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At the age of 35, Ecuador's president-elect Daniel Noboa is fulfilling the political dreams of his banana tycoon father, who failed five times to win the presidency.
With about 52 percent of the vote, based on a near-complete count, little-known businessman Noboa was on Sunday elected the youngest president-elect in modern Ecuadoran history, edging out socialist rival Luisa Gonzalez.
With a serious air, but tanned and sporty, Noboa focused his wooing on younger voters, using social media to campaign.
He became a minor internet celebrity in the run-up to Sunday's election as videos went viral of citizens posing with human-sized cardboard "Noboas" -- printed for the campaign -- showing up at house parties, riding the bus or lazing on the beach.
A fine wine fundi and musician, Noboa was born in the port city of Guayaquil into his billionaire father Alvaro's banana empire.
He holds a degree in business administration from New York University and three master's degrees from Harvard, Northwestern and George Washington universities.
At the age of 18 he created his own events company before joining the Noboa family business.
Noboa calls himself "center-left" but embraces neoliberal economic thinking. He ran on the ticket of the brand-new National Democratic Action alliance, which incorporates parties from the center and left of the political spectrum.
"He has made such general statements, so vague, that it is very difficult to identify" his political alignment, FLACSO university political analyst Simon Pachano told AFP.
"Rather, he has a technocratic profile."
Noboa has vowed a "firm hand" against drug gangs that have turned Ecuador from one of the region's most peaceful countries into one of its most violent as they have fought an increasingly bloody war for supremacy.
He has promised the "militarization of ports and borders" and to build a society "without impunity, without injustice and without insecurity."
Noboa wants to create offshore prisons on barges to isolate the most violent inmates.
The president-elect has also said he would prioritize job creation through tax incentives and credit facilities to help small businesses, as well as improve public healthcare and education.
Noboa's only political experience is two years as a lawmaker, serving as chairman of parliament's economics committee.
During this time, he was accused of a conflict of interest for having financed, from his own pocket, a trip for seven MPs to Russia -- a key market for his family's banana business -- after the invasion of Ukraine.
He was also accused of tax evasion, but was never found guilty of wrongdoing.
Noboa was catapulted into the limelight after he showed up to the only televised debate ahead of the first voting round in August wearing a bulletproof vest, claiming he had received death threats.
The debate came shortly after the assassination in public of anti-graft and anti-cartel candidate Fernando Villavicencio.
Noboa came out of seemingly nowhere to garner the second-largest share of first-round votes behind Gonzalez in August, and again wore a safety vest when he cast his vote on Sunday.
An avid athlete, Noboa gets up at dawn to exercise, according to a profile released by his campaign. He also loves doing impressions of other people.
He is married to nutrition influencer Lavinia Valbonesi and father of two children, with a third on the way.
Noboa has seven dogs. |
5 stars2 Levels
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When I think Cayman Brac Vacation; I think a peaceful retreat to go and recharge, I think a place where phones, Tv, Social Media. Isn’t important; A place where I understand the sounds birds make, falling a sleep to sweet lullabies of the beach waves, and hammocks feel softer than beds. That’s what Tulixx Cayman offers. “True experience of Tulixx owner, Kevi.
Tulixx Cayman Villa, Offers a wide range of things to enjoy. From the beach, to our romantic outdoor tub and shower, world class gym by Norditrack, bicycles and games all creating memorable moments.
Relax and unwind in Tulixx outdoor shower & tub.
Rock climbing is one of the go to activities in cayman brac.
Kevi Spa and Lashbar coming soon to Cayman Brac.
Read what our guests had to say. |
Turke & Strauss LLP, a leading data breach law firm, is investigating TaxPlus regarding its recent data breach. The TaxPlus data breach involved sensitive personal identifiable information belonging to an undetermined number of individuals.
TaxPlus is a complete tax practice based in California. A boutique tax service, TaxPlan provides tax planning, preparation, and filing services for individuals and small businesses. Additionally, TaxPlan provides a range of business services, including bookkeeping and payroll services. For entrepreneurs, TaxPlan provides business formation services tailored to meet business and tax goals. TaxPlus is located in Los Angeles and San Diego, California, and has more than 15 employees.
Recently, TaxPlus discovered that it had experienced a data breach in which sensitive personal identifiable information in its systems may have been accessed and acquired. Through its investigation, TaxPlus determined that an unauthorized actor may have accessed and acquired this sensitive information between August 24 and August 26, 2023. Recently, TaxPlus began notifying individuals whose information may have been impacted. The type of information potentially exposed includes:
- Social Security number
- Date of birth
- Bank account and other financial institution account numbers
- Health insurance information
- Tax identification number
If you received a breach notification letter from TaxPlus:
We would like to speak with you about your rights and potential legal remedies in response to this data breach. Please fill out the form, below, or contact us at (608) 237-1775 or [email protected].
If you were impacted by the TaxPlus data breach, you may consider taking the following steps to protect your personal information.
- Carefully review the breach notice and retain a copy;
- Enroll in any free credit monitoring services provided by TaxPlus;
- Change passwords and security questions for online accounts;
- Regularly review account statements for signs of fraud or unauthorized activity;
- Monitor credit reports for signs of identity theft; and
- Contact a credit bureau(s) to request a temporary fraud alert. |
IN LOVING MEMORY-
Martha Ellen Mason
Mrs. Martha Ellen Phillips Mason was born to Arthur Winfred and Flossie Anvaline Phillips on November 15, 1934 near Cottage Hill. She lost her battle with breast cancer on July 2, 2007. Preceded in death by her husband, Billy, 1 sister and 4 brothers, Martha was a devoted wife and mother who is survived by; son, Mike Mason of McKinney; daughter, Brenda Roberts of McKinney; son-in law Walter Roberts of Aubrey; grandson, Tommy Medders and wife Sheryl and great grandson, Blake, all of Quinlan; grandson, Steven Roberts of Aubrey and sister Movelda Miller of Mesquite. Martha loved her family and always put them first. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 pm Friday, July 6, 2007 at Cottage Hill Methodist Church in Celina with Pastor Gerald Johnson officiating. Interment will follow at Cottage Hill Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to the funeral home at their convenience on Thursday to pay their respects and sign the registry. The family will receive friends during a visitation beginning at 6:30 pm Thursday evening at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow in Celina.
*All memorials will be reviewed prior to upload, and may be delayed 24-48 hours before appearing in the registry. |
Department of Urology and Kidney Transplant Surgery was established in the year 2016 AD after serving as a unit of Department of Surgery for more than 30 years.
With the vision of service, research, training and building a skilled urologist for the country, this department is providing comprehensive and efficient services for the management of urological problems for which patients had to travel abroad in the past.
This department has been ushering the advent of modern era in urology in Nepal and with the acquisition of modern technologies and complete range of state-of-the-art facilities we have been performing both minimally invasive procedures as well as open surgeries.
Located at Block E first floor, our Outpatient service runs in morning sessions on Sunday, Monday and Thursday and evening session on Tuesdays and Thursday.
Department is also running a three-year Residency Program: Magister Chirurgiae (MCh) in Urology and enrolling two residents per year.
Specialty services provided are:
This department believes in a team approach whereby every patient is managed by more than one urologist to ensure comprehensive and appropriate care possible in the country. |
In tonight’s exciting episode of Chicago Fire, our favorite firemen were put through a lot of feelings and problems that tested their relationships. The firefighters at Station 51 dealt with everything, from meeting new people to facing scary situations.
Chicago Fire Season 12 Episode 7 Recap
At the start of the episode, Ritter was cautiously navigating a new romantic connection, not wanting to tell his coworkers about it. At the same time, Violet was having a disagreement with Paramedic Chief Robinson, who seemed determined to make her job harder. As things got worse, a new fireman named Jared Lennox came on the scene and made things even more complicated.
The real drama began, though, when firemen found a hidden stash of cash while on duty. They did the right thing by telling the cops about the find, but things quickly went bad when they were accused of theft. Because Severide thought there was foul play, he set out to find the truth, which put him in a dangerous situation with drug sellers and corrupt police officers.
Maya, a young teen, ran to the fire station for safety after losing the money she was holding for drug dealers. She was scared for her life. The firemen came together to help and protect her when she needed it most. However, Lennox’s disobedience and lack of respect for Violet’s power made things even more tense than they were before.
The episode was coming to an end, and Maya’s future was still uncertain. Severide was determined to find out what happened to the money. Mouch’s win in his battle against a parking ticket brought some humor to the chaos and showed how close everyone at the firehouse was.
Ritter’s new boyfriend turned out to be a police officer, which added a new depth to his personal life. The episode finished on a cliffhanger, with Violet being sued by Lennox. This sets the stage for future problems within the team.
Overall, “Red Flag” was an exciting and emotional roller coaster ride that showed how strong and resilient the firemen were when things went wrong. We can’t wait for the next show, but one thing is for sure: the firefighters at Station 51 will keep facing problems head-on, as they work together to protect and serve. |
Fans of the classic Christmas movie National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation would love to get this hilarious tribute to the movie. One of the everybody's favorite parts of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is how crazy Clarke and his family make his next door neighbors (played by Seinfeld actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus). If you love Christmas Vacation and how crazy Clark drives his neighbors you'll love this super fun, comfortable, and warm Christmas Vacation ugly Christmas sweater featuring Julia's line, "And Why Is The Carpet All Wet Todd?"
- 60% Cotton / 40% Acrylic
- Includes an adult unisex full knitted Ugly Christmas Sweater. Does not include anything else.
- Our ugly Christmas sweaters are all made from the best materials and are available unisex in Adult Standard Fit sizes ranging from XS – 3XL. Our sweaters are fun, warm, comfortable, and unforgettable.
- Regardless of whether you're looking for the future ugly holiday sweater to wear to your next Christmas party or after-hours work holiday gathering, our Christmas sweaters are very fun, engaging and will not disappoint.
- With everyone taking part in the ugly Christmas sweater phenomenon this holiday season why not show everyone how to stand out from the crowd when you wear this unique and extremely funny Christmas sweater today!
- Costume Agent unique designs ugly sweaters are the funniest ugly Christmas sweaters you'll find. |
Top Digital Marketing Agencies in Anchorage Top Anchorage Digital Marketing Companies
Is your website hurting your business more than anything else? If this is indeed the case, it needs to be repeated immediately. So who should you choose over UBWebs specialists? With a group of seasoned professionals and visionaries who understand your point of view and your point of view, we have grown to become India's most progressive advertising organization. If you think your website is working effectively, ask our experienced presentation professionals to make some changes and briefly outline further possibilities for your website. let's get it How can I do that? In fact, we understand the needs of your intended stakeholders and identify the key changes required for your website.
Best Digital Marketing Firms in Anchorage ?
We have acquired a wide range of skills in our journey to become the best computer-assisted advertising organization in India. Our main goal is to support your business development with excellent and productive internet search advertising management services. Whether you need increased traffic, website change rate, or both, our fully advanced advertising technology will give you the best results.
Why Investing In Digital Marketing Service Is Must In 2020 & Beyond
Anyone who needs to broadcast something on the web needs to improve their website design. why? Considering that over 93% of his online hunts start from her web index, you're also going to lose business if you're not on the first page of the SERPs.
of the world population has access to the Internet.
of all Internet users own a smartphone.
of the buyers do their research online before making their decisions.
The Digital Marketing Services We Offer Include:
However, this does not mean that similar methods work for everyone. The most trusted and
up-to-date presentations, with the help of his bureau, should strengthen the website and website
improvement regime. We are committed to providing the most accurate plans and procedures according
to your needs. Auditing, her professional SEO, web-based media, content promotion, paid missions,
and amazingly advanced presentation procedures with an ideal combination of various internet
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bundle with plans and procedures tailored to your needs.
However, this does not mean that similar methods work for everyone. The most trusted and up-to-date presentations, with the help of his bureau, should strengthen the website and website improvement regime. We are committed to providing the most accurate plans and procedures according to your needs.
You can make certain to be driving your industry with an amazing advanced showcasing procedure that is an ideal mix of examination, specialized SEO, web-based media, content promoting, paid missions, and different variables of internet advertising. An extra lift would be acquired by benefiting our redid SEO bundles, which are fitted with plans and procedures dependent on your necessities.
The key attributes of our SMO services include:
Pay Per Click (PPC) is an advanced technique for presenting and promoting on the Internet. This allows you to post promotions on various websites and pay each time someone taps on them.
As a prolific computerized presentation office, we are undeniably the PPC board specialists. Our basic management includes online advertising arrangement, design, development, copywriting, delivery and enhancement of our website. We offer a variety of PPC packages that you can rely on for your business.
Our PPC Management services include:
Local ServicesEven if you are unfamiliar with the requirements of productive SEO management, once you realize that over 97% of online shoppers and over 87% of mobile shoppers use the web to filter local organizations, SEO You are definitely looking for How do you reach these prospective buyers anyway? The correct answer is simple. Our computer-aided presentation experts will help you develop your website according to Google SEO specifications and reach the first page of results. His excellent SEO for websites can increase visibility and traffic online, increase the number of leads generated and beat local competitors in each region.
Some critical highlights of our Local SEO administrations are:
ECommerce SEOOnline business may be an option for everyone, but doing business properly is far from child's play. Promoting your business online probably doesn't seem like a wild errand, but converting nearby customers into potential buyers is proving not easy at leisure centers. . Either way, our specialist will help you conquer the market and express your essence with his SEO methods of e-commerce with precision. These plans are specifically designed to keep customers engaged at every stage of their online search, including research, disclosure, and even testing.
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Digital Marketing Plans and Packages
Why Choose Us?
UBWebs being the best digital marketing company in Anchorage is not the only reason, here is a list of reasons why you should contact us. |
Chief digital and information officer to step down next month at end of contract
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is losing its digital chief next month as Mark Dearnley has decided to move back to the private sector on the conclusion of his contract.
The department confirmed that Dearnley is stepping down as chief digital and information officer, saying he had overseen a “smooth transition” from the Aspire IT contract.
His replacement on an interim basis will be Mike Potter, currently HMRC’s director of digital transformation. The department said it will begin a competition for a long term replacement soon.
Dearnley joined from Vodafone on a three-year contract in November 2014, having previously held roles at NHS Blood and Transplant and the Environment Agency. He has worked for other private sector organisations including Boots.
“We have replaced our outdated internal IT, launched digital tax accounts for individuals and businesses, and have successfully concluded negotiations to dismantle the Aspire IT contract, taking more direct control of the design and delivery of our digital technology services at huge cost savings for HMRC,” Dearnley said.
“We have also built one of the strongest digital technology teams in the world and I am confident that they will continue to deliver HMRC’s IT transformation at pace.
“I have decided to return to the private sector after three fantastic years, to take on a new challenge.”
The move comes a few days after the Commons Public Accounts Committee published a report on the transition away from the Aspire contract, saying that that it needed continuity in leadership to design and introduce a new IT model successfully.
Some services are due to be taken in-house before next year, and existing providers will continue to provide about a fifth of services until 2020. HMRC has said it is close to finalising the relevant contracts.
The announcement came on the same day of news from the Cabinet Office that Stephen Foreshew-Cain has left the role of head of the Government Digital Service to be replaced by Kevin Cunnington.
Image from GOV.UK, Open Government Licence v3.0 |
Tabs and laser/inkjet printable insertsA top loading sheet protector and index all-in-one.Eliminates attaching indexes.Includes laser/ inkjet printable inserts.Heavyweight, archival quality.Pre-punched for standard three-ring binder.
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Most products are shipped via UPS Ground and usually arrive within 3 – 7 business days. Larger items such as furniture and larger whiteboards may need to be shipped via truck depending upon the product dimensions and weight.
We have a 30-day return policy, which means you have 30 days after receiving your item to request a return. To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it, and the product must be in the original packaging.
Full Return Policy |
The state secretary of the outlawed Popular Front of India, CA Rauf, was detained on Friday in Kerala for allegedly engaging in illegal activity and enticing young people to join terrorist organizations as part of a plot to impose “Islamic rule” in India, according to the National Investigation Agency.
According to a federal agency spokeswoman, CA Rauf, a resident of Karimpulli-Palakkad, was the 13th suspect detained in the Kerala investigation involving the Popular Front of India (PFI).
According to a strict anti-terror statute, the central government banned the PFI and many of its members for five years in September, alleging that they had a “connection” to international terrorist organizations like ISIS.
Rehab India Foundation, Campus Front of India, All India Imams Council, National Confederation of Human Rights Organization, National Women’s Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation, and Rehab Foundation, Kerala are among the organizations that were also declared illegal under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
According to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), CA Rauf was the PFI state secretary in Kerala and was in charge of the organization’s media and public relations departments.
He went missing after his name surfaced during the investigation of the case filed against the PFI, its office bearers, members, and affiliates in Kerala, who were found conspiring to engage in unlawful activities such as sowing discord among followers of various religions and groups and carrying out activities detrimental to communal harmony to upset public peace and tranquility and sowing discontent against India.
They have also been discovered encouraging vulnerable youth to join terrorist organizations, such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)/Daesh, and Al-Qaida, as well as the conspiracy to impose Islamic rule in India through terrorist acts, which has resulted in alarm and fear among the populace.
The source said CA Rauf avoided capture and went AWOL, adding that “he is one of the principal conspirators in the instant case.” Earlier, 12 suspects were detained throughout the inquiry. |
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For just 150 EURO per month*, up to 5 employees have access to all content from UNITRACC: from the technical books, through the media center to the e-learning lessons.
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visaplan GmbH, a subsidiary of Prof. Dr. Ing. Stein & Partner GmbH |
There was a time in my life at which I embraced change with much enthusiasm. I ran toward it whenever I had the opportunity, because change is opportunity, I reasoned. It occurs to me now that this was likely driven in part by the fact that I was unsatisfied by where I was at the time, either geographically, professionally or personally. I think that I would have identified it as being “driven” or “motivated” to success then, but, at the end of the day, I was unsatisfied.
And, I think, change is almost always a good thing. I’m just beginning to realize that, as I get (cough) older (cough), I have a bit of a more difficult time in adapting to that change. The funny thing is that this difficulty is because of change. When I started this blog a long time ago, I was a single grad student with no clue what life would look like by the time I was out of school and in the “real world” again. I’m somewhat surprised by the fact that it looks like having a wife and a daughter and being back in school at this point in my life.
I’m not complaining about any of the above…like I said, change is still a good thing.
The motivation for the change is what I call into question these days, though. When we were first married, one of Karen’s favorite phrases about difficulty spots in life was, “It’s an adventure!” And indeed, it is. I lose sight of this, though. I lose sight of the adventure and how our family grows stronger together through the adventure because I become so easily dissatisfied when faced with a life predicament.
It turns out that I may, in fact, be a bit optimistic in considering myself optimistic. Let’s call me a realist, then, shall we?
Because I really don’t want to be a pessimist, but I drift dangerously close to crossing that line at times. All because I become dissatisfied. As we near the end of Advent and enter the Christmas season, I can think of few things more troubling than being dissatisfied, because that is a result of a consumer-driven Holiday mindset. I don’t want a Christmas driven by what goodies I receive, or even by what goodies I may be able to give. I want a Christmas driven by thankfulness for what I have, and I don’t necessarily just mean goodies. I mean people. I mean kindness shown, and grace shown. I mean opportunities, as trying as they may be.
I mean the positivity of change, as difficult as it can be for me to cope with its process these days.
That could even lead to a most wonderful time of the year… |
In the tapestry of nature’s elements, fire dances as a primal force, captivating and empowering those who dare to embrace its flames. From the flicker of a candle to the roaring blaze of a bonfire, fire symbolizes transformation, passion, and the spark of empowerment that ignites the soul. Embracing the Element of Fire: In the […]
This is the second in my elemental series! If you want to learn about Earth head over here! Today, let’s take a deep breath and dive into the invigorating world of air and breath.Inhale the essence of empowerment and exhale anything holding you back. From the gentle breeze that whispers through the trees to the
I had an idea to explore the four different elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water from an empowerment standpoint. As you know I work with witchcraft, and Earth-based spirituality to help my clients grow and become more empowered. I figured that this mini blog post series might be able to inspire all of you to connect
Witchcraft and earth-based spirituality provide women healing from the ‘feminine wound’—emotional trauma from societal and patriarchal constraints—empowerment through rediscovering their innate strength. Celebrating the divine feminine and connecting with nature help reclaim autonomy, fostering self-love and community. This transformative journey honors women’s unique voices and facilitates collective feminine healing. |
CALGARY, Alberta, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Spending $380 million to build a stronger footprint in the Montney shale basin in Canada fits with creating a low-risk profile, Enbridge Inc. said.
Enbridge acquired gas plants and pipeline infrastructure associated with the shale basin in British Columbia from the Canadian subsidiary of Murphy Oil Corp.
"This acquisition fits extremely well with Enbridge's low risk value proposition and supports our key priority of extending and diversifying growth," C. Gregory Harper, president of gas pipelines and processing, said in a statement.
The acquisition comes as companies are streamlining their portfolios and swapping assets in an effort to survive a market downturn characterized by declining crude oil prices. For Murphy, the divestment monetizes its assets in the Montney basin so it can focus on other areas of the North American unconventional shale business. Murphy this week reported a net loss for the fourth quarter of $416 million.
The federal National Energy Board in Canada estimates the Montney shale formation holds as much as 449 trillion cubic feet of marketable natural gas. According to the NEB, the marketable gas reserve estimate makes the Montney shale one of the largest basins of its kind in the world.
Harper said the Montney shale basin has a long record of generating reliable cash flows for operations.
"They also enhance our natural gas footprint within the Montney, one of the most attractive gas plays in North America," he said in a statement. |
A lot of art and science goes behind Search Engine Optimization (SEO) as we increasingly depend on it for business growth. Owing to its dynamic nature, SEO skills have become a necessary tool for every digital marketer.
But what does it mean to master SEO? What SEO skills can get a simple website to attract, engage and convert traffic into leads?
SEO becomes effective when there is a mixture of technical understanding, strategy, and knowledge of human behavior. It is more than just algorithms and keywords. SEO is about providing genuine solutions to the questions of your audience.
Through this article, we will go through all the essential SEO skills that an SEO professional needs to get. We’ll be identifying the top SEO skills, discussing their importance, and learning how to develop SEO skills.
If you are an SEO expert, SEO campaign manager, or content marketer, don’t forget to save this blog post for future reference. To begin with, we briefly see how to improve SEO skills and also cover the top skills required for SEO executives.
Why are SEO Skills Important?
In today’s digital landscape, SEO technical skills can get you better online visibility. Strong ranking and presence can be quite powerful tools for any business today. They are almost mandatory to grow your online presence and rank on search engines. But why exactly are these skills so crucial?
Having SEO skills give you a deep understanding of the inner workings of search engines. They allow the decoding of complex algorithms and processes which help websites get noticed. Optimizing your website according to these algorithms can help you get a better ranking.
SEO specialist skills are about understanding people. They’re about understanding a user’s psychology and figuring out the keywords they use. They must be able to find precise answers to their questions.
Understanding this can allow you to create good content that can resonate with you. This would also mean that the users will stay, explore and engage with your website longer.
Moreover, advanced SEO skills are the key to standing out in the vast digital ocean. Even a well-designed website with great content can fail to get visibility if it does not have strong SEO. A website with basic content and design but strong SEO can outperform it on search engines.
