text:
JOE SCHAEFFER
Uwe Siemon-Netto
Sheda Vasseghi
Loredana Vuoto
U.S. Congress passes 'Global Magnitsky Rights' defense bill in jab at Putin
By World Tribune on December 9, 2016
Special to WorldTribune.com
By Mike Eckel, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
The U.S. Congress has backed legislation giving the president new, broader authority to impose sanctions on human rights abusers worldwide, building on an earlier law that has infuriated the Kremlin.
The measure, formally known as the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, passed the Senate in a 92-7 vote on Dec. 8 as part of a larger bill that sets guidance for U.S. defense priorities for the coming year.
Lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, left, died in Russian pretrial detention in 2009. President-elect Donald Trump has signaled a less-strident U.S. posture on rights in Russia.
The new measure is modeled after the Magnitsky Act, a law passed in 2012 that punishes Russians deemed by Washington to be rights violators by barring them from the United States and freezing any assets they hold there.
That law is named for Sergei Magnitsky, a whistle-blowing Russian lawyer who helped uncover evidence of a massive tax fraud. He was jailed and later died in a notorious Moscow jail. His supporters, Western governments, and international rights groups say he was tortured and denied medical treatment.
Most of the 39 Russians hit by the 2012 law were accused of being connected either to Magnitsky's death in 2009, or the $230 million tax scam that he identified while working with the investment firm Hermitage Capital Management.
Incensed by the U.S. law, the Kremlin retaliated in 2012 by banning the adoption of Russian children by U.S. citizens and barring some Americans from entering Russia.
'Gross violators of human rights'
Тhe new legislation authorizes the president to impose visa bans, to freeze financial assets, or other punitive measures against anyone who targets whistle-blowers exposing corruption or citizens exercising basic rights like freedom of speech, religion, or assembly.
It also targets foreign government officials engaged in "significant corruption," such as illegally acquiring state assets or hiding ill-gotten gains offshore.
The Senate had passed a stand-alone version of the amendment last year, but its fate in the House was uncertain. So its backers, led by Senator Ben Cardin (Democrat-Maryland), attached it to the defense bill as a backup, according to one congressional official familiar with the procedure.
Because the larger defense policy bill, formally known as the National Defense Authorization Act, is a must-pass piece of legislation — since it affects U.S. military operations worldwide — outgoing President Barack Obama is expected to sign it into law. The House passed the bill earlier this month.
"Gross violators of human rights and those who engage in serious acts of corruption cannot escape the consequences of their actions even when their home country fails to act," Cardin said in a statement. "Visiting the United States and using our financial institutions are privileges that should not be extended to the worst actors in the international system."
Opposed by vigorous lobbying
The new measure does not single out Russians for special scrutiny, but as it made its way through congressional committees, it faced what Magnitsky's family and allies said was a vigorous lobbying campaign, quietly backed by the Kremlin, to undermine the widely accepted narrative surrounding the tax fraud and Magnitsky's death.
The legislation, either as a stand-alone bill or as amendment to the defense bill, encountered little opposition.
The most prominent skeptic in Congress has been Representative Dana Rohrabacher (Republican-California), who has traveled to Moscow and reportedly met with representatives of the Russian prosecutor-general's office, and with a close ally of President Vladimir Putin.
At a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee hearing held a day before the vote, Rohrabacher repeated his argument that such human rights legislation should not bear Magnitsky's name, suggesting that might needlessly offend or provoke Russia.
"I think the Russians were mistreated in the Magnitsky case because that title of that bill is maybe suggesting that something was done that has not been proven yet," he told the subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats, of which he is the chairman.
If the measure does make it into law, it is also unclear whether Obama's successor, Donald Trump, will use the authority once he assumes office on Jan. 20.
Trump has signaled he wants a more conciliatory approach toward Russia, and has shown little interest publicly in global human rights issues.
Ukraine military assistance
The defense bill contains other provisions likely to irritate the Kremlin, including a ban on funds for military-to-military contact between the Pentagon and the Russian Defense Ministry — a response to Russia's annexation of Crimea and its involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
A related spending measure earmarks $350 million in military and security assistance for Ukraine, but half of those funds are contingent on Ukraine doing more to clean up corruption and waste in its armed forces. The measure also authorizes the supply of lethal weaponry, which Ukraine has demanded for months to help its forces battling Russia-backed fighters in eastern regions.
The Obama administration has repeatedly rebuffed calls in Congress, and elsewhere, to supply lethal weaponry, which would include antitank missile systems, fearing that it would provoke Russia and escalate the fighting in eastern Ukraine further.
The legislation also withholds funding from the Defense Department for matters related to Russian surveillance flights over the United States. Those flights are authorized under a 2002 agreement known as the Open Skies Treaty, but some officials in Washington voiced fear that the Russian flights were using a high-tech camera with sensors to significantly boost surveillance capabilities.
The bill requires defense officials to report to Congress that the Russian flights wouldn't violate the treaty before funding is released.
U.S. Congress passes 'Global Magnitsky Rights' defense bill in jab at Putin, WorldTribune.com
U.S. Congress passes 'Global Magnitsky Rights' defense bill in jab at Putin added by World Tribune on December 9, 2016
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


On Comfy's lighting page, you can see your space's past activity.
The "Past Activity" section allows you to get a snapshot of your coworkers actions in your space.
Click the up/down caret to toggle the activity list.
Pro Tip: Use this information to discuss your preferences with your coworkers!


text:
NewsTechnology
Dexcom Posts Strong Revenue, Stock Up 70%
Photo courtesy of Dexcom.
Dexcom Inc., which makes continuous glucose monitors, posted strong revenue and earnings for its fiscal third quarter for its continuous glucose monitors.
The San Diego-based diabetes technology developer reported Q3 revenue of $500.9 million, a 26% increase from the $396.3 million reported in the same quarter of the previous year.
Dexcom's half a billion dollars in revenue in the third quarter, topped analysts' average revenue estimate of $476.75 million. Its stock is up more than 70% for the year, while also raising revenue guidance for the year.
"The third quarter was another strong period of growth for Dexcom as awareness of our technology continues to grow in this time of heightened focus on glycemic health," said Kevin Sayer, chairman, president and CEO of Dexcom. "We are once again pleased to raise our full-year 2020 guidance as our teams press forward to close the year strong and execute on our strategic initiatives."
Headquartered in Sorrento Valley, Dexcom is a medical device company that specializes in the treatment of diabetes. In particular, it makes a device that provides near real-time glucose monitoring, without a finger prick.
Launching G7
Dexcom's core U.S. business is made up of patients with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes who are insulin-dependent.
Its flagship device, called the G6, tracks data in real-time through a smartphone app, with users allowed to share it with up to 10 people. In 2021, the company will launch its next-generation CGM, the G7, in multiple markets.
Made 60% smaller than the current G6 wearable, it offers better connectivity and interoperability and significantly reduces the cost of the manufacturing process.
In addition, the device will have improved features that will come with the new app accompanying the G7, and potential for added features such as technical support through the app rather than calling the support center.
"With our CGM, you can monitor all data from another room and never touch the patient's finger or come in contact with their blood. There's a tremendous value to this and we just have to unlock it," said Sayer.
Sayer also foresees a significant opportunity to bring its CGM systems to non-intensive type 2 patients, expand its existing international markets, and enter new markets such as Japan, Mexico, Brazil, Russia and India.
Two other offerings that are expected to contribute to the company's growth is Dexcom Start, a new program that aims to simplify the writing of DexCom scripts and reduce the administrative burden on physicians, and CLARITY, Dexcom's diabetes management application for CGM users that highlights glucose patterns, trends and statistics.
Overall, the company is taking a multi-channel approach in developing its non-intensive type 2 business, which is more than seven times the size of Dexcom's current markets, Sayer said.
Dexcom plans on going direct in one to three markets each year. In 2021, it will enter Japan's market with its distribution partner Terumo Corporation. It will also extend its footprint in Asia with a new office in Singapore.
Growing Competition
Competition is growing in the market for continuous glucose monitors, with companies such Abbott Laboratories and Medtronic also rolling out new glucose monitors.
Abbott launched its second-generation CGM the FreeStyle Libre 2 in the U.S. last quarter and is in the process of launching the FreeStyle Libre 3 in Europe.
"It is a competitive environment. Dexcom's growth is a 44% compounded annual growth rate over a 10 year period — nobody does that. Competitors are now looking at what we've done and want to replicate what we're doing," said Sayer.
"It took us 10 years to do this," he said. "We've invested a lot in scale, manufacturing, and we invested a lot in getting the product reimbursed as well as getting access to it in the U.S., which we're now using more of those techniques outside of the U.S. It is an increased competitive environment but people need this technology now more than ever."
Dexcom expects to log revenues of approximately $1.9 billion for the full-year 2020, marking 29% growth year-over-year. The company is the fourth largest employer in the region, with 2,800 local staffers.
"As a San Diego company, when you look at the jobs that we've added and what we have accomplished. Dexcom is integral to this community and will continue to be," said Sayer. "Our future has never been brighter. We have more patients to address then we've ever had before and we have a series of product offerings being introduced over the next couple of years. It's going to be fabulous next couple of years for Dexcom."
$100M Development Planned for Oceanside
San Ysidro Health Opens New Clinic in El Cajon
DOE Funds Local Efforts to Develop Next Gen Batteries
Walla Resolves to Keep Studios in Top Biz Shape
Qualcomm Unveils Snapdragon Satellite


text:
package com.drew.metadata.heif.boxes;

import com.drew.lang.SequentialReader;
import com.drew.metadata.heif.HeifDirectory;

import java.io.IOException;
import java.util.ArrayList;

