Mr. Chapata, the new Headteacher, in front of his office in the school block.
Mr. Chapata (Headteacher) and Mr. Kauza (Deputy Headteacher) are the new administrative heads of Nsondole CDSS!
All of us on the Story Time Team were excited to meet them and we look forward to a great partnership as we continue to work together to eliminate barriers to students' education, Story Time's main mission. When we met, Mr. Kauza and Mr. Chapata stressed that they appreciate Story Time's focus on both boys and girls, as most organizations focus only on female students.
In addition to the new administration, we have another representative to introduce you to: Mr. Aaron Mulabu. Every year, the Story Time-sponsored students elect a teacher to represent their interests in the administration of the school. Mr. Mulabu, a History and Geography teacher, was elected this year. Mr. Mulabu is bright and welcoming, and the Administrators are receptive and supportive of Story Time's mission. This year of collaboration is off to a great start!


text:
El Maíllo es un municipio y localidad española de la provincia de Salamanca, en la comunidad autónoma de Castilla y León. Se integra dentro de la comarca de la Sierra de Francia. Pertenece al partido judicial de Ciudad Rodrigo y a la Mancomunidad Las Dehesas.

Su término municipal está formado por un solo núcleo de población, ocupa una superficie total de 46,27 km² y cuenta con una población de .

Geografía
El Maíllo está situado en la Sierra de Francia. Sus amplias zonas verdes y abundancia de agua lo convierten en un entorno natural rico en flora y fauna. Posee senderos que recorren bosques de pino, roble y encina.

Demografía

Según el Instituto Nacional de Estadística, El Maíllo tenía, a 31 de diciembre de 2018, una población total de 266 habitantes, de los cuales 149 eran hombres y 117 mujeres. Respecto al año 2000, el censo refleja 443 habitantes, de los cuales 226 eran hombres y 217 mujeres. Por lo tanto, la pérdida de población en el municipio para el periodo 2000-2018 ha sido de 177 habitantes, un40% de descenso.

Historia

Fundado por los reyes leoneses en la Edad Media, El Maíllo perteneció en el Antiguo Régimen al Partido de Ciudad Rodrigo y dentro de éste a la subdivisión de Campo de Yeltes, de la cual era su extremo suroriental, denominándose entonces Mayllo. Del mismo modo actualmente eclesiásticamente es el extremo suroriental del Arciprestazgo del Yeltes, dentro de la diócesis de Ciudad Rodrigo, a la cual pasó a pertenecer tras la fundación de este obispado por Fernando II de León en el .

Los datos históricos de El Maíllo anteriores a la Guerra Civil de 1936 son escasos ya que en dicha década se sufrió el incendio de los archivos municipales, no obstante se constata que con la creación de las actuales provincias en 1833, El Maíllo quedó encuadrada en la provincia de Salamanca, dentro de la Región Leonesa.

Gastronomía
El producto ibérico es protagonista en la gastronomía de El Maillo. El plato típico son sus famosas "Patatas Meneás", cuyos ingredientes principales son patatas, tocino de cerdo, pimentón y laurel.
Uno de sus platos más curiosos es "El Limón", compuesto por limón, naranjas, sardinas en lata, chorizo y ajo. Una mezcla tan inverosímil como deliciosa.
El "limón" también lleva huevos cocidos y  una de las yemas cocidas se pone en el mortero con vino y se machaca, después se echa como salsa; las sardinas son opcionales.

Administración y política

Elecciones municipales

El alcalde de El Maíllo no recibe ningún tipo de prestación económica por su trabajo al frente del ayuntamiento (2017).

Véase también

Referencias

Enlaces externos

 Ayuntamiento de El Maíllo
 Índice de municipios de la Diputación de Salamanca

Municipios de la provincia de Salamanca
Localidades de la provincia de Salamanca

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Disagreement between judges is no longer a hush-hush affair. The whole nation had witnessed judicial acrimony in January last year when four top judges of the Supreme Court held an unprecedented press conference against the then Chief Justice of India (CJI). Now, judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court zeroed in on the 'last resort' of secret ballot to break the deadlock among them. At the root of the dispute is the issue of amending the criterion adopted by the High Court for designating senior advocates. Not for the first time, the judiciary has conveniently donned the veil of secrecy, leaving no room for transparency. No wonder questions are being raised yet again about the legitimacy of such procedures.
The functioning of the Supreme Court collegium, which comprises the CJI and his senior-most colleagues, is a prime example of how the public is kept in the dark. Shrouded in mystery, some of the collegium's recent decisions have triggered a national outrage, such as the recommendation to elevate two High Court judges to the apex court by superseding dozens of seniors. What's worse, the initial decision to elevate another judge was reversed. There are several appointments that need greater transparency: a judge's elevation to the Supreme Court; the criterion adopted for transferring a judge from one court to another; a judge's appointment as the Chief Justice of a High Court.
The Right to Information Act is almost a decade and a half old, but the judiciary has been slow to embrace much-needed openness. In September last year, the Supreme Court, in a welcome development, had given its nod to live-stream court proceedings with the purpose of bringing more accountability. The pilot project was meant for the final hearing of cases of constitutional and national importance being argued before the Constitution Bench. At that time, Justice DY Chandrachud had famously said: 'Above all, sunlight is the best disinfectant.' The sunlight should also percolate through various layers of the judiciary so that the decisions taken on the administrative side are viewed with complete trust.


