USMC Sergeant Jeffrey MacAuslin currently works in Scarborough, Maine, as a recruiter. After he completes his 3-year commitment as a recruiter, he'll return to "the fleet" as a mechanic, working on the Marine Corps' biggest and baddest trucks.
A Cougar MRAP 4×4. Powered by a Cat C-7, 16 tons, and a top speed of 65 mph.
A M1114, better known as a HMMWV, or Humvee. 3 ton, 6.5L Turbodiesel V8, and a top speed of 55-70 mph. The improved and slightly different variants include the M1151, or the Humvee 2.0, the M1152, which is the truck-version, the M1165, which is the ambulance/radio/anything else Humvee, and the M1167.
This is the MK-23. With many many variants of the truck, some include; dump truck, tractor, wrecker, resupply, flatbed, and HIMARS systems. Powered by a 12-Liter I-6 Turbodiesel Cat C-17, the 15-ton truck is capable of 55mph.
A MK-37 equipped with the HIMARS system.
A M1161 Growler. A lightweight, fast, and agile machine capable of quick entries and exits. I-4 Turbodiesel, and capable of 85 mph.
MKR-18, one of the largest trucks in the USMC. Developed by OshKosh, it is powered by a 15.2-liter I-6 Turbodiesel making 600 horsepower and nearly 2,000 ft-lbs of torque. This truck, when loaded, weighs nearly 100,000 pounds.


text:
CivilCops: Solving civil issues with modern technology
May 19, 2022 Larry Torres Tecnology 0
Participation in democracy is no longer a once-in-five-years phenomenon. Citizens frequently raise civic issues on social media platforms asking ministers to act upon grievances. Taking a cue, in 2017 Ashish Sharma started CivilCops— a company that seeks to not only streamline complaints regarding day-to-day issues such as waste management and traffic, but can also helps authorities resolve them efficiently with the help of Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
"While creating digital infrastructure, the government's priority is not user experience," says Sharma. While technology companies look to connect the 'next 500 million' Indians with cheap smartphones and cheaper data plans, government apps and websites are still tardy. CivilCops does not create more apps to be downloaded, forgotten, and eventually deleted for lack of space in the smartphone. It provides a communication channel between the citizen and the concerned department over apps that already most users have — such as text messaging, Facebook, Google Assistant, etc.
For instance, you see a garbage dump in your locality that has not been cleared. You can just tell Google Assistant about the specific problem and department, upload a picture and enter the location. Next, the company's city management system will run the information through an algorithm that uses natural language processing to understand the problem and automatically delegate its resolution to an employee of the concerned department. All of this happens real-time, says Sharma, simplifying a process that would otherwise face delays if you used legacy systems.
The Haryana government has availed the company's services to help resolve grievances related to roads. An earlier app, Harpath, will be replaced by a system that includes a chatbot embedded in Facebook to take note of problems and respond to citizens and a software powered by machine learning to analyse the complaints. CivilCops is also working with individual MPs and MLAs in Maharashtra and Haryana governments to aid them in understanding and responding to civic issues of constituents even as these two states are likely to go to polls in by the end of this year.
In its journey to smoothen out India's bumpy roads, the startup has faced many roadblocks and potholes. Sharma explains, "Our biggest challenge is not technology itself, but its acceptance. Making older officials understand the benefits of systems based on AI and ML is difficult." Moreover, governments have procurement norms steeped in red tape and long sales cycles, making the going that much tougher for a startup.
Funding, too, has been a challenge. CivilCops raised $200,000 in angel funding from Innov8 founder Ritesh Malik and Alfa Ventures. However, it has not seen any venture capital. According to Sharma, there's hardly any craze for civil tech — a loosely defined term for the space his company operates in — compared to consumer tech. "Everybody is sceptical of supporting ventures that have to deal with the government," he says. In a sense, that's the pain point that he has to solve to succeed.
What's the road ahead? The founder says the product took a while to build. It has already been run as a pilot programme with Dubai Taxi Corporation. The company is also looking at on-boarding large corporates which have a big employee or customer base as clients.
["source=financialexpress"]
CivilCops:
Ratan Tata, Nandan Nilekani promoted Avanti Finance to soon raise $30-40 mn
How Can You Get More People Interested in Your Products?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Джото Келович Алфенидзе (1903, село Отобая, Сухумский округ, Кутаисская губерния, Российская империя — ?, Абхазская АССР, Грузинская ССР) — бригадир колхоза «Ленинис Андердзи» Гальского района Абхазской АССР, Грузинская ССР. Герой Социалистического Труда (21.02.1948).

Биография
Родился в 1903 году в селе Отобая Сухумского уезда Кутаисской губернии, ныне — Гальского района Абхазии. Грузин.

С ранних лет приобщился к крестьянскому труду. С началом коллективизации сельского хозяйства в республике Джото Келович одним из первых вступил в местный колхоз «Ленинис Андердзи» («Заветы Ленина») в родном селе Отобая Гальского района, возглавлял полеводческую бригаду.

По итогам работы в 1947 году его бригада получила урожай кукурузы 83,87 центнера с гектара на площади 6 гектаров.

Указом Президиума Верховного Совета СССР от 21 февраля 1948 года за получение высоких урожаев кукурузы и пшеницы в 1947 году Алфенидзе Джото Келовичу присвоено звание Героя Социалистического Труда с вручением ордена Ленина и золотой медали «Серп и Молот».

Этим же Указом званием Героя Социалистического Труда были награждены председатель колхоза «Ленинис Андердзи» Артём Бебтуевич Зантарая, труженики колхоза бригадир Ермолай Павлович Этерия, звеньевые Капитон Константинович Бахтадзе, Мириан Дианозович Дзадзуа, Ивлиан Тагуевич Табагуа и Шалва Чекерович Ратия.

В последующие годы труженики его бригады продолжали получать высокие урожаи кукурузы, табака и зелёного чайного листа.

Проживал в селе Отобая. Дата кончины не установлена.

Награды

 Золотая медаль «Серп и Молот» (21.02.1948)
 Орден Ленина (21.02.1948)
 Медаль «За доблестный труд»
 Медаль «Ветеран труда»

Память
 На могиле установлен надгробный памятник.

См. также
 Список Героев Социалистического Труда (Алабугина — Алямкина)

Примечания

Литература

 Абхазский биографический словарь. Москва – Сухум, 2015

Ссылки

Герои Социалистического Труда Абхазии
Члены КПСС
Звеньевые колхозов

Персональные пенсионеры союзного значения

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Suzanne Mercier is an authenticity speaker, a highly experienced strategist, leadership champion and expert in the area of human potential. Suzanne has been improving business and individual performance for more than 25 years. Her focus is on removing the barriers to performance for talented Leaders and Managers within organisations. As a result, she has improved employee engagement and enhanced performance at every level.
As the first woman on the Board of Directors at George Patterson Advertising and a strategy planner for the agency, Suzanne worked to create maximum customer engagement for leading brands in banking, food, cosmetics, animal products, beverages, fine china and crystal.
Suzanne develops and delivers transformational keynotes, activities-based workshops, facilitative consulting and Executive Coaching designed to identify and remove the barriers at all levels, to liberate leadership, improve management capability, lift sales results and identify potential to enhance business performance.
In her high level marketing roles with Coca Cola Amatil and Schwarzkopf, Suzanne was responsible for the launch of several well-known fast moving consumer goods brands that remain on the shelves today.
For 20 years, Suzanne has run her own business and for the past 15 years, has focussed on speaking, training, coaching and facilitative consulting to create sustainable and profitable businesses. Her clients come from a wide variety of industries including shopping centre management, higher education, financial services, technology, heavy equipment, health, fitness, cosmetics, commercial real estate, publishing and industry funds.
Suzanne is a thought provoking speaker and a published author.


text:
The Ulmil Pavilion is an historic structure located on Moran Hill in Pyongyang, North Korea.

The name of the structure is thought to come from the legend of Ulmil fairy, who descended from heaven over and over again to admire the scenery at the site. Another version tells that the site was named after a Koguryo General Ulmil who bravely fought in the area.

The pavilion was built as the north command post of the inner-wall of the Pyongyang fort. It dates from the Koguryo Dynasty period, around the middle of the 6th century. The pavilion was destroyed by the U.S. bombing during the Korean War. After the ceasefire, the pavilion was successfully rebuilt and is preserved as a National Treasure of North Korea. It is one of the four castles or fortresses of the Pyongyang walls, the others being Naeseong, Oeseong and Chilseongmun.

The pavilion stands on the 11 metre-high stone-laid foundation of the fort. The walls on either side were rebuilt in 1714, showing architecture typical of the Ri Dynasty period. The base of the pavilion is made of square stones forming stairs. The crane-shaped roof is supported by poles engraved with various sculptures.

The view from the Pavilion during the Spring season has been called "one of the eight famous views of Pyongyang from long ago". The site is known for a famous spring outdoor festival called Bomnori, one of eight famous Pyongyang festivals.