/**
 * ISO/IEC 14496-12:2015 pg.8
 */
public class FileTypeBox extends Box
{
    String majorBrand;
    long minorVersion;
    ArrayList<String> compatibleBrands;

    public FileTypeBox(SequentialReader reader, Box box) throws IOException
    {
        super(box);

        majorBrand = reader.getString(4);
        minorVersion = reader.getUInt32();
        compatibleBrands = new ArrayList<String>();
        for (int i = 16; i < size; i += 4) {
            compatibleBrands.add(reader.getString(4));
        }
    }

    public void addMetadata(HeifDirectory directory)
    {
        directory.setString(HeifDirectory.TAG_MAJOR_BRAND, majorBrand);
        directory.setLong(HeifDirectory.TAG_MINOR_VERSION, minorVersion);
        directory.setStringArray(HeifDirectory.TAG_COMPATIBLE_BRANDS, compatibleBrands.toArray(new String[compatibleBrands.size()]));
    }

    public ArrayList<String> getCompatibleBrands()
    {
        return compatibleBrands;
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


There truly are rambling wild roses, namesakes of a very special Gypsy caravan, in the garden-lover's paradise surrounding Delancey House. Rambling Rose is tucked away here, in a little corner of Cornwall you can call your own. The caravan itself is Cornish to the core. Built in Penzance in the 1930's, she was restored here by local craftsmen and decorated with pretty scrollwork and floral patterns by your hosts Nick and Freya. Panoramic views spread from her painted steps to the Fowey river valley, with Bodmin Moor in the distance across beautiful rolling countryside. Inside, there's a pull-out double, traditionally snug (so check the measurements first if you're tall)! Everything from fresh towels to charcoal for the barbecue is provided.
There is a private bathroom with spring water sink, shower and loo approximately 50m from Rambling Rose.
Linen and towels are provided - but please don't take them to the beach - they're quite happy where they are!
PLEASE do your best to arrive between 4pm and 6pm and call if you think you might be arriving earlier or later.
The nearest bus station is St Austell.
We're sorry, it's not possible to arrange pick ups.
Take the M5 south from Bristol to Exeter. From Exeter take the A30 west towards Oakhampton, then the exit signposted to Bodmin, Lostwithiel and the A38. Follow signs to the A38 to Plymouth which will take you over the A30. At the next roundabout take the third exit, signposted to Lanhydrock. Carry straight on until the next mini-roundabout, and then turn left.
Follow this road through Trebyan, Maudlin and Sweetshouse until you reach a T-junction. Turn left and you will enter Lostwithiel from the west. As you enter Lostwithiel you will approach a set of traffic lights, directly after turn left up Bodmin Hill. Keep climbing up Bodmin Hill till you start to go out into countryside and you will see a national speed limit sign on the right. Just 50 meters after that is a right hand turn into the Rambling Rose parking area.
Nick supplies all guests at Rambling Rose with a welcome hamper containing Cornish spring water, Cornish Biscuits, local sausages, butter and a loaf of bread freshly-baked nearby. Charcoal is provided for the barbecue.
For supplies, there is a Co-operative mini supermarket and local shops nearby - the walk is doable but a car more practical.
The Earl of Chatham A delightful 16th century inn, packed with character and popular with locals and visitors alike. Cask Marque ales on tap: St Austell Brewery ales, Tribute and IPA, and hearty pub food.
The Globe Inn - A pub guide favourite, this warm and friendly 13th century free house has excellent food, variety of real ales and a restaurant with daily specials which won "Best Food Pub in the West Country" in 2007. Open Mon to Sat 12-2.30 and 6-11pm; Sundays 12-2.30 and 7-10.30pm. Lunch 12 - 2.00pm, Dinner 6.30 - 9pm Mon to Sat, 7 to 8.30pm Sundays.
Asquiths Restaurant Modern British food with seasonally changing menu, using produce sourced locally such as sea vegetables from nearby coastline, dairy products from closeby Trewithen dairy and fish from Cornish waters. Open Tues to Sat 7 - 9 pm.
Country Fryer This busy local attracts visitors from far and wide, clamoring for restaurant tables or a handy takeaway.
Terra Nova Bar/brassiere open every morning for coffee, tea and pastries or full-blown brunch. Lunch and dinner served every day.
Trewithen Restaurant Imaginative local dishes all freshly prepared with the greatest attention to detail. The highly acclaimed wine list includes an extensive selection of classic and modern wines. Open Tues-Sat for brunch from 11am (Bucks Fizz anyone?) Have lunch in the courtyard garden 12-2, dinner served 6.30-9pm.
There are books, a radio, and playing cards for quieter evenings. Alternatively, put your skills to the test: Delancey House offers bushcraft and survival workshops, £35 pp for a 3-4 hour course.
Walks around the area are a must - guides are provided by your hosts. Lostwithiel even has its own Wild Food School holding foraging courses, talks and walks. courses last half day, 1 day or 2 days, day courses £35-£85.
Rachel Lambert will guide you through a fascinating world of historical plant lore, plant uses and their health benefits on a foraging walk.
Cornwall is famous for its surfing - if you want to find out why, hire a wetsuit, bodyboard or surfboard from Delancey House and head for the beach! Kayaking, canoeing, and sailing are also popular watersports in the area. Try Encounter Cornwall for specialist instruction and equipment hire.
Restormel Castle is an impressive sight which you can't miss as it's visible from the steps of Rambling Rose. One of the four chief Norman castles in Cornwall, it has a perfect circular design. Once residence to the Earl of Cornwall, the castle became ruined following the Civil War in 1644 and is now in the care of the English Heritage and open to the public.
The Eden Project's iconic domes will keep you entertained for hours. Concerts are staged from time to time.
Bring your National Trust card for Lanhydrock, where you may drop in on a bat patrol evening or wildlife watch, a murder mystery evening, 'Upstairs Downstairs' evening, or even a summer outdoor theatre performance.
Heligan Gardens will delight keen gardeners and enthusiasts alike - also worth a visit are Pencarrow House, Hidden Valley Gardens, Marsh Villa Gardens and Headland.
Bocconoc holds an annual flower show, steam rally, opera and more!
Delancey House is Nick's family home, and now that of Rambling Rose as well. Originally built in Penzance in the 1930s, this Romany caravan has been lovingly restored to its former glory by a talented Cornish craftsman using traditional methods passed down through generations. It contains many beautiful authentic features - some of the original paintwork can still be seen on the original pot box at the back of the wagon. Nick has touched up the wagon using traditional art techniques to show stunning scroll work and rambling roses, saying, "it has been a real joy to do and we are so pleased with the result!"
The beautiful gardens of Delancey are a sight to behold, with an abundance of colour on all sides and throughout all seasons. They are well established, with old apple trees, hedges of lavender, rambling wild roses and the prize-winning "Azalea Walk" which is truly a sight to behold in early May. From your garden and the paddock in front of you (which also belongs to Delancey House) you will see stunning and far-reaching views over the Fowey River Valley, with the meandering Fowey River and the beautiful town of Lostwithiel spreading out before you. To the left there is a panoramic view across beautiful rolling countryside, with distant views of Bodmin Moor and in the foreground the medieval Restormel Castle.
Lostwithiel in the Fowey River Valley is rich with history and has a lively and vibrant community. It's perfectly positioned for discovering the many unspoiled beaches of Cornwall - if you can tear yourself away! Check the 'Local Activities' section for all that Lostwithiel and the surrounding region has to offer.
The bathroom at Rambling Rose (private for guests) has an innovative spring water shower and loo.
The rambling rose was a fantastic stay. Nick was very attentive and had added lots of thoughtful extras to make us feel comfortable. The rose is warm and cosy with everything you could need and a very lovely bathroom nearby. We have stayed in a few things like this but this was by far our favourite, and the view is fantastic!
I can not express what a lovely time I had whilst staying in Rambling Rose for 2 nights. A beautiful caravan inside and out, with everything you will need including a very thoughtful little welcome basket of things to get you started. It was secluded enough to be private and bathroom was lovely to. Stunning views of the Cornish country side, lovely and peaceful. The local town about 2 minuets drive and had lovely shops, supermarket and places to eat. Likewise it was well located to visit lot of places in Cornwall. Nick was really friendly and gave me a quick tour before I enjoyed the lovely caravan and Cornwall. Its been a dream of mine to stay in an authentic gypsy caravan and its been fulfilled!
My partner and I really enjoyed staying in the Rambling Rose. It was such a unique time away for us and we both fully enjoyed the experience! The Rambling Rose was beautiful as well as the view. Lovely host. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for something a little different! The photos really do not give this place justice!
I stayed at the Rambling Rose for 3 nights. I had a great time. It was in a peaceful area, and in a good location to the sites I wanted to see.
Beautiful setting, lovely caravan and great host. Thank you so much!
We wanted a couple of nights away post wedding celebrations to simply relax and enjoy the quiet. Rambling Rose met our every need and it was great fun being able to cook outdoors and enjoy the incredible views. The place was clean and perfectly styled with everyting we needed.
Very enjoyable, great spot and gypsy caravan! Has a great time and would definitely recommend. Nick was a great host.
"A fantastic place to stay! Beautiful countryside, beaches and caravan. From the moment we arrived we were made to feel very welcome by Nick the host. The welcome pack sausages and bread were delicious and I couldn't recommend this place enough. A cosy winter getaway is what we wanted and that's what we got! Thanks for an amazing stay, we would definitely return"
"The gypsy caravan in Cornwall was perfect for our wedding anniversary, we loved the caravan, it has a little fire inside & a pull out bed, it also has a stone fire pit outside, we had a lovely loaf of fresh bread, Cornish butter & sausages in the fridge fo us on arrival, lovely quiet secluded location with fantastic views."
"The caravan was simply adorable and just so cosy! We loved being able to sit outside every evening in the sunshine, before making a campfire and waking up to the view of the sunrise over the hills. Rambling Rose was a magical place to stay and Lostwithiel was the perfect Cornish town to explore. We travelled everywhere on foot or public transport; the station is really well connected and Lostwithiel only a short walk from the caravan. A truly unique experience!"
"We had a very enjoyable stay in the Gypsy Caravan. View across the valley was beautiful and the location very quiet and secluded."
"Very much enjoyed our stay, was a surprise birthday present for my wife, who loved the caravan and the location, just a shame about the weather! The best thing was just getting away in a quiet part of the country, visiting lovely towns and having some lovely food in some very nice restaurants."
"Absolutely amazing stay. Weather fantastic which definitely helped but the location was stunning, our hosts were welcoming, friendly but not obtrusive. The welcome hamper of necessities including bread, butter, jam, tea coffee, milk and sugar was a lovely touch. We spent 5 nights in the caravan and left feeling really blue that our stay was over. Cooking over a campfire was amazingly good fun but you are within easy reach of several pubs and eateries if self-catering is not your style. Can't recommend Rambling Rose highly enough, if you're looking for a romantic, secluded break surrounded by beautiful countryside then this is the place for you!"
"It was delightful! Such a beautiful setting and they provided us with a delicious hamper of food. The owners were there when we needed them but also really left us to our own devices so we very much had our own space and the caravan was also very secluded. The view is just as beautiful as in the photos if not more so. All the firewood was provided and the fire pit and little stove were great for cooking on as well as warming us up but the gas stove was also great for any rainy days. Overall a stunning place to stay in a beautiful setting."
"We had a lovely time at Rambling Rose. The caravan is beautifully decorated, immaculately restored, cosy (even on cold nights!) and had everything we needed. Nick was very friendly and welcoming and provided a great welcome pack of bread, jam, milk and local eggs and sausages which was a really lovely touch. The view from the caravan is stunning with a beautiful outside space and nice pubs in Lostwithiel when we felt like venturing out."
"We had an amazing weekend. Rose is absolutely stunning and has obviously been restored with a lot of love and attention to detail. The location is perfect - very peaceful but also within easy reach of some great places to visit. Will definitely recommend to others and hope to go back ourselves at some point."
Available January to May. Bookings begin on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.


