text:
FMT Staff
Senior Minister Awang Tengah Ali Hassan claims the compensation demanded by the Penans is unreasonable and illogical.
KUCHING: The Sarawak government claims it has "not finalised" the implementation of the Baram project and has urged the communities not to listen to rumours and be unduly worried.
Public Utilities Minister Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said feasibility studies were still underway but no decision have been made.
He said among the various investigations included a Social Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA) study.
"In the event that the project materialised, the Barisan Nasional government will ensure that the affected communities are duly engaged and consulted," he told the Sarawak Legislative Assembly sitting here yesterday.
He was responding to questions raised by Pujut assemblymen Fong Pau Teck about the Baram hydro-power project.
Tengah's statement comes amid reports that ongoing blockades and protests by the local native communities had brought "vital" groundwork on the project site to a standstill and forced the state government to compensate contractors.
The state government has come under attack over the proposed Baram Dam.
Many believe there there was no need for yet another dam in Sarawak.
The state already has three dams – Batang Ai, Bakun and Murum – all built under contentious circumstances.
The latest is the Murum Dam, which has again generated global anger over the "mistreatment", "discrimination" and displacement of native Penan and Kenyah communities.
The Penans, who are demanding that their compensation demands are met, have been mounting blockades at the entry to the Murum Dam site. The situation has reached a stand-off point with police severing access to food, water, medicines and assistance.
Blockades in Baram
Blockades in Baram
According to Swiss-based Bruno Manser Fund (BMF), "the human rights situation at the Murum Dam has been criticised for a while, but now the conflict has spread further and reached the area of the planned Baram Dam. In both areas, affected communities are manning blockades."
Yesterday another US-based 29-member global coalition calling themselves The Borneo Project delivered to Malaysian ambassadors in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Japan, New Zealand, Philippines, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, UK and USA letters urging the Sarawakian and Malaysian governments to resolve in "good faith" the predicament of 1,500 Penans from seven villages in the area.
The same coalition had earlier sent a letter to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak urging him to 'protect' the Penans.
Responding to these calls, , Awang Tengah told the Sarawak DUN that the demand made by a small group of natives were "unreasonable and illogical" as the Murum resettlement programme involving the displaced communities had been planned and implemented properly.
He said the consultations with the affected communities in Murum had begun in the "early years" of the Murum project "during the preliminary design stage".
"This is clearly shown by the fact that the dam design and location were altered based on the advice of the affected communities to preserve the site where the Penan's sacred rock (Batu Tungun) is situated," he said during his winding up speech yesterday.
'Government spends RM1.2 mil per family'
'Government spends RM1.2 mil per family'
He said the government spends and average RM1.2 million on each household affected by the Murum project.
He said the government providing the displaced community with better housing complete with basic amenities and had made provisions for roads, schools, clinics and places of worship in Tegulang and Metalun after extensive engagement with the communities.
"They are also given a re-location assistance of RM15,000 per household, monthly income support equivalent to RM850 per household for up to three years and a land allocation of 15 hectares for cash-crop plantation.
In addition, the state government, he said, allowed the natives access to forage and hunt in 20,000 hectares of reserved forests.
The Penans are demanding that the government compensate them with RM500,000 per household, 25 hectares of land, RM3,000 monthly assistance per family and a 10% royalty on the electricity revenue from the Murum Dam.
They also want 30,000 hectares of land to be set aside as communal forest for the villagers.
~ Free Malaysia Today


text: Marc Buyse holds a ScD in biostatistics from the Harvard School of Public Health (Boston, MA). He worked at the EORTC in Brussels and at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. He is founder and Chief Scientific Officer of the International Drug Development Institute (IDDI) and of CluePoints. http://publicationslist.org/marc.buyse.

subset: commoncrawl


text: Bold and assertive, Tomboi's about play on your own terms-whenever, however. With a bold attitude and athletic cut, Tomboi harness briefs from SpareParts deliver a smooth shot of sex appeal and get right to the chase: let's do this. And it's hard to say no, because this bad boi smashes the very boundaries of pleasure, from the super-durable O-ring to the drive-'em-wild mini-vibe pockets. Tomboi slides on and off smoothly, without any chafing buckles, dangling straps, pinched skin, or other baggage to get in the way. Lightweight, breathable fabric means you can wear it all day long, and the hidden inside pocket stashes away anything from condoms to cash. Plus, Tomboi in nylon spandex is 100% water-friendly. Go ahead, get 'em wet. Handcrafted in the USA from premium-quality, vegan-lifestyle friendly nylon spandex. Turn up the pleasure. Two internal mini-vibe pockets (vibes not included) are stitched above and below the O-ring - just beyond bodily contact - to send the perfect pulse of pleasure to both partners. (It's good to be generous.)


text:
Humans can see 3-D images with only one eye, according to new research, suggesting a future in which the technology could become cheaper and more accessible.
Simply looking through a small hole is enough to experience 3-D, says Dhanraj Vishwanath, a psychologist at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. His research was published in the journal Psychological Science.
The 3-D technology that's currently used in movies and other media relies on two visual images, one from each eye, combining in the viewer's brain to produce 3-D's extra layer of depth.
But Vishwanath's research suggests that both eyes aren't needed.
"We have demonstrated experimentally, for the first time, that the same 'special way' in which depth is experienced in 3D movies can also be experienced by looking at a normal picture with one eye viewing through a small aperture (circular hole).
"While this effect has been known for a long time, it is usually dismissed," he said in a release from the university. "Now we have shown that it is in fact real, and the perceptual results are exactly like stereoscopic 3D, the kind seen in 3D movies."
In recent years, 3-D has become an emerging technology for blockbuster movies, video games, TV and other media. But it also causes headaches, dizziness and even nausea for as many as 10% of the people who watch it. Some experts believe that cumbersome 3-D glasses are a primary reason why the technology hasn't caught on with TV viewers.
The St. Andrews researchers say that, with the approach they explored, people with only one eye or those with problems watching 3-D with both eyes could still experience its "compelling" effect.
"Many of these people don't know what it means to see in 3D because they have never experienced it," Vishwanath said. "Our findings and preliminary results suggest that our method could be used to allow people with misaligned eyes … to experience what it is like to actually see in 3D."
He said the study could have implications for movie producers and other industries. Vishwanath suggested that 3-D could one day be produced by dramatically increasing the resolution of images. That method would also decrease eye fatigue and some of the other side effects people report from wearing 3-D glasses. …
I once dated a beautiful woman with long blonde hair who only had vision in one eye. I was a little nervous driving with her, but she did fine.


text:
Author: catch1wavehow
What happens when you look at the camera?
When you look at the camera … what happens when people see your picture?
Would you be surprised to know … not much happens?
I took a survey awhile back … my questions were all similar: Do you want to see someone looking at the camera when you see their picture?
The only time they wanted to see people looking at the camera was if it was a friend or family member.
That backs up the eyetracking research that says … if you look at the camera…. people only look back and the brain doesn't light up ! When you see a person looking at something or someone in a picture … the emotional part of the brain lights up AND you remember what they're looking at longer.
BUT … it was interesting to note that if people knew the person …. family or friend …. they did want the person to look at them out of the picture.
The Fortune 500 companies use the eyetracking research to build their marketing and advertising programs. A person looking at a product they are selling makes the viewer remember the product longer.
Imagine that !!!
And if it's a baby or small child looking at someone or something the brain apparently goes into over-drive emotionally.
In other words … selfies really should be pics of you all looking at each other while you take your selfie …. UNLESS ….. you're only sending it to family or friends.
Note: There is more emotion and expression in the face of a person who is looking at someone else … than in the face of a person looking at the camera. Try it some time. Take several pictures …looking at the camera and then looking at someone. See if there isn't more of a gleam in their eyes.
Look at these pictures below… people staring at the camera and then the 2 gentlemen looking at each other and smiling. Which do YOU like?
Facebook just changed things again!
Yep… Facebook just changed things again.
Not sure I like the way they're showing the video clips now. But I'll wait and see.
I do like the way they list them all across the bottom of the screen.
Glad they got the Migrating back from Profile to Page.
Notice that if you like "soft and fuzzy" or "animal" … and you're always on Facebook late at night they'll start showing you lots of soft and fuzzy animal videos. They did some research awhile back and all of us with over a thousand friends said we wanted to see more of what we like. We do now. AT LEAST WE DO MOST OF THE TIME. This deer is my version of the "soft and fuzzy". He just walked right across in front of my car.
If you're getting things you don't like … hey ….tell Facebook. I do.
AND … if you're getting SPAM or PORNO … don't go to the page to block it….. hit the faint down arrow in the upper right of the post and say you don't like it and why and REPORT it to Facebook. That will serve to get them from SPAMMING everyone.
Do yourself and others a favor….. REPORT IT.
Source: Videos
Facebook for Communicating and Marketing
It is Social Media .…. and some use it to Socialize.
HOW prefers to use Facebook to Communicate and Market….
Market something … like a Restaurant, an author's new book, political candidate, a group such as Toastmasters, a cable show… or a public figure.
Communicate? Pass the word along about a wind storm, a rain storm or a person who needs prayer. Communicate on Facebook quickly when you see others are on Chat.
Communicate and Market a Special Event. You can post an event of a cable show to invite people even though they will not be expected to physically go to the event…. they can go to watch the show on cable … and if it's repeated via a posting to YouTube, they can go to watch the Video later. You can still invite them.
Restaurants have a new option on Facebook where they can post an offer and you can invite friends to redeem the offer.
Be creative. There are multiple ways to Communicate and Market.
Facebook Tips
Source: Facebook Tips


text:
'Leopard Prints'
The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision. -Helen Keller
Hey guys,
Happy Friday! I hope you all have some fabulous things planned for the weekend. I'll be home being lazy.
A few weeks ago I went to Forever21 at Green Acres Mall and found this gorgeous green maxi skirt; the rack right next to it had the leopard crop tops- perfect combination indeed. I paired up this outfit with the leopard heels that I purchased a few years ago from Mandees.
I'm not a very big fun of crop tops; I attempted to make it look decent by pairing it up with the yellow blazer from H&M (London) :-).
Photo Gallery:
Photo Credit: Versicolor Closet
Skirt & Crop Top: Forever 21 // Blazer: H&M // Heels: Mandees
Until next time, stay blessed!