References

National Treasures of North Korea
Buildings and structures in Pyongyang
Hanok


text:
How Do We Create Value When Knowledge Is Almost Free?
New Poll Puts Mayor of Cormorant, Minnesota Ahead ...
You Want to Fix the Economy? Then First Fix Health...
Are The 'Invisible Americans' the Key Players in T...
Trump, Trade and Taxes
Why the Deep State Is Dumping Hillary
What If We're in a Depression But Don't Know It?
Why the Coming Wave of Defaults Will Be Devastating
The Three Stages of Empire
The ZIRP/NIRP Gods and their PhD Priesthood Have F...
Fun with Fake Statistics: The 5% "Increase" in Med...
On the Process of Awakening
How About Presenting the Facts and Letting Voters ...
The Mainstream Media Bet the Farm on Hillary--and ...
What's the Real Unemployment Rate? That's the Wron...
It's Time to Bring Back Bernie
If Everything Is So Great, How Come I'm Not Doing ...
Control What You Can
Our Selfie Society Is Incompatible with Democracy
Identity Politics = Totalitarianism
Our Impoverished, Pathological Society
Labor Day Summary: Wage Earners Have Taken a Beating
The High Cost of Honesty in a Sea of Low-Cost BS
I consider it self-evident that we are in the third and final stage of self-serving Imperial decay.
Though Edward Luttwak's The Grand Strategy of the Roman Empire: From the First Century CE to the Third is not specifically on the rise and fall of empires, it does sketch out the three stages of Empire.
Here is the current context of the discussion of Imperial lifecycles: the U.S. defense budget is roughly the same size as the rest of the world's defense spending combined:
Luttwak describes the first stage of expansion thusly:
"With brutal simplicity, it might be said that with the first system the Romans of the republic conquered much to serve the interests of the few, those living in the city--and in fact still fewer, those best placed to control policy."
The second stage spread the benefits of Empire much more broadly:
"During the first century A.D., Roman ideas evolved toward a much broader and altogether more benevolent conception of empire... men born in lands far from Rome could call themselves Roman and have their claim fully allowed, and the frontiers were efficiently defended to defend the growing prosperity of all, and not merely the privileged."
The third stage is one of rising inequality:
"In the wake of the great crisis of the third century, the provision of security became an increasingly heavy charge on society, a charge unevenly distributed, which could enrich the wealthy and ruin the poor. The machinery of empire now became increasingly self-serving, with its tax collectors, administrators and soldiers of much greater use to one another than to society at large."
That line describes the American state and central bank perfectly. The burdens of an increasingly self-serving hierarchy are falling most heavily on the middle and upper-middle class, while bread and circuses (i.e. Medicaid-paid opiates) are freely distributed to the restless masses to distract them from the immense concentration of wealth and power at the top of the pyramid:
At some point, Collapse Is Cheaper and More Effective Than Reform (November 5, 2015). The third stage Luttwak describes can be broken down into a chart of the Lifecycle of Bureaucracy, for every Imperial Project is ultimately the combination of a vast concentration of wealth/power and the sclerosis of self-serving bureaucracies that serve themselves rather than society at large:
I consider it self-evident that we are in the third and final stage of self-serving Imperial decay. That said, we don't have to follow that trajectory; we can fashion a much better future outside the status quo, as I outline in A Radically Beneficial World.
If you find value here, please consider becoming a $1/month patron of my work via patreon.com.
Thank you, Kristina B. ($10), for your sumptuously generous contribution to this site-- I am greatly honored by your support and readership.


This is part of a series of posts on using ELMAH to handle error logging for your ASP.NET web applications. We've already looked at how to get started with ELMAH and how to send email alerts when errors occur. Now we're going to configure remote access to ELMAH's error logs and add authentication so that only permitted users may read our exception details.
By default, ELMAH is configured to deny access to the error log it produces unless you are accessing it from the server the site is hosted on. To safely access our logs remotely we need to do two things. First, we need to enable remote access. Second, we need to add authentication so that random users and people of ill-intent cannot access our error reports and see sensitive details of the inner workings of our application.
To enable remote access we need to add the security section to ELMAH and set allowRemoteAccess="yes".
With those definitions added anybody can navigate to /elmah.axd and browse through the exceptions that have been logged. This is clearly a Bad Thing™ as our error logs contain details of how our application works and may even expose usernames and passwords. So, we need to prevent unauthorized access.
Using ASP.NET's Membership Provider and in-built authorization system we can deny anonymous access by adding the following definition to our web.config file. It can go anywhere inside the root configuration element.
If you are unfamiliar with ASP.NET's authentication and authorization features, you might find this Microsoft KB article helpful.
That's all there is to it. By now you should've set up automated error logging, secure access to the reports and configured email alerts which pipe straight into your bug tracking software and it's probably taken less than an hour – how awesome is that!


On December 15, in the capital of Turkey Ankara, a solemn reception was held in honor of the 100th anniversary of the First Qurultay of the Crimean Tatar people with the participation of the Ukrainian Embassy in Turkey, the press service of the Ukrainian diplomatic representation informed on Twitter.
The people's deputy of Ukraine, the Chairman of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Refat Chubarov took part in the celebrations.
— Ukraine in Turkey (@UKRinTR) 15 декабря 2017 г.
During his speech, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Turkey Andrii Sibiha stressed that "the historical destinies of the Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar peoples are inextricably linked."
"The truth is with us!" Together we win!" he said.
Earlier in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine held a solemn meeting which was held dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the First Qurultay of the Crimean Tatar people.
The same day, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko congratulated the Crimean Tatars on the 100th anniversary of the First Qurultay. In his appeal, the head of state quoted the words of the Mufti of the Crimea, Noman Çelebicihan at the First Qurultay of the Crimean Tatar people: "On this day, our political life, which broke off a century and a half ago, finds a truly new birth."
Poroshenko noted that the current annexation of the Crimea by Russia, which dreams of imperial ambitions, once again brought hostility and fear to the peninsula, as well as oppression and repression against the Crimean Tatars, Ukrainians, representatives of other nationalities - all those who remain loyal to the Ukrainian state.
Earlier, Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymir Groysman congratulated the Crimean Tatars on the 100th anniversary of the First Qurultay of the Crimean Tatar people.
In his greetings, Groysman called the Crimean Tatars brothers and sisters.
Reference: The First Qurultay of the Crimean Tatar people was opened on November 26 (December 9th in a new style) in 1917 in the Khans palace in Bakhchysarai. It proclaimed the creation of the Crimean People's Republic, adopted its Constitution and state symbols, after which declared itself the parliament of the Crimean People's Republic. The government was headed by Noman Çelebicihan.
The Second Qurultay was convened already in 1991, two years after the mass return of the Crimean Tatars from the places where they lived after the deportation of 1944.


text:
ReliabilityFirst Corporation Competitors, Revenue, Alternatives and Pricing
What Is ReliabilityFirst Corporation?
rfirst.org
Industry:Utilities
ReliabilityFirst Corporation's estimated annual revenue is currently $23.1M per year.(?)
ReliabilityFirst Corporation's estimated revenue per employee is $220,000
ReliabilityFirst Corporation has 105 Employees.(?)
ReliabilityFirst Corporation grew their employee count by 5% last year.
ReliabilityFirst Corporation currently has 1 job openings.
The electric grid is the backbone of our economy, is critical for our national security and necessary to support our public welfare. In fact, a reliable and secure electric grid is fundamental to our most basic daily routines and needs. Our mission is to ensure that this cornerstone to our national well-being is reliable and secure not only for today but also for tomorrow. To achieve this mission, we bring together a diverse and broad spectrum of experts from across the nation with various professional, technical, and industry backgrounds. Our team includes electrical engineers, computer engineers and cyber security experts, statisticians and risk experts, attorneys and regulatory experts, professional auditors, systems engineers, organizational design experts, and professional trainers. Our team identifies and prioritizes risks facing our electric grid; determines sustainable mitigation strategies to address these identified risks; and develops and deploys communication and outreach strategies to drive awareness and further ensure risk resolution. Our team partners with the best and brightest individuals from both the power industry and the federal government to understand and address the complex and evolving challenges facing the electric grid and its security. These key partnerships make our work more informed, pragmatic, responsive, and impactful. We are one of only eight companies across North America that are responsible for this vital work under Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved delegation agreements with NERC. Specifically, our company is responsible for the reliability and security of the electric grid in the Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes areas of the United States, which includes all or portions of Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, and the District of Columbia. And we are proud to call Cleveland, Ohio our home.


text:
Q: Android unable to start activity android.view.inflate exception. Application crashing on `setContentView()` I have started with android programming. These application start up crashes are driving me nuts. Currently I have one Android Application and one Android Library Project in eclipse. I am geting following error in logcat
Logcat
01-22 06:00:33.167: E/AndroidRuntime(25666): java.lang.RuntimeException: Unable to start activity ComponentInfo{com.example.camerafilters/com.example.camerafilters.CameraMainActivity}: android.view.InflateException: Binary XML file line #12: Error inflating class org.lucasr.twowayview.TwoWayView
01-22 06:00:33.167: E/AndroidRuntime(25666):    at com.example.camerafilters.CameraMainActivity.onCreate(CameraMainActivity.java:44)`

the library is TwoWayView. Here is my activity_main.xml file
<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    android:orientation="vertical">

<com.example.camerafilters.CameraGLSurfaceView
    android:id="@+id/CameraGLSurfaceView"
    android:layout_width="fill_parent"
    android:layout_height="0dp"
    android:layout_weight="8"/>

<org.lucasr.twowayview.TwoWayView
    xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
    xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto"
    android:id="@+id/ShaderList"
    style="@style/TwoWayView"
    android:layout_width="wrap_content"
    android:layout_height="0dp"
    android:layout_weight="2"
    android:drawSelectorOnTop="false"
    tools:context=".CameraMainActivity"  />

</LinearLayout>

this is my onCreate() function
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState)
{
    super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);

    //_cameraGLView = new CameraGLSurfaceView(this, null);
    // Create a GLSurfaceView instance and set it
    // as the ContentView for this Activity.
    setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);

    _cameraGLView = (CameraGLSurfaceView) findViewById(R.id.CameraGLSurfaceView);
    _renderer = _cameraGLView.getRenderer();

    _renderer.setPreviewDimensions(_cameraGLView.getWidth(), _cameraGLView.getHeight());

