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A sampling of holiday presentations at churches, cultural centers and concert halls in New York City, compiled by Anne Mancuso. All are free unless otherwise noted. (Houses of worship accept donations.) Unless noted, church choirs are featured in church concerts. Complete lists are at nytimes.com/arts.
Church of St. Mary the Virgin (Episcopal), 145 West 46th Street, Manhattan. "Voices to the Virgin," with Tarik O'Regan's "Now Fatal Change"; excerpts from Rachmaninoff's "All-Night Vigil"; and works by Benjamin Britten, Franz Biebl and others; Riverside Chorale Society, with soloists; Patrick Gardner, conductor. At 8 p.m., 212-780-2181, riversidechoral.org; $25, $35 and $75.
Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, 7 West 55th Street, Manhattan. "Carols by Candlelight," with Jonathan Dove's "Seek Him That Maketh the Seven Stars"; Herbert Howells's "A Spotless Rose"; John Gardner's "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day"; and works by Stanford Scriven, R. Benjamin Dobey and Robert Lehman; Michael Hey, organist; Jeanne Lehman, readings; Ryan W. Jackson, music director. At 7:30 p.m., 212-247-0490, fapc.org; $25 and $40; $20 for 65+; $15 for students.
Immanuel Lutheran Church, 122 East 88th Street, Manhattan. "Sing With the Spirit," with Giovanni Gabrieli's "Jubilate Deo"; the New York premiere of Abbie Betinis's "And the Song Am I"; Francis Poulenc's "Quatre Petites Prières de Saint François d'Assise"; "Irish Lullaby for the Christ Child," arranged by Steven Sametz; and Pinkham's Christmas Cantata; New Amsterdam Singers; Clara Longstreth, director. At 8 p.m. (also Sunday at 4 p.m.), 914-712-8708, nasingers.org; $25; $15 for 62+; $10 for students.
Carnegie Hall Poulenc's "Gloria" and Vaughan Williams's "Hodie: A Christmas Cantata"; Cecilia Chorus of New York, with soloists; Mark Shapiro, conductor. At 8 p.m., 212-247-7800, 646-638-2535, ceciliachorusny.org; $25 to $85.
Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine (Episcopal), 1047 Amsterdam Avenue, at 112th Street, Morningside Heights. Bach's Cantata 191 ("Gloria in Excelsis Deo"); the New York premiere of James Adler's "Monday's Child," directed by Malcolm J. Merriweather; and Wayne Oquin's "O Magnum Mysterium"; with orchestra and soloists; Kent Tritle, director. At 7 p.m., 212-316-7490, 866-811-4111, stjohndivine.org; $50 and $75.
Church of St. Ignatius of Antioch (Episcopal), 552 West End Avenue, at 87th Street, Manhattan. Versions of "Ave Maria" by Mendelssohn, Verdi and Rachmaninoff; motets by Poulenc; and Vaughan Williams's "Fantasia on Christmas Carols"; Canticum Novum Singers and Youth Choir; James Adams, organist; Harold and Edie Rosenbaum, directors. At 8 p.m. (also Sunday at 2 p.m.), 516-586-3433, canticumnovum.org; $25; $20 for students and 62+.
The Cloisters, 99 Margaret Corbin Drive, Fort Tryon Park, Washington Heights. The 13th annual presentation of "The Christmas Story," with music from the 10th to 15th centuries. Waverly Consort, with instrumentalists. Michael Jaffee, director. At 1 and 3 p.m. (also Sunday, same times), 212-650-2290, metmuseum.org/cloisters; $45.
Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center. "Holiday Brass," with William Byrd's "The Earl of Oxford's March," arranged by Alan Howarth; Giovanni Gabrieli's "Jubilate Deo"; excerpts from Bach's Christmas Oratorio and "Brandenburg" Concerts No. 3; and traditional carols, Hanukkah songs and music from holiday television shows; New York Philharmonic Brass and Percussion Ensemble; Philip Smith, conductor. At 3 p.m., 212-875-5656, nyphil.org; $49 to $69.
Church of the Heavenly Rest (Episcopal), Fifth Avenue at 90th Street. Giovanni da Palestrina's "Matin Responsory"; arrangements of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" and "A Maiden Most Gentle," by Andrew Carter; and John Joubert's "Torches, Torches!"; with handbell choir; Steven Lawson, organist; Mollie Nichols, director. At 5 p.m., 212-289-3400, heavenlyrest.org.
Convent Avenue Baptist Church, 420 West 145th Street, Hamilton Heights. Mozart's Regina Coeli; Claire Cloninger's "Everlasting Light"; and spirituals by Noah Ryder; Gregory Hopkins, music minister. At 4 p.m., 212-234-6767, Ext. 118.
Corpus Christi Church (Roman Catholic), 529 West 121st Street, Morningside Heights. Music Before 1800 presents "Buon Natale y Felices Fiestas," a celebration of Christmas music from Italy, Spain and Latin America, featuring the chamber group El Mundo. At 4 p.m., 212-666-9266, mb1800.org; $10 to $45.
St. Bartholomew's Church (Episcopal), Park Avenue at 51st Street. "A Joyous Christmas," with the Christmas portion of Handel's "Messiah"; John Rutter's "Star Carol" and "Christmas Night"; Stephen Paulus's "The Road Home"; traditional carols arranged by David Willcocks and other works; with orchestra and soloists; Jason Roberts, organist; William F. Trafka and Mr. Roberts, conductors. At 7:30 p.m., 212-378-0248, stbarts.org; $25 and $40; $15 and $30 for students and 65+.
Park Avenue Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 1010 Park Avenue, at 85th Street. "Breath of Heaven," by Chris Eaton and Amy Grant; John P. Kee's "Celebrate"; Pietro A. Yon's "Gesu Bambino"; Deanna Witkowski's "Never Before"; John Rutter's "What Sweeter Music"; with recorder consort and gospel choir. At 7:30 p.m., 212-288-3246, parkavenuechristian.com.
St. Patrick's Cathedral (Roman Catholic), Fifth Avenue at 50th Street. "A City Singing at Christmas," with traditional carols and works by Adolphe Adam, Franz Gruber, Morten Lauridsen, Handel, David Willcocks and Pietro A. Yon; Young People's Chorus of New York City, directed by Francisco J. Núñez; New York Symphonic Brass; New York City Master Chorale, directed by Thea Kano; Jennifer Pascual, music director. At 7 p.m., 212-753-2261, saintpatrickscathedral.org; free, but seating is limited because of restoration work.
St. Thomas Church (Episcopal), Fifth Avenue at 53rd Street. Benjamin Britten's "A Ceremony of Carols" and John Rutter's "Dancing Day"; Anna Reinersman, harpist; John Scott, director. At 5:30 p.m., 212-757-7013, saintthomaschurch.org; $40.
Dec. 19
Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center. "Holidays With the Philharmonic," with Leroy Anderson's "A Christmas Festival" and "Suite of Carols"; Mozart's "Sleigh Ride" from "Three German Dances"; Engelbert Humperdinck's Prelude to "Hansel and Gretel"; Jeff Tyzik's "Chanukah Suite"; and other works; New York Philharmonic; Constantine Kitsopoulos, conductor; narrators, Whoopi Goldberg (Dec. 19 at 8 p.m.), Mo Rocca (Dec. 20 at 2 p.m.). 212-875-5656, nyphil.org; $35 to $75.
Carnegie Hall "Kelli and Matthew: Home for the Holidays," with classics and holiday songs; the New York Pops; the Broadway stars Kelli O'Hara and Matthew Morrison; and Essential Voices USA; conducted by Judith Clurman. At 8 p.m. (also Saturday, same time), 212-247-7800, carnegiehall.org; $17 to $120.
Church of St. Mary the Virgin (Episcopal), 145 West 46th Street, Manhattan. "A Ceremony of Carols," with Benjamin Britten's "A Ceremony of Carols"; Eric Whitacre's "Lux Aurumque"; Morten Lauridsen's "O Magnum Mysterium"; and Stephen Paulus's "The Holly and the Ivy"; Oyster Bay High School Mixed Chorus; New York City Master Chorale; Thea Kano, artistic director. At 8 p.m., 917-326-1422, nycmasterchorale.org; $35; $25 for students and 55+.
Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, 566 La Guardia Place, at Washington Square South, Greenwich Village. "Home for the Holidays," with Arri Lawton Simon's "The Time Is Now" and seasonal music; New York City Gay Men's Chorus; with the actress Carolee Carmello. At 8 p.m. (also Dec. 20 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 21 at 3 p.m.), 888-611-8183, nycgmc.org; $45 to $75.
Dec. 20
Church of the Holy Apostles (Episcopal), 296 Ninth Avenue, at 28th Street, Chelsea. "Celebrating 20 Years of Singing in Chelsea," with seasonal music for Christmas and Hanukkah, with excerpts from Mendelssohn's "Gutenberg Cantata"; Philip Corner's "Two Hallelujahs" and "Peace Be Still"; Adolph Adam's "O Holy Night"; and Sholom Secunda's "Chanukah"; New York City Community Chorus, with soloists; Jack Eppler, chorus director. At 4 p.m., 212-475-2702; suggested donation, $12.
Church of St. Luke in the Fields (Episcopal), 487 Hudson Street, at Grove Street, West Village. "Holiday Light: Joyous Music for Chanukah and Christmas," with Robert Dennis's setting of Psalm 30 and a medieval English poem, as well as other works and international holiday music from the Middle Ages to the present; Western Wind, with soloists and instrumentalists. At 8 p.m., 212-873-2848, westernwind.org; $25 to $250; $20 for students and 65+.
Dec. 21
Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine (Episcopal), 1047 Amsterdam Avenue, at 112th Street, Morningside Heights. "A Dutch Christmas," featuring 16th- and 17th-century holiday songs from the Netherlands and elsewhere; Early Music New York; Frederick Renz, director. At 2 p.m. (also Christmas Day at 2 and 7:30 p.m.), 212-280-0330, earlymusicny.org; $40, $20 for students; $50 for 2 p.m. performance on Christmas Day.
Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, Flatiron district. Hanukkah concert, featuring traditional and holiday songs from around the world, with the singer-songwriter Gerard Edery and the actress and writer Ellen Gould. At 3 p.m., 212-874-3990, jewishmusic-asjm.org; $18; $9 for students and 62+.
The Cloisters 99 Margaret Corbin Drive, Fort Tryon Park, Washington Heights. "Veni Emmanuel: Chant and Polyphony for Advent and Christmas," a program of Gregorian melody in a five-part setting; two Renaissance settings of the "Magnificat"; and motets by Cristóbal de Morales, Francisco Guerrero and Tomás Luis de Victoria. At 1 and 3 p.m., 212-650-2290, metmuseum.org/cloisters; $45, including museum admission.
