text:
Anterior cruciate ligament injury in national collegiate athletic association basketball and soccer: a 13-year review
Am J Sports Med. 2005 Apr;33(4):524-30. doi: 10.1177/0363546504269937. Epub 2005 Feb 8.
Julie Agel 1 , Elizabeth A Arendt, Boris Bershadsky
1 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Minnesota, 2450 Riverside Avenue, Suite R200, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA. agelx001@umn.edu
Background: Female collegiate athletes have been reported to have a higher rate of anterior cruciate ligament injury compared to male collegiate athletes. This finding has spawned a branch of research focused on understanding and preventing this injury pattern.
Purpose: To determine if the trends reported in 1994 have continued.
Study type: Descriptive epidemiology study.
Methods: The National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance System database was reviewed for all data relating to men's and women's basketball and soccer anterior cruciate ligament injuries for 1990 to 2002.
Results: No significant difference was seen in basketball comparing frequency of contact versus noncontact injuries between men (70.1%) and women (75.7%). Male basketball players sustained 37 contact injuries and 78 noncontact injuries. Female basketball players sustained 100 contact injuries and 305 noncontact injuries. In soccer, there was a significant difference in frequency of injury for male (49.6%) and female (58.3%) athletes when comparing contact and noncontact injuries (chi2=4.1, P<.05). Male soccer players sustained 72 contact injuries and 66 noncontact injuries. Female soccer players sustained 115 contact injuries and 161 noncontact injuries. The magnitude of the difference in injury rates between male and female basketball players (0.32-0.21, P=.93) remained constant, whereas the magnitude of the difference in the rate of injuries between male and female soccer players (0.16-0.21, P=.08) widened. Comparing injury within gender by sport, soccer players consistently sustained more anterior cruciate ligament injuries than did basketball players. The rate of anterior cruciate ligament injury for male soccer players was 0.11 compared to 0.08 for male basketball players (P=.002). The rate of anterior cruciate ligament injury for female soccer players was 0.33 and for female basketball players was 0.29 (P=.04). The rates for all anterior cruciate ligament injuries for women were statistically significantly higher (P<.01) than the rates for all anterior cruciate ligament injuries for men, regardless of the sport. In soccer, the rate of all anterior cruciate ligament injuries across the 13 years for male soccer players significantly decreased (P=.02), whereas it remained constant for female players.
Conclusions: In this sample, the rate of anterior cruciate ligament injury, regardless of mechanism of injury, continues to be significantly higher for female collegiate athletes than for male collegiate athletes in both soccer and basketball.
Clinical relevance: Despite vast attention to the discrepancy between anterior cruciate ligament injury rates between men and women, these differences continue to exist in collegiate basketball and soccer players. Also demonstrated is that although the rate of injury for women is higher than for men, the actual rate of injury remains low and should not be a deterrent to participation in sports.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries*
Basketball / injuries*
Basketball / statistics & numerical data
Chi-Square Distribution
Databases, Factual / statistics & numerical data
Sex Distribution
Soccer / injuries*
Soccer / statistics & numerical data


text:
Die Bettlerin vom Pont des Arts ist der Titel einer romantischen Novelle von Wilhelm Hauff über zwei Dreiecksliebesbeziehungen und daraus resultierende Konflikte zwischen Freundschaft und Liebe. Sie erschien 1826 im Morgenblatt für gebildete Stände.

Überblick
Das Porträt einer jungen Frau in einer Stuttgarter Galerie löst bei zwei Betrachtern Erinnerungen an ihre verlorenen Geliebten aus. Don Pedro di San Montanjo Ligez glaubt in dem Bild seine Kusine Laura, die ihm vor zwanzig Jahren einen Schweizer Hauptmann vorzog, und Eduard von Fröben eine Bettlerin aus Paris zu erkennen, deren Spur er vor drei Jahren verlor. Während Fröbens anschließenden Besuch bei seinem Freund Faldner fällt ihm die Ähnlichkeit des Bildes mit Josephe auf, der Frau seines Gastgebers. Ihre Familiengeschichte passt zu der Lauras. Fröben vermutet, dass sie deren Tochter ist, und berichtet Don Pedro von seiner Entdeckung. Bei einem Fest im Schloss Faldners erzählt Fröben seine Geschichte von der unbekannten Bettlerin mit der Augenmaske, der er während eines Paris-Besuchs finanziell half und in die er sich verliebte. Durch diese Mitteilung löst sich sein Rätsel. Er entdeckt, dass Josephe die Bettlerin war und durch eine Zufallskette Faldner heiratete. Ihre Ehe ist beiderseits unglücklich, und nachdem jetzt Faldner der soziale Abstieg seiner Frau in Paris bekannt ist, stimmt er einer Trennung zu. Doch diese Lösung führt Josephe in einen neuen Konflikt: Sie liebt Fröben, doch wegen ihrer katholischen Trauung kann sie ihn nicht heiraten und will aus Gründen der Ehre nicht mit ihm unkonventionell zusammenleben. So entschließt sie sich, Don Pedro, der sie als seine Tochter annimmt, nach Spanien zu begleiten. Im letzten Augenblick vor ihrer Abreise entscheidet sie sich jedoch für eine Konversion und eine Ehe mit Fröben.

Inhalt

Autobiographische Bezüge
Hauff hat offenbar eigene Erlebnisse in seine Novelle eingearbeitet:

In seiner Stuttgarter Hofmeisterzeit betrachtete Hauff oft ein Frauenporträt in der Kunstsammlung Boisserée, dessen Kopie er nach seiner Heirat in seiner Wohnung aufhängte. In dieser Zeit könnte er, allerdings ist dies nicht nachgewiesen, Reinbecks Erzählung "Schwärmerei und Liebe" (1807) gelesen haben. In beiden Texten gibt es eine ähnliche Situation: Aus Not muss sich ein junges Mädchen in London nachts als Prostituierte anbieten, wird aber von einem edlen Deutschen vor diesem Schicksal bewahrt.

Die genauen Ortskenntnisse über die Novellen-Handlungsorte erwarb sich Hauff während seines Paris-Aufenthalts Mai–Juni 1825. Er wohnte in der Nähe der titelgebenden Brücke "Rue Notre Dames de Victoire". Auch das Auftauchen einer tiefverschleierten, geheimnisvollen "schönen Engländerin" auf den Boulevards, von dem der Autor in einem für die "Abendzeitung" bestimmten Artikel über das Pariser Gastspiel der Sängerin Henriette Sontag berichtet, könnte Anregung für die Beschreibung der Bettlerin gewesen sein.

Hauffs Vertrauter Heinrich Smidt (Brief vom 17. Dezember 1826) nimmt an, dass Hauffs seine unerwiderte Liebe zu Josefe Stolberg bei seinem Bremen-Aufenthalt im Spätsommer 1826 sowohl in der Figur der Josephe wie auch im geliebten Fräulein der Phantasien im Bremer Ratskeller verarbeitete.

Rezeption
Gelobt wird die geschickte Komposition der beiden "sentimental[en] und rührselig[en]" Liebesgeschichten von einem Porträt einer unbekannten Frau ausgehend: "Josephe steht sowohl in dem rückblickend erzählten Geschehen wie in der eigentlichen Novellenhandlung im Mittelpunkt, und ihre Geschichte ist überdies mit dem 'Rahmen' verflochten." Es gelinge dem Dichter jedoch nicht, wendet der Kritiker ein, "einen gleichnishaften, tieferen Zusammenhang zwischen den verschiedenen Vorgängen zu schaffen, wie dies sein großes Vorbild E.T.A. Hoffmann versteht."

Adaption
 Hörspiel von Willi Sagert, Drei Masken Verlag, München. Erstsendung: DDR, 17. März 1985.

