A Healing Home Birth, Third Time's a Charm- VIDEO!
This mom sent me her lovely home birth video. Her words are amazing! Enjoy!
" Hope that people are able to see how peaceful and family oriented a home birth can be. The video begins with my husband and I addressing our baby when I was in labor... about 10 hours before he was born.
Wow, I'm so weepy after watching that. It makes me want to do it all over again! Thanks for sharing.
I teared up too, it was so beautiful! Well done Kate!
Such a beautiful video! I'm in tears! 38 weeks waiting for #3 and my first HB :) And my liitle guy is Ridge <3 I was meant to see this video!


text:
Overnight Defense - 1h 3m ago
Senate - 1h 7m ago
Presidential races
Trump: I'd open a hotel in Cuba
by Jesse Byrnes - 03/21/16 6:03 PM ET
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Monday evening expressed openness to expanding his self-branded line of hotels into Cuba.
"I would, I would," the real estate developer said during an interview on CNN's "Situation Room," adding, "at the right time, when we're allowed to do it. Right now, we're not."
{mosads}"I would do it on the basis that you get a 49 percent interest, because right now you get a 49 percent interest," Trump added. "Nobody even knows what the economics are or what they're going to do."
Trump has largely expressed agreement with the Obama administration's moves to reestablish diplomatic relations with the isolated nation, where Obama is visiting during a historic trip.
Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro spoke during a joint press conference in Havana earlier in the day Monday, as U.S. officials seek to push for a continued focus on human rights in Cuba amid normalized diplomatic relations.
"Maybe it won't work out, but I will tell you, I think Cuba has a certain potential and I think it's OK to bring Cuba into the fold," Trump said on CNN, adding, "but you have to make a much better deal."
He then alluded to his argument that arose during a GOP debate earlier this month when he was mocked after claiming that the Cuban government wanted "reparations for years of abuse by the United States."
"You don't want to be sued in a year from now or two years from now for $4 trillion because they said we destroyed Cuba," Trump said on CNN. "It has to be part of the deal."
Tags Cuba Cuba-United States relations Donald Trump

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Are you ready for the best recipe of the year?! I don't know if you're ready for this yet.
Just putting it out there that it's been like a full 4 days since the year began, so the competition wasn't that stiff.
The one. The only. Humm-to-the-Us. HUMMUS!
I say this homemade hummus recipe is 5 ingredients, but if we're getting real technical, you can make it with one. A hugh jass can of chickpeas.
Yes. No oil. No tahini. Just a gang of chickpeas, and it's mysterious juices.
That sweet bean nectar of the gods! ..Otherwise known as aquafaba for those who are culinarily fluent. Either way, a buck and some change is all that stands between you and a pound of spreadable, edible chickpea HE-AV-EN.
5 Minute Homemade Hummus Recipe — The easiest hummus you'll ever make. No oil or tahini required!
Drain and rinse chickpeas, reserving 1 cup of bean liquid.
In the bowl of a food processor, add chickpeas, garlic, salt, pepper, and 1/3 cup of bean liquid.
Blend on high for 30 seconds, and scrape down sides of bowl.
Continue blending, adding additional liquid if needed until smooth.
Add additional herbs and spices of your liking if desired.
Looking for more hummus-filled recipes?
What recipe do you make the most often?
This is perfect for me since I never have tahini on hand because it's too expensive!!
Agreed! And I never have any other use for it!
I love making homemade hummus, but I have never tried without oil. I love this idea! I will certainly be trying this soon!
Thanks Jodi! Hope you enjoy!
Yesterday at the store I almost bought hummus and then I thought, why I have everything I need to make that! Great minds think alike!
Love this! My husband loves to make this but he always estimates the measurements and we never quite get it right. Love the idea of pizza hummus!
I will never go back to buying hummus! It's so expensive and making my own HUGE batches (and freezeing!) is so much better, flavorful, and fun!
I'm all about cheap, easy, and delicious! Never thought of freezing it though!
I am trying this tomorrow! I have been wanting to make hummus for awhile but didn't have tahini. My dreams have come true!
This sound great and I'm going to see the other two variations too =) I still can't rate it because I did not make it YET =D Have a great 2016 and my all your goals come true.
I love to make my own hummus as well. I have not tried using the liquid from the beans but hey why not!
You know what. I have never made hummus without Tahini paste. May just have to try this one. Looks good.
Hummus is a staple in our house. Roasted red pepper and original. Always in the fridge.
Emily, what recipe plugin are you using? Thanks!
Thank you for this easy hummus recipe!! I never have tahini on hand so I never made my own. Can't wait to try this!
Yum! I LOVE humus and I can't wait to try this quick & easy recipe. I think my kids will really enjoy it too!!


text:
New lecture series at Word Center for Birds of Prey highlights raptor conservation
BOISE, Idaho – The Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey will launch a new lecture series in January to highlight efforts to conserve rare and endangered birds of prey around the world. The...
Two of three wild-hatched condors have fledged, joining the wild flock in Arizona and Utah
Program biologists from The Peregrine Fund and Zion National Park have confirmed that two California condor chicks have left their nests and taken flight in northern Arizona, but hopes of a third chick...
Texas family makes important contribution to recovery of endangered Aplomado Falcons
BOISE, Idaho – A large swath of private land that was recently protected through a conservation easement provides vital habitat for endangered Aplomado Falcons that have been re-introduced in Texas by The...
BOISE, Idaho – Falcons, hawks, and owls will demonstrate their impressive flying skills at outdoor flight displays at The Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey beginning Friday, October 3. The...
Robert Comstock returns to Boise for epic clothing sale to benefit The Peregrine Fund
BOISE, Idaho – Looking for designer clothing at reduced prices? Look no further than the Robert Comstock & Friends Sale, Sept. 11-13, at Idaho Expo. The sale is also a fundraiser for The Peregrine Fund...
Fall hours at visitor center take effect Sept. 1, closed Mondays
BOISE, Idaho – Fall hours take effect on Monday, September 1, at The Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey. The visitor center will be open Tuesday-Sunday, closed Monday. Hours of operation at...
Special day and reduced admission set for homeschooled students to learn about birds of prey, September 11
BOISE, Idaho – The Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey is reserving a special day with reduced admission prices for homeschooled students on Thursday, September 11, to learn about conserving...
Study reveals for first time that bushmeat hunting threatens large birds and raptors in Africa
BOISE, Idaho – Hornbills, vultures and other birds may be threatened by hunting in the tropical forests of Central and West Africa, according to a new study published in Oryx, the International Journal of...
Biologists catch first glimpse of condor chick in Utah
Zion National Park – It's official: a pair of California condors are raising a chick in Utah. For weeks, biologists from several agencies and groups have focused their attention on a rock cavity at Zion...


ULC has invested nearly $68 million in community real estate, leveraging $115M in development of affordable housing and nonprofit facilities. Our current master site and vacant land investments will generate an additional $300M+ of place based community development.
With support from the Denver Office of Economic Development, ULC acquired Race Street TOD, a 6 acre property in the Elyria Swansea neighborhood located at 4th and Race. The site is only 2 blocks from the Western Stock Show redevelopment and the future North Rail Line Station. Future develop- ment will include affordable housing and commercial space.
Park Hill Village West planning continued through the construction of Phase 1 of development with development partner Delwest, who will celebrate the grand opening of 156 permanently affordable units in February 2016. The next phase of planning commenced with a private development partner for additional rental housing as well as commercial and community space. This master site sits adja- cent to the Colorado station on the A Line commuter rail, providing residents with access to jobs, edu- cation and health services.
ULC began planning for the 303 ArtWay, a public art themed bike/pedestrian trail to better connect the greater Park Hill community to the A Line. The creation of this new community asset was kicked off through a $250,000 grant from ArtPlace America.
ULC acquired a 2 acre site adjacent to our 1 acre property at the Sheridan Station on the W Line. With a larger development footprint, ULC plans to increase density at the site which will include affordable housing and other uses for community benefit.
Partners Mile High Development and Koelbel and Company broke ground on the Garden Court Apartments at Yale Station in early 2015, 66 new affordable housing units will provide housing options at the Yale rail station in spring 2016.
ULC received approval for the construction of a new elevator at the Mountain View Nonprofit Tower, this new ADA compliant elevator will provide safer access to more than 1000 individuals receiving services in the building every month. Colorado Construction Institute (a tenant at Tramway Nonprofit Center), is working with ULC in the redevelopment of 2 floors of the building in order to create an open, shared space working environment for nonprofits.
ULC completed a $3M refinancing of the Social Enterprise Foundry, a nonprofit warehouse in Sun Valley using the Calvert Facility Fund as part of the Ours to Own Initiative, fully deploying the $10M Fund in only one year. Mountain View Nonprofit Tower and Race Street TOD are the other properties in the Ours to Own portfolio.
ULC released a report, "A Partnership to Uplift Aurora's Teen Parents," demonstrating the need for a Charter School Facility Fund using the construction of New Legacy Charter School as an example. This report is one of a three part series which showcases how ULC's work in school facility preservation and development has been instrumental in highlighting the need for a new resource in the Denver region.
The next phase of development was identified through a community process at Holly Square. Roots Elementary School will construct a new school facility in 2016, opening in time for the 2016-2017 school year. ULC has a 99 year land lease agreement with Roots to ensure the property will provide community benefit for generations.
ULC entered into a ground lease for a planned affordable housing development at Blake Station on the A Line with partner Medici Communities. This 99 year land lease was critical in keeping the development affordable and providing office space for nonprofits a this strategic location along the rail corridor scheduled to open April 22, 2016.
ULC successfully completed the construction of New Legacy Charter School in time for their August 2015 opening! This incredible school is educating pregnant and parenting teens while providing a childcare/preschool for babies and children through kindergarten. This incredible project is ULC's first investment in Aurora.
As a member of Mile High Connects and Westwood Unidos, ULC celebrated the success of these collaborations in the extensive work around affordable transit fares and reinstating a key bus route in the Westwood neighborhood.
In addition to improving tenant relations and operations at ULC nonprofit facilities, Denver Shared Spaces, a partnership with the Denver Office of Strategic Partnerships, successfully completed the competitive Social Enterprise Exchange to create a business model that would expand services offered to nonprofits in the Denver region.
ULC produced the latest affordable housing report, estimating the economic impact of affordable housing at transit oriented development in Metro Denver brings over half a Billion dollars to local economy in a 5 year period. This is the third report ULC has produced in partnership with the National Association of Home Builders.