First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York, Fifth Avenue at 11th Street, Greenwich Village. Candlelight service including English carols; Robert MacGimsey's "Sweet Little Jesus Boy," arranged by Nancy Wertsch; the Spanish carol "A la Nanita Nana"; and other works, followed by congregational singing of traditional carols and a reception; William Entriken, music director and organist. At 4 p.m., 212-675-6150, fpcnyc.org.
Riverside Church (interdenominational), 490 Riverside Drive, at 120th Street, Morningside Heights. Candlelight carol service, with Lee Hoiby's "The Offering"; Amanda Singer's "Away in the Manger"; John Rutter's "What Sweeter Music"; and Francis Poulenc's "O Magnum Mysterium." At 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. (prelude music begins at 2:30 and 5:50 p.m.), 212-870-6784, theriversidechurchny.org; $25; $15 for 50+; $10 for ages 14 and younger.
Christmas Eve
Brick Presbyterian Church, 62 East 92nd Street, Manhattan. Morten Lauridsen's "O Magnum Mysterium"; Robin Nelson's "Out of Your Sleep"; John Taverner's "The Lamb"; John Rutter's "There Is a Flower"; Z. Randall Stroope's "This Endris Night"; Vierne's "Carillon de Westminster"; Eric Whitacre's "Lux Aurumque"; and traditional carols arranged by Stephen Cleobury, Mr. Rutter and David Willcocks; with instrumentalists; Phyllis Whitehouse, soprano; Tate C. Addis, organist; Keith S. Toth, conductor. At 11 p.m. (prelude with brass, percussion and organ at 10:30 p.m.), 212-289-4400, brickchurch.org.
Christ and St. Stephen's Church (Episcopal), 120 West 69th Street, Manhattan. Jacob Handl's "Resonet in Laudibus"; Marc-Antoine Charpentier's "Messe de Minuit Pour Noel"; Harold Friedell's "When Christ Was Born of Mary Free"; Pierre Villette's "Hymne à la Vierge"; and other works; Paul Jacobs, organist; Nigel Potts, music director. At 10:30 p.m., 212-787-2755, Ext. 6, csschurch.org.
Church of the Ascension (Episcopal), Fifth Avenue at 10th Street, Greenwich Village. Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina's "Alma Redemptoris Mater"; Tomás Luis de Victoria's "O Magnum Mysterium"; Bruckner's "Ave Maria"; Vaughan Williams's "On Christmas Night"; Gregorian chants and traditional carols; Dennis Keene, organist and choirmaster. At 10:30 p.m., 212-254-8620, ascensionnyc.org.
Church of St. Jean Baptiste (Roman Catholic), Lexington Avenue at 76th Street. At 11:30 p.m.: Ola Gjeilo's "Away in a Manger"; Frank Boles's "Adam Lay Ybounden"; Herbert Howells's "A Spotless Rose"; and other works. At midnight: Mozart's Missa Brevis in B flat; Bruce Saylor's "Jubilate"; Adolphe Adam's "O Holy Night"; John Rutter's "Christmas Night"; and other works; Kyler Brown, music director and organist. 212-288-5082, stjeanbaptisteny.org.
Church of St. Luke in the Fields (Episcopal), 487 Hudson Street, at Grove Street, West Village. Heinrich Schütz's "Hodie Christus Natus Est"; Giacomo Carissimi's "Exulta, Gaude, Filia Sion," "Desiderat Nobis" and "Salve, Salve Puellule"; and other works, with period instruments; David Shuler, music director. Prelude at 9:30 p.m., service at 10 p.m., 212-924-0562, stlukeinthefields.org.
Church of St. Vincent Ferrer (Roman Catholic), 869 Lexington Avenue, at 66th Street. At 9:30 p.m.: John Goss's "See Amid the Winter's Snow"; Peter Warlock's "Bethlehem Down"; three organ preludes from Bach's "In Dulci Jubilo"; Michel-Richard Delalande's "Allegro" from "Symphonies des Noëls"; David Willcock's "Away in a Manger"; Adolphe Adam's "O Holy Night." At 10:30 p.m.: Franz Joseph Haydn's Missa Brevis in F; "O Come, All Ye Faithful" and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," arranged by David Willcocks; and other works; with soloists and instrumentalists; Mark Bani, music director and organist. 212-744-2080, Ext. 16, stvincentferrermusicnyc.com.
Corpus Christi Church (Roman Catholic), 529 West 121st Street, Morningside Heights. Philipp Friedrich Böddecker's "Natus Est Jesus"; Sethus Calvisius's "Gloria in Excelsis Deo"; André Campra's "Agnus Dei" from "Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam"; and Vaughan Williams's "Sussex Carol"; Louise Basbas, organist and music director. Prelude music at 11:30 p.m., 212-666-9350, corpus-christi-nyc.org.
Immanuel Lutheran Church, 122 East 88th Street, Manhattan. "Gaudete! Christus Est Natus," arranged by Marton Jakobey; Leonhard Paminger's "In Dulci Jubilo a 4" and "In Dulci Jubilo a 6"; Hans Leo Hassler's "Verbum Caro Factum Est"; Marc-Antoine Charpentier's "In Navitatem"; Louis Feltz's "Hodie Christus Natus Est"; Britten's "A Hymn to the Virgin"; and other works and traditional carols; with organist and brass; Gwendolyn Toth and Dongsok Shin, organists; Ms. Toth, music director. Prelude at 6 p.m., service at 6:30 p.m., 212-289-8128, immanuelnyc.org.
Madison Avenue Baptist Church, 30 East 31st Street, Manhattan. Philipp Nicolai's "Wachet auf!," arranged by Bach; Poulenc's "Videntes Stellam"; and traditional and international carols and readings of the Christmas story; with soloists; Paul Stephan, organist and pianist. At 5 p.m., 212-685-1377, mabcnyc.org.
Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, 921 Madison Avenue, at 73rd Street. Adolphe Adam's "Cantique de Noël"; James Bassi's "Wexford Carol"; John Rutter's "I Wonder as I Wander"; and other works; with instrumentalists; Andrew Henderson, music director and organist. Prelude at 10:15 p.m., service at 10:30 p.m., 212-288-8920, mapc.com.
Marble Collegiate Church (Reformed Church in America), Fifth Avenue at 29th Street. Paul Mealor's "A Spotless Rose"; Franz Biebl's "Ave Maria"; Morten Lauridsen's "O Nata Lux"; Gabriel Fauré's "The Virgin and Child"; Bach's "Gloria in Excelsis Deo"; Adolphe Adam's "O Holy Night"; and other works; Chelsea Brass Ensemble, directed by Sharon Moe; Kenneth Dake, music director and organist. At 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. (with prelude music at 6:10 and 8:10), 212-686-2770, marblechurch.org.
Middle Collegiate Church (Reformed Church in America), 112 Second Avenue, at Seventh Street, East Village. At 7 p.m.: Bruce Saylor's "Jubilate"; Franz Biebl's "Ave Maria"; Eric Whitacre's "Lux Arumque"; Gwyneth Walker's "Go Tell It on the Mountain"; Adolphe Adam's "O Holy Night"; and other works; with brass quintet; Allison Sniffin, organist; Jonathan Dudley, director. At 10 p.m.: Richard Smallwood's "Bless the Lord"; Richard Foy's "Joy to the World"; John del Cueto's "Do You Hear What I Hear?"; and other works; with gospel choir and band; Mr. del Cueto, director. 212-477-0666, middlechurch.org.
Oratory Church of St. Boniface, Willoughby and Duffield Streets, Downtown Brooklyn. Bach's "Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light"; George Boziwick's "Advent Calendar"; Andrew Carter's "A Maiden Most Gentle"; Daniel Elder's "O Magnum Mysterium"; Stephen Paulus's "Gabrieli's Message"; Tavener's "The Lamb"; and other works; Christopher J. Hatcher, music director and organist; Benjamin Niemczyk, choir director. Prelude at 10 p.m., service at 10:30 p.m. (also Christmas Day at 11 and 11:15 a.m.), 718-875-2096, oratory-church.org.
St. Bartholomew's Church (Episcopal), Park Avenue at 51st Street. Malcolm's Mass at the Crèche; William Trafka's "Alleluia With Verse for Christmas Eve"; Stephen Cleobury's "Joys Seven"; Henri Büsser's "Sleep of the Infant Jesus"; "Fantasia on Greensleeves," arranged by Vaughan Williams; with instrumentalists; William K. Trafka, organist and conductor. Preludes at 6:30 and 10:30 p.m., 212-378-0222, stbarts.org.
St. James's Church (Episcopal), 865 Madison Avenue, at 71st Street. At 4:30 p.m.: Adolphe Adam's "O Holy Night," arranged by Dudley Buck; Paul Halley's "Infinite Light"; Harold Darke's "In the Bleak Midwinter"; "Ding, Dong! Merrily on High," arranged by David Willcocks; and other works. At 5 p.m.: John Gardner's "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day"; John Rutter's "Still, Still, Still"; and other works. At 10 p.m.: "Silent Night," arranged by Malcolm Sargent; Britten's "Hymn to the Virgin"; Herbert Howells's "A Spotless Rose." At 10:30 p.m.: Mozart's Missa Brevis in D; "For Unto Us a Child Is Born," from Handel's "Messiah," and other works; with instrumentalists; Davis Wortman, music director. 212-774-4100, stjames.org.
St. John's in the Village (Episcopal), 218 West 11th Street, West Village. Charles Wood's "A Virgin Most Pure"; Gordon King's "Wondrous Night"; Gerald Near's "My Dancing Day"; Boris Ord's "Adam Lay Ybounden"; Pachelbel's "From Heaven Above"; and other works; Gordon King, organist and choirmaster. At 9:30 p.m., 212-243-6192, stjvny.org.
St. Joseph's in Greenwich Village (Roman Catholic), 371 Avenue of the Americas, at Waverly Place. Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina's "Hodie Christus Natus Est"; "O Magnum Mysterium," by Tomás Luis de Victoria and Morten Lauridsen; selections from Handel's "Messiah"; and other works, with brass; Jin Krista Kang, music director. Prelude at 8:30 p.m., service at 9 p.m. (also Christmas Day at 11:30 a.m.), 212-741-1274, washingtonsquarecatholic.org.
Trinity Church (Episcopal), Broadway at Wall Street, Lower Manhattan. At 6 p.m.: Kelly's "Magnificat"; Rudolph's "The Dream Isaiah Saw"; and Howells's "A Spotless Rose." At 9:15 p.m.: D'Aquin's "Noel Suisse"; Biebl's "Ave Maria"; Darke's "In the Bleak Midwinter"; Howells's "A Spotless Rose"; Poulenc's "O Magnum Mysterium" and "Hodie Christus Natus Est"; and other works, with orchestra. Webcasts at trinitywallstreet.org; 212-602-0800.
Christmas Day
Corpus Christi Church (Roman Catholic), 529 West 121st Street, Morningside Heights. Domenico Scarlatti's "Agnus Dei" from "Missa Quatuor Vocum"; William Byrd's "Puer Natus Est Nobis"; Sethus Calvisius's "Gloria in Excelsis Deo"; and organ works by Bach, Dietrich Buxtehude and Johann Gottfried Walther; with soloists; Louise Basbas, organist and music director. At 11:15 a.m., 212-666-9350, corpus-christi-nyc.org.
Church of the Resurrection (Episcopal), 119 East 74th Street, Manhattan. George Malcolm's "Missa ad Praesepe"; William Mathias's "Sir Christèmas"; David Enlow, organist and choirmaster. At 11 a.m., 212-879-4320, resurrectionnyc.org.


