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Romanian President Klaus Iohannis yesterday fired the National Anticorruption Directorate's chief prosecutor Laura Codruţa Kovesi under intense, unrelenting pressure from the parliamentary majority. Although article 133 of the Romanian Constitution protects public prosecutors from parliamentary whims, in a head-scratching decision May 30 Romania's Constitutional Court ruled that the president must heed a directive by the Justice Minister ordering him to fire Kovesi. Iohanis had initially resisted, but the parliamentary majority demanded he obey the Justice Minister's directive — even after citizens demonstrated in Kovesi's favor and the European Union signaled its support for her. Indeed, in recent days the majority made it clear that if Iohannis refused to obey the order, it would impeach him. Iohanis relented early Monday morning, July 9, signing a decree terminating Codruţa Kovesi.
Codruţa Kovesi issued a statement later in the day defending her agency's record combating corruption, voicing the concerns of many that her dismissal will undermine the fight against corruption by subordinating prosecutors to parliament, and urging all Romanians not to give up the struggle against corruption. The full text of her remarks (her own English version) are below.
As you know, the President of Romania has issued the dismissal decree from the position as chief prosecutor of the National Anticorruption Directorate, therefore, my mandate ceases today.
I have been the Chief Prosecutor of DNA for the last five years and everything that was accomplished or that was not accomplished during this mandate, can be found in a short report that will be published on DNA's website.
Regardless of what I say or what others say about DNA, regardless of what the figures say and figures never lie, it is really important that the DNA has proven that no one is above the law.
As regards the dismissal procedure of the Chief Prosecutor of DNA, I would like to remind you that the dismissal procedure did not meet the conditions provided by law. The Superior Council of Magistracy issued a negative opinion. I proved in from of the Section for prosecutors that the reasons for the dismissal proposal were in part unreal and in part groundless.
The dismissal decree issued by the President of Romania leaves room to a very important question: Will there be a discretionary subordination of the Chief Prosecutors to the Minister of Justice?
I do not comment on the decision issued by the Constitutional Court. I just show that the reasoning suggests that prosecutors might become politically subordinated and it is still necessary to have clarifications in this respect.
What I can tell you about myself is that I took note of the dismissal decree from the position as Chief Prosecutor of DNA and starting today, I shall stop working within DNA. I shall continue to be a prosecutor.
I would like to address a message to my DNA colleagues with whom I have been working and whom I have represented for the last five years. And also, to the other Romanian prosecutors with whom I worked for six years as General Prosecutor.
Thank you all for your courage, for your professionalism. For the resistance and commitment you have shown in going forward, regardless of the fact that we have been unjustly attacked, humiliated in front of the society and our families, dragged into the mud, unable to respond in any other way than to request the Superior Council of Magistracy to defend the truth.
We all know that for the last five years, DNA has also obtained other results, which are not shown in statistics:
- DNA has proved thatthe law is equal for everybodyand that nobody is too strong to evade the law. Independent prosecutors have conducted investigations against people who seemed untouchable, regardless of their positions or wealth.
- Our investigationshave contributed to raising the awareness of the Romanian society regarding the seriousness of the corruption phenomenon.
And what we have succeeded, first of all, esteemed colleagues, was to show that the Romanian institutions can work efficiently, legally, and above all, we have shown that YES, corruption can be defeated!
No, today's episode is NOT a defeat. The brutal methods that have been used for some time in order to force the change of the legislation show us all that they want protection for the past, the present and the future. Now, the Romanian society knows this from you, those from DNA.
My leaving from a position means a little as long as neither I, nor you abandon the fight.
After six years as General Prosecutor of Romania and five years, one month and 24 days as Head of DNA, I can tell you that nothing is as important as continuing this fight, because,it is a fight to defendant the society from dangerous criminals.
Yes, the justice system goes through a difficult time. We all know this, since we have all seen what will remain from the criminal laws of the country. We have seen the texts passed by the Parliament, we have reacted, we have drawn up observations and the same did the High Court, the Superior Council of Magistracy, the General Prosecutor's Office, but beyond any professional opinions, it is common sense to understand that now the political will is not to have an efficient justice, but to obstruct the investigations and the justice system.
We, as prosecutors, cannot take part in a political fight. It is forbidden by law. Our plea is for a stable legislation. Our plea is for a legislation allowing prosecutors to be independent.
The prosecutors' independence is an incorruptible value.
DNA is a mature institution, which fulfilled its role to fight high level corruption.Therefore, DO NOT abandon. Keep doing your job.
I thank all those who supported our activity. I thank those from the judiciary, I thank our institutional collaborators from Romania or institutional partners.
Last but not least, I have a message for the Romanian society, for our citizens:
Corruption can be defeated! Do not abandon!
Thank you for your attention!


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A few years ago, a private, Dallas-based corporation announced it would like to build a private toll road, all with its own money, connecting northeast Dallas County to somewhere around Greenville, running basically parallel to the Interstate 30 and passing near Lake Lavon and Lake Ray Hubbard. The Texas Turnpike Corp., has been so enthusiastic about its idea that the North Central Texas Council of Governments, the regional transportation planning agency, has agreed to get involved and examine it.
The tollway is just an idea that's being studied, the agency's transportation department director Michael Morris has assured the worried property owners whose land might be in the route's way. It's not a done deal, officials have said, and they don't even know where exactly the route would go, if they find the toll road is necessary at all.
See more: Uncertainty about the Path of a Dallas Company's Toll Road Worries Property Owners
It seems likely, though, that the NCTCOG has found both a need for the tollway and has agreed to let the Texas Turnpike Corp. be the one to build it. At a joint NCTCOG/Texas Turnpike meeting Monday, Morris and other agency staffers announced that they had finished their long-awaited study into the toll proposal, which they lumped in with a general study about the entire area they identified as the Blacklands Corridor. They presented their results in a packet of PowerPoint slides and said that Monday's meeting would be the final government meeting on the topic.
"We are at our final recommendation, which you'll hear this evening, and again, thank you very much for coming out to hear these particular recommendations," Morris told about 1,300 people gathered in Rockwall, a crowd that was both ticked off and eager to find out more specifics on what the agency's recommendations actually are.
But the recommendations still didn't bring any clarity on what the actual route of the toll would be. The study concluded that a new toll road should be built, somewhere. In the hand-outs, the agency says its study identified a need for: "New Location Freeway/Tollway."
There's a map included for the "Freeway/Tollway," linking the Bush Turnpike to Greenville, but the route is still just a bunch of squiggly lines that are preliminary and "Subject To Further Study."
After presenting their vague study findings, the government staffers passed the microphone off to the Texas Turnpike Corp. With that, NCTCOG was finished.
"It's important to mention that this is the last meeting, as the COG staff stated, of their feasibility study," said Texas Turnpike Corp.'s Neal Barker. "However, it's the first of several public meetings that we're hosting for the Northeast Gateway Tollway Project." He promised that the public would get invited to numerous future meetings hosted by the private corporation, where everyone would learn more about the tollway.
The TTC says it's still studying where the route will be, if the tollway gets built at all. The company anticipates figuring out the actual route next spring and then submitting its final application to the Texas Transportation Commission sometime next year.
Even if there is a need for a private tollway, why does the Texas Turnpike Corp. automatically get to be the company to build it? The short answer: because no one else can, thanks to the Texas Legislature. Unlike other companies that bid for work on toll road projects created by the government, Texas Turnpike can move ahead on its own initiative.
And with the power of eminent domain.
For the longer answer, NCTCOG spokesman Amanda Wilson directed me to the agency's website.
The Texas Turnpike Corp. has statutory authority, given by the Texas Legislature, to develop toll roads under certain conditions with TxDOT oversight. Firms that have submitted bids to the Texas Department of Transportation to develop toll projects as Comprehensive Development Agreements (LBJ Express, North Tarrant Express) do not have such authority and can only develop projects by responding to a solicitation by a public-sector entity such as TxDOT, the North Texas Tollway Authority or a Regional Mobility Authority.
Send your story tips to the author, Amy Silverstein.

subset: commoncrawl


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70-Some Years
- Year
- 2015
- Country
- Duration:
- 6 mins
At 90 years old, Henry Bendinelli was a tour de force. After more than seven decades of skiing, he still found joy in traipsing around the mountains and wanted to share his passion with others. He created a social club in which members could venture into the outdoors through skiing, cycling, dancing and more.
Filmmaker Riley Hooper first encountered Bendinelli when she worked for Vimeo. He wrote asking for assistance in deleting videos, and the two struck up an unlikely friendship. Eventually, they went skiing together, and Hooper was moved by his infectious zeal for life. 70-Some Years details that life, ranging from Bendinelli's experiences under fire during war to the many runs he logged skiing. His story makes clear the importance of pursuing our passions, and how sharing the resulting joy with others is the key to a long and healthy life.
Production Team
- Director
- Riley Hooper


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What is Newt Gingrich doing today? He could be running for president—on the other hand, he may not be. That said, maybe. However, perhaps not. Even his new Web site, NewtExplore2012.com, hedges. "We are excited about exploring whether there is sufficient support for my potential candidacy for President of this exceptional country," a welcome note warns. Unfortunately, there is not sufficient support for Gingrich's Web designer: the cheering crowd that spontaneously gathers in back of Gingrich and his third wife is the very same group that once appeared on the Web site of the late senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA). According to The Wall Street Journal, "[i]t turns out that the same crowd shot first appeared on the Kennedy site with the words: 'We are the Democratic Majority.'" The "Large Crowd of People Holding Stars and Stripes Flags"–Gate is the most exciting developing in Gingrich's protracted presidential bid. (Look: it's already birthed a not-bad Internet meme.) The coverage of Gingrich's indecision has been somewhat cyclical. See if you can put these Gingrich-related Politico headlines, all from the past week, in chronological order:
A. "Decision time for Newt"
B. "Gingrich is running... to Iowa"
C. "Meet Newt's circle of donors"
D. "Flipflop: No Newt announcement"
E. "Newt's route paved with questions"
F. "Gingrich virtually a candidate with new 2012 website"
G. "Newt issues 2012 teaser"
Answers: those are in chronological order. Newt! Pick something!


