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This chapter was brought to you by Alecson, AnmesicCat, Sylvester, and Zen.
We Are Brothers!
"Even though this demon has yet to appear, its demonic nature is incredibly powerful. It's because I'm looking down on you guys, but with your current strength, the possibility of you guys defeating it is not very high. This may be the best time to exterminate it, but I cannot allow you guys take take such a big risk.
Even if I'm willing, I cannot allow you heroes with such a bright future to risk your lives here. That you guys were able to come here and rescue Kris and I, and saved Halief's soul, we are already very grateful. As for the demon, we can only see what happens. There are many powerful people on the continent, hopeful they will come to slay it."
Ronnie said so with a very sincere expression. These are not only the words that Ronnie, this NPC, is saying through his connection with Rui and the others, but also a warning towards them from the system.
This quest, is very dangerous. There is no problem if they choose to give up.
In this Lost Mines, be it as a hidden quest or a hidden dungeon, Halief was considered the final boss. However, this unknown demon was a hidden secret boss, and was definitely the only one. Maybe more than one party will meet it, but there will only be one group that can kill it. It is the only one, and if it dies, then that's it.
So towards this unique hidden quest where even the system is borrowing Ronnie's mouth to give a warning, the difficulty does not need to be explained, it is extremely high.
However, in correspondence, the reward will also be extraordinary.
Items gained here, at the very worst, will be something that will allow the players who defeated the demon to be ahead of the rest of the players. At the very best it could even affect the rest of their gaming experience.
Because of that, Rui refuse to give up.
No doubt that at certain times, retreating in the face of difficulty is a good choice. However, in Rui's dictionary, the words 'afraid,' 'cowardly,' and 'running away' do not exist.
Why do people play games? Naturally, it's to be happy and for excitement. In reality, choosing to give up because of this or that reason is understandable. But, if they are still overly cautious inside a game, then there is no saving such person.
"How can I not participate in such a thrilling event? I want see exactly what kind of thing that legendary demon is." Rui shrugged his shoulders and said, while also being a bit excited.
"Since brother Sly Hands has chosen to fight, I, too, will naturally not retreat. What about you, Everflame?" Yezekael said with a smile.
"I'm also a man!" The rather graceful Everflame shrugged his shoulders, taking a step forward.
"Don't look down on women, I will not lose to you guys." Sasha held her chin up high, purposely looking at Rui in high spirits, making him very astounded.
"Naturally I'm going to follow sister Sasha, hehehe." Sweet Little Girl stood behind Sasha, her round face filled with a quirky smile.
"Everyone… Thank you, thank you everyone!"
Ronnie looked at the people in front of him, his eyes slightly wet. He really wanted to exterminate this demon. For justice, if this thing gets out, it will definitely harm a lot of people.
And the very first village in its path will naturally be the Novice Village. Privately, he was cursing: this damn bastard is the hidden mastermind that caused the tragedy of Kris, Halief, and himself. His hatred towards it is very deep.
"Kekekeke… So ignorant of the heavenly path that you head to the path leading straight into the gates of hell. From today onwards, not a single one of you will be leaving. I will devour all of your essences and souls for nourishment, enslaving your souls, and forever becoming my slaves."
Suddenly, a gloomy female voice rang out. Inside this dark cave, the voice appeared exceedingly eerie and scary.
"Who is it? Acting all mysterious! Come out!"
Rui shouted coldy with his eyes narrowed. At the same time, his eyes rapidly scanned the area, however, he did not discovering any abnormalities. But still, he continued to attempt to find the hiding place of that damned demon.
"Ron… nie, K… ri…s, run… away…"
A familiar voice echoed. Not only did it make Ronnie and Kris who had been called out feel like they'd been struck by lightning, even Rui and the other were dumbfounded, their faces filled with disbelief.
This voice is actually the voice of the already dead Halief?
Turning their heads and looking around, they saw that Halief who should have already become a corpse had actually shakily stood up.
The kind Kris, seeing such a scene, was about to run over and support Halief's shaking body.
"Kris, don't go over, he is not Halief!"
The sharp Ronnie quickly grabbed onto Kris, while yelling with a heavy voice, looking at Halief.
"Damned weakling, actually thinking of resisting me?"
Suddenly, Halief's eyes turned bloody red, his expression becoming cold. And then it changed into the mysterious female voice, shouting out in rage.
"You… guys… hurry…. up… and… leave, I… cannot… hold… her… back… much… longer…"
His expression changing, Halief's face was twitching, his expression pained and his eyes becoming a pure, deep blue colour.
What's going on?
Looking at Halief who seemed like he had a multiple personality disorder or had been possessed by a ghost, Rui and the others were immediately dumbstruck, unsure of what to do.
"Damned piece of trash, shut up! To think that a stupid, pathetic human is actually trying to resist my will!"
Halief's expression once again turned cold, his hands suddenly stretching out. A strong energy immediately exploded outwards, causing the entire cave to shake
Abruptly, a muffled sound came from Halief's body. Green smoke rose from his body and a barely visible white shadow came out.
Seeing the face of that ghost, Kris couldn't help but let out a sharp yell.
That's right, that ghost is Halief's soul, the real soul of Halief, and not that unknown demonic female voice.
Ronnie stretched out his hands taking over Halief's soul. His expression complex staring at this enemy who had caused him and his lover to suffer such torture, and who was also at the same time his very best friend.
"Ronnie, Kris, sorry!"
The late apology, finally came from Halief's mouth. Without having to suppress that unknown demon, Halief became a lot more energetic. Even though his spirit was already incredibly weak, but in the end, there was no danger of it disappearing.
"Even though at the beginning I really did hate you, everything has already passed by for so long. The most important thing is that Kris is safe right now, and you have recovered. Don't mention those things anymore!" Ronnie said while taking a glance at Kris beside him with happiness.
"Thank you, thank you!" Halief's voice was choked up, "Even though I was possessed, but if I did not have any darkness in my heart, then things would not have reached such a state. I don't dare to ask for your forgiveness."
"Don't say anymore Halief, we are brothers!" Heavily patting Halief on the shoulder, Ronnie laughed while grinning.
We are brothers!
Short three words, but they were said so resolutely and decisively, and deep and clear. Straightforward three words, but they harbored endless meaning. This was not just the ultimate display of friendship, it was also the ultimate embodiment of a type of greater love known as "Forgiveness."


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Sweet Corn Receipe for Summer
Summer is here now and one of the most anticipated treats is the delight of enjoying a fresh ear of sweet corn brushed with melted butter. Corn on the cob is delicious, but there's more than one way to serve fresh corn. Along with the corn harvest comes a big variety of other vegetables and dishes.
When you cut the corn from the cob, the possibilities for preparing corn are endless. You can add it to bread to make a wonderful spoon bread recipe, or a great Southern favorite, corn pudding. Corn combines well with other summer vegetables such as tomatoes, bell peppers and onions. The secret to a great dish is to use the freshest corn available. The less time that passes between the garden and the finished recipe the better.
Continue Reading »

subset: commoncrawl


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Ever wonder why Indian Railways don't add extra coach according passenger flow?
Read on for the reasons
1. Upper limit of 24 coaches.
2. Coaching depot has 10% spare coaches, for repairing of sick coaches. Those are for replacement of sick ones for maintaining the rake composition of any particular train.
It would not be wise to add extra coaches to all trains which has waiting, will endanger other trains.
3. usually rush is one sided. In returning trip it may not be needed thus economically not wise to add extra coaches.
4. Only 3rd AC coaches are profitable/ non loss making, adding extra sleeper coaches will only add to loss.
5. Generally, Extra coaches are attached on a periodic basis and not for single days. And this depends more or less on the trends of booking and waiting list obtained from Advance Reservation data. These days, Railways also takes the pain to announce it before hand and sometimes before a week.
What's so ever may be the rules have been, Railways should increase more number of coaches according to the passengers to ensure safer and comfortable journey of thousands of passengers.
Railways should change the rule and shall permit the stations to add coaches dynamically as per needs.