text:
Seyfarth Shaw's Environmental, Safety & Toxic Torts Practice Group has partnered with Environmental Resources Management (ERM) global environmental consultants to host a wind industry cocktail reception at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.
The event is on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Attendees are allowed to tour the new Green Home Exhibit before joining Seyfarth and ERM for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at the Henry Crown Space Center.
To RSVP please contact Jaime Beckstrom at 616.283.7163.


text:
Chad Gillard
Co-Founder, Future Classic
Chad has worked at Future Classic since it first began in 2004 and in recent years became a co-director of the company alongside Nathan McLay and Jay Ryves. Initially working in promotions and marketing at FC, he currently oversees the A&R department working with artists including Flume, Chet Faker, Ta-ku, Flight Facilities, Jagwar Ma and Wafia.
Previously (2):
Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained: How to Get Where You Want to Go
Join us for an evening of networking, tips, tricks, and stories from five inspiring entrepreneurs and creatives about pursuing what you love.
Made in Sydney: Music Makers & Innovators
We're closing with our favourite Sydney topic: Music. Hear from some of the city's most influential music proponents & creators with a panel, live performance & closing party.


text:
How to make your face look younger? 10 tips
You can slow down the ageing process by taking care of yourself, eating a healthy diet, and staying out of the sun, but what can you do to reverse the effects of ageing? Sadly, short of spending a fortune on cosmetic surgery, there is not a great deal that you can do to turn back the clock, but you can make your face look younger with makeup and a few simple tricks. If you get your makeup right, it can take years off the age of your face, but if you get it wrong, you can add years on. As you get older, the contrast in the features of your face lessens and you need to compensate for that with your makeup, so, if you want to erase years off your face, here are ten great tips on how to make your face look younger.
1. Moisturise
It sounds too simple to be true, but moisturising your face really will take years off it. It doesn't even need to be some fancy kind of anti-ageing moisturiser, just regular moisturiser will do. If you moisturise regularly, your skin will become softer, more supple and it will plump up. That will soften any lines and wrinkles and put the colour back into your skin.
2. Use a foundation with a yellow tint
As you get older, your skin loses some of its colour and warmth. So our next tip on how to make your face look younger is to compensate for that effect by using a foundation that has a slight yellow tint underlying it. A yellow tinted foundation gives your skin a much warmer appearance and, basically, the warmer your skin looks, the younger your face appears.
3. Change over to a liquid concealer
Thick, waxy concealer can make lines in the skin more pronounced and look cakey, which makes your skin look even older than it really is. If you need to conceal red blotches, or dark circles under the eyes, it would be better for you to use a liquid concealer. You will still get the coverage that you need, but it will look smoother and more natural on your skin.
4. Apply foundation with a damp sponge
You shouldn't be trying to hide every imperfection your skin with thick layers of makeup, you should be trying to lighten and disguise them. To do this, use a creamy luminous foundation that is the same shade as the skin is on the lower half of your cheeks. Blend the foundation in well, with a damp sponge or beautyblender, and you will get the light coverage that you need to lessen the appearance of any lines that you may have, without it looking unnatural.
5. Plump up your lips
Another good tip on how to make your face look younger is to plump up your lips. One of the effects of ageing is that we start to lose the collagen in our skin and this will cause the lips to thin out slightly. To counter this effect, you can use lip plumping lipsticks, or you could try natural ways to plump up your lips like peppermint oil, which creates a mild irritation in the lips that will cause them to swell up slightly.
6. Avoid any powder based makeup
Next tip on how to make your face look younger is to avoid any powder based makeup products, because covering up with powder will make your face look older and emphasise fine lines and wrinkles. Your biggest enemy will be anything that dries out your skin, or that can look cakey, so stock up on gels, creams and liquids, and use those instead.
7. Pencil in your brows
Your brows may lighten and become sparser when you age as well, so taking good care of them is important too. Tweeze only when you really need to and give them more definition by filling them in with an eyebrow pencil. Use an eyebrow pencil that is one shade lighter than your natural hair colour, and this will look more natural than a very dark shade.
8. Look after your lashes
Eyelashes thin out with age too, so spend some time on them when you do your makeup. Use an eyelash curler to open up your eyes and then apply a lengthening mascara to give them more body and length. Avoid the really heavy eyelash thickening mascaras, though, they can often be too heavy for older, thinner lashes to support.
9. Use a cream blush
Another tip on how to make your face look younger is to bring more definition and freshness to your face by using a cream blush on the apples of your cheeks. Don't overdo it though, or you will look like a clown, but if you get it just right, and blend it in well, it will bring back some of that youthful glow to your face again.
10. Tone it down, and warm it up
As we get older, it can become tempting to try and brighten up the face and cover it with too much makeup, but that will actually make you look older, rather than younger. Heavy makeup will cake and sit in any lines and wrinkles that you have. So our final tip on how to make your face look younger is to use light, cream makeup products, and use colours that are subtle and warm. The more natural that your makeup looks, the younger you will appear to be.
How to look younger? What are your best tips?
Stay beautiful!


text:
Vinita G. Singh
Bangalore Times, 8 April 2003
Dr Gowri Motha swears by the goodness of water. Whether it's for her daily swim, research on dolphins as midwives or for the waterbirthing method she specialises in. The Bangalore educated and London-based obstetrician and gynaecologist has pioneered the acclaimed Jeyarani method, coined the term, 'birth-fit', assisted in the births of supermodels, rock stars and even royalty and has prepared and attended over 500 waterbirths till date."Waterbirths are a culmination of the Gentle Birth Method, which involves preparing pregnant women physically and mentally for a natural, healthy, enjoyable and non-surgical childbirth. The Jeyarani method is a hands-on holistic mind-body relaxation programme which involves use of self-hypnosis, the Bowen method, cranial-sacro therapy, reiki, reflexology, creative healing, visualisation and other methods to make a mother birth-fit. Waterbirth is the icing on the cake, 'the cake' being preparing the mother for birth," says Dr Motha.
According to her, waterbirths can be done anywhere, even in a home, but it has to be done under the supervision of a trained doctor, in a birth pool that should ideally be 5 ft long and 4 ft wide. The temperature of the water should be between 34-36 degrees celsius."The advantages of waterbirthing are numerous for both mother and the baby, as compared to dry births. Water is an analgesic muscle relaxant and hypnotic agent. It helps the mother go into a natural state of labour and thereby makes the birth process less traumatic, more manageable and enjoyable too. Coming form the amniotic sac into the environment of warm water, the post-birth trauma is almost nil for the baby too," adds Dr Motha.Has the waterbirth method been tried in India? "I did one waterbirth for a friend of my sister-in-law in India so far and have done waterbirths for several Asian mothers too, all over the world. I am all ready to interact with doctors in India to popularise this method. Anyone can do a waterbirth, doing it elegantly is my speciality," she says.
Bangalore Times, 8 April 1990


text:
TRAILING is a scripted original series – a sassy and surreal satire of the political consulting world!
At a highly boutique NYC consulting firm – a firm so boutique that its marquee client is running for Student Council President at the University of Phoenix – one man must cater to his delusional boss's every whim: STEVEN, a gay anti-hero for the post-Lewinsky generation.
Political consulting is a world where words are largely meaningless, and terrified hacks lurch from one manufactured crisis to the next. No campaign is too small, no press hit too minor. For the creative underclass, it's a race to the bottom – and on Election Day, a candidate is only as good as his most embarrassing typo.
Will this tiny firm win their client's race for Queens Commissions Commissioner? Will Steven ever become a White House speechwriter? Will his boss start her free trial of Plated?
Find out when the first 3 episodes premiere April 13th, only on Vimeo.
* * *
Back in 2012, series writer/creator STEVEN PHILLIPS-HORST had just been fired from his job writing desperate fundraising emails and boiler-plate speeches for a little-known NYC pol named Bill de Blasio.
Having already helped lose campaigns for the Democratic party in glamorous hotspots like Tampa and Albuquerque, Steven's swift dismissal from Team de Blasio was just another notch on the cheap, H&M belt he wore to fundraisers.
And so, TRAILING was born...


