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October 9-10, 2018 saw a regular round of the Geneva International Discussions on Security and Stability in Transcaucasia, which are conducted in accordance with Medvedev-Sarkozy's agreements dated August 12, 2008 and September 8, 2008. Official delegation of the Republic of South Ossetia, headed by Murat Dzhioev, the Plenipotentiary of the President of the Republic of South Ossetia on post-conflict settlement, delegates from the Republic of Abkhazia, Georgia, the Russian Federation and the USA as well as representatives of the EU, the UN and the OSCE took part in negotiations.
The 45th round of the GID, in which the South Ossetian Foreign Minister Dmitii Medoev is participating, is held in Geneva on October 9-10.
The Geneva International Discussions on Security and Stability in Transcaucasia, which are held in accordance with Medvedev-Sarkozy's agreements reached after the Georgian armed aggression against South Ossetia in August 2008, will celebrate this October their 10th anniversary.
The main objective of the Discussions is maintaining stability South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Representatives of Abkhazia, Georgia, South Ossetia, Russia and the USA are participating in the Discussions, chaired by representatives of the EU, the UN and the OSCE. The Discussions are held in two working groups – on security and humanitarian issues.
In framework of the visit to Abkhazia a meeting of the South Ossetian Foreign Minister Dmitrii Medoev with member of the Abkhazian People's Assembly Committee for international and interparliamentary relations Dmitrii Ardzinba was held on October 4.
In framework of the visit to the Republic of Abkhazia a meeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetia Dmitrii Medoev with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia Daur Kove was held on October 3.
September 30 saw the official delegation of the Republic of South Ossetia, headed by Anatolii Bibilov, the President of the Republic of South Ossetia, participating in the events, dedicated to the 25th Anniversary of Victory and Independence Day of the Republic of Abkhazia. In framework of the events the delegation laid wreaths at the monument to Vladislav Ardzinba, the first President of the Republic of Abkhazia, located in village Lower Eshera of the Sukhum district.
In framework of the visit to the Republic of Abkhazia the South Ossetia President Anatolii Bibilov and members of the South Ossetian delegation participated in the opening ceremony of a monument to the fallen soldiers in the Abkhazian Patriotic War of 1992-1993 in Ochamchira and laid flowers at the monument.
On September 29, 2018 in framework of the visit to Abkhazia the South Ossetian delegation, headed by the South Ossetian President Anatolii Bibilov, laid a wreath at the monument to Sergey Bagapsh, the second President of the Republic of Abkhazia, raised in the village of Dzhgyarda.
In framework of the visit to Abkhazia an extended format meeting of the South Ossetian President Anatolii Bibilov and the Abkhazian President Raul Khadzhimba was held on September 29.
During the meeting Anatolii Biblov thanked Raul Khadzhimba for the invitation to participate in celebrations, dedicated to the 25th Anniversary of Victory and Independence Day of the Republic of Abkhazia and on behalf of the people of South Ossetia congratulated the people of Abkhazia with the great day. Alongside with this the South Ossetian President emphasized that it was a common victory over the evil, against which the Abkhazian and the Ossetian people had fought together.
Official delegation of the Republic of South Ossetia, headed by Anatolii BIbilov, the President of the Republic of South Ossetia, arrived in the Republic of Abkhazia on September 28 to participate in the festivities, dedicated to the 25th Anniversary of Victory and Independence Day.
Dmitrii Medoev, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ibragim Gasseev, Minister for Defence, Igor Naniev, Minister of Internal Affairs, Valerii Valiev, Security Council Secretary, Vladimir Kelekhsaev, member of the Parliament, are members of the delegation.
Sick imagination of Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze again has led to innuendos. These insinuations, outlined by the Prime Minister at the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly, have nothing to do with the reality and are aimed to convince the international community in improving relations with the Ossetians. Concern about reduce of the South Ossetian population which allegedly happened because of "the grave humanitarian, socioeconomic, and human rights situation" was equally cynical.


In most countries and industry sectors, an elaborate system of financial incentives is available to fuel your R&D, innovation, and other business investments. These incentives are available for both domestic investments and growth opportunities abroad. The multitude of opportunities becomes more complex when you consider that within each country, local and regional governments have the authority to fund incentives of their own. Identifying, understanding, and prioritizing the right incentives for your organization can be a time-consuming and challenging undertaking—but it's also one that can generate significant benefits. The Deloitte network gives you access to Global Investment and Innovation Incentives (Gi3) practitioners who are ready to provide support around the world. Our world-class capabilities help you pursue the right by developing and executing an effective incentives strategy for your needs.
Identifying eligible R&D activities and preparing robust supporting documentation is often unfamiliar territory for businesses who may not have the resources needed to complete the paperwork required to file a claim. Deloitte can assist with the whole process from scoping through document preparation and submission. Deloitte combines deep tax technical expertise with highly experienced scientists and engineers so that the multiple aspects of an incentive claim are understood and considered. We utilize technology based solutions worldwide to create a smooth process with increased transparency and to facilitate compliance with regulatory changes.
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Deloitte delivers Gi3 services using the Incentives Insight methodology. It is powered by I Smart technology, streamlining and accelerating the gathering and processing of data and information needed to make informed business decisions.
R&D claims and Government Incentive applications often receive intense regulatory scrutiny. Deloitte provides assistance in resolution of any such audits as well as support related to claims and information requests or objections from relevant government bodies. Our teams include former officials with various regulatory agencies who have an in depth understanding of the regulatory processes.
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Deloitte's broad range of specialized services are available to help you consider the impact of incentives on your wider tax, financial, and commercial activities so you can further enhance and accelerate your business opportunities.


Office managers know just how difficult it can be to order catering for a lunch-time office meeting. Especially if you work with picky eaters. Someone wants pasta. Someone just recently became a vegan. Someone is doing low carb. The rest? They don't know what they want. One thing is for sure, though: if you ordered the food, you get the complaints! We don't think that's very fair!
Ordering catering from CaterMeThis.com is the same as shopping for anything else online. You want to see your options. You want to compare prices. You want to read reviews. Then you can make your decision and place your order.
CaterMeThis was built for comparing catering options for your next catered office meeting. Simply input your office address and up pops a list of the best caterers in your area. We vet each caterer on our site to ensure the highest quality in food, service, and timeliness, so you always know you're getting the best.
That someone is hankering for some pasta? We've got it. Strict vegan? We've got it. Paleo options? You betcha. You can find the right catering options to satisfy the diverse tastes of your time. All in a simple and straightforward way. And of course, all your invoices are stored in one central location: your CaterMeThis account.
With CaterMeThis you can shop around for office catering and pick the food that you AND your coworkers want, just as you would when ordering personal items from Amazon. Everybody's happy. Looks like you can have your cake and eat it too, after all. Mmm, cake. We know what we're getting for our next staff meeting.


