $240.
Most important of all Giuliana's latest fashion obsessions is festive jewelry. When I asked her to expand on the dazzling accents she had on, she said, "Right now I have on a pair of Heidi Klum earrings. They're not real, but they look like they have diamonds, gold, and are very sparkly. I think having pieces like that, whether it's a big ring or earrings that have some bling in them, is great for winter. It can really make any outfit pop. I think they're essential pieces right now, though I'm not as big into bracelets and necklaces at the moment." So, glittery earrings and glamorous rings are what Giuliana is all about. The Fashion Fringe Lever Back pair from Heidi Klum's Wildlife collection can be bought at QVC for $63.75. Klum's collection also features some great statement rings that would be right up Giuliana's alley like the Pave' & Curb Link Stretch Ring for $61.50, available in several tones and a great accessory to any outfit.
Special thanks to Runway Magazine, James Buccelli, Giuliana Rancic, E!, and Irina Bobker. Image: Judy Eddy/WENN.com
Crumpet's Leopard Print Cardigan
Wildlife by Heidi Klum Fashion Fringe Lever Back Earrings
Wildlife by Heidi Klum Pave' & Curb Link Stretch Ring
One by Habitual's Coated Skinny Jeans
Yarnz 'Zebra Toile' Cashmere Scarf


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BSR Screen Recorder
Publisher's Description
BSR Screen Recorder captures video, sound, and pictures of anything you see on your screen and records to AVI (Standard Video Format), SWF (Flash File), WMV (Windows Media Video), and EXE (Executable File). Any portion of the screen can be selected for recording. You can zoom in and out during recording with 2D and 3D zooming features. It records audio from microphone, speakers, and CD. Record subtitles, draw to screen while recording, cut and save portions from videos, add/mix sounds and narration, join videos, change video speeds, dimensions and compression, create movies from picture files, and synchronize audio automatically.


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News Distribution
Send your news via our patented distribution network, news agency partnerships and syndicators. We make sure your news reaches the right journalists, bloggers and key influencers worldwide.
PR Services & Measurement
Enhance your PR campaign with our multimedia tools and measure the impact of your communications through our series of measurement and analysis tools.
Website Services
Share news stories, news releases, videos, sound bites and images with your audience and make your content instantly shareable across multiple platforms - in just a few clicks.
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Company registration number, 4171920 | VAT 782 622 222.


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For those who have recently received a diagnosis; for parents of children, and adults living with CGD
For specialist information on CGD, resources and diagnostic tools for medical professionals
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Before leaving our website today, please take a few minutes to register as a member of the CGD Society. It is absolutely free! The more member families we support throughout the world who are affected by chronic granulomatous disorder, the better chance we have of securing funds to develop and maintain this website, and provide you with the latest information on the management of CGD, treatments and research towards a cure.
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The son of a Burbank woman who was electrocuted Wednesday when she tried to save a crash victim in Valley Village called his mother a hero.
David Aguilar, 21, said when he got a call about 8:45 p.m. Wednesday that his mother, Irma Zamora, had been electrocuted, he went to Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, where his stepfather "was a mess."
He also saw his mother lying in a hospital bed, where she looked "just peaceful."
Zamora -- who had been a longtime Glendale resident until moving to Burbank about six years ago -- was heroic, brave, strong, "always tried her hardest to get whatever she wanted" and was "always trying to help someone," Aguilar said Thursday outside his apartment in Burbank.
"The fact that my mom died being a hero, I am just so proud of her," he said.
The fact that she died trying to save someone else, he added, didn't surprise him.
"The fact that she died in the process is what shocks me," Aguilar said.
Zamora was electrocuted after she ran toward the wrecked SUV and stepped into an electrified pool of water that had been created by a spewing hydrant and a downed light pole at Magnolia and Ben avenues in Valley Village.
She was electrocuted by what firefighters estimate was 4,800 volts of electricity.
Zamora's husband also reached the water and was shocked, though not as badly, Jaime Moore, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department, told The Times.
He had to be restrained from trying to rescue his wife, Moore said.
"By the time we came, the husband was screaming" for his wife, said Sue Kochoo, a neighbor who also hurried to the scene after hearing the crash. Kochoo said she and a friend would have also run into the water had someone not yelled at them to stop.
Kochoo said the electrified pool grew for several minutes. Zamora and another woman were in the middle, one on top of the other.
Rescue crews had to pull them from the water using a 6-foot pole with hooks and a handle that doesn't conduct electricity, Moore said.
In all, six people were injured, and two died.
That night, Aguilar said his mother and stepfather had gone to a restaurant on Ventura Boulevard in anticipation of a family trip to Disney World the next day.
They were scheduled to return Sunday afternoon.
"It just doesn't feel like home anymore at all," Aguilar said.
Witness describes chaotic scene after two women electrocuted
Good Samaritan electrocuted in Valley Village was Burbank resident
-- Veronica Rocha at Times Community News, with Sam Quinones and Rebecca Trounson at the Los Angeles Times
Follow Veronica on Google+ and Twitter: @VeronicaRochaLA


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100.0% would recommend this item to a friend.
62 out of 70 people found the following review helpful:
What are the pros? Easy
What are the cons? Nothing
I planted these for the first time last year and they did very well here in Southern Missouri. Interesting foliage and pretty little blue/purple flowers. Produced many seeds! I will be planting these again for sure!
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43 out of 57 people found the following review helpful:
What are the pros? Came up easy
What are the cons? Never flowered
I tried planting carrots in heavily tilled and stone free soil but they never came in. So I planted the flax over the top. No germination or anything, came up within days beautifully. Maybe it my Luffa blocking the sunrays, but these never flowered. Will definitely try a sunnier area next year :)


