text:
Q: Spring @Transactional JPA within a JMSConsumer Camel processor I'am in the process of updating an existing Java SE Camel Application to make use of Spring JPA managed EntityManger using @PersitentContext injection. Currently  it is instanciated in our code using  Persistence.createEntityManagerFactory and it works well. But we'd like to have more flexible and testable application by using injection of this entityManager, use the powerful @Transactional aop capacities and also to switch between local and global XA transactions just by using different @Configuration @Profiles.
My first test was to test xa transactions involving JMS and JPA resources with an Atomikos TransactionManager and it worked.
Now in this application I want to test local transactions using OpenJPA, Camel and JpaTransactionManager i.e without involving XA transaction.
I have unit tests that works pretty well without Camel, the @Transactional weaving does the work of starting transactions with the jpaTransactionManager and everything is fine.
Now when I try to integrate my configuration beans into the camel applications things are not going well.
I have a JMS consumer that triggers a camel processor where the process method is annotated with @Transactional.
I think I have misconfigured something because the JMSConsumer start a transaction even tough I did not set up the JMS component explicitly for being transactional (no transacted() in the route, not transaction manager set to the JMSConfiguration)
Here is a breakpoint showing the JmsConsumer trying registering to the transaction synchronisation stuff:
Daemon Thread [Camel (worker) thread #1 - JmsConsumer[<consumerName>]] (Suspended (breakpoint at line 175 in TransactionSynchronizationManager))
    TransactionSynchronizationManager.bindResource(Object, Object) line: 175
    DefaultJmsMessageListenerContainer(AbstractPollingMessageListenerContainer).doReceiveAndExecute(Object, Session, MessageConsumer, TransactionStatus) line: 313
    DefaultJmsMessageListenerContainer(AbstractPollingMessageListenerContainer).receiveAndExecute(Object, Session, MessageConsumer) line: 255
    DefaultMessageListenerContainer$AsyncMessageListenerInvoker.invokeListener() line: 1168
    DefaultMessageListenerContainer$AsyncMessageListenerInvoker.executeOngoingLoop() line: 1160
    DefaultMessageListenerContainer$AsyncMessageListenerInvoker.run() line: 1057
    ThreadPoolExecutor.runWorker(ThreadPoolExecutor$Worker) line: 1142
    ThreadPoolExecutor$Worker.run() line: 617
    Thread.run() line: 745 [local variables unavailable]

I don't see any other resource being bound to the TransactionSynchronisationManager.
On the contrary in my unit tests seems are going well and we see in the stack trace the @Transactional playing its role as expected:
Thread [main] (Suspended (breakpoint at line 175 in TransactionSynchronizationManager))
    TransactionSynchronizationManager.bindResource(Object, Object) line: 175
    JpaTransactionManager.doBegin(Object, TransactionDefinition) line: 406
    JpaTransactionManager(AbstractPlatformTransactionManager).getTransaction(TransactionDefinition) line: 377
    TransactionInterceptor(TransactionAspectSupport).createTransactionIfNecessary(PlatformTransactionManager, TransactionAttribute, String) line: 461
    TransactionInterceptor(TransactionAspectSupport).invokeWithinTransaction(Method, Class<?>, InvocationCallback) line: 277
    TransactionInterceptor.invoke(MethodInvocation) line: 96
    CglibAopProxy$CglibMethodInvocation(ReflectiveMethodInvocation).proceed() line: 179
    CglibAopProxy$DynamicAdvisedInterceptor.intercept(Object, Method, Object[], MethodProxy) line: 671
    MyRepo$$EnhancerBySpringCGLIB$$5edadd7f.createRun(String) line: not available
    DataSourceConfigTest.testIt2() line: 38
    ...

So clearly something is misconfigured here it seems @Transactional is totally ignored or overridden by some magic auto-configuration of SpringBoot. Does anyone has any hint ?
Here is my CamelConfiguration and My Data/JPA configuration
Camel Config
@Configuration
public class CamelConfiguration {
    protected static Logger LOGGER = LoggerFactory.getLogger(CamelConfiguration.class);

    @Value("${broker.mqURL}")
    String mqURL;

    /**
     * The runId is injected from command Line arguments
     */
    @Value("${runId}")
    long runId;

    @Bean
    CamelContextConfiguration contextConfiguration() {
        return new CamelContextConfiguration() {
            @Override
            public void beforeApplicationStart(CamelContext context) {

                ((SpringCamelContext)context).setName("worker");

                DefaultShutdownStrategy shutdownStrategy = new DefaultShutdownStrategy();
                shutdownStrategy.setTimeUnit(TimeUnit.SECONDS);
                shutdownStrategy.setTimeout(5);
                context.setShutdownStrategy(shutdownStrategy);
            }

            @Override
            public void afterApplicationStart(CamelContext camelContext) {
                try {
                    LOGGER.info("Starting route dataspecProcessing." + runId);
                    camelContext.startAllRoutes();
                } catch (Exception e) {
                    LOGGER.error("Error during Camel post start",e);
                }
            }
        };
    }

    @Bean
    @Scope(value = ConfigurableBeanFactory.SCOPE_SINGLETON)
    public ActiveMQConnectionFactory jmsConnectionFactory() {
        ActiveMQConnectionFactory connectionFactory = new ActiveMQConnectionFactory();
        connectionFactory.setBrokerURL(mqURL);
        connectionFactory.setTrustAllPackages(true);
        return connectionFactory;
    }

    @Bean
    @Scope(value = ConfigurableBeanFactory.SCOPE_SINGLETON)
    public JmsConfiguration myJmsConfiguration(ActiveMQConnectionFactory jmsConnectionFactory,JpaTransactionManager jpaTransactionManager) {
        JmsConfiguration jmsConfiguration = new JmsConfiguration();
//      jmsConfiguration.setTransacted(true);
//      jmsConfiguration.setLazyCreateTransactionManager(false);
//      jmsConfiguration.setTransactionManager(jpaTransactionManager);
        jmsConfiguration.setConnectionFactory(jmsConnectionFactory);
        jmsConfiguration.setCacheLevelName("CACHE_CONSUMER");
        return jmsConfiguration;
    }

Jpa Config
@Configuration
@EnableTransactionManagement(mode=AdviceMode.ASPECTJ)
@EnableAspectJAutoProxy(proxyTargetClass = true)
public class DataSourceConfig {

    @Bean
    public JpaTransactionManager jpaTransactionManager() {
        JpaTransactionManager transactionManager = new JpaTransactionManager();
        transactionManager.setEntityManagerFactory(entityManagerFactory().getObject());
        transactionManager.setDataSource(dataSource());
        transactionManager.setJpaDialect(new OpenJpaDialect());
        return transactionManager;
    }

    @Bean
    public LocalContainerEntityManagerFactoryBean entityManagerFactory() {
        LocalContainerEntityManagerFactoryBean em = new LocalContainerEntityManagerFactoryBean();
        em.setPersistenceXmlLocation("META-INF/persistence.xml");
        em.setJpaProperties(additionalProperties());
        em.setDataSource(dataSource());
        em.setValidationMode(ValidationMode.NONE);
        JpaVendorAdapter vendorAdapter = new OpenJpaVendorAdapter();
        em.setJpaVendorAdapter(vendorAdapter);
        em.setJpaProperties(additionalProperties());

        return em;
    }

    @Bean
    public DataSource dataSource() {
        PGSimpleDataSource pgDataSource = new PGSimpleDataSource();
        pgDataSource.setUrl(...);
        pgDataSource.setUser(...);
        pgDataSource.setPassword(...);
        return pgDataSource;
    }

And the code that should be transactional
@Component
@EnableTransactionManagement(mode=AdviceMode.ASPECTJ)
@EnableAspectJAutoProxy(proxyTargetClass = true)
public class MyCamelProcessor implements Processor {
...
@Transactional(propagation=Propagation.REQUIRES_NEW,transactionManager="jpaTransactionManager")
    public void process(Exchange exchange) throws Exception {
        ... calls to entitymanager here ...

The route calling the processor
@Component
public class DataSpecProcessingRoute extends SpringRouteBuilder {
....
public void configure() throws Exception {
...
from("jms:queue:thequeue"?concurrentConsumers=" + numConsumerThreads)
            .autoStartup(false)
        .shutdownRunningTask(ShutdownRunningTask.CompleteCurrentTaskOnly)
                .routeId("dataspecProcessing." + runId)
                .process(initialisationProcessor)
                .process(processorWithTransactionnalNeeded)
.to("jms:queue:anotherqueue") ;

EDIT
It works with programmatic transactions, not with @Transactional annotation.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Astute Financial Recruitment is partnering with a large and profitable business in Mansfield seeking to hire a Management Accountant / Finance Business Partner.
The role has been newly created to strengthen the established management accounts team and will report into the Group Finance Director, supporting various businesses within the group with commercial activities and to drive profit improvement opportunities.
This role will suit an active studier of ACCA or CIMA.


text:
Q: 'Speak' command does not work I have Mathematica 12.1.0.0. When I execute the command

Speak["Hello"]

I hear nothing. In the earlier versions of the software, Mathematica would 'speak' the words/string inside the 'Speak' function. How to fix it? My computer audio system works fine.
My OS is Ubuntu 20.04 focal (x86-64) (Linux Kernel: 5.4.0-53-generic)

A: According to the documentation for Speak, it uses your computer's OS to generate the sound. There doesn't appear to be any issues with the command or Mathematica, so it is likely an issue with your OS. If you recently updated, it could be a bug in your OS version. If you don't have the most recent updates, you could try updating your computer to see if that fixes your OS issue.