text:
The O.J. Simpson case
Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman were fatally stabbed on the evening of June 12, 1994, their bodies discovered early the next morning. Her two young children were asleep inside their Brentwood home at the time.
O.J. Simpson, her ex-husband, was acquitted Oct. 3, 1995, of their deaths in a trial that riveted the nation and divided many along racial lines.
In 1997, he was ordered to pay more than $33 milllion for their wrongful deaths. He is now serving a prison sentence in Nevada for kidnapping, robbery, burglary, assault with a deadly weapon and other charges for trying to obtain memorabilia he claims belonged to him.
On March 4, 2016, it was reported that Los Angeles police are investigating and testing a knife that was recovered on property once owned by O.J. Simpson and turned over to a police officer a number of years ago by a person working construction there.
Knife linked to former O.J. Simpson property is not connected to homicide case, LAPD concludes
The knife reportedly found at the former home of O.J. Simpson is not connected to the 1994 slayings of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, Los Angeles police confirmed Friday. The Los Angeles Police Department performed a variety of forensic tests on the rusty 5-inch fixed blade...
O.J. Simpson is 'a little worried' knife could affect his parole, friend says
O.J. Simpson is aware of the controversy over the knife reportedly found on his former property but does not seem too concerned about it, his friend and former manager said. Simpson is in a Nevada prison serving nine to 33 years for a 2008 kidnapping and robbery case in Las Vegas. His former manager, Norman...
Elusive weapon in Simpson slayings: Kitchen knife? Carving knife? Retractable blade?
Despite growing skepticism that it has anything to do with the infamous case, a knife reportedly found years ago at the former home of O.J. Simpson has generated considerable interest. One big reason: Authorities have never found the weapon used to kill Simpson's former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson,...
Knife in O.J. Simpson case: DNA test should show if it's evidence or another false start
Los Angeles police detectives should know soon whether a knife reportedly found on the property of O.J. Simpson in the late 1990s contains any DNA from the football star or two people he was accused of killing. While the LAPD is doing a variety of forensic tests on the knife, law enforcement sources...
Even if discovered knife is really murder weapon, O.J. Simpson could not be retried, experts say
Los Angeles police are testing a knife that was reportedly recovered on the Brentwood property once owned by O.J. Simpson. But experts said the findings are not likely to change the former football star's legal status. Simpson was found not guilty in the slayings of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson,...
Knife discovery stirs up skepticism and speculation in O.J. Simpson case
It was a problem that plagued prosecutors during the so-called trial of the century. Authorities said they had the bloody glove O.J. Simpson used in the stabbing death of his ex-wife and her friend, but they could never produce the knife itself. This absence fueled public intrigue, along with two...
O.J. Simpson's legal 'dream team' slams investigation of knife
Revelations that police are testing a knife that was reportedly recovered on the Brentwood property once owned by O.J. Simpson were met with skepticism from members of his legal "dream team." Attorney Carl Douglas, part of the legal team that secured Simpson's 1995 acquittal in the stabbing deaths...
Officer who didn't turn in possible O.J. Simpson knife did something worse than commit a crime
The Los Angeles police officer who didn't turn in a knife reportedly found at a property once owned by O.J. Simpson did something worse than break the law when he decided to keep it as a souvenir. He violated the trust between the public and those sworn to uphold the laws that protect them. Los...
Lack of knife always dogged O.J. Simpson murder investigation
From the beginning, the lack of a definitive murder weapon was a major issue -- and some say a key flaw -- in the O.J. Simpson case. Now, the Los Angeles Police Department is testing a knife possibly found years ago on Simpson's former Brentwood property. Simpson always denied any role in the 1994...
20 years ago today: O.J. Simpson's slow-speed chase stopped L.A.
Twenty years ago today, Los Angeles came to a halt. On June 17, 1994, television networks and cable news channels aired two hours of nonstop coverage of perhaps the most famous car chase to have ever taken place on Los Angeles freeways: O.J. Simpson in a white Ford Bronco. As more than a dozen...


text:
An Interview with Lord Michael Dobbs
The Fletcher Forum had the opportunity to speak with Lord Dobbs in October about global politics, leadership, and writing in an age of fake news. Read the excerpt from the interview. The entire interview will be available in our forthcoming Winter 2018 print edition.
The Fletcher Forum (FF): One of the great dangers of untruth—fake news, alternative facts, and alternative reality—is that once it takes root, it's extremely difficult to eradicate by facts and logic. How, based on your political and authorial experience, do you suggest that we counter or speak against untruth?
LMD: That's a very good question. It's one that I have been pondering over a great deal. First of all, I think it's easy to exaggerate the impact of fake news. The idea that Russia somehow put out so much false news that it persuaded people to vote one way or another in the American elections—I would like to see the evidence on that, rather than just a propaganda threat. I suspect that there a lot of people who make up their minds without rushing to news channels 24 hours of the day, or newspapers, or whatever it happens to be. They make their minds up on a more general or long-term basis. But, I'd like to see the evidence on that.
False news is always difficult. It's one of the reasons why I am really worried about what happens increasingly on campus where you have safe spaces, which I regard as being the end of education essentially. The only reality is the reality that I wish to insist upon. Don't let me go too far down that route yet, let me come back to your question.
There is a problem with the new ways that we are communicating—social media essentially. I'm sitting here thinking that I may just pull the plug on my Twitter account. Why? Because I see what Twitter and other social media do. It restricts your intellectual compass to 140 characters. It makes it much easier to scream and shout and be negative and destructive, rather than set out a good coherent argument in favor of something. It's an echo chamber. It's self-selecting. You don't talk to other people. You choose only to listen to those who magnify your own prejudices. I also think there's a big problem with things like Facebook and the other apps where young people are encouraged to share too much of their lives, something that they will regret later on.
Now, what to do about this? The Chinese have a very clear idea on what to do about this, and so does Russia. They clamp down on this. They want to stop this. They want to control this. I don't think that should be our way of dealing with this issue. The first thing is to actually recognize and analyze it as an issue. Is it an issue? I think it probably is. But there are many more people who are looking into that in much greater depth. If it is an issue, then what do you do about it? I think education in the earlier stage has a huge role to play in that. When I was a kid I was taught how to write literally—you know that old thing you do with a pen—I was taught how to send messages in a letter. That was part of my education. We should be teaching kids how safely to use these new forms of communication. And that is a much better than it is to try and ban things and to become authoritarian about it. But I have been really impressed and strengthened in my view that there is a problem, as recent research has suggested that young people feel intimidated by social media. They feel that they have to belong on it and they feel pressured into using it in such a way that they don't actually feel very comfortable with it. There is also evidence that suggests that the way some social media are constructed is as if people are being forced to like chocolate. It is constructed to make you feel almost addicted to it. There are real problems there. Maybe we need to have a grown-up conversation about how far the constructers of these apps should be going in order to gain that sort of market share. I mean, after all we have rules and regulations for lenders, banks and people like that. Is it unreasonable that we should look at the way Twitter works for instance or Facebook? Even I feel the pressure. If I'm on Twitter, I'm supposed to tweet. I don't want to be reacting all the time to what other people are saying. There is really compelling evidence, although at its very early stages of research, that kids that get off social media actually feel released. They feel liberated because they feel that social media is a pest or put pressure on them in what are already overly pressurized lives. So, I think there is a whole area that we are learning about, which is changing every month and every year, which we have got to explore to see if there's a problem and come up with solutions. Not simply to let it drift on.
FF: You also said that so much in politics is not a matter of facts nor a matter of record. So, what is it beyond the facts?
LMD: Politics is all about vision. It's all about the future. It's all about creating something that hopefully will be better. This is where we come back almost full circle to establishments and elites. They have a worldview that tends to be very cautious, very self-satisfied, and often very arrogant and disconnected with the realities. There are moments of great crisis where great leaders emerge. It often takes a great crisis for a great leader to emerge, but it is very rarely the establishment view. In fact, I can't think of a single situation in a great crisis where the establishment view prevails. It is the establishment which usually caused the great crisis. Talking about leadership, I take the example of Winston Churchill. A man whose life had so much failure. A man who came to power on the 10th of May 1940 when he was expected to be a catastrophic failure, when almost every single part of the elite and the establishment was saying "We cannot win this war, we must do a deal with Hitler". Knowing that that deal with Hitler would involve Nazism and Fascism dominating the whole of continental Europe. That was the establishment view. The establishment caused the crisis. The establishment was carrying on to the logical conclusion of its actions. It took a maverick and a very difficult man like Winston Churchill to say "No, there is another way", and to be forceful enough and fortunate enough—because luck is a huge part of this—to be the right man, in the right time, in the right place to change history and to lead history on to a much better place. It doesn't make Winston Churchill perfect and he made many, many mistakes. He was incredibly fortunate in many things, but he made his luck too. I believe, and most people would accept, that Winston Churchill was the only man who could have done that at that time because the rest of the establishment, including the Royal family, was against him and against what he wanted to do. Sometimes history hangs from a very, very delicate thread. Yet it is a huge fortune that we had, that somehow the right person emerges at the right time to lead us on from the wreckage left by the established view, which has run out of time. It's that which actually has made our history and, by and large, not always, but by and large, for the better.
So, are we at that moment right now when the establishment is getting itself so much into the mire that it's going to be submerged? Possibly. We haven't done very well over the last twenty years and it's very difficult to see carrying on as we are where we're going to make things better. It does require new thinking, new ideas, and new inputs. It requires more than just screaming at each other through social media or the headlines. It actually still does require listening to each other. Winston Churchill knew what the establishment was talking about, knew what they wanted. Disagreed with them, but was able to, in the end, lead them on—even those colleagues that opposed him—to lead them on to new territory.
A wonderful film that is about to come out, called The Darkest Hour, shows Winston just in that moment where Britain was in the hours of defeat and the hours of giving in. It could have all gone so very differently. The film doesn't quite get the cabinet government right, but it sort of alludes to it in a way that he was able to lead them on. The film makes him seem a little too shouty and perhaps not listening quite as much as he did then, but he was the man who did it, but he didn't do it by himself. He required to lead others on with them. I suppose that is what leadership is about. It's getting others to do what you think is right, getting them to accept that that is what is right. I think that we—electorates and systems everywhere in the West—are all looking for people to come up with new solutions that will then lead us forward. Whether we have found that yet is another matter. But certainly, the question is being asked. Everyone. Everywhere. The cry is going up. The establishment must change or be changed.
Image "Westminster" Courtesy Hernán Piñera/CC BY-SA 2.0
About the Interviewee
Michael Dobbs, Lord Dobbs of Wylye, is Britain's best-known political novelist and an active member of the House of Lords. He was the UK Conservative Party's Chief-of-Staff and later its Deputy Chairman. He has also been a current affairs presenter for the BBC, a newspaper columnist, and deputy chairman of Saatchi & Saatchi. Somewhere along the way he picked up a doctorate in nuclear defense studies from the Fletcher School. He is the author of House of Cards, the hugely popular political novel that through Netflix has become a global television sensation. He has also written four award-winning novels about Winston Churchill.