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SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. soared on Thursday after reporting strong quarterly earnings while Whole Foods Market Inc. sank after reporting a weak outlook for a second straight quarter.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber GT, -0.36% shares rallied 12% to lead the S&P 500. The Akron, Ohio-based company reported on Thursday a fourth-quarter profit of 74 cents a share, exceeding Wall Street's estimate of 62 cents a share.
Whole Foods Market US:WFM plummeted 7.5% after the grocery chain cut its outlook in its latest earnings report Wednesday evening. The company said it now sees a per-share earnings range of $1.58 to $1.65 for the current quarter, marking its second consecutive quarter of lower guidance.
News that Time Warner Cable US:TWC finally has a buyer locked up sent shares 7% higher. Comcast CMCSA, -0.19% and Time Warner said their boards approved a merger that would see Comcast acquire 100% of its cable rival. After the deal, Time Warner shareholders will own 23% of Comcast's stock, with a value of $158.82 apiece. Comcast was down 4%.
Applied Materials Inc. AMAT, +0.20% shares rose 5.6%. The chip manufacturing equipment company on Wednesday reported first-quarter earnings of 23 cents a share, ahead of the 22 cents a share forecast by analyst.
Discovery Communications Inc. DISCA, -0.78% shares fell 4.7%. The cable company that owns Discovery Channel and Animal Planet Thursday reported fourth-quarter earnings of 81 cents a share, falling short of the average estimate of 90 cents a share.
Charter Communications Inc. CHTR, +0.12%, which made an offer for Time Warner Cable in January, and had been pressuring the company to go through with a merger, sank 6.3% after the news of the Comcast buyout.
Angie's List Inc. ANGI, +3.23% sank 16% as the company announced revenue expectations for the current quarter that failed to meet Wall Street estimates late Wednesday.
NetApp Inc. NTAP, +0.37% shares fell 3.6% after the computer data management company reported its third-quarter earnings.
Tickers to Watch
CSCO: Cisco Systems Inc. CSCO, +0.20% dropped 3.4% as investors reacted to an 8% decline in revenue last quarter. The network-equipment company, whose earnings are often taken as a signal for broader technology spending, said in its report late Wednesday that weak demand in emerging markets were a reason for the drop.
CBS: CBS Corp. CBS, +0.00% said profit rose 20% in the fourth quarter and provided a rosy outlook for the revenue it expects to generate from cable and satellite fees in the coming years. The stock is up 4.3%.
NVDA: Nvidia Corp. NVDA, -1.26% advanced 2.3%. The chip maker late Wednesday reported its fourth-quarter earnings fell, but still managed to beat analyst estimates.
More from MarketWatch:
Euro's fate is now in Germany's hands
The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics


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Fujifilm Reviews: Mirrorless Cameras
Fujifilm offers an excellent range of mirrorless cameras. We've gotten our hands on a few different options and haven't disliked one yet. The highlight is the X-Trans sensor, a design that eliminates the need for a anti-alliasing filter, capturing excellent detail. True to the Fujifilm tradition, their mirrorless cameras capture accurate, deep color profiles and include a range of digital film simulation options. Prices range from a very basic option to advanced models that include nearly every imaginable feature.
Here are the the Fujifilm reviews for the mirrorless cameras currently on the market.
- Order by:
- Price
- Title ▲
- Grade
- Release Date
Fujifilm GFX 50S
Fujifilm is skipping the full frame and moving straight from the APS-C X-Trans mirrorless to into the world of medium format sensors with remarkable detail, color and low light performance -- and with a price that's actually rather reasonable ...
Grade: A Price: $5,499.00
Fujifilm X-A1
The X-A1 is essentially a cheaper version of Fujifilm's popular X-M1 and the least expensive model in the mirrorless X line. The most notable difference between the X-M1 and the X-A1 is the sensor. The X-A1 still has the large, APS-C sensor, b...
Grade: A- Price: $599.00
Fujifilm X-A10
The Fujifilm X-A10 has two big things going for it: a selfie screen, and a budget-friendly price tag.Fujifilm's budget shooter, announced in late 2016, is highlighted by a tilting LCD screen that, unlike earlier models doesn't block off an...
Grade: B- Price: $349.00
Fujifilm X-A2
If camera shopping is like dating, the Fujifilm X-A2 is the date you remember for their personality. Because while it certainly has a few flaws, when it comes down to what really matters (i.e. image quality), the X-A2 hits all the right marks. Fuj...
Grade: B+ Price: $550.00
Fujifilm X-A5
Fujifilm's X series of mirroless cameras are heavy hitters -- but the new Fujifilm X-A5 is a literal lightweight. When including the kit lens, the X-A5 is the lightest camera and kit lens combo Fujifilm has launched yet, but the budget-friendl...
Grade: B+ Price: $499.00
Fujifilm X-E1
Fujifilm has announced an update to their mirrorless line in the X-E1, which sits at a lower price point than the expensive X-Pro1 yet still houses the same 16 megapixel X-Trans sensor that, without an anti-aliasing filter, pulls amazing amounts o...
Grade: B+ Price: $849.00
Fujifilm X-E2
Fujifilm's X line is an excellent collection of high resolution mirrorless models. Their November 2013 model, the X-E2, emphasizes speed, particularly a snappy .08 second autofocus. Fujifilm claims the new processor doubles the processing spee...
Grade: A- Price: $847.00
Fujifilm X-E2S
If there's anyone that can wrap modern camera tech inside of a classically styled camera, it's Fujifilm. While the retro body style has been popular for a few years now, with the X-E2S, Fujifilm has taken a bit different approach, moving t...
Grade: A- Price: $850.00
Fujifilm X-E3
Almost nothing goes untouched in Fujifilm's update to the X-E2 and X-E2S, the Fujifilm X-E3. The camera sees a long list of updates almost across the board that should give the already good camera an even better edge.The biggest change is the ...
Grade: A Price: $599.00
Fujifilm X-M1
Classic. Compact. Simple. There's a lot of great words to describe Fujifilm's X-M1—and very few bad ones. Fujifilm has really hit the mark with their 2013 classically styled mirrorless in two big ways—one, with the filterless A...
Grade: B+ Price: $900.00
Fujifilm X-Pro1
Fujifilm is jumping into the mirrorless game with the X-Pro1 a Leica-style rangefinder with a selection of fast primes. It's certainly not for everyone, but street shooters and enthusiasts will appreciate both it's retro beauty and price t...
Grade: B+ Price: $1,045.00
Fujifilm X-Pro2
Fujifilm's mirrorless line is backed by an excellent sensor design that offers a high level of detail and rich colors. With the Fujfilm X-Pro2, that sensor gets a nice upgrade.Fujifilm was lagging a bit behind in the megapixel arena with their...
Grade: A- Price: $1,499.00
Fujifilm X-T1
The Fujifilm X-T1 combines some of the most intriguing features of today's most talked about cameras. The X-T1 has five mechanical dials for adjusting shutter speed, aperture, ISO and other features, similar to the controls on the Nikon Df. Th...
Grade: A Price: $1,700.00
Fujifilm X-T10
If there's one camera brand that's combining the latest technology with the traditional look and feel of a classic camera, it's Fujifilm. The Fujifilm X-T1 offers pretty much every imaginable high-end feature wrapped inside a classical...
Grade: A- Price: $649.00
Fujifilm X-T1 IR (With Infared Technology)
There are a lot of features packed into the Fujifilm X-T1. Now, Fujifilm has added just one more--the ability to photograph more than just the visible light spectrum.The Fujifilm X-T1 IR includes infrared technology. Where most cameras capture the...
Grade: A Price: $1,299.00
Fujifilm X-T20
There's the consumer camera with scene modes and selfie features and there's the pro-level, high-priced cameras. And then, in between, there's the Fujifilm X-T20. The Fujifilm X-T20 is a happy medium between the consumer-friendly...
Grade: A- Price: $699.00