text:
Trademarks and
About the SPTO
You are in :
Industrial Property Agents
Annual Technical Reports (ATRs)
Benefits of Protecting Distinctive Signs, Inventions and Designs
Casos de éxito de PI
Protección de la PI en Ferias y exhibiciones
In a global economy there is a growing need for companies to obtain protection for the same invention through patents in various countries.
According to OECD figures, which use an indicator based on the percentage of priority applications for which protection extends to other regional and national offices (see graph), there is a growing trend among Spanish companies to protect their inventions internationally, specifically using PCT and European (EPO) patent channels as protection procedures.
An analysis of individual country data indicates that the most popular destinations are China, United States, Canada and Japan.This behaviour is very similar to that of other European countries.
How to effectively protect your invention outside of Spain?
There are a number of options for protecting an invention outside Spain, and applicants should decide which is the best for them based on different criteria: the geographic location where protection is sought, the language in which the application will be processed, the costs they are able to assume and the timeframe in which they wish to obtain the patent.
To facilitate access to international protection systems, the SPTO offers financial support for obtaining patents abroad through a programme of grants which are offered annually. For detailed information on these grants, go to the following section:
There are a number of options for internationalisation:
1. The PCT channel
Under this system, the procedure is initiated simultaneously in 148 countries by filing a single application (http://www.wipo.int/pct/en/).
Spanish applicants have an important advantage, as the SPTO is an International Search and International Preliminary Examination Authority, which means that it can carry out all international patent-related procedures up to entry in the National Phase (month 30 from the priority date) in Spanish and in an accessible manner.
This channel allows online applications, and the files containing the description, claims and drawings can be submitted in PDF or XML format using the PCT-Safe Editor programme. Depending on the method used, significant discounts can be applied to the filing fees, so the SPTO recommends using the online filing method.
It is important to indicate that for certain Latin American countries, the SPTO offers significant discounts on the PCT procedure fees.
2. The European Channel
This channel leads to granting of a patent that may be valid in up to 38 European countries (member countries in May 2011).
This application can be filed in Spanish, in which case it is eligible for a 20% discount on the filing fee (for any of the online or paper-based categories) and an additional 20% discount on the examination fee (Rule 6.3 of the European Patent Convention). This application must be translated into one of the official languages within three months.
If it is a EuroPCT application, that is, an international patent application which has entered a regional phase in Europe, and the international search report has been carried out by the SPTO, the Supplementary European Search Report fee will be reduced by 900 euros, which is equivalent to a discount of more than 80% on the fee.
3. Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH).
In order to promote internationalisation, the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (SPTO) has signed a series of agreements known collectively at the international level as the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH). These allow SPTO applicants to request fast-track processing at another office participating in the PPH programme, as long as certain requirements are met. These agreements facilitate information exchange between offices, avoid duplication of effort and speed up granting procedures, which enables us to provide better service to patent applicants.
In addition to the aforementioned bilateral agreements, and in order to simplify the PPH network, the SPTO is part of a pilot programme called Global PPH (GPPH), which allows for requesting fast-track examination in any more than 20 countries currently participating in this programme.
Information on the PPH (Patent Prosecution Highway) at the SPTO
PPH portal managed by the Japanese office
Informational Leaflet
Industrial Property Regional Information Centres
Industrial Property Education
Interesting addresses and links
Support and prevention resources for gender-based violence (WRAP)
OEPM Portals
Transparency Portal Government of Spain
Stopfalsificaciones
Historic Web
CEVIPYME
Awareness campaigns and exhibitions

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Konstantīns Pēkšēns, né le  à Mazsalacas pagasts et mort le  à Bad Kissingen, est un architecte letton ayant travaillé très majoritairement à Riga. Brillant représentant de l'Art nouveau il a laissé son empreinte sur l'image architecturale de la capitale lettonne. Le musée d'Art nouveau de Riga se compte parmi ses œuvres les plus remarquables.

Biographie
Né dans la famille de paysans en 1859, Konstantīns Pēkšēns arrive à Riga avec sa famille en 1869. Sa scolarité se déroule à l'école de R. Valls. Il suit le cursus d'ingénieur à l' en 1878-1879, puis, le cursus d'architecte en 1880-1885. Il est l'un des premiers à rejoindre la plus ancienne fraternité étudiante du pays Selonija. Il travaille dans le bureau de Jānis Frīdrihs Baumanis avant de s'établir à son compte en 1886. En 1895, il conçoit la halle du  Festival national letton des chants et de danses à Jelgava qui à cette époque est considérée comme la plus grande construction en bois en Europe. Par ailleurs, il est l'auteur de projets architecte de près de 250 immeubles d'habitation à Riga.

Les créations d'architecte en dehors de Riga ne sont pas nombreuses. On peut mentionner les maisons municipales de Ādaži et Dole, l'église de Lejasciems (1895), sa propre maison de campagne dans le quartier de Dzintari à Jūrmala et l'église de Saint Nicolas à Jelgava (1904) démolie après la Seconde Guerre mondiale.

Konstantīns Pēkšēns meurt subitement lors d'un séjour à la station thermale de Bad Kissingen. L'urne avec ses cendres est transférée au cimetière de la Forêt de Riga.

Galerie

Bibliographie

Notes et références

Annexes

Article connexe
 Art nouveau à Riga
 Liste d'architectes lettons

Liens externes

 Riga, sur le projet la-belle-epoque.de

Naissance en mars 1859
Naissance dans le gouvernement de Livonie
Architecte letton du XIXe siècle
Architecte letton du XXe siècle
Décès en juin 1928
Décès à Bad Kissingen
Décès à 69 ans
Personnalité inhumée au cimetière boisé de Riga

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


I applied Garnier Olia black to my roots last night and some of them did not take. They are right at the top of my head. I do this every month to cover gray hairs so I'm pretty sure I did the same process as always. I am not sure if I skipped that area or the dye was just not good for my hair. It was my first time using it. Is it safe to reapply color to that area only or should I just walk around looking like a skunk for the next 3 weeks or so?
I think it should be safe to reapply the color, just keep a close eye on how long you leave it on. Perhaps it was not left on long enough before and that's why it didn't take.
I'd reapply to just the area that did not take. Will be fine.


I am the organizer of "Baby Boomer Hackers, Makers and Entrepreneurs" a San Francisco Bay Area Meetup group.
I am particularly interested in using home automations and the internet of things technologies to enable baby boomers to Age in Place.
Why the Renewed Interest in Hardware, and What Does It mean for Aging In Place Technologies?
Read: "Why the Renewed Interest in Hardware, and What Does It mean for Aging In Place Technologies?"
In order for our community to move forward with the development of technologies that will enable baby boomers to age in place we will need to understand the needs and motivations of Seniors. The psychology of aging is relevant and necessary as we proceed. I am going to present a model that should help us gain a general perspective on this very complex subject.
Read: "Falling Down The Stairs; Understanding the needs and motivations of Seniors"
This is a nontechnical discussion regarding the code that can spot anomalous behavior and the inferences that can be made. This may be the biggest single challenge for realizing clever, tech-enabled solutions forAging In Place?
Read: "Code To Spot Anomalous Behavior"
Aging in Place is a widely popular concept. Seniors want it. Economists think it has to happen if we are not all to go broke. And there is lots of technology being developed that may help. But, picking the right business model is a thorny issue.
Read: "Aging in Place needs a Business Model"


Just about everyone uses bookmarks at some point and a bookmark makes a smart promotional item. You can include useful and pertinent information like a reminder of an upcoming sale, a coupon code good on a future purchase, interesting facts about your company or even a handy little calendar.
Great for Church, Library, School or Bookstores.
Bookmarks are great for event tickets.
Turnaround time is for production only. Please plan accordingly when selecting your shipping options. Cutoff time is 12pm CST. Weekends are not counted as production days.
Perforation - Make your event tickets easy to rip off the with a perforated line. Up to 2 perforated lines available.


text:
Foodie Favs
More OptionsBlog Menu
Ashley White
Digital Communications Manager
As the Digital Communications Manager, Ashley oversees Visit Beaumont, TX's online presence. This consists primarily of managing this [fabulous] website and the CVB's vast array of social media channels. Fully immersed in the life of a boy mom, Ashley finds herself ushering her two boys to soccer practice, Cub Scouts, school and various functions. When she's not managing the house as a mom and wife, she likes to spend the weekends running obstacle course races with her husband and participating in CrossFit competitions. Otherwise, you'll find her spending time with her extremely large, loud & sarcastic family.
Three Beaumont Events You Shouldn't Miss This Year
By Ashley White on Jan. 05, 2016
It's hard to believe 2015 has come and gone. They say time flies when you're having fun, right? To help keep the fun alive in 2016, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite ongoing Beaumont events…
2015 Beaumont Destination Training Dates Announced
Each year, we show you the best of Beaumont jam-packed into a single day. Known locally as Beaumont Destination Training, this highly-popular motorcoach tour of Beaumont is only offered 5 times…
Big & Little Kids Alike Enjoy Beaumont's Spook-tacular October Events
By Ashley White on Oct. 08, 2014
Fun abounds in Beaumont this October with festivals galore. To help make planning easy, we've compiled a few of our favorites for you below. Be sure to share your pictures with us. Find us everywhere:…
Two Events Happening in Beaumont this Weekend You Don't Want to Miss
Each October, we get excited. Why? Because this is a great month to be in Beaumont. With festivals going on each weekend, there's fun to be had around every corner - from firefighters and dogs to…
Celebrating the Fourth of July with Family & Friends in Southeast Texas
By Ashley White on Jun. 26, 2014
With the Fourth of July right around the corner, American flags can be seen more than normal around Beaumont. People proudly show off their patriotic pride while donning their red, white and blue in…
The Southeast Texas Summer Fun Pass offers money-saving fun all summer.
Heads up parents, because this is a deal you don't want to miss out on. Colorado Canyon, along with Crossroads Bowling, Manning's Texas on Wheels, High Ground Airsoft, Games People Play and Spinning…
Summer Activities in Beaumont: Trip Planning
By Ashley White on May. 21, 2014
As school comes to a close, and kids begin to get out for the summer, it's time to start thinking about what memories you'll make this summer. Kids and adults alike can enjoy summer activities in…
Willy Burger, Officially the Best Burger in Texas
We love a good burger. But, we love "the best" burger even more. And, we're proud to announce, that of all the burgers in Texas, you'll find the best right here in Beaumont at our very own, Willy…
Help us welcome the 20th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride to Beaumont!
By Ashley White on Apr. 11, 2014
Founded by former NASCAR driver and racing analyst Kyle Petty, the Kyle Petty Charity Ride raises funds and awareness for Victory Junction, a camp created to enrich the lives of children with chronic…
Beaumont's first annual Neches River Rally happens September 6, 2014
By Ashley White on Mar. 14, 2014
If you've ever wanted to be up close and one with nature, then kayaking down the Neches River is your ticket to a front row seat. Join the Big Thicket Association during their first annual "Neches…
{{/description}} {{:link}}{{:linktext}}{{linktext}}{{?}}Read More{{/linktext}}{{/link}}