text:
NewsMicrosoft Sets Windows 8.1 Launch for Oct. 18
Microsoft Sets Windows 8.1 Launch for Oct. 18
Spokesman Brandon LeBlanc announced that "Starting at 12:00 a.m. on October 18 in New Zealand (4:00 a.m. October 17 in Redmond, Wash.), Windows 8.1 will begin rolling out worldwide as a free update for consumers on Windows 8 through the Windows Store."
No news yet as to whether Microsoft is planning to release the RTM update early to developers for feedback through MSDN and TechNet subscriptions.
View article.


text:
class AddPendingToMembershipApplications < ActiveRecord::Migration[5.1]
  def change
    add_column :membership_applications, :pending, :boolean
  end
end


text:
<?php

namespace Magento\Framework\View\Asset;

/**
 * Interface of an asset with locally accessible source file
 */
interface LocalInterface extends AssetInterface
{
    /**
     * Get original source file where the asset contents can be read from
     *
     * Returns absolute path to file in local file system
     *
     * @return string
     */
    public function getSourceFile();

    /**
     * Get content of a local asset
     *
     * @return string
     */
    public function getContent();

    /**
     * Get an invariant relative path to file
     *
     * @return string
     */
    public function getFilePath();

    /**
     * Get context of the asset that contains data necessary to build an absolute path or URL to the file
     *
     * @return ContextInterface
     */
    public function getContext();

    /**
     * Get the module context of file path
     *
     * @return string
     */
    public function getModule();

    /**
     * Get a relative "context" path to the asset file
     *
     * This path includes both invariant and context part that can serve as an identifier of the file in current context
     *
     * @return string
     */
    public function getPath();
}


"Hack" might have great prominence in the 21st as a term to describe a trick or tip to achieve a simpler, better or different way to do things, but humans have been "hacking" things for centuries. It's easy to poo-poo anything from pre-20th century as outdated but some things remain evergreen and relevant. Even things from as long ago as the 1900s. Back then, Gallaher- the cigarette company still in business today - used to add little postcards in their packets (as did other manufacturers) and it was quite a hobby to collect them. Mostly they were things you would expect in such collections but there was one set that featured what we today call hacks. Surprisingly, many of them are still useful. Check these out.
1. Got a Ring Stuck on Your Finger?


text:
Q: EF Core distinct by column In EF 6, if I wanted to select users for instance by distinct last name I could do something like this:
var users = _context.User
            .GroupBy(x => x.LastName)
            .Select(x => x.FirstOrDefault())
            .OrderBy(x => x.LastName)
            .Take(10)
            .ToList();

In EF Core 3.1.6 this very same query gives me the following exception:
System.InvalidOperationException: The LINQ expression '(GroupByShaperExpression:
KeySelector: (u.LastName),
ElementSelector:(EntityShaperExpression:
    EntityType: User
    ValueBufferExpression:
        (ProjectionBindingExpression: EmptyProjectionMember)
    IsNullable: False
)
)
    .FirstOrDefault()' could not be translated. Either rewrite the query in a form that can be translated, or switch to client evaluation explicitly by inserting a call to either AsEnumerable(), AsAsyncEnumerable(), ToList(), or ToListAsync()

Is there any way to use that query without using AsEnumerable (or other alternatives) which would load this entire huge table into memory? The database I use underneath is Microsoft SQL Server 2014 which can handle this kind of query.

A: This type of queries will probably be supported in EF Core 5 (there for sure are open issues in EF Core GitHub repository).
The workaround in EF Core 3.x is similar to How to select top N rows for each group in a Entity Framework GroupBy with EF 3.1 - (1)use a subquery to select the distinct key values and (2) then join/correlate it with the main query combined with limiting operator (in this case, Take(1)):
var users = _context.User.Select(x => x.LastName).Distinct() // (1)
    .SelectMany(key => _context.User.Where(x => x.LastName == key).Take(1)) // (2)
    // the rest is the same as the origonal
    .OrderBy(x => x.LastName)
    .Take(10)
    .ToList();

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
2 min summaryBest time to visitAll our South Africa guides
Best time to visit South Africa and Mauritius
You don't have to worry too much about waiting for the best time to go to South Africa and Mauritius – both dish out mild temperatures and sunshine year-long. Just remember it'll always be cooler in the mountains and on safari in the evenings, so make sure to pack layers.
Home\Africa\Mauritius\South Africa and Mauritius
South Africa and Mauritius holidays Holidays
Best time to visit South Africa & Mauritius
South Africa is a year-round holiday destination, thanks to its range of climates. The same goes for Mauritius – temperatures tend to be warm all year.
South Africa is such a big country that the climate varies hugely depending on where you're headed. The Western Cape (for Cape Town and the Winelands) is warmest and driest between November and March. Up north, the wide landscapes of Kruger National Park bring bigger variations between night and day temperatures; it's best to bring layers for those early morning drives and cool evenings. Mauritius has a subtropical climate, so maximum temperatures rarely venture beyond 22°C to 28°C. Rainfall does vary, though, with December to April seeing almost twice as much rain as the rest of the year.
Call us for the best time to go to South Africa & Mauritius
Cape Town Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
Kruger National Park Weather Chart
Mauritius Weather Chart
Our South Africa & Mauritius weather charts:
Our South Africa & Mauritius Holidays
South Africa & Mauritius holiday
Africa and the Indian Ocean. Cape Town, Safari and Mauritius
From £4250 16 days inc UK flights
Luxury Kruger and Mauritius Holiday
South Africa's Kruger National Park, plus time in Mauritius
South Africa safari and Mauritius beach holiday
This luxury itinerary combines a wildlife safari with relaxation time on the beach
Sabi Sands safari in South Africa & luxury Mauritius beach stay
A fantastic safari in South Africa followed by relaxation in Mauritius
See all our South Africa & Mauritius Holidays Give us a call
Things to do in South Africa & Mauritius
Things to do...
Cape Town reinvents itself every year. Just when you think you've got to grips with it, another museum, food festival or restaurant opens its doors. Table Mountain and Robben Island receive well-deserved accolades, but you can also duck away from the crowds by hiring a car and escaping east along the clifftop Garden Route. Going on safari is a sure-fire way of getting a pinch-yourself moment in South Africa. Kruger National Park is the most accessible, with easy drives, wheelchair friendly lodges and in-house ecologists on hand to explain all. There's also a near guaranteed chance of spotting the Big Five. Sabi Sands Wildtuin reserve sits within its borders, and it's a favourite with the elusive leopard. Visit the Shangaan communities that have settled around Kruger National Park. Guides that have grown up within the communities can help you learn about the realities of Shangaan life, from customs and language to colonial clashes and HIV and AIDS education. Best of all, your pennies will be going into the pockets of local guides. The dramatic volcanic valleys and mountains of Mauritius provide great hiking fodder. Trace the spiderweb of trails in Black River Gorges National Park, peer up at the 300-foot Tamarind Falls, seek out monkeys in Macchabée Forest, or scale pointy Le Pouce Mountain for long-range views over Port Louis and the north coast.
Things not to do...
See captive elephants. You'll have many chances to encounter wild elephants in South Africa, so avoid supporting zoos and 'sanctuaries' that offer meet-and-greets or rides with captive elephants. Seeing a free elephant plodding across your path while on a game drive is a real gift, and infinitely more rewarding than the canned equivalent. V&A Waterfront is one of the most-visited places in South Africa – and it has the crowds to go with it. If you fancy discovering South African artists and neighbourhood coffee shops, head out to a Cape Town suburb like Woodstock, where disused factories are being reborn as neighbourhood markets and independent galleries. Stay on the beach. Volcanic coves, turquoise lagoons and white-gold sands – the beaches in Mauritius are famous for a good reason. But try not to get tempted into spending all your days crashed out with a cocktail in hand. Snorkelling is practically a national sport, while the interior has a well-mapped tangle of hiking trails. Avoid the home grown restaurants. Mauritian food is a concoction of Indian, Chinese and French cuisines. Coconut water, tamarind curries, soft roti, fried potato cakes, crispy noodles – they're all found on menus. You might have to dig beyond the main streets in Grand Baie and Port Louis, though. Look out for stalls and festivals; everything will be cooked fresh to hand-me-down recipes.
Our top South Africa & Mauritius Holiday
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
See all our South Africa & Mauritius Holidays
If you'd like to chat about South Africa & Mauritius or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
South Africa & Mauritius holiday advice
Simon Mills, from our leading supplier of South Africa and Mauritius holidays, Native Escapes, shares his advice for planning a holiday to these two countries:
Self drive in South Africa
"Driving in the Winelands is easy. You drive on the left hand side of the road, with right hand drive cars – it's like driving in the UK, but with much less traffic. The vineyards are all well signposted and the scenery and landscape is stunning. I recommend driving to Franschhoek and parking up and taking the Wine Tram, which will transport you between vineyards on regular routings, allowing you to enjoy the fruits of the area."
Where to stay in Cape Town
"In Cape Town, we tend to suggest smaller boutique properties, away from the Waterfront. Here, you'll find lovely guesthouses in more local areas of the city, close enough to all the main attractions. And you're treated as a name, rather than a number."
From safaris to sand
"South Africa and Mauritius make a great safari and beach pairing due to their relative proximity. Mauritius is only a 3.5-hour flight from Johannesburg, with frequent connections. They also provide a holiday experience full of contrasts, from the wildness of the South African bush to the soft white sand of the Indian Ocean."
Explore in peace
"In Mauritius, we always try and encourage guests to use non-motorised boats like kayaks or paddle boards, which are a much nicer way to see the marine life."
More about South Africa & Mauritius
South Africa and Mauritius holidays guide
Our South Africa and Mauritius travel guide reveals the best way of rolling two contrasting countries into one itinerary. Spend a week (or more) exploring Cape Town, the Winelands and Kruger National Park, before settling down on Mauritius' paradisal beaches.
MauritiusSouth Africa
Photo credits: [Page banner: Kirikk Umrikhin] [Top box: Colours of Mauritius] [Leopard, Kruger NP: Will Sweet] [Mauritius beach: Guillaume]


