How much more aid is needed?
With just 12 years left to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs, see Box 1), a greater sense of urgency is needed by all sides if the targets are to be met. Many developing countries are making substantial progress toward the MDGs as a result of improved policies, better governance, and the productive use of development assistance. But they could do more with the right mix of policy reforms and additional help. Scaling up efforts to meet the MDGs by 2015 presents both opportunities and challenges. By acting now, developed countries can hasten progress by providing more and better aid and by allowing greater access to their markets. Developing countries, for their part, will need to continue to improve their policies and the way they are implemented. Without greater impetus, there is a serious risk that many countries will fall far short on many of the goals.
These findings emerge from a recent World Bank study that looked at how progress toward the MDGs at the country level could be accelerated through a combination of better domestic policies and improved governance, higher aid levels (in terms of official development assistance), more effective aid delivery, and improved market access to developed country markets. The study focused on 18 countries that account for approximately half of the world's poor and a third of global aid flows and are broadly representative of low-income countries with good policies. The 18 are Albania, Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Honduras, India, Indonesia, the Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Pakistan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Vietnam. The role for aid was also reviewed for two other groups of countries—low-income countries under stress and middle-income countries.
The country-based approach of this study complemented other work that used global and sectoral approaches to examine the cost of attaining all the MDGs in all developing countries and the implications for aid volumes (see, for instance, Devarajan, Swanson, and Miller, 2002). The study focused on countries with good policies because, as the literature on aid effectiveness has shown, the case for aid is strongest for these countries (Burnside and Dollar, 2000). The quality of policies refers to judgments about the adequacy of a country's policy, governance, and institutional framework in promoting poverty reduction through sustained growth and improved service delivery to the poor.
Each of the 18 countries has made significant progress over the past decade, especially on the goals of reducing income poverty, promoting primary education, and increasing access to safe drinking water. But progress has varied, both across goals and across countries. The least progress has been made on the child and maternal mortality goals and on sanitation. And while Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Vietnam have made rapid progress toward some or all goals, Ethiopia, Madagascar, and Pakistan have seen less improvement.
Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people whose income is less than one dollar a day.
Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people who suffer from hunger.
Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and in all levels of education no later than 2015.
Reduce by two-thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-5 mortality rate.
Reduce by three-fourths, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio.
Have halted by 2015, and begun to reverse, the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Have halted by 2015, and begun to reverse, the incidence of malaria and other major diseases.
Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programs and reverse the loss of environmental resources.
Halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water.
Have achieved, by 2020, a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers.
Develop further an open, rule-based, predictable, nondiscriminatory trading and financial system.
Address the special needs of the least developed countries.
Address the special needs of landlocked countries and small island developing states.
Deal comprehensively with debt problems of developing countries through national and international measures to make debt sustainable in the long term.
In cooperation with developing countries, develop and implement strategies for decent and productive work for youth.
In cooperation with pharmaceutical companies, provide access to affordable, essential drugs in developing countries.
In cooperation with the private sector, make available the benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications.
The first scenario in the study looked at how much progress each of these countries could make toward the MDGs by 2015 without significant increases in aid flows or improvements in policies. (The projected outcomes under this scenario and the second scenario with improved policies and higher aid, described below, reflect the judgments of World Bank country teams, supported by existing analysis.) The left panel of Chart 1 provides a summary of the prospects for the 18 countries under the first scenario. More countries are likely to attain the education and poverty goals than those for health or the environment. In general, this is representative of what can be expected if the countries continue to pursue policies aimed at maintaining macroeconomic stability and promoting structural reform. The growth payoff from these policies will yield the biggest gains in reducing income poverty and increasing primary school enrollment. However, even among the education goals, while the primary school enrollment target is expected to be met in almost two-thirds of the sample countries, those for primary school completion and gender equality pose bigger challenges. Similarly, while almost half the sample countries would meet the income poverty goal, several of them will not be able to meet the goal of reducing hunger.
How more money, coupled with policy reforms, could make a crucial difference.
Note: Each column shows progress in achieving MDG targets in four broad areas: poverty—income poverty and hunger; education—primary enrollment and completion, and gender equality in education; health—child (under 5) mortality, maternal mortality, and, where applicable, HIV/AIDS; and environment—improved access to water and sanitation, and, where applicable, better forestry management.
The child and maternal mortality goals are projected to remain unmet almost universally in the sample (see Box 2, page 4, for a discussion of why these health goals are particularly challenging). Only Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Vietnam are likely to meet the child mortality goal. And on maternal mortality, probably only Vietnam will meet the MDG. Reaching these goals is made more difficult in many of the sub-Saharan countries in the sample because of the spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 1990s.
How would significantly better policies and more aid interact in stepping up the pace of these countries' progress toward the MDGs? The outcomes for each country under this second scenario are summarized in the right panel of Chart 1, which shows how powerful this combination could be. For example, it would probably allow all 18 sample countries to achieve the poverty goals, and several of them, including Mozambique, Uganda, and Vietnam, could make even sharper reductions in poverty than called for by the MDGs. Significant progress could also be expected on the education goals, with almost two-thirds of the sample countries attaining the targets even for primary school completion and gender equality. However, progress on the health and environmental goals would remain a challenge (see Chart 2). Only a third or fewer of the countries would achieve all the targets in either area, and some would not meet any of the goals.
Many countries are likely to fall short on health targets, but more money and better policies could make a big difference.
For improvements to occur at this faster pace, substantial policy and institutional reforms will be necessary to accelerate growth and improve service delivery. The needed reforms fall into three broad areas: improving the environment for private sector activity, particularly in terms of the rule of law and infrastructure; enhancing the quality of governance and capacity in the public sector; and delivering more effective human development and other basic services to poor people.
Reform priorities will vary by country. In some, such as Pakistan and Indonesia, strengthening governance in the public sector and improving the investment climate are the priorities. In Madagascar and Burkina Faso, it will be necessary to implement sectoral policies and reorient public expenditure programs to make the pattern of growth more pro-poor. And, in Honduras, more rapid growth will hinge on reforms to deepen the financial sector and improve governance.
The amount of additional aid that can be used productively varies substantially across countries because of differences in policies and institutions and the pace at which these might be improved, the incidence of income and nonincome poverty, and current aid levels. These variations emerge clearly if the 18 countries are looked at in terms of three groups.
The five large Asian countries—Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Vietnam—have large numbers of poor (collectively, they account for almost 45 percent of those who live on less than $1 a day), good policies, and prospects for further improvement supported by reasonable institutional capacity. They currently receive low levels of aid (in per capita terms or as shares of GDP). It should therefore be possible to increase aid substantially (a doubling or more of current flows) to these countries. As a result, and provided they further improve their policies, they will be able to make faster progress toward the MDGs (and, in Indonesia and Vietnam, would go beyond several of the MDGs).
For countries with higher per capita incomes and already sizable aid flows—Albania, Bolivia, and Honduras—additional assistance could be used productively, but the incremental amounts would be much smaller. On average, their additional aid requirements will be about 20 percent over current flows. One reason is that they already receive considerable aid, with higher per capita aid than most sub-Saharan African countries. Also, while they still face serious challenges with regard to some of the goals—particularly in terms of improving conditions of marginalized regions and groups—and will continue to need aid, many of them will require deeper reforms rather than significantly more concessional assistance to sustain higher growth.
The third group comprises the 10 countries of sub-Saharan Africa and Central Asia. These have smaller populations, weaker institutional capacity, and typically already receive substantial aid. For these countries, the additional aid needed will average about 60 percent over current aid levels, depending on country circumstances. A key consideration in these countries, where there is considerable uncertainty, is the pace at which they can reasonably expect to upgrade their institutional and human capacities so as to translate good policies and more public spending financed by aid into faster growth and better human development outcomes.
On the one hand, countries such as Burkina Faso and Mozambique are likely to be able to use only relatively modest increases in aid despite their enormous needs relative to the development goals. They already receive substantial amounts of external assistance—over half of Burkina Faso's budget is externally financed while aid flows to Mozambique are about one-fourth of its GDP. And, while each could further improve its policies, including increasing domestic revenue mobilization, the lags between those reforms and the necessary upgrading of capacity will imply that increases in aid will need to be phased in gradually. On the other hand, Ethiopia and Madagascar should be able to use substantially more aid, possibly even a doubling of current flows over the coming decade, if these increases are accompanied by policy improvements. In per capita terms, Ethiopia currently receives about half the level of aid of Burkina Faso and a third of what Mozambique receives. So, if it is able to improve its policies, particularly by making the investment climate more favorable, large increases in aid could significantly accelerate its progress toward several of the MDGs.
Meeting the health MDGs is more challenging than the other goals for several reasons. First, the declines in infant and maternal mortality required to meet the targets are especially steep (a two-thirds reduction in child mortality rates and a three-fourths reduction in maternal mortality by 2015). Second, improving health outcomes is linked not only to the provision of health services, but also to interventions outside the health sector. Access to clean water and education for mothers are both key determinants of infant and child mortality rates. And achieving sharp declines in maternal mortality requires behavioral changes in prenatal care and delivery and an improved road network, in addition to improved hospital care. Third, delivering health services effectively requires the coordination of policies across a number of fields. These include public sector management policies that provide adequate incentives to health care providers; procurement and distribution policies for pharmaceuticals so that these are available in sufficient quantities in the right places; public health measures to protect the population; and suitable regulation and quality control of private providers, who often deliver more health services than public providers.
Nevertheless, experience shows that progress toward the health goals is possible. Concerted efforts will be required to ensure sustained improvements in indicators of infant and child mortality and maternal mortality. These areas include improvements in access to and the quality of services; better infrastructure, especially for water and sanitation; and a focus on the control of diseases that are highly concentrated among the poor (for example, tuberculosis and malaria), where the benefits go beyond those immediately affected, or have the characteristics of public goods.
What about the role of aid in low-income countries with weaker policies and governance than those of the 18 countries in the sample? Such countries pose special challenges for the effective use of aid. While the countries in this group are diverse, including postconflict countries as well as countries with poor development records, they also share several characteristics. All of them have poor and deteriorating economic and social indicators; limited data on social conditions and the impact of development programs; and very weak policies, institutions, and governance (World Bank, 2002). The challenge for donors in these countries is to find ways of balancing the countries' limited absorptive capacity and high risk with the need to remain engaged so that the prospects for progress are not compromised. Strong aid coordination is especially important, given the fragility of the countries' reform programs and limited political and technical capacities. While there is no template for how these countries can best be assisted in initiating reforms, a better understanding of local social and political dynamics must be the starting point in all cases. And their ability to use aid effectively to move toward the MDGs can be enhanced by improvements in policies and governance. One way to use increased aid more productively, even in the short run, could be by strengthening autonomous or nongovernmental institutions for service delivery.
Among these countries, the case for larger financial transfers is stronger in postconflict countries. Most of them have significant humanitarian needs coupled with the need to rebuild infrastructure and provide basic social services. At the same time, the domestic resource base is small and unlikely to grow rapidly—for instance, in Afghanistan, domestic revenues are projected to reach only about 5 percent of GDP and 9 percent of the government's budget in 2004. In this situation, donors need to finance the large up-front cost in a timely manner and in ways that support rather than undermine local efforts to mobilize resources and build capacity. Also, ways need to be found to ensure that aid flows to these countries continue to rise over time as they strengthen their institutional and policy environments rather than tapering off too soon after the conflict ends, as has typically occurred.
As for middle-income countries, most have already met or are on track to achieve the MDGs well before 2015. And although they received over one-fourth of total aid flows in 2001, most rely on domestic resources and private capital flows to finance the bulk of their investment needs. Yet in 2000, these countries were still home to 280 million people living on less than $1 a day and 870 million people living on less than $2 a day. And, while other social indicators are, on average, better than those in low-income countries, there remain significant pockets of poverty and deprivation in most of them.
The case for aid to help these countries hasten their progress toward the MDGs varies with country conditions. Their per capita incomes range from $750 to over $9,000, and they differ also in terms of creditworthiness and the adequacy of their policies. Lower-middle-income countries, such as Guatemala, Morocco, Peru, and the Philippines, are similar to the wealthier low-income countries. They have widespread deprivation (although not necessarily on all dimensions—Peru, for instance, has almost universal primary schooling) and weak creditworthiness. For these countries, even when they have some access to private capital, modest levels of official development assistance could play a crucial catalytic role in implementing reforms aimed at addressing poverty and inequality and making faster progress toward the MDGs.
Although China is a lower-middle-income country, its size, track record in sustaining growth and reducing poverty, and access to private capital flows make it distinctive. It has already achieved several of the MDGs and is on track to reach all of them by 2015. However, in 2000, about 200 million Chinese still lived on less than $1 a day, and 600 million lived on less than $2 a day. Inequalities across regions and between rural and urban areas are also severe. To address these problems will require comprehensive reform of the intergovernmental fiscal system, in addition to sectoral reforms to improve service delivery. In tandem, substantial incremental spending will also be needed, the bulk of which will have to come from domestic sources. Aid can play a role at the margin by helping to advance the necessary policy and institutional reforms needed for China to achieve the MDGs more uniformly.
In upper-middle-income countries, official external assistance could usefully reinforce domestic efforts (and domestic resources) in tackling pockets of poverty, which remain significant in many of them, as well as in buffering the poor from the impact of external shocks. Since most of these countries can access international capital markets, such official flows are likely to be primarily nonconcessional and will decline as incomes rise. For these countries, greater access to developed country markets will also do more than additional aid in supporting domestic efforts to address pockets of poverty.
Link country strategies to medium-term national goals. Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) in low-income countries, and national development strategies more generally, need to be linked more explicitly with longer-term development goals and specify what countries and their development partners will do to meet them. This will require that countries use their PRSPs or development strategies in formulating medium-term goals and translating these into annual budgets and programs that also incorporate expectations about aid flows. To do this effectively, they will need to address country-level information and analytical gaps about MDG-related outcomes and their determinants. In particular, there are still large gaps regarding the interventions needed to improve service delivery, particularly in bringing out the indirect role of infrastructure.
Provide substantially more aid. The country studies confirm that, with continued policy and institutional reforms, substantial increases in aid can accelerate progress toward the MDGs. The international community has committed to increase aid volumes by $16-18 billion annually by 2006 (from its 2002 level of $56 billion). Extrapolating from the broad typologies of the sample countries, the absorptive capacities of low-income countries with weaker policies, and the catalytic role of aid in middle-income countries, the study suggests that a larger sum—possibly at least $30 billion annually in addition to current aid flows—is needed. Committing this additional amount early can create a virtuous circle that improves the prospects for reaching the MDGs in many developing countries by helping sustain their reform efforts. Thus, this estimate of the additional aid needed could well be exceeded over the medium term. It is conservative also because, while it reflects the best available country-level analysis, there are gaps, particularly with regard to infrastructure needs (see Box 3) and the likely pace of capacity enhancement.
• Support good policies with timely and predictable aid. The recent shift in aid allocations toward low-income countries with relatively good policies is a positive trend that should be continued. And, as countries build a track record of policy performance, they should be supported with access to timely and predictable aid, which will allow them greater confidence in undertaking the long-term reforms needed to sustain progress toward the MDGs. Although more needs to be done, one country that has made some progress in this direction is Uganda.
However, low-income countries with weaker policies should not be cut off from aid. In some countries, especially postconflict, up-front and transitional costs for humanitarian assistance, infrastructure rehabilitation, and basic social service provision can be significant. Other countries initiating reform programs can face unfavorable initial conditions, such as arrears on external debt and negative net transfers of external resources. The challenge in these cases is to provide aid quickly and without undermining local efforts to mobilize resources and build capacity.
• Align aid with country priorities and constraints. Aid should be provided in ways that are better aligned with the priorities as articulated in countries' poverty reduction or development strategies, as in Vietnam and Ethiopia. This means accepting national goals, improving donor coordination, and harmonizing donor policies as far as possible with the countries' own systems. Assistance should also be phased in and sequenced with improvements in country capacities (as is being done in Tanzania) so as to avoid potential problems associated with aid dependence.
• Provide appropriate forms of aid on sustainable terms. A much higher proportion of additional aid than at present should be provided in the form of cash so that it can finance the costs of meeting the MDGs. Aid can meet the need for increased recurrent costs if it is provided through budget or sectorwide support in countries such as Burkina Faso that are improving their public expenditure management, or by financing well-designed sectoral programs, as in Madagascar. And, to ensure debt sustainability in heavily indebted countries that have good policies but are susceptible to shocks, a greater share of aid may need to take the form of grants.
Enhance access to markets in industrial countries. For many low- and middle-income countries, trade and aid complement each other. Developing countries' prospects for achieving the MDGs would be significantly enhanced by greater access to markets in industrial countries. The highest tariffs faced by developing country exporters are on agricultural products, processed foods, and textiles and apparel—products that dominate the exports of the poorest countries. Despite the recent setback at Cancun, successful completion of the Doha Round focused on reducing these barriers could generate substantial income gains for low- and middle-income countries and, therefore, remains a priority.
• Through growth. In Uganda, a survey of 243 firms conducted in 1998 showed that inadequate electricity sources were the most important constraint to investment. Firms did not receive electricity from the public grid for 89 operating days a year, on average, with the result that 77 percent of large firms (in addition to 44 percent of medium and 16 percent of small firms) purchased generators, representing 25 percent of their total investment in equipment and machinery. Provision of reliable electricity services would likely attract more firms to invest in Uganda—improving the outlook for growth and poverty reduction.
• Through service delivery. In rural India, a study found that the prevalence and duration of diarrhea among children under 5 are significantly lower, on average, for families with piped water than for those without piped water. However, the results also show that the health gains largely bypass children in poor families, particularly when the mother is poorly educated. This points to the importance of combining infrastructure investments with effective public action to promote health knowledge and income poverty reduction.
The ability to benefit from improved market access, particularly for low-income countries, depends also on their undertaking further trade reforms and investments, particularly upgrading trade-related infrastructure and improving customs administration. While improved market access will benefit most developing countries in the longer term, many will be able to use additional aid in the short and medium terms to take advantage of the resulting opportunities to expand their exports.
Mark Baird is a consultant to the World Bank, from which he retired in 2002 as Country Director for Indonesia. Sudhir Shetty is Sector Manager of the Poverty Reduction Group of the World Bank.
This article draws on a World Bank paper, "Supporting Sound Policies with Adequate and Appropriate Financing" prepared for the September 2003 meeting of the Development Committee of the World Bank and the IMF in Dubai.
BurnsideCraig and DavidDollar2000"Aid, Policies, and Growth,"American Economic ReviewVol. 90 (September) pp. 847–68.
DevarajanShantayananEricSwanson andMargaretMiller2002Goals for Development: History Prospects and Costs (Washington: World Bank).
JalanJyotsna andMartinRavallion2001"Does Piped Water Reduce Diarrhea for Children in Rural India?" Indian Statistical Institute and World Bank.
ReinikkaRitva andJakobSvensson1999"How Infrastructure Provision of Public Infrastructure and Services Affects Private Investment" (unpublished; Washington: World Bank).
World Bank2002Task Force Report on "World Bank Group Work in Low-Income Countries under Stress" (September) (Washington).


