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Weak manufacturing drags Singapore economy to 1.3% growth in Q1, slowest since 2009
SINGAPORE seems to have started the year off on the wrong foot, with economic flash data coming in a shade beneath market expectations in the first quarter.
Gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 1.3 per cent year on year in the first three months of 2019, according to estimates from the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) on Friday morning.
Private economists had earlier guided for 1.4 per cent GDP growth in the quarter in a Bloomberg poll.
In any case, the sluggish uptick makes this Singapore's worst-performing quarter since the height of the global financial crisis in 2009.
The quarter's growth eased from the 1.9 per cent expansion charted in the last three months of 2018, but marked a 2 per cent quarter-on-quarter increase on a seasonally adjusted basis.
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In a tale of two sectors, Singapore's manufacturing sector - which makes up about one-fifth of the economy - has slipped into negative territory after expanding every quarter since mid-2016, while construction is back in the black after 10 months of decline.
Manufacturing shrank by 1.9 per cent in the quarter, compared with an expansion of 5.1 per cent in the previous three months, with MTI noting that declining precision engineering and electronics output could not be salved by growth in biomedical manufacturing and transport engineering.
On a quarterly, seasonally adjusted basis, the contraction hit double digits to 12 per cent, much wider than the previous quarter's 2.7 per cent drop.
Joseph Incalcaterra, Asean chief economist at HSBC Bank, was not alone in anticipating further bad news on the manufacturing front from March factory numbers, saying that "negative data surprises are likely to continue over the short-term as external demand remains weak".
"Signs of stabilisation in Chinese growth will help support regional exports, but we believe manufacturing output will remain under pressure given the ongoing downward momentum in global semiconductor billings," he said.
Construction, in contrast, recovered with growth of 1.4 per cent year on year, while its quarterly expansion improved to 7.8 per cent, up from 5.1 per cent in the three months prior. The MTI said that the recovery "was supported by an improvement in private sector construction activities", although other watchers were mixed on how much of a a sustained rebound the sector will enjoy, as infrastructure projects in the pipeline may meet their match in residential property market-cooling measures.
Meanwhile, the services sector grew 2.1 per cent year on year in the first quarter, better than the 1.8 per cent growth charted in the previous quarter. It also expanded 4.8 per cent on a quarterly basis, against a 2.8 per cent improvement in the last three months of 2018.
The services growth was largely on the back of the information and communications and business services segments, according to the MTI.
Amid expectations of a modest economic growth rate, Singapore's central bank kept its Singapore dollar policy unchanged in its half-yearly statement also issued on Friday morning.
"Over the last six months, the contribution of the manufacturing sector to GDP growth has waned, reflecting the maturing of the global electronics cycle and the economic slowdown in China," the Monetary Authority of Singapore observed in its statement.
But it added that parts of the services sector - including in the financial, business services and infocomm technology industries - are expected to "continue to benefit from steady domestic demand in the region and increased investments in digitalisation".
Citi analysts Kit Wei Zheng and Ang Kai Wei seemed to agree, writing that "deceleration in trade-related clusters should be cushioned by pockets within services, on steady regional domestic demand".
Still, economists Chua Hak Bin and Lee Ju Ye from Maybank Kim Eng, expect growth to slacken in other services industries. Weaker loans growth and bourse trading could weigh on finance and insurance, while a slowdown in tourism numbers will take its toll on accommodation and food services, they suggested.
Vishnu Varathan, head of economics and strategy at Mizuho Bank, argued in a morning note that the services industries are heavily dependent on trade and manufacturing and added: "What's more, the property cooling measures dragging on related mortgage and real estate services activity has acted to dampen services activity overall."
Pointing to global trade tensions and geopolitical risks, he said: "It is premature to declare that the economy has bottomed unequivocally."
Tan Khay Boon, senior lecturer at SIM Global Education, called the outlook for the coming three months challenging as well.
"The electronics cluster is not out of the woods yet and expansions in biomedical manufacturing are highly erratic," said Dr Tan. "The turnaround in the construction sector is also not sufficient to create an upward momentum to growth.
"Growth will need to be supported by the services sector, which requires strong employment and controlled inflation to generate domestic demand."
Selena Ling, head of treasury research and strategy at OCBC Bank, raised doubts over whether a stronger end to the 2019 would be enough to make up for economic weakness in the first six months.
"Until we see a clear bottom and subsequent improvement in the China and global growth prospects, the overall picture for the Singapore economy remains cautious," she said.
Despite the doom and gloom, some economists are holding out for an upward revision - among them, Merrill Lynch's Mohamed Faiz Nagutha, who cited an improving Purchasing Managers' Index in March.
The advance GDP estimates are largely based on information from January and February, and can still be adjusted in the final print, which is scheduled to be released by May 24.
The Government has re-affirmed its previous growth forecast of between 1.5 per cent and 3.5 per cent for 2019, while leaning towards "slightly below the mid-point" of that range.
Separately, the International Monetary Fund downgraded its global growth outlook for the third time in six months on Tuesday, to a projected 3.3 per cent expansion of the world economy.
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CASA recruits, trains and supports volunteers to get to know abused or neglected children who have open court cases, and serve as the children's advocate and voice in the court system. CASA volunteers determine what's in the best interest of the child – uniquely, they consider the child's wishes and opinion – and make recommendations to the court.
The CASA volunteer helps the child to understand what is going on in the case and provides a friendly face, support, stability, and consistency for the child during legal proceedings amidst a sea of unfamiliar people – including police, doctors, child welfare workers, and lawyers. By presenting the best interests of abused and neglected children to the court, advocates help judges to make better informed and more timely decisions about children so they can be returned home or placed in a safe and permanent home as quickly as possible.
In November Community Connection spoke with the staff and volunteers of three area CASA programs: Delaware County CASA, CASA of Grant County and East Central Indiana CASA, which serves Madison and Hancock counties.
Community Connection: CASA, Episode 1 – Annette Craycraft, Executive Director/CEO of ECI CASA, and Leslie Hendricks, Executive Director of CASA of Grant County
Community Connection: CASA, Episode 2 – Annette Craycraft, Executive Director/CEO of ECI CASA, and Jeff Hansard, Director of Delaware County CASA
Community Connection: CASA, Episode 3 – Darla Couch, Coordinator for Madison County, and JoAnn Flack, volunteer in Madison County
Community Connection: CASA, Episode 4 – Darla Couch, Coordinator for Madison County; Leslie Hendricks, Executive Director for Grant County; JoAnn Flack, volunteer in Madison County
Information to connect with your local CASA program:
CASA of Grant County
904 W. 3rd Street, Suite A
Marion, Indiana 46952
(765) 664-1891
Find them on Facebook
Delaware County CASA
3812 W Kilgore Avenue
Muncie, IN 47304
(765) 747-7875
Find them on Facebook
East Central Indiana CASA
800 Main Street, Suite 302
Anderson, IN 46017
(765) 649-7215
Find them on Facebook

subset: commoncrawl


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Online game
Alfalfa's Out of the Box: Perimeter, Area, and Addition
Help Alfalfa plan her great escape in this interactive maths story that requires the most basic of escape artist skills: maths! In this exciting story full of twist, turns, and friendship, third graders can calculate area to help these two reptiles flee their confines by figuring out the area and perimeter of a rectangle. Also recommended for year five, this choose-your-own-answer adventure is a blast for any species.