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Home Latest news BEIS secures £30mn for net zero projects
BEIS secures £30mn for net zero projects
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has seen is resource budget increase by 2.2% for 2020-21 in the government's 2019 Spending Round.
Announced on 4 September by Chancellor Sajid Javid, BEIS was given an extra £30mn to go towards new projects that will help to accelerate the UK's progress to its 2050 net zero target. DEFRA, meanwhile, was given a 3.3% increase in its budget, with Javid stating the extra funds would task the department with ensuring the country has "world leading environment standards" after Brexit. The government also announced at least £250mn would be provided to the international climate and environment funds – including the Green Climate Fund, which is tasked with helping to meet the Paris Agreement.
Despite a negative reaction to the figure given to BEIS, Chief Executive of the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), Chris Stark, insisted there were causes for optimism – noting the £30mn figure was 'admin' and programme expenditure, meaning there could be a "potentially huge increase" in staffing on net zero. Stark noted that this had mere been a review of the government's resource spend – rather than something intended to move major capital programmes – and with many net zero policies infrastructure based, instead of about resource expenditure, it made achieving major shifts unlikely.
Stark added that the Treasury was preparing to do a review on how the costs of net zero are being managed and labelled it "essential". This review on net zero would then feed into a Comprehensive Spending Review, explained Stark, weeks before the UK potentially hosts COP26. Stark said: "Those are as good a set of conditions as I can think of to move policy up a gear over the next 12 months."
HM Treasury Chris Stark
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Puerto Rico defeats Japan 3-1, advances to first World Baseball Classic final
Ray Monell
Center fielder Angel Pagan and team Puerto Rico are headed to the WBC final after beating Japan 3-1 in San Francisco on Sunday.
Puerto Rico eliminated Japan from the World Baseball Classic at AT&T Park in San Francisco Sunday night, holding on to win the semifinal matchup 3-1.
Puerto Rico will be making its first WBC championship game appearance, and its opponent will be the winner of Monday's semifinal showdown between the Dominican Republic and the Netherlands. Japan has been the only winner of the WBC (2006, '09) in the tournament's brief history, so a new champion will be crowned on Tuesday.
The Game: Mike Aviles' run-scoring single in the first inning gave Puerto Rico a 1-0 lead, and Alex Rios made it 3-0 with a two-run home run off left-handed reliever Atsushi Nohmi to left in the seventh.
Right-hander Jose De La Torre played a key role in the game, tossing 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief of starter Mario Santiago (4.1 IP, 2H, 0R). De La Torre entered the contest with one out and a runner on second in Japan's half of the fifth. He walked his first hitter, but preserved Puerto Rico's 1-0 advantage at the time by recording back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning.
Hirokazu Ibata's RBI single off Randy Fontanez in the eighth inning brought Japan within 3-1. Later that inning, a crucial base-running miscue allowed Puerto Rico to eventually escape trouble.
Fernando Cabrera recorded the last two outs of the ninth for the save. Santiago was credited with the win, and Japanese right-hander Kenta Maeda (5.0 IP, 4H, 1R), who gave up Aviles' RBI single in the first, took the loss.
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Note: Most of the post material relating to my writing project Spawn / Thrall was originally in a different blog, so this post was a summary of that effort. I have since merged the two blogs, so this post is somewhat redundant. Nonetheless, it contains a few more insights into how this project got started, so I decided not to delete it.
More than half a decade ago, I started writing a screenplay, drawing on inspiration from a number of sources, but particularly the main-streamed worldbuilding as portrayed in the James Cameron movie blockbuster hit "Avatar". My story had nothing to do with that one, but I struggled at creating a world on which interesting things could happen.
The effort stagnated and went idle after a few years… it turned out the reality of writing a compelling story was a lot more than just worldbuilding, and I didn't really know what I was doing. I had come up with some interesting "gotcha" twists, and some fascinating backstory I thought could be revealed over time, but none of it really came to anything. I knew more about the backstory than the present story I meant to tell.
After sitting on the shelves for a time, I dusted off the project and recruited one of my friends to attempt to convert it into an RPG-style video game. He holds a masters in creative writing, and I am a software engineer, so together — I hoped — we could make this into something.
Unfortunately that effort stagnated as well, due to the same problem. Worldbuilding does not translate into a storyline, and my friend was not really in a position to bridge that gap in his spare time.
In the last few years my personal repertoire has changed. For the better part of a decade post-college, my casual reading was consistently non-fiction, on topics of physics, philosophy, and biology. All things I find very interesting. But at some point in the last couple years I changed gears and decided to revisit some of the fantasy / fiction books I had read in my youth. I rediscovered enough forgotten nuggets that my appetite for fiction grew markedly. After a couple years of enjoying properly done worldbuilding and immersion, as well as epic fantasy-style plots and characters, I decided it was time for one more spin on the old project, this time with a very specific goal in mind: a fantasy novel.
I went back to the drawing board. The worldbuilding I had was good, it just needed cleaning up. Then I put that aside and began the project of actually plotting out a story and creating characters, instead of just trying to roll with the world and nothing else. The process is a ton of fun, and even though I am an obvious novice, I like it enough to try and stick through it.
So, update to right now. I am 55,000 words into my first draft, with a goal of about 100,000 words total. If I follow through this time (third time is a charm?), I hope to have a draft I can publish (self or otherwise). The tentative title is "The Shadows of Thrall", although I fully expect that to change in due course.
Tukánî surveyed the vivid flames, his nostrils filled with the the scent of char and death. A blue hue colored his perspective. It was fear. He had not seen with blue as long as he could remember. He blinked slowly, eyes still stinging from the blinding light that had erupted from the small village seconds ago. What had gone wrong? Whatever it was, it had nearly washed him away too, as it had his brothers.
His query touched the Adonis field, but with a shock, he pulled his senses back. The field was molten and violent, seething with a deadly hunger he had only ever seen in the currents of the Scar itself. How could it be so disturbed this far to the north?
He stepped along the high stone wall, one black scaled boot before the other, making no more noise than the night around him. He flexed his muscles and inhaled deeply then removed his Harvesting blade from beneath his cloak, and gazed for a moment at the black steel rippling like flames. It was more for comfort than utility considering there were no survivors. For comfort… how unusual. Apparently, seeing with blue made him behave in strange ways.
With a quick leap, he dropped twenty-five feet to the forest turf, landing hard but steady. The nearest of the destroyed building was just ahead, bricks and wood in shapeless heaps, engulfed in flames. He walked up the road until the trees parted to give him a better view. It was a snapshot of pandemonium. Bodies and burning buildings everywhere. Serpents of glowing Adonis sputtering from the ground in a hundred places, lighting the ash-enameled stone road in dancing rainbows. Debris casually detached from the ground to drift leisurely towards the sky, gravity abandoned.
The Adonis grew louder and more aggressive as he neared the center of the desolation, until he could not approach any closer lest he submit himself to the tides that had claimed his Brothers. Although not quite all of them, he realized. He was not alone after all. A moment later two tall black figures stepped up from beside him, soundlessly. Their eyes glowed with a deep blue. The three stood in a silent vigil.
He scanned the many bodies strewn ahead of him, all were human, pale and dull. The bodies of his own were gone. As he looked further into the tempest, one form stood out. It was hard to tell, but yes, one small body was still shimmering with the gentle green glow of life. He angled his head, watching the child.
Could it be? For the first time since the burst of light, his fear began to drain, replaced by a boiling excitement.
The small being was alive, but unconscious, laying right at the center of the destruction. The Adonis was spiraling about the child and yet it's inner gleam was steady and strong.
"As Cereb'os foretold, the Child has arrived," he said quietly. His thoughts changed tune, and he saw with red once more.
Six months to go before the big day. Unbelievable how quickly the time is going by.
In other news, I have just posted my shorted Blog yet.
I've been working on a more extensive writing project for the last few weeks. In particular, I am developing a sci-fi Screenplay tentatively called, "Mindscape Awakening". For the time being, I will be dedicating any inspiration (and any free time) to developing that story, so this blog has gone a little quiet. I will be back online shortly.
Having abandoned a global stalemated war and a lifeless Earth some 50 years before, the survivors on board the U.W.U. Noah were seeking a new home. In 2384, long-range scanners detected a planet with an inhabitable atmosphere, and of comparable size to Earth. Early investigation unveiled the planet had some unusual properties, in particular it had an anomalous non-constant electrical term in the Deterministic Quantum Mechanics wave collapse expansion, called the context function. This meant that certain electrical conditions could cause the physics on the planet's surface to shift and change, manifesting physical anomalies and physical instability through a so-called Adonis Field. The planet was named Mayarius in reference to this, and was considered the last hope, and a god-send for all.
Six years later, as the planet came into closer view, they realized it was a massive desert. Ocean, and desert… totally inhospitable to life. Resources running extremely short and population dwindling, a new project was undertaken to cybernetically enhance humans to reduce their energy expenditure and nourishment requirements. Unfortunately, the project was abandoned when the modified humans exhibited violence, personality swings, and ultimately terminal complications. In 2392 an executive decision was made to seek out and re-unite with the other old countries that had left Earth. It was a questionable move, since really the war had never been resolved, but it was decided that no other option existed at this point. Everyone had to hope for amnesty.
As a desperate protest to this controversial decision, the ship was sabotaged and ultimately forced to crash-land on Mayarius. Very soon after landing, it was discovered that the human brain had the electrical properties required to interfere with the Adonis field. Within a year of living there, the human influence was obvious. What had once been a vast barren landscape called the Ananta Waistland, was now large circular area of life pressing the Ananta boundry away. This "Jaya Sphere" was spreading out from their center, creating trees, grass, and life. It seemed that they had found a new home that could bend to their requirements.
However, within the first year, it was discovered that not only good things could come to be from the Adonis field. Creatures called "Deimos" were starting to emerge, often at night, the result of peoples' fears and dreams. In one case, an entire village of nearly 100 was destroyed in a single night. A cybernetics programs was reinstated, this time seeking to control emotions and dreams. Unfortunately, the same few that had sabotaged the ship are also in control of the Human Upgrade program, and they have their own agenda. They spend the next 23 years putting that agenda into play before our story begins.
It becomes a war of human verse cyborg, thoughts verse the Adonis, and freedom verse control. An unexpected hero emerges from a hybrid race, and needs to restore a balance to this twisted world. But what balance can be possible? How can adversaries as dangerous as cybernetic humans, and as subtle as fear be overcome simultaneously?


Bergen Philharmonic with Chief Conductor Edward Gardner embark on a four-date Summer Festival tour across some of Europe's finest concert halls this August.
The orchestra will be joined by soloists: Alina Ibragimova (BBC Proms), James Ehnes (Amsterdam) and Leif Ove Andsnes (Hamburg and Warsaw).
Repertoire includes the world premiere of Rolf Wallin's Violin Concerto (BBC Proms, 21 August) and Sibelius' Symphonies No. 2 & 5.
The concert in Hamburg on 22 August marks both the orchestra and Gardner's debuts performances in the new Elbphilharmonie.