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Cisco® StyleMe™ Virtual Fashion Mirror Goes Live at John Lewis
John Lewis, a leading U.K. retailer, is now piloting two Cisco StyleMe Virtual Fashion Mirrors at its flagship London department store on Oxford Street, providing customers with a virtual way to try on clothes. The mirrors were developed by the Cisco Internet Business Solutions Group (IBSG), with partners C In-store, AITech, and The Team.
The 6- by 3-foot mirrors incorporate built-in cameras that capture shoppers' body dimensions and positioning. Using artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and gesture-recognition technology, the mirrors then superimpose clothing items over customers' on-screen images.
In effect, the mirrors become virtual changing rooms where customers can create complete outfits from more than 500 women's-wear garments and accessories selected from johnlewis.com. This makes the shopping experience easier and more enjoyable by letting customers see how they look in new outfits without getting undressed.
The Cisco StyleMe Virtual Fashion Mirror also allows shoppers to create virtual collections by capturing pictures of themselves in their new outfits and then opting to have the images (with QR codes that link to johnlewis.com) emailed or printed on the spot. Shoppers can share their new look with friends and family via social networking sites such as Facebook and receive feedback before making their purchases.
As the U.K.'s favorite place to shop, John Lewis always strives to take a market-leading approach to innovative technologies that give their customers the very best shopping experience. Andrea O'Donnell, commercial director for John Lewis and the project's sponsor, says, "The Virtual Fashion Mirrors will be a lot of fun for our customers, and we hope they'll enjoy experimenting with them as much as we have."
Check back soon for updates about the pilots.
In an effort to keep conversations fresh, Cisco Blogs closes comments after 60 days. Please visit the Cisco Blogs hub page for the latest content.
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Now This One Really Slays Me
Things I just learned:
1: In the adoption process, the day the Consent to Adoption is given is known as the Execution Day.
2: That's not as chipper-sounding as you might think when iced on a cake:
...well, unless we're talking about a wood chipper. Then, maybe.
3. A photo of Dora being attacked by a monkey is so. not. helping.
Thanks to Megan G., who tells me something here was "lost in the translation."
I'm guessing the picture of the wood chipper.


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April 2005 (4)
We have been often asked how does CompuByte handle percentage discounts for individual stock items based on the quantities sold. For individual items you insert as follows in the Special Parameter field [DQ 5-10=7;11-20=10;20-9999=25 (You can insert the same in the group if you want the complete group to use this structure). In the example above, any item sold between the quantities 5 and 10 will get a 7% discount, while any items between 11-20 will get 10% etc. (Always ensure you have a square bracket '[' before the parameter)
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This code indicates that a fault has been detected in the sensor reference voltage "B" circuit. The PCM or one of the other supporting control modules has detected this fault. These control modules may include (but are not limited to) the alternative fuel control module, the body control module, the antilock brake control module, the instrument panel control module, the fuel injection control module, the turbo control module, the anti-theft module, the cruise control module, the traction control module, proximity alert module, and the climate control module. The letter "B" isolates a particular area of the circuit more than a particular component or wire.
In the event of a sensor reference "B" malfunction, a trouble code will be stored and a service engine soon lamp may be illuminated. Some models require multiple drive cycles (as many as 8) with a failure in order for the service engine soon lamp to be illuminated and others will activate it on the initial failure.
Symptoms may include a stored trouble code, a hard or no start condition, rough running engine, decreased fuel efficiency, engine misfire, and a general lack of power. If this code is stored, and a service engine soon lamp has not yet been illuminated, the code may be shown as pending.
The most likely causes of this code being stored are shorted or open wiring or connectors between the interfacing control modules, open or shorted wiring or connectors in the PCM input circuitry from the engine sensors, loose or disconnected ground wires to the PCM or other control modules, internal malfunctions in the PCM.
Symptoms and stored codes that are present as a reaction to a communication failure are often misdiagnosed and repaired as the cause of the problem. Obviously, this leads to an unsuccessful repair.


