Via Gateway Pundit, linking to the Shakopee Valley News story Illegal immigrant charged with murder of Shakopee woman, By Deena Winter, August 21, 2018.
Minnesota officials charged Fraider Diaz-Carbajal from Mexico with the brutal murder of his former girlfriend in Shakopee, Minnesota earlier this month.
Fraider Diaz-Carbajal had been previously deported but told the court he has lived in the are for 18 years.
Fraider does not speak English and needed a translator.
He stabbed his former girlfriend several times before cutting his own neck.
A 27-year-old woman who was killed in Shakopee on Aug. 12 has been identified as Enedelia Perez Garcia, 27, and today prosecutors charged Fraider Diaz-Carbajal, 35, 1279 Taylor St. Unit 6, with second-degree murder (not premeditated) in her death. Police say he was in the country illegally after being deported in 2014.
At about 4:02 p.m. on Aug. 12, Shakopee police were dispatched to a fight call involving a knife at 1279 Taylor St., No. 6., and while on the way to the Taylor Ridge Towhomes, they were told a male had a knife and a female was possibly dead.
According to the charging documents, officers found a bloody scene in the upstairs bedroom: Diaz-Carbajal was lying with his head resting on the stomach and chest of a woman who was sitting on the floor with her back against the wall and did not appear to be breathing. Diaz-Carbajal's throat was cut with a 6 to 8-inch-long laceration and there were several stab wounds in his abdomen. He was "taking occasional breaths and moving" and a large, bloody knife was at his left side.


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PH debt climbs to P12.89 trillion by end of July | Inquirer Business
PROPERTY GUIDE
STOCK MARKET QUARTERLY
business / Economy
PH debt climbs to P12.89 trillion by end of July
By: Ben O. de Vera - Reporter / @bendeveraINQ
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:47 PM September 03, 2022
The national government's outstanding debt inched closer to the P13-trillion mark, reaching a new high of P12.89 trillion in July due to additional local and foreign borrowings, aggravated by a weak peso.
The latest Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) data released on Saturday showed that outstanding obligations as of end-July rose 0.8 percent from P12.79 trillion in June, and climbed 11 percent from P11.61 trillion a year ago.
Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno told legislators last month that the end-July debt pile was estimated by the Department of Finance (DOF) to be equivalent to 62.1 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).
The debt-to-GDP ratio is said to be the better measure of an economy's capability to repay its obligations. Credit rating agencies considered the 60 percent public debt-to-GDP level as manageable among emerging markets like the Philippines.
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The government expects debt-to-GDP to settle at 62 percent — a 17-year-high — by yearend, equivalent to a record P13.43 trillion in debts.
Domestic debts, which accounted for the bulk or 68.5 percent of total, increased 0.7 percent month-on-month and 8.8 percent year-on-year to P8.83 trillion.
In a statement, the BTr said borrowings raised from treasury bills and bonds minus maturities resulted in an additional P64.33 billion in locally sourced debts last July. The government borrows more from local creditors to temper foreign exchange risks while taking advantage of a liquid financial system.
The weaker peso also added P740 million to the domestic debt stock. The peso slid to 55.322:$1 in end-July from 54.97 versus the greenback last June.
External debts also rose 0.8 percent month-on-month and jumped 16.2 percent year-on-year to P4.06 trillion.
The BTr said the peso's depreciation added P25.77 billion to foreign debt, while a net of P6 billion was borrowed from creditors overseas, including bilateral development partners and multilateral lenders offering concessional or low-interest loans.
Last Friday, the peso fell to an all-time low of P56.77 against the US dollar, hence likely further bloating debt figures.
While reaching another record high, separate BTr data breaking down these debts showed what government officials had described as still a "sustainable" composition of its outstanding obligations.
For instance, peso-denominated debt accounted for 68.3 percent of total, amounting to P8.8 trillion.
Also, the bulk of outstanding debts were debt securities issued by the government, with P11.07-trillion worth. Loans accounted for only P1.82 trillion.
By maturity, P8.77-trillion worth or 68 percent of total were long-term borrowings or maturing in over 10 years; P3.58 trillion (27.8 percent) were medium-term debts set to mature between one and 10 years; and over P537 billion (4.2 percent) in short-term debt maturing within less than one year.
As of end-July, the government borrowed P1.25 trillion, which was 45 percent lower than its borrowings a year ago.
Diokno earlier told legislators tackling the proposed P5.268-trillion 2023 national budget that the Philippines' borrowing needs "will decline significantly, because I don't think we'll have another pandemic in the near future."
The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic forced massive borrowings to beef up the government's war chest in order to give away cash dole-outs to the most vulnerable sectors, as well as vaccinate the majority of the population for free.
Diokno had said it helped that the national government's end-July revenue collection was above target, as the seven-month tax and non-tax take of P2.04 trillion was 6 percent bigger than the P1.92-trillion goal.
"Our improved collection performance rests on the back of increased economic activity due to the full reopening of the economy, complemented by a more digitalized bureaucracy," Diokno had said.
"With these key enablers in place, we expect our revenue collection to reach our target of P3.3 trillion pesos this year. This is 10 percent higher than in 2021 and already surpassing the pre-pandemic level of P3.1 trillion," according to Diokno.
Government revenues were estimated to reach P3.63 trillion, including P500 million from privatization, next year.
By 2023, the government will borrow a gross amount of P2.2 trillion, slightly lower than this year's borrowings.
Next year's borrowings will include P1.65 trillion to be sourced locally, of which P1.59 trillion will come from the issuance of fixed-rate treasury bonds, while a net of P54.1 billion will be funded by short-dated T-bills (P621.1 billion in gross issuance next year offset by P567-billion maturities).
Similar to this year, three-fourths of the government's borrowings in 2023 will be raised from the domestic debt market to take advantage of a liquid financial system while tempering foreign exchange risks.
External borrowings will further go down to P553.5 billion next year.
Among the foreign borrowings programmed for next year included P219.2 billion from program loans and P69.3 billion from project loans extended by multilateral lenders and bilateral development partners, as well as P265 billion to be raised from offshore commercial bond issuances denominated in foreign currencies.
Citing a report from the DOF's international finance group, budget documents said the government will avail of $2.84 billion in program loans from the Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) next year (up from $2.57-billion worth this year); $836.2-million worth from the Washington-based World Bank (up from this year's $740.5 million); $400 million from the Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for the proposed support to post-COVID 19 business and employment recovery loan in the pipeline; plus $57.2-million worth of financing from the Agence Française de Développement's (AFD), down from this year's $286.1 million in loans.
In all, the Philippines will avail of $4.14-billion worth (about P219.2 billion) of low-interest, concessional loans next year, up from $3.86 billion (P200.9 billion) this year, and $3.38 billion (P166.1 billion) last year.
Despite slightly lower borrowings planned for next year, the national government's outstanding debt will further climb to a new record-high of P14.63 trillion by the end of 2023, or President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s administration's first full-year in office.
Budget documents had also shown that the government will repay a record P1.6 trillion in debts next year — the highest yearly debt servicing on record — due to the massive borrowings that piled up amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.
Next year's debt servicing will be higher than the P1.26 trillion programmed to pay outstanding obligations this year.
In 2023, the government will repay P1.35 trillion in domestic debts (up from P1.02 trillion this year), plus P253.8 billion in foreign obligations (up from this year's P240.1 billion).
Debt payments next year will be composed of a record P1.02 trillion in principal amortization (up from P751.1 billion this year), on top of P582.3 billion in interest payments (up from this year's P512.6 billion).
READ: PH debt seen to hit new high of P14.63T by end-2023
Affordable Housing Summit vows uplifting the lives of Every Juan
TAGS: Debt, July, Philippines
Curated business news

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Валуєв Володимир Миколайович (1908 — 1977) — заступник голови Ради Міністрів УРСР, міністр місцевої та паливної промисловості УРСР.
 Валуєв Микола Сергійович (1973) — російський боксер важкої ваги, екс-чемпіон світу.
 Валуєв Петро Олександрович (1815 — 1890) — російський державний діяч XIX століття.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


In a quiet little backstreet near the Rifle Range in Williamstown, sits a highly skilled team in an unassuming workshop, making dreams come to life for the owners of classic cars. Welcome to the secret world of custom car building and restoration.
Local wife and husband team Sam Martin and Declan McKearney are familiar faces on the streets of Willy, and the owners of Restos and Rods. She is the marketing guru and Variety Club board member with a love for Mustangs, he is the highly sought after, specialty car builder from Ireland, famous for offering to build Ted Whitten an EJ Holden in record time for charity, over a few beers.
"I made that offer to Ted before we even opened the shop" Declan chuckles, " I had been watching all the American resto shows and thinking why don't we have one, so we decided to do the EJ in a documentary style but had to meet the deadline for the EJ Whitten Foundation auction. It was fourteen months from when we opened the doors, started the car, finished it, shot the tv show and made it to the auction. Absolute madness".
Restos and Rods opened its doors in 2015 with a handpicked team working on "anything from 1950s Beatles, Utes, Mustangs, 1986 Audi Rally cars, Hotrods or 1940 F Trucks" says Sam, "Rule of thumb is if its got a chrome bumper, we can work on it".
The 1962 EJ Holden was sold at auction for $70,000, Their new shop received a huge amount of media and their TV show 'Resto My Ride' was sold to the Discovery channel as a series, "We peaked early and achieved all this fifteen months after opening the shop, so now we dream big", Sam laughs.
Sam and Declan know their stuff, but not just in technical terms, they understand and respect the culture behind their industry. "The Western suburbs has a massive car culture and it's from all walks of life" says Sam. "Car culture does not just revolve around expensive cars. Our customers form a relationship with us because they entrust us with their pride and joy. People have an emotional attachment, so you take them on a journey before the car even comes in".
According to the RACV, there are an estimated 800 car clubs in Victoria alone and they have a massive community based around meets, clubs, swaps and runs. Attending the classic car shows is like being at a big family gathering. The true car enthusiasts are respectful of each other's passions and know that it's personal.
"Every single car has a story. Some of them are very emotional. We often get guys come in who say 'I have worked my entire life and this is my dream'. We have a heart surgeon who got a car from his mentor and we have an eighteen year old restoring a ute by selling bags of wood on the side of the road." Sam says.
So what is one of their favourite stories from the shop floor?
So what does the future hold for such a specialist industry that is reliant on the very existence of cars made of chrome, and having such a specific set of skills and knowledge passed down?
"There has been a massive culture shift where people used to learn skills like wood work, metal work and cooking, but school doesn't have tech now, they don't work with their hands and cars are made of plastic. For the past 20 years, they have been taught skills that are based around new methods" says Sam, "You have to understand old cars and how they are built and also know where to get the parts. Technology is different, paint jobs are different, welding was different".
"Declan thinks the car restoration industry is possibly at its peak "In 30 years time, the car culture will be different. Right now is the perfect time. The Baby Boomers have money, they are retired and they have the cars. The whole panel beating industry is suffering because we are looking for the one percent. And we need the one percent of the one percent for our work. The guys my age are leaving and getting out of the game so there is a real loss of knowledge, so many places are closing down. They young guys see the TV shows and think it's glamorous but it's not. It's hard on the body because metal is heavy. And it has to be perfect".
For now, this team will keep doing what they love, which includes organising the annual Restos and Rods car show at Seaworks in Williamstown. Only in its second year, the high end cars and calibre of restos is due to Sam handpicking the cars and inviting them personally. "We want to work with the best cars and the best people and make people feel really welcome, it's also our biggest fundraiser for Variety", says Sam.
Restos and Rods is still looking for that one percent to come and work in their shop. Only the tenacious need apply.
Restos and Rods car show is on December 2nd 2019 at Seaworks.


Many library databases include journal alerts or other current awareness features that allow you to receive current information in your field or areas of interest. Depending on resource options and settings, you can usually set up these services to alert you weekly, monthly or quarterly. You will need to create a free profile with the vendor before taking advantage of current awareness features.
Article titles and abstracts can be emailed to you when new issues of a journal become available.
Create a custom search for a topic or an author that you want to monitor. You can either save the search and run it when you want or set it up to run automatically and email your results.
Tried of clogging you inbox? Journal or search alerts can sometimes be collected by your personalized news aggregator.


New Year's is the perfect time to celebrate and make beautiful memories with your loved ones. It is that time of the year where we have perfectly gathered all the amazing memories of the entire year and the bad experiences to learn from. Just when we are about to decide upon a New Year's resolution for the next year, the beautiful festival of Christmas greets us, followed by the spectacular year ending.
Dubai happens to be an amazing destination to celebrate this special occasion. Everything around you in this season is just amazing. It welcomes people from across the world to witness some of the greatest and world's biggest festivities.
The year ending is celebrated in the city with beautiful winter decorations, amazing food, some melodious carol singing and beautiful Christmas markets, all at the same time! Dubai looks beautiful in its own festiveness.
The city celebrates a winter festival every year and holds some awesome attractions for people around. The Amphitheatre in the media city of Dubai is holds various events with different bands performing live, prize giveaways and other year ending festivities with Santa. This beautiful experience doubles up as the entire city looks so enthusiastic about the celebrations.
Imagine going skiing in a desert destination!! The first indoor Ski resort – Ski Dubai is in the Mall of Emirates. The Snow Park is great destination for family fun having snow caves, toboggan slopes and tube rides. The alpine café is ideal for sipping hot chocolate in -4 degrees or watching the daily march of snow penguins.
Soon after the winter festival ends, comes another incredible reason to celebrate. It's the time to welcome the New Year! The breathtaking fireworks display on the Burj Khalifa and the Palm Jumeirah are no hidden secret. On the stroke of midnight, Dubai welcomes the New Year with some spectacular fireworks. The entire sky looks mesmerising making the view an experience of a lifetime. One could just sit on the corniche and watch the fireworks going around the entire coast.
Dubai also welcomes some of the best DJs and artists from around the world to Party on the New Year's Eve. If party's on your mind, then you can find some of the most lavish parties in here.
Dubai ensures a New Year like never before. So, if you are looking forward to spend the Christmas and New Year in pure splendour, then Dubai is the ideal place that will make your Christmas Merry and New Year's Eve Happy!
Planning to attend Rann Utsav festival in Gujarat? Top Five Things You Should Know About Kutch!
Glimpse of the Tourism Award - Our Glory !!
Pokemon Go: Don't need any other reason to travel !


Be transformed into a highly valued thinking nurse with our innovative curriculum!
The Mission of the Franklin County Career and Technology Center Practical Nursing Program is to educate and prepare adult learners to competently and safely practice as an entry level licensed practical nurse. The program promotes lifelong learning. The student will meet or exceed standards and criteria of performance that will be satisfactory to the health care employer. The graduate will be qualified to take the NCLEX-PN exam required for licensure.
The Franklin County Career and Technology Center Practical Nursing Program will be the premier Practical Nursing Program in Pennsylvania providing a dynamic instructional program that is evidence-based and aligned with current practice.
The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is an integral member of the health care team. LPNs, working under the direction of a licensed professional nurse (RN), physician, or dentist, provide nursing care to clients.
Take the Step Towards a Better Future!
Become a licensed LPN from the Franklin County Career and Technology Center Practical Nursing Program.
The Practical Nursing Program, affiliated with the CareerTech www.franklinctc.org, is a rigorous, high quality, high value one-year full time program. This program has a consistent record of success in providing challenging theoretical and clinical learning experiences to prepare the graduate with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for nursing practice and to successfully pass the NCLEX-PN licensing exam. A passing score on the exam results in licensure to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse. More importantly the student is prepared to competently enter post-licensure practice at the advanced beginner level. The student is guided by expert nurse educators who have strong clinical and educational backgrounds.
The program has an outstanding record in licensure exam pass rates and job placement. Employers report great satisfaction with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the PNP graduate in assuming an entry level position. Program graduate surveys consistently reflect high satisfaction with the quality of instruction and preparation for practice. Graduates attribute their success in becoming an LPN to the mentorship of the program's nurse educators, the rigorous curriculum, and the wide variety of clinical experiences. ACEN accreditation reflects program excellence. Less than 20% of PN programs are accredited by a national nursing accreditor in the United States!
Two classes are enrolled each year beginning in either February or August. Students attend class or clinical during the day Monday through Thursday. Upon completion of the 1,540 hours of the program, as approved by the State Board of Nursing, the student will receive a diploma at graduation. NEW – Attend only 4 days a week! Less commuting, more time for study!
The Practical Nursing Program opened in September 1958, under the sponsorship and direction of the Chambersburg Area Joint School Board as a part of its adult education program. The program has undergone several changes of administration and currently is under the direction of CareerTech.
Approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the course provides an inexpensive educational program for a lifetime career.
2018 Debora Coombs – DNP degree conferred Dec, 2018 – Congrats Dr. Coombs!
2018 – Ginger Peterson MSN degree conferred Nov, 2018 – Congratulations!
2018 – Debora Coombs – Best Practices Presentation at PAPNA Conference May, 2018. Topic: Research and Scholarly Inquiry in Practical Nursing Education – Taking the First Step .
2018 – Pam Hoffeditz – Best Practices Presentation at PAPNA Conference May, 2018. Topic: Mental Health Focus Day: Nurse-Led Groups, Lived Experience and More.
2018 – Debora Coombs selected for poster presentation at 2018 NLN/Sigma Nursing Education Research Conference in Washington, DC. Topic: Student Opportunity for Success SOS: An Academic Recovery Program.
2017 -Pam Hoffeditz obtained CNE certification. Only 2% of PN Faculty have this certification nationally.
2017 – Debora Coombs elected as Board Member of the Nursing Honor Society at Wilson College.
2017 – Deb Ramer – Celebrating 25 years of teaching for the PN Program – Thank you!
2017 – Jan Collier, Deborah Coombs, and Pam Hoffeditz inducted into the Nursing Honor Society at Wilson College.
2016 – Lisa Mentzer – celebrating 25 years of teaching for the PN Program. Thank you!
2016 – Debora Coombs – Poster Presentation on the YES Program (Your Educational Success) at NLN/STTI Nursing Education Research Conference.
2015 – Debbie Coombs and Jan Collier obtained CNE certification. Only 2% of PN Faculty have this certification nationally.
2015 – Lisa Mentzer – Finished Marine Corp Marathon – 5:41:04. – Congrats!
2015 – Carol Kearns – Celebrating 30 years of service to the PN Program. Thank you!
The Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing, Inc. has granted full accreditation to this program through 2018, ensuring a quality education for our students. For further information contact: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.
The Program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The program has been approved by the Veteran's Administration for more than 20 years.
The program aligned with the Joining Forces initiative with other nursing programs throughout the United States. We have committed to educating our future nurses to meet the unique health needs of service members, veterans, and their families.
© 2019 Franklin County Practical Nursing Program.


Let our chef lead you on a visit to a typical neighbourhood market at Tiong Bahru to select and purchase fresh ingredients for your cooking class.
*Please pick according to the menus and indicate it in the checkout comment box!
Please ensure that all parties choose the same menu.
The front entrance to Tiong Bahru Market where the escalators are.


8" Diamond Dia-Sharp Bench Stone, Extra Extra Fine - Black Forest Wood Co.
Guaranteed not to hollow or groove, DMT®'s precisely engineered Dia-Sharp® Bench Stone with continuous diamond surface assures consistent, even sharpening every time. The 8" length is great for both long and short knives providing cutting edge performance for a quick, keen edge on small contact areas and pointed tools. The Extra-Coarse and Coarse grits are even perfect for flattening plane soles, irons and chisel backs. Includes non-skid rubber feet. Diamond grit clearly marked on side of stone. Choose from the following grits: extra-extra-fine, extra-fine, fine, coarse, extra-coarse or extra-extra-coarse. Stone measures 8" x 3".


text:
What if You Had to Worry About a Lawsuit Every Time You Linked to an Image Online?
Legal Analysis by Kit Walsh and Karen Gullo
A photographer and a photo agency are teaming up to restart a legal war against online linking in the United States.
When Internet users browse websites containing images, those images often are retrieved from third-parties, rather than the author of the website. Sometimes, unbeknownst to the website author, the linked image infringes someone else's copyright.
For more than a decade, courts have held that the linker isn't responsible for that infringement unless they do something else to encourage it, beyond linking. Liability rests with the entity that hosts it in the first place—not someone who simply links to it, probably has no idea that it's infringing, and isn't ultimately in control of what content the server will provide when a browser contacts it.
Justin Goldman, backed by Getty Images, wants to change that. They've accused online publications, including Breitbart, Time, and the Boston Globe, of copyright infringement for publishing articles that link to a photo of NFL star Tom Brady. Goldman took the photo, someone else tweeted it, and the news organizations embedded a link to the tweet in their coverage. Goldman and Getty say those stories infringe Goldman's copyright.
This claim is dangerous to online expression, and we've filed an amicus brief asking a federal district court to grant the defendants' request to end the case as a matter of law.
For more than a decade courts have recognized that claims like Goldman's and Getty's are at odds with how the Internet works. When users visit a website, their computers send a request to that website's address for a text file written in "Hyper-Text Markup Language" (HTML). That HTML text file includes, among other things, words to be displayed and web addresses of additional content such as images. HTML files are text only and don't contain images—they refer to images according to their web address via in-line linking. The server at the linked web address may transmit an image in response to such a request, but the original website does not. The leading case is Perfect 10 v. Google, in which adult entertainment publisher Perfect 10 sued Google's Image Search service, arguing that Google should be held liable for any copyright infringement that occurred on sites to which Google linked.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals correctly disagreed, ruling that because Google's computers didn't store the photographic images, the search engine company didn't possess a copy of the images and therefore did not transmit or communicate them for the purposes of the Copyright Act. This approach is known as the "server test" because it looks to who actually houses the work on its server and controls whether it will "serve up" the infringing content. The rule established that the principal responsibility for any infringement lies with the entity that actually communicates the work to the world, rather than the myriad entities that simply tell browsers where to go to request access to an image file.
Linking is an essential tool for free expression and innovation. E-commerce sites can employ embedded links enabling consumers to comparison shop. Companies, schools, and libraries can use links to educate and empower users. Newspapers and bloggers use the Twitter posts of President Donald Trump in their stories. An art teacher can embed images of famous works on her web page for students to learn about particular art styles. These are all normal, everyday activities that Goldman and Getty would argue are infringement, tying websites into a legal knot and degrading users' ability to learn and innovate.
We hope the court sees through this dangerous attempt to undermine the in-line linking system that benefits millions of Internet users every day.
Copyright Trolls
Perfect 10 v. Google
Deeplinks Blog by Cara Gagliano, Katharine Trendacosta | January 3, 2021
A Smorgasbord of Bad Takedowns: 2020 Year in Review
Here at EFF, we take particular notice of the way that intellectual property law leads to expression being removed from the Internet. We document the worst examples in our Takedown Hall of Shame. Some, we use to explain more complex ideas. And in other cases, we offer our help.In terms...
The CASE Act Is Just the Beginning of the Next Copyright Battle
As we feared, the "Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act"—the CASE Act—that we've been fighting in various forms for two years has been included in a "must-pass" spending bill. This new legislation means Internet users could face up to $30,000 in penalties for sharing a meme or...
Deeplinks Blog by Katharine Trendacosta | December 22, 2020
This Disastrous Copyright Proposal Goes Straight to Our Naughty List
Just yesterday we saw two wretched copyright bills-the CASE Act and a felony streaming bill -- slipped into law via a must-pass spending bill. But it seems some people in Congress were just getting started. Today, Senator Thom Tillis launched a "discussion draft" of the so-called Digital...
Deeplinks Blog by Cara Gagliano, Kit Walsh | December 14, 2020
Protecting Your Rights to Understand and Innovate on the Tech in Your Life
Every three years, the public has an opportunity to chip away at the harm inflicted by an offshoot of copyright law that doesn't respect traditional safeguards such as fair use. This law, Section 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, impedes speech, innovation, and access to knowledge by threatening huge...
2021 DMCA Rulemaking
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) limits the circumvention of software that's designed to restrict access to copyrighted works. Unfortunately, such a blanket restriction can chill competition, free speech, and fair use. In an attempt to mitigate those harms, every three years the U.S. Copyright Office holds a...
Deeplinks Blog by Mitch Stoltz, Karen Gullo | December 10, 2020
Federal and State Antitrust Suits Challenging Facebook's Acquisitions are a Welcome Sight
Antitrust enforcers charged with protecting us from monopolists have awoke from decades-long hibernation to finally address something users have known, and been paying for with their private data, for years: Facebook's acquisitions of rival platforms have harmed social media users by reducing competition, leaving them with fewer choices and creating...
Filters Do More Than Just Block Content, They Dictate It
Today, EFF is publishing a new white paper, "How YouTube's Content ID Discourages Fair Use and Dictates What We See Online." The paper analyzes the effects of YouTube's automated copyright filter, Content ID, on the creative economy that has sprung up around the platform. Major platforms like YouTube have...
Deeplinks Blog by Katharine Trendacosta, Jason Kelley | December 7, 2020
Today: Tell Congress Not To Bankrupt Internet Users
We are at a critical juncture in the world of copyright claims. The "Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act"—the CASE Act—is apparently being considered for inclusion in next week's spending bill. That is "must pass" legislation—in other words, legislation that is vital to the function of the government and...
Press Release | December 2, 2020
Sen. Ron Wyden Joins EFF on December 10 for Fireside Chat About the Future of Free Speech
San Francisco—Sen. Ron Wyden, a fierce advocate for the rights of technology users, will join EFF Legal Director Corynne McSherry on Thursday, December 10, for a livestream fireside chat about the fight to defend freedom of expression and innovation on the web.Wyden is an original framer of Section...


One that soared 3,000% the last time it was in a bull market.
The Green New Deal aims to have America running on 100% clean energy by 2030.
AOC has called climate change her "World War II." She wants to get rid of dirty energy like coal, oil, and gas that pollute the air.
Sounds pretty good, right? A clean environment is important for all of us. I certainly want my young daughter to grow up breathing clean air.
But there's one big problem with AOC's plan.
According to AOC "there is no place for nuclear power" in America's future.
Many folks think nuclear power is dirty and dangerous. They associate it with big smokestacks and nuclear bombs.
These people could not be more wrong. Nuclear is the best source of renewable, clean energy we have.
It doesn't cause any pollution. The steam drifting out of nuclear plants is as harmless as the steam from your shower.
In fact, the International Panel on Climate Change found nuclear power produces less air pollution than solar, wind, or hydro.
It is also the safest energy source on the planet, according to the World Health Organization.
There are 99 nuclear reactors in the US. They generate twice as much clean energy as every solar panel, wind turbine, and other clean energy source combined.
Excluding nuclear, clean energy sources like solar and wind make up 17% of America's energy needs. Getting that to 100% by 2030 without nuclear is impossible.
For one, it would cost trillions of dollars.
Also, we need energy sources that are dependable and "always on." This is a major problem for solar and wind.
Solar power is interrupted by darkness and clouds. Wind turbines only work when the wind blows. That's why solar generates power only 25% of the time and wind 35% of the time.
As you likely know, nuclear power plants use uranium as fuel to produce electricity.
But the uranium sector has collapsed since 2011.
It began with the freak accident in Fukushima, Japan. First, the most powerful earthquake in Japan's history caused a reactor to shut down. Then a tsunami disabled the emergency generators.
This caused a disastrous nuclear meltdown that contaminated a large area and killed and injured many people.
Japan shut down all but two of its reactors after the Fukushima disaster. Many other countries followed suit.
Germany moved to phase out nuclear power completely. And plans to build four new reactors in America were shelved.
This led to the vast majority of uranium companies shutting their doors.
In 2011, there were 585 uranium companies. Just 40 remain operational today. And most of the survivors have seen their stocks plunge 90% or worse.
Last year, uranium production in the US dropped to its lowest level since the 1950s. That's because almost no producer can make money at today's depressed prices.
It's a total bloodbath. But as I explained last year, the uranium market is poised to surge higher. You can review my whole case for uranium here.
In short, nuclear use around the world is growing. 57 new reactors are now being built. And uranium demand is expected to rise 23% by 2025.
Yet uranium stocks are priced as if nuclear energy is being phased out altogether.
Despite what the Green New Deal says, it's not. I guarantee nuclear power will be a big part of America and the world's clean energy future.
Cameco is the world's biggest uranium producer. In fact, it's one of my top picks for 2019, period.
Cameco produces around 15% of the world's uranium. It operates two of the highest-quality uranium mines in the world. Both are located in Canada's Athabasca Basin. And the quality of the uranium there is 100x better than the global average.
This allows Cameco to produce uranium for less than its competitors. Most companies mine it for $50–$60/lb. Cameco does it for around $35/lb.
A key thing to know about uranium stocks is they move in massive cycles. The "up" part of the cycle can produce some of the biggest gains you'll ever see.
For example, when the uranium price ran from $10/lb to $136/lb between 2000 and 2007, Cameco shot up over 3,000%.
Over the next few years, as reality dawns on the markets, we have a great shot to triple our money or better in Cameco.
And given that it rocketed 30x in the last uranium bull market, it could easily go a lot higher.


text:
Ravichandran-Upendra's Film To Be Titled As 'Veda-Vyasa'
upendra,	ravichandran,
Ravochandra, Upendra
It's been nearly two years since Ravichandran-Upendra's new film was launched in Bangalore. The film is almost complete and the title of the film has been changed as 'Veda-Vyasa'.
Earlier, the film was titled as 'Ravi-Chandra' which was derived from Dr Rajakumar's hit film of the same name. The team has decided to not to keep the same title for the remake film and hence the title has been changed to 'Veda-Vyasa'.
This is the first time, both the actors are coming together on screen. Kanakapura Srinivas is producing the film, while Omprakash Rao is the director. The film stars Ravichandran, Upendra, Shanvi Srivatsav, Nimika Ratnakar and others in prominent roles. Arjun Janya is the music composer of this film.