HOUSTON (CN) – A Texas emergency medical services company seeks to depose the owner of a rival business, claiming it has spent more than $100,000 on security because his cronies shot out windows, cut brakes and placed GPS trackers on its ambulances.
Republic EMS Ltd. sued Viking Enterprises Inc. dba City Ambulance Services and owner Mohamad Massoud on Wednesday in Harris County Court.
Republic says in its lawsuit its marketing chief Omar Dar used to work for City Ambulance but left because Massoud didn't keep his promise to give Dar a stake in City Ambulance. And Dar is just one of several employees who have defected to Republic.
"Recently, clients and employees of City Ambulance have left in favor of Republic EMS. The reason: Republic EMS provides a superior ambulance service and superior working environment for its employees," the complaint states.
Republic says its success stirred so much resentment in Massoud that he targeted its ambulances.
"Representatives hired, authorized and/or ratified by City Ambulance and Mohamad Massoud, president of City Ambulance, deliberately vandalized a Republic EMS ambulance in May 2016. They shot out the windows of one of Republic's ambulances with a firearm," the lawsuit states.
Reached by phone Thursday for his response to the allegations, Massoud said he would call Courthouse News back after a meeting, but did not.
Republic says nine of its ambulances were vandalized in autumn 2016 and Massoud directed the attacks. "The shootings of Republic EMS ambulances occurred at a variety of locations in Texas," the filing states.
The vandalism took a sinister turn when City Ambulance agents cut the brakes on a Republic ambulance, Republic says.
GPS tracking devices were found on Republic's ambulances when they were in the shop, Republic says. It claims City Ambulance used the trackers to find out who its customers are and to locate its ambulances to vandalize them.
"City Ambulance then sent marketing materials to the clients and prospective clients of Republic EMS," the complaint states.
Republic says it reported City Ambulance's use of the trackers to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, which seized the devices.
"Edith Hernandez, the wife of a City Ambulance director, Hadi Mneimneh ordered, purchased, paid for by and/or registered the tracking devices," the lawsuit states.
Hernandez is a defendant in the lawsuit, Mneimneh is not.
Republic says the damage Massoud had done to its ambulances endangered patients, which is "reprehensible" considering that City Ambulance is a health care provider.
In one instance, Republic says, its paramedics didn't realize the windows on their ambulance were busted until they arrived to pick up a patient.
"Due to the vandalism, the Republic EMS team was unable to transport the patient, and treatment for the patient was significantly delayed. It is fortunate that no patient died or has been seriously injured as a result of the vandalism," the lawsuit states.
Republic seeks punitive damages for conversion, tortious interference, conspiracy and aiding and abetting.
It plans to depose Massoud and Hernandez on August 25 and August 28.
It is represented by Paul Clote with McGinnis Lochridge and Kilgore in Houston.


text:
Matara-Kataragama railway line: A new chapter in Sri Lanka's railway history
By Rajitha Jagoda Arachchi
Proposed Kekanadura Station
Sri Lanka's rail network is widely hailed as one of the more positive parts of the country's colonial legacy. Annually, millions of passengers and tourists use these tracks snaking through a long coastline and tall mountains, once constructed for the primary purpose of transporting different goods to Colombo.
In the 70 years since the colonisers left, no Sri Lankan Government has been able to extend the rail network built by the British Government when it ruled Ceylon. This poor record will soon be broken, with the construction of the Matara-Kataragama railway track, well underway. Soon, the track between Matara to Beliatta will be complete.
The project is getting underway in three stages:
Matara to Beliatta – 27 Kms
Beliatta to Hambantota – 48 Kms
Hambantota to Kataragama – 39.5 Kms
The 27km track from Matara to Beliatta once came under grave scrutiny, with political parties like the JVP criticising a decision by the former Mahinda Rajapaksa administration for spending USD 278 million on the rail track that will run directly into the former President's home electorate. In 2013, JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament that this expenditure meant that every kilometer of rail track from Matara to Beliatta would cost USD 10 million.
The massive project has been contracted to China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC), funded through the China Exim Bank. The first tranche provided by China Exim Bank was USD 278.2 million for the first phase of the project.
"This project started way back in 1990. A feasibility study was done and even two bridges built across the Nilwala River. But due to the lack of funds, the Government had to abandon the project" said Senior Engineering Consultant Nandasiri Hallovita, who is working at the Matara- Kataragama railway project. A media team including the Sunday Observer recently visited the construction site to observe the progress of the project.
"In fact, we must be thankful to China for extending their support towards the project as this would be a great convenience to the public. Once phase one is completed within another six months, a passenger from Colombo can get down at Beliatta comfortably. When the entire project is completed, the Kataragama pilgrims will be the main beneficiary" said Hallovita.
There are unique features attached to this railway line. The track from Matara to Beliatta will feature both, the longest railway tunnel and longest railway bridge in Sri Lanka. The 615-metre long railway tunnel has already been constructed in Nakutiya near the future Kekanadura railway station. The longest bridge will be located near the Wattegama area.
At the proposed Wattegama bridge, workers, most of them Chinese, were laying sleepers and the railway lines. Sometimes, shouting in a loud voice and commanding the others to do their jobs accordingly, a Chinese supervisor would run hither and dither. A giant machine was running between the newly laid tracks, a kind of welding machine for railway tracks..
In the total track of 115 kms, there will be six stations: Kekanadura, Bambarenda, Wewurukannala and Beliatta, and the two substations Piladuwa and Weharahena.
Another key factor is, this being constructed as the fastest possible railway line of the country. At the moment, the Northern rail line from Colombo to Kankesanthurai on which the famous Yaal-Devi runs, is the fastest, with 100 Kmph; the Matara- Kataragama railway line will beat this speed with a flashing 120 Kmph. "Therefore, we have to buy new trains for the new track" said Nandasiri Hallovita. At the Kekanadura Railway Station, all the workers seemed busy. A Chinese worker offered the visitors safety helmets.
"This is my first job in a construction site. We are all having a good time. Work is not too tight compared to my previous job as a driver. We are getting a good exposure out of this. This project will end in a few months. But, I am confident of getting another job because of the skills I have mastered working here" said K.W.W. Abeygunawardena, a construction worker in the project.
Around 1,700 workers are attached to this mega project, and of these 1,500 are Sri Lankans and 200 Chinese.
"Initially, it was a little difficult, working with Chinese labourers, because most of them could only speak Chinese. But, now I manage the communication, thanks to Google translations" said Abeygunawardene with a smile. W. Dissanayake is another construction labourer who has been working on the project for more than four years. "I am 56 years old now. In all my years as a labourer, in my previous jobs, I didn't gain such knowledge as I have gathered now. So, I have personally gained a lot. Even economically, we are paid well. Sometimes, small issues would arise, as is common in any other field, but those are easily solved by the management" he said.
The Kekanadura Railway Station is being built as a model Railway Station that will include a two story rail house to accommodate the railway staff. Also, for the first time in Sri Lanka, passenger underpasses will be used in this railway station with no flyovers. A supermarket building is also being built next to the Railway Station which will be very useful to the train commuters.
Undoubtedly, with its scenic routes and innovations, the Matara – Kataragama railway line will surely mark a new chapter in the country's railway history.
Pix: Susantha Wijegunasekera
Railway line being laid on the 1.5 Km long bridge in Wattegama
Dr Shafi case: CID reveals Hospital Director falsified complaints
The Kurunegala forcible sterilization scandal now debunked by extensive police investigations took a new twist last week,...
Lanka's largest ever development grant in political crosshairs
The intensity of the Joint Opposition propaganda cycle on the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and the Acquisition and...
Inside the "secret" American defence agreements
Through a review of official records spanning nearly 25 years, Sunday Observer has traced the origin and evolution of the...
'Magistrates should not issue orders mechanically'
"I must express my concern over magistrates issuing orders of remand mechanically, simply because the police want such...
Iraj faces the music over banned FB page
Popular singer, Iraj Weeraratne, following the saga of his Facebook page going down on Friday (05), claims that he suspects...
Dead end in Trinco-5 case?
The dismissal of 13 security forces personnel by the Trincomalee magistrate, could mark the end of the road in terms of...
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The four ceiling fans, at full speed, didn't cool down the hot room but,from time to time,a welcome breeze would blow in...
Racism in schools : Ministry takes action
The Ministry of Education has called for an inquiry into the incident where a teacher attached to Parakrama Maha Vidyalaya...
Will this be an election year ? : Elections Commission awaits go-ahead
With the countdown to December narrowing and the election heat getting intensified, different political parties making...
Sustaining measles elimination
Sri Lanka passed another milestone of progress in public health as the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced the country...
Drought disrupts 'Yala' season
The Agriculture Department warned that the harsh, dry weather conditions gripping the country at present will disrupt the...
The Theatre of Reconciliation: Potentials, tensions and practices
Sri Lanka currently faces multiple challenges in relation to rebuilding social trust among communities. In the aftermath of...
A plea for justice
Andanna Epa Amma (Do not cry mother) little Hesandu said while trying to wipe his mother's tears.Ne maye puthe, puthage Amma...
The greatness of humanity is not in being human, but in being humane - Mahatma GandhiThe aftermath of the Easter suicidal...