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Budget Reactions 2018
Mixed reviews are emerging after Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley announced Union Budget 2018, including those from politics, industry leaders, experts.
The Budget 2018, is a push for Roti-Kapada-Kissan and the primary focus is emphasized on the healthcare sector, agriculture. Exclusive benefits are announced to the farmers and the under-privileged people of the country.
Here is the reaction of the people across different sections of the society on the current budget.
On the National Health Protection Scheme of the Government, the finance minister announced: "An amount of Rs 5,00,000 per year per family for 100 million (10 crore) families will be allocated". Jaitley added that "the scheme to have approximately 500 million (50 crore) beneficiaries".
Reacting to the National Health Protection Scheme, Bhavik Narsana, Partner, Khaitan & Co said, "The national health scheme of the government is a much needed and great initiative. This is a big positive for the healthcare and pharma industry."
Vivek Srivastava, CEO and Co-Founder of HealthCare at home said "The National Health Protection Scheme announced by the government will be the world's largest health insurance support covering ~50 crore people i.e. 40% of the Indian population. By providing Rs 5 lakh per year to poor families for secondary and tertiary care related hospitalization needs, the government has indeed taken concrete steps in reducing India's health burden".
Swadeep Srivastava, Founder and Managing Partner of India Virtual Hospital, said "We need over 6 lakh+ hospital beds to cater to our population and this shortage is more in tier II and III cities. Hence, the move to have one medical college per three constituencies and 1.5 lakh health and wellness is a welcome one. Coupled with National Medical Commission Bill 0f 2017, this can be instrumental in bridging the need gap for healthcare infrastructure and resources for the rural Indian population"
After Finance Minister announced allocation for education, Sardar Taranjit Singh, MD of JIS Group, said that "I welcome heartily the government 's plan and focus to move classroom blackboards to digital boards. I also welcome the emphasis to be given to training of untrained teachers and allocation of 1 lakh crore for education research. It's also very commendable about the plans if coming up with 24 new Medical Colleges. Also commendable is the plan of at least one medical college every three constituencies."
Milind Kothari, Managing Partner, BDO India said "True to the commitment, Smart Cities programme is progressing well, and with continued budgetary support, these cities will greatly benefit from a new ecosystem of infrastructure leveraged on the thrust of using technology as the backbone. Modernisation of Railway infrastructure, like Smart Cities, has been a compelling need and the new commitment by the FM would firmly take the Railway in this direction." on funds allocation to smart cities.
"The Finance Minister has, in his speech, laid out a powerful report card by referring to the commitments made by him with regard to the farm and consumer sectors in the earlier years and not only giving the status of the outcome of various measures but also announcing various measures to promote this key sector.
"He has reiterated the Government's promise of doubling the income of the farmers by 2022 and also announced various additional allocation and funds in this sector. With 150% increase in MSP for crops, support to organic farming, doubling the expenditure allocation to INR 1,400 crores for food processing sector, state of the art facilities to 42 food parks, liberalisation of agricultural exports, allocation of INR 10, 000 crore to fisheries, animal husbandries and related infrastructure, this budget is in true sense a Roti-Kapada and Kisaan budget.
"Perhaps for the first time, there is a special attention to the ancillary sector including infrastructure which will help the overall consumer and farm sector. The focus of these measures to ensure that the farm produce reach the ultimate consumers from the farms with maximum returns for farmers, introduction of facilities and technology leading to reduction in wastage in the sector, a boost to the fishery, aquaculture and animal husbandry sectors." said Anil Talreja, Partner Deloitte India.
Monish Panda, Founder, Monish Panda & Associates (law firm), said "The Finance Minster in his budget speech has again confirmed that the Government does not recognise crypto currency and will take all steps to stop usage and circulation of such crypto currency. This clearly indicates that the Government will now either come out with a legislative mechanism or make suitable amendment in existing legislation to ensure that dealing and trading in crypto currency is made illegal and to penalise entities and individuals who are involved in trading and circulation of crypto currency. We will have to wait and watch as to what will be final framework of such legislation, if such legislation is introduced."
"Reforms in the education sector that encourage more and more private institutions to expand or modernize to give our students a more global perspective as part of their learning process. Given that the Education Sector has seen 16% growth in the recent years, it is bound to be one of the major sectors in focus for the Budget'18".Said Lina Ashar, Founder, Kangaroo Kids Education
Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the Union Cabinet Minister of Food Processing, thanked the Finance Minister and the Prime Minister for increasing farmers income by giving 1.5 times cost incurred to farmers as MSP.


text: Jasper Red Tumbled Stone XLG [RACJASR-XLG] $2.65 https://www.ravenandcrone.com/catalog/images/red_jasper_tumbled_stone_africa_tn.jpg Red jasper is called a stone of fairness and justice because mystical lore claims that it decreases unjustness and helps in unfair situations. It is also said to enhance responsibility, choice, and compassion. Used in mystical dream work, it can enhance dream recall. It is said to assist in protection and rescue from danger. Red jasper is associated with the first and second chakras. Metaphysically, it is purported to have a stabilizing effect, and help one take all one's energy and use it in a balanced manner. It is also said to be a stone that helps in all areas of survival, and is a very protective stone. Red jasper said in gemstone lore to be a stone of controlled passion and used to help control one's own passions. Crystal healing lore says that physically it assists in healing by maintaining positive movement with all types of disorders and disease. Red Jasper is associated with the root and sacral chakras.You will receive one stone, approx size 1.25 to 1.75 inch Quantity on hand : 66 Average Review Rating : 5.00 Current Reviews: 2 Jasper Red Tumbled Stone XLG Reviews This product was added to our catalog on Sunday 09 August, 2009. Quantity: We Also Recommend : Agate Blue Lace Tumbled Stone XLG $4.30 Buy Now Agate Tree Tumbled Stone XLG $2.35 Buy Now Apache Tear Polished Stone XLG $3.20 Buy Now Aventurine Green Tumbled Stone Brazil XLG $1.99 Buy Now Aventurine Green Tumbled Stone Africa XLG $2.05 Buy Now Customers who bought this product also purchased Chrysocolla Tumbled Stone MEDIUM $3.70 Buy Now Clear Quartz Tumbled Stone SMALL $0.85 Buy Now Agate Blue Lace Tumbled Stone XLG $4.30 Buy Now Jasper Brecciated Tumbled Stone X Large $1.25 Buy Now Cobaltoan Calcite Pink Tumbled Stone SMALL $3.69 Buy Now Calcite Clear Tumbled Stone LG $4.35 Buy Now


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The World Income Inequality Database (WIID) presents information on income inequality for developed, developing, and transition countries. It provides the most comprehensive set of income inequality statistics available and can be downloaded for free.
The latest version of the WIID, released in May 2020, covers 200 countries (including historical entities), with over 11,000 data points in total. With the current version, the latest observations now reach the year 2018. The data can be downloaded here. WIID is also available in the interactive visualization tool.
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Theme: 2014-18, Inclusion


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Looking for a red hot night of erotic companionship? Heathrow escorts can make it happen. Outcall escorts will come to you and their time is cheap. Pay for their cab ride and £100 per hour and you've got yourself an extraordinarily sexy date that doesn't require any wooing or expensive
Month: May 2016
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Conditions for the radio so far may have not been the greatest but the "Expedice Viking" have been peppering the airways while on there journey. At the moment they've been through Germany, Denmark, Sweden and are now in Norway (I believe) photos are below
You can follow the progress via web links below in tinyurl format
Links 1 & 2: http://tinyurl.com/z8ssc4h http://tinyurl.com/zwk87zc
Here still trying find time to listen out for them
All Rights Reserved (c) http://www.simonthewizard.com 2013-2014-2015-2016 Unathorised Use / Or Duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog's author is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to simonthewizard and http://www.simonthewizard.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.


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text: Great night had at Canalside Sports Complex The Media team won its second successive Patrons Quiz on a competitive Thursday night meeting at Canalside Sports Complex – but it was a close run thing!The media foursome – consisting of the Examiner's Doug Thomson, Huddersfield Town's Chief Executive Nigel Clibbens, Communications Manager Dave Sykes and Designer James Lodge – won MC Paul Whiteley's annual quiz by a narrow margin, just ahead of the Club team; Andy Booth, Matt Crooks, Chris Senior and Chris Markham.The Patrons' own team finished third, just one point ahead of the four man representation from HTSA. Despite the inclement weather, a good crowd turned out for the evening, with several people walking away with spot prizes after displaying their football knowledge during breaks. There was even room for a surprise guest on the evening – Chairman Dean Hoyle attended and even posed the questions for a few rounds! JOIN THE PATRONS There are lots of benefits that come with being a HTAFC Patron, such as access to the 'An Audience With…' meetings, £5 off a home/away shirt, priority tickets and much more for only £12.50 a quarter. Join the Patrons today and receive: • A free Patrons' gift- choose from an embroidered tie, a boxed pen, cufflinks, a scarf or a brooch• A free Patrons' pin badge• Priority ticketing• Free entry into HTAFC 'An Audience With…' events• Quarterly 'Terrier' newsletters• £5 off a home or away shirt• Invitations to Club organised events throughout the season• Monthly prizesIf you are interested in becoming a Patron, you can either contact the ticket office on 01484 484123 and pay via quarterly direct debit (£12.50 per quarter) or click HERE to join the Patrons for the full season. The Patrons are running an away trip to Derby County on 2 February costing £16 which includes travel on an executive coach with pre match carvery meal included at a venue just outside of Derby. For more information or to book on to the trip, call Patrons Travel organiser Martin Lister on 01484 714287. Club News


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The Bad Luck Bride by Janna MacGregor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I love a book that can make me cry and in this book, I did several times. The author has the ability to present some scenes with and between Claire and Alex that just wring your heart.
Overall I don't like people who are users and out for revenge but family love and pain I do. This book is a mix of both and as the story progresses you see the effects of how one affects the other. For me this book was very emotional because of Claire's fears, curse and how it affects her life and ability to love. But also for Alex who is so driven by pain as to seek a horrible revenge.
Alex well he is another story. The reader will feel his pain even as he administers him revenge and you will feel a compassion for his reasons even if you do not agree. There is much about him that the reader will not admire but it is balanced for all the ways they will learn to care for him and his ways.
Throughout this book, you will read firsthand how misunderstandings occur, how love is everlasting yet can bring great pain, but mostly you will see that there is always a chance for personal growth and forgiveness.
I give this 4 STARS for showing how fears and hate can be overcome in a manner that is life changing.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
Visit my blog for more reviews: Sportochick's Musings