Posted on 19th April 2018 at 8:10 am.
Posted on 19th March 2018 at 4:37 pm.
Posted on 14th March 2018 at 6:06 am.
Posted on 13th March 2018 at 2:56 pm.
Posted on 5th March 2018 at 7:58 am.
Posted on 3rd March 2018 at 8:59 am.
Posted on 13th February 2018 at 9:14 am.
Posted on 12th February 2018 at 7:42 am.
Our 11th room is now ready for booking…..and it's very luxurious!
Posted on 10th February 2018 at 9:31 am.


text:
Q: cross-plattform use of a static .a-library on iOS and Android possible? (what about .so and .dylib ?) I have created a static library (with extension .a) for iOS with Xcode.
These were my build-settings:

*

*Architectures: armv6, armv7

*Base SDK: iOS 4.3

*Build Active Architecture Only: No

*Supported Platforms: iphoneos, iphonesimulator

*Valid Architectures: armv6, armv7

A check with lipo -info libassimp.a approves:
Architectures in the fat file: libassimp.a are: armv6 armv7
Can I use this static .a-library in an Android NDK project as well?
Do I have to add supported platforms?
Or do I have to build it seperately on Android?
Furthermore, I need libz.dylib which is a preinstalled library on iOS - actually libassimp.a needs libz.dylib. Is it also available on Android, and would it be possible to use libassimp.a without modifications on Android in this case?

A: You need to separately compile the library for Android platform. A simple example of compiling C-C++ sources for Android platform is given in the link below
http://tariqzubairy.wordpress.com/2012/03/09/arm-binaries-static-library-for-android/
For using the already pre-build version of any library on Android you just need to add a local module in your Android.mk file as given in the link below
http://tariqzubairy.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/use-of-prebuild-static-library-compiled-with-android-toolchain/


Since every couple has different needs and budgets, Sasser Events provides custom proposals for all levels of planning and coordination. We are committed to creating real weddings with genuine couples, so if these options don't fit your needs or budget, let's work together to find a solution!
For the couple who wants to take the lead on planning but also want a stress-free wedding day. This package includes: vendor recommendations, coordination starting 60 days prior to the wedding, up to two meetings to review all aspects of the wedding (including one site visit), creation of a day-of timeline, rehearsal management, and complete coordination on your wedding day - from setup to breakdown and everything in between. Starting at $3000.
For the couple who wants to be involved in planning, but don't want to deal with so many pesky details. This package includes creation of a planning timeline, monthly check-ins, up to two site visits, design and decor assistance or management, budget planning, as well as the full Day Of Coordination services. Starting at $4000.
For the couple who has a vision and wants someone to execute it from beginning to end. This package includes venue and vendor research, budget development and tracking, contract review, complete vendor management and communication, design and decor consulting and execution, monthly check-in meetings, up to three site visits, as well as the full Day Of Coordination services. Starting at $6500.
Need planning assistance for a wedding shower or bachelorette party, extra help with a DIY project, or someone to clean up after your rehearsal dinner? Sasser Events is also available for consulting at an hourly rate of $60.


Norwichtown Rehabilitation and Care Center (NRCC) is a 120 bed skilled nursing community, offering 44 private and 38 semi-private rooms to accommodate medical needs and personal preference. NRCC offers both short term medically complex and rehabilitation stays and traditional long term care services designed to maintain the health and well being of our residents.
Our goal is to promote maximum independence for each resident in a homelike environment. We are dedicated to quality care for our residents. In addition, we believe that dedicated employees are crucial to our success and we strive to treat our staff with respect and dignity.
We accommodate our residents with a variety of services for both short term rehab and long term care.
Learn more about Norwichtown Rehab and what makes our facility so wonderful.
Here you can find out much more about our facility and what we can do for you.


Over 4000 people die in pedestrian accidents each year, and 59,000 are injured, as per the latest figures from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. Deciding who is to blame and the liability amount is complicated, depending on state laws, automobile insurance, health or disability coverage, workers' compensation, DUI, and so on. Many states allow the driver's personal injury protection (PIP) coverage to be used for payouts to injured pedestrians. But depending on the severity of the injury and resultant pain, suffering and loss, there is always an opening for a personal injury lawsuit. Note that the driver's insurance company will have to come forward to settle or put up a defense in court.
Has your life or that of a loved one been turned upside down in a pedestrian accident? Contact a car accident attorney in your area today and find out whether you have a valid claim.
Pedestrians get knocked over or injured by automobile doors or even parked vehicles, which do not allow room for pedestrians. Bicycle accidents involving pedestrians are quite common. Injury from falling debris is a major problem, especially in the workplace.
But the second most common form of pedestrian accidents are slip and fall accidents, which can happen due to potholes, uneven sidewalks, broken steps, insufficient lighting, and so on. All these are cause enough for filing a personal injury lawsuit against those responsible.
Have you or a loved one been injured in a pedestrian accident? Contact a car accident lawyer in your area today and find out whether you have a valid pedestrian accident claim.
13,000 of those injured every year in pedestrian accidents are children aged 14 or less.
Children on the road often end up being blamed by drivers for the accident. But even if the pedestrian is partially responsible for an accident, you can still file a claim under the "comparative fault" rule. Note that laws about pedestrian responsibility can vary by state.


Throughout time man has left artifacts behind which have been preserved by others and passed from generation to generation. Essentially, these preserved items represent the visual and written history of the world, whether it be in an individuals home or in a museum. Never before has mankind been as interested in the historical and collectible nature of these objects as it is today.
What individuals today don't realize is that the older the item the less extant copies exist, as each custodian of an object might not appreciate the value, whether monetary or otherwise. For those who do, the item is revered and for those who don't, it may be sold without proper knowledge of its value or just thrown in the trash.
With prices of fine objects commanding a higher price each day, individuals that have the ability to reproduce collectible objects do so at will. This adds another caveat to the collector as none of us wish to buy anything that is represented as old and yet is new. Experience in your selected field of collecting certainly does help and, our web site is intended to help by showing the items that are reproductions so that even the novice can determine the real from the fake. With our high-end photos an individual can study the real thing so that he/she won't be deceived by the those that sell the fakes whether on the Internet or in your local shop.
Another very important point to all individuals who choose to use our site. Prices are always based on condition. So, don't look at a price and automatically presume that your item is worth the same. This creates so many problems when an individual that has limited knowledge of antiques, attempts to sell his/her object to a knowledgeable dealer. We are not dealers and do not sell anything on our site, but are certainly aware of the animosity created between a buyer and seller when the seller believes an object is worth thousands when it is worth hundreds. As an example, a #1 Spiderman comic book in the highest graded condition it could possible be, should sell over $20,000, yet one of the owners of the site has one that would fetch only $400, because of missing parts of the front page and soiling of the cover.
So we happily present to you a site that has a database that has the ability to describe every antique and collectible known to mankind in an orderly fashion with cross-references. We have a long way to go to get it all, but we are moving as fast as we can and with your input we can do this faster. Remember, "knowledge is knowing where to find information".
This site is intended to bring all of the fields of antique and collectibles into one tightly knit area such that each category would be essentially a book within itself. Each category, as it gets completed, will have detailed descriptions, three sizes of photos along with prices based on condition. Then, there will be a history, bibliography, internet references, internet auctions, and internet groups and society links which are designed to enhance the knowledge of both the novice, collector and professional.
We hope that you enjoy this site. Over ten years of development time have been placed into the information you are about to see. It has been a big struggle to get here, but it has been worth the effort. If we don't have information about what you are looking for, email us and we will work on helping you find just that tidbit of information you are seeking.
Have you ever looked in a price guide and seen a description and a price and then still not known what was described?
You're not alone! Join Antique-Pricing.com!


