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This week saw the opening of the latest exhibition at Chelsea Space. Mario Dubsky: Xeno Factor includes paintings and drawings by the influential artist and educator Mario Dubsky (1939-1985). Including material from all the phases of his working life, the show explores his quest for a powerful visual language with which to express his ideas as a gay man and artist.
Mario Dubsky was born in 1939 and died in 1985 of AIDS. As an educator, he taught at the Royal College of Art, the Slade and, in the 1970s and 1980s, Camberwell College of Arts.
The exhibition is co-curated by Chelsea Space's Director Donald Smith, who also teaches on MA Curating and Collections at Chelsea College of Arts and has worked at the college for 26 years. But before his days at Chelsea, he was himself a student of Dubsky's when he studied at Camberwell from 1981-4. We spoke to him about what visitors can expect to see in the show, and how the works on display relate to the evolution of the artist's practice and personal life.
The exhibition opens with a series of life drawings Dubsky made in the life room at Camberwell between roughly 1975 and 1983, spanning eight years. "The students would benefit from teaching through example," explains Donald "so we'd all be drawing the same model as the teacher, from different angles." These works show a range of his drawing as it developed along with his intellectual and political interests. Beyond them, at the top of the ramp which leads into the main gallery space, an etching and a painting from the 1950s will be on display. "These were made when Mario was a very precocious young student at the Slade – he was about 16 years old when he started there".
Dubsky was born in the UK to parents who had recently arrived as refugees from Vienna before the outbreak of the Second World War. "He was baptised and his parents were baptised" Donald explains, "but they had Jewish ancestors. There was always a cultural confusion present in Mario's early life: even his name, Mario is very Mediterranean-sounding and then it is followed by Dubsky, which is from the Slavic, Jewish side of his heritage. But he very much embraced his complex cultural past." This is clear from his early work, which was heavily influenced by major events such as Hiroshima, Guernica, the Holocaust, the pogroms and anti-Jewish issues that Europe faced during his childhood. "These events were close to his own birth. When he arrived at the Slade as a young student, he made work which was abstracted from the figure but very heavily wrought."
After his time at art school, Dubsky travelled in Europe where he not only started to develop his understanding of the classical and western art tradition in Rome, but also, for the first time, started to understand his own sexuality when he visited cities like Berlin and Amsterdam. Donald believes this was an important time for him, "because once he understood that he was homosexual and that it was possible to celebrate and to be 'out', he didn't ever try to deny that. He tried to work out how he was going to build that into his own practice." His travels took him not just to Europe, but through Serbia and Macedonia and to Mount Athos, Cappadocia, Antioch, Aleppo and Damascus. It was here that he developed his interest in the history of Arabic culture in Europe and beyond, and his work from this period onwards shows the ways in which he began to marry all of this into his own personal mythology. "Historical, classical, mythological and archeological influences – he tried to bring them all together and make work that reflected his own life in relation to this wider history."
But this approach put him at odds with the pop and abstract work that was being made in the UK by other artists at the time. He had his first solo show at the Grosvenor Gallery in 1969 but the work wasn't yet fully formed. Reflecting on what was shown at this time, Donald believes " he was obviously trying to somehow please the professional art world and be part of that, but it was sort of at odds with where he was and where he wanted to be." Later that year, Dubsky visited the US where the Stonewall riots (an uprising by the homosexual community against homophobic police abuse), the civil rights movement and anti-Vietnam protests all informed his political and moral ideas.
This set him apart from the approaches of some of the other openly gay artists that were his contemporaries. "David Hockney's work, for example, was very much connected to illustration and leisure, the idea of the 'gay at play', whereas Andy Warhol's output was much more camp. Mario felt like he wanted to be more political, more issue-driven and somehow more personal in what he was doing." It was here that the figure really started to come through as a central motif in his work, as Dubsky began to ask himself: what do you do with the life room model? How do you raise your drawing above being just a purely anatomical study? "This for me is where he work becomes really interesting" Donald continues, "because he imbues the human figure with all of his sexuality, with all of his seriousness and his political drive. The work contains his morality, his desire to be himself and for his own life to be a subject for art. I think it's here that his drawing becomes extraordinary because he is trying to embody all that in the simple human figure."
It was after his trip to the US that Dubsky started teaching at Camberwell. When Donald joined in the early 1980s, he met a very serious, intellectually rigorous man who was quite a tough teacher. "He was a bit scary!" he admits. "Teaching was very different in those days. He was quite aggressive by nature and could be very provocative. He said some very direct things to me but, on reflection, they actually always contained an absolute gem, a nugget of truth that gave me a way to progress and improve the work I was making or improve my thinking. I found the feedback extraordinarily rewarding, even though sometimes the delivery left a lot to be desired. If you persevered with it there were so many valuable lessons to learn. There are comments that even today I might say to a student that were things Mario once said to me. So overall it was a very rich experience."
Camberwell during this period was "an amazing place to be", recalls Donald. "There were three evening life classes a week, each run by different tutors with something quite different to say. In turn, each of those teachers had certain students that adopted their language or ideology and it was an incredibly vital time for drawing, something for which it quickly became renowned."
Being one of Dubsky's students also gave Donald a natural introduction to other artists from an earlier generation who had studied under him, and it was one of these, David Ferry, who became a friend, colleague and co-curates this exhibition. "David had been a student at Camberwell in the 1970s and was invited back by Mario to do some teaching – I was one of his guinea pig students. Because we had both been taught by Mario we found we had a lot of common ground and were engaged in the same kind of visual language. We were coming from a similar position and we quickly bonded."
When Donald was in the third year of his degree, David asked him to be part of an exhibition with three other artists: himself, Steve Smith, and Rita Smith, who had all been taught by Mario at Camberwell in the 1970s. "David wanted me to be the fourth artist in this show which was to be held at the Grundy Gallery in Blackpool. It had a fantastic reputation and you can imagine that it was incredibly significant for me when David asked me to take part: it was 1984, I had been an art student, first at Portsmouth and then at Camberwell for just three years. The exhibition was planned for 1987 – that was as long as my BA course had lasted! At that time, I had no idea if I was going to still be an artist in three years time, so it was an amazing affirmation of my work to be asked. Our work was all quite different, but there was a kind of root for all of us in Mario's teaching and his work. It was a brilliant opportunity, and really kickstarted my practice for me."
Sadly, Dubsky would not live to see the exhibition of his students' work. He died in 1985, less than a year after a major show of his own work, the title of which has inspired the name of the Chelsea Space show.
The exhibition took place in 1984 at the South London Gallery (SLG), then called the South London Art Gallery, which is next door to Camberwell College of Arts. It was called X Factor, a reference to the Greek form xeno, meaning 'stranger' or 'unknown quantity'. "Yes, it did have a certain connotation with 'xenophobia' and fear of the other" Donald remembers. "This was something that interested him because his parents were refugees and because his sexuality made him feel like an outsider in so many ways. But as well as that there was a reading of it that also referred to the other as in 'the unexplained' – he was interested in a more complex reading of it as a term." It is with this in mind that Donald decided to name this show Xeno Factor, an homage to that exhibition and to perhaps more fully explicate some of Dubsky's thinking around that word.
The show at SLG included some work that will shown at Chelsea Space, including a large piece titled Natural History Remains which was made between 1975-77. This triptych will take up almost all of the longest gallery wall at Chelsea, and reflects Dubsky's preoccupation of extremes coming together, marrying the mythological aspects of Greek and Roman culture with a more primeval, primordial history of man.
Donald remembers the private view of X Factor very clearly. "In the build up to the show Mario was really tense and quite hard to deal with: he had become angry and withdrawn, and generally ill at ease" he recalls. "He worked tirelessly and meticulously to create the installation that he wanted. On the day of the exhibition Mario stayed in the gallery pottering and brooding. By the time the exhibition opened, it seemed as if a cloud had descended on him and people didn't even seem to feel like they could approach him to congratulate him." Dubsky died of AIDS less than a year later. Donald isn't sure if he knew at the time that he was ill. "It was possible that he had an idea that this show was his opportunity to wrap things up, and really take a more retrospective look at his work. In the catalogue for that exhibition he tells his life story and the show was very well-rounded. It wasn't just a slice of time, it was a final, considered overview of his practice."
However, Donald is glad to recall that the evening didn't end as soberly as it began. "Later that night, Derek Jarman turned up with Andrew Logan and a bunch of the 'out' gay art community and suddenly the whole event changed. It went from this very somber serious, quiet event into a kind of festival. It was very striking to see and I was pleased for Mario as it really lightened his mood. He was finally able to celebrate his work, as he deserved to do."
Mario Dubsky: Xeno Factor runs from 27 September to 27 October at Chelsea Space.
Find out more about studying MA Curating and Collections on our course page.
Image at top of page: Mario Dubsky, Posture V


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This section presents a series of lectures on how to construct the fundamentals that your project will need throughout its initial stages and that will help ensure its long-term success.
Available Presentations
Best Practice Principles of Designing Your First Project
The elements of a successful DH project. How do you know your idea is a good one?
Tech, Tech, and More Tech
Where do you look to find existing tools? How do you identify the need for a new one?
Statements of Innovation and Significance
Examining leading digital humanities projects as disciplinary questions.
Page Citation
1377885 HBJQQEH7 items 1 default asc
Appleford, Simon, and Jennifer Guiliano. "Designing Your First Project." DevDH.org, 2013. https://devdh.org/lectures/design/.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Castle ConundrumAuthor: Franklin W. Dixon
Publisher Aladdin
AN ANCIENT HIDDEN TREASURE STIRS UP A CUNNING PLOT! Teen Village International brings Frank and Joe to the south of France to rebuild a deserted town. The finished project will be a center for refugee children. But word is that the local castle is haunted -- by the centuries-old ghost of its lord, who hid a fortune in diamonds from bandits within its thick stone walls. Spooky lights, strange noises, and several close shaves convince the Hardys that someone is trying to sabotage the project. A pair of French twins, descendants of the owner, want to save the castle from developers. Every facet of the case leads to a dead end -- and the Hardys are hunting a desperate enemy!