    // now setup list view of shader
    _setupShaderListView();
}

let me know if any more code is required. Application crashes in setContentView() function. I have one more project in same workspace which uses same configuration. That project also uses one GLSurfaceView and TwoWayView List that project is working fine.
here is stacktrace
CameraFilters [Android Application]
DalvikVM[localhost:8617]
    Thread [<1> main] (Suspended (exception RuntimeException))
        <VM does not provide monitor information>
        ActivityThread.performLaunchActivity(ActivityThread$ActivityClientRecord, Intent) line: 2308
        ActivityThread.handleLaunchActivity(ActivityThread$ActivityClientRecord, Intent) line: 2362
        ActivityThread.access$700(ActivityThread, ActivityThread$ActivityClientRecord, Intent) line: 168
        ActivityThread$H.handleMessage(Message) line: 1329
        ActivityThread$H(Handler).dispatchMessage(Message) line: 99
        Looper.loop() line: 177
        ActivityThread.main(String[]) line: 5493
        Method.invokeNative(Object, Object[], Class, Class[], Class, int, boolean) line: not available [native method]
        Method.invoke(Object, Object...) line: 525
        ZygoteInit$MethodAndArgsCaller.run() line: 1225
        ZygoteInit.main(String[]) line: 1041
        NativeStart.main(String[]) line: not available [native method]
    Thread [<10> Binder_2] (Running)
    Thread [<9> Binder_1] (Running)
    Thread [<11> GLThread 22597] (Running)

Update
So i did some more debugging and found out that both projects are in different drives. Does that make any difference ? The project which is running successfully is in same drive in which TwoWayView is. While this project is in eclipse workspace and different drive then two way view.
Update 2
I moved library to same directory but still no luck. Even now the one that was working works :(. Some more investigation and comaparison between these two projects is giving some pointers. Though I have done same configuration but I can see this TwoWayView in Project Properties->Android Library section where as in this project i can't. When i removed this library from there former project also started crashing.

A: Change to this:
 <LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
 xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
    xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    android:orientation="vertical">

<com.example.camerafilters.CameraGLSurfaceView
    android:id="@+id/CameraGLSurfaceView"
    android:layout_width="fill_parent"
    android:layout_height="0dp"
    android:layout_weight="8"/>

<org.lucasr.twowayview.TwoWayView

    android:id="@+id/ShaderList"
    style="@style/TwoWayView"
    android:layout_width="wrap_content"
    android:layout_height="0dp"
    android:layout_weight="2"
    android:drawSelectorOnTop="false"
    tools:context=".CameraMainActivity"  />

</LinearLayout>

and post full stack trace.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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On 14 December 2013, the Royal Thai Embassy in corporation with Kanda University of International Studies held the 8th Thai Speech Contest for Japanese students who study Thai language in their universities to present their ability in Thai and give their opinions through Thai speech. The competition also allowed university students to exchange their views on Thai studies.
The contest was held at the Millennium Hall, Kanda University of International Studies, where Minister Singtong Lapisatepun gave opening remarks. Seventeen Bachelor degree students of Thai Major from seven universities in Japan including Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (Tokyo), Osaka University (Osaka Prefecture), University of Tsukuba (Ibaraki Prefecture), Keio University (Tokyo), Meiji University (Tokyo), Ritsumeikan University (Kyoto) and Kanda University of International Studies (Chiba Prefecture) competed in the speech contest.
Each contestant must deliver the speech under the title of "Love" and answer a question in Thai. The selection panel was composed of representatives from the Royal Thai Embassy's Office of Educational Affairs, Tourism Authority of Thailand in Tokyo, Chulalongkorn University's Sirindhorn Thai Language Institute.
The most outstanding prize of this year contest belonged to Ms. Kie Nakamura from Kanda University of International Studies, who received a Thai Airways International's Tokyo-Bangkok round trip ticket, a trophy and a certificate. Other winners received a trophy, a certificate, and a book. Thai traditional dance and music were also performed by Kanda University of International Studies' students.


Going off roading? Here are your choices: Carry your stuff on your back, walk beside a mule with your stuff on its back or ride in comfort with your stuff in the back of a four-wheel drive.
The speed will be about the same. If you drive much faster than a walking pace, there's a chance you'll be forced into the first option.
As a teenager, I wanted to cross a muddy section of field in a two-wheel-drive pickup on near-bald tires. I assessed that my only hope was speed. (If you ever say, "My only hope is…" know that the rest of the sentence is "a miracle.") When the old Ford hit the swampy strip, it sunk floorboard-deep into the mud and came to a near-instant stop. The rear tires must have come off the ground, because I feared it was about to flip forward.
Here are the eight lessons I should have learned but didn't because I was a teenager.
The off-road driver's mantra is "As Slow As Possible, As Fast As Necessary." (The original author of this quote is uncertain, but I first heard it at a Land Rover driving school.) Sometimes a little speed may be required to climb a hill or conquer a hazard. However, if you think the obstacle requires even 10 mph, you're probably not going to make it. And you're going to damage something or get stuck.
This is true even with a well-equipped vehicle and a skilled driver – and was certainly true of an unskilled teenager in a poorly equipped vehicle. It's far easier to discover an alternate route than to find someone willing and able to come to your rescue. Walking the rest of the way is better than walking home.
Trying to blaze my own trail not only got me stuck, but it also left ruts that remained for years. Drive on previously used paths – you'll know it's possible to make it through there, and you'll do less damage to the environment. A warning: just because somebody else made it doesn't guarantee you will. Maybe they had a better vehicle, were a more skilled driver or went through before it rained.
If you can't negotiate mud, sand or other obstacles on foot, it's highly unlikely your vehicle can make it. It's critical to check out a water-covered route: Unless you've seen another vehicle go through it, you can't be certain it doesn't hide a huge hole.
Never tackle a questionable obstacle unless you're able to walk back to where help awaits. If you're going off road, your cell phone will be useless. Even if there is coverage, there's nobody to call unless you've made a prior arrangement. The road-service tow-truck driver won't leave the pavement, the farmer with the tractor might not be home and the guy in the SUV you wave down on the highway may not be able or willing to help. Not all SUVs have four-wheel drive and a tow strap.
Even the most technologically advanced four-wheel-drive system can't make up for tires that are not meant for the job or lack adequate tread depth. Some original equipment tires on SUVs and pickups can't conquer anything more rigorous than wet grass. Also, even the best mud tires become useless off road well before they run out of tread.
If you're planning to regularly travel the road less paved, bring along some things that'll help you out of small jams: a hand winch (aka "come-along"), tow strap, high-lift jack, shovel, some wood blocks and a first aid kit. If you're going farther than you can walk out, bring enough stuff (extra clothes, water, sleeping bag) to survive until somebody finds you.
Tell somebody where you're going and when you expect to be back. At least they'll know when and where to start searching.
I got out of that ancient incident unscathed, largely because within a short hike there was a tractor with the keys in it and a long chain. Bringing along some luck never hurts.
RANCHI ADVENTURE WHEELERS (RAW) founded in 1998 is a national level motorsport club of India, originally started as a small Club with a handful of friends but soon grew in popularity due to various events over the years, not only in Ranchi but outside the city as well.


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Politics Tue, 20 Oct 2020
I won't sack Martin Amidu if I win – Mahama
Former President John Mahama has served notice he will not interfere with the work of the special prosecutor, Martin Amidu, in the likely event that he wins the 2020 elections.
Mr. Mahama said the role of the special prosecutor is important in the fight against corruption hence he will allow the office to continue to function since it was set up by an act of Parliament.
To this end, he noted that he will warn his appointees not to mess with Mr. Amidu because he will give him space to execute his responsibilities effectively.
Speaking to Accra-based Adom FM, the former President said the current NPP administration is making it difficult for the Special prosecutor to function effectively.
"If we come, we leave the office of the Special Prosecutor to work freely, we will maintain it because it was established by Parliament. And the point is I will warn my appointees against messing with him (Amidu) because, if he gets hold of any of them for corruption, I cannot intervene. And that should be the attitude of a President towards corruption," the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer for the December 7 elections said.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor of Ghana was established after an act of the Parliament passed the Office of Special Prosecutor Bill in 2017.
The office serves as an independent investigating and prosecution body to make inquiries into corruption, bribery, or other criminal cases at the national level whether they be in public or private sector
The Government intended to lessen the burden on existing anti-corruption agencies and remove the institutional roadblocks that exist as hindrances to the fight against corruption. With the end result being to make anti-corruption agencies in the country more effective at discharging their duties.
In addition, government experts have expressed the ineffectiveness of the Attorney-General as an effective prosecution and law enforcement tool in the fight against corruption because the appointment and dismissal of the Attorney-General is determined by the president.
Therefore, the Office of the special prosecutor serves as the autonomous body to handle sensitive cases which the Attorney General will otherwise be ineffective at handling.
Amidu is the first to hold the position of a special prosecutor.
Source: Daily Mail
I'll strip you naked after Akufo-Addo's inauguration – Ken Agyapong starts new Amidu 'beef'
We cannot ignore Amidu's allegations against Akufo-Addo - PPP
FULL TEXT: Amidu challenges government again over Agyapa Royalties Transaction
Akufo-Addo breached presidential oath, intentionally spreading half-truths about me – Amidu
Akufo-Addo running Ghana on autopilot - Martin Amidu


Thank you very much for choosing Discover East to handle your trip.We are very happy to be you fellow traveler in Indochina.
Please fill in the form below with all requested details and send this to us upon completion. A competent staff of Discover East will be in touch with you within 24 hours to finallize your booking.


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Q: My Schedular is not calling everyMinute() My schedular is not calling automatically after every minute.
I have tried following code
protected function schedule(Schedule $schedule)
{
   $schedule->command('timestamp:minute')->everyMinute();
}

I need that my schedular will call automatically.

