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An eventful week has just ended. Close on the heels of the cricket World Cup triumph, came what most media claimed was 'another victory for India'- the acceptance of Anna Hazare's demands after a 4 day fast that attracted enormous attention, particularly amongst the middle class. Along with the outpouring of support for the activists, has run a parallel stream of unease as many writers and public intellectuals have expressed their deep disquiet with what has been happening. The misgivings range from the scholarly to the acerbic, but many of the concerns are common and words like blackmail, classism, vigilantism and anti-democratic spring up often in these critiques. One can understand the discomfort felt on the media circus that is playing out on television and it has doesn't help that all those who fancy themselves as celebrities have made it point to appear on our screens and made inspiring noises at us. It is also clear that many of the criticisms are rooted in reality- this is clearly a middle class show, bristling with pride and self-importance at its own 'educatedness' while revelling in the heady act of playing at a revolution.
But is it really blackmail? At a certain level, any act of protest is a form of blackmail. Going on strike is a withdrawal of one's productive capacity in order to cause financial pain as is the acts of boycotting a company's products. In this case admittedly, one is holding one's own body to ransom and counting on the public outrage to follow if indeed the person fasting actually dies, but it is hardly as if this form of protest is easy to emulate or guaranteed to succeed. The success of this technique relies on three critical variables, apart from the most fundamental one, the willingness of an individual to make this sacrifice. To begin with, the issue itself must be of vital concern to a significant constituency which should have access to mainstream media, secondly the person going on fast must have the moral authority and the public clout to matter enough to be taken seriously and finally the demands if conceded must take immediate effect and be non-reversible in nature. In the absence of the first and second criteria, the fast is not taken seriously or is co-ercively bypassed (as in the case of Irom Sharmila) and in the absence of the third, the demand can be conceded on paper but reversed in practice (as in the case of Telengana).
A fast-unto-death used by the wrong person for the wrong cause is unlikely to yield results and even the blackmail, such as it is, comes into effect only when the fast actually strikes a chord with its public. Had Anna Hazare gone on a fast-unto-death, for another Gandhian issue like Prohibition, it is extremely unlikely that he would got much support. Without an underlying sense of legitimacy, a fast by itself is a high risk gambit, with very high stakes. In this case, there is a significant constituency that believes that this issue is worthwhile and that conventional means have been exhausted in trying to find a solution. The support is not really for the Lokpal bill, for few understand its ramifications, but for the act of serving the government with an ultimatum, to do something tangible and show visible intent.
It is a bit curious that so many commentators have re-discovered their belief in the democratic process as delivered by our existing political system after having railed at it systematically for many years. To argue that only elected representatives have a right to political action and that all input about governance must be funnelled through the single device of elections is an extreme position to take. It is somewhat like creating an exclusive club open largely to those with dynastic connections, money and muscle and then mandating that only those that belong can participate in the act of governance. The problem faced by the Indian political system has been its inability to find a starting point, a trigger that makes things change. Corruption is not an accidental by-product of the system because of the venality of a few, but is a defining element on which the edifice rests. Not only is there nothing wrong if the impetus for change comes from outside, it is vital that the political system recognises that citizens have recourse to other means by which to make their anger felt.
Perhaps the way to see the current movement is to recognise it not by what it espouses precisely but by its general shape and broad intent. In any case, the draft of the Lokpal bill presented by the activists is hardly binding and all that the government has acceded to is a joint consultative committee with equal representation from both sides. All that the agitation has done is to shepherd the effort towards concrete closure rather leave it to suffer the fate it has for the last 42 years. More importantly, it has created a new channel of influence, one that acts as a safety valve for democracy, given the increasing sense of frustration that the citizen feels at being excluded from the act of converting democracy that merely represents them symbolically into one that acts on their behalf.
Yes, the movement is owned largely by a class and lacks coherence and clear direction. But to dismiss it as another middle class affectation is to misread its significance. It is noteworthy how easily Anna Hazare, someone unknown to most of India outside Maharashtra, has become the leader of this group of people. what people are following is the idea of someone like Anna Hazare, someone who is a throwback to what political leaders look like in our nostalgic imagination, someone without a visible vested interest, and someone outside any established ideological affiliation. Anna Hazre's popularity is nothing but the contempt felt for other politicians in reverse. To argue that this contempt is what is most dangerous for democracy is to turn logic on its head. It is not the contempt that is dangerous, it is what earns this contempt that is the problem. The yearning for new institutions, untainted by the rot elsewhere may be a bit naïve, but the underlying desire to make a direct difference by addressing underlying causes rather than taking token action in isolated cases of corruption is a sign of hope. This process may look untidy, is without doubt far from perfect and in all probability a long time in the making, but at least a start has been made.

subset: commoncrawl


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text:
The sun's erratic and sometimes volatile behavior has the potential to cause real problems here on Earth, and protecting our planet will require an international effort, according to scientists who gathered recently for a meeting about the effects of solar activity.
Streams of charged particles that fly off the sun can interfere with electronics on Earth and satellites orbiting our planet. For example, during a particularly intense solar storm in 1989, power to an entire Canadian province was knocked out. Since then, other storms have knocked a handful of satellites out of service.
With Earth becoming more and more dependent on technology, the risk from solar flares is only going up, experts say.
Facing the risks
Representatives from more than 25 of the world's most technologically-advanced nations convened last week for the International Living with a Star (ILWS) meeting in Bremen, Germany, to discuss the importance of developing better methods for forecasting space weather.
"The problem is solar storms" figuring out how to predict them and stay safe from their effects," said ILWS chairperson Lika Guhathakurta from NASA's Headquarters in Washington, D.C. "We need to make progress on this before the next solar maximum arrives around 2013."
By then, solar storms will be at their strongest and most frequent in the roughly 11-year cycle of the sun's activity, which is just now emerging from an unusually long period of quiescence.
The sun's constant interaction with Earth makes it imperative for solar physicists to keep track of solar activity.
The sun and Earth are separated by 93 million miles, which is not as great a distance in space as it may sound. Spacecraft and ground-based observations have determined that Earth is actually located within the sun's outer atmosphere, where it is constantly being battered by solar winds and hail storms of energetic particles.
In fact, the sun and Earth are actually connected by invisible threads of magnetism. During so-called "reconnection events," invisible lines of force can be traced all the way from Earth's poles to the surface of the sun. These events typically happen several times a day.
"The Earth and sun are interconnected," Guhathakurta said. "We cannot study them separately anymore."
A league of its own
The term "heliophysics " is used to describe the science of the sun-Earth system, and the field of study has expanded significantly in the past few years. NASA has a dedicated Heliophysics Division at the agency's headquarters, and the United Nations declared 2007 the "International Heliophysical Year" in hopes of stimulating global involvement.
But, predicting solar activity is an extremely complicated task, and being able to forecast the sun's behavior solves only half of the equation.
Equally important is being able to understand how the Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere respond to any given solar storm, scientists said. So far, this has remained a mystery to top researchers, even with the aid of the most powerful supercomputers. As a result, the ability to track and monitor space weather has severely lagged behind the science of Earth weather.
"We need more data and more ideas," Guhathakurta said.
An international effort
This week, Guhathakurta will hand over her chairmanship of ILWS to Ji Wu of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Wu will also spend the next two years cultivating the talents of Chinese heliophysicists.
"We have many scientists and lots of fresh ideas," Wu said. "China will be able to make important contributions in this area."
Yet another challenge is the ability to study heliophysics as it plays out across hundreds of millions of miles. NASA and other space agencies have deployed dozens of spacecraft, but they are spread out over an enormous distance.
"Imagine trying to monitor Earth's oceans with a small number of buoys," Guhathakurta said. "You'd miss a lot. That's the situation we're in now with the 'ocean of space.'"
China is preparing to launch a space buoy, known as "KuaFu," which will be located at the L1 Lagrange point — a spot where the Earth's and sun's gravity balance out, allowing a satellite to perch there continuously. The probe, which will sample the solar wind upstream from Earth, is named after a giant in Chinese mythology who wished to capture the sun.
"We're putting KuaFu at a strategic point in space," Wu said. "The solar wind at L1 is an important input to many science models of the sun-Earth interaction."
KuaFu will join a growing international fleet of spacecraft that are dedicated to heliophysics. NASA, the European Space Agency, the Russian Federal Space Agency, the Canadian Space Agency, and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency have also made significant contributions to the field.
Just in time?
Still, mobilizing an increased international effort could be more important now than ever before, scientists said. If current forecasts are correct, the solar cycle is expected to peak during the years around 2013. While it likely won't be the biggest peak on record, human society is becoming increasingly more vulnerable.
The rituals of daily life from communications to weather forecasting to financial services are highly dependent on satellites and electronics. A 2008 report by the National Academy of Sciences warned that a century-class solar storm could cause billions of dollars in economic damage.
Scientists at the ILWS meeting are hoping to address concerns of such a "solar Katrina" situation, while also determining the best ways to launch new science and harness the talents of heliophysicists around the globe.