Literatur
s. Literatur

Weblinks

Einzelnachweise und Anmerkungen

Literatur (Deutsch)
Literatur (19. Jahrhundert)
Erzählung
Werk von Wilhelm Hauff

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
African innovation conferences take centre stage
The Africa Innovation Summit, held in Praia, Cape Verde, is the first major effort to take a systematic and practical approach to innovation in Africa. African Business Editor Anver Versi was there. Here is his report.
I found the combination of a full-scale forum on the status of innovation in Africa and the opportunity to visit the Atlantic Ocean group of islands too tempting to resist. I'm glad I went as it opened my eyes to an exciting new phenomenon sweeping the continent.
Conferences on innovation are becoming fairly frequent over the past few years; indeed African Business and IC Events organised what turned out to be brilliant forum on innovation in Kampala a few months ago, but this one in Praia was on a very large scale and involved a bewildering variety of actors ranging from innovators and academics to financiers, investors, manufacturers, Nepad and government.
I had never before visited Cape Verde and was curious to see how this Portuguese-speaking group of islands, some 600km off the West African coast, would cope with the formidable challenges of hosting such a high-profile event. It coped wonderfully well and the summit delivered everything it promised.
The event was organised by Inhaba, a business development and knowledge-network venture founded by Nigerian Olugbenga Adesida and Cape Verdean José Brito. Brito, with science and engineering degrees, has held ministerial and ambassadorial positions in the Cape Verde government.
They told me that the venture had taken them at least two years to get off the ground. Among the challenges they faced were the travel logistics – getting to and from Cape Verde can be a nightmare especially, and ironically, from African countries.
Then they had to solve commitments to dates from very busy people and organise accommodation in Praia – which is not on the tourist circuit – for a mass influx, arrange internal logistics, security for heads of state and the smooth running of a fairly complex forum system.
There was a lot of support from the African Development Bank, Nepad, and a variety of sponsors, but the state, though its Ministries, played a crucial part in making sure that everything went without a hitch.
The summit was an important event for Cape Verde. Contrary to its name, the country is neither a cape nor is it green except for a brief period when it rains. It relies on tourism, a little fishing and, to a great extent, remittances from its large diaspora communities. Nevertheless, the capital, Praia, with its elaborate Mediterranean architecture, is quite splendid – and very clean.
It therefore came as a bit of a surprise to learn that Cape Verde has taken electronic government up several notches. We went to visit the House of the People where citizens can come to get all documentation they need, register businesses, property, check wedding, birth and death certificates, apply for government-subsidised housing, obtain mortgages, register as voters and so on seven days a week.
One of the journalists with us, a Cape Verdean, registered his company within 15 minutes. The software of the whole e-government system, regarded by the World Bank as number one in West Africa and the envy of many other such systems in Africa, is developed and tested by Cape Verdeans at their headquarters, the Operational Information Society Nucleus or NOSi.
NOSi provides integrated platforms which manage data from a variety of sources and get the systems to talk to each other and make sense. The gains in efficiency are astounding.
The international group Avisa Partners announces the acquisition of 35°Nord, the communications agency specializing in Africa
Avisa Partners, an economic intelligence, international relations and cybersecurity company, and 35°Nord, a communications and influence agency specializing in Africa, have announced a capital merger. Since its creation in 2010, Avisa Partners has relied on a group of partners and high-level consult…
Journey into the Japanese character
In the second part of his report on Japan, African Business editor Anver Versi reflects on Japan's new attitude to Africa and also describes episodes that gave him glimpses into the character of the Japanese.
Leave Ethiopia now, UK government tells citizens
The British government has urged its citizens to leave Ethiopia on commercial flights as the country's civil war draws closer to Addis Ababa.
By David Thomas
IATF Chooses Durban
The Intra-African Trade Fair will be the first of its kind in Africa, bringing together businesses from across the continent. It takes place in Durban, 15-21 November 2021.
Establishing Mauritius as an international media hub for Africa
MediaCity Mauritius is being developed as a global, integrated hub for the creative industries in Africa. CEO Najib Gouiaa describes a strategy designed to attract major media players.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


This Basic T-Shirt in Purple from Stussy is a regular-fit crew neck tee from their Autumn '17 collection. It is cut from a 100% cotton jersey and features their renown Stock Logo graphic on the left breast and reverse, both applied using a traditional screen printing process. The shape and fit of the tee are sustained by a ribbed collar, set-in sleeves, a straight-cut hem and neatly top-stitched trims.


text:
Governor Mehmeti unveiled the activities carried out by the CBK during 2020
The Governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Fehmi Mehmeti, at the year-end press conference, said that despite the difficulties faced by the country, the CBK has managed to implement its objectives, ensuring a stable financial system, which not only managed to cope with the unfavorable economic developments in the country, but also became one of the main pillars of support for businesses and individuals who faced financial difficulties due to the pandemic crisis.
In accordance with the new conditions that were created after the outbreak of the pandemic, the CBK was proactive in reacting quickly in order to maintain the normal functioning and stability of the financial system and, at the same time, to put the financial system at the service of economy.
In this way, according to Governor Mehmeti, in the first days of the restrictive measures, the CBK activated the Work Continuity Team, which had the task of monitoring and providing instructions that ensure the smooth running of the CBK and the financial system in general.
The regular functioning of the payment and cash supply system throughout the country was ensured at all times, including areas which have been isolated for a longer period of time.
"The contribution of the banking sector in supporting the economy was very important in terms of continued lending, despite the increase in the level of risks faced by banks. During January-October 2020, the value of new loans issued by the banking sector was 1.2 billion euros, while the total value of active loans in the banking sector in October 2020 was 3.2 billion euros, which represents an annual increase of 7 percent. Currently, even after taking all these not very common measures for a banking sector and an economy which is in a phase of recession, the banking sector of Kosovo continues to have a high level of stability and is willing to play its key role in the recovery process. The economic recovery package just approved by the Assembly of Kosovo foresees a very important role for the banking sector. A very important part of this package is based on credit guarantee schemes and interest rate subsidies, which will facilitate and improve the flow of bank financing to the country's economy. Total assets of the banking sector have continued the growth trend during this year, reaching the value of 5.05 billion Euros in October 2020, which represents an annual growth of 10.3 percent. The banking sector continues to enjoy high public confidence, which is also expressed by the continuous growth of deposits. In October 2020, the total value of deposits was about 4.1 billion euros, representing an annual increase of 8.7 percent. The growth rate of total deposits is mainly dictated by household deposits, a category that dominates the structure of total deposits in the banking sector with a share of 67 percent in total deposits, which in 2020 marked an increase of 7.3 percent. "Interest rates on loans continued the downward trend, dropping to 6.3 percent from 6.5 percent that were in the same period last year, which indicates a continuous facilitation of access to bank financing," said Governor Mehmeti.
He noted that the non-performing loan rate increased slightly by only 2.7 percent in October 2020, compared to 2.2 percent last year, but the coverage of non-performing loans with loan loss provisions remains at high levels of 140 percent, which testifies to adequate levels of provisions in the banking sector.
The banking sector continues to have a high capital adequacy ratio of 16.9 percent in October 2020, compared to 16.5 percent in the previous year, which continues to remain significantly above the minimum regulatory level of 12.0 percent.
In order to maintain sound levels of capital within the banking system and to support Kosovo's economy through lending, the CBK has decided to suspend the distribution of dividends by banks for 2019 and 2020.
"Apart from the banking sector, microfinance and non-bank financial institutions also have an important role in the credit financing of Kosovo's economy, which mainly focus on providing microcredit. The total value of loans to this sector in October 2020 was 220 million euros, which represents an annual increase of 1.4 percent. In the insurance sector, until September 2020, a slight decline in activity was recorded. Gross written premiums until September 2020 were 72.3 million euros, which is a decrease of 2.2 percent compared to the same period last year. Claims paid by the insurance sector during this period amounted to 35 million euros, a slight increase compared to the same period last year when they were 34.5 million euros. Total assets of the insurance sector have continued the growth trend during this year, reaching the amount of 214.3 million euros in September 2020, with an annual increase of 9.3 percent. As a result of the aggravated financial situation and non-compliance with legal requirements for capital, as well as in order to improve the financial situation, in order to protect policyholders and ensure financial stability of the sector, the CBK during this year has decided to place under temporary administration of the insurer "Kosova e Re". This decision is a continuation of a series of measures taken by the CBK to increase the sustainability of the insurance sector, in order to ensure a stable sector and in accordance with the legal requirements of the CBK. Regarding the pension sector, despite the decline in the value of investments at the beginning of the pandemic, the performance of international financial markets has steadily improved in recent months and the value of the decline in the value of these investments has already recovered. The return on investments of the Kosovo Pension Savings Fund until the end of September 2020 was positive with a rate of 12.5 percent ", said Governor Mehmeti.
The economic recovery package envisions injecting a significant amount of money into the economy (around € 220 million) enabling pension contributors to withdraw 10 per cent of their pension savings.
In this regard, the CBK has played a very important role in the operational implementation of this process by enabling funds with bank account details of pension contributors through the Bank Accounts Register in order to validate the accounts of contributors, and elimination of possible errors in making the 10 percent payment.
During 2020, the CBK has fulfilled the provision of a qualitative and quantitative supply of Euro banknotes and coins for the banking sector in order to settle cash transactions of the economy and citizens.
In order to deal as effectively as possible with the created conditions, the CBK has continuously coordinated with all institutions of Kosovo, financial institutions in Kosovo, chambers of commerce, as well as international financial institutions, holding very frequent meetings to ensure that adequate and timely measures are taken against the needs of the economy.
Also, the CBK from the beginning was part of the inter-institutional group for designing emergency measures to help the economy, and then to draft the economic recovery plan, which a few days ago was approved by the Assembly of Kosovo through the passage of the Law on Economic Recovery.
He announced that thanks to the communications of the CBK, the RFI (Rapid Financing Instrument) has been approved by the IMF in the amount of 52 million euros to cover the urgent and temporary needs of the balance of payments as a result of the COVID pandemic - 19.
Also, after coordination with the central banks of the region, the European Central Bank has approved the request of the CBK to establish a repo financing line in the amount of 100 million euros. This line of financing enables the CBK to borrow liquidity in euro currency from the Eurosystem, to address the potential liquidity needs of financial institutions in Kosovo in the event of market dysfunction due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Seeing that the country's economy was entering a pronounced crisis, where businesses and citizens were facing great financial difficulties, the CBK, based on international best practices and in cooperation with lending institutions in Kosovo, undertook a series of measures to help the economy cope more easily with the challenges of this crisis.
"These measures initially consisted in the application of a moratorium on loan repayments without any punitive measures for all borrowers who have been negatively affected by the pandemic. This moratorium has temporarily relieved borrowers of the burden of loan repayment, thus improving their liquidity position to finance other needs. Following the end of the moratorium period, the CBK has published a guide to loan restructuring in order to establish the criteria on which the loan restructuring process should be based for borrowers who have encountered financial difficulties as a result of the pandemic. The Credit Restructuring Guide has made it possible to ease the credit burden on borrowers without implying any deterioration of their classification in the Kosovo credit register ", said among others Governor Mehmeti, adding that the CBK remains committed to continue its activity in the service of stability and development of the country's economy, creating the conditions for the development of a stable financial infrastructure, in line with contemporary developments in this field, including the development of new segments of the financial system such as the market capital, which requires a broad inter-institutional interaction.
Also, the measures taken by the CBK were assessed as very adequate, both by the local public and by international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund in the Article IV- report on Kosovo, the World Bank, the European Commission report on Kosovo for the year 2019 and the US Department of State report on the investment climate for 2020 for Kosovo.
The commitment of the CBK has also been praised by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Office of the Language Commissioner, who have awarded the "Best Practice in Implementing the Law on the Use of Languages"for 2020 for the CBK.
In this conference, Governor Mehmeti awarded the prize "Young Economist", where based on the evaluation of the professional commission for the evaluation of these works, the winner was Qendrim Shkodra with the topic "Kosovo's Economy in Pandemic Time, the Impacts of COVID-19 on the Local and International Economy".
According to CBK forecasts, Kosovo's economy in 2020 is expected to decline by 7.2 percent in real terms, which represents the heaviest blow to the economy in 20 years.
Measures to restrict movement from other countries also had a significant impact on the decline in economic activity in Kosovo, where from the data recorded until September 2020, the expenditures of non-residents in Kosovo, most of which are from the diaspora, were 470 million euros, which represents a decrease of about 60 percent compared to the same period last year.
But the diaspora has continued to help the economy even in times of pandemics.
The value of remittances received until October 2020 was 796.5 million euros, which represents an annual increase of 12.9 percent.
In terms of foreign direct investment, their value by September 2020 amounted to 250.6 million euros, compared to the value of 216.4 million euros recorded until September 2019.