A: in your terminal, type crontab -e and add below line at the end
* * * * * /usr/bin/php{php_version} /path_to_project/artisan schedule:run >> /dev/null 2>&1

Now, in terminal, go to your project directory and run once
php artisan schedule:run


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Mayo Art
Special Ed. Art @ Mayo
First Mid Bank Mural
First Mid Bank in Paris has honored Mayo Middle School with the task of remaking the mural displayed in their drive through area. After Miss Arp designed and completed the sketch, she drew it on the five 4x5ft plywood boards. Students begin painting the boards this week! They are so excited. Pictured above is the initial sketch - can't wait to see how it turns out!
Art Abandonment
The Art Abandonment Project was started by an artist who found himself unable to sell his work because he was so attached to his creations. He began "letting go" by leaving his precious pieces in random public places with a brief note. This inspired many more artists to join in on creating and abandoning, thus "Art Abandonment" was born (that's the name of their Facebook page if you'd like to check it out). After discussing the principles of Art Abandonment, students were each given a paint stick on which they could create a positive image. Some included famous quotes, others made up their own quotes, and each student aimed to make theirs happy and colorful. They learned a lot about painting (like how difficult it is to paint small words, as opposed to writing them with a Sharpie) and I think they definitely grasped the concept because many of them were proud of their piece and mentioned they'd be jealous of whoever found it! They really enjoyed dispersing them around town. I'm very proud of their efforts and attitudes!
Back to School in the Year 2020
For these self portraits, students folded the paper in such a way that the top flap contained the top of their face and the bottom flap presented their chin and mask. When the paper was unfolded, it revealed a full self portrait with multiple adjectives that described each student.
Edgar Co. Student Art Show 2020
The annual Student Art Show was a big success for Mayo this year! The exhibit was judged by Laura Mason from Terre Haute. She generously gave 10 awards to Mayo, including the Judge's Choice Award (3D) and the Best Overall School Display! Here is a list of students who received an award:
For the 2D Jr. High Category:
1st Place: Fermin Torres, 8th Grade, Mayo, "Self-Portrait"
2nd Place: Addyson Foltz, 7th Grade, Mayo, "Self-Portrait"
3rd Place: Madison Loveless, 8th Grade, Mayo, "Self-Portrait"
Honorable Mention: Hunter Goodwin, 6th Grade, Mayo, Untitled (Paper Cut Out)
Judge's Choice Award for 3D: Van Gogh Study: Painted Masks, Mayo
Carrie Watson, 8th Grade, "Cafe' Terrace at Night"
Grace Adams, 6th Grade, "Irises & The Starry Night"
Madison Loveless, 8th Grade, "Cypresses"
Isabella Sohaski, 8th Grade, "Sunflowers"
Taetum Noel, 6th Grade, "The Starry Night"
Please note that this is a framed grouping of 5 painted masks that the judge choose as a group to give the Judge's Choice Award to.
Honorable Mention: Arianna Malovski, 6th Grade, Mayo, "Seal", Clay
Best Overall School Display Award
I am incredibly proud of my students - they have worked tremendously hard this year. It's the first year that they've had a full-time art program. This means they give up a study hall each day so they can take Art. I even have two students featured in this show who are unable to take Art because they are in Band, so they come to After School Art once a week. They worked on their portraits at home so they could enter their pieces in this show.
As both a teacher and an artist, I am constantly inspired by my students creativity & talents, their consistent drive to learn, and their eager & colorful hearts.
Quarantine Art...
Despite the current circumstances, Mayo Art Students are still creating - even from home! On the day before our "corona-cation" began, students assembled sketchbooks and were given two lists of drawing prompts. With the use of their imaginations and at-home materials, these kids have been arting and proving themselves to be even more awesome than I originally anticipated (:
{ love } ...it's in the air at Mayo!
Mr. Lowry's class drew inspiration from famous Russian artist, Wassily Kandinsky. We read the children's book, The Noisy Paint Box by Barb Rosenstock, which taught us about Kandinsky's childhood and how he struggled with being an artist in a "proper" family. As the founder of Abstract Art, Kandinsky's struggle was crucial to his success. We learned how he went against the conventional art styles at the time and had the courage to start something new. Art that didn't necessarily make sense, but made the viewer feel a certain way. We definitely felt the love as we made these "Squares with Concentric Hearts" just in time for Valentine's Day!
Student Work:
Top Left to Right: Kaylee Powell, Rob Kelly
Bottom Left to Right: Landen Cowger, Trinity Hughes
The Elements of Art: Texture
For this element, students learned and practiced the two kinds of texture that can occur in artwork: actual texture and implied texture. These projects included self portraits, which implemented both types of texture. For the next project, they created landscape paintings based off of a photograph of their choice. To begin these paintings, students sketched the landscape on canvas. Then, using plaster and palette knives, they created different textures for each part of the scene: water, mountains, grass, etc. Once the plaster had dried, students painted over it with acrylic paint. For the last texture project, students created a different kind of landscape through the art of collage. They made multiple layers of "land" via construction paper with bubble wrap stamps, watercolor paper with oil pastel resist, textured paper, wall paper, fabric, and more.
Textured Portraits
left to right: Isabella Sohaski (8), Carsen Tegler (6), Arianna Malovski (6), Addy Foltz (7)
Textured Landscape Paintings
left to right: Madison Loveless (8), Isabella Sohaski (8), Emma Shelkey (6), Isabella Henderson (7)
Textured Landscape Collages
detail shots below, left to right: Hunter Goodwin (6), Carrie Watson (8), Sydney Landsaw (6)
Cat & Dog Calendars
After School Art students have been very busy creating cat and dog themed images for a collaborative calendar project. Each student chose a month and designed an image for that month that included either a cat or a dog. The calendars were designed to raise money for the Paul Warner Animal Rescue Foundation. Their annual auction, which was originally scheduled for January 25th 2020, has unfortunately been delayed until further notice. However, calendars are available for order and purchase through Shutterfly.com at any time! Click the links below to order one today!
To learn more about the Paul Warner Animal Rescue Foundation, visit their Facebook page.
Paul Warner Animal Rescue
Mayo Wish List
If you're feeling generous and would like to support the Mayo Art Program, you can find our Amazon Wish List by clicking the link below.
Every little bit helps! A hear-felt thanks in advance.
Miss Millie Arp
Year 3
Mayo Middle School Art Teacher
To view Miss Arp's artist website, click the link below:
www.milliearp.com


Cassini LED Oval Base Pin Up Light boasts a beautiful contemporary style with oval glass and back plate.
The side illumination feature creates pleasing ambient accent lighting. Switched at back plate and includes glass globe and LED bulb.
Can this be used 12volt?
Yes, this light is designed for 12volt use not 120volt.
Yes, the globe is mounted to the light fixture so that it will not fall off during transit of the RV.
What are the finish options on this fixture?
What are the dimensions of this fixture?


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Q: How do you change the text of a span from silverlight, or is this a bug? I am developing a silverlight application using the ESRI Gis map.  I have it setup to when I move a marker around, it changes the Longitude,Latitude of the marker and I update a label.  I am using this code:
        HtmlElement eleLbl = doc.GetElementById("lblGISLocation");
        if (eleLbl != null)
        {
            eleLbl.SetAttribute("innerHTML", latlng.X.ToString() + "," + latlng.Y.ToString());
        }

This works fine on a PC in all browsers.  This is the result I get from Firefox on a PC:
-122.304918344379,47.3867897587541

But the same code running on a Mac using either Firefox, Safari or Chrome gives this result:
0,0

Any Ideas on how I can make this work in either machine?

A: Try using the SetProperty method of the HtmlElement:
HtmlElement eleLbl = doc.GetElementById("lblGISLocation");
if (eleLbl != null)
{
    eleLbl.SetProperty("innerHTML", latlng.X.ToString() + "," + latlng.Y.ToString());
}


Incredibly effective! Metered dispenser spray for use in timemist, airwick, hospeco and most metered air freshener dispensers. Can also be used as a stand alone spray.Fits most automatic dispenser cabinets that require 7.25 oz aerosol refills.One refill controls odors for up to 4,000 cubic feet. Listing is for one can. Case pricing available.Each can contains 3000 metered releases.Odor Assassin has always been the most effective odor eliminator on the market. Now it's even better.


text:
Prometheus is a passionate about hip-hop and has always had a passion to give the young ones a chance to shine. He is driven by the desire to give people a chance.
2006 -2012 Hip-hop artist
Released over 10 albums
Hits include "The King is Back" in 2008
Worked with various artists including Mariachi, Dizzy Don, Ngoni Kambarami, James Adams, Take 5
2002 to date Music producer
2011: Started a Hip-hop e-Magazine and Compilation called Zim Hip- hop unleashed in 2011 with Tendai Tanga
2011: Co-organised the first Zim Hip-hop Awards in 2011 with Tendai Tanga, Anonzi Xndr and Aldrian Harrison
2012 – 2016 Presenter on ZBC TV YGT's Voicebox
2012 – 2016 Presenter on ZBC TV YGT's Zim Hip-hop Report
2014: Started a WhatsApp hip-hop podcast called Zim Rap Cities which would feature local hip-hop from across the country. This led to the releas of various compilations, the most recent being Queens of Hip-hop Volume 3 which showcases the female hip-hop artists in the country.
2015: Commissioned to produce a hip-hop TV Show called Zim Rap Cities. The show was broadcast on ZBC TV from February 2015 to July 2015
2016: Guest DJ on PowerFM co-presenting Zim Hip-Hop Amlified and Hip-Hop Bassment with Chuman.
2017: Currently producing a drama series, Shine FM, telling the story of artists and most of the actors are hip-hop artists.