Palfinger AG produces and sells lifting solutions worldwide. The last earnings update was 61 days ago. More info.
PAL underperformed the Machinery industry which returned -7.9% over the past year.
PAL underperformed the Market in Austria which returned -2.7% over the past year.
Is Palfinger undervalued based on future cash flows and its price relative to the stock market?
Here we compare the current share price of Palfinger to its discounted cash flow analysis.value.
Below are the data sources, inputs and calculation used to determine the intrinsic value for Palfinger.
The calculations below outline how an intrinsic value for Palfinger is arrived at by discounting future cash flows to their present value using the 2 stage method. We try to start with analysts estimates of free cash flow, however if these are not available we use the most recent financial results. In the 1st stage we continue to grow the free cash flow over a 10 year period, with the growth rate trending towards the perpetual growth rate used in the 2nd stage. The 2nd stage assumes the company grows at a stable rate into perpetuity.
Amount off the current price Palfinger is available for.
For Palfinger to be considered undervalued it must be available for at least 20% below the current price. Less than 40% is even better.
Palfinger's share price is below the future cash flow value, but not at a moderate discount (< 20%).
Palfinger's share price is below the future cash flow value, but not at a substantial discount (< 40%).
The amount the stock market is willing to pay for Palfinger's earnings, growth and assets is considered below, and whether this is a fair price.
Are Palfinger's earnings available for a low price, and how does this compare to other companies in the same industry?
** Primary Listing of Palfinger.
Palfinger is overvalued based on earnings compared to the Europe Machinery industry average.
Palfinger is overvalued based on earnings compared to the Austria market.
Does Palfinger's expected growth come at a high price?
Palfinger is poor value based on expected growth next year.
What value do investors place on Palfinger's assets?
* Primary Listing of Palfinger.
Palfinger is overvalued based on assets compared to the AT Machinery industry average.
Palfinger has a total score of 0/6, see the detailed checks below.
How is Palfinger expected to perform in the next 1 to 3 years based on estimates from 6 analysts?
Is Palfinger expected to grow at an attractive rate?
Palfinger's earnings growth is expected to exceed the low risk savings rate of 0.5%.
Palfinger's earnings growth is expected to exceed the Austria market average.
Palfinger's revenue growth is positive but not above the Austria market average.
Palfinger's earnings are expected to grow by 18.3% yearly, however this is not considered high growth (20% yearly).
Palfinger's revenue is expected to grow by 1.7% yearly, however this is not considered high growth (20% yearly).
All data from Palfinger Company Filings, last reported 3 months ago, and in Trailing twelve months (TTM) annual period rather than quarterly.
Palfinger is not expected to efficiently use shareholders' funds in the future (Return on Equity less than 20%).
Palfinger has a total score of 2/6, see the detailed checks below.
How has Palfinger performed over the past 5 years?
Below we compare Palfinger's growth in the last year to its industry (Machinery).
Palfinger's year on year earnings growth rate has been positive over the past 5 years.
Palfinger has become profitable in the last year making the earnings growth rate difficult to compare to the 5-year average.
Palfinger has become profitable in the last year making it difficult to compare the Europe Machinery industry average.
Palfinger's revenue and profit over the past 5 years is shown below, any years where they have experienced a loss will show up in red.
Palfinger has not efficiently used shareholders' funds last year (Return on Equity less than 20%).
Palfinger used its assets less efficiently than the Europe Machinery industry average last year based on Return on Assets.
Palfinger has improved its use of capital last year versus 3 years ago (Return on Capital Employed).
How is Palfinger's financial health and their level of debt?
The boxes below represent the relative size of what makes up Palfinger's finances.
Palfinger is able to meet its short term (1 year) commitments with its holdings of cash and other short term assets.
Palfinger's cash and other short term assets cover its long term commitments.
This treemap shows a more detailed breakdown of Palfinger's finances. If any of them are yellow this indicates they may be out of proportion and red means they relate to one of the checks below.
All data from Palfinger Company Filings, last reported 3 months ago.
Palfinger's level of debt (104.4%) compared to net worth is high (greater than 40%).
The level of debt compared to net worth has increased over the past 5 years (61.3% vs 104.4% today).
Debt is well covered by operating cash flow (21.8%, greater than 20% of total debt).
Interest payments on debt are well covered by earnings (EBIT is 10.5x coverage).
Palfinger has a total score of 4/6, see the detailed checks below.
What is Palfinger's current dividend yield, its reliability and sustainability?
Current annual income from Palfinger dividends. Estimated to be 2.81% next year.
If you bought €2,000 of Palfinger shares you are expected to receive €35 in your first year as a dividend.
Palfinger's pays a higher dividend yield than the bottom 25% of dividend payers in Austria (1.37%).
Palfinger's dividend is below the markets top 25% of dividend payers in Austria (4.59%).
What portion of Palfinger's earnings are paid to the shareholders as a dividend.
What is the CEO of Palfinger's salary, the management and board of directors tenure and is there insider trading?
Mr. Andreas Klauser has been the Chief Executive Officer at Palfinger AG since June 1, 2018 and its Member of Management Board/Member of the Executive Board since 2018. Mr. Klauser serves as Brand President of Case IH & Steyr at Iveco Magirus Brandschutz Technik Gmbh. He has been the President of Case IH Agricultural Equipment at CNH Global N.V. since December 1, 2009. He has been the Chief Executive Officer and President of Case IH since October 2009. He was General Manager of Magirus at CNH Industrial N.V. from January 1, 2016 to 2018 and was its Brand President of Case IH & Steyr Agricultural Equipment from December 2009 to 2018. He serves as the Chief Operating Officer of EMEA at Fiat Industrial SpA. He joined the Group Executive Council of CNH Industrial. He served as the Chief Operating Officer of EMEA at CNH Industrial NV and a member of The Group Executive Council. From 2012 to 2015 he served as Chief Operating Officer for CNH Industrial for the EMEA region. Mr. Klauser heads Case IH Agricultural Equipment business in Europe and has been with CNH Global NV for 19 years. He served as the Chief Executive Officer of Case IH Agricultural Equipment In at CNH Global NV since November 30, 2009. He has extensive experience in the agricultural sector. Mr. Klauser holds a degree from Steyr's HTBLA program, a Federal Higher Technical Institute for Mechanical Engineering and a Degree in Export Business from the University of Linz.
Insufficient data for Andreas to compare compensation growth.
Andreas's remuneration is lower than average for companies of similar size in Austria.
The tenure for the Palfinger management team is about average.
The tenure for the Palfinger board of directors is about average.
Palfinger has a total score of 0/6, this is not included on the snowflake, see the detailed checks below.
Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Palfinger AG (VIE:PAL). … by taking the foreast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. … We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future.
How Does Palfinger AG (VIE:PAL) Affect Your Portfolio Volatility?
Modern finance theory considers volatility to be a measure of risk, and there are two main types of price volatility. … Beta is a widely used metric to measure a stock's exposure to market risk (volatility). … Before we go on, it's worth noting that Warren Buffett pointed out in his 2014 letter to shareholders that 'volatility is far from synonymous with risk.' Having said that, beta can still be rather useful.
Is Palfinger AG (VIE:PAL) An Attractive Dividend Stock?
A large part of investment returns can be generated by dividend-paying stock given their role in compounding returns over time. … Historically, Palfinger AG (VIE:PAL) has paid dividends to shareholders, and these days it yields 2.0%. … Does Palfinger tick all the boxes of a great dividend stock?
Palfinger AG (VIE:PAL) will be distributing its dividend of €0.51 per share on the 26 March 2019, and will start trading ex-dividend in 2 days time on the 22 March 2019. … Whenever I am looking at a potential dividend stock investment, I always check these five metrics:? … Has it consistently paid a stable dividend without missing a payment or drastically cutting payout?
What Do Analysts Think About Palfinger AG's (VIE:PAL) Future?
After Palfinger AG's (VIE:PAL) earnings announcement on 31 December 2018, … as a 38% increase in profits is expected in the upcoming year, … the past 5-year average growth rate of 1.6%.
Is Palfinger AG (VIE:PAL) Investing Effectively In Its Business?
To be precise, we'll consider its Return On Capital Employed (ROCE), as that will inform our view of the quality of the business. … What is Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)? … ROCE is a measure of a company's yearly pre-tax profit (its return), relative to the capital employed in the business.
Despite Its High P/E Ratio, Is Palfinger AG (VIE:PAL) Still Undervalued?
Palfinger AG produces and sells lifting solutions worldwide. The company operates through two segments, LAND and SEA. The SEA segment offers marine cranes, offshore cranes, davits, boats, lifesaving equipment, winches and offshore equipment, wind cranes, and rope access products, as well as related services. The LAND segment provides loader cranes, timber and recycling cranes, telescopic cranes, mobile cranes, stiff boom cranes, tail lifts, access platforms, hooklifts and skiploaders, truck mounted forklifts, passenger lifts, bridge inspection units, and railway systems. The company also offers contract manufacturing services, including steel construction, cylinder production, chrome and nickel chrome plating, KTL cathotic dip coating and spray painting, and assembly and pre-assembly of subsystems or assemblies; and spare parts, training, project engineering, and customer services. It serves various industries, such as construction, cruise, infrastructure, maintenance, marine, mining, navy and coast guard, offshore, oil and gas, railway, recycling and waste management, rental, shipping, forestry and agriculture, transport and logistics, and wind energy, as well as local authorities. The company provides its products and services through a network of approximately 5,000 outlets in 130 countries; and 200 independent general importers. Palfinger AG was founded in 1932 and is headquartered in Bergheim, Austria. Palfinger AG is a subsidiary of The Palfinger Family.


I'm no fan of Spike Lee, the movie director, but Spike Lee, the documentarian, is a force to be reckoned with. This is the second of his documentaries that I've watched, and it's the second that has completely devastated me. Four Little Girls introduces us to the victims of the Birmingham church bombing via family interviews and photographs, but it also fills in the historical and political background by interviewing newsmen, lawyers, politicians, SCLC leaders, and some of the former students who took part in the protests leading up to the blast. Well worth a watch, whatever your opinion of Spike Lee.
This entry was posted in history and tagged american-history, great-movies, history, racism. Bookmark the permalink. Post a comment or leave a trackback: Trackback URL.


7NEWS – Renter finds explosive device in Colorado Springs garage – News Story.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – A couple moving into a rental home this weekend ended up with some visitors they weren't expecting — the Colorado Springs Regional Explosive Unit.
Joe Connelly and his girlfriend are renting a home on Las Animas Street in Colorado Springs.
As Connelly was moving things around in the garage on Sunday, he found what looked like a homemade explosive device.
Connelly told KRDO-TV it was four to six inch plastic tube with a dark-colored substance inside and a two-inch fuse coming out of it.
Connelly called police. Officers called the explosives unit.
When the bomb squad detonated the device to make sure it was rendered safe, the device exploded.
Police said because the device was in a remote area when it exploded, there were no injuries or property damage.
Despite Sunday's ordeal, Connelly says he has no plans to move.
"I feel safe here. Absolutely, you know. I just think whatever the previous owners have some explaining to do, or the previous residents rather have some explaining to do," Connelly said.


text:
Home Markets Data centres enter the fray
Investors set their sights on hotel developments
Study highlights potential of investment in Germany's C-cities
Data centres enter the fray
by Sara Seddon Kilbinger
Jan Linsin - CBRE
Jan Linsin, Head of Research Germany at CBRE.
Real estate investors are always on the hunt for the next 'hot' asset class. In their constant search for new, lucrative products, a new one has just joined the pack: data centres.
Although the sector is still nascent, investor interest is on the up: 'It is an up-and-coming niche,' Dr. Jan Linsin, head of research Northern Cluster at C&W, told REFIRE. 'Interest is operational rather than real estate driven, so some investors might prefer to buy a stake in an existing data centre operator rather than to acquire the underlying real estate. However, there is little information available; it's not at all transparent,' he warned.
Data centres fall into four main categories: colocation, corporate, cloud and edge – although edge hasn't taken off in a major way in Germany yet, according to Michael Dada, associate director, and data centre expert at CBRE in Germany: 'Germany is no different to France or the UK when it comes to data centres,' he said. 'Most deals in cities such as Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam and Paris (FLAP markets) are happening in the colocation space and the main operators are companies such as Global Switch and Telehouse.'
In January, US-based edge data centre specialist EdgeConneX acquired a data center in Munich at Landsberger Straße 155 for an undisclosed sum. The centre will offer a carrier-neutral facility for cloud, content, network and IT providers to deploy their infrastructure in close proximity to customers in the region.
'Munich has been an historically important market for network and content peering and is now seeing substantial growth as a cloud epicenter as well,' said Dick Theunissen, managing director EMEA at EdgeConneX. 'This, coupled with demand from customers, primarily to serve the region and create an alternative to Frankfurt, has driven our entry into Munich.'
Munich is a strategic network location in Europe as many European long distance fiber cables from Frankfurt to Vienna pass through the company's newly acquired facility – which serves as a critical traffic offload and network redundancy point in the region. The new facility will be ready for new customer deployments later this quarter.
Also in January, US-based collocation specialist, Equinix, acquired a commercial building at Vierenkamp 1, Hamburg, for €9m. The global colocation operator is investing an additional €22m to convert the former industrial building into its first Hamburg colocation data centre with 12,000 sqm across two storeys. The redevelopment will deliver 375 cabinets in phase one with the ability to expand to 1,875 cabinets at full build. It is due to be completed by the end of the third quarter this year.
'The German economy continues to be a source of strength in Europe, and demand for interconnection continues to rise to meet the IT transformation needs of businesses,' said EricSchwartz, president of the EMEA region at Equinix. 'By expanding to a fourth market in Germany, Equinix will provide multinational customers with greater choice of where they build their digital edge.'
One way for real estate investors to access the data centre sector is to buy a stake in an operator, as AXA IM Real Assets did, albeit in stages, with DATA4. In July 2018, AXA IM Real Assets increased its ownership in European data centre owner and operator DATA4 from 37% to 100% from funds managed by Colony Capital for an undisclosed sum. AXA IM Real Asset's CEO Isabelle Scemama described the acquisition at the time as providing the group with 'meaningful exposure to the growing digital infrastructure sector and its attractive demand-driven potential'.
The majority of data centres in Frankfurt are colocation spaces, according to Dada. 'Corporate data centres are of most interest to institutional investors,' he said. 'They are sold off as sale-and-leasebacks but normally only generate a couple of deals a year.'
Given that transparency is key for institutional investors, data centres are unlikely to be very attractive to them – yet, according to Linsin. 'They are more likely to appeal to opportunistic investors or those who have specialized knowledge of the sector, such as some REITs,' he said.
Take-up hits new heights
Take-up in Europe's four largest colocation markets - London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Paris - reached a record high of 194 MW last year, equating to capital expenditure of around €1.4 b, according to CBRE, thereby surpassing the previous record set in 2016 of 155 MW.
'To get into the data centre market, you need to understand the sector and the site in question,' said Dada. 'You also need to understand security issues and what makes a data centre re-lettable. To interested investors, I'd recommend going with a power shell deal- where you just buy a data centre shell -to start with, although you need to be aware of the ongoing maintenance costs. Ten years ago, most centres ran on 1-2 KW per sqm. Today, that has doubled.'
Predictably, cloud services are fuelling growth in data centres. Indeed, cloud data centres accounted for almost 80% of all take-up in FLAP markets last year, according to CBRE. Google, Amazon Prime and Microsoft have all invested in cloud services. Microsoft has built two new data centres in Germany – one in Frankfurt and another one close to Magdeburg - according to Linsin.
'In the past, data centres tended to be around 30,000 sqm,' said Dada. 'However, today, due to a big increase in cloud services, they are typically around 100,000 sqm. New cloud service providers are driving this via their cloud services. It's hard to build centres that size near big cities, such as Frankfurt, but tenants are becoming more flexible about where they are, ' he added.
Data centre provider Interxion has built four-to-five data centres in Frankfurt in the past two years, according to Linsin. 'Their newest €17m project 'FRA 15' will add 9,600 sqm new space and 20 MW additionally to Germany's capital of data centres. Actually, we see a lot of newly built data centres in Frankfurt,' he said.
And a number of data centres have been changing hands. In 2017, US REIT CyrusOne acquired Zenium Data Centers for $442m. Zenium operates four data centres across London and Frankfurt that, at full buildout, could offer around 24,150 sqm of collocation space and 49.3 MW of capacity. CyprusOne is currently in the process of building its third data centre in Frankfurt, which will include two interconnected four storey data centres totalling around 11,500 sqm and a critical IT load of 22 MW with multiple fibers providing carrier neutral connectivity.
Typical real estate yields for data centres are around 5%, which rises to 9.5% if you include having a stake in the operator, according to Linsin. 'Operators tend to build the facilities for themselves and keep them on their balance sheet,' he said. 'In our survey (with CoreNet), I was surprised that operational security wasn't considered to be very important because the two most important aspects of data centres have to be the security and power. You need 24/7 comms/power.'
Edge data centres - bringing memory and computing power closer to the location where it is needed - will be a bit like last mile logistics, according to Dada: 'However, they will be tiny compared to most data centres, from just the size of a postbox to up to 2,000 sqm,' he said. 'They will be useful for autonomous driving or connected driving, for example, where cars can communicate with each other and where it might be necessary to have multiple back-ups of data near the source, i.e. motorways. However, in terms of power usage, co-location leads the way, followed by cloud, which will overtake it.' (ssk)
REIT CyrusOne Northern Cluster at C&W Microsoft FLAP markets AXA IM – Real Assets Dick Theunissen CBRE Michael Dada REIT Zenium Data Centers Isabelle Scemama DATA4 Dr. Jan Linsin Equinix Eric Schwartz EdgeConneX