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Add to your watchlist
We'll let you know when this movie is showing again in London.
The Thing
A research team in Antarctica is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of its victims.
A research team in Antarctica is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of its victims.
Jamie Dack's unnerving grooming drama is an impressive calling card for both its writer-director and her young star Lily McInerny
Hnin Ei Hlaing's doc about two rural midwives in a sectarian region is fuelled by the undying energy of its remarkable heroines
Georgia Oakley's assured and morally complex debut tells the story of a queer teacher living in Thatcher's Britain
Writer-director Lena Dunham proves a perfect fit for this very kind and very funny coming-of-age tale set in 13th century England
To mark the release of Crimes of the Future, Steph Green sorts the body-obsessed auteur's vast filmography from worst to best...
As Juno turns 15, Yasmin Omar explores how the actress' perfectly pitched turn as an adoptive mother helped to define her career
To coincide with the 25th anniversary of Robert Zemeckis' sci-fi classic, Luke Walpole looks back on its perfectly pitched lead turn
As the latest take on Persuasion comes to Netflix, Steph Green highlights some of the author's finest screen adaptations to date
with discount code:


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Framed Prints
Frame your prints for the perfect finishing touch to your walls. Kiss goodbye to naked walls and empty rooms, as you can now decorate them with framed prints that will complement your space.
Not only do we have a wide range of wall prints that are available in a variety of different colours but we have a selection of frames too. Whether you want to add your artwork or photos into these frames or use them to create that sleek finish with our prints, the options are endless!With so many unique ways to display framed prints, you can get creative with our range of prints and wall frames at The House Outfit.
Add Framed Prints Into Your Interior
Our collection of framed prints has so many different sizes and colours, so you are bound to find something to suit the style of your home interior. Whether you have small or large prints, we have frames available in A2, A3, and A4, making it easy for you to display your prints in any way that you like.
As we have every wall frame available in a variety of sizes, it doesn't matter how much or little space you have in your property as your prints can be displayed on shelves, above fireplaces, and even diagonally up the stairs. Adding a wall frame to your photos or prints will create that seamless and sleek finish to your space.
Why Use A Wall Frame?
From black to gold, silver, copper, and even oak wood, the variety means that you can find the wall frames that tick all your boxes without having to settle for second best. Framing your print is the perfect way to personalise your new artwork and put your stamp on it! Not only this, but it also enables you to provide your print with additional protection, whether it is displayed on a shelf or hanging as a centrepiece on your wall. Plus, if you are hanging your prints, then you can use the frame to hang the print, as opposed to damaging the print itself.
If you want to hang up photos instead of artwork, then frames can help to add new life to dull and old photographs and elevate your walls! So, if you would like to find out more about our framed prints, don't hesitate to get in touch with us.