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Last week, as I was sat at home, I heard a loud but unfamiliar squawk outside followed by alarm calls from smaller birds. When I looked out the window I saw a starling on the ground, motionless under the tight grip of yellow talons. It was a sparrowhawk, the first I'd seen at home in two years… and I was ecstatic!
They're actually one of our more common birds of prey but for most of us they remain elusive on account of their stealthy hunting strategy. They are fast and manoeuvrable but, like a cheetah, their chase can't be sustained and they have to rely upon surprise, appearing from nowhere like a puff of smoke and often disappearing just as quickly.
'Sparrow Hawk' is however something of a misnomer, especially in my case as there are no sparrows where I stay. Sparrowhawks are known to prey on at least 120 species of bird but their preference is dictated by what's on the local menu, usually opting for the most abundant species. That's pigeons and starlings where I am, and indeed that's all I've seen the local sparrowhawks taking.
Some might find it distasteful but I do get excited when I hear the distinctive sound of a pigeon wing flapping on the floor of the barn behind the house because, unlike some birds of prey, once it has made its kill the sparrowhawk stays put and gives you time to sit and marvel at its beautiful markings, its piercing eyes and its wonderfully yellow legs. But not everyone is so happy to see them.
The little old lady
There is a stereotype that persists out there, of a sweet little old lady who puts seeds and nuts out for her cute wee birds, who sits at her living room window on a sunny afternoon and delights in watching her feathered visitors and then………BAM! In a cloud of feathers a cute wee bird is impaled on merciless talons. Said little old lady gets terribly upset. She doesn't want sparrowhawks in her garden, and I can understand why not.
Garden birds are the nearest you can get to having a pet without actually having a pet. You invest time, money and effort in feeding, observing and caring for them, so it's not surprising that it provokes an emotional response when they're taken from you by a sparrowhawk with rather graphic dining table manners.
Unlike some predators, who skulk off with their prey or who cache it for later, sparrowhawks pin their prey to the ground where it was struck, and then pluck and devour it in full view and in glorious technicolor. It's gory I'll admit, but do we invest similar emotion into the life chances of grubs and slugs that many a wee bird likes to mercilessly peck to death? Or to the surprisingly elastic earthworms that blackbirds seem to delight in stretching to breaking point as they pull them from the ground?
I've never met the little old lady stereotype and I don't know anyone else who has, so I decided to conduct one of my famously unscientific Walkhighlands surveys to see how widely her view is shared.
Survey results
I asked people on Twitter and Facebook whether sparrowhawks were welcome in their gardens. On Twitter 330 people responded and an overwhelming 94% of them said Yes. On Facebook I had 117 responses, with a similarly resounding 99% saying Yes, and many clearly relished the encounters:
"Beautiful to see sitting on the fence"
"Fascinating to watch"
"I was lucky enough to have a sparrowhawk whistle straight past my head to make a kill……The thrill of feeling its wing brush past my face and the speed of the attack took my breath away"
"Highlight of the day"
That's not to say that the Yes people didn't have divided loyalties though:
"It does sometimes feel like you've laid out of smorgasbord of wee birds that the sparrowhawk can pick off"
"Yes, but very reluctantly as they prey on my little garden birdies"
"As long as they are not eating the long tailed tits"
But despite some emotional misgivings, there was a clear endorsement of how the natural world works:
"Yes. I figure that in feeding small birds I'm feeding birds of prey too – they are all better off"
"Yes. All part of the ecosystem and the food chain"
All very encouraging, I thought, but given that prior to the poll I'd committed to writing a piece on the negative perception of sparrowhawks it did take the wind out of my sails somewhat when it wasn't borne out by people's responses. Did I still have an article to write? I decided I did, because a view undoubtedly holds sway that sparrowhawks in particular are responsible for a broader demise of our garden songbirds. Indeed the two comments of a No persuasion both had concerns about that very issue:
"No – the rise in the number of hawks has had a terrible effect on our small bird population"
"Would love to say welcome but we have many finches that visit"
It's a logical conclusion to draw and I certainly don't blame people for making it, but in some corners of the media you will see deliberate demonisation of our native predators that verges on hysteria, as this dire headline from a right-leaning rag proclaimed not so long ago:
"Do-gooders obsessed with increasing population of 'avian predators' are letting killer birds terrorise our countryside and attack our pets"
Oh those pesky do-gooders! Trying to reverse hundreds of years of persecution during which sparrowhawks were exterminated for taking game birds! Ugh, and what an imposition that they should call for an end to the use of DDT pesticides in agriculture because the toxins that were consumed by invertebrates, which were then consumed by birds, and which were then consumed by sparrowhawks, led to cumulative poisoning so severe that the shells of sparrowhawk eggs became too thin to survive in the nest. Curse those do-gooders! How dare they try to undo human folly and bring a species back from the edge of extinction!!
Rise and fall
But what of the accusation that resurgent birds of prey are terrorising the countryside? I'm not an ecologist and I make no claims to be an expert on either songbirds or 'avian predators', so all I can do is delve online in search of studies that show a meaningful negative correlation between raptor recovery and songbird decline and defer to their better judgement, i.e. studies that show songbird numbers declining where raptor numbers are increasing.
I struggled to find any because every respected scientific study examining the relationship, including one based on 43 years of data acquired by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), comes out with the same conclusion – there is no statistically significant evidence to show that bird of prey recovery is driving widespread songbird decline.
I say 'widespread' because despite 22 of the 29 prey species studied showing no statistically significant change either way, it's surely inevitable that there would be local exceptions once sparrowhawks recolonised their former range. And indeed three species (bullfinches, tree sparrows and reed buntings) did register a negative correlation with the sparrowhawk. But the study went on to say that one of those species had since stabilised, and that the other declines couldn't be attributed to predation alone without further investigation.
There's certainly no getting away from the fact that sparrowhawks do take a huge number of birds. It's estimated Britain's 40,000 pairs take around 50 million birds every year. But while that sounds a lot, it is also the case that successful predators do not render their prey species extinct.
One study found a reduction in the peak post-breeding populations of great tits in one woodland, but the numbers of breeding great tits the following year was unchanged, which means that the sparrowhawks were taking 'surplus' youngsters that wouldn't have survived through to the following breeding season anyway. That of course is the very reason that clutch sizes of songbirds are so high in the first place – blackbirds can have as many as four broods per year, and great tits can have between seven and nine eggs in each brood. Attrition by predators (along with disease and the weather) is already factored in, rearing as many young as possible to maximise their chances. Even if just one or two chicks make it through to the next breeding season, the wider population still remains stable.
Conversely, the BTO's Garden Birdwatch Survey found sparrowhawks had a bad winter in 2016/17. Not because it was cold, quite the opposite in fact, but rather because it was thought that some of their prey – blue tits and great tits – had poor nesting survival rates in the summer due to the wet weather. When there is less prey around, and competition for what little there is increases, there are fewer predators as a result. That is the very nature of predator-prey relationships.
And so I have to admit, I still do find it odd when people rush to blame a native predator, one that has coexisted and evolved alongside its prey for thousands of years, for the demise of its prey. If the balance has been upset, it won't be because of something the wildlife has done. As one person put it:
"Small birds have not gone extinct to birds of prey yet. Birds of prey have been wiped out by humans. Big clue there!!"
But then, perhaps that's exactly what a do-gooder obsessed with increasing the population of 'avian predators' and letting killer birds terrorise our countryside and attack our pets, would be expected to say?
And while we're on the subject of pets, consider too that Britain's 8 million domestic moggies kill an estimated 55 million garden birds every year. That's 10% more than sparrowhawks are thought to take, so if we're going to start advocating the culling of predators to protect songbirds then arguably cats, as an introduced, non-native species that humans self-indulgently opt to keep around their homes for their own pleasure and satisfaction, should be at the front of the queue for population control rather than a native species that has been here since after the ice melted, has coexisted in balance with our other wildlife for millennia and has an essential role to play in regulating the ecosystems it inhabits?
Ach, don't worry, I'm not advocating a cat cull! I'm being deliberately provocative to illustrate how selective we can be with who, or what, we blame. The RSPB maintains there is no scientific evidence to show cats are the main reason for the decline in any bird species, but I know people who passionately believe otherwise. That's not to say that songbirds aren't under pressure, or that there aren't things we can do to improve their outlook. Some people in the poll, who welcomed sparrowhawks to their gardens, never the less did want to give their prey a sporting chance.
"We've just had to rearrange the bird feeder area to make it harder for her to use it as a fly-through buffet."
Nowt wrong with that. Indeed feeders should be sited in trees or as close to cover as possible, as that's what the birds are predisposed to using in order to evade predators. In terms of my own personal decisions where my own garden is concerned, I made a choice not to have a cat. I grew up with cats and I've got cat tat all over the house. I'm a defiant cat person through and through, but when I was close to adopting one of four abandoned kittens we found at work a couple of years ago, I realised (reluctantly) that I valued the animal encounters in my garden too much to have their behaviour changed by the presence of a cat, or to have them scared off or killed by one. It wasn't worth it.
Ultimately we should bear in mind that all kinds of factors influence songbird population and survival, not least climate change and habitat loss & fragmentation, and disease. Take greenfinches. They were once daily visitors to my feeders but I haven't seen one for six or seven years now. Were they all eaten by local sparrowhawks? Or did greenfinches decline by 59% in the ten years up to 2017 due to the infectious and deadly trichomonosis parasite?
The sparrowhawk (and indeed most other carnivores you care to mention) undoubtedly has a PR problem, and I wonder whether it is symptomatic of a wider disconnection from the natural world? Maybe that's to be expected from a country that exterminated many of its native predators and was first to industrialise and urbanise. Our countryside has become denuded, tamed and sanitised, and nature has either been pushed to the fringes or goes unseen as we scurry past. In so doing it has become increasingly remote and unfamiliar to us, so perhaps it's little wonder we are so taken aback when the rude realities of the natural world slap us hard across the face. As one person in my poll said:
"Nature is red in tooth and claw, and we have to accept that"


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Each year we send all our policyholders an Annual Benefit Statement that provides important information on how their policy is performing. This statement will include a recent policy value and lists any investment funds attached to the policy. Further information on fund performance and the views of our leading fund managers are available on the website and can be accessed by clicking on the relevant links below.
Fund Centre
Up to date performance on your chosen investment funds are available via our fund centre. Click here to access fund centre. The following page will appear.
From this screen, by clicking directly on the fund name you will be brought to the fund factsheet. The factsheet contains important information on the fund including up to date performance and asset split with additional benefits such as a comparison tool to other funds, graphs, printing and sending pdf's via email. This factsheet can be accessed by you at any time through the Bank of Ireland website. Performance is updated on a daily basis.
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From time to time our leading fund managers provide us with useful market commentary which we publish on our website. Click here to read our current Market Watch reviews and outlooks.
Market Watch
Click here for a market commentary giving an update on what has been driving markets over the last few quarters.
From time to time our leading fund managers provide us with useful market commentary which we publish on our website.


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Bradley Cooper makes his directorial debut and stars with Lady Ga Ga in this remake of A Star is Born. A story last brought to the screen in 1976 by Barbara Streisand.
Cooper stars as Jackson Maine, a once revered but fading country rock star, who discovers and falls in love with struggling cabaret singer Ally (Gaga)
Once Ally is coaxed into the spotlight, her career takes off, but at the same time, Maine's battle with his personal demons begins to take a heavy toll and threatens to scupper both their careers.
Cooper is outstanding both behind and in front of the camera.
He has always been a competent actor, but his direction of the film is faultless and he is also surprisingly at home on stage, during the music scenes.
His deep whiskey soaked voice is the embodiment of a grizzled chain smoking rock star. A feature Cooper went to great lengths to achieve, actually taking throat exercises in order to speak with a lower pitch.
As a successful musician Gaga is much more of a seasoned pro when it comes to inhabiting the stage, however she also shines in what is her first lead acting role, proving she has much more to her repertoire than casual fans might think.
Sam Elliott lends support as Jackson's manager and brother Bobby, and the pair share some of the films most emotionally charged scenes.
Importantly for a film about musicians, the songs are also great. Co-written by Cooper and Gaga, with help from a variety of artists, including Mark Ronson and Lukas Nelson, son of country legend Willie.
The film's soundtrack may well go on to be just as big a hit as the film itself.
Some viewers may find the character development a little rushed and it is true the film offers little in terms of a new spin on this well told story, however these are small gripes and most will be too swept up in events to care.


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By Nathalie Baptiste, The American Prospect
The usual college application includes SAT scores, high school transcripts, and essays, but many high school students may not realize that more than half of colleges also use another, more secretive form of screening: a criminal background check.
Read the story here.
Related content:
- Removing Barriers to Opportunity for Parents With Criminal Records and Their Children (Center for American Progress)


text: Fifth year student Caitlín McGonigle, supported by her dad Noel, recently took part in a 280km journey from Dublin to Mayo on her late grandfather Paddy's vintage tractor, a Massey Ferguson 35x. Caitlin's grandfather drove the same Massey last September from Mizen Head to Malin Head rasing €12,000 for Croí Heart and Stroke and Beaumont Hospital. After meeting the Dublin to Mayo committee on his journey, he agreed to come back to take part in Dublin to Mayo, this time sharing the drive with Caitlín. After Paddy's very sudden passing in November, Caitlín decided to do the run on her own in his memory. Caitlín raised €5,500 which will be split between The National Rehabilitation Centre in Dublin and the Special Baby Care Units in Mullingar and Castlebar. Caitlín then raised a further €500 for Croí Heart and Stroke, her and her family benefitting from the facilities when her mum spent time in Galway Hospital last year. Caitlín was shocked when she realised how many local people needed to use these four facilities. Caitlín says this was an experience she will never forget, even though she wished her granda could have been here to do it with her. She also said she met loads of new people she hopes to stay in contact with and was overwhelmed with the support. Caitlín hopes to continue to do an event for charity annually and is in planning mode for her next adventure.


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Taking a trip to Europe can be an amazing experience, full of great sites, delicious food, and welcoming people. With 50 countries to explore, you will have no shortage of exciting things to see and do in Europe. To plan your trip, start by gathering your travel documents. Then, create an itinerary based on your budget for the trip and book your flights and accommodations. You should then prepare for the trip by getting guidebooks and learning basic language phrases so you are all set for your great European adventure.
Part 1 of 4:
Gathering Your Travel Documents
1Check that your passport is valid. Check the expiry date on your passport to make sure it will still be valid when you are on your trip. In some countries, if your passport expires within 6 months of your arrival, you may not be allowed in.[1] X Research source
- If your passport has expired, it can take 4-6 weeks to receive a new one once you apply for it. You can get a rush or emergency passport, but it will be more expensive.
- To renew your passport, you will need to complete renewal documents, which you can find on your country's passport services website. Then, bring the completed documents to the government passport office in your area and pay a fee for the renewal.
2Have a valid driver's license if you plan to rent a car in Europe. Check that your driver's license has not expired. Most rental companies will accept your driver's license as long as it is legal in your home country.[2] X Research source
- Some rental companies will require you to have an international driver's license. Apply for one through the American Auto Association (AAA) or the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA).
3Get a travel visa if you plan to visit Russia. As a foreign national, you will need to obtain a travel visa to visit Russia. It may take weeks to get the visa so start the application early. You will need to carry the visa with you on your trip.[3] X Research source
- You will need to apply for a 3 year tourist, business, private, and humanitarian visa. The visa will cost between $50-$100 USD. You will need to pay by money order or certified cheque.
- Find out more information on applying for a travel visa to Russia through the Russian embassy website: http://www.russianembassy.org/page/general-visa-information.
4Make copies of your documents and keep a set at home. Photocopy your passport and your driver's license, as well as any travel visas you get. Keep them in a safe place at home. This way, in the event they get lost or stolen during your trip, you can access copies of them by contacting family or friends back home.Advertisement
Part 2 of 4:
Creating an Itinerary
1Determine your budget for the trip. Decide how much you are going to spend on the trip in total, including transportation, accommodations, and food. You can then use your budget to determine your itinerary, as some destinations are cheaper than others. You can also use your budget to help you determine how long you will travel and what time of year.[4] X Research source
- For example, you may budget $4,000 USD for the trip total. This means you may be able to spend $1,000-$1,500 USD on your flights and $2,000 USD on accommodations. This leaves you with around $1,000 USD to spend on food. You may then decide to travel for about 10 days, allowing you to spend $100 a day on food and excursions.
- Try to set aside a few hundred dollars for emergencies as part of your budget.
2Travel during the low season or shoulder season to save money. Figure out how long your trip to Europe will be, factoring in your availability and your budget. If you want to try to save money, you may plan to travel during the low season, November to Easter, or during the shoulder season, September to early November and Easter to early June.[5] X Research source
- High season for European travel is during the summer months, late June-August. You may avoid traveling these months if you want to save money and stay away from large crowds.
3Pick travel dates based on the weather or season. You may travel during the spring or summer if you prefer to travel through Europe when it is warmer. Or you may decide to travel in the fall if you like temperate weather and want to see the scenery change colors.
- You can also plan your dates around a holiday or special event, such as Christmas or Easter.
4Visit major cities to see popular sites and attractions. If you want to do a tour of the major countries in Europe, you may choose major cities in each country, such as Paris in France or Rome in Italy. Keep in mind major cities can be more expensive to visit, so you may factor in your budget as well.
- Come up with a list of major cities and countries that are close to each other so it is easier for you to visit each one. Look for major cities that are connected by rail or where you can fly into cheaply. This will save you time and money on travel.[6] X Research source
- Focus on a particular part of Europe and travel through cities and countries in the area, such as Western Europe or Central Europe.
5Go to smaller towns or cities in Europe to get off the beaten path. To save money and see another side of Europe, consider adding smaller towns or areas to your list of destinations. Look at small cities close to major cities and consider doing a day trip to these areas or driving to smaller areas and staying overnight.[7] X Research source
- For example, you may opt to visit smaller towns like Modena in Italy or Grenoble in France. You can then look up things to do and see in these smaller areas.
6Limit your destinations so you are not overwhelmed. Try not to pack too many destinations into your trip, as you will need time to enjoy each area you visit. Consider how much time you want to spend in each destination and allow yourself some wiggle room so you do not feel rushed.[8] X Research source
- For example, if you have 10 days to spend in Europe, you may limit your destinations to four major cities and a few day trips to smaller cities or areas. This gives you one to two days in each major city to see the sites and take your time.
7Determine which excursions and activities you'd like to do. You can also plan your itinerary around activities that you would like to experience in Europe. Look up popular activities in Europe and make a list of ones you'd like to see or do. You can then plan your trip based on the activities.[9] X Research source
- For example, maybe you've always wanted to do a wine tour of Tuscany. Or perhaps you want to experience a music festival in Berlin or visit the Vatican in Rome.
Part 3 of 4:
Booking Your Transportation and Accommodations
1Look for cheap flights ahead of your trip. To save money, try to book your flights three months before your departure date. Use travel search tools online to book the best flights. Check flight prices regularly so you can find a good deal.[10] X Research source
- When booking your flights, look for "multi-city" and "open jaw" tickets. With these flights, you fly into one destination and fly home from another destination. These types of flights can save you money and make it easier for you to fly out from another city in Europe.
2Wait to book the rental car if you don't need it right away. If you are planning on enjoying your arrival city for one to two days, you should wait to book the rental car when you are in Europe. Rent the car right before you plan to head out of your arrival city so you do not waste money on a rental car you are not going to be using.[11] X Research source
3Book the rental car ahead of time if you plan to use it when you land. If you are going to use the rental car to drive from the airport to a destination or your accommodation, book it before you fly to Europe. Most booking companies will allow you to book your flights and your rental car at once to save money.
4Get a rail pass for train travel. If you plan to use the trains in Europe to get around, buy a rail pass before you land in Europe. This way, you do not have to worry about buying rail tickets when you are in Europe and you can use the rail system with ease.
- You can buy rail passes online on the official Rail Europe website: https://www.raileurope.com/en-ca
- Depending on the type of rail pass you buy, they can range from $200-$400 USD.
- There are discounts available for student travelers and for families with small children.
5Book a cruise if you do not want to do too much planning. You may opt to get around Europe by booking a cruise where you visit several cities or destinations. A cruise is a good option if you want an easy vacation, as they usually include your accommodations, food, and travel in one set price. They can save you the hassle of having to book excursions and meals yourself, as everything is planned.[12] X Research source
- Look for cruises in Europe online. Check for cruises that fit your budget and your travel dates.
6Stay in a hotel if you don't mind spending some money on accommodations. If you have a decent amount you can spend on accommodations, you may opt for a hotel. Look for hotels that are within your budget and centrally located. Read reviews for the hotel online to ensure it is a good option.
- If you are traveling with a romantic partner or a close friend, a hotel may be ideal. You can then split the cost of the hotel.
- You can also switch it up so you stay in hotel a few nights and in a hostel or homestay a few nights so you can save some money.
7Opt for a homestay to save money and meet locals. A homestay is a good option if you want accommodations that are more homey and personal. Look for homestays using websites like Airbnb or VRBO. Choose a homestay that suits your budget and your comfort level. Most homestays are hosted by locals, who can offer suggestions on what to see and do.
- If you are traveling alone, you may not mind renting a room in someone's home or apartment. If you are traveling with others, you may all rent an entire home or apartment and split the cost.
8Stay at a hostel for budget acommodations. If you are trying to travel cheaply, a hostel may be ideal. Hostels in Europe can cost very little per night and are usually in good locations for travellers. You can save money by booking a hostel bed in a shared room, where you have little privacy, but you don't pay much for your accommodations.
- If you are traveling with a partner or friend, you may decide to get a private room at a hostel and split the cost so you have some privacy.
9Book accommodations in a central location. No matter whether you stay in a hotel, a homestay, or a hostel, make sure your accommodations are centrally located. Pick accommodations that are close to major roads and the downtown area. This will make it easier for you to get to major sites and go on excursions.[13] X Research source
- Avoid booking accommodations that are out of the way or far from major areas to save a few bucks. In the end, you will spend what you saved on taxis, cabs, and buses to get around.
- Some airlines allow you to book your flights and accommodation together to save money.
Part 4 of 4:
Making Final Arrangements
1Get European guidebooks. Look for guidebooks that focus on the areas you are going to travel to. Read up on the major sites and attractions in the area before you embark on your trip. You can buy current European guidebooks at your local bookstore or online.[14] X Research source
- Most European guidebooks also have food recommendations by area, which can come in handy when you are traveling.
2Learn basic phrases and words in the appropriate language. Learn phrases like "Hello," "How are you?" "Thank you," and "Where is the bathroom?" in the languages of the places you are going to visit. You may learn basic phrases in French if you are going to French-speaking countries like France, Belgium, and Austria. Or you may learn phrases in Italian or German.[15] X Research source
- Keep in mind, locals in major European cities will usually speak some English. But speaking to locals in their language can make it easier for you to get around and communicate.
3Make arrangements with your phone carrier and your credit card company. If you plan to use your cellphone when you are in Europe, contact your phone carrier and speak to them about getting international minutes on your phone plan. Most phone carriers will offer a data and calling minutes package for traveling overseas.[16] X Research source
- If you plan to use your credit card when you travel to Europe, contact them and let them know your travel dates. This way, they will not think your purchases in Europe are suspicious and will not freeze your card.
4Pack a checked bag and a carry-on bag if you are renting a car. If you are renting a car during your trip or are not planning to carry your luggage with you when you travel, you may pack a large checked bag. Factor in how many days you will be traveling as well as the weather during your travel dates. Bring a smaller carry-on bag that you can use as a travel bag during the day.
- Make sure your travel bag has a zipper and hidden pockets so you can keep your belongings safe while you walk around with it.
5Bring a backpacking bag if you are backpacking through Europe. Get a backpacking bag that feels comfortable and fits you properly. Try to pack light, bringing only the essentials. Make sure you pack layers and a good coat so you can layer up if the weather turns. You should also have good walking shoes so you can carry your backpack and walk around with it comfortably.
- You may also bring a small day pack to wear when you do day trips, as you can usually lock up your larger backpacking bag at your hostel or where you are staying for the night.
6Get Euros when you land in Europe. Exchanging money at home before your trip means you will have to pay fees and high exchange rates. Instead, go to an ATM when you land in Europe and take cash out using your ATM card. The exchange rates are usually better, and this means you do not have to carry a large amount of Euros with you on the plane.[17] X Research source
- Make sure you call your bank before you depart to find out about international ATM fees. In most cases, they are minimal.
Community Q&A
- ↑ https://www.smartertravel.com/2017/06/19/planning-trip-europe-10-step-guide/
- ↑ https://www.smartertravel.com/2017/06/19/planning-trip-europe-10-step-guide/
- ↑ https://www.smartertravel.com/2017/06/19/planning-trip-europe-10-step-guide/
- ↑ https://www.smartertravel.com/2017/06/19/planning-trip-europe-10-step-guide/
- ↑ https://thesavvybackpacker.com/choosing-when-to-travel-high-low-and-shoulder-season-in-europe/
- ↑ https://www.smartertravel.com/2017/06/19/planning-trip-europe-10-step-guide/
- ↑ https://www.smartertravel.com/2017/06/19/planning-trip-europe-10-step-guide/
- ↑ https://www.smartertravel.com/2017/06/19/planning-trip-europe-10-step-guide/
- ↑ http://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/planning-a-trip-to-europe-avoid-these-10-costly-mistakes.html
- ↑ http://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/planning-a-trip-to-europe-avoid-these-10-costly-mistakes.html
- ↑ http://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/planning-a-trip-to-europe-avoid-these-10-costly-mistakes.html
- ↑ https://www.smartertravel.com/2017/06/19/planning-trip-europe-10-step-guide/
- ↑ http://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/planning-a-trip-to-europe-avoid-these-10-costly-mistakes.html
- ↑ https://www.tripsavvy.com/planning-your-first-trip-to-europe-1508231
- ↑ https://www.tripsavvy.com/planning-your-first-trip-to-europe-1508231
- ↑ http://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/planning-a-trip-to-europe-avoid-these-10-costly-mistakes.html
- ↑ http://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/planning-a-trip-to-europe-avoid-these-10-costly-mistakes.html
About This Article
To plan a trip to Europe, start by determining your budget, since most aspects of planning will have a cost factor to consider. Next, decide where you want to go, which cities you want to visit, and what attractions you want to see. Try not to pick too many destinations so you'll have time to enjoy each stop! Once you have an itinerary, decide how you'll get to each destination. Trains are a cost-effective way to travel around Europe, so if that's your plan, go ahead and buy a rail pass before your trip. For tips on figuring out accommodations, read on!


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Lancashire Encounter 2021 - SAVE THE DATE
Friday 17th September 2021 12:00 PM to Sunday 19th September 2021 11:00 PM
Various Venues & Locations - Preston City Centre PR1Back
With a packed programme of events and things to do, Lancashire Encounter is a festival not to be missed...
Lancashire Encounter Festival is an authentic voice for Lancashire, celebrating the breadth of the County's diverse cultural offer with high quality and high profile arts. Taking place every other year at the end of September, Lancashire Encounter sees the city of Preston buzzing with life and alight with creativity.
The past Lancashire Encounters have seen an array of spectacular performances, inspiring arts and impressive music, bringing spectators to their feet.
Preston City Council staged its first Lancashire Encounter Festival in 2015 as a pilot. The weekend event showcased the work of artists from across the Lancashire County and community activities, drawing in 20,000 attendees. Recognising the potential of the event to grow and impact the communities, artists and arts organisations of Lancashire, as well as attract visitors into the County, it was agreed the event should become a bi-annual cultural festival.
Why visit Lancashire Encounter?
The Lancashire Encounter Festival not only brings together the city of Preston, it also brings together the Lancashire County and those further afield.
The bustling streets and opportunities to get involved create a memorable and vibrant weekend, with local artists and performers sharing their talent with the crowds.
Whatever the 2021 festival brings, you'll be sure to have an unforgettable Encounter.
Visiting from outside of Preston? For inspiration in planning your trip see Planning your Encounter.
Without Walls
The Lancashire Encounter Festival is a member of the Without Walls Associate Touring Network.
Without Walls is the UK's largest commissioner of outdoor arts shows, taking inspiring new work to audiences all over the country and beyond. For more information visit Without Walls.
Website: lancsencounter.co.uk
Press Release about 2020 Festival Postponement.


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9 July 2020
Prof Carmen Reinhart - Vice President and Chief Economist, World Bank Group
Guest questioners:
6 February 2020
Speaker, U.S. Treasury Under Secretary for International Affairs, Brent McIntosh discussed the impact of data connectivity and cross-border data flows in financial services on economic growth and financial stability. The ability to hold and transfer financial information securely has always been essential to the safe and efficient provision of financial services – and thus to economic growth. Data connectivity is critical to driving the productivity growth that is a key source of higher living standards in the future. Cross-border data flows are also essential to supporting financial stability, to ensure financial regulators have access to the information required to fulfill their mandates and promote the safety and soundness of the financial system. When data connectivity is imperiled, firms, consumers, and regulators are all worse off, and we risk losing out on the benefits of today's digital economy. Under Secretary McIntosh discussed how policymakers can address these new and complex issues and why greater cooperation among financial authorities is key to ensure we all achieve the benefits of enhanced data connectivity in financial services.
7 – 8 November 2019
"Sustainable Finance" is one of the emerging research areas that we now focus on at the Sim Kee Boon Institute for Financial Economics (SKBI) and is also the title of our 9th Annual SKBI Conference. This two-day event, hosted in partnership with the TBLI Group of the Netherlands, will occur on 7-8 November 2019. The conference is intended for practitioners, policymakers, and academics. Along with plenary session keynote speeches and panels, there will be four separate sessions of parallel workshops to allow for smaller-group interactions.
16 – 17 October 2019
Over the past decade, the global financial crisis and the rise of the digital economy have created new challenges for the management of the economy. During this period, emerging economies have had to deal with large and volatile capital flows. While such capital flows can have substantial benefits for economies in terms of growth and development, they can also pose substantial risks if not properly managed. Achieving macroeconomic stability can be fraught with difficulty when capital inflows lead to greater volatility of domestic consumption, currency and maturity mismatches, as well as boom/bust cycles in asset prices. New approaches to capital flow management and improving resilience to capital flow shocks are thus more important than ever.
In conjunction with these developments, the onset and growth of fintech has implications for cross-border capital flows. Innovations related to payments systems, maturity transformation, and the allocation of capital can create challenges for macroeconomic stabilization to the extent that they disrupt the efficacy of policy tools used to manage the economy.
Selected papers were featured at the conference hosted at the Sim Kee Boon Institute at the Singapore Management University in Singapore on 16-17 October 2019.
16 - 17 September 2019
The Asia Pacific Financial Education Institute (APFEI) is a forum for presentation and discussion of financial education research. For this event, SKBI has partnered with the world's leading center for financial literacy research and policy, the Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center (GFLEC). Modelled after the "Cherry Blossom Financial Education Institute" held annually in Washington, DC, the APFEI's goal is to promote excellent work in this field, foster research that can inform policy, and identify effective financial education programs, with a particular emphasis on Asia.
7 June 2019
SMU Sim Kee Boon Institute for Financial Economics (SKBI) is honoured to host Dr Mary Daly, President & CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco for a "Dialogue with Students" on 7 June 2019 at SMU.
12 March 2019
22 January 2019
23 November 2018
12 November 2018
8 October 2018
20 - 21 June 2018
26 May 2017
"Nascent financial technologies for enhancing access to finance"
18 - 19 August 2016
1 June 2016
Speakers' Presentation Slides
17 November 2015
6 - 7 May 2015
4 November 2014
Be alerted on SKBI news and forthcoming events.
*By submitting, you've read and agreed to the PDPA consent clause.


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Someone said that statistics are like bikinis, what they reveal is suggestive and what they conceal is essential. Now in the event that you discuss cricket stats, then you may always find players asserting stating that cricket stats is something that they never excites them and that it's of very little importance to them.peop;e say all types of things particularly sports stars, but most of us understand that anybody with any type of record or numbers in their name definitely feels good about the entire thing. On closer examination of data you'll see here now many details being shown to you that might not have been observable differently. Cricket stats are critical for creating strategies to have any resistance on the area. In reality stats show such matters that a person himself might not have been conscious of, therefore imagine how essential this could be for making plans.
There are many resources through which you can come to understand more about the statistics. However they must be careful concerning the credibility of the information. Statistics recognized from the International Cricket Council or ICC would be those that are real. If you have a good look at the cricket stats you can suddenly see and think of new facets that you never understood before. Suppose you're a bowler and are trying hard to get one specific batsman of the opposing group outside, there's a solution for it. Just take a good look at the cricket stats of that batsman, if at all possible see and discover his manners of dismissals. May be you may discover that he was disregarded in a specific manner a range of occasions. That's your response, simply watch the movie traces of how he had been ignored, you now understand his weakness, and you may readily strike him. It simply requires some careful evaluation and a bit of thinking to make things right when you're enjoying the sport.


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Here's a recap of some great Web links I've posted on Facebook. New ones go up every Thursday, so "Like" Write Directions. And don't forget to subscribe to Write Directions' monthly newsletter, which also lists resources for writers, in addition to original articles, publishing info, inspirational quotations, etc.
Victorian Resources
Great background info and links for nonfiction and fiction writers researching the Victorian Period.
Image as featured on Victorian Research Web website.
Presidential Papers
Need info on the papers of past U.S. presidents? Here's a handy way to find it. (Check out the site's other links.)
Image as featured on Library Spot.
World Factbook
I find this kind of information fascinating.
Image as displayed on CIA World Factbook.
Current Events
Interesting reading to broaden your understanding of today's issues and trends in easily understood summaries (or so the site promises).
Image as displayed on NBER Digest website.


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About Roy Black / Roy Black Biography
About Roy Black / Who is Roy Black ?
Roy Black's Character horoscope
Roy Black have several desirable qualities. First and foremost, Roy Black revel in work and there is hardly a limit to the amount of work Roy Black can do. Next, Roy Black have Roy Black's eyes wide open and Roy Black's brain is alert. Taken together, these qualities single Roy Black out as being a very powerful influence in Roy Black's own sphere of activities.Roy Black is wonderfully practical in all Roy Black do, and Roy Black have a very keen brain for remembering details. In fact, details mean so much to Roy Black that Roy Black is apt to irritate some of Roy Black's co-workers with them. Roy Black never forget a face, though Roy Black is less accurate in remembering names.Roy Black is a person who wants to know the why and where of everything. Until Roy Black is satisfied on these points, Roy Black refrain from acting. Consequently, sometimes Roy Black miss a good deal, and some people look upon Roy Black as a procrastinator.In a measure Roy Black is too sensitive and often Roy Black hold back when Roy Black should go ahead. This unfits Roy Black for certain forms of leadership. Roy Black do not want Roy Black's own way in many things. In fact, Roy Black is very amenable, taken all round.
Roy Black's Happiness and Fulfillment horoscope
Roy Black is a practical person. Roy Black have the ability to systematically organise Roy Black's life, sober-mindedly realising that Roy Black must work for success. Roy Black tend to be a loner, preferring to think and study, and excel at solving difficult problems. Sober and cautious, Roy Black can be completely fulfilled if Roy Black will view life with more optimism. Roy Black is usually happier in life when Roy Black come to the realisation that life is not as bad as Roy Black thought it be.
Roy Black's Life Style horoscope
Roy Black is more inward than most. If Roy Black were to appear in front of a large group of people, Roy Black would suffer from stage phobia. Roy Black is best motivated when Roy Black is alone to do whatever Roy Black want to do, and at Roy Black's own pace.


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|Version 1 (modified by 7 years ago) (diff),
University of Florida Operational Data
- Contacts
- Data Plane
- Public Internet
- Control Plane
- Experiment Resources
University of Florida Operational Data
This page captures information that is intended for Operators. The goal is to capture site contacts, connectivity, and VLANs.
Site contact information for ExoGENI UFL.
- Contact Name: Chris Griffin
- Contact Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Data Plane
This section captures Data plane information for UFL detailing site topology, VLAN, Network Providers (I2/NLR/Regional) and network address information.
Data plane connectivity diagram
Provide a diagram that captures device, ports and VLAN information at ingress and egress for transport network. For non-OF connections provide device names and ports connected to transport network (NRL/I2/Regional) and VLAN used for those ports. Diagram should capture campus connections.
Layer 2 information
Provide layer 2 information for Circuits VLANs, plus network connection end-points, and purpose of VLAN.
*In the VLAN column, a single ID indicates that the port is an access port. A T followed by one or more IDs indicates that the port is a trunk (aka tagged) port with those VLAN IDs.
Rack Data Plane Switch
|Connects To
|VLAN Config*
Layer 3 information
Experimental VLANs
|OF Controlled?
|Transport to I2 AL2S Atlanta via FLR
VLAN Translation Table
If applicable, provide any VLAN translation details for site.
Non-VLAN Connections
Campus Connections
Public Internet
Control Plane
This section captures Control plane information for University of Florida, detailing topology and network address information.
Details of control plane connectivity
- What is the upstream ISP?
- Primarily FLR, but also Cox communications for Internet.
- What is the identifier for the border router and port facing the ISP?
- ssrb230a-ewan-msfc-1 (both R&E and ISP paths)
- ctx36-ewan-msfc-1 (both R&E and ISP paths)
- ssrb230a-crn-mlxe16-1 (R&E paths only)
3a. Is the rack directly connected to the border router?
3b. Does the connection pass through a campus firewall?
Resource control subnets
Provide a list of subnets used in the rack and their intended use.
Firewall/IP tables
Experiment Resources
Links to resource and network aggregates available for experimenters for <site>:
Attachments (1)
- UFLOperator.jpg (77.7 KB) - added by 6 years ago.
Download all attachments as: .zip


text:
Web Admin
Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday called for joint efforts to overcome difficulties and challenges in implementing the nationwide ceasefire accord (NCA) between the government and the NCA-signatory ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) through discussion and negotiation.Suu Kyi, also chairperson of the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre, made the call at the opening ceremony of the trilateral peace talks between the Myanmar government, the Army and the 10 NCA-signatory EAOs which kicked off here to continue resolving matters in existence through negotiation.She described the meeting as witnessing a no-return but marching forward in the national reconciliation and peace efforts, registering an important milestone in the path of peace, Xinhua news agency reported.Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and Chairman of the Kayin National Union Saw Mutu Sae Poe also delivered speeches.The four-day talks, marking the third anniversary of the signing of NCA, were aimed at overcoming the bottlenecks occurring at various levels of political discussions.The event also came three months after the third session of Myanmar's 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference in July.
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text:
Realtime Access Map
Investigation of HA cement preparation and properties by using central composite design
MetadataShow full item record
The goal of the present work was to investigate the effects of several cement preparation parameters on setting and hardening reaction mechanisms and hydroxyapatite (HA) cement properties. A central composite experimental design (CCD) was conducted by choosing particle size, solid to liquid ratio, pH, seed concentration and buffer concentration as design parameters along with compressive strength and setting time being the responses. Tetracalcium phosphate (TTCP) powders were prepared by heat treatment of calcium and phosphate source mixtures in the 1200-1400°C temperature range followed by quenching to room temperature in a dessicator. The second phase used in the formulations (brushite) was prepared by aqueous chemical methods. A series of HA pastes/cements were prepared by changing the above mentioned design parameters. Cements were characterized by a standardized setting time test, mechanical testing machine, SEM and XRD. HA cements with the desired properties can be formulated by using CCD in which the responses were expressed by a second order polynomial equation of the parameters. Compressive strengths for the majority of HA cements were determined to be in the 100-160 MPa range which is significantly higher than those reported in the literature. © (2012) Trans Tech Publications.


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LACKLAND, Tex. — The United States Air Force has activated a new unit dedicated to training the service's ground component Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.
"Our mission at the Battlefield Airmen Training Group [BA TG] is to select, train and mentor Airmen for global combat operations," Col. Ronald Stenger, inaugural commander of the BA TG and special tactics, told Shadowspear. "We will breed quiet professionals, infused with a warrior ethos and fueled by scholarship and innovation."
According to reporting at Shadowspear, the ground forces that are set to be trained include combat controllers, pararescuemen, special operations weathermen and tactical air control party Airmen.
The BA TG, which falls under the 37th Training Wing, will take the place of the old 342nd Training Squadron. The new organization consolidates preexisting training courses under BA leadership. The new leadership plans to emphasize recruiting, manpower & leadership, equipment, infrastructure and curriculum in the new courses. The units include three pipeline squadrons dedicated to each career field; one instructor qualification and prep course squadron including advanced employment training such as military free fall; and a support squadron.
Stenger described what it takes to be a member of these select teams.
Battlefield Airmen are the critical ground link between air assets and ground forces. Battlefield Airmen are trained to operate as a ground component to solve ground problems with air power, often embedding with conventional and special operations forces. Battlefield Airmen can accomplish missions such as surveying a dry lake bed in Africa as an airfield, rescuing military personnel from behind enemy lines or calling in precision air strikes on enemies.
The original report on this story includes a video that shows some of the training exercises used by the BA TG. Shadowspear's video can be viewed below.
The full original report can also be read on the organization's website linked here.
(H/T Shadowspear)


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NY Times – Document Flaws Have Put Brakes on Foreclosures
Flaws, how about FRAUDS! Other lenders said Thursday that their foreclosure procedures were proper. Properly full of SHIT! But, a spokesman for Bank of America, Rick Simon, said, "We do not have anything to tell you at this time." ~ By DAVID STREITFELD Published: September 30, 2010 The foreclosure machinery that has forced millions of … Read more
Bank of America Forecloses and Auctions Florida Home with NO MORTGAGE!
There goes them there deadbeats again… Can anyone say MASSIVE TOXIC TITLES that will be uninsurable and unmarketable? Man's home sold out from under him in foreclosure mistake Excerpts from the report… When Jason Grodensky bought his modest Fort Lauderdale home last December, he paid cash. But seven months later, he was surprised to learn … Read more
Despite Arizona Military Vet's Proof of Loan Pay-Off, Bank of America Forecloses Anyway and Schedules Auction of His Home of 26 Years
It never ends with these clowns… Bank admits mistake on Willcox home foreclosure WILLCOX – A southern Arizona family is in fear of losing their house to what they call an unjust foreclosure, and they're now fighting back against one of the biggest banks in the country. The Willcox-area family says that house was paid … Read more
Bank of Opportunity Does it Again – Furniture Company Claims BOFA Wrongly Foreclosed
GALVESTON – Claiming its property in Galveston was wrongly foreclosed, American Furnishing Inc. has filed suit against Bank of America N.A. and BAC Home Loans Servicing LP. The plaintiff argues that Bank of America had no lien on the property in question and the defendants covertly planned the foreclosure, according to the original complaint filed … Read more
Bank of America via Countrywide Foreclosing on Home AFTER Short Sale Deal was Finalized and Bank was Paid
CALL FOR ACTION: WINK gets results after case of bad bank communication ~ Excerpts from the report LEE COUNTY, Fla. – WINK News fixes another case of bad bank communication. Cape Coral homeowners spent a year trying to avoid a foreclosure. Finally, they closed on a short sale; but their problems didn't end there. A … Read more
Former Bank Officials from JPMorgan Chase / Bank of America Plead GUILTY to Inflating Appraisals, Falsifying Loan Apps and Fabricating Documents
And all this time I though it was them damn scumbag deadbeat homeowners that manipulated the files to get the loans approved… ~ Each Face up up 30 years in Prison ~ PRESS NOTICE WILLIAM N. NETTLES UNITED STATES ATTORNEY DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA Myrtle Beach Man Charged With Bank Fraud United States v. Gary … Read more
Whoopsie – Bank America Screws Another Homeowner – Bank of America's Error Cost Cape Coral Woman a House
Excerpts from the report… Nicole DePuy thought she was one of the lucky ones when she walked out of Harborside Event Center on Jan. 27 with a loan modification that would save her home from foreclosure. After waiting hours to talk to her lender at the highly publicized event, the 40-year-old speech-language pathologist had been … Read more
Bank of America – Confiscating Homes They Don't Own – BofA Attempts Foreclosure on Current Loan They Do Not Own
Well this is surprising… MORTGAGE MELTDOWN Frustration with banks reaching boiling point Errors, inaction, morass of red tape vex homeowners trying to fend off foreclosure proceedings — and may end upcosting taxpayers billions Kent Porter /PD Keith and Julie Hanover of Kenwood hired a lawyer to help them with the nightmare of saving their home … Read more


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A cinematic loveletter with The Aces dipping into various scenarios that riff on a range of movie scenes that deal with the metaphorical idea of Volcanic Love.
Despite all the rage, "Little One" reveals itself to be a twisted love story with Highly Suspect frontman Johnny Stevens playing an '80s store manager that finally reaches his limit when a mysterious past (and a couple cops, played by his bandmates) catches up to him.
Director Charlie Zwick launches his new post production company, Zwick Post, alongside the release of his latest music video Machine Gun Kelly "World Series".
Zwick Post provides editorial, vfx, color, beauty and sound design services. Visit zwickpost.com for details and samples.
Machine Gun Kelly is One Punch Kells an accomplished boxer who needs to take a fall in this homage to the movie Snatch. MGK/OPK rocks an unothrodox, yet utterly condident style — dude walks into the ring with a spliff — which is maybe why he decides to instead bet on himself.
VideoStatic is the world's leading source for music video news and community. Please reach out for advertising, sponsorship and any other questions.
No biting. Material on this website may not be reproduced, distributed, published or otherwise used in whole or part without the prior written permission of Video Static.
Copyright © 2013 Steven J. Gottlieb & VideoStatic.com.
"VideoStatic" is a registered trademark of VideoStatic.com. All rights reserved.