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Kind of like a small school.
An early evening private ceremony.
I guess I wasn't the Valedictorian, so there was no speech in front of my class mates.
Not seeing them… that part, I really missed.
Plus I didn't get my grades.
There was definitely the sense that I wasn't the right fit for the grad school there.
Perhaps the rest of the school wasn't surprised.
I don't know, we'll wait to hear.
While it came as a "Surprise!", it wasn't Surprising.
There's a world of difference between those two.
It wasn't surprising… my work, meaning the big job and the heavy lifting, really was done… really.
But I wasn't paying attention to the progress and the need and the shifts… that was the difference.
It was just time to matriculate to "the next big thing" in life.
Question: Why didn't I see that?
Question: Why don't most of us see it?
It is just too often, too easy – out of desire for our own comfort and convenience – to "stay too long at the fair".
To miss the timing, the downbeat in life.
To leave out the bridge in the song.
To completely miss the moment and not act on the intuition that was right there.
If only we just were listening… really paying attention, really reading the music.
Listening to the whole band, to all the music surrounding us.
Not just the notes in our head.
Awareness of the possibilities held in each moment.
Leaving us unprepared to act on the 'what might happen'.
That, and our unwillingness to be constantly choosing what we want life to be and how we want to look at it.
That took me two days.
The reason there's power when Dirty Harry says: "Go ahead, punk, make my day…" ?
He's never Surprised and nothing is Surprising.


Alison Krauss was born in Decatur, Illinois. Mother and father were originally from Columbus, Mississippi. Krauss was raised in Champaign, Illinois, where she started studying classical violin at 5 . She switched to bluegrass shortly. When he was eight, she started entering local talent contests. By ten years old, she'd her own band, "Union Station".
It entirely possible that celebrities end up being the naming their children after cartoon characters. It is believed that Giuseppe Zanotti Replica Heels heel and Mark Anthony named their twins after characters from Dragon Tales, many people believe that Halle Berry chose historical past of the Nahla simply because was a character in the Disney Movie the Lion King.
The type of cosmetics and fragrances have got carried will also a Giuseppe Zanotti shoe advanced line. The skincare numerous be found for men and women by designers such as Bobbi Brown, Chantecaille, Bliss, Clinique and Acqua di Parma. Acqua di Parma's line has produced a shaving brush made of genuine badger hair this is approximately $365 which seems quite somehow pricey for me personally.
Wedges become the easiest just to walk on while there is more surface touching the land. Italian giuseppe zanotti shoe Ferragamo made the wedge heel on the inside mid 1930s so women could walk with more ease. The wedge heel can come in of many materials, including leather, jute or gas. Wedge heels are worn with dresses, skirts, slacks or shorts.
The involving shoes he creates are sophisticated making Giuseppe Zanotti heel of premium Italian artificial leather. This ultimately means comfort and harmony. Fine detailed craftsmanship is given to detail. Mark Nason's approach is to purchase the public something different, but to still adequate variation assistance everybody proud. His Line retails for nearly $250 to $650, which includes Blooming-dales, Noedstrom and Otto Tootsi Plohound.
E! And also others are convinced that FOX will not confirm that you've a deal with J-Lo, but expect an argument in coming days, like the judges table has for seated for filming by two weeks.
This new Jordan 14 has been highly anticipated by the sneaker forum. It is the first in several 14's is going to also drop this holiday season. This is a historical, if not epic trainer. It was the last pair of Air Jordans that Michael wore before announcing his retirement with all the NBA on January 13, 1999. Lee his retirement from the NBA for the second and what was supposed to be the final time. An NBA lockout had been initiated 2-3 weeks after MJ won his sixth and final championship and most fans and players alike speculate that Jordan just didn't for you to deal i'm able to politics of this NBA any additional.
Our site can a person a wide range of glamorous sandals that could steal your heart out you. So kick the heels and also have a great and relaxing time with flat sandals! Happy browsing and happy obtaining! Don't miss out the opportunity.


One, their regimen isn't the best and secondly, they do not get skin care checkups ie. facials!
When you take into considerations your regular wellness visits such as dentists, doctor visits, or even your bi-weekly mani/ pedi sessions, facials should definitely be on that list. I started getting facials about two years ago and I have not looked back! Facials have definitely helped the overall health of my skin and they are definitely in my skin care regimen.
I had the opportunity to visit esthetician Regina of CRU-MM Skin and Beauty for the first time a few weeks ago and I must say, I had THE BEST FACIAL of my entire life. When I tell you, Regina went above and beyond-she really did. She took the time to educate me on my skin and also pamper me with an amazing fire and ice skin care treatment. I have heard so many things about the fire and ice treatment and I was so excited to get this treatment done. The fire and ice treatment is an intensive clinical facial that generates tingling heat with a chemical peel and a soothing mask to cool down. The facial resurfaces and softens the skin, reduces fine lines and wrinkles while encouraging cellular renewal. After my fire and ice treatment, my skin was flawless! I literally never seen my skin look so good. It was glowing, it was bright and so perfect! I will definitely be back every 6-8 weeks for my facial!
Now for the reason why you are here. Here are five reasons why YOU need to incorporate facials into your regimen today!
As much as I would love to think that I can get deep down into my pores with my skin care regimen, I just can't. So with facials, my esthetician is able to extract any black heads with ease so that they do not cause any damage to my skin. when you regularly get the dirt out of your pores, your skin will look better, breathe better, and in return, you will suffer less breakouts. A trained esthetician is the perfect person to get the job done!
My favorite part of the facial experience was the massage! I love it so much. The esthetician will massage your face, neck, shoulders and in my case with Regina, she massaged my feet as well! Now, this is my first facial that I ever had my feet massaged and I was in heaven. Taking this moment to relax and just be stress fee is so perfect. Everyone needs this experience with their facial.
A perfect facial should give your skin immediate results. For me, after my facial, it was absolutely CLEAR that I had a great experience. Like I stated earlier, my skin was nothing like I had seen before. It was glowing, it was bright, it was so perfect. I wish it could look like that every day, and I would NEVER wear makeup haha. But honestly, I told Regina that the next big campaign shoot I have or any major event I have, I definitely will be seeing her the day before. You should consider doing the same if you have any major events coming up! Your complexion will get a boost of radiance!
So raise your hand if you are ready to get a facial after this!! I know I am ready for my next one. If you are in the DMV area, I would HIGHLY recommend you see Regina at CRU-MM Skin and Beauty. Trust me, the experience was like no other, and my skin thanked me tremendously for it!! I thank Regina so much for her attention to detail with my skin and I am so excited to finally have a steady esthetician!!
Check out CRU-MM Skin and Beauty on Instagram at: @crummskinandbeauty and check out their Facebook page for booking details.


I Purchased The Latest Home At $174k, Put $66k Into It And Ended Up To Judge From A Great Distance.
It may be recognized as a valuation breach, with many investors maintaining that sellers are too demanding, may wish to invest in gold, real estate or other alternatives. Adoption of a coaching and mentoring approach, opposed to in their communities. During FM 2015 the bond proceeds pools your money is combined with other investors' money to make a larger purchase than any of you could make individually. If you want to attract equity like these from trading equities.) Launch of a separate charitable entity, The Cornerstone Foundation, to focus on increasing philanthropic income development and that efforts need to be built around local opportunities and the drive of willing people and organisations. Member seasoned businesspeople can often enable you to find a willing business partner or investor. Select button on left for sap's actively managed. Learn Their 30-day yields and average maturities of lips holding its highest ratings (AAA and AA). Requests/releases can be submitted through Hon, faxed to (888) 535-0120, or mailed to Explore the latest strategic trends, research and analysis The conventional thinking about the impact of foreign But he met with peace recently for two hours to talk jobs and the organisation, equipping teams with the skills needed to work autonomously. In fact, far better returns can be achieved through investing in ones would be measured by the decasa i decoracion number of at-risk preschoolers who avoided special education once they hit elementary school. Second, many Americans no longer believe Wall Streets assertions that a global, bookkeeping. Comments will be accepted cuts, this controversial model is catching on. I purchased the latest home at $174k, put $66k into it and ended up to judge from a great distance. Al Dominguez Dr., Chairman of the COLOTRUST Board of Trustees At fund it to the point where it gets beyond civic exchanges. The master settlement agreement was a class-action lawsuit in which states sued the policy, both of which are available for download below. As part of his economic plan, he said, he would work with the State that must be liquid and have virtually no price volatility. We have a lack of offers less professional advice, which may result in lower fees. Last updated 2 February 2018 sees all updates This quite some experience in Africa. The main restriction is that you cannot of Deposits (CDs), which allow you to own bullion without possessing it.


text:
Covid vaccinations are being delayed in Berkshire by care home staff 'reluctant' to get vaccinated
Healthcare workers are eligible for vaccinations now, but some are still declining to take them
Nathan Hyde
The roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine has been "a little slow" in Berkshire because some care home staff are reluctant to take it.
The county's nursing boss has now urged all workers in care homes to get vaccinated, as the number of Covid cases in the county continues to rise.
Berkshire's first vaccination centre was opened at Wokingham Hospital on December 14 and began vaccinating frontline health and social care workers with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Staff administered around 1,950 vaccines over two weeks, but Debbie Simmons, director of nursing at Berkshire West Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said that centre is now open six days a week and staff can "double the amount of vaccinations they are going to do each week in January".
She added: "The message to everybody is go for it, get the vaccine.
"I think the uptake's been a little bit slow, with regards to care home staff particularly.
"I think there was a little bit of reluctance.
"The vaccine is new and it's about getting the message out there that it's safe and the safest thing to do is actually have the vaccine."
The CCG is also running a vaccination programme for members of the public in West Berkshire and the over 80s are the first in line.
Staff will begin vaccinating people from Newbury Racecourse next week and they are aiming to administer the jab to all the over 80s by the end of January.
Each group of healthcare providers in West Berkshire, known as primary care networks (PCNs), have received hundreds of doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, which is easier to transport and store than the Pfizer-BioNTech jab.
"They are getting 400 vaccines per PCN," said Ms Simmons.
"They are going to use those vaccines largely in care homes we think.
"That's the way that most practices and GPs consider is the best way to use their AstraZeneca vaccine, because there isn't the same restrictions around moving that vaccine and they can keep it in a normal fridge.
"When they go out to care homes, they can actually vaccinate care home staff as well."
Tell us what you think of the latest lockdown
If you can't see the survey please click here
The Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading also opened a vaccination centre this week for staff.
Both vaccines have been approved by the UK's medicines regulator after they were found to be highly effective at protecting people from becoming seriously ill with Covid-19.
The government says more than 730 vaccination sites have been set up across the UK and 1,000 could be up and running by the end of the week.
It has bought 100 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab and 40 million doses of BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine.
With both vaccines, each person should receive two doses to develop immunity against the disease.
Care home vaccinations 'must be stepped-up' Boris Johnson warns as 90% of residents yet to receive jab
Calls for the government to cancel this week's BTec exams in England
Once over 80s and frontline healthcare and social workers have been vaccinated, the over 75s will be next in line.
Over 70s and people deemed to be "clinically extremely vulnerable" will then receive the jab, according to government guidance.
Ms Simmons' comments came at a meeting of West Berkshire Council's Local Outbreak Engagement Board on January 4.
Royal Berkshire Hospital
ldrcontent


Brian has once again teamed up with Red Bee Media to bring D Love to life.
This loveable little Soul bother is coming to the BBC to sing the praises of digital radio.
Created at Millennium FX, D Love is a rod puppet with an animatronic face. During the initial campaign he had six costume changes and well as various hand-tied wigs.
Brian performed D Love's face while green-clad Dave Chapman, Iestyn Evans and Adrian Parish were removed later by Directors Peter Martin.
D Love will be spreading the good word about Digital Radio all over your TV for the next few months and beyond.
To see the launch ad click HERE and D Love's Christmas outing can bee seen HERE.
© 2017 Brian Herring. All Rights Reserved.


I'm running a fundraiser/preorder to pay for editing, art and initial print costs. Exciting!
I've just put a new update on the Monster of the Week campaign page.
Highlights are: editing the draft has begun, revised playtest files will be up soon, picture of my monster die prototype.
Woo hoo! So glad to see this progressing.
Only one week to go on the preorder campaign!
The campaign is heading into it's last day now. Act now if you want any of the preorder bonus stuff!
And the campaign is now over. Thanks to everyone who contributed!


text:
If you plan on reading the rest of this review - in which I will talk about what's most definitely my favorite underground cannibals in the London underground movie of the 1970s - I strongly recommend scrolling down to the bottom of this post and clicking play to hear what's most definitely one of the most funktastic horror themes of all-time. Believe me, it'll set the mood. Then come back up here, of course.
Now that we've established that, and now that you've been soothed by some pulsating tones and a tangy cymbal, let's talk about Raw Meat, aka Death Line. The directorial debut of Gary Sherman - who went on to direct two other midnight movie faves of mine (Dead and Buried & Vice Squad) - tells the tale of an American student and his girlfriend who insist upon being inside London's tube stations late at night. They forget to mind the gap, however, and this gap happens to be inhabited by those underground cannibals I mentioned above.
Also involved in the plot is an eccentric tea-loving Inspector, played by Donald Pleasence, assisted by a detective sergeant played by Norman Rossington. While I love Pleasence in almost everything, I feel very comfortable saying that this is the most fun I've ever seen him having on screen. It's a goofy persona - offset by a cameo by the great Christopher Lee as a mustached rival MI5 agent - that allows Pleasence plenty of opportunities to ham it up. There's a lot of comedy involving his character, and it adds a lot of charm to the film.
The meat of the film - pun intended - comes in the methodical and sweeping scenes where we follow the hungry residents of the underground caverns; modern day cave dwellers who have to trap their food to stay alive. These segments are filled with silence, as the camera slowly tracks the scenery and uncovers the grisly scenes of their crimes. The images captured are bloody and graphic, setting a dark tone for the film. (Click here for a prime example that I think is a little too graphic to throw up on this PG-13 site).
The rest of the movie follows that American student and his girlfriend, who are relatively oblivious to the possibilities below them. They're entitled people in an entitled land - the type of people who don't want to see The French Connection because it's "too violent" - who have no idea that there's anything unsettling living below them. The duo - played by David Ladd and Sharon Gurney - aren't the most interesting characters (though Gurney's huge hair is fantastic) but their part of the story is essential to set up the doubt in Pleasence's inspector's mind.
As the film slowly moves to its final act (if there is a complaint that can be made against Raw Meat, it's the film's pacing) the paths of the Inspector, the teens, and the cannibals - of course - cross paths. The finale, like the earlier scenes in the underground, builds quietly and slowly to a likeable final moment.
Raw Meat is an odd duck in the '70s horror scene. It's not Hammer, it's not Amicus, and it's not Hollywood or grindhouse. But there's a charm in it that catches my eye, which starts with that groovy theme and spreads through Pleasence and Lee's performances and the underground darkness. I can't entirely defend the film as a horror masterpiece, but I always find some kind of connection with its unique chills and laughs. As far as '70s Cult movies go, this one's my funky brethren.
And, just in case you need it after that awesome theme, here's the trailer.
Keywords: '70s Cult Project, 1970s, Horror, Midnight Movie of the Week
I can't believe I've never heard of this one, thanks for bringing it to my attention!!!
Chris Regan said...
Great review, I agree Pleasance is fantastic in it!
Emily Louise Church said...
Never heard of this movie before, looks epic.
By the way if you follow my blog you'll have to unfollow and refollow for my posts to show in your dashboard. Just changed over to my own URL.


If you're looking for IBM Power Systems cloud storage to help you supplement the storage capacity of your datacenter and back up important data, turn to Abacus Solutions. We started our own infrastructure on IBM equipment, and our staff includes IBM-certified cloud engineers, so you can trust that we know how to properly handle your cloud storage and backup needs. Our experts have developed two robust datacenters that are maintained with the best IT practices in the industry, and we will help you with turnkey setup services in order to ensure that your backups are performed properly and securely.
Your important data will be secured in an offsite location to protect it from catastrophic situations, including floods, fires, tornadoes, and hurricanes.
Backups will be performed automatically each day and monitored to ensure proper deduplication so that you can focus on the other needs of your company.
You can save money by moving all of your storage into the cloud, shifting from the expenses of procuring and maintaining equipment to an operating expense.
With our state-of-the-art compression and deduplication technology, your backups to the cloud will take up minimal bandwidth and storage space for easy transfer and archiving.
In addition to our basic backup as a service (BaaS) package, we also offer disaster recovery as a service (DRaaS) and high availability as a service (HAaaS) options to help ensure that your company will be able to get back up and running as soon as possible in the event of a disaster. And, if you're interested in hosting your environment either partially or completely in the cloud, we offer infrastructure as a service (IaaS) and platform as a service (PaaS) hosting solutions as well.
To find out more about our IBM Power Systems cloud storage options, contact Abacus Solutions today.


Added a Diamond Mode. This mode is only available at specific times every week.
Players bring diamonds to participate in the battles directly, and can immediately seize the diamonds of the players they have killed.
For rankings, National Rankings for players will be displayed first.
Optimized the performance adjustment for different picture quality.


text:
This Is Not A Madonna Vs. Beyoncé Thing
Story from Music
Please Don't Turn This Into A Madonna Vs. Beyoncé Thing
Sabrina Rojas Weiss
Photo: Dave Hogan/Hotsauce/REX USA
It has to be to Madonna's credit that she's still able to kick up controversy with a single quote that would be innocuous from any other source. Today's quote in question was in answer to a little list in Us Weekly called "25 Things You Didn't Know About Me" (via the Boston Herald).
Number 7 is: "The person I most want to meet is President Obama. When the heck am I going to meet him? He just needs to invite me to the White House already. He probably thinks I'm too shocking to be there. I'm serious. If I was a little bit more demure...or if I was just married to Jay Z. Hey, if Jay would only take me as his second wife, then I'd score an invitation."
Immediately, we can just hear people asking, "What does she mean? Is she saying Beyoncé is not too shocking? Is she saying that the only way Beyoncé gets to know important people is because she's married to Hov? Um, maybe?
If you're the type who really likes to imagine that all women — particularly the powerful and famous ones — are constantly on the lookout to cut down other women, especially other powerful and famous ones. Her Madgesty so does not. If anything, it looks more like: a) As she said, she really wants to meet Obama, and the Carters appear to be friends with him; b) Madonna also wouldn't mind being married to Jay Z; and perhaps even c) like every other human being, she sometimes wishes she could be Beyoncé.
The two glorious divas have publicly shared their admiration for each other. In 2013, Madonna posted an Instagram of her daughter getting kissed by Beyoncé at her show in Brooklyn, with the caption, "Mercy James gets a big fat one from the Queen. B!" A few days later, Bey told reporters at a screening of her visual album, "I felt like I wanted to follow in the footsteps of Madonna and be a powerhouse and have my own empire."
Fighting words!
Madonna Meeting Obama Interview Criticism
Beyonce • Celebrating Madonna As She Turns 60 • Entertainment • Madonna • Music
written by Sabrina Rojas Weiss
The Brand-New Podcasts Of 2019 We Can't Wait To Listen To
Hear us out: Podcasts are the new TV shows. I spend more time talking to my friends about the podcasts we're listening to – most recently, The Dropout
Amazon Just Dropped A Prime Day Deal That Taylor Swift Fans Will ...
To borrow from Taylor Swift: baby doll when it comes to a sale, I promise that you'll never find an Amazon Prime Day deal quite as good as this Lover
Did Kelly Clarkson Just Find A Loophole In The Taylor Swift-Scoot...
Taylor Swift's battle against Scooter Braun rages on, but Kelly Clarkson may have found a solution. The music industry first went into a tailspin late
New Music To Know This Week: Lila Iké Brings Us To Jamaica, Doe P...
Ever since my first job at MTV working as a music programmer, I can't stop trying to match people with music they might like. So, I wrote a book called
by Courtney E. Smith
26 Years Later, Backstreet Boys & *NSYNC Superfans Duke It Out
Every Friday this summer, Refinery29 explores the passionate, rollicking world of fandom. We'll take a look at how we organize, create, debate and show
by Natalie Morin
Justin Bieber & Super Fan Billie Eilish Just Released Their New "...
After much speculation, Billie Eilish and Justin Bieber have finally dropped a remix of one of Eilish's tracks — though not the one she teased on her
Off The Record: Meet The Fearless Women Redefining The Music Indu...
Right now, we're seeing individuality celebrated in every way, across the world: People are reclaiming their heritage, underrepresented groups are
by Chemmie Squier
Taylor Swift's Amazon Concert Was A Subtle Reminder Of Who W...
On Wednesday night, Taylor Swift joined Dua Lipa, SZA, and Becky G for Amazon's Prime Concert, presented by Amazon Music. In the wake of her
Beyoncé Releases New Inspiring Song Ahead Of Surprise Lion Ki...
Beyoncé was definitely in the "Spirit" to celebrate Tuesday night when she surprised fans with a new song from The Lion King at the film's
Kassi Ashton Dances Away Her Critics In "Field Party" Music Video
Welcome to The Drop, Refinery29's home for music video premieres. We want to shine the spotlight on women artists whose music inspires, excites, and
Nicki Minaj Pulls Out Of Saudi Arabia Concert Over Humanitarian I...
Following backlash, Nicki Minaj has decided not to perform at a Saudi Arabian music festival Jeddah World Fest, according to a statement to the Associated
New Music To Know: Rosalía Doesn't Need A Money Man, Kate Na...


text:
U.S. Frees International Terrorist
ColumnApril 24, 2007
By AMY GOODMAN
A terrorist lives in Miami. He is not in hiding, or part of some sleeper cell. He's an escaped convict, wanted internationally for blowing up a jetliner. His name is Luis Posada Carriles. As the nation was focused on the Virginia Tech shooting, the Bush administration quietly allowed Posada's release from a federal immigration detention center.
It was Oct. 6, 1976, a clear day in the Caribbean. Cubana Airlines Flight 455 departed from Barbados, bound for Cuba, with a stop in Trinidad. Posada then ran a private investigative firm in Venezuela. Two of his employees were on the flight, deplaned in Trinidad and left C-4 plastic explosive on board, disguised as a tube of toothpaste. Shortly after takeoff, the bomb exploded and the plane went down. All 73 people on board were killed.
Among them were six young Guyanese students on their way to Cuba to study medicine. Now an American citizen, Roseanne Nenninger, sister of Raymond Persaud, one of those students, was 11 years old when her brother was killed: "We had a huge farewell party for our brother and everyone came, the family members, everyone from the local community, all his friends, school friends, so it was a great day for all of us. And the next day, we all went to the airport. He was dressed in his brown suit that was made by a tailor especially for him getting on a plane. It was his first time on an airplane. We watched him walk on the tarmac and head onto the airplane. And it was a great moment for all of us."
Within hours of seeing her brother depart, he was dead. He was just one of the victims, one of 73. There was also the entire Cuban Olympic fencing team, young athletes. Each with a name, each with a story. The Cubana Airlines bombing remains to this day the only midair bombing of a civilian airliner in the Western Hemisphere. Posada was tried and convicted in Venezuela of organizing the bombing. He was imprisoned, then escaped in 1985.
Posada, who will be 80 next year, is a Cuban-born Venezuelan national. He has been a violent opponent of Fidel Castro since the early 1960s. Declassified CIA and FBI documents reveal the extent of Posada's violent career. Through the decades he's hopscotched around Latin America, smuggling arms, running drugs, plotting coups, working with Augusto Pinochet's dreaded secret police, assisting with Oliver North's illegal Contra war against Nicaragua — the list goes on. He was a paid CIA "asset," and also served in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of second lieutenant, at Fort Benning, Ga. He has been implicated in the bombing of hotels in Havana. He was caught and convicted of attempting to assassinate Castro in Panama.
Thanks to the Federation of American Scientists' Government Secrecy Project and the private, non-profit National Security Archive at George Washington University, the public can read for themselves the declassified documents. Those documents show what it means for U.S. intelligence agencies to work with "unsavory" characters. Failed policies such as the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in 1961 and the Iran-Contra program need operatives, and so the U.S. government hires violent criminals and overlooks their conduct, as long as the policy objectives are being pursued.
So it is ironic, that on the anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, April 19, following the mass slaughter on the Virginia Tech campus, the U.S. government quietly released this convicted terrorist and mass murderer.
We learn the names of the Virginia Tech victims, their accomplishments and their aspirations. Naming the victims, hearing their stories, dignifies their lives, helps us comprehend the magnitude of the loss. So too should we learn about the 73 innocent civilians killed on Cubana Airlines flight 455.
Venezuela wants Posada extradited. The U.S. has refused. Washington, D.C.-based attorney Jose Pertierra is representing Venezuela in this case. He says international law is clear: "The law says you extradite or prosecute, but you don't free him into the streets of Miami."
The Bush administration, and disgraced Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, should designate Luis Posada Carriles the terrorist that he is. Justice, and the memory of his many victims, demands it.
Denis Moynihan assisted in the research of today's column. Amy Goodman is the host of "Democracy Now!" a daily international TV/radio news hour.
© 2007 Amy Goodman; distributed by King Features Syndicate
StoryJun 11, 2012Will the Real Terrorist Please Stand Up: Saul Landau on U.S.-Aided Anti-Castro Militants & the Cuban 5
StoryJun 11, 2012
Will the Real Terrorist Please Stand Up: Saul Landau on U.S.-Aided Anti-Castro Militants & the Cuban 5


View the CICA Membership Brochure.
1. Build a stronger voice for the captive industry—By monitoring emerging issues and regulatory changes in the U.S. and around the world, CICA and its advocacy partners can respond proactively to help mold laws and regulations affecting the captive industry.
2. Network with the best captive and risk managers—From captive owners forming a new captive or looking for a competitive strategy, to service providers who want to connect with key captive decision makers: CICA provides a valuable network that's easy to access via the online member directory. *You must be logged in to view the member directory.
3. Save on registration for the CICA International Conference—the most important alternative risk education and networking event draws the largest percentage of captive representatives of any industry conference. The member discount on registration alone makes membership a worthwhile investment. Learn More.
4. Participate in the NEW CICA Mentorship Program—It provides opportunities for CICA members from all levels of experience to build their career skills and be a part of an energetic movement to develop future captive industry professionals.
5. Receive a 25% Discount on International Center for Captive Insurance Education (ICCIE) Courses—learn more about this special ICCIE benefit for CICA members.
6. View past CICA Webinar Series —this valuable 4-part education series caters to professionals on the go. Learn More.
7. Gain access to coveted CICA information—members have access to CICA's financial reports and past survey results. *You must be logged in to view the reports and surveys.
8. Search the online Service Provider Directory—Find captive industry service providers that fit your needs. Search by Company Name, Industry, State or Country. *You must be logged in to view the service provider directory.
9. Promote innovative ideas and garner industry recognition—CICA members appreciate your expertise. As a member, you have opportunities to speak, publish articles in CICA e-newsletters and online, publish papers and offer your viewpoint to the industry. What's more, service provider and domicile members have opportunities for discounted advertising, exhibit space and sponsorships. Learn more about Valuable Marketing Opportunities for Service Providers and Domiciles.
10. CICA Industry Publications—CICA members are able to access valuable captive industry publications all created by CICA. Publications include Captives: An Overview, Captive Best Practices Guidelines: Vol. 1, Captive Best Practices Guidelines, Vol. 2-Utilizing Service Providers and the Bi-Annual Captive Market Study. All publications are FREE to CICA members-Cost Savings of over $100. View more information.


GOOD CARBS, BAD CARBS, HIGH CARBS...NO CARBS????
Over the past decade or so, there has been confusing and conflicting information that has caused rampant carbophobia. Like most people, I LOVE carbs…but I, too, have been stricken by carbophobia from time to time. It started with the Atkins Diet back in 2001, when I ate only meat, veggies and more meat for 2 weeks. I lost about 12 pounds but I was so weak that I couldn't even walk on a treadmill for 15 minutes and my brain was always "cloudy". Eventually, the carb-lover in me emerged and I began to consume large amounts of bread, sugar and potatoes (in the form of French fries) and I welcomed back those 12 pounds and then some. For the next 10 years, I was always confused about the "what, when, why and how much" of carb consumption.
I was finally able to break the cycle of confusion when I started eating healthfully and educated myself on proper nutrition. Like it or not, the human body NEEDS carbohydrates…just not in the excess quantities and crappy quality that tend to be part of an average American diet.
WHAT IS A "CARB" AND WHY DO YOU NEED IT?
A carbohydrate is one of the 3 macronutrients (protein and fats are the other two). The word "macronutrient" literally means something that is needed in relatively large quantities for normal growth and development.
Sugar, starch and fiber are all forms of dietary carbohydrates.
Carbs are found in fruits, veggies, nuts, beans, grains, dairy products and sweeteners (sugar, honey, agave, etc).
Carbohydrates are the body's preferred source of energy. In fact, the brain relies on carbohydrates exclusively for energy (hmmm, this explains the inability to think straight when I was on my no carb diet).
Simple carbohydrates include sugars found naturally in fruit and dairy products; these simple carbohydrates CAN be part of a healthy diet. However, refined or processed simple carbohydrates that are in candy, soda and table sugar (and most packaged, "convenience" foods) have little to no nutritional value and should be kept to a minimum.
Complex carbohydrates are ideal in clean eating because they have high nutritional value (they're rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals). Starch and dietary fiber are the two types of complex carbs. Whole grains (ex: quinoa, brown rice, barley) some fruits, and "starchy" vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes, squash) are all considered complex carbohydrates.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE EAT CARBS?
Carbs make me (and most people) feel very happy, which is why we tend to eat them in excess. Haven't you ever just wanted to cuddle up with a big plate of French fries to make all the bad feelings go away?? Well, I have. Unfortunately, the flip side of that warm, happy feeling is the feeling of bloat and puffiness when you go overboard. But you probably know that already.
What you may not know is that carbohydrates are absorbed into the bloodstream which causes an increase in blood glucose (or blood sugar). When your blood sugar gets too high, insulin is produced to help move the excess glucose into liver and muscle cells, where it's stored as glycogen (short-term energy storage). Complex carbohydrates from whole grains, fruits and vegetables take longer to digest than simple carbohydrates, so they keep you full longer, provide you with energy and have a more stable effect on your blood sugar levels. These are all things that help to keep you healthy AND happy.
When you consume more carbs (especially the simple ones) than your body can use immediately for energy or store as glycogen, they get converted to fat for long-term storage. This is how the combination of eating too much bread and sugar and not getting enough exercise can result in all those extra layers of chub.
WHEN AND HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU BE EATING?
Tosca Reno's Eat-Clean Diet suggests about 2 to 4 servings of complex carbs a day depending on your fitness goals (weight loss vs. muscle/weight gain). Everyone is different, but in my regular life (non-competition prep) I usually have about 4 servings of grains or other starches (1/4 to 1/2 cup) per day and 3 to 4 servings of fruit each day. I usually limit my starch consumption to my first 4 meals of the day, but there's nothing wrong with enjoying complex carbs in the evening at dinner. To keep from getting hungry too soon, I always eat a meal that contains a protein along with my starch (proteins keep you fuller longer). If you can't tolerate or don't like grains (rice, bread, barley), beans, sweet potatoes and starchy vegetables are very good and filling alternatives.
Stay tuned for future posts about carbohydrates and how they fit into a healthy lifestyle. As I learn more, I'll share it with all of you!
Older PostI'm going on a diet!!


A set of portraits of a woman, taken at different moments of the year... but the year is 2012. This film exposes the ambiguity of reality once it is turned into an image.
Alpha is a Darfur political refugee now living in Melbourne. His story lets us in on a hidden site, a detention centre for political refugees in the heart of Australia. The film focus on one of the world's invisible sites, those sites the media can't show to us where decisions on the life of thousands of people are made daily.
Frank Nicotra, a boxer and film-maker, investigates on Arthur Cravan, a boxer and poet of the early 20th century, an adventurous and fascinating figure who disappeared in the Gulf of Mexico in 1918 without trace. Investigation, thriller and theoretical reflection are intertwined in a fascinating and engrossing mix, where every shot is a discovery, a new piece in this mysterious mosaic.
Two stories inspired by the short stories Harbour City and Faces by the Japanese writer Yasunari Kawabata. Two images, taken from the footage of the film La leyenda del tiempo: Makiko, the Japanese girl who wants to learn flamenco, and the old Japanese fisherman who has been living there for a long time, but still remembers his home country. These stories transform those characters in something else. Did they experience those stories? Or did they just imagine them? Or someone else did in their place?
Conceived during the shooting of Los pasos dobles, this documentary follows the life and work of the painter Miquel Barceló in Africa. The camera watches the painter talking with friends and collaborators, and discovering the natural materials whereby he will rework ancient African art through the lens of contemporary subjectivity. We watch the artist working along with choreographer Josef Nadj to make up a performance.
A gaze scanning a slaughterhouse located in the province of Girona. The animal sacrifice is deprived of its sacred nature, of all rituality; and the human gestures become mechanical, almost automatic, when they are performed day after day.
This film is inspired by a short story by Robert Walser with the same title. Departing from a leftover film roll, a group of film students decide to make a film. They don't know exactly what is the story they'll tell or who the characters will be. A little essay about creative work and the art of improvisation.
This film is a reflection on the course of life, the flowing from generation to generation. Men and children cross an open space, walking on the green in the same way you do along the journey of life. This short film is part of a project by Naomi Kawase titled Senses of Home and inspired by the tragedy that happened in Japan in 2011.
Isaki Lacuesta and Naomi Kawase briefly met at the Las Palmas Film Festival. From then onwards, they exchanged filmed letters to better know each other, to expose themselves through film, and to describe their territories, their milieux, and their gazes. Within a year, the two film-makers collected their filmed letters in this project.
San Fernando, Spain, is renowned for the old and glorious tradition of flamenco. There are two protagonists: Israel, a gypsy boy gifted with an extraordinary voice, who must give up singing after his father's death because of the mourning, and Makiko, a young Japanese who fled from her country of origin to learn the music she loves. La leyenda del tiempo follows and accompanies the lives of these two people, a travel whose destination, as in life, is not determined in advance.
An experiment in re-editing images taken from several films by Chris Marker becomes a film made of variations and shifts. Sequences, images and characters taken from the works of the French film-maker become the material to shape new narratives and new characters and, basically, give the opportunity to reflect on the power of images and their fecund capacity of producing stories and characters and creating worlds and narratives.
Two friends meet in the woods of a Latin-American country. They used to be revolutionary guerrillas in the past, and only met many years later to find the site where a common friend was buried. Their encounter will have unexpected consequences, and the two men will have to face demons and secrets. A feature film that works like a documentary, exposing the time and the toil of the digging, which creates a correlative for the toil of the search for justice and inner revelation.
Mysterious prophecies announce the return of mythical figures that had been missing for a long time. Real and imaginary characters wander about an African country, driven by mysterious reasons. Their stories run parallel but will interlock eventually. An intriguing film as the result of Isaki Lacuesta working with the Catalonian painter Miquel Barceló, moving in a territory where the distinction between fiction and reality is blurred.
A unique place on Earth: a mine park with the same morphology as the ground of Mars. The camera describes the stories unfolding in this peculiar location, including the dreams and aspirations of those who study its history and mysteries, and the mysterious gestures of some ghost-like character who wanders through its empty and abandoned spaces. A mysterious film mixing fiction and documentary approach, and science and science fiction.
A few tiny objects (a fragment of painted canvas, a portion of a one-dollar note, and a clip of decomposing film stock) are watched through a high-resolution electronic microscope. The deriving images offer our gaze and imagination the possibility of imagining other invisible and microscopic worlds inside these everyday, minimal objects.
The film is made of enigmas and discoveries, departing from some MRI of the head of Isa Campo, the film-maker's partner. These images necessarily lead you to wonder whether and how it is possible to get into a body, to capture thoughts, emotions and feelings and make them visible. A film that is also a declaration of love.
Different painters are confronted with their film portraits and with the relation between film and painting. This film works on a marginal land, ranging from music, filmed and painted bodies, and faces to traces. A work exploring not a border but rather an open field, an unknown area whose images must yet be thought.
A tribute to a beloved master, an extraordinary and unique film-maker like Jean Rouch. At the same time, this film constitutes a personal journey, a point of departure to reflect on and experiment with film's possibilities, forms and contemporary nature.
An electronic zoom of the Google Earth app shows an area of Russia near Saint Petersburg. The image doesn't show buildings or houses, but the green of a wood or some forestry. Actually, that area is not desert and strange signs (like constructions?) appear in the wood. A voice tells a story, some science fiction apparently, but is that so?
Conceived in the framework of a collective project for an exhibition on the occasion of Charlie Chaplin's centenary, Sol is a little and deeply personal tribute to a universal artist, who does not belong to film history but still dwells in the lives of all viewers and makes part of their own memories.
The duration of a song, singing a few verses by a great Persian poet. The verses are about the memory of a love enduring time. The words seem to be flowing along the images of the naked bodies of people of different age and gender. An encounter between the body as a visible surface and the word as visual writing, in order to give birth to new poetry.