text:
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text:
.... and soon I will post a review on the newly finished book by Iben & Niels Ahlberg, "Visit Visit; Kunst & Karisma".
("Art and Charisma")
I have done a little research on this book, prior to it's release on December 1st. We will be entering the world of 8 homes filled with art! Not only an interior decorating book, but "Interior Design as Art".
When one of the featured homeowners, Chresten Rud, said "Eclectic Living.... living with elements from different cultures, different styles and different time periods... making it all work together cohesively" , it makes me want to see his digs, as I am sure they are outrageous....or maybe not ;)
This image is from Chresten's store Couch, located North of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Such fantastic use of color!! The painting is by the top contemporary Thai artist Attasit Pokpong.
Attasit Pokpong lives in Bangkok with his wife, he exhibits all over the world, and is booked two years in advance!! He is all about the facial expression.... His paintings are easily recognisable, often it's just the lips that have "real" color, as in the two images above.
A peek inside the artists studio.
"Boy in a Yellow Shirt" and "Young Girl" hanging side by side.
If you would like to know more about Attasit Pokpong or see more artwork, Tusk Gallery has a large selection.
Check back to read the book review, I am told there is an English version (text inset), for those of you who do not read Danish :) !
Image #1 & #2 via Visit Visit, Image #3 - #5 via Tusk Gallery


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Warren Buffett covered the Omaha, Neb., waterfront at the Berkshire Hathaway annual general meeting over the weekend. Flanked by his vice chairman, Charlie Munger, with whom he claims to have never had an argument in more than a half-century of working together, Buffett addressed investing, the banking system, acquisitions and tax rates.
Compare Buffett's wisdom to another billionaire's: George Soros' 8 Bold Predictions From the 'Tiger Den' at AdvisorOne.
Here's a selection of Buffett's remarks at the meeting:
1. On gold:
"If you own an ounce of gold now and you caress it for the next 100 years, you'll still have an ounce of gold. It's very hard for an unproductive investment to be productive for any period of time. When Berkshire started, gold was at $20 and Berkshire stock was at $15. Now gold is at $1,600 and Berkshire is at $120,000."
2. On banks:
"American banks are in a far, far better position than they were three to five years ago. The U.S. banking sector is in fine shape. The European banking system is gasping for air. "
3. On tax rates for the rich and the "Buffett rule:"
"People who make large incomes should pay a tax rate around 35%. The 400 largest incomes in the U.S. make $270 million each and 131 of them pay below 15% in taxes. They're paying less than standard payroll taxes. It would affect very few people and it would raise a lot of money.
In 2004, 2006 and 2010, with no tax planning and no Swiss bank accounts, I paid the lowest tax rate among all employees at Berkshire's Omaha headquarters. That's between 20 and 30 people. That's astonishing."
4. On American jobs at Berkshire:
"We have more than 270,000 employees and I don't think more than 15,000 of them are outside of the U.S. We invested $8 billion last year in plants and equipment and 95% of it was in the U.S. There is no shortage of opportunities in the U.S."
5. On stocks:
"The beauty of stocks is they sell at a variety of prices. That's how Charlie and I have gotten so rich. The market is a psychotic drunk, and sometimes Mr. Market does very strange things. It's built into the system that stocks get mispriced. Don't behave like the psychotic drunk. The stock market is the most obliging, money-making place in the world."
6. On acquisitions:
"A month or two ago, Berkshire considered a $22 billion investment. It didn't happen.
If we like the business that we understand, we buy it. There's always going to be good and bad news out there. We look to value. We don't look at headlines."
7. On newspapers:
"News is what you don't know but want to know. I think there is a future for newspapers where there is a sense of community. It's not as bulletproof as it was 50 years ago. I don't know of a business plan that charges significantly for one version (the physical newspaper) and it's free for the other (online version) that would work over time."
Read full coverage of Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder Meeting at AdvisorOne:
Berkshire Hathaway Gathering, Pt. 1: Advisors Make the Pilgrimage
At Berkshire Hathaway Gathering, Pt. 2: How's Warren Buffett Feeling?


text: If there is something we know, it's that the Scandinavians love spending time outdoors, and Bergans is a direct result of that. Having invented and patented the backpack as we know it today in 1908, they have been pushing the boundaries of outdoor exploration ever since. High-quality products in sleek and stylish designs - what more could you possibly want?


text:
It's been quite a week of updates for apps that you may use frequently. Only a week after Google launched its Keep note taking service, Evernote released a mobile update with new features for its faithful users. Catch Notes, another competitor to Evernote, also got a minor update this week, and HD Widgets is worth the cash if you haven't already downloaded it. We'll also go over this week's Humble Bundle, which features one of Popcap's many hits and a GDC Awards nominee.
If we had any opening theme music, this would be the cue.
Evernote, Free
Evernote has overhauled its mobile application with an updated interface, widgets, and photo and search features. The Android app now features a multishot camera mode for those who want to archive more than just one photo at a given time, and Page Camera, which essentially turns the camera into a mobile scanner. Users can use Page Camera to turn physical paper notes into digital ones with just the press of a button.
Android users can also utilize Evernote's new shortcuts and pin their favorite notes, notebooks, and tags, which are easily accessed by swiping to the left from the right bezel. These shortcuts will also sync cross-platform, though they're only currently available on the Mac. Evernote for Android will also work with the Evernote Smart Notebook by Moleskine, while premium users will have access to document search, which sifts through files created in Microsoft Office and iWork.
Catch, Free
Thanks to Android Police for the tip on this one: Catch offered a minor update to its app this week that allows users to utilize the "Note to Self" command on Google Now. Tell Google you'd like to make a note and it will ask where you'd like to export it to (unless you've already set the default beforehand).
As an aside, this functionality also works with Google Keep and Evernote.
HD Widgets, $1.99
HD Widgets features a plethora of widgets that you can customize to your liking; select a widget size and type and then customize its background, text colors, and the information it displays. This week, HD Widgets was also updated to include 12 new "switches" that can be used in either the smallest, 1x1 widgets on the home screen, or the bigger widgets with integrated clock. The switches refer to the different options that you can toggle from the quick access widgets, but HD Widgets has included some that aren't usually available with Android. There's even one that tells you when the sun will set. As an added bonus, HD Widgets features widgets for the lock screen on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.
Humble Mobile Bundle, Donation-based
Humble Bundle's new Android game bundle features Contre Jour, Anomaly Korea, Plants vs. Zombies, and Bladeslinger. You can also get Metal Slug 3 and The Room if you pay more than the average (right now it's teetering around $5); the latter was nominated for several GDC 2013 awards. As with most Humble Bundles, you'll also get the soundtracks to all of these games included with your donation.
Listing image by Ranpict