But the benefits of SEO skills don’t stop at visibility and traffic. They also include user experience, a better-navigated website, and engagement. They can help transform casual visitors into loyal customers. This can lead to a higher conversion rate which then translates to increased revenue.
Thus, SEO skills bridge the gap between businesses and their target audiences. They offer tools that can make a website’s digital presence more powerful than ever.
Top required skills for SEO specialists
If you are looking to hire SEO expert, you must know of these important SEO skills that an SEO professional must have:
The foundation of any successful SEO strategy lies in effective keyword research. It is important to understand the intent behind the use of every popular keyword in your niche.
- What are your potential customers searching for?
- What kind of language do they use?
- What questions are they asking?
By thinking along these lines, you can tailor your content to meet the needs of your target audience. This would attract more traffic to your website altogether.
Moreover, it is also important to do regular competitor analysis. Always look out for what keywords your rivals are targeting. That way, you can identify opportunities better and rank higher.
Apart from content and keywords, SEO also includes some technical aspects of a website. With technical SEO, your website can understand your content and improve its visibility.
This includes URL structure, site speed, mobile optimization, XML sitemaps, and more. Search engines generally favor websites with strong technical SEO and smooth user experiences.
On-page SEO-optimized content and HTML source codes of every individual page on the website. It includes things like title tags, header tags, keywords, meta descriptions, URL structure, etc.
Every page of your website is an opportunity to attract and engage visitors. A strong on-page SEO determines how much you extract out of all the opportunities.
All the activities away from websites to enhance the ranking fall under Off-page SEO. It involves various strategies like social media marketing, influencer marketing, link building, and more.
Off-page SEO helps you build credibility with search engines. It basically shows them that your website is a reliable and valuable source.
Content Creation and Optimization:
In the world of SEO, content is king. If you know how to create high-quality, optimized content, you have mastered a crucial SEO skill. For creating optimized content, one needs to learn to use keywords naturally within the content pieces.
Your audience must be able to resonate with your content and hence, it has to be engaging enough. Further optimization by adding relevant visuals within the content is always a good idea.
Link Building is the process of getting other websites to link back to your website. It is one of the most important technical SEO skills today. Search engines use the links in your website content to discover new web pages and that directly affects the ranking of your page.
Having effective link-building can increase your website’s visibility and authority with search engines. However, it is also important to prioritize quality over quantity. Always try to build links with credible websites which are relevant to your field of work.
SEO is a lot more than just strategies from the books. Technical skills required for SEO also include tracking, analysis, and refinement of those strategies based on data by google analytics. These SEO analytics include tracking organic traffic, bounce rate, conversion, etc.
These SEO analytics measure the impact of the SEO strategy. That helps the SEO expert to see what’s going right, and what isn’t and also look for the scope of further improvement.
Local SEO is extremely important for businesses that operate in a specific geographical location targeting a specific set of audiences. For such businesses, attracting location-based traffic is the main objective of SEO. Local SEO allows businesses to connect with consumers in their vicinity, improve credibility and increase website visibility.
With more and more people having access to the internet, mobile SEO has become a necessary SEO skill. This includes optimization of websites for mobiles, page speed, and user experience. Search engines always favor mobile-friendly sites.
SEO Strategy and Planning:
SEO is a long-term, well-thought strategy rather than a one-time project. It requires the development and execution of an effective SEO strategy to meet your SEO goals.
Usually, SEO professionals build an SEO strategy by gathering data from a website SEO analyzer. That includes regular SEO audits, tracking keyword rankings, monitoring backlinks, and analyzing competitors. Analyzing this scope of data is also a valuable skill to master since you, as an SEO expert, should develop a step-by-step action plan to achieve higher rankings in SERPs.
A strong SEO strategy includes keyword research, competitor analysis, content planning & link building.
User Experience (UX) Optimization:
User experience matters the most when it comes to SEO. A good user experience is a result of the mobile-friendliness, navigation, content layout, and loading speed of a website.
Improving the UX can help your website rank higher and get more engagement which is the key to more conversion. Search engines naturally favor websites with a smooth user experience.
Voice Search SEO:
Ever since digital assistants like Siri and Alexa have stepped foot into the industry, the importance of voice search has increased.
Voice search SEO requires an optimization strategy for voice queries as well as text queries. They’re both different from each other and require individual focus. Voice search SEO emphasizes natural, conversational language and answers specific questions.
SEO has the power to turn regular videos into exceptional ones by increasing their visibility. Video SEO skills can give you a significant edge over the competition. It involves the optimization of video titles, descriptions, tags, and video sitemaps.
As the consumption of video is increasing every day, having video SEO skills is the need of the hour.
E-commerce SEO is a necessary SEO skill if you are running an online business. It includes optimization of product pages, management of user reviews, and security of the website.
It can help you be more visible to your customers, increase revenue and create a unique identity in the online marketplace.
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Pixel looks like an iPhone, minus the “unsightly” camera bump, takes amazing photos and videos like an iPhone, offers unlimited storage for those images and looks like it does good VR.
These facts have me considering jumping ship from Apple seriously for the first time since 2007.
I’ve been an iPhone owner since the first generation, but over the last few years I’ve purchased Samsung phones for VR too. While I’m deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, Pixel tempts me more than ever before to consider leaving Apple behind completely. Just how embedded am I with Apple? I basically didn’t talk to my family for a week during a recent outage caused by my need to repair the iPhone because our iMessage chat group didn’t port over to Android. If I ever want to jump ship, I have to convince my family to use a different app to chat with one another.
And it’s a jump I’m thinking about making, made more tempting by the promise that if I do decide to “switch,” even my iMessages will come over to Pixel.
Overall, the big draw for me is two-fold.
- Google is claiming Pixel has a better camera than the iPhone 7 (though they didn’t mention the 7+) and it is pairing that camera with unlimited full resolution storage of photos and videos shot with the device.
- Google is releasing Pixel alongside the Daydream View reference VR headset that will offer experiences to compete with Samsung’s Gear VR.
Google knows running out of storage on an iPhone is one of the most annoying moments for an Apple owner, and it already solved that problem through Google Photos. You get unlimited storage for free when you use the app on an iPhone, and the photos are easily searchable so it is easy to find your images again. Unfortunately, the photos aren’t kept at their full resolution. Instead, Google stores “high quality” versions said to be “good for typical printing and sharing.” Not the same with Google Pixel. Google says it will store all videos and photos shot with the phone at full resolution, including 4K videos.
Overall, with this one device and its supporting services, Google has completely eliminated concern about how I’m going to store, or find, my photos and videos. Simultaneously, the company is reclaiming that storage space for apps and VR experiences — the things that make phones so alluring. By giving my phone an unlimited camera roll, Google has also given me a blank slate to install all the software I want on a single device.
I’m not saying I’m jumping ship immediately — but Google Photos has been far and away a better product for storing photos when compared with Apple’s own “optimize iPhone Storage” option, which moves full resolution images off the device to save space. When I’ve wanted to find photos using an iPhone that have been moved to Apple’s cloud, I found it took too long to view that full resolution image again. Google’s cloud is simply faster, and that matters when trying to find a photo quickly that’s buried in the archives.
In Pixel, Google has taken the most exciting things about phones — the images they capture and the apps they run — and made them complementary. You don’t have to choose between taking a photo or installing an app anymore, and if you’re getting the $80 Daydream headset for free, that means you’ll have that much more space for storage-eating VR apps.
Pixel appears to hit Apple squarely where it counts most today — photo quality. The phone will succeed or fail on this feature alone. But Pixel is also the leading device in a push for a number of Android VR phones that could draw developer attention to the new medium. For years people have been drawn to iOS because of its quality apps alongside the quality of the camera, but if developers start investing time and money in Daydream VR apps instead of iOS because they see a promising new market, it could mark the beginning of a reversal to that trend.
Eventually more impressive VR devices than Daydream will arrive powered by Google, like an all-in-one headset that doesn’t require a phone or an HMD capable of inside-out position tracking, and when that happens these early efforts with Cardboard and Daydream could pay off handsomely. If that shift occurs, Google would own a major head start versus Apple in offering a library of VR content for the new medium. That’s why Apple CEO Tim Cook needs to worry. The company’s focus on the long game might be running out of time.
Of course, Facebook and Samsung are also playing this game and we still have yet to see what they will announce at Oculus Connect 3 later this week. |
U.S. Aqua Services
The necessity of dredging
Helps To Protect Against The Effects Of Coastal Erosion
Like we talked about in our last post, coastal erosion is a process that breaks down the coastline. When something like a hurricane, cyclone, or tropical storm makes its way inland, it displaces the sand and sediment around the beach and deposits it elsewhere, usually in awkward places like sandbars located fairly far away from the coast.
As the water line creeps closer to the towns and inhabited areas, the risk of problematic flooding and damaging storms affecting the area begins to rise as well. The distance that the beaches create between the water and the towns serves as a protective barrier. If this distance doesn’t exist, the towns and infrastructure become more vulnerable.
Inland dredging combats against coastal erosion by depositing sand and sediment in places where erosion is most substantial. This effectively adds to the land and helps buffer against the effects of strong storms and flooding. When ocean dredging, it’s considered best practice to deposit sediment that is safe and uncontaminated so as not to disrupt the environment in that area.
Similar to coastal erosion, strong storms could also disrupt marine and beach habitats which often exist in the surrounding sand or gravel. When the habitats are disrupted, the wildlife is forced to relocate. This can cause issues in surrounding towns and can also put the wildlife at risk.
Inland dredging serves as a way to safely maintain the environments where the plant and animal life inhabits. Again, it’s especially crucial to only use dredged material that is safe and free of contaminants.
Dredging companies, when doing their job properly, pick up materials from specific areas and transport it to places that have been affected by storms and strong waves. Basically, it recreates the sand and dunes that have been eroded or destroyed.
Making Marinas Possible To Navigate
One of the most prominent ways to import and export products is via ships and boats. When these vessels make their way inland, they dock at marinas.
Because marinas are so close to land, they’re not nearly as deep as other parts of the ocean located farther off the coast. Sometimes, the sediment at the bottom of marinas begins to concentrate in certain areas, making it difficult for ships and boats to navigate without getting stuck.
That’s where dredging comes in.
Dredging companies either scoop or suck up the sediment and transfer it elsewhere. When doing this, it’s very important to not transfer materials such as garbage or contaminants, so as not to harm other environments.
At this point, you’re probably wondering what dredging companies do with the material that is contaminated. One of the best uses for contaminated sediment is to actually turn it into useful objects.
Something that we regularly see is using the material to construct concrete and gravel. Not only is this a safe alternative to depositing the material in other areas, but it also takes out the polluted sediment from the marina.
There are quite a few reasons why it’s necessary to dredge, as long as it’s being done safely. Following protocols and never skimping on proper safety steps is important, especially when dealing with precious and fragile wildlife. |
In the standoff for finding the best solution to fiscal problems, the leftwing ‘Frente Amplio” party and the center-left “Partido de Acción Ciudadana” joined to call other political blocs to agree minimum conditions regarding seven bills.
The agreement proposal would apply shortened procedures to seven bills, among these, the draft legislation to strengthen fight against fiscal fraud, the corporate income tax, and an efficiency plan to manage public resources.
A representative from the center-right Union Social Cristiana (PUSC) and an independent also subscribed the proposal.
According to Edgardo Araya, the head of Frente Amplio, said that other parties wouldn’t oppose to accept their calling. Given that bills involved have almost general support.
For the president of the Legislative Assembly, Antonio Álvarez, and members of his party, what the sponsors of the proposal did was getting ahead of a similar plan, which they will present by the start of next week.
Source: La Nación. |
Internships: Adaptation and Innovation
Posted on June 17, 2021 by MCOB Outreach
The Mitchell College of Business actively supports experiential learning through its internship program initiative. This program is made possible through partnerships between the college and businesses in the Gulf Coast region and enables students to receive professional experience in their fields of study prior to graduation. While working, students refine skill sets, earn college credit, and create connections to a vast network of successful professionals. To be eligible, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and be a junior or senior. Following the internship period, many students receive full-time employment offers at partnering firms including Airbus, Austal, Ingalls, USA, ST Aerospace, Wilkins-Miller and more.
The internship program was not immune to the changes and challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Many businesses shut down during COVID-19 and internships were canceled,” said Internship Coordinator Megan Bennett. “Students had to come up with creative ways to get their internship requirements completed.”
Students Kelsey Clark and Matthew Morris were two of the students who took innovative approaches to finding opportunities and adapting throughout their internships.
When Kelsey Clark’s internship offer was rescinded due to COVID-19 restrictions, she proactively sought out Boy Scouts of America and the Mitchell Cancer Institute through South Serves, a University-community engagement and service initiative. After accepting offers with both organizations, Clark gained hands-on marketing experience by assisting with social media, design and marketing.
“The most challenging part was probably balancing the two organizations because I had to make sure I balanced the hours,” she said. “Every day, I was either online trying to market, in a meeting with Boy Scouts or on my computer trying to find websites to help me design things. I had never designed something on this level.”
Clark assisted in the design of the 13th Annual Go Run T-shirt for MCI. Despite the non-traditional situation, Clark was grateful for both internships. “Cancer runs in my family,” she said. “I lost my dad to cancer, so being able to give back to people, and participate in an organization fighting cancer was the most rewarding experience.”
Following graduation in May, Clark accepted a position as a recruiter at Insight Global in Birmingham, Alabama.
Matthew Morris had lined up his dream internship working in the music industry in
Nashville, Tennessee. When COVID-19 forced businesses to shut down, his program was
canceled. At the same time, his dad was laid off from his job at a charging station
and advertising start-up.
“We were all just kind of in this position ‘What do we do now?’ It just didn’t seem like anything was going right,” Morris said.
He and his dad decided to leverage their existing knowledge about the industry and launched their own charging station and advertising business. “It was a really interesting experience,” he said. “I never thought of myself as a salesman, but it's a lot more than trying to sell the product. It’s also about trying to sell how I believe in the product.”
Morris was also tasked with conducting the market research needed to identify potentials for business growth. Following graduation, Morris is pursuing a career as a life and health insurance agent at Alliance Insurance Group, while his dad continues to grow their fledgling business by expanding into Georgia, Arkansas, Louisiana and Kentucky.
Businesses and organizations interested in partnering with the Mitchell College of
Business to work with college talent can contact Megan Bennett at [email protected]
or (251) 460-7194. Find more information at https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/mcob/internships/.
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By Erica Oakley, USW Director of Programs
As a key part of its commitment to transparency, each year U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) produces an annual Crop Quality Report that includes grade, flour and baking data for all six U.S. wheat classes. The report is compiled from sample testing and analysis conducted during and after harvest by our partner laboratories. The report provides essential, objective information to help buyers get the wheat they need at the best value possible.
The 2018 USW Crop Quality Report is now available for download in English, Spanish, French and Italian, and will be available in Chinese and Arabic soon. USW also shares more detailed, regional reports for all six U.S. wheat classes on its website, as well as additional information on its sample and collection methods, solvent retention capacity (SRC) recommendations, standard deviation tables and more.
USW’s annual Crop Quality Seminars are already underway and will continue over the next month around the world. USW invites its overseas customers, including buyers, millers and processors, to these seminars led by USW staff, U.S. wheat farmers, state wheat commission staff and educational partner organizations. The seminars dive into grade factors, protein levels, flour extraction rates, dough stability, baking loaf volume, noodle color and texture and more for all six U.S. wheat classes, and are tailored to focus on the needs and trends in each regional market.
In 2018, USW is projected to host 41 seminars in 28 countries.
Customers have previously shared that they use the report throughout the year as a reference manual and to guide them through purchases and future planning. The seminars provide a first look at the overall crop and a deep dive into the data and how to use it. Customers will often use the seminars and report as educational training for new employees.
The reports and seminars have been a traditional part of USW’s strategy since 1959, growing to become its single largest marketing activity. |
Welcome to Utah Wildlife Specialists in Clarkston
At Utah Wildlife Specialists, we’re dedicated to providing Clarkston residents with the highest standard of bat removal, bat proofing, and guano cleanup services. With more than 13 years of experience, our team ensures effective and humane solutions to all your bat-related issues.
Professional Bat Removal Services
Our experienced specialists use safe, humane methods to remove bats from your property, ensuring the well-being of both the wildlife and the residents of Clarkston. We’re equipped to handle any size bat colony, ensuring a thorough and stress-free removal process.
Comprehensive Bat Proofing Solutions
Preventing future bat invasions is crucial for maintaining a safe home environment. Our bat proofing services include a detailed inspection of your property to identify and seal potential entry points, providing long-lasting protection for your Clarkston home.
Expert Bat Guano Cleanup
Bat guano poses significant health risks if not properly addressed. Our specialized cleanup team efficiently removes guano, disinfects affected areas, and restores the safety of your property, adhering to the highest standards of hygiene and health safety.
Why Choose Us?
Utah Wildlife Specialists stand out for our commitment to excellence, humane and effective methods, and the comprehensive warranty on all our services. Trust us to keep your Clarkston home safe and bat-free.
Contact Us Today
If you’re dealing with bat issues in Clarkston, don’t wait for the problem to escalate. Contact Utah Wildlife Specialists at 801-675-8829 or [email protected] for expert, reliable service. |
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Oh, how lovely!
That is wonderful. :)
I'm a little disappointed, though. I posted them from my home and that monitor showed all images beautifully. I'm viewing them now on my work monitor and some are so dark that you can barely see the content.
It's a shame because the cemeteries are so beautiful. when you drive up to them, they seem to float a few inches above the ground on an otherworldly, serene glow.
These are lovely. |
Target once distinguished itself as being boldly supportive of the LGBTQ+ community.
Now that status is tarnished after it removed some products aimed at LGBTQ+ and relocated Pride Month displays to the back of stores in certain Southern locations in response to online complaints and in-store confrontations that it says threatened employees’ well-being.
Target faces a second backlash from customers upset by the discount retailer’s reaction to aggressive, anti-LGBTQ+ activism, which has also been sweeping through Republican state legislatures. Civil rights groups chided the company on Wednesday for caving to anti-LGBTQ+ customers who tipped over displays and expressed outrage over gender-fluid bathing suits.
“Target should put the products back on the shelves and ensure their Pride displays are visible on the floors, not pushed into the proverbial closet,” Human Rights Campaign president Kelley Robinson said in a statement. “That’s what the bullies want.”
The uproar over Target’s Pride Month marketing — and its response to critics — is just the latest example of how companies are struggling to cater to different groups of customers at a time of extreme cultural divides, particularly around transgender rights.
Bud Light is still dealing with the fallout from when it sent transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney a beer can with her face on it, which Mulvaney then displayed in an Instagram post, igniting backlash. Bud Light’s parent company is tripling its U.S. marketing spending this summer as it tries to restore lost sales.
In Florida, Disney has been engaged in a legal battle with Gov. Ron DeSantis since expressing opposition to the state’s classroom limits on discussing gender identity and sexual orientation.
Allen Adamson, the co-founder and managing partner of the marketing firm Metaforce, said Target should have thought through the potential for backlash and taken steps to avoid it, like varying the products it sells by region.
“The country is far less homogenous than it ever was,” he said. “For any brand, it’s not `one size fits all’ anymore.”
Shares of Target, which is based in Minneapolis, extended their fall on Thursday, declining 2.6% in morning trading. On Wednesday, the stock closed down 3%.
According to a 2021 Gallup poll, 21% of people in Generation Z identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, compared with 3% of Baby Boomers. Gallup has also found that younger consumers are most likely to want brands to promote diversity and take a stand on social issues.
“Pulling back is the worst thing that they could have done,” said Jake Bjorseth, who runs trndsttrs, an agency helping brands understand and reach Gen Z customers. “Not to expect potential backlash is to not understand what (LGBTQ+) members go through on a daily basis.”
“Once they fold to the more extreme edges of the issue, then they’ve lost their footing,” Adamson added. “If you can change a big brand just by knocking over a display, then they are on the defense, and you never win on the defense.”
Target has long been seen as a trailblazer among retailers in the way it embraced LGBTQ+ rights and customers. It was among the first to showcase themed merchandise to honor Pride Month, which takes place in June, and it has been out front in developing relationships with LGBTQ+ suppliers.
It has also faced backlash. In 2016, when a national debate exploded over transgender rights, the company declared that “inclusivity is a core belief at Target” and said it supported transgender employees and customers using whichever restroom or fitting room “corresponds with their gender identity.”
But even after being threatened with boycotts by some customers, Target announced months later that more stores would make available a single-toilet bathroom with a door that could be locked.
As recently as last year, law enforcement agencies were brought in to monitor a social media threat from a young Arizona man who said he was “leading the war” against Target for its Pride Month merchandise, and he encouraged others to take action.
But the company is operating in an even more politicized environment now.
There are close to 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills that have gone before state legislatures since the start of this year, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. At least 17 states have enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming care for transgender minors, though judges have temporarily blocked their enforcement in some states.
Target declined on Wednesday to say which items it was pulling from its stores. But “tuck friendly” women’s swimsuits, which allow trans women who have not had gender-affirming operations to conceal their private parts, were among Target’s Pride items that garnered the most attention. Designs by Abprallen, a London-based company that designs and sells occult- and satanic-themed LGBTQ+ clothing and accessories, have also created backlash.
The controversy at Target has been exacerbated by several misleading videos circulating online. In some, people falsely claimed the retailer was selling “tuck-friendly” bathing suits for kids.
“Given these volatile circumstances, we are making adjustments to our plans, including removing items that have been at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior,” Target said in a statement Tuesday.
The company pledged its continued support for the LGBTQ+ community and noted it is “standing with them as we celebrate Pride Month and throughout the year.”
Indeed, it was business as usual at many Target locations on Wednesday.
At the Target in Topeka, Kansas, the Pride display remained up front, visible as shoppers passed a corral of shopping carts right after the entrance. It included Pride-themed clothing for kids, as well as T-shirts and women’s bathing suits for adults.
“I like that our local stores here have it front and center, when you walk in,” said Shay Hibler, a Topeka self-employed small business owner who was shopping with her 13-year-old daughter and supports LGBTQ+ rights.
Megan Rusch, a Kansas City-area resident who is studying criminal justice at Washburn University in Topeka, was shopping at the same store and said while other locations might worry about their image, “This is a pretty diverse area.”
She said she believes it’s good for the stores to have the Pride displays so that LGBTQ+ customers feel included.
Her shopping companion, Blake Ferguson, a Colorado resident who is studying accounting and finance student at Ottawa University, added simply: “Love is love.”
By Anne D’innocenzio And Dee-ann Durbin
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Durbin contributed from Detroit. AP Writer John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas contributed to this report.
Follow Anne D’Innocenzio: http://twitter.com/ADInnocenzio
Follow Dee-Ann Durbin: http://twitter.com/deeanndurbin—ap |
COMING OCTOBER 22, 2024
First in a captivating new series, Jane Austen’s Emma Knightley entertains a different role in Highbury—going from clever matchmaker to Regency England’s shrewdest sleuth.
Less than one year into her marriage to respected magistrate George Knightley, Emma has grown unusually content in her newfound partnership and refreshed sense of independence. The height of summer sees the former Miss Woodhouse gracefully balancing the meticulous management of her elegant family estate and a flurry of social engagements, with few worries apart from her beloved father’s health . . .
But cheery circumstances change in an instant when Emma and Harriet Martin, now the wife of one of Mr. Knightley’s tenant farmers, discover a hideous shock at the local church. The corpse of Mrs. Augusta Elton, the vicar’s wife, has been discarded on the altar steps—the ornate necklace she often wore stripped from her neck . . .
As a chilling murder mystery blooms and chaos descends upon the tranquil village of Highbury, the question isn’t simply who committed the crime, but who wasn’t secretly wishing for the unpleasant woman’s demise. When suspicions suddenly fall on a harmless local, Emma — armed with wit, unwavering determination, and extensive social connections — realizes she must discreetly navigate an investigation of her own to protect the innocent and expose the ruthless culprit hiding in plain sight.
Welcome to the website of USA Today bestselling author Vanessa Kelly. You can learn more about Vanessa’s historical mystery series, as well as her historical romances, on this site!
MURDER IN HIGHBURY, the first Emma Knightley Mystery, will be released in print and digital on Oct. 22nd, 2024. For more information, please visit the Book Page on the website.
THE HIGHLANDER’S KILTED BRIDE (Clan Kendrick 6) is now available in digital, print, and audio. The blurb, info, and vendor links can be found on the Book Page.New! Vanessa now has a Family Tree page which outlines the relationships among her characters and books. Click here for the Family Trees.
Vanessa runs a book club on Facebook, devoted to her various series. She also hosts fabulous guest authors and wonderful giveaways. Please click here for more info and to join the group.
Visit Vanessa’s BOOKS page to find out about her other books, including the Clan Kendrick Series.
BE SURE TO SIGN UP FOR VANESSA’S NEWSLETTER FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON HER BOOKS, AND SPECIAL CONTESTS JUST FOR SUBSCRIBERS! |
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Monday, resumed the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) online, ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the online registration, which has commenced nationwide, is being done through the commission’s registration portal https://cvr.inecnigeria.org.
The schedule of appointments for online registrants and physical CVR, at INEC state and local government offices nationwide is expected to commence on July 19.
According to INEC Chairman, Prof. Yakubu, the date for the commencement of physical CVR at all the 2,673 registration centres nationwide would be determined based on evaluation of the security situation.
The National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, told NAN that no eligible Nigerian would be disenfranchised in the registration process, especially those who may not be able to make use of the online pre-registration process.
He urged eligible registrants for the online registration to ensure they used the online portal, saying, “the commission is determined to elevate the electoral process and deepen the use of technology.
“The online registration portal is designed to provide a creative and innovative solution to the registration process and decongest the registration centers.
“We urge all eligible Nigerians that can make use of the online portal to do so. Those that are unable to use the portal will be offered the physical registration option commencing on July 19. No eligible Nigerian for registration will be left behind,” Okoye said. |
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2: Region about saying “and”: on the inside of United states Country accomplish not perform considering the appearance “and” right after “hundred”, “thousand” or perhaps “million" ;.Selling summer gadget along with designing seashore meal since most likely since made application for extra supplies will be your year-round organization. Ecommerce Appraisal especiaIly encourage concerning communal mass media you start with 100 % free discussions products experimenting with given promoting like well. There’ohydrates a large amount of obtain these days just for resumes and additionally it’vertisements an excellent online organization. |
Elevate your style with our Patola Soft Silk Saree. Crafted from luxurious Silk, it boasts a detailed Zari border and design for a touch of elegance. The included self-matching blouse piece allows for a complete and effortless look. Perfect for any occasion.
Fabric : Soft Silk
Technique for Work : Patola Weaving
Technique For value edition : Eco Friendly Resham Tassel
Style : Party Wear
Length : 5.5 Meter 0.80 Meter Blouse (Unstitched)
Width : 44 inch (approximate)
Wash Care : First Wash Dry Clean (Steam or Iron with the cool press) |
The Corona Virus has taken over the whole world at a mind-boggling pace. Given the situation the pandemic has creating, it has become imperative to prioritize our health and the health of those around us.
Amidst all the chaos and panic that we are stuck in, it is likely that you are bound in your home. In such circumstances, it seems only logical to have some devices by your side that can help you keep a tab over your health and also help you to create a safer environment for you and your loved ones.
We have made up a list of some of the most useful gadgets for you that can help you fight off the Corona Virus. These gadgets devices make it easier for you to monitor your health conditions and take care of hygiene around you, but this does not mean that you should ignore other precautions that are advised by the authorities.
This device may not be able to keep you from getting sick, but what it can do is keep the air around you clean if you happen to suffer from flu or any allergies. The Alen BreatheSmart FLEX Air Purifier cleans up to 700 square feet of space around it every 30 minutes.
The device is more than capable of purifying large rooms and can take care of problems such as pet hair, dust, bacteria, germs, and viruses. This machine can be a valuable addition to your arsenal against the Corona Virus.
Staying hydrated all the time is the best thing to do in order to keep a perfect immune system. Most of the times though, we forget to drink water for several hours. The Hidrate Spark 3 Smart Water Bottle takes care of this problem for you.
It tracks your daily water intake and notifies you if you are not consuming enough water. You can connect the bottle via Bluetooth to your smartphone app where you will receive all your notifications. However, for the perfect functioning of this app you will need a good reliable internet connection such as Spectrum internet, the fastest internet service there is.
The next item that you need to add to your reinforcements is the Fitbit Versa 2 Smart Watch. This high-tech smartwatch can monitor all your health-related data such as respiratory status, heart rate, sleep patterns and so much more.
When it comes to your health, mere seconds are also important. With the help of this smartwatch, you can instantly be notified of any abnormalities in your body.
New information is constantly pouring in regarding the Corona Virus. It is almost impossible at times to constantly keep up with the news. With the help of Echo Dot Smart Speaker, you can stay updated to all the latest updates regarding the virus 24/7.
Since it is powered by Alexa, you control it using your voice as well. You could set up reminders and notifications about any item that you might need from the market or just use it to get daily updates on this crazy virus.
A smartphone case may not keep away the Corona Virus for you but it sure keeps away bacteria from your phone. The case is made with a Microban antimicrobial product that prevents bacteria and germs from ever getting through.
The case has raised rubber ridges that also stop the phone from slipping from your hands while you are holding it. Lastly, it definitely adds an extra layer of protection because you can never be too careful when it comes to your phone.
One of the most common symptoms the Corona Virus presents is a fever. What better way to know about it before it arrives than with the Goodbaby Ear Thermometer? The device is perfectly suitable for babies, toddlers, teenagers, and adults.
It is equipped with infrared technology that checks temperature for you. You can see readings in both, Celsius and Fahrenheit. The thermometer even has a bright HD display so that you can easily take your readings at all times. Now taking your temperature has become a whole lot easier.
One of the things that you should not be doing during this serious outbreak is touch public doorknobs directly. With the help of Gryp Keychain, you won’t have to. It comes with a door handle opener that is made out of silicone.
It provides the perfect grip and allows you to grab on to all sorts of door handles without actually touching them. Even a simple gadget such as this one can be a valuable addition to your defense against the Corona Virus.
You can never be too cautious when it comes to toothbrushes. There are all sorts of germs and bacteria lurking around that might get on to your toothbrushes. With the help of this amazing device, you can keep your toothbrushes cleaner than ever.
It serves as a toothbrush holder that can be mounted on the wall in your bathrooms. It also has a UV light inside it that sterilizes all the toothbrushes placed inside. You can place up to 5 toothbrushes inside it; now all family members can have a spot for their toothbrush.
Stay Safe the Smart Way
We can only hope that this dangerous disease leaves us for good soon. Until then we can only take precautions in order to avoid getting infected. There are a number of other gadgets and gizmos as well that can help you fight off this virus. For the time being though, these are enough to get you to start preparing for the perfect defense against this virus. Now that you are stuck at home make sure that your internet doesn’t start acting up. If you happen to be in Austin, Texas try Spectrum bundles Austin, TX for the best services at the most affordable rates. |
Merckxy Christmas, and a Coppi New Year
It has been a crazy year, this, with our first annual Keepers Tour sorted, partnerships with the industry’s leading icons including Johan Museeuw, Pavé Cycling Classics, DeFeet, Fizik, and Lezyne – and a book deal to boot (deadline looming large on January 1st). We couldn’t have asked for a better year, and would like to remind you all that none of this – not one part of it – works without you, The Community.
It is a dream come true to be part of Cycling and to have some perceived value within this amazing community. Thank you all. From the bottom of our hearts, we wish you a very Merckxy Christmas, and a Coppi New Year.
Merckx bless you, one and all.
– The Keepers |
First and foremost; posts that are posted in the cheat codes/gameshark etc sections are moderated. These sections are strictly for posting cheats/guides only. These sections are moderated to keep out comments such as "thanks" "it works!" and so forth as these types of replies aren't cheats, please use the thumbs up/down feature for this. That being said, adding your own cheats, custom gamegenie/gameshark etc codes are allowed, they will fall into the moderation queue as mentioned to keep out irrelevant content though but yes, you are welcome to add your own codes to a existing thread. If you would like to give feedback on something, then please use the consoles chat forum for that and other discussions related to that console.
As a reminder to some users here, I'm going to give a refresher/update on some rules concerning gamehacking codes and cheat codes. If you see a thread or a post where the author wasn't attributed properly (and you are the originator of said code; do not report it if you are not the originator of the code or your account will have appropriate actions taken against it!), then click the report button and provide relevant information on who should be credited and provide an original source from a CMS, (website, blog, forum, etc) that has a proper timestamp. Point out which codes need attribution and to what username should be credited, your report will be examined and changes will be made where applicable.
For more information, refer to this thread |
- Sold Out
TICKET CATEGORIES AND PRICESNo tickets available.
With Dinner & Concert package of Salonorchester Alt Wien, you can combine the musical delights of the concert in the Lanner Hall of the Kursalon with a delicious gala dinner in the stylish surroundings of the Cafe Restaurant Johann.
NOTE: Price includes a 4-course dinner (drinks excluded) and a ticket to the concert (seat category A, B or C). VIP ticket includes a 4-course dinner, an A category ticket for the concert, 1 glass of prosecco in the concert interval and a Johann Strauss CD.
The dinner begins at 18:00, followed by the concert at 20:15. |
Why do we end up missing opportunities that look obvious in hindsight? Let’s take the case of Anita, a smart, hard-working manager. Anita goes about her busy workday, ticking things off her to-do list, with barely any time to look beyond next week. Then an email, a water cooler conversation, or a customer call triggers a thought. This thought could lead to a new opportunity that would have a long-term payoff. Anita promises herself to think about it later and turns to more pressing matters. She then gets tied up in her ever-growing immediate priorities. So, the idea of revisiting the opportunity languishes.
When Anita wonders why she can’t break the jinx and pursue opportunities that could have a long-term payoff, here’s what she says to herself, “Sure, I’d like to look for new opportunities, but where is the time? My routine is chock a block! Even if I do come across a promising opportunity, how do I know if it’s worth risking everything that I have right now?”
Then there are other times, when Anita is filled with the feeling of missing out: “I see people go after just the opportunity that I had spotted and watch them make it a huge success. Happens all the time. It’s so frustrating to think I once had the chance too and didn’t go after it.”
Do these thoughts sound familiar? Now imagine, what if Anita weren’t a person, but an organization instead—Anita, Inc.—that is too caught up in routines to notice opportunities. This organization, although productive and efficient, cannot justify risks and constantly finds itself losing its competitive position. Morale is understandably down and there’s cynicism about new opportunities—cynicism bordering on frustration—all around.
Neither Anita nor Anita, Inc. have to go on this way. How do you change this picture?
The answer, in both cases, lies in learning how to identify and pursue the right opportunities. The pursuit of opportunities essentially requires techniques that originate in an entrepreneurial mindset. Once we master such techniques, each one of us can apply them in our organizations and careers to unlock the potential of new opportunities.
Which brings us to one such technique: noticing gaps and connecting the dots.
Many of us can recall at least one story of a hidden opportunity in a seemingly hopeless situation. A great example is Kutol Products, a company that came out with a cleaning product. This product was a thick paste that was meant to treat filthy wallpaper. The product didn’t do particularly well, and the company was on the
brink of bankruptcy. They, however, made an interesting observation. They noticed that schoolchildren were using the product to create Christmas ornaments and in arts and crafts projects. Fortunately, the company quickly ‘connected the dots’ and relaunched the product and targeted it at children, after removing the compound's cleanser and adding colors and a fresh scent. The product went to become one the most iconic toys of all time – Play-Doh.
How can we become better at noticing gaps and connecting the dots? A commonly accepted view suggests that most of us cannot. Here is how the conventional narrative goes: The skill of noticing opportunities is a special gift only some people enjoy. These exceptional individuals are alert, mindful, and adept at noticing market imperfections. They just somehow see the opportunity. And then they have this amazing risk-taking ability that allows them to jump with both feet into the pursuit of that opportunity.
I propose we look at it differently. Let’s proceed under the assumption that all of us have some abilities and we need to figure out how to bring them to bear in pursuing opportunities. Which means engaging in the right behaviors to minimize opportunity blockers. In short, we use the abilities we have and fix those things we can.
One, develop access to information. If you have information, you will have some chance of noticing gaps. What does the market need? How is the need changing? What do competitors offer? What is missing? That’s how you look for gaps.
Two, make the time to pay attention to surprises. Don’t simply gloss over outliers. Why is this region showing good sales suddenly? What is this salesperson pitching that really works? How come orders for this service, and not the others, are surging? Any data that surprise you are worth paying attention to.
Three, stay prepared to act. Risk-taking doesn’t always have to be all-or-nothing affair. Often, a quick validation, a test run, a survey, or a prototype would do. The reason we don’t follow through with experimentation is not that it is risky. It’s just that we are not prepared for that small commitment.
So, there it is. A small adjustment to behaviors sets you on the path to seeing opportunities—developing access to information, making time for surprises, and staying open to tinkering! Do this over and over again until sniffing opportunity becomes second nature. That is when you would have mastered the first technique of opportunity pursuit: noticing gaps and connecting the dots.
The theme of the pursuit of opportunities has a universal appeal. Each one of us, whether in our personal or professional lives, is constantly thinking of opportunities that help improve the status quo. Getting people warmed up to the idea of successfully pursuing opportunities within an organization can have a big impact on its future.
That was one reason that we decided to organize a workshop on the ‘pursuit of opportunities’ for the leadership team at Harbinger Group. The timing couldn’t have been better, given that the company in the midst of a rapid growth and the environment in tech industry is changing fast too. So, the stated objective of the workshop was really to generate a menu of new techniques that we hope will transform how each one of us views and pursues opportunities. We came up with five such techniques.
Since this is obviously a very relevant discussion for most organizations, I thought it might be useful to share with the readers the techniques we explored. Hence this blog series. In subsequent blogs in this series, I’ll touch upon four more techniques for opportunity discovery and enactment. Watch this space for more! |
Introduction: Malaria is a highly contagious disease. According to WHO, malaria cases are expected to increase due to climate changes. Despite the eradication efforts, malaria still remains one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality in tropical and subtropical regions. Many different antimalarial regimens are used , however resistance is emerging to many of them Purpose: This critical review was conducted, in order to respond to the following questions. A) Which antimalarial regimen is most effective? B) Which regimen is the safest for travelers in endemic regions? C) Which regimen is best tolerated? Methodology: The literature research was conducted through the Internet. The Medline and Cinahl databases were used, as well as the search engines google, altavista and lycos. The research included articles that described clinical trials. The material was selected based on the aforementioned research questions and the chronological time limits. Results: Atovaquone/proguanil, tafenoquine, primaquine were the most effective regimens. Tafenoquine, as well as, primaquine have been related to hemolytic events in individuals with G6PD deficiency, gastrointestinal disorders, backache and flue-like syndrome. Doxycycline and mefloquine were related to gastrointestinal and neurological disorders. Those were the less tolerated regimens. Conclusions: Atovaquone/proguanil, tafenoquine, primaquine were the most effective regimens. As far as safety is concerned, tafenoquine and primaquine should not be prescribed to individuals with G6PD deficiency. All the regimens were considered well tolerated, however, in doxycycline and mefloquine trials were the most withdrawals due to adverse effects. |
Foreigners travelling by sea will stay in Russia without a visa for 7 days
The term of stay in Russia of the tourists travelling by sea can be extended from three to seven days. According to Vedomosti, the amendments to the bill “On the rules of entry to and exit from the Russian Federation”, regulating this issue, are currently being considered by the State Duma.
The proposal to increase the period of stay for foreigners traveling on yachts, sports vessels and pleasure crafts was introduced by the Ministry of Transport. The key goal of the innovation is to increase the attractiveness of the maritime routes for tourists. As note the experts of the Ministry of Transport, three days is a very short term for which the sea captains cannot go the entire route along the Black Sea coast.
As note the authors of the amendments, the attraction of the additional number of tourists-yachtsmen will help to increase tax revenues at all levels, to raise incomes of the tourism industry and to create new jobs needed for the development of port infrastructure and maintenance of yachts.
The law on visa-free stay in Russia of foreign tourists arriving by yacht, sports vessels and pleasure crafts was adopted immediately after the law on visa-free stay of cruise ship passengers in 2013. The results of visa liberalization affected the statistics. For example, in 2015 the Passenger Port of St. Petersburg received 491,822 passengers – 2% more than in 2014. At the same time, 23% of the tourists were citizens of Germany, 15% – of the US, 13% – of the UK, 5% – of Italy and Spain and 3% of the tourists were citizens of France. |
The City of Rushford Village is a picturesque community nestled along the Root River among the bluffs and the state forests. From the river valley to the forested bluffs, there is no shortage of outdoor activities. This attracts outdoor enthusiasts from all around and the friendly community keeps them coming back!
We’ve had the pleasure of working with many municipalities over the years and have come to learn that each community, no matter how small, has a unique element that makes each website unique. The City of Rushford Village prides itself on its history and its agriculture. We created a website that captures both through the visual homepage sliders, color schemes, website design, and on-page content.
This website not only looks great, it functions as an important tool for residents and visitors alike. From government ordinances to city staff information, resident resources and more, this site is neatly organized complete with a search function for easy access to any page.
Additional features include a custom footer, simple document search features, and an ADA plugin for user convenience.
Give your residents a powerful online tool with a municipal website design. Contact Us to get started.
If you liked this design, you’re going to love our other designs HERE! |
Snow Country Limo is no stranger to transporting folks in the Mountain West. The transportation service that began in Park City, Utah has now grown to serve Big Sky and Bozeman, moving people safely and conveniently to and from their favorite ski hill. Explore Big Sky chatted with Marketing Director Bob Kain about their move to Montana and an upcoming 25th anniversary.
This series is part of a paid partnership with the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce. The following answers have been edited for brevity.
Explore Big Sky: Let’s start with you—are you based in Big Sky. If so, when did you come to Big Sky and what brought you here initially?
Bob Kain: The company moved a management team to the area in the summer of 2021 and began recruiting drivers. The team was comprised of people with ties to southwest Montana and they are now based in both Big Sky and Bozeman. With the exponential growth happening at Big Sky, we identified the need in the community for a luxury transportation business. We had 22 years in the industry at the time, and felt like we had the right experience and vision to fill that need.
EBS: How did Snow Country Limo begin?
BK: Our owner Dave Swartz started Snow Country with one SUV in 1999 in Park City, Utah. As more friends and like-minded people joined the company, it organically grew to two, three, five, eight … all the way to the 170 employees and independent partners we have now at Big Sky and Park City. Our growth has largely been driven by the close relationships we have formed with the hotels and properties we work with, as well as other tourism groups within the communities.
EBS: When did it expand to Big Sky and what was the driving decision to do so?
BK: We were approached by the Montage hotel group during the 2020/21 winter, to see if we had any interest in expanding to the Big Sky area. At the time we were building back from the pandemic and had previously scouted a few areas for possible expansion. Working with a hotel the caliber of the Montage was a no brainer and we began the process of building our new Montana business.
EBS: What kinds of services do you offer that others may not in the area? What makes you guys unique?
BK: The consistent pursuit of excellence on every single transfer is what sets our business apart from the rest. We strive to provide a safe, timely and comfortable luxury experience on every single ride. From the latest high-end vehicles, to the friendliest and most knowledgeable drivers, Snow Country treats its clients like old friends. The importance of great relationships also extends to the hotels and community groups we work with. Together we all have the same goal, to ensure visitors have the best experience possible seeing all that our beautiful areas have to offer.
EBS: What is your favorite thing about running a business in the area?
BK: We love the feeling of a tight knit community like Big Sky. It’s what drew our founding members to Park City in the early 2000s, and has fueled our passion for hospitality ever since. The feeling of closeness, acceptance and accessibility to outdoor recreation within stunning mountain town communities is second to none, and it’s where we prefer to call home.
EBS: You transport a lot of people from all over the country (and probably all over the world) to and from a beautiful destination we are lucky to call home. Are there any stories or memories that stand out to you from your patrons when showing them the area for the first time?
BK: The reactions of first timers to Montana are always priceless. From the beauty of the Gallatin Canyon, to the inevitable run-in with local wildlife, passengers very quickly fall in love with rhythm and feel of the Big Sky state. Guests, particularly from the East Coast, are almost always blown away by the scale of everything in Montana, from the rivers and mountains to the wide-open ranges. Spotting a grizzly bear on a Yellowstone tour is always big hit!
EBS: Any celebration or milestones Snow Country Limo is celebrating?
BK: We are looking forward to celebrating our 25th anniversary this fall!
EBS: Is there any business advice you’ve received in years past that has stuck with you?
BK: If you take care of your employees and partners, they will take care of your guests. Also, it’s important to invest in your local community. Without the support of the communities where we do business, we could not be successful. |
Come and enjoy the wildlife around the Wharf, visit the exhibitions and our cafè. This old trading post is today a museum where the old wharf building is kept authentic with its country store and postoffice.
The trading post at Hemmestad was licensed by the King in 1798 but had already been a long-established hub for trade. From here transport vessels sailed to Bergen several times a year. The old pier house is intact with boutique, trading post and post office. The museum tells about coastal history and trade as well as the role of women in the old fisher-farmer society.
Last updated: 01/02/2024
Source: Destination Harstad |
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"At Coegi, we do not take vetting another DSP lightly. This is because it can be a large ask for an organization to manage yet another UI. We chose to partner with Vistar for a reason: it makes our offering more robust, they are awesome to work with, it’s a seamless integration into our current workflow and the innovation of the product is second to none.”
Programmatic at Coegi
“Vistar Media offers solutions unlike any other player in the space. Thanks to Vistar, we can easily
manage all our screens and control the creative with just a click of a button. We are ready for a programmatic out-of-home future.”
"Vistar's team and technology is the leader in the DOOH ad tech space and they have provided invaluable assistance in shaping our programmatic position in the market." |
Calcium deficiency is a serious health issue that can lead to a range of problems, including weakened bones and teeth, muscle cramps, and fatigue. To support optimal health and well-being, it is important to maintain a proper balance between calcium and magnesium in your diet. Magnesium is a vital mineral that is involved in a variety of critical bodily processes, including nerve function, energy production, and protein metabolism. It also plays a key role in supporting general vitality and helping to promote restful sleep. Without enough magnesium, calcium may not be absorbed properly, which can lead to a buildup of unassimilated calcium in the body and contribute to the development of health problems like kidney stones and cardiovascular disease.
To help ensure that you are getting sufficient amounts of both calcium and magnesium, consider the following:
- Incorporate more calcium-rich foods into your diet, such as dairy products, fortified foods, and leafy greens.
- Add more magnesium-rich foods to your meals, including nuts, seeds, whole grains, and leafy greens.
- Consider taking a supplement that contains both calcium and magnesium, but be sure to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.
- Aim for a balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrient-dense whole foods.
- Pay attention to your body and talk to your healthcare provider if you experience any symptoms that may indicate a calcium or magnesium deficiency.
By maintaining a proper balance between calcium and magnesium, you can help support your body's natural processes and promote optimal health and well-being.
Cal-Mag contains Calcium and Magnesium, two minerals that work together to support healthy bones, muscles, and more. With 400mg of Calcium and 200mg of Magnesium in every serving, this supplement provides a powerful boost to your daily nutrition.
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To use Cal-Mag, simply dissolve one tablespoon (7.5g) in hot water, then add cool water or ice and stir. Enjoy on an empty stomach for the best results. And if you experience any laxative effects, simply cut back on the amount until you find what works for you.
Don't let calcium deficiency or lack of energy hold you back any longer. Try Cal-Mag today and feel the difference! And remember, if you're pregnant, lactating, have kidney issues, or are on medication, be sure to consult with your doctor before using Cal-Mag.
Add a small amount of hot water into a cup or mug with tall sides. Add powder, and stir until dissolved. Then add cool water or ice and stir. Enjoy on an empty stomach.
Calcium 400mg (as Calcium Gluconate)
Magnesium 200mg (Magnesium Carbonate which converts to Magnesium Citrate)
Gluten-Free, Non-GMO, Vegan Formula
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. |
Add audio effects to your AI vocals so that the final
mix is better. If you're an advanced user, it's better
to not use these effects and add them yourself in your
Increase the pitch if you are converting from male to female vocals and viceversa.
Increase to add more accent and articulation from the AI model. High values may lead to overcorrecting and artifacts.
Increase to convert the volume of your input audio to the volume of the AI model. Decrease to hear dynamics from the input audio. High values may accentuate noise.
Are you sure you want to remove this voice? |
Internet map1 - character wheel and keyboard
This system uses a "character wheel" to enter specific information, e.g. type of POI, city/town, area/country, address, street or postcode.
Activate an option
After highlighting a desired function/menu bar using the thumbwheel or the TUNE knob, press the thumbwheel/OK to see the next level of functions/options.
Entering text with the character wheel
- Highlight a text field.
- Press OK to call up the character wheel.
- Select the characters using the thumbwheelTUNE knob and enter them by pressing thumbwheelOK once.
Enter with the numerical keyboard
Another way of entering characters is to use the centre console's buttons 0-9, * and #.
When e.g. 9 is pressed, a bar appears with all characters2 under the buttons, e.g. W, x, y, z and 9. Quick presses on the button move cursor through these characters.
- Stop with the cursor on the desired character in order to select it - the character is shown on the enter line.
- Delete/change using EXIT.
To enter a number, hold in the corresponding number key.
Additional options that, amongst other things, provide more characters as well as numbers are available in the character wheel's inset menu:
- 123/ABC + OK - the character wheel switches between numbers and characters.
- MORE + OK - alternative characters are shown in the wheel.
- => + OK - moves the cursor to the list on the right-hand side of the screen where selections can be made with OK.
List with options
When searching for countries, available options are listed based on the letters entered. No list is shown for other search fields but instead the search is performed when search is activated. |
LEGO Ninjago: The Videogame (DS) Review
As many people know, I’m beginning to tire of Lego titles, particularly the ones that just seem to keep coming out continuously. Thankfully, when I managed to spend a good amount of time with Lego Ninjago, I was surprised to find it was somewhat different from the adventure style titles, instead taking a more strategic approach. Of course, this means that Ninjago is more of a sequel to LEGO Battles than anything else, which I actually never played. And with that commentary, let me explain to you why I believe LEGO Ninjago is a pretty fun game, despite the fact that it might seem a little bit late to the DS party.
LEGO Ninjago takes place in a time that is almost similar to feudal Japan. Ninjago, a legendary weapon, was created by the masters of Spinjitzu, a martial art in which the user turns themselves into tornados to cause damage to their opponents. The weapon was created using the four ancient weapons of Spinjitzu, which each correspond to a certain element. When the Spinjitzu master passed away, his two sons swore to protect the ancient weapons and ensure they didn’t fall into the wrong hands. Fast forward a couple of years, and one of the brothers has turned to the dark side and of course, it’s up to the player to save the weapons and support the noble brother, or descend to the dark side and help the exiled brother and his raised skeleton army?
LEGO Ninjago utilises a two-dimensional artistic direction that looks like very well put together pixel or sprite art. All the classic staples of LEGO building blocks are present on the sprites, as well as the characteristics of the environment such as trees and bushes. All in all, the game’s spritework is pretty well put together and does a good job at creating a world that feels like it’s legitimately made out of LEGO. The game also employs cutscenes that are very well animated and don’t show any signs of compression either. All in all, the game looks great and is a nice refreshing change from the usual three dimensional modelling in previous LEGO games.
At its core, LEGO Ninjago is a little bit of a mix between the action-adventure titles in the series, while throwing in a large amount of strategy elements akin to older strategy titles like Age of Empires or Total Annihilation. Players can use certain classes to build a small civilisation to create an army to overtake the enemy. The game provides a hub world where the player can either play through the good side of the story, or later on the bad side of the story, with the game being split up into acts for easy tracking of your progress. The missions vary greatly, some of them are as simple as moving a party to a certain area or some are more complex with multi-level objectives.
There are, of course, a few elements that mix things up a bit. Several “hero” characters also possess certain powers that allow them to do large amounts of damage or enchant the party with certain ailments that may increase strength or output of units. Players can also build different structures which serve certain purposes. As you’d probably expect, this is largely something very similar to Age of Empires, and it plays very well with the D-Pad controlling the camera and the stylus being used to command units to move and attack enemies.
There are of course, other modes that the players can move through, but these are only multiplayer modes that require multiple cards. Unfortunately, the game breaks one of my biggest rules with multiplayer, in that the player must unlock certain components in the single player modes before they actually are playable in multiplayer, which is a bit annoying. The game itself is pretty feature packed, feeling like a scaled down RTS game. The dual campaigns are also a nice touch, and all in all the game will take anywhere between 6-12 hours to complete depending on how much you want to explore – as finding certain items unlocks characters to use in multiplayer.
The game’s soundtrack is pretty well put together and features some nice oriental themes that really suit the game’s ancient Asian themes. There are some minor grunts and groans for the game’s voicework that play whenever the players select a key characters, but nothing huge, instead the game opts for dialogue which may put off some younger players.
LEGO Ninjago is a pretty quality title in the LEGO franchise of videogames, which actually does a great job at making a decent real time strategy title that is not only approachable for younger, less experienced players but also for those who are looking for a nice and well put together cute real time strategy.
Great use of sprites and pixel art to create a believable LEGO world. Animations in the cutscenes are top notch.
Great use of the D-Pad and Stylus to control most of the action.
A good collection of ancient sounding oriental tracks really add to the games overall atmosphere.
Theres heaps to do and a bit to collect, but some people may get very bored before they attempt to get to 100%. The dual storyline is a nice touch although it does feel a little like quantity over quality at times.
I was very much enjoying the different perspective that LEGO Ninjago provided in comparison to other games in the series. It was a nice and refreshing experience.
LEGO Ninjago is a very decent real time strategy game that is great and more suited to a younger audience, but older more experienced players may become bored of it quite quickly. |
Vote software is under fire (FL)
Herald Tribune. November 6, 2008. By Christopher O'Donnell & Todd Ruger
MANATEE COUNTY - Florida's touch-screen voting systems might be history, but elections officials still depend on computer software to tally the paper ballots.
And once again, problems with that software on the night of the big show delayed election results Tuesday and left candidates in close elections in Sarasota and Manatee counties going to bed without knowing how they fared.
Even an d version of that software used in Hillsborough County had problems, and Leon County quit using the system after just one day of early voting.
Now the company that makes the software Premier Election Solutions of Texas is under fire from unhappy election officials in Florida.
Florida counties, however, have few options when it comes to finding a better system. Premier is one of only three voting system manufacturers that have been certified for use in Florida.
Sarasota elections supervisor Kathy Dent said she would talk to Premier about the problems, including a glitch that prevented all absentee votes from being added to the countywide totals on the night of the primary in August.
Dent declined to use some of the equipment in the presidential election because Premier could not fix the software problem in time.
"We spent a lot of money on this," said Dent, who went home before all the system problems were solved Tuesday night. "I want them to make it right."
Sarasota spent $2.9 million on the system in 2007; Manatee spent about $800,000 on the system in 1997. Both pay regular service fees as well.
A simple change in one Manatee County race, where a candidate ped out last week, caused the Premier software program known as GEMS to lock up. That prevented the counting of 46,000 ballots on Tuesday night, Supervisor of Elections Bob Sweat said.
In Sarasota County, results were delayed until 1:30 a.m. Wednesday because the Premier software would not accept results from one memory card that held about 6,900 absentee ballots.
Frozen software in Hillsborough County left tens of thousands of ballots uncounted and the supervisor of elections threatened to end the Premier contract.
Officials from Premier know they are taking hits in Florida, and they say each individual problem will be addressed.
"You're constantly enhancing your products," spokesman Chris Riggall said.
Still, Premier's reaction to the problems has not impressed its customers.
Sweat was so frustrated over Premier's nonchalant reaction to his dilemma Tuesday night that he threatened to draw national media attention to the trouble if he did not get more immediate help.
And at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday in Hillsborough County, elections supervisor Buddy Johnson placed the bulk of blame for problems there on Premier and hinted that he would seek to terminate the county's contract with the company.
He accused Premier officials of being less than honest with his office, but did not elaborate.
"I will not allow my team to take this on the chin," he said. "I think you can anticipate" Premier "pointing their finger at this office," he said.
Premier said in a statement that the transmission of results to the main software in Hillsborough County were prematurely terminated because of programming.
In Leon County, home to Tallahassee, the election supervisor said he stopped using machines with the latest version of the Premier software after one day of early voting because it would not accept some ballots.
The problem in Manatee was caused by the late withdrawal of a candidate for fire commissioner in Parrish. The candidate withdrew from the race last week, before early voting was originally due to end.
That was too late for election officials to take his name off the ballot as votes had already been cast.
But Florida law states that votes should not be counted for withdrawn or disqualified candidates.
So election officials d the central database not to report on the race, which as it had only one other candidate was no longer contested.
Counting began smoothly, but when officials tried to load in votes from Parrish precincts, the system locked up.
Even with on-site help from a Premier technician, officials could not fix the problem.
Officials abandoned the count at 11:30 p.m. until more technicians from Premier could arrive on site. Premier told Sweat he could get an upgrade that would not allow the problem to happen again.
"I'm going to keep the system; it's a good system," Sweat said.
Manatee officials regrouped Wednesday and fixed the glitch; results were released at noon and no election outcomes changed.
One of the candidates left waiting for results was Shirley Bryant, who ran for mayor in Palmetto. Bryant went to bed Tuesday knowing she was leading but did not know she won until midday Wednesday.
"It didn't look like there was any way to get a handle on what those number were," she said. "I was just trying to be very cautious."
Sarasota County had all of its results at about 11 p.m., except for the memory card that could not be read.
After trying different work-arounds, the Canvassing Board, which oversees the election, decided to start adding the 6,900 ballots to the overall results by hand.
By the time they finished at 1:30 a.m., one of the work-arounds finally worked. The problem was that the software was not recognizing the memory card.
"We know what the problem was, but we don't know what caused it," Sarasota Assistant Supervisor of Elections Scott Farrington said.
"It's going to take the manufacturer some research." "I don't think it's anything we could have done." |
Bard is a Google artificial intelligence (AI) Chabot. Google launched this Ai chatbot in select countries to compete for rival of Chatgpt after the massive success of Chatgpt launched by OpenAI.
Google has recently announced in a press release their own AI tool also known as Bard, in the initial stage of Bard it is available only in some countries like USA and UK. In some time Google will expand the availability of Bard in more countries.
If you want to know how to create account on Bard from Thailand then now go ahead we will suggest to you the way to access Bard in Thailand.
Can I Use Bard In Thailand?
No, You cannot use Google Bard in Thailand if you try to open Bard from Thailand it will show an error on your device and you won’t be able to sign in to Bard. many Thailand people have faced this same error.
How To Access Bard In Thailand?
If the Bard Thailand is not working on your first try, then wait some time. Maybe it could be a server issue but after some time is Bard still not working you have only one option left, you can use a VPN (recommended NordVPN 1- Yr Plan) for Bard from Thailand.
Using a Bard VPN will enable you to mask your IP address and trick your device into believing that you are accessing Bard from a location other than Thailand.
How To Use A Bard From Thailand?
Bard to use in Thailand download VPN for Bard on your devices such as a laptop, smartphone, or tablet you can follow these steps:
- Open your browser(chrome recommended) then type NordVPN download and search
- You will see many results in your SERP (Serch engine result page) then click the first page that you see.
- After opening the NordVPN download page, click the download button.
- Starting the download, after the download is completed, you can click on the install button to install it on your device.
- Then open the NordVPN and connect to the server where Bard is allowed.
- After connecting to the server, you can easily create account on Bard from Thailand.
How To Create Account On Bard From Thailand With A Vpn?
If Bard isn’t supported in your country and you want to know how to fix it then you must read the following these steps can help you to use Bard for Thailand:
- Open NordVPN on your device then connect your server with the country where the Bard is accessible.
- After the server connects visit the Bard website and click on the login and sign-up button located in the upper right corner of the screen.
- Fill out the required information in the form including your username, email address, and password.
- Choose a security question and answer to help you recover your account if you forget your password.
- Click the sign-up button after you have finished entering your information.
- Then you receive a Google verification step clear this step and you will be able to log in to your account.
Is It Safe To Use A Vpn To Access Bard From Thailand?
Yes, it is completely safe to use a VPN to access Bard for Thailand. Using a VPN to access Bard from Thailand is completely safe and secure.
If you are using a well-reputed VPN service provider then there is no chance of getting caught.
VPN provides a private network connection by masking your IP address and encrypting your internet traffic. This makes it difficult for any third party to track your online activity, you can safely use Bard by using a VPN.
Do I Need To Pay To Create Account On Bard From Thailand?
No there is no charge for creating an account on the Bard.
Can I Use Bard In Thailand?
No Google Bard is not available in India yet. But Google planned to begin rolling out the Google Bard service in India.
Conclusion for How To Create Account On Bard From Thailand
Bard is a Google AI chatbot, If you are from Thailand and want to access Bard as it is restricted in your country, then NordVPN is the best way to unblock bard from Thailand.
We have already discussed the steps above on how to create account on Bard from Thailand. We hope that you have successfully created your account on bard Thailand. |
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The Renaissance splendour of the Palazzo Medici Riccardi – the Medici dynasty’s first commissioned residence – provided the backdrop for Grace Wales Bonner’s latest collection, shown in Florence as part of Pitti Uomo (she was this season’s guest designer). Across the floor of the 15th-century palazzo’s central courtyard where the show took place, and across the walls of an adjoining room, were hundreds of jute bags, once holding Ghanaian cacao beans, each roughly stitched together by hand – part of a vast artwork by Ibrahim Mahama, commissioned for the occasion.
London-based designer Wales Bonner called it an intervention. ‘I was thinking about the history of Black presence in Florence, and for me it was important to make an intervention within the history, to acknowledge a very sophisticated presence within Black heritage,’ she said the morning prior to the show. Of Mahama’s work in particular, she noted that ‘it was important to physically intervene with the architecture, to have a balance of representation within the space’.
Wales Bonner S/S 2023 at Pitti Uomo, Florence
Wales Bonner began work on the season by looking towards the figure of Alessandro de Medici, Duke of Florence, who spent much of his life in the palazzo. A hereditary ruler, he is said to have been born to a servant of African descent who worked within the Medici household; as such, he is considered modern western Europe’s first Black head of state. For the deep-thinking designer, it led to a rabbit-hole of research, which spanned Renaissance Italy to present-day Ghana, where she had travelled in the run-up to the collection. ‘I think my references a lot of the time I have these fragments, or memories, things I’ve read,’ she says. ‘But it’s not fully developed, which is helpful to me. If you know too much, it limits the possibilities.’
Indeed, the confirmation that she would show in Florence as part of Pitti Uomo – a process over two years in the making, when discussions first began with organisers – led to further discoveries. A fresco by Benozzo Gozzoli in the palazzo’s Magi Chapel features a depiction of a Black archer, for example, while meetings of family patriarch Cosimo de Medici’s ecumenical councils would feature Moorish, Berber and African presence (‘a spectacular coalescence of cultures bringing new crafts, customs and clothing’, as the notes described). ‘I wanted to acknowledge that presence, but also think about this idea of arrival,’ said Wales Bonner of the collection.
The idea of arrival was inscribed into the collection’s garments, beginning with a T-shirt imprinted with the work of American artist Kerry James Marshall (with whom the designer has recently collaborated on a limited-edition capsule of clothing). Wales Bonner said she was thinking about the Medicis being patrons of the arts; for her, Marshall is ‘a master painter of our time’. Such a feeling of ceremony ran throughout – the first five models entered on mass, as if being introduced to court – in flared Renaissance-style collars (delicately decorated with metal studs), rich silk-jacquard outerwear (the design developed by the historic House of Charvet in Paris), and an array of tailoring (cashmere tuxedos, a camel-hair coat) created in partnership with Savile Row tailors Anderson & Sheppard.
Elsewhere, a rich array of handcraft was utilised throughout the collection, from Indian macramé and hand-dyed fabrics made in Burkina Faso to Baroque pearl, rock crystal and recycled glass beads from Ghana (even the collaborative Adidas Originals trainers, she noted, were hand-stitched in the Adidas studio). ‘I think over time, when I was developing Wales Bonner, there was some [handcraft] that I developed to a certain point, and now I feel like I can go back to some of those things but with a more refined sensibility,’ she says. ‘I think it was about going into it with the same spirit as my student work.’
On the front of a booklet left on each attendee’s seat, the designer referenced Sankofa – a principle which derives from the Akan people of Ghana and means that in order to make progress in the future, one must remember the past (it is often symbolised by a bird flying forwards with its head turned backwards). ‘Melodies ring forward like the flight of a bird – Sankofa arrives, adorned in the radiance of the past, pointing towards new paths, alternative processions for an eclectic cast,’ it read.
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Such words could define any one of Wales Bonner’s collections, which are always adorned in the past, but are never weighed down by it – though here, amid the palazzo’s near-six-centuries-old walls, and in Florence, a city where Renaissance treasures can be seen on every corner, such expression felt more pertinent than ever. ‘It’s an important moment for Wales Bonner,’ said the designer after the show, which crystalised her desire to achieve ‘an elegant and evocative harmony [between] European heritage and Afro-Atlantic spirit’ in electric fashion. Her own arrival, of sorts.
‘It’s about taking something from the past in order to pass it forward and make it useful for the future,’ Wales Bonner defined Sankofa in her own words. ‘And that is the spirit of this collection.'
Jack Moss is the Fashion Features Editor at Wallpaper*, joining the team in 2022. Having previously been the digital features editor at AnOther and digital editor at 10 and 10 Men magazines, he has also contributed to titles including i-D, Dazed, 10 Magazine, Mr Porter’s The Journal and more, while also featuring in Dazed: 32 Years Confused: The Covers, published by Rizzoli. He is particularly interested in the moments when fashion intersects with other creative disciplines – notably art and design – as well as championing a new generation of international talent and reporting from international fashion weeks. Across his career, he has interviewed the fashion industry’s leading figures, including Rick Owens, Pieter Mulier, Jonathan Anderson, Grace Wales Bonner, Christian Lacroix, Kate Moss and Manolo Blahnik.
The new sofa by Piero Lissoni, for De Padova balances comfort and elegance
‘Alberese XL’ sofa, by Piero Lissoni, for De Padova is among our Salone del Mobile 2024 highlights and continues the designer’s pursuit of form and functionality
By Léa Teuscher Published
Four Mumbai apartments are transformed into an art-filled contemporary home
Designed Rajiv Saini unites four Mumbai apartments in the Indian city’s Colaba district into a single, expansive, art-filled home for a family
By Ellie Stathaki Published
Guglielmo Castelli considers fragility and violence with painting series in Venice
Guglielmo Castelli’s exhibition ‘Improving Songs for Anxious Children’ at Palazzetto Tito, Venice, explores childhood as the genesis of discovery
By Sofia Hallström Published |
Jewish people are said to have first settled in Bulgaria in the year 46 CE. They’ve created a long and rich history over their almost-2,000 years in the country, yet very few still live there. The vast majority left during and immediately after the Second World War, after being persecuted for their faith.
Bulgaria didn’t want to be involved in World War II
Bulgaria was one of the losers of World War I, and lost territory during both that conflict and the Second Balkan War. As a result, the country planned on staying neutral during World War II. That neutrality, however, had ulterior motives attached to it, as Bulgaria hoped to regain the territory it had lost, without having to fight.
Despite taking a neutral stance, Bulgaria still had important ties to Germany, as the pair’s relationship accounted for 65 percent of Bulgaria’s trade economy.
In August 1939, Russia and Germany signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact – a non-aggression pact that allowed the two nations to split Poland between themselves. Following the agreement, many European countries attempted to curry favor with the German regime. Bulgaria did this, in part, by passing legislation that was antisemitic in nature.
Bulgaria attacked its Jewish citizens in an attempt to appease Germany
With Germany gaining power, Bulgaria hoped to stay in its good graces, and did so by attacking Jewish citizens. In January 1941, the country passed the Law for Protection of the Nation. Under the legislation, Jews would be refused Bulgarian citizenship and were required to fulfil their compulsory military service in labor battalions, not the regular army.
The passing of the act was in addition to other prohibitions against Jews, including changes to their names, exclusion from public service and politics, restrictions on places of residence, prohibitions on economic and professional activity, and the confiscation of property.
It also presented measures that would make it more difficult for foreign Jews to enter the country. While there was significant opposition to allowing in refugees, Bulgaria eventually did agree to issue a small number of visas.
Bulgaria begins plans to deport Jews
In January 1942, German leaders held the Wannsee Conference. At the meeting, the Germans discussed how they would implement their “Final Solution,” which called for all Jews in German-controlled European countries to be deported to Poland and summarily executed.
The Bulgarians found it important to please the Germans, despite their position of neutrality. When asked to release the country’s Jews into German custody, Bulgaria agreed and began taking steps toward their deportation.
In June 1942, Interior Minister Petar Gabrovski established the Commissariat for the Jewish Affairs in Bulgaria. Arrangements were made with the Reich Security Main Office to deport 8,000 Jews from the town of Sofia. In addition, 13,000 more were to be deported from the Bulgarian-occupied areas of Thrace, Macedonia and Pirot.
The Bulgarian government began deporting Jews in March 1943. 4,500 Jews in occupied Macedonia and Thrace were sent to Poland, while 7,144 from Vardar and Pomoravlje were sent to Treblinka. None of them survived. There were plans to deport an additional 48,000 Jews, but these never materialized. By the end of WWII, no Jews in Bulgaria proper were deported to concentration camps.
There was also significant resistance in the country. Dimitar Peshev, who had served as Bulgaria’s Minister of Justice prior to WWII, was opposed to the Germans and helped organize protests against the deportations, alongside the Bulgarian Church and other citizens. He was also able to convince Gabrovski to halt the deportations. While Gabrovski agreed, the message did not get through before the initial 13,000 Jews were sent away. The 48,000 remaining in Bulgaria, however, were saved.
In 1973, Yad Vashem honored Peshev with the title of Righteous Among the Nations.
The remaining Jews in Bulgaria are rescued
Peshev and others in the government continued to work to protect the Jews, and protests continued throughout the country. Eventually, Tsar Boris III was convinced to cancel the deportations. Bulgarian officials reported to German leadership that the country’s remaining Jewish population was needed for railroad construction and other projects.
Life was not easy for those who remained, but they avoided deportation to Poland.
The vast majority of Bulgarian Jews left the country for Isreal, with 43,961 people emigrating there between 1948 and 2006. As of the last census, which was conducted in 2010, around 2,000 Jews remain in Bulgaria. |
We look after four cemeteries and a crematorium in Warrington where you can arrange for a burial or interment of ashes:
Walton Lea Crematorium
The arrangements and costs at Walton Lea are different to our other cemeteries, find out more:
- Arranging a funeral or cremation at Walton Lea Crematorium
- Strewing of ashes at Walton Lea Crematorium
- Interment of ashes at Walton Lea Crematorium
- Memorials at Walton Lea Crematorium
Arranging the funeral and hiring the chapel
If you’re using a funeral director, they will make all of the funeral arrangements and sort the paperwork. The necessary fees will then be shown on your bill. Find out more about arranging a funeral.
Our fees for a funeral and burials will vary depending on requirements.
Interment of cremated remains
Our fees for the interment will vary depending on requirements.
Exclusive right of burial
You can also buy the exclusive right of burial for a grave, which means you decide who can be buried there.
Headstones and memorials
You may decide to put up a headstone or other grave marker. You will need to apply to us for the ‘right to erect a memorial’ for a headstone. It’s free for our baby gardens.
Sometimes it can take a while to make and inscribe a headstone.
We are members of BRAMM (British Registration of Approved Monumental Masons) who have an approved register ensuring all stonework meets the BS8415 standard.
Our fees for headstones and memorials will vary. |
There are some couples that take a no-nonsense approach to their engagement photos—he wears a nice shirt, she wears a pretty dress, they pose in front of an attractive backdrop and use the best of the photos for a save the date. But then there are couples like Veronica Perez and James B. Epps who think of all different ways they can involve props and colors and puppies in their engagement photos. This one engagement photo shoot with Natarsha Wright Photography is six ideas rolled into one—and we love them all.
Veronica and James had noticed one another at church a few times, but it wasn’t until their pastor assigned them to the same ministry project that they had a good excuse to start up a conversation. She was surprised at how easy it was to laugh and talk with him, and James was intrigued by her fun personality. They decided to meet up at the National Aquarium in Baltimore to test the waters, and after the first date, both felt like they’d known each other their whole lives.
Four years later, before heading out on an eight day cruise out of Miami with their family and friends, Veronica and James decided to start the vacation a few days early on the beach in Key West. Though Veronica was happy to spend their vacation jump start with her feet in the sand, James insisted they visit the Southernmost Point. “Once we arrived, James asked me to go to the end of the world with him and then got down on one knee,” says Veronica. “The crowd cheered, I cried and of course, said yes!”
For their engagement photos, they returned to the place where they’d first met: Old Town Alexandria. They made sure to get their formal shots around Old Town’s cobblestone streets before adding in a few props—balloons, signage, their initials—into the mix. They packed a classy picnic and used it as their backdrop before bringing their puggle, Rox, in on the fun. To finish, they tossed handfuls of powdered paint at one another. “The paint fight was a perfect way to tie in the fun elements of who we are,” says Veronica.
Veronica and James are now set to wed on October 10, 2015 at Dreams Villamagna Resort in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. |
Yala National Park is the most popular Sri Lanka national park due to its incredible array of wildlife and diverse habitats. Located in the southeast of the island, the park stretches over 1260 square kilometres. There are two blocks, Ruhuna and Kumana, which can be explored on guided game drives. The vast region stretches to the Indian Ocean and is blanketed in sweeping grasslands, dry forests and salt lakes. Rocky outcrops pepper the landscape, offering excellent vantage points for wildlife spotting.
A safari in Yala National Park brings you hundreds of elephants as they rumble through the forest, and nearby playful monkeys swing in the treetops. Eagles soar overhead while fan-tailed peacocks preen in the dust. The rare water buffalo grazes at the edge of lagoons, with one eye watching for one-eye-gliding crocodiles. There are wild boar, bush rabbits, herds of white-spotted deer and over 200 bird species to be found. Yala is also the best place to visit in Sri Lanka to see leopards.
Yala National Park is very popular, drawing large crowds year-round. However, with the sheer size of the park and the knowledge of skilled guides, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to find peaceful corners with only wildlife for company. With an incredible range of wildlife populations and fantastic luxury camping facilities, Yala National Park is the perfect destination for a Sri Lanka honeymoon, family vacation or for animal lovers. |
A rise in students catching COVID-19 made masks mandatory at every Dearborn County school district . . . except one.
"We feel like currently it's not needed for a couple reasons," said Andrew Jackson, Sunman-Dearborn School District superintendent. "One is the data shows that kids are not contracting it here at school."
Statewide student infections hit a single-day record for the pandemic with 796 new cases in one day last week. Positive tests among teachers and staff rose, too, with more than 30 for the first time since February.
Jackson, though, points to a specific statistic in Dearborn County: Of its 81 confirmed COVID cases in people 18-and-under in August, just seven are Sunman-Dearborn students. Of the 200 close contacts found through tracing, Jackson said, just one student tested positive.
Jackson said if cases hit 70, he will trigger the change that could involve masks and limited crowds at events.
And while many parents agree with Jackson's methodology, some Sunman-Dearborn parents do not, stating they would like to see masking so that the district stays ahead of any potential spread as the school year continues. |
After the coups, West Africa's Brexit moment
LAGOS, Nigeria - Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, three countries ruled by military juntas, overwhelmed by jihadist insurgencies and a series of coups in recent years, have severed ties with regional West African countries this week, and quit the regional bloc called ECOWAS.
It was announced on Sunday before it was communicated through official diplomatic channels, catching neighbouring leaders unaware, escalating a regional crisis. For several months, the three countries remained defiant, faced by a siege of sanctions and diplomatic pressure from ECOWAS, backed by France and the US, to transition back to democracy.
But the tensions have now led to a split that some experts have compared to "Brexit", when the United Kingdom left the European Union, because of the profound implications for millions of people across the region.
What is ECOWAS?
TheEconomic Community of West African States is a 15-nation regional bloc that was established in 1975. Each country takes a turn in leading the bloc, with the region's economic powerhouse, Nigeria, currently at the helm.
ECOWAS's goal is to promote regional cooperation and trade, providing visa-free travel across the region with the aim of raising " the living standards of its peoples, and to maintain and enhance economic stability."
It also plays a key role in peacekeeping in a highly unstable part of the continent and is a key security partner to the West, including the United States.
Why have Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger quit the bloc?
A wave of nine military takeovers in the last few years, described by some leaders as a contagion, has plunged the region into a political crisis. At the heart of it are three countries in the Sahel - the semi-arid strip stretching coast to coast, south of the Sahara desert.Mali went through two coups - in 2020 and 2021,Burkina Faso had two in the space of a year in 2022 and finallyNiger, last summer.
In response ECOWAS suspended all three from the bloc and imposed harsh sanctions on Mali and on Niger after the coup there last July. Niger's borders and airspace was closed, trade was blocked, leading to a surge in food prices while preventing urgently needed medicines from entering the country. ECOWAS even threatened military intervention unless Niger's president Mohamed Bazoum was released from house arrest.
But the position of these regimes has only hardened. Bazoum remains in detention. All three threatened to respond to any military threat from the region, which never happened. They then withdrew from an international force set up to fight Islamists in the region known as the G5 and late last year, they formed a mutual defence pact,Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
Finally, on Sunday, Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali issued a joint statement in co-ordinated televisedannouncements. They declared their immediate withdrawal from the regional bloc, accused ECOWAS of being influenced by "foreign powers" and said their withdrawal from the union was "effective immediately." They said the sanctions imposed on them were "illegitimate, inhumane and irresponsible."
The withdrawal marks yet another chapter to the crises in West Africa, a region gripped by political instability and rising violence, since a jihadist insurgency erupted in Mali in 2012 and spread to neighbouring countries.
What's been the response to this in the region?
On Monday, Nigeria, which currently chairs the bloc, released a statement expressing sadness at the decision. "Nigeria has worked sincerely and in good faith to reach out to all members of the ECOWAS family and resolve the issues being faced," it said.
Yet within Nigeria, the split has led to scrutiny on President Bola Tinubu's leadership of the bloc since he was elected last May, according to Afolabi Adekaiyaoja, a political analyst at the Centre of Democracy and Development in Nigeria, many are now questioning the effectiveness of Nigeria's leadership.
"When President Tinubu was made the chair of ECOWAS, he ended his speech by saying Nigeria is back, but the question now remains, how effective has Nigeria been in steering the affairs of ECOWAS?"
The threat of military intervention against Niger by ECOWAS, a move backed by France, marked a more combative approach. But the threat only galvanised thousands to come out onto the streets in the Nigerien capital Niamey in support of the junta. The sanctions have also fuelled resentment, according to Ulf Laessing, the Director of Regional Sahel programmes at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Mali.
"The sanctions against Niger really backfired spectacularly. The idea was of ECOWAS and some Western countries like France, that it could force the military govt to quit power if you basically impose a total trade embargo against the country," he said, but it had the opposite effect.
"Sanctions never work to influence politicians. They always hit the wrong people, poor people."
How will this decision affect these countries, which up till now have heavily relied on ECOWAS for trade?
Laessing compared the decision of the three landlocked countries to break away as a major split, comparable to Brexit, when the United Kingdom left the European Union, because the economic impact will be dramatic.
"Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger depend on imports and consumer goods from West African ports such as Dakar, Abidjan, also Lagos," Laessing said. "If they now quit ECOWAS , it will be difficult to keep supplies going."
Despite that, the decision to leave the bloc was a largely popular one, he said, made by military leaders, eager to stay in power. They took over from governments that were allies with France, a deeply unpopular former colonial ruler, widely seen as having too much influence or even control over their former colonies, and formed closer ties with Russia.
"They're probably also being encouraged by Russia to leave ECOWAS", Laessing said. The Russian paramilitary group, Wagner, was very active in the region before it was disbanded.
But the decision is also double-edged. Unstable economic conditions could eventually lead to more pressure on military regimes, already struggling to contain insecurity.
Copyright 2024 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. |
Personally, Flower & Garden is my favorite of all the EPCOT festivals. Beautiful weather, topiaries everywhere, and some of my favorite festival food. The DIS Unlimited was of course there the first day of the festival to check out lots of new offerings. Take a look at what we tried before you make your “must-have” list for the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival, now through May 27th!
A great way to start your day at the festival is the BRUNCHCOT booth near Test Track. The team tried the Biscuits and Gravy for $6.75, made with Impossible chicken fried steak and Impossible sausage gravy. As the resident Southerner, I was a little harder on this item than the rest of the team. However, we all agreed the flavor was great, and the portion size was large. The biscuit was dry but the gravy had a nice kick which helped bring it back to life.
Nearby BRUNCHCOT is the Farmers Feast booth where we sampled the Veal Loin and Strawberry Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake. The veal loin is served with spring peas, Arborio rice, and red wine syrup for $8.50. We all agreed the spring pea base reminded us of risotto and it was phenomenal. The veal on the other-hand was inconsistent. Craig found some veal pieces to be dry while others were cooked well.
The upside-down cake was served with crème fraiche whipped cream for $4.75 and was the clear winner of maybe the entire festival! The cake was moist and the strawberries were fresh giving it the perfect favor profile for Flower and Garden! This was a highlight of the day and should absolutely be on your must-do list.
Connections Eatery is also getting in on the flavors of Flower and Garden, where we tried the limited-time Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich for $12.49 and Blood Orange Margarita for $15. Unlike the other locations or booths for the festival, the sandwich was a full-size portion and would have been a filling meal by itself. Ryno and I both agreed it did not taste spicy or sweet like we expected it to. The addition of the pickles and red cabbage slaw gave it a nice bite, and while we liked the sandwich, there are more adventurous items to be had elsewhere. For that reason, Craig said he would not get it again. The margarita was sweet and consisted of Teremana Blanco Tequila (Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson’s tequila), triple sec, orange juice, hibiscus syrup, and blood orange sour mix. It was refreshing and the sweetness took away from some of the acidity of the blood orange.
Next up we visited The Citrus Blossom and Florida Fresh located inside the Odyssey. This large space offers plenty of tables in the addition to a wide-array of the Orange Bird festival merchandise. At The Citrus Blossom, we decided to try the beer flight for $10.25, which consisted of Southern Tier Brewing Company Orange Twist Imperial Ale, Left Hand Brewing Lemon Drop Shandy, and Stone Brewing Tangerine Express Hazy IPA. Neither Ryno nor I enjoyed any of the beers enough to get any of them again. The flavors of each beer were very overpowering. This is also where you can pick up the ever-popular Orange Bird sipper.
Over at Florida Fresh, we tasted the Grilled Warm Water Lobster Tail for $11.25, Cubanito for $6.50, and Florida Strawberry Shortcake for $5. The lobster tail was the biggest offender of this year’s festival. As Craig said, the lobster smelled “pungent,” and I would agree. We were very bold, and all gave it a try and hated it. The key lime butter was amazing but not enough to save the smelly, chewy lobster. The Cubanito helped us recover from the horrible taste. It was a standard Cuban sandwich but delicious all the same. The strawberry shortcake was one of Craig’s favorites last year so he had to compare it to this year’s version now served on a pound cake. In the end, he liked last year’s version with the shortbread base better, but the strawberries were very fresh and still a fantastic dessert choice.
At the Refreshment Outpost, Ryno and I decided to cool off with two festival beverages. Ryno chose the SweetWater Brewing Co. Half-A-Gummie Fruit Punch IPA for $12. Ryno felt this beer tasted less like an IPA and heavy on a fruit punch taste. I chose the Lavender Martini served with Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka, lavender, and lemon for $11. The cocktail was pre-mixed and the lemon flavor was over-powering, however, it still was a good value in terms of Disney cocktails.
On to the Hanami booth in Japan, Craig chose the Orange Blossom Brewing Co. Cherry Blossom Green Tea Pilsner for $9.50, and Ryno and I shared the Ramen Cup for $8.50. Craig enjoyed his pilsner and thought it was both unique and refreshing. The ramen salad is served cold in a cup meant to be shaken with fresh vegetables, grilled chicken, and dashi broth with chili oil and Yuzu. I liked it more than Ryno but thought the price point was a little high. The chili oil and Yuzu packed a great flavor and completely made the dish!
Another clear winner of the festival was the Honey-Glazed Cauliflower for $5. Served at the Honey Bee-stro, the cauliflower had honey-roasted carrot puree, wild rice pilaf, spring vegetables, honey-blistered grapes, and sunflower brittle. The carrot puree was incredible and brought a nice balance to the sweetness of the honey. We all agreed this was an item we would get again!
Our last treat for our first visit to the Flower and Garden Festival brought us to the Pineapple Promenade made famous for the violet lemonade. We instead enjoyed the 12-ounce pour of the Copperpoint Tropical Hibiscus Blonde Ale for $9.75. We didn’t get much of this hibiscus flavor, but it was a refreshing and bright beer for spring weather.
Watch our full review here! What were your favorites and what should we try on our next visit? |
Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) Explained
If you have built up company securities within your employer-sponsored retirement plan, you may find yourself with a range of choices when the time comes to take a distribution. If those securities have experienced appreciation, it's worth considering the potential benefits of utilizing the net unrealized appreciation (NUA) tax treatment.
Remember, this article is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for real-life advice. Make sure to consult your tax professional to get more detailed information on any company stocks you may own and how unrealized appreciation may be used.
What is the Net Unrealized Appreciation Rule?
Net unrealized appreciation is actually a pretty simple concept, but the execution can be difficult to understand. If you choose to invest in your company's stock and the stock increases in value over time, the difference between the original cost basis (the price at which the stock was purchased) and the current market value of the stock is the NUA.1
For example, if you were issued employer stock at $20 per share and it is now worth $50 per share, you would have an NUA of $30 per share ($50 - $20 = $30).1
To qualify for the tax treatment associated with NUA, the distribution must meet the criteria for a lump-sum distribution.1
- Within one taxable year of the recipient;
- Has to be in the person's account at the time of the transaction;
- From a qualified pension, profit-sharing or stock-bonus plan, which becomes payable to the recipient
- on account of the employee’s death;
- after the employee reaches age 59½;
- on account of the employee's separation from service, or;
- after a self-employed individual has become disabled.
Downsides of NUA
The NUA strategy may not always be the best choice. Here are a few reasons why:
- Concentration risk: You may already have employer stock through other forms of equity compensation. Adding more to your portfolio may not be appropriate, despite tax considerations.
- Tax implications: Taxes should always be considered when making financial decisions, but they shouldn't be the only factor. Tax laws can change, so consider working with a tax professional who can keep you up to date with the new rules.2,3
- No step-up in basis on NUA portion at death: When certain assets are inherited, they receive a step-up in basis to the market value on the date of death. However, when NUA is inherited, it does not receive a step-up in basis.
1. Ameriprise.com, April 2023
2. Forbes.com, September 8, 2021
3. Kiplinger.com, April 26, 2022
The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG, LLC, is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright FMG Suite. |
Yeah, yeah, we’ve all heard that saying money can’t buy happiness, yet happiness and money are closely related.
Daily morning I read a newspaper and see depression on all the pages. I wanted to take a minute to think about how our health and mental state is linked to the money we have.
When I go in-depth into the news I found out that the people who are depressed or committing suicide is a majority because of money problems. Not having enough money will lead to stress and illness. One cannot be happy if he/she carries millions of rupees in debt. If you are a bread earner for you family you know that right?
There is an increasing trend of divorce in society, money is one of the major reason for divorce in our generation. Our definition of freedom has also now a linkage with money. Buying a thing you want without asking or telling your spouse is now common. And if one interferes it will end up in a quarrel.
When someone is struggling with poor health or in crisis, the more they can pay for care, the better they may get and the more stability they can buy. A doctor may recommend therapy, but if the person doesn’t have extra money, they may leave with just drugs and not the complete care they really need. Dealing with a health crisis may ideally involve basically putting your life on hold, like any other emergency.
Lastly, and most important issue if you have less money. We are living in a fragmented society where a certain set of people form a group based on their economic conditions like what car they have? where do they live? Where they go for shopping? Etc… People will start ignoring you if you are not able to catch up with them. It’s a hard fact, accept it.
This discussion isn’t intended to sound like complaints, but rather to think about how money continues to play a crucial part in our life.
No one will ever satisfied with the amount of money they have but still crying in a Mercedes is better than crying on the footpaths.
So, maybe money can’t buy happiness, but the more money you have, the better you may live happily. |
Best For teen travel
the Low Down
the Peaks Promise
Each booking will receive a welcome drink upon arrival as well as daily homemade cookies, daily mini bar stock and airport transfers.
The Best Room For You
It’s possible to forget the outside world entirely with meals and treatments available in the privacy of your own villa, massive private pools and open-air living areas.
Batu Belig Beach: If you’re looking for an alternative beach to visit, Batu Belig Beach is an excellent choice. With fewer crowds, the Batu Belig Beach feels more serene than its neighboring beach of Petitenget. The waters are excellent if you want to go for a swim, or just get your feet wet. Surfing is also another option, though conditions will vary depending on the tide.
Bali Beach Clubs: Beach clubs are a synonymous aspect of Bali, and Umalas has a few notable names for you to jump in and visit. Located right on the edge of Batu Belig Beach, is Tropicola Beach Club. It’s vibrant yellow tents, and contrasting blue daybeds and tropical pool are hard to miss when you arrive at Batu Belig. Sip your favorite drinks and soak in the sun with your group as you wait for the sun to set. If you prefer a quieter scene, another excellent option is Mozaic Beach Club, which is just a few minutes’ walk away from Tropicola. This is perfect for romantic dinners with your partner as you gaze at the sunset on the horizon.
Choose between the two types of villa. The Santai has 5 luxurious 350sqm Two-Bedroom Villas each with a tempting 5x10m pool with sundeck and daybed, elegant bedrooms, living room, dining area, and fully equipped kitchen, 24-hour butler service and a home theatre system including i-pod docks. Want more space? Choose one of the 6 huge and sumptuous 600sqm Three-Bedroom Villas with tempting 4x16m pool with sundeck and daybed, elegant bedrooms, living room, dining area, and fully equipped kitchen, 24-hour butler service and a home theatre system including i-pod docks.
Sandwiched between popular Seminyak and hip and happening Canggu, Umalas has been long favoured by Bali travellers ‘in the know’. The laidback area is still streaked by green rice fields and offers a relaxing change of pace from busy Seminyak and is mostly filled with spectacular villas. As it gets slowly more well known, locals are opening restaurants and cafes and more things to do in this relaxed neighbourhood.
- Getting there:
The Santai is 30 minutes away from Ngurah Rai International Airport. If you would like an airport pickup, the resort can provide it on a complimentary basis, just contact the reservation staff prior to arrival.
- What to pack:
Summer clothes, hats, sunglasses, beach bags, swimsuits / beach cover-ups, sandals, evening dress and sundresses.
Open throughout the day, the Dining at The Santai Umalas centres on Gong restaurant which serves mouthwatering local and global dishes with a daily choice of specials, all using locally sourced ingredients. There is also a welcoming balcony bar for aperitifs and nightcaps.
The peaceful ambiance within the resort walls will help you relax and focus in choosing your preferred treatment among the comprehensive selection available in the privacy of your villa. Guests can also take part in massage class or talk further with their therapists about each different type of massage, oil and techniques. Complete wellness packages are available at The Amala, their sister property where the resort often has on site professionals who carefully assess guests’ health, fitness and lifestyle to provide individualised wellness programs and treatments.
All rates are subject to 11% government tax and services charge at 10%.
Check-In: 15:00 Checkout: 12:00
Seclusion Day / Nyepi will fall on 03 March 2022. No arrivals and departures on this day
Kids Club: There is no kids club available
Babysitting: Babysitting services are available for an extra charge and pre-booking is required.
Bali is located in the tropics and enjoys a balmy year-round climate. Temperatures average a very pleasant 80°F (27°C) in the Ubud area and a little lower at around 71°F (22°C) in the central volcanic region around Kintamani. The best time to visit (the high season) is May through to September. The humidity is much lower at this time, although there is still the chance of rain. However, it is much more likely to be an hour-long downpour, rather than all-day drizzle.
Bicycle on request
Return airport transfer
Daily shuttle within Seminyak area based on schedule
Kids toys box
Complimentary Wi-Fi Access
Shuttle Service to Seminyak
Round-trip airport transfer
Play Station (on request)
Average Temperature & Rainfall in Days
Average Room Rates in USD
Rates based on double occupancy for bed and breakfast for two bedroom pool villa
Peaked your interest?
So, you want to be part of The Peaks?
We can’t wait to have you onboard! As you know, The Peaks is all about making personalised travel more accessible and affordable, giving you the opportunity to explore the world. For a limited time only, our membership is COMPLETELY FREE
so subscribe today and gain access to complimentary experiences and credit to enjoy at some of the world’s most bespoke, beautiful and boutique hotels complete with amazing rates and so much more… |
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Absolutely, our team at Web Hosting Kuwait prides itself on providing a comprehensive and seamless process for mobile app development. It all starts with conceptualization, where we work closely with businesses to understand their goals, target audience, and unique features they want in their app. From there, our experts design and develop the app using cutting-edge technology and user-friendly interfaces. We also conduct thorough testing to ensure the app functions smoothly before launching it on the App Store or Google Play. Throughout the process, we prioritize communication and collaboration with our clients to ensure that their vision is translated into a successful mobile application. With our expertise in both technology and the local market of Kuwait, we are confident in delivering exceptional results for businesses looking to enhance their digital presence through mobile apps.
Having a professionally developed mobile app in Kuwait offers numerous benefits for businesses, helping them stay competitive in the market. First and foremost, it allows businesses to reach a wider audience as more and more people are turning to mobile devices for their daily tasks and activities. With a mobile app, businesses can easily showcase their products and services, making it easier for potential customers to discover and engage with them |
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To compare the best website builders on ease of use, templates, customer service, and value for money, we tried to build the same site on each platform. Check out the results here.
The first thing you see when you get to Biggo’s front page is that they have three primary options for creating websites: a simple business card site, a slightly more complex corporate website, and an e-commerce site. Biggo aims to minimize the frustration stemming from the installation and maintenance of a website, by presenting users with a fully installed and pre-configured CMS (Content Management System) hosted and managed on their servers. In other words, rather than having to find the best host, register a domain, decide on a suitable CMS, and then study the documentation to figure out how to configure and maintain it, Biggo does pretty much everything for you. This makes setting up your website or online store a much simpler affair. Setup can be completed in a matter of minutes, with step-by-step guides available in Biggo’s Reference section.
Biggo’s most affordable option is the simple business card site, which comes with one custom domain e-mail, a database of stock photos, a photo gallery creator, and one gig of space – more than enough to display your basic corporate information. Moving on, we have the corporate plan that offers more advanced features such as a blog and news section, FTP access, and 10 email accounts. Additionally, there’s the online store plan which includes convenient 1-click purchasing options, product comparison tools, SMS notifications, and secure checkout and payment integration.
If you’re not sure Biggo is right for you, read our rundown of the best website builders to learn about better options. |
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Website Crown Equipment Corporation
Battery/Charger Technician Job Highlights
|Joliet, IL, United States
|Crown Equipment Corporation
Crown Equipment Corporation is a leading innovator in world-class forklift and material handling equipment and technology. The company is the world’s largest lift truck manufacturer and provides the safest, most efficient, and ergonomic lift truck possible to lower their total cost of ownership.
The company is recruiting a Battery and Charger Technician to join its team.
- The applicants should have a High School Diploma or Equivalent
- Technical Degree (preferred)
- Possess previous lift truck repair, welding experience, and knowledge of various types of testing equipment (preferred)
- Maintain a service van and its inventory.
- Process paperwork after completion of each job.
- Troubleshoot, diagnose and repair industrial batteries and chargers.
- Perform all assigned planned maintenance on customer industrial batteries and chargers.
- Good mechanical and electrical aptitudes, knowledge of electrical/electronic systems, ability to read and understand electrical schematics, good written/verbal communication skills, and good customer care skills
- Valid driver’s license, good driving record, and ability to safely operate lift trucks
- Crown will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States.
- This is not a position for which sponsorship will be provided.
Note: Individuals with temporary visas or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.
- The company offers an excellent wage and benefits package for full-time employees including health/dental/vision/prescription drug plan, flexible benefits plan, 401k retirement savings plan, life, and disability benefits, paid holidays, paid vacation, tuition reimbursement, and much more.
Crown Equipment Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To apply for this job please visit us-careers.crown.com. |
It looks like another Disney movie that pushes the LGBT agenda is going down as a dud.
The entertainment juggernaut recently released a big family special called “Strange World,” which features Disney’s “first openly gay teen star,” according to Yahoo.
Somewhat predictably, the movie is bombing at the box office.
According to Variety, “Strange World” earned “a disappointing $4.2 million” for its opening on Wednesday. It is expected to bring in less than $24 million over the weekend.
“That’s a terrible result for the $180 million-budgeted animated adventure,” Variety reported. “For [comparison’s] sake, ‘Encanto,’ another recent Disney animated offering, earned $40.3 million over the Thanksgiving holiday in 2021 — and that was considered to be a soft result for the family film.”
Disney also had a huge flop this year with “Lightyear,” which raised eyebrows by featuring a lesbian kiss. The movie was expected to make up to $85 million in its opening weekend. But it brought in only $51 million.
Not even Marvel is bulletproof. The last Thor flick, described by its director as “super gay,” stumbled in its second weekend. In fact, “Thor: Love and Thunder” had one of the worst second-weekend drop-offs in Marvel history, according to Collider.
These box office failures come on the heels of the revelation that Disney executives have been privately pushing for more LGBT characters in the company’s movies and TV shows. One exec was even caught boasting about her “not-at-all-secret gay agenda.”
In March, Megyn Kelly blasted Disney for pushing its radical agenda on American children.
“They want these characters to become ubiquitous in the Disney movies, and I think that is totally unnecessary and out of line,” Kelly said. “I don’t want you to work out your wokeism on my kid, OK?”
Not content to merely inject homosexuality into “family” films, Disney has also attacked Florida’s new law limiting the LGBT agenda in schools.
As Breitbart’s John Nolte put it, “the Disney brand is now the equivalent of a non-descript van and a guy behind the wheel offering your kids candy.”
Now, Disney stock is tumbling.
The troubles have been so shocking for the company that its CEO of only two years, Bob Chapek, was just dumped. Former CEO Bob Iger was brought back to lead the struggling giant.
Americans starving for good family entertainment might hope that Disney is beginning to learn its lesson. Maybe it is realizing that going woke really does mean going broke?
But seeing is believing. After all, the left-wing agenda dies very hard.
Truth and Accuracy
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The V-Strom 800RE has a large 20L fuel tank to offer extended riding range for long distance touring, making it between infrequent refuelling points in more remote areas or just having to stop less often on the regular commute. Combined with the frugal 64.12MPG this gives the V-Strom a theoretical range of over 280 miles.
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An unlikely visitor
Playing in the driveway we were having fun. On the bicycles or playing ball, I forget. I popped back to the the garage to get something when as I return I find my son drawing chalk on the tarry expanse. I initially gave no attention till I noticed that he was drawing squares around something. Not for the sake of decoration but more as a boundary of protection.
I got to my hands and knees for a better look. There I found in a crack of the driveway a tiny seedling that had hatched revealing a mini tree looking structure that was growing. I was a little surprised to see this as this little piece of nature was growing in an unnatural environment. There was no soil around it. Water in the form of rain and the sparse sunlight were nudging this sapling along.
I got wondering, how often do we not dare to shine our true selves and grow, in fact we shrink in the face of adversity or a harsh environment at home or at work. Yet here is this little twig of life demonstrating that it has the audacity to survive and thrive despite its surroundings.
This was certainly a gently reminder from the universe that it is always time to grow, evolve, adapt and thrive. All the necessary ingredients to make this beautiful process organically evolve are ever present.
It begins with certainty of the mind that we will make it. It requires presence of knowing. Embellished with gratitude and love of the heart, there is nothing that can stop us from achieving our goals, dreams and intentions.
I love you |
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Fairbridge, Western Australia is a former farm school near Pinjarra in Southwest Western Australia. It is now used predominantly for education, school and community camps and tourism purposes. It is also home to Fairbridge College, a curriculum and reengagement secondary school.
It is also a rural locality of the Shire of Murray in the Peel Region .
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Poland’s Post-Punk/Cold Wave 4-piece band (68)Leto, whose name comes from an asteroid discovered in 1861, follows last January’s debut 5-track EP, “NGC 68” and the September’s “Winter “ single, we featured at its release, with the New Year’s track “Those Personal Afflictions” and the accompanying video.
A song about a world full of hurt people, striking out at others to soothe their shattered psyches.
Immediately, a sunken feeling of heady darkness and melancholy envelops the listener by mesmerizing the senses with wiry, poignant, whining and wiry guitar smearings, underpinned by the heavy pressure of somber organic bass line throbs and loose shuffling drum beats, whilst reverbed vocal angst wallows in the rising depths of an aching emotional distress.
Simple yet disturbing DIY visuals capture the emotive intensity of the soundtrack with an almost still shot of a cold, frightened soul, standing alone at night on a frozen river bank. As stirring as it is thought-provoking in its minimal design and symbolic contrasts and textures.
Keep up with (68)LETO: |
The Widener Global Leaders Program, a new, year-long, interdisciplinary program housed in the W. Frank Barton School of Business, has announced its first cohort of students.
The inaugural class will consist of 10 women from the Barton School of Business, the Elliott School of Communication in Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and School of Music in College of Fine Arts.
Beginning in fall 2021, the student participants will begin their transformation into global leaders by developing business skills, communication skills, artistic awareness, a commitment to social responsibility, cultural intelligence, and a global mindset. They will engage in various interdisciplinary experiences embedded in the worlds of business, communication, and music, which reflects the skillset of Peri Widener, who is the inspiration behind the program.
“We’re so excited to welcome this dynamic group of women to our inaugural year and to share the opportunities of our program,” said Dr. Raina M. Rutti, director of the Widener Global Leaders Program. “This transformational experience will not only provide an inclusive community for our students, but also an environment where they can learn, network and be mentored by exceptional faculty members and industry leaders.”
Ainsley Agnew, Bachelor of Arts in cello
Expected graduation: May 2022; Hometown: Lawrence, Kansas
Ainsley is a senior and has made the Dean's Honor Roll every semester. She is a member of the WSU School of Music's Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Fine Arts Ambassadors, and is the FAA coordinator for the School of Music. She is very interested in social justice, inclusive feminism, and helping the environment. She hopes to create change through music.
Azah Barnes, Bachelor of Arts in communication
Expected graduation: May 2023; Hometown: Kansas City, Kansas
Azah is interested in photography and film and is looking to apply her photography skills to her major. She was the fundraiser coordinator for the Black Student Union and was involved with Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Azah wants to work on the creative side of advertising, filming, and campaigning.
Jordyn Brock, Bachelor of Arts in integrated marketing communication
Expected graduation: May 2023; Hometown: Corinth, Texas
Jordyn has four years of work experience where she has been given increased responsibilities. She currently works as a project researcher and developer for ShockStarter at Wichita State’s Shocker Career Accelerator. Jordyn aspires to work for Vogue or another high-end magazine as a photographer or social media coordinator.
Kaitlyn Brown, Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing
Expected graduation: December 2023; Hometown: Topeka, Kansas
Kaitlyn is a member of the Honors College, an ambassador for diversity and inclusion, and a member of Deans Undergraduate Advisory Board for Barton School of Business. She also serves as secretary for the College Democrats Club. Kaitlyn is interested in working in the airline industry, music industry, news industry, or possibly the National Football League.
Anne Yap I-Shyuen, Bachelor of Music in piano performance and pedagogy
Expected graduation: May 2023; Hometown: Semenyih, Selangor (Malaysia)
On the competition circuit, Anne has earned numerous prizes and awards including third place in the Konrad Wolff-Ilse Bing Chamber Music Competition 2021 and the Achievement Award at the first Malaysian Piano Competition in 2018. She was also a semi-finalist at the first Nanyang International Music Competition 2017 in Singapore and the UCSI International Piano Competition in 2016. Besides piano, Anne plays the violin and is currently part of the WSU Symphony Orchestra. Anne’s dream job is to be a collegiate lecturer or music studio owner and teacher.
Amanda Phanivong, Bachelor of Arts in Integrated marketing communication
Expected graduation: December 2022; Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa
Amanda has made the Dean’s Honor Roll every semester. She is involved in National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Ambassadors for Diversity and Inclusion, and Public Relations Student Society of America. She also currently serves on the Walk to End Alzheimer’s marketing and walk planning committees. She is a recipient of the Rudd Foundation Scholarship and Timothy P. O’Shaughnessy Lifelong Learning Scholarship. Amanda recently began marketing internships with Amazon and the Rudd Foundation. This summer, she completed a fellowship with the Kansas-based, Storytime Village Inc. Amanda aspires to work for a Fortune 500 company in marketing or communication.
Grace Pierpont, Bachelor of Business Administration in general business
Expected graduation: May 2023; Hometown: Wichita, Kansas
Grace is a transfer student from Johnson County Community College, where she earned an associate’s degree in Liberal Arts. She has held several leadership roles in student organizations, volunteered at the Kansas Humane Society and served in helping the homeless. Grace job shadowed at Compost Collective KC, where she learned how a company can embrace positive change. Grace aims to work for a company that makes real changes in the world.
Maria Romero Rodriguez, Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing
Expected graduation: May 2022; Hometown: Getafe, Madrid (Spain)
Maria chose to continue her education at WSU and compete in track and field. Originally a hurdler, she now primarily competes in the heptathlon. She had made the Dean's Honor Roll, the Athletic Director Honor Roll, and has been named to the Academic All-Conference team every semester. Maria volunteers at track meets and participated in Reading with the Shockers. Maria’s dream job is to work for a marketing or communications department within the airline, sports, or technology industry.
Martina Viale, Master of Arts in communication
Expected graduation: May 2023; Hometown: Borgarello, Pavia (Italy)
Martina graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration from Newman University, where she majored in marketing and management. She volunteered for the Adorers of the Blood of Christ helping refugees translate immigration documents, and she served as a mentor for the young kids. She also volunteered with Brothers/Big Sisters as a mentor. Martina seeks to work in the marketing field for an international company with an amazing culture.
Amarylis Yang, Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing
Expected graduation: May 2023; Hometown: Kansas City, Kansas
Amarylis is the assistant director of marketing with the Barton International Group, the merchandise chair of WSU’s Gamma Phi Beta, and the director of digital media at WSU’s Green Group. She has also worked with middle and high school students exploring STEM fields. Amarylis wants to change the world by caring for people and the earth. Her dream job is to assist start-ups and small businesses, particularly those that promote environmental awareness. |
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Blues Hall of Fame?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
The Blues Hall of Fame is a music museum operated by the Blues Foundation at 421 S. Main Street in Memphis, Tennessee. Initially, the "Blues Hall of Fame" was not a physical building, but a listing of people who have significantly contributed to blues music. Started in 1980, it honors people who have performed, recorded, or documented blues. The museum opened to the public on May 8, 2015. |
Forceful spinal manipulation is not always necessary to treat conditions of the lower back, mid-back and neck. Gentle chiropractic treatment, such as drop table techniques, involves less powerful spinal maneuvering and slower, low-velocity movements that allow the affected joint to stay within its passive range of motion.
How Does the Drop Table Technique Work?
Also known as the Thompson technique, the “drop” approach uses a special chiropractic table. The table used has segments that can be lifted up and then dropped when a thrust is applied by the chiropractor. The drop allows gravity to assist and work in combination with the manual adjustment, and all of this provides a lighter adjustment than that which comes with some other chiropractic techniques, such as those that involve twisting positions.
To further clarify, the table has various sections that are raised between 1 to 2 inches relative to the rest of the patient’s body. Once the section of the table is lifted, it is fastened in place and the stiffness of the table is altered based on the patient’s body weight. When the chiropractor applies a gentle thrust to the area needing adjustment, the table releases and drops down, causing that segment of the body to fall too. The drop table comes to a rest, but the patient’s body momentum continues for a short period. This momentum is equally as critical to the drop table technique as the thrust and dropping of the table are, because it aids in alignment.
What to Expect After a Drop Table Technique
The number of sessions needed depends on the type of condition the patient has and its severity. However, in general, the patient should have better range of motion and less pain with each treatment.
To learn more about the drop table technique and how it can help, contact your chiropractor. |
About Cline Group
Cline Group Advertising was founded in 1990 as an international advertising and marketing consultancy, with many areas of expertise. From high-technology to web-commerce to sports marketing, Cline Group provides value services with proven results. According to company president William Cline/Cline Group is unique – we have had the pleasure and experience of working with a very diverse group of clients ranging from foreign governments to small start-ups. We are set apart as our entire focus is on producing work that generates business – not awards.†Cline Group is highly respected in the specialty sports marketing arena – having produced a national traveling sports pavilion that exhibited at large outdoor events all over the nation. With tens of millions of exposures, in 50 markets, Cline Group’s event experience is substantial and impressive. Services offered by Cline Group include; consumer marketing and advertising design; strategic tourism planning; consumer and B2B research; events marketing; and internet strategic services including website design and management. Cline Group is fortunate to have been written about in THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, FORTUNE and ENTREPRENEUR magazines, plus numerous newspapers and specialty sports magazines.
Current and past clients include The Government of Bonaire, The Bahamas Government, The Barbados Tourism Authority/Government, Greater Ft. Lauderdale Visitors and Convention Bureau and others for sports-specific marketing, advertising and research. Other private-sector clients include Homemade Gourmet, Inc., SER Technologies, Divers Alert Network (DAN), Rodale Press, Bob Soto’s in Grand Cayman, Dive Provo in Turks & Caicos, Sand Dollar Dive Resort in Bonaire, Clear Technologies, Lone Star Steel, The Cayman Islands Watersports, Hotel and Restaurant Associations, Bahamas Diving Association, and various trade organizations.
We have been very fortunate to represent many of the most notable companies in our industry. Highlights and key past and current clients include:
- Management & Operational Responsibility for the Launch of Scuba Diving Magazine in 1991 (Client: Rodale Press, Emmaus, PA)
- Created and Operated The Scuba Tour, a Traveling Exhibition reaching millions of consumers in hundreds of venue. Started in 1999 (Sold to DEMA in 2002)
- Agency of Record for The Government of Bonaire (1992 to 2000) and Creator of the Successful “Bonaire: The Natural Choice” Branding Campaign
- Agency of Record for The Government of Barbados (1998 to 2001) and Creator of Barbados’ “Dive Into Our History” Campaign Resulting in a 300% Marketshare Gain in just 24 Months.
- Agency of Record for The Government of Bahamas (1991 to present) and Creator of multiple successful branding campaigns resulting in a 15 year growth rate of over 10% per annum representing an average ROI of 3,000:1 on tourism dollars spent with Cline. Worldwide branding responsibilities include the Americas, Asia and portions of Europe.
- Responsible and Producer of Multiple Branding campaigns for clients in such diverse markets as Shanghai, China; Berlin, Germany; London, U.K.; United States; Colombia; Belize; Ecuador; Venezuela, Brazil and many Caribbean Islands.
- Neal Watson’s Undersea Adventures: Strategic, Web and Design Services.
- Peter Hughes Dive Liveabaords: Research and Strategic Consulting
- Stuart Coves: Advertising, Marketing, Operations Management and Strategic Consulting
- Most of the Major U.S. Manufacturers Purchased Cline Research at one time or another |
For pre-Christmas delivery, Australian orders should be placed before 14th of December, and New Zealand orders before 7th of December.
Due to Telstra phasing out Bigpond email accounts we advise customers to use an alternative email address.
Hometorro navy microsuede
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When you need a timeless design that will go with all your formal looks, this sandal by Tres Jolie will be your best friend. Designed to accentuate the ankle and elongate the legs, this is a fashion fallback that will earn its place in your wardrobe.
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Healing Through Horses
Willow Creek Ranch Inc. is a 501(c) 3 non-profit therapeutic riding center for children and adults with special needs located in Mukwonago, Wisconsin.
We are dedicated to providing a therapeutic riding program to children and adults with a variety of disabilities and conditions such as Attention Deficit Disorder, Autism, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Learning Disabilities, and Down Syndrome.
How you can help
Our program would not be possible without the help from our therapy horses, volunteers and donors. Please consider making a donation to Willow Creek Ranch, to help fund the Indoor Riding Arena project, Sponsor a Therapy Horse or Donkey, provide a Scholarship for riding lessons, or donate your time and talents! click the button below to donate securely online.
WCR is IN THE NEWS!
TMJ-4 in Milwaukee tells about one woman’s experience with Willow Creek Ranch.
During therapeutic riding, a special needs individual’s body moves in a way very similar to human walking. The horse moves up and down; side to side; and back and forth in synchronized, repetitive patterns, much the same as the human gait. This movement improves the rider’s balance, body symmetry, muscle tone, and head and neck control.
The success of the riders has been unbelievable. Two of our autistics non-verbal children spoke their first words after a month of therapeutic riding. The children were able to ask the horse to “walk” and praise the horse by saying “good boy Slapshot”.
We are a member of PATH Intl. PATH Intl. was founded in 1969 as the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) to promote safe and effective therapeutic horseback riding throughout the United States and Canada. Today, PATH Intl. has nearly 800 member centers and over 6,300 individual members in countries all over the world, who help and support more than 42,000 men, women and children with special needs each year through a variety of equine-assisted activity and therapy programs.
Willow Creek Ranch is a member of PATH Intl., and has been in operation since September, 2007. |
A serious crash has shut the A4 in both directions west of Chippenham.
Emergency crews were called to the scene in Box Hill at around 4.30pm this afternoon (Monday).
A bus was involved in a collision with a car, leaving at least one person trapped inside.
Several fire crews and more than five ambulances, supported by two Hazardous Area Response Teams, are in attendance alongside Wiltshire Air Ambulance.
The number of people who sustained injuries is unknown at present – but at least one person has been taken to the Major Trauma Centre at Southmead Hospital in Bristol.
999 services remain at the scene – and the road is likely to remain closed for some hours.
A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: “The A4, Box is currently closed at the junction of The Bassetts in all directions following a road traffic collision involving a bus and a car.
“We will provide further updates where possible.”
Anyone with information or dashcam footage of the collision should contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit by calling 101 and quote log 192 of today’s date (6 March).
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Corporate International Service Learning (CISL) programmes send business employees across international borders to apply their work-based skills to a project or other assignment for a charity or non-governmental organisation. Businesses might send a sales executive to Africa to support a local start-up with their business development skills or a banker could help a deprived inner-city community build a budget and business plan. The aim is to inspire global citizenship, helping employees further develop their leadership skills while delivering real social impact.
Dr Karen Blakeley, Head of the Centre for Responsible Management at the University of Winchester Business School, said: "Business leaders are some of the most powerful people on the planet and, in recognition of this, the 2017 World Economic Forum called on business leaders to become more responsible. Responsible leaders build successful businesses that actively contribute towards greater fairness, integrity, human flourishing and environmental sustainability in the world. Very few studies have been conducted on responsible leadership development, so I was delighted to support Emerging World in their research."
The 2017 CISL Impact Benchmark study, which was led by the specialist leadership development consultancy Emerging World, used long-term cross-company research to measure the positive impact of the programme on participants and companies. It builds on pioneering research from 2015, surveying programme participants from five companies about the positive business impact of CISL twelve months after the completion of their programmes.
Dr Blakeley found that CISL was not only effective in developing more responsible leaders but that it also develops people with the courage to take action based on their new thinking, even if this involves some risk. She also found that attitudes within senior management teams make a huge impact and that senior leadership championing of a CISL programme inspired employees to further the company's corporate responsibility efforts. This shows that being a responsible leader encourages others to become responsible leaders themselves.
"We know we need to encourage more responsible leadership but it is not always clear how this can be done," said Dr Blakeley. "This study shows that Corporate International Service Learning actively contributes to the creation of more responsible leadership throughout the system. This is because CISL encourages individuals to place themselves outside their comfort zones in order to face physical, emotional and spiritual challenges, building the character required to take responsible leadership."
The University of Winchester Business School is recognised as a global leader in responsible business education. It is one of only three schools in the UK to hold a position as a PRME Champion for its dedication to the United Nations' backed Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) to inspire and champion responsible management education, research and thought leadership. The University is also home to the Centre for Responsible Management which hosts a range of courses, talks and qualifications.
Dr Blakeley said, "At the University of Winchester, we are committed to developing our students – at any age or stage in life – as effective and fulfilled global citizens who will be prepared to challenge the status quo and become the responsible leaders of tomorrow."
The 2017 CISL Impact Benchmark Study are published online on the Emerging World website. It can be downloaded here: http://www.emergingworld.com/2017-cisl-study |
What U.S. cities are doing to reduce their energy use is outlined in a new report from the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) that sets the stage for broader discussion and analysis. Given increasing urbanization and their large energy footprint, cities are a prime focal point for establishing a clean energy future.
The report, “City-Level Energy Decision Making: Data Use in Energy Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation in U.S. Cities,” analyzes and presents information learned from a sample of 20 cities across the United States from Los Angeles to Boston, including a diverse sample of population size, utility type, region, annual greenhouse gas reduction targets, vehicle use, and median household income.
“City-level practitioners are doing inspiring energy-related work and are hungry for resources and tools to help them,” NREL lead author Alexandra Aznar said. “This paper provides a snapshot of the kinds of energy-related actions cities are taking as well as the challenges they face. The results confirm the need for many of the tools the Cities Leading through Energy Analysis and Planning (Cities-LEAP) project is developing.”
The report compares climate, sustainability, and energy plans to better understand how cities are taking energy-related actions and measuring their impacts. Some common energy-related goals focus on reducing city-wide carbon emissions, improving energy efficiency across sectors, increasing renewable energy, and increasing biking and walking.
The publication also evaluates the relationship between city goals, actions, metrics, and data and provides suggestions for cities to make the best use of the energy planning tools available. Next steps for cities are outlined, including how cities can set more strategic energy goals, prioritize actions, and lead clean energy innovation. Along with reinforcing the need for clean energy planning and evaluation, recommendations include:
• Tailoring energy-related actions and goals to city characteristics, including socioeconomics, geography, and built environment
• Understanding the cost-effectiveness of specific actions
• Integrating energy considerations into all planning processes (capital improvement plans, comprehensive plans, etc.)
This report is part of the Cities-LEAP project, which aims to deliver energy data and analysis that enables cities to make clean energy decisions using strategic energy analysis. It was funded by the Energy Department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. |
The Ultimate Secret for Successful Startups
By: Darien Smartt | The Newsletter Pro Way
CLICK HERE to read full article!
There are some life events we have time to prepare for, like having a new baby. And there are some we’re often blindsided by, like being laid off. When Harriet Mills found herself in a situation where both overlapped, she had almost no savings to fall back on. So, she packed up and moved back in with her parents.
She took a deep breath, had a glass of wine, and made plans to start her own company. Inspired by her experiences at a local paint-and-sip studio in Charleston, South Carolina, Mills opened Wine & Design, a place where friends get together, drink some great wine, and paint their next masterpiece.
“I call it my brushstroke of luck,” Mills said. “It hit me that this concept of group painting for fun is a largely untapped business opportunity. I didn’t create a masterpiece painting on my Charleston trip. But I eventually created a master plan that would make this business take off.”
Mills took an experience she enjoyed and replicated it in her own community. What started as a single-studio startup in Raleigh, North Carolina, grew to a franchise with close to 100 locations across the nation, earned Mills the Triangle Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award in 2016, and led her to strike a deal with Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary in 2017. |
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Is it possible to replace the header image on the home page with a full width video? The client’s requesting this.
Check out this thread on the forum that seemed to do something similar:
Sridhar’s site that is mentioned on that thread is loaded with customizations like this — great to keep in your toolbox.
There are a lot of different types of mortgages, and there are a lot of different types of real estate property. Here is a list of the most common types of each. We’ve added some links to the most popular articles on the subject.
We think getting many viewpoints to a particular question is important because it helps you to make better decisions. It’s so important that we have woven the Forum all throughout Winning Agent. We invite you to ask questions, make comments, and be part of the discussion.
Real estate and mortgage finance often times comes with its own unique language. If you work with it every day, it becomes 2nd nature, but most people don’t work with it every day. So we’ve created a glossary of mortgage and real estate terms. |
"I look forward to delivering on the change of priorities I pushed so heavily during my campaign."
Shane Taylor, the Oakland underdog candidate who mobilized a grassroots campaign for change, was sworn in Tuesday as the town’s first duly elected mayor in 20 years. His term runs through March 2028.
A capacity crowd packed the Oakland Meeting Hall to watch the brief ceremony, with latecomers lining the walls.
Outgoing mayor Kathy Stark, in her final official act, administered the oath of office. Stark
served as mayor for nearly 20 years. She was a commissioner for 10 years prior to that.
“I want to say something," Stark said before starting the short ceremony. “The town is going to be in good hands. I am very happy to turn this office over to Shane. So, I look forward to watching him —” She paused.
“Blossom?” Shane asked playfully as the crowd erupted in laughter.
Taylor swore to uphold the U.S. Constitution, the laws of Florida and the provisions of the town charter. He then received a standing ovation as the crowd cheered, whistled, whooped and clapped for their new mayor. A few Sal-Ramos supporters sat stony-faced in the back.
Taylor thanked his family and his circle of friends and volunteers who worked on his campaign, but he had special words for Oakland’s voters:
“You made your collective voice heard in a big way, both through early voting and Election Day, that you were ready for change. I thank you for participating in this most special freedom. I look forward to delivering on the change of priorities I pushed so heavily during my campaign.
“I'd be remiss if I didn't recognize those who did not turn out to support me. I understand that change can be difficult, but you have my commitment that I'll work hard on your behalf and do so with the greatest of intentions.”
Taylor also acknowledged the toll the divisive election took on the small town’s social foundations, “expos[ing] vulnerable cracks and how neighbors were treated.”
Indeed, during the campaign season friendships faltered over candidate choices. VoxPopuli heard from people who reported being berated publicly for choosing one candidate over another. Supporters of both candidates posted harsh words on social media; there were unfounded accusations of wrongdoing; unverified claims of racism surfaced in the Facebook group We Are Oakland; residents found themselves banned from the group or very publicly quit over rights of expression issues.
“We all bear responsibility in building the community we want to see and live in, raise our families and grandchildren in. And that means knowing when we've hurt our neighbors with words, assumptions or actions," Taylor continued. "If this resonates with you, I would encourage you to make peace. It will be good for you, for them and for the town we love so much.”
Next, Taylor turned to the three commissioners sitting at the table behind him — all of whom openly supported Sal Ramos’ campaign. He nodded to sharing common ground, but his point was unmistakable: A 64.5 percent win is a mandate.
“Change is hard. Pride has been hurt, but you cannot ignore that change is insistent by residents,” he said. “We must put aside any differences we may have. Agendas and loyalties that won't yield productive outcomes for the betterment of our town have to take a backseat.
“It's our greatest importance that we come together to shepherd this great town of ours to its fullest potential. I hope I have your promises that will achieve all of this.”
Vice Mayor Mike Satterfield, who had phoned Taylor to urge him to let Ramos be mayor while he took the open commissioner's seat Ramos vacated, nodded in agreement.
Lastly, Taylor urged residents who had gotten involved with the election to stay involved and not become “complacent in how things are done.”
“This is your town," he said. "You have the power to guide it. We on the commission here, are helmsman. You are our navigators. Help us set the course on where this town is to go.” |
back to listings SME Profile: BBS Construction
14 Morritt Avenue, Leeds, LS15 7EP
Covering all aspects of commercial and residential construction
BBS Construction formerly known as Better Build Solutions Ltd was established in 2012, We are a privately owned building and construction company covering all aspects of commercial and residential construction.
Our operations span multiple project sectors specialising in the delivery of high quality and often highly complex construction projects from start to completion, meeting tough programme deadlines and meticulous specifications with confidence. The company has grown organically since its formation and we aim to continue this growth, while remaining focused on offering an excellent service to our existing client base.
We are proud to be a family run business, we can ensure that our customer relationships stay strong as we all have a great sense of commitment and accountability at our hearts, the desire for both family and business to stay strong encourages a greater understanding of the industry meaning that every single one of our clients receives an exceptional service to suit their individual needs.
WHY CHOOSE US
We are a family run business
- We are proud to be a family run business. We can ensure that our customer relationships stay strong as we all have a great sense of commitment and accountability at our hearts.
We have a trusted reputation
- We are proud of our reputation as a caring, reliable, trustworthy and professional service provider. The long-standing and successful working relationships that we have with our clients are testament to this.
We deliver quality workmanship
- Our committed team of fully qualified and experienced tradesmen and office staff consistently deliver a high level of service and exceed client expectations.
Our customer satisfaction
- Our focus on customer satisfaction is paramount to our success. A large proportion of our work stems from repeat business. Read our testimonials here
At BBS Construction we offer a wide range of services to our clients completing any size projects and refurbishment. By providing a complete service package we can ensure that the entire project is carefully planned and completed to our exceptionally high standards.
What can we offer you?
- Small to large scale maintenance repairs
- Pre-planned and reactive maintenance
- Fit out
- New build projects
We specialise in kitchen fitting, shop & restaurant fitting, door fitting, flooring & general joinery.
Boarding & Skimming, Curved walling, rendering.
Interior and exterior, spray painting to UPVC, wallpapering.
All aspects of wall and floor tiling.
Wooden flooring, carpets, vinyl and tiles.
NICEIC tests, alarm systems, re-wires, general electrical installation.
GRP Roofing systems, roof tiling, dormers.
Groundworks & Drainage
Fencing, paving, tarmacking, turf, all aspects of guttering and drainage systems.
Bathroom fit outs, wet rooms, gas works, full testing and certificates.
UPVC windows and doors, wooden glazed doors, velux, board ups and repairs.
Building reputation, exceeding expectations and delivering excellence. At BBS Construction we aim to build long term relationships with every client
We aim to build long term partnerships with clients, our focus on customer satisfaction is paramount to our success as a large proportion of our work stems from repeat business.
BBS Construction have a proven track record in all of our core sectors: commercial, residential developments, education and healthcare projects.
What our Clients say
BBS Construction have worked for Unipol for 15 years. They have successfully completed over 75 properties ranging between £5k and £150k. Not only have they undertaken full and partial refurbishments, they continue to effectively attend reactive repairs and out of hours call outs. BBS Construction have the capacity to undertake numerous projects and repairs at the same time. Works are always completed at a high standard and on time. We would have no hesitation in recommending BBS Construction for any building works or maintenance/repairs.
Tony Vyse. Unipol Student Homes
BBS Construction are a company who we use on a regular basis to carry out general repairs to properties as well as more major refurbishment and construction projects. BBS Construction always act in a professional manner and the work they carry out is to a very high standard.
Chris Lewis. Carter Towler |
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Adorably surprised pets make for great Internet fodder for sure, but we’ve never seen an animal have quite as hilarious a reaction to something unexpected as does the star of this clip. When this fluffy white kitty is caught off guard, he doesn’t run–he absolutely freezes, standing completely straight and tall as if he’s a statue. Kind of a brilliant strategy, no?
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We think so. In this case, what has this cat so flummoxed is a CD popping out of a computer. Perhaps the cat thinks the disc is his mortal enemy? We can’t be sure, but we do know that his at-attention pose is the cutest thing EVER.
At this rate, what’s he going to do when he sees something truly scary around the house, like a vacuum? |
Strategies for Cultivating Wellness and Focus in the Digital Age
Societal conditioning places pressure on employees to be constantly online. The inner battle between balancing work and personal responsibilities, leaves thousands of women in the workplace feeling alone and unable to priortize their goals and well-being. This workshop will share practices for cultivating wellness and focus internally to unlock ease, abundance, and connection in the workplace. The session will guide attendees through a grounding breathwork meditation to bring in a deep state of truth, wellness, and focus. Attendees will learn to use holistic health practices to create effective teams and workplaces while fostering a supportive and engaged work environment. After the grounding mediation, attendees will have time to share their experiences, connect, and encourage well-being, productivity, and accountability.
- How to cultivate a personal sense of care and safety while growing a career in tech.
- Recognizing boundaries and needs, practicing self-compassion, and setting realistic career expectations
- Practices for wellness and awareness that can be used to build and guide careers.
This session is for… everyone regardless of seniority. |
She sells seashells by the seashore. I will say this tongue twister slowly the first time and then I will repeat it at normal speed. Can YOU say it as quickly as me? (Without making a mistake!) Ange and I found this large shell AFTER the sun had gone down.We decided...
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Woodward Education has been teaching languages around the world since 1997.
Woodward English Courses
Woodward English Courses
Woodward English has created this free online English course that is open to anyone around the world. This course helps you learn English from a Basic level to an Advanced level.
Our free phrasal verb course helps ESOL students learn the meaning and uses of phrasal verbs in English. This course is ideal for students at an intermediate or advanced level of English.
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Nuestro curso de inglés gratis. Aprende inglés desde cero con explicaciones en español por Rob de Woodward English. Una nueva lección cada semana.
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This free course covers topics taught in Science classes at an English-speaking school and will be useful both for native speakers and non-native speakers of English (ESOL students).
Our free English Idioms course helps ESL / ESOL students learn the meaning and uses of common idioms in English. This course is ideal for students at an intermediate or advanced level of English.
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Large variety of resources for English teachers
Includes: Lesson plans, English grammar / vocabulary worksheets, flash cards, task cards, PowerPoint presentations, 5-minute fillers, classroom signs, word searches, crosswords, our famous English summary charts, and games / activities that allow students to become actively engaged in their learning.
Used in over 45,000 classrooms around the world
Our English resources have been used in over 45,000 classrooms around the world. They can be purchased and downloaded via the trusted Teachers Pay Teachers website.
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We know teachers spend hours every week outside the classroom preparing for their lessons. Our photocopiable resources will save you precious time as they are ready to be printed and used in the classroom.
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Purchasing any of our teacher resources allows me to continue creating more free English language resources for students on YouTube and other social media.
Learn English on YouTube
You can learn English at home or your workplace via our popular YouTube channel with over 895,000 subscribers and 74 million views. You don’t need to travel across town to go to a physical building, you can take our lessons from anywhere where there is an internet connection. Includes LIVE lessons every month with Rob Woodward.
We also have a YouTube channel for Spanish speakers learning English. (Woodward English en español)
Our English Learning Websites
English grammar lessons from basic English to advanced English. Includes our famous summary charts and our popular English grammar games.
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We have courses for English language learners and printable resources for English teachers. We have articles about the English language and teacher tips.
STARE and STEER are two different words in English, and they have distinct meanings and uses. Stare - Meaning and Example Sentences Definition: To stare means to look or gaze fixedly and intently at something or someone. Usage: You might stare at an interesting...
👆 Click the notification bell so YOU can join me when I go LIVE on YouTube. Today we are going to see if YOU know MORE English than a native English speaker. How I am going to do this? By doing a simple quiz. I have a sentence with a space in it and you have...
We just did a live English lesson about Feelings and Emotions on YouTube and this was the joke that appeared: Jokes can sometimes be difficult to understand when learning another language so don't worry if you don't understand THIS joke. I will try to explain it a...
https://youtu.be/V9dxqlk9Jxw 10 ways YOU can learn English without leaving your house In this lesson we have many recommendations and tips about how to improve your English from the comfort of your home. We also answer these questions: How can I learn English by...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vo8Yptd_zKY This will be the first ever Woodward English Show … yes show number 1. What exactly happens during the Woodward English Show? Well, during an hour YOU are going to learn English in a fun way and since it is LIVE from New...
Who are we?
Rob Woodward discovered his passion for teaching English in 1997.
In 2002 Rob and his wife Angélica started a language school in Santiago, Chile and had thousands of students including diplomats, politicians, international CEOs and local TV stars.
We created material for our students and published them online. Other teachers and schools began using our material and Woodward English became very well-known online for its free charts and lessons. We then decided to dedicate our time and knowledge to helping as many people learn the English language online.
Now we are based in New Zealand and continue to help the world learn English.
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Learn Spanish with our free Spanish lessons. We have an entire website dedicated to learning and teaching the Spanish language. ELE = Español como Lengua Extranjera – Spanish as a foreign language.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do your English courses cost?
Our English courses and lessons on this website are free for you to learn and I intend to keep it that way.
Why are Woodward English courses free?
We truly want to help as many people as possible to learn English for free.
In many countries, learning a language can be prohibitively expensive or sometimes just not available at all. There are many people that would like to improve their current circumstances though due to financial restraints, they cannot.
I have seen parents who would like to give their children a better future though cannot pay for English lessons at a language school or with private teachers. I have seen young adults with a lot of potential that don’t have the time to take English lessons on top of what they are already studying.
That is where I would like to help and why I have created these free English courses. They can be used alone as a self-study tool or alongside another course you may be doing. Teachers can also benefit by having their students complete parts of these courses at home and then using the language in the classroom (thinking of flipped classrooms here).
However you use our courses, I hope you benefit from what we have created.
How is Woodward English financed?
We have advertisements on our websites that give us a small amount of income (please don’t use your ad-blockers). Some teachers and parents purchase our Printable Language Resources in PDF form which helps us a lot. Some students are members of the paid section of Woodward English on YouTube which also helps a lot. At the moment these cover the costs of hosting though there are other expenses that need to be covered like the (expensive) yearly license for Adobe products (I use Abode Illustrator to create the charts and Adobe After Effects for the videos) and we use dedicated servers due to the number of people (approx. 3 million every month) that visit our websites.
If you appreciate our work, please support us my purchasing our resources or becoming members of our YouTube channel.
Why aren't there more lessons?
Woodward English is not a big company with many people. It is just my wife and I doing what we can when we have time.
If there are any teachers that would like to volunteer some time or contribute material to our free courses, we would really, really appreciate it. Please send me a message via Twitter or Instagram if you are able to help in any way. |
We have all heard the phrase, “work smart not hard,” yet in the digital age it is hard to know what this means. This book outline 5 unique levers that empower leaders to maintain focus in the midst of uncertainty.
Each module of the course follows a chapter in the book giving you insight into the strategies presented in that chapter. We provide additional tools, checklists and resources, to ensure you are able to apply the suggestions.
In addition to this course, you have access to our exclusive network for questions and live discussion.
Be sure to take the Work Smart Assessment Course to evaluate where you stand on the 5 levers presented in the book. |
Penske Truck Leasing and Lineage Logistics is partnering with Darden Restaurants to add refrigerated trucks for 10 member food banks, helping Feeding America support mobile pantry programs and food distribution in communities.
Each food bank will receive a 26-foot vehicle that can transport 12,000 lbs. of food at a time through a $2 million grant from the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation., along with $26,000 to use for food and other needs.
“Feeding people is what we do, but the hard reality is that there are still too many families in communities we serve who struggle to put a meal on the table,” said Gene Lee, chairman and CEO of Darden Restaurants. “We’re uniquely positioned to help, and by leveraging our scale and relationships with partners like Penske Truck Leasing and Lineage Logistics, we’re proud to do our part to help get food into the hands of people who need it.”
The food banks include:
Food banks receiving this gift include:
Community Food Bank of Central Alabama in Birmingham, Ala.
East Texas Food Bank in Tyler, Texas
Feeding the Gulf Coast in Theodore, Ala.
Feeding Northeast Florida in Jacksonville, Fla.
Feeding Tampa Bay in Tampa, Fla.
Food Bank of North Alabama in Huntsville, Ala.
Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana in Monroe, La.
Forgotten Harvest in Detroit, Mich.
Mississippi Food Network in Jackson, Miss.
Tarrant Area Food Bank in Fort Worth, Texas
Sixty million people looked for support from food banks, food pantries, and other private food assistance programs in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a 50% increase from 2019.
“Millions of families continue to face impossible decisions — like choosing to put food on the table or pay their rent,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America. “Food banks are focused on improving people’s access to food, particularly in communities of color where people are inordinately impacted by food insecurity. Refrigerated trucks help make that possible. We are grateful to Darden, Penske and Lineage for providing vehicles to member food banks, helping them to distribute more food safely to people who need us most.” |
The COVID-19 pandemic has confronted countries with a wide range of new and increased economic risks, some of which may only become apparent with time. Ideally, governments would devise policies to address all areas in which the pandemic has revealed or exacerbated economic fragilities: financial sector stability, the legal insolvency framework for households and businesses, access to credit, and government debt sustainability. However, few if any governments have the resources and political leeway to tackle all these challenges at once. They will have to identify the risks that are the most immediate threats to an equitable recovery in their specific context and prioritize policy responses accordingly.
Managing domestic and global risks
As governments gradually withdraw stimulus measures, policy makers must balance equity and efficiency considerations. For example, support should be scaled back first for firms that are financially resilient and have access to credit and capital markets that can help bridge temporary liquidity problems. In supporting firms through the recovery, governments should resist the urge to target specific industries for aid based on their precrisis size and ensure that support policies do not trap resources in sectors that have become less viable as a result of the crisis. Similarly, for households support should be scaled back first for those that are financially resilient, whereas support that protects the incomes and livelihoods of vulnerable populations that have been especially hard-hit by income losses stemming from the pandemic should be kept in place until these populations’ recovery prospects have materially improved. Prioritizing disadvantaged groups in this way can help counteract the impacts of the pandemic on poverty and inequality.
Policy makers will also need to address global economic risks that may threaten a robust, equitable recovery. One such risk is the uneven pace of recovery of advanced and emerging economies. The more rapid recovery in advanced economies is likely to precipitate a rise in global interest rates, which will put pressure on borrowers through increases in the cost of servicing domestic debt (public and private). Loan defaults may result.
An additional external risk is private and public sector exposure to exchange rate risk and foreign currency debt. This is especially important in countries whose financial sectors rely on credit and capital markets for wholesale finance because financial institutions (including microfinance lenders) that face refinancing risks will have less capacity to supply credit during the recovery. Managing currency risk should also be a high priority in countries with dominant state-owned enterprises that have taken on significant amounts of foreign currency debt in the decade since the global financial crisis.
Tackling the most urgent sources of risks
One of the main themes of this Report is that the sectors of an economy are interconnected. These links create pathways along which risks can spill over from one sector to others. Along these same paths, well-designed fiscal, monetary, and financial policies can mitigate risks and generate positive outcomes that support economic recovery.
Governments that need to make difficult choices about the prioritization of resources to realize the recovery should therefore examine the specific nature of the risks confronting the economy and then identify areas where policy action is most likely to reduce economic fragilities worsened by the pandemic. This is not to say that governments facing a high degree of risk in one area should ignore other areas. Instead, they should emphasize the importance of urgent action in areas in which economic fragilities are greatest or in which allowing additional risks to accumulate is most likely to create spillover risks that could threaten the recovery.
Likely scenarios in low-income countries
A common scenario in low-income countries is that the formal banking sector primarily serves the wealthier, more resilient households and the larger, more well-established businesses, whereas the low-income households and small businesses most severely affected by the pandemic often lack access to bank credit. The possibility of rising loan defaults among private sector borrowers is therefore often a less pressing issue in these countries. However, because borrowers in low-income countries are typically more reliant on nonbank lenders such as microfinance institutions, they may benefit from efforts to regulate and support these institutions (see spotlights in chapters 2 and 3).
Meanwhile, in these countries deteriorating public finances threaten the ability of governments to support the most vulnerable and pose a risk to the domestic financial sector, which often holds large amounts of government debt. Low-income countries also tend to face greater external threats than middle- and high-income countries to an equitable recovery. As high-income countries begin to recover from the crisis, low-income countries that borrow in foreign currency face the risk that their debt payments and import costs will become more expensive as global interest rates rise and their local currencies depreciate. In this scenario, a focus on improved government debt management may help governments manage debt burdens and free up resources for the recovery (see chapter 5).
Likely risks in middle-income countries
Addressing financial sector fragilities is a more pressing policy priority for many middle-income countries. Because the financial sector in these countries is typically more developed, it is also more exposed to household and small business debt. Income losses arising from the pandemic have led to a dramatic deterioration in the financial health of households and firms and could precipitate a sharp rise in loan defaults once support policies are withdrawn. This situation could, in turn, threaten the capital position of many lenders. One important priority for policy makers in middle-income countries is therefore to ensure that the financial sector remains adequately capitalized and that regulators and financial institutions establish the proper frameworks for prompt, comprehensive recognition of financial sector risks (see chapter 2).
Overall, the governments of middle-income countries introduced larger and more encompassing fiscal and financial sector policies in response to the pandemic. These included cash transfers, debt moratoria for households and firms, and credit guarantee schemes for businesses. In these countries, policy makers need to ensure that support measures are scaled back in a careful and predictable manner to avoid a wave of insolvencies and loan defaults in the event that stimulus policies are withdrawn before economic activity has fully recovered (see chapter 3).
Finally, the continued impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the economic prospects of households and firms could inhibit new lending because of increased credit risk and persistent economic uncertainty. The risk that heightened economic uncertainty dampens the recovery by leading to a reduction of credit can be partly mitigated through improved credit market transparency and better recourse in the event of default. Bank supervisors can encourage banks to reassess credit models, responsibly adopt innovations in digital finance that rely on alternative data, and tailor loans to the borrower and the lending environment. Regulatory frameworks that foster innovation can support credit during the recovery, while ensuring that consumers and markets are protected from misuse of data (see chapter 4).
The crisis as an opportunity: Accelerating the transition to a sustainable world economy
Despite the numerous challenges posed by the pandemic, the COVID-19 crisis also presents an enormous opportunity to accelerate the transformation toward a more efficient and sustainable world economy. Climate change is a global phenomenon, but its impacts are felt most severely in low-income countries and among low-income communities, where it often compounds the existing vulnerabilities such as lack of access to clean water, low crop yields, food insecurity, and unsafe housing.
Governments and central banks have a variety of policy instruments at their disposal to support the transformation to a greener economy through the appropriate pricing of carbon emissions and support for green finance and sustainable technologies. Governments can, for example, revisit the tax code to incentivize green investment, while central banks and supervisors can mandate higher risk provisioning for loans to sectors engaged in unsustainable activities. The reforms necessitated by this once in a century crisis offer governments an opportunity to adapt their economies to the reality and the largely neglected risk of climate change. |
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Stadio Olimpico, Rome, ItalyThe Stadio Olimpico is the largest sports facility of Rome, Italy. It is located within the Foro Italico sports complex, north of the city. The structure is owned by the Italian National Olympic Committee and it is used primarily for association football.
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Christian songwriter and producer Ed Cash, best known as co-writer of the worship hit “How Great is Our God,” has cut ties with controversial pastor Wayne Jolley.
For the past decade, Cash was a key member of the Gathering International, a small congregation that meets in Jolley’s home. He’s led worship for the group, donated funds to Jolley’s ministry, and acted as one of Jolley’s chief lieutenants.
Cash and his brother, Scott, announced Wednesday, December 30, that they were leaving the Gathering after Jolley was accused of spiritual and sexual abuse. CT reported on concerns about Jolley’s conduct, theology, and finances earlier this month. |
Capt. Natasha Cardinal, 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron critical care nurse, monitors her patient during a flight from Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan to San Antonio, Texas, Aug. 18, 2019. Critical care air transport teams are rapidly deployable teams consisting of a physician, critical care nurse and a respiratory therapist who provide a mobile intensive care unit for complex, critically wounded patients.
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This photograph is considered public domain and has been cleared for release.
If you would like to republish please give the photographer appropriate credit.
Further, any commercial or non-commercial use of this photograph or any other
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which pertains to intellectual property restrictions (e.g., copyright and
trademark, including the use of official emblems, insignia, names and slogans), warnings
regarding use of images of identifiable personnel, appearance of endorsement, and related matters. |
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How to delete a Word doc page?
You don't want blank pages in the middle of your document or extra pages at the end if you're using WPS. Tables, repeatedly pressing the ENTER key, unnecessary section breaks, unintentional page breaks, extra paragraph markers, and other factors could all contribute to these extra pages.
Because you don't want your Word document to appear unprofessional as a result of this quirk, I'll show you how to delete blank and extra pages in Word in this article.
How to delete a Blank Page from the Center of a Word Document (how to delete a word document page on mac and Windows)
If you're working with a large word document and are about to present or print it, check for blank pages and an extra final page.
1. Launch the document with the WPS office.
2. Select the paragraph marker icon on the home section of the tab.
3. When you click on the icon, paragraph markers appear at the end of each paragraph and each blank line--basically, whenever you hit the ENTER key and at the start of the extra blank page.
4. To delete these extra pages, use your mouse or trackpad to select the paragraph markers and then press the DELETE button. If one of the markers remains, use the BACKSPACE key to remove it.
5. If you have the patience, you can also remove the blank page(s) by selecting them and pressing the BACKSPACE key until the paragraph markers disappear.
How to Delete an Extra Blank Page in a Word Document
So, you have a blank page in the middle or at the end of your Word document that won't go away. This is a very common and often frustrating issue that many users encounter when creating content in Microsoft Word. You can choose to print only specific pages, but this does not solve the problem.
1.Click the View tab to delete any extra blank pages that may have been added at the end of your document.
2. Go to the Navigation Pane. This will display a sidebar containing icons –Content, Section Navigation, Bookmark, Find and Replace. Click on Select Navigation to display all the pages of the document in the sidebar.
3. The active page will be selected automatically. Click the extra blank page to select it, then press the DELETE key on your keyboard to delete it.
You can also get rid of this extra blank page by pressing the BACKSPACE key.
How to Remove Word Doc Page Breaks (Removing word document page breaks in windows and mac)
In WPS Word, a page break is an invisible marker that separates one page from the next. This formatting mark allows text to flow smoothly from page to page. When you print the document, the printer uses the page break to determine where the first page ends and the second page begins.
1. Open your Word document.
2. Go to Home > Click the paragraph marker > Show/Hide button to display all non-printable hidden marks like page breaks, spaces, and non-breaking spaces in the document.
3. Double-click to select a page break and press Delete to remove it.
4. You can now click the Show/Hide button again to hide the other formatting marks in the document.
5. Alternatively, instead of double-clicking, you can also place your cursor just before the page break marker and hit Delete.
You've learned how to remove blank pages in Word to make your documents look more professional in this article. Thank you for your time. Please share this article with your friends and family if you found it useful.
Have you figured out how to delete word doc in the WPS office? If you want to learn more about Word features, you can enroll in the WPS Academy. You can also use WPS Office to edit excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations for free. |
Is your B2B, education, law or government content clear and straightforward? Is it right for your audience? Does it communicate your message and inspire action? If you answer “no,” or “I don’t know,” you could be losing your audience, your customers, and/or your sales.
If your diction, voice, and/or tone are too formal or too relaxed, or you find grammar and spelling mistakes and clunky run-on sentences, there’s a good chance many won’t stick around. That pause they take as they stumble over your words will send them elsewhere to get what you’re offering.
Take advantage of my more than two decades as a marketing writer and a technical writer and together we’ll create the content you need to:
A Content Style Guide holds the guidance that ensure your words, and how you use them, are as solid as what you’re offering. When all your writers use the same standards for your language, including words, phrases, voice, tone, diction, and even your messaging — and avoid what you don’t want them to use, like third person and the word “dude” — you’ll strengthen your relationships, boost your marketing, and improve your bottom line.
If you wake every night at 3 a.m. worried your writers are running amuck, let’s work together to create a Content Style Guide just for your organization. Or, in a hurry to turn things around? Order my condensed, ready-to-use Content Style Guide to put some structure around your copy. Either way, you’ll finally get some sleep. |
Newport News, Va. - Newport News Police are investigating a shooting that occurred Monday morning at approximately 11:51 a.m. in the area of 18th Street and Ivy Avenue.
Police say when they arrived on scene, they found a 22-year-old man who had been shot several times.
The victim was transported to a local hospital. His condition is currently unknown.
Police say the victim told them he was standing in the area when he was approached by another man who shot him.
The victim told police the shooter was wearing a camouflage jacket.
Detectives are asking anyone with information to call Newport News Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP. |
Taco Bell is giving away a free Doritos Locos taco to anyone who wants it on Wednesday.
The fast-food chain is giving away one free Doritos Locos taco per customer on Wednesday from 2 p.m.-6 p.m., as part of their Steal a Base, Steal a Taco promotion during the World Series.
The free tacos are thanks to Houston Astros outfielder Cameron Maybin who stole a base in the top of the 11th inning in game two of the World Series on Oct. 25th.
Of course, Maybin celebrated the moment afterwards on Twitter with a gif of Oprah.
“What’s better than a win in extra innings? Free @tacobell! Proud to be America’s #StealABaseStealATaco guy. You ALL get free tacos on 11/1!” Maybin tweeted.
Taco Bell also tweeted about the big moment.
The free Doritos Locos taco is limited to one per person at participating locations only. |
Gender enrollment gap is wide at ISU, Bradley, Heartland
More women go to Illinois State University than men — a lot more. The same is true of Bradley University and Heartland Community College. It's part of a nationwide trend that began in the 1980s and has grown since then.
In 1972 the U.S. government passed landmark Title IX laws to promote gender equality in education. Back then, there was a 12-point gap in the proportion of bachelor's degrees going to men compared with women. The gap closed in 1982.
Since then, it has widened the other way along with overall enrollment numbers. Total college enrollment has been falling since the Great Recession. But the drop also is disproportionate by gender. The male share of college enrollment fell each year from 2015 to 2020, and the pandemic made the gender gap bigger.
Graduation rates amplify the gender gap. More men do not finish degrees than women who leave without a diploma.
"Essentially, you can say that the proximate cause is that girls do better in high school," said Sarah Reber, a Brookings Institute senior fellow and associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research.
Enrollment numbers from 2022 show the national split is about 60% women and 40% men:
It's not that Title IX and access to higher education explains the gender gap. It's that Title IX revealed something that would have been happening all along, but for cultural norms that historically favored men. Other developed nations have similar gender trends in higher education.
"Women have been doing better in high school, like, as long as we have had data," said Reber.
Why are girls better than boys in K-12? There are several possibilities, including differences in brain development.
"Some hypotheses include differences in what economists sometimes call non-cognitive skills, behavioral stuff, everything from organization and executive function to things like acting out. There are significant gender gaps in all those things," said Reber.
Reber cautioned there's not enough work in the field yet to say how much of the difference is from brain development. Gender differences in course-taking choices and grades are more pronounced than they are in assessment test scores, she said.
It's not clear there should be policies that prop up a historically advantaged group, though Reber said the size of the gaps is concerning. She said society should want to use all its talents and make sure everyone is served. And on campuses where the balance gets too far out of whack, it can create less of a sense of belonging. Reber said strengthening supports for those who have weaker academic backgrounds is a good idea in general and could help men more than women, or maybe not.
"You do find some of the interventions we do in education don't work as much for boys as for girls," she said.
Some experts have even suggested delaying the start of kindergarten by a year for all male students.
Illinois State University
Illinois State University pays attention to gender imbalances, but Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management Jana Albrecht said it's by professions and by colleges. For instance, there are significantly more men than women enrolled in the College of Business (COB) and the College of Applied Science and Technology (CAST). And women dominate the College of Education (COE) and the Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN). The largest area of the university, the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), is closest to the national average.
- COB — 64% male / 36% female
- MCN — 13% male / 87% female
- COE — 11% male / 88% female / 1% non-binary or not reported
- CAS — 36% male / 63% female / 1% non-binary or not reported
- CAST — 53% male / 46% female / 1% non-binary or not reported
“Depending on the industry, we know we need more males in education. We know we need more males in nursing. But I think we still need more women in STEM fields. It’s our responsibility to pay attention to what industry is telling us they need, and if you do that, I think that balances out that 60-40 split,” said Albrecht.
Men may skew more toward coming back to education sometime after age 25, she said, which speaks to the readiness and brain development issue.
“Another big population are the adult learners. Do we need to call on that adult learner population and get them to come back and get a degree in the fields we have shortages. I think that’s something we could work on and facilitate as well,” said Albrecht.
Because girls do better than boys in K-12, there could be more men who go into the workforce after high school that could be attracted to something like nursing, she added.
ISU has only a limited number of adult learners and to make that be a part of the solution, Albrecht said they would need to find ways to attract more.
“We would probably need to broaden our online options for adult learners, and we would have to have other services on campus for adult learners, but we’re certainly looking into the potential opportunity to serve that population,” she said.
Heartland Community College
The pandemic affected the gender enrollment balance as well as total enrollment. That was particularly true for community colleges that tend to have more programs that prepare students for the workforce and programs in businesses that skew toward men. Those programs require more in-person learning and practical application settings.
Reber of the Brookings Institution said there's a risk that male enrollment will disappear forever, even if community colleges expand workforce readiness programs to relieve the pandemic bottleneck in the supply of students.
"I think if you disrupt the transition to college, that can be permanent," said Reber.
Heartland Vice President for Enrollment Services Sarah Diel-Hunt said before the pandemic, Heartland also had a higher proportion of female students than peer institutions, but that is changing.
Heartland gender balance (data from the Illinois Community College Board):
- 2022 — 57% female / 43% male
- 2021 — 62% female / 38% male
- 2020 — 58% female / 42% male
- 2019 — 56% female / 44% male
“We are closing that gap between ourselves and other community colleges. We historically have been more transfer heavy than applied program heavy than many of the other community colleges in the state,” said Diel-Hunt.
She said Heartland has worked to expand more applied work-ready programs. As the needs of businesses have changed, so has Heartland workforce programs. In the past, Heartland workforce programs focused on female-centric professions such as nursing.
“We’ve really been building out programs not because they attract males, but because (that is) what’s in demand in our local community. They are in areas of advanced manufacturing, HVAC, welding, renewable energy, electric vehicle energy storage, and agriculture,” said Diel-Hunt.
When men enroll, they often do so later in the annual cycles. Diel-Hunt said Heartland has done marketing campaigns to get students to enroll earlier in the year, so they have more class choices. She said HCC general strategic enrollment efforts look at programs to help students complete degrees.
And Diel-Hunt said even co-curricular programming might help convince male students to stick around: esports, a game club, and intramural activity for instance. She said other efforts to support identity-based organizations like the Black Student Union and a new association of Latin American students on campus could have a disproportionate effect on male student attraction and retention.
“A lot of the things the college is doing generally to support enrollment should have the effect of supporting male enrollment as well,” said Diel-Hunt, adding collaborations with businesses for apprenticeships also can attract some of the men who have checked out of education.
Another broad trend for Heartland and most community colleges is growth in dual credit courses for high school kids. Diel-Hunt said students who get dual credit are more likely to go on to earn four-year degrees. That's particularly true for underserved communities.
Heartland male enrollment in dual credit courses started at 34% in 2014. Male students were not early adopters. Now, the 44% male dual credit enrollment portion is about the same as the Heartland population as a whole. Diel-Hunt said it's a good sign that the dual credit growth in males comes in both transfers (gen ed classes) and applied (workforce) programs.
Liberal arts schools
Two small liberal arts colleges in the region, Illinois Wesleyan University and Eureka College, cut against the nationwide trend with roughly balanced enrollment by gender.
- IWU — 2022, 49% female / 51% male
- IWU — 2021, 51% female / 49% male
- Eureka — 2022, 49% female / 51% male
Reber said that doesn't surprise her.
"Probably some of, at least the selective private colleges, are doing essentially affirmative action for men because they want to have gender balance. They are very attentive to the on-campus experience, and I think students of both genders prefer a mix," she said.
Illinois Wesleyan University has had a fairly even gender balance in recent years, according to Kasey Evans, dean of admissions and associate vice president for enrollment management. Evans said the IWU doesn't use gender as a factor in admissions, but the athletic program might explain some of the data.
“In any given year, our athletic rosters run about 60% male and 40% female. We offer the same number of teams for both genders, but football and men’s lacrosse traditionally carry larger rosters than any female sport, which skews the number more (toward) male,” said Evans.
As student-athletes continue to make up a larger and larger percentage of the student body, it likely counters the national 60-40 balance that favors females, she said. IWU president Georgia Nugent said the competitiveness of the sports teams also may matter in gender balance enrollment choices.
“We have national championship teams and I think that brings a number of young men to our campus and happily our student-athletes are also very good students. Their academics are serious,” said Nugent, adding IWU will double down on that: the school is adding men’s and women’s wrestling.
One thing that’s not a factor is family income. You might expect small liberal arts institutions to have an enrollment that skews wealthier than average, and could be expected to have more gender parity because of that.
Nugent said that's not the case.
“When you compare us to the state universities, typically the economic quintiles of our students match up pretty closely.,” she said, noting about 30% of small liberal arts college students come from lower economic-bracket households.
Even though college degrees provide more of a lifelong economic advantage over non-graduates than ever before, women aren't benefiting from the gender enrollment majority.
The Brookings Institution's Sarah Reber said even though women have more education in the labor market, the gender gap still tilts toward men. There are a lot of occupations that are heavily female and require a lot of education, but have low wages, she said. |
BPD Backs Reboot of Controversial Surveillance Plane Program
Baltimore’s “eye in the sky” surveillance plane program will return in May.
Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said at a Friday news conference the city will launch a privately-funded pilot program to place private surveillance planes in the sky to assist in violent crime investigations.
In 2016, a surveillance plane flew above Baltimore’s streets, taping citizens’ comings and goings in secret. When Bloomberg Businessweek broke the news of the plane, civil rights groups criticized its secrecy and depth of surveillance, and the program was halted.
Harrison noted that he was initially skeptical of the benefits the plane’s proponents claimed, but said that with proper oversight he believes it could be “another tool in our toolbox” to fight violent crime.
The program will launch after a series of town halls and will not be used to monitor crime in real time, he said.
“I’m obviously well aware of the plane’s controversial history,” the police commissioner said. “I’m looking forward from hearing from our community and to educate them on what this is and what this is not.”
The plane’s footage will only be used to investigate murders, robberies and non-fatal shootings, he said. He anticipates the program will span about four to six months.
“We will use the data from the pilot program to tell citizens that it does or doesn’t work,” Harrison said.
The specifics of the program remain undisclosed, including how many planes will fly above the city. There could be multiple planes, Harrison said.
Mayor Jack Young said he fully supported the decision in a statement.
“At my direction, Commissioner Harrison consulted with the Department of Justice prior to moving forward with an exploratory phase,” the Democrat said. “Any efforts we pursue have to comply with our federal Consent Decree.”
City Council President Brandon Scott, also a Democrat, decried the program.
“We need solutions that work, and Commissioner Harrison has told the City Council multiple times this year, as recently as October, that there is no evidence the surveillance plane is an effective crime-fighting tool,” Scott said.
He noted that BPD has said that the previous surveillance yielded zero pieces of evidence.
“A spy plane in the sky might make some of us feel safer, but it is not a proven crime-fighting tool. We know this,” he said.
The city’s law department is “entirely comfortable with the program,” City Solicitor Andre Davis said, standing next to Harrison on Friday morning. It is not a violation of the ongoing consent decree, he said. |
Update: Friday, April 5, 11:40 a.m. EST: So, uh, we don’t think this article had anything to do with the earthquake that just struck northernNew Jersey, about 50 miles west of Manhattan, New York. Regardless, you’re welcome for telling you all the proper way to drive through the magnitude 4.7 quake. I personally cannot think of a single better way to kick off the solar eclipse weekend than with a sizable earthquake in a place that almost never gets them.
Taiwan was tragically struck by a huge 7.4 magnitude earthquake Wednesday morning and upon seeing videos in the news, I suddenly realized that I don’t know what to do if an earthquake hits while I’m driving. I’ve grown up in the Los Angeles area my whole life, and we had earthquake drills in school that taught us to duck and cover under a sturdy surface, but no mention was made about how to react if you’re behind the wheel.
In the event that you are driving when an earthquake hits, the U.S. Geological Survey says to move out of the way of traffic and stop your car away from any overpasses, light posts, or trees, and if you’re on a bridge, do not stop on the bridge.
Avoid stopping under overpasses or power lines, on bridges, or near signs and other hazards that could fall on your vehicle. Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking stops. If you can continue driving, proceed carefully because you may encounter fallen debris and cracked or shifted pavement. Watch for emergency vehicles, and, as usual, pull over to let them through.
Also, do not touch metal items inside, such as your seat belt buckle, the steering wheel, or the door handle, which could result in electrocution. Instead, stay put, call 911, then place your hands on your lap. “Stay inside until a trained person arrives to remove the wire,” Burdick says. Rescue personnel may be delayed in a major disaster.
Listening to a local radio station will keep you apprised of tsunami warnings and evacuation routes. Keep in mind that a tsunami can travel inland as far as 10 miles. An earthquake caused by the San Andreas fault is unlikely to result in a tsunami because it is so far from the coast, but an earthquake created by an oceanic fault could trigger a massive wave. A map of tsunami zones is available here.
If power is out, gas stations will be unable to dispense fuel, so always keep your tank at least a quarter full.
Ready America and Quake Kare sell preassembled kits and offer discounts to AAA members. These are some items to include.
Bottled water, class ABC extinguishers (equipped to put out electrical, grease, and gas fires), first aid kit and manual, emergency-signal devices (whistle, light sticks, battery-type flasher, reflector, mirror, etc.), reflective triangles to make your vehicle more visible, flashlight with fresh batteries, or a hand-crank flashlight, thick work gloves, a compass, jumper cables, duct tape, sneakers, tool kit or a multipurpose utility tool, rope for towing, rescue, etc., and paper maps (because you might not have cell service). A variety of city and regional maps are available for free at your local AAA branch.
As long as you are not traveling on or under a bridge during an earthquake, the safest thing to do is to slowly stop your car in a relatively open space out of the way of traffic and wait out the quake.
There are no guidelines that specifically address what to do if an earthquake strikes while you’re driving on or under a bridge or overpass, aside from the AAA guideline that says, “do not stop on a bridge or overpass unless it is safe to do so.” Which...who knows what that might mean Some of the biggest hazards during earthquakes are objects falling, including trees, buildings, and broken glass, so the safest place to be during an earthquake would likely be an open field with no trees or structures that could fall.
Realistically though, earthquakes strike with no warning. When one happens, react to your immediate situation in the safest way possible. For more information on how to respond to an earthquake, refer to the CDC’s guidelines here. |
Subsets and Splits