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So you've probably noticed a bit of a change in the photos on the blog.
Lately, I've been shooting Black and White film and scanning the negatives.
First, I've never really liked my point and shoot digital cameras. It always feels like you are having to trick the camera to get the to photo you want.
I like SLR cameras, but Digital SLRs seem so complicated, not to mention heavy and expensive.
In general, I am the sort of person who enjoys having complete control over a few simple variables.
I got bit by the camera bug when I was a boy.
When I was in High School, I got my first SLR camera, an Olympus OM-10. However, as the photographer for our High School paper, I used an Olympus OM-1.
There was nothing automatic on the OM-1 camera. You controlled the focus, aperture, and shutter speed. That was all there was to taking photos, aside from picking a subject, lens, and film.
Even with film, I always shot Kodak Tri-X Black and White film, so not a lot of variation.
When I graduated from High School, I asked my parents to loan me the money to buy a similar camera. By that time, the OM-1 had been discontinued and there were still (barely) a few of the newer OM-1n models on the market. I managed to score one of the snazzy ones with a black body.
Lurking on eBay netted me these few styling vintage Zuiko Lenses. On the camera is my current favorite, the G-Zuiko AUTO-S 55mm f/1.2. It is a super fast lens, with a wonderful softness at the wider aperatures, especially with long exposures. Amusingly, one of the reasons it was discontinued by Zuiko is that it contains "rare elements". I also picked up the wide angle Zuiko Auto-W MC 28mm f/2.8, a slower Zuiko MC MACRO 50mm f/3.5 lens, a very fast Zuiko MC MACRO 90mm f/2.0 lens, and a telephoto zoom lens, the Zuiko AUTO-Zoom 75-150mm f/4.0.
The thing that I most needed, with all the low light cocktail photography that I do, was a new tripod. I had one I'd been toting along with me since my days in high school, but the legs were now malfunctioning badly making it nearly useless. I really like this new Manfrotto tripod, but am not overly fond of the ball head. Just doesn't make sense to me that a single tension screw controls adjusting both the X and Y axis.
I actually also have most of the equipment for a Black and White darkroom, but setting one up is a hassle. I think in California they give you a hard time not just about the water use necessary, but the chemicals.
Instead of doing it myself, I've been having Photoworks develop (and scan) the negatives. They are good people and it's less of a hassle than developing and scanning myself. They are far less likely to get dust on the negatives than I am. Hm, though I am noticing they appear to be scanning my B&W negatives as color, giving them a slightly sepia tone. Gonna have to mention that next time.
Let me know what you think of the new look for the photos.


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Remember the chick who plays Cordelia in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Angel? That would be Charisma Carpenter, and she and her husband, Damian Hardy, have decided to call it quits and throw in the figurative towel on their relationship of four years. From People: "Charisma Carpenter of TV's Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel […]
Entries Tagged 'Charisma Carpenter' ↓
Buffy & Angel Actress; Charisma Carpenter & Husband Split
November 27th, 2007 — Charisma Carpenter, Christopher Titus, Damian Hardy


