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COMMENT: MG Rover: diesels the key to accelerating sales
New car sales figures released this week by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders offer further proof that drivers are opting for diesel cars in increasing numbers. MG Rover should look to tap into this growing segment of the market by investing in its diesel engine technology and then marketing it aggressively as a possible means of turning around falling sales.
bcusack
To achieve its target of profitability by 2006, MG Rover has been developing strategic relationships worldwide, the most recent being forged with SAIC in China last month. However in the UK the manufacturer is struggling to stay competitive against larger rivals. Sales of its Rover brand in June were down 42% on the same period 12 months before, while its sportier MG cars suffered a 19% slump.
The SMMT statistics point to the increasing popularity of diesel power, making it an area in which MG Rover could look to improve its offering. Diesels accounted for 31.1% of new car sales in the first six months of this year, compared to 26.2% in the same period last year, highlighting the fact that British drivers no longer consider them to be the poor relation of petrol vehicles. This has encouraged manufacturers to introduce better performing and cleaner engines. At present, both Vauxhall (owned by GM) and Jaguar (part of Ford) are aggressively marketing their new diesel engine technology to take advantage of rising demand – MG Rover should follow suit.
The provision of a highly developed, economical yet drivable range of diesel cars will soon become the norm for major players in the UK market. Diesels have always been far more popular in continental Europe than in Britain, and this experience gives the likes of Volkswagen and BMW a major advantage over MG Rover when it comes to producing them.
MG Rover has not traditionally had the same focus on the diesel market and, while this is now changing, it is still some way from being able to compete effectively in this segment. This mirrors other areas where the company needs to improve its offering, for example in superminis and MPVs. The company should continue to cultivate strategic partnerships with other manufacturers in a bid to reduce its overheads, but its primary focus must still be on offering customers the cars they want.
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260 Pacific Heights Drive is a $245,000 property on a 0.19 acre lot located in Santa Rosa, CA.
Great opportunity to rebuild with Sonoma County, in Mark West Estates in the Larkfield area. Original home was 2851 SF, 4bd, 3ba. Lot is cleared and certified. There are 3 mature palm trees that once graced the pool area. Well located near good schools, Kaiser and Sutter hospitals, Community park, Luther Burbank Center, Molsberry shopping center. Short drive to Calistoga, many wineries and the Russian River.
I am interested in 260 Pacific Heights Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95403.


Sec. 15-1705. Bond. (a) Mortgagee in Possession. Upon good cause shown after notice and hearing, the court may require that a mortgagee in possession give bond to other parties to account for what shall come into the mortgagee's possession by virtue of taking possession of the mortgaged real estate and for the acts of such mortgagee. The bond shall be in such reasonable amount, form and with such surety as may be required by the court.
(b) Receiver. When a receiver is appointed, bond may be required in accordance with Section 2-415 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(c) Corporations. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of Section 15-1705, a corporation qualified to administer trusts in this State that is acting as a mortgagee in possession or receiver shall not be required to give bond other than appeal bonds.


Meet & Greet with Pulkit Samrat & Yami Gautam l Jaipur Movie Promotions "Junooniyat"
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The Great Game in the 21st Century
In typical British understatement, Arthur Conolly, an intelligence officer with the Sixth Bengal Light Cavalry in the early part of the nineteenth century, called the fighting along with military and diplomatic maneuvering between England and Russia for supremacy in Afghanistan "the great game." The Nobel Laureate Rudyard Kipling made the phrase popular, but also left a warning about the cost.
Two thousand pounds of education
Drops to a ten-ruipee jezail [a muzzle-loading flint lock]"
Now a very good paper, the Times of India is reporting a trial balloon by the People's Republic of China: "China mulls setting up military bases in Pakistan." As with most information, in this 21st-Century chapter of "the Great Game," it is murky and, to be fair, speculative reporting.
However, from the perspective of the People's Republic of China, it could be an interesting move, although the enthusiasm for such an endeavor by Pakistan is a huge unknown, and the reality of a People's Liberation Army (PLA) base may fall short.
Positioning a base in Pakistan would help mitigate significant PRC internal issues from a threat by their Muslim Uighur population in Xinjian province. This province borders Pakistan. In addition, a base might help with closer relations with Pakistan because the PLA is an arms supplier to Pakistan. In the view from Beijing, a precedent-setting military base outside of China would give them real presence in a part of the world that might be on the precipice of a huge outbreak of violence.
The flash point for unknown and uncontrolled military action and terrorist action across the Middle East and South Asia is when Iranian nuclear facilities are attacked. Combat and commando action to stop Iran from getting a weapon might be approaching just like a tornado dropping out of storm clouds.
Iran must be stopped. Sanctions are a joke because Russia and China have not been helpful. Internally, the Iranian leaders are now hanging dissidents. It is obvious that they are taking a game plan from how China handled repression measures after Tiananmen.
A PLA military base in Pakistan is ultimately not a friendly move to the U.S. So where does this leave the U.S. if China makes such a move? Traditionally, in times of tension and geopolitical military maneuvering that may adversely affect out troops and interests, America asks, "Where are our Carriers?" However, a Carrier Battle Group isn't the deterrence move of choice for the roof of the world.
But the U.S. does have a significant deterrence move, and it is air power. The London Times just reported the first flight of the Russian version of our fifth generation F-22. It is obvious that fifth-generation Air Dominance fighters have great value. The Russian plan for their fifth-generation fighter is unlike the U.S.'s. They will not limit production, and they will concurrently develop an export version. History tells us that the PLAAF has been a significant beneficiary of Russian aircraft design.
It now looks like the Russian design bureau may have a world-class F-22sky coming soon. It is time that the administration and Congress immediately rethink both more Raptors for the USAF and also an export version and the immediate deployment of Raptors where they will be a demonstration of American resolve.
The smart geopolitical move in light of a possible PLA base in Pakistan is to deploy the F-22 where it can make a huge statement of U.S. positioning against any PLA/PLAAF maneuvering for basing. This is because it is not a reach to think the PLAAF would like to be part of any PLA planning in Pakistan.
Sending a detachment of F-22s to Afghanistan to set up a strip alert would accomplish several important objectives. Among them, it would signal to all world powers that the U.S. is committed to air dominance on the roof of the world. Basing in Afghanistan would also give F-22 pilots and commanders the opportunity to develop operational tactics in a combat theater.
It is important to recognize that on the ground, the F-22 is a high-value target. In the air, it tells both our NATO allies and all others that America is committing the best we have to a hot war in a critical part of the world.
Both the Times of India and the London Times had important implied questions: What will America do? Both issues can be addressed concurrently by basing the F-22 Raptor on strip alert in Afghanistan.
Such a move would signal visionary leadership and action in this most serious and dangerous time.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire "Beast of Winter"
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is probably the best RPG of 2018 so far, and there's a good chance it will still top the list when the year draws to a close. Like all Obsidian games, Pillars of Eternity II is an intricate, skillfully-written epic, but it's also just a lot of fun — a vigorous, varied adventure that, thankfully, never takes itself too seriously. If you enjoy classic computer RPGs even a little, you really need to give the game a shot (check out my full review here).
As you may recall, Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire casts you as he Watcher, a mysterious traveler with the ability to talk to dead people. Following the events of the first Pillars of Eternity, you've set yourself up in a pretty nice cursed castle, but the good times are short-lived, as the 500-foot-tall "dead god" Eothas bursts from the ground, destroys your new digs, and stomps you to death. Thankfully, the god of death and rebirth, Berath, revives you and sends you off to the Deadfire Archipelago to find out what Eothas is up to. I provide this recap for the sake of context, but most of it has little bearing on Beast of Winter – the expansion tells a largely self-contained story with few ties to Pillars II's main quest.
Once you've downloaded Beast of Winter, you'll be invited to attend a mysterious a feast in your honor, which is being held in a remote village at the very south edge of the Deadfire map. Hmmm, doesn't sound suspicious at all! You discover the invite was sent by the Harbingers, a vaguely Viking-like Elvish cult who worship the god of winter, Rymrgand. Unfortunately, before the feasting can begin, the Harbinger's village is attacked by a zombified dragon the locals call The Messenger.
You manage to chase off the dragon, and the town's head priest Vatnir comes clean, admitting the Harbinger cult is basically a sham and that he had ulterior motives for inviting you. It seems that decomposing dragon has opened a rift between Rymrgand's realm and the rest of the world, and you need to close it before all of the Deadfire freezes over. Uh, sure, no problem! Beast of Winter delivers a fairly straightforward story, with little in the way of new character development. Only Vatnir, who joins you as a playable party member, has any sort of arc. It seems Obsidian knows Beast of Winter's story is a bit dopey, as a lot of the dialogue, particularly early on, has a rather jokey tone.
One of the strengths of Pillars of Eternity II is that it lets you play your way, often allowing you to talk your way out of, or otherwise avoid, fights. The same can't be said of Beast of Winter. The expansion sets the tone by immediately forcing you into a difficult boss fight with The Messenger. From there, the DLC continues down a fairly straight path, without much room for any real roleplaying.
Don't get me wrong, Pillars of Eternity II's Infinity-Engine-inspired click 'n' pause combat and character management remain satisfying. Some of the challenges you face in Rymrgand's domain — a sort of icy, dreamlike purgatory — are also interesting. At various points, you'll find yourself traversing a complex network of portals, inhabiting different roles in a Rashomon-like trial, and using time travel to save a key character from a fiery cataclysm. Beast of Winter may not have much effect on Pillar of Eternity II's core story, but it does tie into the series' greater history and lore in surprising ways.
Beast of Winter ought to take most players around 5 or 6 hours to complete (add another couple hours if you want to clean up all the sidequests). Not a bad amount of content for $10, but compared to the sprawling main game, Beast of Winter feels like an after-dinner mint following a four-course feast.
This review was based on a PC copy of Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire "Beast of Winter" provided by publisher Versus Evil. You can purchase the DLC at a slight discount on Green Man Gaming.
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire "Beast of Winter" gives fans more of a good thing, and presents a handful of interesting ideas and story beats. That said, anybody expecting this Pillars of Eternity II expansion to be anywhere near as vast, vibrant, and varied as the core game are likely to be left cold.