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What an incredible day to have a huge round and brown ass wash my car. Her name is Sparks and her ass shaking skills are out of this world. Josh came over soon after with some oil in hand and the right mind set. She jumped on top of Josh and let him have it in every position. Wow, this girl could ride like a pro. With all those techniques Josh almost fainted from the pleasure and let Sparks take over.. Enjoy..
Josh, Sparkes


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In this course trombonists will develop a viable practice routine as it pertains to ensemble playing in all the relevant styles for that instrument. They will learn to better perform together in all relevant idioms and styles. They will learn to transition between idioms and styles with improved control and skill.
In this advanced ensemble trombonists will develop a viable practice routine as it pertains to ensemble playing in all the relevant styles for the instrument. They will learn to better perform together in all relevant idioms and styles. They will learn to transition between idioms and styles with improved control and skill.
This advanced jazz trombone ensemble, conducted by Marshall Gilkes, is one of the premier ensembles in the Brass Department and features some of its strongest jazz trombonists. This ensemble consists of four to eight trombonists with a standard rhythm section. Students are encouraged to write original compositions for the group and perform in a variety of settings on and off campus. This ensemble will submit entries to competitions sponsored by the International Trombone Association and the American Trombone Workshop.
A brass quintet that performs a mixture of traditional and 20th-century music. Instrumentation: two trumpets, horn, trombone, tuba.
This course is designed to focus on vocal performance for brass principals. Students may or may not have experience as vocalists. All classes will be geared towards the styles the individuals are interested in, emphasizing both singing and playing. Students will be asked to learn and perform new songs each week with the main emphasis being on the selection of correct keys, tempos, and styles. There will be a comparative analysis between vocal and instrumental phrasing, improvisation, and physiology. Students will also be exposed to performers who have been recognized and respected as both singers and horn players.
Large vocal ensemble with emphasis on traditional and contemporary music stretching through a wide range of music genres. In this course, students will participate in weekly rehearsals. Emphasis will be given to stylistic integrity, as well as melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic accuracy. Concert performances during the fall and spring semesters.
The Treble Voices Concert Choir is a choral group consisting of 12-40 altos and sopranos. Section assignments are dependent upon voice range and voice color rather than gender. All voice principals and non-voice principals are eligible to audition. Students will learn part-singing, blending, intonation, reading, and memorization through the repertoire, which will range from the standard classical choral repertoire to arrangements of musical theater works. A performance will be scheduled at the end of the semester. Concert attire is gender-neutral.
The Symphonic Winds Ensemble is dedicated to performing traditional concert band and wind ensemble music along with newly commissioned and original works by Berklee students.
A recording orchestra of 37 musicians, the Film Scoring Studio Orchestra will integrate and improve orchestral performance skills in an actual Hollywood-style scoring stage setting. A collaboration between the Ensemble, Music Production and Engineering, and Film Scoring departments, the orchestra will meet in Studio 1 of the 160 Massachusetts Avenue building. Each week the ensemble will play music composed by professional film composers or Berklee Film Scoring students, and be recorded by Berklee students in related MP&E classes. Through participation in film scoring sessions in a state-of-the-art scoring stage venue, students will improve their overall efficiency of sight-reading, technique, rhythm (including click track competency), intonation, articulation, style orientation, and ensemble-centered production (listening/response sensitivity).
The Improvisation for Classical Musicians ensemble is a small group of instrumentalists that will play traditional chamber music with a twist by adding improvisational techniques. The students will partake in weekly rehearsals, as well as end of the semester performances. Emphasis will be given to hearing, expressing your musical ideas with stylistic integrity, as well as melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic accuracy.
The Contemporary Orchestra is designed to feature Berklee's student performers, composers, and conductors through the use of standard repertoire, film, multimedia, and sound. Works of major 20th century composers, as well as Berklee students and faculty, are programmed. Student performers gain experience in orchestral auditions and have the opportunity to be featured as soloists. This ensemble meets two times per week; the second weekly meeting is used for workshops.
Note: students who have previously taken this course can enroll directly without written approval of course instructor.
Mixed instrumental and vocal ensembles are formed to study and perform chamber music by 20th-century composers including Luciano Berio, John Corgliano, Aaron Copland, Maurice Ravel, Arnold Schoenberg, Igor Stravinsky, and others. Using their own parts from the preselected repertoire, students will individually practice and master performance skills and musicianship, then rehearse in the larger group in preparation for an end-of-semester recital.