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KTLA's Rich DeMuro Sucker Punches Santa Claus
You know how sometimes the guy at the shopping mall doesn't really look like Santa? Well… Think back to a personal experience of this Yuletide phenomenon, multiply times ten and the result is akin to what Rich DeMuro enacted today on the KTLA Morning News.
It was all in good fun of course. But for any younger schoolkids who caught sight this morning of DeMuro's hole-in-the-wall-bar worthy Santa, KTLA might want to consider giving away a free family therapy session rather than the Lenovo Yoga laptop being hawked by the tech reporter. Ho, ho, holy beer bellied son of St. Nick!

subset: commoncrawl


text: Zedd Reveals Release Date for New Album and Other Major Announcements Elijah PantojaWednesday, April 8, 2015CultureNew MusicNews0 Comments Starting as a young music prodigy, Anton Zaslavski, better known by his stage name Zedd, has been making a name for himself in the past couple of years. More recently, he has grown even more popular through announcing his upcoming album and giving a select number of fans intimately private concerts. Now, to ensure that hype for the album continues, Zedd has announced the release date for his second studio album entitled True Colors, which will be available May 19th, 2015 through Interscope Records. Check out the cover art below, which was also revealed today. In addition to providing details on the album, Zedd has also joined T-Mobile in offering a special promotion for his fans. Tomorrow, April 8th, the first 250,000 fans to follow T-Mobile on Facebook and Twitter will receive free download of a remix by Milo and Otis of the first single off the new album entitled, "I Want U To Know".


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COVID-19 UPDATE: All orders will be dropped off for shipping or delivery once a week (usually Tuesday afternoon) - We no longer accept pick ups. Thank you for your understanding and patience
Notify me when this product is available:
Don't miss out on amazing deals, new products and all things Green Beauty!!!


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Nuggets wing Will Barton suffered a strained groin Saturday night, and his timetable for return is uncertain, according to The Athletic.
Barton, 27, underwent tests Sunday after sustaining the injury against the Suns when he was carted off the court.
Despite spending most of his career as a key bench contributor, Barton has averaged 13-plus points in each of his last four seasons. He's averaging 16.5 points so far in 2018-19.
With Barton set to miss time, Gary Harris could log even more minutes with Malik Beasley and Torrey Craig likely to get a chance to earn time.


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At the beginning of March 20, JUTEC launched the new division Health protection.
Our vision: Perfect prevention in health to come along with an optimal cost-benefit index.
As a technical assembler in the PPE sector, we produce MNM reusable masks with a capacity of up to 50,000 masks per week.
Product Features:
- Sewn face mask with highest wearing comfort (Made by JUTEC)
- German production relaxes availability and procurement
- Reusable mask with sealed membrane system (moisture-proof)
- Washable up to 60 times (60°C), suitable for tumble drying and smoothing
- Sustainable and recyclable
- Closure with elastic band, textile band or cord stopper (mixed supply possible)
- Individual color tone possible (quantity-dependent)
- Individualization via logo print possible (quantity-dependent)
- Purchasing directly from the manufacturer
- Best in class cost/use index (unit price disposable vs. reusable)
- Fabric certified according to EN 13795
- Certification as medical device according to EN 14683:2014 in preparation
(provisionally only valid for Germany)
It is ecologically responsible, politically desired and economically necessary that protective equipment is developed and manufactured in Germany and Europe.


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Kenneth Hall endorsed via fb3 2017-06-21 08:20:01 -0400I'm very proud of all these Michigan mayors who've taken a stand against the backward thinking administration of Trump. Climate Change and Global Warming are so real and so very dangerous to every living thing on this planet. If it ever gets into a runaway stage there will be nothing we humans can do about it and the naysayers, at the very last minute of course, will regret what they've done to their home world. Too late though as a sixth extinction event begins taking place.
Michigan Mayors Endorsing Paris Climate Agreement
We are proud to list those Michigan mayors who are acting upon the fact that our climate is warming, and agree that swift action needs to be taken. *
Please help us by endorsing the commitment of these mayors, and then calling on YOUR mayor to add their name to the list.
Mayor Christopher Taylor
City of Ann Arbor, MI
Mayor Brenda Hess
City of Buchanan, MI
Mayor Mike Duggan
City of Detroit, MI
Mayor Mark Meadows
City of East Lansing, MI
Mayor David Coulter
City of Ferndale, MI
Mayor Karen Weaver
City of Flint, MI
Mayor Rosalyn Bliss
City of Grand Rapids, MI
Mayor Karen Majewski
City of Hamtramck, MI
Mayor Bobby J Hopewell
City of Kalamazoo, MI
Mayor Andy Schor
City of Lansing, MI
Mayor William Sprague
City of Lapeer, MI
Mayor Kurt R Metzger
City of Pleasant Ridge, MI
Mayor Daniel Guzzi
City of Rockwood, MI
Mayor Mike Fournier
City of Royal Oak, MI
Mayor Jim Carruthers
Traverse City, MI
Mary William R Wild
City of Westland, MI
Mayor Amanda Maria Edmonds
City of Ypsilanti, MI
*Updated February 1, 2019
Traverse City Mayor Jim Carruthers speaks to a crowd about climate change


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Each lion finely moulded affronte, seated on rectangular plinths, the female depicted with her pup holding brocaded ball, the male seated with a brocaded ball with trailing ribbon, decorated in famille verte enamels on the biscuit, the bodies painted pale green, the manes in yellow, aubergine and black enamels, and the curls on top of the head similarly decorated, the plinths with cartouches of fish and aquatic plants on a black background against a background of delicate floral sprays, the sides painted with further lively lion dogs leaping, against a background of flowering blossoms, vigorously modelled in traditional attitude with head turned to one side. Both animals with predominately green bodies with pale manganese mane and tail and other detailing in red and yellow. Each has a blue collar hung with tassels and a bell. Their foreheads with the character wang ['King']. The male with left forepaw resting on a freely turning brocaded ball, his companion with a small yellow cub clambering up her flanks. They are supported on rectangular platformed plinths, the sides embellished with a formal arrangement of different coloured chrysanthemums among leaves and black vermiculé on a green washed ground. The edges of the platforms decorated with squared scroll (leiwen).
Figures of buddhistic lions are usually found in pairs, the male depicted with a brocaded ball and the female with her cub. Buddhist lions are a classic theme in Chinese art, although the lion is not indigenous to China it was introduced through Indian Buddhism. Pairs of stone lions were probably first employed to guard the entrances to temples and official buildings to frighten away demons towards the end of the Han dynasty or a little after. Also placed as guards of Buddhist temples, this particular placement relates to the lamaistic concept that Buddha upon entering his temple ordered the two lions that accompanied him to seat themselves and wait his return in motionless obedience. The representation of the lion as decoration on Chinese porcelain can be seen from the Ming dynasty onwards, usually depicted in a playful manner, amusing themselves with a brocaded ball and pups.
The brocaded ball, according to legend may represent either a kind of egg enclosing the cub or a pearl. Williams in 1941 relates; "there is an ancient legend that the lion produces milk from its paws, and therefore hollow balls were placed on the hills by the country people, with result that the lions, who enjoyed sporting with the balls would leave some of their milk in them, which the people would secure" (CAS Williams, Outlines of Chinese symbolism and art motives, New York, Dover Publications, 1941, p. 254). There is a connotation of bravery associated with the lions, for under Ming and Qing rule the lion represented the badge of the first military rank. The lions may also symbolise high officials of state. Buddhist lions are often called dogs of Fo, a name given by Europeans, or dogs of Buddha and were very popular in the Kangxi period.
A similar pair of Buddhist lions is illustrated by Walter Bondy, op. cit., p. 181.
Gordon Lang, 'Polychrome Decoration' in: A Catalogue of Oriental Ceramics and Works of Art, ed. Anita Gray, London, n.d., pp. 43-44, no. 56.