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Welcome to the Brooklyn Dad Defiant blog. I will be occasionally ranting about stuff. Other times I will be laughing (hopefully). Sometimes, just chilling. But, no matter what, expect nothing less than the truth from me ALL THE TIME. Thank you for visiting. I hope to entertain you.
The Liddle'est President
By majid m. padellan
Political Humor
Spanky McDumbass was a horrible Liddle' man who was a draft-dodger, a creepy dad, a businessman, and a bad TV celebrity, who lied and cheated his way to the most powerful position in America: President of the United States. This is the story of his improbable rise, and his ultimate bigly fall.
The Liddle'est President Adult Coloring Book!
The therapeutic benefits of an adult coloring book created from the much-sought after title 'The Liddle'est President' by Majid M. Padellan. Who knew that coloring in the bigly man-baby could help reduce stress and anxiety, and help calm emotional conflict? But now you can by making trump as orange as you like or Mike Pence the insipid shade of 'Mother-said-so-yellow'!
Available in the BDD Store soon. Signup to the BDD Mailing List for updates.
Recent Posts
Stabbed By A Neighbor: Point Taken?
Terrorism is deplorable, PERIOD.
ALL terrorism. But I know it would feel much worse to know that I've been stabbed to death by my own neighbor than run over in a car by a complete stranger.
COVID Closes One Door, While I Reopen Another.
BDD shows his optimism in the face of a COVID job loss and changing employment scene when ageism becomes a challenge…
BDD Hosts the No Dem Left Behind Town Hall!
BDD hosts his first No Dem Left Behind Town Hall! Don't miss this important discussion about America's political climate and how we need to move forward with some very significant political figures helping us achieve this in positive ways!!! Oh, and there might be some very light-hearted moments and huge laughs from BDD and his guests!
BDD's Debut on the Stephanie Miller Show!
BDD had a very Happy Birthday with a guest debut spot on the Stephanie Miller show! Don't miss his most excellent Sally O'Malley kick and stretch to celebrate!!!
Storytime with BDD…Living With Unicornavirus…
Tired of the manic meltdowns in trump's coronavirus press briefings? Tune in to Storytime with BDD. Today's edition features the realization that Bleach is not the answer if you have Unicornavirus!
Storytime with BDD…The Where Which TP Project
Tired of the manic meltdowns in trump's coronavirus press briefings? Tune in to Storytime with BDD.


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The early 2000s: A decade too close to be nostalgia, far to make us feel almost old as we remember the internet and technology changing our daily life habits and ways of doing things easily and quickly! The fear of terrorism, which was replaced by the optimistic spirit of having just begun a new century, has fueled pessimistic policies and nationalist sentiments. Luckily the popular culture was still alive, and Paris Hilton hadn't started to walk around with Kim Kardashian yet!
Because her best friend was Lindsay Lohan, and the Juicy Couture velvet tracksuits they wore were definitely imitated! Moreover, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston had just married. Those who find the 2000s dream couple boring can dream of Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears, who have joined the American Music Awards with inspiring styles that interpret the denim- on – denim trend. This was the era of celebrities: shooting a teen series on the Disney Channel, making hit songs, setting fashion trends with low-waisted jeans, and not dying of drugs. Their fans gave the marketing professionals a brand new (consumer) target audience: The Teenagers. Long before the celebrity social media profiles in which they showcase their well-rehearsed controlled images, there were teen magazines. If you think of the huge celebrity posters attached to them like an Instagram post, it's was free to create your own feed on the walls of your room!
Apple's 2001 iPod and Dan Brown's sensational bestseller Da Vinci Code could have completed your early 2000s college style with The Gant Varsity Jacket on your back. Firstly, worn by the members of the Harvard University baseball team, this iconic jacket draws attention with its charismatic design that has the embroidered initials of the team names on the front. You don't have to decide which initials to wear on your jacket. You are always the winner in the Gant team's style game!


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Compliance Assistance Provided to Mobile Health App Developers by FTC
A new interactive tool has been released by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to help mobile health app developers determine whether their apps need to comply with federal regulations.
The new web-based tool was developed with assistance from the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), Office of National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
By answering a series of 10 questions, mobile app developers can determine whether their health care products are covered under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC Act) or need to comply with the FTC's Health Breach Notification Rule. In many cases, app developers will be required to comply with more than one set of federal laws.
According to Jessica Rich, FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection director, "Mobile app developers need clear information about the laws that apply to their health-related products." The tool aims to provide the information app developers need to determine whether safeguards need to be incorporated to ensure data is appropriately protected.
Get The Checklist
Free and Immediate Download
of HIPAA Compliance Checklist
Delivered via email so verify your email address is correct.
Your Privacy Respected
HIPAA Journal Privacy Policy
There has been considerable confusion among mobile health app developers, who have struggled to understand the various laws that apply to app development, in particular HIPAA. This confusion has been holding back development and preventing app developers from meeting the demands of patients.
Last year OCR sought feedback from mobile app developers via an online web portal to find out the specific issues that app developers were having with HIPAA. Based on the feedback received, OCR released new guidance in February this year, explaining the circumstances under which an app developer would be required to comply with HIPAA regulations.
The guidance was long overdue, but many in the industry felt that it did not go far enough to clear up confusion, only providing answers to a limited number of scenarios. Recently, some members of congress wrote to HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell, criticizing the efforts made thus far and claiming the recent guidance was inadequate. The letter called for further clarification on HIPAA's privacy and security standards.
The new tool may not help to improve knowledge of the intricacies of HIPAA as it reiterates much of what OCR has already provided in recent guidance, but it should help app developers determine whether HIPAA and other federal rules apply.
Along with the interactive tool is a glossary of terms commonly used in HIPAA Rules and a list of FTC best practices to adopt to implement sound data security. These include minimizing the data collected, limiting access and permissions to customer information, implementing strong user authentication, implementing security by design, incorporating security at every stage of an app's lifecycle and the need to obtain consent from users before sharing their information.
The new interactive web-based tool can be found on the following link – https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/mobile-health-apps-interactive-tool.
The FTC's best practices for mobile health app developers can be downloaded here.


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User Reviews
Average Rating
Callwithus is a family owned and operated service. They are somewhat unique in the VoIP industry. They developed the service primarily for their own needs however, with spare bandwidth and resources they started to offer the service to the consumer. Callwithus do not offer the typical unlimited or monthly fee plans that other providers do, rather they offer a pay as you go type of service. All you need is a broadband connection. With this service you build the features you want and need - there is a charge for some features but you get the choice to include or exclude any available feature. To use this service it really does require a little bit of technical knowledge - as long as you are capable and comfortable with configuring a device such as a router then you should have little trouble with setting up this service. There are many client configurations listed on their site that users have used successfully, so there is plenty of help available.
CallWithUs reviews are listed in chronological order.
Number 18 : MAR 31st, 2020 : Robert
Recommended: Yes
Been with Callwithus for about 13 years. I use them for outbound calling. From time to time I have had reason to reach out out via email and away got a response. I can tell you that once they got hacked and they refunded all my lost minutes. I recently wanted to port a DID over to them but unfortunately, they do not do DID any more. Back in the old days Sergey always included his name in his emails, not any more. I wonder who I am emailing now? :)
Number 17 : NOV 24th, 2019 : Phou
Recommended: Yes
Reliable and great long distance rates. You do have to configure your own VoIP device to connect to their service but after that it was smooth sailing. I use FreePBX and never had any issues. Their website is straight forward and simple. Looks like its using a modified a2billing. Overall great service.
Number 16 : JUN 6th, 2019 : Jim
Recommended: Yes
Reasonably priced SIP provider with decent support, easy to use interface, and transparent pricing. WhichVoIP.com's description pretty much sums up the company. My experience has always been positive. I have been building roll-your-own VoIP systems for years, first with Asterisk and then Freeswitch. I find Callwithus completely simple to set up and use. Customer support has always worked well for me, and the pricing structure is simple and transparent.
Number 15 : MAY 23rd, 2019 : Steve
Recommended: No
Fraud based in Pakistan. Will take your money and will then disappear. Stay away from them and save your money.
Jim (June 6th, 2019) : This review is complete and utter BS! I have used Callwithus on and off over the years. I won't compare them with others, but I will say that they are simple to use, their pricing is completely transparent, and they are extremely responsive to problems. Also, they are US based, not Pakistan. I don't know if the reviewer is confused or malicious. I do know from years of experience that Callwithus is legit.
Number 14 : OCT 7th, 2018 : Ben
Recommended: Yes
I've been using Callwithus for years now and never have to worry about whether the call will work or drop. The quality is better than most others I've used, and certainly better than a regular cell call.
Number 13 : MAY 31st, 2018 : Finn
Recommended: Yes
Have used this service for many years, possibly 10 years now. The service is very reliable. I have recommended them to several people, who are still customers. Over the years, I have used VOIP adapters from Sipura (now Cisco), Obihai and equivalent SIP software. Difficulty of configuration is a function of the device you have purchased. Callwithus seems to work with everything.
Number 12 : MAY 28th, 2018 : Robert
Recommended: Yes
CWU meets my needs. I use an iPhone with Bria software and CWU's voicemail. Cell service is not activated (not needed). No matter where I am, if I have WiFi, I have a phone. It just works.
Number 11 : MAY 19th, 2018 : Darrell
Recommended: Yes
I switched to CWU as my only outgoing provider in July 2007. For various reasons we didn't use for a while until 2014. We went back to using CWU for all international calls after having yet another instance of being unable to complete calls with our previous #2 company. Fortunately CWU was still active and ready. There were some problems with bad trunks. A quick reply from support told me I could exclude specific trunks from edit user settings. This did the trick! Their prices for calls to European cell phones are unbeatable and the call quality is wife approved.
Number 10 : DEC 8th, 2017 : Albert
Recommended: Yes
Shame the VPN costs money but I guess at these rates there can't be many free extras. I love the echo test!
Number 9 : SEP 5th, 2017 : Darryl
Recommended: No
I've been trying to use my account for months to no avail. I just finally logged in and it says my account has been deactivated. No one ever told me that the account could be or would be deactivated for any reason nor did anyone state that calls had to be made every 3 months. I contacted the Callwithus representatives via email 4 times and got NO response. I've been trying for months to reach someone there. They STOLE my money. AVOID THIS COMPANY!
VoIP User (November 6th 2019) : All you have to do is email CallWithUs support and they will unlock your account. It's happened a couple times to me when I've gone a few months without using the service. They've always unlocked my account quickly (less than 1 hour) without a problem.
Disclaimer: The opinions, views and ratings expressed in these VoIP Reviews are those solely of the reviewer who submitted the review. Whichvoip.com does not necessarily agree with any of the expressed opinions, view or ratings.
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It's been a while since I've posted an outfit post, but we have been having an awful weather in Malta these past few days. It looked like Brittany in March. Therefore, I felt like rolling myself in a blanket, my computer on my laps and some hot chocolate near me, rather than strutting around in the rainy streets of Gozo. Hope you don't mind… One day, I will stop playing the weather forecast lady in my outfit posts, but I'm afraid this day hasn't arrived yet.
Regarding my outfit, I received this little plaid dress in a package sent by Gleb's mother a few weeks ago. This is probably not a piece I would have bought myself, so I'm really glad I received it as a gift because I really like it : perfect for the maltese autumn, this is a light dress, yet warm enough to wear at night or on a windy day like today. A plaid print, some autumnal tones, a loose cut and a really comfy fabric… This has become my go to outfit when I don't know how to dress and when I want to keep things simple without looking sloppy. Everything I love !
Zara Plaid Dress – Asos Flats – Parfois Handbag