text:
Chronicle of Patriotic War: November 4, 2020
The Azerbaijani Army launched a counter-offensive operation, later called the "Iron Fist", on September 27, 2020, in response to the large-scale provocation of the Armenian armed forces along the frontline, News.Az reports.
The erupted 44-day second Karabakh war ended with the liberation of Azerbaijan's territories from nearly 30-year Armenian occupation and the restoration of territorial integrity.
Chronicle of the 39th day of the Second Karabakh War:
- Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev shared on his official Twitter page that the Azerbaijani Army liberated several villages in Jabrayil, Zangilan and Gubadli districts.
- President Aliyev gave an interview to the Italian la Repubblica newspaper.
- The Armenian armed forces were forced to retreat by suffering losses.
- The list of destroyed military equipment of the Armenian armed forces has been announced.
- The Armenian armed forces fired on Tartar and Aghjabadi districts.
- Armenia violated the ceasefire regime in the direction of the Tovuz and Agstafa districts
- A video footage of the destruction of Armenia's anti-aircraft gun has been released.
- Captain of the Armenian armed forces Ando Grigoryan was killed while driving UAZ.
- The Armenian armed forces fired on Tartar district.
- The Armenian armed forces' sabotage attempt against the Azerbaijani positions in the direction of Zangilan district from the Armenian territory was prevented.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Sales is both an individual and team sport. As individuals, we're responsible for our own attitude and performance. An argument can be made that it's also one of the only professions for which there is no personal development ceiling.
While there is no ceiling to any one person's learning, there is a ceiling to any one person's capacity. In fact, capacity (or maybe overall effectiveness toward a team goal) diminishes if individuals do not learn to work well as a team.
How to structure your Development Office.
The key to making your team ELITE.
We've also carved out a section on the 'Team Selling Framework'. This can be useful to identify and describe roles on a team (or 'hats' on an individual). It can be used to illustrate the role of the staff (and board!) in fundraising. Finally, we use it to illustrate a team that is designed around prospects (not fundraising modes like events, and planned giving).