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Walt Bones, Farmer
A fourth generation farmer near Parker, S.D., and former South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture, Bones discusses growing up on the family farm, his involvement in public service and offers great advice for learners of all ages.
Bones was born and raised on the family farm that his great grandfather homesteaded in 1879, southwest of Sioux Falls, S.D. After serving two and a half years as South Dakota's Secretary of Agriculture, he currently farms with family members on a diversified crop, beef and dairy operation. His past involvement includes the South Dakota Farm Bureau, South Dakota Corn Growers, South Dakota Cattlemen's Association, Minnehaha County Planning and Zoning Board, Parker School Board, South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard's Ag Advisory Council, South Dakota Jaycees and more. He currently serves on the Avera Foundation board, Avera Rural Cancer Task Force, Groundworks-Midwest board and the Rush-Co board of directors. Bones graduated from Iowa State University with an animal science degree.
"Be yourself. Be the best one of you that you possibly can be."


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John Kirubaharan
Veterinarian and microbiologist
Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS)
Professor John Kirubaharan leads the Hub's work in Tamil Nadu state in India. He works on research programmes to control avian diseases. He will be contributing to the Hub's work on host-pathogen interaction dynamics, assessing the risks of interventions, particularly vaccines, and in capacity building in poultry-specific diagnostics and biosecurity. He is Professor of Microbiology at Madras Veterinary College at the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Science University.


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Design: Ananya Prabhudesai
Project Type: Student Project
School: MIT Institute of Design
Course: Packaging Design
Location: Pune, India
Packaging Contents: Pet food
Packaging Substrate / Materials: Paperboard coated with polyethylene
The aim was to create and design a packaging for an organic proper dog food.
What's Unique?
The lid of the packaging is a convertible spoon.


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A Homily for the Third Sunday after Pentecost
Grace to you and peace from God our Heavenly Father and Christ Jesus our Lord, who calls us to follow him even unto Jerusalem. Amen.
As a Junior ROTC cadet in high school, I had the opportunity to attend a summer camp at an old air base in Salina, Kansas. We lived in the barracks, did push ups, ate at the mess hall, got yelled at, did push ups, flew in a Black Hawk helicopter, and did more push ups – all in the July heat of the Kansas prairie while wearing long pants, a field jacket, heavy-duty leather boots, and several pounds of gear and water harnessed around our shoulders. It was a blast.
Each year, we would load onto a bus and go out a large patch of grassland for a crash course in map reading and orienteering. We learned and re-learned how to find an eight digit grid coordinate, shoot an azimuth on a compass, and measure distance traveled via our hundred-meter pace count. In theory, it's all quite simple. While sitting under the shade of a tree, the "classroom" portion made perfect sense so long as you remember a few key rules: maps are read to the right and then up, azimuths are measured clockwise, make sure you keep track of your step count, and even some fifteen years later, I could probably still do a fair job on a written test.
Once we had that down, it was time to put it into practice in the parking lot. And you know what? Land navigation on a flat gravel surface is really easy! Grid coordinates for the nearest intersection? Got it. Azimuth to that water tower? No sweat. Distance from the bus to the water cooler? Easy.
But then they sent us out on the course in the wilderness, full of sudden dips and rises, briar patches, and groves of low trees. Suddenly, the goal that seemed so simple on the gravel was nearly impossible. One student would shoot an azimuth and send another cadet out a hundred meters at a time, holding the compass and gesturing left and right to make sure we were heading in exactly the right direction – but if you're not holding the compass right, you don't realize you're three degrees off. And the cadet who is out in the distance doesn't realize they miscounted their steps because they tripped on a rabbit hole. And all of you have been distracted by a fear of resident rattlesnakes and watching the cargo planes flying overhead in the distance dropping flares. You set your mind to the task as though setting your hand to the plow, but then you look back. Soon, you arrive at a patch of trees where you're expecting to find your marker and realize there's nothing there. But there is a flag five meters ahead to the east and another flag three meters south. All I can say is I'm glad the stakes were so low. (And that the other teams did worse than us – they read the map up and to the right, and ended up on a random road. They got back fifteen minutes late and had to do more push ups.) No one who sets their azimuth and looks back is fit to beat the land nav course.
"When the day drew near for him to be taken up, Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem."
And the crowed wants to follow him. Who wouldn't? At this point in Saint Luke's narrative, Jesus has driven out unclean spirits and healed many, promised blessings to the poor and oppressed, calmed the storm, fed the five thousand, and even raised the dead! We're on the tail-end of the Transfiguration today, that miraculous sign when Christ was revealed in all of his divine glory. The Gospel up until ow has been mostly stories of God's power.
Following Jesus is easy, right? We're on our way to Jerusalem where the Messiah will reign in glory; it's as straight-forward as map reading in a parking lot. It's so easy that when Jesus sent out the twelve earlier this chapter, they – yes, even they, that rag-tag group of misfits – go out "through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere."
But something changed, just before the Transfiguration. Jesus asked Peter, "Who do you say that I am?" and Peter responded "The Messiah of God." And then everything changed, and Jesus told his closest disciples:
The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised….If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it….
Eight days later, Christ's glory is revealed, he comes down from the mountain, drives out a demon, and sets his face towards Jerusalem – not towards a royal coronation but towards a traitor's death.
Now hear again the exchange in today's reading: "Someone said to him, 'I will follow you wherever you go.'" And Jesus calls to another, saying "Follow me," but the man responds, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." And another promises, "I will follow you, Lord," but asks for a caveat: "Let me first say farewell to those at my home."
Christ's response is jarring: "No one who sets their hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."
Up until now, it had been a fairly easy path to trod, akin to map reading in a parking lot. But now we're heading into the wilderness where the terrain is bumpy, snakes are whispering their temptations, the vegetation is dense, and sun is beating down. Now it's easy to get lost, to get distracted, to turn back and flee from the dangerous times to come. Now all you want to do is look back.
Our Lord has called us to follow him – to Jerusalem, to the cross, to the grave. To follow him in the ways of blessing the poor and the oppressed, of loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us. To take up our cross daily. There's no turning back.
Following Christ will lead us into conflict with the powers and principalities of this world. In the past, it has meant showing up at segregated lunch counters and polling places, facing down violent mobs led by state troopers. Just two years ago, it meant taking to the streets of Charlottesville and standing against a resurgent white nationalism. Today, it means calling for our representatives to feed and shelter migrant children in their care. And make no mistake: Christians that have stood with the marginalized and been a blessing to the poor have always had the cross forced upon them. It is no different today.
But following Christ also means following him out of the grave! We can endure these trials and tribulations, we can follow Jesus in the wilderness, we can pick up our cross daily, and we can withstand the temptation to look back because we know that there is something far, far better waiting for us! Our Lord was rejected in Jerusalem, and killed, but on the third day he was raised! And we know that even if we lose our life, Christ will save us from death!
So, beloved, follow Christ. Don't look back towards the grave. Look forward towards the Altar, and behold the Risen Christ, trusting that God has given us the grace we need to endure our sojourn through the wilderness! Look forward towards the resurrection, trusting that we will join our Lord in life everlasting.