text:
Q: Error when testing fetch in vanilla JavaScript with jest-fetch-mock I'm trying to test a fetch from a class. I need to create a class instance to access the fetch method.
If I eliminate the class and return directly, the method works.
I tried to do the test this way, but it returns undefined. Any solution?
Thank you very much
//api.test.js
//import the class Request and module jest-fetch-mock
import Request from './index'
global.fetch = require('jest-fetch-mock')

describe('testing api', () => {
  beforeEach(() => {
    fetch.resetMocks()
  })

  it('calls api and returns data to me', async () => {
    const request = new Request('http://localhost:3000/api.json')
    fetch.mockResponseOnce(JSON.stringify({data: '12345'}))

    // assert on the response
    const res = request.getSections()
    expect(res.data).toEqual('12345')

    // assert on the times called and arguments given to fetch
    expect(fetch.mock.calls.length).toEqual(1)
    expect(fetch.mock.calls[0][0]).toEqual('http://localhost:3000/api.json')
  })
})

//api.js
/**
* Request Component
* @class Request
*/
class Request {
/**
* Creates an instance of Request
*
* @param {String}  url - The url of the API
* @throws {Error} - Incorrect type
* @memberof Request
*/
  constructor(url) {
     if (typeof url !== 'string') throw TypeError(`${url} is not a string`)
     this.url = url
  }

  /**
  * Handler get sections from api
  * @memberof Request
  */
  getSections() {
     return fetch(this.url)// eslint-disable-line
       .then(res => res.json())
       .then(result => result.sections)
       .catch(err => console.error(err)) // eslint-disable-line
  }
}

export default Request

I received:
expect(received).toEqual(expected)

Expected value to equal:
  "12345"
Received:
  undefined

Difference:

  Comparing two different types of values. Expected string but received undefined.

  14 |     // assert on the response
  15 |     const res = request.getSections()
> 16 |     expect(res.data).toEqual('12345')
     |                      ^
  17 |
  18 |
  19 |     // assert on the times called and arguments given to fetch

Res is undefined too. I'm doing something wrong, but I don't know what it is.

A: I see two problems that you can fix to get things working.
The first is that because getSections is an asynchronous function (it returns a promise), you need to call it asynchronously from your test.  Your test method is already marked as async, so all you need to do is add the await keyword before the call.
const res = await request.getSections()

Secondly, your Request code is expecting a server response that includes a sections property, which your mock does not have.  Try changing your mock to include a sections property, such as:
fetch.mockResponseOnce(JSON.stringify({ sections: { data: "12345" }}));

If you make these two changes, your test should pass.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


A huge honor for ON THE SCENE this week in Los Angeles. Our show received the national Gracie Award bestowed by the Alliance for Women in Media, an organization that recognizes programming for, by and about women.
I accepted the award in Beverly Hills at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on Wednesday. My interview with Rock And Roll Hall of Fame inductee Darlene Love received the award for Best Interview, a selection made by judges from submissions by tv stations and production companies across the United States. So this is no small deal and we couldn't be more proud.
And to be able to accept the award at the Beverly Wilshire, one of the most famous and posh hotels was no hardship either, I must admit.
If you follow me on twitter @JohnBathkeLive then you got my updates throughout the week from L.A.
A tremendous week in L.A. and more coming next week on twitter…so become one of my tweeps and don't miss out!


text:
The Romanov Royal Martyrs | Official Trailer - Book Trailers
PRE-ORDER the book now at: https://www.romanovs.eu/online-store
Full-Color Photo Insert: 56 pages
Publisher: Mesa Potamos Projects
Product Dimensions: 17 x 24 cm
Based strictly on primary sources, the book The Romanov Royal Martyrs: What Silence Could Not Conceal is a unique biography that offers previously unpublished texts in English from letters, testimonies, diaries, memoirs and other sources.
The work's aim is to inspire the readers by presenting the lives of the Royal Martyrs through a different prism, the prism of their spiritual grandeur and the purity of their noble souls. In the pages of the book, the eye of the reader's mind will be apprised of the portraits of the Royal Martyrs' psyche, depicted with the liveliest colors: the colors of their very own words from the personal writings of the family and of those who lived very close to them. Thus, the book consists a psychographic biography, which aims in presenting the deeper essence of the characters of the royal family in an inspiring way.
Furthermore, the work brings to light a multitude of unknown and unrevealed facts, aspects and elements of history, which evince that many truths in regard to the life and martyrdom of the Royal Martyrs remain silenced or distorted to this day. The book presents unvarnished factually sourced events, deriving all its material stringently from primary sources, which allow no grounds for questioning their legitimacy, gravity and validity. Thus, many major historical events, such as the 1905 revolution and Bloody Sunday, Russia's involvement in World War I, the February coup d'état of 1917 and the events relating to Nicholas' II abdication, are set in their true proportions and are presented through a proper prospective. Readers may be surprised by the facts surrounding these historical events, because up to now these events have generally been presented in an inaccurate light.
Among the historians who worked on the project are Nicholas B.A. Nicholson, Helen Azar, and Helen Rappaport, all noted specialists in Romanov history. The book features a full-colour photo insert, including high-quality colorized pictures of the Romanovs published for the first time in printed form. The colorization was made by the acclaimed Russian artist Olga Shirnina.
Website: https://www.romanovs.eu/en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/romanovroyalmartyrs
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romanov_royal_martyrs
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Romanov_Saints
The Romanov Royal Martyrs | Teaser Trailer
'Love Theory' Kirk Franklin Official Video
Embed romanov_royal_martyrs 201 views 2019-08-20T08:45:03 PRE-ORDER the book now at: https://www.romanovs.eu/online-store
A Root Awakening
Xulon Press book Equipped to Enjoy Life's Journey | Surpora Sparks-Thomas
FINAL DAY book by Rick Wiles
Xulon Press book Humanism - The Whore of Babylon and the Sleeping Church | Christina M. Lopez
Joyce Meyer's, Change Your Words, Change Your Life
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20 Bible Verses about God's Love
Read and reflect upon the Bible verses about God's love in this collection of scripture quotes. May these Bible quotes encourage you of the love God has for each and every one of us!
You are watching The Romanov Royal Martyrs | Official Trailer on Godtube.com the largest video sharing platform offering online Christian videos with faith-based, family friendly content. Popular video sections on Godtube include; Christian bands and singers in Christian music videos, Christian comedians and comedy skits, spoofs and parodies in funny videos, cute videos featuring kids and animals, sports videos, Christian news videos and inspirational videos. Be inspired in your walk with Jesus Christ and grow in your knowledge of the Bible with videos highlighting inspirational messages and verses. Start uploading your Christian videos today!


Olive Garden Company Information Is this your company? Add your own content to this page.
We currently have 1 open jobs at Olive Garden. We've calculated that the average salary at Olive Garden is $28K based on 878 user-submitted salaries A total of 58 Olive Garden employees gave Olive Garden an average happiness rating of 3.8 out of 5.0.
204 Servers from Olive Garden submitted salaries.
2.7 I worked for Olive Garden for a year and a half. Seemingly, Olive Garden tries to foster competition among the servers to earn trips and the like, but that's it. For the rest of the staff there are no incentives that the managers ever mentioned. At the Vancouver Mall Olive Garden, as luck would have it, the manager is especially rude towards the workers, more so when he's stressed, to the point where many staffers have been seen coming out of his office in tears. He promised a promotion twice and failed to keep his word twice, hence the reason I quit. With Olive Garden you get the average chain restaurant treatment, not noticeably better or worse than, say, iHop or Denny's (I was a cook for 7 years, I know about it). But this particular manager is a definite handicap.
2.3 I worked at the Olive Garden in Salina, Ks for nearly 8 months. In this time frame I witnessed and was a victim of every type of job harassment including discrimination. I will say the training was great as this was my first serving position and set me up for the great success that I have now. However, I still have nightmares about the discrimination and harassment that took place against me and my co-workers. Everything from being clocked out and having to stay several extra hours without being paid, to racial discrimination, etc., as well as a manager who would scream repeatedly that we were going to be "wrote up", not "written" but "wrote"... etc. After I left I sued for unemployment AND WON due to the fact that I refused to sign the false accusations and "wrote ups" that they would try to bully me into signing. I was an excellent employee that was always on time and an excellent server. General manager that was the biggest racial discriminatory ring leader has since passed away. Bless her heart. With that being said... if you are an ex con, drug addict, Salinian... you will probably do well here and won't be bullied.
2.2 Management does not care about their employees and treats the majority of them poorly. Select staff members are favored and control management. Employees steal from each other and the company, are not properly trained, and it is overall a horrible place to work. The few employees who work hard and actually care about working there are treated worse and expected to do more. Management will randomly go on "firing sprees" and cause issues for no apparent reason. There is very little feedback from management for those who would like to advance with the company, or would like to improve in how they do their job.
Olive Garden is part of the Darden family of restaurants that also includes Red Lobster, LongHorn Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze, and Seasons 52. Darden Restaurants, Inc. operates more than 1,900 restaurants and employs approximately 180,000 people. Since opening in 1982, the Orlando, Florida, based restaurant chain has opened 750 Olive Garden restaurants in the United States and six in Canada.
Offering Italian-inspired meals that include pasta dishes, steaks and salads, Olive Garden strives to provide a casual atmosphere with an emphasis on value. To enhance the Italian dining experience, Darden created a center to inspire and develop its Olive Garden staff. Founded in 1999, the Olive Garden's Culinary Institute of Tuscany educates managers and team members about the Italian culture. Team members are expected to educate guests about pairing wine with their meal and be familiar with specific Italian cuisine dishes. Effort to train team members has helped to enhance the Olive Garden culture, increasing employee satisfaction and guest loyalty.
Training is also available through internships for students that are pursuing hospitality degrees. After an interview process, interns and future managers are able to rotate through hourly and management positions in the restaurant. They are also able to interact with individuals and executives of the company. Darden currently has partnerships with Duke University, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and the University of Florida. This opportunity allows interns and team members to increase their knowledge of operations and develop leadership skills.
One of the perks of working at Olive Garden is that team members are paid on a weekly basis. In addition, they also receive a 25 percent discount for themselves and up to seven family members or friends when dining at an Olive Garden restaurant. During shift hours, team members receive a 50 percent discount. Some Olive Garden benefits, such as health insurance and disability coverage, begin on the first day of employment. Flexible work schedules are also provided, allowing time for family and school.
No matter what position team members hold, Olive Garden careers allow them the opportunity to be part of a committed team. Support is given to all employees so that they can develop skills and move into leadership roles within the company. Through promoting a superior dining experience for guests and working in a team-oriented environment, they can gain valuable knowledge of the restaurant industry and strengthen career goals.