Activated charcoal, a trendy ingredient that's turned everything from ice cream to cocktails a dark shade of black, has likely popped up on your radar for its shining health benefits as of late. It's a black powder made of bone char, coconut shells, sawdust, and coal thought to do everything from clear skin to reduce bloating.
While it's been touted as a detoxifying agent, it may actually do more harm than good. According to Sophie Medlin, RD, activated charcoal can detoxify the body in emergency situations when a person has consumed poison or overdosed on medication, but its everyday health benefits may be wildly misinterpreted, Popular Science reports.
Medlin explains that charcoal has the ability to bind to poison in the gastrointestinal tract, which stops it from being absorbed into the bloodstream and allows for toxins to be passed out of the body naturally. However, charcoal will not only bind to poison, but also to vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in food. That means when you drink a fruit or vegetable juice that's been treated with a "shot" of charcoal, you're probably not actually getting any of the vitamins found in the juice to begin with.
Charcoal can also bind with medications, rendering them less effective and can cause nausea and constipation, Medlin explains. Finally, she debunks the idea that activated charcoal can help your body detox from alcohol or a big meal. "Activated charcoal will only bind with whatever particles are in your stomach or intestines at the time that you take it," she says. So by the time you consume activated charcoal, your body will have likely already absorbed the substances you're wishing to get rid of into the bloodstream.
If this information wasn't enough to turn you off from the latest health fad, activated charcoal has been banned in New York City since 2016, according to Eater New York. However, the Food and Drug Administration has been cracking down on restaurants that serve food and drinks that contain the ingredient just in the past few weeks. The bottom line: While many still think that activated charcoal holds countless health benefits, you may want to rethink your next scoop of trendy charcoal ice cream.


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Thailand's abundance of national treasures includes mystical temples, magnificent palaces, beaches and coral reefs, mouth-watering cuisine, kickboxing, and massage.
Among the natural wonders of this diverse and enchanting country, are some simply incredible waterfalls.
Each of these waterfalls in Thailand have their own unique charm, and it's difficult to choose the best of them.
A number of distinctly different waterfalls make up Erawan falls in Kanchanaburi Province, approximately 3 hours drive west of Bangkok.
The first of these is a long, low cascade with a natural limestone dam at the bottom which has created a series of calm plunge pools where an abundance of fish thrive. A little further, the second falls are simply stunning. Wide and tall with an niche in the rock behind the falls, it is possible to pass behind the watery curtain. This atmospheric spot is popular for swimming, and can get quite busy at weekends.
A high cascade of around 25 metres plunging into turquoise waters is the third of Erawan's waterfall sections. After this point the track through the jungle becomes less steep, and a sequence of smaller, less dramatic, but extremely pretty waterfalls rush and bubble down the hillside, winding past trees and creating more pools perfect for taking a dip along the way.
The final falls feature rock formations which resemble three elephant trunks as the water flows over them.
The trail for exploring the Erawan waterfalls is challenging in places, with many narrow and slippery sections and sheer drops. It's also a fairly long hike (around 1.5 kilometres) if you want to see the falls in their entirety.
In the heart of the stunning Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary — a UNESCO world heritage site — in Tak Province, central Thailand, Thi Lor Su is one of Thailand's biggest waterfalls.
To access the falls it's necessary to walk along a man made trail for about 40 minutes to reach the remote location. With three impressive tiers of tumbling water set amidst beautiful natural surroundings, it's no surprise that Thi Lor Su draws hoards of locals and tourists who come here to admire the view and to swim in the cool pools beneath the falls.
Each tier has an estimated height of between 200 and 400 metres. The three tiers are made up of a mixture of thinner cascades well spaced along the wide rock face and powerful, dramatic flows falling from the greater heights.
Namtok Mae Surin National Park is one of Thailand's top national parks in the northern province of Mae Hong Son on the country's northwestern border.
This is the most mountainous region of Thailand, and the scenery is breathtaking.
Mae Surin waterfall is perhaps the most remarkable feature of the park. This single tier cascade plunges elegantly from the top of a cliff down the mountainside to the rocks 100 metres below.
It's magnificent when viewed from a distance across the valley, but it's also possible to get up close — although the steep trail is infrequently used, narrow, and pretty dicey when wet, so may pose a challenge.
For nature lovers and bird watchers, it's worth noting that there is also a hornbill reserve in the park, which could add an extra point of interest to your trip to see Mae Surin waterfall.
The marvelous Koh Luang waterfall boasts 7 glittering tiers of cascades to climb and explore, and people love to swim in the large colourful pools on the lower levels.
Situated in Mae Ping National Park — a fertile forest rich in animal and plant life in northern Thailand — Koh Luang falls can easily be reached by car, and it's roughly a three and a half hour drive from Chiang Mai.
There are also interesting stalactite and stalagmite formations to be found inside the nearby limestone caves.
Hopping over to the tranquil island of Koh Lanta in Krabi Province on Thailand's Andaman coast, you'll find Khlong Chak waterfall hidden amongst the island's lush rainforest. Koh Lanta is the largest island forming part of Mu Ko Lanta National Park, and there are also some fascinating cave networks here.
To get to the waterfall it's necessary to hike along a picturesque trail which meanders past quaint houses and farms before entering the dense foliage of the jungle.
After about 20 – 30 minutes' walk the crystal clear waters of Khlong Chak reveal themselves. It's not a large waterfall, but the setting and the trek through the rainforest to get there make it truly special.
This waterfall does completely dry up in the dry season, so it's best to visit in the wetter months.
Only an hour's drive from Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, a visit to Mae Ya waterfall in the Doi Inthanon National Park makes a great day trip from the city.
These striking falls are around 260 meters tall and 100 meters wide, and flow powerfully yet gracefully down a staggered, multilayered rock face in a fan shape.
These are some of the prettiest cascades in Thailand, and the sheer size is also impressive. The surrounding forest is beautiful too. Photo opportunities here are numerous, and you can even take a dip in the sparkling waters a little further downstream.
To get here take a tuk tuk from Chiang Mai or drive. There is a car park only 600 metres walk from the waterfall itself.
Having featured in the legendary film 'The Beach' starring Leonardo Di Caprio, Haew Suwat waterfall is practically a star itself.
At around 20 metres high, this show stopping cascade may not be big, but it is certainly magical.
It's a location popular with both tourists and locals who come here to cool off in the large, deep pool and relax on one of the many big smooth boulders encircling it (it's worth remembering though, that whilst the falls may be enticing, the waters can be dangerous and swimming is ill advised). There's also a large viewing platform where you can admire the falls from an elevated position.
Haew Suwat waterfall can be found in the glorious Khao Yai National Park in central Thailand, which covers over 2,000 square kilometres of jungle and grassland. The falls are located a pleasant 100 metre stroll away from a large car park.
The water that feeds Khlong Lan waterfall begins its flow from the five mountain creeks in the Khlong Lan National Park which fuse to create a formidable flow which then drops a mighty 100 metres over the limestone cliffs where it pools and is split halfway down by a jutting stone outcrop to produce a dramatic set of cascades.
The resulting set of pools below are ideal for swimming in the refreshing waters.
Khlong Lan National Park is located in Kamphaeng Phet Province in the west of lower north Thailand and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing of Sukhothai.
Khlong Lan waterfall is situated an easy 800 metre walk along a trail from the national park office.
Pha Dok Siew Waterfall is another of the hidden treasures of Doi Inthanon National Park in northern Thailand — home to Thailand's highest peak.
Pha Dok Siew falls are situated about halfway up the mountain hidden deep in the forest and are only accessible on foot.
Fortunately the location is enchanting and the trek through the jungle to get to the waterfall is an extremely enjoyable experience.
The rapid waters plummet and spread across the wide, rocky face of the mountain to produce some beautiful cascades.
Due to the more remote and relatively inaccessible location of Pha Dok Siew waterfall, most visitors join a tour group with guide to help them get there by the easiest and most interesting route possible, often visiting local hill tribe villages along the way.
Spilling generously over multiple rocky plateaus which make up its 97 tiers, Pha Charoen waterfall has the appearance of a grand fairytale staircase magically formed in the limestone rock.
The waters gushes down from the Wai forest, and these falls benefit from a delightful leafy forest backdrop. If you fancy a hike there's also a steep trail that follows alongside the stream where you can view the waterfall from different vantage points.
Pha Charoen Waterfall is about 40 minutes drive south of Mae Sot in north western Thailand, situated in its very own national park.
The site is well signposted and can be easily reached by road, followed by an undemanding short, level walk to the viewing area.
Also known as 'Elephant Tusk Falls' due to a split in the stream that resembles two elephant tusks, Namtok Ton Nga Chang waterfall is widely considered to be one of southern Thailand's finest falls.
The waterfall has seven levels in total, with the third being where the stream separates to create the 'tusks'.
Namtok Ton Nga Chang waterfall can be found in the Ton Nga Chang Wildlife Sanctuary, around 20 minutes drive away from the city of Hat Yai in southern Thailand.
There are excellent hiking trails with scenic views nearby, and plenty of opportunity to spot some of the flora and fauna that share the sanctuary. You'll need to hire a tuk tuk or take your own transport to get here.
Also in the south in the Khao Yai National Park, this magnificent waterfall drops a grand total of 150 metres through jungle cliffs.
These are some seriously wild waters, therefore visitors are kept at a safe distance along a one kilometre trail which gives stunning viewpoints along its length, including fording the river itself. These three tiered falls really crash down onto the rocks, creating a thunderous noise and forcing jets of spray high into the air.
Haew Narok falls are situated 22 kilometres south of the Khao Yai visitor centre. Either take a tour to experience them, or get there under your own steam. The foot trail starts straight from the allocated car park which is clearly signposted.
Last on our list, Man Daeng waterfall is tucked away in the Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park close to the border with Laos in northern Thailand.
This 300 square metre natural landscape became a communist battleground in the 1970s, owing to its remote, difficult to access position, and a stack of information about what took place here is on display at the park's visitors centre.
Thankfully the area was declared a national park in 1984, and its rugged, mountainous landscape is home to Man Daeng falls, which is 22 kilometres south east from the visitors centre.
You'll need an official park guide to accompany you if you want to glimpse these mysterious falls, as they are only accessible via a 3.5 km long, slightly treacherous trail through thick forest.
However, the rewards are worth it, as Man Daeng features 32 different levels of cascade surging and babbling their way over the moss covered rocks.
Combined with the luxuriant jungle setting, the overall effect is like something straight out of Indiana Jones.
Those are our picks for the best waterfalls in Thailand — which are your favourites?