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Former WEC featherweight champion Mike Brown seemingly would have an advantage over the dozens of other WEC fighters who are now headed to the UFC following a highly anticipated merger.
After all, prior to this WEC title run, Brown (24-6 MMA, 6-2 WEC) logged cage time in the UFC.
However, the American Top Team fighter, who now meets Diego Nunes (15-1 MMA, 4-1 WEC) at Saturday's UFC 125 event, told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) his experiences in the WEC actually were better preparation for MMA's big stage.
As a fairly unknown and undersized lightweight, Brown signed with the UFC in 2004 and took on a fighter he truly admired: Genki Sudo. Brown suffered a first-round submission loss, though he admits he was in over his head back then.
"I was definitely outgunned and overmatched back then," he said. "I was small for the weight. I was still training in Maine back then. I was way outgunned. I was brought in to lose. … He was a heavy favorite. But I loved it. It was a great experience. I'm a huge fan of the sport; that's why I got into it. Genki Sudo is actually my favorite fighter."
Brown fought almost exclusively in regional Massachusetts-based promotions until that UFC fight, and he admits the experience was a little overwhelming. Although he carried a seven-fight win streak into the fight, he never truly felt he belonged. And the fact that a highly anticipated first meeting between Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell headlined the card left the Las Vegas crowd buzzing and the pressure that much more intense.
Fighting an idol didn't help.
"I was starstruck," he said. "I was like a deer in the headlights. I had a chance, I still swung hard and did my best, but I wasn't thinking out there like I should be. I was just fighting, as opposed to using my head and using strategy."
Brown soon hooked up with the Florida-based ATT camp, frequently traveled to Japan, and won nine of his next 11 fights. Then came a contract from the WEC, where he defeated Jeff Curran in his promotional debut before winning the belt from then-champ Urijah Faber in just his second WEC outing.
Each WEC fight got bigger – and louder – and by the time he defeated Faber in a rematch at WEC 41, more than 13,000 pro-Faber fans packed ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Calif. It remains the most successful show in WEC history, and the magnitude of the night provided Brown valuable lessons for Saturday's return to the UFC, which comes at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
"The first UFC fight didn't prepare me (for UFC 125) because I was on the undercard," he said. "What prepared me was those big fights in the WEC. When I fought in Sacramento against Urijah, there were like 16,000 people there. It was packed. It was going crazy. That's the same as the UFC. The crowd was same when Chuck Liddell fought Tito Ortiz the first time; the crowd was going bonkers. That's how it was when I fought Urijah."
After a successful title defense over Leonard Garcia and the rematch win over Faber, Brown widely was considered the world's No. 1 featherweight fighter and a seemingly unbeatable champion. But he then lost his belt in violent fashion to Jose Aldo, and two fights later, suffered a quick and stunning loss to Manny Gamburyan.
"I think I've got to prove myself again," he said. "But I think that's the case for most fights. I had to prove myself against Urijah the first time. I had to prove against Leonard that I was really the champ. I had to beat Urijah again to prove it wasn't a fluke. At that point, I was well established. But then I lost a couple and people are talking bad again that I'm not that good. So I have to prove myself again."
Against Nunes, Brown has a chance to get back in the title picture. His opponent has lost just once in 16 professional fights, and the Brazilian posted a stellar 4-1 mark in the WEC.
It's just the fight Brown wanted.
"He's good, and he's got a great record," he said. "He's fought a lot of world-class guys. He's never been finished. He's definitely a world class-fighter and in the top-10. This is a fight that gets you a title shot."
So is this a potential opportunity to earn a rematch with Aldo?
"I think so," he said. "I don't know if they'll give it to me, but I think that's the type of fight that will do it. You've got to beat top-10 guys to get the title shot, and he's a top-10 guy."
For the latest on UFC 125 stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.


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GSM marks 20th anniversary
Keywords:GSM? Global System for Mobile Communications? digital cellular networks?
The mobile communications industry is now celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 7, 1987 signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Groupe Speciale Mobile, or the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), by 15 operators from 13 European countries. That event led to the development of the GSM standard, which has become the leading digital technology globally for mobile networks.
The MoU was signed by representatives from Italy, Denmark, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands and Portugal. Spain signed three days later. The standard today is used by 2.5 billion people across 218 countries and territories.
Arguably, the decision by European Commission (EC) heads of government a year earlier to reserve the 900MHz spectrum for digital cellular networks was an even more crucial and fundamental milestone leading to the huge success of GSM technology.
Standards setters, regulators and semiconductor and infrastructure makers soon ensured a roll-out, initially in Europe, of the digital cellular system that is now deployed by 700 mobile operators and served by thousands of suppliers.
New directive
The 1987 agreement also triggered a technology evolution that continues today with the roll-out of more than 120 mobile broadband networks in 61 countries.
However, it emerged earlier this year that the EC is proposing to repeal the GSM Directive of 1987. The directive is now felt to be out of date as it prevents more advanced wireless technologies from using the reserved spectrum.
The proposal would allow new technologies to coexist with GSM in the 900MHz and 1800MHz frequencies, while preserving the continued operation of GSM in the European Union (EU).
A recent study for the industry suggested the new rules would cut network operating costs by 40 percent over the next five years, the EU noted.
If approved, 3G services could soon be allowed on the radio spectrum currently being used for GSM networks. The 3G technology employs the higher frequency 2100MHz range.
Birth of the mobile era
"The 1987 agreement is widely regarded as the foundation of today's global mobile phone industry and the birth of one of the greatest technological achievements of our age," said Rob Conway, CEO of the GSMA, the global trade association for mobile operators. "The early vision of our industry created international cooperation on an unprecedented scale."
Sir Christopher Gent, one of the original signatories of the agreement and former CEO of Vodafone, commented, "GSM is the single most important agreement in the history of telecommunications. With 2.5 billion users around the world today, it has done more to bridge the digital divide than any other innovation, and is a tremendous example of global cooperation."
According to the GSMA, which also celebrates 20 years of existence, the base GSM technology represents 85 percent of the global mobile services market, which accounts for about 1.6 percent of global GDP. Each year, mobile users purchase more than one billion new handsets, make more than 7 trillion minutes of calls and send about 2.5 trillion text messages.
The first text message was sent in 1992 and now 7 billion text messages are sent every day. Mobile operators have spent more than $234 billion building GSM and 3GSM networks in the last five years.
- John Walko
EE Times Europe
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Next: ax_lib_tabix, Previous: ax_lib_socket_nsl, Up: The Macros
Test for the SQLite 3 library of a particular version (or newer)
This macro takes only one optional argument, required version of SQLite 3 library. If required version is not passed, 3.0.0 is used in the test of existence of SQLite 3.
If no installation prefix to the installed SQLite library is given the macro searches under /usr, /usr/local, and /opt.
This macro calls:
And sets:
Download the latest version of ax_lib_sqlite3.m4 or browse the macro's revision history.
Copyright © 2008 Mateusz Loskot email@example.com
Copying and distribution of this file, with or without modification, are permitted in any medium without royalty provided the copyright notice and this notice are preserved. This file is offered as-is, without any warranty.