text:
Norsk – Norge
Wild catch
Land based aquaculture
Synergy Log
About Cflow
Gentle fish handling on board Sunny Lady
— Cflow's control system contributes to more efficient operations on board the hyper modern fishing vessel
One of Norway's largest and most modern fishing vessels has been handed over to the ship owner Teige Group. Sunny Lady has been designed by Salt Ship Design, and built at Cemre Shipyard in Turkey. The vessel has, in addition to being a fishing vessel, been adapted for missions within research and offshore operations.
A complete ecosystem for handling fish on board
Cflow's fish handling system has been designed to make the operators' everyday life clearer, simpler, and more efficient.
The on-board handling and storage of fish is monitored by our own control system.
The system has a variety of benefits:
It can be upgraded without being taken out of service thanks to remote assistance and online-updates
All updates are visible to all clients simultaneously
The system handles large quantities of data, and logs important parameters like temperature, level, flow pressure, and more
Module adaptations are available
Integration with other system, like the boat's alarm system, RSW, and ozone installation
We have also equipped the vessel with a full-scale tank cleaning system which includes soaping and individual zone control.
Maintaining quality
Cflow's project manager, Rune Kristiansen, is very satisfied with the project: — The collaboration with the ship owner and shipyard has been good from start to finish. This has contributed to a comprehensive system that ensures effective operations and preserving the best quality of the fish through careful handling and surveillance.
Among other things, Cflow has delivered a customized de-water unit for loading fish, as well as a compressor system for unloading with vacuum and pressure. It also has an RSW facility with different systems including control, ozone, and a pump system for water circulation, as well as light and cleansing nozzles for the fish tanks. In addition to this, it has a specifically customized control system that can be practically managed through a screen.
More than a fishing vessel
The new vessel can be operated all year, thanks to the all-round design and the reinforcement against ice. It will be available for service within research and offshore assignments outside of fishing season and has additionally been certified as a freighter .
In the development of Sunny Lady, the environment has clearly been a main focus. Therefore, it is equipped with combined diesel, LNG and battery progress. The selection of fuel should reduce the NOx emissions equivalent to 50 000 cars.
All of us in Cflow are proud to have been part of the development of this modern and innovative vessel and thank you for the trust we've been shown during the process!
Contact our sales team if you want more details regarding this project.
Denne artiklen er skrevet av:
Sofie Risjord Sletta
Dec 22, 2022 11:02:11 AM
Share with friends or coworkers:
Fiskeri / Wild catch
Please leave them in the form below.
Cflow celebrates 20th anniversary at Nor-Fishing
We are looking forward to Nor-Fishing in Trondheim, 23 – 26 August! Will we meet there?
Cflow's...
All rights reserved | Cflow AS © 2022


text:
Turning trash into treasure, Harris Acoustics uses repurposed material for local projects
by: Jessica Ranck
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – What looks like piles of junk, may be treasure for another person.
"It just made it one of a kind and it just makes it us," said Twisted Gypsye Owner Tracye Joyner.
It's a unique way of building that Harris Acoustics has been doing since the beginning.
"The founder of Harris Acoustics was always into saving and keeping items and repurposing those," said Kevin Phillips from Harris Acoustics.
Phillips says his crews salavage all that they can from a demolition project and use it to help bring a little history to new businesses in the Key City.
"We search them out," said Phillips. "If they can be salvaged and maintain their structural integrety, we keep all of those items or if they're unique we try and keep as much as we can."
Harris Acoustics newest project is the Twisted Gypsye. From the wood on the wall to the tin trim rusted to perfection, the owner Tracye Joyner says its all repurposed, in fact the only new thing is the paint.
As many will recognize the minute they step in the building, it's definatley a piece of history.
"That truck was left on a job and piece of property that we own and we talked about doing a display for them and the truck came up," said Phillips.
"Everyone thought we were crazy for that but I knew what I wanted and I wanted to based the whole store around the truck," said Joyner.
Even though the company says its a little extra work, going the extra mile produces a product that's one of a kind.
"It's not like going to a package store just buying pre-cut lumber or pre-cut sheet metal, all of this stuff as to be cleaned and processed so it can be reinstalled," said Phillips. "It's very fulfulling because the uniquiness of each project, it brings out a special character for each one."
Harris Acoustics has also worked with repurposed material on both Betty Rose's and Delta Group
by Kelsee Pitman / Jul 15, 2019
ABILENE, Texas (KRBC) - From the idea to the creation, a lot of hard work has gone into the expansion of Dyess Memorial Park, but now that it's coming to fruition, Sidney Levesque decided it was time for her to step in and help.
"I have a full-time job and a family but at night when the kid goes to bed, you open up that computer screen start searching," said Levesque.
by Jessica Ranck / Jul 15, 2019
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) - When you drive through the Hillcrest neighborhood, you'll notice family homes left and right.
"It's a friendly neighborhood and it's a secluded neighborhood," said Hillcrest neighborhood resident Edward Walker.
by Joey Hollingsworth / Jul 15, 2019
JONES COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) - A couple fled the scene of an accident before getting chased by Jones County Sheriff's Deputies, all after leaving their three kids at a nearby park.
The accident happened at FM 600 and 1082, and was witnessed by an off-duty deputy.


Many teachers take a supervisory, instructive role when it comes to physical activities. I, however, am not one of those teachers. Why only let the children have all the fun? During a recent trip into the forest, I rediscovered the beauty of youth and innocence that my students possess. My students and I caught bugs, learned about nature, and long distance jumped for fun. I found out that I can jump a whopping 1.5 meters from a standing start and 2.7 meters from a running start. I know I am roughly five meters short of world record holders, but I am proud nevertheless. Unfortunately I was too busy frolicking in the forest with my students to take any pictures.
On Saturday my friend Grace and I traveled to Eger. Eger is the second largest city in Northern Hungary and the nineteenth largest in the country. Prominent sites in Eger are its castle, basilica, minaret, and István Dobó Square. The minaret, built in the 17th century, was the northernmost Turkish minaret in Europe at the time. One of the main reasons why people flock to Eger is for its wine. Szépasszonyvölgy, or "The Valley of the Beautiful Women," is a valley full numerous wine cellars. Grace and I didn't make it to the valley though. Instead of drinking wine like the grown-ups we are, we ended up at some strange puppet show for children. This life! I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Eger – the sites were beautiful!
The Basilica of Eger – the second largest in Hungary.
Church pews in the Minorite Church.
One of the most surreal moments happened while trekking through the castle. Before coming to Hungary, I saw a picture of benches overlooking Eger. I said to myself, I want to go there and contemplate life. I forgot about this wish until I stumbled upon the benches! This story may be ridiculous at best, but I was ecstatic.
As stated in my last post, I am going to Paris and Prague in a month. Because I already visited Prague in December, I am going to visit Český Krumlov and Kutná Hora as well. My excitement is beyond measure. Český Krumlov is a charming, beautiful Bohemian town in the southern region of the Czech Republic. In addition, Old Český Krumlov is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kutná Hora is famous for the Sedlec Ossuary – this small church contains the skeletons of 40,000 to 70,000 people. What is fascinating about this fact is that the bones are used for decoration: chandeliers, plaques, etc. As an Anthropology major, I have read my fair share of books detailing what different cultures do with their dead. I have also held a real human skull in my hands: it was strange, yet natural – taboo, yet normal. I look forward to the experience.
I have just less than a month left of my first school year in Hungary. Summer is approaching quickly and I have no plans for the duration of the break. Party on, I suppose.
A lesson from Miss Jennifer: If you know that something makes you sick (spinning rides), avoid them!


Chloé gives classic denim shorts a bohemian update with this flirty design. A light blue wash perfectly complements the rope-inspired ties to the front, while frayed cuffs finish the design on an irresistible note. We're teaming ours with an embroidered tunic top for a girly, hippie-inspired look.