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Stories about People and Pets
Hooray for Hamsters!
Sharon Romm
An adorable, furry pet small enough to hold in the palm of a child's hand? Not much bother and not much care needed? Well: Yes and No! There is no doubt that a pet hamster, with its tiny nose, round eyes, and silky fur can capture the heart of a human of any age. But hamsters are complex animals that require considerable attention and specialized care. They're promoted as a fine child's pet but, because they require a good deal of attention and gentle handling, they might be less than ideal for an unsupervised youngster.
HISTORICAL HAMSTERS
Classified as rodents, there are 19 recognized species of which the best known is the golden or Syrian hamster, the type most commonly kept as pets along with three dwarf varieties. Today's entire population of pet and laboratory Syrians are descendants of a brother-sister pair captured in Aleppo, Syria in 1930 and brought to Jerusalem by an Israeli zoologist.
Typically stout-bodied, they wear a thick fur coat that comes in many colors including stripes. The smallest dwarfs are no more than 2 ¼ inches long and the largest, the European hamster, can measure up to 15 inches. All hamsters have very sharp upper and lower incisors that grow continuously and must be regularly worn down by eating appropriate foods. All have spacious cheek pouches used in the wild to carry food to underground storage chambers. When full, pouches can make heads appear double in size.
Hamsters are nocturnal or "crepuscular," that is they live underground during the day and only leave their outdoor burrows or their indoor cage for activity at dawn and dusk. In nature, they hibernate to reduce the need for food during the winter. Although pet hamsters don't hibernate, they still keep to a schedule that includes daytime sleep and nighttime activity, a problem for those who prefer pet interaction when the sun is shining.
COMPANION HAMSTERS
Hamsters generally make good family pets but these fragile creatures require much care. As solitary animals intolerant of their own kind, each individual needs a separate cage. They require a cool, draft-free environment free from high frequency sounds such as those from the TV or computer. To keep the hamster healthy and happy, their sleep schedule must be respected. As great escape artists, the cage has to be secure and sufficiently large to provide room for hiding, playing and exercise.
Hamsters are good company. They enjoy interacting with their guardians but can easily become frightened and aggressive. With proper socialization, the hamster will bond with his particular human. Since vision is poor, the hamster gets to know his person by sight, touch, sound and scent.
Hamsters live, on average, about two years and are prone to a variety of illnesses. They need regular veterinary care, ideally provided by an exotic animal specialist.
COMPETITIVE HAMSTERS
Hamster shows are similar to those of larger animals. Rules are strict with only standard display pens allowed. Competing hamsters are provided snacks of fruit but not standard hamster chow because stuffing it's capacious cheek pouches distorts the appearance of its head. Hamster judging is based on breed standards of conformation, color and fur.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcd4cJAnytI
WORKING HAMSTERS
Like other rodents, hamsters are naturally motivated to run on a wheel. Wild rodents will run on a wheel installed in a field and captive animals use their wheels even when provided with other types of enrichment activities. Running can be so intense that their tiny feet can be injured but still they keep on running.
How much energy can your hamster generate on his running wheel? Scientists actually considered how many hamsters on electricity generating wheels would be required to provide enough energy for an average American household. Conclusion: 2,465 hamsters with infinite stamina and no sleep requirement could electrify your home for a year!
Time to stock up on hamster chow!
The Unique Dogs of Japan
Japan is a dog-friendly country! This nation has a population of approximately 126 million people who enjoy the companionship of 10 million registered dogs. In general, Japanese city dwellers favor small breeds that adapt to the limited space of urban life while larger dogs are found in the country where they have the freedom to run.
Dogs have featured in Japanese history and culture since reported domestication as early as 10,000 BCE. In the Edo period of the 17th to 19th centuries, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi the Shogun (military ruler) and ardent Buddhist, became known as the "Inu (dog) Shogun because of his strict regulations guaranteeing protection to the dogs of Japan. Children enjoy the gentle folk legend of Hanasaka jiisan introduced in the 19th-century where a beloved white dog restores life to a withered cherry tree.
Japanese dogs originate in several of the country's regions, many of which are cold and mountainous. Bred to assist their masters in hunting boar and bear, they gained the reputation of endurance, strength and unwavering loyalty. After Japan opened itself to Western influence in the late 19th-century, pure Japanese breeds were crossed with Western dogs. An example is the massive Tosa, a 200-pound dog bred for fighting and likened to a sumo wrestler. The Tosa's bloodlines include the Mastiff and Great Dane and, because of their potential for aggression, ownership is banned in some countries.
There are six dogs of pure Japanese lineage, ranging in size from 20 to 100 pounds. In the mid-1930's, the Japanese government declared these breeds "National Treasures." Some are rare enough to fear that they might become extinct. Others have prospered because of their popularity from international attention. Some breeds are exclusive to Japan while others have limited availability in other countries.
The Akita is one of the six Japanese dogs designated as "National Treasures." Originating in northern Japan, these highly regarded dogs are large, gentle and particularly loyal to adults and to the children with whom they live. The story of Hachiko, a golden-brown Akita, is legend.
Hachiko lived with Professor Ueno who taught at the Tokyo Imperial University. Ueno commuted to work by train and Hachiko greeted him upon his arrival at Shibuya Station at the end of the day. After a year of this routine, Ueno died while lecturing and didn't appear at the train station where Hachiko waited. Every day for the next nine years, Hachiko returned at precisely the time when Ueno's train was to arrive. Because of faithfulness to his master's memory, Hachiko became a national symbol of the spirit of family loyalty and is now immortalized in statues, books and popular media.
Another "National Treasure" is the Shiba Inu, a smaller dog that can adapt to apartment living. The Shiba has easily become the most popular Japanese breed. With its curled tail, affectionate nature and boundless energy, it's a popular companion dog in Japan and the United States. Maru, is a Shiba with the largest number of followers to an Instagram dog account. 2.5 million people follow the happenings of this cheerful, photogenic dog.
Japanese dogs are admired in Japan and around the world. May they continue as devoted companions and energetic workers and may the six native breeds prosper!
Alumni Affairs and Development
Sheila M. Reakes
Director, Annual Giving
930 Campus Rd
Phone: 607.253.3745 || Fax: 607.253.3740
petfriends@cornell.edu


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The Get Up Kids are back with their sixth full-length album, the much anticipated , 'Problems,' out May 10th on Polyvinyl Record Co. This record finds the band refining...
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THE FLORETS STRIKE GOLD WITH INDIE ROCK GOODNESS ON "JUST COAST"
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January 23 is the anniversary of the North Koreans' capture of the spy boat, U.S.S. Pueblo, in 1968 — a beginning of a momentous year for bad events. The saga of the Pueblo and its crew, including especially Cmdr. Lloyd Bucher, is of special interest to me because it features a series of some of the grandest, best and most humorously American hoaxes ever perpetrated by imprisoned people against their captors and wardens. This is one of the great Kilroy stories of American history. It should not be forgotten. Especially with the role North Korea plays in contemporary angst, the Pueblo episode should not be forgotten. This is an encore post, with new links added.
It's a story about a series of the grandest and bravest hoaxes by U.S. soldiers held in extremely hostile enemy prisons. Coloradans, especially those from the city of Pueblo, the namesake of the ship, have not forgotten.
Spurred by its members from Pueblo, the Colorado state legislature passed a resolution on Monday asking the U.S. government to ask North Korea to return the U.S.S. Pueblo to the U.S. The spyship was captured, probably illegally, in 1968 with Capt. Lloyd Bucher and his crew, with the loss of one crewman's life in the capture skirmish.
North Korea (more formally known as the Peoples Republic of Korea or PRK) held Bucher and his crew eleven months in that tragic year of 1968. The crew were tortured, but PRK finally agreed to release them in December.
During their capture the crew had signed hoax confessions that, while wildly embarrassing to the PRK, got the crew in hot water when they returned to the U.S.
Millard Fillmore's Bathtub officially and formally approves of any legislative action honoring the captain and crew of the Pueblo, and would like to see the ship returned.
An account in Korea Times suggests North Korea seized the Pueblo simply to save face after a disastrous attempt to assassinate the president of South Korea.
The entire story about the legislative resolution, from the Pueblo Chieftan, is below the fold.