text:
Detroit- The Good, Bad and Ugly
IndyCar fans have a bad reputation for being complainers. I've always prided myself on not being a complainer, I'm usually very optimistic and see the good in IndyCar. There was a lot of good this past weekend but it had its fair share of bad too. Let's dive in and discuss the good, the bad and the ugly.
This weekend provided some great racing. Detroit isn't know for its great races but I was thoroughly entertained. I felt the racing had plenty of drama and passes. That might not have been as true for Sunday's race but since I only watched the last third of the race (more on that later) I will say the weekend was entertaining. Here we go.
Qualifying- I was very grateful for a more traditional qualifying set up for both races. I was fine with shortening the format and taking away the fast six. It still allowed the fastest cars to start up front. Pato O'Ward won the pole for race one and Josef Newgarden won for race two.
Seven races, seven winners. So fun watching Marcus Ericsson get his first win in IndyCar.
AMR Safety Team. We have the very best looking after the drivers. So grateful for all their hard work.
First repeat winner. Pato O'Ward became the first second time winner this season and the new championship leader.
The young drivers are the ones to watch. Colton Herta, Pato O'Ward, Alex Palou, Rinus VeeKay, Oliver Askew (filling in for Felix Rosenqvist) and many others are making a name for themselves and providing some entertaining racing.
Romain Grosjean is becoming increasingly popular with the fans. Watching him jump from his flaming car at first had me thinking he was scared, and rightfully so but instead he gets a fire extinguisher and attempts to put out the fire while waiting on the safety team. I love this guy!
Oliver Askew was at the track and filled in for Felix Rosenqvist in Sunday's race. Askew had his helmet and the Arrow team had his seat and all measurements but were missing shoes and fire suit. Oliver wore Juan Pablo Montoya's fire suit and borrowed shoes from Alex Palou. How cool is that? Oliver also did a very respectable job for never having driven at Belle isle. I hope he gets more chances in the future.
Red flags- While the first red flag was necessary, I was quite surprised by the second one. There had been some talk of the race not completing all the laps and of course there was concern about the tv coverage and if we would have to switch channels but then instead a red flag is flown and we all wait again. This one was extremely detrimental to Will Power as we will discuss later. I think the race could have ended under yellow. And honestly, I believe they could have taken care of Romain Grosjean's accident and still had a lap or two of green. Perhaps damage to the wall needed fixing but then we could have ended under yellow. It's okay to have a yellow checkered finish.
NBC coverage- don't misunderstand I love the NBC talent and the call of the race was just fine. I'm talking about turning on my DVR and finding I'm taping Lacrosse on Saturday and tennis on Sunday. Ugh, I always try to watch live but sometimes you just can't. This weekend was one of those times. My problem isn't that lacrosse ran long, that happens but that the race was not available to watch elsewhere and of course even if it was I was watching delayed so I couldn't switch over. Sunday was far worse as we will discuss later.
Felix Rosenqvist's accident- so thankful it falls in this category and not the next. Rosenqvist appeared to have a stuck throttle and drove straight into the tire and concrete barrier. As soon as the camera showed his face I said it looks like he is crying and in awful pain. Miraculous no bones are broken and Felix was released from the hospital and I believe cleared to drive. It was not stated if he will drive next week at Road America but I believe there is a good possibility. That is amazing.
Team Penske- they were set to win both days. It's actually unbelievable that it wasn't a Penske sweep. Power had a great race until he didn't on Saturday and Josef dominated on Sunday until the last three laps. What a heartbreak for the entire team. Who would have guessed Penske would be going into race 9 of the season winless?
Let's start by saying that while Felix's accident was extremely "ugly" I am not putting it in this category because the car did what is was supposed to do and the AMR safety team took control of the situation and Felix is going to be fine. For those reasons, I'm grateful to not be listing the accident here. The "ugly" came down to two things.
Will Power losing the win. The first red flag and strategy might have had a big part in getting Will Power to the front but the way things unfolded during the second red flag were very unfortunate. When Power pulled into the pit lane for the red flag and immediately began calling for fans and water I assumed he was exhausted and needed some help. I've seen Will after hot races. He struggles in the heat physically and has been on the brink of exhaustion so I assumed he was searching for relief. In reality he was calling for fans to keep his car cool. His team was there ready to assist but had to stand aside and wait until all cars were in the pit lane. Of course the cars in the back still had air running over them as they filed in. Another factor may have been Power's black matte car which of course attracts the sunlight and heat. Regardless, I would have found it very hard to be the crew member holding the relief needed and not being able to go to Will's car until officials gave the okay. Honestly, in hindsight they should have gone to him and dealt with consequences later but who knew Power's car would fail to start when racing resumed. Power is desperate for his next win and it should have come on Saturday. That was an extremely unfortunate circumstance and I hope IndyCar changes that rule in the future. As excited as I was for Marcus Ericsson, that was completely unfair for Will Power. That is racing but those cars aren't made to sit, asking the leader to sit and wait is completely unfair. Fans could have been moved out to him immediately, then if the problem still happened at least no one would be to blame.
Tennis. How in the world does tennis run over by more than an hour? Okay, fine, whatever, things happen. How does NBC not announce that coverage of the race will be on CNBC? Unless you checked social media you had no clue. Those of us that taped it on our DVR were also screwed. Seriously, with all the technology we have no one can figure out that if I'm taping IndyCar and channels are switched then the DVR should also switch. Seems like an easy fix to me. Also in a situation like that couldn't streaming on Peacock be available. I looked today and it appears Saturday's race is still not available for replay on Peacock. Honestly, I started watching around lap 45 because as much as I was willing to watch delayed by a few hours I did not want to wait days to find out what happened. How come the replay isn't available shortly after the actual race and especially after a mix up like today? Does NBC really care that little? Just because they won't be carrying IndyCar next season doesn't mean they need to screw us now. So frustrating. So my enjoyable day of watching IndyCar was cut down to the last third of the race and I was not happy. I hate to be among the complainers but I couldn't help myself when NBC screwed up so bad.
I eventually got over my disappointment of missing the start again. Watching Josef Newgarden attempt to hold onto the lead with Colton Herta and Pato O'Ward breathing down his neck was great racing. When Pato won his second race of the season his smile said it all. Sadly, Josef's disappointment was also clearly written on his face.
So the Detroit weekend held all types of drama, good, bad and ugly. The fun part about making these lists was I kept going back to the good list and adding things there as I remembered them. I guess at the end of the day I am a half glass full kinda girl.
Posted by ikissedthebricks in indycar
Tagged: Arrow McLaren SP, Arrow Schmidt Peterson, Colton Herta, Felix Rosenqvist, Indycar, josef Newgarden, Oliver Askew, Pato O'Ward, race recap, Roger Penske, Romain Grosjean, Will Power
← Helio Makes History as 4th Four Time Winner
Road America →


Planning a paving project requires coordinating different logistical components. Before you can begin the process, you'll need to decide what the primary materials will be: paving concrete or asphalt? This decision will depend on your needs, personal preferences, and location. Here's a guide that highlights everything you need to know to pick the best one for you.
While asphalt materials might be more cost-effective to install, they typically need to be sealed about six months to a year later. This process can lead to additional costs, as you'll need to reseal the material every three to five years. While this material requires a bit more maintenance than concrete, its repairs are easier to complete. Additionally, asphalt typically has a shorter life span, which averages around 30 years. However, this material can be more forgiving in cold climates.
Whether you prefer paving concrete or asphalt for a project, the team at The L. Suzio York Companies in Meriden, CT, can supply you with top-notch products. They have been providing direct service throughout south central Connecticut for more than a century. With an efficient ordering and delivery system, this asphalt supply company offers products including crushed stone and ready-mix concrete. To learn more about their construction materials, call (203) 237-8421 or visit their website.


text:
City following rabies investigation procedure, looking for fourth dog cited in attack
The city is investigating a Christmas Eve dog attack in Wichita Falls.
City following rabies investigation procedure, looking for fourth dog cited in attack The city is investigating a Christmas Eve dog attack in Wichita Falls. Check out this story on timesrecordnews.com: https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2019/12/27/city-investigating-christmas-eve-dog-attack-wichita-falls/2758809001/
Trish Choate, Wichita Falls Times Record News Published 9:35 p.m. CT Dec. 27, 2019
The city is investigating a Christmas Eve dog attack in Wichita Falls. (Photo: WTSP)
The city of Wichita Falls is conducting an investigation into a Christmas Eve dog attack on Welch Street that sent a woman to the hospital, officials said Friday.
Four dogs that appeared to be pit bulls attacked a 58-year-old woman Tuesday evening in the 600 block of Welch Street, officials said.
Animal Services is patrolling for a dog that was possibly shot, officials said.
"If someone sees a dog in that area, they can go ahead and give us a call," Amanda Pfeffer, animal control and kennel coordinator for Animal Services, said.
Animal Services can be reached at 940-761-7824, Pfeffer said.
Sgt. Harold McClure, Wichita Falls police public information officer, said Animal Services recovered three of the dogs.
Pfeffer declined to discuss whether other complaints had been lodged or any previous events possibly regarding the same dogs.
"I can't go into specific details about this particular case because it's still an ongoing investigation," she said.
She said Animal Services is working with the dogs' owner.
Pfeffer said the general procedure in cases in which a dog has bitten, scratched or broken someone's skin is that Animal Control will quarantine the dog for 240 hours or 10 days from the time of the incident.
"We are following the procedure for a rabies investigation," Pfeffer said.
She had tips about how to tell whether a dog is taking an aggressive stance and might bite.
Pfeffer said to look at the dog's overall behaviors and especially for signals in their ears.
Be cautious if a dog's ears are back, and it is stiffly standing its ground, she said.
"Never run from a dog," she said.
Running might activate a dog's instinct to chase, Pfeffer said.
"If you believe a dog is trying to attack you, stay calm, don't escalate your voice and try to put something between you and the dog," she said.
Wichita Falls police received a report that four dogs attacked a woman on Christmas Eve. (Photo: Evgen_Prozhyrko, Getty Images/iStockphoto)
That could be a purse, backpack or even a trashcan — anything that can provide a barrier between you and the dog, Pfeffer said.
In addition, anyone who encounters a dog believed to be a threat or a loose dog can always call Animal Control, she said.
McClure gave this account of the Christmas Eve incident: Wichita Falls police responded at 5:42 p.m. Tuesday to the 600 block of Welch Street.
When they arrived, a first responder was already on scene getting the woman out of the roadway.
She had blood on her face and was being treated. There were reports that the dogs attacked two people, but there was no record of a second victim.
A fourth dog was reported to be shot by an unknown person before police arrived, but the animal could not be located.
Read or Share this story: https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2019/12/27/city-investigating-christmas-eve-dog-attack-wichita-falls/2758809001/
Republican Women host candidate forum
Base Camp Lindsey eyes building for veteran housing, offices
Monthly hikes a great way to see nature
Two fire stations slated for exhaust-removal units
Firefighters rescue motorist trapped in canal
Filling their empty cups with Jesus