text:
ភាសាខ្មែរ Português Македонски Arabic (العربية) Azəricə (Azərbaycan dili) Bosanski Kurdish (کوردى) Czech (Čeština) dansk Deutsch (DE) English Español French (Fr) हिंदी Indonesia 한국어 Kyrgyz (Kyrgyzsthan) magyar Malagasy (MG) Malayalam Nederlands polski Tiếng Việt română Shqip (Albanian) Svenska Türkçe Ελληνικά Български русский (CIS) Український Қазақша اردو فارسی საქართველოს (Georgia) 中文(简体) (SCH) 中文(繁体)(Traditional) 日本語
Fethullah Gülen's Life
Dialogue Activities
Dialogue and Tolerance Activities
Meeting with the Pope John Paul II
Fethullah Gülen–Bartholomeos Meeting
The Abant Platform
Tolerance Awards
Fethullah Gülen: Is There More to Him Than Meets the Eye?
Islam in Contemporary Turkey: The Contributions of F. Gülen
About Fethullah Gülen
Introducing Fethullah Gülen
Fethullah Gülen in Short
Life Chronology
Fethullah Gülen's Works
The Broken Jug
Endeavor for Renewal
Broken Plectrum
The Statue of Our Souls
Towards the Lost Paradise
Key Concepts in the Practice of Sufism-1
Reflections on the Qur'an
Essentials of the Islamic Faith
The Messenger of God: Muhammad
Prophet Muhammad as Commander
Religious Education of the Child
Love and Tolerance
Love and Mercy
Forgiveness, Tolerance, and Dialogue
The Ideal Human
Jihad–Terrorism–Human Rights
Sufism and Metaphysics
Interview in The Muslim World
Interview by Foreign Policy
Interviews, Claims and Answers
Gülen Movement
Fethullah Gülen and the Gülen Movement in 100 questions
On The Movement
An Analysis of the Gülen Movement
Religious Freedom and Civil Liberties
Peace and dialogue in a plural society
The Gülen Movement: Civic service without borders
Mastering knowledge in modern times Fethullah Gülen as an Islamic scholar
The art of coexistence: Pioneering role of Fethullah Gülen and Hizmet Movement
A civilian response to ethno-religious conflict: The Gülen Movement in Southeast Turkey
Gülen Conference in Washington
Gülen Conference in London
Gülen Conference in Melbourne
Gülen Conference in Indonesia
Gülen Conference in Netherlands
Gülen Conference in Houston
Gülen Conference in Dallas
Following in the footsteps of Rumi
by Thomas Michel on 16 March 2015 . Posted in Peace and dialogue in a plural society
The greatness of Rumi
Among the medieval mystical poets, the one who speaks most clearly and directly to the modern world is Jalaluddin Rumi. In the Muslim world, he is simply known as Mawlana, "Our Master." Just like in St. Louis if you say "Stan the Man" or "El Hombre," everyone knows who you are talking about, so too in the Middle East if you speak of Mawlana, "Our Master," everyone recognizes that you are referring to Rumi. The depth of his spiritual experience, his original and arresting poetic images, his obvious sincerity and openheartedness, and his ability to transcend cultures, time periods, and religions, all go together to make Rumi one of the most accessible and influential of Muslim thinkers who speak to us from the past.
The number of internet web pages devoted to translations of Rumi's poetry is evidence of the extent to which Mawlana is known and loved even in the West, but this is nothing compared to his influence on modern thinkers and scholars in the Muslim world, and his place in the heart of ordinary Muslim worshiper. Rumi's poetry is known through recitations and classical performances of the poems in their musical settings; his verses are quoted in the text of popular songs and novels. I have seen verses of Rumi's poetry decorating dishes and wood panels in homes. I have even seen his verses bedecking horse carts and their modern equivalent, minibuses.
In their whirling meditation, the dervishes of the Mawlawi Sufi Order founded by Rumi communicate in a non-verbal way Rumi's message of tolerance, peace, and deep absorption in the Divine. Accompanied by hymns of praise to God and to the prophet Muhammad, the dervishes whirl like the earth turning on its axis and they focus on the God who is at the heart and center of all. One of the most popular festivals in Turkey is the Shab Arus, literally, "The Wedding Night." Held every year for the past 738 years, the two-week celebration in Konya commemorates Rumi's earthly departure on 17 December 1273 and celebrates the reunion of his soul with the Divine Beloved.
In a beautiful image, Rumi invites you, the reader, to imagine yourself as a stranger in a foreign land. The night is dark and cold and you feel very much alone in this unfamiliar place. As you walk along, you eventually come to a house. Looking through the open door, you can see a well-lighted room, with people sitting in a circle on the floor around a hearth. They are eating and drinking and talking and singing, when one of the friends looks up and notices you, a stranger, at the door. He calls out Rumi's famous words of welcome:
Come, come, whoever you are,
Wanderer, idolater, worshipper of fire,
Come even though you have broken your vows a thousand times,
Come, and come again.
Ours is not a caravan of despair.
The message is clear: true religion is about love, it extends an invitation to anyone who is lost, searching, uprooted, or with a history of failure or betrayal to come to the light, the warmth, and the joy of a loving, welcoming community. It is ultimately about hope, the antidote to aimless drifting or anguished desperation.
Rumi's message of faith as an abode of peace and joyful fellowship has inspired many modern Muslims and others down through the centuries by means of the beautiful poetic imagery with which he expressed his spirituality. In a way similar to that of Christian mystics like John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila, Rumi described the soul's relation to God in the imagery of human love. God is both the Beloved for whom one longs and pines and the Lover who patiently awaits the moment of our reunion.
Rumi's influence on Fethullah Gülen
Even after eight centuries, Rumi's writings continue to influence both Muslim scholars and ordinary believers. One modern Muslim who has appropriated Rumi's insights and integrated them into his own understanding of Islamic faith and life is the Turkish scholar, Fethullah Gülen. The correspondence of Rumi to Gülen is that of kindred spirits who, across the centuries, share an interpretation of the Qur'anic message as well as a commitment to communicate that message to their contemporaries. In his sermons and written works, Fethullah Gülen frequently cites Rumi's behavior and attitudes to illustrate his message; in his four-volume work on Islamic spirituality, Fethullah Gülen refers to Rumi more often than to any other spiritual writer as he seeks to initiate the seeker into the mysteries of God's love.
What does Mawlana mean for Fethullah Gülen? Where does he see the affinity between his own understanding of Islam and that expounded and exemplified by Rumi? What are the lessons that can be learned from Rumi? Why does Fethullah Gülen consider Rumi a worthy exemplar for the modern Muslim?
Firstly, he sees Rumi as the model of tolerance and dialogue in Islam. Almost a century ago, Said Nursi, one of the most influential Muslim scholars in modern Turkey, proposed that Muslims should be united with true Christians in bearing witness to divine values in the face of a world in which aggressive materialism was on the rise. To this end, Nursi proposed that Muslims should avoid entering into controversy with Christians. "The old way of acting is impossible. Controversial subjects should not be discussed with Christians." In commenting on this proposal, Fethullah Gülen states that in this Nursi is acting in a similar manner to that of Rumi, who described himself as a compass, one foot fixed firmly in the center while the other turns in a broad arc to complete a full circle. The foot planted in the center that never changes position is the faith conviction by which one is united to God as the unmoving heart and center of one's existence, while the other foot moves freely "to embrace all believers." In other words, Fethullah Gülen is proposing that his disciples be deeply rooted in their Islamic faith and at the same time reach out in dialogue in all directions to people of good will.
Fethullah Gülen took Said Nursi's encouragement of Muslim-Christian unity and extended it to Jews and to the followers of other religions. In a message to the Parliament of the World's Religions in Cape Town in 1999, Fethullah Gülen presented an optimistic vision of interreligious harmony: "It is my conviction that in the future years, the new millennium will witness unprecedented religious blooming and the followers of world religions, such as Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus and others, will walk hand-in-hand to build a promised bright future of the world." According to Fethullah Gülen, dialogue is not merely a strategic alliance among religions to combat a materialistic world-view but, at least for Muslims, it is demanded by the nature of religion itself. As he stated in the same message: "The very nature of religion demands this dialogue. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and even Hinduism and Buddhism pursue the same goal. As a Muslim, I accept all Prophets and books sent to different peoples throughout history, and regard belief in them as an essential principle of being Muslim."[1]
Fethullah Gülen endorses Nursi's view that the days of the use of force are over; today's methods of persuasion are those of peaceful dialogue, scientific argumentation and rational debate. In place of the "jihad of the sword" he calls for "jihad of the word." The "jihad of the word" focuses on attracting others by one's example and seeking to convince others of the truth of one's position by reasonable argumentation, never imposing one's views by force. For Fethullah Gülen, this mode of discussion is the only manner of confrontation suited to the true nature of Islam.
Understanding Islam to be a religion consisting of peace and tolerance, Gülen holds up the example of Rumi as foremost among those figures in Islamic history who best embody these values. Gülen calls Rumi "one of the people of love." He writes: "If one were to seek the true face of Islam in its own sources, history, and true representatives, one would discover that it is a religion of forgiveness, pardon, and tolerance, as saints and teachers of love and tolerance like Rumi, and many others have so beautifully expressed."
Fethullah Gülen envisions conscientious people of faith today as facing three universal enemies. These are not the enemies of Muslims alone. They are equally the enemies of Jews, Christians, and the followers of other religions. They are enemies that we must face together if we ever hope to overcome them. These enemies are ignorance, poverty, and disunity.
To fight ignorance, Fethullah Gülen has inspired his followers to open and operate schools in more than 100 countries. They have published newspapers, popular magazines, and professional journals, started television networks, and opened twelve universities. In Turkey, where I used to live, I taught English, along with many well-trained Turkish volunteers, at several of the 45 free schools for children in poor slum areas of Ankara that are run by members of their movement.
To fight poverty, those inspired by Fethullah Gülen's teachings have founded a relief and development agency that now works in over 55 countries. Operating with an annual budget of $300 million dollars for the last three years,[2] they provide daily meals for 65,000 hungry people and this past Ramadan they fed over a quarter million people in soup kitchens in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. They have been digging fresh-water wells in Niger, Somalia, and Sudan's Darfur region.
To fight disunity, Fethullah Gülen's followers have started dialogue and friendship centers all over the world. In the United States alone, there are about 200 of these centers. Disunity arises from people not knowing one another; consequently, they are suspicious, afraid, and think the worst of the other. To overcome this disunity, the Niagara Foundation and its sister organizations elsewhere hold friendship dinners; they organize visits to Turkey so that others can enjoy and appreciate the culture of their native land; they organize speakers' series, luncheon forums, picnics, art and food festivals, and give awards for outstanding achievements in promoting dialogue.
When we gather at a Friendship Dinner, we are like the guests invited into Rumi's community of warmth and light. We have accepted the invitation and let ourselves be part of that circle of those who long for unity and harmony, who strive to break the bonds of disunity among humankind. And we are grateful to Fethullah Gülen and his community for having extended this invitation to us. According to Gülen, Rumi and those like him are not marginal or eccentric Muslims, but they represent the mainstream of Islamic thought and practice down through the centuries. Fethullah Gülen invites his followers to look to "the lovers—the people of love," as Rumi calls them, to discover and follow the example of those who have come to understand Islam as a message of love. He invites them to share with us Rumi's famous invitation:
Come, come and join us; we are the people of love devoted to God!
Come, come through the door of love; join us and sit with us.
Come, let us speak one to another through our hearts.
Let us speak secretly, without ears and eyes.
Let us laugh together without lips or sound, let us laugh like the roses.
Since we are all the same, let us call each other from our hearts,
But we won't use our lips or tongue.
[1] Fethullah Gülen, Capetown, 1999, p. 14.
[2] Savaş Metin, Secretary General Kimse Yok Mu, "Turkish Biggest NGOChief Discloses Plans to Extend to Gambia," Daily Observer, 28 February 2014.
Copyright © 2019 Fethullah Gülen's Official Web Site. All Rights Reserved.
fgulen.com is the offical source on the renowned Turkish scholar and intellectual Fethullah Gülen.
fgulen.com