text:
Trump ramps up pressure on Venezuela's Maduro in speech
Posted 6:10 pm, February 18, 2019, by CNN Wire
President Donald Trump on Monday urged Venezuelan military officials to back the country's self-declared interim president Juan Guaido and allow humanitarian aid to flow into Venezuela.
Speaking in Miami as humanitarian aid remained stalled at the Venezuelan border, Trump decried President Nicolas Maduro as a "Cuban puppet" and warned officials who have helped keep him in power that "the eyes of the entire world are upon you." The speech was Trump's latest effort to ramp up the public pressure on the Venezuelan autocrat following a series of US-led sanctions and diplomatic maneuvers aimed at ousting Maduro.
"Two days ago the first US Air Force C-17 landed in Colombia loaded with crucial assistance, including thousands of nutrition kits for little Venezuelan children," Trump said. "Unfortunately dictator Maduro has blocked this life-saving aid from entering the country. He would rather see his people starve than give them aid."
"Maduro is not a Venezuelan patriot, he is a Cuban puppet," Trump added.
Speaking directly to Venezuelan military officials, Trump urged them to allow the humanitarian aid to flow freely into the hunger-stricken country.
"You must not follow Maduro's orders," Trump said.
Trump's latest appeal will come during a speech Monday in Miami where Trump will seek to ramp up the public pressure on the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, following a series of US-led sanctions and diplomatic maneuvers aimed at ousting Maduro.
Trump pointed the finger not just at Maduro, but at the "small handful at the top of the Maduro regime" whom he accused of plundering the nation.
"We know who they are and we know where they keep the billions of dollars they have stolen," Trump said, warning Venezuelan military officials who continue to back Maduro that they are "risking their future."
"We seek a peaceful transition of power, but all options are open," Trump said.
As he lambasted the Maduro regime, Trump also pointed to Venezuela as an example of the dangers of socialism and made a broader case for the downfall of all socialist regimes in the Western Hemisphere.
"The twilight hour of socialism has arrived in our hemisphere," Trump said. "The days of socialism and communism are numbered, not only in Venezuela, but in Nicaragua and in Cuba as well."
And while he avoided tying Democratic politicians to the socialist government in Venezuela as he has in the past, Trump briefly turned his speech on Venezuela to domestic politics, vowing the US will "never be a socialist country."
"And to those who would try to impose socialism on the United States, we again deliver a very simple message: America will never be a socialist country," Trump said toward the end of his speech.
The US and dozens of other countries last month recognized Guaido, the president of Venezuela's National Assembly, as the country's legitimate interim president as the toll of Venezuela's political, economic and humanitarian crisis mounted. The Venezuelan opposition and its international backers argued that Maduro's second term is illegitimate because of alleged widespread election fraud and said the country's constitution calls for the Venezuelan national assembly president to serve as interim president when there is a presidential vacancy.
The US leveled its most significant financial sanctions against Venezuela late last month, targeting the country's state-owned oil company in a bid to tighten the vise around Maduro's regime. But Maduro has so far offered no indication that he intends to resign.
John Bolton, Trump's national security adviser, indicated to reporters on Friday that many senior Venezuelan military officials have been "negotiating with the opposition."
"I wouldn't be surprised if we see in the next weeks senior military officials declare for Guaido or leave the country," he said.
Ahead of Trump's speech on Monday, Bolton maintained that the US is "happy to talk to Maduro or anybody in his former regime to discuss their exit terms from Venezuela."
While he said the US is keeping all options on the table, Bolton added there would be "no effort to use military force to deliver the humanitarian assistance" that the Venezuelan government has refused to allow into the country.
Trump has also previously seized on the deteriorating situation in Venezuela as a political attack line, warning voters in hyperbolic terms that Democratic policies will turn the US into Venezuela.
"The new Democrats are radical socialists who want to model America's economy after Venezuela," Trump claimed in a USA Today op-ed ahead of the 2018 midterm elections.
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The biggest problem occurs when your web hosting ditches you and you decide to move your WordPress blog from one host to another.
Most of the people freak out because of the fear to lose the content or facing the downtime. You would be happy to know that you can easily migrate your blog without any downtime.
WordPress can be tricky to many and if you're not familiar with the technical things then you can ask your web hosting to do it for you.
Most of the web hostings do it for free. If not, you can pay them or hire someone.
In this post, you will learn the easiest way to move your WordPress blog from one host to another without any error. You wouldn't need any assistance after reading it.
Before you start moving your blog, you would need a reliable web hosting. There may be many reasons for the migration.
Either the size of your website has increased or you're not happy with your current web hosting. There are many signs that you should change your web hosting.
If you are looking for the best and affordable web hosting then we recommend Inmotionhosting at its best. They provide better service and BloggingLove readers will get the maximum discount.
You can also go with Bluehost, iPage, and GreenGeeks.
If the size of your website is bigger and you want a managed hosting then WPEngine is one of the best choices.
After buying a reliable web hosting, you would need to prepare that account to handle the data of your blog. To do so, you have to install WordPress.
Let me mention all the migration steps.
You have to take one step at a time and at last, you will have your website on your new web hosting.
Most of the web hostings are providing one-click WordPress installation which takes only a few minutes.
You would be happy to know that with this method, the database will get created automatically. During the installation process, you will be asked to fill the database credential details.
But if you don't get one-click install option then you have to install WordPress manually using cPanel. You would also need to create a new database your own.
If you're a non-techie person then buy a web hosting only if they provide one-click WordPress installation option.
To export the database, you have to go to the cPanel of your web hosting. Just log into the cPanel and go to database>>phpMyAdmin and a new tab will open.
Choose the name of the database from the left side menu and the database files will be shown to you.
You will see the main navigation menu above all the database tables. From which, you have to click on the "Export" button.
It will show the name of the database and you don't need to configure any setting. Click on the "Go" button and the download will get started.
Depending on the size of the database, the download will get completed within a few minutes.
To move your WordPress blog from one host to another, you would require the backup of the database and the website.
You have already backed up the database in the previous step. Now is the term to backup your WordPress website.
To do so, you have to follow a few steps.
Step 1: – Login to the cPanel and go to files>>file manager. Don't forget to check the box to show hidden files.
Step 2: – In the main navigation menu present at the top, you will see an option to select all the folders and files present in the directory.
Select everything and click on the "Compress" button to make a single file of all the data shows.
Step 3: – A popup will appear. You have to choose the ZIP file radio button and rename the file name by changing the extension showing below.
You can name it anything you want. After that, click on the compress button and the compression will be finished within a few seconds.
Step 4: – You will see a ZIP file with the name you have given in the previous step. Double-click on that file and the download will start.
You can also download it by right-clicking and choose the download option.
Depending on the size of your website, the download will be finished.
NOTE: If you're not comfortable with the manual method then you can also use a plugin like Updraft to backup your website.
Whether you have created the database manually or used the one-click WordPress installation, you will find the database in the phpMyAdmin.
Go to Databases>>phpMyAdmin and select the name of your new database from the left side menu as you did while backing it up.
To import the database, you have to click on the "Import" button showing in the main navigation menu of the page above the database tables.
It will show you a button then choose the file. If your database relies upon the default WordPress upload limit then choose the database from your computer and start uploading.
But if you get an error showing the memory exceeded then you have to increase WordPress upload file limit.
NOTE: You don't need to do anything extra if you're able to upload the database. The error appears only if the size of the database bigger than the default upload limit.
Just like backing up, to move your WordPress blog from one host to another, you would need to upload the exported data of your website.
If you're running a single website on this new web hosting then the backup will get uploaded in the public_html directory which is also called the root directory.
A few steps are required.
Step 1: – Login to the cPanel and open the file manager just like before.
Step 2: – This is the root directory where you have to upload the backup. To do so, click on the "Upload" button showing in the navigation menu and a new tab will get opened.
Step 3: – Click on the "Choose file" button and choose the ZIP file you have downloaded from your old web hosting as the backup.
The upload will start and you have to wait for a couple of minutes until the upload finished. The time depends on the size of the backup.
Step 4: – Once the upload process gets completed, return to the root directory and refresh it. You will see the ZIP file.
You have to extract this file either by using the "Extract" button shown above or use the right-click and extract option.
All the WordPress files will get extracted within a few seconds.
Step 5: – If you see that all the files and folders are successfully extracted then you have to delete the ZIP backup file.
It's because it will only increase the bandwidth use now. You have already extracted its data so it's of no use in this process.
When you move your WordPress blog from one host to another, you have to edit the wp-config.php file to avoid the "Error Establishing a Database Connection".
It's because you have created a new database on your new web hosting and the database name, username, password etc are not same as the older database.
To fix this, you have to edit the wp-config.php file and fill the credentials of your new database.
Let me show you an example of the code you have to edit.
NOTE: If you have ever changed the database table prefix ever on your older web hosting then you have to change it as the default one "wp_". This can also be done using the wp-config.php file.
You have changed the web hosting, it means the DNS you have filled before have also changed. Suppose if you have bought your domain name from GoDaddy or any other domain provider then you have to edit the DNS.
The Domain Name Servers look like this.
In place of hosting, it would be the name of the web hosting you use. It may vary according to the web hosting you choose.
If you bought the domain name from your older web hosting then ask your new web hosting customer support to migrate it to their server.
Most of the web hostings provide or migrate one domain for free.
Wait for 24 hours and your blog will be running on your new web hosting. The DNS change takes a little bit of time. You wouldn't even notice any downtime during the DNS change.
You have successfully migrated your blog. Now, take a casual tour of all the WordPress settings.
Check the design of your blog. You may have to add the sidebar widgets again. It's because the images or any ad banner you have added before may not present now.
It's not a big deal. You can fix such things.
Check the functionality of all the plugins. If everything seems fine. Congrats, you have successfully migrated your blog to a new web hosting.
It may seem difficult but once you follow the step by step guide, you can easily migrate your blog.
Most of the people fret because they don't want to lose their content. And it's natural as if no one wants to see their hard work gets ruined.
To move your WordPress blog from one host to another, you should definitely look for better options. If you're a non-techie person then you can directly ask your web hosting to do so.
You can also ask any technical person from your circle to do it for you. I am sure, you can get help. If you still have any doubt, feel free to ask.
Are You Not Able To Login To Your WordPress Admin Panel?
Great step by step tutorial on migrating WordPress to a new host. At one point in our blogging careers, we'll be faced with the decision on moving to a new host.
I've moved several blogs for myself and for my clients. It's a little bit scary at first but does get easier with time.
However, this tutorial walks you through the entire process, I am sure that anyone who follows this won't have any issues.
Quick question, I've moved a very large site for a client and ended up getting database errors. I ended up having to contact the hosting support to move the database for me.
Do you have any tips for moving a big database or dealing with database import errors?
Thanks for sharing this tutorial with us, I truly appreciate it.
For the bigger database, you need to increase the file upload limit because for a WordPress website, the default limit is quite less and that's why you get database error while importing.
Though many web hostings don't allow its users to increase it their own still you can confirm to them. But if you're good with coding, just a simple line of the code and you would be able to upload the database of any size.
I wish I had this when I changed one of my sites. Who knows, I may very well use it on another site I currently have — which is my main one. Not really happy with the host.
I know for a fact that anything to do with editing the wp-config.php, has me worried. Mainly because I REALLY don't want to make a mistake and ruin my whole blog or lose an important part. That's why backing up is very important to begin with.
I think if/when I move my main site, I'll be referring to this. It's much more unstandable than most tutorials on this subject.
It happens with all of us. I all wish to have the guide which is easy to follow but never get any. Changing a host is a big decision which should be taken when you're sure about the features of a new host.
Yeah, having the backing is important. One wrong step can ruin everything.
This is a very helpful tutorial. This is one one of the things a lot of webmasters usually find very difficult, which is why most people, when they want to move their site to another host, they'll start looking for web hosts that offers free site migration.
But I know that if one can learn how to do this on his own, he'll no longer border about whether the new host will help him migrate his site or not, but will instead focus more on getting quality web host.