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The company donated more than 300 skate camp scholarships to skateboarders around the world.
Jon Sinko will lead global Element product merchandising, design, and development staff.
Buckle up everyone, it's going to be an interesting ride.
A talk with the Boardriders CEO about the coming integration with Billabong and much more.


I assume there is some sort of technical issue with KW, or some other mundane reason for the delay. I don't see why they wouldn't re-release it too.
Alright, it seems it's only a partial support thing for Kane's Wrath then. I'll still wait a bit to see if they release it for individual purchase.
I guess there are still few people who would play C&C3/KW/RA3 on video game consoles.
It would appear that Kane's Wrath has the dreaded asterisk beside it.
I think Kanes may be held back because they (EA) are not ready to release the download to the game. This is for people who don't have a physical copy. As for why, I do not know.


Price: Starts from US$35 per person.
Our tour starting from your hotel to go to visit the area of Giza to see pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mykerinus. Cheops one of the 7 wonders of the world then go to visit the Great Sphinx, the head of a pharaoh with a lion's body, which dates back to the time of Chephren; the tour also includes a visit to the Valley Temple, which belongs to the Pyramids of Chephren.
Move to visit Sakkara the oldest cemetery where we can see the nobles tombs and the Step Pyramid of Zoser, the world's oldest major stone structure. It was built in the 3rd Dynasty (around 2700 BC) for King Djoser. during our visit we have the lunch at local restaurant After that transfer to Memphis which was founded by King Menes, and was the capital of Old Egypt during the Old Kingdom, it was considered to be a center of rule and culture for over 3000 years the first capital of Egypt, and see the Statue of Ramses II.
All transfers by a private air-conditioned car, van.
entrance fees to the touristic sightseeing .
25 us dollars for more than 3 persons.


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African All Stars
Meryem Hajri's assist key in Sporting de Huelva's shock win over Barcelona
Samuel Ahmadu
The Moroccan provided an assist that helped her struggling side condemned the Blaugranes to their first defeat of the season
Barcelona unbeaten Superliga start came to a grinding halt as Meryem Hajri inspired Sporting de Huelva to weaken the title race with a 3-2 win on Wednesday.
Following her debut goalscoring feat in a 4-0 win at Rayo Vallecano last week, Asisat Oshoala's fine first-half finish in the 17th minute strengthened Llius Cortes side's title bid at the Mini Estadi.
However, Raquel equalised in the 59th minute before Stephaine van der Gragt's own goal gifted the visitors a lead two minutes later.
While the title hopefuls were still pushing for a comeback, Morocco's Hajri teed up Maria Bonsegundo to score what turned out the winner in the 67th minute, thus putting the match out of reach.
Oshoala completed her brace after pulling one back for Cortes' side - her third goal in two games, but her effort could not prevent them from suffering their first defeat of the season.
The shock defeat now leaves Barcelona six points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, who pipped rivals Madrid 2-0 at the Estadio Municipal Nuevo Matapinonera on Wednesday.
For Hajri's Sporting de Huelva, the win lifts them out of the relegation zone to 10th place with 20 points from 21 games.
Barcelona must now regroup ahead of Sunday's high-profile Spanish Women's Cup semi-final showdown with last season finalist Atletico Madrid in edging closer to defend their diadem.


Esports! E Serien is a new tournament platform played on FIFA for Playstation. 16 norwegian teams collide in a playoff aired on DPlay. Øyedrops did concept, design and animation for this motion package. We gave the original Eliteserien logo an electric shock which ran currents to branch out the E Serien universe.


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Chicago Bears, Crystal Ballin', Cubs, White Sox
Touch 'Em All, Post Draft Edition. Cubs Ascending! Trade rumors! Sox Falling! ESPN Idiocy! And Bears aftermath!
Date: May 4, 2018Author: jason takeda 0 Comments
With all of the NFL Draft nonsense over with it's time to update what has been going on in the local sports world that has caught my eye and ear.
Chicago Cubs : As the weather has warmed in the last couple of weeks so have the arms of the Cubs starting rotation and some of the Cubs bats. With rapid acceleration, the Cubs have assumed their rightful place as the best team in the National League Central Division. The other teams in their division are no longer beating up on the Cincinnati Reds, who are the tank version of the Cubs 2012 team that lost 101 games.
Things usually level out after the first month and this year is no different. As Pittsburgh's and Milwaukee's schedules have gotten a little tougher, the Cubs starting pitching has found a groove in the past week to allow them to climb near the top of the division. They should be able to stay there all season and outlast Milwaukee and St. Louis for a division title, unless an injury to the starting staff comes into play. I wouldn't worry about Darvish too much, but he may be in need of a personal catcher not named Contreras. More on that in weeks to come.
The Cubs have taken over 1st place with minimal contributions from captain Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell. Kris Bryant has returned to form after being out for a week after being beaned in the head, with hits in his last three games. As those three round back into form along with Kyle Schwarber, the Cubs should have enough offense to carry them to a division title, even if the pitching does falter a bit. Almora is doing a good enough job in the leadoff spot, but I do admit to liking Rizzo batting leadoff occasionally.
The Cubs batters need to start looking at more pitches though. Aggressiveness is great when people are hot, but the rate of strikeouts for the Cubs batters is reaching ridiculous levels, especially from Ian Happ. The Cubs need to start drawing more walks simply as a season long game plan against their divisional opponents. Javy Baez, I hear, hasn't drawn more than 1 walk since mid-April. In divisional games against the Cardinals and Brewers it would be nice to get opposing starting pitchers pitch counts up and get into their bullpens, where the Cubs appear to currently have a decided advantage. It's a long season and the Cubs needs to wear their rivals out, and Cub fans need to have patience. You're not going to win every game. Be happy with winning a series, a homestand and an occasional road trip, a season of 162 games is a marathon, everything will be fine!
As always Team President Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer can be counted on to creatively tinker with the roster to put the Cubs into position to go for their 2nd world series win in the last three years. On this front there are a couple of developments that have arisen that Cubs fans should keep an eye on.
The Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals have gotten off to bad starts. Why is this significant? Because they are home to two of the biggest, most exciting free agents that will hit the market in over a decade.
Manny Machado, the 25 year old slugging superstar 3rd baseman of the Orioles, is a near 100% certainty to be moved this summer. With Baltimore already 13.5 games out of their division lead it's just a question of when he is dealt for a massive package of prospects. Machado is currently batting .366, hit 9 home runs and driven in 23 rbi. He has averaged 35 home runs the last 3 seasons and has a career on base % of .333 and OPS of .816. He has already won 2 gold gloves and made 3 all-star teams.
Bryce Harper, the former childhood teammate of Kris Bryant, and 2015 MVP of the National League, is the other pending free agent who will hit the market in the off season. With the northside of Chicago long thought of as a destination for the five-time all-star, the question is, do the Cubs have enough assets to acquire the superstar at the trade deadline for a world series run this year, and sign him to an extension? Or do they wait for an off-season bidding war for his services, that is expected to start at $300 million?
Unlike the Orioles, the Nationals are expected to climb back into the race behind former Cubs bench coach Dave Martinez, and be a world series contender. If they out are of the race in mid-July, the Nationals will be looking for a deal.
Would Cubs fans be willing to trade Addison Russell, Ian Happ and a top minor league pitcher for either Machado or Harper? Because that would be a starting point to get either one before they hit the market, and improve the Cubs inconsistent offense this year.
My guess is that the National's will be close enough and stubborn enough, not to trade Harper, and that would be a mistake. If the Cubs can somehow trade Jason Heyward' s contract, they will make every effort to sign Harper, who may give the Cubs a discount to play for an annual world series contender for the rest of his career.
The White Sox, though, have a big hole at 3rd base they would like to fill with Machado. And the Sox have the assets necessary to pry him out of Baltimore, who will be entering a complete rebuild very shortly. If the Sox start to get signals from Machado's agent about his willingness to sign with the southside ballclub, I would expect Machado to be with the Sox next year, they want him that much! It would be worth it, and easier to justify trading for Machado if the Sox weren't playing so poorly and so far out of playoff contention. They may decide to keep assets and get into a bidding war next off-season.
At 7.5 games out of first, the Sox have the look of a team that is dead in the water and may have to consider a coaching change if Rick Renteria can't right the ship quickly, and the Sox can't start drawing some crowds to Guaranteed Rate Field.
The rebuild of the bullpen looks like a total failure. The Sox should just cut bait with the veterans they brought in and develop the younger triple-a and double-a arms for the bullpen and just take their lumps this year. Since they are in no rush to bring in minor league sensation Micheal Kopech and get his career started, I'm sure the talk will turn to the Sox tanking the year for another high pick very shortly. Might as well, because the sloppy defensive play, base running mistakes and leaky bullpen has the Sox looking like a 100 loss team. The rebuild doesn't really start until Kopech gets here and Carlos Rodon comes off the disabled list. Until then Jose Abreu and Yoan Moncada can tear it up in front of a consistently empty stadium. The only highlights you'll see of the Sox before Kopech, will continue to be like a blooper reel. And you sure won't see them on …
ESPN, creates almost as much news as they report, and what they report most of the time is equivalent to an empty, smelly garbage can. I was pretty amused to see that ESPN was signing Cowboys tight end Jason Witten for $4-5 million to broadcast Monday Night Football for the network. Talk about knocking over the apple cart.
This will crate all kinds of turmoil throughout the broadcasting industry. People will be mad that they got passed over for that job. And everyone will be screaming about the money! Every former athlete at ESPN and every female on air talent will be looking for big raises from ESPN, and they will scream discrimination if they don't get what they want. And they were hemorrhaging money before!! They just cut a lot of talent to save a $100 million from the bottom line and than they go and do this?!
The stockholders at Walt Disney Company won't stand for this kind of financial malfeasance. This signing and subsequent fallout will cost ESPN dearly. It will send shockwaves through the sports programming industry, where ESPN has been losing market share on everything not related to the NBA.
They have already lost the rights to the NFL Draft, which will broadcast on CBS next year. It may open the door for Fox, NBC or CBS and their streaming partners at Amazon, Facebook and At&T to rise up and challenge ESPN dominance in sports broadcasting.
With 2 new football leagues to emerge in the next two years, the balance of power may finally shift away from the East Coast Bias Network.
It wouldn't be surprising at all if some networks got out of sports programming all together, with the signing of Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan (who? you might say) for $30 million a year. It may become too expensive to blindly bid for the rights to broadcast football.
ABC, which is separate from ESPN under the Walt Disney tent, gave up Monday Night Football over a decade ago. And NBC was out of it for a few years before jumping back in with Sunday Night Football, buoyed by NBC's status as the number 1 network.
I for one will welcome ESPN's downfall for all their New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox coverage. What I don't welcome is paying higher prices for tickets and subscribing for sports broadcasts. With player salaries now exceeding $30 million without pubic outrage. The cost of ALL entertainment goes up for everything and everybody. Please think on that.
I mean really, if this new version of the Bears doesn't work out, do you want to pay $200 a ticket for a nosebleed seat in the dead of winter… without a roof over your head?
Or do you want to contribute to a Mitchell Trubisky contract extension that will pay him $30-40 million a year, and without a super bowl to watch? Of the top 5 highest paid quarterbacks in the league right now, there has been ONE appearance in the big game. Success on the field doesn't seem to correlate with salary, just an idiotic general manager–Ryan Pace anyone?
I know I promised Bears aftermath post draft in the title, but the possibility of shelling out that kind of money for no playoff wins, alah Cutler, has me too depressed to write anymore. See you next time! Thanks for reading!
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Next Next post: Touch 'Em All; The Gambler, staring Cubs Rivals, the U.S. Supreme Court, and Matt Nagy