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US Dollar Fell as SGD Rose, PHP Struggled. Trump's Health, Stimulus Eyed
US Dollar, Singapore Dollar, Indonesian Rupiah, Philippine Peso, Malaysian Ringgit – Talking Points
- US Dollar cautiously fell versus ASEAN FX, IDR and PHP struggled
- Capital was slowly flowing back into emerging markets as S&P rose
- Key risks ahead: Trump's health, US fiscal stimulus and Brexit talks
US Dollar ASEAN Weekly Recap
The haven-linked US Dollar succumbed to selling pressure this past week as US fiscal stimulus hopes likely ended the 4-week long losing streak in the S&P 500. Equities even brushed aside US President Donald Trump contracting the coronavirus, opening the door to political uncertainty ahead of the November election. A somewhat disappointing non-farm payrolls report was brushed aside.
Focusing on its performance against ASEAN currencies, the Singapore Dollar was one of the best-performing ones as well as the Malaysian Ringgit. Where the US Dollar held its ground was against the Indonesian Rupiah as net foreign equity outflows persisted. Meanwhile the Philippine Peso struggled as Benjamin Diokno, Governor of the local central bank, opened the door to further easing monetary policy.
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Last Week's US Dollar Performance
*ASEAN-Based US Dollar Index averages USD/SGD, USD/IDR, USD/MYR and USD/PHP
S&P 500 Versus Emerging Market Capital Flows
With recent gains in US indices, it seems to have inspired a cautious inflow of capital back into Emerging Markets – see chart below. This may have contributed to some of the weakness seen in the US Dollar against its ASEAN peers. Currencies from developing markets can be quite sensitive to these flows. It is thus important to recognize external factors that could inspire volatility in the week ahead.
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External Event Risk – US Fiscal Stimulus, Donald Trump's Condition, FOMC Minutes, Brexit Talks
With that in mind, all eyes still remain on US fiscal stimulus hopes and the ongoing health of the president. Last week, the Democratic-lead House of Representatives passed a $2.2 trillion package on party lines. Whether or not the bill makes it past the Senate remains to be seen, but further delay risk souring market mood as it did throughout most of September, opening the door to USD strength.
This is of particular importance given the FOMC minutes due on October 7th. There the Fed may reiterate some of its cautious commentary about the economic outlook without an urgent need to expand its liquidity-boosting measures. That increases the importance of a timely fiscal package as markets are forward-looking. Data out the US continues to broadly outperform relative to expectations, though by at a shrinking margin.
The debate between Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Kamal Harris is also on tap on Wednesday. Last week's presidential debate inspired a slight 'risk-off' tilt in its aftermath as Joe Biden pulled ahead Donald Trump in the polls. Another source of market volatility could come from ongoing Brexit talks. Rising odds of a 'no-deal' could complicate global growth recovery prospects.
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ASEAN, South Asia Event Risk – Singapore Retail Sales and Maybe GDP, Philippine Trade Balance
The ASEAN economic docket in comparison is fairly light. Singapore will release the latest retail sales report. Local third-quarter GDP data may cross the wires between October 7th – 14th. This is as August's Philippine trade data crosses the wires on October 9th. With that in mind, USD/SGD, USD/IDR, USD/MYR and USD/PHP may remain focused on external developments this week.
On October 2nd, the 20-day rolling correlation coefficient between my ASEAN-based US Dollar index and the MSCI Emerging Markets Index increased to -0.90 from -0.88. Values closer to -1 indicate an increasingly inverse relationship, though it is important to recognize that correlation does not imply causation.
ASEAN-Based USD Index Versus MSCI Emerging Markets Index – Daily Chart
Chart Created Using TradingView
*ASEAN-Based US Dollar Index averages USD/SGD, USD/IDR, USD/MYR and USD/PHP
— Written by Daniel Dubrovsky, Currency Analyst for DailyFX.com
To contact Daniel, use the comments section below or @ddubrovskyFX on Twitter
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ECB Meeting to Determine Next Major Move in EUR/USD
Chart created with TradingView
Fundamental Euro Forecast: Neutral
- The European Central Bank's Governing Council meets this coming week and its statement Thursday, followed by its President's news conference, will likely be important in determining the Euro's direction over the next month or so.
- The ECB will leave all its monetary settings unchanged but President Christine Lagarde could well start preparing the markets for a further easing of monetary policy in December.
- Meanwhile, there are few signs of a breakout from the broad 1.16 to 1.20 range for EUR/USD that has confined the pair since mid-July.
ECB Meeting Critical for EUR/USD
The statement Thursday at the end of the next meeting of the European Central Bank's Governing Council, and the subsequent comments by ECB President Christine Lagarde at her news conference, will be critical in determining the future direction of the Euro.
There will be no changes in interest rates or Eurozone monetary policy this coming week but Lagarde could hint at a further policy easing as early as December – a move that could weaken EUR/USD and the Euro crosses. The problem is that the Governing Council seems split on the issue.
Some members seem willing to act, fearing a "double dip" in the Eurozone economy as GDP falls again after a brief respite, hit by a second wave of Covid-19 infections that forces more countries and regions into lockdown. Easier monetary policy might help alleviate the resulting economic impact, help lessen deflationary pressures in the Eurozone and offset any damage to the region's trade caused by the Euro's advance since EUR/USD hit a low under 1.07 in March.
Others, though, seem more circumspect, worried that after hitting its highest level for more than a month last week EUR/USD may be vulnerable to a setback. There may also be concern about hinting at easier monetary policy so close to the US Presidential election and that more wary view seems to be that of the markets, where pricing suggests the rate on the ECB's deposit facility will be minus 0.6% by the end of next year, only marginally below the current minus 0.5%.
You can find an FX traders' guide to the ECB by clicking here
Putting all these factors together suggests that EUR/USD will continue to trade for a while yet in a broad range between the September 1 high at 1.2011 and the September 25 low at 1.1611.
EUR/USD Price Chart, Daily Timeframe (July 22 – October 22, 2020)
Source: Refinitiv (You can click on it for a larger image)
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Week Ahead: Data Also Important for EUR/USD
Turning to the economic data on the calendar, the week ahead is a busy one, with German inflation and unemployment figures due Thursday, followed by Eurozone inflation and GDP numbers Friday. Both the German and the Eurozone price data could show steeper falls – emphasizing the ECB's concerns about deflation – while the GDP data for the third quarter will likely show a strong rebound.
That would do little though to ease double dip concerns so more important might be Monday's Ifo index of the German business climate in October, the first month of the fourth quarter, and it would be no surprise if that were weaker than in September.
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We look at currencies regularly in the DailyFX Trading Global Markets Decoded podcasts that you can find here on Apple or wherever you go for your podcasts
— Written by Martin Essex, Analyst
Feel free to contact me on Twitter @MartinSEssex
Crude Oil Prices May Rise on US Stimulus Hopes, PMI Data
- Crude oil prices edge up on US fiscal stimulus hopes, upbeat data flow
- Soundbites from Washington DC, US PMI surveys now in the spotlight
- Gold prices down as US Dollar gains alongside Treasury bond yields
Crude oil prices managed to retrace some lost ground Thursday after the prior day's selloff, the largest one-day loss in over a week, as an improvement in market-wide risk appetite helped buoy sentiment-geared assets. Tellingly, the WTI benchmark tracked higher alongside bellwether S&P 500 futures.
Markets seemed to be cheered by the appearance of a positive turn in US fiscal stimulus negotiations after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said a deal is "just about there". Data flow was also supportive: existing home sales surged to a 14-year high while jobless claims registered lower than expected.
Gold prices fell as the chipper mood buoyed Treasury bond yields, tarnishing the appeal of non-interest-bearing alternatives. Interestingly, the US Dollar managed to shed the anti-risk trading profile defining recent price action and rose in tandem, hinting the day's new-flow may have curbed Fed easing bets.
Soundbites shaping fiscal stimulus expectations are likely to remain in focus through the end of the trading week. Flash US PMI surveys headline the data docket, with forecasts pointing to a slight pickup in the overall pace of economic activity growth in October compared with the prior month.
A brighter view of the near-term business cycle might keep crude oil prices supported in the near term. A lasting rally seems unlikely however as weak demand continues to weigh. In fact, an EIA implied demand gauge published this week slumped toward Covid outbreak lows registered in April.
Gold may continue to suffer if yesterday's trade dynamics remain in play, with hopes for a strengthening recovery boosting yields alongside the Greenback. However, disappointing data flow or souring stimulus prospects in the face of opposition in the Republican-controlled Senate might buoy the yellow metal.
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Crude oil prices are hovering just below range resistance in the 42.40-43.88 area. A downswing from here sees initial support in the 34.64-36.15 zone, with a break below that likely exposing the 27.40-30.73 region next. Alternatively, a daily close above resistance may open the door for a test of the $50/bbl figure.
Crude oil price chart created using TradingView
Gold prices recoiled from resistance in the 1911.44-28.82 area, marked by a former range bottom and a falling trend line set from mid-August. Support is eyed in the 1848.66-63.27 zone, with a daily close below that seemingly setting the stage for a move below the $1800/oz figure. Alternatively, claiming a foothold above resistance may be followed by another test above $2000/oz.
Gold price chart created using TradingView
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— Written by Ilya Spivak, Head APAC Strategist for DailyFX
To contact Ilya, use the comments section below or @IlyaSpivak on Twitter
How to Trade the Impact of Politics on Global Financial Markets
- The global economy is showing increasing weakness and fragility
- Eroding economic fortitude exposes markets to geopolitical risks
- Examples of political threats in Asia, Latin America and Europe
See our free guide to learn how to use economic news in your trading strategy!
Against the backdrop of eroding fundamentals, markets become increasingly sensitive to political risks as their capacity for inducing market-wide volatility is amplified. When liberal-oriented ideologies – that is, those favoring free trade and integrated capital markets – are being assaulted on a global scale by nationalist and populist movements, uncertainty-driven volatility is the frequent result.
What makes political risk so dangerous and elusive is the limited ability investors have for pricing it in. Traders may therefore find themselves hot under the collar as the global political landscape continues to develop unpredictably. Furthermore, much like the spread of the coronavirus in 2020, political pathogens can have a similar contagion effect.
Generally speaking, markets do not really care about political categorizations but are more concerned with the economic policies embedded in the agenda of whoever holds the reigns of the sovereign. Policies that stimulate economic growth typically act as a magnet for investors looking to park capital where it will garner the highest yield.
These include the implementation of fiscal stimulus plans, fortifying property rights, allowing for goods and capital to flow freely and dissolving growth-sapping regulations. If these policies create adequate inflationary pressure, the central bank may raise interest rates in response. That boosts the underlying return on local assets, reeling in investors and lifting the currency.
Conversely, a government whose underlying ideological predilections go against the gradient of globalization may cause capital flight. Regimes that seek to rip out the threads that have sown economic and political integration usually create a moat of uncertainty that investors do not want to traverse. Themes of ultra-nationalism, protectionism and populism have been frequently shown to have market-disrupting effects.
If a state undergoes an ideological realignment,traders will assess the situation to see if it radically alters their risk-reward set up. If so, they may then reallocate their capital and re-formulate their trading strategies to tilt the balance of risk to reward in their favor. Volatility is stoked in doing so however as reformulated trading strategies are reflected in the market-wide redistribution of capital across various assets.
Open a Free Forex Demo account with IG and trade currencies that move with politics and elections.
In Italy, the 2018 election roiled regional markets and eventually rippled through virtually the entire financial system. The ascendancy of the anti-establishment right-wing Lega Nord and ideologically-ambivalent 5 Star Movement was founded on a campaign of populism with a built-in rejection of the status quo. The uncertainty accompanying this new regime was then promptly priced in and resulted in significantly volatility.
The risk premium for holding Italy's assets rose and was reflected in an over-100 percent spike in Italian 10-year bond yields. That showed investors demanding a higher return for tolerating what they perceived to be a higher level of risk. This was also reflected in the dramatic widening of the spread on credit default swaps on Italian sovereign debt amid increased fears that Italy could be the epicenter of another EU debt crisis.
EUR/USD, EUR/CHF Plummeted as Mediterranean Sovereign Bond Yields Spiked Amid Fears of Another Eurozone Debt Crisis
Source: TradingView
The US Dollar, Japanese Yen and Swiss Franc all gained at the expense of the Euro as investors redirected their capital to anti-risk assets. The Euro's suffering was prolonged by a dispute between Rome and Brussels over the former's budgetary ambitions. The government's fiscal exceptionalism was a feature of their anti-establishment nature that in turn introduced greater uncertainty and was then reflected in a weaker Euro.
LATIN AMERICA: Nationalist-Populism in Brazil
While President Jair Bolsonaro is generally characterized as a fire-brand nationalist with populist underpinnings, the market reaction to his ascendency was met with open arms by investors. His appointment of Paulo Guedes – a University of Chicago-trained economist with a penchant for privatization and regulatory restructuring – boosted sentiment and investors' confidence in Brazilian assets.
Ibovespa Index – Daily Chart
Source: TradingView
From June 2018 to the Covid-19 global markets rout in early 2020, the benchmark Ibovespa equity index rose over 58 percent compared with a little over 17 percent in the S&P 500 over the same time period. During the election in October, the Brazilian index rose over 12 percent in just one month as polls revealed that Bolsonaro was going to triumph over his left-wing opponent Fernando Haddad.
