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We know that some of the most important ways to get more electric vehicles (EVs) on the road are 1) provide consumers with incentives that will make EVs less expensive and more convenient; 2) get dealerships to actually make an effort to sell these cars; 3) get cities to promote EVs; and 4) get "butts in seats" by having people test drive the cars and experience them first-hand.
On Thursday, I joined Massachusetts energy and environmental agency leaders on a three-city tour promoting all of these topics. The events were held as part of the fourth annual National Drive Electric Week being celebrated in more than 145 cities nationwide.
Stop one was in Somerville, Massachusetts, where Mayor Joseph Curtatone celebrated his city's recent commitment to install public EV charging stations and bring 16 EVs to his municipal fleet. "Somerville is fortunate to have partners at the state... who are helping us strive for our ambitious goal of becoming a net zero carbon emissions city by 2050," said the mayor, who looked like he had fun test driving a Nissan Leaf and a Smart for Two at the event.
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner David Cash congratulated Somerville and said that the Somerville project is being supported by MassEVIP providing $2.5 million in incentives to Massachusetts public and private entities, including municipalities, state fleets, and universities acquiring EVs and charging stations.
In June, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick announced a new EV rebate program that qualifies plug-in hybrid consumers -both those who purchase and those who lease -- for a $1,500 check. Full battery electric consumers qualify for $2,500. This is after the federal tax credit, which is worth up to $7,500. After three months, hundreds of Massachusetts consumers have applied for the rebate.
Stop two on our tour was the Nissan dealership in Marlborough, Massachusetts, which has sold more plug-in vehicles than just about any other dealership in the commonwealth. The dealership's Jim McCall told me he had definitely noticed a spike in interest in EVs among customers since the rebate was put in place, and that they are coming in already aware of many EV benefits. "Over the lifetime of an electric vehicle, owners can reduce fuel consumption by more than 4,000 gallons of gasoline, reduce fuel costs by thousands of dollars, and cut their reliance on foreign oil," said MA Undersecretary for Environment Martin Suuberg at the dealership event.
We hear over and over that dealerships aren't making an effort to sell plug-in cars -- that the new technology is something they don't want to spend time explaining to customers. Clearly this dealership has taken the time to train its staff and educate its customers about the benefits of plug-in cars. And they're smart. Customer satisfaction reviews for many models of plug-in cars are off the charts, and dealership and brand loyalty will surely go along with happy drivers.
The last stop on our three-city tour was a large office park in Wellesley, Massachusetts. "We are pleased to work with the state on this important program and install 16 EV Charging Stations at Wellesley Office Park," said Paul Crowley, Vice President and Managing Director, U.S. Asset Management, John Hancock Financial Services, which manages the property and received state funding to install charging stations.
Two women who drive their EVs to work at the office park, one with a Chevy Volt and one with a Smart for Two, shared with me how excited they are that they'll now get to charge their vehicles at work. Many of those attending the event on their lunch break ogled the cars on display --especially the Tesla Model S Steve Sanders had driven in--and considered how nice it would be to fuel their cars for free. Steve drew a crowd with his car and his enthusiastic stories about how much he loves to drive it and fuel it on sunshine -with the solar panels at his home. Just this month, Massachusetts' highest court issued a ruling that Tesla is able to sell its electric cars directly to customers without being part of the traditional dealership model.
In conjunction with the three-city EV tour, which was organized largely by the MA Department of Energy Resources and the MA Clean Cities Coalition, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick said, "We are committed to deploying innovative strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, bolster our energy independence and grow our clean energy economy. Our commitment, along with seven other governors, to getting [3.3 million] zero-emission vehicles in the eight states is a challenge I look forward to meeting, as it will have a strong impact on reducing harmful pollutants and promoting a more sustainable environment for future generations."
Massachusetts and all the other states have a long way to go to reaching the zero emission vehicle goals. In fact, Massachusetts alone will need to sell an average of nearly 27,000 plug-in cars per year between 2015 and 2025 to meet the goal. In the last year, it sold just over 2,000. But having doubled the number of plug-in car sales in the past year alone, Massachusetts is starting to charge ahead. And with continued and bolstered consumer incentives, investment in public charging infrastructure, education of the public, and partnership with business -- including car dealerships and large employers -- Massachusetts will go a long way.
Photo 1: example of MA EV license plate; Photo 2 from left to right: Oliver Sellers-Garcia, Director of Somerville Office of Sustainability & Environment, MA DEP Commissioner David Cash, Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone, Sierra Club's Gina Coplon-Newfield, and MA Undersecretary for Environment Martin Suuberg. Photo 3: Tesla about to charge up at Wellesley Office Park. First two photos courtesy of MA Dept. of Environmental Protection. Last photo courtesy of John Hancock Property Management.
National Drive Electric Week is organized at the national level by Sierra Club, Plug In America, and the Electric Auto Association.


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Information Possibly Outdated
The information presented on this page was originally released on February 19, 2009. It may not be outdated, but please search our site for more current information. If you plan to quote or reference this information in a publication, please check with the Extension specialist or author before proceeding.
Lunch seminar helps make wiser consumers
MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A group of state experts on consumer protection issues will be in Starkville March 5 to discuss a wide range of topics, and via interactive video, people across the state can ask questions directly.
Bobbie Shaffett, family resource management specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, arranged for representatives of the Consumer Division of the attorney general's office, the secretary of state's office, and the Better Business Bureau to address consumer issues. The discussion will be broadcast statewide, and county Extension offices will host participants in the conference.
The March 5 session happens during National Consumer Protection Week. The program will be available through interactive video conferencing capabilities by the MSU Extension Service as part of the educational series Quick Bites, offered each Thursday from 12-1 p.m.
"We encourage all Mississippians to bring a bag lunch and go to their local Extension offices to participate in this video conference. Because it is interactive, participants can ask questions of these experts and get information to make better consumer decisions or solve consumer problems," Shaffett said. "With the U.S. economy struggling, Mississippians should take advantage of educational opportunities to make themselves more savvy consumers."
For more information on this Quick Bites program, contact Shaffett at firstname.lastname@example.com or call the local MSU Extension Service county office to attend the March 5 Consumer Quick Bites session. For more information on National Consumer Protection Week, visit www.consumer.gov/NCPW.

subset: commoncrawl


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Center for the Visual Arts Grand Opening
- Kent
The Center for the Visual Arts, the new facility and home of the Kent State University School of Art, will celebrate its grand opening on May 6, 2016. The festivities begin at 3 p.m. with a short program, immediately followed by building tours, live entertainment, student exhibitions and refreshments.
Concluding the grand opening events, a lecture by distinguished visiting artist Mel Chin will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Room 165. The opening program and events, as well as the keynote lecture, are free and open to the public. RSVPs are appreciated.
See the complete news release for more information.


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Most popular searches
Botavikos (means "belonging to plants" in Greek) is a Russian brand known for high-quality natural cosmetics and essential oils. Created out of passion for nature's energy, scents and textures, the brand offers the best of natural ingredients in gentle yet effective skincare formulations. All Botavikos products are made of at least 95% plant-based natural ingredients, are hypoallergenic, vegan and cruelty-free.
G.Love is a natural skincare brand from Russia founded by two cosmetic chemists. It was born out of love for fruits and veggies – the unsung beauty heroes. Imagine yourself strolling through a farmer's market picking fresh, bright produce for your meals. With G.Love you can do the same for your skin – create your own healthy and nutritious beauty recipes from the best fruits and veggies have to offer. All G.Love products are eco-friendly and cruelty-free.
Since its launch in 2009, mi&ko has been at the forefront of sustainability in Russia with the goal to create beauty and personal care products that live in harmony with nature. mi&ko offers 100% natural, eco-friendly and cruelty-free award-winning skincare, with most products certified by Cosmos Organic and Cosmos Natural. A role model for social entrepreneurship, mi&ko provides jobs to those from underprivileged communities and donates a portion of proceeds to children with special needs and funds protecting endangered animals.
True Alchemy
True Alchemy offers clean, clinically proven skincare formulas based on wholesome, functional active ingredients. All True Alchemy products are formulated without SLS, SLES and parabens, are not tested on animals and are made exclusively with natural ingredients. In addition, all True Alchemy products are Cosmos Natural certified, which is a testament to the brand's commitment to quality, natural ingredients and eco-friendly formulas and manufacturing process.
Laboratorium has been creating natural, vegan and cruelty-free beauty products in Saint Petersburg, Russia since 2013. At the core of the brand is its commitment to quality of ingredients and products and respect for the environment through recycling and sustainable manufacturing practices. None of Laboratorium products are tested on animals or use animal-derived ingredients, including honey or beeswax. All formulas are developed in line with ECOCERT standards.
Innature takes pride in creating skincare products based on local natural resources from the south of Russia. The brand is committed to sourcing high-quality ingredients from aromatic herbs, vitamin-rich fruits and berries, and natural extracts and oils. All Innature products are 99% natural, are not tested on animals and are formulated without PEG, parabens, silicones and mineral oils.