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Ministras Pirmininkas - Graikijos padėtis ir Europos iššūkiai (2015 m. liepos 8 d.) [fr]
Ministro Pirmininko Manuel Valls kalba Nacionalinėje Asamblėjoje - Graikijos padėtis ir Europos iššūkiai (2015/07/08)
Mr President,
National Assembly Deputies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
In the last 70 years, Europe, that old dream, has become a reality for our countries and our peoples. Together, with determination, we have transformed our history and sealed durable peace, ensuring that democracy takes root across the continent, from the South to the East.
That is a magnificent achievement, by nations which united their forces and their destinies to enhance their strength. Economically, of course! But also politically and diplomatically.
Europe is a voice that speaks out and carries.
Of course, there are weaknesses and shortages. There are democratic vacuums that still need to be filled. There are economic difficulties, it is undeniable. But we must be sure of one thing: without Europe, we would lose not only an ideal, but also a great part of ourselves. In a world that is changing so fast, our Nations would find themselves alone, their strength diluted. They would be weakened and gradually lose their footing.
The Government wanted today's debate to take place so as to involve the Nation's representatives, for we have reached a crucial moment. First and foremost for Greece and the Greek people, but also for ourselves and European integration.
Ladies and gentlemen, Deputies, we need to refuse a Europe of resentment, punishment and humiliation. A Europe where anti-Greek or anti-German feelings could emerge – as they are already emerging here and there – and where egotisms, rejection of others and populism would take root. A Europe where, at the end of the day, the weakest of us would be left to their own devices.
Europe is about pride of who we are, not turning inwards. It is about respecting peoples and individuals.
Between France and Greece, between Paris and Athens, there is a very strong, historic and cultural link. Greece is, of course, Europe's cradle, thanks to its history and culture, and the democracy it brought us.
In the early 19th century, the song of freedom of the Greek people, taking their independence, was intoned enthusiastically by French poets, writers and artists, including Chateaubriand and Hugo, Delacroix and Lamartine.
Greece is a European country, and a great one at that. It is in the European Union, and has been in the European Community since 1981, thanks in part to France and the efforts of President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing. At that time it was emerging from the dictatorship of the Colonels.
Some great characters have been part of this common cultural soul that we have forged. Great names and works of literature, music and cinema have resonance here in France. Examples include Mélina Mercouri, and Costa-Gavras who cast great French actors – amongst others – in a film dedicated to his own country: Z.
And of course, lest we forget, Jacqueline de Romilly, a Frenchwoman who dedicated her life to the Greek culture and language, so much so that she was honorifically naturalized by Greece in 1995.
Greece is a French passion, and Europa, the goddess who gave her name to our continent, is central to mythology! We therefore need to remain faithful to the past, as well as to the future of this relationship.
Greece is also aware of what Europe has brought it.
We therefore need to hear the messages of a people that has been subjected to unprecedented austerity, not just in words, but in actions. No! By their vote, the Greeks did not seek to burn their bridges with Europe! They did not say no to the euro! For, deep down, everyone knows that the consequences of leaving the single currency would be terrible. Everyone knows that it is not possible to leave calmly and smoothly.
An exit unavoidably means a collapse in income; soaring prices of imports, including for basic necessities; and social, political and public order consequences that nobody amongst us is capable of predicting.
Is that what we want for the Greek people? Is that the image of Europe that we want to project, for the world to see? No! In any case, that is not France's position.
Europe needs solidarity, ladies and gentlemen. But in the face of the colossal challenges of our times, it also needs unity and stability.
Keeping Greece in the euro, and thus at the heart of Europe and the European Union, is also, as you know, a geostrategic and geopolitical stake of the utmost importance.
I do, of course, have in mind our relations with Turkey, with the Balkans that are already fragile, and the tensions at Europe's Eastern borders. Through its links, including with Russia and the Orthodox world, Greece is a major player in the Eastern Partnership. I also have migratory issues in mind. Along with Italy, Greece is currently one of the countries that is most exposed to the mass influx of migrants. As a NATO member, Greece is also Europe's forward base with a Middle East that is heating up.
To weaken Greece would be to weaken ourselves collectively.
It would mean weakening Europe with repercussions for the global economy. This worry is shared by the American and Chinese leaders, and we need to hear and listen to their concerns. The world is watching us, is watching Europe, and is wondering what will happen.
That is why France, and first and foremost the President of the Republic, aware of what is in play, is sparing no efforts to find solutions and enable a convergence of points of view.
With the President, we are working ceaselessly to ensure Greece fulfils its commitments, so as to listen to the choice of a people while ensuring Europe's cohesion. That is the condition – the sole condition – under which we will be able to reach an agreement that satisfies all the parties.
That is, after all – contrary to what we sometimes hear claimed – the history of Europe: reaching common solutions and building Europe together, respecting democratically elected governments, while respecting the sensitivities of all, which are not the same in Dublin, Bratislava or Lisbon.
Nothing is easy, obviously. The damage is real and the risks are serious, even very serious.
That is why France, as a founding EU member, maintains its position and draws from within that strength which has always made it a guarantor of Europe's destiny. That is our role. We cannot give in to resignation.
We are France, which means that we do not give in; we act. We carry Europe in ourselves and in our hearts. We know its great price, but also its incalculable wealth. We cannot shirk our historic responsibilities. That is what I want to say here, in front of the Nation's representatives: the President of the Republic is playing his full role, methodically and determinedly, with his sense of history.
Yes, France is doing everything possible, as is its role and as is expected of it, alongside its partners, drawing on the strength and the cohesion of the relationship between France and Germany. France's role is compromise, ladies and gentlemen, for that is how we build Europe. That does not mean breaking, or excluding. It does not mean overturning the table. It is not France's role to exclude or to overturn the table. France's role is to build, alongside Germany in particular, Europe's future.
When what is essential is in play – and that is the case – France and Germany, together, have the duty to rise to the event.
Of course, we each have our own sensitivities; that is true for governments, true for parliaments and true first and foremost for peoples. But the strength of this relationship is that we are able to move forward together.
Both our countries know that well. This relationship is not exclusive, but it is unique as, together, we have the ability to generate wider momentum.
We are two sovereign countries, aware of our responsibilities, and the meeting at the Élysée Palace on Monday evening was essential to restore ties with all players and, despite difficulties, get things moving. And it was at the Élysée Palace that the President of the Republic and the German Chancellor made it possible to move forward, few hours after the referendum. Everyone should be pleased about that.
Nothing is easy, but it is up to us to rise to the importance of the moment. That is what the President was doing, alongside the German Chancellor, on Monday, and was doing again last night in Brussels, with the Minister of Finance.
I would like to commend the determined action of Minister of Finance Michel Sapin, who has, since the outset of the negotiations, constantly increased discussions and done his utmost to share France's vision and support Greece. I would like to thank him for his action in support of our country's interests, and those of Europe. His task, as he knows, is far from being finished in the coming hours and days.
Ladies and gentlemen, I want to make this clear: France's determination is absolute.
And if we are working so actively, that is not – as I have heard in some quarters – because we are being pulled along by Germany or – as I have heard in others – because we are indulgent with the government of Alexis Tsipras. Such contradictions, when we combine the criticisms! No, it is because it is in our own interest, France's interest. And our interest is Europe.
Ladies and gentlemen, fully understanding the current situation also means looking back over the last decade.
Greece saw great economic growth during the 2000s, partly thanks to the stability offered by eurozone membership and to European Union assistance.
But it was unable to modernize its economy and reform its administration, to put in place taxation worthy of that name and therefore to carry out the necessary changes, in both the public and private sectors.
Thus, when the financial crisis broke out, the Greek economy was already very fragile, with extremely high public debt and a great trade gap.
The preventive mechanisms to anticipate a crisis in the eurozone did not work at that time. Crisis management mechanisms therefore had to be invented urgently, and thus tentatively.
Without the solidarity of its European partners, Greece would have been bankrupt in 2010. That was avoided by providing it with massive financial support – close to €240 billion – and putting in place a reform programme to help its economy recover.
France, with its previous majority, supported that.
I will make no judgment, and I do not wish to cause controversy, as in such times we need unity and togetherness, and France needs to speak in a single voice.
Today, to accept a Greek exit from the eurozone would be an abandon of sorts, and it would be totally contradictory to the choices France has made, with our principles and with our values. It would be a declaration of weakness. I refuse that, in the name of what France is. France refuses Greece's exit from the eurozone, in the very name of our principles and commitments. We refuse it. And I am convinced that the Greek people also refuse an exit from the eurozone. That is not the decision they made, and we cannot tell them to leave the eurozone in the name of some – I don't know what – idea of Europe.
At the cost of real efforts, often painful for the people, as I said earlier, and which nobody should underestimate, the Greek economy had, admittedly, not recovered at the end of 2014, but growth had returned, and the public budget was producing a primary surplus. However, the problem of the debt remained whole. And, fundamentally, the Greeks could not see the fruits of their efforts.
In early 2015, the newly elected Greek Government wanted to review the terms of the support programme, and in particular the detail of the reforms required for Greece to receive the rest of the planned financial assistance.
The talks were long and difficult, I will not come back to that. But two weeks ago, we were very close to an agreement. The institutions – the European Commission, the ECB and the IMF – had made new proposals, including, in particular, a reduction in budgetary targets. The aim was to allow Greece to honour its past commitments while, essentially, returning to growth.
The Greek Government decided, however, to break away from the negotiations unilaterally, which we regretted, as Michel Sapin and I said here a week ago – and organize a referendum. That was its sovereign decision, allowing the Greek people to express their opinion. It is not up to us to discuss that choice.
Yesterday's summit in Brussels allowed dialogue to resume, restarting a process and restoring the link that is so important if we are to move forward. That was necessary. This work of dialogue needs to continue, for the foundations have been laid in recent months. We are convinced: an agreement is possible. An agreement is within arm's reach!
The condition for it is, as the President of the Republic said, solidarity. It is also responsibility, that of the Member States and of Greece. Of course, that of Greece. France and our European partners legitimately attach great importance to that, and especially those who, in recent years, have made considerable efforts and sometimes even sacrifices.
Europe is not an unlimited drawing right. It is a set of common rules to respect. Without that, Union is impossible!
France is fully mobilized, in line with its values, to help Greece. But the Greek Government also has to want to help itself.
It is therefore also up to the Greek Government, on the strength of the support of five democratic political groups of both the majority and the opposition – such as New Democracy and Pasok – to stand up and be equal to its history and the history of Europe. It is also a moment of truth for it!
The basis for a complete, comprehensive and sustainable agreement are known.
Firstly, necessary, detailed reforms to modernize the economy and help it recover. Solid, responsive and effective State institutions are needed for a fully functioning State, and to make progress on essential issues such as VAT and pensions, while protecting those with small pensions. Implementing those reforms is the essential condition, as we know, for a new financial support package to be granted.
Secondly, resources to finance Greece's growth, for, as I have said, that is what the Greeks want, first and foremost. The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, has proposed a package of €35 billion, which should provide the Greek economy with the air it needs to restart.
Thirdly, and lastly, a clear prospect of debt treatment is needed. No subject is – or should be – a taboo. I want that to be clear. It is essential to establish a sustainable trajectory for Greece's debt in coming years. That is a vital means of moving towards a sustainable solution to the current crisis.
It is therefore urgent to conclude this agreement, and, as we know, we have little time left.
This morning, the Greek Government formally submitted its request for a new assistance programme under the European Stability Mechanism. I would like to say here that its request, this letter, is balanced and positive. It shows real determination to move forward and reform. Indeed, we are not the only government to say so, and others have already expressed their opinion since this morning. It is therefore an important step forward to enable dialogue, and to help that dialogue, in the coming hours and days, to produce concrete results.
On Thursday, the Greeks will present a full programme of precise reforms for the short and medium terms, because we need visibility.
On Saturday, based on the evaluation carried out by the institutions, a new Euro group meeting will take place, ahead of another meeting of the Heads of State and Government on Sunday.
We therefore have five days. It is to some extent – without emphasis, but with conviction – Europe's destiny and political integration that is in play. We therefore need to be fully committed.
It is time for action. But I want to be very clear with you: as the President of the Republic said last night, the National Assembly will be asked to decide, regardless of the result. If there is an agreement, the National Assembly will have to vote on it.
* *
Ladies and gentlemen,
Europe requires both humility and unwavering determination. It has a gradual history, made up of incremental changes, and even jerks. Its ability to overcome crises has helped it grow.
But, whether we like it or not, political Europe is being tested, painfully and in uncertainty.
Deep down, all of us here have wanted political Europe, disappointed as we were by a Europe that focused solely on an economic project. Here it is. It is up to France, and the Franco-German partnership, and all the countries to seize the opportunity offered by the crisis: the opportunity of a strengthened eurozone and therefore of a stronger Europe.
That, too, is urgent!
We need to acknowledge the real progress that has been made in recent years to strengthen the eurozone. It is much more robust than it was just a few years ago. I have in mind tools like the European Stability Mechanism and the banking union.
However, as shown by the Greek example, work to integrate the eurozone is still far from complete.
The issue that is emerging is, of course, that of Europe's economic governance. It is nothing new, and has always been France's position. It can be considered that this governance is being put in place, but not quickly enough. We need to speed up, opening an economy and tax convergence agenda and promoting an ambition to move forward in the social arena, regarding salaries and any form of unfair competition. We need an economic policy for the eurozone to ensure our single currency fully supports growth and jobs in both the North and the South of Europe and with – I know that this is a very difficult issue, including here in Parliament – genuine democratic representativeness.
All those challenges are ahead of us.
After the urgent issues are resolved, we will also have to address those challenges, ladies and gentlemen! As always, France will have to be – and will be – working for Europe to maintain its position, to move forward and remain in the heart of its peoples, and for it to continue its history.
There are fundamental questions around the nature and consequences of this debate, here in France, as well as in other countries. Of course there is, as I was saying, this relationship with Greece. We had the generation of Europe's founding fathers, those who built it, like Valery Giscard d'Estaing and Helmut Schmidt, François Mitterrand and Helmut Kohl. Each played their part in this history.
But the responsibility of our generation is to ensure that we don't see Europe breaking up. I do not want that to happen. It would be a terrible symbol for a European Union country to exit the eurozone because the other countries chose that. We cannot let that happen. Everyone has responsibilities, starting with the Greek Government. But, in the very name of that history, that of our values, that of France's role, we want Greece to remain at the heart of Europe. France will do everything it can to ensure it does!
* * *