Since Bolsonaro's ascent to the presidency, the ups and downs in Brazilian markets have reflected the level of progress on his market-disrupting pension reforms. Investors speculated that these structural adjustments will be strong enough to pull Brazil's economy away from the precipice of a recession and toward a strong growth trajectory, unburdened by unsustainable public spending.
ASIA: Hindu Nationalism in India
The re-election of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was broadly welcome by markets, though lingering concerns were raised about the effect of Hindu nationalism on regional stability. However, Modi has a reputation for being a business-friendly politician. His election lured investors into allocating a significant amount of capital to Indian assets.
However, investors' optimistic outlook is periodically undermined by periodic clashes between India and its neighbors over territorial disputes. In the first breaths of 2019, India-Pakistan relations soured drastically amid a skirmish over the disputed Kashmir region. Since the 1947 partition, the hostility between the two nuclear powers has been an ever-present regional risk.
India Nifty 50 Index, S&P 500 Futures, AUD/JPY Fall After News Broke of India-Pakistan Skirmish
Source: TradingView
Tension between India and China, particularly over the disputed border known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Himalayan Mountains also rattled Asian financial markets. In June 2020, news of a skirmish between Chinese and Indian troops resulting in over 20 deaths raised concerns about what further escalation could mean for regional security and financial stability. Read the full report here.
India Nifty 50 Index, S&P 500 Futures, US 10-Year Treasury Yield, USD/INR After News Broke of India-China Skirmish
Source: TradingView
Nationalist campaigns and governments are embedded with political risk because the very nature of such a regime relies on displaying strength and frequently equates compromise with capitulation. In times of political volatility and economic fragility, the financial impact of a diplomatic breakdown is amplified by the fact that a resolution to a dispute will likely be prolonged due to the inherently stubborn nature of nationalist regimes.
US President Donald Trump and Modi employed a similar brand of strong rhetoric both on the campaign trail and within their respective administrations. In a rather ironic way, their ideological similarity may in fact be a force that causes a rift in diplomatic relations. Tensions between the two have escalated in 2019, with markets worrying that Washington may start another trade war in Asia, opening a second front in India having already engaged China.
For economies with a high degree of capital mobility, there are essentially four different sets of policy-mix alternatives that can provoke a reaction in FX markets following an economic or geopolitical shock:
- Scenario 1: Fiscal policy is already expansionary + monetary policy becomes more restrictive ("tightening") = Bullish for the local currency
- Scenario 2: Fiscal policy is already restrictive + monetary policy becomes more expansionary ("loosening") = Bearish for the local currency
- Scenario 3: Monetary policy already expansionary ("loosening") + fiscal policy becomes more restrictive = Bearish for the local currency
- Scenario 4: Monetary policy is already restrictive ("tightening") + fiscal policy becomes more expansionary = Bullish for the local currency
It is important to note that for an economy like the United States and a currency like the US Dollar, whenever fiscal policy and monetary policy start trending in the same direction, there is often an ambiguous impact on the currency. Below we will examine how various fiscal and monetary policy remedies for geopolitical and economic shocks impact currency markets.
Scenario 1 – FISCAL POLICY LOOSE; MONETARY POLICY BECOMES TIGHTER
On May 2, 2019 – following the FOMC decision to hold rates in the 2.25-2.50 percent range – Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that relatively soft inflationary pressure noted at the time was "transitory". The implication here was that while price growth was below what central bank officials were hoping for, it would soon accelerate.The US-China trade war played a role in slowing economic activity and muting inflation.
The implicit message was then a reduced probability of a rate cut in the near term, given that the fundamental outlook was judged to be solid and the overall trajectory of US economic activity seen to be on a healthy path. The neutral tone struck by the Fed was comparatively less dovish than what markets had anticipated. This might then explain why the priced-in probability of a Fed rate cut by the end of the year (as seen in overnight index swaps) fell from 67.2 percent to 50.9 percent after Powell's comments.
Meanwhile, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) forecasted an increase in the fiscal deficit over a three–year time horizon, overlapping the central bank's would-be tightening cycle. What's more, this came against the backdrop of speculation about a bipartisan fiscal stimulus plan. In late April, key policymakers announced plans for a US$2 trillion infrastructure building program.
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The combination of expansionary fiscal policy and monetary tightening made the case for a bullish US Dollaroutlook. The fiscal package was expected to create jobs and boost inflation, thereby nudging the Fed to raise rates. As it happened, the Greenback added 6.2 percent against an average of its major currency counterparts over the subsequent four months.
Scenario 1: DXY, 10-Year Bond Yields Rise, S&P500 Futures Fall
Source: TradingView
Scenario 2 – FISCAL POLICY TIGHT; MONETARY POLICY BECOMES LOOSER
Theglobal financial crisis in 2008 and the Great Recession that followed rippled out worldwide and destabilized Mediterranean economies. This stoked worries about a region-wide sovereign debt crisis as bond yields in Italy, Spain and Greece climbed to alarming levels. Mandated austerity measures were imposed in some cases which helped create the basis for Eurosceptic populism that hence haunted the region.
Investors began to lose confidence in the ability of these governments to service their debt and demanded a higher yield for incurring what appeared to be a rising risk of default. The Euro was in pain amid the chaos as doubtsemerged about its very existence in the event that the crisis forced the unprecedented departure of a member state from the Eurozone.
In what is considered to be one of the most famous moments in financial history, European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi delivered a speech in London on July 26, 2012 which many would come to see as a pivotal moment that saved the single currency. He said that the ECB is "ready to do whatever it takes to preserve the Euro. And believe me," he added,"it will be enough." This speech calmed European bond markets and helped bring yields back down.
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The ECB alsocreated a bond-buying program called OMT (for "Outright Monetary Transactions"). It was aimed at reducing stress in sovereign debt markets, offering relief to distressed Eurozone governments. While OMT was never used, its mere availability helped becalm jittery investors.At the same time, many of the troubled Euro area states adopted austerity measures to stabilize government finances.
While the Euro initially rose as worries about its collapse receded, the currency would depreciate substantially against the US Dollar over the course of the following three years. By March 2015, it had lost over 13 percent of its value. When examining the monetary and fiscal set up, it becomes quite clear why.
Scenario 2: Euro Sighs Relief – Sovereign Bond Yields Fall as Insolvency Fears are Quelled
Source: TradingView
Austerity measures in many Eurozone countries limited their governments' ability to provide fiscal stimulus that might have helped create jobs and boost inflation. At the same time, the central bank was easing policy as a way to alleviate the crisis. Consequently, this combination pressured the Euro lower against most of its major counterparts.
Scenario 2: Euro, Sovereign Bond Yields Fall
Source: TradingView
Scenario 3 – MONETARY POLICY LOOSE; FISCAL POLICY BECOMES TIGHTER
At the early stages of the Great Recession, the Bank of Canada (BOC) cut its benchmark interest rate from 1.50 to 0.25 percent as a way to ease credit conditions, restore confidence and revive economic growth. Counterintuitively, the yield on 10-year Canadian government bonds began to rise. This rally came right around the same time as Canada's benchmark TSX stock index established a bottom.
Scenario 3: USD/CAD, TSX, Canadian 2-Year Bond Yields
Source: TradingView
The subsequent restoration of confidence and recovery in share prices was reflected ininvestors' shifting preference for riskier, higher-returning investments (like stocks)in lieu of comparatively safer alternatives (like bonds). This reallocation of capital sent yields higher despite the central bank's monetary easing. The BOC then began to raise its policy interest rate anew and brought it up to 1percent, where it remained for the subsequent five years.
During this time, Prime Minister Stephen Harper implemented austerity measures to stabilize the government's finances amid the global financial crisis. The central bank then reversed course and cut rates back to 0.50 percent by July 2015.
Both CAD and local bond yields suffered as monetary policy was loosened while the capacity for fiscal policy support was constrained. As it happens, cutting back government spending at this difficult time ended up costing Mr Harper his job. Justin Trudeau replaced him as Prime Minister following a victory in the 2015 general election.
Scenario 3: USD/CAD, Canada 2-Year Bond Yields
Source: TradingView
Scenario 4 – MONETARY POLICY TIGHT; FISCAL POLICY BECOMES LOOSER
After Donald Trump was proclaimed the victor in the 2016 USpresidential election, the political landscape and economic backdrop favored a bullish outlook for the US Dollar. With the the Oval Office and both houses of Congress thus controlled by the Republican Party, the markets appeared to conclude that scope for political volatility had been reduced.
This made the market-friendly fiscal measures proposed by candidate Trump during the electionappear more likely to be implemented. These included tax cuts, deregulation and infrastructure building. Investors appeared to overlook threats to launch trade wars against top trading partners such as China and the Eurozone, at least for the time. On the monetary side, central bank officials raised rates at the tail end of 2016 and were looking to hike again by at least 75 basis points through 2017.
With scope for fiscal expansion and monetary tightening in sight, the US Dollar rallied alongside local bond yields and equities. This came as corporate earnings expectations strengthened alongside the outlook for broader economic performance. This stoked bets on firmer inflation and thereby on a hawkish response from the central bank.
Scenario 4) US Dollar Index (DXY), S&P 500 Futures, 10-Year Bond Yields (Chart 7)
Source: TradingView
Countless studies have shown that a significant decline in living standards from war or a severe recession increase the propensity for voters to take up radical positions on the political spectrum. As such, people are more likely to deviate from market-friendly policies – such as capital integration and trade liberalization – and instead focus on measures that turn away from globalization and are deleteriously inward-facing.
The modern globalized economy is interconnected both politically and economically and therefore any systemic shock has a high probability of echoing out into the world. During times of significant political volatility amid inter-continental ideological changes, it is crucial to monitor these developments because within them are opportunities to set up short, medium and long-term trading strategies.
— Written by Dimitri Zabelin, Analyst for DailyFX.com
To contact Dimitri, use the comments section below or @ZabelinDimitrion Twitter
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ICE is pleased to welcome two new Vice Presidents joining the presidential team for the 2017/18 presidential year from November.
They are Dr Jane Smallman and Mak Chai-kwong.
They join current Vice Presidents Kyle Clough, Ed McCann, Rachel Skinner, Andrew Wolstenholme and Andrew Wyllie and will work with incoming President Lord Robert Mair.
Zara Lamont will stand down as Vice President in November at the end of her three year term.
Council have confirmed that Rachel Skinner should transfer to becoming a succeeding Vice President from November 2017, with a view to becoming President in November 2020, subject to interim annual election by Council.
Council have also confirmed the election of Andrew Wyllie CBE as succeeding Vice President and that based on seniority, he should be considered as a candidate for the Presidency in November 2018, subject to formal election by Council in December 2017.
Jane has worked in civil engineering for most of her professional career. She was at HR Wallingford Ltd from 1984 (when she joined as a mathematical modeller) until her retirement in 2015, and was Managing Director from 2006 to 2014. As Managing Director she was responsible for a £27m turnover business employing about 270 staff. HR Wallingford is a world leading specialist consultant in the area of civil engineering and environmental hydraulics.
Jane is now a Non-Executive Board Member of the Management Board for the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas), which is an Executive Agency of the UK Government Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Cefas is a world leading organisation in marine science and technology, and the aquatic environment. Jane chairs both the Cefas Management Board, and the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee.
Jane is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and was elected to the ICE Council in 2016. She is the Immediate Past President of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST), and a Member of the Board of Trustees of IMarEST.
In May 2016 Jane was appointed as an Honorary Visiting Professor to the School of Engineering of the University of Edinburgh.
Jane has a degree in mathematics from Reading University and a PhD in mathematics (integral equation solutions to water wave diffraction problems) also from Reading University.
C K Mak's early career was associated mainly with Hong Kong's railway development. He joined the HK Government in 1973 and took part in the modernization of the Kowloon-Canton-Railway (KCR) that transformed the single-track diesel-electric KCR system to its present form. In 1993, he led studies to formulate two Railway Development Strategies (RDS 1994, RDS 2000) which became Hong Kong's railway network expansion blueprints.
He became Project Manager in the Territory Development Department in 2000 and managed infrastructure projects in three of Hong Kong's new towns. In 2002, he became Director of Highways and took charge of the development, expansion, maintenance and upgrading of the highways and railways in Hong Kong.
He was appointed Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) in 2006 and was responsible for the Government's Public Works Program (annual expenditure of HK$30 billion) covering both capital projects and recurrent maintenance works, the formulation and execution of policies on works and heritage conservation, and resource management for programme delivery.
In 2008, he took up the unique assignment as the Team Leader to oversee the HKSAR Government funded reconstruction works in Sichuan (Mainland China) after the 5.12 earthquake. He liaised with the Mainland officials to devise a HK$9 billion reconstruction programme comprising of 56 schools, 35 hospitals, 35 Rehabilitation Centres, the reconstruction of the Wolong Giant Panda Conservation Base and two highways each 44 km in the hilly terrain. This reconstruction program was successfully completed in 2015.
After retirement in 2010, he has taken up teaching assignments in the universities in Hong Kong.
For more information about the election process and the offices of President and Vice President, see the ICE Council webpages.


