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About LRT
EU, Baltic politicians call for release of jailed Georgian ex-president Saakashvili
Mikheil Saakashvili / AP
Dozens of European elected officials, including from Lithuania, have called for the release of the imprisoned former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili.
The open letter, signed by the Lithuanian parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Žygimantas Pavilionis, former Latvian president Valdis Zalters and former Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko, decries the jailing of Saakashvili, calling it "politically motivated".
"The arrest of the former President Saakashvili serves only to deepen the political crisis Georgia faces following years of extreme polarization that have resulted from attempts to control the free press; to intimidate and surveil journalists, opposition politicians, activists, and even foreign diplomats; and to limit the space and resources for political opposition to the government," reads the open letter addressed to European Council President Charles Michel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Parliament President David Sassoli.
However, as notes Politico.eu, the letter does not call on EU leaders to take any specific steps, supposedly in recognition that there is little they can do other than urge Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili to issue a pardon, something she has said she will not do.
The letter asked for "some element of international observation" of Saakashvili's situation.
Saakashvili was Georgia's president from 2004 to 2013 and left the country in 2014, spending his time in the US, Ukraine and the Netherlands. He was later convicted in absentia on corruption charges, which he denies, and sentenced to six years in prison.
Protest in Georgia over the arrest of Mikheil Saakashvili / AP
Saakashvili became a Ukrainian citizen in 2015 and was appointed governor of the Odessa region by then-President Petro Poroshenko. In 2017, however, Poroshenko stripped Saakashvili of the Ukrainian citizenship, which was restored to him by Poroshenko's successor.
Saakashvili returned to Georgia on October 1, apparently to give a boost to his party, the United National Movement, in the country's municipal elections. He was arrested after landing in the country, though the Georgian government initially denied it.
"The charges are known to be politically motivated," the open letter reads. "Saakashvili was one of dozens of former officials tried and convicted by their successors. Despite his conviction, the charges were never internationally recognized, and no one moved to detain or extradite him as he continued to work and travel abroad, because these charges were known to be part of an established pattern of political persecution."
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RNC Puts Biden In Their Crosshairs – He Won't Get Away With This
Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel announced Thursday that the RNC intends to sue Tyrannical President Joe Biden over absurd new COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
"Joe Biden told Americans when he was elected that he would not impose vaccine mandates. He lied," McDaniel said in a statement. "Now small businesses, workers, and families across the country will pay the price."
"Like many Americans, I am pro-vaccine and anti-mandate," McDaniel added. "Many small businesses and workers do not have the money or legal resources to fight Biden's unconstitutional actions and authoritarian decrees, but when his decree goes into effect, the RNC will sue the administration to protect Americans and their liberties."
McDaniel's statement comes after Biden formally announced his plan to force companies with more than 100 employees to forcefully vaccinate workers against COVID-19 or test them weekly.
"This is not about freedom or personal choice," Biden said during a Thursday address to the nation. "It's about protecting yourself and those around you, the people you work with, the people you care about, the people you love. My job as president is to protect all Americans."
"We've been patient but our patience is wearing thin and your refusal has cost all of us," Biden added, sending a direct message to those who have yet to get vaccinated.
The RNC won't be alone in taking legal action against Biden though. Following Biden's vaccine mandate announcement, Oklahoma Attorney General John O'Connor released a statement and announced that he and his team are "preparing litigation" to defend residents in the state from "overreach of the federal government."
"We respect the right of Oklahoma businesses and individuals to make healthcare decisions for themselves and their families," O'Connor said. "My office will vigorously oppose any attempt by the federal government to mandate vaccines. We are preparing litigation to stand up for our rights and defend the rule of law against the overreach of the federal government."
Social media erupted following the president's announcement as many individual users and businesses stated, "I will not comply."
Daily Wire co-founder and CEO Jeremy Boreing took to Twitter to say, "The Daily Wire has well over 100 employees. We will not enforce Joe Biden's unconstitutional and tyrannical vaccine mandate, we will use every tool at our disposal, including legal action, to resist this overreach. More to come."
The Blaze CEO echoed. "Yeah, I sure as s*** won't be enforcing a vaccine mandate," said Tyler Cardon.
Daily Wire podcast host and author Matt Walsh asserted, "Biden does not have the power to do what he is doing. He is not a king. He is a politician and this is still the United States of America. He must be defied. All Americans who care about their freedom should tell this decaying old tyrant to go to hell."
Libertarian Eric July wrote, "Yes, this is a hill worth dying on."
Journalist Tim Pool stated bluntly, "I will not comply."
Townhall managing editor Spencer Brown criticized POTUS for refusing to answer questions after the bombshell announcement, "After a massive usurpation of individual freedom and expansion of federal authority, Biden takes zero questions from reporters again. Indefensible."
Author: Zach Ellias
Previous articleDemocrats Hysterical After Trump Drops This Major Announcement
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IFC Finances Hikma Pharmaceuticals to Boost Medical Supply Delivery During COVID-19
December 20, 2020	/	3799 views
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is providing a debt financing package to Hikma Pharmaceuticals to help ensure smooth deliveries of medicines across the Middle East and North Africa amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The $200 million package is…
Pharma Move Forward
July 23, 2018	/	6340 views
Regional competition is forcing Jordan's pharmaceutical firms to up their game. By Nada Atieh Jordan's pharmaceutical sector isn't the biggest in the Middle East, but the head of the Jordanian Association for Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, Salah Mawajdeh, said it stands out…
Local Pharma: A Model Industry
Mohammad Ali Shahin wears many hats. He is the Chairman of the Jordanian Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Medical Appliances (JAPM), and is also the CEO of Jordan Sweden Medical and Sterilization Co. (Joswe) and the chairman of three manufacturers…
Edging the Market with Innovation
One of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, Sanofi-Aventis engages in research, development, manufacture, and marketing in the medical field. They operate in more than 100 countries and have a focus on chronic diseases. Sanofi boasts a commitment to the health…
Working as One
January 26, 2017	/	7710 views
If they really want to achieve sustainable economic growth, Jordan's public and private sectors need to start seeing each other as allies rather than adversaries. By Laith Al Qasem Public–Private Dialogue (PPD) is an increasingly valuable tool that enables public…
Pella Pharmaceutical: Branching Out
August 16, 2016	/	3123 views
After finding success locally, Jordanian skincare company Pella Pharmaceuticals is now aiming to expand further into foreign markets with its Derma product line. By Rebecca Irvine The pharmaceutical industry in Jordan is a strong one. You only need to look…
Prescription for Growth
June 22, 2016	/	2880 views
With plans in the pipeline that include a range of own-brand over the counter medication and toiletries, as well as Jordan's first drive-through pharmacy, Amjad Aryan has big ambitions for his fast expanding chain. By Dina al Wakeel Amjad Aryan…
Hikma's Healthy Investments
Hikma Pharmaceuticals plans to inject $30 million into digital health startups through a new global investment fund. By Rebecca Irvine Until March Hikma was a FTSE100 listed company, and remains the biggest pharmaceutical company in the Middle East. Now making a…
Venture at 10-Mazen Darwazeh
May 9, 2016	/	2541 views
Mazen Darwazeh: Vice-Chairman and MENA CEO of Hikma Date of Interview: October 2013 Hikma is one of a handful of Jordanian companies that can truly be considered world class. In the first half of 2013, its revenues reached $638.3 million….
Easing Investment in Iraq
August 5, 2015	/	3153 views
Momentum seems to be building behind Khaled Kanaan's ambitious plan to break down barriers of entry into Iraq to promote greater cross-border trade, investment, and cooperation. But the prominent Jordanian businessman admitted that convincing more of his peers to bet…


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Zimovane Withdrawal
How Does Zimovane Work?
In these frenzied times of distractedness and digital addiction, the quest to get a sufficient night's rest appears as elusive as the attainment of world peace. There is ample evidence that insomnia, where people have a difficult time falling and staying asleep, is a public health crisis. One study states that one in four Americans will develop acute insomnia every year.