text:
- Home
- News
- Sports
- Opinion
- Obituaries
- Features
- Special Sections
- Classifieds
- Public Notices
Applications for Leroy Springs student loans are now available for students who are planning full-time attendance at a four-year accredited college or university in South Carolina.
The loans are also available to students who attend York Technical College.
Loans are available for up to $3,000 a year for undergraduates and up to $4,000 a year for medical or dental school students.
If you currently subscribe or have subscribed in the past to the The Lancaster News, then simply find your account number on your mailing label and enter it below.
Click the question mark below to see where your account ID appears on your mailing label.
|ZIP Code:


text:
Feel the love
Feeling the love but not sure how to express it?
This Valentine's Day head along to Farmers for all your inspirational gift ideas – we promise they'll sweep your loved one off their feet
From gorgeous designer Calvin Klein bags, beautiful perfumes, wallets and lingerie sets for her, to classic shirts, wallets, belts and cologne for him there's something for each and every cherished partner out there.
Express your love only with Farmers.


text:
Seoul, South Korea. While the US and it's liberal democratic elitist LGBTQ culture attack Russia about non existent gay abuse in Chechnya, the Americans have a real problem in South Korea where American social engineering and forced gay acceptance have flopped.
The favourite to be South Korea's next president has come under fire by a vocal minority for saying during a TV debate that he does not like homosexuality in South Korea. Moon Jae-in's comments caused a LGBTQ rights group to disrupt one of his campaign events in protest.
A human rights lawyer by trade, he had enjoyed strong support among young liberal voters, but surprised many on Tuesday when he said: "I do not like it" when asked if he opposed homosexuality. Mr Moon, a practising Catholic, declared he had "no intention" to legalise same-sex marriage.
South Korea's military been hunting down and prosecuting gay servicemen. By contrast, reporters in Russia are unable to produce any evidence of organized homo persecution in Russia, but it is state sanctioned in US ally South Korea.
A day after the remarks, protesters turned up with queer rainbow flags at Mr Moon's campaign event in Seoul, shouting comments such as "Apologize for hate remark" and "Embrace the rainbow daddy."
Thirteen people were detained and some dragged away, said campaign group Solidarity for LGBTQ Human Rights of Korea. Moon's supporters defended his comments as matching the views of many in the country.
The country's election, held on 9 May, was called after President Park Geun-Hye was removed from office in March over a corruption scandal where she and her lesbian partner were caught taking huge cash bribes.
Tags: Asia; LGBTQ; LGBTQ agenda; South Korea; us-south korean relations


text:
Phone: +66 (0)38 250 944
PBRE Pratumnak Road
338/24 Moo 12 Pratumnak Rd.
Nongprue Banglamung
Chonburi, THAILAND 20150
View Location Map
Your local realtor since 2005, Pattaya Bay Real Estate provides that "hometown" know-how you won't find anywhere else. All of our realtors were raised and still live in the area, and are experts at answering any questions you may have about the community.
Copyright © 2017 Pattaya Bay Realestate. All Rights Reserved.
Hosted and Developed by Hosting-Group. Powered by exPub.Net


text:
Tasked with everything from identifying facilities to guiding citizens within buildings or parks, government agencies and municipalities are prime beneficiaries of the cost-effective and one-of-a-kind signage solutions offered by Image360 Mokena!
You can identify buildings with our selections including government office signs, specific departments with options like DMV signs or recreational areas with choices such as park signs. Ready to raise a city banner or city flag? You'll salute our attractive and affordable solutions!
Want to celebrate a parade, anniversary, athletic event or civic improvement? Our streetlight flags and light pole banners are ideal ways to call attention to any special occasion or featured locale—such as your downtown shopping area or historical district.
Click on any of the links below to look through your many options including government office signs, public park signs, streetlight banners, light pole flags and more. Then, drop into Image360 to discuss your ideas.
Ready to take the next step? Schedule a consultation with Image360 Mokena by clicking the "Start a Conversation" button below or calling directly 708-478-5751.
5 Star Rating!
The entire experience was excellent
5 Star Rating!
You guys are great! Timely and well done. Thanks.
5 Star Rating!
Great service and quality products!! The people are trustworthy an just wonderful!!!
5 Star Rating!
Incredible job on customer service and we get tons of compliments on our signs...we will definitely be a repeat customer


text:
Scratch CARD Printing Company in Nigeria- Abuja- O' NAPHTALI COMPANY
Get a fresh start every day and gain 1000 times more views with banner!
- Do not pay in advance even for the delivery.
- Try to meet at a safe or public location.
- Check the item BEFORE you buy it.
- Pay only after collecting the item.
Ad-node Tabs
Do you want to promote your business, sale more products and deliver effective quality service through promotional offer using a scratch card? Do you want your students to have a stress free registration process, and the convenience of logging in into their respective portals from any location, through a student portal access card? Or your LOTTO company company is not wrecking inn the anticipated ROR, maybe you just want Sport and betting scratch cards for your customer to bet from anywhere? O'naphtali is the foremost company known for the printing of scratch cards etc in Nigeria.
That's why we have left an indelible mark in the heart of our clients which include WAEC, FMCG JAMB NESTLE, GLOBACOM SPECTRANET SMILE ETC companies, and Higher institutions in Nigeria.
We are not limited to the listed printing services above only.
Other services include, Business cards, holograms, promotional cards, adhesive stickers, Scratch-off cards, Flyers, Brochures, Gift voucher, Invitation cards, Letterheads, Invoice book, and more.
For General Enquiries
Call John/ Us on 08098495910, 07089690192
Email; [email protected]


text:
Contra: Legacy of War Review
For those looking for a real game of Contra, break out the SNES and have at it.
I never played a Contra game before, therefore this was my first game of the series... It didn't go so well. Gameplay: X to fire (infinite ammo), O to jump, square to duck and triangle to switch weapons. Sounds easy, ... Read Full Review0 of 0 users found the following review helpful
Use your keyboard!
Log in to comment


text:
January 31, 2008 - MedWaves Inc. said today it received FDA 510(k) clearance for its patented Microwave Coagulation/Ablation System for general surgery use for the coagulation and ablation of soft tissues.
The system is comprised of a microwave generator and single patient use sterile devices. The clearance sets the stage for rapid expansion of a product portfolio and indications for use through additional FDA submissions and clearances. The Company's proprietary technology allows for the development of minimally invasive devices in wide range of sizes, shapes and flexibility to meet clinicians' requirements in bone, liver, lung and other tumors.
The company said the MedWaves Microwave Coagulation/Ablation System overcomes limitations of existing microwave and radiofrequency (RF) thermal ablation technologies, the standard of treatment for oncology patients who are not candidates for surgery. Initially the company focused on the general use of its coagulative technology with a high percentage of the anticipated use in patients with bone, liver and lung tumors. For these patients, adjunctive use of microwave ablation can assist in the curative and/or palliative goals of standard therapies (e.g. chemotherapy and/or radiation). It can be an option for patients where other thermal modalities are not possible due to tumor size or location. The company says the system offers potential advantages over RF thermal ablation methods in the following ways:
- Consistency and predictability of lesion creation
- Ability to treat large lesions (more than 3 cm)
- Increased safety due to the elimination of grounding pads and the resultant skin burns due to poor contact
- More even distribution of the thermal energy delivery in the tissues that is not dependent upon low impedance paths that can be unpredictable
- Microwave energy delivery is not affected by high impedance (less conductive) tissues providing another option for thermal therapy
- Range of probe designs for maximum flexibility to match tumor geometries
According to the company, the MedWaves Microwave Coagulation/Ablation System Unique is also unique to other microwave coagulation/ablation systems because it provides:
- Provides clinicians with an automatic temperature regulated coagulation/ablation process that allows the clinician to control precisely the tissue temperature generated throughout the coagulation/ablation process
- The probe design provides thermal monitoring that is highly correlated with tissue temperature with minimal temperature offset
- The company's probe designs can coagulate/ablate the same volume of tissue using 50 to 70 percent less power than other microwave systems
For more information: www.medwaves.com


text:
I need to change my TMG server from an old VPN server certificate to a new one due to changing my internal CA structure.
Where the heck do I do that? I don't see any certificate references in TMG nor in the RRAS MMC.
The references I've found on the net to this process have been vague at best.
EDIT - I am using a L2TP / IPSEC VPN.


text:
Ok…look what I created…
I was assigned to make campfire cupcakes for our camp kick-off fireside. I am not sure if they really look like campfires you would see out in the wilderness but they were delicious to eat. HA HA!!
They were a lot of fun making. The fire is made out of melted orange, yellow, and red Lifesavers, the logs are mini Kit Kats, and marshmallows (for roasting) is on a toothpick. I thought that they turned out cute.