So, what makes #FutureSolutionLX so special? Let us introduce to you the rarest botanical: The Enmei Herb.
The kanji character of en "延" means extension and mei "命" means life. Treasured for its substantial healing properties since ancient times, the Enmei herb's roots run deep in Japanese folklore. According to legend, the herb was used by Kobo Daishi, a monk of virtue, to save a sick traveler from death.
Inspired by this, our researchers travelled to the sacred Mount Koya in search of the plant. It was there that the master herb was handpicked and following careful cultivation under laboratory conditions, now exclusively formulated for Future Solution LX.


NEW DELHI: The ruling coalition Thursday said it would scrap the disinvestment ministry and privatise only chronically sick public sector undertakings if the need arises.
"Generally, profit-making companies will not be privatised," said a 24-page agenda of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA), called the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) that was release Thursday.
"It will be our effort when we privatise to take the entire country into confidence," said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after Congress president Sonia Gandhi released the agenda.
He also said that the disinvestment ministry would be scrapped and its work transferred to the finance ministry.
According to the policy document, privatisation must be directly linked with social needs wherein the proceeds go towards areas such as social sector schemes.
It said the government would remain committed to a strong and effective public sector whose social objectives will be met by its commercial functioning.
"The UPA is pledged to develop full managerial and commercial autonomy to successful, profit-making companies operating in a competitive environment," it said.
"The UPA government believes privatisation should increase competition, not decrease it," the CMP said. "It will not support the emergence of any monopoly that only restricts competition."