Extensive works to the building included the CAT A fit out of three office floors, refurbishment of all common areas and various external reinstatement works. To meet increasing rental requirements, the specification was amended to provide new air conditioning system rather than overhaul the existing fresh air ventilation. West 1 were instructed to install a bespoke Daikin HVAC (VRF) system, providing conditioned air to all areas of the building. Installation of the new HVAC system included specialist crane access required to lift and install condenser units to the very restricted plant room.
Despite the scope of the HVAC contract variation, the construction phase programme was only marginally extended to incorporate the additional works.


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Millions of French citizens have been vaccinated, still thousands continue to protest government health requirements Image: Adrienne Surprenant/AP Photo/picture alliance
SocietyFrance
French police clash with protesters over health pass
07/31/2021 July 31, 2021
Thousands of security forces have been deployed around Paris to confront citizens protesting plans to introduce coronavirus passes. The protests are the third in as many weeks.
https://p.dw.com/p/3yNCS
More than 3,000 police and security personnel were deployed around the French capital Paris on Saturday as thousands of protesters angered by the government's planned introduction of health passes descended on the city.
Nationwide, around 204,000 people took part in protests across the country, according to the Interior Ministry. The numbers were up from the figures logged during protests last weekend.
In Paris, police used teargas and force when confronting protesters at four different rallies across the city.
They moved to keep demonstrators from entering the capital's famous Champs-Elysee avenue, which was ransacked in violent "yellow vest" protests back in 2018.
A police spokesperson reported that three officers had been injured by protesters during the course of the day.
What are the French protesting about?
New health passes will be required for citizens to travel and enter businesses, such as cafes, restaurants or hairdressers, as well as on trains or at fairs, beginning August 9 — pending Constitutional Council approval. Moreover, vaccination will become mandatory for certain professions.
Protests, taking place for the third Saturday in a row, are being staged not only in Paris, but in more than 100 cities around the country, including Montpellier, Bordeaux, Marseille and Nice. An interior ministry official said over 200,000 people had demonstrated across France.
As in other Western countries, demonstrations in France are populated by various stripes of anti-government protestersImage: Michel Euler/AP/dpa/picture alliance
Who is protesting in France?
Opinion polls show that a majority of people in France favor the idea of a health pass, but some staunchly reject the measure, taking to the streets to voice anger at the plan.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin tried to put the numbers into perspective.
"When I see the parallels to the 4 million people who went to get vaccinated after the president's speech, then you see that the demonstrators are not in the majority," he told the newspaper Le Parisien.
Previous protests have seen far-right marchers alongside "yellow vest" adherents and others who claim the pass will limit their freedom. One fixture at such rallies, Francois Asselineau, the leader of the fringe, anti-EU Popular Republican Union party, will not attend the protests as he has contracted COVID-19.
Nevertheless, Asselineau, whose party seeks France's unilateral withdrawal from the EU, urged fellow protesters to fight the "absurd, unjust, freedom-killing" health pass.
France's tightrope walk
Is everyone against the idea of health passes?
Other citizens have taken a more pragmatic approach, deciding to get vaccinated to avoid being shut out of social life during France's August vacation season.
Federal and regional governments across the country have set up a number of places for citizens to get the jab, including at beaches in popular vacation destinations.
Infections, driven by the newer and more contagious delta variant, are on the rise in France, with 24,000 new infections reported on Friday.
According to a new study conducted for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, unvaccinated individuals now make up nearly 85% of all new hospital admissions — including intensive care — and 78% of all COVID-19 related deaths.
Nearly 112,000 people have died of the coronavirus in France since the pandemic began last year. More than 52% of the French population has been vaccinated.
kb, js/jlw (AP, dpa)
France: Health pass protests
CoronavirusCOVID-19FranceUN Permanent Security CouncilFrance