Do you sometimes silently scream when you have yet another exchange about the weather in your daily encounters? Leah Sparkes encourages us to be courageous and explore the bigger questions of what it is to be human.
Being engaged in a career that inspires you and provides mental challenge is as important to health and vitality as exercise and a good diet. Leah Sparkes says the good news is that it's never too late to start.
In his recently announced innovation statement, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called for an 'ideas boom'. But what can we do for these elusive "a-ha!" moments to occur? Leah Sparkes explains why it's important to make time to think and reflect.
70 % of workers worldwide say they feel disengaged in their jobs. Leah Sparkes shares a useful resource for leaders to help turn this around.
In Britain, over 100 MPs are already practicing mindfulness, and the concept is currently being rolled out to the 2,000 staff in parliament. Leah Sparkes is hopeful that Canberra is listening.
How can you be more human at work?
Many workplaces are fear-based and overly competitive. Executive coach Leah Sparkes suggests to disrupt this culture and create a kinder and happier workplace.
The idea of trying to persuade others can make us uncomfortable. Executive coach Leah Sparkes has looked at the science behind it and says it's much easier than we think.
Mindfulness is effective in managing stress and improving our attention span. Executive coach Leah Sparkes sees the benefits in her professional and personal life.
Wonder and amazement can be found in the most unlikely places. Leah Sparkes is observing a mindful revolution in corporate Australia.
Belonging brings feelings of inclusion and safety and is a predictor of mental health. Executive coach Leah Sparkes says it is important to create a sense belonging and connection at work.
Empathy – superhero power or essential for engagement and performance in today's workplace?
At its essence empathy is our ability to connect with and understand others. Executive coach Leah Sparkes argues that putting yourself into other people's shoes is good for business and for employees.
One of the easiest ways of experiencing more joy is to practice gratitude. Leah Sparkes explains how we can increase our feelings of happiness and wellbeing at work.