The algorithm classifies the incoming traffic every interval into classes. Once the class is determined, the InterruptThrottleRate value is adjusted to suit that traffic type the best. There are three classes defined: "Bulk traffic", for large amounts of packets of normal size; "Low latency", for small amounts of traffic and/or a significant percentage of small packets; and "Lowest latency", for almost completely small packets or minimal traffic.
In dynamic conservative mode, the InterruptThrottleRate value is set to 4000 for traffic that falls in class "Bulk traffic". If traffic falls in the "Low latency" or "Lowest latency" class, the InterruptThrottleRate is increased stepwise to 20000. This default mode is suitable for most applications.


Now you can track and monitor valuable assets with the simple to use plug and play simplex transmitter using the Globalstar Quick Locate Service with a basic simplex data service package. The Quick Locate Service is available with the option of two plug and play simplex devices. These units will send 6 GPS location reports per day. In addition, the devices have one digital port/input which can be used to provide customers with additional monitoring and event-driven capabilities as required. Examples of the additional monitoring would be if a door switch is activated or if the temperature drops below a certain level in a refrigerated vehicle. The reports will be available for customers to access via the Quick Locate Service on the Globalstar website. The easy-to-use service offers a view of last GPS report or can immediately link to Mapquest for a graphical picture of the unit's location.
Simplex messages are transmitted via the Globalstar low-earth orbit satellite network, using an uplink-only connection (one-way data transmission).
Multiple messages are sent over several minutes at each transmission interval to ensure reception. Once the Globalstar system confirms a message it ensures repeats are deleted for efficiency. Customer only pays for first confirmed message.
Globalstar Quick Locate Service provides solutions for businesses that need to quickly and reliably track and monitor assets. The Quick Locate service is an affordable, basic tracking solution.
*Note: 200 individual reports based on 9-byte message size. Included messages are comprised of 6 GPS location reports per day. Remainder of monthly messages is available for other digital input requirements.
Globalstar Quick Locate Service can be accessed through the Internet using one of the two following Globalstar products. Both are battery-operated, wireless data devices that integrate the Globalstar Simplex Transmitter Unit. These units are ready-to-go out of the box and easy to install. Both have batteries with a 2 year life that can be easily replaced in the field. Power consumption estimates based 6 messages per day. Results may vary.
For full product features and advantages, download the Quick Locate Service brochure.
The above Globalstar Quick Locate Service only applies to the GMC and Axonn Simplex Transmitters. This service is not available for the satellite phone units.


text:
Dominik García-Lorido (Miami, 16 de agosto de 1983) es una actriz estadounidense. Es la hija mayor del también actor Andy García.

Biografía
Nacida el 16 de agosto de 1983 y criada en Los Ángeles, es hija del actor cubano-estadounidense Andy García y de María Victoria Lorido. A pesar de ser de ascendencia cubana no habla español. Es la mayor de cuatro hermanos: la propia Dominik, Daniella, Alessandra y Andrés Antonio García-Lorido.

En 2003, fue elegida Miss Globo de Oro por la asociación de la prensa extranjera de Hollywood.

En 2004 se graduó en cine, teatro y televisión por la Universidad de California, Los Ángeles.

Trayectoria

Cine
 Last goodbye, 2004
 La ciudad perdida, 2005
 Chinaman's Chance: America's Other Slaves, 2008
 Reflections, 2008
 La línea, 2008
 City Island, 2009
 Wild Card, 2015

Televisión
 Magic City, 2012
 Mr. Robot, 2019

Referencias

Véase también
 Andy García

Enlaces externos

Actrices de cine de Estados Unidos
Nacidos en Miami


text:
<?php

namespace App\Console\Commands;

use Illuminate\Console\Command;
use Lighthouse\Commands\PurgeElasticsearchCommand;
use Lighthouse\Commands\PurgeRedisCommand;

class PurgeStorageCommand extends Command
{
    /**
     * The console command name.
     *
     * @var string
     */
    protected $signature = 'storage:purge';

    /**
     * The console command description.
     *
     * @var string
     */
    protected $description = 'Setup storage for the Lighthouse Service';

    /**
     * @var PurgeElasticsearchCommand
     */
    private $purgeElasticCommand;

    /**
     * @var PurgeRedisCommand
     */
    private $purgeRedisCommand;

    /**
     * @param PurgeElasticsearchCommand $purgeElasticCommand
     * @param PurgeRedisCommand         $purgeRedisCommand
     */
    public function __construct(PurgeElasticsearchCommand $purgeElasticCommand, PurgeRedisCommand $purgeRedisCommand)
    {
        $this->purgeElasticCommand = $purgeElasticCommand;
        $this->purgeRedisCommand = $purgeRedisCommand;

        parent::__construct();
    }

    /**
     * Execute the console command.
     *
     * @return mixed
     */
    public function handle()
    {
        $this->purgeElasticCommand->handle();
        $this->purgeRedisCommand->handle();
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Your Safety, Security, and Satisfaction Is Very Important to Us.
As the site responsible for more Adventist marriages than all other dating sites combined, your Adventist dating happiness means everything to us. Please read these online dating safety tips and use them as guidelines to help you have the best experience possible. Remember no matter how hard we work to keep you safe, it's ultimately up to you to stay aware and employ common sense both online and offline.
Don't share any personal information in your profile (like your last name, phone number, addresses or other identifying information), and keep that info private until you feel 100% comfortable sharing it with your match.
When it comes to creating a meaningful, long-lasting relationship, slow and steady wins the race. Get to know someone before meeting them offline by chatting in real-time on Adventist Singles to see if there's chemistry! Ask a lot of questions and watch for potential inconsistencies.
Ask your date to meet you in a public place (like a coffee shop or restaurant) for your first few dates, and be sure to tell a friend where you're going beforehand. You should also arrange your own transportation to and from the date. Don't forget to bring your phone with you!
Getting to know someone requires a little digging, and a lot of common sense. That's the best way to discover an ideal match online. Your good instincts will carry over into your offline date… and that's how to ultimately find lasting love online!
Never send money — regardless of how nicely someone asks — and never give out financial information such as your social security number, credit card or banking information. If someone requests money or you sense a scam, report it immediately. Our customer service team is ready and waiting to help — that's part of our commitment to you!
Copyright © 2017 Spark Networks® USA, LLC All right reserved.
Spark Networks USA, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Spark Networks, Inc. a NYSE MKT Company (LOV)SPARK NETWORKS USA, LLC DOES NOT CONDUCT BACKGROUND CHECKS ON THE MEMBERS OF THE SUBSCRIBERS OF THIS WEBSITE. HOWEVER, THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF OUR MEMBERS IS OUR TOP PRIORITY. WE URGE ALL MEMBERS TO FOLLOW OUR » ONLINE SAFETY TIPS.


Image Title: Oval Dining Room Sets Pantry Versatile Pertaining To Tables Remodel 12. Filename: oval-dining-room-sets-pantry-versatile-pertaining-to-tables-remodel-12.jpg. Image Dimension: 500 x 500 pixels. Images Format: jpg/jpeg. Publisher/Author: aitas. Uploaded Date: Sunday - June 03rd. 2018 20:04:15 PM. Category: Architecture. Image Source: interiordesign.net.
Tap The Thumbnail Bellow to See Related Gallery of "Oval Dining Room Sets Pantry Versatile Pertaining To Tables Remodel 12"


text:
Karmen Stavec  (Berlim Ocidental, 21 de dezembro de 1973 é uma cantora e compositora  eslovena.

Stavec nasceu em Berlim Ocidental, filha de pais eslovenos. Depois de se graduar, ela emigrou para Domžale (Eslovénia), onde entrou no duo musical  "4 Fun". Ela começou a estudar Filologia Germânica  na Faculdade de Filosofia na Universidade de Ljubljana. Em 1998, começou uma carreira a solo.

Karmen participou por quatro vezes na  EMA, festival esloveno para escolher a canção eslovena no Festival Eurovisão da Canção .En 1998 em duo com Patrik Greblo, cantou  Kje Pesem Je Domaen, que terminou em 7.º lugar.   Em 2001, participou a solo com Ostani Tu , terminando em 3.º lugar.  Um ano depois, em  2002, cantou Se in Se (Mais e  Mais) e classificou-se em segundo lugar, atrás do trio travesti  Sestre. Em 2003 venceria a final com a canção Lep Poletni Dan ("Outra Noite de Verão") e ganhou. Na final europeia, cantou uma versão em inglês da final eslovena "Nanana "que terminaria em 23.º lugar, tendo recebido um total de 7 pontos.