text:
Brexit Insight Key Issues 2017 Policy The EU
Brexit and replacement for EU funding
July 12, 2017 February 19, 2019 House of Commons Library 2420 Views Matthew Keep
Once the UK leaves the EU, it will no longer get most, if not all, of the EU funding it currently receives. The funding is only small in the grand scheme of things – it was less than 1% of government spending in 2016 – but there is likely to be significant scrutiny of the choices the UK Government makes about replicating, replacing or ending the financial support provided to different sectors.
What funding does the UK receive from the EU?
The UK receives around £6 billion of funding from the EU each year, £4.5 billion of which is allocated to the UK Government to manage within the EU's rules. The majority of this funding is for agriculture. Many UK farmers rely on the £3 billion of direct payments – often referred to as subsidies – and the £0.5 billion of support for rural development to keep their businesses viable. The direct payments aim to stabilise farmers' incomes, and the support makes up around 50-60% of farm incomes in the UK.
Much of the rest of the funding managed by the UK is for developing regional economies and improving employment opportunities. Known collectively as structural funds, they support job creation, business competitiveness, economic growth and sustainable development. Famous beneficiaries include the Eden Project in Cornwall and the Lowry Centre in Salford.
The European Commission also provides around £1 billion to £1.5 billion of funding directly to UK organisations, often following a competitive bidding process. The UK's main source of competitive funding is Horizon 2020, which is the Commission's programme for research and innovation. Horizon 2020 aims to coordinate and pool research efforts across the EU, and the UK's universities are amongst the biggest recipients.
Of course, none of this money is free: as most readers will be aware, the UK pays more into the EU budget that it receives in funding from it.
What will happen before Brexit?
In theory, little should change. The UK will continue to receive funding while it remains a member of the EU, and its people and organisations can apply for more. The May Government provided further assurances by guaranteeing funding at least up to the point of Brexit.
Could the UK take part in some EU funding programmes after Brexit?
The previous Government said that the UK may want to participate in some of the Commission's competitive funding programmes after Brexit, and would pay to do so. Non-EU members already participate in some of these programmes. Turkey participates in Horizon 2020, for instance. Negotiations over the UK's future relationship with the EU will determine the UK's participation in the Commission's programmes.
What will the Government do about the other funds? What issues do they face?
Participation in agricultural support and structural funds is unlikely to be possible (or wanted, by some at least). These EU funds will therefore end, and ministers will need to design policies that suit the UK's situation and needs. There are some common complaints across the funds – such as administrative burden, bureaucracy and complexity – but each fund is different and brings its own unique set of challenges to be tackled and questions to be addressed. There are big questions like:
Should farmers continue to receive direct payments? They provide stability for farmers' incomes, but it has been suggested that they also stifle innovation and keep unproductive farmers in business.
Should funding for economic development focus on regions? The EU allocates this funding to regions. The UK Government has, since 2010, moved away from delivering regional economic development.
But the issues quickly grow more complex, for example:
What should the objectives be for financial support to farmers?
What role does devolution have in the new policies? Agriculture and economic development are devolved. In agriculture, some commentators argue for the greatest possible flexibility to address local needs and priorities, while others warn against divergence and the complications of trade.
How do international rules on trade impact on the design of support for farmers?
Should economic development focus on the least developed areas such as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly?
Should match funding be required? EU funds, except farmers' direct payments, require co-financing.
What should happen to funding for other areas, such as fisheries, coast communities and rural economies?
That seems like a lot to think about. Is there anything else?
Yes. This article gives a broad overview of the issues facing the larger funds, but there will be plenty more devil in the detail.
In addition to the funding provided from the EU budget, the UK receives repayable loans from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and is a shareholder in the Bank. The EIB has played a role in various high-profile infrastructure projects including the Channel Tunnel and the second Severn crossing. The UK may not have the same access to EIB loans in future, depending on the outcome of the Brexit negotiations.
The financial implications of Brexit are not all about what the EU costs the UK, because we receive funding from the EU Budget too. As this article highlights, the choices for how the Government decides to replace this funding (or not) are complex, but will be something this Parliament has to consider.
This article is part of Key Issues 2017 – a series of briefings on the topics that will take centre stage in UK and international politics in the new Parliament.
← Previous Safety in prisons: is enough being done?
Key Issues: Brexit and the environment Next →


text:
Saline County State's Attorney Michael Henshaw dies
Len Wells
Special to the Courier & Press
Saline County State's Attorney Michael Henshaw died Wednesday night at his home in Harrisburg, Illinois. He was 72.
Saline County Coroner Jerry Watson confirmed the death. A cause of death has not been announced.
Henshaw was first elected Saline County State's Attorney in 1972, just one year after being admitted to the Illinois Bar. He served as state's attorney until 1976. He was later elected as a circuit judge for the First Judicial District, serving for 28 years. Eight of those years, he served as chief judge.
Henshaw retired from the bench in 2006, then ran for and was elected as the Saline County State's Attorney in 2008, being re-elected in 2012 and 2016. Funeral arrangements are pending.


text:
Traditions, Tioga Downs shut out of casino race
Rochester-based Wilmorite's proposal for Lago Resort & Casino in Tyre, Seneca County, won the Southern Tier bid.
Jon Harris
jharris@pressconnects.com | @PSBJonHarris
ALBANY – Lago Resort & Casino has won the right to apply for the region's gambling license, leaving the Southern Tier without the possibility of a full-fledged casino.
On Wednesday, the state announced the $425 million project in Seneca County beat out Traditions Resort & Casino, which was proposed in the Town of Union, and Tioga Downs, a Nichols racino that opened in summer 2006.
"The decision for the Southern Tier/Finger Lakes region was strictly on the financials of the three applications," Gaming Facility Location Board Chairman Kevin Law said following the board's final meeting Wednesday in Albany. "Lago had the superior financial projections. We just thought it had the best chance for success in that region."
The state Gaming Commission will now conduct its own review of Lago and, afterward, grant the license. Lago plans to begin construction within one week of award.
"We're absolutely thrilled," said Thomas Wilmot Sr., director of Lago. "I think we'll probably stop in Seneca County and start doing a little digging on the way home."
While the Walsh family, owners of Traditions at the Glen, declined to comment until Thursday, Tioga Downs Owner Jeff Gural didn't shy away from voicing his frustration with the decision.
Gural accused Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office of pressuring him to contribute money to a pro-casino campaign last year so a referendum on the issue could be approved by voters.
"I think it's an absolute insult. And the governor asked me to spend $800,000 of my money to pass Proposition 1, and then the intent was that there would be a casino in the Southern Tier. That's what he said," Gural said. "I feel like a complete fool."
A Cuomo spokesperson could not be reached for comment.
Local politicians, such as Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, D-Endwell, and area business leaders, like Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Lou Santoni, issued statements saying a casino 90 miles northwest of Binghamton will not help stimulate the Southern Tier's ailing economy.
Senate Deputy Republican Leader Thomas Libous, R-Binghamton, said he was "stunned" by the decision.
"To not pick a Southern Tier location — Seneca County, in all due respect, is not in the Southern Tier," Libous said. "I'm extremely upset. I'm very, very disappointed."
Town of Nichols Supervisor Kevin Engelbert said Tioga Downs, with about 400 jobs, is a huge asset to the area. But if the racino had won the location board's blessing, Tioga Downs planned to add at least 600 additional on-site positions.
"I'm sure the entire town, for the most part, is extremely disappointed," Engelbert said. "It's hard to understand how that decision was made."
Last December is when Rochester-based Wilmorite announced its plans to build the $350 million Wilmot Casino & Resort in Tyre, a town of about 900 in Seneca County.
In late June, the developer changed the name to Lago Resort & Casino and increased the price tag to $425 million — a figure that is $15 million more than the total combined investments proposed for Traditions and Tioga Downs.
The total project investment for an expansion at Tioga Downs was billed at $198 million, which included prior investments totaling $46 million and $15 million for the recently completed on-site parking garage.
The total cost to build Traditions Resort & Casino, with 1,200 slot machines and 50 table games, was pitched at $212 million, a figure that included the exiting amenities at Traditions at the Glen.
Lago will have 2,000 slot machines, 85 table games and a 207-room hotel. The total investment includes $298 million in construction and equipment, $56 million in interest reserve and financing costs, $50 million for the license fee and $21 million in pre-opening costs.
The project is expected to be funded by $335 million in debt financing from Credit Suisse, $63 million from Wilmorite and Peninsula Pacific, and $27 million from Beach Point Capital Management.
Once up and running, Lago plans to hire a minimum of 1,000 employees directly, but expects to have 1,250 to 1,500 jobs at the facility. At its highest capacity, it could create as many as 1,800 on-site jobs.
Despite having the largest price tag and highest employment numbers, Lago's proposal was met with the most public opposition among the Eastern Southern Tier's bidders. Casino Free Tyre, a group of residents opposed to Lago, filed two lawsuits over the project, though the Tyre Town Board and Wilmorite were able to fend off the legal challenges in court.
Jim Dawley, of Casino Free Tyre, said both decisions have been appealed.
"We're certainly disappointed," Dawley said of Wednesday's decision. "So many people in this area are opposed to it, and that's being downplayed."
When asked about the local opposition, Wilmot Sr. said he and Bob Hayssen, chairman of the Seneca County Board of Supervisors, will work with neighbors.
"If they have a complaint, we'll be on site constantly," Wilmot Sr. said.
Lago officials are also expecting customers to visit frequently.
In 2017, Lago expects to generate about $263 million in gross gambling revenue. Of that, about half — almost $133 million — is expected to come from existing New York gambling facilities: 21 percent from established racinos, and 30 percent from current Native American casinos. The other half — about $130 million — is believed to be new gambling revenue to New York.
While Lago would compete with Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel, in Vernon, and Turning Stone Resort Casino, owned and operated by the Oneida Indian Nation, for the Syracuse market, the Seneca County facility would also fight with Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack in Farmington, Ontario County, for the Rochester market.
In a brief statement, the Oneida Indian Nation said, "Turning Stone has operated since 1993 as if we had competition, and we've been preparing for it since then."
Wilmot Sr. said he considers competition a good thing.
"And if we do the right job, we'll get our proportion of the business," Wilmot Sr. said.
Gannett Albany Bureau staff writers Jon Campbell and Joseph Spector contributed to this report.
Follow Jon Harris on Twitter @PSBJonHarris.
BLOG:Jon Harris gives you the latest news and notes on his casino blog
MORE:A guide to the Tier's casino race
Who else won?
In addition to Lago Resort & Casino, the Gaming Facility Location Board recommended one license each in the Capital region and the Catskills. The board chose not to pick a fourth project.
Here are the others:
Montreign Resort Casino: The total capital investment is $630 million for a resort in Thompson, Sullivan County. The casino will have 61 gambling tables, 2,150 slot machines and 391 hotel rooms. "The proposed location in Sullivan County could maximize potential to revive a once-thriving resort destination area," the board wrote.
Rivers Casino & Resort at Mohawk Harbor: The total capital investment is $300.1 million for a resort in Schenectady. The casino will have 66 gambling tables and 1,150 slot machines. "Rivers will support the revitalization of Schenectady by replacing one of the country's oldest brownfield sites," the board wrote.
Source: Gaming Facility Location Board documents