text:
|Volume 21, Number 4, May25 2020
- Effect of particle size and saturation conditions on the breakage factor of weak rockfill materials under one-dimensional compression testing Hamidreza Rahmani and Ali Komak Panah
|Abstract; Full Text (2871K) .
|pages 315-326.
|DOI: 10.12989/gae.2020.21.4.315
The long-term behavior of rockfill material used in the construction of infrastructures such as dams is of great significance. Because of concerns about the application of weak rockfill material in dam construction, further experimental studies on the behavior of these materials are required. In this study, laboratory experiments were performed to investigate the one-dimensional deformation and particle breakage of the weak rockfill material under stress. A one-dimensional compression apparatus was designed and developed for testing of rockfill materials of different maximum particle sizes (MPSs). The compression tests were performed under dry, wet and saturated conditions on samples of rockfill material obtained from a dam construction site in Iran. The results of the experiments conducted at the specimen preparation stage and the 1D compression tests are presented. In weak rockfill, the effect of the addition of water on the behavior of the material was uncertain as there were both an increases and decreases observed in particle breakage. Increasing the MPS of the weak rockfill materials increased particle breakage, which was similar to the behavior of strong rockfill material. In all of the MPSs examined, the settlement of specimens under wet conditions was higher than that observed under dry conditions. Also, the greatest deformation occurred during the first hour of loading.
Key Words
particle breakage; weak rockfill material; 1D compression test
Hamidreza Rahmani and Ali Komak Panah: Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
- Effect of strain level on strength evaluation of date palm fiber-reinforced sand Mohammad Bahrami and Seyed Morteza Marandi
|Abstract; Full Text (2311K) .
|pages 327-336.
|DOI: 10.12989/gae.2020.21.4.327
Conventional researches on the behavior of fiber-reinforced and unreinforced soils often investigated the failure point. In this study, a concept is proposed in the comparison of the fiber-reinforced with unreinforced sand, by estimating the strength and strength ratio at different levels of strain. A comprehensive program of laboratory drained triaxial compression test was performed on compacted sand specimens, with and without date palm fiber. The fiber inclusion used in triaxial test specimens was form 0.25%-1.0% of the sand dry weight. The effect of the fiber inclusion and confining pressure at 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 3.0%, 6.0%, 9.0%, 12%, and 15% of the imposed strain levels on the specimen were considered and described. The results showed that, the trend and magnitude of the strength ratio is different for various strain levels. It also implies that, using failure strength from peak point or the strength corresponding to the axial strain of approximately 15% for evaluating the enhancement of strength or strength ratio, due to the reinforcement, may cause hazard and uncertainty in practical design. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the strength of fiber-reinforced specimen at the imposed strain level, compared to the unreinforced specimen.
Key Words
date palm fiber; reinforced sand; triaxial test; strain level; strength
Mohammad Bahrami and Seyed Morteza Marandi: Department of Civil Engineering, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
- Assessment of compressibility behavior of organic soil improved by chemical grouting: An experimental and microstructural study Soheil Ghareh, Sina Kazemian and Mohamed Shahin
|Abstract; Full Text (2661K) .
|pages 337-348.
|DOI: 10.12989/gae.2020.21.4.337
Tropical organic soils having more than 65% of organic matters are named \"peat\". This soil type is extremely soft, unconsolidated, and possesses low shear strength and stiffness. Different conventional and industrial binders (e.g. lime or Portland cement) are used widely for stabilisation of organic soils. However, due to many factors affecting the behaviour of these soils (e.g., high moisture content, fewer mineral particles, and acidic media), the efficiency of the conventional binders is low and/or cost-intensive. This research investigates the impact of different constituents of cement-sodium silicate grout system on the compressibility behaviour of organic soil, including settlement and void ratio. A microstructure analysis is also carried out on treated organic soil using Scanning Electron Micrographs (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The results indicate that the settlement and void ratio of treated organic soils decrease gradually with the increase of cement and kaolinite contents, as well as sodium silicate until an optimum value of 2.5% of the wet soil weight. The microstructure analysis also demonstrates that with the increase of cement, kaolinite and sodium silicate, the void ratio and porosity of treated soil particles decrease, leading to an increase in the soil density by the hydration, pozzolanic, and polymerisation processes. This research contributes an extra useful knowledge to the stabilisation of organic soils and upgrading such problematic soils closer to the non-problematic soils for geotechnical applications such as deep mixing.
Key Words
organic soil; compressibility; settlement; void ratio; porosity; chemical binders
Soheil Ghareh: Department of Civil Engineering, Payame Noor University, PO Box 19395-4697, Tehran, Iran
Sina Kazemian: 1.) Department of Civil Engineering, Payame Noor University, PO Box 19395-4697, Tehran, Iran
2.) Department of Civil Engineering, Curtin University, PO Box U1987, Perth WA, 6845, Australia
Mohamed Shahin: Department of Civil Engineering, Curtin University, PO Box U1987, Perth WA, 6845, Australia
- A plastic strain based statistical damage model for brittle to ductile behaviour of rocks Changtai Zhou, Kai Zhang, Haibo Wang and Yongxiang Xu
|Abstract; Full Text (2112K) .
|pages 349-356.
|DOI: 10.12989/gae.2020.21.4.349
Rock brittleness, which is closely related to the failure modes, plays a significant role in the design and construction of many rock engineering applications. However, the brittle-ductile failure transition is mostly ignored by the current statistical damage constitutive model, which may misestimate the failure strength and failure behaviours of intact rock. In this study, a new statistical damage model considering rock brittleness is proposed for brittle to ductile behaviour of rocks using brittleness index (BI). Firstly, the statistical constitutive damage model is reviewed and a new statistical damage model considering failure mode transition is developed by introducing rock brittleness parameter-BI. Then the corresponding damage distribution parameters, shape parameter m and scale parameter F0, are expressed in terms of BI. The shape parameter m has a positive relationship with BI while the scale parameter F0 depends on both BI and
Key Words
rock brittleness; constitutive model; plastic strain; damage model; deep earth science
Changtai Zhou and Kai Zhang: 1.) Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Sciences and Geothermal Energy Exploitation and Utilization, Institute of Deep Earth Sciences and Green Energy, College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
2.) Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Deep Underground Engineering Sciences and Green Energy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
Haibo Wang: Department of Civil Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
Yongxiang Xu: Mining Institute, China Coal Research Institute, Beijing, China
- Diffusion-hydraulic properties of grouting geological rough fractures with power-law slurry Wenqiang Mu, Lianchong Li, Xige Liu, Liaoyuan Zhang, Zilin Zhang, Bo Huang and Yong Chen
|Abstract; Full Text (2979K) .
|pages 357-369.
|DOI: 10.12989/gae.2020.21.4.357
Different from the conventional planar fracture and simplified Newton model, for power-law slurries with a lower water-cement ratio commonly used in grouting engineering, flow model in geological rough fractures is built based on ten standard profiles from Barton (1977) in this study. The numerical algorithm is validated by experimental results. The flow mechanism, grout superiority, and water plugging of pseudo plastic slurry are revealed. The representations of hydraulic grouting properties for JRCs are obtained. The results show that effective plugging is based on the mechanical mechanisms of the fluctuant structural surface and higher viscosity at the middle of the fissure. The formulas of grouting parameters are always variable with the roughness and shear movement, which play a key role in grouting. The roughness can only be neglected after reaching a threshold. Grouting pressure increases with increasing roughness and has variable responses for different apertures within standard profiles. The whole process can be divided into three stationary zones and three transition zones, and there is a mutation region (10 < JRCs < 14) in smaller geological fractures. The fitting equations of different JRCs are obtained of power-law models satisfying the condition of -2 < coefficient < 0. The effects of small apertures and moderate to larger roughness (JRCs > 10.8) on the permeability of surfaces cannot be underestimated. The determination of grouting parameters depends on the slurry groutability in terms of its weakest link with discontinuous streamlines. For grouting water plugging, the water-cement ratio, grouting pressure and grouting additives should be determined by combining the flow conditions and the apparent widths of the main fracture and rough surface. This study provides a calculation method of grouting parameters for variable cement-based slurries. And the findings can help for better understanding of fluid flow and diffusion in geological fractures.
Key Words
geological fracture; JRC; shear displacement; grout; water plugging
Wenqiang Mu, Lianchong Li and Xige Liu: 1.) Key Laboratory of Ministry Education on Safe Mining of Deep Metal Mines, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
2.) National-local Joint Engineering Research Center of High-efficient Exploitation Technology for Refractory Iron Ore Resources,Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
Liaoyuan Zhang, Zilin Zhang, Bo Huang and Yong Chen: Shengli Oilfield Branch Company, SINOPEC, Dongying 257000, China
- An analysis of rock mass characteristics which influence the choice of support Lukasz Bednarek and Tadeusz Majcherczyk
|Abstract; Full Text (1805K) .
|pages 371-377.
|DOI: 10.12989/gae.2020.21.4.371
There are currently three common methods for selecting excavation supports in Polish hard coal mines. While many factors are considered when choosing appropriate support, these do not include layering or cracking in the excavation ceiling. Although global classifications of rock mass are rarely used in hard coal mines, they are utilised much more frequently during the construction of underground structures such as tunnels. Mining classifications of rock mass have been developed (e.g., in Germany) and they rely on a number of factors but are often related to local mining and geological conditions. This paper discusses the selected findings of a study carried out on seven excavation sites with diverse mining and geological characteristics. Based on the collected data, two indicators were developed to describe rock mass quality. The first indicator is referred to as the roof lithology index WL and describes the quality of the excavation roof in terms of its layering and lithology. The second indicator is the crack intensity factor n and represents the amount of cracks in an excavation\'s roof. The correctness of the developed indicators was supported by reliable data from the excavation in which the designed support did not fulfill its task but was changed at a later stage, after calculating the proposed indicators.
Key Words
support; stability; excavation; rock lithology; crack
Lukasz Bednarek and Tadeusz Majcherczyk: AGH University of Science and Technology
- Behavior of a combined piled raft foundation in a multi-layered soil subjected to vertical loading Srijit Bandyopadhyay, Aniruddha Sengupta and Y. M. Parulekar
|Abstract; Full Text (2626K) .
|pages 379-390.
|DOI: 10.12989/gae.2020.21.4.379
The behavior of a piled raft system in multi-layered soil subjected to vertical loading has been studied numerically using 3D finite element analysis. Initially, the 3D finite element model has been validated by analytically simulating the field experiments conducted on vertically loaded instrumented piled raft. Subsequently, a comprehensive parametric study has been conducted to assess the performance of a combined piled raft system in terms of optimum pile spacing and settlement of raft and piles, in multi-layered soil stratum subjected to vertical loading. It has been found that a combined pile raft system can significantly reduce the total settlement as well as the differential settlement of the raft in comparison to the raft alone. Two different arrangements below the piled raft with the same pile numbers show a significant amount of increase of load transfer of piled raft system, which is in line with the load transfer mechanism of a piled raft. A methodology for the factor of safety assessment of a combined pile raft foundation has been presented to improve the performance of piled raft based on its serviceability requirements. The findings of this study could be used as guidelines for achieving economical design for combined piled raft systems.
Key Words
piled raft; finite element analysis; factor of safety; pile spacing; combined piled raft
Srijit Bandyopadhyay and Y. M. Parulekar: Reactor Safety Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
Aniruddha Sengupta: Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of technology, Kharagpur 721302, India
- A new rock brittleness index on the basis of punch penetration test data Saleh Ghadernejad, Hamid Reza Nejati and Saffet Yagiz
|Abstract; Full Text (2039K) .
|pages 391-399.
|DOI: 10.12989/gae.2020.21.4.391
Brittleness is one of the most important properties of rock which has a major impact not only on the failure process of intact rock but also on the response of rock mass to tunneling and mining projects. Due to the lack of a universally accepted definition of rock brittleness, a wide range of methods, including direct and indirect methods, have been developed for its measurement. Measuring rock brittleness by direct methods requires special equipment which may lead to financial inconveniences and is usually unavailable in most of rock mechanic laboratories. Accordingly, this study aimed to develop a new strength-based index for predicting rock brittleness based on the obtained base form. To this end, an innovative algorithm was developed in Matlab environment. The utilized algorithm finds the optimal index based on the open access dataset including the results of punch penetration test (PPT), uniaxial compressive and Brazilian tensile strength. Validation of proposed index was checked by the coefficient of determination (R2), the root mean square error (RMSE), and also the variance for account (VAF). The results indicated that among the different brittleness indices, the suggested equation is the most accurate one, since it has the optimal R2, RMSE and VAF as 0.912, 3.47 and 89.8%, respectively. It could finally be concluded that, using the proposed brittleness index, rock brittleness can be reliably predicted with a high level of accuracy.
Key Words
brittleness index; punch penetration test; new formulation; rock strength
Saleh Ghadernejad: School of Mining Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Hamid Reza Nejati: Rock Mechanics Division, School of Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Saffet Yagiz: School of Mining and Geosciences, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan City, Kazakhstan


