text:
No, immigrants are not disease carriers
Lies about migration and health have become accepted, used to justify policies of exclusion
Public health protection and cost savings are often used as reasons to restrict migrants' access to health care, or to deny them entry.
Yet, as the new UCL-Lancet Commission on Migration and Health lays out with new international data and analysis, the most common myths about migration and health are not supported by the available evidence and ignore the important contribution of migration to global economies.
In 2018, there were more than one billion people on the move, a quarter of whom were migrants crossing international borders.
The Commission is the result of a two-year project led by 20 leading experts from 13 countries, and includes new data analysis, with two original research papers, and represents the most comprehensive review of the available evidence to date.
The report, including its recommendations to improve the public health response to migration, will be launched on 8th December at the UN Intergovernmental Conference to adopt the Global Compact for safe, orderly and regular migration in Marrakech.
"Populist discourse demonises the very same individuals who uphold economies and bolster social care and health services. Questioning the deservingness of migrants for health care on the basis of inaccurate beliefs supports practices of exclusion, harming the health of individuals, our society, and our economies," says Commission Chair Professor Ibrahim Abubakar, UCL (UK).
"Migration is the defining issue of our time. How the world addresses human mobility will determine public health and social cohesion for decades ahead. Creating health systems that integrate migrant populations will benefit entire communities with better health access for all and positive gains for local populations. Failing to do so could be more expensive to national economies, health security, and global health than the modest investments required to protect migrants' right to health, and ensure migrants can be productive members of society."
The Lancet editor Dr Richard Horton adds: "In too many countries, the issue of migration is used to divide societies and advance a populist agenda. With one billion people on the move today, growing populations in many regions of the world, and the rising aspirations of a new generation of young people, migration is not going away. Migrants commonly contribute more to the economy than they cost, and how we shape their health and wellbeing today will impact our societies for generations to come. There is no more pressing issue in global health."
Myths about migration and health not supported by the available evidence:
Are high income countries being overwhelmed by migrants?
Discussions about migration often focus on rising numbers of people crossing international borders and overwhelming high-income countries, but changes in migration are more complex.
Although international migration receives the most political and public attention, most movement globally is internal migration.
A quarter of all migrants (an estimated 258 million people) are international migrants. In the past four decades, the percentage of the world's population that is considered an international migrant has changed very little -- from 2.9% in 1990 to 3.4% in 2017 globally.
Most international migrants are labour migrants (approximately 65%) -- and a much smaller proportion are refugees and asylum seekers.
While high-income countries have seen a greater rise in the percentage of international migrants (from 7.6% in 1990 to 13.4% in 2017), they are more likely to be students who pay for their education or labour migrants who are net contributors to the economy.
Refugees make up a larger proportion of the total population in low income countries compared to high income countries (0.7% vs 0.2%).
Are migrants damaging economies?
An overwhelming consensus of evidence exists on the positive economic benefits of migration, which is insufficiently acknowledged. In advanced economies, each 1% increase in migrants in the adult population increases the gross domestic product per person by up to 2%. Additionally, migration contributes to global wealth distribution.
An estimated US$613 billion was sent by migrants to their families at origin in 2017. Approximately three quarters of these remittances are to low- and middle-income countries -- an amount three-times larger than official development assistance.
Are migrants a burden on health services?
Migrants constitute a substantial proportion of the health care workforce in many high-income countries.
Rather than being a burden, migrants are more likely to bolster services by providing medical care, teaching children, caring for older people, and supporting understaffed services. In the UK, 37% of doctors received their medical qualification in another country.
A new, comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis concludes that international migrants in high-income countries have lower rates of mortality compared to general populations across the majority of disease categories.
The study used mortality estimates on more than 15.2 million migrants from 92 countries and found that international migrants had lower rates of deaths for cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, neoplasms, nervous and respiratory diseases, mental and behavioural disorders and injuries than people in the general population in the receiving country.
There was no evidence of a difference for blood, genitourinary, or musculoskeletal disorders.
The only two exceptions were for infections such as viral hepatitis, tuberculosis, and HIV, and external causes, such as assault, where migrants had increased rates of mortality.