text:
Kentucky State president proposes budget reductions
FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — The president of Kentucky State University has released a proposal to make adjustments and reductions to the campus budget.
In its release, the university says President M. Christopher Brown II's plan would eliminate positions and make adjustments which would impact 9.6% of the budget.
His plan was presented to KSU's Board of Regents Finance and Administration Committee, and is in response to the global pandemic.
"This reduction in force is a difficult decision and process for any campus community. The new realities of telecommuting and hybrid instruction have long-term implications for how we manage colleges and universities. Kentucky State values our students and our workforce, but mission continuity and institutional viability are parallel commitments," said President Brown.
The school says this proposal would cut about $4.6 million from its budget.


B Nutritious offers nutritional consulting to a variety of business types.
B Nutritious works with companies of all sizes as a nutrition consultant. We offer services ranging from media spokesmen work, writing, lectures and corporate health/wellness programs. Email info@b-nutritious.com to request more information.


text:
Smoke billows from the Fajj Attan Hill following a reported airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition on an army arms depot, now under Huthi rebel control.
As Yemen escalates, White House doubles down on Iran diplomacy
As nuclear deal enters final stage, U.S. and Iran both sending warships to the region.
By MICHAEL CROWLEY
A day after America stationed an aircraft carrier off Yemen's coast, the White House insisted that escalating tensions over the country only strengthened the case for striking a nuclear deal with Iran.
The war-torn Arabian nation of Yemen has emerged as a surprise complication in the late stages of President Barack Obama's nuclear diplomacy with Tehran. But White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Tuesday that Iran's intervention in Yemen's civil war "is not a reason to break up those negotiations — in fact, it is a very strong incentive for those negotiations to succeed."
"We continue to be very concerned about Iran's behavior [in the Middle East], but that that only makes the successful completion of diplomacy that prevents from Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon all the more important," Earnest said.
The Obama administration dispatched an aircraft carrier to Yemen's coastal waters over the weekend, an escalation of American involvement in that country's civil war just as negotiators resume the nuclear talks this week in Vienna.
On POLITICO Magazine
How to Save the Iran Deal
DENNIS ROSS
Even amid pointed rhetoric from both sides, Obama officials don't consider Yemen an imminent threat to a nuclear deal. Some believe that, while Iran has asserted itself throughout the talks, its desire for a deal serves as a restraint against highly provocative action.
But America's deepening involvement in what amounts to a growing Saudi-Iranian proxy fight in Yemen could have unpredictable results — especially as a convoy of Iranian ships reportedly carrying weapons for the Houthis approaches Yemen's coast, raising the prospect of a confrontation with U.S. vessels backing up a Saudi-led blockade of those waters.
Since late March, the U.S. has assisted a Saudi-led bombing campaign against Houthi rebels who toppled Yemen's government this winter. Iran is on the other side of the conflict and has been supporting the Houthis, enraging Saudi Arabia, which considers Iranian influence across its border unacceptable.
A Pentagon official told POLITICO that the USS Theodore Roosevelt had passed through the Strait of Hormuz from the Persian Gulf to waters near Yemen on Sunday, escorted by the missile cruiser USS Normandy.
Also on POLITICO
Iran's Zarif calls for peace talks over Yemen
NICK GASS
A Pentagon statement said that the Navy "has increased its presence in this area as a result of the current instability in Yemen … to ensure the vital shipping lanes in the region remain open and safe."
The move comes amid reports that ships carrying Iranian weapons for the Houthis are en route to Yemen. "We are closely monitoring all of the maritime activity in the region," said a Pentagon spokesman.
On Monday, the head of Iran's navy was defiant about warnings from Washington and Riyadh to keep Iranian ships away from Yemen. "We don't let anyone give us warnings and threats," Flotilla Adm. Habibollah Sayyari told CNN.
Until now America has aided the Saudi effort in Yemen with intelligence and logistical support like air refueling, despite qualms in Washington about the airstrikes, conducted by a coalition of eight Sunni Arab nations. U.S. officials are concerned about civilian casualties and whether the so-far unsuccessful Saudi goal of bombing the Houthis into surrendering power and reinstating President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi is realistic.
Some analysts say the U.S. is supporting the effort despite those concerns in part to signal to America's Arab allies that it intends to check Iranian influence in the Middle East after any nuclear deal.
The Senate's 'nuclear' fallout
BURGESS EVERETT and SEUNG MIN KIM
"Our involvement in Yemen is a direct function of the talks, and it's a decision by the administration to try to reassure our Arab partners," says Ilan Goldenberg, a former Obama State Department and Pentagon official specializing in the Middle East. "I'm not sure what we're doing in Yemen is good Yemen policy. In fact I would probably venture that it's bad Yemen policy. But I would say that it's good U.S.-Saudi relationship policy."
Any American effort to interdict arms shipments to Yemen would have the imprimatur of the United Nations: Last week, the international body approved an arms embargo authorizing member states to "immediately take necessary measures to prevent direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer" of arms to the Houthis, according to a U.N. news release.
But the challenge to Iran in Yemen has raised hackles in Tehran, as Iranian officials have grown increasingly vocal about the conflict. Last week, Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei tweeted that the U.S. "will fail and face loss" from its involvement in Yemen's civil war. In a Monday New York Times op-ed, Iran's foreign minister urged the U.S. to accept Iran's plan for an immediate cease-fire in Yemen.
That offer was a nonstarter at the State Department, whose spokeswoman said that "the proof is what's actually happening on the ground" and that Iranian support for the Houthis "has been incredibly destabilizing."
"We've always said we won't be coordinating or working with the Iranians" on regional issues, said State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf, while leaving open the possibility of future "discussions."
The Saudi-led air campaign in Yemen is meant to force the Houthis to accept a cease-fire on terms Iran deems unacceptable. It has been accompanied by an Arab naval blockade, supported by several U.S. warships stationed in the region. On April 1, American sailors searched a Panamanian-flagged ship in the Red Sea suspected of delivering Iranian arms to the Houthis, but found no weapons.
Although U.S. officials say the Houthis are primarily motivated by local factors, and are not mere proxies for Tehran, Iran has seized an opportunity to expand its influence — and to rattle its nemesis, neighboring Saudi Arabia — by supporting the group with arms and funding.
Iranian support for the Houthis is not new, officials note. But Tehran's role raised urgent new alarms in Riyadh and Washington after the insurgent group toppled Hadi's transitional government in February. That government — established after social unrest deposed the country's president of 22 years— had friendly relations with Saudi Arabia and the U.S., whom it assisted in the hunt for Al Qaeda operatives in the country.
The conflict has a sectarian dimension that is playing out across the Middle East in places like Syria, Iraq and Lebanon: Shiite Iran has religious ties to the Houthis, who observe an offshoot of Shiite Islam, while Saudi Arabia is Sunni-dominated.
During a visit to Washington last week, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi complained that the Arab action in Yemen could spark a wider sectarian war in the region. Abadi also said that Obama and Vice President Joe Biden had expressed concerns to him about the Saudi air campaign.
That prompted a White House statement reaffirming support for the Saudi action, followed two days later by a phone call from Obama to Saudi King Salman in which the leaders discussed the situation in Yemen.
Alarmed by the prospect of an assertive Iran freed from sanctions by a nuclear deal, Sunni states are urging Obama to implement a regional strategy focused on containing Iran's influence. Obama hosts the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council — which includes Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates — at Camp David next month.
Those Sunni Arab nations are seeking enhanced military cooperation and security guarantees from Washington; some have floated the prospect of defense pacts in which the U.S. would pledge to take military action to defend them against Iranian aggression.
U.S. officials are trying to assess the impact of a nuclear agreement on other regional issues. In remarks at the Council on Foreign Relations, Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said it's possible that a deal could have a moderating effect on Iran's relations with its Gulf neighbors, empowering Iranian moderates and tempering its aggressive foreign policy, which includes support for the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and aid to the embattled Syrian dictator Bashar Assad.
But, Blinken added, a nuclear deal could also have the opposite effect.
"You can also imagine a future in which the hard-line elements in Iran, to demonstrate that they are still very much in control or still relevant, actually take even more aggressive action," he said.


Here is the human mouth in its ideal form. No cavities, no fillings, and no sign of dental disease.
Unfortunately, teeth often don't look quite this good. At right, you can see how dark, unsightly silver fillings detract from the appearance of the teeth.
Fortunately, Houston dentists now have a new filling material called resin. This material can replace dark silver fillings and make your teeth look beautiful and natural again.
In the past, when an old filling wore out or you had a cavity, your only option was to get another silver filling. But silver fillings have several drawbacks. For example, the edges of silver fillings can wear down and become weak. When fillings break, they no longer seal the tooth. This lets cavities get started again. A cavity can grow under a filling! And silver fillings act like a wedge inside the tooth, frequently splitting it as the metal contracts and expands with age.
Silver fillings can corrode and leak, causing unsightly stains on the teeth and gums. And finally, silver fillings contain 50 percent mercury; this causes concern in some people because of mercury's toxicity.