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[Kame's Review]: "Game Play"
Game Play by Lynda Aicher
Publisher: Carina Press (February 16, 2015)
Series: Power Play, 1
Genre: Contemporary Romance -- Sports
One night, one time, nothing more. That's all it was supposed to be. They'd agreed their first night together would be their only night together—and Minnesota Glaciers defenseman Dylan Rylie was fine with that. Giant hickeys and claw marks on his ass had never been his style, even if the very memory of Samantha Yates's merciless sexual energy gets him hard within seconds. He needs to focus on getting a better contract, not mind-blowing orgasms.
One night, one time, nothing more. Fresh off representing the US at the Games and with nowhere else to play, Samantha gave in to one night of frantic passion with the Glaciers' brawny hotshot. She couldn't get hurt—not if she controlled the outcome. And she planned to leave Minnesota soon, anyway. She didn't expect to be recruited to coach Dylan after they'd gotten down and dirty.
When brutal on-ice workouts lead to kinky locker room sessions and "one night" falls by the wayside, Samantha insists on keeping things casual, despite Dylan's quiet hope for more. But when Dylan goes down—hard—and his career is in jeopardy, Samantha is the first one by his side. What will it take to keep her there after he's healed?
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Kame's Review:
Samantha Yates's hockey career is over, not due to an injury but the fact that she just doesn't have a place to play on a serious competitive team anymore. She has played four years at college, even earned a silver medal at the Olympics however the desire to compete is still strong. Her life was hockey, now she must move forward and find her new purpose in life. Sam is invited to a fundraising hockey event which highlights Olympians and professional hockey players from the Glaciers. She watches hockey all the time and Dylan Rylie is a cocky defenseman that Sam knows she could beat, and that day she decided she would for the whole event to see.
He leaned toward her to be heard over the music. "I hear the steak is great here."
"You've never been here?"
"Nope." He glanced around. "Never had anyone I wanted to dance with."
Samantha has a very hard time finding value in herself now she is not a hockey player. And that makes her resent hockey and people who are able to still play in serious competitive situations. It made her bitter, and for the first part of the book this bitterness just consumed her. Dylan has a goal of getting a contract out of the end of this season, he is focused, watches video, makes notes, and listens to his agent. I was sad to realize his agent is all he has, that and his image. He works very hard to cultivate the image he thinks he needs to get the attention and the contract. When Sam and Dylan met there was an attraction, but neither wanted to take the time to pursue, each too consumed with their own issues to see they were the perfect match. To me the initial sex scenes lacked emotional connection, it was straight hookup sex; I was at the point where I almost abandoned this book when there was an event that caused them to each acknowledge the connection and from that point forward it was a different book for me entirely. Sam and Dylan let down their defenses and a relationship that blossomed.
"Cheers. And thank you again for the help."
She clinked her bottle to his. "It's been my pleasure, Mr. Rylie."
He lifted a brow, his bottle suspended inches from his lips. "Mr. Rylie?"
"It's better than Pretty Boy."
He inclined his head. "Maybe…Samantha."
"Sam," she insisted. "Everyone calls me Sam but you. Why?"
His smile grew as he studied her. "Sam is the woman who kicks ass on the ice and fights for everything she's achieved." His expression softened somehow and he reached over to thread his fingers with hers. "That's a pretty awesome person, but I think Samantha's even better. She's just like Sam but has this kind of vulnerable side too that's really nice when you let her out."
I want to point out that this isn't like any hockey book I have read before, there is a lot of hockey in it. I am not an ardent fan of hockey - my extent of knowledge is when the puck goes in the net it's a goal. I am sure there are some important details that were lost on me. As their relationship progressed the hockey took more of a back seat, and I think this is where the characters really grew and started to be ones I cared about. Actually I started to care about the whole team, and their friends. This is the first book in new series and I am hoping the next book in the series picks up where this one left off and we get to see more of the current hockey season, and Sam and Dylan.
4 STARS!
~ * ~ * ~
Kame received an e-ARC of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for her honest opinion.
*Note: The quotes used belong to Lynda Aicher; Kame and TBQ's Book Palace do not claim them.
Thanks for the review, Kame! :) Sounds like the start to a great series!
Have you read Lynda Aicher before? Do you have a favorite of hers?
*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!
Posted by The_Book_Queen at 12:00 AM
Labels: 4 Stars , Carina Press , Contemporary , Kame's Reviews , Review , Romance , Sports
Red Iza March 10, 2015 at 4:56 AM
Not yet, but this one looks good, thanks for sharing :)
Pat Egan Fordyce March 10, 2015 at 8:03 AM
I have not read Lynda Aicher before.......thanks for the introduction Kame! Looks like a fun read.
Sharonda March 11, 2015 at 10:28 AM
I havent read her before, but I love that the story turned around for you, thats always a good thing ;)
KAMEBookReview March 11, 2015 at 6:23 PM
Thanks everyone - I am hopefully going to get book 2!
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Committee Leaders Renew Calls for Details on Financial Condition of All Loan Recipients in Solyndra Program
WASHINGTON, DC - Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) joined every member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations in once again calling on the Secretary of Energy to turn over information on the financial condition of each loan guarantee funded with stimulus dollars in the program that granted the ill-fated Solyndra loan, known as section 1705 loan guarantees. Committee leaders had previously requested the financial information on September 20, 2011, before the agency rushed out the remaining $9 billion before the program expired on September...
Joint Select Committee Members Urge President Obama to Consider Options for Government Spectrum Reallocation
WASHINGTON, DC - Four members of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction today sent a letter to President Obama requesting a review of how spectrum currently used by the federal government can be used more efficiently, with a goal to reallocate portions of existing government spectrum to expand the public's access to broadband. The letter was sent by Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA), and Sen. Patrick Toomey (R-PA). The full text of the letter follows:
Dear Mr. President:
The Budget...
Upton, Stearns Comment on Explosive White House Documents on Solyndra
WASHINGTON, DC - Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Cliff Stearns (R-FL) responded to documents the committee received late today from the Obama administration regarding the investigation into the $535 million Solyndra bust. Upton and Stearns made the following statement: "After eight months of stonewalling by this administration, today we finally learn one of the reasons why they fought our investigation every step of the way. The paper trail released by the White House portrays a disturbingly...
Upton, Stearns Comment on Resignation of DOE Loan Guarantee Chief
WASHINGTON, DC - Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Cliff Stearns (R-FL) responded today to news that Jonathan Silver, Executive Director of the Department of Energy's Loans Programs Office, is resigning. Silver, who was responsible for doling out $18 billion in stimulus loan guarantees, appeared before the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee on September 14, 2011, for a hearing on "Solyndra and the DOE Loan Guarantee Program." Upton and Stearns made the following statement:
"Mr. Silver's resignation does not solve...
Subcommittee Examines Politicization of EPA's Science and What it Means for Jobs and the Economy
WASHINGTON, DC - The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy, chaired by Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), today held a hearing to examine the objectivity and credibility of the Environmental Protection Agency's chemical risk program, the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS).
The IRIS assessment program and its database were created in 1985 to assist EPA in policy decisions and its ability to protect Americans from dangerous chemical exposures. While risk assessment remains critical to public health protection, the integrity of the IRIS program has been...
Energy and Power Subcommittee Continues To Press Federal Regulators on Electric Reliability Concerns
WASHINGTON, DC - Following its recent hearing with members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power submitted an additional series of questions to the Commissioners for the record this week. These questions will assist the committee in gathering critical information concerning the potential impact of EPA's recent and pending power sector rules on the reliability of our nation's electric grid.
Testimony at last month's hearing revealed FERC has no plans to conduct a formal...
House Approves Bipartisan Legislation to Save Jobs and Protect American Businesses from Excessive Regulation
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. House of Representatives declared another victory today in its ongoing battle against destructive regulation with passage of H.R. 2681, the Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act. The measure passed the full House with strong bipartisan support by a vote of 262 to 161.
H.R. 2681, authored by Reps. John Sullivan (R-OK) and Mike Ross (D-AR), will protect the domestic cement manufacturing industry from costly new rules issued by the EPA, which currently threaten widespread plant closures and thousands of American jobs. This legislation provides...
Upton Outlines Committee's Jobs-Focused Agenda in the First Nine Months of the 112th Congress
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) today released a progress report on the panel's key activities in the first nine months of 2011. The third quarter report was provided to committee members and the House Republican leadership yesterday, exactly nine months after Speaker John Boehner gaveled the 112th Congress into session. The report outlines the committee's jobs-focused accomplishments with nearly 100 hearings and 24 bills that preserve American jobs, bolster the economy, and protect individual freedoms....


Do it all comfortably in this ultra-easy slip-on-ourr breathable mesh and leather moc with elegant front detail.
ASICS signature GEL is cushioning you can see in a contrasting pop at the heel of this breathable trainer.
In the gym or around town, the Kineta relay with it's lightweight, breathable and modern look brings you comfort for whatever the day brings you.


A Christmas Story: Live heard that you like your musicals, so how about a musical within your musical? Viewers of the latest in the live TV musical phenomenon were treated to a surprising commercial from this season's anticipated musical starring Hugh Jackman as a highly fictionalized version of P.T. Barnum.
But instead of your run-of-the-mill TV spot, The Greatest Showman went above and beyond and performed one of the film's numbers live. Gotta live up to that title.


Nigeria's education system is changing for good.
As the popularity of e-learning is increasing by the day, many companies around the world are trying to help out the online learning sector in any way possible. Just recently, Intel announced that they have acquired Kno, a company that provides a platform for e-textbooks and software for education.
According to Intel, this acquisition will aid a planned effort by Intel Education to build an environment or network of hardware, digital and software content, which is especially designed to aid students in the learning process while also providing tools to educators to efficiently incorporate technology into day to day classrooms.
Kno also provides a platform for educators and administrators, with tools to manage, allocate and supervise, the initiative taken for digital learning. John Galvin also added that Intel is keen to combine their existing expertise with the rich content Kno has to offer. According to them, this will assist teachers to construct an environment like a classroom and also add a personal touch to learning experiences so that students can succeed.
The apps that Kno provides are accessible to many operating systems like Android, iPad, Windows 7 & 8. The e-books they offer also help teachers, share information, gauge the progress made by students, and get more involved in its content. Intel adds that the e-books will remain the same but will only become 'smarter'. Also, the e-books will improve in quality as the entire Kno team, excepting the CEO, will be joining Intel. It has also been heard that Intel, the world's biggest 'chipmaker' will mostly work on hardware but nothing has been confirmed yet.
That education has revealed a new face to the world is a widely accepted fact amongst educationists and enthusiasts. Academics has been given a new a façade to help students of the modern age cope up with the fast paced and extensive needs of the professional world. The ongoing trends of the recent era reveal the acceptance of digital learning methods that are flexible and are encouraging a larger mass to participate in such collaborative courses. Today's scenario unveils the emergence of a learning platform that considers the limitations of the much demanding professional world.
Earlier it was more of a challenging task to comply with the professional demands and continue with studies. Courses that follow the new regimes of learning are smarter and ensure that professionals get the space to add yet another degree to their list of pre-owned credentials.
The evolution of the educational system has marked a stark difference in the lives of enthusiasts who can now aim for better career opportunities with vocational degrees certifying the latter's proficiency in key fields. Today's distance or digital learning mode relies upon the digital world for a global understanding of current phenomenon prevailing in different industries.
Professionals eyeing for an edge over different vocational areas primarily seek distance learning programs for career enrichment. Householders can now stay back at home to secure future employment prospects. In fact an academic enthusiast who has to encounter financial constraints in his/her daily life can pursue the affordable distance learning courses for wider knowledge gathering and career up-gradation.
Gamification Of Education Is Paving The Way. But How Effectively?