All sporting knives are furnished with fitted handmade leather sheaths. Elk antler handles are sometimes available at an additional cost. Custom work is also available.
Use: Heavy outdoor version of chef's utility.
Use: General purpose hunting knife.
Use: Eskimo style skinner with gut hook.
Use: Heavy outdoor knife for chopping and gutting of large fish and game animals.
Use: Good choice for cleaning most fish, bird hunting.
Use: Smallest practical sheath knife.
Use: Flatground, long and flexible, with a good guard.
Use: Shorter version of long fillet.


The attractive outdoor areas, whether they're 100 square feet or 10,000 always be carefully curated, nicely designed, and, above all, look more inviting. That's the reason people tend to invest in their outdoors with the help of professional contractors who can help them transform the look of their areas.
Before diving into creating an ideal space for your home, make sure you have a proper plan beforehand; so that you can work with more efficiency.
You should know what you have in your mind to achieve, what functions you need to carry on and what image should be projected. The things you like most about the beautiful landscapes you may see, and then try to incorporate those elements into your space are a balance, proportion, color, texture, and shape. Without incorporating these elements, you won't be able to achieve the ultimate goal to create a good outdoor area. This is a super cool secret revealed by outdoor remodeling contractors as they have a great expertise in enhancing the look and appearance of your exteriors.
It's also recommended to focus on creating an attractive entryway which might include the addition of pathway using brick, cobblestone, and concrete as well. And if you are choosing the latter, it's better to step further by painting it in different contrasting colors, as the two contrasting colors, like black and gold, usually give an air of luxury without breaking your budget.
Seating arrangements are usually considered as the key to enhancing the look of exteriors. According to experts, it's recommended to make a space for friends or family to gather and enjoy, no matter how large or tiny your areas are.
If you have a small patio or spaces, you can simply consider different seating options that always come in a set. These arrangements usually create a style and ambiance by putting in the nice tables and decorate them with different texture or colors. Moreover, you can also add outdoor rugs for flooring as they can create a more attractive and appealing look.
You may feel surprised to see what a bold and fresh coat of paint can do in the expensive outdoors. So, it's better to avoid those boring whites, browns, and greys; and then you can add the luxurious touch with different contrasting colors such as smoky charcoals, black, or you can even add the pop-bright red or blue shades. Another idea is to decorate green plants in the surroundings, which can make the environment eco-friendly and give a more refreshing touch. Adding artificial flower pots on the table would further enhance the beauty and elegance of your table.
What could be a better excuse to invest in your new tableware than some outdoor parties and picnic? You can prefer choosing a mixture of various styles and colors and get innovative matching sets of tableware. Find a beautiful crockery that feels and look enchanting. According to the latest trend, you can also consider using indigo-drop mugs for enjoying your morning coffee. Decorate a basket full of fruits, sweets, and cookies to give a nice touch to your exteriors.
By applying the above-mentioned tricks for outdoors, you can simply create spaces that can double the beauty of your exteriors in budget-friendly rates. As outdoors are the most important thing which can make or break the look of your house, so it's better to make them look appealing and captivating in the entire neighborhood.


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<Coffee: the quintessential Melbourne experience
Weekly news round-up: Google's +1 button, international students caught up in illegal sex industry, and the origins of April Fool's>
Melbourne International Comedy Festival: Squeaky Clean Comedy
Steven Tannasonon April 1, 2011 /0 comments
Squeaky Clean Comedy opens at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival April 8.
GETTING down and dirty isn't the only way to win a few laughs, and a group of comedians are all out to prove it actually takes more wit to be clean and funny.
After a successful run at Chapel off Chapel in 2008, Squeaky Clean Comedy will be making an appearance at the upcoming Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and will be the only overtly clean show among the more than 300 stand-ups lined up for for the festival.
Presented by Candlelight Productions, a not-for-profit arts production company specialising in community development, the show promises a "non-crass formula" delivered by internationally renown comedians Dave Wiggins, Michael Connell, Jason Pestell, Mike Klimczak, Magesh Magesh, Phil Andrews, Lach Ryan, Cam Semmens, Michael Tancredi, Beau Stegmann and Luke Holt.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1dvChv0ObE[/youtube]
They promise to be legitimately funny without being lewd or rude. That means no filthy language or gratuitous shock tactics.
The company's executive director Eugene Wong said there was a growing appetite for clean comedy.
"It's really starting out. It's the second time we've done it," he said.
"We're creating a safe option for those who want to watch the [comedy] shows. It's quite clear there's the demand for 'the clean stuff'. This just hasn't been catered for previously."
He said the company has been focusing its efforts on "producing really goody work that builds up the community and raises up new artists who will make an impact on our culture."
"If we want to be… responsible about what we feed into ourselves, we need to be more discerning about what we're willing to watch," he said.
"Next year, we're really looking forward to see [clean comedy] growing bigger. Over the next years, it will become more and more normal and people will expect there to be more clean options."
Profits from every ticket sold goes towards funding a month's supply of clean water to someone in the third world through Melbourne-based charity Thankyou Water.
Tickets are priced at $25 (full fare), $20 (concession), $20 (group of 8 or more) and $30 (VIP) – and there's a socially-conscious aspect to it too.
For every ticket sold, the company is committed to funding a month's supply of clean water to someone in the third world through Melbourne-based charity Thankyou Water.
Squeaky Clean Comedy will be playing at the Melbourne City Conference Centre, 333 Swanston St (opposite the State Library) on April 8, 15 and 23. Shows start at 7:30pm and run for 140 minutes. More details on the Candlelight Productions website.
Candlelight Productions are giving Meld readers the chance to win one of three double passes to the opening night of Squeaky Clean Comedy (Friday April 8). To enter, email your contact details to info@candlelightproductions.com.au by 5pm Wednesday April 6. Remember to put "Meld Magazine" as the email subject. Winners will be notified by email.