Ver também
 Festival Eurovisão da Canção 2003

Ligações externas

Cantores da Eslovênia
Participantes do Festival Eurovisão da Canção
Naturais de Berlim


To provide an outstanding Catholic education with Christ as our light and our guide.
Strive every day to grow in confidence, independence and self-belief as we learn and discover the potential we have, using the gifts and talents God has given to us.
Work as one, inspired by the teachings of Jesus, to share the light of his love in our homes, school and parish, and with our global family.
Grow together, living out the fruits of the Holy Spirit, as we help to build God's Kingdom, here in Thornaby.
Take a look below to see what we have been learning about in RE this year!
Father Pat telling Year 4 about his role in the community.
Year 4 made rotis to celebrate Sikhism Week.
Christmas carolling at Asda - Spreading the joy of Christmas!


A 9-year-old boy remains in the hospital after what appears to be a freak accident while playing baseball with his mother's boyfriend on McKeon Field in Ryan Playground Sunday afternoon.
The most recent press accounts indicated the boy, identified as Eddy Quinn, who does not live in Charlestown, was in a medically induced coma and was stable. He had been in critical condition since being rushed to the hospital by ambulance Sunday afternoon.
Boston EMS said they transported the young man from the baseball field in the afternoon after he was successfully revived.
EMS reported that the young man had been struck in the chest with a baseball and suffered cardiac arrest. Bystanders performed CPR, and EMS and Boston Fire arrived quickly. They boy was defibrillated twice and regained pulses. He was intubated at the scene and he was showing signs that his mental status had improved.
The account from EMS described the severity of the situation, where the boy was not breathing and had no pulse after suffering a heart attack. Reports indicate that the likelihood of a baseball causing such a heart attack is few and far between. The ball has to hit one just at the moment between heart beats to cause such a reaction.
Nevertheless, the stakes were raised and the story became much more of an item for the Boston press when the Boston Police Homicide Division responded to the field – something that's not exactly routine in such medical emergencies.
The Boston Police did not respond for comment on that investigation.
The mother is said to live in Charlestown, and the boy lives elsewhere with his father. At the time he was pitching to his mother's boyfriend.
Al Carrier, of Charlestown Little League, confirmed that there was no organized activity going on at the time.
He also said the young man isn't enrolled in the Charlestown Little League program.
League President Cathy Reese issued a statement this week, as many are concerned about the incident on the eve of the kickoff of the Charlestown Little League season this Saturday, April 29.
Batting helmets, restricted flight balls, and Little League approved bats are standard measures.
One thing many have asked about, she wrote, is the Heart-Gard shirts that can prevent such an injury. They are not required by Little League, but recommended. The shirts are available at most sporting good stores and cost between $40 and $60.
She said the injury is rare and only happens about four times a year nationwide.
"The ball needs to be traveling at the right velocity, hit the right spot on the chest at the right moment in time in between heart beats," she wrote.


I remember the first time people around me mentioned "shopper marketing". Twenty years in the industry and suddenly here was this white-hot new discipline that had seemingly passed me by.
Now, of course, everyone is talking "shopper". It's the new arena where brand managers can achieve true competitive advantage. And, for once, the reality matches the hype – provided you really understand what it is and how to harness its power. That means, in part, knowing the difference between your shopper, consumer and customer.
First, shopper marketing is not just sales promotion or point of sale by a different name. Applied properly, it is both a lot more strategic and a lot more simple than that. It requires a shift in perspective from consumer (where your brand proposition might be, such as "mega tasty") to shopper (where your brand proposition might be "give the kids a treat…"). The consumer and the shopper are often different people, such as kids versus mum, so simply recycling your consumer insight can be totally irrelevant.
Next, understanding the customer – ie trade – side of the equation is vital. When developing shopper strategies you attempt to please two audiences – shopper and trade customer. Satisfying them both is tricky, and requires some level of expertise and experience. Some say it amounts to knowing the "art of the possible" but we've also seen the impossible achieved simply by understanding the trade customers' ultimate goals and showing how an innovative campaign can help achieve them. It's amazing what becomes possible in retail if the prize is large enough.
Finally, keeping the entire shopper marketing experience on-brand is a skill often lost in the rush to design the coolest in-store mechanic. At Joshua G2, we place shopper marketing within the continuum of overall brand communications so that key brand values are consistent across the entire experience.
Even if our shopper is different from our consumer, the brand still conveys consistent values, tonality and character. This allows us to leverage key brand assets across a wider experience – straplines, key visuals, core USPs – while still focusing specific messaging to the right occasion.
So many shopper campaigns appear disconnected from the brands they serve. Or do little to enhance brand equity, merely pillage it in the interests of a quick sale. By giving shopper marketing its rightful place in the spectrum of communications planning, we embrace the power of shopper marketing for our clients' brands.
Next time someone mentions shopper marketing, think synergistic strategy that connects your consumer, shopper and customer in one seamless brand experience. And you'll be good to go.
They're worth it, but are you??


The success of the Victorian explorer and missionary David Livingstone's first book, Missionary Travels (1857), led to his receiving government funding in 1858 for an expedition up the Zambezi River. The trip was expected to last two years, and was intended to further commercial and scientific as well as missionary aims. However, owing to internal disagreements, illness (including the death of Livingstone's wife), drought and tribal warfare, the explorers' mission took six and a half years and achieved little apart from collecting plant and geological specimens. The upper reaches of the Zambesi proved unnavigable owing to rapids and waterfalls, and the expedition was recalled. This account, published in 1865 by Livingstone (1813-1873) and his younger brother Charles, who had accompanied him, was in part an attempt to excuse the problems which had beset the expedition, and restore Livingstone's reputation in order to gain backing for further ventures.


text:
class Ocenaudio < Cask
  version :latest
  sha256 :no_check

  url 'http://www.ocenaudio.com.br/downloads/ocenaudio.dmg'
  homepage 'http://www.ocenaudio.com.br/en'

  app 'ocenaudio.app'
end


text:
Mills Body Shop
1018 Maxwell Avenue
Evansville IN, 47711
All About Mills Body Shop
Five locations to better serve the Tri-State:
Harold and Velda Mills opened Mills Auto Service and Repair in 1955. They operated the small shop at 902 N Fares for 15 years.
Don Decker and Jack Vickery purchased the business in October of 1970. By 1977, the operation outgrew its original building and moved to 1018 Maxwell Avenue, where the size of the facility and staff tripled. In 1982 a second location was opened on the east side of Evansville. In 1986 Mills opened it's first Warrick County operation in Chandler, IN. Throughout the 1990's each of these locations were expanded to meet customer's needs. In 2003 Mills opened it's second location in Warrick County in Newburgh, IN. In 2004 Mills opened it's fifth location. It is at 5900 Old Boonville Hwy. This location includes, Mills Truck Equipment, Mills Truck Accessories, Mills Express, Mills Graphics. It is truly your one stop shop.
Don's and Jack's sons started working with the company when they completed school throughout the 1980's. Since then, Don Decker JR., Randy Vickery, and Britt Decker have taken over operations of the family business. They have continued the tradition of Service, Attitude, and Pride.
It is never a good time or experience to be involved in an accident. It is our goal to make this experience as simple and as smooth as possible. To make this a reality, we provide;
Estimates of repair for you and/or your insurance company
Rental car arrangements when needed
Pick-up and delivery of vehicle
Customer shuttle
Assistance with your insurance claim
Updates throughout the repair process
Collision repairs
Frame/Unibody repairs and replacement
Refinish work with state-of-the-art environmentally friendly paint system
Detailing service inside and out after completion of repair
Type the word in the picture.
Make sure all fields are filled out correctly.
Carpet Cleaning in Evansville IN Electrician in Evansville IN Network Solution in Evansville IN
Duct Cleaning in Evansville IN Tree Service in Evansville IN Insurance in Evansville IN
Marketing in Evansville IN Roofing in Evansville IN Data Recovery in Evansville IN
Event Planning in Evansville IN Lawn Care in Evansville IN Auto Body Shop in Evansville IN
Vision Health Insurance Evansville Best Business Insurance Evansville How To Clean Gutter Evansville
Gutter Cleaning Services Evansville Land Scaping Evansville Liability Insurance For Dogs Evansville


Insanity and godlike genetics. Those are the qualities needed to achieve extreme success, à la Bill Gates, Richard Branson, Steve Jobs or Elon Musk.
That's according to the intimate perspective of Justine Musk, who was, of course, Elon's wife.
Elon Musk is a co-founder of online payment processing system PayPal, the founder and CEO of both spacecraft company SpaceX and electric vehicle manufacturing company Tesla Motors and the chairman of solar power company SolarCity. He is, categorically, a super success.
Justine met Elon as students at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, and married in 2000. They lost their first child to sudden infant death syndrome and then went on to have a set of twins and a set of triplets -- all boys.
As her husband achieved astronomical success, Justine, who is a writer, watched herself slowly take a back seat to his work. She watched herself become a trophy wife, she revealed in Marie Claire in 2010.
Once you have found a topic that compels you, then find a problem. And in your obsessive pursuit to solve that problem, don't expect to have role models. You will be forging your own path, she says.
Six weeks after after they separated, Elon texted Justine to let her know that he was now engaged to be married to a young, British actress named Talulah Riley. He and Riley would go on to divorce, remarry, and divorce again.
While insanity and superhuman levels of energy are required to achieve extreme levels of success, wisdom in the world of love is, apparently, not.


Curious as to how we can track affiliate program? I have joined and sent someone a link but do not see a way of seeing any results, besides hearing from that they have signed up.
Thanks for signing up others! We don't have a report you can look at per se, but we do a monthly report internally and send out payments via PayPal. It tends to be faster as an internal process than spending the extra time (for now) to expose it all in the app. But that's our goal eventually.
Ella, if you don't mind, message me through our help desk (send a ticket through Contact Us page or use help@ownerreservations.com) about the person you signed up. I took a quick glance at some reports, and I don't see what you're referring to.
Sorry I couldn't reply sooner, I had to step out. I just sent you a message via contact form.
Could you direct me to the information on the affiliate program? I can't find it via a search. I joined it but can't recall what the benefits are for me (as well as as the person I refer). Thank you!
Look in your account section in the top right dropdown area and go to Affiliate Program there. The details are at the bottom.


Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards Card: Should You Keep It?
The Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards Card is a travel rewards credit card that lets you earn rewards points for everyday purchases that can be used for travel, merchandise, gift cards, or special events.
– Complimentary 24/7 Visa Infinite Concierge.
– Emergency Medical Insurance (48 days<59, 23 days=60–64, 15 days=65-75, None>76, Amount: 5 M/per person).
– Travel Accident Insurance (up to $1,000,000 CAD, No age limit).
– Trip Cancellation Insurance ($2,000 each).
– Trip Interruption Insurance (Unlimited).
– Flight Delay Insurance (Not clear – No mention of after how many hours, Looks like $2,000, but please call Meridian to confirm).
– Lost and Delayed Luggage (Not clear - No mention of after how many hours, Looks like $500-$1,000, but please call Meridian to confirm).
– Extended Warranty Insurance (1 additional year, $50,000 lifetime limit).
– Purchase Security (90 days, $50,000 lifetime limit).
The Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards Card is a new entrant on the Canadian credit card market. The rewards points earning rate is not that great because it generates only 1.5 percent return on everyday purchases. However, the 3 percent return on foreign purchases would offset the 2.5 percent foreign transaction fees and there will still be a half percent return. Most Canadian cards charge foreign transaction fees. If you want to know which cards do not charge foreign fees, watch my video on that.
The interesting twist this card has is its insurance. It offers rich travel insurance for a $99 annual fee. Also, the Emergency Medical Insurance offers longer coverage than most other Canadian travel credit cards (and a higher amount, up to $5 million) for up to 75 years old.
If you pay careful attention to insurance providers, there are two providers working together here. For travel related insurances such as emergency medical, trip interruption, trip cancellation, baggage delay, etc., the provider is Desjardins Financial Security Life Assurance Company. For other segments of insurance such as auto rental, mobile device, purchase + price protection, extended warranty, etc., the provider is American Bankers Insurance Company of Florida (ABIC).
Whichever travel credit cards you use (such as Scotia Gold Amex, Capital One Aspire Travel World Elite MasterCard, and many other Canadian cards), travel insurances are provided by American Bankers Insurance Company of Florida. I would stay away from these, as there are numerous complaints and bad reviews online about these providers when it actually comes to processing claims. So, for the travel insurance elements, the provider is Desjardins and not ABIC, which is a good thing.
Now, it all comes up to your decision making if you are comfortable trusting Desjardins as your insurance provider. Of course, I am assuming they are better than ABIC, but I am not too familiar with Desjardins when it comes to processing claims. You don't want to take chances paying out of pocket for, let's say, a $500,000 bill should you require an airlift from a foreign country to Canada and your provider is finding causes to decline your claims.
To wrap it up, Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards Card should not be your primary card to maximize rewards/points earning (except foreign transactions). But it can be a good card for travel insurances if you are fine with Desjardins being the travel insurance provider. Always do your research and make an educated decision.
As of this writing, I do not hold this card.


text:
Hip Hop and R&B Artist Interviews
San Diego Hip Hop - Heat of The Week
Hot New Hip Hop, Rap, RnB, and DJ Club Mixes
Hot New Hip Hop R&B Radio Mix w DJ JAM [LISTEN] 2-20-2019
Every Friday, DJ JAM mixes the top hottest new hip hop, rap, & RnB club party songs on the radio along with host Beto Perez!
You can listen live every Friday from 9:50 pm to 12 am on JAM'N 95.7-FM in San Diego, California and the iHeartRadio app.
Listen to the "Hot Spot" weekly radio DJ mix below.
DJ JAM Radio Mix "Hot Spot" [2-20-2019] Playlist Hosted by Beto Perez:
1.SLAY – YG f/QUAVO
2.GOING BAD – MEEK MILL f/DRAKE
3.BARBIE DREAMS – NICKY MINAJ
4.IF YOUR GIRL ONLY KNEW – AALIYAH
5.THUGZ MANSION – MOZZY f/TY DOLLA $ & YG
6.SUNFLOWER – POST MALONE & SWAE LEE
7.WAKE UP IN THE SKY – GUCCI MANE f/BRUNO MARS & KODAK BLACK
8.SWIMMING POOLS – KENDRICK LAMAR
9.NO STYLIST – FRENCH MONTANA f/DRAKE
10. SAD – XXXTENTACION
11. QUESTION – RICH THE KID f/FUTURE
12. 21 – DABABY
13. CARO – BAD BUNNY
14. TAKI TAKI (REMIX) – DJ SNAKE f/SELENA GOMEZ & CARDI B
15. JIGGLE (BREAK) – DJ RAPTURE
16. ZEZE (REMIX) – KODAK BLACK f/TRAVIS SCOTT & OFFSET
17. WOW – POST MALONE
18. PANJABI WINE (BREAK) – BRAINDEAD
19. BAD AND BOUJEE (REMIX) – MIGOS
20. THAT NEW FUNKADELIC – ICE CUBE
21. NOT NICE – PARTYNEXTDOOR
22. TELL ME WHEN TO GO (UPTEMPO REMIX) – E-40
23. WHISTLE (UPTEMPO REMIX) – JOHN HART f/TOO SHORT
24. DON'T MATTER TO ME (UPTEMPO REMIX) – DRAKE f/MICHAEL JACKSON
25. BETTER – CHANTEL JEFFERIES f/BLOCBOY JB & VORY
26. SCOOBY DOO PA PA (REMIX) – DJ KLASS & PITBULL
Get To Know DJ JAM
http://www.djjam.com/
DJ JAM has been one of the most influential forces in West Coast hip-hop; you have heard and experienced his work if you have encountered the West Coast hip-hop movement figure-headed by Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre.
Get To Know Beto Perez
Beto Perez was born in Tijuana, Mexico and raised in the South San Diego. His passion for music started at a young age when his cousins gave him vinyl records to play. This led him to a career as a DJ. He brings over 13 years of radio experience. In 2002, a young Beto kept calling the XHRM 92.5 FM request line and harassed his way on to becoming a Morning Show stunt guy. He's also worked at XHTZ Z90.3 FM and a few other Spanish stations. He has since worked as a producer, an on-air DJ for both Spanish and English markets and has done some voice over work and currently is the voice of Caption Obvious. You can currently catch Beto on weeknights on JAM'N 95.7. He also does the Fresh Friday Show. Working for JAM'N 95.7 is truly an honor because Beto grew up listening to West Coast artists like Snoop, Dre, 2Pac, E40. His hobbies include eating and his favorite is BBQ. He enjoys outdoor live concerts, any outdoor activities, watching plays, fixing up old cars, video games, reptiles, water sports, and is a huge sports fan.
Get more Hip Hop, Rap and RnB dj club mixes.
Hot New Hip Hop R&B Radio Mix w DJ Showtime [LISTEN] 2-23-2019
DJ Showtime mixes the hottest new Hip-Hop, Rap & RnB club party songs on the radio every weekend! JAM'N 95.7 is the top Hip Hop and R&B radio station in San Diego,...
Hot New Hip Hop R&B Radio Mix w DJ Beatnick [LISTEN] 2-2-2019
Get the hottest new Hip Hop, Rap, & RnB club party mixes and songs on the radio by DJ Beatnick! JAM'N 95.7 is the top Hip Hop and R&B radio station in San Diego,...
DJ JAM mixes the top hottest new hip hop, rap, & RnB club party songs on the radio every Friday! JAM'N 95.7 is the top Hip Hop and R&B radio station in San Diego,...
Get free new Hip Hop, Rap, RnB, and DJ club mixes from the hottest DJs in America! JAM'N 95.7 is the top Hip Hop and R&B radio station in San Diego, California. You can listen live on JAM'N 95.7 in San Diego and the iHeartRadio app. Read more
Hot New Hip Hop R&B Radio Mix w DJ JAM [LISTEN] 4-3-2019
Nipsey Hussle Marathon Mix - Hot New DJ Mixes w Tha Kid...
Hot New Hip Hop R&B Radio Mix w DJ Beatnick [LISTEN] 3-16-2019
San Diego Hip Hop Emcees, Producers & DJs: We're Looking For You!
San Diego's Hip Hop Show: 7 Lock, Marlon D & DJ JAM
San Diego's Hip Hop Show: Tristan Pueblo, Von Dreaam & NickNoxx
San Diego's Hip Hop Show: DJ Hevrock, Slowhand & DJ JAM
San Diego's Hip Hop Show: D-Boy P. Chase, Legacy & DJ JAM
San Diego's Hip Hop Show: Effn McCoy, Remedy By Request & DJ JAM
San Diego's Hip Hop Show: Domi Young, FollowJOJOE, iLL Nicky & DJ JAM
San Diego's Hip Hop Show: King Oz, Sweet OTB, Cisco Rubio...
San Diego's Hip Hop Show: D-Rough, St.Cyr, DJ REK, DJ JAM Heat...
San Diego's Hip Hop Show: DJ Daniel Gee, Ekutz & JAM on Heat...
San Diego's Hip Hop Show: Dave Rukus & Senema w DJ JAM | Heat...
Curt Quinn, On-Key, Mr Milky w DJ JAM | Heat of The Week


New Jack Librarian: Poetry has left the building. Have books gone too?
I'm not so worried about this. Books have been out of the mainstream since before the internet. The mass public has long since converted to audiovisual works and short-form prose. Long-form prose will continue to be patronized by those seeking deeper insights. Jon Stewart, for example, still regularly interviews authors of actual books. In any case, the digital availability of books will happen. The publishing industry has their digitized texts all ready to go as soon as they see a legal and technical environment that they can live with. They got close with the Google Book Search settlement; it won't be too long before a solution is found.


