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Bengaluru: Exiled former Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed on Saturday said his country, which is in a state of Emergency, does not want any trouble between India and China.
"We don't want India and China against each other, not at all," he said at an interaction at "The Huddle", a thought conclave, conducted by The Hindu.
China earlier had opposed any military intervention in the Maldives, saying such a move would further complicate the situation, a day after Nasheed sought India's help to resolve the political crisis in the island nation.
The picturesque Indian Ocean archipelago plunged into political chaos when the country's Supreme Court ordered the release of nine imprisoned opposition politicians, maintaining that their trials were "politically motivated and flawed".
His country is of immense strategic importance to India and China, the world's two most populous countries dependent on energy imports, Nasheed said when asked whether the Maldives crisis could turn out to be flash point for the strain in the relationship between India and China.
Nasheed said Maldives has nothing against China, but it should not attempt to change the "state type" and have democratic oversight, among other things.
"We do like China. I have nothing against China. All that we are saying is do not attempt to change state type; do not push your money in secrecy, have transparency and have democratic oversight, and things will fall in place. That is all we are saying. We are not asking for the sun, the moon and the stars," he said.
Nasheed, currently in exile in Sri Lanka, said both India and Maldives should be mindful about the cold war brewing in the Indian Ocean because both are neighbouring countries.
"I have always been saying that there is a cold war brewing in the Indian Ocean and we should be mindful about that, and we can't be sandwiched in between. We must make sure India's national security and safety because we are just next door," he said.
"We cannot suddenly doing our own thing, simply because somebody (China) decides to give some millions of dollars. It shouldn't work like that, and hope that people in the Indian Ocean understand that this is not the way forward," he added.
Nasheed earlier had tweeted that India should send an envoy, backed by its military, to release judges and leaders of political parties detained by President Abdulla Yameen.
The two-day "The Huddle" conclave features thought leaders, politicians, academicians, writers, artists and sports persons.
Updated Date: Feb 17, 2018 22:04:45 IST


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My SG was 1.050 (recipe called for 1/058-1.062 so i was a bit off).
The problem is that the fermentation stated the following day and appeared to stop in about 2 1/2 days. I let it sit for an additional 3 days (7 days total) and then today transfered it into secondary. The reading i took today said that it was 1.020 (FG should be 1.014-1.017).
After transferring it yesterday, I noticed that my fermentation started a little again.

subset: commoncrawl


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Under the InterfacePosted: March 10, 2016 Filed under: Uncategorized 1 Comment
One trope of the 21st century, almost too mundane for discussion by now, is that nobody knows phone numbers anymore, aside from the few they permanently memorized through thousands of dials on bygone landlines. Birthdays are similarly difficult to remember for lack of necessity: We remember the ones we learned before a certain point (probably the point when Facebook assumed that responsibility) but have added few dates to the memorized list since that moment. Even street addresses used to demand temporary memorization until the iPhone-map-ridesharing stack began eroding the need for that small effort, a development that now often frees us from seeing those numbered addresses at all when navigating to a new place.
In contrast to the decline of many technologies, there is no sorrow or nostalgia about the waning presence of phone numbers, addresses, and comparable scrap information in contemporary conscious life (and not even much sadness about knowing fewer birthdays). The clutter of ugly, messy numbers is disappearing from life and we're better for it, even if it doesn't truly free up mental "space" for us to invest in higher pursuits.
All that information we're forgetting—and this will be increasingly true in the coming years—didn't actually disappear. It just got a better interface. A better UI/UX, if you will. The information is under the hood, working invisibly. Phone numbers and street addresses have long served as protocols that enable humans to interact with and navigate complex landscapes by constituting a legible layer atop something illegible. Like an API, those numbering schemes enable two systems to talk to one another. One of those two systems can even be people.
Thanks to computers that fit in our pockets and go everywhere with us, as well as equally ubiquitous software and connectivity, it's possible to add another layer on top of the ugly prosaic numbers, translating them back into human terms that are still indexed the same way and seamlessly mapped to the underlying systems. Machines are the ones that should be dialing 867-5309 or finding directions to 767 5th Avenue; people should be thinking of and searching for "Jenny" or "Apple Store." Embedded within Facebook is a birthday API: By using Facebook you tell the platform who your friends are, and it tells you when it's their birthday. The date is the invisible key; the value of memorizing that date perhaps just a relic of analog calendar technology that's receding into the past. Life is getting easy, isn't it?
Steve Jobs at home (source)
The API and the user interface are powerful metaphors for what Marc Andressen's statement about "software eating the world" actually means. Software is not eliminating things, but eating them in the sense of absorbing or swallowing them. The iconic photo of young Steve Jobs at home among his few beautiful possessions (see above) foreshadows Jobs' own role in putting so much of daily life under the hood. His life's work was enabling me and you to own a few sleek, perfect devices that replaced entire file cabinets, stacks of paper, CD shelves, printers, power strips, and tangled wires in our homes. Most of that personal infrastructure for managing one's information now hides within a few cubic inches wrapped in glass, aluminum, and plastic (or a data center hidden in the Oregon woods), to the extent that we've embraced its potential. Software is the obvious reason. Steve Jobs and countless contemporaries shepherded mankind into the "smooth" environments we now inhabit, which offer few clues about the hidden work being done by the invisible code.
I've written previously about the smooth environment that digital technology creates and its implications for physical space in cities (specifically online retail, in that post). The sparse quality of Jobsian space attests to a fattening layer of software that will keep absorbing more elements of meatspace. To occupy that space as a human is to exist above the API. The texture of economically advanced urban areas exhibits this condition, increasingly comprising coffee shops, public space, and showroom-style retail outlets—everything that software can't eat, either because it's too tactile (food and drink) or because machines haven't learned how to do it yet.
As the software layer absorbs more of everything, it becomes important for humans to decide what they want their relationship to that layer to be: above it (as a user), interacting with it (as a builder), competing with it, displaced by it, or oblivious to its presence. When you hear the advice that everyone should "learn to code," it's shorthand for a more nuanced assessment of the software-consumed landscape and the embedded judgment that it's better to be one of the builders than either a mere user or a refugee from a domain the software ate.
John Robb describes the phenomenon of "turking"—humans doing work that software will ultimately do but isn't able to yet. The rise of machine learning massively expands the range of tasks that fall into this category. Take Microsoft Excel, which can be understood even today as a tool for turking. Excel users typically employ the program toward repetitive tasks that basic software could perform. It's a training ground that bots could observe, learn from, and quickly replicate. Excel spreadsheets, like memorized phone numbers, won't be missed by many people when they go under the API, but the jobs that Excel supports will certainly be missed if the transition isn't properly anticipated.
Interfaces and platforms free us from responsibility and turn us into users and operators, unless we actively redefine our relationship to those smooth surfaces we end up on top of. But there's also no time to learn how everything works, so everyone accepts some degree of automation in daily life. The rough ocean of technological change forces a constant reorientation to this landscape, a perfect balance of trading down and trading up. Let your iPhone memorize all the numbers but hold onto and strengthen the faculties that make you human, and know that the big solid middle range will always be melting into air.
One Comment on "Under the Interface"
[…] in the background, another invisible algorithm that frames reality. Navigational maps are going "under the interface," as I've written before. Nicholas Carr observes, "It would seem to be the golden age of maps […]


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Zizo sponsors IGNITE – 19th – 20th September 2016
Fast-track innovation, cultivate value exchange and spur growth through
digital ecosystems
We are pleased to announce that Zizo is an official joint Gold Partner with Intel at the September edition of the Nimbus Ninety IGNITE series.
Joining enterprises at the leadership summit that have successfully developed digital ecosystems across a range of industries, Zizo and Intel will be chairing a break out session on 'Building a Robust Data & Analytics Strategy to support Digital Transformation'.
Zizo is a next generation 'Cloud Analytics' business. We do all the work; transforming an organisation's granular data into actionable business information using our patented technology and accelerated approach. All businesses receive the critical information that they desperately need, in a timely manner, all without the need to invest in hardware or software, people or training.
Zizo wants to change the face of data and this has already been noticed by international companies like Intel. Our solution is now running solely on Intel's E7 Xeon Processors, which provides exceptional performance and scalability for real-time analytics operating on multi-terabyte and even petabyte-scale datasets.
If a business is drowning in data and need answers fast, then Zizo is a no risk, low cost, reliable solution.
Peter Ruffley, Chairman at Zizo comments: "When it comes to big data, organsiations sizes – from those with large infrastructures to SMES – need it. Yet, most are spending increasing amounts of time, money and resource simply storing and processing data, without business decision makers being able to utilise it in an agile and flexible manner.
"Used properly, data has the power to change everything; but business data must be placed in the hands of those who need it most – business people – so that anyone can ask any question, at any time, for better, more informed decisions. IGNITE provides a great opportunity for enterprises to learn and transform their business and alongside Intel, we're looking forward to seeing all the new innovation at this year's event."
IGINITE is held in London and is free to attend. If you are a CIO, CTO, CMO, CDO, VP, Director or are responsible for driving technology projects within your organisation, you are able to compare and contrast the experiences of start-ups with established enterprises in order to build a truly comprehensive picture of how ecosystems can bring value to your business – Register here!
From the retail and logistics sectors, though to the media or insurance sectors, read more about how Zizo's big data analytics solutions are delivering real business value, by improving revenue, profitability and customer service Zizo case studies!


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Apologies, this post is light on words as I am still busy trying to catch up with all the chores and Christmas jobs that were put off due to my horrible cold! I have been a very neglectful blogger and I hope to catch up with all your blogs soon.
I leave you with some wintry scenes from the highly underrated French artist, Henri le Sidaner and I would like to thank Jane Librizzi from The Blue Lantern, for reminding me just why I love his work so much and also providing the source for some of these images.