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Developer: Spicy Horse
Publisher: EA
Platform: PC, PS3, Xbox360
Release Date: 16, June 2011
RPVP: 49.99€ (Steam)
Size: ~ 7.9 GB (PC)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Platform, Hack-n'-Slash
Alice: Madness Returns continues the story of the PC game American McGee's Alice out in 2000. Like its predecessor, it was developed by the Chinese studio Spicy Horse. The PS3 and Xbox360 Versions of the game include a code you can use to download a console port of American McGee's Alice, but even without the code, console players can purchase the game using Microsoft Points on XBL or with regular cash on PSN.
Bumby, she attempts to forget her traumatic memories of the death of her family in hopes of getting rid of her mad nightmares. Unfortunately, Alice's subconscious ends up puling her back to Wonderland. Upon arriving, though, Alice soon discovers that this Wonderland is infected with destruction and it's being ravaged by an infernal gigantic train of origins unknown. Thus, Alice begins her quest to find out about who runs the train and what purpose does it serve, regaining lost memories along the way. Memories of her past and her family and the fire that took place years before, in an attempt to regain her sanity and save Wonderland from destruction. While there, she is always accompanied by the cynical Cheshire Cat, who watches over her, providing advice, often in the form of more or less philosophical sentences.
You can also increase the number of roses by completing the "Radula Rooms", hidden bonus levels that may contain challenges such as, surviving in a sea of enemies for a set amount of time, killing a group of enemies or just answering a riddle from the Cheshire Cat. There are also some occasions in the game where you will be presented with some kind of mini-game, which is good to keep things interesting, as the game is considerably long and may get tiring or repetitive if you play it for a while. In addition, each chapter of the game has its designated dress for Alice to use, and upon completing the game you may then choose which dress you want Alice to be in, regardless of the chapter. Each dress adds a bonus effect to Alice, like getting more teeth from enemies, more roses or getting health regeneration abilities. Along the way, there will be tons of collectibles to gather, in case you want to completely unlock the character list, which contains some data about each character in the game, some text telling you more about Alice's history, and all the cut-scenes. As you get closer to the end of the game, Alice will find out the truth about her past and will begin to comprehend what the train represents. The last chapter will happen inside the very own train where the final battle will happen.
Alice, being "part frog", as described by her little sister, has a great jumping ability which is aided by the fact that she can use her dress to glide and double, triple and quadruple jump, allowing her to travel considerable distances without touching the ground. She can also shrink from a certain point up in the game, which must be done either to just progress trough the game, to collect hidden items or to activate the Shrink Vision, revealing invisible platforms and marks on the wall, that may act as a guide, telling you which direction to follow or as a clue, indicating hidden collectibles that may be close by.
However, pretty as it might seem, this is definitely not a game for children. Unlike the animated movie, here we have a cruel reality where Alice's condition gets pretty serious at some point in time, getting her sent to an asylum where gruesome things are done to her, the "treatment" so to speak (as you see later in the game). There is a considerable maturity level to this game, there's swearing, dark secrets and dark and twisted zones that can frighten you a bit. There is even child molesting in the story.
The game is actually pretty big, I didn't expect it to take me so long to finish being a relatively simple platforming game. The first playthrough on Hard difficulty took me 14 hours, plus I din an extra play-through on Nightmare difficulty to get all of the collectibles. In fact, although I really liked the game when I started playing it, about 8 hours in it began to feel a little repetitive. Not that much though, as the chapters changed, and so changed the scenery and the characters (most of them at least). There are various mini games along the way that help getting a bit of variety in the game (some are pretty fun). Also, as you advance trough the game, the story continues to develop, and you start to find out what really happened in Alice's past that created such an internal conflict (initially, Alice is convinced that she somehow started the fired that killed her family, even though she can't remember it clearly) and you feel increasingly curious and eager to find out what really happened, keeping you glued to your controller (or keyboard). Speaking of keyboard, this is where the greatest flaw of the game resides. Even though it's a kind of console port, aside from the 30 fps lock detail (which can by easily dealt with) I saw no graphical issues at all, as expected of Unreal Engine 3 I guess. What I DID see was a disastrous keyboard support. The boat mini-game can become unplayable with the keyboard as the assigned keys for firing the canon or dropping mines may or may not work (re-assigning keys apparently only makes it worse, eliminating what little functionality you might have) and after about 10 hours in I was forced to change to a controller as an action key needed to progress wouldn't work at all. I don't really mind using a controller, in fact I have an Xbox360 controller for windows and I love it, but to play in Hard difficulty in a way you're not used to at all (keyboard to controller) makes it a lot harder for you to progress, as you're not used to the new key settings. As such, if you are going to play it on PC, I recommend using a gamepad from the start.
As for the characters, they are bizarre to say the least, the Hatter seems to care with nothing but having tea, and that's not everything. One of the first major objectives is to retrieve his arms and legs, stolen by the Dormouse and the March Hare to use as additional work force in their factories. Them too, seem completely fixed on getting stuff done (whatever it is), maniacal about their work. The Cheshire Cat is somewhat creepy with his skeletal appearance and mischievous aura, although maybe due to his soothing voice or apparent wisdom, is the kind of character I'd like to keep close.All the characters in the game are somehow weird and funny at the same time, some more than others, as you will find out if you ever play it. As an additional curiosity, the voice actor is the same one that did the voice for Mojo Jojo (The Powerpuff Girls) and The Eye of Sauron (Lord of the Rings).
The Good, The Bad and the Ugly
The Good
The Bad
My Final Gameplay Stats
|Time Played:
|37 Hours
|Achievements Unlocked:
|Not available in the PC version.
|Difficulty played the most:
|Overall Game Progress:


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Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory in the Caribbean, the island is still reeling. "Puerto Rico is in survival mode," reported Rapid Response team member Leroy Heatwole who is helping to assess damages.
Most of the island of 3.4 million people is still without power or phone communication. In areas hit with heavy flooding, water still stands in houses. Many are trapped by mudslides and flooding, unable to get food and clean water. Those able to get to a store may wait in line all day for food.
In the interior of the island, the storm ripped off the tin roofs of over half of the houses. Many of the homes are cement, but those with wood structures received even more damages.
"Some houses are gone," Leroy said. The Rapid Response team toured a mountainous area where they found elderly people living in houses without roofs and walls.
"I don't think pictures could ever show what we experienced," Leroy said. "We got into some very low income communities. There are so many needs, I don't even know where to start."
Maria was the strongest storm to hit Puerto Rico in 90 years. It made landfall on the island on September 25 as a category 4 hurricane. We plan to set up two bases in Puerto Rico from where volunteers will do cleanup and rebuilding. The estimated cost for this project is $500,000.
Hurricane Maria also brought a large amount of devastation to the small island of Dominica when it hit as a category 5 storm. "No part of the island, no one, was left untouched," reported our contact. We are researching how we can best respond to requests for help.
At the time of this writing, hundreds of thousands of people in Central America are facing flooding and landslides from Tropical Storm Nate. We will likely respond to this disaster, as well.
This has been an unusually busy hurricane season. Please give only as you feel led. Your support and prayers have been a great blessing for those whose lives were affected by the recent, devastating hurricanes. God bless you!


text:
FXOpen, one of the world's leading Forex brokers is happy to announce its membership in The Financial Commission . The Financial Commission is a neutral 3rd party committee to fairly review and resolve complaints. We see it as one more way to show our clients that FXOpen's activities conform to the best practices and high commercial standards in the Financial Services Industry.
FXOpen's membership in the Financial Commission gives each customer the opportunity to achieve a more cost-effective, simpler and swifter resolution of any issues that they might encounter while trading Forex through FXOpen. The Financial Commission is an international independent non-government dispute resolution organization specializing in the Forex market based in Hong Kong, China.
Its main body – the Financial Committee – is comprised of highly-skilled professionals with many years of experience at top managerial positions in the Forex market . Their vast expertise ensures in-depth understanding and investigation of each complaint.
However, the members of the Financial Committee are not affiliated to any Forex brokerage firm, which guarantees an unbiased approach to handling complaints. By joining the Financial Commission we hope to boost our customers' confidence in FXOpen as a broker.
Customer satisfaction is one of our key priorities. And we strive to find an amicable and fair solution to any issue that may arise between the Client and the Broker.
FXOpen is eager to achieve this both through FXOpen's internal dispute resolution procedures, and through review of such issues by reputable 3rd party regulatory bodies, such as the Financial Commission.
For more information on the regulator see www.financialcommission.org/
Follow the discussion on FXOpen Forum.
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Arts, Culture & Media
98-Year-Old American Veteran Remembers the Spanish Civil War
The World
August 3, 2012 · 12:40 PM EDT
Monica Campbell
Aaron Schachter
James Benét volunteered fight in Spain's Civil War. (Photo: Monica Campbell)
In the 1930s, nearly 3,000 American men and women volunteered to fight in Spain's Civil War, against General Francisco Franco and his fascist forces. These vets became known as the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. About 900 of them were killed in fighting. Today, only four are still alive to tell their story. One of them is James Benét, now a sturdy 98 years old, living in rural northern California. From his home in Forestville, Benét recalls leaving for Spain in his early 20s. At the time, he was a journalist living in New York, a socialist raised in a military family. So when he heard about Americans united by their anti-fascist views heading to Spain, Benét boarded a ship to Europe. "If the moment comes when it's the obvious right thing and somebody's got to do it, maybe it's going be you," he said. Once he landed, he headed to northern Spain to meet up with Spanish fighters and get equipped. "We were given these awful uniforms. They were woolen, so really too hot. I guess they were leftover winter Army uniforms or something." He served as an ambulance driver on the front with other volunteers—shopkeepers from Brooklyn, musicians, mill workers from the Midwest—people driven by their beliefs but without any boot camp. They became combatants overnight. "Some of them adopted the soldier's life as if they were born to it. Fortunately, I was in pretty good physical shape," he said. "Some of the others just had a terrible time. You had these strange experiences with guys. You know, the toughest guys you'll ever meet, they turned out to be quite chicken. I've seen a guy's hair turn white. Strangest thing in the world! He was afraid, of course. Everybody is afraid one time or another." Benét also remembers seeing Ernest Hemingway. "The thing we liked about Hemingway was that he liked soldiers. He'd been under fire. He knew that you didn't want to talk about it." After 18 months, Benét and many of the volunteers left Spain. They knew that with support from Hitler and Mussolini, Franco's soldiers would win. But Benét says it was tough to go. "You became so close to the Spanish people that you thought, I ought to stick around. Some of them went to the mountains and said okay, I'll live and die here." Back in New York, Benét continued writing about the war for leftist magazines and Tass, the Soviet press agency. The Abraham Lincoln Brigade vets also organized public talks. "We tried to explain – sure, you're not interested in politics but politics is going to be interested in you!" he said. "Even young men who were going to be drafted, a lot of these guys just didn't have the faintest idea what was going on. They didn't see it." Some of the vets, including Benét, were viewed with suspicion, especially after Soviet leader Joseph Stalin formed a pact with Hitler in 1939. "There were the people who disliked the Russians anyway. So they said, 'Aha! This just shows you what rats they are!'" Benét rejected the Soviet-Nazi pact too. But he was also dismayed that the U.S. had left Spain to fend for itself while the Soviets backed Spain's anti-Fascists. Well after their time in Spain, Benét and his fellow vets were labelled as Communist dupes. During the Cold War, they were called to testify before Washington groups, like the House Committee on Un-American Activities. But Benét says he's never regretted what he did back in the 1930s. "I always felt that I was on the right side of history in Spain."