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The young French dancer Julie Nioche received her dance education at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, and went on to develop her skills through collaborations with such important choreographers as Meg Stuart, Alain Buffard, Catherine Contour, Emmanuelle Huynh, and Jennifer Lacey. In 1996, Nioche, together with Rachid Ouramdane, co-founded the research and production institute L'Association Fin Novembre. A psychology and osteopathy student, she also runs therapeutic workshops for people with eating disorders; in this way, she connects her studies and her creative work through concentrated reflection on the body: body image, the transformation of the body and the identity crises that arise from society's ubiquitous emphasis on the body. "Our investment in the body seems to reflect the relationship we have with the world" (Julie Nioche).
The female chromosome, cell, tissue, organ, body. Interest in the body - its formation and transformation - is the central theme of XX, a performance that is "concise, funny, lively, serious, sharp, impertinent, and possesses hair-raising charm." Julie Nioche is interested in the body, its surface, the appearance of the mouth, arms, legs, skin… Is the body something composed of such parts or does each of them lead a separate life? "A wrist erect like a cockerel, an expectant ankle poised between steadiness and hesitation, or the perplexed nape of a neck are among the many anecdotes that serve to dislocate the body of the story" (Herve Gauville, Libération).
performance space recalls a sculptor's studio or a cosmetic surgeon's operating
room, as the two dancers (Nioche and Barbara Manzetti) shed their
synthetic skins in an intimate atmosphere and transform their naked bodies
using, among other things, latex prosthetics, herbal pitch and adhesive tape.
The search for the perfect female body intentionally ignores the body as a subjective space. The concern with external body image and its modification is a reflection of modern society, which has turned the body into a spectacle by means of fashion-industry strategies, nutrition and socialisation rules. The body as we see it or the body as we experience it? The body is trapped in a paradox, since it serves both as "a closed system and a means of communication" at one and the same time.
Nina Meško
XX with Alice is a performance based on a work titled XX, created by Julie Nioche and Barbara Manzetti in 2002. The performers will appear in Ljubljana accompanied by musician Alice Daquet, who recently presented a concert at Nouveau Casino in Paris. During this improvisation, the performers will re-use movements from XX, although without the 'folding screens' of the original version. The two individuals in XX with Alice revive in an attempt to transform the present: each movement may be understood as a series of inner images just beginning to form. How do you find your way within the paradox of the body (the subject of both communication and reservation simultaneously), if not by playing with different images linked to images of the visible body.
Julie Nioche
Performed by: Julie Nioche, Barbara Manzetti
Sound improvisation: Alice Daquet
Technical operator: Jean Michel Hugo
Production management: Association Fin Novembre
City of Women
In co-operation with: Cankarjev dom
With the support of: Adria Airways


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Recently, Cann visited Chicago's Auditorium Hall, armed with 88-year-old newspaper reviews of the concert: she knew where Price would have been sitting and what she was wearing.
âShe got a standing ovation, and she was called up on stage and she was wearing a nice white dress,â Cann said. "I wish I could be a fly on the wall and see her react to that first. Even though she designed this and wrote it all, it came to life for her for the first time."
Price is generally not taught in conservatories and rarely performed. Cann has been a champion of Price's music since she first discovered it just five years ago, now performing her concertos with ensembles on a regular basis, including last season with the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Florence Price grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, and received formal training as an organist and composer at the New England Conservatory in Boston. She spent much of her adult life in Chicago, where she died at the age of 66.
âShe draws from so many different parts of her life. There is a link with the Romantic period, and certainly with DvoÅák. Her instructors and the people she admired, that was the music they heard, âCann said. "Even though she follows a certain format, she still does something that no one has ever done."
AntonÃn DvoÅák himself told the New York Herald earlier in 1893 that the future of American music âmust be based on what are called Negro melodies. ⦠These beautiful and varied themes are the product of the land. They are American. "
The First Symphony is clearly rooted in the music of the Romantic era with which DvoÅák is associated, but adds melodic references to folk and spiritual music from the southern United States.
âI feel that connection to her training, but on the other hand, she takes inspiration from the music of black America,â Cann said. âShe gave you a taste of the connections to black culture and black music from that time.


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Browsing byAuthorAbeysuriya, K
Showing results 1 to 20 of 35 next >
|Issue Date
|Achieving safe management: A case for strengthening the attention to liquid streams in on-site and local sanitation
|Mitchell, C; Abeysuriya, K; Ross, KE; Eales, K; Willetts, J; Mills, F
|An analysis of performance data for local scale wastewater services in Indonesia
|Mitchell, C; Ross, KE; Abeysuriya, K
|Applying the WHO's multi-barrier approach to faecal sludge reuse
|Abeysuriya, K; Khawaja, N; Mills, F; Carrard, N; Kome, A; Willetts, JR
|Can corporate social responsibility resolve the sanitation question in developing Asian countries?
|Abeysuriya, K; Mitchell, C; White, S
|City Sanitation planning through a political economy lens
|Abeysuriya, K; Willetts, J; Carrard, N; Kome, A
|Closing the loop: A systems thinking led sustainable sanitation project in Australia
|Sankaran, S; Abeysuriya, K; Gray, J; Kachenko, A; Wilby, J
|Consultative multi-criteria decision making process for drought security
|Mukheibir, P; Cole, C; Drinkwater, K; Abeysuriya, K
|Cost recovery for urban sanitation in Asian countries: insurmountable barrier or opportunity for sustainability?
|Abeysuriya, K; Mitchell, CA; Willetts, JR; NA
|Creative tensions: Negotiating the multiple dimensions of a transdisciplinary doctorate
|Willetts, J; Mitchell, C; Abeysuriya, K; Fam, D
|Decentralised wastewater systems: an asset management approach
|Fane, SA; Willetts, JR; Abeysuriya, K; Mitchell, CA; Etnier, C; Johnstone, S
|Development of qualitative decentralized system concepts for the 2009 Metropolitan Sewerage Strategy. vol 1: synthesis report
|Mitchell, CA; Abeysuriya, K; Fam, DM
|Expanding economic perspectives for sustainability in urban water and sanitation
|Abeysuriya, K; Mitchell, C; Willetts, J
|Facilitating organisational learning to support decision making and planning for sustainability in the water sector
|Fam, D; Mitchell, C; Abeysuriya, K; Meek, T
|Governance for decentralized sanitation: Global Practice Scan. A working document.
|Ross, K; Abeysuriya, K; Mitchell, C; Mikhailovich, N
|Institutional arrangements for onsite and decentralised systems: needs and opportunities for key players in the field of distributed wastewater management
|Mitchell, CA; Abeysuriya, K; Willetts, JR; West; S; Whitehead; J; Devellerez; Pl
|Learning Brief: Exploring legal and policy aspects of urban sanitation and hygiene
|Kome, A; Ross, KE; Carrard, N; Willetts, J; Mills, F; Abeysuriya, K; Murta, J
|Making pathogen hazards visible: A new heuristic to improve sanitation investment efficacy
|Mitchell, C; Abeysuriya, K; Ross, K
|Mellow Yellow: Taking a Systems Thinking Approach to Designing Research on Transitioning to More Sustainable Sewage Management
|Sankaran, S; Abeysuriya, K; Gray, J; Kachenko, A
|Multi-criteria decision support for drought security
|Mukheibir, P; Abeysuriya, K; Drinkwater, K; Cole, C
|Mutual Learning for Social Change: Using social research to support the introduction of urine diverting toilets in the Kinglake West Sewerage Project
|Mitchell, CA; Fam, DM; Abeysuriya, K


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Jake Gyllenhaal – Demolition Man
Jake Gyllenhaal in Demolition. Jake Gyllenhaal Demolition Man by Jay S. Jacobs When you meet him, it's striking how normal and sane Jake Gyllenhaal seems. Not that anyone has questioned that aspect of his life, but as an actor the young Hollywood star has had a tendency to gravitate towards crazy roles – from his breakout performance in Donnie Darko to last year's pitch black morality plays Nightcrawler and Southpaw. Gyllenhaal's latest role also has some blips in its sanity


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Theresa May Should Declare That a Hard Brexit Is Dead
This article first appeared on the American Enterprise Institute site.
Today, complex Brexit negotiations began between the United Kingdom and its European partners on the terms of the UK's exit from the European Union.
They will begin against the backdrop of recent UK and French elections that have substantially weakened the UK's relative position in those negotiations. This is likely to make for a fraught and drawn out negotiating process.
It also increase the chances that the UK will not secure a Brexit deal by March 2019, the date by which time these negotiations need to be concluded under the terms of Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.
The outcome of the UK's snap election on June 8 has substantially weakened Prime Minister Theresa May's hand in the upcoming negotiations. She will go into those negotiations with a hung parliament and with diminished political authority at home. That will make eventual parliamentary approval difficult for any Brexit deal that she might strike with her European counterparts.
She will also go into those negotiations lacking the strong mandate that she had sought in those elections. The one clear thing that emerged from those elections was that the UK electorate did not share her view on the desirability of a hard Brexit.
RELATED: Divorcing the European Union: It's All About Article 50 ( Full Text )
If the UK elections will have weakened that country's relative negotiating position, the French elections will have strengthened that of the Europeans. Following Emmanuel Macron's decisive electoral victory, France will be led by a reform-minded president who is a strong believer in European integration and who will enjoy an overwhelming parliamentary majority that will allow him to implement his reforms.
This makes it unlikely that France will wish to make meaningful concessions to the UK on the underlying principal of the free movement of labor within the Single Market. It is also likely to reduce France's incentives to help reach a Brexit deal.
With reforms at home, France would stand to benefit from the reallocation of investment away from the UK should that country lose access to the Single Market.
RELATED: Brexit Deal Or No Deal? Britain-EU Talks Begin
All of this would seem to strengthen the arguments of those who are pressing Mrs. May to back down soon from the hard-Brexit position that she has been been advocating so single mindedly over the past year.
She should do so even though such a course would likely reveal deep divisions on the Brexit issue within her Conservative Party.
Failing to embrace a soft Brexit position is all too likely to undermine investor confidence and to make for some heavy going in the UK economy over the next few years.
Desmond Lachman is a Resident Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.