However, as the report also highlights, several studies (eg on tuberculosis) have shown that the risk of transmission of infections is elevated only within migrant communities, and is negligible in host populations.
The findings are most likely to apply to international migrants in high income countries who are studying, working, or have joined family members in these countries.
Vulnerable groups, such as refugees, asylum seekers, and undocumented migrants, may have different health needs, but, as the authors note, rather than form policies based on exceptions, evidence about the healthy benefits of migration should be at the forefront of decisions.
Are migrants disease carriers that pose risks to resident populations?
The stereotype of migrants as disease carriers is perhaps one of the most prevalent, and the most harmful.
However, there is no systematic association between migration and importation of infectious diseases, and the evidence shows that the risk of transmission from migrating populations to host populations is generally low.
Studies on tuberculosis suggest that the risk of transmission is elevated within migrant households and communities, but not in host populations.
Migrants may come from regions with higher disease burden, especially if they come from regions of conflict, with weak public health systems. But illness and infection can also be acquired or during transit -- for example air travel can facilitate the rapid spread of infection.
Indeed, recent examples of spread of resistant pathogens was driven mainly by international travel, tourism, and the movement of livestock rather than migration.
Strong public health systems are needed to prevent outbreaks of disease, whether associated with migration or not.
Do migrants have higher fertility rates than among host populations?
Populist rhetoric often claims that migrants have many more children than host populations.
The Commission collates data from several long-term studies that suggest the birth rates among migrants are barely at the level of population replacement (2.1 births per woman) and often falling.
A study of six European countries found that fertility rates among migrant women were, in general, lower than host populations.
Studies in India and Ethiopia, for example, have shown that internal migrants are more likely to use contraception than host populations. Ensuring access to services is key to ensuring the sexual and reproductive healthcare of migrant women and girls.
Unfounded myths: harmful to individuals and society
Unfounded myths about migration have wide ranging impacts on how migrants are treated within society. Despite evidence that migrants have positive health benefit to societies, many men and women who migrate are subjected to laws, restrictions, and discrimination that put them at risk of ill-health.
Protection of the public is often invoked as a reason for the denial of entry, detention or deportation, but too often these policies leave migrants facing worse health situations.
The Commission calls for governments to improve migrants' access to services, strengthen migrants' right to health and tackle the wider determinants of migrant health, including taking a zero-tolerance approach to racism and discrimination.
Restricting entry based on health status is increasingly common. In Australia, permanent residency application can be rejected because the applicant has a health condition -- the five most common reasons were intellectual or functional impairment, HIV, cancer and renal disease.
35 countries have imposed some form of travel ban on people with HIV. Too often, policies are not based on the overall contribution of migrants to host societies, but only in terms of costs to the state.
Restrictions on entry or deportation for diseases with low risk of casual transmission are impermissible on both public health and human rights grounds.
Linking health status to migration enforcement also reinforces distrust in the health profession, and Iimits migrants' ability to access health care on a non-discriminatory basis.
The fear of deportation can mean migrants will not seek health care or assistance when needed, hindering individual and public health. In practice, health-related enforcement regimes can pressure health workers to act as immigration control agents.
The Commission points to a growing trend of states limiting access to health care for migrants, despite commitments to provide "health for all." In the UK, the hostile environment policy was highlighted in the Windrush scandal of 2018 with long-term migrants being deported midway through medical treatment. Upfront charging regulations are still in place.
"Migrants are healthier and contribute to our economy and the NHS. There is no evidence that migrants are a drain on the NHS or that they spread infectious disease. Exclusion of migrants in health systems and the increasing negative rhetoric is political and not evidence based. The hostile environment towards migrants in the UK has led directly to migrants and British citizens being denied health care, with direct severe public health and health economic consequences. Migrants constitute a considerable portion of the heath care workforce in the UK, making important contributions to the country which should be recognised," says Professor Abubakar.
States are increasingly treating unauthorised border crossings as a criminal offense, leading to detention, at times indefinitely.
Indefinite offshore detention of migrants on Nauru island was introduced as an immigration policy in Australia in 2013, and the USA recently announced a zero-tolerance policy, resulting in migrants arrested or jailed and children separated from their parents.