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Supplemental Student Aid
NCLB Update
Spotlight: Graduation Rate
State Tables
Partnership Forum
STEM Activity
Quote to Note
Upcoming Events
Supplemental Student Aid
Attention collegians! Academic Competitiveness (AC) and National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) grants are now available. These grants provide further incentive for students to take more challenging courses in high school and to pursue college majors which are in high demand in the global economy. On July 1, the Department's Federal Student Aid (FSA) Office will begin notifying Pell Grant-eligible students of their potential eligibility for AC grants via regular mail or email, and first- and second-year students can start applying for AC grants. Third- and fourth-year Pell Grant-eligible students who meet all requirements will automatically receive National SMART grants during the 2006-07 school year.
AC grants provide financial aidup to an additional $750 for first-year students and up to an additional $1,300 for second-year studentsto those students who complete rigorous high school coursework, are enrolled full-time, and maintain a 3.0 grade point average in college. National SMART grants provide up to an additional $4,000 to third- and fourth-year students who major in math, science, or critical foreign languages, are enrolled full-time, and maintain a 3.0 GPA in college. It is estimated that 500,000 students will qualify to receive these grants. For more information, please go to http://www.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/competitiveness/ac-smart2.html.
Note: A very rough draft of the Secretary of Education's Commission on the Future of Higher Education report is circulating. According to Chairman Charles Miller, "It is expected that this version will undergo significant changes and edits over the course of our discussions. Since we represent a very diverse group of stakeholders, the draft report represents a multitude of opinions. This is a work in progress, and the lively debate we anticipate will result in a strong report to the Secretary and the nation." For more information, please go to http://www.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/hiedfuture/.
NCLB Update (http://www.nochildleftbehind.gov/)
Where in the world is the Secretary? Early this week, she was in Athens, Greece, for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Ministerial. Then, she moved on to Madrid, Spain, for bi-lateral talks with her Spanish counterpart. For more information, please go to http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2006/06/06282006.html.
Last week, Secretary Spellings stopped by the Teacher-to-Teacher Summer Workshop in St. Paul, Minnesota. "By the end of this summer, almost 10,000 teachers will have attended these workshops since we started the initiative two years ago," she stated. "And about one million students will have benefited." For more information, please go to http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2006/06/06212006a.html.
Spotlight: Graduation Rate
On the same day (June 20), the Department's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and Education Week's Editorial Projects in Education (EPE) Research Center released striking reports on the nation's graduation rate. Although the reports used different formulas for their calculations, both methods produced similar estimates. According to NCES, the graduation rate in 2003-04 was 74.3% (up from 73.9% in 2002-03), while, according to EPE, the graduation rate in 2002-03 was 69.6%. Some other notes:
- Female students (72.7%) graduate from high school at higher rates than male students (65.2%), and Asian (77.0%) and white (76.2%) students fare much better than Hispanic (55.6%), African-American (51.6%), and American Indian (47.4%) students. (EPE)
- Overall, 14 states had graduation rates of at least 80%. (NCES)
- Comparing graduation rates from 2002-03 to 2003-04, 32 states and the District of Columbia showed improvement. Yet, the average increase for these states was just 1.7%, and only five states showed increases of more than 3%. (NCES)
- Students from urban areas (60.0%) are far less likely to graduate on time compared to students from suburban areas (74.4%) and rural areas (73.1%). (EPE)
- 35% of the students who fail to graduate dropout between ninth- and tenth-grade, whereas just 17% of students who make it to twelfth-grade fail to graduate. (EPE)
EPE's study also includes an online mapping tool (that allows users to zoom in on each of the nation's school districts and compare district data to U.S. and state data. For more information, please go to http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2006606 and http://www.edweek.org/dc06.
Note: For a slightly different perspective, see NCES' updated report on dropout rates at http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2006062.
State Tables
The agency recently updated its state-by-state tables of formula-allocated and selected student aid programs. Currently, these tables show Fiscal Year 2001-06 enacted appropriations and the FY 2007 budget request for the following programs:
- Title I (Grants to LEAs, Reading First Grants, Even Start Grants, and Grants for Neglected and Delinquent Children)
- Improving Teacher Quality State Grants
- Math and Science Partnerships
- Educational Technology State Grants
- 21st Century Community Learning Centers
- State Grants for Innovative Programs
- State Assessments
- Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities State Grants
- Language Acquisition State Grants
- Education for Homeless Children and Youth
- Special Education (Grants to States, Preschool Grants, and Grants for Infants and Families)
Other FY 2006 allocations and all FY 2007 allocations are preliminary estimates based on available data. New data may result in significant changes to these estimates. For more information, please go to http://www.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/statetables/.
Partnership Forum
The non-profit Business/Education Partnership Forum, http://www.biz4ed.org/, is a free online resource center for anyone involved in school-business partnerships, as well as for those interested in business' role in supporting K-12 education. It offers an index of current news articles and press announcements; various resources for businesses and schools (such as how-to guides and market reports); a directory of national, state, and local organizations; an index of best practices/case studies; and an online forum where participants can communicate with others in the field.
STEM Activity
As the Department finalizes its report on the Girls in Math and Science Summit, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) remains the hot topic across the nation. Consider these items from the past month:
- "Math and Science Education in a Global Age: What the U.S. Can Learn from China" (Asia Society) outlines ways in which China (and, more broadly, East Asia) has been successful in producing higher student achievement in math and science. It also reveals that China is seeking to adapt certain aspects of the U.S. educational system. (http://internationaled.org/mathsciencereport.htm)
- "Bayer Facts of Science Education XII" (Bayer Corp.) polled 100 executives who lead U.S. companies that specialize in STEM fields. The executives are concerned about the rising competition for scientific and technical workers and fear their company's international competitors, having access to this same talent, will gain a crucial edge. They also acknowledge that their industries "suffer" from a lack of women, African-American, Hispanic, and American Indian workers. (http://www.bayerus.com/MSMS/news/facts.cfm)
- "Keeping Our Edge: Americans Speak on Education and Competitiveness" (ETS) polled parents, teachers, administrators, and college faculty. A majority feel schools are coming up short in preparing students to compete for highly technical scientific and engineering jobs and are going to have to challenge students more if America is to maintain its competitive advantage. (http://www.ets.org/Media/Education_Topics/
Quote to Note
"Math, science, and foreign language skills are the new currency in our global economy. These new grant programs will not only enable more students to attend college but also provide strategic alignment with our national goal to better prepare our students for today's world. Justin Blahnik, a computer science student and SMART grant qualifier I met last week in St. Paul, put it best when he said these grants would enable students 'to borrow less, work less, and study more.'"
Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings (6/29/06),
declaring the availability of new grants for college students
Upcoming Events
On July 10, the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Advisory Committee will hold a conference call to develop an agenda and identify participants for its next meeting (August 21 and 22). There will not be an opportunity for public comment, although anyone may listen by calling 1-866-215-1938 (chairperson: Deborah Price). For more information, please go to http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/other/2006-2/062806a.html.
Credits, Subscribe & Unsubscribe
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To be added or removed from distribution, or submit comments (we welcome your feedback!), please contact Adam Honeysett. Or, visit http://www.ed.gov/news/newsletters/edreview/index.html.
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If you are not from the Southern coast you may not have heard of a low-country shrimp boil, much less Frogmore Stew. The first thing asked of course, is �are there frogs in it?� Nope. And it�s not a stew either.
If you�re going to serve a big pot of it up, be prepared to serve up a little piece of history to go with it.
The stew came from a local shrimper who lived near Beaufort, S.C. He had a lot of people to feed and knowing he had plenty of shrimp to go around, he decided to throw a few extra things in the pot to stretch the meal out. He had fresh corn from his garden, small red potatoes and fresh sausage links from his neighbor, a butcher. He threw everything into the pot and Frogmore Stew was born.
The name Frogmore was actually the mailing address for the residents of St. Helena Island just off the coast of South Carolina. Sometimes you will hear it called Beaufort Stew by the locals that live in that area. Others may know it as a low-country boil. One thing I do know for sure is the fact that it is good!
Frogmore Stew is great for a crowd and a fun and relaxed way of throwing a dinner party, a tailgating event or just a weekend at the beach anytime of the year. And that was exactly what we did Sunday night. Although, it was a cold night after the snow day we had, I served it up in huge bowls. I put out extra bowls for the shrimp shells. I made a large bowl of cocktail sauce and several loaves of garlic bread. The recipe I made was for 12 and I did have enough leftover for a great potato salad, shrimp cocktails for 4, a Mexican corn stir-fry and sausage and egg omelets. Frogmore Stew is the dish that keeps on giving.
Try this recipe for Frogmore Stew. It can be easily adjusted to serve any number of people you wish.
4 pounds large shrimp, unpeeled
4 pounds small red potatoes, unpeeled
3 pounds of kielbasa sausage, cut in 1-inch slices
2 large onions, peeled, but not cut
6 ears of corn on the cob, cut in half (you need at least 12 pieces)
� cup Old Bay seasoning
6 quarts of water
In a large stockpot add the Old Bay seasoning and water and bring to a boil. Add in potatoes and cover, cook for 10 minutes. Add in sausage and corn and cook for another 10 minutes. Check the potatoes and make sure they are done. Add in the shrimp and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring the pot until shrimp turn pink. Drain. Pour contents out onto a table lined with newspapers. Serve bowls of cocktail sauce and tartar sauce, and plenty of crackers.
Serves 12.