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Reading: Experts Caution Magic Mushroom Consumers About Dangerous Legal Species
How Do I Get Weed Online > Blog > News > Experts Caution Magic Mushroom Consumers About Dangerous Legal Species
Experts Caution Magic Mushroom Consumers About Dangerous Legal Species
Psychedelics can be life-transformative tools that harbor the potential to enhance mental well-being and bolster the quality of life. Still, experts warn consumers about a mushroom species that could cause "temporary insanity": Amanita muscaria. The warning comes after one person slipped into a coma due to the accidental consumption of Amanita muscaria. Aged 44, the patient was admitted to the emergency department for altered consciousness, malaise, and nausea, despite having no previous medical history.
Amanita Muscaria: How Does It Affect the Body?Apply For Your Medical Marijuana Card TodayMycologist Describes Amanita Muscaria as 'One of the Most Dangerous Mushrooms'What Else Are Experts Saying About This Psychedelic Mushroom?
The species, also referred to as "fly agaric," is legal across every U.S. state except Louisiana. However, most field guides note that the mushroom is poisonous, with toxicity usually resulting in 'pantherina–muscaria' syndrome. The Chillum Mushroom and Hemp Dispensary in Florida recently announced that it sold edible snacks enriched with A. Muscaria, as well as mushroom-derived gummies, capsules, and joints.
Florida State Representative, Michael Grieco, believes that Chillum Mushroom and Hemp Dispensary is "misleading the public" by advertising "magic" mushrooms. Grieco is an avid supporter of psilocybin legalization in Florida for treating PTSD and depression in controlled, clinical environments.
Amanita Muscaria: How Does It Affect the Body?
According to the Drug Policy Alliance, there is minimal risk of fatal overdose with psilocybin mushrooms, but this doesn't mean that consumers shouldn't be cautious. The same cannot be said for Amanita muscaria. Psilocybin-free, the mushroom is laced with muscimol, which stimulates similar receptors to alcohol.
In most cases, muscimol exerts a calming effect. In comparison with alcohol, muscimol produces a heavier sleep-inducing effect. While some consumers may tumble into a state of nausea after ingesting Amanita muscaria, others may enjoy the experience.
The mushroom is dissimilar to typical psychedelic substances, such as psilocybin, LSD, DMT, and mescaline. Lethargy is a significant side effect of A. Muscaria, which is also renowned for causing illusions and disassociation. The mushroom is usually consumed in dried form or brewed into tea. Typically, the effects kick in within 10 minutes of consuming 1-4 mushrooms. Duration depends on the dose, but the mushroom's effects are known to linger for 4-8 hours.
Each person's unique biochemistry can affect the mushroom's overall effects. According to Australian mycologist Caine Barlow, low doses of 0.03 to 0.17 ounces can be "quite pleasant," whereas high doses can become "difficult to manage" for most people.
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During positive experiences, consumers may feel euphoric and have a "sense of being in a dream-like space." On the other end of the spectrum, the mushroom could trigger a bout of unwanted side effects, such as lack of coordination, vomiting, detachment from reality, size distortion, flying sensations, and repetitive thought patterns and behavior, better known as "looping."
Mycologist Describes Amanita Muscaria as 'One of the Most Dangerous Mushrooms'
Based on the outcome of a case study featured in the European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine, Amanita muscaria is "considered to be one of the most remarkable and beautiful mushrooms." The shroom grows with a red or orange cap dotted with tiny white plaques.
Because of its extraordinary appearance, the chances of accidental and severe intoxication are low. However, the mushroom's distinctive white plaques may wash off after heavy rainfall. As a result, Amanita muscaria can be easily mistaken for an edible mushroom called Amanita caesarea.
Ancient cultures residing in the Russian Far East are believed to have used Amanita muscaria as medicine. Regardless, leading mycologist Paul Stamets said during an interview in 2019 that the mushroom was "one of the most dangerous mushrooms," and it caused "temporary insanity."
What Else Are Experts Saying About This Psychedelic Mushroom?
"I definitely advise not doing this," he said about the species of the Amanitaceae family, which releases its main effects via the central nervous system.
It's important to note that the clinical manifestations of fly agaric poisoning are unpredictable, whereas the likelihood of death depends on the ingested dosage and symptomatic/supportive therapy management. While some users report depression after consuming A. Muscaria, others claim to feel stimulated.
Long story short, if you don't want to find yourself scrambling through forests on all fours at midnight or walking 10 miles through the city with no recollection of the experience the following day (and that's just on a good trip), it's probably best to avoid a couple of caps of this mushroom.
On the other hand, low dosages may provide some therapeutic relief. Research has shown that muscimol possesses stress- and anxiety-busting properties. Nonetheless, fly agaric is a certified hallucinogen and should be consumed cautiously.
Bethan Rose is a cannabis advocate, writer and traveler with no permanent address. Currently based in Bali, she can usually be found curating cannabis content on her hammock.
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Home NEWS Education
Govt asked to sponsor PhD students
byGEORGE OKELLO | PML Daily Senior Correspondent
Senior educationist and Ndejje University Deputy Vice-Chancellor in Charge of Academics, Dr Frederick Kakembo, has urged govt to sponsor Ph.D. scholars (FILE PHOTO)
KAMPALA – Educationalists have asked government to start sponsoring students pursuing doctoral studies (Ph.D.).
According to Dr. Cyrus Seera Ssebugenyi, the principal higher education officer at the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), a student pursuing doctoral studies spend about Shs10m per semester for the respective courses which many ordinary Ugandans cannot afford.
"We are no specific Fund from government for sponsorship of Ph.D. candidates as it is the case with some of the other countries including Germany where the government fully sponsors the Ph.D. programmes. I believe this is a big challenge owing to the fact that the Ph.D. studies are very expensive. As NCHE, we accredited and approved several courses for Ph.D. at only designated universities," Dr. Ssebugenyi said at the official launch of the Ph.D. programme at the Ndejje University Graduate School on Monday.
Dr Frederick Kakembo, the Ndejje University Deputy Vice-Chancellor in Charge of Academics, acknowledged the fact that even lecturers for the Ph.D. studies are few.
Justice Joseph Murangira, a high court judge and pioneer Ph.D. candidate at the Ndejje University Graduate School pursuing a management course, said the course presents a rare opportunity for him to explore chances of increasing on his capability to help the Judiciary improve and possibly deliver to its expectations.
According to Prof Buyinza Mukadasi, the director of research and graduate training at Makerere, the university is facing the crisis due to a shortage of senior academic supervisors, especially professors because Makerere has traditionally relied on supervising students instead of grooming young scholars to succeed them upon retirement.
"It is very clear in some departments where some senior colleagues retired without a succession plan by grooming somebody to take over from them, meaning we are grooming a decaying institution, not a research-led institution," he said in August as Andrew W. Mellon Foundation released a Shs3.2 billion grant known as the early career scholars programme to the College of Humanities and Social Sciences to fund Ph.D. studies for 15 staff members.
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Q: Find and Classify Singularities

Find and classify the singularities of the following functions in $\mathbb{C}$:

*

*$\frac{1}{z(e^{\frac{1}{z}}+1)}$

*$\frac{1}{(z^2+1)(z-1)^2}-\frac{1}{4(z-i)}$

OK, so I think the first is the easier (perhaps). There's clearly an essential singularity at the origin caused by the exponential. However, I think there are also singularities where $e^{\frac{1}{z}}=-1$, which occurs when $z=\frac{1}{(2n+1) \pi}$ for $n \in \mathbb{Z}$, though I am not sure how to classify there. Help with that would be very appreciated.
For the second, we can split it into $\frac{1}{4(z+i)}-\frac{1}{2(z-1)}+\frac{1}{2(z-1)^2}$, which makes the position of the poles clear; at $-i, 1$. Is it the case that the pole at $-i$ is simple, and the pole at $1$ is a double pole. That seems to be the case.
Any help/verification would be very helpful. Thanks in advance.

A: Note that $0$ is not an isolated singularity in 1). The classification into removable singularities, poles and essential singularities are usually only defined for isolated singularities. (If you're not convinced, what kind of singularity would $\sqrt{z}$ have at the origin?)

A: Your calculation of the second exercise is correct. The partial fractions indicate, as you said, that $-i$ is a pole of first order, while $1$ is a pole of order $2$. The term $-\frac{1}{2(z-1)}$ does not matter because there is the one with $-\frac{1}{2(z-1)^\color{red}{2}}$.
Concerning the first one, you are also right about the essential singularity. The factor $z$ is too weak to counteract $e^{\frac{1}{z}}$.
You can then do a power series expansion around, for example, $z=\frac{1}{i\pi}$ of $e^\frac{1}{z}$. It starts
$$e^\frac{1}{z} = -1 - \pi^2(z-\frac{1}{i\pi}) \ldots$$
The $-1$ is countered by the $+1$, then you can factor out $(z-\frac{1}{i\pi})$ and get a pole of first order. Because of the periodicity, all $\frac{1}{(2n+1)\pi i}$ are then poles of first order.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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package eu.cdevreeze.yaidom.queryapi

/**
 * '''Core API''' for element nodes that offer the central `ScopedElemApi with HasChildNodesApi` query API. Each element implementation that
 * knows about expanded names as well as qualified name should directly or indirectly implement this API.
 *
 * This API is directly implemented by elements that know about expanded names and qualified names,
 * but that do not know about their ancestor elements.
 *
 * @author Chris de Vreeze
 */
object ScopedNodes {

  /**
   * Arbitrary node
   */
  trait Node extends ClarkNodes.Node

  /**
   * Potential document child, so an element, processing instruction or comment
   */
  trait CanBeDocumentChild extends Node with ClarkNodes.CanBeDocumentChild

  /**
   * Arbitrary element node, offering the `ScopedElemApi with HasChildNodesApi` element query API
   */
  trait Elem extends CanBeDocumentChild with ClarkNodes.Elem with ScopedElemApi with HasChildNodesApi {

    type ThisElem <: Elem

    type ThisNode >: ThisElem <: Node
  }

  /**
   * Arbitrary text node
   */
  trait Text extends Node with ClarkNodes.Text

  /**
   * Arbitrary comment node
   */
  trait Comment extends CanBeDocumentChild with ClarkNodes.Comment

  /**
   * Arbitrary processing instruction node
   */
  trait ProcessingInstruction extends CanBeDocumentChild with ClarkNodes.ProcessingInstruction

  /**
   * Arbitrary entity reference node
   */
  trait EntityRef extends Node with ClarkNodes.EntityRef