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"Facing rising infections and a new COVID-19 variant, colleges across the U.S. have once again been thwarted in seeking a move to normalcy and are starting to require booster shots, extend mask mandates, limit social gatherings and, in some cases, revert to online classes," we read in a recent Associated Press wire.
The piece mentions three prestigious northeastern universities in connection with this troubling turn of events:
"Cornell University abruptly shut down all campus activities on Tuesday and moved final exams online after more than 700 students tested positive over three days… Hours later, Princeton University moved its exams online and urged students to leave campus "at their earliest convenience" amid a rise in cases. On Wednesday, New York University cancelled all non-academic events and encouraged professors to move finals online."
And then comes the punch line: "Cornell, Princeton and NYU all report student vaccination rates of more than 98%."
One wonders by what kind of imaginative stretch the vaccinators will attempt to shift the blame for this debacle on the unvaccinated.
They have their work cut out for them, since the facts are not in their favor.
It was the vaccinated members of those academic communities who contracted the virus and brought it to the campuses. These students then infected other vaccinated students who in turn transmitted the virus to yet more of the vaccinated. And those infected vaccinated passed the virus along to even more of the vaccinated and so on.
As they say, the whole thing was an inside job. It was an inside job by the vaccinated!
In the end the vaccines did not do much good. Their failure becomes even more abysmal if we remember that almost all of the affected universities also had in place rigorous testing procedures during the fall semester.
Even with the help of strict testing, the vaccines could not protect the nearly 100 percent vaccinated population from Covid-19.
Do you remember when Fauci and his band of establishment scientists told us that vaccination rates between 60 and 70 percent would bring about herd immunity?
Earlier this year, Joe Biden told the nation that the vaccinated were losing patience with the unvaccinated. The implication was that the unvaccinated were spoiling the works by spreading infection.
Joe Biden also promised that if you get vaccinated you will not get Covid. The man really did say that.
What the vaccine fiasco at the universities shows that even one hundred percent vaccination rate does not prevent surges and outbreaks. Nor does it bring about herd immunity.
One thing has been clear for some months now: the vaccinated get infected as easily as unvaccinated, if not more so.
Omicron seems to target the vaccinated especially as many highly vaccinated countries and regions have been experiencing widespread Covid surges.
Alex Berenson recently posted an eye-popping chart from Ontario. The chart shows that the vaccinated are contracting Omicron at more than three times the rate of the unvaccinated.
In light of this, it is clearly not rational for the vaccinated to fear the unvaccinated.
To paraphrase FDR: "The only thing the vaccinated have to fear is the virus itself."
What do they say about Brandon?
The post Who Do You Blame for Covid When the Vaccination Rate Is Nearly 100 Percent? appeared first on LewRockwell.