Popcorn Frights Film Festival announced today their first wave of programming for the fourth annual celebration of genre-twisting cinema, occurring August 10 through 16, 2018. The Southeast United States largest gathering of genre films and fans will be hosted at the historic Savor Cinema in Fort Lauderdale, a state-of-the-art theater that in the 1940's was a Methodist Church.
Opening Night features a triple-bill of mayhem kicking-off with the World Premiere of Havana Darkness, touted as the first English language horror film to be shot in Cuba; the East Coast Premiere of the zombie holiday musical Anna and the Apocalypse, which will also feature a live immersive musical performance by Infinite Abyss Productions; and the Florida Premiere of the gruesomely fun Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich.


text:
Юнія Лепіда (*Junia Lepida, 23 —після 65) — давньоримська матрона часів Римської імперії.

Життєпис
Походила з патриціанського роду Юніїв. Донька Марка Юнія Сілана, консула 19 року, і Емілії Лепіди. Була прапраонукою імператора Августа. Була одружена з Гаєм Касієм Лонгіном, консуло-суфектом 30 року.

В їхньому будинку виховувався її небіж, Луцій Юній Сілан Торкват. У 65 році Лепіда була звинувачена в інцесті з небожем і чаклунстві. Розглянувши цю справу, сенат передав імператорові Нерону вирішити долю Лепіди. Його вердикт невідомий.

Родина
Чоловік — Гай Кассій Лонгін, консул 30 року

Діти:
 Кассія Лонгіна, дружина Гнея Доміція Корбулона
 Кассія Лепід

Джерела
 Christian Settipani, Continuite Gentilice et Continuite Familiale Dans Les Familles Senatoriales Romaines, A L'Epoque Imperiale, Mythe et Realite. Linacre, UK: Prosopographica et Genealogica, 2000. ILL. NYPL ASY (Rome) 03-983, pgs. 274–277.

Жінки Стародавнього Риму
Юнії Сілани

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Copper based cables with lengths of 1, 6, 10, 15, 30 and 50 feet. The 1-30 foot HDMI cables support the following resolutions: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p. The 50 foot HDMI cable support resolutions up to 1080i. These cables are HDCP compliant. With a HDMI Booster the 40 and 50 foot cables are good for resolutions up to 1080p.


text:
i-Sprint Innovations. PHOTO: Cybercrime Magazine.
11 Mar New Security Paradigm Powers i-Sprint's Growth In Asia-Pac Region
Posted at 23:25h in Blogs by Di Freeze
IAM Becomes Bastion for Security-Minded Organizations
– John P. Mello, Jr.
Northport, N.Y. – Mar. 11, 2020
For many years, a feudal model dominated information security. Organizations protected their internal networks with a hard perimeter — its "castle walls" — that was supposed to protect the data behind it. As adversaries found more and more ways to breach that perimeter, it became more and more porous.
Moreover, as data became more distributed — through developments such as the cloud, the Internet of Things, and the proliferation of endpoint devices — perimeters began to disappear. Taking its place of importance has been identity and access management (IAM). IAM has become the new perimeter.
That change in the information security paradigm is contributing to robust growth in the IAM market. Cybersecurity Ventures predicts global spending on IAM products and services will exceed US$16 billion annually by 2022 and grow at a compound annual growth rate of 12 to 15 percent over the next three years.
One company poised to cash in on the burgeoning demand for IAM solutions is i-Sprint, which has a direct presence and active authorized partners across Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, and the United States. One of i-Sprint's companies, An Xun Ben, is doing especially well in China, where it was the only company to pull in a 4.5 rating in the IAM segment in the 2019 China Network Security Segment Matrix report.
Poised for Latest IAM Trends
Founded in Singapore in 2000, i-Sprint cut its cybersecurity teeth in the demanding financial services industry and used that experience to broaden its reach into other sectors. "With our proven track record in the financial services industry and in regulated industries with strong compliance requirements, we have been able to extend our market coverage to public services such as government agencies, critical infrastructure such as power plants, core services such as healthcare and education, and general businesses such as manufacturing," explains i-Sprint CEO Dutch Ng.
That extended market coverage now encompasses 150 regional financial institutions, government agencies, and large corporations, which use i-Sprint's suite of security products to protect assets worth more than $10 trillion.
According to i-Sprint, its suite of products is poised to keep pace with developing IAM trends in 2020. For example, many countries have created or are in the process of creating National Digital Identity (NDI) platforms so their citizens and businesses can interact with their governments in ways that are both convenient and secure. i-Sprint's authentication infrastructure product, AccessMatrix Universal Authentication Server, is designed to integrate with any NDI infrastructure and has already been deployed in several Asian countries that have NDI platforms.
Authentication without Passwords
Another developing trend is authentication without passwords. Passwords can be a drag on both productivity and overhead. One study estimated that $420 in productivity per employee annually is lost due to workers struggling with passwords. Another found the annual cost of resetting passwords is $1.9 million based on an enterprise of 10,000 employees.
Passwordless authentication uses a combination of biometric authenticators — face, finger, voice, behavior and such — with push-and-login or scan-and-login to eliminate the need for passwords. i-Sprint is ready for this growing trend with a proven passwordless authentication solution that's already been deployed with the company's banking and finance companies throughout Asia.
Single Sign-On is another IAM trend where i-Sprint is well-positioned for growth. Organizations are turning to Single Sign-On as a way to remove friction in the sign-on process, which can become onerous for users in today's complex infrastructure encompassing on-premise, cloud, and mobile logins.
Organizations are looking for a Single Sign-On solution that's secure and based on industry standards, such as OpenID, Oauth, and SAML. i-Sprint is one of a handful of organizations in Asia certified to operate with OpenID Connect standards, and its AccessMatrix Universal Sign-On solution, which is already being used by its Asian customers, allows users to securely access applications and websites without having to remember multiple sets of credentials.
Adaptive Contextual Authentication
Another hot area in IAM is Adaptive Contextual Authentication. Unlike static authentication methods that give a user an unchanging set of privileges after authentication, ACA dynamically sets privileges based on data collected about the user. The data can be historical — such as physical location, preferences, IP address, and machine address — as well as behavioral — like keystroke dynamics, sound, and tapping behavior. So if a user accesses an application from the same point device at the same location during regular hours via the same Internet provider to perform similar transactions, there is a high probability that user is legitimate. That means the application can use a less restrictive authentication method than it would if the user exhibited a less common access pattern. i-Sprint offers ACA and already has such solutions deployed with many of its Asian customers.
Blockchain technology created a lot of buzz as a way to secure cryptocurrency, but it was quickly discovered it had applications beyond virtual money, not the least of which is IAM.
i-Sprint's AccessMatrix solution has a blockchain module that uses the technology for audit and regulatory purposes. The solution creates an immutable timestamp in blockchain each time a person, thing, or service accesses the system. That means every transaction and activity can be logged and stored in blockchain to ensure it can be audited to minimize risks and enforce compliance policies.
Blockchain can be especially valuable in second-hand markets where trust and transparency is very important. That's because the unchangeable nature of blockchain reduces the chances of unintentional mistakes and tampering.
i-Sprint's blockchain solution is being used in a number of innovative ways, including by a tea leaves trading platform, a cellar for collectible Chinese wines, and an e-commerce platform with tourist tax refund capability.
Mobile Suite
i-Sprint also has a suite of mobile offerings that enable organizations to keep them secure from threats posed by those devices. The solution includes YESsafe AppPortal+, YESsafe Token+, Token for SWIFT, and YESsafe AppProtect+.
YESsafe AppPortal+ is a mobile application security management solution that creates a platform for deploying, securing, and running mobile apps, as well as authenticating users.
YESsafe Token+ is software that runs on a mobile device and supports both one-time-only password and PKI technology. It gathers strong certification, transaction authorization, and other functions under its umbrella, as well as provides complete data protection on a device.
SWIFT — the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications — is a worldwide network that allows financial institutions to send and receive information about financial transactions securely. i-Sprint's mobile token for SWIFT can be deployed in combination with the SWIFT application for the kind of one-time password authentication used for two-factor authentication.
The resiliency of i-Sprint's YESsafe AppProtect+ software was tested at the end of 2019 when a dangerous flaw was discovered in the Android mobile operating system.
Called StrandHogg, the flaw was discovered by Promon, a Norwegian mobile security firm. By exploiting the vulnerability, an attacker could spoof legitimate apps, like banking software, and trick users into revealing sensitive information about themselves and their accounts, as well as steal data from a phone and hijack its camera and microphone.
However, AppProtect+ uses a technology called RASP — Runtime Application Self-Protection — that can block attacks on iOS and Android apps in real time. Not only can it block passive attacks, such as reverse engineering, repackaging, and source code modification, but a new feature added to AppProtect+ blocks the kind of task hijacking enabled by StrandHogg.
Counterfeiting Products
A report compiled by the International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA) revealed that the global economic value of counterfeiting and piracy could reach $2.3 trillion USD by 2022. This is a major and growing global issue that can generate great economic loss, damage brand reputation and possibly create health hazards for consumers.
In addition to consumer education, some companies have added authentication labels to their products. However, counterfeiters quickly follow up on the labels
To counter that, i-Sprint developed AccessReal code (AR code), a clone-proof code that uses a unique digital watermark with product information to create a product identification DNA that is unique individually. It is an encrypted code that eliminates any possibility of counterfeiting.
Moreover, it warns businesses when any suspected or duplicated AR code is scanned. With the technology businesses can better identify the source of a counterfeit, and protect consumers by keeping them safe and away from any hazards. This will result in the ability of businesses to strengthen consumers' confidence level with their brands and build up their reputation.
While i-Sprint is poised to take advantage of the latest IAM trends, it, as well as many other companies across the globe, may experience a pothole in near-future growth due to COVID-19.
Coronavirus has affected business activities because more employees have had to work from home and fewer business meetings are being held, the company explained. So far, it continued, we have a lot of repeat business from existing customers, so Q1 and Q2 look good. But, it added, we could certainly experience a temporary slowdown in business with companies more conservative on purchasing and rolling out new digital transformation initiatives.
i-Sprint Archives
– John P. Mello, Jr. is a freelance writer specializing in business and technology subjects, including consumer electronics, business computing and cyber security.
About i-Sprint
i-Sprint Innovations (i-Sprint) established in the year 2000, is a leading provider in Securing Identity and Transactions in the Cyber World that enables individuals, organizations, and societies to build trust and identity assurance for powering productivity gain through digital identity and identity of things (IDoT).
An ISO27001 and ISO9001 certified company, we are committed to delivering a qualified and secured management system that meets the needs of our clients. i-Sprint's clients include leading global and regional financial service institutions, government agencies, telecommunications, public utilities, manufacturing, healthcare, education, multi-national corporations and others. Currently, i-Sprint has a direct presence and active authorized partners across Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan and the United States.
Tweets by iSprintInnov