Detention poses clear violations of international law, and findings from a systematic review of 38 studies shows that detention is associated with negative health outcomes, especially mental health.
"Contrary to the current political narrative portraying migrants as disease carriers who are a blight on society, migrants are an essential part of economic stability in the US. The separation of migrant children from their parents creates long term psychological damage -- and is a cruel and unnecessary aspect of US policy. The criminalization and detention of migrants seeking internationally protected refuge violates international law, and puts them at greater risk of ill health. Migrants are vital to our wellbeing as a society. Addressing the healthcare needs of migrant populations is an essential strategy to stemming costs associated with any avoidable disease burden in these populations," says co-author Professor Terry McGovern, Columbia University, USA.
Finally, the health of migrants depends on the social and structural context of their journey, and destination.
Migrant related discrimination is a profound determinant of health, especially mental health and social wellbeing. Access to justice, and education are important determinants of health.
Yet a study of 28 developed and developing countries found that nearly half did not allow immediate access to education for irregular migrant children, and migrants face many barriers accessing justice, through poor information, employer intimidation, language barriers or unfamiliarity with the system.
Professor Bernadette Kumar, Norwegian Institute for Public Health (Norway) adds: "Too often, government policies prioritise the politics of xenophobia and racism over their responsibilities to act forcefully to counter them. Racial and ethnic discrimination fuel the exclusion of migrant populations, not only violating the rights of individuals, but hindering social cohesion and progress of society at large. Racism and prejudice should be confronted with a zero-tolerance approach."
The Commission is accompanied by four linked Comments, including by Louise Arbour, UN Special Representative for International Migration; David Miliband and Mesfin Teklu Tessema, International Rescue Committee; Kolitha Wickramage, International Organization for Migration, and Giuseppe Annunziata, Regional Office for Europe, WHO; and Walid Ammar, Director General of the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health.
Commission co-author Dr Nyovani Madise, African Institute for Development Policy (Kenya), adds: "Africans have always been highly mobile people, moving mostly within national and regional borders. The Commission's report confirms that migrants boost the economies of their destination countries while many also remit money back to their places of origin. Most African countries find themselves as host to refugees and displaced people running away from conflicts in neighbouring countries. Migration policies in Africa must take on board the Commission's recommendations to provide good healthcare for all people on the move and to acknowledge the positive benefits of migration when formulating and implementing development policies."
""Health for all" will mean nothing without reaching the hardest to reach, including those who are forcibly displaced. This means urgently scaling up investments in providing health services for refugees and internationally displaced people to ensure all people can access quality health services," says David Miliband, President and CEO, International Rescue Committee, co-author of the linked Comment.
The Commission received funding from the Wellcome Trust, Rockefeller Foundation, UK National Institute for Health Research, the UCL Grand Challenges in Global Health, and the EU's Health Programme.
Topics: economy, Health, immigration, racism
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The second version of the Action Army Striker hop up unit with a machined indent to make it compitable with both standard diametre and the narrower, short barrel. Precision made using CNC aluminium. If you're upgrading your gun then you'll need to install an upgraded hop unit for consistent and minute shot adjustment.


I just wanted to write a quick note to thank you and your crew for a great time on our shark trip during September. We were sorry we missed you while you were out of town, but Karyn and the rest of the crew did a great job! We had the privilege of seeing a shark feeding on the whale carcass that was out there for a few days. We really hope that sometime in the near future we can make it back to SA sometime in June or July when the sharks are breaching.


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Delivering Decarbonized Transport
The burning of fossil fuels is the primary driver of climate change, so what's the role for the energy industry in the transition to decarbonization? Dan Kim '97, chief strategic officer and director of Next Renewable Fuels, argues that existing elements of the energy and transport sectors can evolve to contribute to a future decarbonized economy, alongside more disruptive innovations.
A Toyota semi-trailer truck powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, on display at AutoMobility LA in 2017.
Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Dan Kim
Chief Strategic Officer & Director, Next Renewable Fuels
Interview conducted and edited by Ted O'Callahan
Q: How important is transportation to addressing climate change?