text:
WASHINGTON — After months of battling sweltering heat and drought, a bit of good news emerged for farmers on Thursday: the Agriculture Department revised its estimates for soybean production higher, a sign that the drought had less of an impact on the crop than feared.
The news was not all good, however. The department, for the fourth consecutive month, lowered its estimates for corn, the country's largest cash crop. The lower estimates for corn supplies mean customers will most likely find an increase in meat and dairy prices at the grocery store next year as the cost of animal feed — made primarily from corn and soybeans — remains high.
The Agriculture Department crop estimates are published monthly, but analysts say the October report is significant because it comes during the harvest across the Midwest and probably provides the most comprehensive view yet of the impact of the drought on the size of the corn, soybean and other crops.
"I don't think you are going to see any more significant changes in production figures," said Jerry Norton, an analyst at the department. "The figures out today capture most of the impact of the drought, so it's hard to see estimates getting much lower from here on."
Grain prices rose after the release of the new estimates. Corn rose 36 1/2 cents, to $7.73 a bushel, while soybeans jumped 25 1/4 cents, to $15.49 a bushel.Continue reading the main story
Despite the increase on Thursday, both crops remain below their record highs, which were set this year. In August, corn rose to $8.49 a bushel. Soybeans reached $17.89 a bushel last month.
Early this year, the corn crop was projected to hit a record high of 15 billion bushels, as farmers had planted the most acreage in almost 70 years. But for the last four months, the Agriculture Department revised its projections down as drought and heat damaged crops.
The Agriculture Department on Thursday cut its domestic corn production forecast to 10.706 billion bushels, down less than 1 percent from the 10.727 billion estimated in September and down 13 percent from 2011. This represents the lowest corn production in the United States since 2006.
But the department raised its estimate for domestic soybean production this year by nearly 9 percent from its September estimate. In recent weeks, anecdotal reports and private forecasts had indicated that soybean yields in the Midwest were not as poor as previous estimates indicated.
The Agriculture Department's new estimates put domestic soybean production this year at 2.86 billion bushels, up from its forecast last month of 2.634 billion.
About 25 percent of the corn crop was in good or excellent condition as of Sept. 30, department data shows.
The dry weather has caused farmers to harvest earlier. Nearly 70 percent of the corn crop has been cleared from fields as of Oct. 7. The corn harvest is expected to be completed this month.
About 37 percent of the soybeans were in good or excellent condition as of Oct. 7, up from 35 percent a week before, the department said.
Farmers have harvested nearly 60 percent of the soybean crop, according to the weekly crop progress report from the department.
Last year, corn was valued at $76.5 billion, department data shows. Soybeans, the nation's second biggest cash crop, were valued at $35.8 billion.
Although the Agriculture Department crop estimates brought a measure of good news for farmers, the lower corn figures will most certainly add to the debate over ethanol production.
The Renewable Fuel Standard, passed into law in 2005 and expanded in 2007, requires that 13.2 billion gallons of corn-based biofuel be produced in 2012.
The goal of the standard is to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and the nation's dependence on foreign oil. But livestock producers, hard hit by the rise in feed prices, have called on the Obama administration to waive the requirement until the drought is over.
In November, the Environmental Protection Agency will rule on a request for a waiver of the mandate, meant to reduce pressures on domestic corn supplies.Continue reading the main story


text:
"'You are my witnesses,' declares the Lord, 'and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.'" - Isaiah 43:10
What We Believe
We are an evangelical, historically Anglican congregation in Falls Church, Virginia, a few miles from Washington, D.C. Our history goes way back. Established in 1732 and rebuilt with the help of George Washington in 1763-1769, we long predate the country's founding.
The sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace given to us and ordained by Christ himself as means by which we receive such grace and pledges to assure us of it.
The Apostles' Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
The Jerusalem Declaration
In the name of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit:
We, the participants in the Global Anglican Future Conference, have met in the land of Jesus' birth. We express our loyalty as disciples to the King of kings, the Lord Jesus. We joyfully embrace his command to proclaim the reality of his kingdom which he first announced in this land. The gospel of the kingdom is the good news of salvation, liberation and transformation for all. In light of the above, we agree to chart a way forward together that promotes and protects the biblical gospel and mission to the world, solemnly declaring the following tenets of orthodoxy which underpin our Anglican identity.
We rejoice in the gospel of God through which we have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Because God first loved us, we love him and as believers bring forth fruits of love, ongoing repentance, lively hope and thanksgiving to God in all things.
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God written and to contain all things necessary for salvation. The Bible is to be translated, read, preached, taught and obeyed in its plain and canonical sense, respectful of the church's historic and consensual reading.
We uphold the four Ecumenical Councils and the three historic Creeds as expressing the rule of faith of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We uphold the Thirty-Nine Articles as containing the true doctrine of the Church agreeing with God's Word and as authoritative for Anglicans today.
We gladly proclaim and submit to the unique and universal Lordship of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, humanity's only Savior from sin, judgement and hell, who lived the life we could not live and died the death that we deserve. By his atoning death and glorious resurrection, he secured the redemption of all who come to him in repentance and faith.
We rejoice in our Anglican sacramental and liturgical heritage as an expression of the gospel, and we uphold the 1662 Book of Common Prayer as a true and authoritative standard of worship and prayer, to be translated and locally adapted for each culture.
We recognize that God has called and gifted bishops, priests and deacons in historic succession to equip all the people of God for their ministry in the world. We uphold the classic Anglican Ordinal as an authoritative standard of clerical orders.
We acknowledge God's creation of humankind as male and female and the unchangeable standard of Christian marriage between one man and one woman as the proper place for sexual intimacy and the basis of the family. We repent of our failures to maintain this standard and call for a renewed commitment to lifelong fidelity in marriage and abstinence for those who are not married.
We gladly accept the Great Commission of the risen Lord to make disciples of all nations, to seek those who do not know Christ and to baptize, teach and bring new believers to maturity.
We are mindful of our responsibility to be good stewards of God's creation, to uphold and advocate justice in society, and to seek relief and empowerment of the poor and needy.
We are committed to the unity of all those who know and love Christ and to building authentic ecumenical relationships. We recognize the orders and jurisdiction of those Anglicans who uphold orthodox faith and practice, and we encourage them to join us in this declaration.
We celebrate the God-given diversity among us which enriches our global fellowship, and we acknowledge freedom in secondary matters. We pledge to work together to seek the mind of Christ on issues that divide us.
We reject the authority of those churches and leaders who have denied the orthodox faith in word or deed. We pray for them and call on them to repent and return to the Lord.
We rejoice at the prospect of Jesus' coming again in glory, and while we await this final event of history, we praise him for the way he builds up his church through his Spirit by miraculously changing lives.
Also see the Book of Common Prayer and the 39 Articles.
The Anglican Church in North America
The Anglican Church in North America unites 112,000 Anglicans in nearly 1,000 congregations across the United States, Canada, and Mexico into a single Church. On April 16, 2009 it was recognized as a province of the global Anglican Communion, by the Primates of the Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans. The Most Rev. Dr. Foley Beach is the Archbishop of the Church. Click here to visit the website
The Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic
The Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic is regional diocese of the Anglican Church in North America dedicated to reaching North America with the transforming love of Jesus Christ. The Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic consists of 40 Congregations and Missions, and Mission Fellowships in Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Delaware, and northeastern North Carolina. Several more are in formation. Click here to visit the website
Daughter Churches
Christ Church Vienna
Christ the King Alexandria
Incarnation Church
Redeemer Anglican Church
Restoration Arlington
St. Brendan's In The City
Winchester Anglican
Our Extended History
Thank you to J.B. Simmons and his book, The Awakening of Washington's Church. Please consider purchasing a copy. All royalties will be donated to The Falls Church Anglican


text:
EURO 2016 was boring!
EURO 2016 was boring!
"EURO 2016 was boring" is a collection of photographs I took during the UEFA European Championship in the summer of 2016. It was a very boring EURO with an unenthusiastic soccer tournament, saturated fan feelings and an increased level of commercialization. Looking for the euphoric highlights of the most popular sport in Europe, I just captured the void and boredom of something which has become a slick business.
Add To Cart
Additional info:
photozine, 20 numbered copies
2nd edition of 2017
36 pages (incl. cover pages), 38 photographs, colour
digital printed, 135gsm paper
each copy will be hand signed
Shipping info: typical shipping times according to your country zone as described in the FAQ.