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Pensions Bulletin 2022/45
FCA consults on rules to govern pensions dashboard providers
FCA finalises default investment option for non-workplace pensions
PDP consults on design standards for pensions dashboards
Purple Book shows further improved position for schemes
PPF updates its actuarial factors
DWP not to implement Hampshire or Bauer judgments
State pension transitional protection increases put through
The Financial Conduct Authority has announced the publication of a consultation on standards for operators of qualifying pensions dashboards (ie any pensions dashboard other than that to be operated by the Money and Pensions Service). The consultation sets out an authorisation, supervisory and enforcement regime that will apply to those organisations who wish to provide such services.
The consultation paper itself is extraordinarily lengthy, running to well over 300 sides. This is because, in part, such operators will need to comply with many of the FCA's existing requirements and expectations of a regulated financial services firm, in addition to requirements that are specific to the provision of a dashboard service. The consultation paper includes the FCA's approach to fees, regulatory reporting, record keeping, prudential requirements and conduct rules.
Providers will also be subject to certain aspects of the DWP's regulations (which mainly focus on trustee duties) including meeting certain technical standards.
The FCA acknowledges that potential providers will want to do more than make available a carbon copy of the MaPS 'find and view' dashboard service and so specifically provides that these providers will be able to offer additional services so long as they meet certain conduct standards. These 'post-view' services could include investment advice (including robo-advice) or guidance, as well as providing models, calculators and other similar tools.
Consultation on the FCA's proposals closes on 16 February 2023. The FCA aims to publish a Policy Statement and finalised rules in summer 2023, with potential providers being able to seek authorisation shortly after this.
There is an awful lot for potential providers to digest in this consultation. From its tone, the FCA would appear to want to heavily regulate such providers as it is very conscious of the consumer harms that may arise if these dashboard services are not properly governed.
These include dashboard users becoming a target for investment scams, users taking irreversible financial decisions based on dashboard data alone (despite the data's limitations), and access to personal data not being secure. It seems that respondents to this consultation will have to weigh up whether what is being proposed is proportionate to the risks that the FCA is seeking to manage.
In the same announcement as above, but on an entirely unrelated topic, the Financial Conduct Authority has set out final rules requiring non-workplace pension providers (such as those providing SIPPS – other than SIPPS marketed as 'empty wrappers') to offer non-advised pension savers a default investment option – to support those finding it difficult to make a choice as to where to invest their retirement savings. Providers can continue to offer wider options for more engaged pension savers. How such a default investment option is constructed is left to the provider.
Under the rules, savers will also be warned about the risk of inflation eroding the value of significant and sustained levels of cash holdings, through being sent a 'cash warning'. These warnings will be repeated at least once a year if the saver continues to meet the conditions for such warnings to be issued.
Firms will have until 1 December 2023 to implement these rules, but given the current levels of inflation, the FCA is encouraging providers to send cash warnings now.
These rules are broadly similar to those set out in a consultation that was launched in November 2021 (see Pensions Bulletin 2021/50). The finalised rules appear to be eminently reasonable and hopefully will help to nudge a certain segment of pension savers who fail to engage (or become disengaged) with the choices and challenges presented by DC retirement savings during the accumulation phase.
The Pensions Dashboards Programme has now formally launched its consultation on what is the last of its standards to be finalised – that on how data must be presented to users of dashboard services. This follows the PDP releasing its updated standards in November (see Pensions Bulletin 2022/43) and running a call for input on the design standard in July and August 2022.
The consultation is intended to run alongside the FCA's consultation on standards for operators of qualifying pensions dashboards (see article above). This is because the design standards are aimed particularly at qualifying pensions dashboards. The MaPs-built dashboard, that will be hosted on the MoneyHelper website, will seek to conform to this standard as far as possible.
Consultation closes on 16 February 2023 and the PDP is hosting a webinar discussing the design standards in more detail on 8 December 2022.
This standard is reasonably accessible to the lay reader and is worth a quick skim to see how MaPS envisages the user experience to be on qualifying dashboards.
It is worth noting that this consultation closes less than two months before the first connection window (for large master trusts) opens on 1 April 2023. Although connection is not directly contingent on this design standard, it does demonstrate how "close to the wire" matters are becoming as the Dashboards behemoth looms ever closer.
In the 17th edition of the Purple Book published on 1 December 2022, the Pension Protection Fund shows a further improved position as at 31 March 2022 compared to that in its 16th edition.
As at 31 March 2022, 34% of schemes were in deficit on a section 179 basis, with an aggregate deficit for these schemes of £61bn – down from £129bn at 31 March 2021. It is these schemes that count should insolvency strike their sponsors. Also, since 31 March 2021, the aggregate funding ratio on a section 179 basis has increased from 102.8% to 113.1%.
The aggregate proportions of schemes' assets invested in equities and bonds were broadly unchanged from those recorded for the 2021 Purple Book – the proportion in equities rose slightly from 19.0% to 19.5% while the proportion in bonds fell slightly from 72.0% to 71.6%. The number of schemes in the PPF's universe has continued to fall as more schemes wind up, merge, or enter PPF assessment.
These results are not a surprise and were foretold in the PPF's annual report and accounts. The improved financial position is mainly due to market movements from financial conditions as at 31 March 2021 (see Pensions Bulletin 2022/28) – rising gilt yields since then driving down liability values by more than the corresponding decrease in asset values, together with large increases in equity values.
The Pension Protection Fund has updated its actuarial factors once more; with the latest set coming into force on 1 March 2023. Rising interest rates have meant that the factors settled on earlier this year, to operate from 1 October 2022, have become dated and so needed to be updated again.
Each year the PPF reviews and potentially updates its actuarial factors to ensure that the cost of providing each member's PPF compensation remains actuarially equivalent regardless of the choices they make as to how and when to take their compensation. In recent years an annual update has sufficed, with changes taking place from 1 October.
As a result of these latest changes:
The tax-free lump sum delivered for a given amount of annual compensation given up at normal retirement age will fall
Those taking early retirement will get a lower level of annual compensation, whilst those taking late retirement will get a higher level of annual compensation
This is all to be expected. Trustees of occupational pension schemes may also need to review and potentially update their actuarial factors for the same reason as the PPF has had to.
The Government Bill that seeks to bring to an end the special status of retained EU law in the UK statute book (see Pensions Bulletin 2022/35) has completed Committee stage in the House of Commons, but not without many substantial amendments being put to it by Opposition parties, most notably the Labour Party.
As is to be expected, all of these were lost or not put to the vote, whilst all the Government amendments, which appeared to be of a technical nature, were carried.
During debate it became clear that the Government intends to use the Bill so that the Department for Work and Pensions doesn't have to implement two cases that impact the design of PPF compensation – namely the Hampshire judgment (see Pensions Bulletin 2018/36) and the Bauer judgment (see Pensions Bulletin 2020/01). Both cases were decided before the UK completed its withdrawal from the EU, but under the Bill there will be no compulsion for Government departments to implement outstanding EU case law.
The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill now awaits Report Stage in the Commons, shortly after which it should make its way to the Lords. Quite what they will make of it remains to be seen.
Implementation of Hampshire has been a protracted and complicated affair for the PPF. As it is taking place in advance of UK domestic legislation codifying the ECJ judgment we will have to wait and see regarding the timing of moving back to pre-Hampshire PPF design. In any case it seems that we will have a two-tier compensation structure for larger pensions in future.
Two sets of regulations have been laid which for those reaching State Pension Age on or after 11 April 2023:
Increase that part of any transitional new State Pension, which when calculated as at 6 April 2016, was above the then full rate (the "protected payment"), by the increase in the CPI (so by 23.5% for the seven year period ending on 5 April 2023)
Increase that part of any pension debit or credit on divorce, that has been applied to such a "protected payment", by the increase in the CPI since the debit or credit was created on or after 6 April 2016
The State Pension Revaluation for Transitional Pensions Order 2022 (SI 2022/1251) and The State Pension Debits and Credits (Revaluation) Order 2022 (SI 2022/1250) come into force on 10 April 2023 for most purposes.
These are part of the annual adjustments necessary to the new State Pension and are broadly as expected.
This Pensions Bulletin does not constitute advice, nor should it be taken as an authoritative statement of the law. For further help, please contact David Everett at our London office or the partner who normally advises you.