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Do you have a property you wish to let? Well you're in the right place…
Whether this is your first time letting your property or you're a seasoned landlord, Neighbourhood Properties has the local knowledge and vast experience to help you every step of the way. With the legal and compliance responsibilities that come with being a landlord - we know it can seem daunting. We're here to help you, so you can feel confident that you're in good hands.
We manage property for a range of individuals, from portfolio landlords and property investors to accidental landlords who may have inherited a property, for example. Whatever your situation we have the know-how to ensure a smooth process from the offset.
If you are unsure about renting out your house or flat and have some questions, feel free to reach out to our friendly team who will be delighted to answer any queries you may have. Our directors are landlords too, so we get it. With this in mind, we've drafted our packages to reflect the services we would like to receive when renting out our own properties. You can read more about these services below.
Currently, the average time it takes us from instruction to completion, to identify a fully vetted and credit referenced tenant for Landlord approval is 8.2 days. This includes the re-tenanting of properties for our existing landlords, resulting in minimal void periods.
Given our thorough tenant vetting standards, and our strict arrears process, arrears across the full portfolio under our management is less than 0.5%. We have the experience to bring arrears situations to a resolution in a timely manner.
We carry out regular inspections for properties under our management, to ensure there are no breaches to the tenancy agreement. And, all safety and maintenance issues are addressed early before they escalate into a costly problem for the landlord.
Andrew W
"For anyone looking for a reliable trustworthy hard working agent to look after your property! Look no further.
The team is professional, work all hours god sends, making sure the landlord and tenants are both looked after.
They offer the best rates on the market. "
David S
"This company have been managing my property portfolio for 10 years and in this time have turned it around from short term lets with many voids to long term tenants with very few voids. I have been very happy with their service and assume my tenants have as many have been renting for years now. A big thank you the team for all your help over the years!!"
Linda J
"I have used Neighbourhood Properties for quite a few years and can not recommend them highly enough.
We have built up a good working relationship and would recommend them to anyone wish to hand over the management of their portfolio."
Tenant Find Only
Rent Collection
Fully Managed
Services For Landlords
Rental Advice & Initial Visit
The first step for renting out a property is an initial appraisal. A member of our team will book a convenient time to meet you at the property. This allows us to provide you with our professional opinion on the property condition, any changes required to make it compliant for renting, and the rental value that we believe it could achieve.
Once it's confirmed that you would like us to act on your behalf as your sole letting agent, the property will be placed on the market for the agreed monthly rent. Then comes the exciting bit - identifying a suitable tenant for your consideration.
Property Advertising & Marketing (To Let)
Firstly, we'll take photographs at the property, to accompany the literature we will create to showcase its key selling points. Using this, it's our job to get your property in front of potential tenants who are actively seeking a new home. We have multiple advertising channels, including our own high traffic website, well known property advertising portals and social media platforms. We will contact any potential tenants from our active database who's desires match your property, too. Plus, we'll place our eye catching 'TO LET' board outside the property. (unless you specify otherwise).
Property Viewings
In order to maximise your chance of finding the perfect tenant, the property must be prepared for viewings. Our team will make sure that the property is in a safe and presentable condition to carry out the viewings. We'll then schedule appointments with interested parties at a convenient time, carried out by our trained viewings team. Alternatively, you can conduct the viewing yourself if preferred. Neighbourhood Properties also offer virtual property viewings which are particularly useful for those who are relocating to the area.
If your rental property is already occupied with a tenant, we can liaise with them to arrange a suitable time for a viewing. We'll let you know as soon as a prospective tenant makes an offer, arming you with details of their current situation for you to approve or decline. If you give the go ahead, we'll negotiate the terms of the tenancy that you're expecting and move the application to the next stage…
Vetting The Successful Tenant - References, and Credit Checks
We're super proud of our current time to let a property - which currently stands at 8.2 days from the day of instruction. Once we have found an interested party, then comes the most important part - checking they're reputable and can afford to enter into a tenancy agreement with you.
The tenant checks we go through are rigorous and are there to give you some comfort around who will be living in your asset during the tenancy agreement. It's our goal to do everything we can we filter out any potential problem tenants from the outset.
We use an industry-leading Credit Reference Agency to undergo tenant references. This includes a 'soft search' which will highlight CCJs/IVAs or bankruptcies.
To bolster our tenant checks we also seek out references from employers, previous landlords, and a personal referee if necessary. If a potential tenant is self-employed, a student or on housing benefit support, we gather references from either a solicitor, accountant or guarantor.
Landlord Compliance, Safety Checks, and Certificates.
(certificates charged independently)
It's a legal requirement that all rental properties are certified for gas safety prior to the tenant occupying the property. It is also imminent that Electrical Certificates (EICR) will also become a legal requirement, so it's our advice to have this in place, too.
We have long-term relationships with fully-vetted and reputable contractors that can provide the required certificates, which will be included in the tenant's move-in pack. If you have selected our fully managed package, we'll schedule the next annual gas safety check to ensure it is completed on time, we'll also circulate the certificate to the relevant parties.
In England and Wales, from the 1st of April 2018, changes in legislation made it a legal requirement for all residential landlords to ensure their property has an energy performing rating of E or above. Initially this only applied to new tenancies from that date forward, but has since been updated to existing tenancies too. We can arrange an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) on your behalf using an accredited assessor who will produce the certificate you require in order to rent your property.
Tenancy Agreement and Documentation
The aim of our tenancy agreement is to ensure that the contract provides protection to both the tenant and the landlord. We use an Assured Shorthand Tenancy (AST) under the 1996 Housing Act, which has been drafted by the National Landlord's Association (now NRLA). This is to ensure both party's interests are protected throughout the course of the tenancy.
Property Inventory Check-In/Check-Out
(Charged Independently)
Having a move in and check out inventory is highly recommended in all situations, so the condition of the property can be compared from the beginning to the end of the tenancy.
This avoids any difficulties arising from damage claims, during or at the end, by providing essential independent evidence that can be submitted to third party adjudicators in the event of any disputes. Inventories will also show that all furnishing, soft furnishings, and all electrical and safety alarms and equipment comply with current legislation.
A full inventory, including photographs, conducted by us using our inventory software. You will be provided with a PDF report to highlight the findings.
Utility Changeover
When a new tenancy starts, it is important that there are no discrepancies between the previous occupier and your new tenant. We work with a reputable third-party service that will notify the Electricity, Gas, Water and Council Tax Companies of a new tenancy. The new tenant will then be instructed to contact above companies the to set up their own accounts and payment methods.
Security Deposit or Deposit Replacement Product
At the commencement of the tenancy, we will collect/arrange the deposit or deposit replacement product, as agreed by both Landlord and Tenant, and set out in the tenancy agreement.
Deposits will be registered with the government authorised deposit custodial scheme, DPS (Deposit Protection Scheme) to be held until the end of Tenancy, once all our fees and outstanding invoices have been discharged. We will also issue Proscribed Information in line with the DPS terms and conditions.
The deposit replacement product we use is provided by Flatfair Limited. If this is elected, we will set this up on Flatfair's customer portal and they will liaise with the tenants to activate their account. This covers you for up to 6 weeks worth of rent loss and damage to the property. Please contact us if you would like to learn more about how this works, we'd be happy to discuss all the landlord benefits of this product.
Tenancy Set Up
Setting up a new tenancy needs to be done with care and attention, and we're on hand to assist you. We'll handle all of the actions and administration required to set up the tenancy and move the tenant into the property. We'll ensure the tenant's standing order is in place for the monthly rental payments, all documentation is signed, and the tenant is provided with a move-in pack with important information regarding the tenancy. A member of our team with check the tenant in and sign over the sets of keys for the property. This service is especially ideal if you are not based locally to the property.
Rental Payments & Annual Rent Reviews
Every tenancy is set up to ensure that rent payments are collected on the tenancy start date, per calendar month. We will pass the rent onto you within 7 days. In the unlikely event that payment has not been received from the tenant, we will proceed with our arrears process.
As we are always looking out for our landlords, every year we conduct an annual rent review. This ensures that you are getting the best rate for your rental property and it can be adjusted if necessary by following the correct processes. This will need to be done via a section 13/form 4 which we can do on your behalf.
Landlord Statements
When you are renting out your property it is important that you receive regular statements to demonstrate your income. We use world-leading online accounting software, which allows us to produce monthly/ annual landlord statements, detailing rental income and reductions for any repairs, maintenance or compliance work undertaken.
Tenant Issues | 24/7 Contact for Tenants
As a landlord, the last thing you want to worry about is any problems at the property. As a part of our fully managed services, we will act as the point of contact, 24 hour hours a day for the tenant to report any problems, providing you with peace of mind and a hands off approach.
Property Repairs and Maintenance Scheduling
For properties under our fully managed service, we will be the point of contact for Tenants to report any repair or maintenances issues that may occur. Using our approved network of contractors, we'll liaise with the tenant(s) to get the fixed in the most cost effective and efficient manner possible. We do not carry out repairs or maintenance without your prior permission, unless we are unable to contact you in the case of an emergency which requires us to protect the well-being of the tenant - which is our first priority in that situation.
Contractor Payments
We will pay the contractor and deduct the cost from the monthly rental payment to remove this administration burden from the Landlord and allowing you to benefit from our preferential rates.
Interim Property inspections
(Charged independently)
In order for us to successfully execute our duties under our fully managed package, we will need to conduct property inspections. Inspections are essential to ensure the smooth running of a tenancy. This will take place at the half way point of tenancy agreement, and every six months thereafter.
Inspections are to ensure there are no breaches to the tenancy agreement, and there are no safety or maintenance issues which need remedying. From our experience, spotting early problems can prevent escalation to costly issues for the landlord. Inspection reports include photographs, and are conducted using our inspection software. You will be provided with a PDF report which highlight the findings.
Rent Arrears and Breach of Tenancy Agreement - Management to Resolution
We operate a strict arrears procedure, to quickly resolve any arrears situation in the unlikely event that they occur. Should your tenant fall into rental arrears, they will enter into a vigorous step by step process. We will communicate with the tenant, set up payment plans and, issue reminder letters, followed by legal notices for possession (s8/s21) through the eviction process if required. We track all communication and actions along this process, should they need to be submitted as evidence during a formal hearing.
This thorough approach ensures the landlord's interests are looked after, and has resulted in the arrears across our portfolio under management being lower than 0.5%.
Renewal of Tenancy Agreement
Should your tenant wants to continue renting the property from you beyond the initial term, we will handle all the administrative aspects of the renewal agreement, otherwise the tenancy will default to a rolling periodic tenancy on a month by month basis. We will also handle the updating of any deposit or deposit replacement product. Again, this allows you to be completely hands-off whilst our team handles the administration.
End of Tenancy Administration
We ensure that all aspects of ending a tenancy are covered so that you, or any new tenants are not met with any unexpected surprises. We take final meter readings for gas, water, and electricity which are then passed on to the relevant utility companies along with a forwarding address for the tenant.
The local council will also be informed of the tenancy end date for council tax purposes too. Following this, all keys are returned to the office and are signed for by a member of staff.
We will also handle the administrative tasks around the returning of a deposit or concluding the deposit replacement product that maybe in play.
When a tenant issues a notice to vacate your property, we will seek your permission to immediately start a new tenant find process. This means we're using the tenant's notice period to identify and vet a new tenant, minimising any potential voids and gaps in rental income.
Mediation of Landlord/Tenant Disputes (If appropriate Referral to DPS or Flatfair for any unresolved disputes.)
Given the thorough tenant vetting process that we conduct, tenant disputes are rare. In the unlikely event that they do occur, we can often resolve the dispute between a landlord and a tenant, without the need for further action. If required, we will submit any evidence to the DPS or Flatfair, in order to resolve the matter.
Packages Available for Landlords
Additional Charges Associated with Letting or Managing A Property
Any services charged independently are set out in our Landlord Agreement Terms and Conditions, under our full transparency promise. We are confident that you will find the charges the most cost effective of our competitors across our area of operation.
Get In Touch
We'd love to here from you, so please submit your details below, and we'll be in touch to discuss your situation and how we can help you.
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Autocaravan Express 2018 Motorhome
and RV Hire in Spain
- Europe
Vehicle Extras & Services are FREE for
rentals more than 18 days
Depot Location:
Madrid - (Burgos)
here for Depot Map
here for Vehicle Index Page
here to return to Spain Country Page
here for Autocaravan Express Frequently Asked Questions
Minimum Rental Period:
The Daily Rates Include:
Pick up / Drop Off:
Transfer from the airport are Free for your customer (minimum 7 days rental). There is a fee if the customer wants the pick up or drop off directly in the airport of hotel. Not in all hotels are possible, especially in the city centre.
EUR 55 per service airport or Hotel in Madrid. - Free for rentals longer then 18 days
Please note: Transfers not possible on Saturdays Saturdays
up / Drop Off out Normal Timetable:
EUR 95 depends on availability plus Airport / Hotel transfer fee if applicable.
Office Hours:
Monday to Friday: 10:00 to 18:00
Saturdays: 10:30 to 13:00
Security Deposit:
On pick up of the rental vehicle - a security deposit of EUR 700 in cash or credit card (Visa / Mastercard) is required.
Ready for Departure Kit:
This includes 2 Gas Cylinders & Chemical products for the toilet - Free
Way Drop Off Locations:
If you want you can arrange for drop off in any place in Spain and Europe if your rental is 14 days or longer in Mid or Low season. On a request basis in High season subject to availability.
The one way from Madrid to Alicante, Barcelona, Bilbao, Sevilla and Valencia are Free from November to April both inclusive. Minimum 12 days rental. We have a depot in Madrid and Malaga (Mijas) is also Free and we make the transfer free form the airport.
Below is a list of Drop Off Locations and their associated fees. Please request for any of the below one way drop off locations.
€ 50
per rental - ( ladle, saucepan, frying pan, plates, glasses, set of
cutlery, cups & skimmer) - Free for rentals longer then
18 days
€ 29
per rental - ( sheets, quilts, duvet covers, pillows
& towels) - Free for rentals longer then 18 days
Driver's Licence:
The motorhomes driver should be over 23 years old and have had a Class B (normal cars) drivers licence for over two years. Some motorhomes it could be drive it with 24 years old and have had a Class B (normal cars) drivers licence for over two years - On Request Basis.
Colour TV:
EUR 84 per rental. There are a special place for it. This television go by 220 volts, it works 12V. All have USB connection to see films.
Please note: the insurance doesn't cover the TV. In case of robbery, hirer will lose the deposit. Also the TV will not function in some countries outside Spain (France for instance due to different frequencies are used) and also when vehicle is being driven.
Rack and Bicycles:
Rack carries 4 Bicycles maximum. Bike rack is not available
for Groups A, B & C. Motorhome groups B, C & G have
a outside compartment to put the bikes under the bed. In
motorhome groups F and H, there is a compartment outside
under the bunks. if used for bikes then one of the bunks
will be unusable.
Bike Rack - EUR 60 per rental
Mountain Bikes - EUR 98 per bike per rental
City Bikes - EUR 98 per bike per rental
Bicycle Baby Seat - EUR 30 per bike per rental (Max weight 22kg - 48lb)
is EUR 60 per rental (important to give age & weight information of the baby) - Free for rentals longer then 18 days
Seat belts include in motorhomes are:
Group A, B, C - 4 Seat Belts
Group D, E, F, G, H
- 6 Seat Belts
Booster Seat:
Cost is EUR 24 per rental (for children under 1.50 metres in height)
/ Chains:
Recommended for Skiing or high mountains - Free
GPS Tom Tom Europe:
Cost is 66 per rental. Language will be selected at the depot and full instuctions of use will be given.
Additional Equipment:
The Drivers of Autocaravan Express have full insurance (CDW) with a EUR 700 excess in case of bad use or accident (collision). This insurance is valid throughout the European Union. ( need to advise if you are travelling in other countries ). The vehicle must have a normal motorhome use, and must not transport more people them in permitted by law, or carry merchandise, or be made over the use of third parties.
It is possible to travel to Morocco or the Occidental part of Turkey with a added fee.
Please note: The insurance does not cover include personal property. Pets and Smoking are allowed but always with the hirer's responsibility.
Extending Rental Period:
The request for a extension to the rental period shouldbe given within a reasonable time limit and the request will depend on availability.
Shortening of Rental Period:
If a renter shortens their hire period by more than a week - it may be treated as a cancellation of the whole booking and a re-booking. This depends on when the amendment takes place and how many days of hire are being cancelled. Please ensure you always have travel insurance in place.
If the
reserved time needs to be extended, the customer must contact
us. within a reasonable amount
of time. The approval and confirmation of the extension
depend on the current availability
Top of page
Terms & Conditions | Contact
Us | About
© 2009 Motorhome and
RV Hire -
A Division of BTEC Travel Pty Ltd.
Telephone: (+61 3) 9584 0896 Fax: (+61 3) 9584 0840 Toll-Free
Australia: 1300
663 854
Office Address: By appointment at 28 Bear Street, Mordialloc, VIC 3195,
Mailing Address: PO Box 5309, Mordialloc, VIC 3195, Australia
Licence Number: #32610