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Can Mothers Be Artists?
Thu 07, May 09 | By Heather Cabot
"Artists or not, mothers will be inspired and empowered by Who Does She Think She Is?."
By Heather Cabot | The Huffington Post
My college roommate and I never really talked much about the day our children would play together. Yet there we were at the park, 17 years after leaving the dorms, trading stories about potty training and time-outs just as easily as we used to discuss our career hopes and dreams late into the night. Back then, she aspired to take Hollywood by storm as a writer/director, while I set my sights on journalism. We both ended up going pretty far. Then motherhood intervened and each of us took a break from our professional lives to raise families.
We are now writers who steal time to write after the children go to sleep at night or early in the morning before our households get up. The fragmented schedule forces us to be creative on demand — not an easy task to accomplish in those tiny windows solitude.
Yet, as we watched our preschoolers take turns in the sand with shovels and pails this morning, I realized that for the first time in a while, we weren't venting about our creative frustrations. Instead, we both seemed to be reassuring each other, "Hey, you're doing a really good job at this mom thing." It was a mutual pat on the back for the often unrecognized, unglamorous hours spent guiding young kids into the world.
The moment felt especially meaningful to me after watching the new documentary feature film, Who Does She Think She Is? which just opened this week in Los Angeles.
This film is really about questioning whether we really value mothering in our culture," director Pamela Tanner Boll explained to me in a recent telephone interview.
The documentary chronicles the lives of five artists and their challenges to pursue their passions while nurturing families. The film asks the audience to consider what would happen if a mother didn't have to choose between work and family and instead, carved out a path to care for her children without losing her own self-fulfillment.
Despite the growing number of moms doing just that by opting for part-time work, flexible schedules or starting their own home businesses, often the work-life juggle is portrayed by the mainstream media as only applicable to women earning a living outside the home in traditionally male-dominated fields. Boll's film reveals that mothers in the arts — painters, sculptors, performers — face the very same imbalance in their lives as mothers slogging through 80 hour work weeks to climb the corporate ladder.
Whether you are a dancer, singer, writer, a lot of people have the idea that these professions are more welcoming to women. It is wrong," Boll says. The film, co-directed by and edited by Nancy Kennedy, points out that while 48% of the professionally trained artists and art historians in the US are women, the percentage of female artists represented at major institutions is tiny. At the National Gallery of Art, for example, 98% of the works on display are by men, 99.9% by white men, according to Guerrilla Girls, an activist organization promoting gender equity.
The emotional film takes the audience inside the lives of mothers like Janis Mars Wunderlich, a gifted sculptor whose candid representations of motherhood in her art are stark and even disturbing. Yet, despite the conflicts illustrated by her clay figures, we learn Wunderlich is a devoted mother to five (!) children. I was inspired to watch this force of nature manage a typical crazy morning and then rush home for her baby's nap time so she could jam in a quick session in her home studio.
There have been times in my life when I haven't had time to do art and I go crazy," Wunderlich says in the movie. I know what she means. It was beautiful to watch someone make time for her passion and to see both her success and the way her art holds her life together.
Boll says she hopes the film will do more than point out the dilemmas of modern motherhood or sexism in the art world.
I wanted to show that there is incredible value in nurturing another life. There is huge value in not always putting your own needs ahead of others. It is training for a more empathetic and more passionate way of living," the mother of three grown children says.
Artists or not, mothers will be inspired and empowered by Who Does She Think She Is?.
Heather Cabot is the Founder of The Well Mom. For more insights on motherhood and the pursuit of wellness in mind, body and spirit, please check out The Well Mom and sign up for the weekly email pep talk for moms.
Follow Heather Cabot on Twitter: www.twitter.com/wellmom
This article was originally published on The Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/heather-cabot/can-mothers-be-artists_b_183319.html


It's a well known fact. Bunny gets especially grumpy if he's not regularly fed during dungeon crawls.
Darkmoon probably has this whole plan written down in his day planner/journal. It's where he keep track of his weight also (again with the Bridge Jones...).


JAMMU, July 4: In a significant decision, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today extended Central Assistance Scheme for Pakistan occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK) and Chhamb refugees worth over Rs 2000 crore till 2020 and approved 7.118 acres of Defence land for construction of Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 2 in Udhampur.
Official sources told the Excelsior that since the Central scheme for payment of relief to about 26,319 PoJK refugees and 10,500 Chhamb migrants in Jammu and Kashmir was taking lot of time due to "unavoidable reasons'', the Union Cabinet today extended term of the Central Scheme till 2020.
The scheme is being monitored and implemented by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and even payment to the refugee families has been taken by the MHA in its own hands through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Under Rs 2000 cr worth scheme, which was part of Prime Minister's Development Package (PMDP), each PoJK refugee family will be paid Rs 5.5 lakh worth compensation, which had been denied to them since 1947 but was approved by Narendra Modi Government.
As the Scheme was due to expire this year and majority of families were yet to get the relief, the Modi Government in the Cabinet meeting today extended it till 2020 to facilitate payment to all the remaining families.
Apart from PoJK refugees, the Central Scheme has also been extended for Chhamb refugees of 1965 and 1971, sources said.
As per the official figures, 26,319 families of PoJK refugees were identified by the administration for payment of Rs 5.5 lakh relief (per family) after the Union Home Ministry formally approved Rs 2000 crore package. However, only 6200 families have been paid the relief so far even as 17,500 cases have been approved and 11,488 processed for payment.
Similarly, 10,500 families of Chhamb refugees of 1965 and 1971 had been identified for payment of an equal amount of relief and number of their cases were also pending.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on November 7, 2015 announced Rs 80,068 crore worth package for Jammu and Kashmir named Prime Minister's Development Package (PMDP) and Rs 2000 crore were reserved for payment of relief to PoJK and Chhamb refugees. However, a formal order of approval of Rs 2000 crore package for PoJK and Chhamb refugees was issued by the Union Home Ministry in October 2016.
Meanwhile, the Union Cabinet has also approved transfer of 7.118 acres of Defence land to Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan for construction of Kendriya Vidyalaya No.2 at Dhar Road in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir.
An official statement said the Union Cabinet has approved transfer of 56 kanals and 19 marlas (7.118) acres) of Defence land on lease for 30 years renewable for two like terms of 30 years each to Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan for construction of Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 2 at Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir at a nominal rate of one rupee per annum.
At present, Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 2 Dhar Road, Udhampur has been functioning in temporary buildings ever since its inception in 1985. Presently, a total of 851 students are studying in Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 2, Dhar Road, Udhampur. Construction of own permanent school building by KVS will enable the school authorities to build optimal infrastructure to meet educational requirements of the children of serving personnel.
The Cabinet meeting chaired by Modi also approved the transfer of 7.5 acres of defence land on lease at nominal rate of Re 1 per annum for construction of a Kendriya Vidyalaya in Jalandhar Cantt.
Transfer of four acres of defence land for construction of a school at Kandhar Lines in Delhi Cantonment was also approved during the meeting.