Two Chicks On Books: Release Day Blitz- DOMINION by Julie Hall With An Excerpt & Giveaway!
Release Day Blitz- DOMINION by Julie Hall With An Excerpt & Giveaway!
I am so excited that DOMINION by Julie Hall is available now and that I get to share the news!
I launched myself at him and grabbed the sides of his face, and then I planted my lips right over his.
Just like the first time I'd surprised him with a kiss, he was momentarily stunned.


Would it hurt your brand to tell your customer to buy a 3rd party gift card and then send it to you in the form of payment for the item you're selling online?
Just that most of the bigger sites would never offer this, I don't see that much.
Example: "send me an Amazon gift card and that will accepted as payment for your ebook", lets say for example.
Is that a viable way to ask for payment or would it hurt your brand. I'm talking for a smaller less known brand?
Yes, it doesn't makes sense and is total time wastage.
I wonder why will anyone do this?
Usually offering your customers more payment options is a great choice since some people like to pay with PayPal, others with Stripe etc.
I'm talking for a smaller less known brand?
If it's a, "smaller, less-known brand," is it really a brand at all?
Of course it is: And, actually, that's how all great brands start out.
Wrong, again. It's not a brand when it's small and no one ever heard of it. It only becomes a brand when it reaches recognizable brand status. If they stay small and no one ever knows who they are - it ain't a brand.
I continue to wonder - why would you want to do this? Sounds like a pain for all involved with little value.
I personally wouldn't take a 3rd party gift card as a form of payment. If they've got the cash to buy a gift card, they've got the cash to pay you for your products and/or services.
Ya I guess that makes sense.


"She is going to the office on Wednesday."
Both are accepted, the mutation is avoided in the early units for simplicity.
Hmm. It seems odd for a course which has a strong tendency to mark "casual Welsh" wrong actively to teach a non-standard form "for the sake of simplicity".
Ddydd Mercher is correct, but people often say dydd Mercher. Agreed, and it's perfectly fine, I say, to accept both answers. But flagging up an objection when some of us submit ddydd Mercher in our answers -- because "some courses do not teach it until later on" (but do they really teach dydd Mercher for on Wednesday early on?) is something else.
Such "simplification" seems a bit of a slippery slope to me -- and is teaching that Wednesday is dydd Mercher while on Wednesday" is ddydd Mercher* really so hideously complex a task in any case?
The course should always accept the correct answers, in this case ddydd Mercher and please report any instances when this doesn't happen and we'll happily make corrections.
At present there is only one 'standard' course for teaching Welsh to adults so we've tried to stick to its conventions where possible with some variations.
In my years of teaching Welsh to adults one of the greatest difficulties in the early stages for many learners is the concept of initial consonant mutatation. This course has been designed so that users can construct meaningful sentences without needing to use mutatations in the initial units.
This is only the first approx 10% of the course. Once the concept is introduced in the unit 'May I' then sentences with the appropriate mutations are expected when appropriate.
...ddydd Mercher is 'better' Welsh for '...on Wednesday'. Not everybody uses the mutation in casual Welsh though, and some courses do not teach it until later on. If you look at the Welsh media, though, you will notice that the mutation is almost always used when 'on' a day is meant.


After being named Driver of the Year, I feel a bit more pressure because now I am being watched a little bit more. As far as what I was feeling when it was announced, it was like, "Wow!" Since then I have gone from total shock and amazement to mellow. I still feel honored and privileged. I feel very humbled when I am at the Irving yard and one of the new hires walk up to me and says, "I know you. You're all over the website and Facebook for NCI." It's also happened out here on the road.
magazine, and an international press release from the Kenworth Truck Company. Several media outlets interviewed me for articles including: OOIDA, National Truckin' Magazine, Go By Truck, Women in Trucking, and my hometown newspaper in Wagoner, Oklahoma, the Wagoner Tribune.
I feel very blessed to be able to represent NCI as well as both men and women in this industry. NCI is a very well-respected company out here on the road. National Carriers has a very good reputation for how they treat their drivers, and I feel honored to be able to be the face of NCI.
It's been a great experience, and just to let everyone know, I'm still here to help promote NCI in any way.