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DUBLIN (Reuters) – Ireland's finance minister said he did not consider increasing a levy on the country's banks in his budget on Tuesday as it would have made it more difficult to dispose of the state's remaining shareholdings in those lenders.
"You'll be aware of the current share price of our banks and the path that we have to go on to get back all the money that we invested. If a change was made in the bank levy, it is my judgement that that would make the journey for getting that money back even longer," Paschal Donohoe told a news conference.
(Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Sandra Maler)


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Mix Sound Like a Pro. Part Eight: Mix Pyramid - The Architect
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Veteran Technical Director and CCI Solutions Church Relations Director Duke DeJong shares the eighth in a series of articles dedicated to helping you learn how to mix sound like a Pro for live worship. Join Duke on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ccisolutions & www.twitter.com/ccisolutions.
Last Worship Tools newsletter, we introduced the idea of the Mix Pyramid, a piece of imagery to help us think about how we build our mix; those things that need to stand out, that really define our mix (and pyramid), and need to be at the most prominent place in our mix. But even the most spectacular pyramid needs a great foundation to build it up high enough to see. Every instrument has a role, whether it's a lead part of your mix or part of the base that gives it body. How do we know which is which? It would be really easy as a Front Of House (FOH) operator to make an educated guess, but I submit to you that to truly mix like a pro you need to consult the pyramid's architect.
In nearly every church, the Senior Pastor truly is the Principal Architect of what happens in your church. When it comes to every ministry aspect of your church, the Principal Architect is responsible for the whole picture. Regardless of whether they know music or mixing, the Principal Architect is still accountable to God for it. For this reason they have the final say, and as a FOH person we should be periodically checking in with our Pastor to make sure they feel good about the worship mix.
I mix at my church 2-3 times per month and I've made it a habit for years to check in with my Pastor between first and second service to make sure the sound felt good. If he has concerns, I listen. Generally that check-in tells me that I'm on the right track and can continue the course. But on the rare occasion that the sound does jump the track, it's much better to know that before another service than to wait until after a complaint is made during next week's staff meeting.
For most churches, the Senior Pastor has entrusted the Worship Leader to handle the details of your worship architecture. While we need to check in periodically with the Principal, the person that understands both the vision and the details to the pyramid we should be mixing is your worship leader. Whether paid or volunteer, your Project Architect is the person entrusted to lead the body into worshiping God. His task is to define the structure of what the musicians and singers do in worship. That arranging and sculpting is also what defines our mix pyramid.
I learned many years ago that I am not a musical architect. I'm great at taking the vision of the Principal Architect, combined with the details from the Project Architect to build a beautiful mix pyramid.
Sure, I absolutely have great ideas to include for the design of the pyramid. But I have to realize that as the FOH operator (or guitarist, drummer, singer, etc.) I am not the architect. My role is that of a Project Manager who plays a crucial role in building this masterpiece. My job is to take the materials that the musicians are bringing and create the pyramid masterpiece the architects designed.
Frankly, that is a freeing place to be when you're behind the console. Complaints on the mix used to ruin my week. Having to mix to a volume cap used to drive me nuts. Complaints still bother me for a minute and I still prefer to mix with freedom, but I learned that there is freedom in mixing within the plans the architects created. When you're building according to the plans the architect drew, complaints and differences of opinion will no longer be personal to you. And when you get a comment, you can check in with the architect, fill them in and let the architect decide what should and shouldn't change. I have never mixed with greater freedom than I have since I had this revelation.
If you've been entrusted to lead your congregation in worship, be sure to lead everyone. Most leaders understand they have to direct the band to play in a certain way and at certain times, but if you're not communicating what you've designed to the FOH operator, your Project Manager, don't be too surprised if the pyramid comes out a little differently than you intended. Great communication and collaboration between the designer and the builder is critical if the architect wants the building to come out right. Worship Leaders and FOH operators should be talking regularly about what the goals and desired outcomes are, and occasionally to course-correct as well.
Most Project Architects are wonderfully gifted at designing a worship environment, but not all are naturally inclined towards great communication. If your Worship Leader isn't communicating with you regularly about what they are trying to accomplish with the music arrangement, you're determining your mix pyramid on your own which means you've inserted yourself into the accountability chain. I don't know about you, but as the person behind the console, that's a responsibility I don't want.
Unless I'm directing the band and singers too, I have no business giving myself that responsibility. If you're determining your own mixing priorities without the worship leader's input, I highly recommend you share this article with them, along with your desire to submit to their direction, and enjoy the freedom that mixing under proper authority brings.
Communication gets a bad rap for being difficult sometimes, but in this case it doesn't have to be complicated. Most Worship Leaders will reuse songs regularly as the congregation knows them and can follow along easily, so it's not like you have to relearn 4 to 6 new songs every week. If you already know how 4 of the songs have been arranged, a quick conversation to get the vision for the 2 new songs is all it takes to be mixing to the Architect's plans. If my Worship Leader doesn't clearly tell the band on his own what is leading, what is leading second and who is filling or supporting, I'll often walk up to the stage and ask during a break. While I'm experienced enough to usually get a good idea of what he intends pretty quickly, I ensure that I'm mixing to his vision when I ask. In addition, I build trust.
I get to mix free from stress, happy to serve and carry out the vision that the Principal Architect has worked with his Worship Architect to create. Through vision, detail, communication and submission, God is glorified, which is our mutual goal!
Click to Continue Reading Part 9: Listening!
Read the Complete 10 Part Series Here