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Demetria is sitting first chair. That is what I wanted to see. I am glad Andrew, RECOGNIZED, because as some little twat just posted I am biased as hell to Demetria (and Geneva!). For anyone else who is unclear about how a blog works, I give my opinions here. And my opinion is that Demetria and Geneva rock. Don't agree? You can give your lame reasons for liking the loud obnoxious drunk chicks in comments. Unless you are banned from commenting, in which case you can suck it! And for those of you who prefer the Louds, things always go to hell in season two and my favorites never fail to disappoint, so if you can hang on til then, I may change my mind.
Moving on… Andy begins by throwing shade at Mica. Her "equine mating call" which I ever so delicately declined to mock on my recap tonight is the drinking "word." Melyssa is new. As in brand new, if you know what I mean, and she doesn't realize shade is even being thrown because that is how Andy roles. He really should NOT have put her in the middle of the Prouds. Then Andy takes the shade farther so the clueless Loud gets it. He suggests that when we hear the equine mating call, that we drink until we flash our lady bits at an Uptown Magazine party. #ShadyBoots
Next on Andrew's list is the video vixen herself, Melysssa. Andy clearly wants to sit next to me in the Team Proud bleachers. Andy plays a clip of Sisqó's Thong Song Video despite his indications that Melyssa did not want him to do so. #PalmTreeOShade . Melyssa pretends to be embarrassed rather than, you know actually being embarrassed.
On to Andy throwing some shade at Kenya. Way back when she was on the show last summer, she appeared not to know what R.S.V.P. stood for when asked why she didn't tell Nene she was not coming. (She was in Nigeria when Nene gave everyone 3 weeks notice to her wedding by EVITE! ). At that time Kenya tried to tell Andy that R.S.V.P. means Reserve S'il vous plait. Kenya knows better than that. But Andy did catch her in a hypocritical moment. Fine Andrew. Keep Nene happy. I really think she needs to go out to pasture though.
Dear God, Andy had Kenya do some sort of monologue as Scarlett from Gone With The Wind holding carrots. Me and all the gals from Blood Sweat & Heels have the same WTF look on our faces right now. Was that Brandon's red satin robe she was wearing? When did she do that?
Now the shade turns to my girls, because everyone gets a turn in the hot seat when they come to visit Andy the first time. He does love to burn virgins at the stake. So he replays the time that Demetria (who I am going to start referring too as D because this girl is tired of typing that name that make me worry I done misspelled something,) and Geneva out shopping and trash talking the video vixen while she is all up in between then like a cling-on 'tween butt cheeks, Y'all. This ain't right. Melyssa says her business manager cuts her at times because she can be irresponsible at times. Woah girl! Way to own your business! Tamara Tokens for the video vixen! She also says she has done more than two million in sales in her first six months! You go girl! Maybe later we can negotiate a swap for you in exchange for Brie? You never know…
Andy plays the drunken Mica scene in the Hamptons and asks Demeteria and Geneva if they have any regrets about that. Why would they have regrets about Mica being drunk out of her mind? They can't control her? They both obviously say no. A better question would have been does Melyssa regret not helping to stage an intervention?
Has anyone tried sitting down with Mica on a personal level and talking to her about her severe drinking problem and find out what the core of the problem is? Demetria says it is addressed on the show; however, she denies she has a drinking problem to this day. She doesn't think she has one, so..
Do Geneva and Demetria regret how they treated Mica in the Hamptons now that they have seen themselves on TV? Asked and answered already. Geneva says she loves Mica. But her thing is while you are going through a lot, and they did not know that her father had just passed at the time. In fact she asked Mica right away about her father and she didn't want to talk about it. But (these are my words here that seem to be what Geneva is trying to say, there is a certain decorum involved in going to someone's parent's home. ) She says you don't disrespect anyone's mama's house.
Why were y'all upset that Demetria blogged their conversations when it was on national television? Geneva has answered this before. I didn't like her explanation then either. Mostly because it is bullshit. She says she knows that bloggers blog. But the real deal is that she didn't like her business on a blog. Now she says it's because it wasn't in context. It was in context, just not the context she wanted it in. Whatever, we've moved on.
Demetria's hair is like the focal point of the haters on my blog. Demetria is asked if it is all real? She says sometimes it is sometimes it isn't. Demetria says she has some pieces in tonight to fluff it up for television. So once again. There you have it. Please quit your hateful comments in moderation… It's not a wig people. And even if it were, why come to my blog and make your very first comment some negative bullshit. It just gets you kicked out of the entry line. This blog is not free to all. Some of you are just not worthy of being here. It's mean, yes but it's true. Andy asks if she fluffed it up just for him and she says yes. Andy says that he appreciates it, though he does not typically need a fluffer. Oh look Andrew made a funny!
Geneva, how is your sex life? She says she was going through a dry stage at that time and she tend to get caught up in her work, and vibrators really help.
During the commercial they replay a scene from some sort of Top Ten Bravo Vacations with Sheree Whitfield looking like a fool. I wonder how long until she sues Bravo? And before you say she can't sue Bravo, she "couldn't sue" me either. And by "couldn't sue" you mean she has no case. Sadly, that never stops Sheree from frivolous litigation despite losing every time. She doesn't care. She doesn't pay her legal fees either , allegedly, based on her previous lawyers suing her for non-payment. Repeatedly. Allegedly. Attn: any imbecilic lawyer who may be representing Sheree this week. GET A BIG RETAINER! Just a bit of friendly advice. Oh and my attorney is Ashley Merchant. You know that commercial a long time ago where the insurance companies shook in their shoes when the opposing attorney was mentioned? It's like that y'all.
Oh sorry back to the show.. Andy asks about Mica's Wesley Snipes comment. I will tell you know that I deleted many similar comments from this blog and all of them were from first time commenters. I've said many times, I don't want just anyone commenting here. I really didn't know how to justify my rationale for not allowing those posts but allowing and even further participating in the bashing of these reality stars, because that is what we do here. These people perform for out entertainment in most cases. thus they open themselves up for whatever comes their way as far as comments and feedback and it is up to me to decide what is okay and what isn't and sometimes that line becomes so blurry and all I ask is that you call them by their proper name, for fucksake.
And then along come the women of Blood Sweat and Heels. It's A FIRST SEASON. Don't you just love a first season before they all become disfigured caricatures of their actual selves because they have no soul and will do anything for a dollar no more dignified than a stripper on a pole?
I believe that the Prouds are not like that. I'm that girl who believes in the next man, the next Bravo cast, the next doctor, the next boss, is going to be different. And Geneva S. Thomas gave me hope with her answer to Andy. She didn't take any shade from him whatsoever. She gave him a WWHL answer and replied with "read my article on Essence.com . Here is an excerpt.
"What makes Mica's comment insulting and derogatory is first, to ever call a woman a man is a way below the belt. But more urgently, for a seemingly racially ambiguous, light skinned woman to call a dark skinned Black woman Wesley Snipes is an explicit dance on colorism. Moreover, this comment coming from a woman whose own skin color has not only been unclear and confusing to many viewers (not to her own fault, Mica has stated both of her parents are African-American) but whose light skin has been a source of personal trauma and angst her entire life. It's evident Mica deals with skin color issues on a deep, and drastic level. Mica has been vocal on the show about her experiences not feeling Black enough. In our own conversations, she shared the times she received mean stares from Black women when she's out with her boyfriend, whose skin is dark. More recently, in an interview, she recalls when white woman told her she was too beautiful to be Black. Bottom line, in her anger and frustration, Mica projected her own skin color issues on to me. Hurt people can hurt people, and confused people dwell in confusion. And while I was shocked, and disappointed, I get it. It's for these reasons that it became immediately critical for me to write openly about this experience." Please go read the entire story here. It doesn't matter what color you are, baby, go read it. This girl can write. I'm embarrassed to be posting this whole conversational mess now. I need to be out there talking about SOMETHING! But for now I just need to finish this here blawg, y'all a girl is tired and needs some chocolate, dang this night is long. It's 1 am which makes this hour five of straight up recapping. I need me a union!
Melyssa, Can you share a really super juicy horror story from your times working in music videos? Um noe. I had standards. Somewhere in there Andy learned for the first time that Melyssa used to date Flo Rida! Well her future is sealed, Andy creams over any celeb connection.
Geneva, Do you have a nickname for Mica since she called you Wesley Snipes? I was hoping she would take the high road and say no, but she said she is going to call her AA. You lost some Tamara Tattles Tokens there, Geneva, but your Essence article was worth a hundred so you are still good with me.
Demertia, do you regret blogging about your friends and would you do it again? I have this shit paused and I hope she tells this bitch to fuck off. Do these fools not understand the concept of blogging? Is this shit brand new to some people? D says look, I was talking about topics, I didn't use any names and then she gets her blog name, ABelleinBrooklyn.com
It's ONLY GAME TIME? I feel like I have been in labor with this blog for 39 hours. Dear God GET THIS BLOG OUT OF ME!
The game is DWHEEL Breakers Because D is a relationship blogger. Nothing particularly interesting to report there.
Andy asks Melyssa what she thought of Geneva referring to her as trash on the way to the polo match.,,,Melyssa goes easy on her. I get the feeling that Melyssa might actually have replaced Brie on team Proud! YAY! Bygones!
Imma post this bitch but damn it is an ugly birth that I refuse to edit.


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Oh the horrible choices that fate tossed my way this weekend. Do I make the annual trip to the Bay Area Maker Faire, or do I stay home and hit the Dallas Comic Con? After seeing the guest list for DCC it became evident that the only chance BAMF had hinged on the acceptance of my DCC press pass. Well, the press pass came through and what would have been my 7th BAMF in a row is no more. Don't worry Make, I'll see you in NYC in September.
So if you're in the area, join me this weekend at the Dallas Convention Center for some serious comic and sci-fi geekery. Guests of honor include Stan Lee, Nathan Fillion, Most of the rest of the case of Firefly, Alice Cooper, A large part of the Star Trek Next Generation cast including Jonathan Frakes, LeVAR Burton, and Michael Dorn. Check out the full list at the DCC Guests page.
Interview spots were limited, so I had to pick 5. It was tough choosing between who I wanted to talk to and who I was likely to be approved for so I put Stan Lee and Alice Cooper at the top and slipped in a few more interesting, but hopefully more likely choices. I should know more later when I check in at the press booth.
I'd love to meet any GeekDad fans in attendance, so ping me @AntonOlsen and we can try to connect.
Find out more about the event at FanExpoDallas.com.