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And just like that... Hansen last night, Raymond bumps his slump tonight. Hopefully we can get more than one tonight.Island Nucklehead wrote:Raymond has been awful lately, but credit where it is due, he was probably our best forward yesterday. If he plays like that every night he can stay in the top-6.Listercat wrote: FWIW, Raymond was probably the best of our forwards last night in generating offense, but don't let that interfere with your hate.
Schneider has been great. MAG and Alberts is already a nightmare.


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American Masters: Jacques Pepin: The Art of Craft
Discover the story of Chef Jacques Pépin, a young immigrant whose American journey took him through the kitchens of Howard Johnson's, bringing his commitment to great taste and craftsmanship to American food. With his landmark cookbooks and television shows, he ushered in a new era in American food culture.
DVD, 60 minutes on 1 Disc


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Adobe® Flash® Builder® 4.6 Premium software is an Eclipse based development tool for rapidly building standout mobile, web, and desktop applications using ActionScript® and the open source Flex framework. Use professional testing tools to build higher performing applications.
|Adobe Flash Builder 4
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|Proceed to Download
Intel® processor
Mac OS X v10.6 and v10.7
1GB of RAM (2GB recommended)
1.5GB of available hard-disk space
Java Virtual Machine (32 bit): JRE 1.6
1024x768 display (1280x800 recommended) with 16-bit video card
DVD-ROM drive
Eclipse 3.6 Cocoa version (for plug-in installation)
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VVD - Elegant Bright Summer Theme
Compatible:OS6 9700, 9780, 9788, 9650.
OS7 icons.
Icons 1-7 set in device application order.
Icon 1 is in the left top corner of the Home screen.
(You can hide it by pressing alt+ "#", or show it by presssing alt+ "*").
Icons 2-7 set in the bottom dock going from left to right
Custom clickable icons in the top banner set for Texts, BBM (Blackberry Messenger) and Browser.
Custom clickable Options (Battery meter section), Calendar, Clock and Manage Connections buttons in the top banner.
Home screen icons arranged to easily access all handy apps.
Wallpaper friendly!
Get it at VVD - Bright Summer Theme - Themes BlackBerry Apps
MyBBOTA link
VVD theme will look great on your BlackBerry® handset! If you are currently running OS6 then you will have a stunning new look of your device with the OS7 icon set!