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Why Ancient Greek Mythology Is Still Relevant Today
Geri is an online writer who enjoys researching science, psychology, and the modern world.
Why Is Greek Mythology Important Today?
If there is one subject that is still widely taught today, it is the subject of ancient Greek mythology. It isn't just taught as part of a literature curriculum at school but is also part of most history lessons. Some people might wonder why the world is still so interested in ancient Greek myths when they are nothing but stories and came from thousands of years ago. However, with one look at the vast amount of ancient Greek-themed movies and literature today, people will quickly come to the conclusion that the world is still fascinated with Greek mythology, although they might not always be able to say why.
People who think that the stories of ancient Greek mythology are nothing more than a bunch of outdated tales just happen to be wrong. For sure, these stories may have been written hundreds, if not thousands of years ago, but it is good to remember they were written by wise men who had a hand in helping shape modern thinking.
These great men (Aristotle and Sophocles, for example) were not mere storytellers; they didn't spend their days weaving tales just because they wanted to and had nothing to do. They were too good for that, and this is why their Greek myths have withstood the test of time and are relevant today.
What Are Greek Myths?
To some people, Greek myths are simply epic tales of gods and goddesses gallivanting about the earth, achieving all sorts of impossible tasks. They are stories of people dealing with the gods and either they come out triumphant or they end up bloody and charred or turned into animals and plants.
Indeed, a person who doesn't look beyond the surface will think these tales are nothing more than flights of fancy by old story-tellers from the past but a deeper look at the stories will tell you more than that. These myths aren't just legends and while they are "just stories," they are stories with a purpose and reason. A deeper look at Greek myths should reveal morals, philosophies, and even warnings.
These tales rarely have the happily-ever-after endings people are so used to these days, but remember, they weren't written for entertainment—they were written with a higher purpose. One wouldn't expect such great minds to waste their time telling a story for the sake of telling a story; they had to have a purpose and they had to impart knowledge. In truth, these myths give people a chance to glimpse at the way the Greeks lived and how they thought back then. It might seem hopelessly outdated and unimportant but the exact opposite of that is true.
What are some of the major Greek myths?
- The myth of Hades and Persephone
- The myth of Aphrodite and Adonis
- The myth of Pandora's box
- The myth of Eros and Psyche
- The myth of Perseus and Medusa
What Is the Importance of the Greeks?
Most people will not really notice it unless they are told to do so, but there are so many Greek influences around the world today. In fact, it is impossible to go around to completely understand the basics of things like fine arts, literature, and performing arts without touching on some Greek myths.
These myths were an integral part of ancient Greek culture because this was how they passed down lessons from one generation to the next without things getting boring and dull. Anyone who has ever picked up a book on Greek myths or seen a movie inspired by one can attest to its action-packed nature. Some might wonder what the point is to just passing down stories—stories that were made up and were in no way true—but that was the beauty of Greek mythology in ancient times. They became the perfect way to impart lessons without being dull or boring.
What Did These Myths Do?
These myths were told to people and it helped them realize the difference between right and wrong. It helped them come to terms with how they should be humble and never think themselves immortal or they might just be proven wrong in the most horrible and inopportune of ways. Also, these tales tell people of heroes and how true greatness was achieved by those who dared while at the same breath, showing the flaws of these heroes.
Any modern person who reads or hears of Greek myths will be hard-pressed to stay unaffected. They are simply that good and this proves just how relevant they still are. Anyone can pick up a book of Greek myths and get something from it.
Why Do We Study Greek Mythology?
Reading and hearing about Greek mythology is one thing, but why are modern people still made to study them? The answer to that is very simple: to learn. People still study the ancient Greeks and their myths much in the same reason they study other cultures and that is so they can learn from it. After all, when you study a culture as progressive as that of the ancient Greeks, you really can't help but learn lessons.
These myths show modern people a glimpse of how people thought in the past, what they considered important, how their morals worked, etc. Another reason to study those Greek myths is that they have contributed a lot to classic and modern literature in the form of symbols.
Read More From Owlcation
It has been said that simply by studying or even just reading some of these myths, people can learn how to control their actions or at least think better of what they do. After all, a lot of these stories tell tales of how human follies, stupidity, and even hubris get people in trouble. In a sense, these myths serve as a warning for people on how they should and should not be. The irony of the situation is that most people still tend to go with their follies, choose to make stupid decisions, and have hubris. It is almost comical how these myths capture human behavior in the ancient times that are still alive and kicking today.
Famous Gods and Goddesses
|God or Goddess
|Claim to Fame
love, beauty, pleasure, procreation
wisdom, courage, warfare, strength
the hunt, the moon, chastity
music, poetry, archery, knowledge, the sun
harvest, life and death
wine, fertility, theater
the underworld
marriage and birth
trade, eloquence, messenger of the gods
the sea, earthquakes, horses
the sky and thunder
Who Are Some of the Famous Greek Authors?
Below is a short list of some famous Greek mythology authors and their equally famous works:
- Homer – Homer's works, the Iliad and the Odyssey, are among the most famous and earliest written sources of Greek mythology. The Iliad recites the stories of King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles during the Trojan War, while the Odyssey tells the tale of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his return home after the fall of Troy.
- Plato – This is perhaps one of the most famous of famous Greek writers. He is known for his popular dialogues including the Republic, Phaedo, Symposium, Phaedrus, Timaeus, and Philebus. Nothing much is known about Plato but it cannot be denied that his writings have had lots of influence on classic literature as we know it today.
- Sophocles – Sophocles wrote 123 plays during his career and while some people might expect a happy ending from those plays, they will be sorely disappointed. Sophocles was a tragedian and came up with famous tragedies like Oedipus, the King and Electra, and Antigone. Of his 123 plays, only 7 survived intact.
- Euripides – He was also a tragedian like Sophocles and while he wrote only 95 plays, at least 18 of them survived. Some of his famous works include Medea, The Bacchus, and Alcestis. What made his plays and stories stand out was that they tended to be realistic and would show strong women with wise slaves. He had a massive influence on the concept of European Tragedy.
- Aristophanes – This writer was a comedian and at some point, his pen was the most feared weapon in Athens. He wrote 40 plays but only 11 have survived. Plato even pointed out that the play The Clouds written by Aristophanes was responsible for the trial and execution of Socrates.
Modern Phrases From Greek Mythology
- Achilles' heel – According to Greek mythology, baby Achilles was dipped in the River Styx, which separated the living world from the dead, held on to only by his heel. Although he was a legendary war hero, he eventually met his death when a poisoned arrow struck the heel that had remained dry and unaffected by the river's magic. Today, the term refers to a fatal weakness that, despite overall strength, can lead to one's downfall.
- Trojan horse – During the Trojan War, the Greeks built a giant wooden horse and hid a battalion within it, while the remaining troops pretended to retreat in surrender. The horse was then brought paraded past Troy's otherwise impermeable city walls as a victory prize, allowing the Greek warriors to open the gates for their armies, destroy the city, and end the war. In modern times, the term "Trojan horse" is used to refer to strategies that use deceit or trickery to obtain an objective. It also refers to malicious computer software.
- Pandora's box – According to Greek mythology, Pandora was the world's first human woman, and one day she was given a box as a gift from Zeus but was warned not to open it. Unfortunately, her curiosity got the better of her, and she opened it, unleashing all the world's evils. Today, people refer to "opening a Pandora's box" when discussing something that, when interfered with, has the potential to generate numerous complex problems.
References to Greek Mythology in Today's World
- Nike, Inc. is named after the Greek goddess of victory.
- Midas, a U.S. automotive services company, was named for the legendary king whose touch turned objects into gold.
- Dove, a personal care brand, was named after the bird, which a symbol of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty.
- The character of Peter Pan is a reference to Pan, the Greek god of the wild and shepherds.
- The Starbucks logo is a siren, intended to symbolize the irresistibility of the brand's coffee.
- Trident gum claims to "fight off" cavities, similar to the sea god Poseidon's use of the trident in battle.
- Many are familiar with Sigmund Freud's psychosexual development term the "Oedipus complex," which is based on the Ancient Greek tale of Oedipus Rex, who kills his father and marries his mother.
- Atlas was a Titan who was condemned to hold up the sky after losing the Titan rebellion against Zeus. Now, atlas is a term used to describe books filled with maps, and also refers to the first vertebra of the spine, which allows us to hold our heads up and see the world.
Movies About Greek Mythology
- Troy (2004)
- Clash of the Titans (2010)
- Wonder Woman (2017)
- Hercules (1997)
- Wrath of the Titans (2012)
- Alexander (2004)
- Spartacus (1960)
- O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
- Helen of Troy (1956 and 2003)
- Antigone (1961)
- Immortals (2011)
- Minotaur (2006)
Greek Creatures in Popular Culture
|In Popular Culture
half-man, half-horse hunter
Chronicles of Narnia, Artemis Fowl, Harry Potter
fire-breathing monster
Beauty and the Beast, Wrath of the Titans, Final Fantasy
giant, one-eyed monster
Futurama, Battlestar Galactica, Doctor Who
monster with the body of a man, with the head and tail of a bull
Clash of the Titans, Dante's Inferno, Prince Caspian
beautiful, white, winged stallion
Fantasia, My Little Pony, The Blood of Olympus
beautiful female bird-like creatures who lured passers-by to their deaths with song
Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas, Peter Pan, Lorelei (German folklore)
Jessica on August 21, 2017:
Excellent passage. I'm going to use this to help formulate lesson plans for a middle school mythology co op class. Thank you!
dabbing cat on April 05, 2017:
this is inspiring me to learn more about ancient greek.
nyan cat on April 05, 2017:
this passage is really interesting . am i right people
Jay C OBrien from Houston, TX USA on August 08, 2016:
Is it possible Greek mythology (and other ancient mythology) tells of a high-tech civilization coming in contact with a low-tech civilization? The low-tech people mistook the high-tech people to be Gods. The myths are actually histories based on mistaken identity. What do you think?
Marina A. Spiteri on August 08, 2016:
I believe mythology to be of vital importance, especially now that the world has lost the plot. All one needs to do is look at popular culture, the people the younger generations look to as role models and what they consider worth their while. Priorities, politics, society and the side-effects of technology have turned our planet into a place that has no direction. What is so important about mythology is how it came about in the first place. It reflects society and the hold and influence those in power and far-reaching institutions has over it. Nothing has changed, it is only getting worse.
bruh on June 20, 2016:
this is awsome
Kaila on June 19, 2016:
This was a wonderful article, but I was wondering who made this? I am doing a research paper and I would like to know who made this. I think it is good and I plan to use this as one of my sources! I would love to hear back from the author soon. I will need the author's first name and last name. Thank You!
Geri MIleff (author) from Czech Republic on June 10, 2016:
@Jordy - True! This is just an overview :)
Jordy on June 09, 2016:
I feel like there needed more explaining, because I read that Greek mythology reals morals, philosofies, and warnings, but like what? I feel like it created many questions throughout the whole thing, and did not answer it very clearly.
Geri MIleff (author) from Czech Republic on June 09, 2016:
@jeremiarh - Thanks! We too :)
Jay C OBrien from Houston, TX USA on May 08, 2016:
From article, "What are Greek Myths?
To some people, Greek myths are these epic tales of gods and goddesses gallivanting about the earth, achieving all sorts of impossible tasks."
We also now have two more interpretations:
1. The Ancient Alien Theory, where aliens came to earth;modified apes to become human and we mistook the aliens to be gods, and
2. The Atlantian Theory, where high-tech people (Atlantians) came in contact with low-tech people and were mistaken as gods.
What do you think of the above two theories?
jeremiarh on March 10, 2016:
i feel like greek mythology is still known and amazing
Geri MIleff (author) from Czech Republic on June 27, 2015:
@adevwriting: Thank you! Couldn't agree more :)
Arun Dev from United Countries of the World on June 27, 2015:
This is a very good hub. Culture can regulate an individual's life.
Geri MIleff (author) from Czech Republic on July 04, 2014:
@WillStarr, indeed! Glad that you like the hub. Stay tuned for more! :)
WillStarr from Phoenix, Arizona on July 03, 2014:
The ancient Greek myths are still fascinating and relevant today, aren't they?
Good points and excellent Hub!