text:
Ancient 'sleeping Buddha' found in Afghanistan
Posted on September 9, 2008 | South Asia
KABUL, September 8, 2008 (AFP) – An Afghan archaeologist has discovered the remains of an ancient 19-metre-long (62-foot) "sleeping Buddha" in central Afghanistan's Bamiyan a government official said Monday. Bamiyan, about 140 kilometres (90 miles) northwest of Kabul, is on the ancient Silk Route between Europe and Central Asia.
A team led by Zameryalai Tarzi had been searching for a fabled lying statue that measures 300 metres when they made the discovery, information and culture ministry advisor Mohammad Zia Afshar told AFP.
"The team found an 18- to 19 metre-long sleeping Buddha statue and 89 other relics, among them three coins from Greek, Bactrian and Islamic eras," he said.
A book written by a Chinese pilgrim who visited Afghanistan centuries ago suggested there existed a 300-metre-long Buddha in a sleeping posture in Bamiyan, which was once a centre for Buddhism.
Archaeologists had renewed their search for it after the collapse of Taliban regime in late 2001, which bombed and destroyed two giant standing Buddhas that were believed to be around 1,600 years old.
"The team excavated areas southeast of the 35-metre-tall destroyed Buddha and discovered the neck and right sho


If you read yesterday's post, you'll see I've been traveling all week. Needless to say, I was exhausted last night. We never really celebrate Valentine's Day at all, so I truly wasn't expecting anything. I was at home already by the time he had gotten home from work, and he tells me to turn around while he goes to get my gift. I was a bit baffled. He walked in with a ginormous box.
It was too big to be a shoe box! But knowing it was from Nordstrom, I knew there was no way he did this on his own. Sure enough, I opened this box to find another box. A shoe sized box.
So, I will admit, that when I first saw the peep toe, I thought of these Loubies on my wish list! But, obviously, this was a Stuart Weitzman box, which still equals super happy! Ok back to the reveal.


We resolve your problems quickly and professionally to ensure your IT infrastructure continues to function flawlessly – all under a clearly defined service level agreement.
As soon as your company's IT infrastructure stops working smoothly, key processes can no longer run without interruption – and that causes delays. What you need is a professional ServiceDesk with proven specialists who can resolve your problems as they arise. Quickly and cost-effectively.
We put together exactly the ServiceDesk you need, structured according to best-practice approaches from the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL). Raise your issue via e-mail or a central telephone number and our specialists will come up with a timely, professional solution. If required, there is also a web module that allows you to track the progress of your call. So you can find out at any time how the solution is coming along.
We offer our ServiceDesk in two differently prioritised modes and can configure the details according to your exact requirements.


text:
Q: navigate between f# and c# projects Is it possible to setup visual studio so that i can go to definition between c# and f# projects? does anybody know of any plans to make better integration for f# in visual studio?

A: This is not a supported operation in Visual Studio.  In general Go To Definition, Find All References, etc ... does not work between projects of different languages.  This is true for any combination of C++, C#, F# and VB.Net
If you want to tell Microsoft this is a feature you desire then please vote for this Microsoft Connect item


Try out Our own spreadsheet real estate investment analysis so that you could prosper in flipping houses to generate money. Obtain all the steps you must have regarding house flipping analysis in Raleigh.
I always battled with making a decent return on the Home Flip. Purchase and hold has actually done right by me. I discover that regardless of just how worn out a house is, the owner is never ever so foolish to market to me at 50 cents on the buck. When I have had the ability to acquire under-market, the price of upgrades ate right into my profits.
Long-term financial investment is the way to choose some as rental homes never go out of design and also real estate is always needed in some kind or one more. The choice to long term real estate financial investments is the short-term investment. A buy as well as a fast resell, or "turning," as it's contacted the organisation is still possible with the ideal research. There are couple of methods to guarantee an earnings on a quick deal.
After you find as see well as get the flip (approaches on this to be discussed later on) you will certainly relocate and also start the improvement procedure. That's right, I said you will move into the flip. Why would review certainly you do this? Two factors. First, if you live in a flip for two years it is a home as well as topic to only 15% funding gains tax (versus 35% if you do not) on your revenue. The various other reason is you will certainly be doing a great deal of the work with your personal (whatever you could do) so you should live there while doing it. See, house flipping analysis effectively is easy!
Because the buzz in house flipping analysis is already there, just what you need to begin functioning on is constructing interest routed to your homes. Before you put your renovated home back in the market at a greater rate, it would be best to provide it a good area where it can be put on a spotlight and show just what it is truly constructed from, essentially. Showcase each room as well as the special details you contributed to it, revealing it is worthy of nothing much less than the rate tag you put on it.
5) He that discusses dollar quantities first sheds. It's a well-known reality. The initial regulation of settlement is to wait on the other person to name a rate. Note every one of the items on the rehab strike listing throughout the counteroffer stage, as bargaining power.
You can also find homes with owners who have actually fallen short to preserve the high quality you can try these out of the residence. Typically these individuals are eager to readjust the value of their home so they could dispose it faster. However you need to do some repairs so you could improve the worth of your house flipping analysis spreadsheet real estate investment analysis before you dispose it. This way, you can have better revenues.
You will require to make an application use this link for a domain name and also webhosting. You will certainly have to choose a domain that concentrates on a certain subject. The even more typical subjects concentrate on science, sports as well as anything medical associated. Make certain that your domain is short and also has a search phrase in it. You want to make sure that your internet site is appealing and also that it will certainly supply its future owner with everything they will certainly need.


text:
FreshLinc re-equips with Scania S-series trucks
Spalding-based temperature-controlled supply chain management specialist, FreshLinc, has taken delivery of its first 20 Scania S-series trucks.
Split between three of the company's divisions – FreshLinc, FloraLinc and DirectLinc – the vehicles will run both in the UK and on the organisation's European operations.
All are 500 S 6×2/2 mid-lift tractor units equipped with Scania's 500 horsepower 12.7-litre engine.
The order has been fulfilled by Scania (Great Britain) Limited's Spalding branch, which will also be responsible for the majority of servicing work required throughout the three year R&M period included in the deal.
"We have once again chosen Scania as they continue to impress in terms of their fuel returns, driver acceptance and good service coverage, both in the UK and throughout Europe," comments FreshLinc Fleet Engineer, Andy Marchant.
"The move to the larger S-series with Highline cab is due to its suitability for our European operations as well as driver acceptance and residual values."
The three divisions of FreshLinc receiving the vehicles are:
FreshLinc, which is involved in the carriage of temperature-controlled produce to retailers and food producers
FloraLinc, a recently-launch operation which moves goods from horticultural suppliers to garden centres and retailers
DirectLinc, a container operation involved primarily in the movement of products to and from ports


She holds a bachelor in Law and a second bachelor in English philology. Besides, she holds a Postgraduate in Conference interpreting, and 2 Masters, one in European Studies and a second one in Education Science.
She is an experienced translator, revisor and interpreter, mostly specialized in EU and legal affairs, although she also works in education and general topics.
Paula has translated from English into Spanish since 2002. She has a wide experience in several fields, but mostly in legal, EU and international issues.
Due to her complementary experience in the field of EU affairs as a consultant, she is the ideal candidate for translating or reviewing EU projects or texts (both legal or promotional texts).
Since 2014, she regularly translates and revises texts for the European Commission and some its agencies.
Large experience in EU related and legal texts.
Political declarations, regulations, dissemination texts and brochures. Translator and reviewer for the European Commission and related agencies.
Experience in drafting and translating EU funded projects in various topics.
Work for different law firms.


text:
Loveratri or Loveyatri? Salman Khan weighs in on Supreme Court's verdict
New Delhi, First Published Sep 27, 2018, 1:51 PM IST
The film which was earlier named as Loveratri that was changed to Loveyatri by the producers keeping in mind that earlier name sounded like Navratri
The Supreme Court directed Thursday that no coercive action is to be taken in any part of the country against Salman Khan Ventures, the producer of upcoming Bollywood movie Loveratri.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra considered the submission that the movie, slated for all India release on October 5, has been cleared by the Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and despite this, an FIR has been registered in Bihar and a criminal complaint is pending in Vadodara in Gujarat.
The bench took note of the plea of the producer and said that no coercive action shall be taken against it relating to the content and the name of the movie.
Several private criminal complaints have been filed against the movie alleging that its name has hurt the religious sentiment of Hindus. The film which was earlier named as Loveratri was changed to Loveyatri by the producers keeping in mind that earlier name sounded like Navratri.
The movie stars Salman's brother-in-law Ayush Sharma and Warina Hussain.
Meanwhile, in a recent interview, Salman Khan said changing the name of the movie was the 'easiest decision'. "What's the point in getting stuck on a topic if someone has a problem with it? It's not like we had any intention of hurting anyone or their feelings," he told Indiatimes.com recently. He also added, "I was surprised that a simple title like Loveratri could court such a controversy. I could not figure out what happened."
Last Updated Sep 30, 2018, 11:51 AM IST
Loveratri
Loveyatri
Notable fashion & beauty influencer Bipasha Banikya underlines the primacy of daily skincare
Dhanteras 2021: 6 things you must bring home for Dhanteras and Diwali
Undeniably becoming one of the most pursued youthful business visionaries of Japan is Akita Shintaro


Methods to making gold in World of Warcraft, Diablo 3, Guild Wars 2, and much more!
Gold Stocks Technical Study: Newmont Mining, IAMGOLD, Harmony Gold Mining, and Goldcorp Editor Note: For more information about this release, please scroll to bottom.
Goldfacts.org contains information from World Gold Council members, the OECD, the World Bank, and others.
Questions and comments related to recovering gold from ores and placer gravel deposits.
Early 1800's. Gold Mining By Joyce Handsel. In Cabarrus County , North Carolina in 1799 there lived in the German Speaking community a man named John Reed.