text:
Earlier this week, I pled with readers to pay attention to a Washington Post feature about the problems -- that seems like such a weak word in this case -- the Islamic State is causing for Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and other companies in the freewheeling world of social media.
What's at stake? Well, obviously, there are thousands and thousands of lives at stake. The future of ancient Christian communions are at stake, along with other minority religious groups in the Nineveh Plain and elsewhere in the region.
Oh, right, and the First Amendment is at risk, too. That's all.
I'm happy to report that readers responded and, apparently, passed the URL for that post (here it is again) around online, because it was one of our most highly read articles so far this month. Thank you. It will not surprise you that this topic also served as the hook for this week's "Crossroads" podcast, as well. Click here to tune in on that discussion.
Now, several times during the discussion, host Todd Wilken asked me what I think social-media professionals should do in this situation. What should First Amendment supporters do, as ISIS keeps managing to stay one or two steps ahead of attempts to control their use of technology to spread both their images of violence and, in some ways even worse, their emotionally manipulative and even poetic messages that target the emotions and faith of potential recruits to their cause?
The bottom line: I have no idea. This is one of those times when free speech liberals, such as myself, face the negative side of the global freedoms that digital networks have unleashed in the marketplace of ideas. How do you ban twisted forms if Islam, when other forms of this world faith use the same terms and images in different ways? How can a search engine detect motives and metaphors?
And what about the ability of individual ISIS members to use social media, while acting as individuals? I mean, look at this amazing, horrifying case as reported in The Daily Mail!
An ISIS jihadi poses for a chilling photo next to holidaymakers on the beach at a resort in Turkey.
Raising fears that that terror group is planning another Tunisia-style beach massacre, jihadist Pasaliasi Isde stood next to unsuspecting holidaymakers at the Black Sea resort of Amasra.
The new photos were posted on Facebook yesterday. Isde also used Facebook to 'check in' to a number of beach resorts along the coast in the last fortnight. One million British holidaymakers visit Turkey every year, the Association of British Travel Agents said today.
Look at the images. This is just another muscle-beach guy with tattoos, right? He wouldn't attract a second look from people looking for long beards and ISIS flags.
But he is, obviously, living a double life in cyberspace:
Clean-shaven and wearing Western-style clothing, the photographs are in stark contrast to Isde's activities over the border in Syria in recent months -- where he happily posed alongside mutilated corpses and severed heads while fighting under the sinister black banner of the Islamic State.
His Facebook page, which has now been deleted, showed how he promotes extremist propaganda lauding the activities of the Islamic State and urging friends to behead Westerners.
Posing alongside well known jihadis in war torn areas of Syria, a bearded Isde is seen dressed in military fatigues and holding assault rifles alongside the terror group's chilling black banner. Images that appear to have been taken on a mobile phone show a row of severed heads of three Syrian regime soldiers, suggesting Isde witnessed or possibly even participated in their murders.
Elsewhere Isde urged his Facebook friends to 'cut of the heads of the Kuffar [non-believers]' and issued the stark threat: 'You are either with us or against us'. He also celebrated ISIS' leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in a series of photographs, leaving viewers with no doubt where his allegiances lie.
So Facebook leaders caught this guy, as part of their attempts to be more careful with ISIS related materials? American security officials caught him, right? Some experts holed up in a secret lab at the Pentagon? How about Turkish experts?
In a chilling twist, Isde's Facebook page was not discovered by Turkish security officials but by Macer Gifford -- a British national who gave up a top job in the City last December to fight alongside the brave Kurdish forces battling ISIS in Syria and Iraq.
So what can be done? Technology shapes content, yes. But so do people and, like it or note, at this point people are more creative than the computers that try to filter out the demons that stalk the innocent, and not so innocent, online.
Enjoy the podcast. Well, is "enjoy" really the right word to use this week?


text:
After installing the guest package, Ubuntu 9.04 still does not show the right screen resolution.
Then do this:
At the terminal type this
sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg
and log out, and log back in.
Now your screen resolution is the same as your window size. Just maximize your window or go full screen to get the max screen resolution
May 7, 2009
Virtualbox, Ubuntu, Change Screen Resolution
Posted by Tiebing at 5/07/2009
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
AMBITION. Renown footwear maven Vince Camuto approached Cortez Groupe in the development of a new full-lifestyle menswear initiative to complement his 600m women's fashion brand.
ANSWER. In preparation for the roll-out of a new men's department, CG developed a brand style guide for VC. The guide serves as a aestetic toolbox for licensees as they create new products, packaging and promotional materials related to the brand, including products, merchandising, and point of sale materials. Creating and maintaining strong, positive relationships with licensing partners and product development teams. Ensuring all designs adhere to the brand image and overall brand identity.
ACHIEVEMENT. Cortez Groupe collaborated closely with Vince Camuto on the creative vision and overall design direction in the conceptual development and styling of all 15 men's categories for product strategies directing all phases of the creative process from concept through design production including market research, mood board creation, designing, and sketching.


text:
Give A Blessing
It was a blessing to be able to hear the homilies of different parish priests in Northern Virginia. Many were thought provoking and inspiring. I remember a parish priest whose homilies did not usually resonate with me. For some reason, his sermons didn't connect with me. However, there was one that did. He spoke about visiting his dad, and how during every visit, his dad would give him a blessing. I thought what a lovely gesture, to do something so simple yet touching to your child, entrusting him to the Lord.
At the time, Martin and I were newly married and lived just minutes away from two of my godchildren. I decided that I would bless them every time we visited. I would simply take my thumb and mark their foreheads with the sign of the cross. It's just a simple, loving blessing for their protection. I now have five godchildren and unfortunately do not see them as much as before, but I bless them when I see them.
I do the same for my family. Whenever Martin leaves the house for work or for errands, I mark his forehead. It somehow gives me peace knowing that I am asking the Lord to watch over him. I bless our son several times a day, in the morning and evening and before meals.
Our night time ritual is pretty consistent. Constantine gets a quick bath, we read books, then we pray the rosary together as a family, I sing songs, and I always kiss and bless him right before I put him down for bed. I'm a mama who wants to ensure a very good night's sleep for my son. These are some of the many cherished blessings that fill our lives with joy!


text:
PEAK Award Recipient - Danielle LopezPublished by devin.jackman on Fri, 01/12/2018 - 13:02
Nate Whitney
Danielle Lopez, a Special Education Technician received the Nebo Peak Performance Award last night from Nebo School District Board of Education for outstanding service. She was nominated by Cami Burton, a teacher at Mapleton Junior High School. The award honors Danielle for her outstanding service when it comes to helping students.
The PEAK (Positive Energy and Kindness) Award is presented monthly to someone in the Nebo School District who "really gets it" when it comes to providing exceptional customer service, which in turn results in positive impacts on everyone including students, parents, co-workers and members of the community.
Congratulations Danielle!


text:
Certified Pre-Owned 2015 PorscheMacan S SUV
- Stock: PTB58452
- Odometer
- 33,404 miles
- Fuel Economy
- 17.0/23.0 mpg City/Hwy
- Exterior Color
- Rhodium Silver Metallic
- Interior Color
- Black
- Body/Seating
- SUV/5 seats
- Transmission
- 7 speed automatic with auto-shift
- Drivetrain
- all-wheel drive
- Engine
Highlighted Features
- Leather upholstery
- Automatic temperature control
- Wireless phone connectivity
- Front dual zone A/C
- Rain sensing wipers
- Headlight cleaning
- High intensity discharge headlights
- Split folding rear seat
Detailed Specifications
Dealer Notes
Porsche Approved Certified Pre-Owned Details:
* 2 year/Unlimited miles beginning after new car warranty expires or from certified purchase date. Includes Trip Interruption reimbursement
* 111 Point Inspection
* Warranty Deductible: $0
* Transferable Warranty
* Roadside Assistance
Every vehicle is backed by our 3 Day Return Policy!
* ALG Residual Value Awards * 2015 KBB.com 10 Most Fun SUVs * 2015 KBB.com Our 10 Favorite New-for-2015 Cars * 2015 KBB.com Brand Image Awards
KBB.com Consumer Reviews
- 5.0
The Most Fun of any Car owned
By JohnF on Wednesday, November 08, 2017I love everything about this car. Traded in a 2017 BMW M4 as it rode two harshly and was too close to the ground. I have owned 3 BMWs, several Audis, and other makes. This car is special because it allows you to have your cake (ride height of an SUV) and eat it too (acceleration and handling with more comfort) of a sports car. Outstanding.
- 5.0
I love this car
By Mike on Sunday, February 11, 2018I agree with others that this SUV handles a lot like a sports car. It does not feel big, but rather agile when getting in and out of parking lots. Im 6 3 and my wife is only 4 9. Few cars fit her. (She had a MINI Cooper but it didnt fit me) With the optional 14 way adjustable seats she fits fine, and so do I. These seats are also very comfortable. The interior quality is equal to the the higher priced Porsche models.
- 5.0
Outstanding styling, comfort with sport car feel
By Painter on Saturday, June 22, 2019We have owned over 20 cars and the Macan is by far the most responsive, fun and comfortable car we have had. We debated on the S and have no regrets with our base optioned up. Saved $$$ and experience 28 mpg on the highway cruising at 80 mph. If you need the extra hp of the S go for it, I haven't found where I could use it if I had it. It is an S U V not a track car but handles surprisingly sporty. Hugs in cornering, accelerates smoothly, the turbo is Amazing. PDK in sport mode adds a boost of energy when you want it. Porsche has done themselves proud with this mid sized suv! Bought certified July of 2018
All vehicle specifications, prices and equipment are subject to change without notice. See above for information on purchase financing and lease program expiration dates. Prices and payments (including the amount down payment) do not include tax, titles, tags, documentation charges, emissions testing charges, or other fees required by law or lending organizations. The estimated payments may not include upfront finance charges that must be paid to be eligible for the purchase financing program used to estimate the APR and payments. Listed Annual Percentage Rates are provided for the selected purchase financing or lease programs available on the current date. Program expiration dates reflect currently announced program end dates, but these programs are subject to change at any time.
Lessees will be financially responsible for mileage beyond the elected quantity and for vehicle maintenance and repairs and excessive vehicle wear. Option to purchase at lease end for an amount may be determined at lease signing. Payments may be higher in some states. You may not be able to combine other incentives with the purchase financing or leasing programs presented above. Residency restrictions may apply. See dealer for details.
Listed APR, down payment, payments, incentives and other terms are estimates for example purposes only. Information provided is based on very well-qualified buyers or lessees. The payment information provided here is not a commitment by any organization to provide credit, leases or other programs. Some customers may not qualify for listed programs. Your terms may vary. Lessor must approve lease. Credit approval required.
Certified Pre Owned 2015 Porsche Macan SBack to Details
Choose Any Tool!
Control the details with Structure My Deal
When buying a car, it's tough to balance being informed and saving time. That's why we encourage you to use only the tools below that are most valuable to you. Each one provides information and steps to help streamline the process at the dealership.
Structure My Deal Summary
- Prequalify
- SubmittedReference #{{ template.referenceNumber }}
- You applied for credit instead
Credit Application
- Apply for Credit
- SubmittedReference #{{ template.referenceNumber }}
Complete one of the steps below to begin saving time at the dealership Log In to Save Your Progress
saved at the dealership! Log In to Save Your Progress
saved at the dealership! Structure My Deal tools are complete — you're ready to visit Porsche Of Hilton Head
New Arrivals
2014 Porsche Boxster
- $45,000
- Convertible
- White Exterior
- 3.4L H6 DI DOHC 24V ULEV II 315hp Engine
2017 Porsche 911
- $101,500
- Convertible
- Red Exterior
- 3L H6 Turbocharged DOHC 24V LEV3-LEV160 420hp Engine