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House debates
Wednesday, 22 August 2018
Constituency Statements
Boothby Electorate: Volunteering
10:08 am
Nicolle Flint (Boothby, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
On Sunday, 12 August, I joined the dedicated Marino Residents Association volunteers and local residents for a working bee at Burnham Road, Kingston Park, in my electorate of Boothby. Kingston Park is one of the suburbs that make up the postcode 5049, which also includes Marino, Seacliff, Seacliff Park and Seaview Downs. This part of Adelaide is home to our best coastal views and coastline. The Marino Residents Association, also known as the 5049 Coastal Community, donate much of their time to preserving the local environment and advocating for issues that matter to our community. That's why I was delighted to join them in planting over 1,000 plants along the Kingston Park foreshore. This really was a whole-of-community effort with local residents, Councillor Lynda Yates and staff from the City of Holdfast Bay, Phil and Jo Rogers from LJ Hooker Glenelg, members of the Friends of Marino Conservation Park and the Marino Residents Association all helping out.
In addition to their fantastic planting efforts, the Marino Residents Association have worked hard on community issues including the restoration of services to the Seaford train line and the reopening of the Pine Avenue crossing at Seacliff, and I have been supporting them and our community in these efforts. I am always delighted to help the association out with the production of their quarterly newsletter and to play a small part in supporting their incredibly hard-working committee volunteers—President David Bagshaw, Vice-President Alison Cormack, Ric Bierbaum, Beryl Hall, Emma Sandery and Noel Paul.
I also want to take this opportunity to recognise the work of the Friends of Marino Conservation Park, who look after around 30 hectares of land surrounding the Marino lighthouse. I joined the Friends of Marino Conservation Park volunteers at the end of July for a very successful community planting day, when we planted native grasses and groundcover plants to add to the natural flora in the area. Working with the friends, I helped them to secure 2½ thousand dollars for seating along the Marino Conservation Park botanical trail so that visitors of all ages can stop and rest and enjoy the view as they enjoy the walk. The Marino Conservation Park does not just provide beautiful native coastal bushland on its hillsides; it also provides the most spectacular view of Adelaide's coastline and suburbs. I really do encourage everyone to visit the park. A huge thank you to Alan Wilson, Nigel Charman, Barbara Randall and all of the Friends of Marino Conservation Park for everything you do to ensure the future of our natural environment for many years to come.
As we know in this place, volunteer groups play such an important role in our communities and are just one of the reasons I am so proud to represent them and my community in this place.


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Roku streaming boxes are some of the most popular items we've ever listed, and their most miniature model is down to the best price we've ever seen today, if you don't mind buying a refurb. [Refurb Roku Streaming Stick, $28]
Commerce Content is independent of Editorial and Advertising, and if you buy something through our posts, we may get a small share of the sale. Click here to learn more. We want your feedback.
Send deal submissions to Deals@Gawker and all other inquiries to Shane@Gawker.


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How to Download Your Theme
Congratulations! You just purchased our Total Responsive Multipurpose WordPress theme on ThemeForest. To download the theme log into your ThemeForest account and go to your account profile. Then click on the downloads link. This is where you will find all of your ThemeForest purchases. Locate Total, click on the download button and select the installable WordPress file only.
This will download the installable Total zip file.


text:
Friday 12th July 2019, St Louis.
A straightforward ride to St Louis today in good weather.
It's a while since a came across an unexpected gem but the St Clare of Assisi Church this afternoon was one. Modern, it was based on the contours of a boat. Simple and uncluttered it was very refreshing.
Knee holding up but now calf complaining. Hey ho!
Christine arrives tonight followed by a couple of days off in St Louis.


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Last night at amfAR's Inspiration Gala in Los Angeles, sponsored in part by FIJI Water, the event featured a special performance by Katy Perry. So, of course I had ask all the celebrities I interviewed—Beth Behrs, Jennifer Coolidge, Octavia Spencer, Alessandra Ambrosio and more!—for a sing-a-long!
Check out the video. I promise you'll never laugh more in your life!
By the way, no wonder Beth Behrs knows all the words to Teenage Dream! See what she tweeted recently:
Whose a cappella performance cracked you up the most?
More Obsessed!
Obsessed TV Report Card: Nashville
Has EVERY celebrity ever been on Law & Order? We have the video to prove it!
Yep, we've still got a thing for Scott Speedman, and here's why!


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WASHINGTON – President Obama stumped Sunday for Democrat Terry McAuliffe in the Virginia governor's race, making a last-minute appeal to "fire up" his party base to turn out for the Tuesday election.
"Are you fired up," boomed Obama, reprising the rally call from his presidential runs as he whipped up about 1,600 people at a high school in DC's Virginia suburbs.
"We cannot have people stay at home when so much is at stake," he said. "Nothing makes me more nervous than when my supporters start feeling too confident, so I want to put the fear of God in all of you."
Polls show McAuliffe with a comfortable lead over Republican Ken Cuccinelli, the Viginia attorney general.
But turnout is expected to be a critical factor, and Cuccinelli has gained some 11th hour traction by running against ObamaCare.
The national parties are fighting hard for the bragging rights in the Virginia race.
Obama flipped the previously reliably red state blue in 2008 and 2012.
During that time, Virginia voters elected the current governor, Republican Bob McDonnell, by 59 percent in 2009.
McAuliffe, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee and a close ally of the Clintons, also has had President Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stump for him.
Vice President Joe Biden hits the campaign trail for him Monday.
In the final stretch of the campaign, Cuccinelli is being boosted on the stump by GOP heavyweights Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and former Rep. Ron Paul of Texas.
Cuccinelli has made ObamaCare a key issue in the final days of the race, tapping voter anger over the Obama administration's botched rollout of the law.
Obama didn't mention the health care law. Instead, he tried to link Cuccinelli to Tea Party Republicans, who he blamed for the government shutdown last month.
"You've seen an extreme faction of the Republican Party that has shown again and again and again that they're willing to hijack their party, the country, and the economy … if they don't get 100 percent of what they want," Obama said in the 21-minute speech.
"Here in Virginia you felt the pain of the first government shutdown in 17 years and there aren't a lot of states that felt more of the pain than folks right here in Virginia," he said.
"You cannot afford to have a governor who's thinking the same way," Obama said. "The governor, that's a practical job.… They can't afford to be to be ideologues, they've got to be able work with everybody and compromise and get the job done."