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COVID-19 and the Right to Science: 'Opportunity born of tragedy'
The authoritative interpretation of the right to science coincided with the global descent into a pandemic. From the social fissures and injustices laid bare by the pandemic arises an opportunity to use the right to science to respond and rebuild.
In June 2020, the Chief Executive Officer of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Dr Sudip Parikh, penned an Editorial titled 'A view from my basement'. In it, he addressed the societal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the protests across the United States that followed the deaths of multiple African Americans at the hands of police, and he spoke of 'an opportunity born of tragedy'. One additional feature of 2020 that he did not mention was the adoption earlier in the year, just as the world was awakening to the reality of the pandemic, of a definitive articulation of what the right 'to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications' means. Adopted by the United Nations (UN) Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, that definitive articulation should serve as a guide for how we respond to and how we rebuild from the tragedy that has become the COVID-19 pandemic.
General Comment No. 25
General Comment No. 25, the UN document that defines the right to science, is a tour de force. It addresses the meaning and scope of article 15(1)(b) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) which recognises the right of everyone to enjoy 'the benefits of scientific progress and its applications'. It also addresses the supporting provisions of article 15 that concern the obligation on governments to conserve, develop and diffuse science, to protect the freedom indispensable for scientific research, and to encourage international contacts and cooperation in science. Furthermore, the General Comment elaborates on the relationship between science and other human rights, including the rights to food and to health.
In a document that covers so much ground, it is still possible to discern three core principles that reveal the input and insights that the scientific community provided to the elaboration of the interpretation of the right to science through a series of focus groups and a global questionnaire. Those three core principles are:
core to the right is the obligation on governments to develop policies and programmes based on prevailing scientific evidence;
the benefits of science include not only the products of science but also scientific knowledge, and the scientific method; and
scientific freedom is not absolute, but must be exercised responsibly.
Each of these principles is particularly pertinent to the challenges experienced today during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The General Comment calls on governments to 'Adopt mechanisms aimed at aligning government policies and programmes with the best available, generally accepted scientific evidence'. Indeed, during the focus groups mentioned earlier, the fifth most frequently mentioned benefit of science was its value in forming the basis for laws, policies and programmes. Yet, the COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the pre-existing practice among some policy-makers and some segments of the population to willfully ignore the science and even spread misinformation about science to serve individual and/or political ends. To do so, would appear to be an undermining of the core object of the right to science, which is to ensure everyone benefits from science and scientific knowledge.
The opportunity the pandemic will provide in the long-term is contrasting case studies on the impacts and effectiveness of government policies that were science driven, and those that were driven primarily by other considerations.
Scientific methods and knowledge
In an influential report published in 2012 on the right to science, then UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, Farida Shaheed, said that 'the "benefits" of science encompass not only scientific results and outcomes but also the scientific process, its methodologies and tools'. A similar sentiment was shared by a chemist who, during a focus group held to engage chemists in a discussion on what the right to science means from their perspectives, explained why everyone should understand the scientific process:
the process of science and the process of thinking … can produce citizens who know to question ... and to look for evidence rather than just political statements.
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed with the starkest clarity the nature of the scientific process, the evolution of knowledge with growing specificity, the need to test hypotheses, and acknowledge changes in understanding. We are in a time and in a context in which individuals have a significant role to play in acting in a way consistent with the scientific evidence as a means to protect themselves, their families, and their communities from COVID-19. As science has become politicised and the messages of science often lost or distorted as science is pitted against other priorities, a basic grounding in science and the scientific process that allows individuals to question the messages they are receiving is vital.
The current crisis provides the opportunity to illustrate, in real time and in a highly relatable way, the nature of the scientific process so that future conversations, including those about climate change, evolve based on a shared understanding of how science 'works'.
Responsible practice of science
Article 15(3) of the ICESCR requires governments to respect 'the freedom indispensable for scientific research'. Nowhere does the provision address the responsibilities of scientists. It was in a statement adopted by the Board of Directors of AAAS in 2017 that the relationship between scientific freedom and scientific responsibility was made clear. That statement reads,
Scientific freedom is the freedom to engage in scientific inquiry, pursue and apply knowledge, and communicate openly. This freedom is inextricably linked to and must be exercised in accordance with scientific responsibility. Scientific responsibility is the duty to conduct and apply science with integrity, in the interest of humanity, in a spirit of stewardship for the environment, and with respect for human rights.
The General Comment does not dwell on the aspect of the right that, rather than celebrating the benefits that science and technology can offer society, acknowledges that science can be conducted in a way that violates human rights or can be applied in such a way to do the same. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly given rise to several ethical and human rights questions about the conduct of science (eg, human challenge trials), and the application of technologies (eg, as a tool to triage patients in hospitals whose resources are stretched thin, and as a means of tracing the movement and contacts of individuals with the goal of identifying and curbing the spread of the virus).
The opportunity the pandemic provides is to open up discussions about the human rights implications of the conduct and application of science, to explore how ethical and human rights frameworks complement each other, and to explore how outcomes might be improved through robust engagement of and participation by the general public in priority setting, and policy development and implementation.
The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the entrenched, historic and systemic injustices that pervade society, particularly as they relate to health and access to adequate health care. These injustices are evident at local and national levels, as they are at an international level. Given this context, an additional opportunity the pandemic provides is to spur action to address the underlying racial and ethnic inequities in the United States, for example, that have resulted in such disparate impacts of the pandemic among certain populations. The pandemic also provides the opportunity to consider better global models of cooperation and coordination, as called for in article 15(4) of the ICESCR. A step in that direction was taken recently when UNESCO, the World Health Organization and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights together launched an appeal explicitly to reaffirm the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications by the adoption of open science practices, including open access, and open data, as vital steps toward strengthening the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
So it is that the COVID-19 pandemic, which to date has caused the death of a million people, a tragedy unlike any other of our generation, must not pass by without the opportunities taken to redress the challenges the pandemic has exposed so starkly. The General Comment on the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications came just at the right time to force thinking about the role of science in society and the steps necessary to ensure that everyone, without distinction, benefits from science.
Written by Jessica M. Wyndham
Jessica Wyndham is the Director of the Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). She also serves as coordinator of the AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition, a network of scientific, engineering and health associations that recognise the role of science and technology in human rights.
Cite as: Wyndham, Jessica M. "COVID-19 and the Right to Science: 'Opportunity born of tragedy'", GC Human Rights Preparedness, 30 November 2020, https://gchumanrights.org/preparedness/article-on/covid-19-and-the-right-to-science-opportunity-born-of-tragedy.html
#Curated
#EvidenceBasedPolicy
#ScientificKnowledge
#ScientificResponsibility
Original Page: http://gchumanrights.org/gc-preparedness/preparedness-science-technology/article-detail/covid-19-and-the-right-to-science-opportunity-born-of-tragedy.html


ACT Brumbies lose big name player for their tilt at the Super 15 title.
Wallaby back Pat McCabe was Wednesday ruled out of rugby for the rest of the year after sustaining a neck injury during last weekend's 23-21 loss to the British and Irish Lions in the first Test at Brisbane.
Specialists said he needed to properly rest to prevent it becoming career-threatening.
The 25-year-old first fractured his neck on last year's European tour and will need to wear a brace for at least six weeks to stabilise the reopened injury before further assessments are made.
"It's unfortunate that having completed the healing process from last year's injury, that it has happened again," Wallabies doctor Warren McDonald said.
"The fracture that has partially opened up is expected to repair itself and strengthen.
The ACT Brumbies star has played 20 Tests and was philosophical about the setback, noting that it "could have been a lot worse".
"It was encouraging to hear the specialists being positive both about the recovery process but also the possibility that I could be able to return to the playing field," McCabe said.


Strategic ideas, processes and technology are not enough to transform the business. Managers must take the lead to inspire, challenge, and develop their people to make transformation happen, and quickly. This article describes how the CEO of the largerst retirement fund management company in Mexico initiated the transformation of the company.
Changing employees' work patterns behaviors can be hard without the proper guidance and incentives. To produce high-value and sustainable change, connect new behaviors with measurable business goals. This article describes how the CEO of Zurich LA achieved his strategic and organizational goals using one change process.
The article describes the results achieved and the learning at the world´s leading bakery after introducing the program for developing agility, productivity, and innovation.
Managers can increase the chances of success of their growth strategy by testing the different market opportunities and their assumptions through a portfolio of agile results projects.
Small, controlled successes is the best way for companies to learn what it takes to achieve their vision. The article describes the experience of Banorte, the third largest bank in Mexico, increasing the profitability of several financial services.
Most large-scale change initiatives fail to deliver the intended outcomes, yet there are many well-known examples where dramatic, large-scale change happens quickly. This article describes how BIMBO de Uruguay turned around the operation in one year after loosing money for three straight years.
In these series of articles, Claudio and the Rapid Results Institute describe how they supported leaders of select communities in Mexico and Dominican Republic to increase the effectivenes of the judicial system and transform its organizational culture. Articles are in Spanish.


There are usually two ways a customer service rep stops being an employee: by gracefully moving on to other opportunities, or storming out in an angry cloud of dust. While we sincerely hope the former speaks to your general experience, we've all been face-to-face with the latter at least once, right? Either way, as an employer you need measures in place to make sure you retain the customers your rep left behind. Here's how you do that.
A Remote Environment Does Not Mean Every Rep for Themselves.
Let's say you have a remote team, as so many of us do these days. It's not likely you'll ship them a company phone, right? They'll probably just use their own cells. But here's the thing. You don't want them using their own cell numbers. Then you can't track their contacts, their leads, their anything. So your first step to protecting your customers against losing touch with you if an employee moves on is to get your reps Callcap numbers. They can be forwarded to the rep's cell or home, and then your rep can keep track of all the customer data from a super convenient online interface. The beauty? You have access to all that, too. So when your rep leaves your company, she (or he) leaves your customer right where they need to be: in touch with you.
Go Above and Beyond for Your Customers.
We know you're not the type to settle for good enough. That's why you're reading this article – because you want to arm yourself with knowledge and make your company better! First of all, we applaud your motivation. Second of all, we can totally help you.
Invest in a CRM software so your customer data is all in one place. That's just smart business management right there.
Conduct regular pipeline interviews so you can stay in touch with your employees workload.
Do random customer visits so your customers know their rep has the support of their company behind them!
Schedule quarterly reviews with your customers so you can keep a pulse on opportunities for improvement.
Get social as a company so your customers do more than connect with employees on an individual level.
And your customer will feel incredibly important because not only did you reach out first, providing excellent continuity of care before they even knew there was any disruption of care, but you're all caught up on their profile. Mic drop.
How's all that possible, you ask? Callcap's call recording. Keep a record of what was said and when. Have solid information to listen back on, and it'll be like you were there the whole time. Because hey, you were.
We know you're doing an awesome job of managing your employees, but turnover is a part of life. Be prepared for it with Callcap phone numbers for professional routing and so much more, a great relationship with your customers and internal team, and Callcap's call recording feature for the win.


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Alexander Antonovich Rizzoni, or Alessandro Rizzoni (; 4 February 1836, in Riga – 29 April 1902, in Rome) was a Russian-Italian painter of portraits and genre scenes; mostly on Catholic themes.

Biography
He was born to an Italian family of artisans; originally from Bologna. He received his first lessons from his brother Pavel, who was also an artist. In 1852, he enrolled at the Imperial Academy of Arts, where he studied with Bogdan Willewalde. Five years later, he was awarded two silver medals for his work.

That same year, he made a study trip to Italy and France, at his own expense. When he returned in 1860, he received a gold medal for his painting "Jewish Smugglers", which might now be perceived as somewhat Anti-Semitic although, judging by his later works, he harbored no such sentiment.

After that, he travelled again, to Spain and Belgium and, when he returned in 1862, received another gold medal along with a stipend that allowed him to continue his studies abroad.

He spent four years in Paris and Rome, where he painted portraits of the Catholic clergy, scenes from folk life, and interiors of church buildings and synagogues. In 1866, he showed eight of these paintings in Saint Petersburg, earning the title of "Academician" and an extension of his stipend. Two years later, he showed more works and was named a Professor.

When his stipend expired, he chose to stay in Rome, but continued to exhibit in Saint Petersburg. He also helped acquire paintings for the Tretyakov Gallery and the collector,  Bogdan Khanenko. From this point on, his works dealt almost exclusively with the Catholic Church; plus some portraits of young women. His paintings are notable for their attention to details in the environment and costume, but are considered somewhat sentimental. Non-Catholic commentators in Russia were also concerned with his lack of "critical detachment".

An extremely harsh article appeared in the June, 1901 edition of  (World of Art) calling him the "worst of all modern artists", a disgrace to Russian art, and suggesting that all of his works be thrown away; an attack that was probably related to his subject matter and loyalties, rather than artistic quality. After that, and some similar follow-up criticisms, he fell into a depression and committed suicide the following year.

In 1990, one of his paintings, "The Italian Shop", was among a dozen stolen from the Serpukhov Historical and Art Museum. It was recovered in 2010, after being found in a private collection.