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Q: Tkinter's trace function always trigers So I am trying to Trace a variable to invoke a callback everytime it changes, however, the trace function always triggers. What's the problem? Here is my code:
options = ["Today", "History", "Options"]
chosen = StringVar(window)
chosen.set(options[0])
menu = OptionMenu(window, chosen, *options)
chosen.trace("w", update_gui())

Edit: this is not a dupplicate, the other question doesn't answer mine

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


- On February 21st, 1959 two doctors, Ralph Miller and Robert Quinn, where involved in a plane crash deep in the Pemigewasset Wilderness. They survived for four days before succumbing to the extreme winter conditions. They left a journal of their struggle to survive which was found shortly after their plane was finally spotted more two months later on May 5th (click here to read the full story).
- Their plane crashed on the Throeau Falls Trail halfway between the Wilderness Trail and the Ethan Pond Trail on the old railroad grade a few tenths of a mile south of Jumping Brook. A memorial plaque was set up at the site of the crash on a short stretch of trail (0.6 miles) between two water crossings on the west side of the North Fork. Some time between 1972 and 1976 a high water bypass trail was created that avoided the two crossing and stayed to the east of the North Fork. Eventually in the 1980's the bypass became the trail proper and the 0.6 mile section on the west side of the North Fork was abandoned and the plaque was no longer mentioned in the A.M.C White Mountain Guide.
- The first time I ever hiked the Thoreau Falls Trail in 2010 I actually lost the trail for a few hundred feet at the spot where the old trail crossed back over the North Fork, I remember dropping down to the river and spotting a railroad grade across the way but decided not to check it out and go back into the woods and get back on the trail. Since then I have become more comfortable with off trail exploration and fascinated with the East Branch railroad that cut through the Pemigewasset Wilderness. The railroad stopped operations in 1948 and the forest that was devastated by logging has come back with vengeance. All that is left behind are trails that at times roughly follow the old railroad grades and camp clearings, some along trail, some off trail, and most have 'artifacts,' AKA railroad camp junk!
- On Sunday Whitney and I did a big traverse through the Thoreau Falls, Cedar Brook, and Hancock Notch areas. Our main goal was to find the plaque, and check out the old camps along the way.
- First we had to cross the North Fork south of Jumping Brook and find the old abandoned railroad grade that used to be the Thoreau Falls Trail, to reach this point we hiked just over two miles south from the junction of the Ethan Pond Trail. I initially wanted to cross around the spot where I lost the trail in 2010, but no dice, as it has become more of a swamp than it was before so we continued up and down the steep embankment then went out into the river when the trail dropped back next to it. I crossed the river and quickly jumped into the woods and within twenty feet landed on the very distinguished old railroad grade, so I turned back around and recrossed and told Whitney the good news and we found a place a little upstream to cross.
- The old railroad grade was very well defined, extremely easy to follow, and holding up well even though it hasn't received maintenance for around forty years. We started heading south along the grade and within five minutes we came across a tiny clearing where the plaque was. Even today, more than fifty years after the crash, the area surrounding this spot is miles away from civilization and not much has changed getting to and from this point trail wise. The Thoreau Falls Trail is a lightly used trail to begin with and seldom explored in the winter months. Even more so since the old East Branch suspension bridge was removed in 2010, and in the near future it will be traveled even less once the Forest Service removes the Thoreau Falls Bridge. There is definitely a very remote feeling to the area.
- From the memorial we stayed on the railroad grade to our next destination, New Camp 22, we easily stumbled upon this and found dozens of cool old camp items. We found a medicine bottle that still had liquid in it, Father John's Medicine out of Lowell Massachusetts. Some other cool items were an old Lysol bottle, a tiny tub that held creme, shoes, flasks, all sorts of railroad pieces, a shingle type material, concrete, asphalt, a bottle of soda or beer still sealed, cans, pots, and huge piles of bear poop, but no bear!
- After exploring the camp we recrossed the North Fork and hooked back onto the trail and past Camp 22. We checked out this camp extensively last fall so we just took a quick picture and headed out to the old bridge where we took a long break and went into the water to cool off.
- Eventually we got back to hiking, we still had a long way to go so we picked up the pace and made our way to the Cedar Brook Trail and beat feet up to Camp 24. There were some pretty cool stuff here too, an old lantern, a rusted ax head, and what looked like an old mop or clothes strainer.
- We enjoyed the lower section of the Cedar Brook Trail approaching the height of land as the footing is great over a nice dirt path. The rest of the trail, is the usual sh!t show of rocks, roots, and mud pits that makes the trail unpleasant.
- Unluckily for us the worst was yet to come, the Hancock Notch Trail north of its height of land. Whitney referred to it as a jungle, it is severely overgrown, the footing is a downright disaster, there are no views, it smells bad in spots, there's mud with a horrible looking thin filmy layer of orange water, and it was hot and humid, so it felt like the Amazon, all that was missing was a panther stalking our every move...I loved every second of it!
- Our last stop of the day was Camp 2 of the Sawyer River Railroad which was in operation from 1877-1928. Not much is left in this overgrown clearing except and old wooden storage bin and the usual pots, pans, and railroad parts. It's located right next to Sawyer River just off the Hancock Notch Trail about two miles from the end of Sawyer River Road.
- Not long after the camp clearing we made it to my Jeep which we had spotted in the morning and drove back over to the Ethan Pond Trailhead where we started the day. Whitney and her friend Snickers did trail magic here a few weeks back and she had a lot of soda and pudding snacks left over so we stashed a cooler with all of it just up trail. It was completely empty, hopefully the thru-hikers got most of the stuff and the fat people heading to Ripley Falls didn't bogart their trail magic!
- It ended up being a fun and adventurous day and we are already looking forward to exploring more off trail camp clearings, especially Camp 23 which is north of Jumping Brook, and the elusive Camp 23-A located high upstream off Jumping Brook!
At this site, February 21, 1959 - DR. Ralph E. Miller with his passenger DR. Robert E. Quinn successfully crash landed his Piper Comanche following motor failure. Without food or proper clothing the two survived four days of stormy, ten degree below zero weather before dying of exposure. The doctors were returning home from consultations in the north country to Hanover, New Hampshire. The memory of their courage and resourcefulness lives on.
When we arrive at New Camp 22, we find a Father John's Medicine bottle with a potent smell from the liquid that is still inside!
The Lysol bottle in excellent shape after being in the woods for over fifty years. It had liquid in it too and had a strong aroma!
Flasks, a tub of creme, and shoes that weren't my size!
Whitney unearths a soda, beer, mystery drink, who knows??!!
An old block foundation, a drill of some sorts, and some train parts.
After exploring the camp we re-cross the North Fork, Whitney says the hell with it and just wades through!
Whitney takes a dip and cools off. The water felt refreshing!
Yup, there's a trail in there!
What's in the box, what's in the box??!!
Whitney felt exactly the same way as you about the Hancock Notch Trail! We both got scratched up a lot, it's in some serious need of trail work!!
Your narrative, your photos, your maps . . . all provide remarkable documentation for this extraordinary adventure! Super impressive!


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Spider-Man: Far From Home Trailer Description from Brazil Comic Con
by Justin Carter
in Movies, Movie News
During its panel at Brazil Comic Con this weekend, Sony unveiled the first official footage of Spider-Man: Far From Home.
Stars Tom Holland (Peter Parker), Jacob Batalon (Ned Leeds) and Jake Gyllenhaal (Mysterio) took the stage to discuss the film following the trailer. Though the trailer itself hasn't yet been released online -- and likely won't be released today -- several outlets and tweets from those who attended the panel have described the trailer. Don't be surprised if things change when the trailer gets an official release, as Holland apparently specified that this trailer was exclusive to CCXP.
RELATED: Spider-Man: Far From Home Photo Gives New Look at Stealth Suit
Tom just confirmed its exclusive to #CCXP in the live stream.
— RUBEN (@RIPLDI) December 8, 2018
As it turns out, Gyllenhaal's fishbowl wearing Mysterio isn't the film's antagonist: he's the co-protagonist, at least at the start of the film. He and Spider-Man are supposedly teaming up to take on a group of creatures known as the Elementals. Three of them are seen in the trailer: one made of fire, one of water and another of sand. During the fight against the water Elemental, Mysterio shows up with green smoke and presents himself as the one to save the day.
Why is Peter in Venice? Well, Spider-Man is famous now and going on a European school trip! Before he can appreciate the sights and sounds, though, Nick Fury shows up in Venice and recruits him for a mission, which may explain how the newly released Stealth Suit comes into play, as he's left his classic suit behind in New York.
RELATED: Far From Home Photo Gives New Look at Stealth Suit
Peter's classmates tag along during his world tour. So far, those classmates are confirmed as Ned, Zendaya's Michelle and Tony Revolori's Flash Thompson. Ned gets hit with a sleep dart by Fury in the trailer, and Flash shows up after the logo appears to make fun of Peter. The trailer also seems to confirm a romance between Peter and Michelle, along with one between Aunt May and Happy Hogan. Naturally, though, all of them will be in danger as Peter faces the Elementals.
Helmed by returning director Jon Watts, Spider-Man: Far From Home stars Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Jake Gyllenhaal, Samuel L. Jackson, Cobie Smulders, Remy Hii and Tony Revolori. It is scheduled to be released on July 5, 2019.
(via Cinepop, MCU Exchange)
Tags: spider-man: far from home
Top Gun: Maverick Gets First Official Trailer, Poster
Terminator: Dark Fate Director Reveals Details on New Terminators
Terminator: Dark Fate Brings Edward Furlong Back as John Connor