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Coconut is definitely part of the Paleo selection of foods.
With its great fat content, creamy and nutty taste, and Lauric Acid content it
should be a staple in your kitchen. My Protein Powder STRUCTURE contains Coconut for these reasons.
At one time coconut oil received negative press and publicity due to its saturated fat content but modern research has shown that the coconut is unique in its structural make-up and not all saturated fats are alike. The fatty acids in coconut oil, the medium chain triglycerides, do not raise serum cholesterol or contribute to heart disease, but are in fact very healthy.
True, Coconut is a high source of saturated fats (92%) but included in the count is a valuable source of saturated medium chain triglycerides (62%). Furthermore, around 50% of these MCT's are made up of Lauric Acid, the most important essential fatty acid in building and maintaining the body's immune system.
Lauric Acid
The human body converts Lauric Acid into monolaurin, which is claimed to help in dealing with viruses and bacteria causing diseases such as influenza, cytomegalovirus, herpes and even HIV. It helps in fighting harmful bacteria such as Listeria Monocytogenes and Helicobacter Pylori, and harmful protozoa such as Giardia Lamblia. These conditions can be brought on by tainted food sources or poor food selection and eating habits which can cause a host of GI problems including ulcers, hernias, leaky gut syndrome all leading to poor digestion and non-absorption of needed nutrients, minerals, and vitamins.
In addition to the presence of Lauric Acid, Capric Acid and Caprylic Acid, possess properties that have potent antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-fungal, antibacterial, soothing, effects. This would be of extreme benefit to anyone coming in contact with poorly cooked, handled, or stored food where parasites are sure to flourish. In addition, ulcers and other upper gastro-intestinal problems will surely be relieved by the regular use of coconut oil and more importantly stress reduction, change in diet, and increased water intake.
Good Oil
Coconut oil is often preferred by athletes, avid exercisers, and by those who are attempting to make positive changes in their eating habits. It contains fewer calories than other oils, it's fat content is easily converted into energy rather than being stored, and it does not lead to accumulation of fat in the heart and arteries. Coconut oil helps in boosting energy and endurance, and enhances the performance, in addition to aiding in the recovery and the reparation processes of training and exercise.
health benefits of coconut oil include:
- Promoting healthy, soft skin and repairing damage to it
- Hair that is full and soft
- Repair, maintenance, and improved quality of digestive tract tissue
- Stress relief
- Maintaining proper cholesterol levels/ratios
- Increased immunity
- Relief from kidney problems and high blood pressure
- Combatant of HIV and cancer
- Dental care and bone strength by improving the absorption of Calcium.
Heart Diseases: There is a misconception spread among many people that coconut oil is not good for the heart. This is because it contains a large quantity of saturated fats. However, coconut oil is beneficial for the heart. It contains about 50% Lauric acid, which helps in preventing various heart problems including high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. The saturated fats present in coconut oil are not harmful as it happens in case of other vegetables oils. It does not lead to increase in LDL levels. It also reduces the incidence of injury in arteries and therefore helps in preventing atherosclerosis
Digestion: Internal use of coconut oil occurs primarily as cooking oil. Coconut oil helps in improving the digestive system and thus prevents various stomach and digestion related problems including irritable bowel syndrome. The saturated fats present in coconut oil have anti microbial properties and help in dealing with various bacteria, fungi, parasites, etc., that cause indigestion. Coconut oil also helps in absorption of other nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids
Immunity: Coconut oil is also good for the immune system. It strengthens the immune system as it contains antimicrobial lipids, Lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, which have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. The human body converts Lauric acid into monolaurin, which is claimed to help in dealing with viruses and bacteria causing diseases such as herpes, influenza, cytomegalovirus, and even HIV. It helps in fighting harmful bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes and helicobacter pylori, and harmful protozoa such as Giardia Lamblia
Dental Care: Calcium is an important element present in teeth. Since coconut oil facilitates absorption of calcium by the body, it helps in getting strong teeth. Coconut oil also stops tooth decay
The Urban Caveman does Costa Rica!


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The rest of our trip...
Waterproof film camera, for snorkeling and rafting..
Hostel Natura at Foz De Iguacu
most excellent photos.
B-E-A utiful!! Looks like you had the best time, I want to go!!!ReplyDelete
Wow, I envy you:) I hope your house situation is getting better.ReplyDelete
julie, these are beautiful! looks like SO much fun, and so many amazing memories!ReplyDelete
jules yoou did so many cool things and looked real hot doing them.ReplyDelete


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CCIEE Vice Chairman Wei Jianguo Meets with Cristiano Amon, President of Qualcomm
- Date:2018-02-01
- Source:CCIEE
On January 26, 2018, CCIEE Vice Chairman Wei Jianguo met with Cristiano Amon, President of Qualcomm. Yuan Youwei, Deputy Director-General of the Department of External Affairs at CCIEE, and Zhao Bin, Senior Vice President of Qualcomm were also present at the meeting.
Mr. Amon briefed Mr. Wei on Qualcomm's latest developments in the area of mobile communications and its potential cooperation opportunities in China. Mr. Wei said that there is a huge market in China and Qualcomm should seize the opportunity to further strengthen its global cooperation.
Mr. Amon said that science and technology will change the future and become the most stable basis for China's future development. He hopes that Qualcomm will achieve a win-win outcome with its partners and create a model for bilateral cooperation between China and the United States.
Both sides also exchanged their views on other issues of common concern.


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18 May 2020
Timber Frame Construction for Engineers
This course looks at the fundamentals of timber frame construction from an engineering perspective and should help engineers and designers involved in the industry to gain an in-depth understanding of how these systems work.
The day starts with an introduction to the concept of timber frame, identifying various components of construction, design detailing and best practice guidance on how these components should correctly merge to give a trouble free building. The afternoon session builds on this with engineering input and design examples to support the concepts discussed.
You should attend this course if you are:
- an engineer
- a timber frame designer
- an architect
Please call 01494 569 750 or email firstname.lastname@example.com


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BEMIDJI, Minn. (March 2, 2012) — Founding members of Bell(e) Collective, Sarah Paradis and Stephanie Frye, will perform on March 16 in the Thompson Recital Hall in the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex on the Bemidji State campus.
The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. and admission is free.
Paradis, assistant professor at Bemidji State and trombonist, and Frye, tubist, have given performances and masterclasses at numerous universities and colleges in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Paradis and Frye provide the groundwork for a chamber group of flexible instrumentation.
The duo's name is a play on words with belle meaning beautful in French and bell referring to the bells on their brass instruments.
As individuals, Paradis and Frye teach and perform across the Midwest. Paradis teaches low brass and music theory at BSU and has played with several orchestras including the Richmond Indiana Symphony Orchestra as principal trombonist.
Frye is the undergraduate tuba instructor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and performs frequently as principal tubist in Wisconsin based orchestras including the Manitowoc Symphony.
Bell(e) Collective performs works from a variety of styles and periods, including those by Charles Small, Dmitri Shostakovich, and John Stevens.
The duo will perform at the International Women's Brass Conference in Kalamazoo, Mich. in June 2012.
More information on the recital is available by contacting the Department of Music at (218) 755-2915.


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Check Out My Rocket
The Super Soaker Rocket turned out to be pretty great, so I had to share a couple pictures. We actually couldn't get the launcher to work quite right, so we had to manually trigger it up close. It gets up to 100-150 feet on a full charge.


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Driving Instructor Training Andover
Driving Instructor Training Andover
Become A Driving Instructor in Andover with 2nd2None
Become A Driving Instructor
Start Your New Career
If your looking for a rewarding and fulfilling career then becoming a driving instructor might be perfect for you.Becoming a driving instructor allows you to help others achieve their goals by sharing your experience and skills. You will meet some amazing people from all walks of life.We offer a range of training courses that are designed to meet a varying range of circumstances and commitments.
Our goal as a training provider is to help you develop your existing skills along with many new and exciting ones to help you become the driving instructor of popular choice both as a driver trainer but also in a business perspective. Our driving instructors in Bristol have never been in such demand and all are currently over flowing with pupils learning to drive. Start your training with us today and you can also enjoy full diaries with plenty of work.
Get Your Training Fee's Back
Give us a call or complete the form on this page to find out more about our training courses in Bristol to become a driving instructor NOW.
Don't delay as we are running a special offer: Pay just £1350 today which saves you a massive £1,100 off our normal course fee's.And just to sweeten this limited time offer, We will give you £1000 of your training fee's back, when you join us here at 2nd2None Driving School as a qualified driving instructor in Bristol on one of our weekly franchises*
*Terms and conditions apply. Other payment options are available.
You will receive 70 hours of one to one in car training with your dedicated instructor trainer with ongoing support from our customer service team. Be aware of other training providers and the amount of hours of training that they offer as not all will be the same and some to share your time with two trainees at the same time. There is also the opportunity to earn while you learn with our funded trainee licence, so you don't need to delay getting your new career on the road.
With our driving school you will find that our support doesn't stop once you have qualified as a driving instructor. Our support team will help you become established in your local area and work with you every step of the way to develop your career as a fully qualified driving instructor.
There are loads of benefits with joining 2nd2None driving school, our local reputation is as the name says second to none. As well as being your own boss and having a more active role in the local community, you can choose the working hours that suit your lifestyle and needs. you can plan your weekly lessons around other commitments, such as spending time with your family.
On average most instructors take 6 - 9 months to fully qualify. But with the right trainer this can be a lot less as we have seen may times before. These estimated times this will depend on your availability, DVSA test times and your own abilities learn and progress.
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He made sure that I fully understood what was required and gave me useful tips along the way. He took the mystery out of this exam and supported me throughout. He is an excellent trainer. Thank you Steve!
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I chose 2nd2None Driving School for my training as I felt confident after talking to them and reading online reviews that I would achieve my goals.
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After my initial meet and greet with James and Holly I soon realised that this company has it's workforce in mind and strives to keep them informed and happy. Changing a well paid and successful career was a worry but my two trainers; Nigel Paice and Steve Steele are both competent and knowledgeable.
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Why Did You Choose This Driving School For Your Instructor Training?
The options were vast,and I felt welcomed immediately. I was introduced to the training team, where they clearly set out my training program together with my options of further employment,which provided me with confidence.