References

External links

ArtNet: More works by Rizzoni

1836 births
1902 deaths
19th-century painters from the Russian Empire
Russian male painters
Russian genre painters
Russian portrait painters
Russian emigrants to Italy
Painters who committed suicide
Artists from Riga
Russian people of Italian descent
19th-century male artists from the Russian Empire
1902 suicides
Suicides in Italy

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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La gens Atia (en latín, gens Attia) fue una familia plebeya en la Antigua Roma que podría ser idéntica a la gens Acia (a veces deletreados también con una doble t). La gens es conocida principalmente por dos individuos del mismo nombre: Publio Atio Atimeto, un médico de Augusto, y otro médico que probablemente vivió más tarde, durante el siglo I, y puede haber sido hijo del primero.

Miembros
 Atio Labeón.— Poeta romano, autor de una traducción de los poemas de Homero que se ha perdido.
 Publio Atio Atimeto.— Médico de Augusto.
 Publio Atio Atimeto.— Médico del siglo I.
 Sexto Atio Suburano.— Prefecto del pretorio y cónsul en el año 104.

Véase también
 Anexo:Gentes romanas

Referencias

Atia


Today I am scrapping the left over photos from my We're All Mad Here layout for the Scrap the Girls November 2017 Challenge entry. The video for this layout is now up on my channel, you can find it here.
I grabbed out some extra bits in addition to my remaining Alice kit; these included Echo Park Alice in Wonderland 6x6 paper pad and Echo Park Alice in Wonderland Chipboard Accents.
I started with the mixed media paper from the Alice Kit as the teal colour on the paper matched the Mad Hatter in my photo's coat so well so I knew I wanted that paper behind that photo.
I then started playing with papers from my Echo Park 6x6 Alice in Wonderland paper pad and the check paper from the kit to build my paper layers.
Once they were all glued down I decided it needed some of the gorgeous character washi so I added it in just slightly tucked under the papers on each side (so glad I hadn't glued all the way to the edge at this point).
I then played with my embellishments. Starting with the sample of purple lace as it was a perfect layer to tuck under the Alice photo.
I then added my mini Cheshire Cat Tail by tucking the top under my photos, which meant my photo needed to be popped up so I carefully peeled it up and then cut bits of the chipboard stickers waste to go under my photo matte and added Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots in as well to give it some good but adjustable lift.
Now that the tail and photo were how they should be I set about adding the final bits to finish it all off. I added a quote from the Chipboard Accents using Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots under the left hand side to give it the right amount of lift on that side (you can see how it is popped up in the photo of the paper layers under the Mad Hatter photo).
I then added the bottle and mushroom chipboard but they didn't want to stick so I used some Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive to help them stick.
I built a mini scene with the catapillar to get him to sit right I added some chipboard scrap under the top section and glued him to the mushrooms and the layout with Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive.
Next I added the key, mouse and little butterflies and finished off with a doodly boarder and my journalling. I am really happy with how the layout turned out.
By the way Alice aka miss_deelicious is the only cosplayer on the day whose details I managed to get, she spotted me when she was on the way to her car to head home and just had to get a selfie "Where have you been all day." is what she happily shouted when she spotted the Cheshire Cat, totally making my day. Hmm I think I need to add "Where have you been all day: to my layout. I will need to get it out and spend some time thinking about that.
Sorry this list is so late, I have been having some technical issues that affected this post.If you are looking for some inspiration for this month there are lots of awesome challenges in the list to get those creative ideas flowing.
White with 1 is red this month and has a fun sketch to help inspire you. Here is their Facebook Page.
Scrap the Boys has a cool moodboard this month. Here is a link to their Facebook Page. Make sure you check their blog for the rules of their Challenges.
Scrap the Girls has a cool moodboard this month.
D-lish Scraps Inspiration Board this month is a lovely, make sure you follow the link for inspiration and the rules of this Challenge.
Mystical Scrapbooks has a colour prompt this month.
Off the Rails Scrapbooking prompt this month. Here is their Facebook Group. Make sure you check their blog for the rules of their Challenges.


From the spacious lounge with a cozy fireplace, to the beautiful courtyard and wooded grounds, Los Gatos Meadows has many inviting areas to spend time, enjoy friends, and stay active.
Our residents take full advantage of the onsite library and activities, craft, and card rooms. The beautiful chapel hosts services for people from many faith traditions. Linger over your meals while enjoying the hillside views through the dining room picture windows. Walking paths and lookouts throughout our 11-acre campus make enjoying the great outdoors any time of year inviting.


In 2011-2012, the California Apple Commission focused on several research projects. Some of these projects were scheduled and continuations of prior research while other projects became available or necessary during the season.
The California Apple Commission gathered support and worked on the continuance of streptomycin and tetracycline for use on organic products. The National Organics Standards Board (NOSB) was in the process of removing both of these products for organic use. The Commission effectively helped rally support against the NOSB's actions and for the time being prevented the removal of these products.
Due to an increasing concern over lenticel breakdown in the Fuji variety the Commission was prompted to hire USDA's Agricultural Research Service to conduct an examination of California's current growing and packing procedures. Dr. Curry, an expert on lenticel breakdown, visited and toured the California apple industry. Dr. Curry provided information and suggestions on how to prevent or limit lenticel breakdown in the California Fuji variety.


Located in Lloret de Mar, Villa Marbella offers an outdoor pool. This self-catering accommodation features WiFi. The property is 4.4 km from Water World and 3.6 km from Lloret Beach.
There is a full kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave. You can enjoy mountain view. At Villa Marbella you will find barbecue facilities.


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Home Metro Emirates Airlines Suspends Flight Operations To Nigeria
Emirates Airlines Suspends Flight Operations To Nigeria
Emirates Airlines has announced the suspension of its flight operations to Nigeria, starting September 1, 2022.
The flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, citing the inability to repatriate its earnings in foreign exchange from Nigeria.
Last month, Emirates asked Hadi Sirika, minister of aviation, to support the repatriation of its revenue, amounting to $85 million. Nigeria is facing a forex exchange crisis and this has also affected the nation's local currency — Naira — to depreciate against the dollar.
The airline said the suspension would "limit further losses and reduce the impact on its operational costs that continue to accumulate in the Nigerian market".
"Therefore, Emirates has taken the difficult decision to suspend all flights to and from Nigeria, effective 1 September 2022, to limit further losses and impact on our operational costs that continue to accumulate in the market," the airline said.
"We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to our customers, however, the circumstances are beyond our control at this stage. We will be working to help impacted customers make alternative travel arrangements wherever possible.
READ ALSO: Abia Online Media AGM/Bloggers Week: Major General A. K Ibrahim To Receive An Excellence/Media Friendliness Award
"Should there be any positive developments in the coming days regarding Emirates' blocked funds in Nigeria, we remain keen to serve Nigeria, and our operations provide much-needed connectivity for Nigerian travellers, providing access to trade and tourism opportunities to Dubai, and to our broader network of over 130 destinations."
READ ALSO: Emeka Nwankpa Foundation Holds Annual Widows Must Smile Ceremony
In May, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) lamented the inability of foreign airlines to repatriate about $450 million in earnings
Of the amount, IATA said Nigeria alone is holding about $450 million due to a shortfall of foreign exchange (FX) and a dwindling reserve.
Sam Adurogboye, spokesperson for Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), in a chat with TheCable, pleaded with the government to help the airlines repatriate the funds.
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The RBS banking group has an entity in Leeds Park Row. The exact address of the institution is 27 Park Row, post code LS1 5QB, Leeds. This facility's phone number is 03457 242424. The institution is open on Monday 09:15 - 16:45, Tuesday 09:15 - 16:45, Wednesday 09:45 - 16:45, Thursday 09:15 - 16:45, Friday 09:15 - 16:45 and Saturday 09:00 - 15:00. On Sunday it is closed.
The banks other than Leeds Park Row located in the neighborhood are: RBS in Wakefield at 35/37 Northgate only 8.3 miles away. The bank serves clients from contiguous cities: Alverthorpe , Eastmoor, Kirkthorpe, or even Outwood.


Sunny Leone's latest song 'Trippy-Trippy' from Bhoomi is out, and the star has impressed her fans and movie lovers. The song is already a hit and has successfully built expectations for the film. Sunny Leone's presence in the song adds so much value and the actress has done absolute justice to the song.
Sunny Leone a few hours back shared a picture of her on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi on her Twitter page. The actress looks beautiful in traditional attire with a perfect desi touch to the picture. Fans were all praise for the actress, and Sunny Leone soon became to trend for her ethnic look. Along with her picture she also sent her wishes. She wrote. 'Ganpati Bappa Moryaaaaaaa!!'.
"Not a Review, but an Individual attack on Ajith sir"


The Washington Apple Commission says that the impact on trade with China due to the higher tariffs this season has been relatively minor, with a smaller crop in the U.S.'s top growing region having a knock-on effect on exports.
The organization's president, Todd Fryhover, told Fresh Fruit Portal the state's apple volume is down by 14% year-on-year, while exports are currently 28% down.
"This comes as no surprise since the 2018-19 Washington apple crop is the lowest since 2015-16. Our expectation is for this reduced exporting to continue while the focus is on domestic sales," he said.
The normal volume shipped domestically is nearing 90 million leaving just 27 million for export opportunities.
Specifically for China – which increased tariffs on U.S. apples by 15% in May then a further 25% in July – he said that exports have been impacted, but not too severely.
"We see reduced volume into China this season, but the impact is negligible since our crop volume is reduced. Many countries imports from Washington are further reduced compared to China, so we feel fortunate to have the ability to continue trade with China at the 40% increase in duty," he said.
By this time last year, Washington had shipped 487,000 bushels to the Chinese market, whereas this year the volumes are 40% lower at 290,000 bushels.
But on a positive note, Fryhover said the industry was "very optimistic" this season for the domestic market, which was seeing improved prices compared to last year.
"In addition, the U.S. consumer is getting a higher percentage of new varieties (Honeycrisp is up to 12,412,000 bushels), which is increasing demand," he said.


text:
Acroclisoides solus is een vliesvleugelig insect uit de familie Pteromalidae. De wetenschappelijke naam is voor het eerst geldig gepubliceerd in 2006 door Grissell & Smith.