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Following Childbirth, Several Risk Factors Can Increase Likelihood of Postpartum Hemorrhage
New Mothers Left at Risk When Postpartum Hemorrhage Prevention and Treatment Methods Fail
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), while maternal mortality rates due to postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) have decreased in the last four decades it still accounts for more than 10 percent of pregnancy-related deaths. PPH is excessive bleeding (1,000 mL or greater) within the first 24 hours after birth but can occur up to 12 weeks postpartum.
Researchers have found that some women could have several risk factors that make them more likely than others to have PPH. While having a risk factor isn't a complete indicator a woman will experience the excessive bleeding, it may increase their chances. When a risk factor is known, care providers should have a plan in place for prevention and treatment of PPH. For example, if a mother has experienced a prior PPH she may be more likely to have one again. In this scenario, her medical care providers should take all extra steps necessary to prevent this horrifying occurrence from happening again.
However, postpartum hemorrhage also occurs in women with no risk factors so physicians must be prepared to manage this condition at every delivery and postpartum check, follow protocol, and not delay treatment since PPH can be a potentially life-threatening condition.
Common Cause of Postpartum Hemorrhage: Uterine Atony
According to the March of Dimes, several medical conditions that affect the uterus, placenta, and the labor and birth process can also serve as risk factors for PPH.
Uterine atony is the most common cause of PPH and happens when the muscles in the uterus don't contract after birth. Atony of the uterus causes up to 90 percent of PPH cases, according to Blood Transfusion in Clinical Practice. Hemorrhage usually happens after the placenta is delivered. It is important that when this happens, nurses and staff provide immediate treatment to help stop the bleeding and to prevent another occurrence of blood loss. Early detection and treatment can lead to a full recovery.
Other complications of uterine atony include:
- lightheadedness or dizziness due to low blood pressure
- anemia
- fatigue
- an increased risk of postpartum hemorrhage in a later pregnancy
Anemia and fatigue after birth also increase the chances of a mother having postpartum depression. A serious complication of atony of the uterus is hemorrhagic shock; this condition can even be life-threatening.
Uterine inversion and rupture happens more rarely but can also be a cause of PPH.
Placental Conditions
Several other conditions that affect the placenta and attribute to PPH include placental abruption, placenta accreta, placenta previa, and a retained placenta.
- Placental abruption is when the placenta separates partially or completely from the wall of the uterus before birth.
- Placenta accreta, placenta increta, or placenta percreta happen when the placenta grows into the wall of the uterus too deeply.
- Placenta previa is when the placenta lies very low in the uterus and covers all or part of the cervix.
- Retained placenta occurs in women who don't pass the placenta within 30 to 60 minutes after they give birth. A provider should always check the placenta to make sure it's not missing any tissue. If tissue is missing and is not removed from the uterus right away, it may cause bleeding.
Labor and Delivery in Relation to PPH
Labor and delivery can create extra risk factors related to PPH. Women who are having a C-section or just receiving general anesthesia can be of greater risk of bleeding. Induction medicines to accelerate labor like Pitocin, or medicines to stop or slow preterm labor called tocolytics, can also contribute to a higher risk of PPH.
Women who labor longer than 14 hours or women who give birth rather quickly may have a higher chance of serious hemorrhage. Perhaps the choice to induce or receive the proper medical treatment to help labor move along safely were not the wishes of the mother. Women may also have tearing if they give birth to a large baby or have a baby born through the birth canal too quickly. Tearing also can happen if the provider performs an episiotomy or uses birthing tools, like forceps or a vacuum, to help move the baby through the birth canal easier. These tears can cause a critical hemorrhage.
Other Risk Factors
The March of Dimes identifies several other conditions related to a higher chance of experiencing a PPH. These include:
- Blood conditions, like von Willebrand disease or disseminated intravascular coagulation (also called DIC) can cause a woman to develop a hematoma in the vaginal area.
- Chorioamnionitis is an infection of the placenta and amniotic fluid.
- Preeclampsia or gestational hypertension are types of high blood pressure that only pregnant women can get. Preeclampsia is a condition that can happen after the 20th week of pregnancy or right after pregnancy. Signs of preeclampsia include having protein in the urine, changes in vision and severe headache. A care provider should be checking for these signs and symptoms at each appointment. Gestational hypertension is high blood pressure that starts after 20 weeks of pregnancy and goes away after you give birth.
Prevention and being prepared to provide immediate treatment to stop a postpartum hemorrhage are necessary to reduce the number of women who are at risk of maternal death or serious complications. If medical staff – including nurses and doctors – fail to quickly diagnose and treat the cause of the bleeding, the occurrence can lead to shock, brain damage or hypoxia, organ failure, or even death. In an effort to reduce rates of maternal mortality related to PPH, it is recommended that all hospitals have an organized, systematic process in place to help coordinate the response and management of PPH.
We Can Handle Your Medical Malpractice Claim
Our attorneys hold the medical profession in high regard, but when a physician or medical staff does not perform up to professional standards, legal accountability becomes necessary. Labor and delivery complications like PPH may have had a chance to be prevented and in return, maternal death risks or injury outcomes could have been greatly reduced.
If you have a medical claim caused by a PPH or other birth complication, contact the law firm of Wagner Reese by completing our online form, and one of our attorneys will review your information, and respond promptly. If you wish to speak with us today, please call (888) 204-8440.


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Pratik Chaudhari
I am an Assistant Professor in the Electrical and Systems Engineering department and the GRASP Robotics Laboratory. I hold secondary appointments in Computer and Information Science department and am a member of the Applied Mathematics (AMCS) and
Penn Institute for Computational Science (PICS) graduate groups at the University of Pennsylvania.
Previously, I held a joint position as a Senior Applied Scientist at Amazon Web Services and a post-doctoral researcher at the California Institute of Technology in the Computing and Mathematical Sciences department.
I defended my PhD thesis in the Computer Science department at University of California, Los Angeles in 2018 where I worked with Stefano Soatto in the Vision Lab. I have an Engineer's (2014) and Master's (2012) degrees in Aeronautics & Astronautics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology where I worked with Emilio Frazzoli at the Laboratory of Information and Decision Systems (LIDS). I was in the Aerospace Engineering department at IIT Bombay for my undergraduate studies until 2010.
I have worked extensively on self-driving cars in the areas of computer vision, and motion-planning at nuTonomy Inc. (now Aptiv)
Research Interests: I am interested in machine learning, in particular deep neural networks, robotics and computer vision. My ambition is to bring the dream of cybernetics closer to reality and enable Embodied Intelligence. The ability to perceive and control the environment, with cognition acting as the glue in between, is the hallmark of intelligent beings; the interplay between these three is the core of my research. In my group, we perform highly multi-disciplinary research. We study ideas from statistical physics, optimization, computer vision, control theory and motion-planning. The work can be theoretical, empirical and or really anything in between: everyone from hands-on roboticists, to engineers, computer scientists and mathematicians are welcome. This video gives a flavor of some of my results on deep neural networks.
I am always looking for exciting researchers who can be a part of my research group. I would love to hear from you, please use this form to contact me about open positions.
  pratikac at seas dot upenn dot edu
  Levine Hall 470
Principles of Deep Learning (Fall 2020) [Notes from Fall 2019]
Learning in Robotics (Spring 2020) [Notes]
PublicationsSee Google Scholar for the latest list of publications and citations.
A picture of the energy landscape of deep neural networks
PhD, Computer Science, University of California, Los Angeles, 2018
Algorithms for autonomous urban navigation with formal specifications
Engineer, Aeronautics-Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2014
Incremental sampling based algorithms for state estimation
SM, Aeronautics-Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2012


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MLB hot stove: Manny Machado's agent says media outlets are 'fabricating news' about White Sox negotiations
Manny Machado's agent isn't happy with the reports surrounding the details of his client's free agency.
He called "rumors" about the White Sox interest "completely wrong" in a statement released to the media Wednesday.
"I have known Bob Nightengale and Buster Olney for many years and have always had a good professional relationship with both. But their recent reporting, like many other rumors in the past several months, have been inaccurate and reckless when it comes to Manny Machado," Dan Lozano, Machado's agent at MVP Sports Group, wrote. "I don't know if their sources are blatantly violating the Collective Bargaining Agreement by intentionally misleading them to try and affect negotiations through the public or are just flat out lying to them for other reasons. But the truth is that their reports on the details of the White Sox level of interest in Manny are completely wrong."
Dan Lozano of MVP Sports Group, the agent for Manny Machado, released the following statement regarding recent reports: pic.twitter.com/MmKy9doaFz— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 16, 2019
ESPN and USA Today reported Wednesday the White Sox had an offer on the table for Machado of seven years and $175 million. This comes a day after several reports said Machado was offered a deal for eight years and $250 million by Chicago.
The #Whitesox made their 7-year, $175 million offer about two weeks ago and haven't felt the need to alter it, and bid against themselves . Just like Martinez last year with #Redsox as @Buster_ESPN points out, whose only other known offer was a one year proposal from #Dbacks https://t.co/NJSiooQXep— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 16, 2019
"I am well aware that the entire baseball universe; fans, players, teams, and media members alike; are starved for information about this free agent market for players, including Manny," Lozano wrote. "But I am not going to continue to watch the press be manipulated into tampering with, not just my client, but all of these players' livelihoods as they have been doing this entire offseason.
"The absence of new information to report is no excuse to fabricate 'news' or regurgitate falsehoods without even attempting to confirm their validity and it is a disservice to baseball fans everywhere when the media does just that."