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November 19, 2013 Link	Leave a comment Africa'sCampsControversialDocumentaryeuronewsexploresKKSouth
Controversial documentary explores South Africa's KK camps
"Fatherland" is a controversial documentary that explores the fine line between patriotism and racism at the Kommandokorps or KK camps, South Africa's right-wing military summer camps.
The film tells the story of three white Afrikaans boys who decide to spend a school holiday there. They are taught that the black man is the enemy, the new South Africa is a lie and a war will be waged on the country's white people, which they need to be prepared for.
"Fatherland" is producer and director Tarryn Lee Crossman's first full-length documentary.
"It was a really complicated experience making this film and being in the camps with these men. A lot of people have asked me what changed in my mind about Afrikaans people after being in the camp and it was the opposite of what you would think. I think I went into the camp thinking that, 'I'm sorry, a lot of Afrikaans people are racist,' but I came off the camp with more empathy for a disenfranchised culture, you know. These guys, like Franz, are heartbroken that they fought for something and now they have nowhere to be," she says.
The documentary not only tells the boys' stories but also the stories of the men who run the camps, Afrikaans soldiers left behind after 1994, who denounce the so-called 'Rainbow Nation'. The film looks at the connection between cultural identity and prejudice, and how a simple belief can become intensely political.
"The reason why I agreed to let the film come out – I was debating whether to release the film or not because of the conflict it was going to cause – and I decided to do it because I feel like a lot of the things that were said in the film on a less extreme level are still part of everyday life in South Africa. And unless we start owning up to that and debating and talking about it, it's never going to go away if we stay behind close doors," says Tarryn Lee Crossman.
"Fatherland" recently premiered in Johannesburg.
Copyright © 2013 euronews


Animal Volunteer USA: We've found several great organisations in the USA that welcome volunteers to assist them with their animal care work. We've listed just a few here and many more can be found in our Volunteering with Animals ebook.
Many volunteers study whilst volunteering; our courses are studied worldwide and lead to accredited Diplomas.
Elephant Sanctuary Interns are chosen for their field of study, experience and future goals. Internships are awarded to students studying veterinary science, zoology, wildlife management, and related fields, as well as to individuals drawn to the Sanctuary for spiritual reasons..
Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) volunteers are the backbone of our efforts to provide lifesaving care and sheltering for animal victims of natural and human-caused disasters. Volunteers come from across the country and all walks of life, but they have one thing in common: a commitment to helping animals in need.
Guide Dogs of America (http://www.guidedogsofamerica.org): There are many types of volunteering, including Puppy Raising. If you are interested in volunteering for Guide Dogs of America, be sure that you are located close to the G.D.A. facilities here in Sylmar, CA for your own convenience.
Hawkwatch International Are you interested in helping us to monitor and protect hawks, eagles, other birds of prey and their environment through our research, education and conservation efforts? Here are the latest opportunities!
Kansas Specialty Dog Service Becoming a Puppy Raiser is one way to volunteer. Other animal volunteer opportunities include assistance from painters, carpenters, plumbers, individuals capable of doing odd jobs, yard work, mailings, tour guides, playing with puppies at the Canine Housing Unit and many more.
L.C.A. Last Chance for Animals recognizes that animals have the ability to experience pain, and as such they deserve certain basic rights protecting them from pain caused by humans. LCA believes that non-human animals should not be subjected to suffering and exploitation by humans because alternatives exist for nearly every traditional "usage" of animals. Last Chance for Animals is always looking for other dedicated animal volunteers to get involved, speak up and make a difference for animals.
Marine Animal Rescue Society: Dedicated to the conservation of marine mammals through rescue, rehabilitation, research and education. We're always looking for volunteers in Southeast Florida.
Search Dog Foundation (http://www.searchdogfoundation.org/): The mission of the Search Dog Foundation is to produce the most highly trained canine disaster search teams in the nation. You don't need to live in Ojai to become an SDF Agency Angel Volunteer! Some of our Angels live down the street--some on the other side of the country.
Please contact us for more information about Animal Volunteer USA.


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PART 13 – FICTION
This Part contains works of fiction or part-fiction that are considered suitable for inclusion in that they illustrate RAR operations and attributes.
MANSFORD, George – The Mad Galahs
George Mansford 1999
The author enlisted as a private and retired 40 years later as a brigadier. Half of his service was spent in the battalions of the RAR. The Mad Galahs weaves historical fact into a stirring tale of Australian Infantrymen at war generally in Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam.
PARRY, Bill – A Walk Through Life
Winston Oliver Parry 2001
The story of Jack Rand a soldier of 35 years, based on the author's experience in the RAR.
COURTNEY, Bryce – Brother Fish
Penguin Books Australia Ltd, Melbourne, 2004
The story of a 3 RAR soldier captured in Korea who survives
internment with the help of an black American serviceman fellow-captive. Their bond of friendship survives beyond the war and captivity together, and later in a white Australia (Tasmania) where the two are re-united after the war.
CARROL, John – Token Soldiers
Wildgrass Books, Boronia VIC, 1983
The myths of heroism and glory are made from pain, futility and death. This is
the side of war – the only real side, which soldiers have as memories, wounds
and lasting bitterness.
COTTONE, David – Vietnam… Viet-Bloody-Nam
P.I.E. Books, Chelmer QLD, 2015
ISBN: 9780992529314 (pbk)
A novel about two friends – one a volunteer and the other a conscript, who serve together in Vietnam. The author explores the various experiences and tolls that the Vietnam war in particular took, including how many of the returning soldiers were treated at the time.
COURTNEY, Bryce – Smokey Joe's Café
Penguin Books Australia Ltd, Ringwood VIC, 2001
Glossary; 237 pages.
A fictional account of the remnants of a platoon that fought at Long Tan and their exploits on their return to Australia to save a young girl from death.
CUNNINGHAM, John – The way the dice fall
Zeus Publications, Burleigh QLD, 2006
ISBN: 1 921118 86 5
Bibliography; 242 pages.
Fiction based on a group of young soldiers serving in an RAR battalion in Vietnam. Mentions several real RAR individuals in the Acknowledgements, and the author himself served there in 1968/69. Depicts life for young soldiers during that war.
DENNIS, DJ – A Day at a Time: a Vietnam Diary
University of Queensland Press, St Lucia, 1992
Map, photos;161 pages.
The story of one day at war. It is based on interviews and D.J Dennis's own wartime diary. It tells of young men fighting an unpopular war, pitting their high-spirited indifference against fate and military authority.
FRAZER, Michael – Nasho
Aries Imprint, Melbourne, 1984
The author was a National Serviceman between 1969-1971 and during that time he spent 253 days in Vietnam.
KRASNOFF, Stan – Freefall
USQ Press, Toowoomba QLD, 1992
Glossary, maps; 189 pages.
The wives and children of Vietnam veterans may find in these pages some idea of the trauma their husbands and fathers faced in Vietnam, and some
explanation of why so many veterans who left Australia as typical young men, were somehow different men upon return after their Vietnam experience.
McAULAY, Lex – When The Buffalo Fight
Century Hutchinson Australia Pty Ltd, Sydney, 1980
236 pages, glossary
Fiction based on fact. The story is based on author's service with 1RAR in South Vietnam during 1965-1966. Multiple editions.
McKENNA, T. P. – Vietnam: We Fought and Served: what price courage,
valour and honour?
Seaview Press Henley Beach SA, 2000
Short stories set in South Vietnam involving the Australians.
NAGLE, William – The Odd Angry Shot
Angus & Robertson, Sydney, 1975
ISBN: 0207131538 (hbk) 0207131546(pbk)
This is the author's account of his participation as a professional soldier in a
discredited war (Vietnam).
O'CONNOR, Mary-Anne – War Flower
Harlequin, Sydney, 2017
No Index or references, 208 pages.
A fictional and stylised romance set in the Vietnam era involving twin sisters and one of their loves, a soldier who deploys to Vietnam. Indicative of the lifestyle and relationships involving many RAR men of the time.
ROONEY, Roger – True North
Volcano Mountain Publishing, Australia, 2018
Maps, illustrations, Index; 289 pages.
Story of LT Jack Burns (RAR) in the AATTV and a North Vietnamese Army female soldier Tran. Although fiction, it covers much of the war to which RAR veterans say they can relate.
ROWE, John – Count Your Dead: A Novel of Vietnam
Angus & Robertson (and others), Sydney, 1968, 2003, 2006 ISBN: 0207950229
A fictional novel of the Vietnam war by a Vietnam veteran, based primarily on an American officer and his difficulties dealing with (what he terms) the senseless destruction approach taken by the Americans. A useful source which illustrates both the destruction and the psychological impact many RAR veterans will relate to.
RYAN, Merv J – Vietnam Conscript
Access Press, Northbridge WA, 1992
The author served in the Vietnam conflict and has drawn on his knowledge and experience to present this powerful story of two young men, one militant and aggressive, the other basically a pacifist, who are conscripted and sent to fight in the jungle.
SABBEN, Dave – Through Enemy Eyes
Allen & Unwin Australia, Sydney, 2005
Index, maps, bibliography; 380 pages.
Based on detailed research by Dave Sabben, one of the 6 RAR Australian platoon commanders in the Battle of Long Tan. A fictionalised account
of the events leading up to the battle as seen through VC and NVA eyes.


Add authenticity to your layout or diorama with Woodland Scenics trees, foliage, water, figures, and more.
Available in a variety of sizes, colors, and formats, these realistic scenery pieces have been designed to meet the specialized needs of architectural modelers, as well as students of architecture, landscaping, and interior design.
Figures — Designed to meet the specialized needs of professional and student modelers, these 1/16", 1/8", and 1/4" scale figures are posed in various standing, sitting, and walking positions.
® Woodland Scenics is a registered trademark.