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These are the top 25 factors that influence Brits when buying a car
Running costs, reliability and price are what motorists look for when buying a car, according to a study.
Researchers polled 2,000 British car buyers and found that fuel type, road tax and the manufacturer also influence the motor we go for.
Economy, handling and safety have a bearing too – as does size, comfort and emissions.
The poll was commissioned by Hyundai, which has just launched the new KONA Electric – its emission-free compact SUV which has a driving range of up to 300 miles.
This means you could travel the equivalent distance of Land's End to John O'Groats for around just £17 – driving the same distance in a medium-sized petrol-powered car would set you back in the region of £121.
It's the first 'mainstream' family electric vehicle to have such a range – with the 300 mile threshold normally limited to electric cars costing twice as much.
A spokesperson for Hyundai said: "There's so much to take into account when shopping for a new car but as the research suggests we are pretty decisive and know what we want.
"Of course everyone is different with very specific requirements but the findings provide an overall indication of what is important to us.
"And the cost of running the vehicle – whether it be the fuel type, road tax cost or reliability are clearly significant – however the findings also suggest that the driving experience itself is a major factor, too."
Other factors we take into account when buying a new car include the length of warranty, boot size and the types of wheels.
Overall size of the car is important too, as is the quality of the sound system and the colour of the interior and the exterior.
The research also found motorists typically own a car for five years and eight months before buying a new one.
And when they do, they'll check out just three vehicles before making their mind-up on which one to purchase.
Six in 10 will take someone with them when shopping for cars – and one quarter of those who do will take their dad along.
Amid this, 39 per cent have purchased a vehicle only to regret it later on.
As infrastructure improves and motorists become more environmentally conscious, demand for 'green' vehicles continues to rise.
Sales of pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles are up 25 per cent this year – with a new model registered every nine minutes in the UK.
The KONA Electric will do 0-62mph in as little as 7.6 seconds – comparable to a hot hatch – and has a top speed 104mph, while producing zero emissions and being exempt from road tax.
A spokesperson for Hyundai added: "As the research shows, British motorists know what they want from a car – and understandably they want more bang for their buck.
"Price, reliability and running costs are key – and the KONA Electric delivers on all of these fronts.
"As you might expect from an electric car, it produces zero emissions – but you don't have to trade eco credentials for performance as it's also quick off the mark with instant acceleration.
"Put it into 'Sports' mode and you'll be surprised how much fun it is to drive – while being almost silent.
"There's also a £4,500 Plug-In Car Grant (PICG) currently available, which makes the starting price for this car just under £25,000, and additionally there's a £500 grant which can be put towards the purchase and installation cost of a home charging point."
The KONA Electric is on sale here [www.hyundai.co.uk/clicktobuy] from 2 August.
1. Price
2. Reliability
3. Type of fuel (petrol, diesel, electric, hybrid etc)
4. Make of car
5. Economy – miles per gallon
6. Model of car
7. Cost of ownership – insurance costs, servicing costs etc
8. Number of doors
9. Comfort
10. Size of car – if it's big enough for my family/pets
11. Engine size
12. Road tax cost
13. Transmission (manual or automatic)
14. Number of seats
15. Size of boot
16. Size of car – if it's small enough so it's easy to manoeuvre and park
17. Colour of exterior
18. Engine power/speed
19. Handling
20. Length of warranty
21. Electric windows
22. Safety – NCAP ratings, safety equipment etc
23. Visibility through rear window
24. CO2 emissions
25. How far away the dealership is


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Here are this week's match-ups for Nichols! Remember, the sale does not start until Wednesday!
These matchups cover the Nichols stores in Checotah, Durant, Eufaula, Holdenville, and Ada AND the Nichols Country Mart in McAlester.
The Nichols coupon policy states that they double coupons up to $1.00. If you need help reading some of the abbreviations you can check out my post on how to read coupon lingo!
These matchups cover the Nichols stores in Checotah, Durant, Eufaula, Holdenville, and Ada AND the Nichols Country Mart in McAlester.
The Nichols coupon policy states that they double coupons up to $1.00. If you need help reading some of the abbreviations you can check out my post on how to read coupon lingo!
Blue Bunny Ice Cream, $3.50
Final Price = $2.00
Keebler Cookies, $1.67
$0.50/1 Keebler Chips Deluxe Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies, exp. 8/31/13 (RP 05/12/13 R) (if included)
Final Price = $.67
Sugardale Shank Portion Ham, $.99/lb
Red Ripe Strawberries, $1.50
Hiland Dip or Sour Cream, $1.39
$0.30/1 Hiland Sour Cream or Dip, exp. 9/30/13 (SS 07/28/13 #2 R)
Final Price = $.79
Pilgrims Chicken Breasts, $2.79/lb
Land O'Frost Bistro Lunchmeat, $1.99
$0.50/1 Land O'Frost Bistro Favorites, Delishaved or Sub Sandwich Kit, exp. 8/28/13 (RP 07/28/13)
Final Price = $.89
Oscar Mayer Uploaded Lunchables, $2.99
Final Price= $.99
Green Giant Frozen Vegetables, $2.99
$0.60/3 Green Giant Seasoned Steamers printable (if included)
$1/3 Green Giant Season Steamers or Valley Fresh Steamers Frozen Vegetables, exp. 10/26/13 (SS 08/04/13 R)
Final Price = $2.32 each wyb 3
Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks, $2.00
$0.50/1 Betty Crocker Fruit Shapes, Fruit By The Foot, Fruit Gushers or Fruit Flavored Snacks, Ocean Spray Fruit Flavored Snacks, Motts Fruit Flavored Snacks or Sunkist Fruit Flavored Snacks. printable
$0.50/2 Betty Crocker Fruit By The Foot, Fruit Gushers or Fruit Roll-Ups Fruit Flavored Snacks, exp. 8/17/13 (SS 06/23/13)
Final Price = $1.00
Betty Crocker Snack Bars (Fiber One, Nature Valley), $2.50
$0.50/1 Fiber One Chewy Bars, Fiber One 90 Caolorie Product, exp. 9/28/13 (SS 08/04/13)
$0.50/1 Nature Valley Granola Bars, Nature Valley Granola Thins or Nature Valley Soft-Baked Oatmeal Squares, exp. 9/28/13 (SS 08/04/13)
Final Price = $1.50
Betty Crocker Brownie Mix, $1.50
$0.75/2 Betty Crocker Supreme Brownie Mix printable (if included)
Final Price = $.75 each wyb 2
Hormel Compleats, $2.00
Final Price = $1.50 each wyb 3
Snuggle Fabric Softener, $4.99
$0.50/1 Snuggle Fabric Softener, exp. 9/8/13 (RP 07/28/13)
Final Price = $3.99
All Laundry Detergent, $4.49
$0.75/1 All Liquid Powder or Might Pacs Laundry Detergent, exp. 9/8/13 (RP 07/28/13)
Final Price = $2.49
Brawny Paper Towels, $6.99
$1/1 Brawny Rolls, exp. 8/10/13 (RP 07/28/13)
Final Price = $4.99
General Mills Cereals, $2.50
Also check inserts
Final Price depends on varieties included
Quilted Northern 12 Roll Pack Ultra Plush or Double Roll, $6.99
$1/1 Quilted Northern Ultra Plush, exp. 8/14/13 (RP 07/14/13)
Final Price = $4.99
Pantene Shampoo, Conditioner, or Styling Aid, $3.99
$3/2 Pantene Shampoo, Conditioner or Treatment Product, exp. 8/31/13 (RP 08/04/13 #2)
Final Price = $1.99
Crest Pro Health Toothpaste, $2.99
$0.50/1 Crest Toothpaste, exp. 8/31/13 (P&G 07/28/13)
Final Price = $1.99
Schick Quattro or Extreme Razors, $7.39
$1/1 Schick Xtreme3, Schick ST2, Schick Slim Twin, or Schick Quattro, exp. 9/8/13 (SS 08/04/13)
Final Price = $5.39
Gold Bond Ultimate Lotion, $7.99
$1/1 Gold Bond Ultimate Product, exp. 9/22/13 (RP 08/04/13)
Final Price = $5.99
Chobani Greek Yogurt, $.99
Final Price = $.39
If I find any more good deals while I'm out I'll be sure to post them. Let me know if I missed anything or if you see something while you're out shopping that I didn't know about! Happy saving this week!
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.