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Here's what a cyclist's legs look like after competing in the Tour de France
The following photo is of Bartosz Huzarski's veiny, misshapen legs after completing the 18th stage of the Tour de France. As you can tell from the picture -- which Huzarski posted to his Facebook page -- the 145-km (or 90-mile) course can do some real damage to the limbs.
After posting the picture, some readers accused Huzarski of blood doping, which he vehemently denied:
I did not expect that picture of my legs would cause the confusion it did. For me it's totally not a revelation, because I can see this view -- maybe not everyday -- but still often, especially after a hard race at high temperature. People write and think different things, "that is impossible," "that is not normal", "it is unhealthy", refer to doping, etc. 'Of course I will not have legs like Victoria's Secret models, or Mary from a nearby vegetable shop, or anyone working in an office who does a 10km bike ride or an hour run three times a week. Unfortunately it does not work like that and this what you see in the picture. It is not unhealthy.'


text: An essential for city dwellers, our signature waist bag is crafted from silky soft yet robust nylon. Generously sized and designed for easy hands-free storage, an adjustable strap lets you wear this at the waist or across the body. You'll be wondering how you ever used to carry all your essentials before. Besides the main compartment, there are two more pockets on the front with a concealed stash pocket at the rear to keep your items organised. 100% Nylon


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There is a mounting interest in Congress, the business community and the Administration to revise the corporate income tax. The marginal rate is the highest in the world and international competition is driving the possibility of an update. In addition, policy makers are searching for any and all ways to help the lagging economy. However, the issue is very complicated and unlike the individual tax side, the choices are diverse.
Three broad areas have emerged to form a triangle of reform. The first is the reduction of the corporate income tax rate. In conjunction with lowering the tax rate, the second leg how to minimize the loss of revenue to the government by examining the makeup of income and the associated reduction or eliminating "tax expenditures". Reduction of such expenditures is also seen as promoting tax simplification and reducing the importance of tax considerations in business decision-making. Lastly, as the third side of the triangle, there is the basis on which the United States taxes multinational corporations.
By way of background, C corporations are taxed at statutory rates ranging from 15 percent to 35 percent.
Certain domestic production activities are effectively taxed at lower rates by virtue of a deduction equal to a percentage of the income from such activities. The deduction is equal to nine percent of the income from manufacturing, construction, and certain other activities specified by statute Thus, generally the maximum tax rate for a C corporation on its domestic production activities income is effectively 31.85 percent.
The United States employs a worldwide tax system, meaning that American companies are taxed on their U.S. profits, taxed abroad on their foreign profits, and then taxed again when those foreign profits are brought back home. By contrast, virtually all foreign companies are taxed under a territorial system in which they pay taxes on their home country profits in their home country and on their foreign profits in the foreign country. Foreign profits are not taxed a second time when they are brought back home. Thus, the double taxation of foreign profits is avoided.
To offset the advantage of a territorial tax system and to help level the playing field between American worldwide companies and their foreign competitors, the U.S. government employs a system of tax credits and tax deferral. Deferral, which has been in the Internal Revenue Code in various forms since the 1960's, allows U.S. companies to delay paying tax on foreign earnings until that income is repatriated.
The House Ways and Means Committee under Chairman Dave Camp has held a series of hearing in the past year on corporate tax reform. The Chairman has released a draft outline of revisions.
Link as follows: http://waysandmeans.house.gov/taxreform/
The centerpiece is a reduction of the highest marginal rate to 25 %. The provision maintains the present law 15-percent corporate tax rate for taxable income not in excess of $50,000. For a corporation with taxable income in excess of $100,000, the benefit of the 15-percent rate is eventually recaptured.
This rate reduction would be accomplished without increasing the deficit by broadening the tax base. In typical Washington fashion, the necessary base-broadening provisions are not included in the discussion draft.
In addition the discussion draft specifics a number of changes in international taxes as follows:
- A deduction equal to 95% of foreign-source dividends received by a 10% U.S. corporate shareholder from a controlled foreign corporation (CFC). In addition, 95% of capital gains from the sale of shares in a CFC by a 10% corporate shareholder would be excluded from income, as long as a one-year holding period requirement is met and at least 70% of the assets in the CFC are used in the active conduct of a trade or business.
- Initiate a transition rule that would apply a 5.25% tax to all existing foreign earnings currently held offshore, whether or not such earnings are repatriated. Taxpayers could use a ratable portion of their foreign tax credit carryovers to further reduce the 5.25% tax. In addition, they could elect to pay this tax in up to eight annual installments. Once paid, such earnings would benefit from the 95% exemption if brought back to the United States as a dividend.
In essence the proposals shifts from a worldwide system of taxation to a territorial-based system because as explained above the current high U.S. rates have the effect of penalizing those U.S. corporations that bring their foreign profits back. These changes are designed to free up existing overseas earnings in order to facilitate reinvestment domestically after they are taxed at a low rate
In contrast to Chairman Camp's outline, the Department of Treasury and the White House released in February a "framework" of proposals to reform the corporate tax system. The details are not complete but there are a few good suggestions. The centerpiece is a cut in the top corporate rate - now at 35 percent to 28 percent. The proposal suggests broadening the income base, also a good suggestion and, sensitive to the fact budget deficits have been more than $1 trillion a year, the plan crows it will not "add a dime to the deficit."
A Link to the plan is as follows: http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/tax-policy/Documents/The-Presidents-Framework-for-Business-Tax-Reform-02-22-2012.pdf
The proposal provides special tax treatment for manufacturing - cutting that tax rate to 25 percent - and a minimum tax on profits earned in abroad.
The plan calls for the elimination dozens of business tax preference and tax expenditures starting with "a presumption (to)..eliminate(s) all tax expenditures for specific industries, with the few exceptions that are critical to broader growth or fairness."
Here are the examples of specific reductions in tax expenditures and loophole closers:
- Eliminate "last in first out" accounting
- Eliminate oil and gas tax preferences
- Reform treatment of insurance industry and products-
- Taxing carried (profits) interests as ordinary income for financial managers (not a corporate issue)
- Eliminate special depreciation rules for corporate purchases of aircraft
While details are incomplete, the framework also focuses on manufacturing, however that is defined, by giving a preferential tax rate, pouring more subsidies for research and development and the production of clean energy. This would seem to be in direct conflict with the stated principals stated in the framework of "eliminating significant distortions that can result in a less efficient allocation of capital, reducing the productive capacity of the economy and U.S. living standards."
Finally, the framework goes after multinational corporations. No doubt, the taxation of these behemoths deserves review. As stated, the current U.S. tax system subjects foreign subsidiaries of U.S.-based multinationals to taxes on their overseas income offset by foreign tax credits. However, corporations are not required to pay taxes in the United States on that income until repatriated back to the U.S., a principal called a deferral (since it defers taxation of the income). Under the President's proposal, income earned abroad would be subject to a minimum rate of tax and the benefits of deferral curtailed, if not eliminated.
The approach conflicts with many business leaders, economists and House Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp that favor revamping the system from a worldwide tax system to a territorial one. The Administration opposes any shift to a territorial based system and this issue will be strongly debated and contested.
There are other items of interest such as a proposal to deny deductibility of interest, the differing treatment of debt and equity and the use of depreciation.