While prescription sleep aid use in the U.S. is low relative to the sheer number of people who have insomnia, the number of individuals who use prescription sleep aids like Zimovane remains substantial. That number was as high as 9 million at one point, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). With widespread use comes the potential for abuse.
In fact, Zimovane and other sedative-hypnotic drugs are deceptively addictive and dangerous. Though they were formulated to be safer than benzodiazepines like Valium, Ativan, and Xanax, drugs like Zimovane produce a multitude of distressing effects and withdrawal symptoms.
What's more, they are often abused with alcohol and other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, a practice that can result in death.
Zimovane is the brand name for zopiclone, which was first introduced by a French pharmaceutical company in 1986. When zopiclone arrived, it was hailed as an improvement over benzodiazepines in that it did not produce "next day sedation, dependence, and withdrawal syndrome."
Zopiclone is structurally different from benzos but operates in the same fashion: it is also a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, along with alcohol, barbiturates, and, yes, benzodiazepines. Zopiclone, zaleplon (Sonata), and zolpidem (Ambien), dubbed "Z-drugs," are prescribed for sleep.
When it enters the body, zopiclone medications like Zimovane increase the delivery of the neurotransmitter gamma-Aminobutyric acid or GABA in the central nervous system. This action is what depresses the CNS, which makes a user drowsy and causes them to be less alert.
Like other zopiclone products, Zimovane is prescribed as a short-term remedy for insomnia and is only to be used for seven to 10 days. It is recommended that adults take between 3.75 to 7.5 mg (milligrams).
Though Zimovane was formulated as a safer alternative to benzos, when abused, it can produce the same troubling effects and withdrawal symptoms as those other CNS depressants.
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It's worth noting that Zopiclone is not commercially available in the U.S. as it is designated as a controlled substance. However, it is diverted and made available for sale on the "black market." It has also been made available online.
Zimovane Side Effects
Side effects like dry mouth and drowsiness occur in more than 1 in 100 people who use Zimovane. Rarer still are the serious side effects that can arise from use. They include:
Delusions
Heavy sedation
Zimovane Withdrawal Symptoms
When someone exceeds the recommended dosage for Zimovane or uses it longer than the prescribed amount of time, that person risks becoming dependent and addicted to the drug.
This is especially the case with recreational users, who will abuse Zimovane and other sleep medications by taking them in unintended ways, i.e., by crushing, snorting or injecting them. They also tend to abuse Zimovane with alcohol, benzos, or other prescription pills.
Zimovane dependence occurs when someone becomes accustomed to the drug. The person will feel normal only when Zimovane is present in their bodies. However, once it cycles out of the person's system, they experience intense symptoms of withdrawal. One such symptom is referred to as "rebound insomnia," where someone will have more difficulty falling asleep than when they first started taking the medication.
Physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms include:
Muscle or joint pain
Timeline of Zimovane Withdrawal
I am ready to be sober.
Zimovane produces withdrawal symptoms that are similar to those of other Z-drugs and benzodiazepines. What's more, withdrawal can last months or even years. Distinct symptoms occur in both the early and long-term stages of withdrawal.
Early Symptoms May Include:
Shakiness
Trouble swallowing
Heart palpitation
Feeling like you're choking
Bowel and/or bladder problems
The Long-Term Symptoms of Zimovane Can Take Months or Years To Leave. These Symptoms May Include:
Paranoid delusions
Rebound insomnia
Poor memory and mental ability
Muscle pain, twitching, and weakness
How Professional Treatment Helps
Because of the sheer multitude of its withdrawal symptoms, attempting to detox from Zimovane on your own is highly dangerous. This is particularly true if you have abused Zimovane with alcohol or other CNS depressants.
The withdrawal symptoms from this Z-drug can be life-threatening. When abused with other depressants, the potential for fatal respiratory depression greatly increases. That's why professional addiction treatment is recommended. It is the safest, most effective route to recovery.
When you enter into professional recovery, you will undergo a medically supervised detoxification, which is also referred to as acute treatment. With detox, Zimovane and other toxins will be removed from the body, and the concerning withdrawal symptoms that arise will be alleviated.
Like alcohol and barbiturates, the withdrawal symptoms of sedative medications like Zimovane are enough to cause someone to relapse, which increases their chances of succumbing to overdose. When taken with alcohol, Zimovane can produce overdose symptoms such as depressed respiratory function and suffocation, which can result in coma, brain damage, or death.
A professional recovery program will offer clinical stabilization services after detox, to thwart that outcome. During the clinical stabilization process, you will receive therapy and counseling to help you get to the root of your addiction.
The various, evidence-based treatment approaches at this stage include:
Holistic treatments
Motivational enhancement
The 12 steps of recovery
Wellness skills
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills
Family-focused therapy
Trauma-informed sessions
Outpatient care, where you receive ongoing treatment and counseling on a part-time basis, is also available. Depending on the severity of your addiction, your outpatient program can occur after acute treatment or clinical stabilization.
Once treatment is completed, you can get connected to a recovery community that provides long-term support and counseling.
Zimovane does not have to claim your life. Let us help you find the treatment option that helps you achieve successful recovery.
Call 855-956-4940 anytime, day or evening, for a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable addiction recovery specialists. We can help you find the right treatment option. You can also contact us online for more information.
Written by: Tacuma Roeback
About Tacuma Roeback: Tacuma is a writer for California Highlands and has dedicated her career to creating well-researched content so that those that are in search of treatment can find the help they need.
Kristi Taylor Medical Reviewer
(n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/zopiclone/
CDC Report: 9 Million Using Prescription Sleep Aids. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sleep-newzzz/201308/cdc-report-9-million-using-prescription-sleep-aids?amp
Ocean Breeze Recovery. (2019, February 22). Zimovane Withdrawal. Retrieved from https://oceanbreezerecovery.org/sedatives/zimovane/withdrawal/
One in four Americans develop insomnia each year: 75 percent of those with insomnia recover. (2018, June 05). Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180605154114.htm
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Al Suomi
Though he had a Finnish name, Al Suomi was a rare American player in the National Hockey League back in the 1930s.
In fact, Suomi owed his NHL stint to an ill-fated experiment by the Chicago Black Hawks back then - to try to ice an all-American team to win the Stanley Cup. It did not work so well.
Suomi was from a hard working family in Eveleth, Minnesota. When his chores and homework were done, Suomi played hockey every chance he could get. He never really dreamed of playing professionally, but he was a star at high school.
Suomi got a very unexpected offer in 1934. He was approached by a complete stranger who introduced himself as a hockey scout named Jack Manley. Manley asked Suomi if would be interested in turning pro and playing in Chicago.
Given that it was the Great Depression and jobs were scarce and money was scarcer, Suomi figure he had nothing to lose. Within an hour he said good bye and to his family, packed some clothes and was on a bus heading to Chicago.
No, it was not the Chicago Black Hawks. Not yet, any way.
It was all part of a marketing scheme put on by the Curtis Candy Company. They had a semi-pro hockey team called Chicago Baby-Ruth - obviously named after the candy bar. The team would play before all Chicago Black Hawks home games, pretty much as a skating advertisement for candy.
That allowed other scouts to notice Suomi. Next season he was off to Detroit to play pro in the Michigan-Ontario Hockey League. He would also get to tryout for USA's 1936 Olympic team, though he was ruled ineligible due to his pro status.
By 1936 Suomi had moved to Denver, Colorado, taking a job to help build a rink and then play for the new team. However Suomi would never play in Denver. Before the ice was set the Chicago Black Hawks had invited Suomi to tryout for the National Hockey League team.
All of this sounds a little like some feel-good story on the Hallmark Channel, but it was all true. Although it turned out Suomi might have been used by the Hawks in another market scheme of sorts. He finished the season in Chicago as the Hawks eccentric owner Major Frederick McLaughlin vowed to ice a team of all-American players.
Suomi lasted just five games, while the Hawks red-white-and-blue scheme did not last much longer. The media ripped the Hawks at every chance, while the Canadian players on the other teams in the league took special interest in feasting up on the Hawks.