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SMART Approach Is Advancing Mesothelioma Survival Rates
December 14, 2015
Accelerated high-dose radiation just before extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) surgery, a reversal of the traditional order at most U.S. specialty centers, continues to produce impressive results for pleural mesothelioma patients in Toronto.
Specialists at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Toronto General Hospital estimated the median overall survival and disease-free survival at 51 and 47 months, respectively, for patients with the most common subtype of the disease.
Surgeon Marc de Perrot presented the findings of an ongoing study earlier this year at the American Association for Thoracic Surgery in Seattle.
His report also included a three-year survival rate of 66 percent among patients with the epithelial subtype and no lymph node involvement. That's double the normal rate for a trimodality approach to treatment.
For those with lymph node involvement, there was a three-year survival of 48 percent.
Toronto Is Leading the Charge
The cancer center in Toronto is the first in the world to study a large number of patients using the Surgery for Mesothelioma After Radiation Therapy (SMART) approach to treatment. The Swedish Cancer Institute in Seattle is the only U.S. center using the protocol and reported impressive results in a much smaller sample.
Toronto's study evaluated 62 patients from November 2008 to October 2014. All received a five-day dose of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) followed with the aggressive EPP surgery. Less than half of patients received adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery.
The more accepted multimodal treatment begins with chemotherapy, then surgery and concludes with radiation if it's needed.
"When you have a very, very aggressive tumor, you need management that will match it aggressively," Toronto radiologist John Cho, who co-authored the study, told Asbestos.com. "That's what we do. This is not a fluke. We believe this approach is making a difference. We've been doing it a lot now, and it works."
Patients in the study generally experienced a quicker recovery, a shorter treatment period and fewer complications, which has been encouraging for future surgical candidates.
"There is some skepticism out there, and I understand it," Cho said. "It takes a tremendous amount of coordination to do this, and there are a lot of subtleties involved. But I'm convinced this is the way to go. If it were my parent, or my brother, as the patient, this is the treatment I would offer them."
Toxic Level of Radiation
The reason for the skepticism or argument against this procedure is that Cho is delivering a toxic level of radiation to the lung, which could be fatal if it's not subsequently removed during the surgery.
According to previous studies, only 80-85 percent of the patients who begin an EPP surgery procedure actually have a lung completely resected. Despite the best scans and diagnostic tools, a surgeon occasionally opens the chest and finds the cancer already has metastasized, and taking the diseased lung serves no purpose.
Radiation before the EPP eliminates the option of leaving the lung, which tightens the surgical selection process. There is no turning back once the procedure has begun.
During the time frame used in the study, there were 256 patients treated for malignant pleural mesothelioma at the Princess Margaret Cancer Center, but only 62 (24 percent) were deemed candidates for the procedure.
"This is not a cut-and-paste process that would transfer easily to other centers," Cho said. "You need a surgeon and radiologist working closely together. You don't ever want to be in a situation where you've painted yourself into a corner, then have someone change his mind."
Prevents Mesothelioma Recurrence
The theory behind the radiation-first procedure, and why Cho and de Perrot believe this is optimal, is that it eliminates or decreases the cancer's ability to seed or spill in the chest during the surgery.
Radiation reduces recurrence of the mesothelioma in other parts of the chest cavity by sterilizing the edges of the tumor bed. It also potentially activates a patient's immune system.
EPP surgery is the most aggressive procedure done for pleural mesothelioma. It includes the removal of a lung, the lining around it, the pericardium and parts of the diaphragm.
It must be done within two weeks of the fifth and final day of radiation.
The procedure did not work well for 18 patients (29 percent) with the biphasic subtype of mesothelioma. They had a median disease-free survival of just eight months. The cancer center no longer offers the procedure for biphasic patients.
One of the 62 surgical patients died in the hospital just two months after surgery.
"The results have been encouraging," the authors wrote. "They should support further studies."


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Angie's List: Painting Your Home
By Jim Donovan
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- When it comes to home improvement, painting is one of easiest and least expensive ways to spruce up a room. However, there are many factors that can influence how your project will turn out. In this week's Angie's list report, Jim Donovan has a look at some things you should know before starting your next paint project.
Brad Stutler recently had his kitchen painted and plans to have several other rooms painted too.
"Like many people, I've got three little kids, so there are many stains and scratches and nicks on the wall," said Stutler.
A fresh coat of paint is a great way to fix those flaws. It can also boost your home's value. Plus, a change in color can give any room an entirely different look. Paint experts say blues and grays are the latest color trend.
"But the grays aren't traditional grays, they are more earth-toned grays, a little softer than just a steel gray, so it's a little warmer finish," said painting contractor Sean Eichenberg.
Once you've picked the perfect color, you'll have to decide on what type of finish is best for the area you're painting.
"If you have a bathroom that's a high humidity area, you'd want a higher sheen paint, an eggshell or a satin. That way it would be moisture-resistant and clean up a little bit better," said Eichenberg.
If you're thinking of doing the painting yourself, it's important to recognize the importance of prepping the area so it holds up well.
"A lot of times people tackle this project themselves, but you need to understand when you're over your head because a good paint job is dependent on the prep work. If you have walls that need a lot of repair or resurfacing hiring a professional may be well worth the money. If you have tricky have trim work, that might not be the room you want to test on," said Angie's List founder Angie Hicks.
More from Angie:
• Colors: Simply thinking about what color would look best on a wall isn't enough to ensure a positive paint job. Choosing the right color involves looking at an interior space with a very critical eye. Look through color catalogues and paint samples.
• Finish: Once you've picked the perfect color, you still have to decide on what type of paint you want for the space. Whether you're looking for an elegant, refined finish or a material that will wipe clean after an impromptu mural from your little one, there are paint types to suite every situation.
• Flat-finish: Good for covering up mistakes, and is therefore ideal for large areas like walls.
• Satin finish: Has more luster and is more durable, so it is ideal for high-traffic areas like hallway walls.
• Semi-gloss finish: More durable, shiny and water resistant, making it ideal for areas like bathrooms.
• Gloss finish: The most durable and water resistant, but it also is the most likely to show brush strokes. Glossy finish is usually more appropriate for surfaces like trim and door frames that take a lot of abuse.
• Prep work: Before you start to paint, it's important to properly prepare the walls for painting. Fix any imperfection to ensure your painting job holds up well.
Painting is one home improvement task many homeowners can do and do well. However, there are several reasons that it might be a good idea to hire a professional interior painter - experience, tools and responsibility.
Angie's List Tips: Hiring a painter:
• Experience: How long has the contractor been in business? This trade can have high turnover. Make sure you hire someone who has been operating for two years or longer. Also, do they keep up on the latest products and techniques?
• Employees vs. subs: Does the contractor have employees? If so, are they direct employees, meaning they receive a paycheck from the contractor, or are they considered subcontractors? If they are direct employees, the contractor's workers' compensation and general liability insurance policies should cover them. If they are subcontractors, they should have their own insurance policies. Either way, the contractor should give you a copy of proof of insurance both for their business and any subcontractors, if necessary.
• Licensing: Does the painting contractor have a state-issued license, general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance? It is absolutely critical that the contractor has all necessary insurance and licenses. A reputable, licensed and insured contractor will have all the proper documents. Remember, it protects them and any workers they may have on site, as well as you and your home.
• Prep work: What kind of preparation work does the contractor do? A cheaper job will skimp on the prep work to cut corners. A good painting contractor will take the time to do everything that should be done, what they have stated they will do and what you both agreed would be done. The workmanship will show in the end, good or bad.
• Call references: Can your contractor provide them? Call references and ask questions about how the company worked, communicated and addressed the homeowners' needs.
• Get a formal estimate: Make sure the contractor puts the scope of the project, materials they will use and amount of prep work in a written contract, not on the back of business card or a haphazardly drawn-up dollar figure on a piece of paper. A professional painting contractor provides their clients with written contracts and specifications.
• Is there a guarantee? Besides the guarantee offered on the products by the paint manufacturers, most reputable painting contractors will offer a warranty on the application/preparation process. Get it in writing.
• Cost: There are many factors to consider when getting an estimate such as number of coats, square footage, prep work, etc. Get three bids and compare apples to apples.
• Contract: Review contract details before signing on the dotted line. A good contract will include the type of finishes and colors as well as the number of coats and the pricing for additional coats. Quality products are key so be sure your contractor is using what you want.
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WASHINGTON -- Gilbert Arenas is already thinking about the possibility of a last-place finish for his Washington Wizards -- and finding the silver lining.
With Arenas still working his way back from a third knee operation in 1½ years, the Wizards are off to a 1-8 start heading into their game Friday against the Houston Rockets.
"I don't want to see them struggle," Arenas said Thursday at Madame Tussauds, where his wax figure was unveiled, "but if this is one of those years where we don't make the playoffs or we finish in last place ... that's what happened to San Antonio and that's how they got Tim Duncan and look at them now ... and that's for the better."
The Wizards haven't given a timetable for when their All-Star point guard might begin practicing or playing this season.
He, though, now is targeting the start of 2009.
"They said Jan. 1 -- there is no doubt that I will be good to go ... play 40 minutes," Arenas said, according to a transcript provided by the team.
"I definitely want to wait until after New Year's. ... It will give me time to get in shape. Plus I want to learn the new playbook," he added.
Arenas first had surgery on the left knee in April 2007, then had another operation in November, and appeared in only 13 regular-season games last season. The latest surgery was two months ago.
"The old me would have already been playing by now. Getting older I start thinking smarter and everything is going well," he said. "Right now we are just playing the waiting game."