More than 20 people died in clashes when UN troops conducted an operation in the volatile PK5 neighborhood of Bangui earlier this month. DW spoke to the head of the mission.
More than 20 people, including civilians, were killed and over 135 people injured, following what the humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders called the worst violence in the capital Bangui since 2015. In early April, UN troops of the MINUSCA peacekeeping mission entered the PK5 neighborhood in what they said was an attempt to stamp out criminal gangs.
The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed that fighters, as well as civilians hit by stray bullets, were among the wounded. Residents of the neighborhood later laid out the bodies of those killed in front of the UN compound.
DW spoke to Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, the UN Special Representative for the Central African Republic and head of the UN peacekeeping mission to the country, MINUSCA, who defended the operation in PK5, an area in the Central African Republic's (CAR) capital Bangui which lies only 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the city center. The mainly Muslim neighborhood is still seen as one of the focal points of the conflict between the Seleka and anti-Balaka militia groups.
The UN mission also came under fire in the past week over the arrest of a peacekeeper suspected of trafficking arms in the country.
DW: Can you explain the circumstances around the violence that followed a MINUSCA operation in Bangui.
Parfait Onanga-Anyanga: We have to put the events into the right context. The violence did not begin with the MINUSCA operation. The violence started long before that. It was extremely regrettable to see that MINUSCA, the peacekeepers in CAR, particularly in Bangui, have no other option than to resort to self-defense in the protection of their mandate. The Sukula operation that was led jointly by the government and the mission in PK5 had only one intention. That was to arrest criminal individuals and organizations that have taken the entire population in PK5 as hostages so that they can be held accountable for the crimes and so that we can better protect people in PK5 and free this extremely vibrant community from the violence imposed upon them by these actors. And to ensure that PK5 can become the dynamic economic hub of the entire city or even country. So we deeply regret these events.
Residents have complained about the passivity and inaction of MINUSCA. What's your response to that?
Now we are engaging the population in PK5. I do believe that the majority of the population wants to move forward and they are still asking the government and MINUSCA to go ahead with its efforts to root out this criminal organizations from PK5. It is a very difficult process in a context where we still have a very weak nation. Reforms are underway. Today there is no reason for anyone in CAR to take up weapons as a means of being heard and to make any claims over marginalization or identity. Every type of concern in CAR today can be part of an inclusive dialogue that the African Union is offering.
How far has the process of disarmament gone in the area?
The government has initiated a process for the disarmament, mobilization and reintegration of former combatants. This is all moving forward. Unfortunately we still have a couple of hardliners in the community who still believe that clinging on to their weapons is the only way that their demands and claims will be heard. But there is a time for everything and I do believe that the time for peace has arrived in CAR and I'm very confident that if everyone keeps doing the right thing and that if we dedicate ourselves to the cause of peace in CAR, the majority of us will be stronger than those who are still vying for easy gains and who still want to resort to the barrel instead of the ballot box. But it is still work in progress and I'm very confident that we will continue to advance the cause of peace in the Central African Republic.
Parfait Onanga-Anyanga is the UN Special Representative for the Central African Republic and head of the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSCA.
The interview was conducted by Eric Topona.
Unidentified gunmen have killed at least 12 people in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic. Among them were churchgoers and a pastor who had campaigned for peace with local Muslims.


text:
"""Constants for IPMA component."""
import logging

from homeassistant.components.weather import DOMAIN as WEATHER_DOMAIN

DOMAIN = "ipma"

HOME_LOCATION_NAME = "Home"

ENTITY_ID_SENSOR_FORMAT = WEATHER_DOMAIN + ".ipma_{}"
ENTITY_ID_SENSOR_FORMAT_HOME = ENTITY_ID_SENSOR_FORMAT.format(HOME_LOCATION_NAME)

_LOGGER = logging.getLogger(".")

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Whether you're a parent, student or community member, I welcome you to the Campbellsville Independent Schools' website and the start of a new school year.
I am honored and grateful to be your new superintendent.
Campbellsville Independent Schools has such a rich tradition of excellence in both academics and extracurricular activities.
I understand that true learning only takes place when students, parents, staff members and the community collaborate to provide the best learning environment possible.
It is my goal for every student to graduate from our school system as college or career ready, with the skills necessary to pursue the opportunities of their choosing after high school.
I want our students to be challenged daily in a safe, nurturing environment.
It is our belief that our small, caring atmosphere creates a learning environment second to none that allows all students the opportunity to be successful.
I hope you enjoy looking and learning about our District through our website.
To reach me, call (270) 465-4162 or email kirby.smith@cville.kyschools.us.


Glenfiddich (pronounced: glen-FID-ik) is the giant of the industry. It is also the godfather of single malt, being the first distillery to actively release and market large quantities of its product as a single malt in 1963. The current climate of high-flying single malt sales and marketing owes a huge debt to Glenfiddich's pioneering work. The result of this success and legacy as one of the world's best selling whisky brands is that a great number of people sneer at Glenfiddich and disregard it as a mass produced spirit with little remarkable character. If you only drank the 12yo or the old NAS versions you could be forgiven for thinking this, but dig deeper and you will discover many beautiful expressions of Glenfiddich. It is a distillate with immense aging potential, natural distinction and complexity and an ability to show well in various cask types and ages.
Glenfiddich officially launched its malt for the first time in 1963, although there were versions bottled before then. These whiskies were all distilled in a more old style fashion but even back then Glenfiddich was a multi-still monster of a distillery. It was using coal firing back then and worm tubs along with its own floor maltings. The resultant malts, that can still be found today with some careful searching, were resinous, piney affairs with lots of spicy, waxy and green fruity aspects to them.
Similarly there are many aged vintage expressions from this era and before as well. Official vintages, single casks, 30, 40 and 50 year old bottlings, all of them are well worth trying and most are stunning. Aged Glenfiddich tends to reveal big wax, herbaceous and fruit notes with accentuated elements of tangerines, apples, spice, flints and floral aspects. The best are glorious drams and, since the spirit can keep on aging for a long time, they often tend to be very fresh as well.
There are incredibly few independent bottlings of Glenfiddich, most were bottled a couple of decades ago from very old casks before WM Grants put a stop to independent expressions of their malts. The best bottlings were done by Cadenhead's, Cheiftain's and Intertrade. Several were from very dark sherry which, while excellent as sherry bombs drams, left little room for distillery character. The refill 1972 32yo by Cadenhead's was a majestic exception.
Glenfiddich was using over 20 stills in the early eighties, I'm not sure when they stopped using worm tubs but it was definitely by the mid eighties. They eventually reduced the number of stills down to a more manageable 13. Although these stills thankfully remained gas fired and the floor maltings are still used to this day. These factors undoubtedly contribute to the continuing distinctive edge that the spirit has managed to retain.
Modern Glenfiddich has retained the same apple and spice notes that have been in the spirit for the past decades. Younger expressions can be very pleasantly fresh with vanilla, white fruits, pear drops and a lick of smoke. The 12yo is solid but not too inspiring, however the 15yo cask strength and the 18yo both show a big leap in quality and intensity of flavour, both are excellent benchmark expressions. The best thing to look for in a Glenfiddich is a lack of interference. It has never been a spirit that takes well to wood finishes or fancy wood technology. Bottlings like the Caoran Reserve and Rum Finish 21yo reveal this weakness with a notable imbalance between distillery character and cask influence. While the recent Snow Pheonix bottling shows a wonderful richness of character and deep complexity that arises from a careful vatting of casks from a variety of vintages.
Glenfiddich is unashamedly a massive whisky factory, a tour will leave your mind boggled at the scale of the production. However, despite this it is also a fundamentally good malt whisky, one that rewards further investigation and interest. It also scotches the myth (as it were) that good malt whisky can only be achieved with small, artisanal style production methods. Glenfiddich should be commended for achieving a regularly high level of quality on such a vast scale.