Al stayed in Chicago, playing for an arena hockey league team called the Hornets until 1940. Aside from a brief stint as a referee, that was the end of Suomi's days on the ice.
Suomi was a very handy fellow, and found a lot of work during the World War II years and beyond as welder, electrician and a labourer. He later founded Al's Hardware, which is still open in Chicago and run by his children.
Suomi lived until 2014, passing away a month before his 101st birthday.
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HomeUK NewsConservative Party News
Chris Leslie confirms Independent Group will be pro-privatisation, pro-tuition fees, and won't tax the rich more
One of the former MPs who recently defected from the Labour Party to start the Parliamentary breakaway organsation, The Independent Group, has essentially confirmed in an interview that the new group will be strongly in favour of privatising public services, will not abolish tuition fees, and will not increase taxes on the wealthy or large corporations.
Speaking to The New Statesman just 10 hours after launching the Independent Group, the ex-Labour right-winger and now Independent MP, Chris Leslie, slammed Labour's plans to take back public services – such as the Post Office and Trains – into public ownership, stating:
"It speaks to the controlling instinct of the hard left because there is a sort of view that John McDonnell sitting in the Treasury can mandate how many tractors are sold, or what trains should leave Euston at what particular time of day, or what should be the price of a stamp. The problem with the Marxist ideology is that it assumes this omniscience on behalf of the central controller."
Leslie also took aim at Labour's plans to tax the rich more and abolish tuition fees – referring to Jeremy Corbyn's pledge to increase the top rate tax threshold for people earning over £150,000 from 45% to 50%, and his promise to completely scrap tuition fees for university students, by saying:
"it depends on the use of that revenue and the economic impact […] and the complete abolition of university tuition fees […] sounds great, the minor problem is: how do you pay for it?"
https://twitter.com/OwenJones84/status/1098237823973498881
In addition to Leslie's comments, Anna Soubry – the former Tory MP for Broxtowe who today defected to the Independent Group – admitted that she had no regrets about voting in favour of her former party's devastating cuts, claiming that Tory austerity was:
"absolutely necessary and I don't have a problem with that."
Furthermore, Soubry also went on to claim that "the coalition government did a marvellous job" – this is despite the 2010-2015 ConDem coalition increasing tuition fees to £9,000 and instigating massive cuts to public services and welfare that were recently revealed to have caused "economic murder" with 120,000 people needlessly dying as a result.
Since their launch on Monday, The Independent Group have come in for stinging criticism after refusing to set out any clear policy platform – other than being staunchly anti-Brexit and in favour of a second referendum.
However, whilst the organisation are still yet to set out any collective policies, Leslie's comments strongly indicate that the group will support the Tories on future measures to increase the privatisation of public services; to maintain or even increase tuition fees from their current world-record high level; and will inevitably support future Tory plans to decrease taxes on the most wealthy individuals and corporations.
Despite their single-policy platform, a recent Sky poll claimed to show that around 10% of the British public could support The Independent Group in a future election.
However, the Sky poll showed that the organisation would actually cut both the Labour and Tory vote significantly, with the Tories ending up on 32% and Labour's share falling to 26%.
New @SkyData poll:
UK voting intention
Con 32%
Lab 26%
Independent Group 10%
LDs 9%
UKIP 6%
Green 4%
SNP 4%
PC 1%
— Sky Data (@SkyData) February 19, 2019
Whilst the Sky poll should obviously be taken with a large pinch of salt, the Independent Group are not even a political party yet, meaning that they are not eligible to take part in UK elections and are not eligible for an allowance of Short Money – public money allocated to genuine opposition parties.
However, as they have decided to simply register themselves as a Limited Company, they do not have to declare their financial backers – unlike political parties.
Given that their policy platform is likely to be highly pro-corporation, strongly pro-greed and vociferously anti-worker – added to the fact that their existence could help keep the massively pro-worker Labour Party out of No 10 – it would be safe to assume that large corporations will be looking to offer financial support the organisation, safe in the knowledge that their assistance will probably never be revealed.


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The Skinny Food Co announces partnership with Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest are delighted to announce The Skinny Food Co as the Club's new Back of Short sponsors.
In a what is a record category deal for the club, The Skinny Food Co will become official partners of both the Men's and the Women's team for at least the next two seasons.
Alongside having the logo on the shorts for the Men's, Women's and retail kits, The Skinny Food Co will use their wider partnership rights with Forest, such as LED advertising and digital promotions, to further increase their brand awareness across the UK and internationally – as well as engaging Forest fans with a range of exciting offers and promotions throughout the season.


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It's not been easy trying to get inside the mind of this most incredible genius of words, yet the journey we started over 15 years ago has been exhilarating, to say the least. Whilst there are many Theatre companies throughout the world regularly presenting Shakespeare's plays in very different ways, the approach we have taken revolves around providing answers to this contention:-
"Taking as a given truth Richard Eyre's statement that Shakespeare gave us the DNA of our Theatre, how then can it best be passed down the line to firstly give new and sustainable life to his own work, and secondly to create new work that is inspired, influenced by, or flows out from the tradition Shakespeare worked in?"
Adapting his plays, finding new ways of interpreting them, putting them into new settings is not what this is all about! Instead we believe the real benefit of his legacy is for us to be as radical and original as Shakespeare himself was; to write new challenging drama using the words, themes, and characters of his plays as the raw material, much in the same way as DNA works. In doing so we believe Shakespeare's work can be kept fresh and relevant for audiences throughout the world, for all time.
The Globe today performs Shakespeare's plays in a Theatre close to their original physical setting; for us it is about revitalising his works using a non-physical 'creative space' . There are many ways to achieve this, below are ways that have been explored to date:-
AfterShakespeare
writing new sequels to his plays.
Please click here to go to the AfterShakespeare page
RelivingShakespeare
creating new plays that are inspired by the life of William Shakespeare.
Please click here to go to the RelivingShakespeare page
LivingShakespeare
creating brand new work directly inspired by or flowing out of Shakespeare's legacy.
Please click here to go to the LivingShakespeare page
Shakespeare was a genius, fact; and as such people who love and admire his work generally show him an awful lot respect. Sometimes so much respect that they wrongly, in my opinion, believe it's sacrilege to 'mess' about with the plays.
Our viewpoint is rather different. Time, the great healer, is also the great destroyer; it gets to us all, including even Shakespeare. Our belief is that over the hundreds of years that have passed, and the many hundreds of years yet to happen, the works themselves are in danger of becoming fossilized. And that would be a dreadful tragedy in itself and would be doing his work, and the people throughout time, a great disservice.


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It's wrong to call this election result "the revenge of the young"
I try not to blog too much about politics, purely because I don't want to open up a huge debate and for people to bicker all over my posts.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, on everything in life, and we all have to accept that we aren't all going to agree. Imagine what a boring world it would be if we did?
Everyone has different priorities, different outlooks, different circumstances and different experiences. It's ok not to agree on everything. You may not agree with what I write, but that's ok.
When I have addressed politics previously, it's been with regards to turnout - particularly encouraging younger people to exercise their right to vote.
The first election I could vote in, back in 2010, was so exciting for me. I couldn't wait to go to the polling station and put my cross in the box. I even kept my polling card, in one of my many memory boxes, to remember the moment. It was a big deal to me.
But it's not the same for everyone.
In 2010, just 44% of those aged 18 to 24 turned out to cast their vote; compared to 55% of aged 25 to 35.
In stark comparison, 76% of those aged over 65 turned out to vote.
In 2015, it was even less.
43% of those aged 18 to 24 exercised their right to vote, with 54% aged 25 to 34.
Again, those aged 65 and over had the highest turnout with 78%.
It's staggering, how disengaged young people have become with politics.
That is, until this election. Early indicators show a turnout of around 72% of those aged 18 to 24 in yesterday's General Election. This hasn't been confirmed yet, and won't be until next week, but these early estimates are incredible.
Sky News estimated the turnout among 18 to 24 years olds was around 66%. Even if this figure is true, it's still a substantial increase on the figures seen in the last election.
It literally makes me so sad when I see so few young people turning out to vote. And I don't understand why.
Not everyone understands politics, I get that, but everyone should care. These people, whether you like them or not, dictate the future of our country. Everyone is quick to complain when they can't get an appointment with their doctor for two weeks. I looked the other day, and had to wait 14 days to see a GP at my surgery. I'm pretty sure, what is wrong with me, would have either gone, got a whole lot worse, or killed me in that time. It's no wonder A&E departments are overrun at hospitals.
More than 600,000 people registered to vote in the final 24 hours - around two-thirds of those were aged between 18 and 34.
Some have called this election result "the revenge of the young", but the word revenge is wrong for this. It's not revenge. It's finally standing up to be heard. Having enough of politicians ignoring our voice and speaking out for our own future. Getting tired with newspapers pedalling propaganda, fake news and pushing the ideologies of whoever they have chosen to side with this week. Ignoring commissioned polls, expectation and what we're told is reality.
Even the eve of the election, newspapers and news outlets were predicting Theresa May to win by a bigger majority than Margaret Thatcher. Corbyn's entire campaign, manifesto and role as leader was undermined the whole way through the campaign.
None of the party leaders, apart from Jeremy Corbyn, engaged with young people at all during the short-lived election campaign.
Corbyn was the one pushing for young people to register to vote, Corbyn was the one targeting the younger audience with his policies and his campaign, and Corbyn was the one who motivated the younger age bracket to turn out in such high numbers.
Regardless of whether or not these young votes converted into votes for Corbyn, he is one of the main reasons why so many turned out in the first place. And that can only be a good thing.
I only hope that this momentum keeps going, with more young people continuing to exercise their right to vote, to turn out at elections and have their say on the policies that will shape our future.
It is still unclear how the results of yesterday's election will play out. I only hope that, whenever the next election comes around, young people do their bit again and stand up to be heard.
If turnout really does end up being as high as initial indicators suggest, British politics could change forever.


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Press release - 15 June 2015 00:00
COMMENT: Fox shake-up will show if Rupert has oiled the Murdoch machine
Anthony Devine, from Newcastle Business School, discusses who will take the reins from Rupert Murdoch as he stands down as CEO of 21st Century Fox.
It looks as if the next generation of Murdochs has officially been appointed. Reports from a variety of sources suggest that 83-year-old Rupert Murdoch is stepping down as CEO of 21st Century Fox and assuming the role of co-Executive chairman along with his eldest son Lachlan, 43. Younger son James, aged 42, is meanwhile taking the reins as CEO. One has to wonder how much this will change things within the business and the extent to which the sons actually have any influence over their father's decisions.
The obvious question is whether these appointments have been made on the basis of patrimony rather than in a meritocratic way? In a family run plumbing company it might make sense, but when the family's equity capital is split with outside investors, it is a clear source of tension – James has suffered scrutiny from investors before now. The discussion boils down a question of whose needs are the management serving; their own or those of the shareholders?
Who pulls the strings?
It is likely that even if Lachlan and James are given these positions, their father will still hold sway over the family business. But how long will the two brothers put up with their father's interfering? One of the major sources of tension in families who are undergoing a succession process is the conflict which becomes apparent between incumbent and successor.
In the driving seat. Who will be top dog? TheGiantVermin, CC BY-NC-ND
This is often to do with an inability of the founder or incumbent to "let the business go." In some recent work I undertook, one incumbent told me:
The only way they will get me out of this place is in a wooden box.
This inability to let go frustrates the successor because they are unable to put their stamp on the business. They are constantly getting direction from a parent. It has been reported that Lachlan and James will enter into a "partnership", but again one has to wonder how this will actually work in practice.
It is very common for families to think that a solution is to put both sons in charge of the business and they will work well together, however after a period of time conflict emerges because they are fighting for position and influence. This fight can sometimes be due to conflicting values, perhaps exacerbated by the generational shift that occurs.
Does the daughter ever rise?
Within all of this there is one person who has not been considered in the press – Rupert's daughter, Elisabeth Murdoch. At 46, Elisabeth is the eldest of the three siblings and has never been considered for a role in 21st Century Fox.
Sons & Daughters. Love and Laughter? Nordiske Mediedager, CC BY-SA
This is yet another issue which is a common cause of conflict in family businesses; when there are children of both genders. Much research shows that fathers will always favour male successors – not because they do not trust their daughters, but because they feel they would worry less about sons making mistakes.
This notion of primogeniture is still very apparent in modern society, even if the most famous family business of all, the British Royal Family, has struck a blow against it by abolishing a 300-year-old rule according to which the Crown is passed to the oldest male heir.
Does anyone notice?
In businesses where families own a large portion of the voting stock, unclear and unstable succession plans can have a detrimental impact on shareholder confidence. Fox shares have only nudged lower since the reports surfaced, but market watchers have put that down to the apparent continuity of the restructuring. The trick now will be to retain that stability and create assurances around how the relationships are going to work. Any change of this sort will throw up potential conflicts between generations and between siblings which could get investors worrying.
Of course conflict is not always a bad thing; it comes in different flavours. But relationship conflict is the most dangerous kind and can be detrimental to the business. A recent article I wrote for the Family Firm Institute highlights how different types of conflict affect families.
Task and process conflict are commonplace in all businesses – including family firms. These types of conflict centre around what should be done and how it should be achieved. Relationship conflict, however, is about personal feelings of dislike. Of course, there is relationship conflict in non-family firms, but the key difference is that the individuals within family firms are often very close and may even live together. Those in non-family firms go home to a different set of people; families remain family, inside and outside of the workplace.
Markets and investors will be fascinated, and worried, about what this heady brew might bring. More clarity will be needed at Fox's next board meeting to better understand the strategy and the market reaction. One thing is for sure; if the Murdoch machine is to keep running, the component parts need to work together.
Anthony Devine is Deputy Programme Leader at Northumbria University, Newcastle.
newcastle business school
Northumbria is a research-rich, business-focussed, professional university with a global reputation for academic excellence. To find out more about our courses go towww.northumbria.ac.uk
COMMENT: Creating the Links
Crime Story, a collaboration between Northumbria University and New Writing North, is a series of seminars that aim to debunk the myths for crime writers. Madalyn Rokisky-Ring, a student of Northumbria's MA Conservation of Fine Art, shares her thoughts on Crime Story's recent forensics session and the links between conservation and forensic science.
COMMENT: Films like Still Alice are crucial to keeping debate about dementia alive
Dr Catherine Bailey, discusses the film Still Alice and its portrayal of dementia
COMMENT: New York where the streets are paved with hot dogs, donuts and burgers and hungry insects
Dr Mike Jeffries, Teaching Fellow in Ecology in the Department of Geography, explores the impact of garbage guzzling insects on New York's streets following the publication of new research in the US.
Women occupy barely 30% of decision-maker positions in major media organisations
Evidence presented by an academic from Northumbria University, Newcastle at a House of Lords inquiry last week showed that men dominate decision-making positions across many major European media organisations.


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The Volkswagen Passat is a large family car produced by the German manufacturer Volkswagen since 1973, through six design generations. It is positioned between the Volkswagen Golf (Jetta) and the Volkswagen Phaeton in the current Volkswagen line-up and its derivatives have been badged variously as the Dasher, Santana, Quantum, Magotan, Corsar and Carat. The successive generations of the Passat carry the Volkswagen internal designations B1, B2, etc.
In 2008, Volkswagen extended its range with the launch of the Passat CC, a "four-door coupé" version of the Passat.
Volkswagen currently markets two variants of the Passat globally. In January 2011, Volkswagen announced that the new mid-size sedan (NMS) being built at the Volkswagen Chattanooga Assembly Plant for the North American market would be named the Passat. Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive also manufactures the Passat NMS in its Nanjing factory. The NMS is sold in the North American, South Korean, Chinese, and Middle Eastern markets. The Volkswagen Passat NMS won the 2012 Motor Trend Car of the Year. A new Passat model has begun manufacture in Europe in 2014 and is based on the MQB platform.
Following the Volkswagen Group's acquisition of Audi in 1964, Volkswagen used new engineering expertise to develop a modern front-wheel drive car with a water-cooled engine, and thus the Passat and Golf (the latter being introduced in 1974) were the first of a new generation of Volkswagen cars. The first Passat was developed partly from the Audi 80/Fox and, until 2005, the two shared a history.
During its development phase, the Passat was designated internally as EA400 (Entwicklungsauftrag 400, or "Development Order 400"), and well before its launch, production of the Volkswagen Type 3 at the Wolfsburg plant had been stopped in order to free up capacity for the new car. Wolfsburg was able to ramp up production carefully: directly before Passat production started the lines were used to assemble small volumes of the car's Audi 80 sibling which had been launched a year earlier.
Nameplate etymology
Though numerous sources suggest the Passat nameplate derives from the German word for trade wind, reflecting the period in Volkswagen's history when it named its vehicles after prominent winds and currents (e.g., the Volkswagen Golf (after German for Gulf Stream), the Volkswagen Jetta (after the Jet stream), Volkswagen Bora (after bora), and Volkswagen Scirocco (after sirocco), a 2013 report by former VW advertising copywriter Bertel Schmitt, says that — after consulting knowledgeable VW sources including Dr. Carl Hahn, former Volkswagen of America Chief and WP Schmidt, former sales chief at Volkswagen — no conclusive evidence suggests that Volkswagen employed a naming theme for its then new front-drive, water-cooled vehicles; nor that the names trace etymologically to any particular theme, nor that any naming system "was ever announced, either officially or confidentially."
B1 (Typ 32; 1973-1981)
Main article: Volkswagen Passat (B1)
Volkswagen Passat B1 3-door (Europe)
VW Passat Variant "ADAC" 1976.
VW Passat Variant L 1974.
The original Volkswagen Passat was launched in 1973. The body types offered originally were two- and four-door sedans and similar looking three- and five-door versions. Externally all four shared a modern fastback style design, styled by the Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. In essence, the first Passat was a fastback version of the mechanically identical Audi 80 sedan, introduced a year earlier. A five-door station wagon/estate was introduced in 1974. In Europe, the Passat was equipped with two rectangular, two round 7-inch, or four round 5.5-inch headlights depending on specification. The Passat was one of the most modern European family cars at the time, and was intended as a replacement for the aging Volkswagen Type 3 and Type 4.
The Passat originally used the four-cylinder OHC 1.3 l (55 PS (40 kW; 54 hp)) and 1.5 l (75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp)/85 PS (63 kW; 84 hp)) petrol engines also used in the Audi 80—longitudinally mounted with front-wheel drive, in Audi tradition, with either a four-speed manual transmission or three-speed automatic. It had a MacPherson strut front suspension with a solid axle/coil spring setup at the rear.
The SOHC 1.5 was enlarged to 1.6 l in August 1975 with unchanged power ratings and slightly higher torque ratings. In July 1978 the Passat Diesel became available, equipped with the VW Golf`s 1.5 l Diesel (50 PS (37 kW; 49 hp)), followed in February 1979 by the Passat GLI with a fuel-injected version of the 1.6 l engine.
The whole range received a facelift in 1977 (launched 1978 outside Europe), featuring an interior upgrade and subtly revised styling including repositioned indicators and depending on model, either four round or two rectangular headlights.
In North America, the car was called the Volkswagen Dasher. The three- and five-door hatchback and a station wagon model were launched in North America for and during the 1974 model year. Sole available engine was a carburetted 1.5 l inline-four developing 75 hp (56 kW) (or 70 hp (52 kW) in 1975), supplanted from model year 1976 by a Bosch fuel-injected 1.6 l four 78 hp (58 kW). North American cars were equipped with single DOT standard headlights.
In 1978 the Dasher received a facelift along the lines of the European Passat, with quad sealed beam headlights and big polyurethane covered bumpers. The trim was also upgraded and the ride softened. 1979 saw the introduction of the 1.5 l diesel engine, which produced just 48 PS (35 kW) in the 1,130 kg (2,490 lb) car. 0–100 km/h time for the Diesel was 19.4 seconds, 6.2 seconds slower than the gasoline (petrol) engine. All gasoline engines were dropped for North America in 1981 in preparation for the next generation.
In Brazil, the Passat B1 was produced from June 1974 until 1988. Since the Audi 80 was not marketed in Brazil, the Passat received the Audi's different front-end treatment after a facelift for 1979. Originally with a 1.5 liter engine, during its long life cycle many improvements from the B2 platform were later introduced, like its 1.6 and 1.8-liter engines, a Brazil-specific face-lift in 1985, and a five-speed gearbox. A sports version, named Passat TS 1.6 and later Passat GTS 1.8 Pointer was also introduced.
B2 (Typ 32B; 1981 - 1988)
Volkswagen Passat B2 wagon (Europe)
See also: Volkswagen Santana
The second generation Volkswagen Passat was launched in 1981. The platform, named B2, was slightly longer and the car's updated styling was instantly recognisable as a Passat, with the most obvious difference being the rectangular headlights. In addition to the Passat hatchbacks and Variants (estate/wagon), there was also a conventional three-box saloon, which until the 1985 facelift was sold as the Volkswagen Santana in Europe. In North America, the Passat/Santana was sold as the Volkswagen Quantum, available in three-door hatchback, four-door sedan, and a wagon model, but the five-door hatchback was never sold there and the three-door hatchback was dropped after less than two years. The four-wheel drive Syncro version was introduced in October 1984, initially only with the more powerful five-cylinder engine.
The Santana was also produced in China, Brazil, Mexico (as the Corsar, from 1984 and 1988) and Argentina (as the Carat between 1987 and 1991). In Brazil, the Santana station wagon was sold as the Quantum. The Passat saloon and estate were produced in South Africa for their local market until 1987.
Like the previous generation, the B2 Passat was mainly sold with four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. Unlike its predecessor, however, top-of the line versions received five-cylinder Audi or VW engines of 1.9–2.2 litres. The 5-cylinder version was sold in the U.S. as the Quantum GL-5. In addition to four- and five-speed manuals and three-speed automatic gearboxes, the Passat/Santana was also available with the VW concern's interesting 4+E transmission. This, also called the "Formel E" had a particularly high top gear, which combined with a freewheeling mechanism, provided better gas mileage. An automatic stop/start was also available in some markets. The four-wheel-drive system used in the Passat Variant Syncro shared the mechanics of the Audi 80 quattro and not the Volkswagen Golf Syncro. The Syncro's bottom plate was almost entirely different, requiring a transmission tunnel, a relocated gas tank and no spare tire well (to make room for the complex rear axle assembly). Only the more popular estate was reengineered. Syncro was also available in the North American market, only with the five-cylinder engine.
In 1985 the range received a slight facelift, consisting of new, larger bumpers, interior retouches, a new front grille and new taillights on the hatchback versions. The two-door hatchback was discontinued while the Santana nameplate was dropped in Europe. The saloon's front end was now the same as the hatchback and estate. The North American version, still known as the Quantum, gained European-style composite headlamps.
On March 31, 1988 production ended (although Syncro models continued in production until June) with 3,345,248 built in Germany. World production totals amount to at least 4.5 million units.
B3 and B4 (Typ 35i; 1988 - 1996)
Volkswagen Passat B3 sedan (Europe)
The third generation Passat was introduced in March 1988 in Europe, 1990 in North America, and 1995 in South America. The lack of a grille made the car's front end styling reminiscent of older, rear-engined Volkswagens such as the 411, and also doubled as a modern styling trend. The styling was developed from the 1981 aerodynamic (cd 0.25) Auto 2000 concept car.
At the time it was the first transverse-engine layout Passat to be built on a Volkswagen-designed platform, rather than sharing one with an Audi saloon. The car, although designated B3 in Volkswagen's platform nomenclature, was based largely on the A platform as used for the smaller Golf model, but was stretched in all directions. Many components are shared directly between these vehicles. Only 4-door saloon and 5-door estate versions were available, without the fastback option of previous models. From this generation, the 5-door hatchback version of the first and second generation models is no longer available. It was marketed under the Passat name in all markets; in North America, this was a first.
The fuel-injected petrol engines gave better performance and refinement than the carburettor units previously used. They were mounted transversely, and the floorpan was engineered to accept Volkswagen's 'Syncro' four-wheel drive system. Engine options were the 2.0 litre 16-valve engine in the GL model, 1.8-litre engine in the CL model (not available in North America, all CLs, GLs, and GLSs had the 2.0 16v), The 1.8 8v 112 bhp PB engine from the Golf GTi was also used in the Passat GT model. Volkswagen's new 2.8-litre VR6 engine (also used in the Golf and Corrado) in the GLX/GLS model (introduced in 1991 in Europe and 1992 in North America), and the G60 engine (only available on the Syncro model in Canada for the North American market). The VR6 engine gave the top-of-the-range Passat a top speed of 224 kilometres per hour (139 mph). The 1.9-litre diesel engine was also available as an option.
1993 facelift (Passat B4)
The B3 Passat was heavily facelifted in 1993 and although it was designated B4, it was not an all-new model. The facelift revised external body panels except for the roof and glasshouse, with most obvious exterior change seeing the re-introduction of a grille to match the style of the other same-generation Volkswagen models of the era, such as the Mk3 Golf and Jetta. The interior was mildly updated and included safety equipment such as dual front airbags and seat belt pre-tensioners, although the basic dashboard design remained unchanged.
The car was available with a Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engine - an inline four-cylinder 1.9 litre turbodiesel, generating 210 newton metres (155 lbf·ft) of torque at 1,900 rpm, 66 kilowatts (90 PS; 89 bhp) at 3,750 rpm. It carried a U.S. EPA fuel efficiency rating for the sedan of 45 miles per US gallon (5.2 L/100 km; 54 mpg-imp) highway. Combined with a 98 litres (21.6 imp gal; 25.9 US gal) -28 litres (6.2 imp gal; 7.4 US gal) reserve option fuel tank, the B4 TDI wagon had an 1800+ km (1200+ mi) range on a single tank of fuel. The B4 TDI wagon saw less than 1,000 sales in the U.S. during its 1996 to 1997 lifespan.
B5 and B5.5 (Typ 3B/3BG; 1996-2005)
Volkswagen Passat B5 wagon (US)
An all-new Passat, based on the Volkswagen Group B5 platform, was launched in 1996 in Europe (although not on the United Kingdom market until February 1997), and 1998 in North America. Its PL45 platform was shared with the first-generation "Typ 8D" Audi A4, which was unveiled 2 years earlier, and saw a return to the Passat sharing its longitundinal engine layout platform with Audi's equivalent model for the first time since the second-generation (B2) Passat, which shared its platform with the second-generation "Typ 81" Audi 80/Audi 90 (the A4 is the successor to the Audi 80 line).
The Passat introduced a new design language, first seen on the Concept 1 concept car, for the latest generation of Volkswagens such as the Mk4 Golf, Bora andPolo Mk4. Aerodynamic work gave the B5 Passat a coefficient of drag of 0.27 (saloon model).
The car featured a fully independent four-link front suspension; and a semi-independent torsion beam for front-wheel-drive models or a fully independent suspension on the 4motion 4WD models. 4WD was introduced in 1997 as an option for the 1.8, 2.8 V6, 1.9 TDI and 2.5 V6 TDI engines, using a second-generation Torsen T-2 based 4WD system to minimise loss of traction. The 1.8 litre petrol engine in the Passat and Audi A4 has a lower oil capacity than transverse applications of the same engine (4.6 quarts in transverse, 4.3 quarts longitudinal), and may suffer from oil sludge problems as a result, if not changed at regular intervals with fully synthetic oils. Four transmission options were available: a 5-speed manual transmission, a 6-speed manual transmission (codename 01E), a 4-speed automatic transmission and a 5-speed automatic transmission with tiptronic.
The 1.6 petrol engine had been dropped by 1999, leaving the 1.8 20-valve as the entry-level engine.
2001 facelift (Passat B5.5)
Volkswagen Passat B5.5 sedan (US)
B5 Passat models built after late 2000, also known as B5.5 models (3BG in Europe), received minor styling and mechanical revisions including revised projector-optic headlights, bumpers, tail lights, and chrome trim. The non-turbo 1.8 was discontinued, with an eight-valve 2.0 now being the least powerful petrol engine.
A 4.0 litre W8 engine producing 275 PS (202 kW) was introduced in 2001 in a luxury version of the car that included standard 4motion all-wheel drive. This engine was intended to be a test bed for Volkswagen Group's new W engine technology, which would later make an appearance on the W12 in the Phaeton, Audi A8, and Bentley Continental GT, and the W16 engine in the Bugatti Veyron. The engine was discontinued in 2004.
In 2003, a powerful 2.0-litre Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engine producing 136 PS (100 kW) was added (making the Passat A lengthened platform went on to underpin the 'Passat' that was introduced in China in late 1999 by Shanghai-Volkswagen. This long-wheelbase version was rebadged and launched in Europe as the Škoda Superb in 2001. Both have a 100 millimetres (3.9 in) longer wheelbase and length than the standard B5 Passat. An updated version called the Passat Lingyu was released in 2005. This receives the 2.0-litre, 1.8-litre Turbo, and 2.8-litre V6 petrol engines. At the 2009 Shanghai Motor Show, an updated Passat Lingyu was shown.
B6 and B7 (Typ 3C; 2005 - 2014)
The B6 Passat was first displayed at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2005, and launched in Europe in the summer of 2005. Unlike its predecessor, the B6 Passat no longer shared its platform with Audi's equivalent model (the Audi A4). Based on a modified version of the Mk5 Golf's PQ46 platform, the B6 featured a transverse rather than longitundinal engine layout of its predecessor, like the previous B3 and B4 generations, which were related to the A2 (Golf) platform.
The transverse-engine layout of the four-wheel drive version, marketed as 4motion, dictated a switch from the Torsen centre differential of the B5, to the Haldex Traction multi-plate clutch. The change to the Haldex system also changes the handling closer to a front-wheel drive car. Compared to the Torsen, the Haldex can direct torque more unequally to the front wheels (from 100:0 to 50:50 front-to-rear bias), thus providing a wider bias range than the 75:25 to 25:75 of the B5 Passat. Haldex is a reactive-type system, behaving as a front-wheel-drive vehicle until slippage is detected, at which point up to a maximum of 50% of the torque can be transmitted to the rear axle. See the Audi-related quattro (four-wheel-drive system) article for more information.
Fuel Stratified Injection is used in nearly every petrol engined version of the Passat, ranging from 1.6 to 3.6 litres (the 1.6-litre DOHC can reach 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 11.5 seconds, and 200 km/h (124.3 mph) for manual transmission versions), but the multi-valve 2.0-litre Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel is the most sought after version in Europe (available in both 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) and 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) variants). In the U.S. market, a 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) 2.0-litre turbocharged I4 is the base engine, or a 280 PS (206 kW; 276 hp) 3.6-litreVR6 engine as the upgrade, with six-speed manual (only available on the base 2.0 T model) and automatic transmissions. As of the 2009 model year, the VR6 engine and 4motion option were no longer available in the US on the Passat sedan and wagon, but are available on the Passat CC.
In February 2008, the 2.0 FSI was replaced with the new Audi-developed 1.8 TSI engine and 6-speed automatic transmission. The 1.8 T is rated at 160 PS (118 kW; 158 hp), 250 Nm (184 lbft) and reaches 0–100 km/h in 8.6 seconds, reaching a top speed of 220 kilometres per hour (136.7 mph). At the same time the 2.0 TDI engine from the Audi range incorporating common rail injection technology superseded the existing 2.0 TDI units. The common rail technology uses less fuel and is quieter in operation. This engine is part of the wider Volkswagen Group policy for engine sharing.