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Sabres send No. 2 overall pick Sam Reinhart back to juniors
By John Vogl|Published Fri, Oct 31, 2014 |Updated Tue, Oct 18, 2016
Sam Reinhart's time in Buffalo is up.
The Sabres announced this morning they are sending the second overall draft pick back to Kootenay of the Western Hockey League. The 18-year-old had no goals and one assist during his nine-game tryout with the Sabres.
"It's an emotional day," General Manager Tim Murray said in First Niagara Center. "I told him you're my first first-round draft pick as a GM, and obviously I was cheering for him, but I can't let emotion come into play on the decision.
"It has to be the decision that's right for No. 1, the organization and No. 2, him. It can't be the right decision for me. I can't keep him here and say, 'Hey, hey, look what we did here. Our first-round pick played 82 games in his first year eligible.' That's craziness to me. It's about doing what's right for him and what's right for the organization."
Reinhart took the decision hard.
"With me he was good," Murray said. "I guess when he left me he was emotional, disappointed. He should be disappointed. I told him that, 'Be disappointed. You're allowed to be disappointed.'"
Reinhart's entry-level contract won't kick in until next year (or the year after that if Buffalo decides the center still isn't ready for 2015-16).
"I've never seen too many players ruined by sending them back versus keeping them too soon," coach Ted Nolan said before the decision was announced.
Reinhart's hockey IQ and skill set were universally praised by coaches and teammates, but the 6-foot-1, 185-pounder had trouble keeping up physically.
"He's just not heavy enough," Murray said. "He's not strong enough yet. As it went on here, his skating, it looked like he came up to the pace of the game so to me that's not an issue. Just by getting stronger he's going to get quicker and faster, but strength was an issue for me."
Reinhart started on a scoring line but spent his final few games on the fourth line.
"He's a great kid," Sabres right wing Drew Stafford said. "He wants to learn a lot. You can tell the skill's there. It's been awesome having him around.
"The situation that he's in right now with what's been going on with the team, it can't get any more harder than that. The amount of adversity he's dealing with right now with all the losing, that's tough on a young guy. For him to get those kind of lessons early on is good because later on in his career he'll be able to pull that out his resources and realize, 'What did I do that worked? What did I do that didn't work?' That can help him going forward."
John Vogl – John Vogl spent 15 seasons writing about the Sabres for The Buffalo News.


This branch is defined by the Y-Haplotree at Family Tree DNA as I-A11703. There, it is the child of the I-Y21966 branch.
This branch is defined by YFull as I-A11703. There, it is the child of the I-A1170 branch.


Molecule's Eco products are specifically produced to have lower toxicological profiles, low skin irritation, non-regulated for transportation and a focus on using bio based raw materials. The primary requirement of these formulations is to be safer to work with and better for the environment with a close second of performance. Molecule's Ef Eco Flex resin is a good performance elastomer with a quick rebound and firm compression properties. Ef Eco Flex can be printed down to a resolution of 100um. Available in four different colors; Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. Mix and match these colors to match any custom color. Versions are available and optimized for High Wattage LED, Low Wattage LED and Low Wattage Visible machines.
Education. Low environmental impact applications.


Personal site of Marat Tolibayev.
All rights to the materials on the site are protected in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on copyright and related rights.
At use of materials the active hyperlink to a site http://tolibayev.blog is obligatory.


text:
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Tutorial: Creating a Digital Advent Calendar Using WordPress.com (Beginner Level)
Lifestyle — 04 Dec 2020
In this article, I will explain how to simply create an Advent calendar for your partner, family, or friends using the WordPress.com service.The realization of this one is totally free and you...
What is JavaScript and why use it? (video) – French
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Over the years, JavaScript has become very popular on the web… But do you really know its history? Do you really know what its use is?While we had to organize a conference confronting two prof...
Sharpen: Full of ideas for your fictitious projects
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The "Classic blue", color of the year 2020 by Pantone
Pantone has announced it, the Classic blue (Pantone 19-4052 Classic Blue) will be the color of the year 2020.On December 5, 2019, the world reference in colorimetry, Pantone announced on its I...
10 design trends to follow in 2020
Digital trends — 24 Dec 2019
The year 2020 is almost here, and like every year, it brings a lot of new in terms of design. That's why I offer you an article taking some interesting predictions on trends to follow until next y...
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21 Oct - 35 sec - Uploaded by Phillip Kramer I Cant see around corners? VW No bend lighting (AFS) function. Quick Check and fix - Duration. I'm looking for a Tuareg Owners Manual. Can anyone help in VW still provides print copies of owners manuals. I don't recall the exact. Incorrect owner's manual data is more likely for vehicles with a private number and seek further information from other sources or call a Volkswagen retailer.
Volkswagen Touareg Owner Manual Binder [VW Automotive] on Amazon. com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Volkswagen Touareg Owner's. Find out what your Volkswagen warning lights mean. Visit our VW Dashboard Indicator Lights page for more information. Find out everything you need to know about your VW. Learn about Shop for VW parts & accessories, special offers, and driver gear. Digital Owner's Manual .
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When I was a kid, bullying was usually done face to face. Online Bullying is a new form of bullying. People can be much crueler online than they can be in person. Read any news article, and then read comments below it. People say horrific things to other people because it's easier to do it in writing online than saying it in person. It is very easy to depersonalize. You don't think of the person as a person, just as an online persona, or as an avatar on the screen.
Posted on October 11, 2016, in Mommy has a Migraine and tagged #cyberaware, Bullying, Cyber, Cyber Security #, Cyberbullying, email, messaging, Social Media, Texting. Bookmark the permalink.	Leave a comment.


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Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. • Jared/Flickr
Home›Destinations›North America›USA›Florida›Orlando›Things to Do›Best Rides & Shows
Best Rides & Shows in Orlando
Walt Disney World: More than any other park, the Magic Kingdom is packed with seminal experiences: the transporting Audio-Animatronic wizardry of Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion; the vertiginous thrills of Splash Mountain and Space Mountain; and the homespun, only-at-Disney charm of Jungle Cruise, Peter Pan's Flight, and "it's a small world." Cap the day with Wishes, the famous fireworks show. At Epcot, Frozen Ever After has begun its animatronic-rich boat ride through Arendelle; and Soarin', the ride with the resort's highest re-ride ratio, recently changed its visuals from California-only sights to a smorgasbord of world icons. At Disney's Hollywood Studios, the ride-through 3-D video game Toy Story Midway Mania is never the same experience twice; while Disney's newest marquee ride, the cutting-edge and thrilling aerial simulator Avatar Flight of Passage at Animal Kingdom, wows every time.
Universal Orlando: At Islands of Adventure, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey fires on more technological cylinders than you thought a ride could possess; Skull Island: Reign of Kong is the latest big-ticket addition; The Incredible Hulk Coaster just emerged from a complete teardown and rebuilding; and The Amazing Adventure of Spider-Man remains the standard bearer for premium family-friendly ride concepts, as it has been since 1991. But don't miss Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls or Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges, a pair of ingeniously sopping flumes. Next door at Universal Studios, a separate park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley represents the cutting edge in visual design that believably immerses you in the world of the movies and the Escape from Gringotts ride is a technological tour de force. Fans of Springfield will find themselves re-riding The Simpsons Ride to catch all the insider references. The newest ride here, Fast & Furious—Supercharged, is a simulated car chase.
The Other Parks: At SeaWorld Orlando, roller coasters pack punches that Disney pulls: the new Mako is Orlando's tallest, fastest, longest (and, for our money, greatest) coaster; Manta flies riders belly-down over water and rooftops; while Kraken dangles their feet for seven spine-knotting inversions while immersing them in a virtual reality simulation. And this year, it opens Infinity Falls, a water ride with a vertical lift and a 40-foot drop. The controversial killer whale show, currently One Ocean, is winding down but still packed. Elsewhere, Legoland Florida's tricked-out Miniland USA is such a masterpiece of Lego creations that it's a show of its own, but its collection of kiddie rides is second to none, even Disney.