Cover images and credits from the magical Grand Comics Database.
What ! Am I really seeing CC Beck art ? Every week I go into Comic Book College and ask for that new issue of Captain Marvel. It is a standing joke. But I wish there was. The only thing closely similar that has captured my attention is the Tom Strong stuff. And Beck another artist of old who lived at the end on Social Security. Thanks for putting it up Dan.


text:
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      RUBYCRITIC

            Overview

            Code

            Smells

          Updated <time class='js-timeago' datetime='2017-07-03 11:56:52 -0500'>2017-07-03 11:56:52 -0500</time>

lib/automation_object/blue_print/hash_adapter/helpers/validators / validate_allowed_keys.rb

              A

31 lines of codes

2 methods

5.0 complexity/method

8 loc/method

10 complexity

0 duplications

code

                0
                smell

    # frozen_string_literal: true

require_relative 'validate'

module AutomationObject
  module BluePrint
    module HashAdapter
      module Validators
        # Validator that tests the composite hash for bad keys
        class ValidateAllowedKeys < Validate
          # @param args [Hash] arguments for the validation class
          def initialize(args)
            @allowed_keys = args.fetch :allowed_keys
          end

          # Validates the composite object and throws errors on failure
          # @param composite_object [Object] Composite object to be tested.
          # @return [nil] no return on exceptions on failure
          def validate(composite_object)
            # Get the hash from the composite object
            target_hash = composite_object.hash

            target_hash.each_key do |key|
              error_messages.push("Invalid Key: #{key}, at: #{composite_object.location}. Allowed keys: #{@allowed_keys}.") unless @allowed_keys.include?(key)
            end
          end
        end
      end
    end
  end
end


The Wesleyan Wolves soccer program fell to LaGrange College in a USA South Conference contest by a score of 2-1 Wednesday. A late goal by Nadia Al-Shihabi sparked a potential late comeback, but ultimately could not find the equalizer.
The Wolves are back on the road this coming weekend: a resume of the Piedmont match will occur on Friday afternoon, followed by an evening date with Johnson University of Tennessee. On Saturday, the Wolves will head to Berea for a USA South Conference match scheduled for 4:30pm.


The Clarets' contingent of Republic of Ireland internationals will find out next Tuesday who will stand between them and a place in the World Cup finals.
But the joy of the Irish meant disappoinment for Turf Moor team-mate Sam Vokes, whose own hopes of a place at Russia 2018 were dashed in Cardiff.
Ireland's 1-0 win saw them pip Wales to second place in Group D to book a place in the play-offs.
The draw for the two-legged knock-out ties, to be played in November, will take place in Zurich on Tuesday, 17 October.
Clarets' striker Vokes came off the bench to try and rescue Wales' hopes of reaching a first World Cup finals since 1958.
But Chris Coleman's side could not claw back a 57th-minute goal from James McClean, which was set up by Burnley midfielder Jeff Hendrick.
"We knew it would be hard, but when it comes down to one game, the spirit in this group, we can do anything," said Hendrick.
"We always said that once we had one game it's a do-or-die and when it comes to the big games this group of lads show up.
"I think everybody that plays us knows they are in for a hard game. We might not pass the ball as much as other countries but we've got the spirit and it's great to do it for the fans.
Ireland, with Robbie Brady back from suspension, snuffed out any possible Welsh comeback with Kevin Long coming on in stoppage time to join Stephen Ward and help secure a clean sheet and make it a famous night for the four Clarets.
Burnley team-mate Jon Walters missed out through injury but will now hope to play a part in Ireland's first appearance in the finals since 2002 if Martin O'Neill's side can negotiate the play-offs.
Vokes, meanwhile, hopes to bounce back from the disappointment and go again for the next European Championship qualifying campaign after helping Wales reach the last four at Euro 2016.
The striker, who won his 53rd cap, said: "I thought we had a great campaign and it was all on tonight. So it's devastating in the dressing room and a tough one to take.
"Ireland made it very hard for us. They got the goal and it was always going to be hard to break them down from that point.
"But we can hold our heads up high and move on.
"The success we had in France makes us want it more so we will be coming back next campaign ready to do it again."
One Burnley player already guaranteed a place in Russia is winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson, whose second goal in two games helped Iceland beat Kosovo 2-0 to top Group I and reach the finals for the first time.
Iceland will become the smallest country to play in the tournament as they look to repeat their heroics from Euro 2016.
"Russia we are coming," Tweeted a delighted Gudmundsson.


text:
Q: Magento 2 - What is the proper way to edit core file? For my Paypal Payment issue,
I just want to update the following function,
app/code/Magento/Paypal/Model/Api/Nvp.php
protected function _applyStreetAndRegionWorkarounds(DataObject $address)
{
// merge street addresses into 1
if ($address->getData('street2') !== null) {
$address->setStreet(implode("\n", [$address->getData('street'), $address->getData('street2')]));
$address->unsetData('street2');
}
// attempt to fetch region_id from directory
if ($address->getCountryId() && $address->getRegion()) {
$regions = $this->_countryFactory->create()
->loadByCode($address->getCountryId())
->getRegionCollection()
->addRegionCodeOrNameFilter($address->getRegion())
->setPageSize(1);
if ($regions->count()) {
$regionItems = $regions->getItems();
$region = array_shift($regionItems);
$address->setRegionId($region->getId());
$address->setExportedKeys(array_merge($address->getExportedKeys(), ['region_id']));
}
}
}

Instead of
  protected function _applyStreetAndRegionWorkarounds(DataObject $address)
    {
        // merge street addresses into 1
        if ($address->getData('street2') !== null) {
            $address->setStreet(implode("\n", [$address->getData('street'), $address->getData('street2')]));
            $address->unsetData('street2');
        }
        // attempt to fetch region_id from directory
        if ($address->getCountryId() && $address->getRegion()) {
            $regions = $this->_countryFactory->create()->loadByCode(
                $address->getCountryId()
            )->getRegionCollection()->addRegionCodeOrNameFilter(
                $address->getRegion()
            )->setPageSize(
                1
            );
            $regionItems = $regions->getItems();
            $region = array_shift($regionItems);
            $address->setRegionId($region->getId());
            $address->setExportedKeys(array_merge($address->getExportedKeys(), ['region_id']));
        }
    }

Source: https://github.com/magento/magento2/issues/26698
What is the best way to edit core files? Module or Preference or anything else?
My Error:
Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Call to a member function getId() on null in /var/www/html/test/app/code/Magento/Paypal/Model/Api/Nvp.php:1524 Stack trace:
#0 /var/www/html/test/app/code/Magento/Paypal/Model/Api/Nvp.php(1493): Magento\Paypal\Model\Api\Nvp->_applyStreetAndRegionWorkarounds(Object(Magento\Framework\DataObject))
#1 /var/www/html/test/app/code/Magento/Paypal/Model/Api/Nvp.php(849): Magento\Paypal\Model\Api\Nvp->_exportAddresses(Array)
#2 /var/www/html/test/app/code/Magento/Paypal/Model/Express/Checkout.php(621): Magento\Paypal\Model\Api\Nvp->callGetExpressCheckoutDetails()
#3/var/www/html/test/app/code/Magento/Paypal/Controller/Express/AbstractExpress/ReturnAction.php(32): Magento\Paypal\Model\Express\Checkout->returnFromPaypal('*********')
#4/var/www/html/test/generated/code/Magento/Paypal/Controller/Express/ReturnAction/Interceptor.php(24): Magento\Paypal\Controller\Express\AbstractExpress\ReturnAction->execute()
#5 /var/www/html/test/lib/internal/Magento/Framework/App/Action/Ac in /var/www/html/test/app/code/Magento/Paypal/Model/Api/Nvp.php on line 15

Note: Is the following patch suitable for my error,
https://magento.com/tech-resources/download#tab-36   (PayPal Express Checkout issue with region patch for Magento 2.3.4)

A: In your di.xml create a preference to your own implementation
app/code/StackExchange/PayPalPreference/etc/di.xml
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<config xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
        xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="urn:magento:framework:ObjectManager/etc/config.xsd"
>
 <preference
     for="Magento\Paypal\Model\Api\Nvp"
     type="StackExchange\PayPalPreference\Model\Api\Nvp"
 />
</config>

In your own implementation, extend the class you want to change and override only the method in question. You will have to create a constructor matching the parent constructor, it will look something like this:
app/code/StackExchange/PayPalPreference/Model/Api/Nvp.php
<?php
declare(strict_types=1);

namespace StackExchange\PayPalPreference\Model\Api;

use Magento\Payment\Model\Method\Logger;

class Nvp extends \Magento\Paypal\Model\Api\Nvp
{
    public function __construct(
        \Magento\Customer\Helper\Address $customerAddress,
        \Psr\Log\LoggerInterface $logger,
        \Magento\Payment\Model\Method\Logger $customLogger,
        \Magento\Framework\Locale\ResolverInterface $localeResolver,
        \Magento\Directory\Model\RegionFactory $regionFactory,
        \Magento\Directory\Model\CountryFactory $countryFactory,
        \Magento\Paypal\Model\Api\ProcessableExceptionFactory $processableExceptionFactory,
        \Magento\Framework\Exception\LocalizedExceptionFactory $frameworkExceptionFactory,
        \Magento\Framework\HTTP\Adapter\CurlFactory $curlFactory,
        array $data = []
    ) {
        parent::__construct($customerAddress, $logger, $customLogger, $localeResolver, $regionFactory, $countryFactory, $processableExceptionFactory, $frameworkExceptionFactory, $curlFactory, $data);
    }

    protected function _applyStreetAndRegionWorkarounds(DataObject $address)
    {
        if ($address->getData('street2') !== null) {
            $address->setStreet(implode("\n", [$address->getData('street'), $address->getData('street2')]));
            $address->unsetData('street2');
        }
        if ($address->getCountryId() && $address->getRegion()) {
            $regions = $this->_countryFactory->create()
                ->loadByCode($address->getCountryId())
                ->getRegionCollection()
                ->addRegionCodeOrNameFilter($address->getRegion())
                ->setPageSize(1);
            if ($regions->count()) {
                $regionItems = $regions->getItems();
                $region = array_shift($regionItems);
                $address->setRegionId($region->getId());
                $address->setExportedKeys(array_merge($address->getExportedKeys(), ['region_id']));
            }
        }
    }
}