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Originally published by The New York Times
The United States has the world's highest rate of children in detention, including more than 100,000 in immigration-related custody that violates international law, the author of a United Nations study said on Monday.
Worldwide more than 7 million people under age 18 are held in jails and police custody, including 330,000 in immigration detention centres, independent expert Manfred Nowak said.
Children should only be detained as a measure of last resort and for the shortest time possible, according to the United Nations Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty.
"The United States is one of the countries with the highest numbers - we still have more than 100,000 children in migration-related detention in the (U.S.)," Nowak told a news briefing.
"Of course separating children, as was done by the Trump administration, from their parents and even small children at the Mexican-U.S. border is absolutely prohibited by the Convention on the Rights of the Child. I would call it inhuman treatment for both the parents and the children."
There was no immediate reaction from U.S. authorities. Novak said U.S. officials had not replied to his questionnaire sent to all countries.
He said the United States had ratified major international treaties such as those guaranteeing civil and political rights and banning torture, but was the only country not to have ratified the pact on the rights of children.
"The way they were separating infants from families only in order to deter irregular migration from Central America to the United States to me constitutes inhuman treatment, and that is absolutely prohibited by the two treaties," said Nowak, a professor of international law at the University of Vienna.
The United States detains an average of 60 out of every 100,000 children in its justice system or immigration-related custody, Nowak said, the world's highest rate, followed by countries such as Bolivia, Botswana and Sri Lanka.
Mexico, where many Central American migrants have been turned back at the U.S. border, also has high numbers, with 18,000 children in immigration-related detention and 7,000 in prisons, he said.
The U.S. rate compared with an average of five per 100,000 in Western Europe and 14-15 in Canada, he said.
At least 29,000 children, mainly linked to Islamic State fighters, are held in northern Syria and in Iraq - with French citizens among the biggest group of foreigners, Nowak added.
Even if some of these children had been child soldiers, he said, they should be mainly treated as victims, not perpetrators, so that they could be rehabilitated and reintegrated in society.
Read more:https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2019/11/18/world/americas/18reuters-un-rights-child.html?searchResultPosition=15


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MyPhone A919i Duo – Full Specs
It's here folks!
As promised, below are the full specs of MyPhone's Quadcore Android smartphone – the A919i Duo! This is one wickedly fast device that actually runs on Android's latest OS version (Jellybean).
Also below are the features that come with this incredibly affordable yet very impressive smartphone.
So… is the A919i Duo finally the smartphone you've been waiting for? Does it fit the kind of lifestyle you lead? Check out the specifications and features below and see for yourself.
Check out these features…
Quadcore processor, HD Display, Jellybean, 8MP Rear Camera / 2MP Front Camera, 3G and OTG, plus so much more and being sold at a very affordable price. Seems like a very good deal, don't you think?
What are your thoughts? Leave your comments below and let's get the discussion going. Cheers!
Check out the FULL SPECS of the upcoming MyPhone A919 3D Duo by clicking here.