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Q: Chrome app semitransparent I'm creating an app for google chrome.
I'm trying to create a floating window like Hangouts app, checkout this image:

Here is the code on my manifest.json
{
  "name": "test",
  "description": "test app",
  "version": "0.1",
  "manifest_version": 2,
  "app": {
    "background": {
      "scripts": ["background.js"]
    }
  },
  "permissions" : [
      "alwaysOnTopWindows"
  ],
  "icons": { "16": "calculator-16.png", "128": "calculator-128.png" }
}

and this is the js file until now:
chrome.app.runtime.onLaunched.addListener(function() {
    var options = {
        'outerBounds': {
            'width': 32,
            'height': 64
        },
        resizable: false,
        frame: 'none',
        alwaysOnTop: true
    };

    chrome.app.window.create('window.html', options);
});

It creates the window without border which is correct, but it still have a white background, I want to add a small play icon (like hangouts app), but it seems that must be a square window only.
Any help?


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Line Supervisor - Cytology **$10,000 Sign on Bonus Available**
Cytotechnologist II (Part-time)
Laboratory Technical Lead - Quality and Safety Officer
St. Luke's Health System
Twin Falls, Idaho
Sonic Healthcare USA
Cytotechnologist 1-$8K Sign on Bonus
Nationwide Cytotechnology Openings, Travel or Perm
HealthCare Connections, Inc.
Cytologist / Cytotechnologist, FT
Cytotechnologist - (Raleigh) - FT Day
Cytotechnologist | $10,000 Sign On Bonus
Exeter, New Hampshire
CYTOTECHNOLOGIST II- PATHOLOGY %26 LABORATORY MEDICINE
Cytotechnologist - (Raleigh) - PT Day
Cytopathologist Anatomical and Clinical
Cytotechnologist, Geisinger Medical Center (Full Time) (Days) SIGN ON BONUS
Cytology Supervisor, Ben Taub Hospital ***Relocation Assistance Available!
Cytotechnologist (N)
Cytotechnologist Per Diem
Location: Stony Brook, New York
Type: Per Diem
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Cytotechnology
Independent Medical / Diagnostic Laboratory
Internal Number: 2022-2461
SUMMARY: At Stony Brook Medicine, a TH Clinical Laboratory Technologist / Cytotechnologist is a valuable member of our team, who provides clinical services to our patient population, and will also Interact in a professional manner with physicians, nursing staff, support staff, peers and other members of the hospital community. Will maintain a general knowledge of safe practices and conducts oneself in a manner consistent with those practices to insure the safety of all Laboratory personnel.
Using a microscope, a cytotechnologist will examine Gynecologic (GYN), Non-Gynecologic (Non-GYN), and Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) cytology specimens to determine if the cellular changes are benign, neoplastic, or malignant. The microscopic findings are presented to the Pathologist and a final diagnosis is rendered. This information will permit therapeutic decisions and follow-up monitoring of the patient.
Qualified candidates will demonstrate superior patient care and possess outstanding communication skills while adhering to our high standard of excellence.
Job Duties & Essential Functions:
Screen Cytology specimens (Gynecologic and Non-Gynecologic, including FNA's, to determine whether the cellular changes meet guidelines to necessitate referral to the Pathologist.
Schedule and attend Rapid Onsite Evaluation of FNA or biopsy procedures (i.e.: CAT scan, Ultrasound, Endoscopy, Bronchoscopy, etc.) to determine specimen adequacy independently or pair with a Cytopathologist to provide preliminary assessment utilizing Telecytology system.
Obtain patient history that would be relevant to the final cytologic diagnosis utilizing Copath, Cerner/PowerChart.
Correlate microscopic findings with concurrent and/or prior related surgical pathology, flow cytometry, and other clinical lab data/results; obtain slides for morphologic comparison when applicable.
Prepare written cytologic reports utilizing standard terminology specific to organ systems, documentation of immediate assessments, communications to clinicians, and reference all related specimens on final report.
Apply appropriate billing codes for each case.
Process specimens for microscopic evaluation when needed (i.e. registration, ordering, accessioning and cytopreparation) according to established policies & procedures.
Participate in Quality Control and Quality Assurance.
Participate in Proficiency Testing and Continuing Education.
Work with Pathology/Cytology residents and fellows.
Required Education and Qualifications:
Baccalaureate Degree with formal training from an accredited school of Cytotechnology.
Experience: SL-1: NYS licensure as a Cytotechnologist or documented eligibility, including provisional/limited permit eligibility with 0-2 years demonstrated experience; SL-2: NYS licensure as a Cytotechnologist or documented eligibility, including provisional/limited permit eligibility with 2-5 years demonstrated experience; SL-3: NYS licensure as a Cytotechnologist or documented eligibility, including provisional/limited permit eligibility with a minimum of 6 years demonstrated experience).
Candidate must have passed the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) registry exam (CT, ASCP) and must be a registered Cytotechnologist with NYSED and have a NYSED license in Cytotechnology.
Experience in performing Rapid Onsite Evaluation during FNA/biopsy procedures and/or experience with cytopathology related research projects.
Specialist in Cytotechnology certification, SCT (ASCP)
About Stony Brook Medicine
Members of the Department of Pathology support of the tripartite missions of the School of Medicine, the Cancer Center, and Stony Brook University, to excel in clinical service, education, and research. Since our founding over forty years ago, our national leaders in academic Pathology have included Dr. Arthur Upton (former Director of the National Cancer Institute), Dr. Marvin Kuschner (the founding chair of the Department of Pathology and a pioneer in research of chemical carcinogenesis and cigarette smoking), Dr. Lauren Ackerman (author and founding editor of Ackerman's Surgical Pathology), Dr. Jorge Benach (discoverer of the etiologic agent of Lyme Disease and current interim Vice Dean for Research), and Dr. Martha Furie (former President of the American Society for Investigative Pathology, current Senior Editor of the American Journal of Pathology, and Director of Stony Brook University's Graduate Program in Genetics). Members of our department are authorities in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, innovators in graduate student, medical student, and resident education, and they engage in high impact basic and translational cancer research. The department is both a basic scie...nce and clinical department and provides comprehensive service in all aspects of laboratory medicine, as well as in surgical pathology and cytopathology. Thus, our faculty members are bridging the gap from bench to bedside research with the goal of improving the effectiveness of clinical diagnosis and medical care for the citizens of New York and the broader community.
Connections working at Stony Brook Medicine
https://careers.ascp.org/jobs/17743656/cytotechnologist


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Tomas moves away from land as mudslides remain a threat in Haiti
By the CNN Wire Staff
Six people are dead, and some areas are flooded in Haiti
The country's ongoing battle against cholera could be worsened by flood waters
Tomas is not forecast to reach land in the coming days
Port-Au-Prince, Haiti (CNN) -- Hurricane Tomas killed six people and left a trail of destroyed homes in Haiti as it continued moving away from land Sunday.
But Haitians could still grapple with effects from Tomas after the hurricane dissipates.
The U.S. Coast Guard is helping in Haiti by providing surveillance and helping with coastal assessments.
The hurricane was expected to weaken in the next few days as it churns away from the Americas into the Atlantic Ocean.
As of late Saturday night, Tomas was about 275 miles (440 kilometers) north-northeast of Grand Turk Island and about 570 miles (915 kilometers) south-southwest of Bermuda, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida.
Hurricane Tomas drenches Haiti
Haiti's trifecta of disaster
The hurricane carried maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 kph) and was headed north-northeast at at 10 mph (17 kph), the Hurricane Center said. Tomas currently poses no threat to land.
In Haiti, a nation still grappling with the effects of a killer earthquake and a deadly cholera outbreak this year, Tomas ruined houses and turned some streets into rivers. Six people were also killed by the storm, according to the Haitian Civil Protection Authority.
January's 7.0-magnitude earthquake killed 250,000 people and left 1 million more homeless. Many of those Haitians have been living in tent camps, and aid workers had been working in recent days to move the residents to safer housing, which was difficult to find.
Aid workers were already struggling to keep up with the cholera outbreak, which has killed 501 people since the first cases were reported in October. An additional 7,000 are hospitalized. The bacterial disease causes diarrhea and vomiting that can lead to deadly dehydration within hours.
In Leogane, west of Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince, residents waded in knee-deep water after Tomas. Box trucks got stuck in water, said relief worker Roseann Dennery of Samaritan's Purse.
While the flooding receded somewhat over the weekend, the threat of waterborne disease remained a concern.
"Samaritan's Purse is moving quickly to set up cholera treatment centers in areas where there currently aren't any, and where new cases are appearing as the bacteria continues to spread," Dennery said.
Mudslides also remain a risk because many of the nation's mountains have been stripped of vegetation, which means rain can flow downhill relatively unimpeded, said CNN meteorologist Reynolds Wolf.
"We could see mudslides a week after the storm has passed," Wolf said.
Tomas has also dumped more than 10 inches of rain in the Dominican Republic.
CNN's Paula Newton contributed to this report.
Today's five most popular stories
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Can you handle this Air? Nike's biggest Air Max yet has arrived – meet the Air Max 270, a fresh style with Nike's tallest Air Unit yet. The 270 is inspired by the Air Max 93 and 180 with its exaggerated tongue top, heritage logo and exposed half-length Air unit. These chic trainers come in a classic black and white colourway for a look that matches with anything.