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Free movement will end when Britain leaves the European Union in March 2019, the Immigration Minister has said.
Brandon Lewis said freedom of movement was one of the "core principles" of the EU, and that a new immigration system would be in place when Britain formally departs the union - two years after Article 50 was triggered.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Free movement of labour ends when we leave the European Union in the spring of 2019 - we're very clear about that."
Asked why free trade and single market access would not also end then, Mr Lewis said: "There's a period of negotiation we're going through with the European Union at the moment, but we're very clear that free movement ends - it's part of the core principles, the four key principles, of the European Union - when we leave."
Pressed on whether it was a red line to end free movement in March 2019, he said: "It's a simple matter of fact that the four key principles of the European Union include free movement - we won't be a member of the European Union when we leave."
His comments came after Home Secretary Amber Rudd announced she will commission the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to carry out a detailed analysis of the role of EU nationals in the UK economy and society.
Mr Johnson dismissed warnings about the complexity of the negotiations with the remaining EU states, comparing them to predictions of chaos caused by the Millennium Bug hitting computers at the start of the year 2000.
"I'm absolutely certain we are going to do a brilliant job of it and we will come through this thing with a fantastic future for the UK," said Mr Johnson.
"If Australia can have this future, so many thousands of miles from most of the other major centres of economic growth, why can't we? Little old us. We've got a few things going for us too.
"The whole thing about the Customs Union and the technical difficulties is all being turned by great superstition into the equivalent of the Millennium Bug. Does anyone remember the Millennium Bug? The newspapers say this thing is going to happen on this day, and everybody gets fixated about how the planes will fall from the sky and the lorries will be stuck at Dover and plasma supplies will be cut off or whatever.
"It's just not true. We will do a great deal. It's overwhelmingly in the interests of our friends and partners to do it. Yeah, there's going to be some arguments about money and about free movement of people and that kind of thing. We'll get it done."
Mr Johnson said that Australia provided an example of how Britain could prosper outside the EU.
He asked his audience to vote in a show of hands on whether they would have liked Australia to join the Common Market alongside the UK in the 1970s, finding that by a large majority they would not.
Mr Johnson said that that, like the British, Australians had always shown "a strong sense of national and political identity combined with a truly global outlook".
Had they joined the EU, they might have found their Polly Waffle and Violet Crumble chocolate bars banned and their wine boiled down for bio-ethanol fuel, he joked.
"I think we can look at Australia today and, after 26 years of continuous growth and with per capita GDP 25% higher than in the UK, I think we can say that it was not absolutely necessary for Australia to join the Common Market," said Mr Johnson.
"It is safe to say it wasn't necessary for Australia to join any bloc or grouping organised on the integrationist principles of the EU.
"When we look at the forward momentum of Australia over the last few decades, we can perhaps see why we British are inclined to take with a pinch of salt some of the very slight gloom and negativity emanated from some distinguished quarters about the decision of the British people to leave the EU and why we might be moved to reject their notion that little old Britain is too small, too feeble, too isolated to cope on its own."
Borrowing the popular Australian phrase warning against treating people like fools, Mr Johnson said: "They seem to think the UK is like some poor, wriggling crustacean about to be deprived of its shell. I say 'Don't come the raw prawn with me!"'


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posted by Adrian Foo | 2015-09-05 18:05:00
You are listening to Radio Aparato from Paraguay.
Here, you can listen to this radio station conveniently using your smart phone, iOS, iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows Phone or PC with an internet connection.
Radio Aparato Pop music Pop Asunción Asuncion Paraguay
- Station Information
- Location : Paraguay
- Pop,pop Music


text: New home sales jump to a 13-year high; mortgage applications increase by 4.1% Jul 27, 2020 June home sales rose to a 13-year high; mortgage applications increase by 4.1% "Low mortgage rates and pent-up demand from buyers drove sales of new houses to a 13-year high in June," said a July 24 HousingWire article. "Houses sold at the fastest pace since July 2007 as mortgage rates tumbled to record lows set last week." HousingWire also reported that mortgage applications increased 4.1% over the previous week. Mortgage rates rose slightly over the previous week, said Freddie Mac, but are still at near record lows. Housing market remains strong and mortgage rates will likely remain low Narin Seera, Vice President of Capital Markets Operations at Academy Mortgage, says: "Home prices continue to appreciate, albeit at a much slower pace than last year. The low rates observed today are expected to stay at these levels through the summer buying/selling season. These lower rates are providing a good impetus to prospective buyers and continue to bode well for new and existing home sales."


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Music + Adventure
The Caverns is a world renowned destination for live music and adventure caves open to explore and experience daily.
CaveFest at The Caverns, October 8th & 9th
Headliners Include Sam Bush, Leftover Salmon, The Infamous Stringdusters and Yonder Mountain String Band
2-day tickets for inaugural festival are on sale now!
Halloween at The Caverns
Visit The Caverns this month for Spooky Cave Tours on Oct 14th-16th and Oct 28th-30th, cave concert with Amos Lee on Oct 28th, Captain Cavejam's Underground Disco on Oct 29th, and a Movie Matinee with The Descent on Oct. 30th. Add a Spooky Cave Tour for just $10 with Underground Disco or Movie Matinee ticket purchase.
Experience a walking tour where only a few cavers have gone before! The Caverns has opened to the public a new otherworldly cave for daily guided tours. Explore an underground room 3 football fields long! Hear about geology, cave lore, and the unique history of Grundy County. Plus, our daily tours will take you behind-the-scenes of The Caverns world famous music venue and end with a photo op on the iconic stage. Want to go deeper? Challenge yourself with an Adventure Cave Tour.
The Greatest Show (Under) Earth
In Grundy County, Tennessee at the base of the Cumberland Plateau in the timeless Pelham valley, you'll find a naturally-occurring subterranean amphitheater inside The Caverns. This singular place has become a must-see destination for music fans from all over the world. Dive into our calendar, you're sure to find a concert to inspire your underground musical adventure. A concert in a cave—that's an experience you never forget!
Taped deep within our subterranean concert hall, The Caverns Sessions, formerly Bluegrass Underground, is a musical adventure series on PBS featuring both long-established and emerging artists within a broad spectrum of genres including roots-rock, jam band, R&B, country, soul, folk, Americana and bluegrass.
Sign up for our Email Newsletter
Get news and pre-sale access codes from The Caverns in your inbox!
Featured Shows
Check out our lineup and packages and curate your trip to The Caverns. Click on the "View All" button to see our full line-up. Remember any day below ground is a good day.
- 8:00pm
Sam Bush, Leftover Salmon, The Infamous Stringdusters, Yonder Mountain String Band
- 12:00pm
- 8:00pm
Package descriptions below are general descriptions. For detailed information see the specific description for the show you'd like to purchase tickets/packages for here.
The Monteagle Mountain Stay & Cave Package
Monteagle Mountain, just a fifteen-minute drive to The Caverns, is known for it's serene beauty and peaceful mountain air.
The Manchester Valley Stay & Cave Package
Manchester, Tennessee is just a short country drive to The Caverns and is known for its local amenities with close proximity to great outdoor attractions.
The Deep Dive Package
For those taking a day trip to The Caverns who are looking to maximize their experience and value—this is the package for you.
Common Questions
Dive into some common questions most of our guests have, come prepared, and get ready for an experience of the lifetime.
How Can I Purchase Tickets?
Tickets are available for all shows online here.
How Much Are Tickets?
Each show is priced differently; please see our ticketing page here for show pricing.
How Do I Get My Tickets?
All tickets are emailed to you. Please print your tickets prior to coming to the venue. If you're unable to print your tickets please go to Will Call located at the Welcome Center.
I bought a package, now what?
Once you purchase your package sit back, relax and let us do the rest! Watch your email for your show specific package details.


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Holiday Inn Express & Suites
A familiar, well-respected name, a host of thoughtful amenities, and clean, affordable comfort. These are many of the things that tourists and business travelers seek for their stay in Traverse City, and Holiday Inn Express & Suites delivers.
Located just minutes from the heart of downtown Traverse City, the property offers everything one could want from a national brand hotel. The rooms are clean and spacious. Guests can start their day with a complimentary hot breakfast, complete with waffles, sausage, and a variety of other hot and cold items, including the hotel's signature cinnamon rolls. The fitness center is perfect for an early morning or evening workout. The indoor pool and spa offer some welcome rest and relaxation at the end of a hectic day.
Of course, the real draw here is the hotel's convenient location to Traverse City's many attractions. Championship golf courses, ski resorts, wineries and breweries, plus downtown shopping, dining, beaches, and more are just a short drive away. In short, it's a place that offers all the comfort and convenience you could want for a memorable stay in Traverse City.