Corporate income taxes are only the third largest source of revenue for the government. Increasingly businesses have been organizing into pass-through entities such as partnerships Limited Liability Companies (LLC) and Subchapter S. Even so in corporate tax reform, the stakes are very high; the impact enormous, will be hotly contested and will have a huge financial impact on many organizations.
The current focus on taxes is the year-end expiring tax provisions, affectionately referred to in a lump fashion as the "fiscal cliff". While there are provisions effecting corporations, the bulk involves individual taxation and rates and there will not be any fundamental changes in the tax structure in the short term. Until the situation clears up it is unlikely corporate tax reform will proceed in any meaningful fashion. Because of the complexity and different approaches of the Republican controlled House and the Administration and the Senate, it is difficult to see individual and the corporate taxes being linked into one giant revision. However, it is also clear that anything is possible given the state of the economy and the political landscape.


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HSBC Taps Avant for On The Web Personal Loan System
HSBC U.S. has entered the non-public loans hands battle via a partnership utilizing the online loan provider Avant, within the decades-old organization's latest effort to create its company further to the digital-first present, level the playing field between banking institutions and start-ups, and develop its domestic brand name.
Next year, consumers should be able to submit an application for unsecured loans as much as $30,000 from the HSBC ($HSBA) blog within minutes and, if authorized, they're going to get a determination within one minute and also have the funds within their records within every day. Prices will vary from 5.99 % to 25 %; payment terms extend so long as 5 years.
"A bank lends cash; a bank just isn't fundamentally recognized if you are the entire world's most useful technology business," Jeremy Balkin, mind of innovation at HSBC's U.S. franchise, told Cheddar гѓј a unusual perspective from a U.S. bank professional, because so many call their organizations "tech businesses by having a banking permit."
"Our franchise within the U.S. has гѓј because so many retail banks within the U.S. гѓј has had a tendency to be branch-dependent, serving a model that is one-to-one . Obtaining the technology we can provide a one-to-many model." That enables HSBC to provide to your debtor, just because they don't really actually enter the branch.
Balkin failed to touch upon exactly exactly how the volume is expected by him of loans to alter through the partnership.
The offering that is new allow HSBC to compete directly with Goldman Sachs' ($GS) Marcus, that has been operating as the very own retail finance start-up within Goldman's walls, but will quickly migrate towards the investment administration unit because it makes to introduce quite a lot administration item for Marcus users. HSBC is entering a band which also includes start-ups that are lending LendingClub ($LC), Prosper, and also Avant it self. These start-ups provide their very own consumer-facing platforms that lower the obstacles and expenses of borrowing. Avant has also a bank partnership platform, Amount, by which businesses with massive scale like HSBC can certainly bring that exact same value into their particular organizations without investing the full time or resources it might try build its comparable platform or item.
Chicago-based Avant has received a lot more than $600 million in equity funding since its inception in 2012 and originated significantly more than $5 billion in loans over 800,000 deals. Online loan providers launched significantly more than ten years ago with services and products and experiences banks couldn't provide. Now, with banking institutions' current scale, these partnerships are enabling them to have re-emerge and enter the competition with start-ups.
The partnership can also be one step in growing the financial institution's http://www.speedyloan.net/payday-loans-mn brand name within the U.S. HSBC гѓј which means Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation гѓј is best-known among its home-market clients in Hong Kong and London as a international bank, and it also doesn't always have exactly the same brand name recognition with People in america.
But HSBC is simply as focused on that worldwide clientele.
"One associated with items that draws the a huge selection of vast amounts of individuals to this great nation is the ability for financial development, financial success," Balkin, an immigrant himself, from Australia, stated. "that is not a period, it really is a persistence aided by the DNA for this great nation."
Three years ago, HSBC's U.S. franchise invested $131 million to change its experience that is retail in U.S., upgrading and changing systems and customer apps. Now it is for a partnership spree to advance both its real and banking that is online.
Earlier in the day this thirty days, it partnered with Marstone, a wealth that is digital business, which permitted the financial institution to produce a software-based investment advice platform (aka robo-advice) for the clients. In addition it partnered with Samsung ($KRX), which provides smartwatches to staff when you look at the bank's flagship fifth Avenue nyc location, to enhance the effectiveness and quality associated with customer experience that is in-branch. In June, an understanding with SoftBank Robotics brought Pepper the robot into that exact same branch to communicate client needs with staff, offer tutorials and directions regarding the bank's self-service options, and provide info on other services and products, solutions, and promotions.
"we have been into the financing business for 153 years as a bank," Balkin stated. " what is changed may be the degree of technology and objectives."


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You remember Kevin Simmonds.
He died last year; his skull, cracked like an egg. He had schizophrenia. He lived in a group home. His life was troubled. His death is suspicious.
Was he struck? Did he fall?
You can imagine — no, you cannot — that his parents, Donald and Alane, have sore hearts. But they also have unanswered questions.
How is it that Kevin was able to come and go from the group home? How did he end up on Eglinton Ave. in the very early hours of the morning?
Who, or what, killed him?
I raised some of those questions in a couple of columns. I also called the police, to raise some of Donald's concerns with them.
That took time. The detective involved was away, was on an awkward shift, was ill.
Recently, however, I had a meeting with the top homicide detective in the city, Savas Kyriacou.
We talked in his office; on one wall, a framed newspaper front page featuring a portrait of Jane Creba.
He caught her killers. He is the best we have.
But he, too, has unanswered questions about Kevin.
No one has come forward, and no one who was there at the time can explain what happened.
The detective wanted to correct, or to amend, some of what I wrote. He had my columns in front of him. They had been marked up with yellow highlighter.
He also had a folder full of notes.
Of the detective assigned to the case, he said, "Detective Harris is one of my top, my most conscientious, most thorough, soft-spoken, polite, courteous, second to none."
I reckon that's true.
Det. Kyriacou also made it clear that the people surrounding Kevin on Sept. 4, 2011 at 5:39 a.m., on Eglinton between Oakwood and Marlee, were tending him and not menacing him when the off-duty officer drove by.
Kevin's father Donald told me he was concerned about the back seat of the police car at the hospital, which seemed dislodged; this was suspicious to him.
Det. Kyriacou said, "The back seat of a police car is not secured. The protocol: the seat is searched before and after; it is not unusual for prisoners to discard things."
That's useful information.
A couple of other things: the reason the police were called is because Kevin was thrashing about when the paramedics were treating him; they called in case Kevin needed to be restrained. One of the officers went along in the ambulance.
Det. Kyriacou said, "They had no idea what the injury was. There was nothing to indicate an assault. The report didn't suggest blood, or any external injury."
Fair enough.
But Donald Simmonds had trouble finding that ambulance report. He was initially told no ambulance had been dispatched. I think that may be why he thought the cops might have taken his son to the hospital, and why he was concerned about the back seat of the cop car.
When an ambulance report surfaced many months later, it was correct about the date and location but it had the wrong name; this may or may not be why Donald was told no ambulance had been sent.
Det. Kyriacou said, "Who knows how that happened?" EMS does. I'll call them later.
Det. Kyriacou disputes the assertion that the police who spoke with Donald called his son "a little crackhead." He said, "That officer talks to elementary school kids on a daily basis; she is the most sensitive person you'll ever meet."
I don't doubt it.
But I also reckon that Donald heard what he heard, and the apposition of these two things is misery on top of hurt, and it may not be resolved.
The detective said he would be happy to meet with the Simmonds family, to go over their concerns.
That is a step forward.
He said, "We don't want to be in confrontation. Our motto: We speak for the dead. We want to protect, we depend on the families to work together, we don't want conflict."
This story is not over.
Joe Fiorito appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Email: email@example.com