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Taipei is an under rated tourist destination. Good eats in TPE.
(Denver is $2 more than Houston)
Sample Travel Date:
- Sample from Houston
- April 8th – 15th
Fare Availability:
- Valid for travel on the outbound from April 1st – May 31st for Monday through Thursday departures. Must purchase by March 29th
How to Search for Availability:
- Use ITA Software Matrix Airfare Search and use the following search criteria:
- Departing from: IAH
- Outbound Advanced Routing Code: msp nrt
- Destination: TPE
- Return Advanced Routing Code: dtw
- (Click on Advanced Routing Codes link to enable advanced routing code input)
- (For Denver departures, replace IAH with DEN and on the Return Advanced Routing Code field, replace dtw with nrt sea)
- Select "See calendar of lowest fares"
- Length of stay "0-7″. The maximum range is 7 days, so enter ranges like so: 0-7, 5-12, 7-14, etc.
Sample Routing:
- IAH – MSP (Minneapolis) – NRT (Tokyo) – TPE (Taipei) – NRT – DTW (Detroit) – IAH
Sample Mileage:
- 16,958 miles or 5.3 cents per mile.
Get Tickets:
- Book on Orbitz using dates found on ITA Software Matrix Airfare Search. Make sure "Additional search options" is selected then check "Narrow the search to my preferred airlines" and select Delta
For more of the latest deals for Houston, visit our Houston fares page.
For more of the latest deals for Denver, visit our Denver fares page.
For the latest deals, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, or follow us with RSS or via daily email Newsletter. To leave us feedback, hit us up on Twitter or Facebook.


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Article content
The business of sports, it seems, continues amid the coronavirus pandemic — even when no games are being played.
During a Friday morning availability by Impact president Kevin Gilmore, he paused briefly after hearing the sound of a bell ringing in an adjacent room. It signified the purchase of season tickets, although Major League Soccer has suspended play for 30 days and Montreal isn't scheduled to play its first Saputo Stadium regular-season home game until April 18.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Impact president Gilmore optimistic full MLS season can be salvaged Back to video
"Wow," Gilmore said before breaking into a laugh. "I didn't expect that today."
That's the thing. Nobody knows what to expect, the situation evolving rapidly due to the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Impact players and coaches were scheduled to fly Sunday to Honduras for the final-leg of its CONCACAF Champions League quarter-final Tuesday night against C.D. Olimpia. Montreal lost the first game of the aggregate-goal series 2-1 last Tuesday at Olympic Stadium.


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To Peru – for diversity!
More than 100 thousand archaeological sites, gastronomic and educational tourism, ecotourism, beach and adventure holidays – that's why tourists come to Peru. There are many pre-Columbian sites, as well as several unique biotopes that can be found only here.
As you can seeon the map, the territory of Peru, washed by the Pacific Ocean, is rather extensive. The equator is the territory of everlasting heat, and hence beach vacation here never ends. The mostpopular places< /strong> are the resorts of Punta Sal, Mancora, as well as deserted beaches of El Silencio, Senorita, Santa Maria and others.
Peru is also renowned for its wildlife sanctuaries which, according to the guidebook, occupy 13 % of the national territory. The localattractions< /strong> include the Manu Biosphere Reserve and Tambopata National Reserve. There is another incredible place – the Titicaca Lake, which is the highest navigable body of water in the world. The photos taken here will be inimitable!
An ascent to one of the volcanoes will be unforgettable too. The most famous volcano here is Misti, 5.822 m high. You can go hiking to the Mountains of Salkantay, Ausangate, and to the Cordillera Blanca. There are peaks for both unskilled tourists and professional summiteers. Those who prefer transport, can use trains, buses and domestic airlines to travel around Peru.
|Brief information
|The abbreviation of the country, ISO
|The country flag


text: Santa07 1,023 Report post Posted May 8, 2014 Well, this has been going around different threads for ages, but now I think it's time to make a thread just for this. Cyclone really needs a replacement or major refurbishment. Just yesterday, my friend rode the cyclone and his seatbelt broke just before he was coming into the first loop. It's rough, and the harnesses can be uncomfortable at times. I know Dreamworld won't, but it would be awesome to remove it and replace it with a woodie or a B&M. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


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Is Water Fluoridation Safe?
The Oregon Sierra Club, in order to block fluoridation, said (2004) that the "fluoride added to virtually every water supply is an industrial waste product" and that "contaminants including arsenic, lead and mercury are unintentionally being added to our water supply." In 2007, they again claimed, "fluoridation chemicals contain heavy metals, such as arsenic, mercury, and lead."
The antifluoridationist group Oregon Citizens for Safe Drinking Water (2004) claimed the fluoridation chemicals were "dirty fluoride.Very dirty fluoride."
These statements are misleading. The government regulates contaminants to protect health.
Affirmation of safety from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Regulation of Fluoride Products
There are two governmental agencies that serve this function – the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for food and drug safety and the Environmental Agency (EPA) for water safety.
The FDA oversees the safety of fluoride containing products used to reduce tooth decay that are not added to public drinking water. The standards that limit the amount of contaminants that food and drugs could contain are set by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) which is a non-governmental, non-profit organization. Its members include representatives of medicine, pharmacy, government, and the pharmaceutical industry. For the actual testing and certification of food and drugs for quality and safety, the USP uses the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). This non-governmental, non-profit agency has been testing food products since the 1940s.
In 1962, the U.S. Congress passed the "Drug Amendments" to the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act in which efficacy became a requirement in addition to safety. Because fluoride supplements had been used with obvious effectiveness and safety since the 1940s to reduce the incidence of tooth decay, they were "grandfathered" in, and were not made to go through a formal application process.
The quality and safety of fluoride products added to water is not overseen by the FDA but by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established in 1972. The EPA started the Drinking Water Additives Program in 1985 to establish standards for all products added to drinking water. A committee of medical and public health professionals, governmental agencies, and product manufacturers set standards that limit the amount of contaminant that water additives could contain. This is documented in "Standards 60." Compliance with these standards is voluntary but most states, including Oregon and Washington State, require Standard 60 certification guidelines.
The agency that tests and certifies the water additive products is the same one that tests and certifies food and drugs – the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). These standards are very stringent and quality is closely monitored. But because NSF is a non-governmental agency, fluoridation opponents will often say, "There are no federal standards for fluoridation.
There are two types of standards that apply – one is for the purity of the product and one is for the limitation of contaminants that the product can contain.
Purity relates to the percentage of a product that actually is that product. For example, the USP standard for a fluoride compound added to toothpaste is that it is 99.9% pure. In contrast, the water quality or "industrial" grade of a fluoride product added to water is that it can be 98% pure, partly because of the high dilution factor. The 1.9% difference is usually in the form of an inorganic compound such as calcium carbonate (which is the active ingredient in Tums). Since this is not harmful in the small concentrations found in fluoridated water, it is not removed in order to keep the cost down. Purity, then, is different than contaminant levels. The greatest concern is the amount of arsenic that is present in food and minerals such as fluoride because arsenic is so abundant in nature and can be harmful to humans. It is present ubiquitously in earth so plants contain it, animals that feed on plants contain it, water naturally contains it, and any mineral mined from the earth can contain it.
The levels of arsenic and lead allowed in food and drugs by the FDA are 2 parts per million (2000 parts per billion) maximum. The standard for allowable arsenic in bottled water under the jurisdiction of the FDA is now 10 parts per billion (lowered recently from 50 ppb). The arsenic standard for drinking water set under the jurisdiction of the EPA is also now 10 parts per billion (lowered recently from 50 ppb). Of that 10 parts per billion, only 10% or 1 part per billion can be related to the addition of a fluoride compound to drinking water. Although this is the standard, the average amount of arsenic in fluoridated water at the tap, as measured by the National Sanitation Foundation, is 0.1 ppb.
The following are the regulations (allowable levels) and some actual measured levels for one contaminant "Arsenic." Clearly the contaminants in fluoridated water are well within safe limits.
Allowable Arsenic Levels in parts per billion (ppb)
|Food additives (1)
|Meat (1)
|Pharmaceuticals (2)
|Toothpaste (1)
|Fluoridated water (3)
Actual Measured Arsenic Levels in parts per billion (ppb)
|Vanilla Ice Cream (4)
|Rice (4)
|Bread (4)
|Chicken (4)
|Cured Pork (4)
|Pastrami (4)
|Tuna (4)
|Sole (4)
|Pickerel (4)
|Shrimp (4)
|Special K (4)
|Flour (4)
|Apple Juice (4)
|Tea (4)
|Cigarettes (4)
|Fluoridated water (3)
1. Federal Drug Administration, 2005
2. U.S. Pharmacopeia and National Formulary, 2002
3. National Sanitation Foundation, 2003
4. National Academy of Sciences, 1999 (http://books.nap.edu/books/0309063337/html/50.html)