If you look at the 51 billion tons of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, 31% comes from making things, 27% is powering things, 19% is growing things, 16% is for transporting things, and the remaining 7% come from heating and cooling things. So transportation is a significant part and has to be integrated into the total decarbonization goal.
Q: What will decarbonized transport look like?
Different approaches make sense for different parts of the sector—rail, marine, aviation, trucks, and cars. The Department of Energy highlights how crucial weight and distance are in choosing future solutions.
Electric batteries make sense for short distance, light- and medium-duty vehicles whereas hydrogen fuel cells make sense for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. When it gets really heavy—ships and airplanes—you focus on synthetic fuels: renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel. In fact, the solutions overlap across the different transport sectors.
You must look at the full value chain of every option, including fossil fuels, and ask, how do we get to our targets? What is the scalability for electrical vehicles, for hydrogen solutions, for synthetic fuels? How does each fit within the total market? Electric vehicles get a lot of attention, but if that's the only thing we focus on we're not going to drive solutions that meet the needs of the 80% to 90% of the demand that requires other complementary solutions.
I own an electrical car. I charge about 80% of the time at home but when I charge elsewhere, I don't like paying more than I would be paying for gas. Paying two times the gasoline equivalent for peak hours charging isn't going to scale because consumers want economic solutions.
One of the things I talk about with both public and private stakeholders is the importance of building economic scalability into decarbonization. How do you provide a framework that leads to a self-sustaining solution that doesn't need to be propped up indefinitely by subsidies? I think we must strike a balance between economics and greenhouse gas emissions.
Q: What happens if you look for that balance?
Here's an example. Everyone thinks using synthetic fuels is less desirable because what's coming out of the tailpipe is not zero emissions. But renewable diesel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions up to 80%. It's not zero emissions but it's a lot better than the alternatives. Even with zero emissions, you have to look upstream and consider the life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Where's the zero-emissions car getting its electricity? People see electricity as 100% clean when it's not. Cleaner electricity through renewable energy is critical in driving decarbonization.
Q: How do you figure out the economics of decarbonization when carbon is still an externality that isn't accounted for in prices?
You can ground it in what's already in place. North America has voluntary carbon credit markets. California has Low Carbon Fuel Standards (LCFS). Canada has a carbon tax that will escalate over time.
Fundamentally, we look at the total greenhouse emissions and the total value chain proposition for decarbonization, whether it's through carbon credit pricing or LCFS, and say, "Where can we have an impact that moves the needle?" That will make clear where the opportunities are and how to align and incentivize stakeholders.
Unfortunately, decarbonization gets lumped in, too many times, with bets on regulatory policy rather than looking at the market. That's why transparency is so important. Getting real transparency can be hard because either people don't know or don't want to share information for a variety of personal, corporate, political, or other reasons. But transparency is how we get proper allocation of risk and economics in decarbonization. It's also an opportunity for the aligned collaboration we need to reach our targets.
Q: In the transition to a decarbonized economy, some people see an opportunity; some people see a risk to their existing business or career. How important are these different perspectives in shaping what happens and how fast it happens?
I think there need to be two efforts happening simultaneously. We need people and projects focused on high-risk, think-differently opportunities that might lead to something hugely disruptive. I'm sure there are many early-stage venture capital unicorn opportunities already underway. Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy Ventures is supporting solutions that may be nonconventional, but high impact.
But there's also tremendous opportunity for a traditional approach to the transition that recognizes the impact existing industries can have in driving decarbonization.
I started my career at Exxon as an engineer at a manufacturing facility. Later, I was the chief financial officer of World Energy, a producer and distributor of sustainable aviation fuel, renewable diesel, and biodiesel. Most recently I focused on the development of sustainable alternative energy platforms with the Pilot Company, the largest travel center network in North America. Having worked in the energy industry for 25-plus years and with firms across the spectrum in terms of views and solutions helps me to appreciate the importance of collaboration, including all perspectives, and recognizing the expertise that exists.
"The whole industry is evolving. How do we effect that change? It's done by understanding the different views people bring to the market instead of dismissing or marginalizing people from traditional oil, gas, or even coal."