text:
If you spot a water leak, please:
Or call our 24-hour Leakline
For water supply or wastewater emergencies, blocked drains or possible pollution, call:
(Calls charged at local rate)
If you have a query or want some advice, we're here to help. Here's how to get in touch.
Manage your account online by signing up to 'Your Account'. You can:
Automated telephone service
Calls charged at local rate
Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Billing and account enquiries
Calls charged at local rate
Monday to Friday, 8am-7pm and Saturday, 8.30am-2pm. Closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Water and wastewater enquiries
Calls charged at local rate
Monday to Friday, 7am-9pm and Saturday and Sunday, 7.30am-10.30pm
We work hard to offer you the best possible experience, but sometimes we don't get it right.
If you're unhappy with the service you've received from us and would like to make a complaint please call:
We're working harder to improve our service as sometimes we get things wrong. We rely on your feedback to help us focus on things that matter most to you.


text:
Our Goods Transport System (GTS) covers all aspects in managing activities efficiently and offers a wide range of facilities and operational features to manage units and railway wagons. The system includes functions to book and allocate units, exchange units with neighbouring countries and other operators, shunt and make up trains including calculation and information, necessary in order to operate a train.
Invoice all activities and services in GTS and also make use of the possibility to exchange data with external contract and agreement systems. Overall, optimise and ensure operational procedures as a rail operator with our efficient solution for managing railway wagons.
GTS is integrated with our Terminal Operating System (TOS) where bookings are made with use of our OneStopBooking solution. These are made interactively via the Internet; however, in more and more situations bookings are made electronically from the companies' internal systems.
Almost all freight trains transporting in and through Denmark are operated via our GTS solution.


text:
A new play for children 'A Boy and a Bear in a Boat' will be entertaining family audiences at Melton Library in August.
This new version of the award winning book by Dave Shelton, who was born and raised in Leicestershire, has been adapted by leading young person's playwright Stewart Melton and is presented by The Spark Arts for Children in association with Nottinghamshire County Council.
Featuring live music and movement, A Boy and a Bear in a Boat is a funny, thoughtful and thrilling adventure for children aged five to nine.
The show visits Melton Library on Tuesday, August 11 at 10.30am. Admission is £3 per child and children under eight must be accompanied by an adult.
For tickets call 0116 305 3646. Booking in advance is strongly recommended.


text:
Stone Dragon Mountain
Deep inside the frozen Stone Dragon Mountain, an unearthly fire burns. It is stoked by generations of hatred for the local mountain dwellers, who try to forget their shameful history appeasing wrathful gods. but before the mountain erupts into violence and fire, a few ambitious explorers will have the opportunity to climb its frozen peaks, learn its secrets, and plunder its hoards.
Will that be you brave adventurer? Or will the mountain consume you as it has so many others before?
An Introduction to Torchbearer
Stone Dragon Mountain is an introductory Torchbearer campaign that explores the fantastic beauty and terrible danger of climbing expeditions, as well as the divide between generations who have turned on each other.
Published by Burning Wheel Headquarters
This is a 64 page campaign-length adventure written by Sean Nittner (Evil Hat, Narrative Control), edited by Thor Olavsrud (Torchbearer, Burning Wheel), layout by Radek Drozdalski (Middarmark) and illustrated by Kurt Komoda (Middarmark, Burning Wheel Codex).
This print edition is a limited partnership between Burning Wheel HQ and Sean. We'll aim to print 500 copies. Once we're sold out of these copies, the PDF will be available for sale through Drivethru RPG.
Gen Con Pick Up
Books will be available for pick up at Gen Con or will be shipped after the convention. All shipping will be assessed and charged after the project ends.
Risks and challenges
The main risk is that I immolate myself before being able to fulfill this project.Learn about accountability on Kickstarter
Funding period
- (7 days)


text:
Thank You from Fairewinds/
First of all, thank you for your support of Fairewinds Energy Education. Our Crew works diligently to provide the most up to date factual nuclear safety information as we speak truth to power. Fairewinds shares the belief that everyone has the right to learn about personal health and safety issues. Our worldwide community of listeners and viewers totals almost 11 million people who are seeking the safest, most economical, and truly environmentally compatible sources of electric generation and transmission.
Using videos, podcasts, and witty memes, the Fairewinds Crew enjoys finding new ways to bring our viewers up to speed on the constantly active regulatory, operational, and waste issues impacting the safe operations of nuclear plants in both the U.S. and throughout the world. None of our work would be possible without the financial support of our audience. 2014 has been an exciting year for the Fairewinds Crew. From conducting interviews with international energy consultants to our continuing coverage of the ongoing catastrophe of the Fukushima Daiichi triple meltdown, Fairewinds Energy Education has spent 2014 educating the world on safe and economic energy production.


text:
The Great Kuching Blackout
If there's anything bad that could come out of Beijing's spectacular opening ceremony last night, it would be that everyone in Kuching seems to be blaming it for the city-wide 3 hour-blackout. So goes a message from one of my friends, "The opening ceremony sucked all of our juice!"
Well as of writing, it's been 3 hours and there's still no sign of the lights. I have approximately 1.5 hours remaining off my laptop's battery and what's left of my Dad's iPaq, which is what I'm using to hook up DiGi's EDGE network.
The candlelight flame in front of me burns as still as a needle, a stark reminder (if I even need one) of just how still and stuffy the air around me is now. Mosquitoes are circling around me for that opportunity to dive and attack. The nerve!
More to come.
It all began at around 6.30pm when my laptop went kaput in front of my eyes. Along with the power supply of the whole neighbourhood and reportedly, major cities in Sarawak. Thinking it was just going to be a minor annoyance I decided to sleep it out, as blackouts in Kuching has happened a few times, albeit in short intervals throughout the year. I soon found out how wrong I was.
A nap proved impossible with all those mosquito bites. Distraught at the idea of spending the night at home in the dark with those bloody insects, we decided to head out for dinner. It was then when messages started streaming in from friends asking about the blackout. It didn't took long for it to become apparent that it affected the whole of Kuching.
We headed out anyway and sought to have dinner "where the lights are" unquote Dad. Thing is, everybody had the same idea when roads everywhere became rivers of lights in the midst of the pitch-black surroundings. The usual glittery LEDs and signboards of 3rd mile were plunged into darkness, even the flashy Boulevard Mall stood gloomily in the dark.
Big bad jam off the 3rd mile flyover. Photo taken off a video frame, hence the quality.
That bright spotlight to the left you see in the photo above was the golf course at Jalan Keretapi, that area, however weird, was the only area as far as our eyes could see to have power supply. Needless to say, we ended up having our dinner at Aunty Lily's in the vincinity of the golf course.
Thoroughout our dinner, the huge traffic jam in our view on the main road didn't ease at all. It was clearly pitch-back just across the road and beyond.
It was approximately 8.00pm, almost 2 hours into the blackout when the lights suddenly went off at Aunty Lily's, joining the rest of Kuching in darkness.
The traffic outside became increasingly chaotic as sirens blare through. As we counted, we heard two ambulances, two patrol cars, and a bloody firetruck rushing past that road that night alone.
It was chaotic in Aunty Lily's too when.. well, we couldn't bloody eat without lights right?
Hi Mum! =)
We resorted to using my camera-phone's LED flashlight to make sure we wouldn't gobble down a spoonful with lizard crap on it.
At around 9pm, power miraculously returned to Jalan Keretapi, allowing us to finish our dinner and head back home.
To our dismay, by the time we arrived at 4 1/2 Mile, it was apparent that my neighbourhood was still deprived of power. Boulevard was still in its pitiful pitch-black state. So was our house, when we arrived home.
10:20PM: Power in parts of Kuching are already restored as of now, but still not here where I live! =(
10:40PM: Everything in 4 1/2 Mile is still nice and dark. It should be 4 hours since we last saw the lights. I guess I'm gonna get off my laptop now and try to sleep. If the electricity comes back, I'll update. 57 mins of juice remaining. Sigh.
By the way, it seems the whole of Sarawak is experiencing this. No idea how far has it restored though. Check out this news report from The Star: Blackout in Sarawak
10:51PM: Wooooooots! Lights are back! =D ..after 4 and a half hours.


text:
Diet Coke is not necessarily more harmful than any other soft drink, but it does not provide the kind of benefits that many people believe it possesses. Some individuals drink diet beverages with the hopes of cutting calories to lose weight, but many studies show no correlation between drinking diet soda and weight loss.
Diet Coke contains artificial sweeteners in lieu of sugar, and studies indicate that drinking diet soda can increase a person's risk of stroke and heart disease, explains AuthorityNutrition.com. There have also been studies that link diet soda to depression and that show a strong correlation between the consumption of diet soda and both obesity and diabetes.