  object Elem {

    /**
     * This query API type, restricting Node and Elem to the passed type parameters.
     *
     * @tparam N The node type
     * @tparam E The element type
     */
    type Aux[N, E] = Elem { type ThisNode = N; type ThisElem = E }
  }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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What are the biggest challenges facing police in 2019?
We asked PoliceOne readers what they think will be the biggest issue in policing in 2019. Check out the responses here.
Each year, law enforcement faces new challenges that redefine the profession. The term "business as usual" is never applicable in policing, as the landscape can change in an instant.
In order to stay abreast of trends, police leaders must constantly read and process information from many sources, because one thing is certain – if you don't read the tea leaves, you can get broadsided.
This article focuses upon five critical issues (in no ranking order) likely to challenge policing in 2019.
If anything, 2018 showed us that law enforcement officers are expected to act without hesitation when responding to an active shooter situation. In many cases, there has been praise for the immediate engagement of the threat without regard for one's safety, with criticism lobbed when officers did not respond quick enough to stave off injury or loss of life.
While firefighters are cautioned about when and how to run into burning buildings, policy changes are dictating that police officers run into the "burning building" despite the risks. Sadly, we are seeing incidents where officers are injured or killed in this rush to engage an active shooter. Public pressure appears to be dictating police policy while undermining the basic tenets of officer safety in some situations.
The answer to this dilemma lies somewhere between where the profession was pre-Columbine and where we are today. Each active shooter incident should be analyzed and de-briefed with the lessons learned shared widely to mitigate officer mortality. It's perhaps time to take a step back and reassess existing active shooter protocols to shift the focus back toward officer safety without fear of public scrutiny and castigation. While there is no clear answer, having a dialogue is a good start.
The average police officer will probably tell you they are well aware that their department phones, emails, text messages and alike are a matter of public record. But if you ask about their private phones, they will likely say that such devices are not public record.
Unfortunately, there is no hard precedent that will protect any of the information a public servant shares in the course and scope of duty. To the contrary, the courts are migrating toward a position wherein ALL information is a public record regardless of source. The term "reasonable expectation of privacy" is becoming more obsolete. To this end, devices are potentially subject to subpoena if they contain evidence that may be deemed exculpatory in nature. As if this isn't enough to worry about, add body-worn cameras into the mix and the associated public disclosure requirements, which vary by jurisdiction.
The media and the public's thirst for additional details about field activities are likely to increase in 2019 and beyond. Smart police leaders are already having discussions within their ranks about the prospect of increased transparency and crafting policies and protocols to reflect same. The curtain has been pulled back, and there is little forgiveness in the court of public opinion.
As the struggle continues to find new recruits and retain seasoned officers, it may be time for police leaders to admit they are contributing to their own recruitment crisis through their hiring strategies.
How many good candidates are being disqualified for requirements/parameters the agency feels strongly about?
If law enforcement agencies across the country are confident in their respective screening processes, why are there still officers who break the law and commit crimes after they were vetted?
How many candidates who are deemed unqualified might have actually made better police officers than the ones selected?
Are the police officers' selection standards criteria moving targets depending upon the needs of the community and their geo-political environment?
Are there "gatekeepers" within agencies that may be keeping the better candidates from succeeding as a result of personal bias or preference?
These are the tough questions that need to be answered, and 2019 is a good time to revisit internal screening processes. The first step might be for police leaders to spend time reviewing recently rejected candidates to determine if some applications can be salvaged.
There is no other way to address the issues surrounding immigration and sanctuary laws other than to state the obvious: it's a big mess. Some states are passing laws to undermine federal law, local municipalities are passing laws to undermine state laws, the federal government is threatening those who violate the federal laws and the states and suing the feds.
The best suggestion at this point is to encourage detailed internal documentation of all situations (arrests, detentions, releases, etc.) wherever applicable. Educating the public about the limitations under applicable laws and court orders is also a good start.
The 1993 movie "Demolition Man" with Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes is about a futuristic society where the police do not use force and all critical field decisions are made by command personnel via live video feed to police headquarters. Snipes played a hardened criminal who uses extreme lethal force against the police who are powerless to respond. At the time of this film's release, it seemed like far-fetched fiction. In present day, one could opine that policing is moving in a direction to where the use of physical force by law enforcement will be severely constricted and live video could soon supplant individual decision-making.
The 21st Century Policing Initiative (21CPI) has been in the implementation stages for over three years. Many of the police-community relations elements of 21CPI have been validated and appear to be effective in most respects. However, the elements addressing the use of force have not been as seamless in the transition. Is policing better off today than it was before 21CPI? Is the term "de-escalation" over-used and confusing? Is anyone safer? If so, who? The police? The community?
Is it time to revisit the use of force aspect of 21CPI now that the political winds have shifted?
Are officers hesitating before taking action thus putting themselves and/or the public at risk?
The 21CPI contra-argument suggests that de-escalation was already factored into existing police training and any modifications put officers at greater risk. One thing is certain, if the profession as a whole does not clear up the confusion, state lawmakers will enact legislation to redefine the justification for use of force. It's already happening in states across the country. It may be time to regroup.
There will no doubt be new and unforeseen challenges in the coming year. For the time being, police leaders should stay focused upon these and other issues that will carry over from 2018. We cannot predict what future crises await this noble profession, but we must ensure we do not allow the mistakes of the past to carry on into the future without intervention.


I recently responded to a friend's Facebook post: Leave a positive word you can carry through to 2018 that starts with the first letter of your name. It should only be one word.
The first word that came to my mind was peace. And just to be sure, I also went through a list of good words that start with the letter P.
Nothing else stood out and so I decided peace it shall be.
I did think about it over the last couple of weeks and felt that it will be appropriate for me in 2018.
I will be a very worried mom this year with my son away from home for the first time in our lives and so, so faraway, I do need peace in my heart.
There are a lot of things happening around me and peace is what I need to trust in the Lord and to be thankful in all circumstances.
"For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you.


Poll – Top Things that Interfere with Regular Temple Attendance?
As Elder Scott suggested, one way to succeed in attending the temple regularly is to identity those things that interfere, and either eliminate them, work around them, or correct them.
So, we come to the poll below (only visible on the website). This poll is completely anonymous. Feel free to explain your choices, or "other" selection, in the comments, and how you plan to overcome your interferences.
I don't have a temple recommend.
I don't schedule a time to go.
I feel uncomfortable in the temple.
Finding a babysitter for my kids is difficult.
The nearest temple is located far away.
My temple visits feel boring or unsatisfying.
I don't have family names to take to the temple.
Getting a babysitter is costly.
Finding the time in a busy week is difficult.
I don't understand the temple.
I don't have anyone to go with.
I have transportation problems getting to the temple.
My work (employment) gets in the way.
I don't have a testimony of the temple.
My first temple experience was poor, and I don't feel like going back.
I have an illness or am sick.
I'd like to go in the morning, but I can't get out of bed.
My Church calling gets in the way.
The temple is very busy when I'd like to go.
In my most ambitious liveblogging yet, I'm going to attempt to liveblog General Conference. I must admit, this will probably be more of a notetaking project for me than anything else, but it might turn into something interesting and fun if we start getting other people participating online here (like you!). You will be able to enter your name, and your comments, all live and in real-time.
Clearly, I will not be rewriting everything that is being said. The Church's English video stream will be embedded alongside the liveblog, so you can watch and listen while participating in a discussion and commentary about what is being said at the same time. If you visit TempleStudy.com over the next two days the homepage will display the video and liveblog and nothing else to distract.
I am looking forward to learning at the feet of the Lord's prophets and apostles over the next two days. How blessed we are to live at this time, and to be instructed by prophets, seers, and revelators!
Update 10/5/08: The liveblog notes from Conference are below. Click on the circular replay button in the center below to read them.


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Tag Archives: Tom Purucker
Inspiring the Next Generation of Innovators: President Obama Honors the Nation's Cutting-Edge Scientists and Engineers
A group of leading researchers—including EPA's own Dr. Tom Purucker—we were honored today at the White House as recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).
The following is reposted from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
A group of leading researchers were honored today at the White House as recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), which is the highest honor bestowed by the United States Government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers.
After receiving their awards in a ceremony at the U.S. Department of Agriculture with agency officials, friends, and relatives—a ceremony keynoted by OSTP Director John Holdren—the group of 102 ambitious scientists and engineers were greeted at the White House by President Obama who thanked them for their outstanding achievements.
President Barack Obama talks with the PECASE recipients in the East Room of the White House, April 14, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
The PECASE recipients are employed or funded by the following departments and agencies: Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, Department of Education, Department of Energy, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of the Interior, Department of Veterans Affairs, Environmental Protection Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Science Foundation, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Intelligence Community, which join together annually to nominate the most meritorious scientists and engineers whose early accomplishments show the greatest promise for assuring America's preeminence in science and engineering and contributing to the awarding agencies' missions.
PECASE awardees are selected for their pursuit of innovative research at the frontiers of science and technology and their commitment to community service as demonstrated through scientific leadership, public education, or community outreach. The winners represent outstanding examples of American creativity across a diverse span of issues—from adding to our understanding of the most potent contributors to climate change to unlocking secrets to some of the most pressing medical challenges of our time to mentoring students and conducting academic outreach to increase minority representation in science fields.
For example, Derek Paley, Willis H. Young Jr. Associate Professor of Aerospace Engineering Education at the University of Maryland, is studying how fish use sensory organs to perceive their environment in order to build an artificial sensing and control system that will allow underwater vehicles to navigate autonomously.
Or consider PECASE winner Dr. Young Shin Kim, an associate professor at Yale University School of Medicine, who is being awarded for studying the role of environmental risks and gene-environmental interaction in increasing Autism Spectrum Disorder prevalence.
Other winners include Dr. Lucy E. Cohan with the Central Intelligence Agency, who is advancing the design and modeling of the next generation of space telescopes by employing lightweight, active mirror technologies, or Dr. Gavin Peter Hayes with the U.S. Geological Survey, whose research is helping to transform our understanding of earthquake processes and advance real-time response activities when major earthquakes occur.
This is just a snapshot of this group's incredible accomplishments. Other PECASE recipients are studying black holes in space, using robots to advance student engagement in science, and examining the brain processes behind language and literacy acquisition. Regardless of their area of research, all have demonstrated remarkable success in the lab. Their achievements are paving the way for exciting and important advances and inspiring the next generation of researchers, makers, and innovators. The full list of PECASE awardees can be found here.
With this much progress at this early stage of their careers, we can expect even greater things from these leading lights in the years to come.
Posted in It All Starts with Science, Posted on April 15, 2014 | Tagged innovation, John Holdren, PECASE, Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, Presidential Early Career Awards, Tom Purucker, White House, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy