text:
class Slave
  include Mongoid::Document
  field :first_name
  field :last_name
  embeds_many :address_numbers
end

class AddressNumber
  include Mongoid::Document
  field :country_code, :type => Integer, :default => 1
  field :number
  embedded_in :slave
end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Q: Split string column into 2 columns, one numeric, and the other a date I have a data frame called "prices" obtained by web scraping. The goal is to track the daily prices of the stocks on the Zimbabwe stock exchange.
Web scraping from the site:
library(rvest)
library(stringr)
library(reshape2)
# Data from African Financials
url <- "https://africanfinancials.com/zimbabwe-stock-exchange-share-prices/"
prices <- url %>%
  read_html() %>%
  html_table(fill = T)
prices <- prices[[1]]

The prices dataframe:
> prices

                   Counter   PriceRTGS cents  Volume ChangeRTGS cents ChangePercent YTDPercent
1            AFDS.zw Afdis   169.75 4 Apr 19       0             0.00         0.00%     10.95%
2          ARIS.zw Ariston     2.90 4 Apr 19     572            -0.03        -1.02%     20.83%
3     ARTD.zw ART Holdings     9.20 4 Apr 19       0             0.00         0.00%      4.55%

I'd like to split the "PriceRTGS cents" column into two columns "Price RTGS Cents" and "Date".
I tried using the below code but it captures the day of the month, 4, in the price column.
str_split_fixed(prices$`PriceRTGS cents`," ", 2)
colsplit(prices$`PriceRTGS cents`," ",c("Price RTGS Cents", "Date"))

I would like for the output to look like this:
                   Counter   Price RTGS Cents              Date         Volume ChangeRTGS cents ChangePercent YTDPercent
1            AFDS.zw Afdis             169.75         4/04/2019              0             0.00         0.00%     10.95%
2          ARIS.zw Ariston               2.90         4/04/2019            572            -0.03        -1.02%     20.83%
3     ARTD.zw ART Holdings               9.20         4/04/2019              0             0.00         0.00%      4.55%

dput data:
structure(list(Counter = c("AFDS.zw Afdis", "ARIS.zw Ariston",
"ARTD.zw ART Holdings", "ASUN.zw Africansun", "AXIA.zw Axia",
"BAT.zw BAT"), `PriceRTGS cents` = c("169.75 4 Apr 19", "2.90 4 Apr 19",
"9.20 4 Apr 19", "15.00 4 Apr 19", "35.05 4 Apr 19", "3,000.00 4 Apr 19"
), Volume = c("0", "572", "0", "0", "8,557", "0"), `ChangeRTGS cents` = c(0,
-0.03, 0, 0, 0, 0), ChangePercent = c("0.00%", "-1.02%", "0.00%",
"0.00%", "0.00%", "0.00%"), YTDPercent = c("10.95%", "20.83%",
"4.55%", "50.00%", "-22.11%", "-9.09%")), row.names = c(NA, 6L
), class = "data.frame")

A: I've just copy and paste your first prices datas into text editor and change the spaces with ";" (I had not seen your data edition yet).
prices <- read.table("dat.txt", sep=";", header=T)

Kind of "quick and dirty" code, but it's working:
str_split_fixed(prices$PriceRTGS.cents," ", 2)
new_prices <- data.frame(prices$Counter, str_split_fixed(prices$PriceRTGS.cents," ", 2), prices$Volume, prices$ChangeRTGS.cents, prices$ChangePercent, prices$YTDPercent)
colnames(new_prices) <- c("Counter", "PriceRTGS_cents", "Date",  "Volume", "ChangeRTGS cents", "ChangePercent",  "YTDPercent")
new_prices$Date <- gsub("Apr", "04", new_prices$Date)
new_prices$Date <- gsub(" ", "/", new_prices$Date)
new_prices <- data.frame(prices$Counter, new_prices$PriceRTGS_cents, new_prices$Date, prices$Volume, prices$ChangeRTGS.cents, prices$ChangePercent, prices$YTDPercent)
colnames(new_prices) <- c("Counter", "PriceRTGS_cents", "Date",  "Volume", "ChangeRTGS cents", "ChangePercent",  "YTDPercent")
new_prices

If you have other months than 'Apr', juste add others lines
(eg: if "Nov")
new_prices$Date <- gsub("Nov", "10", new_prices$Date)
new_prices$Date <- gsub(" ", "/", new_prices$Date)

A: An alternative. Separator(-) and date formats,column names can be changed:
prices$Prices<-stringr::str_extract_all(prices$`PriceRTGS cents`,"\\d{1,}.*\\.\\d{1,}",simplify=T)

prices$Dates<-stringr::str_remove_all(prices$`PriceRTGS cents`,"\\d{1,}.*\\.\\d{1,} ")
prices %>%
  select(-`PriceRTGS cents`) %>%
  mutate(Dates=lubridate::dmy(Dates))

Result:
               Counter Volume ChangeRTGS cents ChangePercent YTDPercent   Prices      Dates
1        AFDS.zw Afdis      0             0.00         0.00%     10.95%   169.75 2019-04-04
2      ARIS.zw Ariston    572            -0.03        -1.02%     20.83%     2.90 2019-04-04
3 ARTD.zw ART Holdings      0             0.00         0.00%      4.55%     9.20 2019-04-04
4   ASUN.zw Africansun      0             0.00         0.00%     50.00%    15.00 2019-04-04
5         AXIA.zw Axia  8,557             0.00         0.00%    -22.11%    35.05 2019-04-04
6           BAT.zw BAT      0             0.00         0.00%     -9.09% 3,000.00 2019-04-04

A: you can do somthing this-
library(data.table)
setDT(dt)
dt[,Date:=sub("^\\S+\\s+", "\\1", `PriceRTGS cents`)]
dt[,cents:=sub("^\\s*(\\S+\\S+).*", "\\1", `PriceRTGS cents`)]

Note- Remove original column later from dt
> dt <- subset(dt,select = -c(`PriceRTGS cents`))
> dt
                Counter Volume ChangeRTGS cents ChangePercent YTDPercent    cents     Date
1:        AFDS.zw Afdis      0             0.00         0.00%     10.95%   169.75 4 Apr 19
2:      ARIS.zw Ariston    572            -0.03        -1.02%     20.83%     2.90 4 Apr 19
3: ARTD.zw ART Holdings      0             0.00         0.00%      4.55%     9.20 4 Apr 19
4:   ASUN.zw Africansun      0             0.00         0.00%     50.00%    15.00 4 Apr 19
5:         AXIA.zw Axia  8,557             0.00         0.00%    -22.11%    35.05 4 Apr 19
6:           BAT.zw BAT      0             0.00         0.00%     -9.09% 3,000.00 4 Apr 19

EDIT- If you want Date as you mentioned then do this-
dt[,Date:=format(as.Date(sub("^\\S+\\s+", "\\1", `PriceRTGS cents`),format='%d %b %Y'),"%d/%m/%Y")]

A: A base R option is to split on empty space and create two parts of the string , first the price part and the remaining part together as date.
t(sapply(strsplit(prices$`PriceRTGS cents`,"\\s+"), function(x)
  c(x[1], format(as.Date(paste0(x[-1], collapse = "-"), "%d-%b-%y"), "%d/%m/%Y"))))

#         [,1]           [,2]
#[1,] "169.75"   "04/04/2019"
#[2,] "2.90"     "04/04/2019"
#[3,] "9.20"     "04/04/2019"
#[4,] "15.00"    "04/04/2019"
#[5,] "35.05"    "04/04/2019"
#[6,] "3,000.00" "04/04/2019"

You can then cbind these two columns to the original dataframe.
If you are ok to keep date columns as it is without any formatting, we can let go off and as.Date and format and shorten the code.
t(sapply(strsplit(prices$`PriceRTGS cents`,"\\s+"), function(x)
             c(x[1], paste0(x[-1], collapse = "-"))))

A: Here you go: similar to your str_split_fixed solution. It also removes the commas from your price variable so it can be coerced into numeric and formats the date column.
split_string <- str_split(prices$`PriceRTGS cents`, regex("\\s"), 2, simplify = T)

prices$Price <- as.numeric(gsub(",", "", split_string[,1], fixed = T))
prices$Date <- as.Date(split_string[,2], format = "%d %b %y")

head(prices[-2])
               Counter Volume ChangeRTGS cents ChangePercent YTDPercent   Price       Date
1        AFDS.zw Afdis      0             0.00         0.00%     10.95%  169.75 2019-04-04
2      ARIS.zw Ariston    572            -0.03        -1.02%     20.83%    2.90 2019-04-04
3 ARTD.zw ART Holdings      0             0.00         0.00%      4.55%    9.20 2019-04-04
4   ASUN.zw Africansun      0             0.00         0.00%     50.00%   15.00 2019-04-04
5         AXIA.zw Axia  8,557             0.00         0.00%    -22.11%   35.05 2019-04-04
6           BAT.zw BAT      0             0.00         0.00%     -9.09% 3000.00 2019-04-04

The issue with the fixed solution is that it was not recognizing the space after the price, i.e.:
table(str_count(prices$`PriceRTGS cents`, fixed(" ")))

 2
55

But it did using regex for whitespace, i.e.:
table(str_count(prices$`PriceRTGS cents`, regex("\\s")))

 3
55

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Despite the peace deal with Ethiopia, Eritrean refugees are still afraid to return home
September 13, 2018 · 4:00 PM EDT
By Antoaneta Roussi
Samuel Berhe, 42, sits on the stoop of his two-bedroom bungalow with his daughters, Sarah, 9, and Ella, 11.
Matteo Lonardi/PRI
When Samuel Berhe thinks of Eritrea, he sees the sand-colored buildings and turquoise water of Asmara's shoreline. He sees his sister's bar under the family home in the capital's center that sells sweet toast and beer. He sees his father who, at 80 years old, is losing his eyesight but is still a force to be reckoned with. He thinks of his home, a place that he cannot reach.
Berhe, like many other Eritreans, fled the country some years ago to escape mandatory national service, which the government made indefinite following the 1998-2000 border war with Ethiopia. The war cost the countries an estimated 100,000 lives, while conscription created a generation of Eritrean refugees. The UNHCR said that in 2016 there were 459,000 Eritrean exiles out of an estimated population of 5.3 million.
So, when the leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea signed a sudden peace deal in July 2018, citizens of the Horn of Africa nations rejoiced. Many took to the streets bearing the two flags. Others chose social media to express their happiness, and some even dialed up strangers, as phone lines between the nations were once again reinstated. It felt like a new era of harmony and prosperity had begun.
A family stands together for a picture at Bole International airport in July 2018, following the peace deal between Eritrea and Ethiopia.
But for Berhe, the moment was bittersweet.
Related: Historic breakthrough between Ethiopia and Eritrea shows no sign of slowing down
"I was happy because it is good for our people but I was also sad, because it doesn't make any change for me," he said from his home in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa. "I will stay as a refugee."
Like many other Eritrean emigrants, Berhe fled the country illegally to escape national service. He fears that if he returns, he will wind up in jail, or worse. He does not have a passport and has not left Ethiopia since he arrived on the back of a cargo truck 13 years ago. His two daughters, Sarah, 9, and Ella, 11, for whom he is an only parent, have never seen their grandparents or their father's homeland.
Now that there is a direct flight, Berhe is planning on sending the girls to see their relatives. But before he considers returning, he will need some sort of guarantee from Eritrea's President Isaias Afwerki, who leads the ruling People's Front for Democracy and Justice, that he will pardon those who left.
"The people that illegally escaped, the government thinks that we are traitors," he said. "There are many, many like me, all over the world, too afraid to go back."
An Eritrean mother poses with her daughter after arriving from Asmara while her other daughter takes a phone picture at Addis Ababa's Bole International Airport.
Still, hundreds fought to board the first flights between the two capitals throughout July and August. Asmara's and Addis Ababa's airports became symbols of the reunification as hordes of people awaited their relatives with bouquets daily, some whom they hadn't seen for more than two decades.
"When I see the people at the airport, smiling, laughing, reuniting with their family, I wish to be like them. To be free. They are lucky," Berhe said.
Related: Chronic insomnia plagues young migrants long after they reach their destination
Zala Mekonnen, 38, an Eritrean Canadian, who was one of the many waiting at arrivals in Addis Ababa, said she had completely given up on the idea that the two nations — formerly one country — would ever rekindle relations.
Mekonnen, who is half Ethiopian, found the 20-year feud especially difficult as her family was separated in half. In July, her mother saw her uncle for the first time in 25 years.
"We're happy but hopefully he's [Afwerki] going to let those young kids free [from conscription]," she said. "I'm hoping God will hear, because so many of them died while trying to escape. One full generation lost."
Related: A life of statelessness derailed this Eritrean runner's hopes to compete in the Olympics
Mekonnen called the peace deal with Ethiopia a crucial step towards Eritrean democracy. But Afwerki, the 72-year-old ex-rebel leader, will also have to allow multiple political parties to exist, along with freedom of religion, freedom of speech and reopening Asmara's public university while also giving young people opportunities outside of national service.
"The greeting that Afwerki received here in Ethiopia [following the agreement to restore relations], he didn't deserve it," said Mekonnen. "He should have been hung."
Zala Mekonnen's mother and uncle pose for a picture as they are reunited after 25 years apart.
Since the rapprochement, Ethiopia's leader, Abiy Ahmed, has reached out to exiled opposition groups, including those in Eritrea, to open up a political dialogue. The Eritrean president has not made similar efforts. But in August, his office announced that he would visit Ethiopia for a second time to discuss the issue of rebels.
Laura Hammond, a professor of developmental studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, said that it is likely Afwerki will push for Ethiopia to send Eritrean refugees seeking asylum back to Eritrea.
"The difficulty is that, while the two countries are normalizing relations, the political situation inside Eritrea is not changing as rapidly," Hammond said. "There are significant fears about what will happen to those who have left the country illegally, including in some cases escaping from prison or from their national service bases. They will need to be offered amnesty if they are to feel confident about returning."
To voice their frustrations, thousands of exiled Eritreans gathered in protest outside the UN headquarters in Geneva on Aug. 31. Amid chants of "enough is enough" and "down, down Isaias," attendees held up placards calling for peace and democracy. The opposition website, Harnnet, wrote that while the rapprochement with Ethiopia was welcomed, regional and global politicians were showing "undeserved sympathy" to a power that continued to violate human rights.
Semrat Taddese, 41, and her mother pose for a picture in her father's family home in the Kebele neighborhood of Addis Ababa. Taddese's father was Ethiopian, while her mother is Eritrean.
Sitting in front of the TV, Berhe's two daughters sip black tea and watch a religious parade broadcast on Eritrea's national channel. Berhe, who has temporary refugee status in Ethiopia, admits that one thing that the peace deal has changed is that the state's broadcaster no longer airs perpetual scenes of war. For now, he is safe in Addis Ababa with his daughters, but he is eager to obtain a sponsor in the US, Europe or Australia, so that he can resettle and provide them with a secure future. He is afraid that landlocked Ethiopia might cave to pressures from the Eritrean government to return its refugees in exchange for access to the Red Sea port.
"Meanwhile my girls say to me, 'Why don't we go for summer holiday in Asmara?'" he laughs. "They don't understand my problem."
Conflict & JusticeConflictJustice
AfricaEthiopiaEritrea

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: discord.js how to get the number members in a guild discord.js version 12
How do I check the number of members in a guild?
if(message.content === 'numberguild'){
  message.channel.send(`${message.guild.size}`)
}

A: if(message.content === 'numberguild'){
  message.channel.send((client.guilds.cache.get(message.guild.id).memberCount))
}

or

const a = (client.guilds.cache.get(message.guild.id).memberCount)
if(message.content === 'numberguild'){
  message.channel.send(a + " members")
}

A: Change the content of message.channel.send() to message.guild.memberCount
Also move 'numberguild' inside a .includes() after the message.content to avoid executing the command when you don't want to.
Fixed code:
if(message.content.includes('numberguild')){ message.channel.send(message.guild.memberCount) }


text:
BYE BYE BIRDIE Brings 50s Music and Laughs to WDL
by Holly Quinn June 20, 2012
Adam Wahlberg & Dance ensemble in Wilmington Drama League's BYE BYE BIRDIE. (Photo credit: Wilmington Drama League)
With every decade that passes, the 1950s become more and more of a curiosity; it was in many ways the real beginning of the modern era of American pop culture, yet looking at it sometimes feels like observing an ancient culture. Or at least one that's a lot older than it seemed when I first saw BYE BYE BIRDIE as a teen in the '80s. In the Wilmington Drama League's program for the Chrysalis Players' presentation show, there's a glossary to explain who Ed Sullivan, Ingrid Bergman, and Mussolini were. Unlike other popular 50s/60s shows like GREASE and HAIRSPRAY, BYE BYE BIRDIE is actually a product of the time, making it a full-on flashback in full skirts.
The Chrysalis Players production has all the humor, dancing and romance one would expect from the classic show. If you're not familiar with the storyline, it centers around a music agent and his longtime assistant who devise a "one last kiss" television promotion when their superstar client, the Elvis-like Conrad Birdie, is drafted into the U.S. Army. A young fan, Kim MacAfee, is chosen, and her hometown goes crazy.
Adam Wahlberg (sitting); Ashley Butler (standing) in a scene from WDL's BYE BYE BIRDIE. (Photo credit: Wilmington Drama League)
The BIRDIE cast is a mix of experienced local actors and high school students — it's a teen-heavy play, with over 20 kids in the ensemble. As Kim MacAfee, the fresh-faced Erin Foltz brings an innocence to the role of a girl teetering between childhood and womanhood. As her steady boyfriend (and this was a time when "going steady" really meant something), Hugo, Jameson May is appropriately sweet and goofy. Kim's Conrad-crazy best friend, Ursula, needs to be a scene stealer, and Amanda DePhillipis does it every time she's on stage. Kim's parents, played by Ed Elder and Megan M.F. Everhart, and her younger brother, played by Gregory Stanard, flesh out the picture-perfect small-town family with humor and heart.
Though the MacAfee's are central to the story, the real stars of the show are Adam J. Wahlberg as the music agent Albert and Ashley Butler as his long-suffering assistant-slash-sweetheart, Rosie. I last saw Wahlberg in CTC's BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, where he stood out in multiple roles; Albert is a part that requires skilled timing and physical comedy, and he nails it. Butler is lovely, her Rosie sympathetic, especially when Albert's meddling mother (Lauren Eckbold) shows up.
The show's namesake, Conrad Birdie, is a relatively minor role played spot-on by Jeff Gorcyca. He croons, he shakes and he plays it cool, with a dash of dim.
(Clockwise from top) Ed Elder; Megan Everheart;
Gregory Standard; Erin Foltz star in BYE BYE BIRDIE at the Wilmington Drama League in Wilmington DE through June 24. (Photo credit: Wilmington Drama League)
Technically, the production was a bit of a roller coaster, though usually not distractingly so. Only some of the actors were mic'd, while others were not — sometimes in the same scene or even in duets. I prefer the vocals to not be mic'd in general, if the actors have strong enough voices, but if some actors are mic'd, all of them should be if at all possible. I suspect it wasn't possible in this case, but it did detract a bit at times.
Still, this was a highly entertaining production with great casting, and a great, nostalgic way to spend a summer evening.
Presented by the Chrysalis Players
Book by Michael Stewart
Lyrics by Lee Adams
Directed by Tina M. Sheing
Music Direction by Genevieve Van-Catledge
Choreography by Tommy Fisher-Klein
Wilmington Drama League
10 West Lea Boulevard
wilmingtondramaleague.org
Holly Quinn
Holly is a Wilmington-based freelance writer and a Delaware Arts Info blogger. When she's not writing, crafting, or covering the arts in Delaware, she spends most of her time hanging out with her husband and tween son.
SOMETHING INTANGIBLE: Bruce Graham's Disney Backstory Comes to Life at Langhorne Players
Come To The CABARET at Milburn Stone Theatre
James June 20, 2012 - 9:36 pm
Are you sure you went to the Bye Bye Birdie production at the Wilmington Drama League? I took my family this past weekend, paid for $63 in tickets for the five of us, and we all kept exchanging looks with each other at just how sloppy and poorly done this production was. Pitchy singing, wooden acting and set pieces with musical symbols on them left poking out on stage the whole time. There were some competent performances, to be sure, but the overall experience was just so utterly unwatchable. The above review could not possibly be for the show we saw.
WDL Girl June 22, 2012 - 11:33 pm
I am part of the chorus and hope that our scenes did not hurt your ears. Everyone in the cast is sorry that you did not enjoy your time at the drama league and we don't want you to think badly of the WDL as a whole.
Sally June 22, 2012 - 11:43 pm
I have to agree with James. I have been to multiple shows at the drama league and really question the quality of this show. While the ensemble was filled with a lot of talent, 3 of the 4 leads were awful. Neither Rosie nor Kim could handle the songs that were required of the role. There were plenty of others in the cast who seemed to have the ability to carry these roles. The dancing by the cast was wonderful, but Rosie couldn't dance and that is key for the part. On a positive note Albert was wonderful; thankfully he was able to carry most of the scenes he shared with Rosie. I am hoping that I just hit an off night, because this was not a fun theater experience.
Barack Obama June 23, 2012 - 5:46 pm
Sorry that our cast didn't pleasure as you'd have expected. What would you expect from a bunch of kids, some first time performers, and some people who just want to do what they love.
It's quite easy to say whatever you'd like behind a computer screen, isn't it?
Wendy June 24, 2012 - 11:12 pm
Sorry Barack …. but this is NOT school theatre, it's community theatre and folks pay decent money to see a show. They shouldn't expect a professional level production, but they should expect (and receive) a quality performance. Those in the audience should enjoy the experience.
Diane June 23, 2012 - 11:26 pm
I too saw the WDL's Bye Bye Birdie and thoroughly enjoyed the production. I loved everything from the dancing to the acting to the singing. The performance was fantastic and executed well. I have been to many WDL productions and this one did not disappoint. I was amazed at the talent and drive especially with the young people in the show who work so hard for perfection. Being someone who has been involved in musical productions for the past 18 years (not with WDL), it takes an amazing amount of courage and discipline to not only audition, but also perform in front of people who have the ability to pick it apart. Yet this talented cast and crew still strive for perfection in their performance. I hope reading these unfavorable does not deter anyone from supporting WDL or other amazing local performing groups. To those in the cast and crew that read these comments, please continue to do your best and don't let a few negative comments ruin your passion to strive for your best. Thank you for a wonderful show. I applaud your hard work!!! Well done!
John Davison June 23, 2012 - 11:27 pm
I've been to a number of other summer musicals at WDL with kids in them. Willy Wonka was amazingly entertaining and Oliver was terrific. Seussical was passable. No doubt the cast worked very hard in Bye Bye Birdie but it just felt to me like the show was thrown together. Too bad they wasted a great cast.
Dorothy June 24, 2012 - 8:25 pm
I agree with James, Sally, and John. Suggestion: check out HAIRSPRAY at the Thompson Theater at UD. Now THAT was a terrific show! It runs next weekend too. I saw BBB at WDL and I saw HAIRSPRAY. The difference was astounding. WDL usually puts on good shows, but BBB was a disappointment. HAIRSPRAY, on the other hand, was a delight!
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text:
Here's What Dermatologists Have to Say About Chrissy Teigen's $340 Stretch-Mark Cream
Girls in the Beauty Department
Celebrities. Not always so much like us. For example, when you're Chrissy Teigen, you massage $340 face serum all over your pregnant belly in hopes of preventing stretch marks. (And that's $340 for a miniature one ounce bottle, BTW). In an Allure story yesterday, the usually charmingly relatable model shared that La Mer The Concentrate has been a key part of her strategy for avoiding what she's previously referred to as "stretchies" (when posting a photo of her thigh stretch marks on Instagram—charmingly relatable). "I come from a stretch mark-prone family—I have them all over my butt and inner thighs," she says in the story. "Luckily, I'm with a man who could not care less about them or else I would be insecure, but during my pregnancy, it was my belly I was scared of. I knew I'd have to do something about it before I started seeing them." So what are the rest of us to make of this tidbit? While we fully support indulging in this ultra-luxurious serum for your face if the finances allow, we wonder if there'd be enough stretch mark-preventing benefits to justify spreading it over a much larger surface area. Of course, Teigen
By Petra Guglielmetti
Celebrities. Not always so much like us. For example, when you're Chrissy Teigen, you massage $340 face serum all over your pregnant belly in hopes of preventing stretch marks. (And that's $340 for a miniature one ounce bottle, BTW).
In an Allure story yesterday, the usually charmingly relatable model shared that La Mer The Concentrate has been a key part of her strategy for avoiding what she's previously referred to as "stretchies" (when posting a photo of her thigh stretch marks on Instagram—charmingly relatable). "I come from a stretch mark-prone family—I have them all over my butt and inner thighs," she says in the story. "Luckily, I'm with a man who could not care less about them or else I would be insecure, but during my pregnancy, it was my belly I was scared of. I knew I'd have to do something about it before I started seeing them."
So what are the rest of us to make of this tidbit? While we fully support indulging in this ultra-luxurious serum for your face if the finances allow, we wonder if there'd be enough stretch mark-preventing benefits to justify spreading it over a much larger surface area. Of course, Teigen has no worries in that department. Not only do celebrities get stocked with top-shelf products for free all the time, she happens to be a a La Mer spokesperson and likely has access to an unlimited flow of the brand's highly lauded products. (As far as celebrity perks go, this honestly might trump personal chef in our book.) Plus, she has added motivation to mention its products. Just sayin'.
But regardless, now her stretch mark tip is circulating the internet, so we wanted to clarify whether you should even get it in your head that a fancy face serum could be your holy grail of stretchies prevention. So we polled a handful of our favorite no-b.s. dermatologists to hear what they'd tell you. Here are their responses to the question "Would Chrissy Teigen's $340 serum really help us prevent stretch marks?"
Dr. Ranella Hirsch:
"If only! Stretch marks are the product of breaks in elastic tissue deep in the skin, related to both heredity and changes in weight. Chrissy is gorgeous always, even more so as a glowing mama to be, but the reality for most women is that topical products, even diligently applied, won't keep you from getting stretch marks."
Dr. Heidi Waldorf:
"Unfortunately, it doesn't matter if you apply a product that is 34 cents, $34, $340 or $3440 to a pregnant belly. There is nothing you can apply that will prevent stretch marks. Stretch marks develop in pregnancy from a combination of baby size, speed of growth of the belly, and mother's genetics. The only evidence we have on topicals for stretch marks is on treatment of those that have already developed."
Dr. Dendy Engelman:
"Stretch marks are a result of the body expanding faster than your skin is able to. They are, in a sense, scars caused by the tearing of the dermis. Due to genetics some people are more prone than others, but there's one way you can help to prevent them, and that is moisture and hydration. During my pregnancy I used Bio-Oil all over my body. Studies show that usage helps prevent stretch marks and that it helps the appearance of scarring, for those who are seeing stretch marks. I also moisturized all over—the more pliable your skin is, the less chance there is that stretch marks will appear."
Dr. Audrey Kunin:
"Treatments that encourage and support the production of collagen can help minimize the appearance of new stretch marks during pregnancy. High potency Vitamin C serums—15-20 percent—are my go-to suggestion for my patients."
Dr. Howard Sobel:
"The price of the moisturizer—as long as you can afford it!—is really insignificant. It's the efficacy of the ingredients that will make you see a difference in stretch marks. Ingredients such as vitamin A (retinol), vitamin C, niacinamide, peach leaf, raspberry fruit and rich antioxidants such as grapeseed or astaxanthin are sure to help retexturize and improve the look of stretch marks over time."
Dr. Manjula S. Jegasothy:
"There's some scientific evidence that any daily hydration can prevent stretch marks, so the La Mer serum would definitely fit this category.The only definitive study I'm aware of for stretch mark prevention involved prescription-strength Retin-A."
As we suspected, smearing La Mer on one's belly is best reserved for those who get it for free. The rest of us can get similar or better results with much less expensive products—and in the end, we're probably at the mercy of genetics anyway. We'll continue throwing money at the fine lines and discoloration on our faces, where topicals really can make a big difference.
Watch Ingrid Nilson Share Five Beauty Products to Try in 2016:
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Apteropeda — рід жуків з підродини галеруцинів, родини листоїдів.

Перелік видів
 Apteropeda globosa (Illiger, 1794)
 Apteropeda orbiculata (Marsham, 1802)
 Apteropeda ovulum (Illiger, 1807)
 Apteropeda splendida (Allard, 1860)

Посилання
 Wydział Nauk Biologicznych

Земляні блішки
Роди листоїдів

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Situated in the heart of Hollywood, Pantage Theatre hosts many major broadway tours throughout the year. Opposite the W Hotel and surrounded by many quality restaurants.
Subway stations are Vine/Hollywood and Argyle Ave & Hollywood Blvd.
For parking information, view the Pantages Theatre parking information page.


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Thomas Bradshaw
Thomas Bradshaw (MFA, Brooklyn College) joins the Department of Radio/Television/Film from Medgar Evers College in New York, where he was an assistant professor. Bradshaw is a playwright, the recipient of a 2009 Guggenheim Fellowship and the 2010 Prince Charitable Trust Prize. He is the author of Mary, which premiered at the Goodman Theatre in 2010; The Ashes; The Bereaved, which was named one of the Best Plays of 2009 by Time Out New York and was a New York Times Critic's Pick; and Southern Promises and Dawn, both listed among the Best Performances of Stage and Screen for 2008 in The New Yorker. His other works have included Prophet, Strom Thurmond Is Not a Racist, Cleansed, Purity, and Job. Bradshaw has been featured as one of Time Out New York's ten playwrights to watch, as one of Paper Magazine's Beautiful People, and as Best Provocative Playwright in the Village Voice. Bradshaw's play Intimacy premiered off-Broadway as part of The New Group's season. He was included in NewCity Film Magazine's list of Chicago's 50 Screen Gems of 2014. Professor Bradshaw is working on adapting Uncle Tom's Cabin into a miniseries for UNEAC Films, as well as creating an original television series for HBO and Harpo Films. His new play Carlyle will premiere spring 2016 at the Goodman Theatre after a successful reading series in winter 2015.
View full bio from the School of Communication
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Casa Hotel Juan Pablo II is located within a 2-minute walk of Ríohacha's beach and offers free on-site private parking and free WiFi access throughout.
Each room here will provide you with a flat-screen cable TV, a desk and a seating area. Additionally, guests will find a private bathroom with a shower and fresh towels.
Guests will not have any trouble locating a variety of restaurants within steps of the property, while the pier is located just 400 metres away with lots to offer.
At Casa Hotel Juan Pablo II guests will find a hot tub, a 24-hour front desk and a terrace. Riohacha's historic centre is 200 metres away and Mayapo Beach is a 2.5-hour drive away.
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It is that time of year when high school graduates and rising seniors are making decisions on which courses to take that will impact their work-related opportunities when they graduate from college.
While interest is an important component of career choice, it should be balanced with job opportunities.
High school students often say that they would like to be a photographer or an actor, but job opportunities are scarce in those fields.
Based on estimates made by Chmura Economics & Analytics, 445 photographers worked in the Richmond metro area in the first quarter of 2016 and 276 of them are sole proprietors.
On the other hand, an average 502 registered nurses will be needed each year over the next 10 years in the metro area to fill new jobs or those vacated by retirees or people moving to another occupation.
Software developers and computer systems analysts also are on the list of top 10 occupations requiring a bachelor's degree that businesses in the Richmond area will need over the next decade.
Another factor that might help students narrow their career choice is potential earnings, which varies significantly by occupation.
And it also is important to consider the entry-level wage that a new graduate is likely to receive rather than the annual average wage that includes individuals with experience.
All of the top 10 occupations requiring a bachelor's degree in the Richmond area receive a higher entry-level wage than the average of $31,500 for all occupations in the region.
The highest paying entry-level occupation is financial managers at $75,700, which requires previous experience working in finance before managing other workers.
At $58,200, software developers earn the highest starting wage without previous experience.
Students who have done their homework to find out if they will be able to find a job in the career of their choice when they graduate along with how much they can expect to make in that job will be in better shape to pay off their student loans when they are handed their degrees.


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5 Qualifications You'd Better Get Before Looking for a Job in Japan
How to get a driving license in Japan
How to write a CV and How to get an Inkan? Things that are necessary for job interview
If you're a foreigner living in Japan or who have come to Japan looking for a full or part-time job,
here are some "Qualifications" to keep in mind when applying.
As certain positions in Japan require specific qualifications, if you can get them beforehand you will find yourself more competitive and with more options when job hunting.
The following are 5 qualifications that are highly recommended to get before job hunting in Japan: JPLT, TOEIC, Bookkeeping, Driver's license and Translation.
1. JPLT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test)
This qualification is for all non-native Japanese speakers.
JLPT proficiency is by far the most widely recognized certification of Japanese-language ability. The test consists of 4 sections: Vocabulary and Grammar (Language Knowledge), as well as Reading Comprehension and Listening Comprehension.
The levels range from N1 to N5 for this qualification, with N5 being the easiest and N1 the most difficult. A full score is 180 points, and the passing scores for each level vary as follows:
N1 – 100
N2 – 90
If you intend to apply for a job at a Japanese company, you must achieve at least N2 proficiency.
It is always important to keep in mind that many Japanese cannot speak English. As such Japanese language proficiency, the ability to communicate with co-workers, clients, etc., will be a real asset for you while working in Japan.
<Test Schedule 2017>
□ July 2nd Sunday
□ Dec 3rd Sunday
※ Please check the JPLT official website to see more details: http://www.jlpt.jp/e/index.html
Remember that language is an important key to success when working in foreign companies.
2. TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication)
For non-native speakers of English, this test evaluates and certifies your English ability, and companies worldwide give favorable treatment to those who have high TOEIC scores.
The test consists of Listening (100 questions within 45 min) and Reading (100 questions within 75 min). A perfect score is 990 points.
Even if you are applying for a position at a Japanese company, English ability may be just as important as Japanese ability.
An administrative executive at a Japanese company needs to have a TOEIC score over 600 points on average, due to the demands of working abroad and increasingly globalized business.
.<Test Schedule 2017>
□ June 25th Sunday
□ July 23rd Sunday
□ Sept 10th Sunday
□ Oct 22nd Sunday
□ Nov 19th Sunday
□ Dec 10th Sunday
※ Please check the TOEIC official website to see more details: https://www.ets.org/toeic
Remember that many Japanese companies now value English as a necessary language in the globalized business world.
3. Bookkeeping (商工会議所の検定試験)
This qualification is for everyone, including native Japanese speakers.
This exam tests your organization, recording and calculation skills for activities relating to management performance and financial conditions.
If you're considering employment in a Japanese company, especially as an accountant, this qualification will give you a major advantage during your job interview.
By obtaining the bookkeeping qualification, recruiters will assume you are cost-conscious with regard to business operations, and Japanese companies will be much more likely to consider you as a future employee.
Levels range from Beginner to Grade1 for this qualification.
※ Please check the Bookkeeping official website to see more details: https://www.kentei.ne.jp/
Remember that Japanese companies want to hire those who understand the importance of cost-consciousness.
4. Driver's License
Driving may be a part of everyday life for some of you in your home countries.
Living in Tokyo, with convenient transportation options such as buses, trains, and the subway, you might feel that you don't need a driver's license at all.
However, some Japanese companies give favorable treatment to those who hold their own driver's license.
Additionally, if you want to work in sales, transportation, pizza delivery, etc., you will definitely need a driver's license.
□ Those who already have a driver's license from their home country
Need to obtain the following:
1. International Driver's License
2. Foreigners Driver's License Attached with Japanese Translation
3. Japanese Driver's License
□ Those who don't have driver's license
Need to complete the following:
1. Apply for a license at a Driver and Vehicle Licensing Center in Japan
※ Please check the Driver's License official website to see more details: http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/toko/kaigai/licence/index.html
If you are able to drive in Japan, you will be qualified for a much wider range of work.
5. Translation (Japanese Translation Federation)
This qualification is for everyone, including native speakers of Japanese.
Due to growing globalization of business in Japan, the demand for professional translators is rising by the day.
You can take this test online, and there are 2 main levels: "Basic Level" and "Practical Level". Each level is classified into sub-levels.
If you pass level 2 of the practical level, your name and profile will be registered on the JTF official website, all the translation companies affiliated with JTF will be able to see you, and, if you're lucky, they may ask you to translate for them.
The higher the level of test you pass, the more likely you will be discovered and offered a job. It's certainly worth the effort take the exam and shoot for a high level of proficiency.
□ July 22nd Saturday
※ Please check the JTF official website to see more details: http://www.jtf.jp/
You'll be in high demand with strong skills in both English and Japanese.
There may be several reasons why you came to Japan. Perhaps you came to study Japanese as a student, or maybe you're hoping to expand your business working with Japanese companies.
Whatever your motivation, it would be worth your while to improve your skills by applying for some of these qualification tests.
By making the effort to get qualified, you can prove both your raw skills and your desire to work for a Japanese company.
It's a big challenge to take a step into another country.
Let's take the next step and bring you closer to your goal!
Would you like to teach kids English as a full-time teacher?
Well, let Guidable Jobs help you! Just click here and apply for this job!
Of course, you may search for more job information on Guidable Jobs.
Writer / Japan / Japanese common knowledge
Hi, everyone!
I lived in Germany when I was a kid and started to get interested in to learn the culture differences between Japan and other countries.
For those who have small questions you can't find the answers in any guide books or internet, hope you can find the right answer at "Guidable"
How to Find a Part-time Job in Japan for Newcomers
The Labor Shortage in Japan
【Urgent Recruitment!】 English Teaching Jobs!
Halal Type of Ramen for Muslim Students to Enjoy
How to Find Part-time Jobs of Limited Language Proficiency
Know about the minimum wage in Japan, and get a proper part time job!
Latest Articles of Study Abroad, Work
Looking for A Job? Your New Favorite Site: Guidable Jobs!
Top 14 Things You Should Know About an Enkai (Japanese Office Party)
Experience Studying Abroad in a Leading University in Japan
The Things NO ONE Told You About Study Abroad In Japan
If English is Your Native Language and You Live in Japan, READ THIS!
5 facts about how Japanese flirt with foreigner
The Secret to Understanding Dating in Japan and How to Keep your Relationship Steady!
Tasting Traditional Kyoto Dishes in an Izakaya Atmosphere – Why not?
Livmo Share House – The New Way to Live
5 Facts You Must Know about "Kanpai" for Cheers in Japan
Japanese Abroad: Where Can You Find Most of the Japanese Overseas?
Fast Food Stores in Japan: What Is the Most Cost-Efficient Fast Food in Japan?
3 Things to Know About iPhones. Why are iPhones So Popular in Japan?
5 Unique Japanese Food Many Foreigners Try to Avoid
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The Women's Classical Committee UK (WCC) is a group of academics, students, and teachers who aim to support women in Classics, promote feminist and gender-informed perspectives in Classics, raise the profile of the study of women in antiquity and Classical reception, and advance equality and diversity in Classics.

History and aims
The WCC was formed in 2015, on International Women's Day, at the Institute of Classical Studies, London. It was inspired by the Women's Classical Caucus in the United States and the Society for Women in Philosophy UK (SWIP). Membership of the WCC is open to all genders. The first chairpersons of the WCC were Victoria Leonard and Helen Lovatt.

The WCC held its launch event, 'Women in Classics: Past, Present and Future', at the Institute of Classical Studies on 11 April 2016. The WCC held its 2017 annual general meeting on 20 April 2017 at the Ioannou Centre, University of Oxford. The theme was 'Diversity in Classics'. The second WCC AGM was held at the Institute of Classical Studies again in April 2018, on the theme of activism with feminist classicists Nancy Sorkin Rabinowitz and Donna Zuckerberg (editor of online magazine Eidolon) as guest speakers.

Activities
The first major event the WCC organised was 'Classics and Feminist Pedagogy: Practical Tips for Teaching', which took place at the University of Birmingham on 29 July 2016.

The WCC has organised careers advice workshops for early- and mid-career academics, and an alternative careers in and around classics event. In September 2017 the WCC organised an event on bullying and harassment in classics hosted by the University of Roehampton.

The WCC has organised a panel of papers at the 2017 Classical Association Conference at the University of Kent and the Classical Association Conference at the University of Leicester. It has sponsored two round table discussions on feminist pedagogy at the 2017 International Medieval Congress at the University of Leeds, and sponsored a double panel on empresses from Late Antiquity at the International Medieval Congress 2018.

Activism
The WCC organises monthly remote Wikipedia editing sessions in order to continue to reverse the gender skew online and to mobilise change through digital tools as well as providing a positive example for others. Occasional group editing sessions are organised to bring people together to edit to improve the representation of women classicists on Wikipedia, often with training sessions delivered by trainers from the Wikimedia foundation.  By June 2017, the WCC had added thirty-nine articles on female classicists to Wikipedia. In 2018, the WCC wrote to the organisers of the 2019  Fédération internationale des associations d'études classiques and Classical Association joint conference, criticizing their discouragement of proposals for all-female as well as all-male panels (also known as 'manels'). Their activism in this regard caused the organisers to revise their policy, stating that 'Following feedback and discussion we accept that we were wrong to initially discourage all women panels'. In recognition of their efforts towards gender fairness and inclusivity in the field of Classics, the organisation was invited to be a nominating body for the 2021 UK Research Excellence Framework assessment.

See also
 Women's Classical Committee Wikipedia Project

References

External links
 Women's Classical Committee Website
 Editing a Fairer Wikipedia: The Women's Classical Committee Editathon

Academic organisations based in the United Kingdom
Feminist organisations in the United Kingdom
Classical associations and societies


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22 August 2018 Venue Ewood Park Attendance
Ahead of the game | Rovers return to Championship with bright start
All you need to know as Reading travel to Blackburn in midweek
Reading get straight back to action on Wednesday night, this time with a long trip to Ewood Park...
Josh Sims arrives on season-long loan
Blackburn Rovers vs Reading
Wednesday 22nd August
7.45pm kick-off
Ewood Park
Reading will be hoping to earn their first points of the Championship season away at Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday night, but they face a tough task - with Tony Mowbray's side having turned their home into a fortress over the past year.
Mowbray's men haven't lost a league match at Ewood Park since last September, a run of 21 matches of league action.
This remarkable home form was the cornerstone of Rovers' promotion back to the second tier at the first attempt, as the former Premier League champions bounced back by finishing as runners-up to Wigan Athletic last term.
Rovers have begun their return to the Championship solidly, going unbeaten in their first three matches and putting five points on the board. They started with draws against Ipswich and Millwall, before dispatching Carlisle United in the Carabao Cup - following that up with their first league win of the season against Hull City at the weekend.
The Royals, meanwhile, welcomed young winger Josh Sims to the club on Monday - arriving on a season-long loan from Southampton.
He will go straight into training with his new team-mates, and will be eligible for selection to possibly make his Royals debut at Ewood Park.
Adrian Popa also came off the bench at the weekend for the Royals, having recovered from an injury, and he will be pushing for a starting place at Blackburn.
For all ticketing enquiries, follow the link to our Ticket Office page or contact the Ticket Office by phone on 0118 968 1313.
For full pricing information and seating arrangements for this fixture, click the button below.
Wednesday 22nd August, 7.45pm (Ewood Park)
STAR Travel offer official supporters coach travel to every Reading away game.
Tickets for STAR coaches for the trip to Ewood Park are sold out, but tickets are still available for Saturday's match at Aston Villa.
All details of away travel via Supporters' Trust At Reading can be found here.
Championship title sponsors, Sky Bet, make the hosts odds-on favourites at 3/4 for victory at Ewood Park, while the Royals are priced at 4/1 for the win. You can get odds of 5/2 on the points being shared on Wednesday night.
After joining on loan on Monday, Josh Sims is available at 20/1 to open the scoring up in Lancashire on Wednesday night, also priced at 7/1 to score any time in the 90 minutes, should he make his Royals debut in Blackburn.
Follow it Live!
If you can't make it to Blackburn on Wednesday, we've got you covered!
Keep up with the action through our live Match Centre, available on the club website prior to kick-off.
We'll have you covered on our Reading FC social media channels - on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!
iFollow will, for the very first time, be available to stream live in the UK and Ireland! For a one-off Match Pass of £10, you will be able to watch the action live as it unfolds at Ewood Park through the iFollow service.
Multi-angle cameras, live commentary and match graphics are all included in the iFollow Match Pass package, click below and buy yours now!
We wish to politely remind supporters that the football club is responsible for their conduct at all matches (home or away) and any person committing a football-related offence or involved in serious misconduct at any match will result in a club ban. Examples of serious misconduct include discriminatory, offensive or abusive chanting, entering the pitch, persistent standing and throwing a missile. Supporters witnessing any incidents of serious misconduct are encouraged to report this to the football club by texting 80800, beginning your message with the word SAFE.
Season Tickets 2018/19...
Match report | Böðvarsson brace earns Royals away point
Reading pegged back in the second half but get off the mark at Ewood Park
The Royals earned an away point at Ewood Park this evening to get off the mark in the Championship, courtesy of a Jon Dadi Bodvarsson first half brace.
Fierce Rothwell effort denied by the stanchion after five first half minutes
Brilliant dinked finish from Böðvarsson hands the visitors the lead
Böðvarsson makes it 2-0 with a follow-up from Méïte's excellent downward header
Two fouls awarded inside the box to allow Mulgrew a brace from the spot. 2-2 it ends.
Paul Clement made three changes to the side that lost to Bolton at the weekend, bringing in Jón Daði Böðvarsson, Sone Aluko and Leandro Bacuna for the Ewood Park clash.
First up, Paul McShane needed to produce a good header under pressure to clear a good cross from Elliott Bennett, but it was soon he woodwork which came to the Royals' rescue five minutes in - Joe Rothwell smashed a right-footed effort against the stanchion before skying the follow-up high over the crossbar.
Liam Kelly provided a teasing inswinging set piece at the other end but it drifted behind for a goal kick and it was the hosts who had begun the brighter - Vito Mannone at fyull stretch to push an arcing shot from Adam Armstrong wide.
Gallery | Point apiece against Rovers
However, the Royals took the lead after twelve minutes with a fine finish from Jón Daði Böðvarsson. Leandro Bacuna played an early ball over the top and the covering defender could only glance it on into his penalty area. Böðvarsson won the race to the bouncing ball and cannily angled a first time dink over the onrushing David Raya and into the back of the Blackburn net from a tight angle.
The Icelander was winning a free kick next and Aluko's outswinger was met by the head of Méïte who couldn't keep his effort down.
Reading were now looking the stronger side and after a couple of tasty crosses from Yiadom on the right, the second goal arrived from a cross from the left. Blackett delivered a sumptuous ball and Méïte's downward header was clawed out superbly by Raya as it looked destined for the bottom right corner. Böðvarsson was in the right place at the right time though to slot home the rebound.
Just short of the half hour mark, a flowing move from the Royals almost resulted in a third - a fine sliding block from Evans denied Bacuna who volleyed goalwards from the edge of the area.
Rothwell nearly pulled one back for Tony Mowbray's men before half-time, he drove powerfully at goal but it deflected off one Reading body before Liam Moore's headed block diverted it behind for a corner.
And in three minutes of injury time a cleared corner was recycled to good effect and delivered into substitute Craig Conway. He had time to direct his header but he placed it straight at Mannone who gobbled the ball up gratefully.
Half-time: Blackburn Rovers 0-2 Reading
Former Royal Dominic Samuel was brought on at the break but it was Bennett who earned Rovers a chance to halve the deficit. His pace got him to the ball before McShane who's outstretched leg tripped the winger and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Charlie Mulgrew stepped up and slammed home to make it 1-2.
The game opened up and Rovers were looking dangerous, Graham getting in behind McShane but Conway was unable to tee up a shot or a telling pass from a good position on the left.
At the other end, Yiadom fizzed a powerful cross into the Blackburn box and Böðvarsson came so close to bundling it in at the back post. But Rovers hacked it clear.
Josh Sims was brought onto the field just after the hour to add some fresh legs to the Royals side but Samuel arrowed high and wide for the home side as Rovers sought an equaliser.
That was Samuel's last action of the game though as he hobbled off to be replaced by Joe Nuttall with 20 minutes of the match remaining. Blackburn were coming closer to a leveller and Andy Yiadom needed to chest a Bennett strike away from goal as the Rovers man looked to capitalise on a Mannone punch which fell his way.
And with a quarter of an hour remaining, Rovers were awarded another penalty as bodies tumbled inside the box and McShane was penalised once more. Mulgrew slotted this one inside the left upright to level the game.
20 years in RG2!
Substitute Mo Barrow broke at pace down the right but his pull back was just behind Baldock on the edge of the box as Reading looked for a way back into the game. Barrow was very nearly on the end of a Baldock cross from the byline moments later. At the other end though Nuttall nodded just over the crossbar.
Marc McNulty got a shooting opportunity with virtually his first touch, but he curled his effort wide of the right post from the edge of the box with six minutes left on the clock.
Six minutes of injury time were signalled and both teams looked for the winner. But an entertaining game ended all square and Reading had an away point to show for their efforts.
Full-time: Blackburn Rovers 2-2 Reading
Blackburn Rovers: Raya, Nyambe, Smallwood (Samuel HT (Nuttall 71)), Armstrong (Conway 44), Rothwell, Graham, Mulgrew (c), Bell, Lenihan, Evans, Bennett.
Unused subs: Leutwiler, Downing, Travis, Hart.
Goals: Mulgrew pen 52, pen 75
Yellow: Evans
Reading: Mannone, Yiadom, Blackett, McShane (c), Moore, Bacuna, Kelly, Aluko (Sims 62), Méïte (Barrow 76), Baldock (McNulty 83), Böðvarsson.
Unused subs: Walker, O'Shea, Meyler, Swift.
Goals: Böðvarsson 12, 25
Attendance: 11,818 (247 away)
Referee: Mr O Langford
Away tickets on sale for Blackburn and Villa
Follow the Royals on the road!
Tickets are now available for travelling Royals supporters to see the team on the road later this month, as we make trips to Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa.
After our visit to Nottingham Forest this weekend, those trips to Ewood Park and Villa Park are our next two away destinations – a chance to cheer the team on to try and bring points back to RG2!
First up – a visit to Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday 22nd August (7.45pm kick-off). It'll be our first visit to Ewood Park since December 2016… on that day, Dominic Samuel was on the scoresheet for us, and now he's on the teamsheet for the hosts! It was a drama-filled fixture which was decided in the final throes by George Evans' late winner.
Blackburn are back in the Championship after a season away; they were promoted from League One at first time of asking. They came close to getting a win on their first game back at Ipswich, only for Tayo Edun to nab a last-minute equaliser for the Tractor Boys.
Adult tickets are priced £22 for the Ewood Park visit, with concessionary discounts available for fans aged 65 & Over, 18-21, 12-17 and Under-12. Hit the banner below for full information.
And then, soon after, it's a visit to Aston Villa on Saturday 25th August (3pm kick-off). It was as recently as April when we were last at Villa Park, as the Midlands club ran out 3-0 winners en route to a finish in the play-off places.
But the Villans' season ended in disappointment as they were defeated at Wembley by Fulham – condemning the former European champions to a third straight season in England's second tier. Their new season got off to a good start against Hull on Monday evening, however; last season's Royal loanee Tommy Elphick scored their first as they came from behind to win 3-1.
Tickets are £30 for Adults and concessions are available for ages Over-65, 18-20, 17 & Under as well as full-time students and members of the armed forces. Click the button below for more information.
Saturday 25th August, 3pm (Villa Park)
Extended highlights | Blackburn Rovers 2-2 Reading | Sky Bet Championship | 22nd August 2018
2-minute review | Blackburn Rovers 2-2 Reading | Sky Bet Championship | 22nd August 2018


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Arsenal could yet seal key deal for 24-goal attacker this summer
By George Blake
The Arsenal fans in the Transfer Tavern want to see the future of Alexis Sanchez get resolved sooner, rather than later…
The Chilean's future has been up in the air for months now, and with his contract expiring next summer, time is running out.
The general perception amongst supporters in the Transfer Tavern is that he may leave this summer, with fans concerned at the prospect of him leaving on a free transfer at the end of the season, but according to BBC's David Ornstein, his future is not so cut and dry.
Taking to Twitter, Ornstein has revealed that whilst Sanchez may leave this summer if the right deal comes in, there is at least a chance that he will sign a new deal at the Emirates – leading to a huge cheer amongst the Gunners in the Transfer Tavern.
No bids for Alexis Sanchez yet. May go if price right but may sign new deal. All hypothetical. Arsenal very reticent to sell to PL club #AFC
— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) June 28, 2017
Of course, the retention of Sanchez alongside a new long-term deal is the best case scenario for the Gunners, with the Chilean attacker arguably their best player last season. He bagged a remarkable 24 Premier League goals, beating out some of the Premier League's best forwards in that regard, and he was so often a game-changer for Arsenal.
Of course, his performances weren't quite good enough in the grand scheme of things, with the Gunners missing out on a top-four finish at the end of the campaign, but if Wenger is to turn his fortunes around next season – he simply needs Sanchez there.
It's going to be a very long summer for the Arsenal fans in the pub.
Arsenal fans – thoughts?
Let us know below!
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Home » SFF Reviews » Pharos the Egyptian: Mummies! Morons! Mediocrity.
Pharos the Egyptian: Mummies! Morons! Mediocrity.
Pharos the Egyptian by Guy Boothby
Once upon a time, when the British Empire was at its zenith, adventure fiction and fantastical writings began to deal with the idea that London — and tacitly, all Britain — was under threat by some ancient, terrifying force (frequently from a place where Britain had established a colony). There was an immense fascination with the occult versus the modern, the venerable old kingdoms versus the new British Empire, and most of all, the diabolical arcane opponent versus the plucky, civilized Englishman. It's a trend that gave us such well-known works as Bram Stoker's Dracula or Henry Rider Haggard's She, but prior to these there was Guy Boothby and his mummy novel Pharos the Egyptian (1899).
The story is fairly straightforward: a young Englishman named Cyril Forrester comes into contact with an extremely elderly, very mysterious man called Pharos, who appears to be traveling Europe with his ward, a beautiful violinist named Valerie. Captivated by Valerie's beauty and appalled by Pharos's cruelty, Forrester pursues the duo and becomes embroiled in a devilish master plan to curse the entire European world.
For a novel with such big ideas and such an urgent premise in play, Pharos the Egyptian is actually quite tedious. The prose is inoffensive and the events occur with enough frequency that the reading process never becomes unbearably boring, but the protagonist is played as maddeningly unintelligent (the better to contrast with Pharos's Machiavellianism, it seems), and the plot grows very repetitive in a short space of time. A typical chapter goes something like this: Pharos does something evil, Forrester is horrified and confronts him, Pharos offers a feeble explanation, and Forrester immediately believes him and apologizes. Forrester is told at the outset of the novel by his lady love that Pharos is a magician, yet hundreds of pages on, he's still wondering whether this Egyptian chap could be (gasp!) magical. Many of Pharos's smaller schemes on the way to bringing his master plan to fruition simply should not have been possible given an even slightly effective opponent. As the novel progresses, though, what becomes increasingly apparent is that Forrester (along with Valerie, for that matter) is basically shackled by the plot to the point of utter uselessness. He is a spectator, powerless to stop the mummy's curse, and Pharos is effectively the only "real" character in the novel, walking through a world of cardboard cutouts and pushing them over when it suits him. Boothby's interest is not in the conflict between the modern and the ancient — the result, for him, is a foregone conclusion. He merely wants a Watson to bear witness to Pharos's essentially effortless destruction of the Western world.
Ordinarily, such a blatantly weak protagonist would suggest that Boothby had some statement or another to make. If that is the case with Pharos, however, the result is unclear. Pharos's goal is attacking the West, but exactly why he'd want to do so is poorly defined. Perhaps it's because of Western colonialism in Egypt, but if so, no one ever brings it up. The only offense committed against Egypt is the transport of mummies from their resting places, and that is only mentioned once – whereupon the narrator promptly apologizes and returns the mummy in question. If Boothby's point is that Europeans are foolish creatures and deserve to die, surely the point could have been made with much more delicacy and pathos by reflecting the focus back onto the protagonist occasionally, but Forrester is as inconsequential in negative actions as he is in positive. His impact is so small that it is difficult to envision him as any sort of exemplar, good or bad.
I think there may be a message under all this, but it's muddled and reeks of the same poor planning and fumbling grasp of proper emphasis that informs much of the rest of the work. The book, while at least quick-moving at the outset, becomes repetitive and tiresome by its finale, as everyone alive figures out the "big twist" a hundred pages before we're transparently intended to experience this grand revelation, which is still a good way in advance of when the protagonist manages it. Once the frustrating Forrester manages to finally cotton on, the novel casually shunts him aside one last time to limp into a baffling and laughably tacked-on resolution.
Overall, Pharos the Egyptian feels as though it had exactly two big ideas, and one of them was "Evil mummy!" Pharos, as I said above, is the only even slightly interesting character in the novel, but his brand of evil is so obvious and his justifications so flimsy that it's impossible to sympathize with him. He'd still work if we could admire him, either as a fascinatingly drawn character or as a bombastic, charismatic villain, but that's not the case. Ironically, the sheer stupidity of Forrester and Valerie — almost certainly intended in part to emphasize Pharos's intellect — backfires and actually makes Pharos appear rather less impressive by association. Yes, he might be a manipulator, but he's dealing with a man who seems physically incapable of a single original thought, and a woman who is… well, a love interest in Victorian adventure fiction. It's rather like watching Professor Moriarty kicking a pair of toddlers repeatedly in their backsides. The Professor might be brilliant and all, but he's hardly exerting himself, is he?
The best I can say about this book is that it's readable. I blasted through it in a couple of sittings, and — especially early on — I even found the prose and pacing engaging enough to keep me going. If Boothby is mediocre in many other areas, he's at least managed to learn the skill of keeping the reader invested on a basic level. Also, while I realize I've been more critical of this novel than of almost any other I've reviewed, I have to add that when it comes to the individual elements, I've seen worse in most cases. It's only in the aggregate that they become so annoying. Basically, the novel is not even entertainingly bad. It's just mediocre in every respect.
I'm thus obligated to give it an extra star on the basis of objectivity, but I almost wonder if mediocrity isn't worse than outright awfulness. As an example, I read the "authorized sequel" to Dracula some years ago. It was called Dracula the Un-Dead, and it was stupid. How stupid? Dracula's actually a big softie at heart, and he has a swordfight with Elizabeth Bathory. Yes indeed. That novel was so incandescently, soul-shatteringly dreadful that I think a SyFy adaptation would actually improve it. But I'm still going to remember Dracula the Un-Dead, heaven help me, a long time after I've consigned Pharos the Egyptian to whatever dusty closet of my memory contains things like "waiting in line at the supermarket," "watching my computer booting up," and Waterworld.
October 7th, 2014. Tim Scheidler´s rating: 2 | Guy Boothby | SFF Reviews | 3 comments |
TIM SCHEIDLER, who's been with us since June 2011, holds a Master's Degree in Popular Literature from Trinity College Dublin. Tim enjoys many authors, but particularly loves J.R.R. Tolkien, Robin Hobb, George R.R. Martin, Neil Gaiman, and Susanna Clarke. When he's not reading, Tim enjoys traveling, playing music, writing in any shape or form, and pretending he's an athlete.
Marion Deeds / October 7, 2014
Ouch! Well, I won't put this one on my To Be Read list,that's for sure!
David Holden / October 7, 2014
It's a trend that gave us such well-known works as Bram Stoker's Dracula or Henry Rider Haggard's She, but prior to these there was Guy Boothby and his mummy novel Pharos the Egyptian.
Did you mean to say, "Prior to these?" 'Cause PHAROS was published 1899 and the Haggard & Stoker books were both published before then by a couple years…
Tim Scheidler / October 7, 2014
D'oh, you're right. I think I meant subsequent. Blergh, I wrote this review a while back, can't really remember.


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var fenAnalyzer = require('fen-analyzer');

const MAX_PIECES = 7;

module.exports.isEndgame = function(fen) {
  let piecesCount = fenAnalyzer.getPiecesCount(fen);
  return (piecesCount <= MAX_PIECES);
};


So I'm wondering if Matt has anything really big happening this season?
in my mind he's living with Bonnie, since she lives alone and he has not place to stay with his poor self. Matt/Bonnie have the strongest platonic relationship.
cause Elena lied to his face when she went to comfort him about Vicki who she KNEW was dead.
True but I never consider Bonnie human anymore, I don't know why because she still is lol.
Now Matt He is on his own now so he should be having a Hard time paying Bills and things like that .Plus School plus work plus the Supernatural I want to see that then when that all crashes down on him .
Matt's Grand Mom and Dad should Come in and deal with him and help him. They were not there before because Matt mom did not let them be around the kids because they did NOT like the Way Matt's Mom handle things . So they step in Matt moves in with Them and Grand Dad and Mom takes Care of him and pay off all the bills they are not Rich but they are well off . Then Matt's Dad comes back to Town.
I think Matt would be great for that... i mean from reading some spoliers this is not a good season for Matt. It would be kind of cool to see him taking a stand and wanting to defind Mystic Fall against all the supernaturals that are out there. As many times as he has almost died because of them not to mention lossing his sister to them.
Matt should still be pissed off at the trio for what happened to his sister. The group should really be decided. I'd like to watch a show here everyone remembers their anger and the messed up things that happened to them.
I wish they would make Elena work/suffer for the affections of her family/friends. I mean since she can't let go of the salvatore's she should suffer some loss. You can't have it all. Matt should be mad at her.
I adore Matt and I really hope they develop his character more this season.
There hasn't been much info on him for this season except that he is going to try to prove himself that his life was worth saving.
Which I think is BS because his life is no more important than Elena's.
ps that is a cute picture of Matt.
I always wonder how he affords everything he has.
Lol, right how is he keeping up his house working at the Mystic Grill, he must be getting some awesome tips!
The saddest quote from the whole season has to be web Matt says something like "let's see, I went to a dance and got my hand crushed, got home to find out that I don't have any health insurance.."
Right, Matt is a bid depressing. I hope he gets some happiness this season.
I thought that they would be very cute togethere but you are right after the whole accident i don't know if Matt would be willing to go down that rode with her... at least not right away.
I thought that's where they were taking that story and then I saw the finale and was like nevermind lol.


Cut the bread into 1/2" size cubes, lay out on a sheet tray for about an hour to air dry.
In a heavy bottom sauce pan, add the oil and the bacon. Slowly render out the fat of the bacon until crispy.
Add the onion and garlic, sweat until translucent. Add the heavy cream and bay leaf, season with salt and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for about 30 minutes.
Remove bay leaf and add parsley and thyme. Temper in the eggs to the cream mixture.
In a large bowl, pour the egg cream mixture over the bread cubes. Season again with salt and pepper as needed.
Place mixture into a baking dish sprayed with non stick spray and cover. Bake in a 350 degree oven in a water bath. Cook until the center of the pudding is firm. Estimated cooking is 1 hour. Happy Cooking!


Fermented foods are certainly on trend right now! Unlike many food fads that have very little credence, fermented foods are actually the real deal. And now they're becoming the staple of people's diets and featuring on trendy restaurant menus. However, if they're eaten regularly, they can certainly help to keep hormones in check. And that's got to be good news for the millions of women struggling with the menopause.
But firstly, what is fermentation?
The process of fermenting food has actually been around for many thousands of years. Indeed, eating fermented foods is the mainstay of Japanese culture and is thought to be one of the reasons for their balanced hormone health (both women and men).
To better understand, the digestive system is packed with billions of bacteria (mainly good) that are incredibly beneficial to health. They help to keep the digestive system running in smooth working order, boost the immune system, detoxify the body and help manage the body's natural inflammatory response, balance hormones and protect the body from serious degenerative diseases. The process of fermentation encourages the production of these beneficial bacteria; put simply, the more fermented foods we consume, the more beneficial bacteria we have! Live natural yoghurt is one great example of a fermented food.
The process of fermentation merely allows the natural sugars and salts (together with added salts), within the foods to create good bacteria. It also helps to preserve foods over a longer period of time.
Kefir is now readily available in supermarkets and health food stores and becoming ever more popular. It's a fermented milk product that's from either sheep's, cow's or goat's milk. It provides wonderful benefits for the digestive system, particularly helping to ease bloating and symptoms of IBS. It's also great for the immune system because it contains a high percentage of friendly bacteria.
It's not the easiest of food to include in your diet. However, It's naturally quite sour so is best combined with fruits or yoghurt, or can be used in any recipe as an alternative to buttermilk. A great breakfast ingredient!
Probably one of the most popular fermented foods, sauerkraut has been eaten for hundreds of years throughout Central Europe. It's very simply made from chopped cabbage that's fermented in salt. However, as with fermented dairy products such as yoghurt and kefir, the food is taken to another level in terms of its benefits to health.
Probiotic foods, including sauerkraut, are going to deliver huge benefits to the digestive system. Additionally, more B vitamins are naturally produced as well as beneficial enzymes, which are used for many essential body processes.
It's actually very easy to make at home; simply chop one head of white (or red cabbage) into small shreds. Add some salt and pack tightly into a jar with a close-fitting lid. This needs to be left for about a week in a warm place and you've then created your very own super food!
Another very fashionable food right now, miso is a traditional Japanese ingredient that is produced by fermenting soy, usually with salt, to make a brown paste. Miso is actually best known by women struggling with menopausal symptoms and people suffering from other hormonal complaints.
Soy naturally contains phytoestrogens; plant foods that have an oestrogen-like activity and a hormone balancing effect on the body. In fact, there are probably around 300 different foods including fruits and vegetables seeds, legumes and grains that have the same effect. Phytoestrogens became of interest to scientists when they realised that women in certain traditional cultures in Japan, eating a diet high in soy and other phytoestrogenic foods had fewer menopausal symptoms than Western women. It seems that these foods help combat the effect of the perimenopause and the menopause; they really help to balance the hormones.
One of the most common ways of eating miso is in a soup and there are number already produced in the supermarkets or health food stores. Alternatively, to make your own, you simply need to mix some tofu, nori (a type of seaweed), onions with water and miso. That's it! The main point to remember is not to boil the miso if possible as this can reduce its health benefits.
Fermented foods need no longer be a mystery and they can really help women better cope with hormone havoc!


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Home / Politics / The Path Forward in Libya – Frederic Wehrey Testimony to Senate Foreign Relations Committee
The Path Forward in Libya – Frederic Wehrey Testimony to Senate Foreign Relations Committee
March 3, 2016	Politics Leave a comment 912 Views
(The Carnegie Middle East Program)
Chairman Corker, Ranking Member Cardin, Committee members, I am grateful for this opportunity to speak with you about Libya's worsening security crisis and the next steps for U.S. policy.
I have just returned from two weeks in Libya, where I saw firsthand the country's humanitarian plight, political divisions, and growing vulnerability to the self-proclaimed Islamic State. I spoke to the young militia fighters who are on the frontlines against the Islamic State. I heard stories from the victims of its atrocities. What struck me most is that Libya's fragmentation and the devolution of power— to armed militias, tribes, and towns—has created a power vacuum that the Islamic State is exploiting. This dissolution makes it exceptionally difficult for the United States and Western powers to intervene.
There is no national military command through which the United States and Western allies can channel counterterrorism aid. Perhaps more worrisome is that many of Libya's factions are still more focused on viewing each other as more of a threat than the Islamic State.
Many are using the danger posed by the Islamic State as a pretext to wage war against local rivals over political power, turf, and economic privilege. A great risk is that outside intervention against the Islamic State, before a cohesive government is formed, could exacerbate political conflicts, bolster the power of local militias, and throw the country into greater turmoil.
To be sure, the growing threat of the Islamic State demands a forcible response, above all from Libyans themselves, backed by Western support. That assistance is likely to involve special operations forces—who are reportedly already on the ground—liaising with, training, and advising Libyan units, backed by aircraft using precision-guided munitions. But any strategy to tackle the Islamic State should first aim at bridging Libyan political divides and providing aid in a way that promotes cooperation between rival military forces.
The Islamic State and Libya's Political Vacuum
Since the summer of 2014, the Islamic State has exploited a governance vacuum within Libya, expanding their reach from what was once just a toehold into a foothold. It has clashed with, and in some areas displaced, older jihadist groups affiliated with al Qaeda. It has used Libya's lawlessness to attract foreign recruits, conduct training, and plot operations abroad. The Islamic State now controls the central coastal city of Sirte and is attacking the nearby petroleum facilities to prevent much-needed revenue from reaching Libya's central bank. In the western city of Sabratha it took over a logistical hub to train Libyan, Tunisian, and other foreign combatants to fight in Syria. More recently, it has sent hundreds of fighters from Iraq and Syria to Libya in a calculated fallback strategy; the total number of Islamic State fighters in Libya is estimated to be between 3,000 and 6,500.
For Libyans and Western governments alike, the biggest obstacle to confronting the Islamic State is Libya's political fragmentation. The country is split into two loose constellations of armed actors. The first is the Tripoli-based "Dawn" coalition, which comprises Islamist fighters and militias from the western part of the country. The second is the "Dignity" umbrella, which is drawn from eastern tribes, federalists, some western militias, and Qaddafi-era officers recruited into a self-styled "Libyan National Army" led by General Khalifa Hifter.
In the past year, internal power struggles have fractured these two groups to the point that they exist only in name. Worse, both have been so focused on preventing rivals from gaining ground that they've allowed the Islamic State to expand, often cynically using the terrorist group's presence to accuse their adversaries of collusion. Even in instances where regional militias agree on the Islamic State threat, their distrust of each other has hampered military effectiveness on the ground. For example, I recently spoke to several fighters from Sabratha who told me that competing interests between pro-Dignity and pro-Dawn forces—drawn from Sabratha's rival tribes and surrounding towns—had undermined the effort to root out Islamic State radicals.
Representatives from the two sides recently signed a UN-brokered agreement to form a unity government which, Western officials hope, will soon issue a formal invitation for military assistance. But the unity agreement is fragile and incomplete, having been pushed through under Western pressure despite resistance from key local players. The Presidency Council, the executive body established by the agreement, has started to falter before even having managed to form a government. Unless it can obtain the formal support of Libya's two rival legislatures and take office in the capital Tripoli, the unity government will be widely perceived as a Western puppet and a "third government."
Even if the new government does overcome the initial hurdles, it will quickly face the daunting task of re-establishing centralized military command and building loyal, integrated units out of a collection of disparate militias.
A key stumbling block is Hifter's continued presence as commander in chief of the Libyan National Army. The Dignity camp's failure to remove him gives fuel to rejectionists in the rival camp and precludes the creation of a single chain of command under the new government. The loose alliance that Hifter leads is itself rife with divisions: the majority of his forces in Benghazi are not uniformed army troops but irregular neighborhood and tribal militias.
The Risks of A Proxy Strategy
Western military strategy against the Islamic State is proceeding along two paths: a training program to stand up new army units loyal to the government and a counterterrorism effort focused on providing assistance to those forces on the ground that are most capable and most willing to confront the Islamic State. Neither path offers a remedy to the problem of factionalism in Libya's security sector—and both could make matters worse.
The training program is based on the flawed premise that Libya lacks skilled fighters. In fact, it has lacked governments capable of bringing skilled fighters under a centralized command. A Western training effort in 2013–14 to build a national army—the so-called general purpose force—failed because there was no national military structure for recruits to join. Those recruits that did complete the training returned to Libya and were either put on leave or melted back into militias. Another training program risks repeating this error, unless the new government agrees on a roadmap for building a unified and professional military. In the best-case scenario, such efforts would result in a reliable military for future governments to use. But it would not offer an immediate response to the urgent Islamic State threat.
In the meantime, Western governments will seek to back existing forces against the Islamic State. And that is where the problem lies. By liaising with and assisting armed groups against the Islamic State, Western special operations could empower factionalism and reduce the incentives for political reconciliation. Already, this appears to be happening with the recent advances of Libyan forces under General Hifter in Benghazi. In addition, navigating the patchwork of competing militia claims will be a daunting challenge. In setting up a physical presence—a training camp or an operations center—on the turf of a particular armed group, Western special operations forces could create the impression of partisanship, causing rivals to seek out counterbalancing alliances.
This danger is especially dire in Sirte and surrounding areas. The most powerful militias equipped to liberate Sirte from Islamic State control are from the nearby coastal city of Misrata. But an explicit American and European partnership with Misrata would antagonize key familial segments of Sirte's population, who in 2011 suffered abuses when Misratan militias overran the territory. By the same token, simultaneous Western support to militias to the east of Sirte, such as the Petroleum Facilities Guard under Ibrahim Jadran, could end with those militias turning their guns on their Misratan rivals in a scramble for the region's oil resources.
Focus on Political Unity and Local Military Coordination
Counterterrorism assistance in Libya must reinforce the building of inclusive political and security institutions. A key priority should be to support the establishment of integrated structures and units in the security sector. At the political level, that will require intensive engagement to overcome the standoff over the army leadership and promote cooperation between representatives of rival camps in the Presidency Council, its government, and the military command.
On the ground, the West must tie assistance for the fight against the Islamic State to a process of integration of armed groups. To be eligible to receive counterterrorism support, for example, armed groups should accept the unity government and subordinate themselves to its national command structure. But that won't be enough. To avoid destabilizing the country, Western military assistance must also include the establishment of coordinating mechanisms between Libyan military forces on the ground. These could include command centers between militias on a regional basis, with the aim of gradually creating centralized command structures and, eventually, dissolving local militias into consolidated army units. Western advisers should encourage militias from Misrata, Ajdabiya, and southern Libya, for example, to cooperate with army officers from Sirte to lead the offensive against the Islamic State in the city.
Regional command centers would be staffed by local army officers, militia commanders, and foreign special operations advisers who would facilitate the transfer of intelligence, de-conflict ground movements with airstrikes, and, perhaps most importantly, act as neutral political arbiters. For such assistance to work, Western states—France, the United Kingdom, and the United States—will need to coordinate their efforts closely. They will also need to ensure that regional military forces from Egypt, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates support this strategy and do not attempt to set up parallel advisory and assistance channels—these states' previous meddling has been deeply partisan and unhelpful in both combating the Islamic State and resolving Libya's civil conflict.
Above all, Western involvement in Libya should be geared toward supporting the unity government, which will need to back any efforts to promote battlefield coordination among regional militias. No single group should receive assistance unless it is considered both neutral in local power struggles and loyal to the unity government. Further, if the government makes progress on re-unifying command structures, Western assistance should flow through a national chain of command, rather than directly to regional coordination centers. Of course, if the Presidency Council remains paralyzed by internal divisions, or the agreement collapses, the Western-backed regional coordination centers will have no chance of ever evolving into a foundation for an integrated military. At the very least, however, the strategy will reduce the risk that military assistance will widen political rifts and contribute to the failure of the unity government.
Alarmist assessments of the Islamic State in Libya should not lead to a hasty and heavy-handed intervention. The Islamic State may be expanding its presence in Libya, but it has not been able to tap into the popular discontent of broad segments of the population—yet. Unlike in Iraq or Syria, the Islamic State cannot prey on sectarian fears in Libya. It has not shown an ability to set up durable governance structures in areas it controls. Libya still has multiple societal and political actors capable of and willing to fight back against the group. The Western approach should work carefully to ensure that it harnesses and unifies these actors rather than dividing them.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today.
Read more at: http://carnegieendowment.org/2016/03/03/path-forward-in-libya/iut5
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Home Business Modi Gov will see foreign investment surge
Modi Gov will see foreign investment surge
Asian Lite Newsdesk
Foreign investors are optimistic on India and inflows are likely to surge if a stable government is formed under Narendra Modi after the general election, the head of an industry chamber in Europe has said.
Sunil Prasad, secretary general of Brussels-based Europe India Chamber of Commerce (EICC), said investors in Europe and other parts of the world are bullish on India despite recent slowdown in growth as fundamentals of the economy remain strong.
"Narendra Modi is a no-nonsense person. Businesses are hopeful that if he comes to power, things will move really fast," Prasad told IANS during a visit here.
Prasad, who was in New Delhi to release a study report on European investments in India, said revival of inflows must be the priority of the new government as this is essential to accelerate growth and create jobs.
"The focus has to be on reviving overall investments, not just FDI. It is a smaller part. A lot needs to be done to revive domestic investments," Prasad said, adding: "Corruption and policy paralysis have dented overseas as well as domestic investors' confidence in the Indian economy."
Foreign direct investment (FDI) to India declined marginally by 0.6 percent to $20.76 billion in the first 11 months of the 2013-14 financial year ended March 31, according to latest data available with the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).
However, investments in the services sector, which includes banking, insurance, research and development and outsourcing among others, dipped by 54 percent to $2.18 billion during April-February period of the last fiscal.
Domestic investments have also dropped sharply, pulling down economic growth to its lowest level in a decade.
India's top economic policymakers, including chairman of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council C. Rangarajan and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, have also admitted that the decline in savings and investments and delays in completion of projects have hurt economic growth.
India's gross domestic product (GDP) growth fell to 4.5 percent in fiscal 2012-13, the worst performance since 2002-03, and is estimated to grow at 4.9 percent in the year ended March 31, according to the Central Statistical Office (CSO).
Prasad said low growth does impact investors' sentiments but the bigger issues are related to corruption and policy.
"The whole world is watching India. This election is a make-or-break for the Indian economy," said Prasad, adding the economy may fall in the trap of slow GDP growth if a strong and stable government is not formed after the elections.
Prasad said just setting FDI limits higher, as the government has done in the past two years, is not enough. "The focus has to be on implementation and there should be consistency in the policy," he said.
On the BJP's announcement that it will reverse the FDI policy in multi-brand retail, Prasad said: "Investors expect consistency in the policy. Reversal of any policy will have an adverse impact."
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government has allowed up to 51 percent FDI in multi-brand retail. The announcement was made in September 2012 but no foreign investment has taken place in the sector so far. In its election manifesto the BJP has said it would keep FDI out of multi-brand retail.
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