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Apple settles ebook price-fixing trial outside the courts
Apple has come to an agreement outside the courts to close an antitrust lawsuit, which alleges the company conspired with publishers to inflate ebook pricing for iPhone and iPad owners. The lawsuit was brought forward by 33 US states and by avoiding the upcoming trial on July 14, Apple has avoided a potential payout of $840 million in damages.
Both parties involved are expected to confirm the terms of settlement within 30 days. The lawsuit originated back in 2012 when the US Department of Justice accused Apple along with five publishers of ebook price fixing. The US states supporting the case are suing Apple on behalf of respective consumers, but individual class action lawsuits have been filed by individuals.
The publishers affected by the case include Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Publishers, Penguin Group (USA) Inc, Macmillan and Simon & Schuster, They have agreed to pay over $160 million in settlement charges.
Apple maintains that the company has "not [conspired] to fix ebook pricing," and has appealed the judge's decision.
Source: ZDNet
On ebook pricing. I checked: "A Million Ways to Die in the West" and under Hardcover it has an ebook price that is the same as iBooks, but under Nookbook it is $13.99(Huh?). Actually, the price-fixing was for books published by the publishers and not sold on Amazon, i.e.: Nook, and iBook.
If Apple insists they are not guilty of price fixing, why did they settle out of court? It's like yelling "I'm not guilty!", and then agreeing to pay a fine anyway.
Lol, Exactly :)
Oh, pull your head out of the Applehate smog. Companies settle out of court all the time to avoid further costs. A lot of tort lawyers count on this. It's why there's so many frivolous lawsuits in this country. It's cheaper to settle than fight. Courts aren't about guilt or innocence. They never were.
Apple was prepared to fight this all the way to the end: "Apple did not conspire to fix ebook pricing and we will continue to fight against these false accusations. When we introduced the iBookstore in 2010, we gave customers more choice, injecting much needed innovation and competition into the market, breaking Amazon's monopolistic grip on the publishing industry. We've done nothing wrong and and we will appeal the judge's decision." So what made them all of a sudden change their mind and stop their fight against this injustice? I think Apple KNEW they were fighting a losing battle based on the evidence collected against them. So you may be right in the aspect that Apple wanted a cheaper way out of the mess they created. It just seems strange to me that Apple was so bent on proving that the allegations were false, and now they just roll over and agree to a settlement. They should have settled out of court a long time ago instead of dragging this out.
I am surprise the writer of this blog didn't clarify the misconception of what he had written i. e. Is fighting al the way to the Supreme Court on the order handed down by cote. And presently they are appealing the judgement. And this is not the imore the know.
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I found it wasn't too difficult to work out who the murderer was in Agatha Christie's Dumb Witness, because there is a rather obvious clue at one point, but that didn't spoil my enjoyment of this book. In fact I felt it added to my satisfaction and there was a further development which I hadn't thought of at the end, which surprised me.
From the back cover:
Everyone blamed Emily's accident on a rubber ball left on the stairs by her frisky terrier. But the more she thought about her fall, the more convinced she became that one of her relatives was trying to kill her. On April 17th she wrote her suspicions in a letter to Hercule Poirot. Mysteriously he didn't receive the letter until June 28th … by which time Emily was already dead!
Dumb Witness is set in the small country town of Market Basing (a fictional name) where Miss Emily Arundell lived in Littlegreen House. Part of Poirot's problem is that he doesn't actually have a murder to investigate because Miss Arundell's death was certified by her doctor as a death from natural causes from a long standing medical condition. But he thought he was under an obligation from Miss Arundell to investigate. He uses subterfuge to find out more information, pretending to be writing a biography of General Arundell, Emily's father. And from some very slender facts he reconstructs the sequence of events leading up to her death.
As usual there are a number of suspects, mostly the members of her family, her nephew and niece Charles and Theresa Arundell and her married niece Bella and her husband Doctor Tanios. Then there is her companion, the rather ineffectual Miss Wilhelmina Lawson, and the servants. Poirot considers each one in turn. He also considers the character of the murderer, as he explains to Captain Hastings, the narrator, who is completely baffled as he assists Poirot in looking at the evidence:
'Since at the moment, it is only suspicion and there is no definite proof, I think I must leave you to draw your own deductions, Hastings. And do not neglect the psychology – that is important. The character of the murderer – that is an essential clue to the crime.'
'I can't consider the character of the murderer if I don't know who the murderer is!'
'No, no, you have not paid attention to what I have just said. If you reflect sufficiently on the character – the necessary character of the murder – then you will realize who the murderer is!' (page 184)
The 'dumb witness'of the title is Bob, Emily's wire-haired terrier in what is described as 'the incident of the dog's ball.' Agatha Christie dedicated Dumb Witness to her wire-haired terrier, Peter, describing him as 'most faithful of friends and dearest companion, a dog in a thousand'. Bob plays an important part in the plot and indeed Agatha Christie gives him some dialogue!
I didn't think I knew anything about Dumb Witness before I read it – I didn't even know the title. But after I read it I checked the entry in wikipedia and found that Dumb Witness had been adapted for television in 1996 as one of the episodes of Agatha Christie's Poirot with David Suchet playing the role of Hercule Poirot. I then remembered watching it and being surprised because it was set in the Lake District, which I thought was most unusual for an Agatha Christie book. Now I've read the book I can see that the TV adaptation differed considerably from the original story. As I hadn't read it when I watched the adaptation that didn't bother me in the slightest. It would have done the other way round!
NB: take care reading because if you haven't read earlier books featuring Poirot, in chapter 18 he gives away the names of the murderers in four of his earlier cases.
First published in Great Britain in 1937
published in the US as Poirot Loses a Client, also known as Mystery at Littlegreen House or Murder at Little Green House.
This edition published by Harper Collins 1994
251 pages
Source: My own copy


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Maxi dresses encompass the best of both worlds: they're fashionable and feminine, yet they're still so comfortable. Therefore, it's no surprise that many women try to find a way to wear their flowy cotton and silk kaftan dresses all year long. And here's the good news: you can! With the right accessories and a little bit of style savvy tips and tricks, you can turn your favorite maxi dress into a year-round wardrobe staple.
In The Spring
Springtime means blooming flowers, warmer temperatures, and fun fashion in bright colors and floral patterns. Why not put on your favorite floral maxi and get into the season? Whether you opt for big patterns or a simple peach-toned frock, spring is a great time to dive back into your maxi obsession.
As the folks at PopSugar remind us, the silhouette is one major appeal of the maxi dress. The look is flirty and feminine, yet casual enough for a day of running errands. So, how can you style your maxi dress to suit the occasion? It's all about the accessories. A pair of flat, strappy sandals, some bangles, and sunglasses will perfect that "California girl" day look. Then, when it's time to head out for cocktails, switch things up with a pair of glamorous, dangling earrings and a sexy wedge or heel. Just like that, you'll go from simple to chic!
In The Summer
Summer is, without a doubt, the time of year when maxi dresses reign supreme. These dresses are usually made with lightweight, breathable fabric, which makes them, as Fashion Lady says, brilliant for the hot weather. Whether you're attending a summer barbeque, spending a day at the beach, or going to a concert, your maxi dress can be the perfect outfit.
However, there is one thing to remember when styling your maxi in the summer: less is more. Don't overload your look with accessories! With some simple sandals, a pair of sunglasses, and a bohemian-looking tote or clutch, you'll have all you need for an effortless summer look. Of course, if you want to dress it up for a fancy occasion (a wedding, for example) you can add a statement necklace and a high heel. Just remember to keep it simple, or else you'll find yourself sweating.
In The Fall
Once the leaves change and the weather starts to turn, too many women pack away their maxi dresses and wait for spring to resurface. Not so fast, ladies! With the right style sense, the maxi dress can be a great part of your fall and winter wardrobe. As the folks at Babble point out, layers on a maxi dress not only keep you warm and cozy, they also add a little funky flair to your look.
When you layer your clothes, start with something simple. Throw a t-shirt on under a spaghetti-strapped dress for a chic 90s throwback look. Belt your dress to give you some shape, then keep warm with a long, comfy trenchcoat. Wear tights and boots under dresses with slits, so your poor legs aren't subject to any chilly fall winds. Even toss a slouchy sweater over your dress for an elegant two-piece look. The possibilities are endless; don't be afraid to try new combinations.
In The Winter
When it get really cold, it's time to follow Who What Wear's advice and up the layers. Wearing a maxi dress in winter certainly has its perks – you'll thank me when your full belly has room after a holiday dinner – but layering up and keeping warm is key.
Consider all the looks you tried during the fall, and then up the ante just a little bit more. Instead of a t-shirt, wear a turtleneck under your dress. Wear a knit bomber jacket for added edge and added warmth. If you're going to a fancy holiday party, consider a long sleeved maxi and a faux fur coat for that elegant old-Hollywood look.
Author Bio: Amy Trotter is a writer and fashion fiend living in Dallas, TX. When she isn't writing, Amy is out shopping for everything from silk kaftan dresses to denim overalls. She loves creating unique and edgy looks that stop traffic wherever she goes.
How to Style Cute Maxi Dresses All Year Long
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The U.S. Supreme Court declined Monday to hear a case from a Catholic hospital challenging a ruling that forces it to sterilize patients through gender transition surgery.
Evan Minton, a patient seeking uterus removal surgery as part of the gender transition process, will be allowed to go forward with suing the Mercy San Juan Medical Center for canceling the surgery.
Minton seeks to compel the hospital to perform surgeries that directly contravene Catholic teachings, Dignity Health, which operates Mercy San Juan, told the court. The case "poses a profound threat to faith-based health care institutions' ability to advance their healing ministries consistent with the teachings of their faith," according to Dignity Health's petition.Read More