text:
HB6 on HBO's "Last Week Tonight"
John Oliver's sardonically spot-on maelstrom of truth
In his feature segment on HBO's Last Week Tonight Sunday evening, host John Oliver recounted some highlights of the House Bill 6 scandal to explain how monopoly utilities are raising our bills, corrupting state governments, and slowing down the transition to clean energy.
Oliver described how FirstEnergy paid $22 million to Sam Randazzo prior to Governor DeWine appointing him as chair of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.
"What is very clear is that FirstEnergy was working extremely hard to influence the decision making process. They actually paid the chairman of the state's utility commission $22 million in consulting fees in the years directly preceding him becoming their regulator"
Watch the segment (discussion of Ohio's scandal starts around 15:35) and learn more about electric utilities, why they're charging you so much, and how they capture regulators to avoid oversight.
"Clean Up Your Own House"
Our latest Crime with DeWine campaign video features Ohioans from around the state who have sent letters to Governor DeWine and Lt. Gov. Husted voicing their frustration that we are still waiting for our leaders to clean up their own house:
https://youtu.be/ByduPX0mNBw
If you haven't already, please take a moment to write Governor DeWine and Lt. Gov. Husted today.
Two more communities join Power A Clean Future Ohio
Some good news: Cuyahoga County and Oakwood Village officially became part of our Power A Clean Future Ohio community! We look forward to working together - sharing resources to reduce emissions and develop smart, sustainable policy actions that improve lives.


For a while during the last decade, Hewlett-Packard had a fully funded pension plan that was invested almost entirely in fixed income and had hedged 100% of its interest-rate risk. Then in 2008, $125 billion HP acquired EDS. The EDS defined-benefit plan was heavily invested in equities and the financial crisis left it severely underfunded. In 2009, the company merged the HP and EDS U.S. plans, which had a combined funded status of just 82%, increased the plan's allocation to risky assets and unwound its interest-rate hedge.


text:
IT managers face increased scrutiny to secure a company's network, says exec
Organisations can no longer afford to risk the financial and reputational impacts of a breach, which can be too much for a business to recover from.
That's according to Mark Blower the national business manager of Networks & Security at Empired.
He says that IT managers face increasing scrutiny and pressure from CEOs, managing directors and boards to prove that they are keeping the organisation secure.
While businesses still face threats from infected devices and malware, Blower explains that attackers have also moved beyond that.
"This means we are seeing an increase in compliance audits so that IT managers have something tangible to show senior management and boards," he says.
"An ISO audit, for example, can demonstrate that organisations have the right policies, educated staff and the right security technology, and can enforce policies or report on people that are breaking their policies."
According to Blower, the IT policy is a critical component of an organisation's security strategy.
"IT managers need to have policies regarding which devices can connect, when they can connect, and how staff members can get approval to connect devices," he says.
"Furthermore, they haven't implemented the right policies from the start before taking on new technology."
Blower explains that when under scrutiny, it can be tempting to just take on more technology - but this doesn't necessarily address the problem and can create a mix of technology that follows different standards.
"To ensure they can prove their security measures are adequate, IT managers should conduct an audit to see where security is lacking and then invest to update any technology as appropriate to enforce these policies," he says.
"Once this is in place it is important for IT managers to continually conduct audits to find issues, improve and remediate."
IT managers Empired CEO Cybersecurity


text:
m1max
The PetaPixel Awards: The Best Photography Products of 2021
We are proud to announce the first-ever PetaPixel Awards which praise a number of new photography products that our staff has voted on as the best in their respective categories.
Apple MacBook Pro with M1 Max Review: Hail to the King
It is extremely difficult to come into a review of the new MacBook Pro with a truly neutral mindset. The original M1 was just so darned impressive that a follow-up naturally has enormous shoes to fill. Somehow, not only does the MacBook Pro powered by M1 Max meet expectations, it exceeds them: this computer is a marvel.
David Crewe
Intel Has Hopes That It Can Win Back Apple's Business
Intel has hopes that it can win back Apple's business after the company has moved on to in-house silicon, and said that the best way to do so was to "simply make better chips" than Apple can.
Jefferson Graham
Apple Finally Put the 'Pro' in MacBook Pro Again
In 2016, after Apple removed the memory card slot from MacBook Pros, I complained about this loudly. "Everything is going wireless," a since-departed executive told me, adding that there was no need for the slot anymore.
Apple's Most Tricked-Out M1 Max-Powered MacBook Pro Costs $6,099
The most tricked-out 16-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Max will cost $6,099 which is significantly more than the max price of $2,300 for the first M1 13-inch MacBook Pro announced last year.
Apple Unveils a Redesigned MacBook Pro Featuring M1 Pro and M1 Max
Apple has launched the new, redesigned MacBook Pro that promises extreme performance, the return of many highly-requested features and ports, and is available in both 14- and 16-inch sizes.
Apple Launches Major Chip Advancements: The M1 Pro and M1 Max
Apple has announced the latest generation of its in-house M1 silicon, the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips that both build on the original chip and dramatically expand their power across multiple categories.


In my speech at Don't Panic's Guide to Crisis Communications last month, I argued that many crises these days are created by organisations' own announcements and initiatives rather than coming out of a clear blue sky.
So it proved for Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams yesterday. A speech to lawyers and accompanying BBC interview, in which Williams called for certain aspects of Islamic Sharia to be recognised in the UK, has caused uproar.
I'm not going to rehearse the arguments about Sharia law here. I've long been suspicious of the entanglement of church and state, and frustrated by the fact that the largest country in the UK, England, retains an established, state church - the Church of England.
No, my focus here is how the Archbishop, an intelligent and decent man, failed to anticipate the strong reaction that such comments would attract, especially from the more rabid section of the media. (The BBC suggests he has been shocked and overwhelmed by the hostile reaction. Does he not have PR advisers? If he does, it's hard to believe they failed to warn that this was hugely controversial territory. Today, the Archbishop of Canterbury's website tried to set matters straight by explaining what Williams actually said.
"Rowan Williams has a knack for creating problems where none yet exist. Prodding, however thoughtfully, the humming nest of multiculturalism and the law, the archbishop has provoked a predictable media storm that in the short term will only obscure his intention of promoting cultural cohesion - as well as confirming his critics' frustration with his apparent lack of common sense. His arguments, mildly and carefully expressed, will simultaneously stoke tabloid fears and infuriate those who believe that the state should be as far from religion as possible."
That comment also underlines how even archbishops need wise counsel if they are to get their views on major society issues across to fellow citizens, many of whom are agnostics and atheists. Sermons and lectures are not enough.
Back from holiday, and a near encounter with the biggest news story of last week.
It was pure chance that we decided to stay the night in the Bavarian city of Regensburg. We were travelling from the beautiful Czech city of Cesky Krumlov to the equally historic German city of Esslingen. Regensburg looked a worthwhile stop-over with the oldest bridge over the Danube, dating back almost 900 years, and a miraculously surviving medieval altstadt.
Knowing how German cities shut down for the weekend, we were amazed to find the place buzzing. Shops large and small were open - at 5.30pm on a Sunday. We were curious to see television film crews and their lighting rigs everywhere. Then we saw the bunting and the penny dropped: the Pope was about to arrive in town.
I wish I could give you an eyewitness account of the controversy that unfolded when the Pope arrived. But we left hours before the visit began, passing on the autobahn dozens of police cars heading from Munich - where the Papal tour of Bavaria began. It's the second time in my life I've nearly witnessed a Papal visit: I watched Pope John Paul II's visit to Cardiff in 1982 on television as I prepared for my A levels in the Welsh capital. That Papal visit to Britain was also controversial: Britain was at war following Argentina's invasion of the Falkland Islands and the Pope felt obliged to arrange a swift 'balancing' tour of Argentina.