The whole industry is evolving. How do we effect that change? It's done by understanding the different views people bring to the market instead of dismissing or marginalizing people from traditional oil, gas, or even coal. I know that might raise red flags, but coal gasifiers can be used to make hydrogen from waste. Natural gas experts can help develop a much cleaner and more robust hydrogen logistics market. Refining assets can make renewable fuel and sustainable aviation fuel.
It's possible to see the outlines of the sustainable energy industry to come. You can generate fuel from a range of agricultural and waste products, including used cooking oils, cow manure, and municipal solid waste. That's a future upstream feed stock business. The technologies that convert feed stocks to fuel is the downstream business. Then there's the midstream business that manage logistics of storage and transport. Folks in the energy industry now will recognize all of that and will help in the proper stewardship of the transition.
We need more understanding of all sides, meaning up and down the value chain, meaning public and private sector, meaning bipartisan support. Getting support is easier if you recognize that a single solution isn't the answer to either the future of transport or, more broadly, decarbonization across all industries.
Q: What do you see as the biggest hurdles to moving faster?
I look at it as less about making it faster than ensuring it doesn't slow down. We also have to be sure we succeed in the race to 2050 over the race to 2030. It is very possible to take actions to meet 2030 targets that slow down the path to 2050.
We need time to grow decarbonized transportation markets. We need time for them to reach maturity. The best way to make sure that process isn't slowed: transparency and collaboration.
Collaboration means stakeholders putting all the cards on the table and saying, "Here's the transparent view of the economics today. What do we need to get to our goal? How do we get initial and scalable adoption? How do we solve the problem longer term with real impact?"
Transparency brings accountability. It can help us get out of the echo chamber. Right now, there's so much excitement, which is great, but there's not enough transparency. In this digital age, it's so easy for people to tell a story. Asking whether the stories make sense can force more transparency.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Chris Paul Bets Michael Jordan That if He Misses Three Shots, a Whole Basketball Camp Gets Free JÔÇÖs
Michael Jordan tussled with gambling issues throughout his career, but he knew he had a surefire victory with this one. And it's a good one.
Chris Paul, who isn't touring with the USA men's basketball team this summer, made a recent appearance at a Michael Jordan Flight School camp, where he aimed to both train kids, and send them home very happy campers. How? By making a bet with old-ass Michael Jordan that he would miss three of the jump shots he takes–reasonable difficulty level–resulting in the entire camp getting gifted with free Jordans. Surely, a 53-year-old MJ couldn't still sink jump shots on a whim, right? He was there as a chaperone, not an athlete. He'd clang three off the side of the rim, and a gym full of star-struck kids would have the story of a lifetime to tell their friends for years to come.
Well, they still have the story of a lifetime to tell, but none of them are going home with free shoes. Because 53-year-old old-ass Michael Jordan is still Michael f*cking Jordan. He didn't miss a. single. shot.
See for yourself.
.@CP3 bet MJ that if he missed three shots, the whole camp would get free shoes (via coachspoon2/Instagram)https://t.co/QkP1BCnZRw
ÔÇö Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 30, 2016
Chris Paul Bets Michael Jordan That if He Misses Three Shots, a Whole Basketball Camp Gets Free JÔÇÖs : The Source


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Tag Archives: crown corporation
WestJet's quiet lobbying campaign
All-but lost last month amid all the hoopla over the launch by Air Canada of its latest low-cost carrier, Rouge, was a fascinating item in several newspapers and websites about WestJet's concern regarding the special treatment given Air Canada by the federal government.
According the stories, and the federal register of lobbyists,WestJet officials launched "a concerted lobbying campaign with the federal government regarding pensions." A series of meetings was held over two days last November and included no fewer than four members of cabinet, among them Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.
Neither WestJet nor the federal government will divulge what was discussed, but it isn't too difficult to link up the dots and get a good idea where the discussion went. Not-so-coincidentally, Air Canada, which is WestJet's chief rival, is seeking leniency from the government regarding a massive pension funding deficit.