text:
We have a group at Roses on my Table called Kindred Spirits. Like the Emperor Penguin we huddle around in a circle for a dear one to keep it warm and give it lots of love. Isn't that a great idea to send love and warmth to someone who needs a little tender love and care? I was in charge of this one we just finished. Zinnia and I gave out a call for anyone who in Roses would like send some love. So 13 wonderful and talented ladies sent me a 4x5 card decorated front and back with encouraging words. I made not one but two fabric books for the cards and off it went by semi snail mail. Now I say semi snail mail because it had to go over the waters to Australia but still snail mail. The cards were decorated with lots of texture and that is why we need two books.
Now I thank Pat Winter for the instructions a year or two ago that she had posted on her blog Crazy Quilt Gathering. I took it and had a blast with it and Suzy at Suzy's Threadworks was also an inspiration but my books pale to hers but if you get a chance go over there and look at them. Beautiful textures and fabrics and laces.
I tried not to out do the cards and for the lace books to say look at me but to also enjoy the beautiful cards.
The outsides of the books different but alike.
The spine of one of the books with an angel I had "forced" myself to buy at an estate sale. I didn't have a clue what I was going to do with it but it now has a home.
The side view of one of the books, fat little thing isn't it. Lots of lace besides the cards.
One of the table of content pages.
I am not going to show all of the inside of the book and it's cards, but did want to show the outside and what a wonderful idea to send love and hugs from afar. So thank you Emperor Penguins.
Thanks for stopping by and seeing what is going on in my world today.


text:
The Difficulty of Being Honest With Yourself/
One of the hardest things in this life is to be honest with yourself. The first reaction when I hear this phrase is to be in a state of complete denial. "I am realistic," I'll say to myself. "I know what I weigh, I am happy to list my development points if asked in a job interview and my company knows I am a social smoker." And I suppose these statements are all true and admirable. No problems there.Read More


text:
Forgiveness is key to the healing that Jesus would love to bring to your life. Listen as AJ tells her story of growing up in a broken and abusive household with an alcoholic father who lived in rage. As AJ navigates her brokenness she meets Jesus who begins to teach her about forgiveness. While she is hesitant at first, she finds that this key changes everything in her life.
These keys not only freed her from childhood hurt, but in early adulthood after the betrayal and divorce of her first husband, AJ learnt to apply forgiveness all over again. In this life changing message AJ shares vulnerably and openly about the healing power of Jesus to set you free.
Buy Now // $2.99
Download this teaching now for only $2.99 in MP3 format, or upgrade to a 6 teaching set that puts this teaching in the context of the Father's love for you.


text:
The day finally came. When I last went to the Optometrist he broke the news that I will have to get bifocals.
I'm just on the edge of having to wear them. Heck, I've only just started wearing glasses and that's taking a lot of getting used to, now I have to put bifocals into the mix? No way.
Aging Gracefully with ThinOptics
Then ThinOptics got in touch and their timing couldn't have been more perfect. However, I wondered, how on earth they knew I was so old?
My travel blog shows me as a young stud riding motorcycles, diving with sharks, hiking in the back country. Don't I come across like a 29 year old?
Deb's been blind since I met her and refuses to get her eyes fixed. No way will she take the minute chance the something will go wrong.
I on the other hand received my first negative eye exam last year and have a very light prescription. I can't stand wearing glasses and I'm already talking about laser therapy.
Anyway, back to my ThinOptics.
I was intrigued by the thin optics reading glasses that fit in my eye phone case. How can it be?
When the glasses arrived, I received two different prescriptions. One light and one a little stronger.
I'm new to needing glasses to read, so the light ones worked for me, but I've put the stronger prescription aside for when my eye sigtht deteriorates. Ugh.
Can't I just buy some cheap reading glasses at the drugstore you ask?
I thought that myself, but then I've seen people constantly looking for their bifocals or having to hang them on their shirt collar. It seems that everyone my age is starting to lose their eyesight for reading.
And in today's world of smart phones, thin optics has come to the rescue.
Conveniently Sized
I have my iPhone on me at all times. It's like an extension of my arm. Wherever I go, it goes. Now, I can see everything clearly whenever I need to as well.
The glasses fit perfectly in the case that Thin Optics sent and when I need to read a really important email, tweet or even a magazine on the airplane, I have my reading glasses at my fingertips.
Thin Optics doesn't have arms, it just clips to the end of my nose and stays put. I feel very refined using them.
I also love the idea of clip on glasses. Wherever I go, I show people my new glasses, I go on and on telling them how great they are and let everyone try them on. But they can't keep them! No way, these babies are for me.
ThinOptics Mobile Phone Cases
Not only do I like having clear vision at my fingertips, I'm impressed with the case too.
When I got it, I thought, well, it came with the glasses so I might as well use it. Up until that point, I had been using the durable Otterbox.
Deb is more of the klutz in this relationship though, so I wasn't ever too worried about needing strong protection for my iPhone, because I never dropped it!
That is until now.
It was during our Lake Superior motorcycle ride, Day 1. I had stopped on the side of the road for a few minutes to send a tweet (or maybe it was an Instagram, who can keep track of these things?)
I took off and forgot to do up the zipper of my jacket pocket. Riding along on my merry way, I noticed a sweet three wheeler motorbike following us. For some unknown reason, they made a U-turn in the middle of the road and I never thought of them again. That is until they came speeding up beside us waving their hands in the air.
It turns out, my iPhone flew out of my pocket and bounced down the road landing on the gravel shoulder. These kind strangers saw the entire incident and turned around to pick it up.
At 50 mph, my iPhone not only survived, it barely had a scratch! I would have thought it would have shattered in a million pieces, but my Thin Optics case did it's job and protected it.
We thanked the strangers profusely and examined the phone in shock that it was still in one piece. Besides my case, I also had a screen protector on it. It's now scratched to shit, but it's functioning.
I have a new screen protector ready to stick on, once I'm organized enough to remember. Maybe I'll do that after writing this post!
In the end, if you are part of the aging population like me, chances are you are going to need reading glasses. Even most people who have had laser surgery need reading glasses, so why not take the cool route and choose ones that stick to your iPhone. Join the club and be like me. Embrace your age.
My name is Dave Bouskill and I need reading glasses.
- For more information on ThinOptics visit their website to order
Read More
Scottevest Travel Clothing, Our Review
Best Travel Blog! Honored to win SATW Two Years in a Row
Black Friday to Cyber Monday Deals for Bloggers


text:
Half of Fannie Mae mortgages registered in MERS name
Roughly half of the mortgages owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae are registered in the Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems name, according to a filing by the government-sponsored enterprise last week. Fannie's guaranty book of business totaled $2.9 trillion at the end of the first quarter, meaning about $1.45 trillion of loans are registered in MERS' name. The connection, Fannie said, poses a significant risk. Privately held MERS, which was built by the GSEs and the nation's major lenders in the 1990s, is an electronic registry that tracks servicing rights and ownership of loans from origination through securitization. MERS serves as a nominee for the owner of a mortgage and therefore becomes the mortgagee of record for the loan in local land records. Along with other organizations in the mortgage finance industry, Fannie Mae is a shareholder in Reston, Va.-based Merscorp Inc., the parent company. Several legal challenges emerged during the foreclosure crisis, finding holes in the system that includes mishandled securitization transfers and foreclosure affidavits. Fannie, Freddie Mac and a few other lenders prohibited its servicers from initiating foreclosures in MERS' name, guidance MERS also issued to its members. "These challenges could negatively affect MERS' ability to serve as the mortgagee of record in some jurisdictions," Fannie said in its quarterly filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. "Failures by MERS to apply prudent and effective process controls and to comply with legal and other requirements could pose counterparty, operational, reputational and legal risks for us." Federal regulators found several problems in the MERS system during their investigation last year. The company did not invest enough resources, staff or training to properly handle rising caseloads and failed to implement the needed oversight, according to a study. MERS signed consent orders with regulators in April pledging to make corrections. But the real risks to Fannie come from potential new rules regulators or lawmakers may enact. Foreclosure costs increased dramatically in the first quarter as home values continued to fall, pushing loss severities at the already struggling mortgage giant up higher. "If investigations or new regulation or legislation restricts servicers' use of MERS, our counterparties may be required to record all mortgage transfers in land records, incurring additional costs and time in the recordation process," Fannie said in its filing. Write to Jon Prior. Follow him on Twitter @JonAPrior.


text:
Munich University Competitions (MHM)
Students and employees of the universities in Munich, Freising and Landshut may participate in the competitions. Dates, announcements and result are posted here: www.zhs-muenchen.de/wettkampf veröffentlicht.
German University Championships (DHM) / German University Cup (DHP) / adh Open
German University Sports Federation (adh) organizes German University Competitions (DHM) in over 40 sports, the German University Cup (DHP) and the adh Open. Students and employees of the universities in Munich, Freising and Landshut may participate in the competitions. Here you will find all upcoming adh competition dates.
Students must register for national competitions at adh through ZHS in a password protected area by the registration deadline. Every student is obliged to read the announcement of the competition in detail before registering (see www.adh.de ). The registration form (registration dates for competitions) must be emailed to ZHS at least one day before the registration deadline. Late registrations are absolutely not possible!
Financial aid
Entry fees are financed by ZHS' competition budget. Additional aid can be granted for certain placements: 0.25 €/km for group travel, 0.10 €/km for individual travel; 8.00 € for accommodation and 10.00 € per diem. ZHS transfers the registration fee directly to the organizers, unless otherwise instructed in the announcement. All participants receive a registration confirmation and an expenses form that can be turned into ZHS in the original after successfully participating.
If a registered athlete cancels for a reason that is within their control, they will be charged for the entry and penalty fees.
International Championships (EUC, WUC, Universiade)
Nominations and financing can be discussed with the adh department of competition (Thorsten Huetsch) and the ZHS department of competition.