This 223 Remington ammo manufactured by Winchester is perfect for varmint hunting with its long range accuracy and rapid, controlled expansion.
Winchester's Ballistic Silvertip line features a polymer tipped projectile that is designed to quickly expand and fragment on impact creating massive take down power on varmint sized game. Additionally, each projectile has a patented Lubalox (Black Oxide) coating designed to reduce wind drift and deliver on target performance. Finally, this cartridge features nickel-plated brass casings which provide even greater corrosion resistance than traditional brass improving the shelf life of this round. The next time you take after a pesky varmint, consider using Winchester's premium line of Ballistic Silvertip ammo.
just got this ammo for the first time. love it. will be buying more . great price. where I live we have very little choice for ammo so I buy online with lucky gunner. super fast delivery. this ammo shoots clean and straight. no problems.thanks L.G.
My dept used to use this as duty ammo. Now we use it as training ammo until it's gone. 13 people fired 15,600 rounds on 7/18/2016. Everyone including myself had at least 1 failure to fire shooting Colt rifles. 2 people shooting Rock Rivers had 2-3 issues with failure to extract. I noticed during brass call that the necks often split after shooting. The bullets were sometimes very easy to push into the casing. Temp was 100° F.
My wife & I are bench rest target shooters. With the Winchester.223 55 grain Ballistic Silvertip we are consistently achieving 1 inch groups at 200 yards. Great ammo!


text:
North Forsyth High School
North's Thornton finishes runner-up at state wrestling tournament
North Forsyth wrestling coach Travis Jarrard looks on as Austin Thornton wrestles in the Traditional State Wrestling Tournament finals Saturday. - photo by Brian Paglia
When it was over – the match, the season, the career – North Forsyth senior Austin Thornton retreated to a corner of the Chattahoochee High School gymnasium with no exit. The cacophony of fans punctured his sanctuary. He leaned his left arm against a folded basketball goal. His back was turned from the center mat.
Coaches came up to Thornton one by one. They hugged him or wrapped an arm around his shoulder, their words drowned out by the crowd. He welcomed them all, always leaning against the basketball goal. Finally, he stood and put on a solid black T-shirt with a large white skull on the front.
The match as it played out – a fall in 2:35 to Archer's Elliot Lee in the finals of the Class AAAAAA Traditional Wrestling Tournament at 195 pounds Saturday – was irrelevant by then. Those moments had more to do with what Thornton had already accomplished.
He finished the season with 58 victories, tied a school-record with 46 pins and broke an eight-year drought of a North wrestler appearing in a state finals match.
"We're proud of him," North coach Travis Jarrard said. "He didn't back down. He wrestled hard. It just wasn't in the cards."
Last season, little suggested Thornton could reach the finals. He qualified for the state tournament but didn't place. Since last June, Thornton wrestled with a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered at a summer camp.
Thornton put off surgery knowing it would erase his senior season. Once during the season he complained about the pain. Jarrard told him then and there that if it was too much he might as well have surgery. Thornton never mentioned the injury again.
Instead, surgery was scheduled for the Wednesday after the state tournament and Thornton pushed on.
"What needs to be said about somebody who does that?" Jarrard said. "Outside of that he's a little bit crazy, a little bit nuts. But to go through a whole season on a torn ACL and go 58-6 with 46 pins and get second in the state is amazing. I don't even know how to put that into words."
Thornton made the finals his goal two weeks after last season was over. He often walked inside a North assistant coach's room and looked at the wall with the "Best of the Best" – a tribute of photos to Raiders wrestlers who had placed at state.
"So I was like, I want to be the best of that best," Thornton said.
Gradually, Thornton's confidence grew. When he won an area championship, Thornton said he started to since this season could be different. When he excelled at sectionals, despite losing to Lee for the second time to that point in the season, he knew it would be.
"I was like, 'Hey, I am a finalist,'" Thornton said.
He set out to prove it this weekend.
Thornton pinned Harrison's Tyler Buehler in 0:51, edged Meadowcreek's Ryan Moore in a 3-2 decision and pinned Alcovy's Kamari Williams in 5:36 to set up a third rematch with Lee in the finals.
By that point, Thornton and North knew everything there was to know about Lee's tendencies and strengths, especially that he was most effective on top. They also knew Thornton's injury handicapped his ability to lower his level, penetrate and take offensive shots for potential takedowns. Defensive takedowns were paramount.
Not 30 seconds into the second period, Lee caught Thornton's head, leveraged his upper body and held Thornton to the mat.
The match was over.
"He came out a little ahead of me with a little faster pace, and I kept trying to match that pace," Thornton said. "But in the second period I guess he had better hips, speed, agility and strength. He took control."
"When you've got that much weight sitting on top of you it's real hard to do much," Jarrard said.
Thornton may wrestle again. He said he has interest from colleges. Or he may not. Thornton said he's been wrestling for the past 10 years. A break might be nice.
Whichever it is, this season was almost everything Thornton had hoped.
"Being my first time in the finals, I didn't know what to feel," Thornton said. "I felt butterflies. I felt like I'd worked my heart. So I came down to if I win or lose, I want to wrestle my heart out. That's what I wanted to do."


The Isle of Man - echoing with the roar of racing motor cycles in the recent TT championships - was the scene June 21, of a quieter contest, the Manx Premier Professional Road Race, a big event in the Manx international cycle rally June 19-24.
Background: The Isle of Man - echoing with the roar of racing motor cycles in the recent TT championships - was the scene June 21, of a quieter contest, the Manx Premier Professional Road Race, a big event in the Manx international cycle rally June 19-24.
Top European cyclists lined up for the start, but 100 miles and 10 laps later it was French raiders who took all the laurels - 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th places, all went to Frenchmen.
Darrigade came home winner with a time of 4.26.36.8: second, Anglade: third, Lach, and fourth, Rhorbach. The French team afterwards left for the Tour de France.


The S-Carb Advanced Productivity Finisher (APF) is a four flute unique variable geometry finishing end mill. The APF out performs the traditional waterline method of thin-wall machining by over 60 times, with straighter and thinner walls. The APF is the authority in aerospace aluminum finishing and has set the global standard for part quality, cost, and tool life. The KSPT Advanced Productivity Aluminum program has redefined what is possible in aluminum machining with the APF and sibling tool the APR.
Ti-NAMITE-B ceramic-based coating with industry leading built up edge protection.


The 2020 Ford Escape Wallpaper is free HD wallpaper. This wallpaper was upload at January 29, 2019 upload by admin in .
The 2020 Ford Escape Wallpaper - We hope that , by posting this The 2020 Ford Escape Wallpaper , we can fulfill your needs of inspiration for designing your home. If you need more ideas to Car Review, you can check at our collection right below this post.


Question: How many rejection slips should I receive before I decide to give up on my article or story?
Answer: There are many reasons stories and articles are rejected. Some of the reasons have to do with weak manuscripts. Others reflect the market and the editor. Marion Zimmer Bradley, in her article, "Why Did My Story Get Rejected?" claims the main reason stories are rejected are because "editors feel that the particular story will not give their readers the kind of specific reading experience they want or expect . . ." Even if you are a great writer, if the story isn't right for the market, it will be rejected. So, instead of looking at rejection slips as signs of failure, look at rejection slips as tips for improving and revising your work. Rejection, if used properly, can make your work better.
If you want to be a writer, you must develop a thick skin. A dozen publishers and sixteen agents rejected John Grisham's first novel, A Time to Kill, before it was accepted for print. Frank Herbert's, Dune was rejected twenty times before successfully reaching print. Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind was rejected thirty-eight times before finally finding a publisher. J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was rejected by a dozen publishers before a small London company published it.
Rejection slips sting. The best thing to do with them is use them to improve your manuscripts. Do your homework. Know who is publishing the kinds of stories you want to write. Write the best story you can write, then send it out again and again and again until you find that editor who loves your story as much as you do, and is willing to take it to market.
This entry was posted in Archives, Blogroll, Books, How to and tagged Bonnie Dodge, inspiration, publication, Question of the Month, Writing. Bookmark the permalink.