This past month, we got an exciting chance to work with a team of racers competing in the 2015, Iron Dog race, in Alaska. The race spans some 2,000 miles in the dead of winter, and is amazingly dangerous. The purse for the race is $50,000, awarded directly to the winners, but the gear for racing in sub-zero temperatures is expensive.
Charlie Preston hired us to create a logo that represented them well, and would help bring in sponsors for their team. We'll be continuing to work with them on their physical branding, but we're wishing them warmth and luck in the coming race!


text:
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Did I Miss Anything asks Tom Wayman (thanks Karen). I missed our December gathering, sadly. But folks were taking good notes and forwarded on the poems that were shared.
As we kick back and read free.
Here are our work poems. She wrote me that they were very diverse with a couple of them "containing enough interesting elements to make them the equivalent of a book." Just don't work too hard while reading them.
Die Moorsoldaten (Peat Bog Soldiers) – a political resisatance song composed in a German concentraton camp. Lyrics are here. Audio is here in English and here in German.


Now using Xender Web is really easy, please follow the below given steps so that you can easily connect Xender between your phone and PC. Xender is a great application.
Click on "Scan" button and hover your camera to the below given QR code.
Note : Use Wi-Fi whenever possible, using it on Mobile-Data can burn your pockets.
I hope you enjoyed this new technology and feature which is introduced by Xender and please keep on visiting this website as we are going to come up with new and latest posts on Xender for PC or Xender Web.


South Carolina Divorce Records | Free Divorce Records Search | Find Public Divorce Records Online Now!
If you need to locate Divorce records on someone in the state of South Carolina you should get in touch with the South Carolina Vital Records Office. Below is the full contact information for this agency and a little information on it.
If you need the records faster, please click here!


Located within a quiet residential close, is this newly refurbished, three double bedroom, terraced family home. Comprising a spacious lounge, large fitted kitchen, separate utility room, downstairs WC, three double bedrooms with built in wardrobes, shower room and a large well presented private rear garden. Offered unfurnished.


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Tag: virtual event
PEN America Unveils Fall 2020 Pen Out Loud Lineup
Copyright PEN America
All-virtual rethinking of PEN America's landmark event series features Yaa Gyasi, Roxane Gay, Ayad Akhtar, Ben Rhodes, Claudia Rankine, Marilynne Robinson, and Alexander Chee
Earlier this month PEN America announced its fall lineup for its PEN Out Loud author conversation series. This season, reimagined virtually for our current times, will continue its mission to present meaningful dialogues, highlighting books that offer multilayered, thought-provoking conversations on race and class, immigration and family at a particularly divisive moment.
PEN Out Loud's fall 2020 season will feature conversations with Yaa Gyasi and Roxane Gay, Ayad Akhtar and Ben Rhodes, Claudia Rankine, and Marilynne Robinson and Alexander Chee. PEN Out Loud is co-presented with Strand Book Store and Scripps Presents."We're delighted to offer up a rethinking of our PEN Out Loud series, not just for our all-digital moment, but rather rethinking how conversations are happening in our current all-digital moment," said PEN America's Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf. "But we're still holding fast to our belief that PEN Out Loud is the hallmark national literary series that amplifies diverse voices and convenes the most vital conversations with poets, journalists, artists, and activists.""We're delighted to be partnering on the PEN Out Loud series. PEN America's mission to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible is vital, most especially in this moment," said Corrina Lesser, artistic director of Scripps Presents.PEN Out Loud Fall 2020 Lineup We Don't Know What We Don't Know*
Yaa Gyasi, author of the forthcoming book Transcendent Kingdom, in conversation with Roxane Gay
Tuesday, September 1 at 5pm PT/8pm ET
*This is a book launch event America Is My Home*
Ayad Akhtar, author of the forthcoming book Homeland Elegies, in conversation with Ben Rhodes
*This is a book launch eventJust Listen
Claudia Rankine, author of the forthcoming book Just Us: An American Conversation, with a conversation partner to be announced
Wednesday, September 30 at 5pm PT/8pm ETGuilt and Grace
Mariynne Robinson, author of the forthcoming book Jack, in conversation with Alexander Chee
Tuesday, October 6 at 5pm PT/8pm ET
Tickets on sale now . . .
PEN Out Loud's mission remains focused on amplifying diverse voices and convening vital conversations with authors, poets, journalists, artists, and activists.
This fall, these conversations are in direct response to the very specific moment we're in culturally and politically. In the lead up to the 2020 presidential elections, the whole society is wrestling with the legacy of slavery, a reckoning with police brutality, the consequences of health and economic disparities in the midst of a pandemic, and attacks on press freedom and democracy.
Each author this season examines the fabric of our culture with deft insight and illuminates a wide range of themes such as whiteness, faith, interracial love, midwestern and southern culture, depression, and immigration.
$20 Admission | $35 Admission + Signed Book*
* $50 for international shipping
Flash sale until September 7. Use the code FLASHPOL at checkout.
The content of this post is courtesy of PEN.org.
The New Republic is an official media partner of PEN Out Loud's Fall 2020 season. This program is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect open expression in the United States and worldwide. It champions the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Its mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.
Jamie Dedes:
About /Testimonials / Disclosure / Facebook / Medium / Ko-fi
2020 Poet Laureate of Womawords Literary Press
The Wombwell Rainbow interviews Jamie Dedes
Founding Editor and Editor Emerita, The BeZine
LATE-BREAKING NEWS: Six more hours to go on our virtual marathon for 100TPC
THE BeZine 100 TPC virtual event has six more hous to go, so plenty of time for you to share your work … So far we've had participation from New Zealand, Germany, Slovakia, India, France, Australia, Ireland, Pakistan, Israel, Spain, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Hungary, United Kingdom and the United States. Touched by the works submitted and by the interest and support. Join us to read and share: HERE.
Here are some livestreams from other groups. Depending on where they are in this world, they may be offline now … Thanks to 100TPC Cofouder Michael Rothenberg for the list …
100 Thousand Poets for Change Livestream: Check them out!
TIA CHUCHA Sylmar, CA–Poets Soapbox:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-poet-s-soapbox
http://bambuser.com/channel/omarseguna
The 100,000 Poets and Musicians radio show
http://laradiostudio.com/CamChat
Live ON FB
https://www.facebook.com/QatarUniversitysliteratureclub/
https://www.youtube.com/user/OnlyAgnese (video and audio)
https://www.spreaker.com/user/agnesemonaco (audio only)
su : http://www.usertv.it/
Graffiti Bleu Worldwide (Blog Radio)
100 Thousand Poets for Change Podcast on GBleu Radio coming soon…
Today's the Day … the Miracle Is Love, the Message Is Peace
Join us at The BeZine blog for our virtual 100,000 Poets et al for Change, that is Peace, Sustainability and Social Justice. Share your work. Join the conversation. Find the ways in which you might be part of the solution.
And, at four p.m. today, remember this:
DOES THIS BOTHER YOU?


Hello Folks … there's been a bit of a mix-up today but never fear we're on hand to present you with a new poetry challenge!
The Cherita tells a story. It was created by ai li (A UK poet and artist) on June 22, 1997 in memory of her grandparents who were raconteur extraordinaire. It was also inspired by Larry Kimmel's sensitive recognition of a shorter form contained within the opening three-verse stanza of ai li's LUNENGA, which was created May 27, 1997.
Now, for a little inspiration!
Once you've written your Cherita or if you prefer one of the variations of the Shadorma either inspired by the above photo or maybe by your own art-work, please tag your post: Mindlovesmisery Menagerie and B&P Shadorma and Beyond then add your link to the Mr. Linky App below.
Have yourself a great week, Bastet.
I'm trying to figure out where to work it in. My poetic storyline for the moment is written in sonnets.
Then this will really be a bit of a challenge … I haven't tried this form myself and it will be an adventure for me also .. but as I do a lot of my work in haiku form it might not be quite so great a change from what I'm used to.
Is that your way of throwing down the gauntlet? 😉 I think my muse just ran for cover.
Ah he'll be back. He knows I have a lot of writing to do 🙂 aw no poetic duel? I'll go but my rapier back in storage… 😉 I love that we can joke like this! You're making me smile and I thank you for it. It was a tough week.
I'm terribly sorry it was a rough week .. knowing something about rough times I prefer to search out happy smiley things when I can ..
I am searching hard for those smiley things…life just keeps piling up the bad though…I hope there will be a light at the end of this tunnel and soon!
oooo chocolatey thoughts are best! Thank you!
Ohhh! I'm looking forward to this! Thanks, Georgia!
No problem … get well soon … Big hug to you too!
Oooo…this was fun….now to find the time to do another one:) Got to go out…would much rather just write poetry…Life is getting in the way of writing ! Thanks G.
I enjoyed the brevity. A little wider parameters than haiku but still very compact.
I agree .. it is well thought out, and I'm not surprised it grew from the haiku community.
This entry was posted on January 30, 2016 by Bastet in B&P Shadorma & Beyond and tagged ai li, B&P's Shadorma & Beyond, cherita, Larry Kimmel, Life Magazine, Mindlovesmisery's Menagerie.