Sole Trader. This is perhaps the easiest type of business to set up and as the name suggests, and may be suitable for a small carpet cleaning operation like Brilliance Carpet Cleaning Perth or something similar with only one person involved. You won't have a partner or a company structure as such, however you will need an Australian Business Number (ABN). You may also need a business name and a trademark, both registered. A sole trader has full control over every aspect of the business, owning all the profits and all the debts.
A partnership is also a relatively simple way to set up your business. Typically it will involve two or more people who are co-owners in the business. As such, they all share responsibility for profits and debts. The co-owners can act on behalf of each other in running the business. A written agreement is an essential component of this type of business, to ensure each partner understands their responsibilities. The ABN and other components similar to the Sole Trader are needed and if there is a silent partner, limited partnership formation is required.
If you set up a company, it must be registered under the Australian Corporations Law as well as having an ABN and the other components of Sole Trader. There will be many shareholders in a company, but since it is a separate legal entity, neither they nor the owners will be liable for any of the company's debts. A company is much more expensive to set up than either the Sole Trader or Partnership.
Trust. A trust is where a trustee carries on business for other people's benefit. The trustee can be a person or a company, while the people who benefit are referred to as beneficiaries. A trust needs to have an ABN and it may or may not have a registered trademark.
There are many advantages and disadvantages for each type of business, which is why consulting with legal professionals is essential before the decision is made. And of course you will need a lawyer to draw up the legal documents once you've decided which type is suitable for your business.
However, in the case of a Sole Trader where there is only one person involved, the process is much simpler and can be done online easily enough, especially where no trademark is being used. A registered business name is also optional, making it even easier.


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Chris Havel column: There's no defense for this performance
Discussion in 'Green Bay Packers Fan Forum' started by IronMan, Dec 4, 2006.
Dec 4, 2006 at 9:16 AM #1
IronMan Cheesehead
http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061204/PKR07/612040504/1959
By Chris Havel
Ten minutes into Sunday's onslaught, I had a feeling Jets-Packers might be the New England disaster all over again.
I was wrong. It was worse.
Thoroughly beaten and demoralized by halftime, the Green Bay Packers trotted off Lambeau Field trailing 31-0 with no solutions in sight. In a mostly regrettable and entirely forgettable game, that surreal scene endures as the season's defining moment.
It was humiliation on parade.
In the first half, the Jets scored on every possession, racked up 22 first downs, threw for 241 yards and rushed for another 99. They ran 47 plays. They gained 340 yards.
They did what they wanted, when they wanted.
No halftime adjustment exists for what ailed the Packers, and there isn't any way to sugarcoat it. The Packers' 38-10 loss is unacceptable. Changes need to be made in the defense's starting lineup and on the defensive coaching staff.
If Bob Sanders were a player, rather than the defensive coordinator, a performance this substandard would get him released. To say the Packers have had four defensive coordinators in four years is incorrect. They have had only one: Jim Bates. The only way to ensure defensive continuity from last year to this year was to retain Bates.
Sanders' promotion from lieutenant to general doesn't make it so, and Packers coach Mike McCarthy may have no choice but to find another defensive coordinator.
I don't know if Sanders can cut it. I do know he isn't cutting it. The Packers' defense gave up 100 points in 10 quarters, beginning with New England (35-0), including Seattle (34-24) and through halftime against the Jets (31-0).
The run defense has been bad, and the pass defense has been worse. It is time to fire secondary coach Kurt Schottenheimer, and name Lionel Washington to replace him. That gives Washington four games to prove himself.
Likewise, Sanders has four games to prove himself, but I can't envision a rally that could save his job. This isn't about one bad half of football. This is about a pattern of giving up big plays mushrooming into a full-blown trend.
It also is about players cheating their fans, teammates, coaches and themselves by failing to perform. If Sunday's game were a rock concert, the promoter would have been forced to cancel the show and offer a refund.
Brett Favre advised players to look in the mirror. He said they shouldn't place blame or point fingers, and he is right. That's what the fans and media are for.
The Packers made Jets quarterback Chad Pennington look like Joe Willie Namath. They made Cedric Houston look like Curtis Martin. They made Jerricho Cotchery look like Don Maynard. They made the 7-5 Jets look like Super Bowl contenders.
Mostly, they made the 70,527 fans ill, and this may not help: Afterward, a subdued and deflated Favre didn't sound like he has a 17th season in him. Favre may want to come back, but there has to be something worth coming back to.
As it stands, this isn't it.
Chris Havel can be reached by voice mail at (920) 431-8586 or by e-mail at [email protected]
IMO, Schott is gone in the offseason. McCarthy has 2 more years to prove himself, or he will be gone too and thus he HAS to do all he can to set himself up for a great run in his final year.
Unfortunately, I'd say I wouldn't be shocked at a replacement from within the coaching staff for Sanders (he will get the blame for this terrible season, he does deserve his share). Winston Moss has my early vote for becoming the new DC, and I base this on NO EVIDENCE, just what I feel.
Dec 4, 2006 at 10:18 AM #3
packedhouse01 Cheesehead
I couldn't understand how a coach that pretty much got ran out of town a few years ago would get hired again. As for Sanders, simply put, he's in over his head. He has a few good players. But the bottom line is that you can't blame the coaches for not having good players. You can blame the coaches if their player don't improve and get better. Manual and Collins are what they are. They're not very good safeties. Their are too many kids in that backfield who supposedly have talent, but still aren't making plays. I tend to look at the guys who are bringing in the talent before I look at the guys coaching the talent. Mike Sherman as an example didn't bring in much talent and that cost him his job. I don't believe you can coach bad talent to be great players. We, unfortunately, are a team without much talent, and the talent has been coached better on defense.
I still say Collins is a great player if you use him within his abilities.
Basically teach Collins to play by reacting: If (A) happens, do this. If (B) happens, do that. Perhaps you can add a "If (C) happens, then do this", but you NEED to keep it simple for his limited mental ability.
Bates did that, and part of it was because he was a rookie and part of it has to be because he realized too much would overwhelm the guy. Sanders has installed a system where Collins is asked to react in a variety of ways to different systems, and Manuel has done nothing to help him understand what to do.
Schott also hasn't done anything. He needs to keep things simple, even if it is as simple as "Man run, you follow". He seems to try and get Collins to understand the little switches, and stuff that he has to do, but that is where the mistake is being made.
I gotta think Lionel Washington would be a great DB coach. He realized Carroll's limits, and made him practice in ways which were creative and designed to target those weaknesses (boxing gloves, taking up boxing, etc.) I also maintain that Washington doesn't get enough credit for how good Harris has become. Let's not kid ourselves, if he was anywhere near the level he is now at Philly, or even showed flashes of getting to that level, they would have kept him. Credit Washington (to a certain degree of course) for working with Al to develop him.
The problem with Collins is that he can't cover anyone. When you need to him to help out he seemingly is never where he is supposed to be. They don't use him up on the line for blitzing as we used to do with LeRoy. I just don't think he's a very good player. Manual isn't the guy either. What do you have left, Dendy and a bunch of guys you picked up from other teams who weren't good enough to play for those teams.
Actually house01, I believe in his rookie season Collins played CB a bit, and was most impressive. He showed ability to stick with his man, and be a ball hawk.
I just think that asking him to do too much is getting him too confused. He needs to trust his instincts more than trying to play a chess match against the OC.
Dec 4, 2006 at 10:51 PM #7
abztractmynd Cheesehead
coaching changes need to be made in the off season. thats a FACT.
Yared-Yam Cheesehead
Re: Chris Havel column: There's no defense for this performa
I still think Collins will be a stud, but he's gotten worse under Sanders.
We all want Bates back, but that's just not gonna happen. I nominate myself.
Yared-Yam said:
Heck I'll second that nomination just to see how you respond to critics when your defence schemes fail...
Reporter: Why do you suck?
Yared-Yam: I don't suck, your momma sucks!
Reporter 2: Was that called for?
Yared-Yam: So now your limiting my free speech? COMMUNIST!!!! (Points finger like the monkey from family guy)
Reporter 3: Are you..... are you retarded?
Yared-Yam: NO! 2+2 = 5, there I proved I'm not!
Reporter 4: Why did Mike McCarthy hire you?
Yared-Yam: Do you have a younger brother/sister?
Reporter 4: Yes...
Yared-Yam: Well obviously your parents kept trying for more babies after you, BECAUSE YOU WERE A FAILURE! That's why I got hired, other DCs WERE FAILURES!
Reporter 5: What are your thoughts on the S play?
Yared-Yam: Why can't you people EVER talk about Gregg Jennings, huh? Must you always make things about you, me, he, she, it, or whatever; LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PLAYERS WHO NEED TO BE TALKED ABOUT, GREGG JENNINGS!
Reporter 6: Ok so what is your opinion on Greg Jennings?
Yared-Yam: *gets erection*
Dec 5, 2006 at 1:29 AM #10
I do like Greg Jennings a lot...
I would have Jim Mora Sr.-esque press conferences. Even if we won I would go into a rage-induced rant about how much we suck.
Imagine if you win the Superbowl:
YY: It's pathetic, we played like a bunch of dolls out there. No passion, lust, or energy...
Reporter: You guys won 45-0....
YY: Are you implying something?
all about da packers said:
Keep in mind that Collins is trying to defend the deep pass all by himself. Manuel certainly isn't around and doens't know what he's doing. I think Collins has had an off year but based on his season 1 performance we know he can get it done. So let's not bail on him yet. Heck we gave Carroll 3 camps and he was far worse than Collins in my opinion.
Great point porky, Carroll got a heck of a lot more chances.
I'd be interested in knowing your opinion on who should be the next DB coach though...
dxbfan Cheesehead
There's great evidence through Sherman's trial and error body of work with DC's to suggest that there is no substitute for a seasoned, experienced coach to run the defense. Bates being the case in point.
I do however like you think that they'll probably take the easy way out, make Sanders the scapegoat and promote from within.
Dec 5, 2006 at 3:47 PM #15
ChrisC Cheesehead
North Yorkshire, UK
:rotflmao: aadp & yy!
I'm guessing YY would find a role for Ingle in his defense!
Every year we seem to have a scapegoat at DC. The way things are going, there are plenty of candidates for this year. :wall:
Fat Dogs,
PackAttack12