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Socorro Gomes: Venezuelans have expressed their sovereign will in the elections; we must strengthen our support to their struggle
The Venezuelan people have ratified through the ballot box the path that they choose for the nation. They now resist the attempts of a cartel made of countries whose governments bow to the US imperialist dictates to delegitimize the electoral results of May 20th, because the result was of an overwhelming victory for the Bolivarian Revolution, with President Nicolás Maduro's reelection.
By Socorro Gomes*
Democratic and popular forces in the country, in Latin America and throughout the world have shown commitment to the solidarity with the Venezuelan people, in defense of their sovereignty.
Although almost 200 international observers have attested that the elections were conducted with transparency and respect to every Venezuelan's right to vote, foreign interference is yet again charging against the democratic process.
In a recently published communiqué, the international observers present during the 20th of May elections have repudiated the preparations for interference and the aggressive statements made by the so-called Lima Group, which is composed inclusively by illegitimate governments such as the one born out of a coup d'état in Brazil, Michel Temer's.
We have denounced once more, in the document, the attempts of destabilizing Venezuela, which has intensified in the last period through a massive, media and economic offensive that affects the lives of the entire Venezuelan people and openly hinders the popular and national sovereignty.
The elections were held in a peaceful environment of great mobilization for the right to choose the course that the nation must follow. For this reason, the international observers issued a call for respect for the Venezuelan people's right of self-determination. Such right cannot be relativized and the practice of violating it must the rejected in the firmest terms and actions taken by the democratic forces throughout the world.
During the observation, the international delegates were able to follow the preparation and auditing of the elections and of the very electronic boxes, as well as the systems of security and fraud prevention. The elections' legitimacy, likewise, cannot be contested, since the choice is precisely democracy, while the reactionary forces' is sabotage through anti-patriotic measures taken by the oligarchies, who reject dialogue. Even former US President Jimmy Carter, in 2012, praised the Venezuelan electoral system, and no one can say he did that out of sympathy for the Bolivarian Revolution!
Like in other Latin American and European countries and in the US, abstention was high, but this is not what would delegitimize the elections. Those who have exercised their right to vote, on the other hand, in a voluntary system, did so with great commitment, in a democratic environment. Therefore, although the "Lima Group" has stated, in blatant interference, that it does not recognize the results, several other countries have already done so, such as China, Russia, Cuba, Vietnam and Bolivia.
Investing on peace and sovereignty
It is clear which is the commitment of President Nicolás Maduro's government and its contrast with the aggressiveness in the foreign interference, which does not measure the consequences of strategies of destabilization of a country to overthrow a popular government.
In his six lines, presented to the Constituent Assembly, Maduro prioritizes the efforts for Venezuela's pacification. The second line is an agreement for economic recovery, since the country has been under heavy international offensive, with sanctions and a severe destabilizing propaganda.
In addition, his lines also promote a new patriotic and civic ethos, the strengthening and broadening of the achievements in the social security and protection system, the country's and its Constitution's defense, resistance to the imperialist offensive and, finally, strengthening the Socialist course with national characteristics, in the current juncture.
Only a few days after the Presidential elections, President Maduro showed his commitment to dialogue by inviting the former Presidential candidate Javier Bertucci to Miraflores Palace. On the social networks, he announced that that was "a day of meeting for the future, for deep dialogue and persistent quest for the solutions that Venezuela needs, in terms of the Constitution and of the country's situation". Maduro reaffirmed: "Our path is peace, dialogue, concertation, a national agreement for the way forward, towards the country's prosperity."
It is also evident that the Venezuelan people opt for and defend a process that can deepen the people's democracy and the social progress yearned for by the peoples throughout the whole region. On the other hand, the government is presented by the monopolist media as a dictatorship and the country as drowning in social, economic and political chaos.
This is not the Venezuelan people's perspective. Anxious to overcome the difficulties and strengthen their sovereignty, recovering the national economy under imperialist offensive, the people invests on democracy to participate in this construction. Resisting the artificial deprivation caused by sabotage, the population face difficulties to access certain products, a consequence of the economic war waged against the entire nation.
We must have the situation's emergency in mind and transform the resolute solidarity into action, in defense of the sovereign and democratic Bolivarian Revolution. The country's geostrategic and geopolitical importance has put it under the US empire' sight ever since Comandante Hugo Chávez reached the government to launch a process with no way backwards. Daring to build it in a sovereign way, bravely defying the empire's dictates and the enraged subservience of national oligarchies to the US agenda, with committed solidarity with other peoples all over the world and an effort for a progressive, sovereign regional integration with solidarity, the Venezuelan government is considered a threat to the imposition of the hegemonic agenda.
Therefore, in the struggle for peace, freedom, social progress and an integration based on solidarity and sovereignty in Latin America and the Caribbean, the democratic and popular forces reaffirm their solidarity with the Venezuelan people and their struggle.
*Socorro Gomes, president of the World Peace Council, was part of the delegation of international observers during Venezuela's Presidential elections on the 20th of May.


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DNA Test Wins New Trial for 4 Jailed as Teens in Murder Case, But Top Chicago Prosecutor Has Doubts
A top Chicago prosecutor said she wasn't convinced by DNA evidence that excluded four convicted men and seemingly pointed to a convicted murderer as the culprit in the 1994 strangulation slaying of a prostitute in one of the city's poorest neighborhoods.
"DNA evidence in and of itself is not always the 'silver bullet' that it is sometimes perceived to be," Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez told the New York Times. Her job as a prosecutor, she said, is "to look at everything and weigh it."
But a Cook County Circuit Court judge today found the DNA evidence persuasive, vacating the convictions of four then-teenagers charged in the case, the Innocence Project announced in a press release. The Innocence Project, along with other legal aid groups, represented the defendants in the appeal.
Brief Associated Press and Chicago Tribune stories confirm the ruling by Judge Paul P. Biebel, Jr., who serves as presiding judge in the court's criminal division.
The state's attorney's office will now decide whether to retry Harold Richardson, Michael Saunders, Terrill Swift and Vincent Thames. They were 16, 15, 17 and 18, respectively, at the time of their arrests.
The new suspect identified by the DNA match, Johnny Douglas, who was 32 and present at the scene when Nina Glover's body was discovered in a Dumpster in November 1994, was convicted in a 1997 strangulation murder of a prostitute and found not guilty in a second strangulation murder case despite a DNA match. He was himself murdered after being released from prison.
The four teens were identified as suspects in the apparent rape-murder of Glover, although there was no DNA match, after a fifth teen agreed to implicate them after a lengthy police interrogation. The four teens then made what the Innocence Project calls "wildly inconsistent" confessions. The fifth teen was also originally charged, but the case was dropped after his confession was determined to be inadmissible because it had been coerced.
"This is yet another very troubling case where multiple black juveniles were coerced into confessions and wrongly convicted. How many young men's lives are going to have to be destroyed before the state's attorney's office recognizes that it has a false confession epidemic on its hands?" said Josh Tepfer, of Northwestern University School of Law's Center on Wrongful Convictions of Youth, in the press release. "They need to stop interrogating young people the same way they interrogate adults."
Alvarez said the DNA match to Douglas did not necessarily establish his guilt, the Times article reported. Douglas, she said, was "the type of person that was utilizing prostitutes. He didn't kill every other prostitute he was with."
A post on the Innocence Project's Innocence Blog prior to Biebel's ruling today provides further background.
Additional coverage:
Chicago Tribune (1995): "5 Teens Charged In Beating Death"
Chicago Sun-Times: "Convictions of four men thrown out in 1994 prostitute murder"
Chicago 'Fathers' Rights' Attorney Is Representing Mom in Paternity Claim Against Justin Bieber
Va. Judge OK'd $722K Legal Fees Clawback Due to Withheld Facebook Photos and Information


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Jan Hofer (b. 1952) is the anchorman on the ARD news. He appeared on Sesamstrasse in episode 2468, where he was interviewed by Wolle about what a news anchorman does.
He further made a guest appearance as himself in Das Geheimnis der Blumenfabrik, Sesamstrasse spin-off Eine Möhre für Zwei's 2013 TV movie. During a live-broadcast of ARD news Tagesschau, Hofer gets ambushed by Wolle and Pferd, who alarm the public on their park's impending doom and make a public plea for a peaceful demonstration.
Hofer has worked on television since 1970. During his career he has hosted various shows during his career they include Showbiss ("Showbite") from 1987 to 1989, the NDR-Talkshow from 1989 to 1991 and Jazz-Musikreihe from 1990 to 1993.


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Q: My tree has a forked branch. Recently in a storm, this became split. Should I tie it up in any way to prevent further splitting?
A: Look at your tree carefully. If it is a very essential branch which has split, you could try to clean up the ripped bark and bind it into place with raffia and seal it with Treeseal. This would have to be handled like an actual graft. On the other hand, a ripped branch will be weak at this point for many years to come and it might be better to remove it completely. Clean up the wound with a sharp knife and this may then be carved into a feature of the tree. Always treat large cuts and wounds with Treeseal.


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Earlier in September, Paddy's Whiskers played a wedding ceilidh for Hollie and Matt at New Barton Barns in Wembury, Devon. Matt and Hollie booked our "duo plus caller" line up – a smaller band for a smaller space but with all the full on party energy that we bring to all our gigs.
Hollie sent us some lovely feedback:
"Matt and I would just like to say a big thank you for providing amazing entertainment on our wedding evening. Everyone said how much fun they had and how much they enjoyed the Ceilidh!
You are both such lovely people as well!
Thanks again."


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There are many different types of cars to choose from. This can seem overwhelming at first. Do you know which features you need or how to negotiate for a better price? Just follow along with the tips here, and you'll be a great car shopper.
Before you visit a dealership, view your car loan on the Internet. A big reason why the process of buying a car takes a long time is because they have to run your credit and find a lender. It will be much quicker if you have a loan ready.
Find out about the different warranties that are available. You do not want to spend a couple thousand dollars on a warranty that is not going to cover the repairs that commonly occur. Instead, shop outside of the dealership to find one that will cover the repairs at a better price.
When you haggle, do not focus on the monthly payments, but on the total purchase price at the end of the terms. Dealers are able to get any car into a particular monthly payment level, but the terms of the financing end up making the overall cost quite a bit higher than you may have thought. Rather, concentrate on getting the lowest overall cost for the car. Then you can figure out what the monthly payment you can afford is.
Make a wish list of cars that you are interested in. You have seen many cars in advertisements and on the road. It should be easy for you to build a solid list of vehicles that would suit your style. You can add a couple of dream cars that seem out of your range; however, be realistic about what you can afford.
Have a budget in mind before you go car shopping. This involves assessing your monthly income and bills, and having a clear understanding of how much you can really afford to add to those. Doing this will help you to stay in budget when you make your new car purchase.
When you are considering buying a used car, always have your mechanic check it out first. You are not a qualified mechanic trained to spot problems or repairs, so you need to take it to a professional. Be prepared to pay $100 or so for this service, but it may end up saving you thousands.
Before you even walk out the door to go to the different dealerships to search for an automobile to purchase, do your homework. If you have a specific car make and model that you are considering buying, do some background research. Have there been numerous recalls for this vehicle. What do current and former owners of this make and model say about their automobile?
Before buying a car, consider the cost of insurance. If you are financing the car, you will probably need comprehensive coverage, in addition to liability protection. Some cars cost significantly more to insure than others. Avoid any surprises by asking your insurance company for a quote before you sign any paperwork.
Now you will be educated as to some do's and don'ts of car shopping. You just have to get busy and do your homework. Use this article's tips to make sure you're comfortable with the car before you purchase it.


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When elderberry season is here I want to make ALL the elderberry things. Elderberry syrup is a standard every year for keeping our immune system healthy. Some years if I have a large elderberry haul I'll made elderberry mead or elderberry soda. But this year I wanted something a little more simple. Ever since I made my fermented honey garlic and fermented honey cranberries I've been wanting to do more honey ferments because they are so easy and fun to do, plus have tons of medicinal benefits. So the first thing that came to mind was to make fermented elderberry honey!
But before we get to this amazing fermented elderberry honey recipe, I have some exciting news! My book, Healing Herbal Infusions, is available right now! It includes all types of infusion recipes including a few honey ferments similar to this one. Woo hoo!
Elderberry Benefits
Why would you want to ferment elderberries in honey?
Elderberries are antiviral and antioxidant making them a powerful stimulant for the immune system. They are best used when you know that you've been exposed or at the first onset of a cold or flu. Elderberry can reduce the duration of illness considerably and also helps with coughs and congestion.
Raw honey also has medicinal benefits on its own, and when it's fermented it gives you even more beneficial bacteria that will help to prevent sickness.
Elderberry Safety
Elderberries are easy to forage for and grow in many locations. They have become very popular in recent years due to their immune boosting potential.
It's important to remember that elderberry stems, leaves, and unripe berries are toxic. Be sure to remove all of those before making this recipe. The easiest way to remove the berries from their stems is to freeze the clusters whole, then once they are frozen the berries pop right off.
Red elderberries should not be used in this recipe, as they are toxic when raw.
Black and blue elderberries sometimes have a tiny amount of toxicity when raw, mainly in the seeds, which can cause stomach upset in some people.
The fermentation process in this recipe removes any small amount of toxicity that may be there. Out of an abundance of caution I recommend straining out the berries before consuming the fermented elderberry honey.
Fermented Elderberry Honey Recipe
The moisture content in fresh elderberries when combined with raw honey, along with the natural yeast that is present on the surface, will create an environment that is perfect for fermentation.
Simply combine fresh elderberries in jar with raw honey.
Cap it with a lid (use parchment paper in between if you are using a metal lid) and turn it over for 30 minutes or so to coat all of the elderberries with honey.
Then turn upright and loosen the lid a bit to let fermentation gases escape. Let it ferment in an out of the way spot and in 2-3 days you should start to notice some bubbles forming. It helps to tighten the lid and turn the jar for the first few days, just remember to re-loosen the lid afterward.
After a few weeks you will really start to see a lot of bubbles! At this point it is ready to use. Strain out the elderberries before consuming.
Using Dried Elderberries
You can use dried elderberries instead of fresh if you would like, but they will need to be rehydrated in water before combining with the honey. Otherwise it's just an elderberry infused honey, which is also beneficial and nice, but not fermented. My favorite place to get organic dried elderberries is Mountain Rose Herbs.
Let me just say this: this fermented elderberry honey is so delicious! It definitely does not taste like medicine, more like something that you would put on top of ice cream. Yum!
I love combining all of my favorite things like this. Take a foraged ingredient like elderberries and fermenting it into delicious tasting herbal medicine! Elderberries are such an important part of anyone's herbal apothecary, and this is probably my new favorite way to use them
This is one recipe that you will definitely have to try this season – trust me!
Oh, and don't forget to take a look at my new book, Healing Herbal Infusions!
Elderberry Recipes
Show your immune system some extra love and discover your favorite way to enjoy elderberries!
- How to Forage for Elderberry
- Elderberry Soda
- Immune Boosting Elderberry Tea
- Elderberry Echinacea Tincture
- Elderberry Mead
Fermented Elderberry Honey
- 1 cup fresh black or blue elderberries (do not use red elderberries)
- 1-1.5 cups raw honey
- Put the elderberries into a pint sized mason jar, then add the honey to cover the berries leaving at least an inch of head space at the top of the jar.
- Cap the jar with a plastic storage lid or use a piece of parchment paper underneath the metal lid. Invert the jar for about 30 minutes or longer to make sure that all of the elderberries are coated with honey.
- Turn the jar upright again. After the elderberries and honey have settled and all of the air bubbles are gone you may need to add a bit more honey to cover the berries.
- Loosen the lid to allow air to escape during fermentation and place the jar somewhere out of the way. For the first 2-3 days it is helpful to invert the jar daily then turn it upright again. Be sure to tighten the lid before inverting then loosen again once upright.
- Within about 2-3 days (could be longer in cooler temperatures) you should begin to see small bubbles on the surface and the honey will be noticeably runnier.
- After one or two weeks you will see a lot of bubbles! Give it a stir now and then and it will really bubble up. The honey is ready at any point after this and will continue to slowly ferment for weeks and months.
- Strain out the elderberries before consuming.
- Take a spoonful two to three times per day when you feel a sickness coming on to shorten the duration of a cold or flu.
- You can use dried elderberries instead of fresh if you would like, but they will need to be rehydrated in water first before combining with the honey.
- Serving: Take a spoonful two to three times per day when you feel a sickness coming on to shorten the duration of a cold or flu.


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Well, tonight is New Years Eve according to the western calendar and that means that we are celebrating the last new years celebration of the year. In a couple of weeks will be Chinese New Year, which is our families first New Years of the year. If being a Multicultural Secular Humanist means anything it means that you spend an awful lot of time celebrating the New Year!
But, in all honesty I am so very glad that 2011 is walking its way down the hall. This whole year was kind of a wash. Full of pain for myself, my family and many of the people who I love. Just thinking about where I was on this day last year and tracing the days from there until now is an exercise in sadness. For fuck's sake, Scott Weiland put out a Christmas album!
Though, sitting here now typing these words I am in a good place. The end of this year has pulled itself together and has given me the breathing room to limp my way across the finish line. I am so thankful for my wife and son for getting me through this year. We definitely needed each other this year. I also want to apologize to and thank everybody who dealt with my various and frequent mental breakdowns on various social networks. Especially my twiggas on the Twitter. You guys had to go through a lot with me this year. 2012 will be better, I promise.
The one truly great moment of 2011 was my anniversary. Ten years with the most amazing supportive woman ever devised by nature! I say it all the time, by I entirely mean it. I don't think that I would have made it to here and now without her.
And now is the time that I am supposed to put out my lists of Best Of 2011's. Unfortunately, I don't have lists ready. I read a lot of books this year, but I only read two and a half that were actually published in 2011. I only went to see a couple of movies, and didn't keep up with what was going on with the films that I didn't see. But, I did listen to and buy a whole heap of music! That's a list that I can do. So without further ado, I give you my list of the best albums of 2011 (in alphabetical order):
01) The Brandt Brauer Frick Ensemble – Mr. Machine
02) David Lynch – Crazy Clown Time
03) Dolly Parton – Better Day
04) Gillian Welch – The Harrow & The Harvest
05) James Blake – James Blake
06) John Maus – We Must Become the Pitiless Censors of Ourselves
07) Micronaut – Transformer or Particulate (I couldn't pick between the two, but since they are EPs just get both)
08) ohGr – unDeveloped
09) PJ Harvey – Let England Shake
10) The Roots – Undun
They're all great, but if I had to pick two I'd go with the PJ Harvey and the David Lynch record. The Gillian Welch or the Dolly Parton would be a close second choice for those that don't like Lynch or Harvey.
If you have Spotify you can listen to my Best Of 2011 playlist. Unfortunately Spotify doesn't have the Gillian Welch record.
Well, everyone over at the house is getting more and more unhappy with me blogging instead of hanging out, so I will wish everybody a Happy New Year and leave you with some holiday well wishes from Greg and Donny:
Good Night! I love you all! See yinz in 2012!


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Happy Monday everyone! For today's blog post, I'll be sharing Zack's OOTD for school last week. :) As I have shared in my Instagram account, Zack started school last week. Initially, we wanted to enroll him in a Nursery class but the teacher thinks that he's not yet ready for the level. Luckily, we were able to find a progressive preschool that offers toddler classes and they were still able to accommodate Zack despite the late enrollment.
Honestly, I have not previously done any preparations when it comes to Zack's schooling. It was only when Zack was already enrolled did I found out more about progressive schooling. After doing my research, I was able to figure out how fit such type of learning is for my little boy. I felt like the number of students in a traditional school would hinder his learning. And I love how they were taught to be independent in his current school. Whereas with the trad school where we previously inquired from, their lessons are limited to what the school curriculum prescribes.
|Top - Cars, Shorts - Grizzly, Shoes - Creme from Budget Fit
Anyway since there were no uniforms available yet, Zack has been wearing civilian clothing for the past week. Expect more of Zack's outfit posts in the coming days because I always take his picture before he leaves home. Most of the time, it annoys him. But I can't help but document his progress and he's just too cute to miss a photo shoot!
For this outfit post, I had him wear this candy-colored Lightning McQueen shirt which he got as a gift. I though it was still small for him. It turned out to be just right for him. It has loud colors but I I feel like this kid was able to pull it off well. Finally I was able to take note of the name of the store where we got the shoes he is wearing for only P150. It's called Budget Fit and is located at the 2nd floor of Ayala Fairview Terraces Mall. And oh please don't mind the wafer sticks! He love them to bits! ;)
Hope you like this kiddie outfit post!
XO, Mish


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Intro to SLS: Student Leadership in Sustainability and how to bring it into my classroom
September 22nd, 4pm - 5:30pm
Here's an opportunity to investigate leading edge curricular and pedagogical tools to engage student inquiry, both in and outside the classroom, on environmental sustainability. In this workshop you will gain a greater awareness of what SLS: Student Leadership in Sustainability is and how it is used and discuss some of the 21st century pedagogies behind the program design.
This is a great introductory workshop that will give you ideas on things you can incorporate SLS into your classroom and help you decide whether this program is a fit for you and/or your school. This workshop is also useful for any returning teachers wanting a refresher, as we will also discuss the various tools available and different ways of using them providing a greater understanding of the breathe that SLS offers.
SLS is offered in French Immersion (LEDD) and Distance/Distributed Learning versions as well; this workshop is appropriate for all versions but will focus on the Blended English version.


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It's only fair: in the past few years, women have stolen boyfriends' jeans, watches and tuxedos, so we can't blame men for grabbing a traditional female adornment – the brooch – in return. Worn on a jacket lapel in the evening, on the daytime tux, as seen at Dolce & Gabbana's tailoring show in Milan, or – as Karl Lagerfeld does – on a wide silk tie or cravat, the carefully considered, perfectly positioned brooch takes on a whole new sophistication, masculinity and modernity.
Elton John often wears an opulent Chopard high-jewellery creation – a colossal South Sea pearl surrounded by pink sapphires and diamonds. David Beckham wears a discreet gem-set ship's wheel or crown motif. But it is Pharrell Williams who set the seal on the man-brooch trend, when he stepped onto the red carpet at this year's Oscars. Wearing top-to-toe Chanel – including a long, layered black and silver necklace and Pluie de Camélia brooch (price on request), fizzing with diamonds and pearls, from its fine-jewellery collection – he gave the brooch, often considered old-fashioned, staid and stately, instant style credibility. Our own Sharpener columnist, Tom Stubbs, who thought the look was "brilliant", believes the brooch "could be a move to raise the black-tie formula a couple of notches while dropping the tie and pushing the evening envelope".
Maybe the rise of men-in-brooches is part of today's gender fluidity, but it seems the wider appeal lies more in its versatility and powers of expression. As a brooch doesn't have to fit or sit on any particular body part, it gives designers the greatest freedom of all jewellery forms: they can let their imaginations run wild and serve up an endless feast of ornamental forms, materials, themes and motifs.
Dolce & Gabbana has drawn on 19th-century references and the traditional button to create a lapel jewel specifically for men – a cross between a brooch and a Victorian stick pin. It focuses on lusciously three-dimensional stylised flowers, one finely crafted in emeralds and diamonds (about £6,785), another in shades of orange and brown quartz, madera, smoky quartz and citrines. It's a brooch that not only enables men to dip into the glamour of high jewellery – it also offers the opportunity to flaunt individual style and indulge in measured flamboyance or a touch of eccentricity.
At April's Chaumet World event at the Rosewood hotel in Beijing, the Chinese "influencer" Zhang Yixing (known as Lay) showed how it's done, wearing a naturalistic gold and diamond ear-of-wheat Moissons sous le Vent brooch (price on request) to dramatic effect. The Culachy collection by recently launched brand Jorie also looks to nature to make an impression. Its stag skull brooch (£19,950), composed of deer tusks – collected from founder Jorie Grassie's estate and those of her neighbours in Scotland – and set in rose and yellow gold, with a smothering of diamonds, is satisfyingly masculine but unapologetically glamorous.
Adrian Sassoon, a dealer in contemporary art and antique porcelain, who represents the Italian artist-goldsmith Giovanni Corvaja, refers to the male brooch as lapel art. Corvaja agrees: "Art should not be limited to the home; a beautiful brooch can enliven a classic dinner jacket, converting it instantly to red‑carpet glamour. I enjoy working with metals of different colours to create movement, transparency and lightness in a piece that can look fabulous on a man or woman." Corvaja's masterful abstract compositions (Circular brooch, £44,500) of enamel and impossibly fine threads of gold, platinum, silver and other metals make just the right statement, combining contemporary conceptual art with awe-inspiring technique.
Designer-jeweller Cora Sheibani also takes an art-inspired conceptual approach, but with a childlike wit and charm that speaks volumes on a lapel. She recently sold a set of her stylised gold bird pins (from £300), a flock in flight, to a female client as a gift for her husband. Her Clouds with a Silver Lining would definitely appeal to men, especially the set of small, blackened-silver clouds (from £10,000) – either worn alone or as a trio – each dripping white diamond droplets.
The style and traditions of the lavishly bejewelled maharajahs live on in men's jewellery in India, and there's a distinctly romantic Indian flavour to the brooches trend. Sameer Lilani, director of UK, Middle East and Europe for Indian jeweller Amrapali, has observed more men buying and wearing brooches, and also women purchasing them as gifts for the men in their lives, especially as a replacement for the formal necktie. "Men are now more confident about wearing jewellery, and a brooch on a blazer lapel is a relatively subtle way to express individuality," says Lilani. Amrapali's contemporary Indian vibe, channelled through palm-shaped motifs, carved emeralds and misty, flat-cut so-called "polki" diamonds, works particularly well for men's brooches (£16,500). The traditional turban ornament, with its upstanding feather motif, is, he says, the perfect shape for a lapel: it's exotic, eye-catching and imperious – a conversation piece.
Brooches have also begun to creep back into major high-jewellery collections. Chanel's marine-themed Flying Cloud collection, named after a yacht owned by Gabrielle Chanel's lover the Duke of Westminster, boasts two man-friendly brooches (price on request): Summer Cruise, a rectangular diamond plaque with a sapphire stripe and a single yellow diamond "sun", and the diamond-set Yachting Day, a more figurative design with a rope looped around an anchor and a sailor's star-shaped tattoo. Meanwhile, in Chopard's high-jewellery collection, designed in collaboration with Chinese couturier Guo Pei, a luscious sapphire- and ceramic-encrusted, titanium-set butterfly brooch (price on request) steals the show; a rhapsody in blue, it looks set to wing its way onto a red-carpet lapel.
Jewellers such as Alisa Moussaieff in London or Michelle Ong of Carnet in Hong Kong have a fervent belief in the beauty of the brooch. Of the growing popularity of styles worn on lapels and ties, Moussaieff says, "Skulls used to be all the rage, but now I find animals are popular, as well as geometric designs, pins with initials or emblems, like cars and boats – and, of course, single natural pearls or other precious stones". She suggests a dynamic, stylised floral spray of aquamarines and diamonds or the Twist brooch (both price on request), which has carved rose-quartz leaves that twist to reveal either lavish rubellite cabochons or more restrained diamond petals.
Ong's devoted clients include many men who collect her fantasy brooches (from £6,000) – dragons, flowers or floating clouds – as well as couples who share them. "I like the brooch for men in the right proportion and for the correct occasion – usually on the lapel, and slightly lower than for women," she says. "I've created pieces in diamonds, and in multi-gemstones, that perfectly accessorise black-tie or fashion-forward evening attire." Her recommendations include the Arabesque brooch (£150,000), its openwork swirls and curls traced in brown diamonds; the sculptural Bud (£26,000), referencing the classic flower buttonhole, pavéd in white and black diamonds, with an intense sapphire flower centre, set in white gold and titanium; or, for more discreet tastes, the art-deco-inspired diamond Tulip jabot pin (£150,000).
Among this vast and varied panoply of designs and motifs, a few themes stand out. Stylised flowers, for classic elegance, such as Van Cleef & Arpels' Rose de Noël (from £14,200), in white or grey mother-of-pearl, or – new to the collection – carnelian and lapis lazuli. Insects and arachnids always seem both sharp and provocative: perhaps a vintage-looking diamond spider (SFr8,000, about £6,460) from Margaret, a private jeweller in Geneva, or the smooth, gold-carapaced, black-legged beetle (£8,500) that Shaun Leane wears on his jacket lapel. Other animals also stand out, especially those with charisma – see Van Cleef & Arpels' L'Arche de Noé collection of pairs of creatures (price on request) – or talismanic pieces, such as Elizabeth Gage's noble gold brooches (Archibald pin, £24,300), sometimes designed around an ancient animalier bronze. Finally, geometric forms: bold compositions such as Boucheron's stunning black and white diamond Plissé brooch (price on request), a witty riff on the bow tie; or, combining two themes, the house's Arctique brooch (price on request) featuring a polar bear lumbering along the top of an oblong of faceted rock crystal, framed in diamonds, which is cool enough to break the ice at any party.


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NIRI Seattle and NIRI Virtual Webinar:
"Next Generation Surveillance – Turning Intelligence Into Actionable Insight"
DATE: Tuesday, October 25, 2016
TIME: 9:00 am – 10:00 am PT
IMPORTANT NOTE: NIRI Seattle is making these programs available to all current dues-paying members only. To register for the program, it is important that you select the "Virtual Program Partner" icon under the "fee" section to ensure that you will not be charged to attend the program. Dial-In Numbers and Webinar Access Links are normally sent out to all registrants 24 -48 hours prior to the start of the program.


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You are currently browsing the monthly archive for April 2010.
Our prayers have been answered. No Stellar towers didn't receive black Chanel 1.55 handbags for everyone in the audience, however when news came in that we only have a week to wait until the long-awaited Topshop makeup range is available, we just got a little bit giddy. Topshop are to launch their makeup collection on May the 5th at the St.Stephen's Green Topshop store with an exciting four-day event, with make up artists showing customers the product and application techniques.
Topshop has always been directional, combining fashion-forward items of clothing with trend setting accessories to create an overall shopping experience. Lizzie Dawson, Topshop Designer tells us that, "'From the start we wanted to create a range that would appeal to all yet have the uniqueness customer expects from Topshop.' It will be interesting to see if they can live up to expectations with the makeup range.
So far, so good. The colours are bright and fun, the textures are gorgeously blendable, we're sold. Plus with rumours circulating that the pigment is up to MACs standard we can't contain the excitement.
The best thing about this collection seems to be the kitschy packaging, nothing less was expected. Also, prices range from €6 to €20 for a collection of 97 items in the core range and then in true Topshop style there is going to be limited edition ranges and its even rumoured celeb makeup artists collaborations.
Wowser. Over-excited? We are.
If you like your style with a pinch of ethics, like to know where your threads are coming from and make good choices when it comes to your fashion purchases then Fashion Evolution is the event for you. Organised by ethical fashion group Re-Dress, Fashion Evolution is an ethical fashion week that encourages fashionistas both inside and outside the industry to have a fresh perspective on sustainability in fashion. Running from the 4th-8th of May this is the third consecutive year for the event to take place in Dublin and sees organisations and groups from across the industry come together to promote a change.
What's in for you, you ask?
Well there's something for everyone with an interest in fashion whether it's re-hashing old clothes, to launching your own label, plus a special appearance from ethical designing superstar Katharine Hamnett.
Re-dress have kindly given us a list of some of the workshops and events below and while you're at it, check out http://www.re-dress.ie/fashionevolution.html for booking info and further details! x
Fashion Mentoring Sessions – Calling all fashion entrepreneurs, designers, photographers, stylists, students and fans of fashion. This is your chance to sit down with some of Irelands most influential industry experts and ask questions, connect and learn more about the industry. Essential for anyone pursuing a career in Fashion. Mentors include: Constance Harris, Fashion Editor of the Sunday Independent; Stylist, Aisling Farinella; Professor Angela Woods, Head of Design Faculty NCAD; Andreas Pettersson, noted fashion photographer, amongst others. Wednesday May 5th, 6.30 – 8.30pm, The Sugar Club, Leeson Street, Dublin 2. Booking is essential.
Irish Fashion Industry Conference – 'How Sustainability can Revitalise the Irish Fashion Community'. This is the only conference of it's kind in Ireland and brings together international experts in sustainability to discuss how this new way of doing business is changing the world of fashion from high-street to high-end. Places are limited and booking is essential. Tickets are priced at €40 and €20 for students.
EJF Cotton T-Shirt Exhibition – Exclusive designs from John Rocha, Alice Temperley, Christian Lacroix, Giles Deacon amongst many others encapsulate the ideals of the Environmental Justice Foundation campaign on child labour in the cotton industry. The exhibition will run from 4th – 8th May in The Greenhouse, Andrew Street, Dublin 2.
DIY Fashion Skills – Taking inspiration from Vivienne Westwood's 'Do It Yourself' manifesto, Fashion Evolution will host a week's worth of fashion workshops including Crafternoon Tea, French Knickers and Cocktails, Curious Collars amongst others showing that it's easy and fun to be sustainable where fashion is concerned.
Fashioning Entrepreneurship, an evening lecture – A panel discussion on what it means to be a fashion entrepreneur in Ireland to-day . Wednesday May, 5th,9pmDublin 2. Tickets are priced at €10. SHARP in The Sugar Club, Lesson Street.
If you want a weekend filled with fashion, style and shopping rather than rugby girls then there is only one place to head this weekend and that's the RDS. The Xpose show with all its glamour and glitz and presenters has been taken on the road once again this year. Check out our very own Stellar stand and drop by to say hi and nab your mag for half price at a €1! This year there will be fashion and beauty masterclasses held where our very own Fashion Editor, Corina Gaffey will be dishing the tips on all the latest trends. Plus as always there is the fashion show where top Irish models will strut down the catwalk.
A weekend not to be missed by any fashionista girlies.
While we all might need a bit of rescuing after the long weekend there is certain situations during the year that stress and panic hits. Whether its exam season that gets us down or going on holidays and simply boarding a plane, nerves hit people in different ways. At times like this we say, 'bring on Rescue Remedy' and don't let stress get in your way of achieving high standards and living life to the max.
Celebrating 80 years, Rescue Remedy can help to get that much needed feeling of calmness and serenity. It might not make you remember the exam answers but with a steady head, your thoughts are more relaxed and you are more likely to think straight and find a solution. Not only does the original formula now come in handy a spray bottle, it has expanded the range to Rescue Pastilles, €7.95 and Rescue Chewing Gum, €4.95 handy for on the go rescuing and easy sharing among friends.
The original formula contains natural ingredients such as Rock Rose for terror and panic, Impatiens for irritation and impatience, Clematis for inattentiveness, Star of Bethlehem for shock and Cherry Plum for irrational thoughts. Sounds like a cocktail of goodness to us. I'm feeling calmer already.
What do Africa and Dublin have in common? Well not the weather anyway that's for certain, but fashion of course.
This weekend if you're not heading away and adore fashion, Africa Dublin Fashion Weekend is being held in the RDS to showcase top African designers in Europe – but be warned stereotypes are not welcome.
Finally making the deserved leap onto the international catwalks African designers who have long been stamping the African runways will showcase their talents. Ngwenya, a Zimbabwean who has studied and worked in Ireland for the last ten years will open the show that takes place in Thomas Prior Hall, beside the RDS, bringing together the African designers.
It's been a long time coming that African designers are getting recognised for their talent on the international scene struggling previously to make a statement in the fashion realm. Ngwenya told the Sunday Business Post, ''Africa is rising in terms of fashion." South Africa is one of the most emergent fashion industries in the world, so it's no joke that there is something to be learnt from these fresh designers. Expect bright, colourful nods to African tradition rather than full-on bias khaki safari jackets, tribal headbands and leopard-prints.
The following designers are showing along with many more…Bot i Lam, Deenola, Afro-Chique, Ms Mi, Afro-Ropean, and Dieko.
Thomas Prior Hall (Beside RDS Arena), Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.
2nd, 3rd & 4th of April 2010
For more info: http://www.africafashionweekenddublin.com
With Easter weekend just one more working day away many of us will be thinking about jetting off on little last minute voyage persay. Whether it be down to grannies humble abode in Kerry, an extreme surfing trip with mates in Donegal or a sunny city break in Barcelona we all have one thing in common – what to pack for the weekend break.
The fine art of packing light is something that takes years to master and as self-confessed fashionistas in Stellar mag we would like to think that we are pretty well darned equipped to share a few tips in this area. From our backpacking days to packing up clothes for photo shoots we know what every girl needs to make her trip a light yet still fashionable one.
1. Start off with a chic bag and invest in a leather one if your budget can afford it as it will last longer and age better (like ourselves of course). Check out this tanned leather one from Accessorize, €51. Remember to pack the heavier things at the bottom with the lighter items that are more likely to crease on top.
2. Prepare your outfits before hand and bring things that will mix and match easily when you are there. A pair of jeans is a must, one blazer/jacket that will look smart in the the day and evening and the essential item, the striped tee- even though your going to Kerry you'll feel as if your on the French Riviera. This one is from River Island, €17.50.
3. Accessories are the key to simple outfits when travelling and a statement necklace or even a bright red lippy can change a little black dress from day to night. We love this turquoise and gold Angie Gooderham one from House of Fraser, €132.


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It is about time we just cut our losses and abandon the fight for a Coal Port at Cherry Point. In my opinion we have reached a point where there are so many reasons not to have the Gateway Pacific Terminal/SSA Marine Port, that continuing the fight, which is really fight between coal fired conglomerates and the Sierra Club, will only create a big lose lose situation regardless of who wins the fight.
Reasons not to have the Gateway Pacific Terminal/SSA Marine Port.
- Our coal reserve is of strategic importance.
- Coal is a raw material that we should be using to create value added items for export so the import/export balance shifts in the right direction for US companies
- Exporting coal helps China to produce goods for us to import which shifts the import/export balance in the wrong direction.
- Additional shipping terminal, whether coal or not coal will have an additional negative impact on the environment. How much or how little will be mitigated doesn't change the fact that there will be some negative impact.
- Health risks due to the transport and storage of coal in Whatcom County and beyond.
- Coal trains are a visually ugly blight on the look and feel of Bellingham.
- Coal trains will add to much noise to the local environment
- Taxpayers will be stuck with the financial impact of transportation upgrades due all aspects of the port.
- Cancer rates in Whatcom will go up.
- Long wait times at rail crossings will adversely effect business.
- Continued advancement of corporate greed and rule over the American people
- Wetlands destroyed/not fully mitigated
- Wildlife suffering
- Global warming/Global climate change due to coal burning
- etc.
- etc.
- etc.
Whether you agree with the reasons or not, they are still positions that are held by some in the community so even if they might not be legal or real to you or I, they are fit for the argument because they are real to those who believe them. This is especially so in the court of public opinion, which is currently where the coal port battle is being waged. This is not to say that there aren't good arguments for the Coal Port such as jobs, tax revenue, and just plain standing up for property rights. After all, in America if someone owns property and they are using it in a legal manner, then they have the right to do so. However in America you also have the legal right to step off a curb into the crosswalk when the Walk signal appears, but doing so in front of a red-light running MAC truck is still stupid. You can make a stand for what is right, but the game always ends the same way, MAC truck 1 – Pedestrian 0
The Sierra Club is that red-light running MAC truck with a no coal goal and they don't seem to care what laws are broken and who is run over as long as the coal is left in the ground. And like the MAC truck, it seems the Sierra club doesn't lose.
Sierra Club: Coal Victories Across the Nation!
- Power4Georgians Cancels Plans for Ben Hill Coal Plant in Georgia
- Mississippi: State Supreme Court Remands Permit for Kemper Coal Plant
- LS Power Abandons Plans for Longleaf Coal Plant in Georgia
- Michigan: Consumers Energy Abandons Plans for Coal Plant in Bay City
- Proposed Ohio Coal-to-Liquid Refinery Dead
- Minnesota: Public Utilities Commission Cancels Plans to Convert Steam Boiler to Coal
- Arkansas: Eighth Circuit Upholds Preliminary Injunction Against Turk Coal Plant
- Georgia: Court Remands Air Permit for Longleaf Coal Plant
- West Virginia Air Quality Board Remands Air Permit for Coal-to-Liquids Plant
- 150! Plans for 150 New Coal Plants Scrapped: Transition to Clean Energy Picks Up Steam
- Georgia Judge Rejects Air Permit for Proposed Coal Plant in Washington County
- Texas: Fifth Circuit Rules Sandy Creek Coal Plant is Violating the Clean Air Act
- East Kentucky Power Cooperative Agrees to Halt Plans for Smith Coal Plants
- Arkansas: Federal Judge Orders SWEPCO to Stop Construction on Turk Coal Plant Site
- ODEC Delays Plans to Build Massive Coal Plant in Virginia
- Michigan Denies Air Permit for Holland's Proposed Coal Plant
- Kentucky Sends Cash Creek Water Permit Back to Drawing Board
- Michigan Denies Air Permit for Wolverine's Proposed Coal Plant
- Arkansas Supreme Court Invalidates Permit for Turk Plant
- Toquop Coal Plant Abandoned in Favor of Cleaner Natural Gas and Solar in Nevada!
- NRG Officially Abandons its Plans to Expand the Big Cajun II Plant in Louisiana!
- Seminole Electric Cooperative Abandons Plans for Massive Coal-Fired Power Plant
- Eastman Chemical Co. Drops Plans for Coal Gasification Plant in Texas
- AMP Abandons Proposed AMP Generating Station in Meigs County, Ohio!
- Utilities Pull Plug on Big Stone II Coal Plant Project
- EPA Remands Air Permit for Desert Rock Plant
- Otter Tail Pulls Out of Big Stone II Coal Plant Project
- Michigan Public Service Commission Rules State does not Need New Coal-Fired Power
- South Carolina: Santee Cooper Cancels Plans for 600 MW Power Plant
- 100th Coal Plant Defeated!
- Arkansas Appeals Court Rejects Permit for Turk Plant
- LS Power Cancels Plan to Build 750 MW Coal Plant in Michigan
- EPA Seeks Remand of Desert Rock Power Plant Permit
- Louisiana: Entergy Puts Little Gypsy Project on Hold for At Least Three Years
- Iowa: Alliant Energy Drops Plans to Build Marshalltown Coal-Fired Plant
- Nevada: LS Power "Indefinitely Postpones" the White Pine Energy Station!
- Northern Michigan University's Air Permit is Remanded Back to MDEQ to Consider CO2 Emissions
- Oklahoma: Shady Point II Plant Dropped. Two is too many!
- Nevada: Ely Energy Center "indefinitely postponed"!
- Montana: Southern Montana Electric Opts for Clean Energy, Abandons Highwood Coal Plant
- Wisconsin: Climate and Costs Force Commission to Deny Plants' Documents
- Illinois: Sierra Club Wins Long Fight Against EnviroPower Plant!
- Oklahoma: Another Plant Loses in Court
- Georgia: Judge Rules Coal Plant Must Regulate Global Warming Emissions
- Kansas: Yet Another Major Victory Against Holcomb Coal Plant
- North Dakota: Company Suspends Efforts to Build Gascoyne 500 Coal Plant
- Missouri: Proposed Norborne Plant Put on Hold
- Utah and Wyoming: PacifiCorp Pulls the Plug on Western Coal Plants
- Washington: Proposed Coal Plant Put on Hold
- Iowa: Sate Regulators Rule Against Coal Plant Application
- Oklahoma: State Regulators Rule Against Coal Plant Application
- Arizona: Community Succeeds in Preventing New Coal Plant
- Florida: Another One Bites the Dust
- Kentucky: Court Says No to Peabody Coal
- Florida: On a Roll Against Coal
- Florida: In Landmark Decision, Florida Pulls the Plug on Massive Coal-Fired Plant Proposal
- Missouri: Sierra Club and Utility Agree to Landmark Global Warming Plan
- Texas: TXU Cancels Plans for 8 of 11 Proposed Coal-Fired Plants
- Illinois: Major Clean Air Victory in Chicago
- Illinois: Historic Settlement with Springfield Utility
- Michigan: Community Succeeds in Keeping Polluting Coal Plant Out
Because we live in a world currently powered primarily by fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas and oil, and because a good portion of the suppliers of crude oil are unstable and openly hostile towards our nation, I consider all U.S. fossil fuels to be strategic reserves. If and/or when the Middle East becomes too unstable or radioactive to supply us with oil, I for one, would like to still be sitting on a large pile of coal. Our national leaders haven't come to this realization yet, and started addressing it with legislation, but they will. I am firmly opposed to this Coal Port proposal because the primary customer for the coal is not within our nation, it is China. Run a coal train right out to Cherry Point on their way to Alaska, Oregon, California and I'll happy wave to them as they rumble by, but don't ship US coal to a foreign nation.
I'm not opposed though to burning fossil fuels of all types, however I'd be stupid, as would anyone, to turn a blind eye to the Sierra Club's record in opposition to coal and other fossil fuels. Given their record who would bet against them? Perhaps someone with a lot of money? Maybe, but even money won't guarantee a Coal Port when Sierra Club, with plenty of financial and government support, has been placing even more emphasis on coal over the last few years.
But what if the unimaginable happens and Coal Port proponents do manage to squeak out a victory? Well it would have come at a large financial cost to Whatcom County and Bellingham. The battles would have also created a much stronger, more motivated, more cohesive green socialist group in the Bellingham area and in spite of the Coal Port being built, the anti-coal groups will likely have used anti-coal sentiments to help pass things like the Bellingham Community Bill of Rights and more stringent land use regulations. We'd have a coal port, but also a much more greatly divide social climate and a much more unfriendly business environment.
There isn't a win anywhere in the future so it is time to take a hard pragmatic look at the lose-lose situation and cut our losses. Time to have the County Council just say no to the port and all the expenses involved with the battle.


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Simon Barnett is taking extended leave from his hosting role on More FM Breakfast to care for his wife Jodi, after she was admitted to hospital on Sunday.
She has since been diagnosed with two lesions on the brain which are operable and the doctors are positive about her outlook.
Jodi will remain in hospital to receive treatment with an operation in 10-12 days. Simon will be on extended leave to support Jodi and his family through this very difficult time.
JMac will cover for Si, with Lana joining Gary, Sam, Bondy & Speedy as planned on the 14th May.
We're wishing a fast recovery for Jodi, and keeping her, Si, and the rest of Barnett family in our thoughts and prayers.


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Our roofing company proudly servces Houston and a 50 mile radius of its surrounding areas. Find out what we can do for you when you contact us today!


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Request access to a user's calendar data through the event store.
- Bundle Resources
Your app must obtain permission from the user before accessing the calendar database: an app must never directly modify the calendar database on its own.
EKEvent is the application's point of contact for accessing calendar and reminder data.
Connect to the Event Store
To receive event data in iOS, you must request access to an entity type after initializing the event store with
Connect to the event store with the following initializer:
Releasing an event store instance before other EventKit objects may result in an error.
Protect User Privacy with Info.plist Keys
An iOS app linked on or after iOS 10.0 must include in its Info.plist file the usage description keys for the types of data it needs to access. To access the user's calendar events, reminders, and contacts through EventKitUI, you need to include descriptions for:
The EventKitUI framework may need to access Contacts data to choose the correct display name or avatar for a contact in a calendar.
Because these keys provide access to the event store, they protect the user's privacy by only allowing access to this information if the user grants permission explicitly in the app.
To access the user's Calendar data, all sandboxed macOS apps must include the
com key.


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Afilias announced today that Afilias Australia Pvt. Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary located in Melbourne, has been chosen by .au Domain Administration Limited (auDA) to provide registry services in support of Australia's .AU country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) beginning July 1, 2018. The selection is the culmination of a careful, public Request for Tender process kicked off by auDA on September 1, 2017. Afilias was selected from a wide range of applicants from all over the world.
The selection of Afilias will help fulfill the goals of auDA's Registry Transformation Project, which aims to further enhance community trust in the .au domain by ensuring the reliability and security of operations as well as the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data. The project also promotes the development of data analytics capabilities within auDA to support compliance and policy development. Technical specifications for the new registry contract were developed in consultation with auDA accredited registrars and the wider Australian internet community and will deliver even higher levels of security and reliability going forward.
Under the agreement, Afilias will establish both primary and back-up registry operations in Australia. Afilias will move its office to Melbourne and expand staffing to both enable 24x7 service to registrars and provide resources to work closely with auDA to further develop the .au namespace. John Kane, Afilias' Vice President, Corporate Services, will be leading Afilias' Australian operations from Melbourne.
According to auDA CEO Cameron Boardman, "Afilias impressed us with the thoroughness of their proposal, their clear understanding of the challenges of both a transition of this magnitude and the daily operations, and their track record of partnership in support of the TLDs in their care. We look forward to working with them."
Afilias' CEO Hal Lubsen added "Afilias is proud to be trusted with stewardship of the .AU TLD. We are committed to working with Cameron and his team to deliver a smooth transition for registrars and registrants and to support .AU names with a new dedication to reliability and security."
Afilias already supports 13 other ccTLDs, including .IN (India), which grew from a few thousand names to over 2M names.
Sponsored byAfilias
Sponsored byAppdetex
Sponsored byVerisign
Sponsored byVerisign
Sponsored byThreat Intelligence Platform
Sponsored byAfilias
Sponsored byWhoisXML API


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On May 19, 2014, I traveled to the Dominican Republic to embark on a wonderful mission. Through the assistance of Dr. David Addison and his organization, Seven Elements, I was able to explore the topic of Free Trade Zones. More specifically, I explored the connection in the Dominican government's ability to enforce labor laws within Free Trade Zones. Seven Elements, or 7e, is an organization in which individuals travel to the Dominican Republic to focus on specific research topics and projects pertaining to issues that are prevalent in the Dominican Republic.
Upon my arrival, I delved into the topic of Free Trade Zones and Dominican labor law. I started with researching the history of Free Trade Zones and their prevalence internationally. This was great background for analyzing the Free Trade Zones, especially in further scrutinizing the adherence to the labor laws by private companies conducting business within Free Trade Zones in the Dominican Republic. I gathered data from the National Free Trade Zone Council to further investigate the economic presence of Free Trade Zones in the Dominican Republic and reported my findings to Dr. Addison in our weekly meetings.
The highlights of my trip were my two interviews with lawyers that are friends of Dr. Addison. One of my interviewees was Marta, a retired lawyer who practiced law in the Dominican Republic for over 30 years. Her wealth of experience with politics and social activism has shaped her perspective of the Dominican law and inspired her passion for recognizing the rights of employees. She is a strong opponent of Free Trade Zones because of the negative socioeconomic and sociopolitical effects that she believes have resulted out of their presence. When I asked her about the Dominican labor laws and how they apply in the Free Trade Zones, she noted that the laws are in place and are enforced to some extent, but corruption prevents the system from ever developing. She believes that the most work needs to be done in regards to unionization, worker's rights, and setting national labor standards.
My interview with Marta made me think to a class discussion in my labor law class. In Professor Lieberwitz's class, we discussed the National Labor Relations Act and how private corporations are obligated to treat employees fairly in respect to the law. The key difference is that in the U.S., if there is a dispute, the workers can take legal action. In the Dominican Republic, when workers begin to unionize and request collective bargaining agreements, it often ends violently, which discourages workers from voicing their complaints. Through my studies in the Dominican Republic as well as Cornell, it is easy to see that the culture of a country deeply affects the law and how the law is interpreted and applied.
Overall, my experience researching with 7e was unforgettable. I learned so much more about Free Trade Zones, international politics, economics, labor and I even got some language immersion as well. Most importantly, I learned more about the different life experiences that people have and how our perception of equality and justice is so different in America compared to that of other countries. I strongly believe that international experiences are imperative for Americans because they provide perspective, which is something that extends much deeper than academics. I am forever grateful for the ILR Travel Grant, because without it, I wouldn't have been able to capitalize on an opportunity such as this.


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Make a claim now by calling 0800 808 9740 or
Whiplash claims have increased by 25% in the last five years, totalling six times the number of workplace injury claims, according to a new report from the Association of British Insurers (ABI). In 2007 over 430,000 people made a whiplash claim, resulting in compensation payments of nearly £2bn.
Whiplash accounts for 20% of the typical car insurance premium, £66 on average. The report warns that business productivity can suffer when employees take time off to recover from whiplash. It encourages employers to have driving at work policies that include information about safe following distances.
Tailgating is one of the factors behind the rise in claims. It can take up to two years to resolve a personal injury claim. Government proposals to improve this situation include early notification of claims, early admission of liability and reduced timelines for response between parties.
WHIPLASH IN NUMBERS (Source: ABI)
If you have suffered from a Whiplash injury then you should contact a personal injury lawyer today.
Contact or call us for free on 0800 808 9740 and speak with our team of injury lawyers.
We'll talk through the details of your claim over the phone, and then advise further!
If we think you've got a valid claim, we'll take care of everything else – quick & easy!
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The Council of Rural Research and Development Corporations meets twice a year, usually in March and September. The most recent meeting was held on Monday 6 March 2017.
Council Chair
Council unanimously elected MLA Chair Dr Michele Allan to be Chair of the Council of Rural RDCs for the next term. A term for the Chair of the Council is two years, subject to annual reconfirmation. Council declined to appoint a Deputy Chair at this time.
Executive Committee
Council has agreed to form an Executive Committee that will have responsibility for overseeing and supporting implementation of the Council's strategy. The Executive Committee will involve the Chair of the Council plus three CEOs, each of who have responsibility for one area of activity for the Council across collaboration and partnerships, impact assessment and performance, and stakeholder engagement and communications. The three CEOs confirmed into these roles are Mr Bruce Finney (Cotton) for collaboration, Dr Patrick Hone (Fisheries) for impact assessment and Mr Ian Halliday (Dairy) for stakeholder engagement and communications. The first tasks for the new Executive Committee include developing a workplan and budget for implementation in 2017-18, and initiating a project to develop a longer-term vision for the agricultural innovation sector (see next item).
Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources
The Council was pleased to welcome the Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Senator. The Hon. Anne Ruston to the meeting. Senator Ruston urged to RDCs to think about their role within the agricultural sector, including their relationship with industry peak (advocacy) bodies. She also encouraged the RDCs to prepare a statement looking to the future and presenting a vision for the agricultural innovation system. Council has agreed to pursue this as a project.
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
Council was also pleased to welcome the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources Mr Daryl Quinlivan. Mr Quinlivan discussed the opportunities being presented to the rural sector through growing international economic confidence and an increasing food trade. Mr Quinlivan highlighted the genuine interest from the government for investments in innovation, and also reflected on the need for the RDCs to individually and collectively demonstrate and regularly report on performance and impact.
Engagement with the National Farmers' Federation
Council has agreed that there is a need to strengthen its relationship with the National Farmers' Federation as the peak national body representing the agricultural industry sector. NFF CEO Mr Tony Mahar gave an overview presentation and outlined the NFF's strategy and 2016-17 policy agenda. Council has agreed to continue to explore options with relationship to engagement with the NFF, based on a need to ensure the NFF and its members are well-informed on the impacts being achieved by the RDCs.
Council of Rural RDCs Backgrounder
Council endorsed a new summary information sheet which provides an overview of the RDCs and the Council for internal and external stakeholders. This summary will be uploaded to the Council website at www.ruralrdc.com.au.
Review of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity
Dr Wendy Craik and Mr David Palmer, two of the three-member panel currently undertaking a review of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity, spoke to the Council about the findings in the draft report and issues raised regarding the management of national biosecurity research priorities and cross-sectoral biosecurity RD&E priorities. Council has made a submission in response to the draft report.
Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia
Foundation CEO Mr Ben Stockwin gave a presentation to Council of the work of the Foundation and what is being achieved. A number of RDCs are current members of the Foundation, and Council acknowledged the work being done. Council agreed that the decision to support the Foundaiton through membership was one for individual RDCs to consider.
National Primary Industries RD&E Framework
Council affirmed its commitment to successful implementation of the National Primary Industries RD&E Framework. Council confirmed RDC representation to the national Research and Innovation Committee as the Cotton and Rural Industries RDCs plus Dairy Australia and Horticulture innovation Australia Limited. Council will also seek more regular updated from the R&I Committee on developments under the Framework.
Next meeting
The next meeting of the Council will be held in Canberra on Tuesday 5 September 2017. The next meeting of the RDC CEOs will be held on Tuesday 14 June 2017.


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We were thrilled to help the Royal Opera House (ROH) engage students across the country with its varied programme of events.
In collaboration with the organisation, we instituted the entirely new ROH Student Ambassador Scheme. The initiative is helping develop a loyal and dedicated team of ambassadors who, in turn, spread positive word-of-mouth, distribute marketing collateral, secure coverage with their university media, and provide access to key student areas including libraries, societies, halls of residence and relevant departments at their own universities, all the while learning more about the ROH and its productions.
In addition, the new scheme has evolved a crucial dialogue between the ROH and the student audience with selected ambassadors encouraged to talk to their peers and think of innovative ways in which the ROH develop their student offering.
The scheme was promoted to both the existing ROH student database and aka's equivalent at the start of September 2012. Following a few months of promotion, over 300 applications were received from across the UK. 25 students were shortlisted and invited to interview at the ROH, with 21 Ambassadors being appointed for the 2012/13 academic year.
The successful 21 ambassadors were invited to a Welcome event at the ROH where they were taken on a backs stage tour of the ROH, introduced to the scheme and the details of their role, and were then treated to see the Royal Ballet's Mixed Programme featuring Viscera, Infra and Fool's Paradise.
The Ambassadors will attend a number of events at the ROH throughout the year, in which they will come together with the ROH team and aka to think of new ways that the ROH can target students and learn of new initiatives that they are to promote within their campuses.
The scheme, which has been featured in The Independent, is being co-managed by the ROH and aka's Marketing Education department and there are already plans to continue the scheme with a fresh batch of ambassadors for September 2013.