"We won't comment on the specifics of individual meetings like these," said WestJet spokesman Robert Palmer, quoted by Reuters. "But at a general level, we are concerned about the impact on the state of competition caused by Air Canada repeatedly asking the federal government for special assistance, especially at a time when they are expanding their fleet, buying new aircraft and have billions of dollars on the balance sheet."
The issue, as the Reuters story explains, is this: Even as WestJet was meeting with government officials, Flaherty was considering a request by Air Canada to be granted a 10-year extension to the cap on special payments it must make to reduce the deficit in its defined-benefit pension funds, which reached C$4.2 billion at the start of 2012.
I'll pause while you digest that number: AC has a pension deficit of $4.2 billion.
So you can understand WestJet's concern. Here's Air Canada asking for help from the government and at the same time talking about how well they're doing financially, launching a new airline and buying airplanes. If you're WestJet, hard not to view that that sucking and blowing at the same time.
(Once again I'm obliged to point out I am a former WestJet employee and have a definite bias in favour of the airline, which I consider to be one of the best run companies in the country.)
WestJet's point of view would be thus: Here it is doing its level best to run a smart, efficient business, and then has to additionally compete in an environment where its main competitor has the playing field tilted in its favour by the federal government.
By the way, WestJet doesn't have a defined pension plan. Instead, it offers its employees profit sharing, and matches any shares that employees buy with their profit sharing on a 1-1 basis.
As with most things, however, it's difficult to draw a conclusion that black-and-white, no matter how black-and-white the issue appears on the surface.
Air Canada is a legacy carrier, and prior to 1989 was owned by the federal government. Airline ownership, and the protections afforded Air Canada, was the government's way of ensuring that Canadians were well served by air in a land that was long on geography and thin on population. You can debate, endlessly, whether that policy was successful.
Regardless, even though AC is no longer a crown corporation, it operates under conditions and rules different than other airlines due to its past. Some of these restrictions impose added costs. For example, Air Canada is legally obligated to provide services in French and English, unlike WestJet, which merely must provide safety announcements in both.
No doubt a portion of that pension deficit was incurred while Air Canada was operated as a Crown Corp., and decisions made by its executives, such as buying Airbus A320 aircraft in 1988, not only received government blessing, but were imposed upon it when politically expedient. The government has, shall we say, something of a moral and historical obligation to help it out.
And help it does. When Air Canada sales and service agents walked off the job in June of 2011, the federal government tabled back-to-work-legislation. When Air Canada flight attendants threatened to strike in October of 2011, the federal government referred the dispute to Canadian Industrial Relations Board, blocking the FAs from job action. When Air Canada pilots and machinists threatened the same last March, the government yet again stepped in, referring the dispute to the CIRB.
The pattern is the same paternalism displayed when AC was a Crown Corp., insofar as it remains of the view that without Air Canada, Canadians would be in a pickle where air travel goes.
If Air Canada were to fold, my take is that about 11.3 seconds after Air Canada disappeared private companies would trip over one another to fill the void. Money loves a vacuum. That said, it could well be that with Air Canada gone, and less competition in the marketplace, the flying public ends up served less well. It's one of things no one would really know until they knew.
The WestJet issue has the government by the short hairs.One one hand it has a historical obligation to Air Canada, views it as an essential service, and at the same time purports to be pro-business, believes in marketplace freedom, and is a booster of Western Canada. Remember, WestJet is Calgary based, and Alberta is the heart of the Conservatives power base (Calgary Southwest is Prime Minister Stephen Harper's own riding). Rubbing WestJet the wrong way is not something a Harper government wants to do.
Hence the fascinating dilemma. On one hand, Air Canada is viewed as the favourite son. On the other, WestJet is the pretty daughter looking for equal treatment.
Welcome to aviation, Canada style.
This entry was posted in Airlines, Industry News & Commentary, Uncategorized and tagged Air Canada, crown corporation, federal government, labour dispute, level playing field, lobbying, pensions, WestJet on January 7, 2013 by Craig Daniels.


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Horden station granted planning permission
Published January 07, 2019 2.51pm
Plans to build a new £10.55 million railway station in east Durham have been given the go-ahead.
