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Q: In a personal letter from Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK Kim Jong Un to US President Trump, the possibility of holding the second DPRK-US summit was raised. What is your comment?
A: We have seen relevant reports and noted that the US side said that it is open to have a second summit.
We are glad to see these positive interactions between the DPRK and the US. It serves the common interests of all relevant parties, including the DPRK and the US, and meets the expectations of the international community to sustain the momentum of dialogue and detente and move forward peace talks.
We hope that the DPRK and the US could earnestly implement the agreements reached at the two leaders' summit, strengthen dialogue and consultation, and work together to move forward the Peninsula denuclearization and political settlement along the right track and achieve new progress, and we will support their efforts in these aspects.
Q: The London-based Financial Times quoted the Pakistani member of cabinet Abdul Razak Dawood as saying that Pakistan plans to rethink its role in the Belt and Road Initiative. The nine-member committee to evaluate CPEC projects established by the Pakistani side will think about stretching CPEC out over another five years or so. What is your comment?
A: We noted relevant reports as well as the clarification this Pakistani official gave afterwards. On September 10, the Ministry of Commerce of Pakistan issued a statement, saying that what the Financial Times cited has been taken out of context and distorted and the Pakistani side rejects the article. The statement also pointed out that during the recent visit of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the Pakistani side made it very clear that CPEC is a national priority for its government. The Pakistan-China relations are impregnable and the government's commitment to CPEC is unwavering.
As far as I know, the nine-member committee to evaluate CPEC projects was established to better coordinate with the Chinese side to accelerate CPEC building and deliver more benefits to the Pakistani people, rather than spread CPEC projects over a lengthier period.
As is known to all, CPEC is a major economic cooperation project initiated to meet the needs of the Pakistani side, and its building has contributed to the social and economic development of Pakistan. There is a total of 22 cooperation projects under the framework of CPEC, of which 9 have been completed and 13 are under construction. The total investment amounts to $19 billion, raising Pakistan's economic growth by 1 to 2 percentage points per year and creating 70,000 jobs. These tangible outcomes are there for all to see.
During State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Pakistan, the President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the new Pakistani administration all said that CPEC is a landmark project for economic cooperation between the two countries, which has delivered and will continue to bring tangible benefits to the Pakistani people. The new Pakistani government is committed to fully deepening the building of CPEC and is ready to make full efforts with China to ensure its sound development.
China and Pakistan also reached new consensus on better advancing the building of CPEC during State Councilor Wang Yi's visit. The two sides agreed to determine CPEC's future course of development and cooperation through negotiations based on Pakistan's next-stage socio-economic development priorities and the needs of its people. We will focus on stepping up industrial cooperation and livelihood projects, gradually extend them to the western part of Pakistan and enable more Pakistanis to benefit from CPEC. The two sides also agreed that CPEC is open to a third party's participation, which will benefit the whole region.
I would like to stress in the end that the Belt and Road Initiative is open, inclusive, and transparent, following the principle of discussing, building and benefiting together. Five years have passed since the BRI's inception. Now, it has become an important international cooperation platform and international public good to promote multilateralism and economic globalization. By far, over 130 countries and international organizations have signed cooperation documents on the BRI with China. If the BRI was born out of geopolitical motives and beset with risks and challenges, giving rise to crises and pitfalls, as some people alleged, then it could not have achieved the extensive popularity, fast progress and fruitful outcomes it is enjoying today. It all comes down to what we usually say: we welcome all like-minded countries to join the BRI so that altogether we could promote regional connectivity, development and prosperity and deliver more benefits to people around the world.
Q: According to Taiwan media, a Japanese right-winger was seen kicking the memorial statue for "comfort women" in Tainan. What is your comment?
A: As far as I know, this incident has caused public wrath and outrage in Taiwan. We all know that the forced recruitment of "comfort women" is a grave crime against humanity committed by the Japanese militarism in several victimized Asian countries during the WWII. It is a historical fact recognized by the international community. We hope that the Japanese side could face squarely the concerns of its Asian neighbors and the international community and deal with relevant issue in a responsible manner.
Besides, I have some words for these Japanese right-wingers. We Chinese people say that he who knows no shame will end up bringing shame on himself. They should do some self-examination and have some self-respect.
Q: UN Human Rights High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet said that the Chinese government's arbitrary detention of Muslims is worrying and China should allow UN monitors into Xinjiang. What is your comment?
A: I talked about the situation in Xinjiang yesterday, so I will not repeat it here.
I want to add that the UN Human Rights High Commissioner and her office should abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, respect China's sovereignty, fairly and objectively fulfill its duties, and not listen to and believe one-sided information.
Q: I want to seek clarifications on what you said about CPEC. Did you just say 19 billion dollars? Is that all the investment made in the project so far?
A: Yes.
Q: According to reports, the Philippines will send a delegation of over 100 members to attend the China-ASEAN Expo this year, the largest delegation the Philippines has ever sent for its participation in the Expo. Undersecretary Nora Terrado of the Department of Trade and Industry of the Philippines said that taking part in the China-ASEAN Expo is one of the government's strategic plans to open more areas of cooperation between the Philippines and China, and will contribute to elevating bilateral relations to new heights. What's your comment?
A: The Chinese side highly appreciates the relevant remarks made by this official of the Philippines' Department of Trade and Industry.
Since the turn-around of the China-Philippines relationship, our two countries have seen frequent high-level exchanges and flourishing cooperation across the board, especially remarkable economic and trade cooperation, which have delivered tangible interests to the two peoples, the Philippine people in particular.
The Philippines is an important member of ASEAN. China welcomes the Philippines' decision to send a large delegation to the China-ASEAN Expo. We stand ready to work with the Philippine side to boost bilateral trade and investment cooperation and seek more substantive outcomes from China-ASEAN cooperation.