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10 Great Fantasy Books With Animal Companions to Read
Written by N.S. Mirage in Best Fantasy Books,Blog,Fantasy Creature Books
Animal companions in fantasy books can come in the more 'realistic' forms of dogs and wolves, but also in those of dragons, griffins, unicorns and more.
Often, these stories tug at our heartstrings and bring smiles to our faces. Are you in the mood for a book that will do just that? If you are, this post is for you!
Here are 10 great fantasy books with animal companions to read:
Through Wolf's Eyes by Jane Lindskold
Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb
The Outstretched Shadow by Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik
Joust by Mercedes Lackey
Scorched by Mari Mancusi
A Dragon from the Desert by William King
The Last Flight by Liane Merciel
Blue Moon Rising by Simon R. Green
I've included book descriptions, readers' ratings and summaries of positive and negative comments for each one of the books in this list below.
But if you'd prefer a quick summary, here's a comparison chart.
Born human, raised by wolves, Firekeeper seems the last person anyone would choose to back as a candidate for heir apparent to a royal throne.
Nonetheless, when Firekeeper and her wolf "brother," Blind Seer, travel with Earl Kestrel's expedition into the kingdom of Hawk Haven, the earl thrusts the wolf-woman into the midst of the heated intrigue surrounding who will be chosen as the heir of elderly King Tedric.
Soon, the only thing the competing factions seem able to agree upon is that Firekeeper is an enemy. Firekeeper may not be able to read or write. She may struggle to speak a coherent sentence. However, if there is one thing the wolf-woman has learned from her life among wolves, it is that a strong pack needs an even stronger leader.
Will Firekeeper win the fight for the throne? Whatever happens, the wolf-woman's part in the contest will forever change it, even for those who do not see through wolf's eyes.
First on our list of fantasy books with animal companions is Through Wolf's Eyes, which features a relationship between the human protagonist and her wolf family. Fans of this novel enthused over its incredible characters, all of whom felt flesh-and-blood.
Readers described these characters, whether main characters or supporting ones, as capturing their hearts and stirring their emotions. Their interactions with each other, their history and growth were touching and organic.
In addition to that, other readers praised the book for its political intrigue. Richly detailed and nuanced, fans were delighted and eager to find out how each new twist and turn would impact the characters.
What did critics say about Through Wolf's Eyes?
Well, several of them said that the book included too many world-building or character details. However, most of them were generally readers who didn't enjoy political fantasy. These readers found the scheming uninteresting and, given that the majority of the book revolves around politics, disengaged with the story.
Too much time has passed since the powerful dragon Tintaglia helped the people of the Trader cities stave off an invasion of their enemies.
The Traders have forgotten their promises, weary of the labor and expense of tending earthbound dragons who were hatched weak and deformed by a river turned toxic.
If neglected, the creatures will rampage – or die – so it is decreed that they must move farther upriver toward Kelsingra, the mythical homeland whose location is locked deep within the dragons' uncertain ancestral memories.
Thymara, an unschooled forest girl, and Alise, wife of an unloving and wealthy Trader, are among the disparate group entrusted with escorting the dragons to their new home.
And on an extraordinary odyssey with no promise of return, many lessons will be learned–as dragons and tenders alike experience hardships, betrayals…and joys beyond their wildest imaginings.
Second on our list of fantasy books with animal companions is Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb. This book launches a series that can serve as a standalone as well as an expansion to Hobb's previously written Liveship Trader's trilogy.
Readers familiar with the trilogy described Dragon Keeper as a counterpoint to the cheerier ending in Liveship Traders. While Liveship Traders ended on a high, this series deals with the aftermath and begins on a low.
The dragons in Dragon Keeper struggled to find a way to outgrown their serpent form in the Liveship Trader's trilogy, but find now that their success had the horrible downside of killing most of them in the process.
Because of that, fans said that it's easy to sympathize with the dragons of this tale who, far from their frequent majestic and mighty portrayal in other books, are frail and sickly. Their struggle to survive and thrive struck fans of the book as engaging and inspirational.
If readers didn't enjoy the novel, what did they say? These readers focused on the fact that story itself has little thrills and action. The book's premise is simple and sports a no-frills plot: Dragon Keeper isn't a story bristling with twists and turns.
In particular, readers mentioned that this first book in the series struck them as a step up for future books. Alone, it resonates with readers based on how much they enjoy character-driven stories. Even readers who didn't enjoy the story overall acknowledged that the characterization was strong.
These readers said that the book picks up toward the end. However, before that, they felt that nothing much seemed to happen.
Kellen Tavadon, son of the Arch-Mage Lycaelon, thought he knew the way the world worked. His father, leading the wise and benevolent Council of Mages, protected and guided the citizens of the Golden City of the Bells.
Young Mages in training – all men, for women were unfit to practice magic – memorized the intricate details of High Magic and aspired to seats on the council.
Then he found the forbidden Books of Wild Magic – or did they find him? The three slim volumes woke Kellen to the wide world outside the City's isolating walls. Their Magic was not dead, strangled by rules and regulations. It felt like a living thing, guided by the hearts and minds of those who practiced it and benefited from it.
Questioning everything he has known, Kellen discovers too many of the City's dark secrets. Banished, with the Outlaw Hunt on his heels, Kellen invokes Wild Magic–and finds himself running for his life with a unicorn at his side.
Kellen's life changes almost faster than he can understand or accept. Rescued by a unicorn, healed by a female Wild Mage who knows more about Kellen than anyone outside the City should, meeting Elven royalty and Elven warriors, and plunged into a world where the magical beings he has learned about as abstract concepts are flesh and blood creatures – Kellen both revels in and fears his new freedom.
Especially once he learns about Demons. He'd always thought they were another abstract concept-a stand-in for ultimate evil. But if centaurs and dryads are real, then Demons surely are as well.
And the one thing all the Mages of the City agreed on was that practicing Wild Magic corrupted a Mage. Turned him into a Demon. Would that be Kellen's fate?
Deep in Obsidian Mountain, the Demons are waiting. Since their defeat in the last great War, they've been biding their time, sowing the seeds of distrust and discontent between their human and Elven enemies.
Very soon now, when the Demons rise to make war, there will be no alliance between High and Wild Magic to stand against them. And all the world will belong to the Endarkened.
Third on our list of fantasy books with animal companions is The Outstretched Shadow, where the protagonists have a unicorn companion. This novel intrigued readers with its detailed, fully-realized world-building.
Whether it was the living-and-breathing cultures, societies or settings, The Outstretched Shadow impressed fans with its depth. Several readers commented that Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory take common fantasy tropes and bring out the best in them.
Others mentioned that, in tandem with the world-building, the characters themselves felt vivid and human. As such, readers found both Kellen's coming of age story and the background characters engaging.
If readers didn't enjoy The Outstretched Shadow, what did they say?
Both critics sand fans aid that the world-building and character development in this tale were excellent. However, to accomplish that, the story lingered heavily on these details. As such, readers consistently said that the book was slow.
One boy…
One dragon…
A world of adventure.
When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter.
But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself.
Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic, and power.
With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds.
Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders?
The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands.
Eragon: a fantasy novel famous in its first release for taking beloved fantasy elements and turning them into a swashbuckling, dragon-filled adventure.
Readers appreciated that much of what they loved seeing in fantasy books featured in this epic: supernatural abilities, sword-fighting, dragon riders, prophecies, elves, hidden realms and of course, the hero pitted against a seemingly invincible empire.
Readers said that Eragon swept them away into the world of Alagaësia and its many interesting characters. They often commented that fans of The Lord of the Rings would find elements to this story that they'd enjoy.
Unfortunately, the same reason that fans loved this fantasy book was the same reason that critics didn't: the familiar tropes.
Its similarities to The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars frustrated critics. Whereas 'The Lord of the Rings meets Star Wars with dragons' delighted fans, these readers thought that Eragon was too predictable for their taste.
Because of this, several commented that the book might be better suited for first-time fantasy readers.
Aerial combat brings a thrilling new dimension to the Napoleonic Wars as valiant warriors ride mighty fighting dragons, bred for size or speed.
When HMS Reliant captures a French frigate and seizes the precious cargo, an unhatched dragon egg, fate sweeps Captain Will Laurence from his seafaring life into an uncertain future – and an unexpected kinship with a most extraordinary creature.
Thrust into the rarified world of the Aerial Corps as master of the dragon Temeraire, he will face a crash course in the daring tactics of airborne battle.
For as France's own dragon-borne forces rally to breach British soil in Bonaparte's boldest gambit, Laurence and Temeraire must soar into their own baptism of fire.
Next on our list of fantasy books with animal companions is His Majesty's Dragon. This character-driven tale twists the dragon rider concept by transforming the lone warrior into a fleet.
Readers said that the team-like atmosphere, camaraderie and moving bonds between dragon riders and dragons warmed their hearts. They came into the story to experience the slow-building relationship between dragon and dragon rider, and His Majesty's Dragon delivered.
In addition, readers also praised the story's portrayal of aerial combat. They described these as detailed and considered, taking into account technological challenges springing from the story's historical influence.
What about readers who didn't enjoy the novel? Critics generally said the story had little tension or conflict. While His Majesty's Dragon focuses on the relationship between dragon rider and dragon, even that struck these readers as progressing too easily.
On the other hand, some readers said that the characters themselves struck them as bland. Because of this, they couldn't get engaged with or invest in them.
National best-selling fantasy author Mercedes Lackey creates a vivid, dynamic fusion of the cultures of ancient Egypt and legendary Atlantis with the most exciting and believable portrayal of dragons ever imagined.
The first book in this thrilling new series introduces us to a young slave who dreams of becoming a jouster — one of the few warriors who can actually ride a flying dragon. And so, in secret, he begins to raise his own dragon…
Another story on our list of fantasy books with animal companions is Joust, a coming of age tale set in a lush and simmering desert world. Inspired by Ancient Egypt, the setting was part of why readers said this story allured and intrigued them. The world-building, especially of the cultures and the dragons, struck them as fleshed out and engrossing.
In addition, fans praised the primary characters for coming across as multifaceted and real. In particular, Vetch grew personally but also in his understanding of the greater political and ethical realities of being a dragon rider. Readers found his moral struggles and development in later parts of the book gripping.
Some readers didn't think that Joust was the right book for them. In general, critics generally had two reasons they didn't enjoy the novel.
The first was that they didn't connect with Vetch, the main character. To them, he came across as overly self-righteous, while all his efforts proceed to smoothly. The story seemed to unduly favor him.
Other readers, however, said that the book itself was slow-paced. They didn't think that much happened and expected more excitement, twists and turns.
Don't leave me here…
It starts with a whisper. At first Trinity thinks she's going crazy. It wouldn't be a big surprise — her grandpa firmly believes there's a genuine dragon egg in their dusty little West Texas town.
But this voice is real, and it's begging for her protection. Even if no one else can hear it…
He's come from a future scorched by dragonfire. His mission: Find the girl. Destroy the egg. Save the world.
He's everything his twin brother Connor hates: cocky, undisciplined, and obsessed with saving dragons.
Trinity has no idea which brother to believe. All she has to go by is the voice in her head — a dragon that won't be tamed.
Next on our list of fantasy books with animal companions is Scorched. Readers often described this YA fantasy novel as 'Terminator with dragons', a unique blend of time-travel and dragons that they loved.
They reported that the novel's fast pacing kept them glued to the pages. Action-packed and exciting, the book also presented a mystery about the two brothers' true motives and pasts that drew readers in. Several remarked that discerning between the truths and lies was one of Scorched's highlights.
Others added that they appreciated the portrayal of Emberlyn, the dragon. While some stories characterize dragon allies as friendly and pet-like, Scorched portrays dragons as both deadly and magnificent. These readers enjoyed this intriguing and dangerous atmosphere around Trinity's flame-breathing ally.
While Scorched has plenty of fans, some readers didn't enjoy it. What did critics say?
Their comments were consistent: despite its dragon and apocalyptic spin, the novel came across as familiar YA fantasy. To be more specific, these readers expressed disappointment that the novel features a love triangle and characters with familiar personalities.
These readers described Trinity, Conner and Caleb as standard YA characters. Moreover, they said that the 'good boy' versus 'bad boy' setup to the romance was standard as well.
Any tension or conflict between the three characters didn't make an impression: it felt like sights along a well-trodden path rather than a situation that piqued their interest and invested them in the outcome.
The biggest problem in fifteen year old Raif's life used to be finding lost goats. Now, apprenticed to a terrifying war wizard he is caught in the web of intrigue and assassination surrounding the heir to his home kingdom.
And if that was not enough he becomes foster parent to an orphaned dragon. He must do his best to make sure he and his new friend survive the dangers of the deadly world in which they find themselves.
And another story on our list of fantasy books with animal companions is A Dragon from the Desert.
Fans said that this coming of age story was full of intriguing characters and world-building. They often remarked that the world seemed to constantly develop as they turned the pages, while the characters grew in depth.
All on all, these readers praised the book, saying its world and the characters were likable, easy to connect to and root for.
Critics, on the other hand, mostly said that the story was slow. These readers seemed to expect the story to be less character-driven and more plot-driven.
The Grey Wardens are heroes across Thedas once again: the Archdemon has been defeated with relative ease and the scattered darkspawn are being driven back underground. The Blight is over.
Or so it seems.
Valya, a young elven mage recently recruited into the Wardens, has been tasked with studying the historical record of previous Blights in order to gain insight into newly reported, and disturbing, darkspawn phenomena.
Her research into the Fourth Blight leads her to an encoded reference scrawled in the margins of an ancient map, and to the hidden diary of Issenya, one of the last of the fabled griffon riders.
As the dark secrets buried in Isseyna's story unfold, Valya begins to question everything she thought she knew about the heroic Grey Wardens…
Next on our list of fantasy books with animal companions is The Last Flight, a novel set in the Dragon Age universe.
Fans reported that readers didn't need to be familiar with Dragon Age to enjoy the book. Instead, they praised the story's dark fantasy atmosphere, its intriguing portrayal of griffins and their bond with their riders, and the story's tragic anti-hero protagonist.
Isseya struck readers as a compelling character who was easy to empathize with – even when her 'ends justifies the means' mentality caused her to act ruthlessly.
Others said that the story overall moved them, broke their hearts, and even made them think. The story seemed to examine how desperation shapes people for good or for ill, as well as how effective (or not) ruthlessness is in the most dire situations.
If readers didn't enjoy The Last Flight, they had a few reasons. Several neither expected nor liked the tragic direction the story headed. Because of this, these readers reached the end of the novel upset and depressed.
Other readers, however, mentioned that they couldn't connect with the characters. Because they didn't feel attached to the cast, they didn't feel invested in the characters' victories or defeats. As a result, the story fell flat.
Rupert didn't especially want to be a prince. And he certainly never asked to be the second son of a royal line that really didn't need a spare.
So he was sent out to slay a dragon and prove himself-a quest straight out of legend.
But he also discovered the kinds of things legends tend to leave out, as well as the usual demons, goblins, the dreaded Night Witch-and even worse terrors hidden in the shadows of Darkwood.
Rupert did find a fiery dragon-and a beautiful princess to rescue. But the dragon turned out to be a better friend than anyone back at the castle, and with the evil of Darkwood spreading, Rupert was going to need all the friends he could get.
And last on our list of fantasy books with animal companions is Blue Moon Rising, where protagonist Rupert is accompanied by a dragon.
A unique blend of comedy and fantasy, readers who praised Blue Moon Rising applauded it for being fast-paced, witty and humorous. Especially considering its a lengthy page-count!
They also mentioned how memorable and fun each of the characters were. Unlike other books were only the main character shines, readers happily reported that it wasn't just Rupert who delighted them. The entire cast was a pleasure to read about for hundreds of pages.
All in all, readers described Blue Moon Rising as a comedic, action-packed adventure suitable for all ages. Since gritty dark fantasy is the current trend, this book came across as a refreshing change!
So if readers didn't enjoy the novel, what did they say?
Well, some of them said that they found the story too fast-paced. These readers thought that because of the pacing, the book sacrificed characterization. They would have preferred that the cast have more details fleshing them out.
Others reported that the story's humor didn't resonate with them. In their view, the story's light tone jarred with the fact that the characters fought to stop an impending, demon-fueled apocalypse.
The Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb
Best Fantasy Books About Dragon Riders You Need to Read
5 Gripping Fantasy Books With Griffins to Read Today
link to 5 Gripping Fantasy Books With Griffins to Read Today
Which mythical creature dominates fantasy books? In terms of non-humanoid ones, dragons take first place. But as fascinating as stories written about them are, what about those featuring griffins?
link to Best Fantasy Books About Dragon Riders You Need to Read
Fantasy books about dragon riders enrapture us not just with ferocious dragons, but their valiant knight-like riders as well. Are you in the mood for a tale featuring these characters? Here are...