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At the time of the convention, Sidwell says, "I was a student at the Art Institute of Colorado -- and I thought the DNC might be a very good opportunity to practice some of my documentary skills. I've always had an interest in all different forms of activism and the methods people use to protest. I was more interested in documenting the things happening on the streets as opposed to the fancy events of the DNC itself."Sidwell was hardly the only AIC student with such thoughts. "The school had a big group meeting before the convention. They said, 'This quarter is going to be interesting with the DNC going on.' After all, the Art Institute is only about two blocks from the Capitol. They told us we needed to be aware that security was going to be tight, and then the head of the photography department spoke. He acknowledged that a lot of us would want to photograph this, and that it was an amazing opportunity to practice our skills. Then, after telling us to be careful, he passed out a box of business cards. He said he'd spoken to someone in the police department -- I think he said the Chief of Police, although I'm not positive -- and he said if you provide a copy of the card in combination with a student ID, we would be treated as press."
Armed with these cards, Sidwell dove in to the DNC: "I covered almost every protest there, including the Iraq veterans against the war march." She was also on hand at Civic Center Park during the early evening of August 25, the convention's second day, when a large number of people began gathering for a rally reportedly intended to disrupt the convention.
"The crowd began to march," Sidwell recalls, "at which point a line of police officers just sort of cut them off and wouldn't let them proceed. Then, after a few moments, the crowd turned on itself and reversed directions, cutting through Civic Center Park and heading toward the 16th Street Mall. A lot of them crossed the street without waiting for the light to change, and the police blocked off the road ahead of them.
"At this point, I was trying to stay ahead of the crowd -- trying to get to the 16th Street Mall and find a more elevated place to stand. I think I was on Court Street when a line of police on horses prevented me from continuing down that way. And long story short, we all got corralled in, hundreds of us. They circled us and kept everybody inside the circle -- and not all of them were part of the protest. Some of them were just people walking by. I saw some sixteen- and seventeen-year-old girls coming from the 16th Street Mall in flip-flops and spaghetti straps, worried that their parents were going to be mad at them."Although Sidwell wasn't technically a journalist, she was acting as one -- "but the police didn't seem to care. I saw somebody holding a press badge go up to a riot officer. He was saying, 'Press, press, press,' but they sprayed him with whatever chemical they were using at the time." Not that she sensed a great deal of risk from her fellow confinees. "I didn't see the crowd as being violent," she allows. "I felt safer in there with the protesters than I did going near the police. They were treating everyone in that circle as the enemy regardless of the truth."


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After press conference unveiling expensive new Nets, owner Prokhorov lauded (but what about all the public support?)
It should be clear now that Mr. Prokhorov, a 48-year-old Russian billionaire, renowned playboy and aspiring politician, did not come on a peace mission. He came to conquer the N.B.A. by setting a standard for unbridled spending and general audacity.The Times article explains that the estimated $82 million penalty will be shared with lower-spending teams and the league at large. The Nets have sold all but 800 tickets below their self-imposed cap of 12,500-13,000. (Note how that cap is fluid.)
That truth was unmistakable Thursday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, where the Nets introduced two pricey new stars, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, to join the three pricey stars the team already had.
The Nets' payroll next season will surge to a league-high $101 million, triggering a league-record luxury tax bill of about $82 million. In three years, Mr. Prokhorov has morphed from the N.B.A.'s international man of mystery into a Russian George Steinbrenner — only taller, richer and with a cool accent.
...Fourteen of the N.B.A.'s 30 owners are billionaires, according to Forbes. But few spend on their teams as eagerly as Mr. Prokhorov does, or with as much overt glee. There seems to be no limit to his largess, at least when it comes to assembling elite talent. Last summer, Mr. Prokhorov committed to $330 million in player contracts, including rich deals for Deron Williams, Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez, who were at the time the Nets' biggest stars.
Painless spending
More importantly, Prokhorov's a billionaire. His spending is painless--not just as a strict business proposition but as part of shaping his media halo. As the Times notes, Forbes estimates that the move to Brooklyn increased the value of the team by 48 percent, to $530 million and Prokhorov claims "his investment had increased 'minimum, fivefold' since his purchase of the team and a share of its arena."
|Arena employees gave out water to those watching
the press conference at the oculus outside
All that makes it ever more curious that the city and state would provide subsidies, tax breaks, free or low-priced land, and triple tax-exempt financing to enable the Barclays Center and the larger Atlantic Yards project.
And it points out media myopia--a willingness to laud Prokhorov but not to examine uncounted savings on the arena that I estimate at more than $100 million--greater than the penalty the Nets are paying.
In the tabloids
Daily News columnist Filip Bondy wrote Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov's win-at-all-costs mentality is reminiscent of late George Steinbrenner, calling him "a fan's dream owner, an easy newspaper column, and something of a nightmare for James Dolan and every other league executive."
Yeah, an easy newspaper column for those who don't want to think too much.
New York Post columnist Mike Vaccaro, in Piece-ful dream closer to reality, wrote:
For the first time, it feels real. For the first time, this doesn't seem like a fantasy-league trade or the rantings of a late-night talk-show caller. For the first time, they are inside Barclays Center, flesh and blood, words and thoughts and opinions, bookend Hall of Famers.At the press conference
Bookend Nets.
"What's up, Brooklyn?" Kevin Garnett asks.
"At this point, right now," Paul Pierce says, "we're all about winning a championship, and Brooklyn, we feel, gives us the best opportunity."
...Here they are at Barclays Center, from where the Nets will launch a pointed assault on the Knicks, on the Eastern Conference, on the rest of the NBA.
...But, really, that's going to be the fun part, watching them either figure it all out or fail spectacularly trying... Or maybe this really is just the start of something special. Here they are. It's time to find out. Suddenly November can't get here fast enough. And not only because it'll be cooler then.
The press conference was excerpted on NBA.com. In one video, 15-year Celtic Pierce stated, "Obviously, I would have loved to end my career in Boston but y'know, that day and age is probably over with."
It sure is. Now, "at this point in our careers, we're championship-driven... Brooklyn, we feel, gives us the best opportunity."
The crowd outside watching at the oculus was, given the very hot weather, understandably modest. But there was a Nets store.


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James Anderson keeps the role he was given ahead of the 2017/18 Ashes.
James Anderson will be England's vice-captain for the two-Test series against New Zealand despite the return of Ben Stokes, who had previously held the role.
Stokes was named as Joe Root's deputy in February 2017 but was forced to relinquish the job ahead of the 2017/18 Ashes when he was removed from the squad following his arrest outside a Bristol nightclub last September. The all-rounder was charged with affray in January – a charge which he denies – and faces trial on 6 August.
England will select Root's vice-captain on a series-by-series basis, with Anderson continuing in the role for the time being.
"I'm delighted Joe has asked me to do it again for this series," the 35-year-old seamer told the BBC. "It doesn't change my role in the team a huge amount. I see myself as a senior player and I'm there for people if they need advice. Certainly if Joe needs help on the field, I'm there for him."
Stokes returned to international cricket during England's recent ODI series in New Zealand, claiming the Player of the Match award in his second game back, taking 2/42 and hitting 63 not out in Mount Maunganui.
He has been ruled out of England's two-day warm-up fixture against a New Zealand XI in Hamilton due to a minor back injury but is expected to be fit for the first Test in Auckland on 22 March.


text: I will finally have to agree that there are no weapons This is what lead me to beleive our president...but he and Blair were in this togehter. they lied in january. "The Iraqi leader was given a final warning six weeks ago, Bush said, when Baghdad promised to cooperate with U.N. inspectors at the last minute just as U.S. warplanes were headed its way. "Along with Prime Minister (Tony) Blair of Great Britain, I made it equally clear that if Saddam failed to cooperate fully we would be prepared to act without delay, diplomacy or warning," Bush sad The president said the report handed in Tuesday by Richard Butler, head of the United Nations Special Commission in charge of finding and destroying Iraqi weapons, was stark and sobering. Iraq failed to cooperate with the inspectors and placed new restrictions on them, Bush said. He said Iraqi officials also destroyed records and moved everything, even the furniture, out of suspected sites before inspectors were allowed in. "Instead of inspectors disarming Saddam, Saddam has disarmed the inspectors," Bush said. " I gave Saddam a chance -- not a license. If we turn our backs on his defiance, the credibility of U.S. power as a check against Saddam will be destroyed," the president explained.