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Job Vacancy Enquiry
To get in touch with Link Education about this position please use the form below.
We have used the services of Link Education for several years now. The agency deliver a very high quality of service and the teachers supplied have been of high standard too. They provide a very prompt service and listen to the request carefully so that teachers are well matched to the class group needing cover. Link Education has a good bank of teachers to work with our Special Needs children. Knowing that I can pick up the phone and a good quality teacher will arrive at school on a Monday morning certainly takes at least one pressure off my shoulders. I have no hesitation in recommending Link Education to another school. They are a life line for today's hectic school life.
Special Needs School, Kent
Special Needs School, Kent


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Other Documents of Capgeminiin English :
18th Annual Trends in Logistics and Transportation: Profitability
18th Annual Trends in Logistics and Transportation: Synchronization
Accelerated Transportation Management
Advanced Planning and Scheduling
Application Outsourcing for Automotive OEMs
Better Global Sourcing of Services. A guide to Global Sourcing of Services decisions
Beyond the Label
Beyond the Label (Executive Summary)
Big Data: Next Generation Analytics
BPO in Manufacturing - Catching the New Wave of Innovative Services
Business Aware Application Outsourcing
Business Process Outsourcing Finance & Accounting Services
Capgeminis Supplier Relationship Management
Changes in the payment industry drive strategic sourcing decisions for banks
Desktop Outsourcing with Instinct 2.0
Emerging Multinationals: Manufacturing in a Rapidly Changing Global Landscape
Enabling the Shelf-Connected Enterprise
Future Supply Chain 2016
Gaining Competitive Advantage via Ethical Manufacturing Sourcing
Global Chief Procurement Officer Survey 2008
Global Chief Procurement Officer Survey 2009
Global Chief Procurement Officer Survey 2010
Global Supply Chain Control Towers
Global Supply Chain Planning Study 2009
Global Trade Flow Index Q1 2011
Global Trade Flow Index. Unique analysis of global trade levels
Global Trade Flow Index: Q2 2011
Improving Cost Management in the Automotive Supplier Industry
Improving Merger Success through Outsourcing
In Conversation with a Lean Leader
Integrated Planning & Execution: Synchronizing supply and demand in real time
Leading The Evolution of 3rd Generation Business Process Outsourcing: BPO With Business Insight
Manufacturing in 2020
Offshoring Evolution. Changing trends in India and China across industries.
Outsourcing & Regulatory Compliance Risks
Outsourcing Allows Distribution Companies to Gain Competitive Advantage
Outsourcing to China and India: A North American Perspective
Outsourcing: The Innovators Secret
Predictive Asset Maintenance
Procurement Master Data The Bedrock of Success
Setting and Delivering Ambitious Shared Services and Sourcing Goals. Shared Services - weathering the storm and structuring for recovery
Solving the Master Data Management Business Problem
Sourcing and Procurement: Driving to the Next Level of Savings
Sourcing of Direct Material
Strategic Sourcing of IT Services
Supply Chain Agenda 2010. Customer back on top of the supply chain agenda in 2010.
Supply Chain Business Process Outsourcing
Supply Chain Impact Survey Findings
Supply Chain Management Services
Supply Chain Management: Unit Overview
Supply Chain Planning Study 2007
Supply Chain: Orchestration, Collaboration & Independence
Tactical Network Analysis. Unlocking the improvement potential in inbound and outbound logistics.
The 2011 Global Supply Chain Agenda
The Aftermarket in the Automotive Industry. How to optimize aftermarket performance in established and emerging markets.
The Changing Dynamics of the Global High Tech Industry An Analysis of Key Segments and Trends
The CPO Talent Challenge
The Emergence of Strategic Sourcing in Payments
The Financial Framework for Trade Promotion Optimization Success
The Keys to Successful Multisourcing
The Telco Revolution: Using Outsourcing to Smooth Turbulent Times
Transform with BeLean
Transport Market Monitor edition 3. Rates dropped in 2010, but signs of increase clearly visible
Transport Market Monitor August 2011
Transport Market Monitor. Transport rates are increasing, but will they last?
Transportation Management Report 2011
Trends in Business Transformation 2009. From crisis response to radical changes that will create tomorrows business
Warehousing report 2009
Where in the World? Selecting the Location for Your Shared Service Centre
White goods distribution in the spotlight
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Now showing items 1-1 of 1
Patronage, contextual flexibility and organisational innovation in Lebanese protected areas management
(Wolters Kluwer, 2014)
The Lebanese Shouf Biosphere Reserve (SBR) counts among the most successful Middle Eastern conservation projects today. This article describes the evolution and contemporary management of conservation in Shouf. Using SBR ...


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Story updated at 12:40 p.m.
CALGARY - City police have laid second-degree murder charges against one youth and one adult in the fatal stabbing of a man in Brentwood early Saturday.
Officers were called to a residence in the 5000 block of Brisebois Drive N.W. at around 3 a.m. and found two men with stab wounds.
Both were taken to hospital but one of them later died. Police have not named the victim pending an autopsy, but he has been identified by family as Brett Wiese, a 21-year-old University of Calgary student.
His family said he was stabbed trying to eject party crashers.
The other man remains in serious condition in hospital, police said.
Late on Saturday, a 17-year-old young offender, who cannot be named, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.
The following day, Mitchell William Harkes, 19, of Calgary was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault, and four breaches of various court orders.
Earlier story:
Ousting a group of party crashers cost Brett Wiese his life, according to the young man's grieving family.
Wiese, a 21-year-old university student, was with friends at a large house party in Brentwood on the weekend.
That's where he was stabbed to death, Kip Wiese said in an interview on Sunday.
A group had been kicked out of the house earlier in the evening, Kip said.
"They came back .... with two vehicles, and four people entered the house," he said. "At least two had knives, unbeknownst to the occupants of the house.
"Our Brett was asking them to leave and he was attacked and stabbed."
Kip said his nephew was stabbed again by a second person as he continued trying to eject the unwanted group. He identified the first attacker as a 19-year-old man and the second as a 17-year-old woman, whom Brett didn't know.
No charges have been laid.
Duty inspector Patty McCallum said late Sunday that several people have been taken into police custody for questioning.
Investigators consider the party crashers suspects, McCallum said earlier, but they have not been identified.
The other partiers have been interviewed by police and have been co-operative, she also told the Herald.
Police said they were called to the house early Saturday for reports that two men had been stabbed.
Officers arrived at an address in the 5100 block of Brisebois Drive N.W. shortly after 3 a.m. and found two people suffering from stab wounds.
Both were taken to the Foothills Medical Centre, according to an EMS official, but Wiese died of his injuries.
The other victim remains in the hospital in serious condition.
One man said neighbours were warned earlier in the week that the party could get loud. Neighbours also said police were called to the house more than once as the party was going on.
Mike, who lives across the street, said the house was busy overnight with partiers coming and going into the early morning hours.
"The cabs came and went," he said.
He believed the home was occupied by university students.
Yellow police tape stretched across several houses on both sides of Brisebois Drive on Sunday, but the blocked-off area of the crime scene was reduced later in the day. Onlookers stared at the Calgary Police Service's forensic van parked in front of a house on the street.
Meanwhile, in the central Alberta town of Ponoka, Wiese's family members were remembering the young man as a budding businessman, who kept sterling grades at the University of Calgary, and thought of joining his dad in the car sales business after graduating next year.
Kip Wiese's voice quivered over the phone as he described a family in mourning.
"They're just torn apart," he said. "It's not just them, but it's the extended family and the community. There's been an absolute outpouring emotion from this town.
"The town has been paralyzed by this."
Speaking on behalf of the family, he also thanked people in town for bringing food and offering their condolences. Funeral plans haven't been arranged until the autopsy is completed.
With files from Clara Ho, Calgary Herald.