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CA Workload Automation helps enable critical business transactions to be processed on-time and with fewer errors, so you can protect against lost revenue and reduced productivity from failed transactions. Schedule and manage workload processing across your IT environment by updating workload processing schedules in real-time to accommodate changing business requirements. Validate schedules and find errors to avoid production outages or lost productivity, and increase your resource utilization with continuous workload processing.
CA Workload Automation AE Implementation Services offer a comprehensive, proven approach which helps optimize the value of workflow management in the enterprise. CA Services professionals use their expertise to help you deploy CA Workload Automation solutions that simplify workload definitions and dynamically automate complex workloads. In addition, our experts can help reduce project complexity with a carefully managed and phased implementation to deliver rapid business value.
The inability to manage transactions that occur across multiple systems and that collect data from multiple sources, especially at an enterprise level and with other interdependencies, can lead to demands on business systems not being met in a timely and reliable manner.
Uneven utilization can result in some IT resources being at capacity while others are underutilized, which often means higher Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and lower ROI. In addition, there is constant pressure to increase value and process more transactions— without increasing budget.
No central point of visibility and control makes it challenging to discern whether production workloads are being managed in an efficient and accurate way, and also makes it difficult to see potential points of failure. This further complicates your ability to manage multi-platform and application dependencies.
Root-cause analysis and resolution can be difficult and time consuming, especially with inconsistencies in managing end-to-end business processes.
Documenting regulatory compliance can be cumbersome, and contributes to the inability of IT to deliver on business and compliance process requirements.
CA Services provides the expertise and support to optimize your technology solution. First, our CA Services experts collaborate with you to identify and document your requirements, and establish a metrics baseline that enables you to measure improvements in service delivery, compliance, and from newly-streamlined processes.
Next, a phased approach is crafted to start the transformation from your current state to your desired future state. The CA Services team is with you through the entire process, with a commitment to get you positioned for success by utilizing best practices developed over thousands of engagements.
CA Services helps you rapidly deploy the technology solution to meet your business requirements and accelerate its value, starting with Foundation Services for CA Workload Automation AE to speed solution deployment, and help reduce lost productivity. Once your Foundation is in place, the CA Services experts will help you extend the value of your solution with Acceleration Services.
CA Workload Automation AE Foundation Services implement and configure base functionality. The extensible, modular architecture offers a common framework for deploying the current release of CA Workload Automation AE, which enables workload automation for enterprise-wide business applications.
A typical CA Workload Automation AE Foundation deployment consists of:
CA Workload Automation iDash Acceleration Services
The CA Workload Automation iDash Acceleration Service enables CA Workload Automation iDash deployment for CA Workload Automation AE.
This accelerator is underpinned by the following:
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The SBP packs the performance of a larger model into a slim-line pendant that rests easily in the palm of your hand. The SBP's unigue double-spring push button design gives you absolute control, and the high-impact resistant and watertight housing will survive even the most brutal environments. The 2 Button Single Speed Switch is in stock and usuualy ships the same day it is ordered.
Part # SBPU-A2


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Dina's Restaurant
Dina's Restaurant
Experience the comforting atmosphere and the unique menu offered at Dina's Restaurant. Located in the heart of the bustling resort village of Ellicottville, NY, Dina's prepares satisfying, healthy foods that appeal to a health-conscious clientele. Dina's selections are made to order from local, fresh ingredients whenever possible. We take pride in what we serve – including our selection of homemade cakes, cookies, pies and other sweet endings. No reservations taken – we want you to be spontaneous!
Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.


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The first inter-state agreement in the coral triangle towards marine conservation efforts has been signed by six countries at the Coral Triangle Summit.
"IUCN warmly congratulates the six governments of the Coral Triangle Initiative for their leadership in protecting the most diverse coral reefs of the world," says Bernard O'Callaghan, IUCN Regional Coordinator for Oceania Regional Office. "The Coral Triangle is truly the Amazon of the Sea."
The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security was launched on Friday, May 15, at a Leaders Summit in Manado, North Sulawesi. The Heads of States of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor Leste joined forces to safeguard the world's richest marine resources, ensuring food security for millions of people who depend on these resources.
"IUCN fully supports this new multilateral partnership to help safeguard the marine and coastal biological resources within the region in achieving their priority goals as stated in their Plans of Action," adds O'Callaghan. "IUCN will seek to engage our Species Survival commission, World Commission on Protected Areas and other members. IUCN Oceania will seek to align this initiative with the Pacific Round table for nature conservation."
The Coral Triangle, the epicenter of marine life and diversity, contains 76 percent of all known coral species and more than 3,000 fish species, despite only covering 1.6 percent of the planet's oceanic area. Over 120 million people directly depend on these resources. This area also supports the largest tuna fisheries in the world, which generates billions of US dollars globally every year.
The value of tourism and the fishery industry, as well as shoreline protection, is estimated to be $2.3 billion per year. These valuable yet vulnerable marine resources are threatened by over harvesting, pollution and unsustainable and uncoordinated coastal development.
"Healthy coastal and marine ecosystems will reduce the vulnerability of coastal communities, especially in the face of climatic changes," says Don Macintosh, Coordinator of Mangroves For the Future. "Protection of mangroves and reefs is vital to help people adapt to increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events."
The Coral Triangle Initiative leaders recognize the urgent need to address poverty issues in the Coral Triangle countries, as well as the need for a climate change focus.
"IUCN urges donor governments, funding agencies, NGOs, and the private sector to embrace this Initiative, and for world leaders at the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen later this year to support the Coral Triangle countries in their efforts to protect their most vulnerable assets from the impacts of climate change," says Aban Marker Kabraji, IUCN Asia Regional Director.
For more information, please contact:
- Minna Epps, IUCN Asia Media Relations, m +66 87082 3331, e [email protected]