text:
Rudy Gobert gets five-year, $205m Jazz extension
Rudy Gobert has agreed a five-year extension with the Utah Jazz worth $205million.
ESPN reported the two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year will sign the third-largest deal in NBA history, which includes a player option in its final year.
Gobert, a 2020 All-Star, was the outstanding remaining unrestricted free agent for 2021 after Giannis Antetokounmpo sealed his Milwaukee Bucks stay.
The 28-year-old will not be available either, though, instead securing an extension with the Jazz, where he has played since a draft-night trade from the Denver Nuggets in 2013. Gobert had been the 27th overall pick.
Gobert said he did not request the full supermax in negotiations in order to leave cap space for Utah to build a title-contending team.
"For me, my goal is to always win a championship," he told ESPN. "When we spoke with my agent before the negotiations started, I decided that I didn't want to ask for the supermax.
"We didn't want to start the negotiations by asking for the supermax.
"For me, it was important to show to the organisation and show to the team that it wasn't about money.
"It was about continuing to build what we've been building and also give this team and give myself the stability and the peace of mind to not have to deal with the negotiations later.
"I want to win, and I feel like leaving this money on the table for the team just to be able to have better talent around me and Donovan [Mitchell] was really important.
"I want to win, and I believe in this group and I believe in this organisation, and I was willing to leave that money on the table for them."
The Frenchman has established himself as one of the league's outstanding defensive players, averaging 2.2 blocks and 11.0 rebounds – as well as 11.7 points – across his seven-season career.
Gobert led the league in blocks in 2016-17 (2.6 per game) when he was named to the All-NBA Second Team, making the Third Team in 2018-19 and 2019-20.
The Jazz have struggled to make progress in the playoffs during Gobert's career, however, winning just two postseason series.
Gobert is staying despite a coronavirus controversy as the last campaign was halted in March after Gobert tested positive.
He played down COVID-19 fears, carelessly ignoring restrictions, and star team-mate Donovan Mitchell also subsequently contracted the virus, leading to the pair not talking for a time.
They returned to action to lose a gripping seven-game series to the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.
Gobert added: "After all the things that happened within our team and all that, I really wanted to go back in the bubble and see how things are going.
"After the bubble, I really felt like I could win a championship with Donovan.
"I think we've both grown a lot, and we're going to keep growing. I'm really excited that we're going to be able to continue this journey together."
Lakers duo LeBron and Davis headline All-NBA First Team
LeBron James and Anthony Davis were both named in the All-NBA First Team on Wednesday as the Los Angeles Lakers prepare to face the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals.
The All-NBA selections were announced as the playoffs hot up in Orlando, although the Lakers duo were the only remaining members of the First Team.
James and Davis were joined by James Harden, whose Houston Rockets they beat in the second round, along with reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic.
MVP candidates James and Antetokounmpo were both unanimous votes.
The Los Angeles Clippers' Kawhi Leonard and playoff nemesis Nikola Jokic headlined the Second Team. Jokic led the Nuggets past the Clippers on Tuesday to complete another remarkable series fightback.
Damian Lillard was also included after carrying the Portland Trail Blazers into the postseason, alongside veteran Chris Paul, who impressed following his trade from the Rockets to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Pascal Siakam - disappointing in the playoffs for defending champions the Toronto Raptors - made up the selection.
Meanwhile, in the Third Team, the Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum and the Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler are both still alive as Eastern Conference Finals opponents.
Russell Westbrook, part of the Paul trade, got recognition, too, and was joined by Rudy Gobert and Ben Simmons, the latter ending the season injured.
Gobert feeling blessed after leading Jazz to NBA restart win over Pelicans
Rudy Gobert described it as "just a blessing" to have turned in a decisive display as the Utah Jazz beat the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA's Thursday restart.
The Jazz won 106-104 at Walt Disney World Resort thanks largely to Gobert's 14 points and 12 rebounds against a Pelicans side for whom Zion Williamson could only manage 15 minutes.
The NBA season was postponed in March due to the coronavirus pandemic after Gobert had become the league's first player to return a confirmed positive test.
"I'm just grateful," Gobert, who sunk the first and last points of the match, told ESPN. "Just grateful to be able to do what I love to do. After everything that I've personally and everything the world is going through right now, to be able to keep inspiring millions of kids around the world and keep spreading positivity is just a blessing.
"And it's great to start with a win, of course."
Gobert had caused consternation by mocking the league's distancing protocols at media events by breathing on and touching podium microphones days before his positive test.
Donovan Mitchell, who also tested positive, did not speak with Gobert for a month after the shutdown, as he was angry with his team-mate's perceived carelessness around the locker room.
Perhaps fittingly, it was a Mitchell dribble that allowed Gobert to sink the decisive free throws with 6.9 seconds left.
"A lot of people probably won't be able to probably say the things they want to say to try to break our team apart," said Gobert. "Like I said, life works in mysterious ways."
Mitchell added: "That also kind of stops y'all from talking about it, to be honest with you.
"At the end, we're basketball players. We go out there and make the right play. He did a hell of a job. I try to find my way and find guys who get open. For me, at the end of the game, it's about making the right read. I've told y'all a thousand times I'm trying to be a better passer, better playmaker as a whole. To be able to do that in that situations just shows the steps I've made.
"It's just me trusting him and him trusting me. That's really what it is... He had the first two points, and for that [play] to end it, it should kind of seal everything as far as talking about all that extra stuff."
NBA returns as Jazz edge Pelicans in Orlando bubble
The Utah Jazz claimed a narrow 106-104 win over the New Orleans Pelicans as the NBA made its long-awaited return amid the coronavirus pandemic.
COVID-19 forced the 2019-20 season to be postponed in March, but the league resumed behind closed doors in Orlando, Florida on Thursday.
Donovan Mitchell (20 points) and Rudy Gobert (14 points, 12 rebounds) produced when it mattered most to lead the Jazz past the Pelicans at Walt Disney World Resort, where both teams kneeled in unison for the United States national anthem.
Zion Williamson (13 points) was declared fit to play for the playoff-chasing Pelicans, having been listed as questionable, though he only featured for 15 minutes.
The number one draft pick helped the Pelicans earn a half-time lead over the Jazz, who trailed by eight points heading into the final quarter.
However, the Jazz – fourth in the Western Conference – rallied on the back of an 11-1 run midway through to the fourth period to take the lead.
In a tense finish, Gobert – the first NBA player to contract coronavirus which ultimately led to the league's hiatus – made a pair of free throws to put the Jazz ahead for good.
Brandon Ingram (23 points) missed a late jumper as the Pelicans fell to 28-37 in the race for the postseason in the west.
Jazz VP says stars Mitchell and Gobert are ready to put rift behind them
A month ago it was reported the relationship between Utah Jazz team-mates Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert was "unsalvageable", but the pair are moving on.
Jazz executive vice-president of basketball operations Dennis Lindsey said the two All-Stars have since made up and are ready to move forward.
"They're ready to put this behind them, move forward, act professionally," Lindsey said on a conference call on Tuesday.
"Look, the night of March [11] was really unprecedented, it brought a microscope to our team, and we get it. With that said, we're very pleased with the collective makeup of our group – Donovan and Rudy in particular – and we look forward to moving forward.
"They've said their piece to each other. They've both visited at the ownership level, at management level, at the coaches' level, the players' level with each other, they're fully participating in our Zoom workouts."
Gobert became the first NBA player to test positive for coronavirus on March 11, which promptly triggered the league to suspend its season. A day later Mitchell tested positive, and he said Gobert did not take the illness seriously and was careless with the way he conducted himself. The following week on ABC, Mitchell said it "took a while for me to kind of cool off" at Gobert.
Their relationship is no longer shattered, according to Lindsey, and they are ready to work together when the season resumes to help Utah continue their playoff push. When the season went on pause, the Jazz were in fourth place in the Western Conference and 1.5 games behind the first-placed Denver Nuggets in the Northwest Division.
"They're ready to put this behind them, move forward, act professionally," Lindsey said.
"We're very pleased with the collective makeup of our group, Donovan and Rudy in particular. We look forward to moving forward."
"We fully expect the team to come together in a great way and continue to move forward as a group," he added. "And I think at the end of the day, Donovan and Rudy – I don't want to speak for them on every matter, they'll speak to themselves, moving forward – but I think at the most basic level, they know they need each other to accomplish the goals that we want to accomplish of being the last team standing in the NBA."
CoronaVirus Watch
Coronavirus: Gobert downplays rift with Jazz team-mate Mitchell
Rudy Gobert downplayed a reported rift with Utah Jazz team-mate Donovan Mitchell following the pair's coronavirus experience.
All-Star Jazz duo Gobert and Mitchell contracted COVID-19 last month, prompting the NBA to suspend the season on March 11, and both have since recovered.
Gobert's careless behaviour prior to testing positive for coronavirus reportedly angered guard Mitchell – the Jazz center apologising after mocking the measures in place to prevent the virus from spreading by jokingly touching reporters' microphones when leaving a news conference before the postponement in March.
Addressing rumours of friction with Mitchell, Gobert said via Instagram Live: "It's true that we didn't speak for a while after this, but we spoke a few days ago.
"We're both ready to go out there and try to win a championship for this team."
Gobert added: "It's not about being unprofessional. You know, everyone has got different relationships -- it's never perfect.
"People that are married, it's never perfect. So you know, me and my team-mates, it's far from perfect. But at the end of the day, we both want the same thing -- and it's winning.
"We're both grown men, and we both are going to do what it takes to win."
"There's no fight," Gobert continued. "It's all about thousands of people are dying every day, and it's all about what we can do to help, what we can do to bring some positive. That's what my focus is on now."
Coronavirus: Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell and Utah Jazz players cleared after quarantining
Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell and the rest of Utah Jazz's team and staff have been cleared after self-isolating due to coronavirus.
The NBA suspended the league on March 11 after a Jazz player tested positive for COVID-19 moments before Utah were due to face the Oklahoma City Thunder.
All-Stars Gobert and Mitchell both subsequently confirmed they had coronavirus, with all Jazz players in either quarantine or isolation since the Thunder game was scrapped.
Now, having served the recommended 14-day period of isolation, all players and staff have been cleared by the Utah Department of Health as they are no longer considered at risk of passing the virus on.
A statement from the Jazz read: "Fourteen days after being tested for COVID-19, all Utah Jazz players and staff have completed their respective periods of isolation and quarantine and have been cleared by the Utah Department of Health [UDOH].
"The UDOH has determined that all Jazz players and staff, including Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert who tested positive for the novel coronavirus, no longer pose a risk of infection to others."
The Jazz added that players would continue to observe social-distancing and only leave their homes for necessary trips.
Shortly after his team's statement, guard Mitchell posted a gif of a child dancing on a chair.
Earlier this week Gobert, who has donated more than $500,000 to part-time employees of the Jazz and coronavirus-related services, said a loss of smell and taste were two of the symptoms he had suffered from.
The NBA season reminds suspended indefinitely, with the United States having nearly 100,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, more than any other country.
Coronavirus: Rudy Gobert has lost sense of smell as he recovers from illness
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert has lost his sense of smell and ability to taste as he recovers from his coronavirus diagnosis.
Gobert updated fans in a Twitter post where he asked followers if any of them had experienced similar symptoms.
Last week, Frenchman Gobert – the first NBA player to test positive for COVID-19 - said he is "feeling a little better every single day" as he deals with the disease.
But in recent days he has had to cope with additional symptoms.
"Just to give you guys an update, loss of smell and taste is definitely one of the symptoms," he wrote.
"I haven't been able to smell anything for the last four days. Anyone experiencing the same thing?"
Gobert had confirmed his positive test on March 12 following the postponement of Utah's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The NBA was promptly suspended indefinitely in the aftermath of the diagnosis, with team-mate Donovan Mitchell also testing positive.
Amid the pandemic, Gobert admitted he should have taken the issue more seriously prior to his test.
The 27-year-old had mocked measures put in place to prevent the spread of the virus, including touching reporters' microphones.
Gobert asked people to learn from his mistakes and take the outbreak more seriously. He donated $500,000 to part-time employees of the Utah Jazz and coronavirus-related services.
Ten NBA players have been confirmed as having coronavirus, including the Brooklyn Nets' Kevin Durant.
Coronavirus in Sport: Italy chief wants Euro 2020 postponed, Gobert provides update and Pogba launches fundraiser
The coronavirus pandemic is still raising questions across sport, even with the global calendar decimated by cancelled and postponed events.
Coronavirus has, according to official figures, caused around 6,500 deaths from approximately 170,000 confirmed cases worldwide.
As the pandemic continues, there are going to be some big decisions made in the world of sport over the coming week, with UEFA's 55 members set to come together – via video conference – on Tuesday.