text:
NETY
About LabourNet
Gearing up for Equity Reporting – What not to do
It is that time of the year for Employment Equity reports submissions. The Director General from the Department of Labour is expecting all Designated Employers to submit their reports on the transformation that is taking place in their respective organisations. Like everything else that is legislation, there are deadlines which you as a designated employer need to stick to, and in this instance, you have from 1 October 2019 to 15 January 2020 to submit your reports online.
Remember, non-submissions lead to non-compliance which could potentially lead to a minimum fine of R 1 500 000 or 2% of the employers turnover (whichever is the greater) depending on the type and number of repeated contraventions. So why put yourself and the finances of your organization at risk when you can avoid all the drama that will lead to the penalty. In this article, we will give you hints on "What Not to Do" leading up to the Equity Reports.
Do not report on an expired/non-existent EE Plan
Although it may seem like the easiest and quickest way out of non-compliance "danger", never submit a report on an Employment Equity plan that has either expired or does not exist. The EEA2 and EEA4 that you will submit is to track the level of progress of the organisation's compliance towards the Employment Equity Act. The reports should refer to the Employment Equity plan of the organization, the identified barriers and affirmative action measures implemented (if any) and then its numerical goals and targets. Not having a valid successive EE Plan approved before the old plan expires could leave one non-compliant with Section 23 which, in turn, could potentially lead to the minimum fine as mentioned above.
Do not ignore the steps leading to Compliance
In the previous paragraph we expressed the importance of the Employment Equity plan as the tool used for the reports, but what we did not mention are the steps leading up to the approval and sign off on the EE reports. Compliance can be seen for some as a tick box exercise, although the main purpose for Employment Equity is transformation, there are steps that are involved in ensuring true transformation in an organization. These steps are as follows:
S24 Manager: Appoint a Senior Manager who will act as the Section 24 Manager/ Employment Equity Manager.
Committee Forum Nominations: Ensure a fully representative committee has been appointed to drive the process.
S19 Analysis: Prepare a Section 19 Analysis to assess the under/ over representation in each occupational level and the barriers inhibiting compliance with the EE Act.
S20 EE Plan: Prepare, review, approve and sign off on the Employment Equity plan with the S24 Manager, committee members and Top Management. Now you have a plan, which is being monitored on a quarterly basis with the EE Committee.
S21 Reports: You are ready for the preparation and submission of your EEA2 & EEA4 reports. Once drafted, ensure that consultation has taken place with all relevant stakeholders before the reports are forwarded to the CEO for signature. Once obtained, proceed to submit the reports online on the Department of Labour's online reporting system. The employer should retain the signed original copy of the reports, the EE System generated print outs of the EE reports, as well as the acknowledgement of submission.
Do not continue with the EE report submission without consulting and receiving a sign-off from the Employment Equity Committee
Consultation is a crucial element of the reporting period. You cannot submit a report without consulting with the committee members who will have to sign off on the accuracy of the data before you send it to the CEO for a final sign off. In each consultation with the committee members, ensure proof of the same is kept in place by means of an agenda, attendance register and minutes of the meeting. Section 17 of the Employment Equity Act covers the matters for consultation. The section requires a designated employer to consult with the relevant parties on:
The conduct of the Analysis referred to in Section 19;
The preparation and implementation of the Employment Equity Plan referred to in Section 20; and
The Reports referred to in Section 21.
So, as an element of gearing up to the submission of the EE reports consult with the relevant stakeholders on all matters listed above.
Do not wait till the last minute
A bad human habit is procrastination towards preparation and submission of the Employment Equity reports. Remember, you are reporting on real and actual data. Salaries are involved in this process. If you do not continuously update your data in preparation for the submission, then you are setting yourself up for failure. Ensure you have generated and filed all the necessary supporting documentation (such as the S19 – Analysis, S20 - EE Plan, proof of consultation, committee appointment letters, letter of appointed S24 manager.
Equity reporting can be a breeze if done right. Make sure that you avoid what not to do, and put your focus on compliance and transformation and you will be geared up for the submission period ahead.
For more information on the above topic, please contact the LabourNet Helpdesk at
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