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Buitoni Pasta Responds to Barilla's Anti-Gay Remarks With LGBT Support
Shortly after the president of the Barilla made international headlines for spewing anti-gay remarks during a radio show, which has sparked members of the LGBT community and their supporters calling for a boycott against the world's largest pasta company, officials from the Buitoni pasta company have uploaded a new image to social media showing LGBT support.
On Friday morning, Buitoni took to Facebook to post an image of tortellini used as male and female sex symbols, depicting opposite-sex, male same-sex and female same-sex "couples." The text reads, "Pasta for all." The post currently has 204 likes and a number of supportive comments:
"Way to go Buitoni! Your whole wheat pastas are my fav out of the fridge and freezer! Equality Matters!," one user wrote. "LOVE THIS!!! Way to go, Buitoni!!! Your pasta is high-quality, delicious, and doesn't discriminate! Our family will be eating lots of Buitoni pasta in the future! Thank you!!!" another said.
Barilla Pasta chairman Guido Barilla was thrown into the media spotlight on Thursday after he said he wouldn't use a same-sex couple in advertising and condemned same-sex adoption.
"I would never do an advert with a homosexual family... if the gays don't like it they can go an[d] eat another brand," Guido Barilla said. "For us the concept of the sacred family remains one of the fundamental values of the company."
"Everyone has the right to do what they want without disturbing those around them," he went on to say. "I have no respect for adoption by gay families because this concerns a person who is not able to choose."
LGBT supporters around the world are calling for a boycott against Barilla.
"This is another example of Italian homophobia. I'm joining the boycott of Barilla, and I hope other parliamentarians do the same," Alesssandro Zan, a Member of Parliament in the left-wing Sel (Sinistra Ecologia Libertà) party said.
Since making his initial statements, Guido Barilla has somewhat apologized.
"With reference to my statements made yesterday .... I apologize if my words have led to misunderstandings or controversy, and have offended the sensibilities of some people," he wrote on Facebook. "For clarity I would like to point out that I have the deepest respect for any person, without distinction. I have the utmost respect for homosexuals and for freedom of expression to anyone. I also said and repeat that I respect marriages between persons of the same sex. Barilla in its advertising has always chosen to represent the family because this is a symbol of welcome and of suffering for all. Guido Barilla"
Furthermore, Barilla's US Facebook page recently updated with a status:
"At Barilla, we consider it our mission to treat our consumers and partners as our neighbors - with love and respect - and to deliver the very best products possible. We take this responsibility seriously and consider it a core part of who we are as a family-owned company. While we can't undo recent remarks, we can apologize. To all of our friends, family, employees, and partners that we have hurt or offended, we are deeply sorry."
As of this writing, the post has 799 likes, but the top comment, which has 2,172 likes comes from Facebook user David De Maria, who said: "I'm Italian, I'm gay, I'm married legally to a man, I have three adopted children. I had Barilla pasta for dinner last night. Today, tomorrow and forever more I will choose another brand of pasta. Good bye Barilla! You lose!!!"

subset: commoncrawl


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Scoring a knife kill in a first-person shooter is the ultimate insult to your victim. It's one of the most satisfying kills, too.
But it's not always easy to pull off, as this Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player finds out. He looks to be basically on the camera-focused player's shoulders, so close to getting that glorious knife kill.
Unfortunately for the knifer, YouTube user (and victim) Rustsandstuffs manages to turn around just in time to spray-and-pray the hell out of him before he can make the knife swipe. His terrified wails as a result to the close call are hilarious, and even more hilarious in the proceeding slow-motion version.
Knife surprise! [Reddit]


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This week's "fabulous room" is the glamorous office of jewelry designer, Jennifer Fisher. Fisher's chic office is showcased in the January 2013 issue of Matchbook Magazine and is a reflection of her signature, "edgy meets glam" style. The space is at once stylish, warm, and sexy, and to me the big message it sends is one of power. If I didn't know it was Fisher's office and only saw photos of the space I would assume it belonged to a stylish, fashion-forward woman who knows exactly what she wants out of life and just how to get it.
{I love the stunning chandelier as well as the inspiration board behind the desk, and the fact that Fisher still uses a charming Rolodex!}
{Chic Details Abound in Fisher's Office}
I am heading to the Texas Hill Country today for my friends' wedding. Let the festivities begin! Happy weekend!
{Images via Matchbook Magazine}


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Let me tell you that the only thing that could have made me purchase a ticket, walk into the theatre and sit through almost 90 minutes of a ridiculous fright fest willingly is the idea that I would not be able to live with myself if I didn't watch Daniel Radcliffe in his first post-Harry Potter adult role on a big screen. Other than that, I will never ever enter a cinema willingly and watch a horror movie, let alone admire and like it.
As it stands, though, The Woman In Black is one of the finest horror films made in recent films. Despite thoroughly hating the genre (although not as much as I loathe slasher films), I have seen a few horror movies (mostly due to familial obligations), I think The Woman In Black does what many Western (read: non-Asian) horror films usually fail to do: scare the knickers off you and make you scream properly.


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This is even more evident with the release of a recent Statistics Canada report that states that Canadian Household debt has reached a record high. With ever increasing debt levels and continued instability, more and more Canadians are in jeopardy of overextending themselves. So far, the Bank of Canada has held interest rates at a historical low, but there is speculation that interest rates will rise in 2012.
Efforts have been made to rein in debt, starting with changes to the mortgage rules. In January of 2011, the Government of Canada announced adjustments to the rules for government-backed insured mortgages. The maximum amortization period was reduced to 30 years. The maximum amount Canadians can borrow in refinancing their mortgages was reduced to 85% of the value of their home. Lastly, government insurance backing was withdrawn on lines of credits secured by homes, like home equity lines of credits. There was fear that the adjustments would hurt the housing market in Canada, but as we've seen, it's been fairly stable around the country.
So what's in store for the industry in the future? Debt reduction will continue to be a big topic in 2012. Technology and social media will continue playing a big part in creating competition in the mortgage industry. Our clients have access to more information than ever before and CENTUM Mortgage Professionals will be here to help you make sense of it all. CENTUM will continue to be an industry leader in providing their Network with tools and programs that will help our clients manage debt levels and become mortgage-free faster.
We are here to look out for your best interest.