Pteromalidae


TherAroma Pure Essential Oil Nebulizer is Wireless, Waterless, and is USB Battery Operated. TheraAroma Portable Aroma Diffuser has a built in rechargeable lithium "smart battery system" for long life and fast recharge. Our unique Aluminum Alloy utility design with 2ml glass easy to clean and maintain oil diffusing system delivers the optimal amount of essential oils for personal use. TherAroma was developed by Therasage's team to be a perfect complement to the Thera360 Portable InfraRed Sauna and the Instant Calmer line of InfraRed Healing Pads to deliver and enhance your personal health and wellness. TheraEssential's line of special organic essential oil blends that can be used with the diffuser or you can use some of your own oils also.
• No Water & No Heat: Just 100% pure oil diffusion AromaTherapy. Using a burst of air, the nebulizing diffuser converts the oil into a fine mist. This helps conserve oil and provide increased enjoyment while using less oil than any other diffusers on the market. Because no water is used for diffusion, the mist released is actual micro-droplets of pure essential oil. This pure oil is essential to experiencing the health and therapeutic benefits an oil can offer.
• No Wires & No Mess: No Spills. You are no longer tied to a power outlet! The powerful built-in rechargeable battery permits up to 10 hours of use; move it around your house, throw it in a bag, place it in your car. The stylish design blends perfectly with every decor e.g. Home, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, office, spa, car, etc.
• Good Help: Boost your energy levels & immune system, improve quality of sleep & ability to focus, soothe your mood & relieve stress, create calming & comforting atmosphere, eliminate headaches & reduce chronic pain & more!
Note: Please clean up the diffuser after 5-6 times per use or 3-5 days.
• TheraAroma: nebulizing oil diffuser has child-proof, spill-safe function ensures that the diffuser automatically stops running when tilted, preventing leakage of your precious oils. Note: Please remove the plastic cap on the oil glass first, and cap it again after you filled the oil glass. Don't pour oil out of the glass.
• Time: 8-10 Hours. Standby Time: 15 Hours.
• Power Source: DC5V 1000MA.
• Note: Oil is not included in the package.
• Will automatically turn off after each 2 hours use.
Effectively balance internal Bio - Chemistry.
Improve immune system and lymphatic drainage.
Increase absorption of essential minerals and nutrients as well as super foods, make them more effective.
Increase cell membrane efficiency, vitality, and energy.
Increase mental clarity and nuero-pathways.


text:
Q: Why is this not valid YAML? I can't figure out why this code trips up the rails YAML parser.
sections:
  [
    {title: "Journal Entry Testing",
     procedures:
       ["Select a sample of journal entries prepared during the year and determine if they were prepared correctly and approved."]
    }
  ]

A: Because of the non-matching double-quotes, enlarged to highlight the difference:
["Select a sample ... and approved."]
See how the ending quotes are "smart" quotes?
With that fixed, it passes at http://yamllint.com/, and gets turned into actual YAML.


The Lorain Historical Society announced that its History Talk featuring Thew Shovel has been rescheduled for May 4 at 11 a.m.
Tom Berry, archivist of the Historical Construction Equipment Association, will give a presentation of Thew Shovel as he shares his knowledge of the innovative spirit of Captain Richard Thew, the creation of his company, and the lasting influence of the machines that were developed in the city of Lorain, according to a news release.
After the program, attendees are invited to to share their own experiences and connections to Thew Shovel.
The program costs $5 to attend and will be held at the Carnegie Center, 329 W. 10th St. in Lorain. Space is limited so reservations are recommended by calling 440-245-2563 or emailing info@lorainhistory.org.
For more information, contact Program Manager Jillien Zudell at 440-245-2563 or jzudell@lorainhistory.org. For more details about the Historical Construction Equipment Association, visit www.hcea.net.


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Business Lawyers in Pasadena, CA: a directory of business lawyers.
Cardenas Gonzalez, A Professional Law Corp.
Above is a directory of business lawyers in Pasadena, CA, provided by LawResolution.com. You can contact individual business lawyers to find out more information about their legal service details.


This module exploits a vulnerability in the UFileUploaderD.dll control included in the HTTP File Upload ActiveX Control. The exploit is triggered when the AddFile() method processes a long string argument resulting in a stack-based buffer overflow. This module runs a malicious web site on the CORE IMPACT Console and waits for an unsuspecting user to trigger the exploit by connecting to the web site.


Plus many, many door prizes!
In order to make this year's check-in fast, convenient and easy, we are asking that all players register in advance. Once you are pre-registered, a packet containing an itinerary of the night's events, bunco rules, and a special bunco pass will be mailed to you. You can flash your bunco badge at the door and automatically be seated. Also, in order to expedite the registration process, we are asking that all paid participants start arriving at 5:30 pm. There will be FREE VALET PARKING, which should make the process even better!
Price includes game, all-you-can-eat Johnny's Pizza, salad from the Olive Garden, and VALET parking for your convenience. Cash bar and lots of silent auction goodies.


text:
Waves Audio Teams with Abbey Road Studios To Unveil REDD Console Plugins
trust ⋅ Dec 12, 2012
— REDD.17 and REDD.37-.51 plugins truly deliver the enhanced dimension, richness and depth of the original coveted classic consoles —
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL, December 3, 2012 — Waves Audio, a leading provider of audio DSP solutions for professional, broadcast, and consumer electronics audio markets, has again teamed with London's legendary Abbey Road Studios to introduce the new REDD Console plugins. Abbey Road Studios were at the epicenter of a seismic shift that rocked the world of music during the 1960s, and changed the course of popular culture forever. The Beatles, The Hollies, Pink Floyd and countless other luminaries made musical history at Abbey Road Studios, trailblazing a revolution that resonates to this day. And at the heart of it all were REDD consoles, custom-designed, built by and named after Abbey Road Studios' in-house Record Engineering Development Department (REDD). Renowned for their silky smooth EQ curves, extraordinary warmth and lush stereo imagery, there's something magical about the REDDs that simply sounds like no other console. Waves meticulously recreated the unique color, character and tonal complexity of the original desks: the REDD.17 still belonging to Abbey Road Studios, and the REDD.37 console now owned by Lenny Kravitz. The result is REDD: an impressive pair of plugins that truly deliver the enhanced dimension, richness and depth of these coveted console classics.
Mirek Stiles – Head of Audio Products, Abbey Road Studios, stated, "Ever since I first heard the word REDD at Abbey Road Studios almost 13 years ago, to me these consoles have had a legendary almost mythical aura around them. Most of the original REDD consoles have been lost over time but by using the few examples left over and studying the original schematics and design notes from the archives I believe Waves and Abbey Road have revived an important part of musical history that will enable producers of all generations to discover and fall in love with the lost sound of REDD."
Amp Type determines the type of amplifier (REDD.37-.51 only).
Channel Select determines the channel configuration.
Bass Lift controls the 9 dB low shelf that compensates for low frequency loss caused by using condenser microphones in a Figure 8 configuration.
EQ Select toggles between Classic and Pop EQ types. The Classic treble EQ features a shelf boost or cut at 10 kHz; Pop EQ is a peak boost centered around 5kHz, with a shelf cut centered at 10 kHz. Both Pop and Classic settings feature a continuous 10 dB of boost or cut at 100 Hz. (REDD.37-.51 only).
Tone High controls high shelf equalization.
Tone Low controls low shelf equalization.
Monitor controls the source of the monitor output.
Spread selects stereo processing mode (Stereo component only).
Drive controls the amount of drive added to the signal. Lower values result in a cleaner sound; higher values result in a more distorted sound.
Analog controls the level of modeled noise and hum.
Output controls the output level of the signal.
VU Meters display output VU readings.
Both REDD.17 and REDD.37-.51 are Native- and SoundGrid®-compatible and are available at a U.S. MSRP of $349.00, with a special introductory price of $199.00.
Visit www.waves.com for more information.
Waves Audio Teams with Abbey Road Studios to Offer REDD Console Plugins
Waves Audio, Abbey Road Studios Unveil REDD Console Plug-Ins
Waves Audio and Abbey Road Studios Introduce the Abbey Road Studio 3 Plugin, Powered by Waves Nx Technology
Chandler Limited adds RS124 Compressor to Historic Abbey Road Studios Series
Waves Audio and Abbey Road Studios Unveil RS56 Plugin
Abbey Road Studios Upgrades Pro Tools Systems, Teams with Waves Audio
January 13, 2020, Fort Wayne, IN – Sweetwater Studios, the recording studio arm of music retailer Sweetwater Sound, has just released exclusive in-the-studio footage of thrash metal architects, Anthrax. The video – shot by famed British music video director Nigel Dick [Ozzy Osborne, Guns n' Roses, Band Aid] – finds the band energetically ripping through classics like 'Madhouse' in Sweetwater Studios' Studio A, intercut with interview footage where the members discuss their shared history and working methods writing some of thrash metal's most iconic riffs. The band partnered Sweetwater Studios and Shure last September to present a Recording Master Class that invited fans and recording enthusiasts into the studio to learn the art of tracking and mixing alongside the metal icons and Producer/Engineer Mark Hornsby. Shure provided all of the microphones used in the sessions, and the band tracked a selection of older and newer material, while sharing their insights and stories with attendees. For more information on Sweetwater Studios, please visit: http://www.sweetwaterstudios.com/ For additional behind-the-scenes videos and exclusive performances from Anthrax, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/user/SweetwaterSound About Sweetwater Studios Sweetwater Studios is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sweetwater Sound, Inc., the largest online music instrument retailer in the country. With three world-class studios designed by Russ Berger and access to a greater diversity of musical equipment and professional audio gear than any other recording studio in the world, Sweetwater Studios is able to accommodate just about any recording, mixing or mastering project, no matter how simple or complex. With renowned staff producer Mark Hornsby at the helm, who has worked on many Grammy-award winning albums, Sweetwater Studios also has an exceptional staff of producers, engineers, session musicians and studio technicians.
Waves Audio and Abbey Road Studios Unveil J37 Tape Saturation Plugin