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A clinical research team, reviewing 20 years of lung surgery as a treatment option for bronchiectasis, reported excellent outcomes in a majority of patients to indicate that surgery remains a viable option in select bronchiectasis cases. The study, "Surgical treatment of bronchiectasis: A review of 20 years of experience," was published in the Portuguese Journal of Pulmonology.
Surgical treatment of bronchiectasis is usually given only to patients whose localized disease is no longer responding to drug treatment. Parts of the lung that are irreversibly damaged have poor penetrance of antibiotics, and can serve as a protective niche for microorganisms, allowing the spread of recurrent infections. Surgery using pulmonary resection — the removal of a part of the lung — is often an alternative in these patients.
To explore the role of lung surgery in bronchiectasis, the research team at the Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia e Espinho, Portugal, reviewed all cases of lung surgery for bronchiectasis performed at the hospital between 1994 and 2014.
Prior to surgery, the most frequent symptoms reported were recurring infections, affecting 56.5 percent of the patients, and the presence of a persistent productive cough, affecting 47.8 percent.
Over the 20 years 69 patients underwent surgery, of which about half, 44.9 percent, were male. Most patients (47.8 percent) had surgery because drug therapy failed to improve their disease. Coughing blood was also a common reason, at 31.9 percent, while a non-diagnostic lung mass and a lung abscess affected 13 percent and 7.3 percent, respectively.
Surgical procedures varied between the removal of a segment of one lung, removal of one lobe, and the removal of one entire lung. Lobe removal was by far the most frequent method used, in 65.2 percent. None of the patients had a two-sided surgery because of the known risks of this procedure.
No patient deaths were reported after the surgery, but 14.5 percent had post-surgical complications, such as persistent air leaks or bleeding that required a repeat surgery.
Follow-up, which involved 87 percent of the patients, was done after at least one year, and found that the vast majority of the patients (73.3 percent) rated their current health status as excellent compared to before the surgery. Another 18.3 percent rated it as improved, while 8.3 percent stated their health was unchanged.
Most patients (73.9 percent) were operated on during the first decade of the study period, a fact the authors think mirrors a perceived decline in bronchiectasis in developing countries. Still, the good outcomes of surgery showed that the procedure is remains an important approach to improving the health and quality of life for certain bronchiectasis patients.


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Aiming to be an agent for the sale of video ads on the Internet, Google is testing a service that pairs advertisers with website publishers, according to The Wall Street Journal. Google's widely anticipated move comes amid activity by several smaller companies, including Brightroll Inc. and Adap.tv Inc., to establish real-time-bidding marketplaces for video ads and generate revenue from each transaction.
The online giant is creating the video marketplace within its DoubleClick Ad Exchange, which resembles current exchanges used to sell display ads. These exchanges let companies bid to place ads across various websites in real time, or exactly when a user has clicked on a particular Web page. While numerous ads are still purchased ahead of time through negotiations between websites and advertisers, these real-time exchanges enable publishers to avoid the problem of unsold space, especially for less-valuable areas of their sites.
eMarketer reports that online video advertising, which includes commercials before a video is played as well as text ads on the video while it is playing, reached about $1.5 billion in the U.S. in 2010. This year, video ad spending in the U.S. is projected to be nearly $2 billion, while the overall U.S. display-advertising market will be $10 billion. Industry experts say that Google's YouTube and online video site, Hulu LLC, are among the leaders in terms generating revenue from video ads in the U.S. The only thing limiting the growth of the online video-ad market is that there aren't enough high-quality online videos to fulfill the demands of advertisers.
Media executives are enthusiastic about trying the new Google video-ad marketplace. The company has very strong relationships with publishers which already helps them generate billions of dollars in revenue through the sale of display ads. This new brokering venture looks promising for Google as it aims to assert its enormous power in the video-ad marketplace.
MDG Advertising, a full-service Florida advertising agency, with offices in Boca Raton and New York, NY, specializes in developing targeted Internet marketing solutions, exceptional creative executions and solid branding and media buying strategies that give clients a competitive advantage.Our core capabilities include print advertising, branding, logo design , creative, digital marketing, media planning and buying, TV and radio, public relations, Web design and development, email marketing, social media marketing and SEO. To view MDG's portfolio, click here.
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Written by Michael Del Gigante
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Cyprus financial regulator CySEC has issued a series of Board Decisions, indicating that it is fining the former owners and management of now defunct Binary Options brokerage group Pegase Capital Ltd a total of €200,000.
Pegase operated the Interactive Option binary brand.
The majority of the fine, €150,000, was issued to former shareholder and CEO of Interactive Option Michel Teman. Mr. Teman is also prohibit from exercising professional activity related to the financial sector for a period of five years, to June 2022.
Fined €25,000 each were former senior managers and executive directors Pantelis Ioakim and Giorgos Miltiadous. CySEC also noted in its decision non-executive directors Alexandra Aspri and Stavros Petrakides, although neither Mrs. Aspri nor Mr. Petrakides were issued fines.
Pegase itself was issued one of the largest fines ever handed down to an online broker by CySEC (€300,000) in late 2015 for a variety of violations. At the time, Pegase was operating Interactive Option, as well as online brokers HelloBrokers and MTX Plus. A few months later, in March 2016, Pegase's CIF license was suspended by CySEC with the regulator citing that the company violated sections of its regulation concerning persons who effectively direct the business of a CIF, CIF shareholders, organisational requirements, conduct of business obligations when providing investment services to clients, and professional competence of Investment Firms and the natural persons employed by them.
Pegase eventually decided to renounce its CIF license and shut down its operating brands.
In its current decision handed down against Mr. Teman and the other named management team members and directors, CySEC noted that it was fining Mr. Teman the maximum possible fine given the serious violations the regulator noted around the (improper) management of Pegase and its brands. CySEC stated that Mr. Teman's failure to periodically evaluate the effectiveness of policies, regulations and procedures that the company had adopted contributed directly to the suspension of Pegase's operating license.
The full Board Decision issued by CySEC reads as follows:
19 October 2017
CYSEC Board Decision
Board decision date: 06.02.2017
Regarding: Mr. Michel Pierre Salomon Teman, Mr. Pantelis Ioakim, Mr. Giorgos Miltiadous, Mrs Alexandra Aspri, Mr. Stavros Petrakides (Directors of Pegase Capital Ltd)
Legislation: Directive DI144-2007-01 of 2012
Subject: Violation/Administrative sanctions
The Board of the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission ('CySEC') would like to inform the public that, at its meeting held on 6 February 2017, it reached the decision that Mr. Michel Pierre Salomon Teman, Mr. Pantelis Ioakim, Mr. Giorgos Miltiadous, Mrs Alexandra Aspri and Mr. Stavros Petrakides have not complied with paragraph 9(1) of CySEC Directive DI144-2007-01 of 2012 for the Authorisation and Operating Conditions of CIFs ('the Directive') since, as directors of Pegase Capital Ltd ('the Company'), they did not periodically assess the effectiveness of the policies, arrangements and procedures implemented by the Company for complying with obligations provided in the Investment Services and Activities and Regulated Markets Law of 2007, as in force ('the Law'), and in Directive DI144-2007-02 of 2012 (see CySEC's Decision dated 27.11.2015).
For the above non-compliance with paragraph 9(1) of the Directive, CySEC reached the following decisions:
1. To impose of an administrative fine of:
1.1. €150,000 on Mr. Michel Pierre Salomon Teman, executive director and shareholder with a qualifying holding in the Company during the relevant period;
1.2. €25,000 on Mr. Pantelis Ioakim, executive director of the Company until 17 March 2016;
1.3. €25,000 on Mr. Giorgos Miltiadous, executive director of the Company until 17 March 2016.
2. Not to impose an administrative fine on Mrs Alexandra Aspri and Mr. Stavros Petrakides, non-executive directors of the Company until 19 February 2016.
Pursuant to section 127(2)(d) of the Law, CySEC decided to prohibit Mr. Michel Pierre Salomon Teman from exercising professional activity related to the financial sector for a period of five (5) years, to June 2022.
Full details/justification of the CySEC's decision are/is available in the Greek text of the announcement.