The fate of this season's Champions League and Europa League will be up for debate, while Euro 2020 is also to be discussed.
Here is a look at the latest developments:
Ahead of Tuesday's meeting with UEFA, Italian football federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina confirmed he will call for Euro 2020 to be postponed, in the hope that might allow the Serie A season to be finished in June.
This proposal will likely be backed by LaLiga boss Javier Tebas, who is convinced the top-flight season in Spain will be completed. Swiss FA president Dominique Blanc, meanwhile, has confirmed he has coronavirus.
It is not yet clear what will happen in the Premier League, with the teams set to reconvene for another meeting on Thursday and, after coming under criticism for stating that the season should be considered "null and void", West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady defended her comments.
"The Premier League and EFL are doing all we can to ensure the season is finished. Including suspending games, isolating players, and if required playing games behind closed doors and into the summer months," she wrote on Twitter.
"My point was safety of fans, players, staff come first and if the remaining games just cannot be played the only fair and reasonable thing is to declare [the] season null and void."
In a newspaper column, Wayne Rooney backed the decision to postpone fixtures in England, but criticised the Premier League and EFL for taking so long to make the call.
More players have confirmed they have tested positive for COVID-19.
Valencia defender Ezequiel Garay became the first LaLiga player to be named as having the illness, with the club adding four more members of the first-team playing and coaching staff had also tested positive.
Valencia's former Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala confirmed later on Sunday that he was one of those with the virus.
In Serie A, Sampdoria's Omar Colley posted a video to his official Instagram account in which he refuted his club's claim that he too had received a positive test result.
Meanwhile, Manchester United's Paul Pogba joined the raft of sports stars pledging to support people during the crisis, as he launched a fundraiser to mark his 27th birthday.
In France, Paris Saint-Germain announced they had extended the suspension of all club operations until March 18.
In the United States, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert – the first NBA player to be diagnosed with coronavirus – provided a positive update on his recovery, while also stating: "I wish I would have took this thing more seriously and I hope everyone else will do so because we can do it together."
Not all sport has been postponed just yet, with rugby league in both Britain and Australia continuing for now.
In Super League, Castleford Tigers ran out winners over defending champions St Helens, though in the National Rugby League (NRL), Melbourne Storm's Cameron Smith called for the competition to be suspended.
Round two is set to go ahead next week, albeit behind closed doors, while New Zealand Warriors have elected to remain in Australia rather than return to Auckland, where they would have to self-isolate for 14 days.
Coronavirus: Improving Rudy Gobert – I wish I would have taken this thing more seriously
Rudy Gobert is "feeling a little better every single day" as he deals with coronavirus, admitting he should have taken the issue more seriously prior to his diagnosis.
The Utah Jazz center had mocked the measures put in place to prevent the spread of the virus, including touching reporters' microphones earlier this week.
However, Gobert later tested positive for COVID-19, as he confirmed on Thursday, the day after the NBA had suspended the season following the postponement of Utah's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Frenchman posted a video via the NBA's social media accounts on Sunday to offer an update on his own health, as well as a message to others to stay safe amid the global pandemic.
"Hey, what up everyone, it's Rudy Gobert. I just wanted to give you guys an update," he said.
"I'm going to start by saying thank you to all the people who have been supportive and for all the positive energy – it really means a lot.
"As for myself, I have been feeling a little better every single day thanks to the healthcare people at Utah and Oklahoma City and all the great people around me.
"As you may already know I'm just wanting to make sure to remind you guys to keep washing your hands frequently with soap and water, try to avoid touching your face, your nose, your eyes, and of course try to avoid making unnecessary contact with people.
"It's all about protecting yourself and the people around you.
"I wish I would have took this thing more seriously and I hope everyone else will do so because we can do it together. Take care and stay safe."
Gobert previously announced he has donated $500,000 to part-time employees of the Utah Jazz and coronavirus-related services.
Coronavirus: Jazz star Gobert donates $500,000 to part-time employees, COVID-19 services
Utah Jazz All-Star Rudy Gobert has donated $500,000 to part-time employees of the NBA franchise and coronavirus-related services.
Gobert tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the Jazz's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder to be postponed on Wednesday before the NBA suspended the league indefinitely later that day.
The Frenchman mocked the measures in place to prevent the virus from spreading by jokingly touching reporters' microphones when leaving a news conference earlier this week, prompting an apology from the 27-year-old.
With the NBA on hiatus amid the global pandemic, impacting workers across the league, Gobert will contribute $200,000 in aid to part-time employees at Vivint Smart Home Arena, $100,000 each to assist families affected by COVID-19 in Utah and Oklahoma City and €100,000 to the French health care system.
"I am humbled by the tireless efforts and care of people around the globe for those affected by COVID-19, especially my own communities of Utah and France, in addition to my appreciation for the state of Oklahoma and my care there, and of course, my Utah Jazz family," Gobert said.
"I know there are countless ways that people have been impacted. These donations are a small token that reflect my appreciation and support for all those impacted and are the first of many steps I will take to try and make a positive difference, while continuing to learn more about COVID-19 and educate others. Much gratitude, RG."
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the season will not resume for at least 30 days amid coronavirus, which continues to disrupt sport.
Coronavirus: 'Embarrassed' Gobert apologises for unknowingly spreading COVID-19
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert has issued an apology and admitted he is "embarrassed" for his "careless" part in NBA's current coronavirus disruption.
Gobert mocked the measures in place to prevent the virus from spreading by jokingly touching reporters' microphones when leaving a news conference earlier this week.
The 27-year-old has since tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the Jazz's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder to be postponed on Wednesday.
The NBA was subsequently suspended indefinitely, too, although Gobert was not initially named as the player with a positive test result despite widespread media reports.
Gobert, whose Utah teammate Donovan Mitchell has also tested positive for coronavirus, took to social media on Thursday to confirm the diagnosis.
"I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of concern and support over the last 24 hours," he wrote.
"I have gone through so many emotions since learning of my diagnosis... mostly fear, anxiety, and embarrassment.
"The first and most important thing is I would like to publicly apologise to the people that I may have endangered.
"At the time, I had no idea I was even infected. I was careless and make no excuse. I hope my story serves as a warning and causes everyone to take this seriously.
"I will do whatever I can to support using my experience as way to educate others and prevent the spread of this virus.
"I am under great care and will fully recover. Thank you again for all your support. I encourage everyone to take all of the steps to stay safe and healthy. Love."
Gobert was named the Defensive Player of the Year in both the 2018 and 2019 seasons, and he was an All-Star for the first time this year.
Coronavirus: Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell confirms positive test
Donovan Mitchell has called for people to "educate themselves" and "behave responsibly" after confirming his positive coronavirus test.
The NBA suspended the season on Wednesday after a Utah Jazz player was revealed to have the virus, named COVID-19, prior to their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, though the individual was not identified.
Utah then released a statement less than 24 hours later to announce an additional positive test but did not name the player, adding they would be working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Oklahoma and Utah state officials and also the NBA to "determine the best path moving forward".
Mitchell revealed his own situation in an Instagram post, thanking those who had been in touch while pushing for caution amid the global pandemic.
"Thanks to everyone who has been reaching out since hearing the news about my positive test," Mitchell wrote in the post.
"We are all learning more about the seriousness of this situation and hopefully people can continue to educate themselves and realise that they need to behave responsibly both for their own health and for the wellbeing of those around them.
"I appreciate the authorities in Oklahoma who were helpful with the testing process and everyone from the Utah Jazz who have been so supportive.
"I am going to keep following the advice of our medical staff and hope that we can all come together and be there for each other and our neighbours who need our help."
Thanks to everyone who has been reaching out since hearing the news about my positive test. We are all learning more about the seriousness of this situation and hopefully people can continue to educate themselves and realize that they need to behave responsibly both for their own health and for the well being of those around them. I appreciate the authorities in Oklahoma who were helpful with the testing process and everyone from the @utahjazz who have been so supportive. I am going to keep following the advice of our medical staff and hope that we can all come together and be there for each other and our neighbors who need our help
A post shared by Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) on Mar 12, 2020 at 10:20am PDT
Selected with the 13th pick in the 2017 draft, shooting guard Mitchell is in his third season with the Jazz and was named as an NBA All-Star earlier this year.
The Boston Celtics, who played against the Jazz on Friday, have said they will take precautionary steps to protect their players and staff.
"Specific to the news about the Utah players, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has advised us that based on those players' health statuses during this period, it is unlikely that anyone from the team came into contact with them while they were contagious," a statement from the Celtics read.
"However, notwithstanding this information, we are exercising an abundance of caution in taking every measure to be vigilant and safe.
"These steps will include having players and staff who were in close contact with the Utah players or who travelled to Milwaukee to self-quarantine through the weekend, during which time all players will be tested, as will staff who came into close contact with the Utah players or who exhibit symptoms."
There have been over 1,500 cases of the virus in the United States and 40 deaths.
Rudy Gobert after ejection: Next time I'll do justice myself
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert was not happy to be ejected following an altercation with OG Anunoby during Monday's loss to the Toronto Raptors, declaring: "Next time I'll do justice myself".
The pair clashed during the closing stages of the game at the Vivint Smart Home Arena, initially coming together at halfway as the Raptors looked to break.
Gobert took exception to Anunoby's flailing arm towards him, leading to the duo shoving each other away close to Utah's basket with the ball on the opposite side of the court.
Both were ejected following a review of the incident, with the Raptors going on to triumph 101-92 on the road.
"He tried to elbow me in the face and the guy [referee] that's getting paid to protect us, the players, didn't do his job," Gobert said after the game.
"There was a little altercation and we both got ejected when I didn't do anything back pretty much, which I don't understand. It doesn't make sense to me.
"Next time I'll do justice myself so the official can eject me for a reason."
Toronto were without Marc Gasol and Fred VanVleet due to injuries, while Norman Powell left in the first quarter with an ankle problem.
However, Pascal Siakam and Serge Ibaka scored 27 points apiece to help the reigning NBA champions clinch a 46th win of the campaign.
Gobert, meanwhile, was limited to just six points and four rebounds through his 32 minutes on the court.
"We obviously knew the lobs and all those things that he gets, so we tried to take him out of that," Siakam said of the Raptors' efforts to restrict Gobert's impact on proceedings.
"Then it was about boxing him out. He's really a force down there and we did a pretty good job of that."
Team LeBron beat Team Giannis in NBA All-Star Game
Team LeBron defeated Team Giannis 157-155 in the revamped NBA All-Star Game in Chicago on Sunday.
Unlike previous years, every quarter counted in the name of charity at the United Center, where the new format was unveiled for the showpiece event.
Each of the first three quarters started with the score at 0-0 and lasted the standard 12 minutes, with the game clock turned off for the final period and a final target score set.
The cumulative score of the first three quarters was 133-124 in favour of Team Giannis. The final target score was set by taking the leading team's cumulative score and adding 24 – the 24 representing Kobe Bryant's jersey number.
LeBron James and his team earned bragging rights in the 69th edition of the All-Star Game – hometown hero and Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis (20 points) making one of two free throws to beat Giannis Antetokounmpo's side.
While Davis scored the winning point, Kawhi Leonard (30 points) received the All-Star Game Kobe Bryant MVP Award, renamed in honour of the five-time NBA champion.
Bryant, who tragically died in a helicopter crash along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others last month, was honoured prior to tip-off.
Magic Johnson led an eight-second moment of silence for Lakers legend Bryant and former commissioner David Stern as both All-Star teams came together to hold hands, before delivering a heartfelt speech.
Team LeBron made a fast start, outscoring Team Giannis 53-41 in the first period before the latter won the second period 51-30.
Neither team could be split in the third, though Team Giannis went into the fourth quarter leading Team LeBron – who rallied to win for the third successive year.
James and Chris Paul finished with 23 points each, while Ben Simmons (17) and James Harden (11) were also in double-digits for Team LeBron.
Team Giannis were led by Antetokounmpo (25 points, 11 rebounds), Joel Embiid (22 points, 10 rebounds), Kemba Walker (23 points) and Rudy Gobert (21 points, 11 rebounds).