"Jimmy, Wanted you to know how very happy you have made Lou and I.
WE LOVE OUR NEW KITCHEN!!!
It goes to prove you don't have to spend a fortune on remodeling to look beautiful when you have professionals who take pride in their work.


text:
Oily Business: Crude Oil, November deal and Uncertainty
Osama Rizvi
[yt_dropcap type="square" font="" size="14″ color="#000″ background="#fff" ] T [/yt_dropcap] he stage is set. The world waits. There are murmurs and whispers. There are speculations and surmises. On 30th November OPEC and Non OPEC countries engage in a rendezvous in an effort to secure a deal. The whole world looks up to it. But a thwart seems to hang over.
From a month or two there has been a deluge of speculations. Sometimes oil markets reveled and at times tensed. There were "Ayes" and "Nays". Whenever uncertainty trampled the prices we could see any of the oil producers peddling a "There will be a deal" comment into the news hence striving hard for maintaining the optimism. In these nictitating oil market sentiments, uncertainty lurks everywhere.
There is Russian defection. The Iran and Iranian obstinacy. The Saudi fickleness. All are adding up to the worries. As of today (29th Nov) KSA has proposed a production cut for Iraq and a freeze for Iran. The former has refused and want to freeze and the latter, albeit agreeing to freeze, exceed the ceiling proposed by KSA. They have proposed that Iran freezes at 3.79 million barrels but Tehran says it will not concur to anything less than 3.97 million barrels per day.
The oil prices took a dive Friday (25th Nov) when there was an announcement that fell like a sharp dagger breaking the beautiful picture of a deal into little pieces. I think there has been a sudden realization, a bedazzling epiphany that has put a kibosh (temporarily) on the much awaited November Oil deal.
There has been a ham-fisted attempt at creating a buffoonish illusion. The illusion to make the world buy a production-freeze as a production cut! And the executioner of this oily legerdemain is none other than Russia. It is important here to note that it was Russia's unconditioned support to a production cut that has been able to drive up the prices from past two months when the party met in Istanbul on the sidelines of International Energy Forum.
In my recent series of articles on this November 30th deal I have always clung to the point that these meetings amount to nothing but a lull to appease the restless markets. The comments serve as a pain-killer for the debt-ridden producers, attrition-smitten and bankrupt oil companies. The recent Trump Triumph is another stock amidst the confounding milieu. His pro-drilling nature and environmental nescience makes many to ponder what effect it will have on the future energy markets. But if we critically analyze it he and his stances are not to affect, at least oil, profoundly. Only the price wields the prowess to change the situation and this bring us to the fundamentals.
The world is still awash with oil. Last time the inventory buildup at Cushing, Oklahoma was termed as "the most bearish report on oil". However, EIA has provided a little breathing space as it reported a 1.3 million barrel decline in inventory levels at Cushing, Oklahoma for the week November 18. Also, the number of increasing rigs is a continuous worry. This week Baker and Hughes reported an additament of 3 rigs making the total 474 and a week before oil rigs also followed on the heels of Cushing inventory rising by 19, the greatest since July 2015.
The upward tick in prices, whenever it ensues, starts a vicious cycle. As prices aggravate, the nodding donkeys are herded towards the oil fields, resultantly more production, and more supply which, ergo, once again pushes down the supply. There are at-least 5000 DUC wells right now in U.S. if prices rise imagine the deluge. This has been the case from the second half of 2015 and hitherto. And it won't change either.
Then what is the panacea? It is demand. Unless or until the maw of demand gobbles up the excess supply there is no permanent solution to these predicament. IEA's Oil market report for November doesn't helps in this regard. Also the Middle Eastern producers Iran and Iraq are a cause of continuous exasperation as they have not agreed to be a part of any production cut or freeze. Iran says it can freeze their production at 4.2mbpd but the proposition given to them is of 3.2-3.6mbpd. Iraq says it needs to pump in order to have the money to fight IS. Libya and Nigeria has also started to ramp up the production as the attacks in Libya settle down and Niger Delta Avengers have dwindled their strikes. Chinese slow demand is always, once again, a great issue.
With all this being said I opine that KSA will still attend the meeting. But as the current overtures tacitly insinuates. The likelihoods of any deal are very low. What can happen is that there can be a word-play and commitments with hand-shakings and smiles. The chances of even this are also very low. As the days will pass, uncovering the stark reality which was and is always there, the prices will come more down. When they started it was a production cut, then there were few defectors, now it has transmogrified into a freeze and the worse, Russia's non-participation. These are, certainly, omens that bade ill for the future. These are the signs that show a chronic oil price dip. These signs…are not good.
Let us not be naïve. Let us not be blind. This procrastination. This deliberate defection. This infusion of confusion. To a man cherishing a decent amount of common sense. It clearly indicates: No deal. It seems as it was in a fit of optimism and friendship that OPEC and Non-OPEC producers played with the feelings of the market. No one wants to lose their share. In talks, in news it all sounds and look good. But in reality, in paper, in practice no one wants to do it. This is a bitter truth.
Related Topics:EconomicsEnergyIranIraqLibyaNigeriaOPECRussiaSaudi ArabiaUSA
Relevance of Hydrocarbon sector in changing energy scenario
A Tough Row to Hoe
Independent Economic Analyst, Writer and Editor. Contributes columns to different newspapers. He is a columnist for Oilprice.com, where he analyzes Crude Oil and markets. Also a sub-editor of an online business magazine and a Guest Editor in Modern Diplomacy. His interests range from Economic history to Classical literature.
Muslim causes vs national interest: Muslim nations make risky bets
Why Economic Sanctions Mean Little to Moscow
Iran's 'oil for execution' plan: Old ideas in a new wrapping
Ebrahim Fallahi
This week Iranian Oil Ministry is going to officially start a new plan that is aimed to be a new way for selling oil and tackling the pressures imposed by U.S. sanctions on the country's oil industry.
The plan is to execute a barter system which allows domestic and foreign companies, investors and contractors to carry out projects in Iran in exchange for oil (I would like to call it "oil for execution").
In this regard, as the official inauguration of this new program, a business contract will be signed within the next few days, under which a domestic company is going to receive crude oil in exchange for funding a project to renovate a power plant in Rey county, near the capital Tehran.
At the first glance, the idea of offering oil in exchange for execution of industrial projects seems quite a new idea, however unfortunately it is no more than the same old structure under a new façade.
U.S. sanctions and Iran's coping tactics
Since the U.S.'s withdrew from Iran's nuclear pact in May 2018, vowing to drive Iran's oil exports down to zero, the Islamic Republic has been taking various measures to counter U.S. actions and to keep its oil exports levels as high as possible.
The country has repeatedly announced that it is mobilizing all its resources to sell its oil, and it has done so to some extent. However, considering the U.S.'s harsher stand in the new round of sanctions, the situation seems more complicated for the Iranian government which is finding it harder to get its oil into the market like the previous rounds of sanctions.
Selling in the gray market, offering oil in stock exchange, offering oil futures for certain countries, bartering oil for basic goods and finally bartering oil in exchange for executing industrial projects are some of the approaches Iran has taken to maintain its oil exports.
A simple comparison between the above mentioned strategies would reveal that they are mostly the same in nature, and there are just small differences in their presentation and implementation.
For instance, let's take a look at the "offering oil in stock market" strategy, and to see how it is different from the new idea of "offering oil in exchange for development projects".
Oil at IRENEX vs. oil for execution
As I mentioned earlier, one of the main strategies that Iran followed in order to help its oil exports afloat has been trying new ways to diversify the mechanisms of oil sales, one of which was offering oil at the country's energy stock market (known as IRENEX).
In simple words, the idea behind this strategy was that companies would buy the oil which is offered at IRENEX and then they would export it to destination markets using whatever means necessary.
Since the first offering of crude oil at Iran Energy Exchange (IRENEX) in October 2018, the plan has not been very successful in attracting traders, and during its total 15 rounds of oil (including heavy and light crude) offerings only 1.1 million barrels were sold, while seven offerings of gas condensate have also been concluded with no sales. This has made some energy experts to believe that this whole strategy is doomed to fail.
The most important challenge that Iran has been faced in executing this approach is the impact of U.S. sanctions on the country's banking system and its shipping lines, since the purchased oil, ultimately has to be transported from the agreed oil terminals via oil tankers to different destination across the world.
With the previous strategies coming short, nearly six months after the first offering of oil at IRENEX, in early May, Masoud Karbasian, the head of National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) announced that the company plans to barter oil for goods and in exchange for executing development projects.
However, the "oil for execution" part wasn't implemented until this weekend when Head of Thermal Power Plants Holding Company (TPPH) of Iran, Mohsen Tarztalab announced that the company is going to sign a €500 million contract under the new "oil for execution" framework for renovation of Rey power plant near Tehran.
According to Tarztalab, the TPPH decided to go for the deal after the sanctions prevented Japan from financing the renovation of Rey power plan.
Based on this deal, TPPH is going to renovate the power plant and in return NIOC will pay for the services in the form of crude oil. Clearly, TPPH is then in charge of the received oil and it's their concern weather to export it or sell it inside the country.
A closer look at this deal, reveals how similar it is to other approaches that NIOC has been taking. Just like the oil offered at IRENEX, in this model, too, a company is left with an oil cargo which is banned from entering global markets. The buyers are once again facing financial barriers and shipping difficulties.
Although, like the first oil offering in which a few companies risked buying some oil, this time, too, TPPH, is making a significant gamble in signing this deal, but, just like the IRENEX experience, it seems really improbable for more companies to follow the state-owned TPPH's footsteps.
The need for taking all necessary measures for withstanding the economic pressures of the U.S. sanctions is an obvious fact, however the ways of doing so should be chosen more carefully.
It seems that the government has been only wrestling with the "problem" here rather than attempting to find practical "solutions".
Fortunately, in the past few months, the government seems to have seen the fact that the best way to withstand any economic pressure is the transition from an oil-dependent economy to an active, self-sufficient and independent economy which is more invested in its potentials for trade with neighbors rather than the oil market.
Solutions like offering oil in the energy exchange or oil for execution might be some kind of transition from traditional oil sales to new approaches, but they are not ultimate solutions in the face of sanctions.
To overcome the current economic conditions, the government has realized that it should have medium- and long-term planning and policy making.
Active diplomacy and attention to the energy needs and capacities of the neighboring countries and offering discounts for oil products, although are more time-consuming ways to increase oil sales, but will be more successful than the ways we discussed, and will yield greater benefits for the country.