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Happy Valley Racing Tips: Wednesday, May 15th
May 15th 2019, 6:10pm, By: tim_tips
Welcome to our horse racing preview and betting tips for racing at Happy Valley on Wednesday, May 15th.
We've picked out our four best bets from the meeting below!
HAPPY VALLEY BEST BETS
Looking to kick things off early with (4) Hainan Star. He placed in his first three career starts before dropping out to finish last at his fourth start, before being sent for a spell. He resumes tonight with two good trials under his belt and notably Zac Purton is booked to ride. Purton has ridden him in his two trials so it's pretty clear they've had this race in mind for quite some time. He draws barrier 1 which is a big advantage over the 1000m A-course at Happy Valley (20% winning strike rate this season). Should be right up on speed and get his chance to break through. Trainer Ricky Yiu is also a specialist trainer of sprinters (his two most successful track and distances this season are both 1000m courses at Happy Valley and Sha Tin) so he'll have him ready to go fresh. (5) Hong Kong Win is the current favourite and will take plenty of beating but I suspect Hainan Star may gain first run and that might be enough to get him over the line.
(4) Hainan Star
BET NOW AT Bet365
Two that interest me in this race. The favourite is (6) This Is Class, who really should be going close in this based on his past two efforts at this track and distance. He won two starts ago and was beaten a neck last start. He rises a kilo in the weights again tonight but he's well drawn in barrier 5 and there looks to be plenty of speed on up front to set it up for him coming off the pace. His last-start final sectional was bettered by just one horse in this race, and that is (1) Hero Time, who is an $18 chance. If he'd have drawn better than barrier 12, he'd be half that quote. He's a winner of just two of his 18 career starts but his first up run was very good, running home in 22.82secs, which was the third fastest of the race. That was behind (5) Loriz, who is a $6.50 chance here. Hero Time will have to come from the very back of the field again and it's rare they win from wide barriers over 1200m at the Valley, but Purton takes over tonight (he's got a 25% strike rate when riding for Richard Gibson this season) and he's jumped off other horses in this race to ride him. Have something on at $18.
(6) This Is Class
BET NOW AT BetEasy
Value: (1) Hero Time $18
Another terrific chance for Purton is (4) Magic Legend, who was beaten 0.75L behind Yee Cheong Baby last start over this track and distance. It was the first time he's raced over the 1000m at the Valley and it was a big effort to run 2nd having started from barrier 12. Much better drawn in barrier 3 tonight, Purton takes over from Schofield and a repeat performance would see him win. I think the clear value in the race is (6) Hong Kong Bet, who is an $11 chance. I think that's a terrific price for a horse that appears very well suited. He's only been fair at best in his first two starts in Hong Kong but he improved from his first run to his second run. He drew barrier 10 last start and went back to the rear of the field, before being slightly impeded in the closing stages by weakening horses. He's third up tonight so should be ready to show something and most importantly, he's drawn barrier 1 over the 1000m. Should be able to sit much closer and should get his chance.
(4) Magic Legend
Value: (6) Hong Kong Bet $11
This one is a little throw at the stumps in what looks to be a quite competitive race. (2) Jing Jing Win could be a good each way bet here at around $9.00. He goes best when he's fresh (four starts for two wins and a 2nd) and he resumes from a 19-week spell tonight with three trials under the belt. I thought his most recent trial was a pretty nice piece of work, cruising home into 4th on the dirt without really being asked to do much. Joao Moreira is an eye-catching jockey booking for David Hall, he's drawn well in barrier 6 and is well and truly up to winning this race on his best form. First up last prep he was beaten a neck over 1000m at Sha Tin; if he was able to bring a run like that here, he'd go very close.
(2) Jing Jing Win E/W
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An apartment block lies in ruins after being destroyed during fighting between Ukrainian and Russian occupying forces, on October 24, 2022 in Izyum, Kharkiv oblast, Ukraine. Ukraine's intelligence chief has said that Russia is sending more troops into the city of Kherson and may be preparing to defend it against a Ukrainian counteroffensive. © Carl Court/Getty Images
Ukraine: Investigating War Damages
As huge efforts to collect evidence continues, attention is turning to the targeting of civilian infrastructure.
Olena Hrazhdan
Russian soldiers imprisoned hundreds of civilians in this basement in Yagidne village in the Chernihiv region for weeks. The list of those who died or were killed was kept on the wall. © Iryna Venediktova, former Prosecutor General of Ukraine/Facebook
Three Russian Soldiers Charged with War Crimes
Trial proceedings to investigate how residents of village were brutalised and held as human shields.
Tuesday, 25 October '22
This week's overview of key events and links to essential reading.
The frontline in the village of Posad-Pokrovske, in the Kherson region, shifted seven times after Russia's full-scale invasion began on February 24. Russian and Ukrainian forces took and retook control of the area, leaving behind widespread devastation.
Amongst other local businesses, the village's Prime Group petrol station was entirely destroyed.
"There is basically nothing there, just a piece of land and charred pieces of steel and columns remaining," said Prime Group founder Dmitry Lyoushkin, adding that this pattern of destruction had been repeated across the country. "In total, we estimated 6.5 million US dollars of damage to the company because of the Russian invasion."
As Ukrainian investigators continue to collect new evidence of war crimes, attention is turning to the issue of damage to infrastructure as a grave breach of the 1949 Geneva Conventions.
This categorises the "extensive destruction and appropriation of property, not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly" as a war crime.
Posad-Pokrovske was retaken as part of the Ukrainian counteroffensive in September 2022. Prime Group lawyers were then contacted by the Kherson region prosecutor's office and asked to file a statement about war damages they had experienced. They were told that this information could be used to get compensation from the local authorities at some point.
But the process remains uncertain.
"No one asked us to file a statement about damage caused in the Kharkiv or Donetsk regions, though Prime Group has gas stations there as well. No one told us if the information will be used for international courts," Lyoushkin told IWPR.
In September, a Kyiv School of Economics study found that the total amount of documented damage to residential and non-residential real estate and infrastructure amounted to more than 127 billion US dollars. This continues to rise in the light of ongoing shelling and damage, especially in Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Dnipro and Kharkiv regions as well as in Kyiv.
Experts note that there are a number of avenues to pursue cases of war damages, although currently it is unclear which will be most likely to make Russia pay compensation. In the case of the destruction of civilian infrastructure, the consensus among experts is that the best-short term solution would be to pursue a criminal lawsuit under Ukrainian law, which would help prepare a case for the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). A lawsuit can also be filed to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Ukrainian criminal proceedings can also serve as an instrument to help collect evidence that can be used both for filing a case at the ECHR, the ICC or other potential new platforms.
"The ICC itself may not be enough – the international community should think about creating a special tribunal on war crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine", said Nazar Kulchytskyy, head of the Kyiv-based Nazar Kulchytskyy & Partners Law Firm. "Russia will not want to pay, so it must be forced to do so."
Nonetheless, he continued, the priority was to pursue domestic procedures.
"It is better to collect the evidence and use the ECHR application for now," he said.
If a company that suffered war damage has the resources, it can file an application to the ECHR without a criminal case in Ukraine. Lawyers for the Ukrainian financial and industrial holding company System Capital Management (SCM) are currently pursuing this option.
"The ECHR does provide specific protection that relates to property," said Marney Cheek, a lawyer with the American multinational Covington & Burling LLP firm partner and a SCM representative to the ECHR. "It says that every person is entitled to the peaceful enjoyment of [their] possessions and that no one should be deprived of their possessions."
Other processes are being actively explored. In meetings with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Ukraine's prosecutor general Andrii Costin recently discussed the establishment of an International Compensation Commission that could fill the gaps in existing mechanisms.
And on October 20, the Ukrainian parliament adopted a new bill to set up a fund to deal with the aftermath of the Russian invasion. It will accumulate money directed from the nationalisation of Russian assets that has been mandated by recent legislation.
To handle the unprecedented number of cases war crimes cases - 41,000 were registered between February and October 2022 - so-called mobile investigator-prosecutor groups have been created. Each includes prosecutors, police officers, state intelligence officers, mine clearance specialists and other experts, that as well as gathering information about human rights abuses also inspect war damage.
"The investigator on the spot cannot see the whole picture alone, so coordination with the prosecutor general's office is key when investigating so many war crimes", Kulchytskyy said.
Following Ukraine's September advance, 28 groups began working in the liberated Kharkiv region alone. Investigations have uncovered suspected mass murders. In Izyum city in the Kharkiv region, for instance, the authorities discovered a burial site containing around 447 bodies. In Lyman, at least 180 bodies - including whole families with young children – were discovered in a mass grave.
The groups have also been collecting evidence of war damage for criminal lawsuits in Ukraine and future future applications to international courts.
On September 15, prosecutor Yuriy Byelousov, accompanied by security service investigators, came to Izyum in the Kharkiv region to examine the ongoing investigations.
"We examined several local authority buildings. Our main task is to see how much work investigators and prosecutors must do in the Kharkiv region," Byelousov said in an official statement.
According to official procedure, investigators must first inspect the site where a civilian building or an infrastructure object has been damaged by a missile. The damage type and scale is assessed as well as the cause - whether by shelling, fire, arson or bomb detonation.
Next, the investigators need to determine whether the civilian infrastructure was damaged by accidental shelling or deliberately.
Kulchytskyy used an example of damages sustained in Irpin city near Kyiv, under occupation until early April, to illustrate the process.
"For example, some houses in Irpin were damaged because of BM-21 Grad missiles located in the Chornobyl area, where the famous Chernobyl nuclear power plant is located," he said. "One [first] identifies that a missile was fired from Chornobyl – the Russian military occupied the area at that time. The next step would be identifying a military unit based in the Chornobyl area. This helps us determine the causal relationship between the crime and its actor," Kulchytskyy explained.
He noted that it may be hard to identify a specific suspect, a key difference in war crimes investigations compared to usual damage investigations in civil life.
That would mean in the case of Irpin, it would be hard to identify a specific crew that fired the BM-21 Grad missile that destroyed the object.
"Not all crimes committed by the Russian military are crimes carried out with an order from their commanders or with their connivance," Kulchytskyy explained. "A crime can be made by an individual; mass events may have a link to leaders of Russian military units."
Data or objects can serve as evidence that helps determine the damage type, scale and cause. This includes satellite or video footage, witness testimonies and the records of Russian military ammunition.
Ukrainian prosecutors in Izyum found official documents with crucial information about Russian military personnel, a good starting point in the war crimes investigation process.
In a press statement after their discovery, Byelousov said, "Documents that belonged to specific Russian military units have already been found. They include data on personnel, surnames, callsigns, mobile phone numbers which will allow the identification of the Russian military personnel that occupied Izyum.
This publication was prepared under the "Ukraine Voices Project" implemented with the financial support of the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO).
Project Focus Ukraine Voices, Ukraine Justice Report
Locations Ukraine
Topics War crimes, Conflict


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Spark Arts
Lawndale Young Life
The Firehouse Community Arts Center of Chicago
Our mission is to interrupt the cycle of violence among youth and young adults in North Lawndale through the power of the arts!
The Firehouse Community Art Center has served as a safe haven for young people in the Chicago area for over a decade and has been coordinating various events and art programs dedicated to preventing and interrupting youth and young adults caught in violence. The Firehouse Community Art Center was birthed from youth and young adults in North Lawndale who attended an all youth and young adult Saturday night Hip-Hop worship service in 2003, started by Pastor Phil Jackson. Youth and young adults came from all over the community and city to engage in the arts. This prompted Pastor Phil and several partners to incorporate The Firehouse Community Art Center as a 501(c)(3) in 2006, and in 2007 they purchased the 100 year old Chicago Firehouse in North Lawndale. The Firehouse now offers year-round, multi-disciplinary cultural arts programming, mentorship, leadership and workforce development centered around the prevention and interruption of violence.
Check out our break down of how we do what we do through our Theory of Change:
"I Love The Firehouse, the art and the instructors are so supportive and have helped me through a lot of life changes while using the arts to help me open up. This place is like a healing space."
Simone18 Years Old
The Firehouse Community Art Center is run by a passionate staff of committed leaders. They are the heartbeat of everything we do.
Learn More (Coming Soon)
The Firehouse Community Art Center of Chicago
2111 S Hamlin Ave, Chicago IL, 60629
Expanded Location
5000 West Roosevelt, Chicago IL, 60644
Violence prevention through the arts
P.A.C. Program
Violence intervention through the arts
Rent the Firehouse for your Next Event
Book Pastor Phil to speak