text:
RUSSIAN MEDIA
RUSSIA'S HUMAN RESOURCES
SCENARIOS OF THE FUTURE
Political actors Politics
Putin the Geographer
by Marlene Laruelle|Published 31.10.2018
Territory and Space as Part of Russia's Rebranding
At the grand reopening of the Russian Geographical Society in 2009, then-Prime Minister Vladimir Putin explicitly linked the greatness of Russia as a state and as a culture to the size of its territory: "When we say great, a great country, a great state—certainly, size (or expanse, mashtab) matters." This assumed link between size and relevance illustrates in an exemplary manner the idea, common in Russia, that the destiny of the country is linked to its geographic scope. According to Putin's logic, it is impossible for Russia—as a country whose territory covers one-sixth of the Earth's surface and extends from the heart of Europe to the Pacific Ocean, from the Arctic Ocean to the Kazakh steppes and the subtropical shores of the Black Sea—to be a power without influence on the international stage or a culture without global reach.
The Russian regime has been kept busy—if not always consistent—creating a new identity language and rebuilding a national discourse that makes sense of Russia's history and current situation. If history, and especially historical continuity, are conventionally seen as the cornerstone of nationhood narratives, space also plays a central role in Russia's national image and rebranding, for both domestic and international audiences. The celebration of Russia's geographical scope, its incredibly diverse landscapes, and its wilderness have become routine for political elites—Putin's personal involvement in extreme outdoor sports and his cross-country journey behind the wheel of a Lada in 2010 (at a time he was prime minister) confirm the heavy symbolism with which Russia's spatial features are imbued.
The mission of reaffirming Russia's territory and valorizing its geographical size has been given to the Russian Geographical Society (RGO). For the past decade, this imperial-era institution (established by Nicholas I in 1845) has been totally rebranded and modernized following a model clearly inspired by the National Geographic Society. The RGO has quickly become a very influential institution: its generous funding supports a wide range of seminars (around 300 in 2017 alone), exhibitions (around 100 per year), expeditions (around 3,000 since 2009), and book publications (around 5,000 since 2009). This activism is made possible thanks to the Society's unique leadership: the Society boasts Putin as Chairman of the Board of Trustees (the Russian president speaks at the Society at least once a year) and Sergei Shoigu, Minister of Defense, as its president. For its part, the Board of Trustees brings together about a dozen oligarchs and the main representatives of the Presidential Administration—a revealing sign of the political nature of this renewed passion for geography.
In recent years, federal and regional leaders have primarily preferred to promote Russia's territory through the fashion for big exhibition parks—likewise a Western trend that Russia has rapidly made its own, but which has also become a trademark of rising Asian and Middle Eastern powers, with Singapore and Dubai at the vanguard. Nor does Russia exclusively borrow from abroad: it can also draw on the Soviet gigantism tradition of exhibition parks displaying national achievements, such as VDnKh.
The "wild nature festival" of the Golden Turtle (Zolotaia cherepakha) is a pioneering example: launched in 2006, it promotes awareness of nature and ecology through art projects (mostly photo and painting awards), with more than 100,000 projects submitted over the course of a decade, and annual exhibitions in several Russian cities. Awareness of nature and biodiversity is understood as part of the "patriotic education and improvement of Russia's image in the international community." Another example is Pristine Russia (Pervozdannaia Rossia), an annual exhibition funded via presidential grant that celebrates Russia's nature. The exhibition takes visitors on a virtual tour of the country's national parks and protected areas, and follows animal life through state-of-the-art animal documentary films and photos.
In Moscow, a permanent park, Zaryadye Park, recently emerged in place of the former Rossiya hotel, between Red Square and the Moskva River. A new cultural attraction with a glass bridge over the river, the Park is divided into four landscape zones representing Russia's varied climate and diverse territories (forest, steppe, meadow, northern landscapes). Besides a sample of regional flora and fauna, it features educational and recreational places such as a greenhouse florarium, an ice cave, a concert hall, and a cinema with a panoramic screen. The park allows Russia to display its mastery of new, green technologies such as drainage systems for collecting rainwater, automatic drip irrigation, and vacuum debris removal, as well as confirming the extraordinary rethinking of urban landscape and public spaces currently underway in Russia's megalopolises.
Zaryadye Park
But the Russian state is pursuing a much more ambitious goal: "Park Rossiia." This theme park, devoted to the nature, traditions, and cultural heritage of all the regions of Russia, should have combined the model of Singapore's Gardens by the Bay—a 100-ha garden in the middle of the city—with Orlando-style attraction parks. The initiative to build the park was put forward in 2012 by the RGO in the person of its president, Sergei Shoigu, who at that time also held the position of governor of the Moscow region. It was planned that the construction of the facility from scratch will take about 10 years and will cost $ 8 billion. However, in 2016 it became known that the Moscow region was unable to find investors and was forced to abandon the construction of "Park Russia".
Park Rossiia project
If realized, the Rossiya Park could find itself in competition with another project, that of a Russian Disneyland. Evoked under Khrushchev and Brezhnev, but never realized, it was relaunched by then-mayor of Moscow Yuri Luzhkov in the 2000s, again meeting with failure. The project, called "Dream Island" (Ostrov mechty), has been reactivated by current mayor Sergey Sobyanin and is currently under construction in one of Moscow's suburbs, Nagatino, with an official opening planned for 2019. It will celebrate the rich Soviet tradition of animated films and of Russian tales.
The long-term trend of rebranding Russia's territory accelerated in 2017, designated "year of ecology." A new law on the status of protected territories (okhraniaemye territorii) and nature reserves (zapovedniki) was enacted, with the creation of several new national parks in Karachaevo-Cherkessiia, Kamtchatka, Krasnoyarsk krai, and the Yamalo-Nenets autonomous district. But these welcome decisions cannot hide one of Russia's critical ambivalences: if the country's greatest legacy to the planet is its role in biodiversity and wilderness preservation, it has failed to advance effective environmental legislation and has gradually lowered the status of environmental protection. In this bleak picture, a notable exception has been the expansion of the protected area system—an easy way to "green" Russia's policy, as it protects some territories from human exploitation without any compulsion to address the energy inefficiency and pollution of the country's industries. The numerous exhibitions honoring Russia's unique nature, too, avoid discussing the dysfunction of the country's environmental policies.
The emphasis placed on Russia's territories reflects the authorities' willingness to address the country's infrastructure challenges. Putin's long tenure has been marked by profound changes in the spatial organization of the territory: as analyzed by the geographer Jean Radvanyi, measures have been taken to modernize infrastructure and develop the most sensitive and strategic regions, but a more sophisticated regional strategy is needed and the concrete inequalities between regions in terms of transport infrastructure and accessibility may threaten or at least weaken the very unity of the country. Many of the exhibitions discussed here praise not only Russia's nature, but also the infrastructure projects that allow for regions to develop: the Kerch bridge to Crimea, the Vladivostok bridge, the repair of airports and roads, etc. They contribute to promoting these costly infrastructure projects in the eyes of public opinion and securing consensus around the regime's approach to addressing territorial and logistical issues.
This craze for honoring Russia's territory and its landmarks also underlines a geopolitical goal, that of loudly reaffirming the country's legitimate place in the concert of nations. While Moscow struggles to keep its superpower status from declining further—the Russian economy represents less than 2% of global GDP and its military spending is about one-tenth that of the US—the use of superlatives, a symbol of a superpower status, has been restricted to spatial features: Russia remains the largest country in the world. The current "decolonizing" fights of former Soviet republics—which seek to cast off Russia's historical domination by changing their historical topographical names, national heroes, and sometimes alphabets—accentuate the impression that Russia's global relevance is collapsing. To resist this trend, Putin decided, in April 2018, to commission a new atlas of the world that would re-establish "historical and geographical truth" (istoricheskaia i geograficheskaia pravda). Not only will the Western names given to some remote Russian territories be russified—the president explicitly mentioned that some Siberian and Arctic territories had been given the name of a famous Western explorer when they already had a Russian name—but one can guess that the atlas will also fight against the "derussification" of names backed by Russia's neighbors in the post-Soviet space as a whole.
Photo: Kremlin.ru
Putin's Top-Down Revolution
Putin's constitutional reform
A sudden farewell to the Russian constitution
Putinism in 2020
Strategic miscommunication
Marlene Laruelle
Associate Director and research professor at the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (IERES) at The George Washington University, Co-Director of PONARS (Program on New Approaches to Research and Security in Eurasia), and Director of GW's Central Asia Program.
protest Russia - West protests army sociology human rights putin elections army modernization oil power vertical propaganda military gas Rosneft
Russia is returning to Libya, with or without Haftar
The technical barriers to Russia's military triumphs
Volodin's Duma: Cabinet 2.0
Sanctions: the 2020 agenda
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Script Synopsis:Meduzot (the Hebrew word for Jellyfish) tells the story of three very different Israeli women living in Tel Aviv whose intersecting stories weave an unlikely portrait of modern Israeli life. Batya, a catering waitress, takes in a young child apparently abandoned at a local beach. Batya is one of the servers at the wedding reception of Keren, a young bride who breaks her leg in trying to escape from a locked toilet stall, which ruins her chance at a romantic honeymoon in the Caribbean. One of the guests is Joy, a Philippine chore woman attending the event with her employer, and who doesn't speak any Hebrew (she communicates mainly in English), and who is guilt-ridden after having left her young son behind in the Philippines.