The Women's Ministry at Grace Community Church exists to help fulfill the mission statement of Grace Community Church: "To build spiritually healthy people for ministry in the world." Our primary aim is to cultivate a culture of disciple-making, and to challenge and equip each other to 'do ministry' wherever God has us today. Gather with us around targeted discipleship topics that will inform and encourage your faith and outreach. Use your gifts to serve and strengthen the church family, or volunteer in one of our local strategic partnerships. We hope you will join us as we each work to connect, disciple and care for one another.
This spring, ten different women's gatherings will be held between April 22 and May 4. These informal teas will be hosted by Grace members with options for daytime, evening and Saturdays. This is a great opportunity to meet new friends and continue celebrating the Easter season. Find the day and time that works best for you and register here. Contact Elaine Atchison if you have questions.
Whether you are brand new to the Bible or have been studying it for years, we never move beyond the importance of answering two questions addressed in the gospel of Mark: (1) Who is Jesus, and (2) What did he come to do? Each week, we will study selected passages in Mark through large group teaching along with prayer and reflection in small groups. Please join us, and invite a friend or neighbor, whether they attend Grace, another church, or none at all. No previous experience with the Bible is needed to come!
When you register, you are also ordering a Mark scripture journal ($5), which you'll receive on the first day of the study.
Childcare will be provided for Infants-Kindergarten. Once the registration deadline has passed, please email Christi Ramares, our Childcare Coordinator, to be placed on a childcare waiting list.
Note: We studied John 1-10 during the fall, but you are welcome to jump in for the second half of this challenging and meaningful study.
This format is perfect for women who are unable to make another weekly commitment but want to invest personal time in a scripture passage each week, and build relationships with other women. Every few weeks, we will gather for fellowship, large group study time, and small group discussion and prayer. Bring your supper if you need to, and we always make time for a little dessert!
Childcare will not be provided. If this will cause you to be unable to attend, please let Elaine Atchison know.
The purpose of this group is the communal reading of the Bible in its entirety, from beginning to end. We read, discuss, and pray over the passages, submitting our minds to the revelation of God's character so we can love and serve him better. This Spring we will be reading in Job. Join in anytime; contact Patty Anderson.
A 50+ Prayer & Brown Bag Lunch meets to pray for women on the 2nd Tuesday of each month in Room 250 of the Discipleship Building. Contact Shirley Degraffenreid for more information.
Women within our congregation are available to provide support and resources in a number of areas, such as infertility, pregnancy loss, postpartum depression/anxiety, divorce, elder caregiving, and more.
If you have questions about ministry among women, have a need that requires staff assistance, or have a unique life experience that could encourage or comfort other women, contact Elaine Atchison, Director of Congregational Care.
Listen to recordings of past women's events.


Polished Billet Aluminum center caps with EMPI Logo fits most 911 and gas-burner style wheels and provide extra clearance for long-snout drums and rotors. 1 inch Deep inside and attaches to the wheel with provided Allen Screws.
This cap will fit wheels with 70mm (2.75 in.) inside diameter center hole.


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Dutch court allows doctor to forcibly euthanize dementia patient
12 Sep Dutch court allows doctor to forcibly euthanize dementia patient
Patient autonomy erodes away when doctors, insurers, and a profit-driven healthcare system make qualitative judgements on whether a person's life is worth living. Sadly, murder has become legitimized as medicine.
"A Dutch doctor was acquitted Wednesday in a landmark trial that prosecutors and physicians hope will help clarify how the country's 2002 euthanasia law can be applied to people with severe dementia.
The doctor, who was not named in court, was cleared of any wrongdoing in carrying out euthanasia three years ago on a 74-year-old woman. The patient was given fatal doses of drugs despite some indications she might have changed her mind since declaring in writing that she wanted euthanasia.
The court ruled that in rare cases of euthanasia that were being performed on patients with severe dementia—and who had earlier made a written request for euthanasia—the doctor 'did not have to verify the current desire to die.'
The doctor was accused of not acting with due care because, prosecutors alleged, she made insufficient efforts to find out whether the patient still wanted to die. To carry out the euthanasia, the physician drugged the patient's coffee without her knowledge and then had family members restrain the woman while delivering the fatal injection.
…Dutch investigators began scrutinizing the case last September, marking the first time a doctor was criminally investigated for euthanasia.
The 74-year-old woman had renewed her living will about a year before she died, writing that she wanted to be euthanized 'whenever I think the time is right.' Later, the patient said several times in response to being asked if she wanted to die: 'But not just now, it's not so bad yet!' according to a report from the Dutch regional euthanasia review committee…
Suzanne van de Vathorst, an associate professor who specializes in ethics and end-of-life issues at Erasmus University, said euthanizing patients with severe dementia puts a considerable burden on doctors. 'There's a living, breathing person in front of you who is not aware that you're performing euthanasia,' she said. 'This is a very difficult thing to do and we cannot oblige doctors to do this…'"
Read more at Medical Express….


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Rip It Up: The Story of Scottish Pop
Help Musicians Scotland: Career Pathways with Frightened Rabbit
Frightened Rabbit's Grant Hutchison and Simon Liddell speak to Help Musicians Scotland about their journey from being emerging artists to a major label band
Advertorial by Tallah Brash | 02 May 2019
Help Musicians Scotland
Following on from open and honest conversations with BMX Bandits' Duglas T Stewart and Emma Pollock, the latest video as part of our media partnership with Help Musicians Scotland comes from Frightened Rabbit's Grant Hutchison and Simon Liddell as they discuss the highs and lows of the journey from being emerging artists to becoming a major label band.
"At the request of Grant and Simon," Help Musicians Scotland's Programmes & Outreach Officer David Culbert tells us, "we have kept the focus of this video on the evolution of Frightened Rabbit within the music industry. We would like to thank Grant and Simon for sharing their stories of success from their roots in Scotland to a much-loved, international band."
In the short film which you can watch in the below YouTube player (click here if it's not displaying correctly), the first question Hutchison and Liddell tackle is: 'When did you feel that things were starting to happen for Frightened Rabbit?'
"We played a show at The Queen's Hall in 2008, I think, maybe 2009," Hutchison says, "but it was just after we'd released The Midnight Organ Fight, and it sold out, which we were not used to or not expecting, certainly not in venues [that size] and everyone knew the words and sang along… for my parents, they were there and they were like, 'Oh, so this is not just a hobby?'"
Transitioning from being in a band purely as a hobby to it becoming a full-blown and full-time job can be daunting, and finding the right people to work with along the way, people that have the same values and visions as you can, in particular, be difficult. What might be right for one person or one group of people, may be completely wrong for another.
When it came to Frightened Rabbit signing their first record deal, the privilege eventually went to Brighton-based indie FatCat Records, but it wasn't all plain sailing as Hutchison recalls: "We had conversations with one major label way back, and that didn't happen, and at the time [that] was terribly upsetting."
In hindsight, though, fortunately he sees it as more a blessing in disguise, as this particular label seemed to just want to make a quick buck and didn't seem to actually care much for the band or what they wanted. "What we would have been was a product," he continues. "When we were talking to them we didn't seem to be on the same page, and it felt like, to us – 'we'll make the record really cheap and then we'll make loads of money back off it', and we had more ambition for recording than they did… so when we first signed to a label it was FatCat. They were certainly looking to develop the band and help us grow, but in a natural way."
Now signed to Atlantic Records, a subsidiary of the Warner Music Group, Liddell explains why it works: "From every member of the team at Atlantic there was a real sort of interest or passion for the band. There was a care." Hutchison adds: "They wanted us to do well because we got on and they liked the music."
Liddell concludes that although career pathways can be different for each artist, the thing he finds most important is getting the required support after returning home from a tour: "The primary thing for me is support post-tour, recognising the differences there as well, and the different issues [you] face coming back home."
Based in Glasgow, and covering all of Scotland, Help Musicians Scotland is part of Help Musicians UK, a charity that has been running for close to a century. Investing more than £600,000 a year, they help artists via a breadth and depth of services, funds and grants that focus on mental, physical, financial and career health.
Help Musicians offer a lifetime of support when musicians need it most and as such have several grants available that can help at every stage of an artist's career, most notably The Fusion Fund, which provides financial support to enable professional musicians to access creative and professional development opportunities both in the UK and internationally, and Do It Differently, a pivotal new fund for independent music creators offering 360-degree support benefits across creative, wellbeing and business development.
You can keep up-to-date with their latest news and announcements by following Help Musicians Scotland on Twitter and Facebook, and by signing up to their mailing list.
Contact the Help Musicians Scotland office:
scotland@helpmusicians.org.uk
If you work in music and are struggling to cope, or know someone who is, get in touch with Music Minds Matter, Help Musicians UK's around-the-clock listening ear service and support line dedicated to everyone who works in the music industry. Contact Music Minds Matter on 0808 802 8008 or email: mmm@helpmusicians.org.uk