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It's not often that I make homemade pancakes. Confession time: normally I use the Snoqualmie Falls pancake and waffle mix, because it is the best store-bought mix out there. But after making these lemon-ricotta pancakes…I don't know if I can ever go back. They are fluffy yet light and airy, and go perfectly with leftover citrus syrup from my candied citrus peels. Yes – I have found yet another way to use the leftover spoils of those damn delicious citrus pieces of heaven.
We ended up making the regular size batch of pancakes because we were supposed to have guests come over for brunch, but when they had to cancel last minute, we had lots of leftover pancakes. And – shocker – they are awesome reheated in the microwave.
These melt in your mouth…They may seem thick but once you bite into them they are so light and airy. These are what pancake dreams are made of.
Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
Adapted from the Newlywed Cookbook
Serves 4-6
- 1 1/3 cups AP Flour
- 1/2 cup finely ground cornmeal
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese (I used part skim ricotta)
- 1 large egg, separated
- pinch of nutmeg
- 1 tbsp grated lemon zest (about the zest from 1 lemon)
- 1 tbsp sugar
- butter, for the pan (and finished pancakes!)
Lemon or pure maple Syrup, bananas, strawberries
Whisk together flour, cornmeal. salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, ricotta, egg yolks, nutmeg, and lemon zest. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, and whisk in the wet ingredients until just incorporated.
Beat the egg whites and sugar with an electric mixer or a whisk in a clean bowl until they just hold stiff peaks. Gently fold the egg whites into the batter with a spatula or whisk until evenly incorporated, make sure not to overmix.
Heat a griddle or heavy frying pan to medium-high heat until butter sizzles when added to the pan. Pour desired amount of pancake batter onto griddle, leaving about 2 inches between pancakes. When little bubbles form on the surface of the batter, flip the pancakes with a flexible spatula. Cook on the other side until the pancakes are golden brown around the edges, about 2 minutes. Serve immediately with syrup, butter, and fresh fruit.


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MQB Chassis High Flow Inlet Hose (Golf R MK7)(Audi S3 8V)Seat Leon Cupra 280/290
THIS PRODUCT DOES NOT FIT LEFT HAND DRIVE VEHICLES. The Forge Motorsport high flow intake hose for the MQB platform 2.0 engines, eliminates the highly restrictive plastic inlet pipe, and replaces it with our smooth bore multi-ply silicone hose which increases air flow, improving efficiency and performance. This equates to increases of up to 10hp which is a remarkable gain for an easy to fit bolt on modification. Includes billet machined couplers made to exact tolerances at our machine shop in Gloucester, UK, ensuring a perfect fit. This hose is available in red, blue or black and is supplied with all necessary hose clamps.
The Forge silicone hose in this kit has been designed to include an expensive inner liner of modified silicone known as Fluorosilicone. This means the hoses are suitable to be used with either modern long-life coolants, Organic Acid Technology coolants O.But more importantly for this application, air containing oil mist. The construction of the hoses has been engineered to exceed that of the OEM fitments, and will enhance any engine bay both technically and aesthetically. The use of a Fluorosilicone liner ensures that Forge silicone hoses are the clear market leader. O S3 2.0 TSi (8V Chassis). O Octavia VRS 2.0 Tsi 2013 Onwards. O Golf Mk7.5 Gti. O Golf Mk7.5 R. Fitting service available any questions please give us a call on 0121 3562638. The item "MQB Chassis High Flow Inlet Hose (Golf R MK7)(Audi S3 8V)Seat Leon Cupra 280/290" is in sale since Friday, March 16, 2018. This item is in the category "Vehicle Parts & Accessories\Car Tuning & Styling\Engine, Tuning & Chips\Other Engine Tuning". The seller is "pumabuild1" and is located in Birmingham. This item can be shipped to United Kingdom.
- Manufacturer Part Number: FMINLMK7
- Brand: Forge Motorsport


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Research Dive meramalkan pertumbuhan blockchain IoT menjadi $ 5.8 bilion pada tahun 2026
Researchers from the Indian firm Research Dive shared their predictions of the blockchain industry. In their report, they noted that the global IoT blockchain market will reach more than $5.8 billion by 2026.
In the daily flow of information, you can more and more often catch the news about the next technology giant that has applied blockchain in one of its existing or future projects, or simply in a subsidiary. With the popularization of innovative technology, it is being used in related fields, one of which is the Internet of Things.
Research Dive analysts tracked the development of the IoT blockchain industry in different regions, concluding that the Asia-Pacific region will demonstrate the most rapid progress in the coming years. According to their forecast, by 2026 this industry will grow there to the level of $1.4 billion dollars with an average annual growth rate of 94.8%. At the same time, the North American market will grow at a rate of 90.1% for the year, approaching the level of $1.75 billion. The average annual growth rate for the period from 2021 to 2026 will be about 91.5%.
According to Research Dive, the main factor that can significantly accelerate the growth of the global economy will be not only the widespread implementation of IoT-based solutions in various industries but also the growing need to optimize business processes. In addition, according to them, organizations should not forget about the issue of IoT security, and analysts also mentioned the integration of blockchain services and digital identity for smart contracts as a reason for the growth of the economy.
Research Dive said that in parallel with the growth and development of the IoT blockchain, the BaaS blockchain market will surpass $15.8 billion. Such indicators are achieved due to a high degree of decentralization and immutability. In most countries, medium and small businesses have already appreciated the advantages of the BaaS blockchain in the development of payment systems, decentralized applications, and smart contracts. The speed of adoption of cryptocurrencies and an increase in the flow of investments from the USA, Japan, and the UK can also play into the hands of the BaaS blockchain.
In addition to the areas listed above, researchers predict the growth of the smart city segment. According to them, the use of the IoT blockchain in such areas as logistics, transport, utilities, retail, healthcare, building management, as well as the development of smart wearable and mobile devices will affect the speed of the emergence of smart cities.
The industry is expected to grow at an average rate of 93.9% per year, or $639.4 million per year. The blockchain in them will become a fundamental mechanism and will be used as the main platform to eliminate possible security problems and ensure the smooth operation of the entire system. Therefore, in the next 5-10 years, the first examples of high-tech cities may appear, where the blockchain will be integrated into all everyday aspects of human life.
Research Dive named the Ethereum Foundation, Microsoft, Filament, Cisco Systems, IBM, Intel, Amazon, and other large technology companies as the main participants in the IoT blockchain market. They regularly make multimillion-dollar R&D injections, strengthening their position in the IoT industry.
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