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text:
Linia kolejowa Longueau – Boulogne – francuska linia kolejowa biegnąca od węzła z linią kolejową Paryż – Lille w Longueau przez Amiens, Abbeville do Boulogne-sur-Mer. Jest to linia dwutorowa o długości 171 km. Do czasu rozpoczęcia kursowania pociągów Eurostar z Londynu do Paryża w 1994 roku przez LGV Nord, była główną linią dla pociągów kursujących do Paryża z Wielkiej Brytanii. Od sierpnia 2011 roku linia jest używana przez pociągi Intercités z Paryża do Boulogne, TGV z Rang-du-Fliers przez Calais-Fréthun do Lille-Europe oraz TER Picardie i TER Nord-Pas-de-Calais.

Linia została zbudowana przez Compagnie des chemins de fer du Nord w latach 1847 - 1848. Odcinek od Longueau przez Amiens i do skrzyżowania z linią do Rouen jest zelektryfikowana na 25 kV 50 Hz.

Przypisy

Longueau – Boulogne

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
the most important people in the world Apr. 5, 2012
What If It Wasn't Ryan Gosling?
Actor/superhero Ryan Gosling? Photo: Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images, iStockphoto
As much as we would like to believe that actor Ryan Gosling went out of his way to spare the life of a Normal two nights ago, and that we may in fact be witnessing the creation of a new superhero ("The Gosling," who was bitten by a young goose and now uses his special goose powers to sense when people are in danger?), we have to wonder whether the person who saved Laurie Penny from becoming road kill was actually, you know, Ryan Gosling.
We're not suggesting that Penny made the whole thing up — even though the story has given her wider name recognition than she could have ever dreamed — just that it's possible she was mistaken. We've tried multiple times to get Gosling's PR representatives at Slate PR to confirm that this incident happened, and they've declined. Katrina Trinko, a reporter for the National Review, tweeted that Gosling's agency, Artist Management, was only willing to confirm to her that Gosling was indeed in New York City on Tuesday.
So for now, the entire story is based solely on Penny's account, and that of an anonymous bystander who Penny says declared her a "lucky bitch." That's hardly concrete evidence; eyewitnesses are famously unreliable. Remember the old lady in My Cousin Vinny? One second she was all, "Yeah, those two kids are murderers," and the next second, she couldn't even see how many fingers Joe Pesci was holding up. (There are also real life examples of this phenomenon, probably.)
It's not uncommon to spot celebrities around Manhattan, but it's also not uncommon to spot people who look like celebrities who are just regular, boring people. You might think you saw President Obama, but it was actually just the Bronx's Louis Ortiz. You might tell friends you passed by Zooey Deschanel at the Brooklyn Flea, but it was actually one of the other 90,000 Brooklyn girls who look exactly like Zooey Deschanel. Gosling isn't exactly the most unique looking person out there, and in a city of 8 million people, there are probably some white, muscular dudes that resemble him and also don't want to see someone get crushed by a taxi.
We understand why Gosling might not want to appear to be seeking credit for his act of everyday common decency, particularly if he really is a superhero. But the world is collectively swooning over Gosling right now, and it deserves to know whether said swooning is warranted. If it wasn't you, Gosling, just tell us. We can handle it, we'll be okay. Not immediately, maybe not for a few weeks, but eventually.
Ryan Gosling Appears Wherever There Is Trouble [Updated]
Ryan Gosling Actually History's Greatest Monster
the most important people in the world
laurie penny


The local media portal Amwal Al Ghad reported that the Egyptian Bank, together with a number of foreign research institutions, is studying the risks and benefits of introducing the digital version of national currency — the Egyptian pound, which will be designed to reduce budget costs and increase the transparency of calculations.
Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank of Egypt, Ayman Hussein noted that now the regulator is preparing a "feasibility study" of this measure.
Officials believe that the use of blockchain-based digital currency can help to reduce transaction costs to a minimum, compared to coins and banknotes.
Several international institutions are involved in the study of the Central Bank, added the portal. However, the publication did not specify for what purposes it is supposed to use the digital Egyptian pound — only for settlements between banks, or for individual users.
At the same time, the Egyptian Central Bank stressed that the country has no "rules or laws" that would "allow" to conduct operations with cryptocurrencies in the country.


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text:
Q: Code after for loop does not execute (Java) I have a small snippet of code that is supposed to check the inputted codename and password against what is stored in a text file. If there is a match, it will start the game and everything is fine. But if there is no match, a dialog is supposed to pop up asking the user if they want to try logging in again.
int input=0; //yes

do {
    codename=JOptionPane.showInputDialog(null,"Enter Codename: ");
    String password=JOptionPane.showInputDialog(null, "Enter Password: ");

    for(int i=0;i<users.length;i++){
        if((codename.equals(users[i].getCodeName())) && (password.equals(users[i].getPassword()))){
            System.out.println("\n\nCorrect");
            new Game();
        } else {
            System.out.println("\n\nIncorrect");
        }
    }
    input = JOptionPane.showConfirmDialog(null, "Incorrect User name/Password\nWould you like to try again?");
} while(input==0); //run while input is yes

The problem: the code after the for loop does not execute. If I check the variables against users[i] the code after the for loop does not run, but if I check against users[2] for example, then it works fine.
Not sure if this matters but I always get this error:
Exception in thread "main" java.lang.NullPointerException
    at com.ramtin.Game.logOn(Game.java:505)
    at com.ramtin.Game.main(Game.java:397)

I get it even when the password and codename match and the program runs perfectly.
FULL CODE for the above code:
    public static void logOn(){
        //ASK FOR CODENAME & PASSWORD FROM TEXTFILE BEFORE GAME BEGINS
        //read from text file

        UserData[]users=new UserData[20];
        int countU=0;

        try{
            BufferedReader readU = new BufferedReader(new FileReader("userdata.txt"));

            String line;

            while((line=readU.readLine())!=null){
                String []parts=line.split("#");

                String codeName = parts[0];
                String password=parts[1];

                //              System.out.println(parts[0]);
                //              System.out.println(parts[1]);
                users[countU]=new UserData(codeName, password);
                countU++;
            }
            readU.close();
        }
        catch(FileNotFoundException e){

        }
        catch(IOException e){

        }

        //PASSWORD & CODENAME

        int input=0; //yes

        do{
            codename=JOptionPane.showInputDialog(null,"Enter Codename: ");
            String password=JOptionPane.showInputDialog(null, "Enter Password: ");

            for(int i=0;i<users.length;i++){
                if((codename.equals(users[i].getCodeName()))&&(password.equals(users[i].getPassword()))){
                    System.out.println("\n\nCorrect");
                    new Game();
                }
                else{
                    System.out.println("\n\nIncorrect");
                }
            }

            input = JOptionPane.showConfirmDialog(null, "Incorrect Username/Password\nWould you like to try again?");
        }
        while(input==0); //run while input is yes
    }
}

FULL CODE for UserData:
public class UserData {

    private String codename;
    private String password;

    UserData (String codeName, String password)
    {
        this.codename = codeName;
        this.password= password;
    }

    String getCodeName()
    {
        return codename;
    }

    String getPassword()
    {
        return password;
    }

    public String toString ()
    {
        String temp = "\nCode name: "+codename+"\nPassword: " + password;
        return temp;
    }
    }

A: Don't do for(int i=0;i<users.length;i++){
Do do for(int i=0;i<countU;i++){
Every array element after countU will cause NPE when you call a method on a null element like users[i].getCodeName()

A: Instead of using an array with the length 20, you can use an ArrayList as it will expand dynamically:
List<UserData> users = new ArrayList<>();

Then add each userdata to the list
users.add(new UserData(codeName, password));

and iterate with
for(int i=0 ;i<users.size(); i++) {

This will prevent the NullPointer as you only have as many entries as you have users (and will also dynamically grow/shrink with the number of users you have).