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Awaken Your Kundalini
Energized and Blessed 7 Chakra Pyramid Crystal Orgone Pyramid Energy Generator Amethyst Crystal Natural Stone Reiki EMF Protection For Chakra Healing, healing crystal.pyramid, crystal pyramid, Orgone, Orgone Pyramid, orgone crystal, orgone pyramid emf, crystal pyramid emf, chakra pyramid, chakra orgone, chakra crystals, emf protection, home protection, chakra, chakra stones, chakra crystals, chakra set, chakra stone set, crystals and stones, healing crystals, chakra stones kit, chakra crystal set, chakra wall art, chakra gift, crystal healing, crystals
7 Chakra Pyramid Reiki Healing Crystals and Stones Natural Golden Pyrite Gemstone Energy Pyramid stones pendulum Reiki Healing
These are natural gemstones so color may vary & minor imperfections are possible. Size: 1.75-2".
Pyramids amplify and then tightly focus energy through the apex. A crystal pyramid can be used to draw off negative energy and blockage from the Chakras. A gemstone pyramid is also used to enhance and focus the inherent properties of the stone.
Since a Healing Wands, Pendant, Yantra, Mala or Pyramids are a Man-Made object, it requires energization. We get Pran Pratishtha (Energization) done by learned Pandits (Priests). This is done by reciting Mantras as prescribed by Vedas (Hindu Holy Books), as well as Homa for the respective Devi/Devta (God/Godess) as per Purpose of Yantra and Mala. WATER FROM RIVER GANGA (GANGES) IS USED FOR THE ENERGIZATION PURPOSE.
Pyramids by their very shape, function as one of the most powerful geometric amplifying forms found in nature. All matter at it's atomic level has specific geometry that affects the way in which it's energy moves through and from it.
Geometry as found in nature can be used by us to harness and alter energy frequencys. We use this gift of nature in pyramids as an amplifying tool. When you duplicate the pyramids geometory by building a pyramid, all energy within the pyramid (including thought energy) will be amplified.
Pyramids are used in healing & empowerment by making use of their virtue to amplify the energy vibrations of gemstones. When these specific frequencies are applied to the human body, they harmonize and strengthen particular organs, glands or tissues that ideally should beat to a specific rhythem.
Vibrations from the gemstones require proper amplification if they are to satisfactorily stabilise and vitalise unstable or diseased tissues of the body. A pyramid functions as the amplifying chamber.
By combining pristine energy signatures of nature (be it from crystalline structures, flower essences or colors etc.) with a source of suitable amplification, energy levels sufficient to regulate and enhance health are manifested.
Gemstones have points of resonance and harmony with different and specific parts of the body and mind. This fact allows us to create an amplified energy field that will, by induction, reharmonize the dissonance of a dis-eased area or excite ones mind into expanded states of awareness and empowerment.
Below you will find a few useful tips on how to set up a pyramid large or small
to get the best energetic responses for your healing or empowerment purposes.
The place you choose to set up your pyramid should be considered to have these qualities
a spot that is calm and free of mis-emotion, loud noise and people traffic, away from sources of electricity and electrical appliances. This includes wires running in the floor or walls. Away from metallic objects, including the items your setup is sitting on. A place where it can be left in position undisturbed for extended periods of time. Maybe there is somewhere out doors and covered from the weather that will serve well.
Another reason to setup is for a given occasion such as a gathering of people, a healing session, or channel meeting. Case the joint to find a spot that is useful, comfortable and not crowded by objects. A coffee table maybe?
Set your pyramid up in the usual manner and don't forget to acknowledge the creation of the energy field. The surface you use as a platform for the setup should be positioned nicely level.
Before assembling the elements of the setup, it is important the you take time to cleans each of the items you are about to use in the setup. Remember this setup will greatly amplify any energies within it's reach so it is necessary to have clean elements to work with, this includes the general space in which the setup is to be located. For a reference on cleansing you may wish to check out this link.note that what I've written there, applies equally well here.
Now, place your pyramid at center of the setup. You'll need an accurate compass to orientate it to magnetic north. Take time to get this correct .
Now the basics are in place you can now add in other items to amplify the pyramid and bring into the setup energy flavors you wish to use. Such items may include quartz crystals, gemstones, sacred objects, colored fabrics (for it's color value) precious metals, photographs or original drawings, herbs, flowers, feathers, essential oils etc.
The way to add horse power to the setup is to use small raw quartz points. Use them in sets of 4 and place them at the corners of the pyramid. You can place another set half way along the base lengths. The drawing below is pretty full on as it also shows tiny DT's attached to the frame as well. Of course one may add items as one feels necessary or able, the decision is yours to feel for and learn how far to take.
Now that you have the setup complete it is advised that you now consider it as a sacred place!
By that I mean one should fully respect it's purpose and energy dynamics.
Perform a blessing and dedicate it's use for responsible and delegated tasks.
Be aware that this is an amplification module.
Any attitude, emotion, thought or desire you bring, will increase
So, you must take full responsibility for it's being!
Be Cause of what You Gather.
Pyramid Energy Dynamic's
The virtues of pyramid energy manifest in two distinct ways.
Harmonizer because by it's form as a pyramid, it symbolizes balanced perfection.
Accelerates movement of substance and energy towards a quantum into the next universal frequency band. In a nutshell, a pyramid will harmonize and power up. It attracts in "white light" and processes it into 3D
Pyramids and Quartz
Go together like bestest best friends.
And just like Quartz is the most versatile & broard spectrum element in the mineral kingdom, so pyramids are universal componants of fundimental geometric forms.
Together these virtues create a universal crucible of light.
We accept secure payments made with your credit or debit card through Etsy direct checkout or PayPal. Transactions made with PayPal are protected from fraudulent activity so you can also choose to pay with your personal PayPal account.
Please note that we understand that our buyers want their identity and details to remain secure during any transactions. AwakenYourKundalini does not store any details of the payment and pledges never to divulge any personal information (including your email address) to any third party.
All items are shipped within 1-2 business days. You may request for express mail services which can be provided at an extra cost. Please ensure that the correct mailing address is provided at the time of checkout so we can get your purchase to you or your loved ones on time! We provide our buyers with a tracking number as soon as we ship out their items.
We use USPS First Class Mail -which includes delivery confirmation- for all items shipped to US addresses. Most packages take between 2-5 business days to arrive, as per the USPS regulations. As mentioned before, you can opt for your package to be shipped out through Priority Mail or Express Mail for an additional cost.
AwakenYourKundalini has now started shipping worldwide! Our creations are now available to you wherever you live. Please note that international shipping may include taxes, custom duties, or other charges made by the country the package is being shipped out to. You may inquire about such charges from your country's custom office in order to know better about any extra costs that may be levied and any potential delays that may occur. All international orders are shipped through First Class International Mail and may take up to four weeks to reach you. Unfortunately, tracking numbers are available only for selected countries.
Just contact me within: 14 days of delivery
Ship items back to me within: 30 days of delivery
But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.
Because of the nature of these items, unless they arrive damaged or defective, I can't accept returns for:
All our items are made with utmost care and love but if you are not happy with your purchase for any reason, we will be happy to issue a refund. You may return the item (at your own shipping cost) in its original condition and with its original package within 14 days of the purchase. Once we receive the item, we will issue the full refund (minus our shipping charges). We'd appreciate if you could provide tracking confirmation and delivery confirmation. The refunds will be made the same way as the payment method; our shipping costs will be deducted from the refund.
Though we try and ensure that our creations are absolutely durable, we understand that strings may break. In that case, we will be happy to restring the mala for you within 30 days of the purchase at no cost. You'll just have to send the mala/bracelet to us at your own shipping cost. If your mala breaks, for any reason after 30 days we'll restring it again for you for a nominal fee of $25.
Your mala is a precious part of your life. When we make each mala, we hope our buyers will use it lifelong. Mala making requires patience, as does the maintenance of your mala. Any vigorous exercise (with your mala) or bathing/swimming may cause damage to it.
We make our malas and bracelets keeping in mind your need for positivity energy. Although your mala absorbs negative energy, you must clean your mala regularly to ensure that the mala does not become saturated with negativity and reflect it back to you. Leaving your mala in natural sunlight for a few hours could do the trick for removing negativity.
Malas strung on a natural silk thread are delicate and we urge our buyers to avoid frequent stretching. Too much stretching may damage your mala.
Often my buyers ask why they their malas or bracelets have slight discolorations or differences from the pictures shown. This is due to each gemstone's natural originality and uniqueness. Each stone is slightly different from the other, which is why your mala is special from the same one another buyer may receive.
Disclaimer;We feel that crystals can complement other therapies and support energetic well being.
Crystals should not be used as a replacement for medical treatment.
For medical advice, please consult a licensed healthcare specialist.
Jul 14, 2021
I love this chakra pyramid and waited awhile to buy one until I came across the right one. It's really beautiful and you can tell it's a quality product. I will however say that the hue of light blue following the green in my pyramid is not at all like the the pictures provided on the sellers website. From the site, the shade looked similar to the other 6 colors within the pyramid.
Jun 30, 2021
I bought pyramids for each of my windows. I loved them. I enjoy them so much. Great quality.