The STI's powertrain will feel immediately familiar to anyone who's driven a highly strung Impreza: big on traction and robust and substantial through the gearlever and clutch pedal but not exactly straightforward to interact with.
Given the work put in to overhaul it, the new gear linkage should be slicker. As it is, it feels notchy and ponderous. But it's only one constituent part of an engine and transmission combination that's a bit of a monster: potent, sure – but demanding to use and generally unwilling to yield to your efforts to bring it to heel.
Subaru's turbocharged flat four might as well be a 1980s turbocharged F1 engine, given how peaky it feels compared with an equivalent modern turbocharged in-line engine.
Bury the pedal with less than 3000rpm showing and embarrassingly little happens; there's a fair bit of turbo lag to push through, followed by a separate wait for the crankshaft to spin fast enough for the turbo boost to peak.
At 3500rpm the car begins to pick up; at 4000rpm it's finally hauling. But that only gives you a 2500rpm sweet spot in which to aim to keep the crankshaft spinning in order to keep the car surging on.
Doing that means concentrating and timing your shifts with careful precision. And there will be lots of shifts, so short are the STI's intermediate gear ratios.
That's certainly an engrossing process, and we wouldn't argue that the STI isn't an involving drive. It's characterful, too; seldom do you find modern performance cars in which you can feel the turbo boost building so vividly.
But if all of that sounds like we're making excuses for the car, it's because we are. Frankly, in this era of direct fuel injection and variable-geometry turbos, a £30,000 performance saloon should be more flexible, more responsive and just plain easier to drive quickly.
If the STI were all of those things, it would probably have broken the 5.0sec-to-60mph barrier – which is all it needed to do in order to be competitive with its current rivals. Instead, it languishes at least half a second off the required pace.


Inspired by the award-winning Ashley Bryan picture book, this rhythmic play explores the universal idea that true beauty is found within. Adapted from a Zambian folk tale, this story traces Blackbird's courageous journey to share his truth that "color on the outside is not what's on the inside." Featuring an original jazzy score and inventive creative movement, Beautiful Blackbird brings Ashley Bryan's inspired artwork to life in visceral and moving ways. Beautiful Blackbird is presented in conjunction with the High Museum of Art exhibition Painter and Poet: The Wonderful World of Ashley Bryan.


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Home / Lifestyle / Six influences of gardens from across the world
Six influences of gardens from across the world
On 5th September 2019
Whether you're at home or away elsewhere in the world, have you ever stopped and looked at the differences on show in the gardens you've stumbled upon? Possibly not, but next time why not take a moment to notice? Cultural differences are rife throughout the world and it's amazing to see how we change our outdoor space depending on our beliefs and global location. Enjoy our guide below, looking at how different societies tend to their gardens.
The British public hold garden space in high regard when they are looking at buying a property, with research claiming we will fork out up to £11,500 more on a home with a garden. For some, a garden is more valuable than an extra bedroom, meaning that even those of us who aren't exactly green fingered love a bit of outdoor space to call our own. We pine for that perfect lawn, shed and relaxation area with a sun lounger – often on a raised area of timber decking.
The average UK garden is 15 metres long and consists of 10 different varieties of flowers and, of course, a garden gnome — is a garden really complete without one? The most popular floral displays include tulips, rose lavender and bluebells, all of which add colour to a vibrant space.
Throw in a greenhouse, birdbath and washing line and you have the UK's perfect garden. Unfortunately, though, we normally only spend 12 hours each month in our garden due to the nation's temperamental weather and our busy lifestyles.
Italian gardens have a prominent focus on symmetry and traditional spaces are home to few flowers. You will mainly find evergreen plants that have been manicured into geometric hedges or topiaries. One thing the Italians are very fond of is covering their stone walls with foliage vines or climbing roses.
The garden space is seen as an extension of the home's entertainment area, so you are likely to find art work cladded throughout, including sculptures of gods and goddesses. On the patio, a lemon tree that has been potted in a stone urn is one of the nation's favourites.
Whereas the UK will feature water features in the form of a bird bath or pond, homes in Italy prefer the cooling effects of bubbling fountains, pools or cascades. Don't be surprised to see water shoot out of hidden pipes if you're walking along a garden path — this was a common feature in old Italy.
When you move away from the European garden scene, you will begin to see even more cultural references included. Like so many other locations, India is known for its cultural diversity and this is evident in their colourful gardens. Thanks to the tropical weather India encounters, its garden plants can thrive and that is why so many homes will be filled to the brim with flowering plants.
The Tulsi, Queen of Herbs, is one that will appear throughout the country. It is thought of as the holiest and most cherished of the many healing and health-giving herbs that will be found in Hindu homes. Because of its holy status, it is planted in special pots and has earned a very special place in the country's homes.
You are also likely to find roses in most Indian gardens, as they are said to bring happiness to your life — and they have the bonus of not requiring a lot of care. With cultural references throughout horticulture, money plants are also considered a lucky plant and there will be likely spots with them if you are to observe an Indian garden.
The American garden — or yard if you must — is often larger than its European counterparts. Studies have shown that Americans are now growing more food in their gardens than ever before, meaning vegetable patches are becoming increasingly popular.
In 2009, the White House even planted its first vegetable since the Second World War and, by 2013, it was reported that a third of the American public were growing their own food in the backyards.
You will often find multilevel gardens stateside too. Composite decking is commonly used in spaces that are on a slope in order to provide a flat surface area to host those elusive barbecues, or to overlook your garden.
Ah, life Down Under — it's the dream for many Brits, isn't it? But, how do their gardens compare? While it hugely depends on where you live — the Outback will differ immensely — we will focus on the suburban areas of Australia since more than 80% of the nation's population lives in cities or bigger towns.
Thanks to the enviable climate on offer, many Australians place outdoor living as a top priority. Lawns are becoming less important, with studies showing that a third of outdoor renovation projects are either reducing this space or removing it entirely. Decks, pergolas, terraces and verandahs are springing up in their place and almost half of the projects are incorporating a barbecue area into their plans.
On the plant-front, homeowners are keen to stick with floral displays that are native to Australia, or those that are drought-tolerant. For the lucky ones, an outdoor pool is a luxurious addition to the outdoor space, so you can cool down with a splash about.
South Africans love the outdoors. Be it their own space or elsewhere, they are known to feel at home in open space. Ideas that are often noticeable in South African gardens are increasingly becoming more noticeable across the globe.
South Africans often have a shaded area to hide away from the glaring sunshine. This could include shade-loving shrubs and perennials that have a walkway passing through, which adds to the serenity. They are also very fond of the wildlife. Whether it's inviting our flying friends in for a drink of freshwater or providing nectar-loving birds with plants that delight them, they set up features to help entice the wildlife into the garden — similarly to how we do in Britain.
One thing found in many gardens here that is native to the country is society garlic. It's a worthy addition to herb gardens and the flowers bloom even under duress.
It's clear that no matter where in the world you are, the garden is an important part of your home. While some use it for luxury, others believe certain plants can bring good fortune on the family.
Article brought to you by Arbordeck, a provider of timber decking, including grooved, reeded, smooth, reversible and enhanced-grip features.
https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/garden/news/a1864/average-british-garden-features/
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/elements-traditional-italian-garden-71411.html
10 Most common plants in Indian homes
https://inhabitat.com/studies-show-that-americans-are-growing-more-of-their-own-food-than-ever-before/
https://www.gardentech.com/blog/gardening-and-healthy-living/an-american-timeline-home-gardening-in-the-us
https://www.houzz.com.au/ideabooks/95080902/list/in-my-backyard-the-ways-australians-are-reworking-the-outdoors/
https://www.gardenista.com/posts/11-garden-ideas-to-steal-from-south-africa/
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