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Analysis: European banks set for bumpy ride after decade of cheap money
FRANKFURT, July 22 (Reuters) – European banks, facing a potential economic storm and rising borrowing costs for the first time in more than a decade, are expected to show their weak spots as they brief investors on how their business fared. year.
They have already had to deal with soaring inflation and rising interest rates, a pincer movement that is squeezing borrowers, as well as the Ukrainian conflict which has shaken the European economy, in particular by limiting its energy supplies.
UBS (UBSG.S), Deutsche Bank (DBKGn.DE), Credit Suisse (CSGN.S), BNP Paribas (BNPP.PA) and UniCredit (CRDI.MI) could set the tone for investors when they report the results of the second trimester next week.
Join now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com
On the one hand, higher interest rates are good for banks because they can charge more for loans. But they suffer if customers, struggling with rising prices and borrowing costs, cannot repay.
Tough economic conditions have put investors in a cautious frame of mind, which means European banks, like their US rivals, will make less money on transactions and the sale of investment products.
Within Europe, German banks are at the center of the storm as the country is particularly dependent on Russian energy and its economy will be hit hard by any supply shortages.
Giles Edwards, an analyst at ratings agency S&P, said any fears about European banks this year will depend on how borrowers continue to repay their loans.
While he doesn't expect a big jump in bad debt right away, he said he's been watching for "early warning indicators, signs of pressure, kind of a slow squeeze basically starting to pop a few pimples here and there".
Analysts are also watching developments at Uniper (UN01.DE), the German power utility which received a state bailout on Friday. [nL8N2Z32QK]
German banks may still have to set aside more for the resulting loan losses, said Michael Rohr, an analyst at ratings agency Moody's.
Over the past two months, analysts have cut profit forecasts for Germany's biggest bank Deutsche Bank, which has emerged from a series of crises, and raised forecasts for the amount of provisions for bad debts it has need.
For Deutsche, the biggest risk is "a severe recession," Rohr said.
Other warning signs are flashing.
Eurozone banks tightened access to credit in the second quarter and will remain cautious, according to a European Central Bank survey. Read more
And Germany's cooperative banks have said they expect a "significant drop" in profits this year as they brace for loan losses.
Underlining these concerns, shares of eurozone banks (.SX7E) have fallen more than 22% since the start of the year, underperforming the broader pan-European STOXX 600 equity index which is down by about 13%.
The ECB, which unexpectedly raised interest rates by 50 basis points on Thursday to rein in soaring prices, also warned earlier of potential dangers, such as an overheated property market. Read more
During the pandemic, governments have spent billions to support much of the economy, but the ECB has said this time around they may not be able to do so.
In Spain, a senior Spanish economics official, who asked not to be named, said banks were generally vulnerable, pointing to a large number of loans under special watch for default and the potential lifting of payment moratoriums.
"I don't know what the real impact will be…and…it worries me," the official said. Santander (SAN.MC) and BBVA (BBVA.MC) publish their second quarter results at the end of the month.
In Italy, in the throes of a political crisis, pressure is mounting on the country's government bonds, which is also eroding banks' capital cushions as the Italian government bonds they hold lose value. Read more
Italy's dependence on Russian gas and the importance of its manufacturing sector, made up mainly of small businesses, increase the risks of recession.
Nearly 300 billion euros (more than 40%) of Italian business loans are guaranteed by the state after banks used emergency measures during the pandemic to refinance existing debts.
As UK banks are expected to post strong results, Tom Merry, banking strategy consultant at Accenture, said he expected provisions for bad debts to rise.
NatWest (NWG.L) is expected to move from releasing 38 million pounds ($45.43 million) of cash set aside against potential defaults in its first-quarter results, to further impairment charges of 136 million books, according to a poll of analysts.
In higher-margin investment banking, European banks are expected to see a year-over-year decline in banking fees similar to that reported by their US rivals earlier this month, analysts said. Read more
JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley (MS.N) reported investment banking fees have more than halved from a year ago. read more US merger volumes fell 29% in the first half of this year, according to Refinitiv data, while they rose 1% in Europe.
Barclays (BARC.L), with its large US operations, could perform similarly to its Wall Street rivals, while banks like HSBC (HSBA.L) and Standard Chartered (STAN.L), focused on Asia, could fare better.
($1 = 0.8365 pounds)
Join now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com
Written by John O'Donnell; Reporting by Tom Sims in Frankfurt, Jesus Aguado in Madrid, Lucy Raitano, Iain Withers and Lawrence White in London, Valentina Za in Milan and Noor Zainab Hussain in Bangalore; Editing by Jane Merriman
Our standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.


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This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
The next time you order a meal or ride from Uber, your app will showcase a TV-style commercial for Prop. 22, the California ballot measure aiming to keep its drivers from becoming employees.
The video ads show how a consumer-facing company can try to mobilize its customer base for political purposes. They underscore the massive reach of Uber, which says it had more than 1.3 million riders and over 1 million food-delivery customers in California this summer (with potentially some overlap). Ridership has fallen during the pandemic, but meal ordering has surged.


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The southern most point of New Zealand is located in Bluff. What is famous here? Bluff Oyster!.
Tag: featured
Santorini, GREECE
We heart Santorini! Finally, we made a stop on one of our bucket list destination in Santorini, Greece.
Fuji Lakes, JAPAN
Fuji Lakes was our last stop in Japan. We took a bus from Tokyo Station to Kawaguchiko Station in the Fuji Five Lakes region. Journey by bus is about 3 hours including 1 quick stop at R&R. Bus fare for return ticket per adult is ¥3000. The Fuji Five Lake region lies at the northern…
Paris, FRANCE
People once said, Paris is a city of romance, city of love, inspiration, art and fashion. Paris can be seen as an interesting place to visit in Europe, perhaps one of the most fascinating city in the world. A trip to Paris is the perfect get-away, experience the arty culture, shop until you drop, visit…


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Share a memory, offer a condolence
Let your community know
Hear your loved one's obituary
Let the family know you are thinking of them
Share a memory, offer a condolence
Let your community know
Hear your loved one's obituary
Let the family know you are thinking of them
Mr. Richard Jones Lanier, 81, of New Hope Rd. Denton, NC passed away on Tuesday, February 16, 2021, at Universal Healthcare in Ramseur.
A graveside service will be held 2:00 pm Saturday, Feb. 20, at Gravel Hill Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Scott Hardy and Dr. Ron Chaney presiding.
Mr. Lanier was born March 20, 1939 in Randolph County to Herbert Wade Lanier and Sula Elliott Lanier. He was a member of Gravel Hill Baptist Church. Mr. Lanier had operated a saw mill, hauled lumber, and he was a farmer. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Loretta Steed Lanier, brothers, Sydney Michael Lanier, Rev. Gerald Lanier and Jack Lanier, and sisters, Wanda Fay Lanier, Evelyn L. Gallimore and Betty Russell.
He is survived by sons, Tim Lanier and James Lanier and wife Tina all of Denton; granddaughter, Ashley Lanier (Taylor Miller); great-granddaughter, McKinley Miller; sister, Alma Frye of Seagrove.
Mr. Lanier will lie in state on Friday from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Briggs Funeral Home in Denton. The family will be meeting at the residence on New Hope Rd.
Memorials can be made to Gravel Hill Baptist Church Cemetery Fund 6737 Gravel Hill Rd. Denton, NC 27239, and to Hospice of Randolph County 416 Vision Dr. Asheboro, NC 27203.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Universal Healthcare for the care given to Mr. Lanier.
Online condolences can be made to the family at www.briggsfuneralhome.com
Posted online on February 18, 2021


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It was interesting to read the Facebook Page remarks of the journalist-mauling Stanislav Xoese Dogbe, the former Mahama Presidential Staffer, who has been publicly described as Ghana's de facto President by Mr. Alban SK Bagbin at a time that everybody thought the country was being ruled by then President John Dramani Mahama (that is, from July 2012 to January 7, 2017), presume to haughtily lecture President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on the Airbus SE Scandal not to order Special Prosecutor Martin ABK Amidu to investigate the role that the Woyome-funding operatives of the tandem Mills-Mahama regimes of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) likely played in the same (See "Why Investigate Airbus Matter When Ghana Did Not Lose Any Money – Stan Dogbe" Graphic.com.gh / Ghanaweb.com 2/3/20).
Well, as the preceding referencing shows, yours truly did not actually visit the Facebook Page of the man who has been widely rumored to have been the mastermind behind the barbaric stabbing assassination of Mr. Joseph Boakye Danquah-Adu, grandson of the legendary Doyen of Gold Coast and Modern Ghanaian Politics, namely, Dr. Joseph (Kwame Kyeretwie) Boakye Danquah. Rather, he picked the nonsensical effusions of Mr. Dogbe from Ghanaweb.com which apparently migrated the same from the website of the state-owned Daily Graphic newspaper.
On his Facebook Page, the man who has also been both rumored and alleged to have treated the late Vice-President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur like his family dog, tells the nation and President Akufo-Addo that Ghana did not lose any money in the Airbus SE Scandal, in which the largest European airplane manufacturer was just last week fined in a tort settlement by a London Serious Fraud High Court to the humongous tune of £ 3 Billion (Pounds Sterling), approximately $ 4 Billion (USD), in which Airbus executives were found to have paid out huge sums of bribery money to beat out competitors on the airplane supply market.
If, indeed, Ghana did not lose any money, then why would Airbus SE pay out unspecified huge sums of money in the form of bribery to Ghanaian government officials to beat out their industry competitors? If somebody benefited from the contractual supply of airplanes to the country, which clearly appears to be what the documents containing Airbus' pretrial settlement with the British High Court are saying, then, of course, Ghana definitely did lose money and, I mean, a humongous chunk of money, very likely, in the form of gross and criminal overpricing.
Remember, we are talking about a seismic racket involving the architects of the infamous Judgment-Debt official scam-artistry. The aforesaid Airbus SE mega-racket is also alleged to have involved government officials of such former British colonies and protectorates as Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Taiwan. Mr. Dogbe may very well need to immediately check himself into either the Accra or Pantang mental hospitals.
I have yet to familiarize myself with the alleged and widely publicized tax exemptions and/or tax breaks awarded to an Akufo-Addo relative, to the undoubtedly significant tune of some $ 24 Million; but I am already inclined to believe that the requisite and appropriate legal and judicial protocols and guidelines were followed to the letter.
At any rate, whatever the real case on the ground may be, absolutely nothing stops critics and dissenters like the Mahama surrogate – Or is he a Mahama shots caller? – from suing in court if, indeed, he has justiciable and/or forensically sustainable evidence indicating that any wrongdoing occurred here. The fact of the matter, even as we have been given by reliable news reports, is that the court documents in the Airbus SE case deliberately left out the names of the alleged payola recipients precisely because the pretrial judge and the prosecutors involved in the case expect criminal investigations to be imminently opened up in the countries affected by this mega-scam.
Now, let the criminally haughty Mr. Dogbe tell Ghanaians that he either knows the laws of the land, Britain, that is, much better than the trained professional practitioners or that he is more legally savvy or knowledgeable in international law as governs commercial enterprises, such as Airbus SE is alleged to have been involved, than the judge and the prosecutors who brought Airbus SE to book.
*Visit my blog at kwameokoampaahoofe.wordpress.com Ghanaffairs
By Kwame Okoampa-Ahoofe, Jr., PhD
English Department, SUNY-Nassau
Garden City, New York
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com