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Chelsea Handler and 50 Cent were spotted cuddling and kissing in bed together. After months of rumors that the two were dating, and after Chelsea denying their relationship, the comedian posted a picture of the couple on Twitter. The caption read:
"I don't know why anyone thinks I would ever date a rapper."
Nelly Gifts "Chelsea Lately" & 50 Cent With Sex Toy [VIDEO]
Chelsea Handler & 50 Cent Go On Another Date [PHOTOS]
Ciara Calls 50 Cent Her "Best Friend" On "Wendy" [VIDEO]
Celebs Who Changed Their Names Back After Divorce [from Huffingtonpost.com]
Miley Cyrus Busted Partying With A Bong [from TMZ.com]
My Life As: A Student At A Historically Black College [from CollegeCandy.com]
Woman Says Cops Brutally Beat Her For Not Picking Up Dog Poop [from NewsOne.com]
Famous White Guys You Didn't Know Were With Black Women [from Bossip.com]
Lionel Richie Gets His House Ready For Daughter Nicole Richie's Wedding [from PopEater.com]
Is "Real Housewives" Star Nene Drama Fake? [from ClutchMagOnline.com]


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Join the glitter revolution with this fun Glittered Clay Pot. Super simple and quick to make, you can add layers of sparkle to up the glam factor on a humble terracotta pot. I'm sure you've noticed that glitter is everywhere. Which isn't to be confused with glitter getting everywhere. Because there are now ways that you can keep the glitter where you want it. Like with this brand new Intense Glitter Brilliance paint that Testors sent me to play with.
This fun glittery plant pot is part of Craft Lightning Week. All week long I'm sharing quick and easy crafts that you can make in 15 minutes or less (excluding dry time), along with my friends Angie from The Country Chic Cottage and Morena from Morena's Corner. And we've invited some of our craftiest friends to join in. Be sure to check out all their 15-minute-or-less clay pot craft ideas at the bottom of this page!
To make this glittered clay pot you'll need:
Clay Pot
Base coat paint (any multi-surface white or black)
Testor's Intense Glitter Brilliance Paint
Popsicle Stick
Silicone Mat (optional)
Start by painting a quick base coat on the outside of the clay pot. Either white or black are great options for silver glitter. This should only take a few minutes. Set aside to dry.
Once the base coat is dry, open up the glitter paint.
Stir well with a spoon or popsicle stick (the glitter likes to settle to the bottom).
Paint on a quick coat of glitter. Set aside to dry.
Keep adding layers of glitter – each layer should be fairly thin, and only take a few minutes. Keep adding layers until you are happy with the build-up of glitter.
When you're all done, allow the pot to dry one final time, then add your potted plant.
And check out these other great clay pot projects that can be made in 15 minutes or less:
How fun are these moss covered clay pots from Refresh Restyle? I love the faux moss paint job!
Are you ready to add some Spring to your decor? Add bird nests to clay pots with The Inspiration Vault.
Karen at Dragonflies and Lilypads adds some glam to the humble clay pot in her fun project.
Is there anything cuter than a bunny butt? Our Crafty Mom shows you how to whip up these clay pot bunny butts that are cute decor – and make great table place markers for Easter!
Be sure to come back tomorrow for even more fun and fast crafts that transform clay pots!


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CEDAR RAPIDS — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs plans to relocate an outpatient clinic in Cedar Rapids to a much larger space in early 2020.
The Iowa City VA Health Care System outpatient clinic will move from 2230 Wiley Blvd. SW to 30,000 square feet of leased space on the top floor of the former Von Maur department store at 3500 Dalton Way SW in Westdale Town Center.
Ross Dress For Less and Shoe Dept. Encore have leased the first floor of the building.
The Wiley Boulevard building no longer will serve as a VA outpatient clinic once the move is completed.
The new VA clinic will be more than twice the size of the current 9,976-square-foot clinic, which opened in 1997. The additional space will allow the VA to improve physical therapy facilities and increase mental health services, according to a VA news release.
Other new programs and services will include radiology, home-based primary care, telehealth and podiatry, and added space for primary care appointments.
Audiology services also will expand, including access to the Iowa City VA mobile audiology clinic.
John Frew, president of Frew Development Group, said his company, which is redeveloping the former Westdale Mall, has been working on the lease with the Iowa City VA Health Care System for about a year.
"We were one of the final four locations that the VA was considering," Frew said. "… The signed lease arrived in our office Monday morning."
Frew said the planned clinic location is across Westdale Parkway SW from the Tru by Hilton hotel, which he believes may have been a factor in favor of Frew Development Group's proposal.
"This will really help cement the Williams Boulevard side of Westdale," he said. "We will still have 20,000 square feet of space at the back of that floor, which we expect to lease for doctor's offices or medical-related uses."
Compass Commercial Services of Hiawatha began construction on Monday of the first of two four-story, 57,000-square-foot apartment, office and retail buildings west of the Tru by Hilton.
"The buildings will be as tall as the hotel, but longer," Frew said. "Our office will be on the first floor along with a restaurant serving breakfast and lunch. We have a signed letter of intent that we will now convert into a lease with a national chain that is not in Cedar Rapids at the present time, but will have five locations in the state.
"We also have a letter of intent with another tenant for the first floor that we cannot disclose until we have a signed lease."
Frew said the second through fourth floors of the each building will have six one-bedroom apartments with 800 square feet and 27 two-bedroom apartments with 1,130-square feet.
"The apartments will be market rate — no subsidized units — and I think will fit the market very well," Frew said. "Fusion has designed both buildings, which will be very colorful like the hotel. It will look very different from any other residential housing going up in Cedar Rapids."
Frew said completion of the first building is planned for December 2019, but he hopes to have the commercial portion on the first floors open in November for holiday shopping.
The Cedar Rapids City Council in September approved a $21.75 million refinancing plan, extending a loan through 2036 with NBH Bank of Colorado.
Frew said the refinancing frees up cash that will allow him to continue rebuilding.
"If we hadn't been able to refinance, we would have had to hand them the keys and walked away," he said. "It would have killed us and broken our hearts, but the debt had such a death grip on us.
"We were absolutely frozen. Things in the retail world have changed dramatically over the last five years.
"We are planning additional housing between the former Von Maur and Younkers building."
Full article from The Gazette can be found here.


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The new season of Gossip Girl (Monday, 7 p.m., CW) heats up as the beautiful young Manhattanites make messes of their privileged lives. This week's episode hinges on an explosive plot point: Should Vanessa call Nate? Or, conversely, should she, like, not call him? Jenny, the blond would-be designer, comes up with a brilliant solution based in syllogistic logic: "You like him, he likes you, so just call him!" But Vanessa remains torn, uncharacteristically so. "I am so not the whiny should-I-call-him girl!" she whines.
The philosophical questions become only more perplexing. Should Serena and Dan get back together? Should Blair have a quickie with Chuck? I can't decide if Gossip Girl is the most enjoyable show on TV, or the silliest, or both. And that's weird, because I am so not the whiny should-I-pan-this-series TV critic!
Coco Chanel
Saturday, 7 pm (Lifetime)
Shirley MacLaine affects thick red lipstick and an even thicker French accent as legendary designer Coco Chanel. This TV movie flashes back to Chanel's upbringing in an orphanage, followed by her success with jersey dresses and perfume. Despite the abundance of Chanel No. 5, the movie stinks, indulging in every inspirational biopic cliché. The only real drama is whether MacLaine will tip forward or backward from the weight of her enormous hat and horn-rim glasses.
Saturday Night Live
Saturday, 10:30 pm (NBC)
Olympic swimming god Michael Phelps hosts the season opener. It'd be pretty anticlimactic if he earned only a bronze medal for comedy.
Sunday, 9 pm (HBO)
HBO's masterpiece shows no signs of decline in season five, setting the standard for inside-Hollywood satire. At this point in the story, budding star Vince (Adrian Grenier) and his horndog entourage hit the bad side of the town's boom-and-bust cycle. Vince's last movie flopped, and nothing feels right with sex or society life. "You're in movie jail until the stench from Medellin clears," declares his subhuman superagent, Ari (Jeremy Piven).
As always, Piven steals the show with his portrait of a man who would sell his soul to the devil for a deal - if he had a soul, and if the devil had access to a major studio. Ari is our ticket to the sick side of Hollywood, repulsive even when he's trying to be reassuring.
"You can come back stronger than ever," he tells Vince. "Like Lance Armstrong, but with two balls!"
Tuesday, 7 pm (Fox)
Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) is probably the most obnoxious character ever to anchor a prime-time drama. He's mercilessly cruel and sarcastic, yet Fox still wants us to love him. And we do, judging by the series' awards and popularity.
In the season premiere, House tests our love with over-the-top misogyny. He treats a patient who works for a women's rights organization, delighting in sexist put-downs.
"Yesterday's sluts are today's empowered women," he sneers.
And again: "She realized that her evolutionary purpose is to arouse men, not to castrate them."
Actually, with dialogue like that, castration doesn't seem like a bad option.
The Rachel Zoe Project
Tuesday, 10 pm (Bravo)
Rachel Zoe is an L.A.-based stylist to the stars, putting together dresses, handbags and jewelry for red-carpet appearances. She takes herself seriously and never laughs, but laughing won't be a problem for viewers of her new reality series. Though Zoe comes on like a Very Important Person, one can't help seeing her as a Very Self-Important Pooh-Bah. She clomps through Beverly Hills in unwalkable high heels and sunglasses as big as manhole covers, trying to look 10 years younger than she is. As sophisticated as she thinks she is, she talks like a nasal 12-year-old valley girl.
"Love love love," she tells a client trying on a dress.
Later: "You look insanity in this."
Later still: "That's bananas amazing."
The Rachel Zoe Project is bananas preposterous.
Top Design
Wednesday, 9 pm (Bravo)
Project Runway makes fashion design compelling, and the same goes for Top Chef with cooking. But Top Design can't pull off the trick with interior design. There are no vivid personalities in the new season, either among the judges or the contestants. Despite the stress of competition, most of the designers get along pretty well. "We know what we have to get done," one of them says happily during a challenge, "and we're going to work as a team to pull it off."
Well, that's just great, but it means we have to sit there watching people paint and saw with very little underlying drama. For many of us, matching the drapes with the bedspread is not a scintillating payoff for an hour of TV viewing.


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(Washington D.C.) Unconfirmed Sources report Arizona Senator John McCain has been secretly planning the re-invasion of Vietnam. Memos from inside the Pentagon office of special plans detail the air, ground and naval assets required to seize control of the tiny south Asian nation once and for all.
The memos, drafted by the notorious Douglas Feith, Feith is a former Pentagon official closely associated with the neoconservative political faction who has been investigated for allegedly distorting prewar intelligence on Iraq.
Study of the plans shows that Feith's terrible reputation for planning is well deserved. Like the plans created for the invasion of Iraq, Feith's plans for the McCain invasion of Vietnam lack many critical features such as a time table for width drawl and an accurate accounting of the potential cost of operations.
The McCain campaign admitted the Senator had asked Douglas Feith to draft the plans for the invasion. McCain staffers confirmed that pending the declaration of victory in Iraq in October 2008, 'We would have boots on the ground in Hanoi by July of 2009."