The Passat Estate won overall winner of Practical Caravans Towcar of the Year Awards 2008 for its array of towing features such as its Trailer Stability Programme.
In Asia, the PQ46 Passat was released by FAW-VW as the Magotan, after Volkswagen's other joint venture Shanghai Volkswagen had decided to continue using the B5 platform for the Passat and the Passat Lingyu (long-wheelbase Passat). Since August 2010 the wagon version of Passat B6 will be offered in Asia, which is a fully imported model. But this car is simply called Volkswagen Variant in China, in order not to refer the name "Passat" or "Magotan".
Exclusive to Europe and Australia was a limited edition Passat R36, which featured a 3.6 litre V6 engine. This version of the Passat put out 300 hp, and featured dual exhaust tips, an aggressive front bonnet, and All Wheel Drive.
Main article: Volkswagen CC
Volkswagen Passat CC R-Line (Europe)
The CC ("Comfort Coupé") is a 4-door "coupé" version of the Passat. It debuted at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Originally aimed at competing with the similarly styled Mercedes CLS, the Passat CC intends to be more stylish and luxurious than the previously released Passat B6. In the U.S., the name "Passat" was dropped, and the car is being sold as "CC". Some options specific to the CC include hands-free parking, lane-departure prevention, intelligent cruise control, and adaptive suspension. Engines offered in the CC mirror those of the regular Passat, with options of the base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, or the optional 3.6-liter VR6, which includes 4-motion all-wheel drive.
The Chinese-made CC was released by FAW-VW on July 15, 2010. Two engine options are provided: 1.8T and 2.0T.
Volkswagen facelifted the Passat CC in late 2011 for the 2012 year with styling updates akin to those of the larger Phaeton. For the updated model, Volkswagen has dropped the "Passat" name for all markets, now matching the "Volkswagen CC" branding used since 2008 in North America.
2011 Volkswagen Passat 118TSI wagon (Australia)
The B6 Passat was facelifted by Klaus Bischoff and Walter de Silva, and was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in September 2010. Although designated "B7", the car is not an all-new model. The facelift resulted in new external body panels except for the roof and glasshouse, with the prominent changes to the grille and headlights. Overall height and width dimensions are unchanged from the B6 Passat, while length increases by 4 mm. New features include a fatigue detection system and an automatic "city emergency braking" system. It arrived at dealerships in January 2010.
The interior featured minor detail changes from the B6, although the basic dashboard design remain unchanged.
In India, the B6 version is supposed to be replaced with B7 version. Also the FAW-VW-built Magotan will also be replaced by a long-wheelbase version of the Passat B7. The new model will be exclusive to the Indian market, and at least 100 mm longer than the European B7. The Indian market is also likely to get the B7 which appears to be only a facelift of B6 and not a new platform.
In China, the FAW-VW-built Magotan will also be replaced by a long-wheelbase version of the Passat B7. The new model will be exclusive to the Chinese market, and at least 100 mm longer than the European B7. Engines available for Magotan B7L are ranging from 1.4T, 1.8T to 2.0T, a special-developed EA390 3.0L VR6 FSI engine is opted for the top model.
In Malaysia, Volkswagen Global had authorized DRB-HICOM for assembly in the Pekan facility beginning 2011. The Passat has became the best-selling model of Volkswagen Malaysia in 2012 and 2013.
The North American market did not receive the B7 version and jumped from the B6 straight to the B8 in 2011.
Volkswagen Alltrack concept at NYIAS 2012
In October 2010 Volkswagen presented at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show the Passat Alltrack. The Passat Alltrack bridges the gap between the passenger VW range and the SUV range comprising the Tiguan and Touareg.
The Passat Alltrack has raised ground clearance from 135 to 165 mm which improves approach angle from 13.5 to 16 degrees, departure angle from 11.9 to 13.6 degrees and ramp angle from 9.5 to 12.8 degrees when compared to the standard Passat wagon. Passat Alltrack is the only VW in the passenger range to offer 4Motion with off road driving programme, the off road system works in conjunction with the ABS, electronic differential lock (EDL), DSG & hill descent assist system to control the vehicle in an off road expedition.
The engine range of the Passat Alltrack consists of two 2.0L TDI with outputs of 103 kW/140 hp & 125 kW/170 hp and two petrol engines, 1.8L producing 118 kW/160 hp and 2.0L TSI producing 155 kW/207 hp. The TDI models come standard with BlueMotion Technology packages with Stop/Start system and battery regeneration mode for recovering braking energy. The two lesser powered engine variants 2.0L TDI and 1.8L TSI are only available in front wheel drive format with a manual 6 speed transmission. The rest of the range with 4Motion has a 6 speed DSG automated manual transmission, except the 2.0L TDI with 103 kW/140 hp has an option of 6 speed manual.
In 2012 at the New York Auto Show, VW showed a Passat Alltrack with 2.0L TDI 125 kW/170 hp under Alltrack Concept nameplate to gauge response for a future market in the offroad wagon segment.
DARPA driveless edition
A driverless version of the Passat Wagon finished second in the 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge.
B8 (2014)
A new Passat B8 model began manufacture in Europe in 2014. It is based on the MQB platform and will be available as a 4-door and a 5-door Variant.
Volkswagen Passat GTE
See also: Volkswagen Golf GTE and Audi A3 Sportback e-tron
A plug-in hybrid version, the Passat GTE, will be unveiled during the 2014 Paris Motor Show. The VW Passat GTE will be sold in two versions, sedan and station wagon, with deliveries scheduled to begin in Europe in the second half of 2015.
The Passat GTE shares the same plug-in hybrid powertrain used in both the Volkswagen Golf GTE and the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron, but the Passat has a larger battery pack. The VW Passat GTE has a 9.9 kWh lithium-ion battery capable of an all-electric range of 50 km (31 mi) and a total range of 965 km (600 mi). The plug-in hybrid has a three-phase permanent magnet synchronous 85 kW electric motor, which together with a 1.4-liter TSI gasoline-powered engine delivers a fuel economy of 2.0 l/100 km (140 mpg-imp; 120 mpg-US) equivalent on the New European Driving Cycle, corresponding to CO2emissions lower than 45g/km. Top speed is 219 km/h (136 mph).
North American model (2011 - present)
Main article: Volkswagen Passat NMS
2012 Volkswagen Passat S (US)
2012 VW Passat TDI SE (North American version) - Rear
Known as the New Midsize Sedan (NMS) before its unveiling in January 2011, this unique larger model designed specifically for the North American market replaces the B6 Passat sedan and wagon for the 2012 model year in Canada, the United States and Mexico. It is also sold in China alongside the Passat Lingyu andMagotan. North American and South Korean models will be built at its Chattanooga Assembly Plant, while Chinese market versions are built by 上海大众汽车Shanghai-VW in 2011.
NAIAS 2013: VAG presented a pre-production concept Passat Performance with 1.8 TSI (250ps).
The Volkswagen Passat NMS won the 2012 Motor Trend Car of the Year.The 2013 Passat TDI sets new Guinness World Record for fuel economy under the Non-Hybrid car category. It achieved a fuel consumption of only 3.02 liter on 100 Kilometers (77.99 mpg).
Middle East market (2013 models)
The American version of the 2013 Volkswagen Passat made its way to Middle Eastern markets, namely Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman and United Arab Emirates, by the summer of 2012. The 5-seater sedan is available in four trim levels, all with a 170 hp 2.5-litre 5-cylinder engine and an automatic transmission only.
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Last updated on 30 September 2014 at 03:09.
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Low dose steroids in rheumatoid arthritis
Dr. Rohini Handa explains the role of low-dose and high-dose steroids in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), types of corticosteroids and when to use them in established RA, and useful facts for clinicians to use steroids in resource-constrained settings.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory polyarthritis chanced upon in clinical practice. The use of corticosteroids in the treatment of autoimmune rheumatic diseases is all pervasive. RA is no exception. Steroids are widely used, and equally widely misused, in the treatment of RA.