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Duppy Gun
Duppy Gun record label distributed by Stones Throw
Duppy Gun Productions is a label founded in Portmore, Jamaica, 2011, by Los Angeles musicians Sun Araw (Cameron Stallones) and M. Geddes Gengras. Stallones & Gengras ventured to the island to record an album with roots-reggae chaplains The Congos, and soon began collaborating with the local music community centered around the fishing village of Forum. Duppy Gun came to fruition with the release of a 12-inch Multiply/Earth featuring vocals by Dayone (Carlton Sappleton) and Early One (Alan Pitt) over bugged riddims by the Duppy Founders.
Speaking on future plans, Stallones states: "Currently the DUPPY GUN will bring a steady stream of OUTER ORBIT DANCEHALL SELECTIONS on 12-inch to the public by curating an alchemical bond of warped rid dims from worldwide sources and vocal fire from THE ISLAND."


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Related Resource
Climate Data Records from Environmental Satellites (March 2004)Report in Brief
The report outlines key elements to consider in designing a program to create climate-quality data from satellites. It examines historical attempts to create climate data records, provides advice on steps for generating, re-analyzing, and storing satellite climate data, and discusses the importance of partnering between agencies, academia, and industry. NOAA will use this report -- the first in a two-part study -- to draft an implementation plan for climate data records.