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Tag Archives: Valerie Jarrett
The Enemy Within: Understanding the McMaster NSC Purge, "Obama Holdovers-Islamic Terrorism-The Iran Deal"
The latest reports say that McMaster has a list of enemies who will be ousted from the NSC. And when that is done, the NSC will be a purely Obama-Bush operation. The consensus will be that the Iran Deal must … Continue reading
Shadow Government: How Obama Is Undermining Trump's Presidency
As the media continue to obsess about the Russians, and what influence they may have exerted during the presidential campaign, few reporters are taking a hard look at Obama's continued political influence over organized protests meant to undermine Trump. The … Continue reading


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02 May Spotlight of the month – Ian McKeown
I have been hunting Ian and his expertise down since the blog started over two years ago!
Ian and I played hockey for the same University and when I met my husband a few years after Uni it turned out he also knew Ian from playing Ulster U21 hockey together.
I am so happy to hear about his interesting job which to be fair, I never realised existed! We saw Ian and his wife Kristie at his brother Gareth's (who is also a PT at my gym, David Lloyd Belfast. Small world!) wedding.
Ian and Kristie are such a talented duo!
Name Ian McKeown
Age 34
Occupation Head of Athletic Development at Port Adelaide FC
Location Adelaide, South Australia
In a few lines tell us a bit about yourself, work, family, lifestyle etc.
I have the incredible fortune of working in the Australian Football League (AFL) – probably one of the most exciting and athletically impressive sports in the world for Port Adelaide FC. My role is wide ranging but basically it is to be responsible for the physical performance of the playing group, leading our team of strength and conditioning (S&C) coaches towards coaching and developing this playing group into the most athletic squad in the world. I still play a relatively large role in academia, supervising PhD and Honours candidates at the club, co-authoring papers and being expert advisor for many research groups around the world.
I moved to Australia almost 8 years ago now. I first came over to coach and complete my PhD at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra. Before this I worked in the Sports Institute of Northern Ireland as a strength and conditioning coach for around 5 years. I met my wife Kristie at the AIS – Kristie is a S&C coach and sports science coordinator for Cycling Australia's Olympic Track program, we got married 4 years ago and live happily in Adelaide with our 2 pups, Frankie and Joey.
Life for us revolves around sport with our roles taking us all over Australia and the world at certain times of the year. At home, life includes relaxing with a wine, enjoying good food, training hard, continual learning and reading, and of course, playing with the pups.
Can you tell us a bit about your sporting / fitness/ wellbeing background?
Like most young people I was in to everything as a kid however I really enjoyed rugby, cricket and hockey at school. Going on to play hockey internationally and cricket at provincial level.
My role now means I am very active throughout the day being part of several training sessions with the team during the day. Staying healthy and fit is very important from a physical and mental wellbeing point of view for me.
I have to train hard at least every other day to reset my mind and body, I do go through phases but I consistently will do anything from a really good stretch or mobility session right through to a heavy lifting session or a few hours on the bike through the beautiful Adelaide Hills.
What do you enjoy most about what you do now?
Where do I start?!, I have the best "job". I get to work with some of the best athletes in the world and in my biased opinion some very good humans too. When all is said and done I love coaching and helping people get better. I get to do this everyday, with a very demanding group across a wide range of environments. I look forward to arriving at the club every day and am very aware how special this is.
We do some really cool stuff and we only get to do this because of the fantastic buy-in and support the playing group gives the program we run.
How do you stay on track with your fitness goals? (diet, training with someone etc)
We try and eat as well as possible and do enjoy the occasional blow out. Diet for me is about making good decisions and being balanced about your attitude towards food.
In terms of fitness goals, I want to move exceptionally well and be very technically proficient in the environment in which I work everyday, there are always plenty of people around a football club who want to train hard or play something so training buddies isn't an issue.
How important is nutrition to you?
I certainly feel the difference when I do eat well compared to when I let things go. This is from a mental and physical point of view. Being disciplined all the time can be hard and a cheat meal every so often is a welcome thing, however preparation and a bit of planning goes a long way to keeping nutrition on point (or close to). Even a sniff of ice cream and it's game over, back to square one for me.
What is your favourite activity to do outside of sport/fitness?
At the minute I love heading to the beach. We live 20 minutes from the McLaren Vale in my opinion one of the best places in the world to relax and enjoy a great bottle of red. It's right on the coast with some of the best food to accompany any wine. I am a voracious reader too, I love to sit down and read, anything from a crime thriller through to ancient philosophy and meditation.
Where was the last place you holidayed?
Last year Kristie and I spent 2 weeks in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. After a busy year of AFL and Olympic travel we spent the days relaxing, drinking coffee, reading and trying to fit in with the locals. We both love NYC, being able to explore and live at our own pace is a great way to experience New York as anyone who has been certainly knows, you can swept up in the bustling, adrenaline-fueled craziness of the place.
Do you have any advice for your younger self?
This is always a really tough one for me. I think we are only where we are today because of the trials and tribulations we stumble through in earlier years. However, I'd probably say be strong and stay true to yourself, don't worry about what anyone else thinks, do what you think is right, and be brave!
If you had to choose one cheat meal what would it be?
I'd either go with a classic cheeseburger or a really good freshly made pizza followed by way too much ice cream. I have an addiction to Connoisseur Murray River Salted Caramel. Unfortunately I don't think this is available back home, my folks have hunted everywhere for it, I got them addicted on their last trip down under.
Where can people find you?
I am on Instagram (ian.mackers) and Twitter (@IanMackers).
Thank you Ian!
If you like my blog you have two options. You can get every post I have (normally three times a week max) to your inbox as they air. OR you can drop your e mail here on my website to get my fortnightly/sometimes monthly newsletter which includes some of my blogposts.


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Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Luis Alberto Moreno, have signed a US$100 million loan to finance a Macroeconomic Emergency Programme to protect economic and social progress.
After signing the document at Government Headquarters on Sunday, Ms. Mottley said the Special Development Loan was one of the first being granted by the IDB. The concessionary loan from an official lender is part of Government's overall debt and interest reduction strategy.
"It has been triggered by the IMF's backing of the Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT) Plan and reflects confidence in the path that the Government of Barbados has chosen to get out of the difficult economic circumstances we inherited….
"I have been telling the country for the past week that normal service is resuming. We have been travelling a road that allows us to see all of the right sign posts that tell us we are going in the right direction. We are not yet where we want to be, but we are confidently on our way to getting there," she stated.
The Prime Minister noted that the interest rates on the loan were significantly lower. "It also allows the country to create a buffer in our foreign reserves…. Once these funds are received from the IDB, the Government of Barbados will end this calendar year for the first time in a very long time with over $1 billion in reserves," she pointed out.
President Moreno said he came to Barbados in June this year and he and Prime Minister Mottley and their team outlined the way forward. Since then, he added, there were a number of changes in the country for the better, including the IMF backing of the BERT Plan.
"I know how difficult is the situation she [Prime Minister Mottley] inherited and I equally know when a country makes a decision to…bite the bullet it deserves all of the support from the international community….
"There is a growing confidence in the direction of many of the difficult but correct policies that Prime Minister Mottley is taking. We can see it already with what the rating agencies have done by upgrading the rating several notches to B- with a positive outlook going forward," he stated.
President Moreno thanked the team and Minister in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment, Marsha Caddle, saying that in a short period of time they worked out a number of critical details.
He noted that previously, Barbados had slowly executed its projects and there was about $150 million of outstanding loans. However, he pointed out that things were now happening and this year alone about $20 million would be spent on roads.
"We will be discussing with the Prime Minister other areas that we can start to prepare for next year. So, I think this is the opportunity to not only turn the page, to focus on the new Barbados but really to reform this State, to embrace this new technological revolution that we are in and to find new sources of growth for Barbados. That is the kind of challenge that we are committed to supporting," he told the Prime Minister.
This Special Development Lending Facility is a budget support lending instrument which was designed specifically to address macroeconomic crises and to protect social and economic progress while a country is restructuring its debt and economy. It builds a bridge to cover the country's financial needs in 2018 as Government prepares and implements key structural reforms.
The main objectives of the programme are to support the Government's efforts to regain macroeconomic stability; implement fiscal adjustment measures that foster a sustainable fiscal balance in the short and medium term; and protect social spending to safeguard social gains achieved.
The Ministry of Finance, Economic Affairs and Investment will act as the Executing Agency and will be responsible for the overall financial management and implementation of the programme.


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Across the world, kids are summoning the Great Beasts, the most powerful animals on Erdas. There is a man hunting the legendary beasts, and one side must fulfill their destiny and win. If the wrong side wins, the world will perish.
Tales of the Fallen Beasts (Spirit Animals: Special Edition) by Brandon Mull is another in the Spirit Animals series of books. This book is exciting and fast-paced. The author's writing is very descriptive and written from a narrator's point of view. The animals sometimes act like human beings but they always have their animal instincts and nature so their behavior is a little unpredictable. The animals are loyal to their masters.
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"I will help rescue your spirit animal, or die trying."
If you are a fan of the Spirit Animals series, you will not want to miss this book. If you are not familiar with the series, this may not be the best introduction to it as the book makes a lot of references to the other books. This book would be good for readers ages 9 to 11 who like animal and adventure stories.


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World Energy Joins NASDAQ
Worcester, MA-based World Energy, which runs online auctions for energy contracts as well as carbon emissions allowances, said today that its stock will be listed on the NASDAQ exchange under the ticker symbol XWES. Since its 2006 IPO, the company has traded only on the Toronto Stock Exchange, under the system XWE. "Gaining increased exposure to the U.S. investment community through a listing on NASDAQ has always been part of World Energy's capital markets strategy; I'm glad to say we have achieved this important milestone," CEO Richard Domaleski said in a statement.
Trending on Xconomy
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In a time when surfers prepare to set up a GPS speed world title, windsurfers and kitesurfers keep improving their longtime records.
Technology has evolved a lot and now wind riders are concentrating on getting the right conditions and make sure they are prepared to go for records.
Jacques van der Hout has just broken the Dutch GPS Speed national record, by reaching the incredible mark of 48,93 knots (90,61km/h). The speed windsurfer from secured the record in the Brace speed strip, in the North of Holland.
The forecast was not perfect, but van der Hout and Hans Kreisel drove 150 kilometers and to walked two kilometres, through the mud, to reach the speed strip. Fortunately, the wind angle was better than forecasted, tide was better than expected and the water was flat.
In a matter of 30 minutes, broke his country's speed record. Hans Kreisel also sailed very fast and improved his personal best by 2 km/h. Currently, they sit in the first and second place of the 2011 GPS worldwide rankings.
Also, this week, Oisin van Gelderen broke the Irish GPS Speed record, in Dungarvan.