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Posted by Editoress on 03/11/11
Blizzard Bike Club report from Fort St. John BC for the week of March 6th
Sunday (March 13th) is the start of the Blizzard Bike Club's tough, three race 'Roubaix Cup' Series, out in Baldonnel.
The winter 'Roubaix Cup' Series events are legendary for having such bad weather since the series started 15 years ago, in 1996.
The Baldonnel Roubaix event has seen more than its fair share of extremely cold weather over the years ranging from -27 in 2002, -22 in 2003, five inches of fresh snow in 2004, and bone dry and +9 in 2005 and 2010! The weather is always a factor.
The second race, the 'Montney Roubaix' race goes a week later at 2 pm at the Olde Montney Store. The weather for this one, last year, was -15 with a nasty north wind.
The final race goes at Baldonnel School on the Baldonnel – Two Rivers loop. It was here Gary Hilderman sealed his 2010 Cup win in dramatic fashion after three time Cup winner Pat Ferris stretched out the pack on the first gravel hill, allowing him and Kevin Shaw to pull away for a lead of a minute. Gary Hilderman clawed his way back up to the leaders by the start of the Two-Rivers hill on the second lap and won the sprint from Kevin Shaw and Pat Ferris to get the overall lead for points.
The Roubaix Cup is always a hard fought contest with other riders and the weather.
Race time is 2 pm from the Baldonnel School.
March 6th report
Dan Webster won Sunday's first race of the 2011 Blizzard Bike Club season. Pat Ferris was second. their time was 32:47 minutes for the 20 km loop. Ryan Dumaresq was third at 46:47 minutes. August Battiston had 33:02 for the 12 km distance.
Conditions were chilly at -17 on the Baldonnel loop.
Thanks to George Gamble for timing us!
Coming up is the legendary Roubaix Cup series, which started back in 1996 and Jason Pearson the winner. Over the years Robert Martens has won a record four wins in this event with Pat Ferris winning three.
The race conditions can be anything from cool, dry to a foot of snow, warm with mud and ice and as cold as -25 and anything in between. Sometime in the same series!
The format is simple. The rider who wins the most points over the next three Sunday stages, wins. Gary Hilderman won last years edition with a dramatic finish line sprint to capture the trophy.
Race conditions make all the difference. Snowy and cold conditions have worked well for Pat Ferris and Gary Hilderman while dry and fast conditions will favour George Gamble, Bob Andrews and Kevin Shaw.
The weatherman will have a decision to make.
Roubaix Cup #1 is Sunday at 2 pm at the Baldonnel School.
|Return to Canadian Cyclist homepage | Back to Top


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The Baltimore County police union and some Dundalk residents are protesting a plan to move the North Point Police Precinct from a centrally located building to an outlying post in the northern part of the district on Eastern Boulevard.
Critics say the change could mean officers will take longer to respond to emergencies and keep some away from their posts in the southeastern part of the county, though the police chief said the new location offers better access to major roads.
The issue is playing out amid a larger debate over the county's plan to sell the North Point Government Center on Merritt Boulevard and Holabird Avenue, which is now home to the precinct. The center is one of three taxpayer-owned properties that the county has proposed to sell to raise money for schools.
The police station would move into what is now Eastwood Magnet Elementary School on Eastern Boulevard, and students there would be sent to neighboring schools. The site is on the northern end of Precinct 12, which is roughly bounded by the Back River, the Patapsco River and the Baltimore City line.
Cole B. Weston, president of Baltimore County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 4, said the proposed location is far from many communities in the southern part of the district, meaning that when officers must return to the precinct building, their posts will be unattended for longer periods of time.
"It's clearly at the top border," he said. "It's a hike for people who have to go to Turner Station. If you have a car that works a post down there, when they leave that post, they've left it. It will be 15-plus minutes to get back to the precinct."
Chief James W. Johnson defended the move after a recent budget hearing for his department before the County Council.
"I want to point out that officers are assigned to a post," he said, adding that they are expected to spend the majority of time out in the neighborhood and not in the precinct station.
The school site offers some benefits, such as easy access to the main thoroughfare of Eastern Boulevard and the expressways that serve the southern end of the precinct, he said.
Weston also raised concerns about renovating the school site into a police station, which will have to be equipped with a cell block and a secure location to unload people being taken into police custody.
Several community leaders have also questioned the accessibility of location.
Carl Persiani, a member of Dundalk United, which formed to fight the county's plan to sell the government center, questioned the practicality of the county's plan.
"Why would you want to take a station that was located in the center of the community and move it to the far north side of the community? It doesn't make any logical sense whatsoever," he said. "We are in the southernmost end of the community. We are afraid of crime rates going up because of response times."
Other residents expressed concern at having the precinct relocated into the middle of a residential community. The existing precinct is surrounded by recreation fields and is on Merritt Boulevard, which is mostly commercial businesses.
Dundalk residents been vocal about the county's plan sell the community center space and surrounding recreation fields and have staged several protests.
The county's proposal would also include two other properties, a former police substation building in Randallstown and a fire station in Towson.
The county received bids for the three properties in April, including two offers for the North Point Government Center. Officials said the sales will generate revenue for county schools. A county committee is now evaluating the bids.
The county school board approved the closure of Eastwood in March. The school is set to close at the end of the school year.
Baltimore Sun reporter Alison Knezevich contributed to this article.
Latest Baltimore County


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The air smells of a curious mixture of lycra, pasta, and performance-enhancing drugs. That can only mean one thing: The Giro d'Italia is in town, cycling through Amsterdam for the weekend before heading off to Utrecht and then eventually to the motherland.
From what I can tell, this poor man's Tour de France is a big deal to many European sports fans as city officials in Amsterdam estimated up to 500,000 visitors came for the weekend to watch a few hundred international riders compete for the maglia rosa, the pink jersey. And it did knock soccer, the only other televised sport here, off the headlines for a few days. But its appeal escapes me.
It was admittedly mildly impressive to watch these juiced-up cycle jockeys whiz through the streets at up to 50km/h, with zero room for error between harrowing turns and rabid fans.
Amsterdam May 8, 2010
But it all seemed way too much like a video game - with bikes that are so technologically enhanced that they hardly resemble bikes, helmets inspired by the movie Alien, a team car that trails each rider with instructions and encouragement (and presumably syringes), and calves and thighs so technologically enhanced that they hardly resemble calves and thighs.
Hopefully World Cup fever next month will make up for it all, as I privately lament the absence of the NHL and NBA playoffs in the meantime.
Till then, er, yay cycling robots!