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Stability Must Be the Primary Aim of Iraq Policy
Despite continuing disagreements with the U.S. administration, there is no schadenfreude on the European side regarding the predicament the US is facing in Iraq today. Volker Perthes of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs presents a catalogue of suggestions for a new Iraq policy
The legitimacy of and necessity for going to war (i.e., the alleged threat of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction), as well as the ideological assumptions that underpinned the Bush administration's decision for war (the missionary drive to spread democracy by force of arms, the conviction that Iraqis would by and large welcome U.S. occupation, and the idea of democratic dominoes) are still disputed in Europe.
But no one is happy to see developments in Iraq spin out of control. On the contrary, there is a deep and growing concern that the transformation taking place in Iraq might be one from a totalitarian state into a failed state.
Against hastened withdrawal of U.S. troops
On government levels, no one in Europe advocates the hastened withdrawal of U.S. and coalition forces from Iraq. Not only would this almost inevitably lead to civil war within the country, but it would also sow the seeds for a regional constellation comparable only to that in South East Asia after the U.S. withdrawal from Vietnam. Regional states would fight for dominance and feel no restraints in re-sorting to "self-help" policies by all available means.
Second, there certainly is a shared interest on both sides of the Atlantic in the success of all attempts to stabilise Iraq and to establish participatory, pluralistic government there. Maybe the European interest in such an outcome is even stronger than that of the U.S., given that Europe – under a dynamic perspective of EU enlargement – may at some point have common borders with Iraq as well as Iran and Syria.
Occupation dilemmas
How do we have to assess the situation in Iraq today? Three aspects seem to be important particularly as a basis for policy prescriptions.
First, there certainly is "descending consent" in the occupation, as U.S. military officers have described it, or "occupation fatigue" on the part of Iraqis, in the phrase of Governing Council member Ahmed Chalabi. It is true that some progress has been made in terms of re-establishing electricity, introducing some economic growth, and even the restoration of an Iraqi police force. But many Iraqis do not credit the occupiers with these accomplishments.
Rather, they blame the occupation for the destruction that took part in the first place, as well as for the loss of personal security. In this regard, the United States and the coalition forces face very much the same dilemma that has confronted colonial powers in the past.
The French occupations of Algeria and Syria and its spirit of mission civilisatrice may be a good example. Colonial authorities at that time regarded anybody who did not accept that mission as their enemy and undertook to defeat them. Yet, the harder the occupation forces hit at these enemies, the less consent there was in their presence and the greater became the potential for resistance.
Iraqis prefer moderate, well-educated and often secular representatives
A second aspect is that the majority of Iraqis is not on the side of the armed re-sistance to the occupation, of radical Islamists, die-hard elements of the old re-gime, or foreign terrorists that have been invited into the country as a result of the breakdown of the old system.
Rather, whenever the Iraqis did get a chance to vote in local elections, they have preferred moderate, well-educated and often secular people to represent them. There is no reason to assume that such tendencies should not prevail in a general elec-tion – and one need not therefore be too concerned about the results of such elec-tions if they take place, as now scheduled, by the end of 2004 or early in 2005.
Thirdly and much more disturbingly, all necessary conditions for a civil war are present in today's Iraq. There are armed militias, whose control certainly is the responsibility of the occupation forces; there is a confessionalisation of politics and of political conflicts; and finally, there is a lack of state authority, and certainly of legitimate state authority. All this need not lead to a civil war – but similar combinations of factors have certainly triggered internal strife in other countries.
US and its allies have to find an orderly way out
So what, from a European perspective, should be done? To start with, we have to admit that all policies that could be recommended will at this stage be less than perfect. It would be illusionary to suppose that those who have warned the United States against getting itself into the present mess would have any ideal solutions.
Rather than considering any quick withdrawal of coalition forces which, as outlined above, would most likely have catastrophic consequences, the US and its allies will have to find an orderly way out.
There should be a timetable for an end to the occupation, and the international community should oversee the quickest possible establishment of some form of legitimate government in Iraq.
Much of this will be tried under the proposals of Lakhdar Brahimi. For an interim period, i.e., from July 2004 to the envisaged date of elections, the United Nations can certainly offer more legitimacy than the United States and the coalition.
Within the next few weeks, it is therefore crucial to obtain a UN Security Council resolution setting the parameters for the eight months following the June 30 deadline for the transfer of authority to an Iraqi government.
If at all possible, this deadline should indeed be maintained – not because it is an ideal date, but because scrapping it would result in the United States losing even more credibility and, more importantly perhaps, because Iraqis are already preparing for increased responsibility after this date.
Separating security tasks and political mandate
A new Security Council resolution should contain a "Brahimi plus" plan that sepa-rates security tasks from a political mandate, i.e. from the oversight over politi-cal and economic reconstruction in Iraq.
On the security side, the Council should give a new, limited mandate to Coalition forces for maintaining order up to the Iraqi elections and the establishment of an elected government. The much-discussed suggestion of bringing in NATO is probably a bad idea. In Iraq and the region, NATO is considered as an extension of the US, not actually as a multilateral organisation that integrates the US into a largely European framework.
NATO mandate counterproductive
A NATO mandate would therefore give the impression that the "West" was preparing for a long-time occupation of Iraq. Even worse, however, than putting NATO in com-mand of the international forces present in Iraq, would be to put NATO in charge of only the Polish, or other non-US or non-UK sectors: Thereby, NATO would serve under an overall US command, rather than putting all international forces under the command of NATO.
Who will protect the UN?
Instead, what should be considered is the setting-up of a small but effective international security force exclusively charged with protecting the UN mission. This force might have a police rather than a military character. Countries demanding a strong UN role in Iraq, such as France and Germany, could prove their commitment both to the United Nations and to the stabilisation of Iraq by way of participating in such a force. Effective protection is vital for the success of a UN mission.
However, its chief and personnel should not be forced to move around the country under the guard of U.S. tanks, giving the impression that they are a mere extension of the occupation authority.
As indicated, a new UN Security Council resolution should separate the oversight of political and economic reconstruction in Iraq from the limited security mandate given to the coalition forces. The Security Council would have to install a UN High Representative or Commissioner. His tasks, according to the Brahimi proposals, would include appointing a caretaker government, convening a national conference, supporting the government, and overseeing the preparation for national elections in 2005.
It may also be up to the UN to convene a new international donors' conference imme-diately following the establishment of a caretaker government. This, also, would be a test for the international community to prove its commitment to rebuilding a post-occupation Iraq.
Iraq's neighbours must be involved in reconstruction
At the same time, it is essential to involve Iraq's neighbours in the reconstruction process. Some of them, such as Syria and Saudi Arabia, have been playing a rather unhelpful role, as they saw their interests threatened by the emergence of a new, American-controlled Iraq. It may therefore make sense to establish a contact group including the six neighbours of Iraq, the Iraqi government and the four par-ties that currently form the International Near East Quartet (the United States, the European Union, the United Nations, and Russia).
This would provide a forum for the discussion and co-ordination of matters of common concern, such as border security, terrorism, arms and drug trafficking, and organised crime. Locally, on ambassadorial level, the same group and could fulfil an advisory function to the UN mission and its High Representative. The chance is that such a co-ordinating institution would transform Iraq's neighbours, who are interested parties to begin with, into stakeholders in Iraqi reconstruction and stability.
Recalling the former Iraqi army?
A more controversial idea that should, nonetheless, be seriously studied is the recalling of larger units of the former Iraqi army. The CPA has partly moved into that direction by asking officers from the old army to return. While politically risky and probably coming too late, such a recall could make it possible to put a suitable number of Iraqi forces in charge of guarding the country's borders, and of keeping the peace in certain areas – mainly the so-called Sunni triangle – whose inhabitants have been particularly opposed to the presence of foreign troops.
Certainly, such re-grouped Iraqi army units would have to be placed under the command of the Iraqi Ministry of Defence, not that of the U.S. or coalition forces.
What to refrain from...
Finally, there are three things the United States and its European allies should refrain from doing if they want to contribute to making the stabilisation and re-construction of Iraq a success. Firstly, the United States should not try to make Iraq a model.
While rebuilding Iraq and establishing a better system of governance may just be enough of a task, making the country a model for its regional neighbourhood would likely overburden the capacities of local actors.
Secondly, the United States must not try to make Iraq a bridgehead or basis for any potential regional designs. Any attempt to do so – for instance to make Iraq the staging ground for the democratisation of a "greater" Middle East – would be the most secure way of inviting the country's neighbours to undermine all attempts at reconstructing and stabilising it.
Thirdly, Iraq must not be made a subject of transatlantic psychotherapy. While I strongly favour healing the rifts between the United States and Europe, the crite-rion for judging what policies are to be followed vis-à-vis Iraq has to be whether or not such policies help to further our common goals, i.e. the stabilisation of the country and the furthering of good governance.
Curing the relations between, say, Gerhard Schröder and George Bush, or Old Europeans and Neo-conservative Ameri-cans, should not define the way to deal with Iraq.
Volker Perthes
© Volker Perthes 2004
Originally a contribution to the Daimler-Chrysler U.S.-European Forum on World Order and Global Issues, Washington D.C., 19-20 April 2004