I was tagged by Kate Hart (who is spectacular — her debut, After the Fall, comes out in 2016) for the "Terrible Titles" blog hop. Her post is HERE, and her randomly generated titles are actually… kind of awesome.
The rules of the blog hop are simple: Scroll through your manuscript and stop in random places. Whatever words/phrase the cursor lands on becomes one of eight terrible titles.
Fun, right? Since my NaNoWriMo project is a very messy mess, I'm going to use the mostly clean manuscript I wrote over the summer, my road trip story currently called The Road So Far.
I tag my YA Superlative Blogfest co-hosts: Jessica Love, Tracey Neithercott, and Alison Miller, plus my writing buddies Riley Edgewood, Lola Sharp, Elizabeth Briggs, and Elodie Nowodazkij.
Lots of beautiful covers in 2014… These four stuck out: The Secret Sky by Atia Abawi, To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han, Pointe by Brandy Colbert, and Complicit by Stephanie Kuehn. All four are excellent reads, as well!
Not only did Jandy Nelson's I'll Give You the Sun hit me harder in the feels than any other book I read this year, it's also one of the most beautifully written stories I've encountered.
Could. Not. Put. Down The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski. The romance, the pacing, the twists, the crazy-compelling characters. So, so good!
These The Raven Cycle books just keep getting better, don't they? I adored Maggie Stiefvater's Blue Lily, Lily Blue, and I can't wait to see how this series ends when the final novel comes out next year.
I've followed Laini Taylor's and Veronica Rossi's trilogies since their opening books, and Dreams of Gods and Monsters and Into the Still Blue held up through the end. Love and recommend both of these fantastical series!
This one's hard because I've read some *fantastic* debuts this year, but my love for Adi Alsaid's Let's Get Lost knows no bounds. It's just so charming and and heartwarming and poignant. Plus, hello, adorable cover!
Late to the party on both of these (seriously — what took me so long?!) but Morgan Matson's Amy & Roger's Epic Detour and Cristin Terrill's All Our Yesterdays both lived up to and then completely surpassed their hype. If you've put off reading either or both, remedy that soon!
We all know I'm not a book crier, but Christa Desir's Bleed Like Me and Elodie Nowodazkij's debut One, Two, Three pulled at my heartstrings in major (though very different) ways.
I'm not sure I would have picked up Caroline Tung Richmond's The Only Thing to Fear if I didn't know and adore her — the cover doesn't exactly scream Katy Book. But I'm so glad I gave this debut a go because it's one of the most unique and creative stories I've read. Loved it!
Sophie from Tess Sharpe's Far From You is tangled up between a brother and sister and oh my goodness, it's messy. Plus, there's a murder mystery and drug addiction and guilt and sadness to contend with. Such an enthralling read.
I wouldn't call Elizabeth Scott's Heartbeat, Jessica Love & Chelsie Hill's Push Girl, Lisa Schroeder's The Bridge From Me to You, or Stephanie Kuehn's Complicit "under the radar," but they're all so good, I wish I was seeing them featured on everyone's end-of-the-year "Best" lists. If you haven't read any of the four of these and are a fan of contemporary YA, you MUST check them out!
Roxane Gay's An Untamed State, Rebecca Behren's When Audrey Met Alice, Riley Edgewood's Rock & Release serial, and Mary Kubica's The Good Girl are all such different books, but all four are so affecting. They each blew me away with their amazingness.
Click below to add your name and your Best in Show post link to our sign up so we can hop around and check out your selections.
Teenagers get exactly 365 days on Lynne Matson's Nil, a sort of island paradise that reminded me a little of that Leonardo DiCaprio movie The Beach. But after those 365 days, you're out — like, presumably dead. The ticking clock aspect of this book amped the tension to almost unbearable levels.
How Kristin Rae's Wish You Were Italian made me want to travel to Italy! The delectable food, the unparalleled history, the lovely landscapes, and the beautiful boys. I adored this sweet, full-of-voice debut.
Did you have doubts? Jandy Nelson's I'll Give You the Sun is gorgeous, full of enchanting imagery and unique metaphors and pretty, pretty prose. I found myself rereading so many passages just to more fully absorb their amazingness.
Oh, but she was! Marie Rutkoski's The Winner's Curse is all about temptation and yearning and torn allegiance. So good!
To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han – The whole of Lara Jean's family, plus Peter. I loved this book's cast so much!
Jessica Love & Chelsie Hill's Push Girl and Elodie Nowodazkij's One, Two, Three have similar themes of overcoming the loss of an identifying pursuit due to injury (dance, in both cases). I love that while both protagonists struggled with the unwanted changes to their lives in realistic and complicated ways, neither was weak, and neither gave up.
Click below to add your name and your Elements of Fiction post link to our sign up so we can hop around and check out your selections. Don't forget — there will be a new link sign-up each day!
What I'm Reading: I finished The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski and loved it SO MUCH. Amazing world-building, and a super-swoonworthy slow-burn forbidden romance. I also read Caroline Tung Richmond's debut, The Only Thing To Fear, a reimagining of the outcome of WW combined with some genetically modified people with X-Men-esue super powers — it was excellent! Now, I'm reading Brown Girl Dreaming, Jacqueline Woodson's National Book Award winning historical verse story. It's beautiful so far.
What I'm Writing: I've been revising my road trip book, The Road So Far, according to notes from my amazing CPs. They have helped me SO MUCH and I am endlessly grateful. I sent the manuscript off to my agent yesterday, so we'll see what she thinks. *crosses fingers* Now, I'm back to drafting the end my NaNo story, Stars Like Dust. Hoping to finish by the end of the month.
What Works For Me: Amazing published novels as inspiration. Luckily, 2014 has been full of exceptional reads! Jessica Love, Tracey Neithercott, Alison Miller, and I are celebrating with our 4th annual YA Superlatives Blogfest, a fun and interactive way to highlight our favorite books published during the last year. The blogfest begins Monday, December 15th and runs through Thursday, December 18th. We hope you'll join us!