You can change the app/code/StackExchange/PayPalPreference/Model/Api/Nvp.php like this and use storeManager to fetch website id to decide whether to run the code or not for particular websites:
<?php
declare(strict_types=1);

namespace StackExchange\PayPalPreference\Model\Api;

use Magento\Store\Model\StoreManagerInterface;

class Nvp extends \Magento\Paypal\Model\Api\Nvp
{
    /**
     * @var StoreManagerInterface
     */
    private StoreManagerInterface $storeManager;

    public function __construct(
        \Magento\Customer\Helper\Address $customerAddress,
        \Psr\Log\LoggerInterface $logger,
        \Magento\Payment\Model\Method\Logger $customLogger,
        \Magento\Framework\Locale\ResolverInterface $localeResolver,
        \Magento\Directory\Model\RegionFactory $regionFactory,
        \Magento\Directory\Model\CountryFactory $countryFactory,
        \Magento\Paypal\Model\Api\ProcessableExceptionFactory $processableExceptionFactory,
        \Magento\Framework\Exception\LocalizedExceptionFactory $frameworkExceptionFactory,
        \Magento\Framework\HTTP\Adapter\CurlFactory $curlFactory,
        StoreManagerInterface $storeManager,
        array $data = []
    ) {
        parent::__construct($customerAddress, $logger, $customLogger, $localeResolver, $regionFactory, $countryFactory, $processableExceptionFactory, $frameworkExceptionFactory, $curlFactory, $data);

        $this->storeManager = $storeManager;
    }

    protected function _applyStreetAndRegionWorkarounds(DataObject $address)
    {
        // e.g. if you do not want to run the code on website id = 2
        if ($this->storeManager->getWebsite()->getId() == 2) {
            parent::_applyStreetAndRegionWorkarounds($address);
            return;
        }

        if ($address->getData('street2') !== null) {
            $address->setStreet(implode("\n", [$address->getData('street'), $address->getData('street2')]));
            $address->unsetData('street2');
        }
        if ($address->getCountryId() && $address->getRegion()) {
            $regions = $this->_countryFactory->create()
                ->loadByCode($address->getCountryId())
                ->getRegionCollection()
                ->addRegionCodeOrNameFilter($address->getRegion())
                ->setPageSize(1);
            if ($regions->count()) {
                $regionItems = $regions->getItems();
                $region = array_shift($regionItems);
                $address->setRegionId($region->getId());
                $address->setExportedKeys(array_merge($address->getExportedKeys(), ['region_id']));
            }
        }
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
by Goh Boon Teck
Toy Factory Productions
Joyden Hall @ Bugis+, Singapore
Goh Boon Teck's Purple, a play inspired by the life of Singaporean transsexual Maggie Lai, is without doubt, a significant work of local theatre, having been performed to sold out crowds in both 1995 and 1998. Behind the racy lifestyle of this movie star, stripper and call girl extraordinaire is the tale of one woman's journey to self-acceptance and her battle to stand up for who she is.
This third incarnation of the play, featuring songs and an improved script, is led by director Rayann Condy and boasts a striking new angle: the transsexual as a circus freak. Bright publicity posters declare the play to be a "bareback Freak Show" and we are invited to gather around to enjoy the lurid spectacle. It's a strong idea but one that ends up drowning out the tender story it is trying to tell.
Condy has been known to play with unconventional spaces, exploring locations such as a bar (Can't Stand Up for Falling Down) and a beach (Sonnets for an Old Century) in previous productions. In Purple, she uses another interesting venue: a multi-purpose events hall at the top floor of a shopping mall. The action proceeds on a raised central stage surrounded by the audience, festooned with colourful streamers, rings and other carnivalesque elements. As we take our seats, we are greeted by earthy usherettes (Matilda Chua, Elizabeth Loh and Rebecca Skyperman) who draw our attention to the veritable aberration of nature lurking behind the screen and provide lascivious banter, much like circus ringmasters warming the crowd before the main act.
All this makes for a good preamble but alas, once the screen goes up, revealing a miserable, bedraggled Maggie (Shane Mardjuki), I start to feel that perhaps Condy has not thought this staging through. The configuration of the space results in rather awkward blocking where, despite the actors' best efforts, people seated at the sides do not get a good view of the scenes. There is also a wide gap between the stage and the audience and Condy rarely allows Mardjuki to get up close with us, having him deliver most of his lines on the stage. I end up feeling quite distanced from the action.
Another reason why this production of Purple falters is due to Mardjuki's performance. Maggie Lai by no means an easy character to play and Mardjuki unfortunately does not prove himself the equal of this demanding role. Much like in Twelfth Night, I feel that while he delivers all his lines very well, he lacks conviction in what he is saying. His performance remains carefully reined-in rather than raw and emotionally naked. One does not feel the pathos of Maggie as an outsider and I constantly feel myself watching Mardjuki the actor first and Maggie the character second.
Photo Credit: Toy Factory Productions
That being said, Mardjuki certainly makes a good attempt to inhabit the role of a transsexual woman. He succeeds in rendering the feline, huskily-voiced Maggie and provides a stark contrast when impersonating the other male characters in her life, even if his attempts at dialect do not always hit the mark. Yet, Mardjuki could have pushed his some of his scenes a lot further. The striptease sequence could have revealed a lot more flesh (we don't even get to see his bare shoulders!) and a pole dance, while competently performed, appears mechanical rather than teasingly seductive.
Maggie's nearly 100-minute long monodrama is occasionally broken up by the three supporting actresses, playing an array of characters ranging from sadistic nurses to leering uncles. A particularly gripping scene involves Maggie's sex change operation, each step being clinically described by the nurses while slowly smearing and dripping purple blood all over their hands. It's a visceral reminder of the immense pain and sacrifice one undergoes as part of such a process and makes us feel extremely uncomfortable.
The three actresses function very much as the voice of society, representing the censure of the public against anyone perceived as being contrary to accepted norms. Their characters are deliberately overplayed and made provocative to invite the audience's indignation and this, by and large, achieves its effect. Indeed, the trio could have been incorporated into more of the scenes. A scene where Maggie describes peeping at her teacher in the school toilet, for example, could have been portrayed by the other actors to milk the comic potential. I would also have liked to have seen Maggie's stoic father at least once rather than just hearing about him all the time. I felt the addition of songs (such as I am Woman and Little Girl Blue) didn't contribute very much to the narrative, providing at best a break from all the exposition. Worse, the only competent singer out of this group is Rebecca Spykerman, the other two proving to be rather off-key.
Ultimately, despite all the shortcomings of this production, I feel that Condy ends it on a strong note with Maggie gaining her dignity. The three actresses perform various acrobatic stunts while Maggie, having reached the end of her story, enters one final time in a shimmering gown, circles the audience and walks out gracefully. She is no longer the circus freak or an outsider but a person who has finally come to terms with herself.
I'm glad that Toy Factory decided to bring back Purple in this, their only public performance of the year. There are precious few local plays about transsexuals (Michael Chiang's Private Parts being a notable example) and these are stories that deserve to be seen and heard. While the bawdy theatrics and uneven central performance make this staging of Purple much weaker than its predecessors, the soul of Goh's play remains intact. After all these years, Purple still has the capacity to move.
Labels: drama inkpot reviews play singaporean theatre


RCSB PDB - 4TUJ: Crystal structure of monoclonal antibody against neuroblastoma associated antigen.
Crystal structure of monoclonal antibody against neuroblastoma associated antigen.
Deposition Author(s): Grudnik, P., Golik, P., Horwacik, I., Zdzalik, M., Rokita, H., Dubin, G.
Structural Basis of GD2 Ganglioside and Mimetic Peptide Recognition by 14G2a Antibody.
Horwacik, I., Golik, P., Grudnik, P., Kolinski, M., Zdzalik, M., Rokita, H., Dubin, G.
Monoclonal antibodies targeting GD2 ganglioside (GD2) have recently been approved for the treatment of high risk neuroblastoma and are extensively evaluated in clinics in other indications. This study illustrates how a therapeutic antibody distinguishes between different types of gangliosides present on normal and cancer cells and informs how synthetic peptides can imitate ganglioside in its binding to the antibody. Using high resolution crystal structures we demonstrate that the ganglioside recognition by a model antibody (14G2a) is based primarily on an extended network of direct and water molecule mediated hydrogen bonds. Comparison of the GD2-Fab structure with that of a ligand free antibody reveals an induced fit mechanism of ligand binding. These conclusions are validated by directed mutagenesis and allowed structure guided generation of antibody variant with improved affinity toward GD2. Contrary to the carbohydrate, both evaluated mimetic peptides utilize a "key and lock" interaction mechanism complementing the surface of the antibody binding groove exactly as found in the empty structure. The interaction of both peptides with the Fab relies considerably on hydrophobic contacts however, the detailed connections differ significantly between the peptides. As such, the evaluated peptide carbohydrate mimicry is defined primarily in a functional and not in structural manner.
From the ‡Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Virology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 7 Gronostajowa St., 30-387 Krakow, Poland; irena.horwacik@uj.edu.pl.