From our partner Tehran Times
The who and how of power system flexibility
Enrique Gutierrez
All around the world, power systems are changing fast. For example last year Denmark supplied 63% of its power demand from variable renewables (wind and solar PV) while last June Great Britain went a full 18 days without burning coal for power generation.
Yet despite such examples of progress, change has not been fast enough to meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement. In fact, power sector emissions have been on the rise over the past two years and investments in variable renewable power capacity appear to have stalled for the first time in two decades. Meanwhile electrification continues in sectors such as transport – and without accelerated decarbonisation, much of the growth in power demand will be met by fossil fuels.
But having more low-carbon electricity on the grid is not enough; we need to make better use of that low-carbon electricity. That means coordinated action on the transformation of power systems.
Power system flexibility – the ability to respond in a timely manner to variations in electricity supply and demand – stands at the core of this transformation. Luckily, policy makers and industry leaders across the globe are increasingly aware of the importance of flexibility and are taking action. Over the last two years, two Clean Energy Ministerial Campaigns have contributed to developing an understanding of what technical solutions for flexibility are available – in power plants, grids, storage and on the demand side.
That's the 'what' of power system flexibility. But the more difficult questions are 'how do we implement this flexibility?' and 'who should be involved?'.
The answer is: it depends. More precisely, introducing the appropriate measures to deploy power system flexibility requires a deep, thoughtful look at each country's institutional framework. One key finding from the various workshops and forums organised by the CEM Power System Flexibility Campaign is that the changes necessary to activate innovative flexibility solutions inevitably deal with regulatory decisions.
One key myth that these same events are contributing to dismantle is that power sector regulation is far too complex and far too country-specific to profit from international sharing of best practices. In fact, it may be the contrary. This sharing of best practices is one of the main contributions of the joint IEA and 21st Century Power Partnership report Status of Power System Transformation 2019, which explores the various points of intervention, along with the relevant stakeholders for flexibility deployment.
The report describes how it is possible for policy makers to easily identify areas where they can directly enable change and areas where more targeted interventions may need wider stakeholder engagement.
It starts by looking at energy strategies, legal frameworks, and policies and programmes. These high-level instruments are usually what is thought of when looking at renewable energy policy support. While relatively far away from implementation, this level is particularly important as it sets the overall course for power system development.
Energy strategies typically lay out broad targets, such as China's target of flexibility retrofits for 220 GW of coal-fired power plants in its 13th Five-Year Plan or Switzerland's 'Energy Strategy 2050'. Legal frameworks go one step closer to implementation by defining electricity industry structure along with the foundations of who does what, such as the UK's recent bill for electric mobility or the distribution sector and flexibility reforms in Chile. Lastly, policies and programmes can be useful tools to test specific technology approaches or focus on specific aspects of the energy transition, for example Italy's feasibility study on 'Virtual Storage Systems' or the creation of a working group for the modernisation of Brazil's power sector.
While these high-level solutions are necessary and can be very effective, accelerating the energy transition for increasingly complex and decentralised power systems will increasingly require detailed fine-tuning of institutional frameworks. This is where we come to regulation, market rules and technical standards. By allocating costs and risk, regulation essentially determines who can do what, and how. Similarly, market rules and technical standards play a key role in shaping the interactions of different stakeholders in the power system.
In many cases, it may be necessary to update regulatory frameworks to recognise the new capabilities of new technologies in the power system. This might be the responsibility of the regulator in the case of vertically integrated utilities or spread across regulatory decisions, market rules and technical standards in the case of more unbundled power systems.
For example, if modern wind and solar power plants are technically able to provide frequency regulation, the recognition of their contribution to system reliability may require a regulatory decision to assess and validate their capabilities. It might also require modifying the system operator's market rules to allow access to ancillary services, as was done in Spain.
Similarly, if digitalisation and decentralisation of the power system offer the potential of greater demand-side participation, it will be regulation that enables smaller system resources to participate in energy, capacity and ancillary service markets. How this is implemented would vary across jurisdictions, for example updating prequalification requirements may be necessary to enable aggregation, as in the EU, simply recognising independent aggregators as market players, as in Australia, or reforming retail tariffs as in Singapore.
But to know what changes should be implemented, and by who, it is critically important to understand the specific point of intervention and engage the right stakeholders. More broadly, it is important to start a conversation with a comprehensive set of stakeholders, to get an idea of what is possible and what is needed, and to compare experiences within and across countries.
Over the coming year, the IEA and PSF Campaign will continue working on this global dialogue to improve the understanding of regulatory and market design options for the deployment of system flexibility, supported by the Campaign's co-leads – China, Denmark, Germany and Sweden. The PSF campaign is preparing initial steps to collaborate with CEM's 21st Century Power Partnership, the Electric Vehicle Initiative and the International Smart Grid Action Network to look at the linkage between power system flexibility and transport electrification, an important conversation given the trend towards decentralisation driven by adoption of electric vehicles.
This work all aims to drive home one key-message: we need creative policy making if we are serious about accelerating the energy transition, and regulatory innovation and international cooperation are a good place to start.
U.S. Is World's Largest Producer of Fossil Fuels
Todd Royal
The world is using more, not less energy, with the United States (U.S.) leading this surge. This fact will continue changing the world geopolitically, and bring changes to global markets. British Petroleum's (BP) seminal Statistical Review of World Energy 2019 was released in early June, and the findings revealed the U.S. is leading the world in production of fossil fuels. The report counters prevailing wisdom that peak oil demand is rapidly happening, when the exact opposite is taking place.
World oil records were broken in 2018; according to the Review: "a new oil consumption record of 99.8 million barrels per day (mbpd), which is the ninth straight year global oil demand has increased." Demand for oil grew 1.5 percent. This is above the "decades-long average of 1.2 percent."
The Review showed the U.S. is the world's top consumer at 20.5 mbpd in 2018, and China was second at 13.5 mbpd, with India in third place at 5.2 mbpd. China and India are growing faster than world and U.S. consumer growth at 5 percent the past decade. What's noticeable about the data is: "Asia Pacific has been the world's fastest growing oil market over the past decade with 2.7% average annual growth."
BP also released the emergence of a new global oil production record in 2018 that averaged 94.7 mbpd. This increased from 2.22 million mbpd from 2017. The U.S. came in at 15.3 mbpd, and led all countries by increasing production from 2017 by over 2.18 mbpd. The U.S. added 98 percent of total global additions, an astonishing figure.
Before the U.S. shale exploration and production (E&P) took off, oil was over $100 a barrel, but since the 2014 oil crash, global oil production has increased by 11.6 mbpd, and shows no signs of slowing down. What Russell Gold of The Wall Street Journal calls, "the shale boom," has seen "U.S. oil production increase by 8.5 mbpd – equal to 73.2% of the global increase in production."
What the numbers increasingly showed was the U.S. quickly surpassing Saudi Arabia. which is the second leading oil producer at 12.3 mbpd, and Russia in third at 11.4 mbpd. Though Canada has domestic opposition from environmental groups to fossil fuel production, Canada added over 410,000 bpd in 2017.
Add these figures to U.S. numbers, and North America is now arguably the most important source for oil in the world. The BP Review decided to add natural gas liquids (NGLs) to oil production numbers and found that U.S. NGL is higher than any country at 4.3 mbpd. This is higher than Middle Eastern numbers combined, and "accounts for 37.6% of total global NGL production."
What does this mean for geopolitics? The axiom whoever controls energy controls the world now takes on new meaning with the U.S. drastically pulling ahead of Middle Eastern rivals, Russia and other global producers. Energy has always been a main factor in human development, and is especially true of today's complex international, political and economic systems that have been in place since the end of World War II (WWII)
With abundant energy, scarcity no longer makes sense when global energy sources are now readily available. When geopolitical havoc comes from Africa since over 600 million Africans are without power, added to the over 1.2 billion people on earth without electricity that is a recipe for geopolitical disaster than can be avoided.
What abundant U.S. shale oil, and natural gas can provide, as well if steadfastly pursued, is putting a stop, or at least halting the rampant weaponization of energy from countries like Russia and Iran. However, both would argue they are doing this national security and sovereign protection.
The current path of demonizing fossil fuels won't lift billions out of energy poverty, but it will serve to fortify Putin's resolve. Western media outlets that back the get-off-fossil-fuels crowd do not seem to understand those geopolitical realities. Building electrical lines powered by U.S. natural gas over authoritarian dictators oil and natural gas supplies is a great pathway to promoting democratic capitalism, energy-sufficient nation-states, and continents with market economies.
This will lead billions out of despair, and solve a host of geopolitical problems that has vexed the U.S., EU, NATO and UN for decades. All of these problems will be solved without a shot being fired, or another fruitless war occurring.
By the U.S. countering the weaponization of energy through increased oil and NGL production this has national security and foreign policy implications that affects literally every person on the planet. As an example, if Ukraine, a NATO Member Action Plan applicant since 2008, can be bullied, annexed and invaded without consequence from the West, then global economic markets can be crushed on a whim.
Understanding foreign policy decisions through the lens of energy can lead either to chaos, or the deterring of determined enemies, and that's why it is so important the U.S. continues leading the world in oil and natural gas production.
When more than 80 percent of the world's energy comes from oil, natural gas and coal, while understanding "fossil fuels have enabled the greatest advancements in living standards over the last 150 years," then energy is the number one soft and hard power geopolitical weapon outside of a nuclear arsenal.
"Leading from behind" and "resets" favored by the former U.S. administration won't help Ukraine or other Russian border states under systematic assault. Trillions in economic growth is then stifled over energy concerns when the exact opposite should be happening.
Viewing the U.S.' number one oil producer status through the prism of stopping authoritarians, and moving international relations toward the U.S.-led order is the best hope for the world in this perilous century. Geopolitically, it may also be out best hope for growth and forestalling another global war.