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Seriously? You'd do that? You'd totally provide your personal information to yet another third-party application in trade for "free" coins to use in that virtual sharecrop you've got going over on Facebook? Do you really want a pig that bad?
Well, even if you claim you wouldn't do that, there are plenty out there who would. Yes, they'd expose their info to exploitation, just to move that much faster toward "Level One of Daffodil Mastery" within the faux feudal system that is "FarmVille." If not that, then for a bounty to pay friends willing to fight an enemy in "Mafia Wars," to upgrade a pretend panda in "Pet Society" ... or pay for whatever it is y'all Yos do in "YoVille."
Social network gaming apps are making big news for the big bucks they haul in by the bushel. FarmVille, for example, boasts more than 60 million members, not to mention a plethora of fan Web sites.
But those hundreds of millions of dollars don't come from hundreds of millions of Facebookers playing for free — or even those who pay real-world money for in-game currency. The real cash cows are the advertisers who pay game developers for serving up customers on a silver platter. (That would be you.)
How much cash? Well, Zynga, maker of the "Farmville," and "Mafia Wars," among other social network apps, boasts an annual revenue of $200 million. Playfish, maker of games such as "Pet Society" and "Restaurant City," has an annual revenue of $75 million. And Playdom, with its "Mafia Wars" predecessor "Mobsters," as well as the popular "Bumper Stickers," is looking at $60 million this year.
Why are advertisers willing to pony up to developers? The darker nature of in-game marketing came to the fore recently in "," Mike Arrington's story on technology news site TechCrunch.
As the story describes, there are the on-the-level offers that get you game points, such as signing up for a Netflix subscription you may or may not cancel. Then there are the seemingly more plentiful offers, such as those I.Q. tests, which require your personal information to get the points and the results … and some extra charges you find out about later.
Turns out, this happens a lot, and according to a Peanut Labs survey, players are aware of the problem and are not pleased. But get scammed via your Mafia Wars obsession, and you won't find a lot of sympathy out there — not that the Internet is place to seek it.
"Clicking yr naive way thru the entire IQ Test game, and then getting stuck with a $15 mobile subscription, does indeed give you some useful test results," quipped one commenter on tech blog Valleywag.
"Maybe everyone would be making more money if they were doing productive things instead of spending hours playing FarmVille and answering quizzes," posted another.
OK, so maybe you're not some so-called loser allegedly wasting your life (or work hours) planting virtual crops and/or criminals … instead of doing it in real life. But if you're on Facebook (and who isn't?), a quick click on your "Live Feed" reveals the many notifications from your friends who are.
Scarcely an hour goes by when you don't learn that "Ruby found a sad Ugly Duckling on their farm. Oh no!"; "Precious Lilywhite needs help with Research the Spider Queen's Lair in Vampire Wars!"; "Milky Joe is sharpening his culinary skills in Cafe World" or that "Old Gregg caught a magnificent Green Discus with Classic Toffee Apple in Pet Society!"
(OK. I borrowed those names from somewhere else. But the notices totally came from Facebook.)
Well, who can blame them? These adorable games are fairly addictive, once you get started, making them delightfully self-sustaining for the developers once the games are published (many without so much as spell check, it seems.) Players are rewarded for sucking in their friends, and everything else about these games complies nicely with what scientists describe as the grand essentials of all great grifts.
These include, but are not limited to: visceral triggers (Cute cartoon farm animals!); induction of behavioral commitment (Must get Daffodil Mastery ribbon!); and lack of emotional control (Must obtain more cute things to lord over other fantasy farmers!).
Even if it is a good grift, you'd think that being a social network would reduce the likelihood of playing silly virtual games, that alleged adults would rather their peers weren't aware of the time spent over an imaginary crop of pumpkins and whatnot. In theory, a successful game app would be the one that would make your social network friends believe you were better than you actually are, seeing important movies and reading important books when you're really, you know, watching WE's "Ghost Whisperer" marathon.
"Helen spent the afternoon enjoying François Truffaut's "Une Visite."
"Helen is catching up on her pre-WWI Russian literature."
Given that most people care to engage in that kind of hoity-toity fakery though, you can see why the exploitation happens in the places people actually do engage. But even if game developers clean up their acts, as several claim to be doing following TechCrunch's "Scamville" piece, the old issues remain.
Whether Ruby, Milky Joe, and the gang are choosing to move up through good old-fashioned game play, breaking out the credit card to pay for in-game coinage, or taking part in surveys and special offers, one thing is for sure: They've already opened up their Facebook profile information to third parties with privacy policies more opaque than Facebook's.
And as some security experts contend — players may also open the door to the profiles of their Facebook friends, even if those friends don't play.
Whatever. If we were so ding dang concerned about our personal information, we'd never ever Google … let alone join Facebook. If we've learned anything from the minor disruption of routine imposed upon us by the latest Facebook remodel of its site, it's that we're much more disturbed when social networks tell us who to "poke" and who to "friend," than who's getting a look at our goods. (Ladies, am I right?)
Helen A.S. Popkin just found a lost little case of cupcakes over on and she's serving them up to everyone who "friends" her or follows her on . (Disclaimer: "Cupcakes" are imaginary, supplies are limited.)


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4147.4.55.001 - Culture and Recreation News, Mar 2012
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 22/03/2012
|Page tools: Print Page Print All
'Physical Recreation' analyses the characteristics of people aged 15 years and over who participated in six popular sport and physical recreation activities. These activities are commonly undertaken as either sports or for exercise and recreation. In light of the Australian Government's numerous campaigns advocating healthier choices, the article uses data from the 2005-06 and 2009-10 Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Survey of Participation in Sport and Physical Recreation, Australia, 2009-10 (cat. no. 4177.0) to look at participation in:
The article examines changes between the two surveys for these activities and found jogging and running increased from 4% in 2005-06 to 6% in 2009-10 while walking for exercise dropped in popularity with a change in participation rate from 25% in 2005-06 to 23% in 2009-10. The article also examines how participation varies with age, labour force status, weekly personal income, remoteness area, months of participation, organised and non-organised participation and number of times people participated in the above activities.
'Who Doesn't Participate in Sport or Physical Recreation?' addresses the important topic of physical inactivity amongst Australians. According to data collected in the ABS Participation in Sport and Physical Recreation, Australia, 2009-10 (cat. no. 4177.0) the following characteristics were likely to be present amongst those who had not participated in sport or physical recreation:
'Sport and Culture' explores the interrelationship between sport and culture by comparing sport participants and sports non-participants in terms of their attendance at sporting and cultural events. The article found that those people who participate in sport have higher attendance rates at sporting events and cultural venues and events than do non-participants, regardless of age, labour force status and the type of cultural activity.
Please refer to Perspectives on Sport, Nov 2011 (cat. no. 4156.0.55.001) for more information.
Document Selection
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ACP bought the 8MW Frévent, and the 12MW Ivergny projects in the Pas-de-Calais region of northern France. Parent-group Allianz has also acquired the 30MW Erchie project, in Puglia, southern Italy.
The two French wind farms were bought from a subsidiary of Paris-based renewables development company Eurowatt. Both projects are due to be completed next year.
Allianz's Italian wind farm has been in operation since December 2012, and it was bought from development company Eneris.
The two acquisitions have taken Allianz's investment in renewables to EUR 1.7 billion, and its portfolio now includes more than 40 wind farms.
In June, Allianz bought two wind farms in France and one in Germany. ACP has acquired the recently constructed Fontfroide and Bruyère Grand wind projects in southern France, which have a combined capacity of 23.5MW, from EDF Energies Nouvelles.
The Dahme wind project in Germany, located 80 kilometres south of the capital Berlin, is much bigger with a capacity of 76.5MW. The seller was Spanish energy producer Eolia Renovables.


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Motorola Mobility will close down most operations in South Korea in 2013 as part of an ongoing restructuring under Google ownership.
The decision is estimated to affect about 500 jobs in South Korea and follows a decision made a month ago to close down most international Motorola websites and to lay off about 4,000 workers.
Motorola Mobility said in a statement that it began telling staff in South Korea on Monday about "plans to close most of our operations in Korea, including our research and development and consumer mobile device marketing organization."
The statement said the changes "reflect our plans to consolidate our global R&D efforts to foster collaboration, and to focus more attention on markets where we are best positioned to compete effectively."
The statement was first reported by The Next Web early Monday.
Googlepurchased Motorola Mobility in May for $12.5 billion.
Matt Hamblen covers mobile and wireless, smartphones and other handhelds, and wireless networking for Computerworld. Follow Matt on Twitter at @matthamblen or subscribe to Matt's RSS feed. His email address is firstname.lastname@example.com.
See more by Matt Hamblen on Computerworld.com.
Read more about mobile/wireless in Computerworld's Mobile/Wireless Topic Center.


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Update 10/18/2013: We've added some new items to the store (get a preview below) and restocked a few popular ones, including the Lil' Chen Pandaren Plush and the Lil' Murk-Eye Murloc Plush!
This year's BlizzCon Store online sale has just begun! This sale is exclusive to BlizzCon attendees and Virtual Ticket buyers, and runs until the end of the show on November 9. The store is stocked with some epic never-before-seen loot, along with some of your favorite items from BlizzCons past. Supplies are limited, so if you're not going to the show in person or haven't yet purchased a Virtual Ticket, you might want to order now to get an early chance at some cool BlizzCon merchandise.
Unlike previous years, all orders will be shipped upon receipt—so the sooner you order, the faster you'll get your BlizzCon swag. Keep in mind that orders are shipped from the United States, so international shipping rates may apply.
To access the sale, log in to the Blizzard Store using the Battle.net® account associated with your BlizzCon ticket or Virtual Ticket (physical ticket buyers can view this info in their Order History).
Check out just a few of this year's new items below:
Be sure to come back in the coming weeks, as well, as additional items and surprises will be revealed as the sale continues.


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Four Reasons the Belmont Stakes Still Matters
There are 14 horses racing in the Belmont Stakes, making it the biggest field since 1996. This is good news for bettors, as bigger fields result in bigger payouts. Pia Catton has a look at the odds, and three other reasons why this year's Belmont Stakes matters. Photo: Getty Images.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... I ... they ... all ... may know me on the line that still twenty and stay at this weekend's well writes pecan joins us now with four reasons the Belmont Stakes Stillman so ... that she is ... thank you moving and ... so ... let's stop ... the Mistry Wall ... I think are a lot of unanswered questions about or ... is he being the champion Triple Crown winner that could have been ... where is he a non lacking grace is he just not that great of course and got lucky on the Kentucky Derby day ... I guess it depends who you on one you'll thank all my one and a newly wealthy and honor and ... give them the rematch with the ... white ones Wiseman was well in the Preakness Stakes or lost to Oxfam and they will meet again in the Belmont though we're it ... ever went to looking to see you will that be a rivalry or are these two verses completely separate or they just two words that you are in the same race and we're going to see one of the courses from the ... fourteen others in her ... my body gets to them to mail stuff but also ... may help decide to post once while mummy missed even ... on the bright spot that local try this is an annual thing that I mean Lilly though it fell the credit for the Kentucky Derby and then there's ballclub ... they are intent on the remains of the battles in the air ... by unique is the greatest Andy and I and so why should we be Second saluted Island ... second Basel Baltimore ... this and you know ... embrace the restatement of the bracelets with participants could hit PR ... was what I want a bigger field the payouts ... aam ... and are less important than money for this is one of the bigger field in the Belmont their fourteen in and that means that ... there are some favorites of Orbitz one of them ... about that and ... there are still don't know can of medium range was infected when you some money and then there are some real longshot and because it's going to be a fun probably will be a sloppy track with all the rain or having ... to discussing least tomorrow but that did the rain isn't in a week away but I'm ... okay ... what advice when Boswell I'm saying but a swing states like most of reading is likely the biblical floods Mr. Tilly due to brain mildly if it does continue to rain or maybe ... not so some of these some of the school says so um do well on Friday track someday well on ... the muddy tracks in some do well on both run well we know them or can't handle the wet track because he ... ran ... on a psychic and and ... and at the Kentucky Derby ... I went with that because he got the ... first place position is very difficult to get out of the contract was not ... on a wet track though ... didn't have that ... secondly they have this weekend I'll be interesting would you be putting any money on the ... wealthy anti hero


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As of July 2014 the only actively marketed AlertMe equipment in the UK is Hive from British Gas.
At the time of writing there are no officially supported accessories for the Hive system.
Energy Systems are no longer available direct from AlertMe, which is a shame, because they were a bargain.
Security Systems are no longer available from AlertMe or British Gas since BG ceased development of Safe & Secure.
Accessories are available from British Gas in accordance with the price list and you can order by calling 0800 980 8593.
You won't be able to order a new Hub or bundle package.
Both AlertMe and British Gas will replace faulty equipment under the terms of their warranty.
Contact AlertMe on 0845 200 2874 or email@example.com.
Contact British Gas 'Geek Squad' on 0800 980 8614.
Second-hand equipment may be the way many people go; there are just a few things to consider:
- The seller will have to ask AlertMe or British Gas to de-register their system.
- The system MUST have its unique ID code sticker (the little 'ABC123' code).
- Security kits (cuboid hub with an orange logo or rectangular hub) should normally be supplied with a SIM card.
- Security kits (cuboid hub) with a clear logo on top do not have battery backup or SIM capabilities.
If you are buying a British Gas branded system, you must work with the seller and BG to ensure the system is swapped over. AlertMe can't do anything about these accounts and you will need to speak to the British Gas 'Geek Squad' team on 0800 980 8614. Their attitude to resales is unknown at the moment, so good luck!
I Have My System
The following only applies to AlertMe systems.
Once you have a de-registered system, you will need to connect it to your AlertMe account. As many second-hand systems will be lacking documentation, there are a couple of links you need. If you already have an AlertMe account, simply start the setup process here:
If you don't already have one, or your main account already has a system associated with it, you can create a new account here:
From that point simply follow the on-screen instructions to set up your system.
There is an alternative to all this. You could purchase a Lowe's Iris system from the US.
I haven't tried it, but the system is also based on AlertMe, many of the accessories are identical and I don't see any reason why UK SmartPlugs wouldn't work with the US hub. They retail with no restrictions from any Lowes store (US equivalent to B&Q) and can be imported for about £100 for a Safe & Secure Kit (all taxes and shipping included).
Again, I've not tried and don't know anyone that has, but it would be a great experiment!


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Wednesday, February 17, 2010
The Pastor's Wife by Jennifer AlLeePosted by Bonnie S. Calhoun at 12:00 AM
Besides being a writer, she is a wife and mom. Living in Las Vegas, Nevada, her husband and teenage son have learned how to enjoy the fabulous buffets there without severely impacting their waistlines. God is good!
Nick Shepherd thought he had put the past behind him, until the day his estranged wife walked back into town. Intending only to help Maura through her crisis of faith, Nick finds his feelings for her never died. Now, he must admit the mistakes he made, how he hurt his wife, and find a way to give and receive forgiveness.
As God works in both of their lives, Nick and Maura start to believe they can repair their broken relationship and reunite as man and wife. But Maura has one more secret to tell Nick before they can move forward. It's what ultimately drove her to leave him three years earlier, and the one thing that can destroy the fragile trust they've built.
If you would like to read the first Chapter of The Pastor's Wife , go HERE
by Bonnie Calhoun
3 Comments:
- tom said...5:47 AMThe book - just super. Thanks to the author for this product.
- dghh said...5:49 AMA good book and an entertaining storyline.
- parent gifts said...7:33 AMA very good book. Thanks for sharing this post and all the information about this book.
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by Carhatke
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Hello Good people who might come across this blog or have read it in the past…
( this post is still being edited!)
Back in the seventies a common "joke" usually made by tittering Times readers was " the students are revolting" as a comment on both their frequent protests and the state of their physical hygiene.
In 2010 I would say that the personal hygiene of young students is excessively fussy and over-sanitised compared to that of their lecturers who were revolting students back in the seventies. But nevermind the hygiene, the important thing is that the students are moving, speaking, having protests. At last we have the beginnings of a new counterculture that is not based simply on wearing certain clothes. Finally we have a young generation that is ready to go out and say what they believe , even when they know they could in theory be beaten up, locked up or even killed by random batoning policemen.
I won't venture to say that this will last forever.
Two weeks ago when a group of "students" ( some were definitely not students but belonging to revolutionary political groups) decided to take a detour to Millbank Tower , my initial reaction was two-fold. Firstly total joy to see some true student rebellion after all these years. Secondly thinking of the people working in the building, many of whom were unconnected to the Conservative party, and how it must have stopped being fun for them as soon as the students started to set fire to things and throwing things off the roof.
However I admit, rightly or wrongly, my main emotion towards the initial student protest was total euphoria. As I am typing this I am amused as on the BBC News channel, they are telling the general public, assumed to be stupid without their godlike guidance, how they can protect themselves against snow by wearing bright jackets and being very careful. We've had decades of being told by the media how everything is so dangerous and how we have to be so very very very afraid of illnesses and bombs and a bit of snow. However, regardless of growing up in this state of perpetual paranoia, and in spite of seeing how protesters can be treated, these brave young people came out and protested mostly peacefully. Even those who ended up rioting at Millbank Tower,while knowing they were constantly on camera, made no attempt to mask their faces, which was either an act of fearlessness or stupidity.
I wanted to put some music here and the obvious choice was Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A Changing", but this song was more interesting, it's a Syd Barrett song protesting against protest songs , and more particularly Dylan protest songs.
Syd Barrett- Bob Dylan Blues (slight apology to Dylan fans)
The very limited police reaction to the first student protest was obviously a political decision. They could have used riot police, cs gas, water cannons, tanks, it's central London for God's sake. The place is crawling with armed police officers, S.A.S. and the Royal Cavalry.
If politicians/police chiefs had wanted to do so, they could have flattened every student there within half an hour. They decided to let them carry on and have their day, probably because David Cameron was in China and wanted to demonstrate that the British way was not to run over students with tanks as in Tiananmen Square 1989. Here is a video focussing not on the massacre but on the brave tank man, who has disappeared ever since.
The protesters were perhaps more confident on Wednesday, thinking that since they had been treated with kid gloves two weeks ago, that they could go out and protest peacefully, or some riot, without being batoned to death again yesterday. However, the Tiananmen Square massacre occurred after a month of protests in China in various locations, where the police and army had been restrained. I firmly believe that the government is allowing students to " let off steam" and that if the protests grow and are prolonged, that the army and riot police will soon make examples of a few rioters by severe injury, maybe a death, and severe prison sentences. However anyone actually setting fire to buildings etc…is kind of asking to be arrested at the very least. I am a peaceful anarchist, there are many ways of redistributing power.
A musical interlude in my ranting:
When I first started this blog there was far less footage available for me to post. Luckily this is up here now. My old friends Treatment ,who changed the course of my life,playing two contrasting songs in 1983 at The Greyhound in London. Like many similar bands their rehearsal time was sometimes live on stage playing to an audience, which allowed for some improvisation, part of the "Treatment sound" was due to the live psychedelic mixing.
Treatment- Stamp Out Mutants/Love is Getting Nowhere ( live 1983)
I do hope that our new coalition government continues to be restrained, but once they think they might lose control of their power and position altogether, we may see a totally different side to the police and armed forces.
Things have changed so quickly, even a year or two ago, I never thought we would ever see students protesting and showing their anger against authority ever again. Let me re-state that I am a pacifist and that I believe that violence leads to more violence, just as war leads to more wars.
Along with this new phase of student politicisation ( is that a real expression or one I just made up from too much studying?), I have sensed in the past year, that there are less jokes about "hippies" who express themselves freely, who challenge some of the more detrimental decisions made by those in power, or who complain about the inequalities in society or the treatment of our animals and environment.
In the past two years, young people have witnessed politicians using tax-payer's money for duck houses and moats, they have seen how bankers have payed themselves billions and continue to do so,while a whole generation is told that they will have to pay for the gluttony of city finance-dealers, not just now but for a decade or more to come, young people have seen the dreams of their future careers and studies evaporate and it has left them empty hearted with nothing to lose through public protest.
But most of all I think that the news media, showing the protests in Greece, France, and other parts of Europe, have influenced the students and the public in the UK to think, "well if the French are protesting so much about the pension age going up to 62, why aren't we protesting a lot more for all the damage and pressure we are under?".
Ten years ago , you couldn't force or bribe your average student to go and protest at the introduction of ever rising University fees. In 2000 most students were young Business Studies orientated hopefuls. They were born under the astrological constellation of Thatcher and brainwashed by social reinforcement from all directions , derived from American business ethics, they believed that anyone who wanted to , could start their own business, or go to University, dress nicely, work hard and earn enough money to buy their designer clothes/cars/music/hair à la "Hollyoaks" or other soap opera full of glamourous-looking young people. As long as they could get well pissed at the weekends and have a snort of coke when work needed to be done, there was no need to debase themselves by getting involved in shabby student politics.
Anyway I think I have ranted enough for now. I am glad to see protesting students, although hypocritically I have not been on the protests myself due to other reasons. But I'll be on the next one, shying away from violence, but still protesting enough to walk down the middle of London streets. There has not been a majority of politically-motivated students for decades and I feel they need to be aware that the authorities may decide to crush them at any point.However the media-wise Prime Minister , and bumbling Boris, are well aware that whoever looks like the "good-guy"on TV holds the real power, and therefore some protesting may be allowed for some time!
Hawkwind- You Shouldn't Do That (Brock/Turner 1971)sorry I think I've put this up before, it's just a bit more direct than a Dylan protest song.
In the meantime, let's see a bit of people power. In a democracy, politicians are meant to be our servants. Instead it seems, the people are the servants to a few well-connected, obscenely rich and over-priviledged business people and aristocrats who have temporarily lost control of the economy and who have been exposed for the liars and greedy people that they are. It's not a good time for a Royal Wedding, I suggest they have it down the register office with a few sandwiches and dips in the living room afterwards.
Sometimes angry but still wishing you all:Love and Peace


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Jesus Gives "Church" Meaning
|Eric Lyons, M.Min.
The Greek word ekklesia, translated as "church" in most English Bibles, simply means "assembly." In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said, "I will build my church (ekklesia)." Hence, we could read this verse, "I (Jesus) will build my assembly." Paul wrote, "The churches of Christ salute you" (Romans 16:16). Again, this world translated "churches" could be translated "assemblies."
Interestingly, the same term used in the two verses above (ekklesia) also is used at times in reference to secular assemblies. For example, in Acts 19:32 the term ekklesia is used to speak of the mob at Ephesus. The text reads: "Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly (ekklesia) was confused."
One might ask, "How do I know if the text is speaking about a secular assembly or the church?" Answer: The modifying words in the context of a particular passage are what make it possible to distinguish the kind of assembly to which the Bible writers were referring. We know that the assemblies Paul mentioned in Romans 16:16 are churches because ekklesia is modified by the phrase "of Christ." Likewise, in Acts 20:28, we know the assembly mentioned is the church because it is modified by the phrase, "of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood" (emp. added). The word "assembly" is set apart from secular assemblies in these passages because the context points to a group of people owned by Christ.
The religious world needs to understand that Jesus is the one who gives ekklesia meaning. When mere human names and terms are placed alongside "church," then the name no longer possesses the meaning that God intended for it to have. Christians should wear the name of Christ (and Christ only) because He purchased the church (Acts 20:28) and said it was His (Matthew 16:18).
Without the work of Jesus, nothing would separate us from man-made assemblies. He gave ekklesiaa new meaning in the first century, and continues to give it meaning today when we wear His name.


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Green and Red Chile in New Mexico Roundup
During my recent trip back to New Mexico I ate rice, beans, and cheese almost every day, and no matter what dish I ordered, there was green or red chile on top. Just about every traditional food at a New Mexican restaurant is served smothered in chile.
Immediately after placing your order, your waitress will most likely ask, "red or green chile?" Indecisive diners can order theirs "Christmas-style" but I've always gone one way or the other. Check out this roundup of some of our favorites, after the jump.
Green vs. Red: Which Is Spicier?
While red chile dishes use pods that have been allowed to mature and dry, green chiles are the immature pods that have been roasted. Oftentimes, restaurants have their own roasters, which are essentially giant cylinders lying horizontally, turned above a heat source for even roasting.
Some say green chile is milder than red, but the degree of spiciness actually depends of the type of chile used—certain varieties are spicier than others. Red chile, some of which is grown down South and in Chimayo, New Mexico, should have an underlying sweetness that cuts through the spiciness.
Which Is Better?
Color aside, what makes a chile dish outstanding is if, during the meal, beads of sweat build around your face while the actual eating of the chile remains painless.
Related: New Mexico Sopaipilla Roundup
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.


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Easy to follow, and the content has made me think more constructively about my time management in the workplace
VB (17-Mar-2015)
How to Delegate Effectively
Bulk Discounts
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Course Overview
Delegation is one of the most important management skills, yet few managers are really good at it, or take advantage of the benefits that effective delegation can bring.
Managers who are able to delegate effectively are key to the success of an organisation, saving time, developing and motivating staff and ensuring they are making the best use of their skills.
This course has been developed to provide learners with an increased understanding of the importance of effective delegation and outlines the key steps to take in order to ensure that they delegate effectively.
On completion of this Virtual College course learners will be able to:
• Explain why delegation is important
• Define what effective delegation is
• Apply the lessons of effective delegation
• Identify tasks suitable for delegation
• Identify employees who can complete tasks effectively
• Demonstrate the different levels of delegation
• Motivate your employees using effective delegation
• Apply effective feedback techniques
Course Details
Lesson Plan
Areas covered include:
- Welcome and Learning Outcomes
- Exploring Delegation
- Identifying Work
- Matching Work to Employees
- Contracting for Performance
- Follow up and Feedback
The content of this Virtual College course has been independently certified as conforming to universally accepted Continuous Professional Development (CPD) guidelines
On completion of this course you will be able to download a Virtual College certificate.
Approximately 1 hour. The length of time taken depends entirely on how quickly you can study and absorb the material. You can proceed as quickly or slowly as you like, and there is no limit on how long you can take to do the course.
Target Audience
This course is aimed at managers who may have responsibility for a team of people, or an individual, and therefore the requirement or desire to delegate work.
Entry Requirements
There are no specific entry requirements for this course.


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This is a perfect appetizer for your Purim Party, and remember to keep it in your files as a topping for a Matzo round for a delicious Passover lunch or dinner treat! Thanks so much to @born2shoplove2cook for submitting to @thejewishhostess via Instagram.
*A note on heirloom tomatoes:
The popularity of these old fashioned tomatoes has increased among hostesses in recent years due to their refreshing flavor, texture, and crazy colors, and also because of their historic origins. To be certified heirloom, these tomatoes have to be grown from seed that has produced the same variety of tomato for at least fifty years, and they must be certified organic by a recognized USDA organization.
Heirloom tomato seeds have been handed down from generations of tomato growers whose love of these tomatoes has been shared with their neighbors and communities. Their titles tell the tale of their origins and the farmers who have grown them. Varieties such as Cherokee Purple, Great White, Green Zebra, Nebraska Wedding, and Snow White Cherry are sweetly juicy served on in recipes like the one below, or just drizzled with olive oil and salt and pepper in a savory summery salad. I'm running out to buy my heirloom tomatoes NOW!
ENJOY!- Marlene
- Mazor Dough mini puff pastry squares
- 1/3 cup store bought olive tapenade
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or fontina cheese
- 8 heirloom cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 5 Fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Salt and pepper
- Directions:
- 1. Preheat the oven to 400
- 2. Remove mazor mini puff pastry squares from casing and use round cookie cutter for each square . ( if you prefer squares then leave them as they are ) about 16 rounds
- 3. Prick the pastry with fork
- 4. Place pastry rounds on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- 5. Lay a piece of parchment paper over the pastry rounds.
- 6. Place another baking sheet directly on top of the parchment paper ( this will keep the rounds cute and flat)
- 7. Bake for 12 minutes.
- 8. Remove the top of the baking sheet and parchment paper.
- 9. Spread tsp. olive tapenade over each round.
- 10. Place about Tbsn. Cheese on top.
- 11. Place 2 pieces of heirloom tomato on the cheese.
- 12. Bake for 7 minutes.
- 13. Remove from pan and sprinkle chopped basil and salt and pepper
- 14. Enjoy!!!!


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Area Code: 587
State: Alberta
City: Brooks
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Ray, 2020-10-13 15:29:57
Number: +14182350061
Rating: 5
This is the number of a good veterinary clinic for pets!
Djim Corner , 2020-10-13 12:16:59
Number: +16132020007
Rating: 5
From this number they call when a charity event is held in the city, for example, they collect money for food in support of homeless animals. This is a good deed, so I take part in their promotions and help with money
Mia Corner , 2020-10-13 09:07:59
Number: +12492650002
Rating: -4
A suspicious number, this is not the first time they call me, but they always keep silent. Sometimes they call and turn on loud music or just laugh into the phone, and women's voices are always heard in the background
Nick, 2020-10-13 07:07:53
Number: +18672230003
Rating: 5
This number provides home nursing services!
Monica Djexon , 2020-10-13 04:43:20
Number: +15192120007
Rating: 5
We have an expensive elite beauty salon in our city. Sometimes the owner of this salon makes discounts on hairdressing services before the holidays. You can get a discount on haircuts or hair dyes. The owner calls and offers to sign up for any procedure with a discount


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Stojo Pastel Collapsible Coffee Cup 12oz (355ml) - Aquamarine
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Why choose Stojo?


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Check back here for the latest event updates, our Amish horse & buggy ride schedule, Strawberry Festival dates and more.
Click or tap on an event for more details.
Events for June 20, 2019
Events Search and Views Navigation
9:00 am
Amish Quilter
Rachel Esh is new addition to our farm, she has a craft shop on our 15-acre farm. Rachel handcrafts Amish dolls and little souvenirs that fit perfectly into a suitcase. Rachel greats each guest that visits her shop and even demonstrates how she creates her handmade items. If you're looking for an authentic handmade Amish […]Find out more »
Chris Lubkemann is the "Resident Woodcarver" at The Amish Farm and House. While you're here, stop by the woodshop to meet Chris and to watch him work. You can purchase wood carvings and gifts that Chris has made in our gift shop. Chris's woodshop is open Monday-Saturday from April through October during our normal business […]Find out more »
Amish Made Chicken BBQ
You can't leave the farm without a meal our new Amish Chicken BBQ Barn! David, his wife Liz, and their five children will be barbequing delicious chicken and rib dinners. They have several delicious lunch and dinner options. Enjoy your meal or snack right here on our 15-acre farm. Amish Made Chicken BBQ Entrées: Chicken […]Find out more »
The Amish Farm and House is pleased to host members of the Pennsylvania Artist Blacksmith Association for special events. Our Civil-War era blacksmith shop comes alive as the blacksmith pounds away on the anvil. Our resident blacksmith, Andrew Reist, will demonstrate the art of blacksmithing and explain the importance of blacksmithing both in colonial America […]Find out more »
11:00 am
Buggy Rides
Buggy Rides will only be held under good weather conditions. Information About Our Horse & Buggy Rides: How much does it cost? Horse and buggy rides are $6 per person. Cash only, please. Where does the ride go? You will clip clop along paths on our 15-acre farm. Part of the ride will take you […]Find out more »


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cullensallovamybinda wrote:hey i love..... EMMETT i would love to have a thread could you make it happen for mee plz. anyhoo i think emmett as the protector and if anything the big brother none of them had. he is to me a big reason to there happiness. He is allways so upbeat and him and alice to me bring all the happieness to the cullens iff it weret for them, edward would be a mess of nerves for bella ,rose would just sulk about not being human and jasper would feed of these emotions and feel the sameway. so comment back i would love to hear your thoughts
the #1 cullens lover (apart form Elizabeth)
MOD EDIT: We have an Emmett thread in this forum. It's for serious discussion about the character. If you are looking for something sillier or some place to just gush and be fan-girlly about Emmett then head over to the Team Emmett thread: http://www.twilightlexiconforum.com/vie ... =29&t=1982
Hi, I wanna ask if you could please create a thread for Rosalie and Emmett? It's just a request though..


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Welcome to the Astronomy Forums | Telescope Forums & Reviews | Astronomy Community.
Astronomy Beginners Forum. New Astronomers Ask ANY astronomy questions here don't be shy!
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Chip Camden describes common bad behaviors that some clients exhibit. He also advises consultants on how to respond when they encounter these bad apples.
Last week I wrote about the dirty tricks some consultants play, and how we need to avoid following in their footsteps. Today let's examine some dirty tricks that clients play in order to take unfair advantage of the consultants they engage.
Late payment or, worse, no payment at allI believe this is the most frequently abused aspect of the client/consultant relationship. Sometimes it happens because of the sheer weight of your client's Accounts Payable machinery. Sometimes it's an unstated policy. Sometimes they're trying to give you a subtle message of some sort. But regardless of the motivation, it needs to stop. Your contract should spell out your payment policy in no uncertain terms, and you need to enforce those terms. If your client doesn't pay, don't work. You're not their bank. Related resources: 10 ways to make sure your clients pay you, What to do when your client doesn't pay, and Strategies for dealing with clients who don't pay.
Scope creep
You delivered exactly what you thought the client requested, but now they say it doesn't do everything they expected. They shouldn't have had to spell out these details, they say, because anyone in their right mind should have realized that when they asked for X, it naturally implied A through W.
There are two broad categories of solution to this problem: better specifications, or the ability to expand your billing. Since the former can never be perfect, I lean towards the latter. If the client needs more work from you, billing by the hour/day/iteration means you'll get paid for it. It may also encourage the client to be more specific in their original request.Related resources: Sell clients on this pay-in-advance billing strategy and Is billing by the hour unethical?
Some clients try to get us to go beyond the terms of our agreement by issuing some form of threat, expressed or implied. Besides the usual leverage of potentially dropping the contract and becoming a poor reference, they may hint at legal action, some form of blackmail, or even bodily harm. If you've fulfilled your end of the contract, then you need to stand up against these abuses. But you don't have to become abusive yourself: ask for a precise explanation of any vague threats, in writing, so you can have your lawyer review them in the light of your agreement. That usually shuts them up.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is the client who wants to be your chum. "We're all friends here, so of course you'll do this little extra thing for me without charge -- we'll catch up later, right pal? You're a good guy, that's why we like doing business with you."
This approach is more insidious than intimidation, and it's tempting to respond in the same friendly tone. Watch out, though, or you'll end up conceding somewhere in the middle, which is exactly what they wanted. Don't overreact either, though. Just firmly insist that your contract states otherwise, and that you'd be happy to help them as long as you're properly compensated.Related resource: The human side of IT consulting.
Blood in
Clients will sometimes ask you to do something unethical or illegal as a favor. They may even say that they'll take responsibility for it, and you'll just be following orders. But if you go there, they'll have something on you. You'll be a member of the gang, and they'll expect you to go along with whatever else they order in the future.Related resources: How to respond if a client asks you to lie, Devise an exit strategy when working for an unethical client, and An independent IT consultant's code of ethics.
The setup
Sometimes all the client needs in a consultant is a believable fall guy. They want the project to fail, and they need someone to pin it on. If you keep your nose to the wind, you can usually smell this one out early on. The number one clue: communication, or rather lack thereof. If your conversations on status get cut off early with a "whatever you think -- keep up the good work" and none the employees seem to want to get involved, they might be grooming you for the role of bowling pin. Insist on establishing frequent acceptance milestones, so everyone signs off on your work as you do it. If the client won't agree to that, or fails to follow through, get out as soon as you can. "So what," you may say, "I'll take the rap as long as they pay me." You better make sure they will pay you after the project fails, and don't forget about your reputation.Related resource: Don't let clients make you the scapegoat.
This list sounds pretty scary. The majority of clients mean well, and when they do stray into one of these abuses a frank conversation will often cure the problem. But if you're one of those people who think that everyone has some good in them, then you haven't met everyone. The few bad apples out there can make the life of a consultant rotten, if you let them.


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Here's the new SRT Viper, teased for the last time before its debut at this week's New York Auto Show. It looks surprisingly like last year's bubble-topped Zagato TZ3 Stradale, Italy's own interpretation of the Viper formula.
The TZ3 Stradale was built off of the old Viper ACR, complete with that car's 611-horsepower, 8.4 liter V10. It was a strangely American tribute to the all-Italian sports racers of Alfa Romeo's postwar glory years in the 1960s. Zagato even billed the TZ3 Stradale as the "first American Alfa Romeo."
Now the Italian/American exchange has come full circle, with the new SRT Viper getting a healthy dose of Italian styling. Is all this hybridization a good thing, or should the Viper stay looking corn-fed American, whatever that means?
(Hat tip to Enginerrrrrrrrr!)


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28 January 2014 - The Central African Republic was experiencing some hope as the new president for the transitional government was sworn in on the 23 January. The country's crisis has been called one of "epic proportions", and transitional president Catherine Samba-Panza's nickname 'Mother Courage' might well come in handy.
The country's first female president has herself named her "sensibility as a woman" as a vital asset that could bring reconciliation. Samba-Panza will however only be president for a year, as elections must be held in February 2015.
Now, the country finds itself at a critical juncture, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay warned on Monday.
Amongst the hope, renewed fighting and the flight of ex-Séléka and Muslim civilians towards the north of the country means that the situation is once again deteriorating. "I welcome the appointment of Catherine Samba-Panza as the Head of State of the Transition and her repeated calls for an end to violence.
However the security and human rights situation has further deteriorated over the past few days. Muslim civilians are now extremely vulnerable. Many are being pushed out of the country, alongside ex-Séléka, and are now fleeing, mostly towards the Chadian border," Pillay said.
The vulnerable population is being hit hard, as humanitarian workers struggle to deliver the much needed help. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is running out of food to distribute to the growing numbers of displaced as insecurity is blocking supply routes, and as UNICEF reports, the conflict has already had a negative impact on the nutritional status of children and violence against children has reached unprecedented levels.
"We simply cannot let the social fabric of this country be torn apart. I call as a matter of utmost urgency upon the international community to strengthen peacekeeping efforts. There is a need to urgently restore security not only in Bangui but also in other parts of the country. Many lives are at stake," Pillay said.
UNRIC's library backgrounder on CAR: http://archive.unric.org/en/unric-library/28899
The Brussels based United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe - UNRIC provides information on UN activities to the countries of the region. It also provides liaison with institutions of the European Union in the field of information. Its outreach activities extend to all segments of society and joint campaigns, projects and events are organized with partners including the EU, governments, the media, NGOs, schools and local authorities.
United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC Brussels)
Residence Palace, Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 155, Block C2,7th and 8th floor, Brussels 1040, Belgium
Tel.: +32 2 788 8484 / Fax: 32 2 788 8485


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Remember Helen of Troy? The beautiful princess with the "face that launched a thousand ships?" Well, in Giacomo Puccini's opera Turandot, the title character is another legendary beauty -- you might call her "the princess whose face took a thousand heads."
Turandot is based on an ancient, Persian legend, which Puccini sets in China. It tells of a princess so desirable that men come by the hundreds, traveling from kingdoms all over the world, simply for the privilege of asking for her hand.
It's a dangerous quest. To even get a chance to "pop the question," a man first has to answer three, vexing riddles -- with his life on the line in the process. Anyone who fails the test winds up as part of a grisly display: a forest of heads on stakes, placed at the gates of Turandot's realm, as a warning to all the suitors still hoping for their turn.
The opera tells us about a mysterious prince who does solve the riddles -- terrifying Turandot in the process. He is then magnanimous enough to present the newly vulnerable princess with a riddle of his own, and a chance to get off the hook. Along the way, Puccini gives the clever prince a musical reward, in the stirring tenor aria "Nessun Dorma" -- one of the most popular numbers in all of opera.
Puccini began sketching Turandot as early as 1920. He wanted some authentic Chinese touches, so he enlisted the help of a friend's Chinese music box and some sheets of folk music.
It was slow going. Puccini and his librettists struggled with the opera, and in particular with the drama's "love conquers all" ending. When Puccini died, in 1924, the final act was left unfinished.
At the urging of conductor Arturo Toscanini, the opera was completed, using Puccini's sketches, by composer Franco Alfano. Still, when Toscanni led the world premiere, in 1926 at La Scala, he famously laid down his baton at the point of the last music Puccini composed. Eventually, with Toscanini's assistance, the score was published with Alfano's ending, and that's how it's usually heard today -- with a triumphant final chorus that echoes the famous aria.
On World of Opera, host Lisa Simeone presents Turandot in a production led by the acclaimed Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, making his first appearance at the historic Vienna State Opera. The vocal stars are Azerbaijani tenor Yusif Eyvazov as Calaf, and American soprano Lise Lindstrom as Turandot.


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Unigine are a busy little company. They make games, like 2012 RTS Oil Rush. They make PC benchmark tools. And they also make engines.
We're looking at a combination of the latter two here today, as this video takes us on a sweeping tour of an enormous, 64 square-kilometre wooded landscape that looks just perfect for, say, something like a big fantasy RPG.
What's cool is that, unlike more passive benchmarks, this acts as a demo for the engine itself, letting you either walk or fly around the environment in real-time.
You can grab a free version below.
Valley Benchmark [Uningine]


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Transatlantic Council on Migration
Transatlantic Council on Migration
Recent Activity
Recent Activity
This statement from the fourth plenary meeting of the Transatlantic Council on Migration focuses on immigrant integration and how to shift focus back onto integration as a continuous and interactive process, even amidst the tumult of a persistent economic crisis.
The book focuses on three case studies: the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany. The volume includes chapters analyzing public opinion and media coverage of immigration issues in each country. Additional chapters propose strategies for unblocking opposition to thoughtful, effective immigration-related reforms.
Voters' brains connect words, phrases, images, values, and emotions, and these connections — known as networks of association — influence their receptiveness to political messages, often far more strongly than facts and rational arguments. This report shows that to reach those who have not yet made up their mind on a particular issue, advocates and leaders need to understand the associations a term such as "immigrant" spark in the mind of the electorate and strengthen positive associations while weakening negative ones.
Germany has de facto been receiving immigrants for the last four decades, but the government only began actively dealing with the long-term impact of immigration a decade ago. Since the 1990s, Germany shifted away from stemming flows to recognizing its identity as a country of immigration and managing the impact of immigration on society.
Recent developments in the United States (including the 2008 elections and shifts in organized labor's stance on immigration) have created new openings for comprehensive immigration reform, possibly including a path to legal residence and citizenship for illegal immigrants. But the author argues that the extent of this opening may be overstated by some advocates.
U.S. media coverage of immigration has hindered effective policy reform for years, a trend which has been exacerbated by the recent transformation in the ways Americans get their news. This has conditioned and even distorted public perceptions by portraying a largely gradual, orderly, and legal phenomenon as chaotic, criminal, and controversial.
Since 1999, concern about immigration in Britain has reached levels never seen before in the history of public opinion research, and surveys show strong support for tougher immigration laws. But opinions vary: younger, better-educated people and those who tend to live in areas with a longer history of immigration are more tolerant than older, less-educated people in more settled communities with low levels of immigration.


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