Ecological, breathable and anti-allergy boots.100% natural rubber.
Sizing: Order your usual size. MADE IN PORTUGAL Upper: Ecological and biodegradable Microfiber. Linning: Breathable and anti-allergy microfiber. Ecological, CO2 free manufacturing system. Insole: Paperboard agglomerate. Microfiber lined. Outsole: 100% natural rubber.


From an old-fashioned speakeasy to a secret disco hidden behind a refrigerator, London is packed with unique bars — but you have to know where to find them. We set out on a quest to put together a list of the most entertaining, exotic and adventurous ones for you.
In other words, it's wonderfully old-fashioned chic with leather sofas, a fireplace and articulate staff in uniform. The drinks are equally as creative and reflect each of the steps of Mr. Fogg's 80-day journey, like the 'Voyage aux Alpes' with vodka, pine resin liqueur and vanilla syrup.
Without detailed instructions, you would simply walk past the front door of Mr. Fogg's Residence, located on a quiet street in Mayfair. Like the name says, this bar is furnished as the 'home' of Phileas Fogg, the travel-mad character in Jules Verne's book. Once inside, the interior is filled with reminders of his fictive journey around the world. The walls are full of country maps and pictures, birdcages hang from the ceiling and there are the occasional stuffed tigers and crocodiles.
It takes a bit of looking to find the green door that leads to Opium in the heart of Chinatown, but once inside, you are in for an exhilarating night. The steep stairs lead to three shadowy floors, each with its own theme. There's the Apothecary Bar, where you can enjoy a cocktail that goes with your Chinese zodiac sign mixed from curious flasks.
Even more creativity awaits behind a red curtain: in the Peony Bar you order a drink from a Chinese map. For example, the 'Shanghai' is an exciting concoction of Umami vodka, plum wine, habanero, peaches, celery, anise and tea. Also good to know: each bar offers a menu of dim sum (steamed snacks) and exclusive teas to bring the night in balance.
After enjoying a delicious meal at the Breakfast Club in Spitalfields, and want to paint the town red? Whisper in the ear of a service staff member that "I'm here to see the mayor" and walk towards an old-fashioned refrigerator. On the other side of the door, the hidden bar The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town awaits you.
In this charming brick basement, you sit on wooden barstools and watch bartenders make intriguing cocktails like the 'Chiquita' (with whiskey, eggnog and banana).
The hip district of Shoreditch is crawling with unique boutiques, colourful street art and local bars that are equally as creative. You enter the Looking Glass through an enormous mirror that you step into to arrive at this secret cocktail bar. On the other side, a fantasy world awaits you complete with antique furniture, odd decorations and drinks from the world of Alice in Wonderland!
After enjoying a day of shopping and admiring graffiti in Shoreditch, Callooh Callay is the perfect place to kick off the night. Callooh Callay opened its doors in 2008 making it one of the first cocktail bars in Shoreditch. Nowadays, this bar is a mainstay in this trendy neighbourhood, and the stools at the lovely wooden bar are always filled.
The menu, decorated with street art, contains modern variations on such classics as the 'Hoxtopolitan' (with sherry) and the 'Cold Brew Martini' (with coffee). But for the real night owls, there's more to come: the secret JubJub Bar, where you are only allowed to enter if you have a special key.
True to tradition, the entrance is not easy to find. That's because it's hidden in the basement of the trendy Michelin-star restaurant James Cochran. To complete the experience, you bring your own booze (B.Y.O.C. stands for Bring Your Own Cocktail). During a two-hour session, your booze is used to serve you all kinds of creations like a cocktail, shot or punch bowl.
With its overflowing bookshelves, old piano and velvet seats, you'll feel like you've been transported to the past in this central London basement bar. B.Y.O.C. is inspired by the roaring 20s Prohibition in the United States. This was the heyday of the speakeasy, secret locations where the thirsty could enjoy a cocktail under the radar.


BURBANK (CBSLA.com) — You've heard of dine and dash. Now there is an equivalent for hair salons.
Customers get their hair worked on and than dash out without paying. Burbank Police said they are looking for a "Snip and Ditch" suspect who dashed out of the Joseph Lamar Hair Salon Tuesday morning.
KCAL9's Amber Lee talked to the frustrated hairdresser who worked on the man.
"It's like going into the store and walking out with something. They got a service they didn't pay for," said Gabriela Smallwood.
She said the suspect walked into the salon without an appointment and asked for a haircut and color. He told the salon his name was Tony Azini.
"He suggested that we did the cut first and then the color. So he kinda had a little game plan on how he likes things done," Smallwood said.
She now believes his suggestion was part of a bigger plan — to make a beeline out of the salon without paying. He ran out with dye on his head, still wearing the salon's smock.
Before dashing out, he told workers he had to go to his truck to get his iPad or laptop.
Smallwood is angry that she was taken advantage of.
As Smallwood sees it, it's $100 bucks down the drain. The man gave the salon a bogus phone number. No doubt, he also gave them a phony name.
She told Lee she's hoping that getting the word out will keep other salons from suffering a similar fate.
"I just want them to know that this guy is doing this. Don't be another person that gets caught up doing the work and not getting paid for it," she said.
Burbank police say if the man is caught he could face a misdemeanor. Detectives are now asking anyone with information about the suspect to contact them.


"I find I often press down too hard on a string when I play the guitar. It doesn't sound good. I get too excited and want too much." He bows his head over the guitar again. After four new attempts, a soft, beautiful blues tone emerges to fill the newly renovated study. His face lights up and he smiles, satisfied. He practises 15-20 minutes every day. Trying to find the flow.
With the guitar on his lap, Rune Grønn looks around. Everything has been redecorated. The whole house has been made over – with his own hands. He is a carpenter and builder, and has spent a lot of time and money on reconstructing his father's childhood home, originally a 1920s cabin and now a small house where Rune lives. If you didn't know, you would think everything was brand new. He speaks about the work enthusiastically, with professional pride and ambition, and a concern for the traditions of earlier generations. On our way out of the study, we notice another guitar. A double-decker model airplane and half of a miniature boat are also prominently displayed. The image of the toy boat and the model airplane, in the study of a grown man, literally hangs in the air.
"My mother believed that I should find enjoyment in mowing the lawn. She would decide how often it should be mowed, and how tall the grass could get. I was put to work. It was necessary, but not particularly enjoyable. Some time ago this and other memories from my childhood appeared in my meditations. At first they were unclear and unconnected, but then they became clearer. A playful, almost childlike desire gradually arose in me." He attributes to Acem Meditation – and long meditations in particular – the fact that he has rediscovered interests that he was not in touch with for many, many years.
"This winter I took part in a weeklong deepening retreat at Halvorsbøle retreat centre, with long meditations followed by guidance. I cleared up a lot both in regard to the way I meditated, and the content of the meditations. Childhood memories reappeared. Some of my boyishness was revived. I felt a need to be a little bit boisterous. It began as a contained bubbling and restlessness in meditation – I had not been in touch with this before. A kind of joy awoke inside me, slowly and surely, over several months. The long meditations brought something to the surface. The story behind all this is not easy to explain and not really that important, either. But when I was younger, I never got up to any mischief. No joking around. I was often very quiet. I was fascinated by building sets and toys, but did not have many. Few friends. A bit lonely. Not very sociable.
"I am quite often at Halvorsbøle. It is a beautiful place. Meditative, big and open. With good food, interesting people and good social relations. My batteries are recharged there. I get energy for work, and lots of ideas as well. For me this is quite simple: When my energy runs low, I go to one or two Acem retreats. This renews my energy supply for a while.
"This year I also took part in a summer retreat at Lundsholm in Sweden. The place is unbelievable. Practically not an automobile in sight. This summer we went swimming a lot, with water temperatures up to 26 degrees. We went for walks and bicycled, and explored interesting landscapes – forests, lakes, paths, and the Swedish countryside.
"Getting into the flow with a blues guitar involves a lot of exploration. It's like meditation. Your sensitivity and technique need to be practised and refined over time. I am not really very musically adept, but I get a lot of enjoyment from it. Sometimes things work reasonably well. Other days they grind to a halt. Then I notice a bit of progress. A couple of blues tones that flow well. Something loosens up in meditation. A little bit more of the free mental attitude in the repetition of the meditation sound. Glimpses of new insight. Even if the progress I make is not great, it motivates me to continue. This is an on-going learning process that never ends.


Custom commercial mosaics tilebar lesley rattner intended for mosaic tile designs. Ceramic tile gallery custom mosaic mercury mosaics tbh regarding plan. Ceramic tile gallery custom mosaic mercury mosaics bubble for prepare. Custom made michael jackson mural puzzle art ceramic mosaic tile for idea. Custom mosaics c v tile stone regarding mosaic remodel.
Custom mosaic tile art. Custom mosaic tile floors. Custom blend mosaic tile. Custom mosaic tile shower. Custom mosaic tile. Custom mosaic tile robot. Custom mosaic tile design. Custom mosaic tile design for shower with ocean motif bathroom inside inspirations.


As malnutrition reaches emergency levels across the Sahel region of West and Central Africa affecting at least one million children, UNICEF partner UPS has sprung to action to provide transport for the first aerial shipment of lifesaving UNICEF supplies to Mauritania this year, a country within the affected region.
The UPS flight, departing from Cologne, Germany, early yesterday morning contained more than 46 tonnes of critical UNICEF relief supplies including nutrition, health, education, water, sanitation, and hygiene items.
UPS worked quickly with UNICEF to coordinate the shipment of relief items from various locations including UNICEF's Supply Centers in Copenhagen, Madrid, Lier, and Toulouse for delivery to Mauritania on Sunday, April 22. Flying in supplies dramatically reduces the delivery time to affected communities.
UPS has consistently supported UNICEF's preparedness and emergency relief efforts, responding to the devastating earthquake in Haiti in January 2010 by offering volunteers, logistician experts and transport services, in addition to donating a charter flight carrying 24 metric tons of critical UNICEF relief supplies in November 2011 from Copenhagen to Nairobi for children affected by the severe drought in the Horn of Africa.
An estimated 15 million people are affected by the drought in eight countries across the Sahel, including Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and northern Cameroon, Nigeria, and Senegal. UNICEF needs more than $60 million for immediate relief operations to save children's lives and prevent a humanitarian disaster from unfolding.
During a recent visit to the region UNICEF's Executive Director Anthony Lake called for an urgent escalation of humanitarian efforts to bring about an end to the crisis. Women and children in the Sahel are suffering from the impact of multiple threats—poor harvests because of drought, high food prices and insecurity in parts of the region. Due to recent unrest in Mali, approximately 200,000 people have been displaced to neighboring countries – including Mauritania – exacerbating the hunger crisis there.
In January and February, tens of thousands of children were treated for severe acute malnutrition at nutritional rehabilitation centers that are filling up fast with the start of the "lean season"—the period between harvests that is traditionally the worst time of the year in a harsh environment with difficult logistics.
Pressemitteilung veröffentlicht am 23.04.2012 in News (In- und Ausland), Paketdienste / Expressdienste.