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Best friends support one another when tough times come. So, what can you do when your husband or wife needs extra help? How can you care for your spouse? Here are 5 ways to help a struggling spouse get started on the road to healing when dealing with personal hardship within your marriage.
Prayer is always the first response to any struggle in life. Who better to turn to than the Lord. Whether it is you, or your spouse struggling, prayer can be the key to turning it around and getting real answers to life's hardships.
Are you the one struggling in your marriage? Be willing to listen to what your spouse or others have to say about what you're going through. It can be difficult, hurt your feelings, or even make you angry. However, they may have some wisdom and clarity to offer you.
If you're not the one enduring the hardship right now, be a sounding board for your spouse. It helps to have someone who listens well to process emotions. Be careful not to try to "fix" the problem. Instead, listen with empathy.
Affirmation is important for the healing process. Speak positive and affirming words to them about their abilities, provision, and appreciation for him or her. The words may not seem to penetrate their mindset at the moment, but they will remember them later.
Here are some examples of how to give words of affirmation.
Put Love into Action
Have you ever heard the saying, "actions speak louder than words?" Well, love is a verb, which means it requires action. Don't simply tell your spouse you love them. Show them! Do it through acts of service, kindness, or concern for what they are going through. Show your love in a way that no one else can.
Be Willing to Ask for Help
Reach out to friends, family, a marriage ministry, or whoever is a "safe place" for you. Let them know you're going through a hard time. Meet with them, pray, and ask them to support you; in whatever way they can. Community support can be life-changing for a marriage. It's not wise to try to do life without it.
Help a Struggling Spouse
What other ways have you found most useful to help a struggling spouse? Please share in the comments.
Eagle Family Ministries (EFM) is a non-profit organization. Our mission is to equip pre-marital and married couples, single parent, and traditional families with Biblical tools resulting in healthy relationships that lead to a lifetime of love.
We offer a wide variety of Christian marriage retreats, Christian marriage conferences, and marriage coaching for married couples of all ages.


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Comparing the signal from left and right speakers within different time windows.
The IACC values allow inferences about the quality of stereo imaging. These are influenced by the speaker itself (pair equality) as well as by the acoustics of the room. Both the speaker placement and acoustic measures can be optimized using the IACC.
IACC10: The incoming sound during the first 10ms should reach a value greater than 80% for the best possible stereo imaging. Speakers with a high directivity factor (horn systems, waveguides, etc.) more easily reach these levels due to less interaction of the sound with reflecting or diffracting objects in the first 10 ms of travel.
IACC20: The incoming sound of the first 20ms consists of direct and the first incoming diffuse sound. For the best stereo imaging early reflections should be avoided in the first 20 ms. If these differ between the left and right channel it will decrease the IACC value. Reducing these reflections through appropriate acoustic measures will increase the IACC values.
IACC80: The sound in the first 80ms contains much more spatial information than the first two values.
IACC late: Compares the generated reverberation of the two channels.
NOTE: The IACC value also changes with the use of correction filters. Filters producing lower IACC values may nevertheless produce better perceived audio reproduction. Therefore what is obtained by numbers should always be compared with what is perceived by humans as optimum sound.


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By Kumar David –
Though this point has been festering in my mind what kick-started this para was Shyamon Jayasinghe's ('Similarities of Political Culture between Trump and post-war SL') in Colombo Telegraph, 20 Jan 2021, Jo-Kamala inauguration day. This is not a reply to SJ, his topic is political morality mine is somewhat different, but he is to blame for giving me a push. The similarity that I want to reflect upon is that presidents and prime ministers of Lanka since the 1990s-incumbents have mostly if not entirely been crooked. That is, persons engaged in monetary fraud; in addition nearly all are guilty of other forms of misconduct – violation of the constitution, alleged murder, torture of political opponents or critics, and gross nepotism. I will not stop to quote examples as my paper will run out and my Editor is not kind enough to double by word-count quota. In any case it's not necessary; most readers are better informed than I am on these matters.
No ex- president, prime minister, defence secretary or other Cabinet Minister of Sri Lanka has been prosecuted after his side lost an election – or maybe there were just one or two, forgive my ageing memory. Do you recall the blood curdling threats that the 2015 winners issued about crucifying oodles of thieves and gangsters of the previous regime Rajapaksa? Do you remember how the 2019-20 winners swore during the elections that they would prosecute and crucify yahapalana bond-bandits and a nefarious assortment of yahapalana crooks? Nothing happened! Not one rouge who pocketed countless millions spent one day behind bars. Actually there was one, poor Lalith Weeratunga played forlorn Sydney Carton to his boss's Charles Draney.
I am in the US at the moment and the vaccination mess that Trump left behind is bedlam. Vaccinations were quite rightly initially restricted to healthcare workers and essential personnel but the next stage was for over-65s. It was chaos! You need an appointment but the website is only usable by someone with a PhD in software, imagine some half-blind little old lady trying to find a slot. The site gives you oodles of useless information but how to make an appointment is hidden away behind a machinegun load of clicks and when you finally reach it IT'S FULL! "Don't call us, we'll call you". If you get an appointment and roll up in a car (the good part is its drive through vaccination) the line of cars is 3 to 5 km long. At Dodger Stadium, the main site (of 5 in LA County) it takes six hours in line but only six seconds to get the jab. And it gets worse; folks need two shots 21 days apart if its Pfizer or 28 days apart for the Moderna (the CDC says a two or three week delay is ok), but imagine going through it all to get another appointment and the waiting in line!
Now why blame Trump you may ask; isn't it all to do with the crush of getting things done! No; the answer is no in so far as the cock-up in pre-planning and executing procedures is concerned. Trump as president neglected, I would say obstructed, putting in place procedures to administer the vaccination programme when the vaccine rolled out. At of this moment of writing about 40 million doses have come off the manufacturing line, not even half the number has found its way into people's arms. Trump is guilty of criminal negligence but here's my punch line. Though he is a crooked businessman and continued to be so during his presidency, though he has violated the constitution and he has acted in palpable bad faith, I am prepared to offer my usual wager, a litre bottle of single-malt that he will not face criminal prosecution, nor will he be imprisoned for a large platter of crimes though he deserves to be. My pessimistic conjecture is that he will get away with a light rap on the knuckles.
It behoves us to ask why this is so. The Sri Lankan specific practice of 'you scratch my back I'll scratch yours' is not generalizable. A popular theory and one which I subscribe to his that the big clans and families will not go out on a limb to harm the other. It is assumed that Mahinda as President protected Ranil from arrest or worse and in recognition thereof Ranil did not allow prosecution of MR, GR and Basil for corruption and MR's sons for more serious allegations including murder. There is now a stifling silence about the bond-scam which was a headline during the elections. It is said that during the Chandrika and Mahinda presidencies some similar code of honour among thieves prevailed. The only time when this cosy arrangement was flouted was when JR wrongfully revoked Mrs B's civil rights in a fit of vengeance; so you see the one instance in which a former national leader was condemned by the state, was done wrongfully. Furthermore Nihal Jayawickrama, an honourable man was likewise wronged simply for association with Mrs B.
Be all this as it may I ask again, leaving aside unusual setups like Sri Lanka, why is it that gross and criminal leaders and ministers are not brought to book when they leave office? A few are, as in the case of Sarkozy or if there is concerted international pressure, Slobodan Milosevic for example. But seen alongside the sea of crimes that military-gorilla regimes in South and Central America, Burma and Central Asia have been responsible, or the systematic abuses of power, mechanisms of torture, violations of the constitution and robbery on a giant scale that leaders have been up to, not even the tip pf the iceberg has been touched. Even that mighty robber Marcos and his accomplice-wife Imelda, Malaysia's serial robber Najib Razak and many others still walk free, or did so till the Great Reaper settled the score.
I have no universal answer to this question but one part of the answer is obvious. In times of yore the masters of the manor did as they pleased and were not held to account. "The history of all hitherto existing society" we might say is the story of how rulers were never held to account. And then in modern times, in modern liberal democratic times, this has undergone a little twist – the insolence of law. Great bodies of complex law have been enacted, great and leaned men in wigs have debated them and the rest of society came into the courtroom and the chambers and out they went "by the same door as in they came". The law is the same for the rich and the poor or as Anatole France remarked "The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread". Great PCs, QCs and R for rotten Cs, are available to the humblest citizen if he could afford the fee. Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos, Donald Trump, O.J. Simpson, Casey Anthony, the 2012 police murders of Rodney King, and the accused in the forthcoming trial of "I can't breathe" murder of Eric Garner have or will will be decided by the majesty of the law in accordance with the fee of vital counsel.
Miscarriages of justice and sheer disregard for the law are increasingly commonplace in Sri Lanka in recent decades. But time is of the essence in all things; it will determine the outcome in the US and it will decide in Lanka. Ahimsas and Sandayas and thousands of widows, mothers and daughters wait. They knit and they wait, and wait and knit. They knit and knit and wait and wait, as did Madame Defarge, for that day which will surly come.


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Tudor Horse Info
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Tudor Horse Law
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Tudor Laws and the Horse
War horses were important to ensure the safety of the realm. Henry VIII was keen on improving both type and size of British horses. In 1531, his government forbade the export of horses. This ban was extended to the sale of horses to Scotland in 1532. Laws passed in 1535-6 and 1541-2 required that all mares should reach 13 hands high and stallions fourteen hands. In 1540, horses less than 15 hands high were forbidden from grazing on common grounds. The original law also stated that smaller horses should be killed or removed to enclosed land where they would not breed with larger horses. However, it is doubtful that any horses were ever killed because the legislators quickly modified the law so that it no longer said the horses had to be slaughtered. It was deemed sufficient that the smaller horses be kept from breeding. The object of this breeding program was to have horses large enough to serve an army in times of war. It is important to remember that an army needed many types of horses – war horses to carry fighting men, cart horses for transport, and fast moving horses for light cavalry and for messengers.
In addition to the demand for bigger stronger horses, the king was concerned with numbers. Laws in 1541-2 required that nobles, gentry, and churchmen keep certain numbers of horses. Those in the highest positions had to house seven strong trotting horses who were at least three years old and fourteen hands high. The less wealthy had to have at least one acceptable horse. For many years, monks were known for their husbandry and for the selective breeding of horses. When King Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries in the 1530s, he gave many of the former church-owned lands to pensioners who were ordered to continue raising horses there.
Wars with both France and Spain in the 1540s demanded a great many horses. After King Henry VIII's death in 1547, young King Edward VI ordered a full count of horses in the realm. This was repeated in 1565, when Queen Elizabeth I was on the throne. Elizabeth ordered that a muster of horses would be taken every six months "until the realm be replenished with horses." In 1580, the queen became so concerned about the need for more horses that she established a Special Commission for the Increase and Breed of Horses. This commission was charged to inspect and rate each the stallion and mare throughout England.
All this attention to horses provides us with some Tudor period books on horses and how best to care for them. Nicholas Arnold, Thomas Blundeville, John Astley, and Gervase Markham are four authors whose works still provide insights into the Tudor horse.
(Joan Thirsk's
The Rural Economy of England
has a chapter on Horses in Early Modern England that contains a thorough discussion of the subject.)
Today we separate horses an ponies at 14.2 hands. Although, in the western US the cutoff is usually 14.1 hands
Horses and ponies are measured for height at the withers. A hand equal 4 inches. A 15 hand horse would stand 5 feet when measured at the withers. Obviously, the neck and head will extend higher.
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Nightclubs 4 2
Nightclub in the heart of Palermo. Music played in this club ranges from rock 'n roll to heavy metal to hip-hop. Usually opened until 6-7 am. Beers is not so expensive and the vibe is super intense! DON'T MISS OUT ON IT!Read more ›
Under Club
Nightclubs 2 0
Underground, non-fashionable crowd Under Club is a favorite with foreigners and local clubbers who take their taste for house and techno seriously. Under club is actually opened to a big range of music expressions with special events that takes place monthly.Read more ›
Local Experience
Buenos Aires City Tour "Night View & Navigation"
Discover the beauty and charm of Buenos Aires City at night! Navigate Rio de la Plata and enjoy the sunset accompanied by delicious drinks.
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English, Spanish, Portuguese
Teatro Vorterix
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To enjoy good and fun music, and tu dance with local peopleRead more ›
Centro Cultural Konex
Nightclubs 7 1
There are several shows that you shouldn't miss, my favourites are: Dancing Mood (live ska music), La bomba de Tiempo (percussion show) and the "Ud esta aqui" experience. In summer is one of the best places where to have some drinking and smokingRead more ›


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Monogram IROC-Z Camaro 1:8 Scale NEW UNASSEMBLED. 100 % Complete and Unbuilt. Some pieces have fallen out of bags so they have been re-packaged (tires & some small parts) -some parts not shown in photos.Also some scuffing on car body (from storage and being shuffled around for 35 years). Box is p r e t t y rough , has tape on top and bottom box. It has fallen apart and been repaired. Includes 2 sheets of decals one is a crinkled and decals are brittle a n d breaking apart. The other has smearing on corner.
Between the two you should have all the decals to complete model. The item "Monogram IROC-Z Camaro 18 Scale NEW UNASSEMBLED Vintage Camaro Model Kit" is in sale since Sunday, June 14, 2020. This item is in the category "Toys & Hobbies\Models & Kits\Automotive\Vintage". The seller is "jef-choj" and is located in Moscow, Idaho. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, South africa, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi arabia, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Malaysia, Chile, Colombia, Costa rica, Panama, Trinidad and tobago, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Antigua and barbuda, Aruba, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Saint kitts and nevis, Saint lucia, Turks and caicos islands, Barbados, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei darussalam, Bolivia, Egypt, French guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Cayman islands, Liechtenstein, Sri lanka, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macao, Martinique, Maldives, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion, Uruguay.


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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Read more about Kia Expands Green Lineup with Updated Optima Hybrid and New Plug-in Hybrid at AutoGuide.com.Kia is expanding its green car lineup, adding a plug-in Optima Hybrid with a 600-mile range to the mix.
Every single car the Korean automaker debuted at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show was green this year, with an updated Kia Optima Hybrid, an all-new Niro crossover hybrid, and the brand's first plug-in hybrid making their debuts at the normally quiet show.
The plug-in gets a 2.0-liter four-cyilnder engine, a six-speed automatic transmission and a 50 kW motor that is 42 percent more powerful than the motor in the previous Optima Hybrid. The plug-in's system is augmented by a 9.8 kWh lithium ion battery pack that allows the sedan to get an all-electric range of 27 miles. The batteries are stored under the rear seats so they don't cut into cargo or cabin space. A full charge with a 240-volt Level 2 charger can be completed in less than three hours, while it takes about nine hours on a Level 1 120-volt charger.
The regular hybrid is 10 percent more efficient than the outgoing one. It's powered by the same 2.0L four-cylinder as the PHEV with 154 hp, and a 38 kW electric motor tied to a 1.62 kWh battery pack. Total system output for the hybrid is estimated at 193 hp.
The PHEV Optima will have three driving modes: all-electric (suitable for short city trips), hybrid (highway driving) and charging modes. Both cars will also have a Coasting Guide, which coaches the driver on when to cost or brake to maximize fuel economy. The PHEV and the regular hybrid tie the Tesla Model S for aerodynamics, as both cars have a 0.24 coefficient of drag.
Of course, the Optimas will offer the latest safety technology: autonomous emergency braking, blind spot detection, smart cruise control, lane departure warning, forward collision warning systems, and a telematics system are all available. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also available, and the PHEV also gets a system that will help you find local charging stations.
The plug-in and hybrid Optima have a lot of similarities as the gas version, but will get unique instrument cluster, some different exterior design cues, and special alloy wheels. The plug-in model will only come in the EX trim level, and will go on sale in the last quarter of this year. Pricing will be announced closer to its launch.


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For a 6-year-old Australian startup that has solely been doing enterprise in america for 2 years, Afterpay – along with his purchase now, pay later (BNPL) Curiosity Free Installment Loans – has gone from relative obscurity to the entrance web page of the monetary part this vacation season.
Whereas the payout idea is hardly new, Afterpay's platform and rising catalog of outlets have introduced fame and fortune to the corporate and its founders.
Amongst them is the 30-year-old co-founder and co-CEO Nick molnar, reportedly Australia's youngest self-made billionaire, who informed PYMNTS's Karen Webster that Afterpay and BNPL are simply in the best place on the proper time.
"There aren't many on-line cost suppliers which have managed to go offline. Globally and in Australia, 20% of our transactions happen in bodily retail, "mentioned Molnar, calling his firm" uniquely positioned "to carry the following era of patrons into the bodily world.
A lot of Afterpay's progress has come from the truth that its ultra-simple service appeals to each prospects and retailers.
"Dick's Sporting Items was launched in shops earlier than the vacations as a result of no onboarding work is required," he mentioned. "So [Afterpay] is exclusive within the little or no effort it takes for a retailer to truly log on. "
Desire for throughput
Molnar mentioned Afterpay advantages not solely from its easy-to-use platform, but additionally from the truth that client preferences have shifted in the direction of utilizing debit on credit score.
"While you create a product that speaks so deeply to prospects who would relatively spend cash on a debit card than a bank card, it proves that prospects begin their shopping for journey with us," Molnar mentioned. concerning the BNPL cost pattern that has pale mainstream for the reason that pandemic, by which Afterpay discovered itself in a powerful choice place, noting the 1.2 million referrals of US retailers it made on Black alone Friday. And now that the corporate has amassed a base of 13 million U.S. prospects, he mentioned Afterpay has change into as a lot a advertising channel for its retail companions as it's a fundraising software.
Decrease loss charge
After Capital One's determination This week, in a bid to cease the longer term hyperlink between bank cards and BNPL's plans, fearing customers would possibly perceive dangers, Molnar mentioned the warrant wouldn't harm Afterpay.
"Ninety % of our transactions are paid with a debit card, not a bank card," Molnar mentioned. "We are going to clearly proceed to collaborate with Capital One round their determination, however we do not see any main affect on our enterprise.
As well as, Molnar mentioned that Afterpay's gross losses over the previous 12 months have been 1%, which is considerably decrease than within the bank card market, and that the common transaction measurement of the corporate n is simply 150 {dollars}.
"Our enterprise mannequin is essentially completely different, so the power to extract the high-quality client who makes use of the service to be accountable is completely what we're seeing," he famous.
At this level, Molnar mentioned the corporate's loyalty program is designed to reward duty and well timed cost relatively than the quantity spent.
"A very powerful benefit now we have is that we by no means began our life as a monetary firm," he mentioned. "We by no means use a smooth or agency credit score test. We by no means promote an curiosity bearing credit score product and our enterprise is at all times curiosity free. So there's only a distinctive DNA and a distinct enterprise mannequin primarily based on our upbringing. "
Demographic demand
Whereas it may be argued whether or not BNPL plans are dangerous or make individuals spend extra, what can't be denied is the brand new reputation and comfort of the most well-liked cost selection of the season.
"There isn't any doubt that purchasing now, paying later is now widespread, and it's the quickest rising type of cost within the developed world," mentioned Molnar.
However maybe extra importantly, BNPL can be proving to be highly regarded amongst younger patrons between the ages of 25 and 40.
"The flexibility to be a advertising channel for the toughest to achieve prospects, the millennium and Gen-Z cohort, is known as a privileged place, "Molnar mentioned.
Actually, in contrast to the high-rate, high-fee relationships many customers have with conventional banks and collectors, Afterpay has someway managed to enter into a distinct relationship with its prospects.
"Essentially the most used phrase in our App Retailer assessment is 'love'," boasts Molnar. "That is why individuals are actually beginning their purchasing journey on our listing, on afterpay.com or on our app."
In consequence, the corporate has discovered itself in a really distinctive place to achieve the love of outlets and customers. "Staying true to our values is important," mentioned Molnar.
Enlargement alternatives
Past Afterpay's efforts to broaden into new world markets whereas including extra customers and retailers alongside the way in which, Molnar mentioned the approaching yr will concentrate on including new classes.
In Australia, for instance, Afterpay can be utilized to buy airline tickets and pay for dentist appointments.
"The flexibility for an individual to get well being care once they want it and have Afterpay to assist them finances is important," he mentioned. "It is not nearly shopping for a vogue piece of clothes – it is about utilizing our web site for all sides of your life in a approach that's significant to you."
At this level, the corporate has simply signed a partnership settlement with Westpac Financial institution, and Molnar mentioned there'll seemingly be comparable companies sooner or later.
"There's positively a possibility for us to broaden our retail product class and our acceptance community, and that shall be a precedence for us in 2021," he mentioned.
Concerning the research: A New Method to Modernizing Funds within the Banking Trade, a PYMNTS Collaboration with Purple Hat and Temenos, is a research-based report analyzing the developments remodeling the retail trade and the way these adjustments are creating new challenges and alternatives for banks . The report goals to supply banks with a roadmap to assist them purchase the technical capability to help digital funds in all their kinds.


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Chicago quintet You Folk specialize in sad indie rock, case in point "Nolo Contendere." Originally a solo project for frontman Daniel Lee, the band has since been rounded out by guitarist and back-up vocalist Travis Schuster, bassist Rebecca Young, keyboardist/guitarist Evan Lyman, and drummer Bryan Kingsley. "Nolo Contendere" kicks off with a 7/8 groove before fleshing out into something lush and swirly. Fans of Pedro the Lion, Death Cab, or Broken Social Scene will like this one.
If you like what you hear, You Folk has a Bandcamp page – check them out there.


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The New York chapter of Kollaboration, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Asian-American performers, will hold its annual showcase this Saturday at New York University Skirball Center for the Performing Arts.
Aside from being the organization's biggest event of the year, the showcase is also the nation's premiere talent competition showcase for rising Asian-American performing artists.
"The point of Kollaboration is to help artists break into mainstream media and in order to do that we want for the majority of the audience to recognize that these entertainers are part of their community," Tanner Chung, executive director of the New York branch of Kollaboration said. "Our target audience is kind of generic in the fact that we try to get the entire community to come to our events because the objective is not to produce a show where its strictly for Asian-Americans. It's to produce a show that the entire community can enjoy."
Headlining the showcase will be Asian-American rapper Awkwafina. Other guest performers include dance group I Love Dance and Kollaboration New York 8's winner IZZY.
Six talented finalists from the Tri-state region, ranging from singer-songwriters to classical music groups, will compete against each other for a comprehensive winner's package. The showcase winner will also win a chance to fly to Los Angeles to compete in the national Kollaboration Star show against other local winners for a grand prize of $10,000.
"I want people to see the diversity of the talent because I think it changes every year," Awkwafina said. "I think people will be able to see the range of what Asian- Americans are doing in 2014."
Born Nora Lum, Awkwafina arrived on the music scene in October of 2012. The 26-year old never planned on becoming a rapper and described the career move as something that just "kind of happened."
There was really no practical method in choosing her stage name, Awkwafina, she added. Just something of an alter ego she had when attending high school.
"I started making beats when I was 17 and I needed a voice to fill the beats, so it started out like that," Awkwafina said. "Eventually, I started to actually enjoy rapping."
For Awkwafina, as an Asian-American it's important to maintain a degree of visibility and be able to relate to her fans, as well as others.
"I feel that its important for me to be out there and to represent the face," Awkwafina said. "At the same time for me as an individual, I think the Asian-American face can be crowded with the American identity. More than anything I'm an American kid and my music reflects that more so than being an Asian-American. I think it's important, but also something that can detrimental to your career if celebrated too much."
Beatboxer and one of six finalists performing at Kollaboration's showcase, Sung Lee, added that the Asian-American community is definitely underrepresented and needs more exposure in mainstream media.
"From my personal experience, I don't think looking Asian-American has hurt me. In fact, I think it sometimes can be beneficial," Lee said. "Due to people's preconceived notions of Asian people, they do not expect me to be a good beatboxer when I step on stage. Since I don't fit the stereotypical image of a beatboxer, it really catches them off-guard when they actually hear me."
This "surprise" factor, as Lee called it, was an advantage for him in the "Amateur Night at the Apollo" competition that he was currently a part of. The competitors were predominately African-American, and looking Asian helped him stand out a bit.
Being Korean-American, Lee had always known about Kollaboration since he was a teenager. He always wanted to someday compete in the showcase and had auditioned this past March, was selected as a finalist, and has been on an exciting journey ever since.
"I hope to win the show and eventually go to LA for the grand finals and win that as well," Lee said. "In all seriousness, I want the audience to enjoy the music. I want to light up venue like it's a club. I want them to dance and just have a blast because at the end of the day, it's all about the music."
General admission tickets are $20. VIP tickets are $40. All tickets are available for purchase online at www.kollaborationnewyork.org/tickets.
Photos via Fallon Chan Ho


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City Hall has cut their funding to the parade by more than 2/3rds. It is the result of the budget crunch.
Last year's parade cost City Hall roughly a million dollars for police, bleachers, and clean-up.
/*Mayor Michael Nutter*/ says he can only give $300,000 this year.
"I'm hopeful that they will see that this a good offer from the city," Mayor Nutter said.
The city says the usually 16-hour parade up Broad Street and around City Hall will have to be much shorter.
Tough negotiations are going on which sources claim may limit the parade to just 10 blocks through South Philadelphia.
The rumor mill is tough on Mummer morale.
"It's a tradition for a long time and it's being taken from; you don't like to see traditions die out," Charlie Stinsma of the Joker's Club said.
The Quaker City String Band's business manager is trying to be philosophical.
"I think all the Mummers want to go to Center City because that's where all the hotels, that's where all the people are, but I guess, we have to look at the mayor's point of view, with all the city and he's cutting us," Mike Lapergola of Quaker City said.
The lawyer negotiating for the /*Mummers*/ is blasting city hall, calling the Nutter administration, "inept, incompetent, outrageous," and saying the city should not cut the parade which generates more money than it costs.
The mayor says any costs over $300,000 will have to paid by the Mummers up front.
"The Mummers folks have to understand that they either have to live within the parameters of the dollars we're prepared to spend or guarantee that they will cover all cost above that threshold," Mayor Nutter said.
Nutter say that the parade, simply put, needs to be scaled down.
The length of time and distance of the parade need to be cut.
Negotiations are underway to iron out logistics but the mayor says time is running out.
Click here to get the latest Philadelphia news and headlines from across the Delaware and Lehigh valleys.


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Homs, SANA- Hassia Industrial City has reached an advanced stage by investing in renewable energies while providing all facilitations to encourage industrialists to set up projects to generate electricity from solar or wind energy on the rooftops of the hangars in their facilities.
Director of the industrial city in Hassia, Dr. Bassam al-Mansour, told SANA that the city administration had taken the lead in establishing renewable energy projects, as it had studied, designed, supplied, implemented and installed lights for the government complex in the industrial city in Hassia.
Al-Mansour referred to the projects put into service, including the implantation of a solar power project by one of the investors on the roof of his facilities to produce 60 kilowatt-hours, in addition to another project for a second investor with a capacity of 500 kilowatts.
He added that another facility with a capacity of one megawatt of solar energy was also implemented, highlighting the importance of the promising geographical location of Hassia Industrial City to produce electricity from solar energy.
Al-Mansour pointed to several renewable energy projects that Hassia embraces, including four implemented and installed projects, which are connected to the public electricity network in the Industrial City. There are two projects, each with a capacity of 30 watts, and a project of 100 kilowatts, and the last one with a capacity of 1,000 kilowatts.
About the project of installing a solar farm with a capacity of 10 megabytes in an initial step announced by the company that was established at Homs Chamber of Industry, al-Mansour noted that the land has been allocated to the company.
Ruaa al-Jazaeri


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I haven't made an update for a little bit; here is some of what I've been wrapped up in the meantime.
I spent time this Spring finishing a work for Ensemble Adapter (for piccolo, bass clarinet, prepared harp, prepared xylophone)…
…and also a piece for two Beiguan 北管 musicians (voice/percussion, voice/sanxian) and electronics, which will premiere at the end of September in Taipei.
Both are with text from Autumn Tsai.


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