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I think I'm swearing off Sex and the City. That show makes me depressed. It's too real. I think that's why I so love cartoons and that's why they make me happy. Because they are the anti-me.
On another note... I was sad anyways, not because of that show, and I did something "bad" that I hadn't done in 7 months. What is sobriety? Who invented it? Who's to say what's a healthy addiction versus a destructive one? (And by the way, it wasn't drugs. People can be addicted to things like eating lolli-pops or touching other peoples' feet.)
So yeah.


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(Reuters) - Zimbabwe's 87-year-old president Robert Mugabe on Saturday brushed aside calls to step down, telling supporters who endorsed him as candidate in the next presidential election that he would not quit as long as the West maintained sanctions on his party.
Mugabe's allies are pressing for elections next year, instead of 2013 when they are due and when Mugabe would be 89, fearing that he may not cope with the pressure of campaigning.
The veteran leader, who has ruled Zimbabwe since independence from Britain in 1980, said he was lucky to have lived longer than his independence war compatriots and did not plan to retire.
Mugabe was officially endorsed as ZANU-PF presidential candidate for the next election.
"Sometimes the call (to retire) comes. It would be wrong, completely wrong when the West is still holding sanctions against us and pursuing regime change," Mugabe said in a speech at the close of the party conference.
"It would be an act of cowardice as well. I am not made that way. I am lucky God has given me this longer life than others to be with you. I will not let you down."
A June 2008 U.S. diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks in September said Mugabe had prostate cancer that had spread to other organs. He was urged by his physician to step down in 2008 but has stayed in the job.
Mugabe has maintained he is still fit.
Mugabe repeated calls for an election next year, saying the coalition government he was forced into with his rival, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, after disputed elections in 2008 was no longer working.
Mugabe lost to Tsvangirai in the first round of the 2008 presidential vote, which saw his ZANU-PF party losing its parliamentary majority, but went on to win the run-off after a boycott by Tsvangirai citing violence against his supporters.
However, an upbeat Mugabe on Saturday said ZANU-PF was much more vibrant and stronger now than in 2008, pointing to its policies, including a drive to force mining companies to surrender at least 51 percent stakes to blacks as a vote winner.
He said nearly three years of a coalition government with Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change party had exposed his opponents as bereft of ideas.
"If we are to go to an election tomorrow, against the chaos of 2008, the disaster, but now with this new vibrancy, surely we'll know how to vote," said Mugabe, who wore a black and yellow shirt emblazoned with his image and white cap.
"The inclusive government has frustrated certain decisions, ... that's why we say this inclusive governmental animal must now see its death," he said.
Source: reuters.com
|Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.


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|Top Online Data Backup Rankings
Panzura Mobile Client Delivers the Convenience of Any Device, Any Location File Sharing with Enterprise Class Security and Data Control
CAMPBELL, Calif. – August 16, 2017 — /BackupReview.info/ — Panzura®, the leader in unstructured data management in the cloud, today announced the addition of the Panzura Mobile Client to the Panzura Freedom™ Family. Panzura Mobile Client enables organizations to natively share files from the cloud to any device at any location.
Panzura Mobile Client builds on the success of Panzura Freedom, the foundation for unstructured data management in the cloud. With Panzura, customers are able to manage the explosive growth of unstructured data by transforming the complex and costly traditional storage model to the cloud. Panzura Freedom delivers unprecedented performance and scale; the ability to expand data center workloads; deployment across any platform and any cloud; automated, centralized management; and unmatched cloud-based data protection.
Previously, mobile users were unable to natively share files within the Panzura Cloud File System (PCFS) using mobile devices, such as tablets or smartphones. Now with Panzura Mobile Client, organizations have access to new mobile Enterprise File Sync and Share (EFSS) functionality, allowing customers to share files across any iOS, Android, PC, or Mac device from any location with the ease of consumer-level file sharing and enterprise-class security.
Panzura Mobile Client features include:
"Panzura Freedom has set the standard for solving the problems caused by exponential unstructured data growth," said Patrick Harr, CEO of Panzura. "With the addition of Panzura Mobile Client to the Panzura Freedom Family, IT can provide employees and executives the mobile access to data that they want, while also ensuring they retain the security and control that IT requires."
About Panzura
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Source: Panzura
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The Bureau of Land Management Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility will be hosting a wild horse adoption event next weekend. The adoption will be held Friday January 5th and Saturday January 6th, from 9 to 3. The adoption will include approximately 60 female horses of various ages, which were Continue reading
Tag Archives: Great
Wild Horse Adoption In Wyoming
Posted in News
Tagged Adobe, area, BLM, Divide, Facility, Great, Heard, horse, management, Rock Springs, salt wells creek, town, wild, Wyoming
Severe Weather Possible This Winter
Winter weather could be severe again this year as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center is forecasting potential La Nina conditions for the second year in a row. Typical La Nina patterns during winter include above average precipitation Continue reading
Posted in News
Tagged Above, Administration, Atmospheric, Average, forecast, Great, La Nina, lakes, National, Northern, Oceanic, percipitation, Portion, Rocky Mountains, severe, United States, weather, Weathger
Comment On Proposed Wild Horse Gathering
The Bureau of Land Management is looking for the public to comment on the environmental assessment for proposed wild horse gathering in Southwest Wyoming. The BLM is looking to gather and remove horses from the Salt Wells Creek, Adobe Town and Great Divide Basin Herd Management areas, to bring the Continue reading
Posted in News
Tagged Adobe town, Areas, basin, BLM, Bureau, Divide, exceeds, Gather, Great, Heard Management, horse, land, management, Population, salt wells creek, southwest, target, wild, Wyoming
BLM To Start Trapping Wild Horses This Week
The Bureau of Land Management will begin trapping and removing up to 50 wild horses this week, from the Sand Wash Heard Management Area. Wild horses will be led to corrals where 50 horses will be selected and removed from the heard. Those horses will be relocated to the Great Escape Mustang Sanctuary. The BLM will also be treating mares in Continue reading
Posted in News
Tagged area, Escape, fertalization, Great, Heard Management, Mares, Mustang, Sanctuary, Sand Wash, temporary fencing, trapping, treatment, wild horses


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ManTech (www.mantech.com)
full-time employee
United States
Secure our Nation, Ignite your Future
Description/Duties: The Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) Electronics Technician II assists in all aspects of ECM programs and provides guidance on ECM issues. The ECM Electronics Technician II supports U.S. Department of State ECM requirements in multiple overseas theaters in potentially high-threat environments. During overseas deployments, the ECM Electronics Technician II may be required to rotate between theaters and to multiple locations within each theater. The ECM Electronics Technician II will demonstrate broad knowledge of ECM through successful completion of moderately complex assignments. The ECM Electronics Technician II will apply complex knowledge of fundamental concepts, practices, and procedures of particular area of specialization. The ECM Electronics Technician II will demonstrate proficiency in ECM concepts, practices, and procedures and provide guidance on ECM issues.
Requirements/Qualifications: Must have a current US Government SECRET Personnel Security Clearance. Must be eligible for and able to obtain and maintain required Security Clearance/access approvals. A TOP SECRET Personnel Security Clearance may be required to meet changing requirements.
Must possess at least three years of technical experience in the technical support for modern ECM systems; knowledge of radio frequency (RF) theory and principle, and the effects of CREW systems operating in an electronic countermeasures environment; experience planning vehicle movements, with vehicles equipped with CREW systems; understanding insurgent Improvised Explosive (IED) emplacement tactics. Must be able to develop Techniques, Tactics, and Procedures (TTP's) for deploying vehicles equipped with CREW systems based on the national, local, and immerging Remote Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) threat. Must demonstrate proficiency with ECM systems used by the U.S. Department of State, including the CREW-2 (Duke), EGON, and Symphony systems.
Position requires self-motivation and the ability to work effectively under minimal supervision. Must demonstrate the ability to interact with all levels of an organization in a professional, diplomatic, and tactful manner. Must demonstrate a good attitude and ability to work as a member of a cohesive team. Must be able to multi-task efficiently, work in a fast paced environment on multiple projects, and have strong attention to detail. Must possess excellent writing and verbal skills. Must be proficient with Microsoft Windows operating systems and office automation software (e.g., Microsoft Office, SharePoint).
Travel Requirements: May be required to travel OCONUS to conduct installation, training or maintenance at diplomatic facilities. OCONUS travel may include critical threat locations around the world with austere living conditions. Domestic travel may be required for training and program coordination.
Security Requirements: Must have a current US Government SECRET Personnel Security Clearance. Must be eligible for and able to obtain and maintain required Security Clearance/access approvals. A TOP SECRET Personnel Security Clearance may be required to meet changing requirements.
Keywords: ECM, CREW, IED, EGON, Symphony
ManTech International Corporation, as well as its subsidiaries proactively fulfills its role as an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, marital status, physical or mental disability, status as a Disabled Veteran, Recently Separated Veteran, Active Duty Wartime or Campaign Badge Veteran, Armed Forces Services Medal, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a position with ManTech through its online applicant system, please contact ManTech's Corporate EEO Department at (703) 218-6000. ManTech is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer - minorities, females, disabled and protected veterans are urged to apply. ManTech's utilization of any external recruitment or job placement agency is predicated upon its full compliance with our equal opportunity/affirmative action policies. ManTech does not accept resumes from unsolicited recruiting firms. We pay no fees for unsolicited services.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access http://www.mantech.com/careers/Pages/careers.aspx as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation please click email@example.com and provide your name and contact information.