Be it a rheumatologist or an internist, be it an inexperienced young resident or a distinguished old clinician, be it a thinker at the cerebral level or a doer at the spinal level, the topic of steroids is likely to evoke a spirited or opinionated response from doctors. This piece summarises the current role of steroids, or more correctly glucocorticoids, in the treatment of RA.
Fact file for the clinician
Not all patients with RA need steroids. Not all patients on steroids need them all the time. When indicated, low doses are employed for the shortest time.
In newly diagnosed, early RA (<6 months), steroids are used as 'bridge therapy' and to inhibit radiographic progression. The latter benefit is over and above that conferred by DMARDs.
Steroids should always be used in combination with other DMARDs like methotrexate and never as the sole disease modifying drugs in RA.
Steroids lower disease activity in established RA and can be used to treat disease flares and as 'bridge therapy' when instituting or changing DMARDs.
Low-dose steroids are safe in pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.
Steroids are useful in treatment of several extra-articular manifestations of RA like vasculitis, interstitial lung disease etc.
In refractory RA, low-dose steroids may improve quality of life dramatically and make a difference between 'existing' and 'living'.
Judiciously used steroids are perhaps better than injudiciously (and sporadically) employed biologics.
Despite the favorable risk benefit ratio of low-dose steroids, no dose is absolutely safe.
Methyl prednisolone and deflazacort have no added benefits over inexpensive prednisolone.
How common is steroid use in RA and why?
Current corticosteroid use is reported by as many as one-third of patients while exposure any time is reported by more than two-thirds of the patients. What makes patients and doctors reach out for steroids?
For one, steroids rapidly and effectively relieve the pain of RA. Pain has been dubbed as the 5th vital sign. Behind the razzmatazz of immune-biology, cytokines and inflammatory pathways, patients and their families have one desire- to get succour from pain.
Easy availability, low cost, rapid onset of action, marked abrogation of inflammation with dramatic short term results—and you don't need to be an Einstein to fathom why these drugs are still around more than 70 years after they were first introduced to treat RA.
The fall and resurrection of steroids in RA
The frontline drugs to treat RA include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics. The discovery of cortisone was a major triumph in the fight against RA which culminated in one of the fastest awards in the venerable history of the Nobel prize- discovery in 1948 and the bestowment of Nobel in 1950.
Showcased as a cure for RA, the large dosages used and the consequent side effects turned euphoria into disenchantment. From being touted as heroes, they were soon branded as villains and the use declined. This, coupled with the emergence of DMARDs like gold, sulfasalazine, methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, etc., relegated steroids to the background in RA.
A reappraisal of steroid therapy was accelerated by the publication of The Arthritis and Rheumatism Low Dose Glucocorticoid Study Group results in 1995. [1] This paper, despite its shortcomings, drew attention to the fact that steroids had the potential to retard radiographic progression in RA. This led to a paradigm shift in the thinking about the role of steroids: not only were they effective in reducing inflammation, they also had disease modification potential. Pari passu with benefit on radiologic damage, investigators began to talk about the difference between low-dose and high-dose steroids and early versus established RA.
Does dose matter- The concept of low-dose steroids
It is now believed that the side effect profile of 'low-dose' corticosteroids as used in RA is very different from 'high-dose' steroids as used in some other conditions. Low-dose steroids is a daily prednisolone dose of 7.5 mg or less. Medium dose refers to prednisolone dose between 7.5-30 mg daily while high dose is >30 mg per day. The dose advocated in RA is usually <7.5 mg/day. It could be as low as 2.5 mg daily or even on alternate days and needs to be individualised.
The concept of early versus established RA
The cut off between early and established RA is a moving target and contemporary studies have progressively whittled this duration from 3 years through 1 year to the current 6 months. The rationale for steroid use in early RA is very different from use in established disease.
Steroid use in early RA
The addition of low-dose prednisolone to DMARDs like methotrexate leads to a reduction in radiographic progression. Such a use to harness the disease modifying potential of steroids is advocated only in early RA with the caveat that steroids should never be used as monotherapeutic agents but always combined with DMARDs like methotrexate. The retardation of radiographic damage is over and above that achieved by DMARDs alone. While an earlier Cochrane review [2] talked about such a use for 1-2 years, the optimum duration to capitalise on the radiographic inhibition is not known.
When to use steroids in established RA
Corticosteroids in established RA are used in the following situations:
i	As 'bridge therapy' at the time of institution of DMARDs like methotrexate. DMARDs take several weeks to show their effects. Corticosteroids bridge the gap between institution of DMARDs and onset of action. This use is for 10 to 12 weeks.
ii	Pregnancy and lactation: Low-dose prednisolone is safe during pregnancy and lactation. DMARDs that are safe during pregnancy and lactation include hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine.
iii	Disease flares when corticosteroids may be used for a few weeks to suppress disease activity.
iv	Patients with refractory disease may require low-dose corticosteroids to maintain an acceptable quality of life.
v	RA with extra-articular manifestation like interstitial lung disease, vasculitis, mononeuritis multiplex etc. may require corticosteroids, sometimes in higher dosages.
Most of the aforementioned conditions require low-dose corticosteroids. Some conditions like vasculitis may require higher dosages for initial disease control. Eye inflammation may require topical corticosteroids while the odd, recalcitrant joint that is active in face of globally quiescent disease can be injected with intra-articular steroids rather than hiking systemic treatment.
Steroids in resource-constrained settings
The advent of biologics, and now the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, has dwarfed the role of steroids. Current European League against Rheumatism (EULAR) guidelines recommend steroid discontinuation in about 3 months. Patients failing to achieve disease control in this time frame are offered biologics or JAK inhibitors. In our country, where the biologic penetration is low and the average biologic use is 6 months because of costs, this is a utopian dream.
It has been shown that combination-DMARD treatment, especially when combined with periodic glucocorticoids, may be as effective as a biologic agent plus methotrexate. [3] This fact can be leveraged to the advantage of patients who cannot afford biologics or JAK inhibitors.
Will this paradigm change in the future?
The availability of low-cost, generic JAK inhibitors in the near future is likely to change the whole equation. Biologics and biosimilars are expensive, given the complexities of manufacture. However, JAK inhibitors like tofacitinib and baricitinib are not as difficult or expensive to produce. Currently, they are priced equivalent to the biologics. With the entry of generics in the Indian market, future treatment algorithms of RA are likely to see methotrexate plus JAK inhibitor combinations overtake the use of steroids. The issue is not about the efficacy of steroids. It is more to do with the adverse effects that in the long term, even in low doses, are perceived to be more than biologics or JAK inhibitors.
Are low-dose steroids bereft of side effects?
Low dose does not confer exemption from steroid side effects. No dose is absolutely safe. Due diligence must be exercised as with any other drugs. Thus, strategies to minimise complications like bone protective agents etc. should be instituted concurrently with the steroids. The lowest dose for the shortest time should be employed. Prolonged use, even of low doses, carries with it the risk of all the well known side effects of steroids.
Type of cortoicosteroids- Does it matter?
Prednisolone, methylprednisolone, betamethasone, dexamethasone, and deflazacort are the corticosteroids used in clinical practice. Long-acting steroids like dexamethasone are best avoided. So far as oral use is concerned, there is no robust evidence to suggest that methylprednisolone and deflazocort confer any advantage over simple prednisolone.
Corticosteroids in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Status 2020
Sequence of drug withdrawal in RA
Once sustained remission is achieved in RA, treatment can be de-escalated. In a patient who is on steroids plus DMARDs, corticosteroids should be tapered and stopped first. Conventional DMARDs like methotrexate are continued virtually indefinitely, albeit in lower doses.
Corticosteroids are invaluable in the treatment of RA. The drugs are good, their indiscriminate use is bad. It is for the clinician to balance the dichotomy of proven efficacy and some side effects while individualising treatment in the disease that is RA.
Click here to see references
Disclaimer- The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of M3 India.
The author, Dr. Rohini Handa is a Senior Consultant Rheumatologist from Delhi.
Tags: steroids
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