Artist's impression of the new Horden station
The scheme, at Horden, near Peterlee, will see the creation of two 100 metre platforms connected by an accessible footbridge, shelters, a 139-space car park and bus stops. A new access road, footpath and cycleway will also be created.
Initial work is due to start during the next few weeks, with the station expected to open to passengers in spring 2020.
We have been working closely with Network Rail on the project, which will be funded by the authority, with £4.4 million from the Department of Transport's New Stations Fund and a grant from the North East Local Enterprise Partnership.
Cllr Simon Henig, Leader of the council, said: "The new station will significantly improve transport links in the east of the county, providing a boost to the economy and widening employment opportunities for local residents.
"It has been a long time in the making with a lot of hard work involved so it is particularly pleasing that work can now start on a project that will also have knock-on benefits for the wider county."
Much needed rail links
Rail Minster Andrew Jones said: "This is another success story for the government's New Stations Fund and further demonstrates our commitment to delivering better journeys across the north. Alongside major investment in the £2.9 billion Transpennine route upgrade and the £780 million East Coast mainline upgrade, this new station will improve journey times and connections across the region.
"I look forward to seeing the new Horden station providing much-needed new rail links for passengers and a boost to the local economy."
The station will link Horden into the local and regional national train network, with trains stopping hourly in both directions.
A public consultation on the plans in 2016 saw almost 1,400 responses with 98.6 per cent of those who took part saying they would use the station.
Rail industry projections anticipate more than 70,000 passengers could use the station, on South East View, each year.
Significant benefits
Rob McIntosh, Route Managing Director for Network Rail, said: "We are delighted to be working with Durham County Council, North East Local Enterprise Partnership and the Department for Transport on the design and delivery of the new station for Horden, which will bring significant benefit for passengers and to the community.
"This vital project will make sure we can continue to provide a railway which meets the needs of the communities and economies we serve."
Pete Myers, stakeholder manager at Northern Rail, said: "We are thrilled to be supporting the opening of Horden Peterlee train station. The new station will not only improve the transport offering in the local area but will also provide a useful transport link for residents who work in Newcastle, Sunderland, Hartlepool and Teesside."
Helen Golightly, Chief Executive of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, said:
"It is good news to hear that the development of Horden Station is moving to the next stage. The North East LEP has contributed £3.34m of local growth funding to improve the connectivity for East Durham residents and businesses to link directly to the national rail network."
Horden Station


The prequel to the award-winning Texas novel, East Jesus, this complete, stand-alone story rampages from the west Texas plains to Huntsville's Death Row and back. Cowboys, ranchers, driven oilmen, desperate convicts and headstrong women grapple with truths of the heart, of life, and the coming of age in a dramatic struggle you'll live yourself and never forget.
$14.99 in paperback, $4.99 Kindle format, from Amazon Books CLICK HERE.


Analysis: With just two accrued seasons, Seals-Jones was an exclusive rights free agent and didn't have any choice but to re-sign with the Cardinals. So far this offseason, management has exchanged one veteran tight end (Jermaine Gresham) for another (Charles Clay). Clay has a track record as a modest pass-catching option, but Seals-Jones has shown promise in his career, including 11.8 YPC and four touchdowns on his 46 career receptions.
Analysis: As an exclusive rights free agent, Seals-Jones has no leverage and will sign the tender in due time, or else not be able to play in 2019. In 25 games the last two seasons, he's recorded 46 catches (on 97 targets) for 544 yards and four touchdowns. With the arrival of Charles Clay in Arizona, Seals-Jones may have difficulty having that true breakout in 2019, but an improving Josh Rosen and new system under coach Kliff Kingsbury could help the tight end's cause.
Analysis: Seals-Jones suffered a stinger during last week's 31-9 loss to the Rams, allowing Jermaine Gresham to set a season-high mark with 46 snaps, though the 30-year-old didn't draw any targets. Seals-Jones finishes his second pro season with a 34-343-1 receiving line on 69 targets, unable to live up to the potential he flashed at the end of his rookie campaign. He does offer some 2019 breakout appeal if the Cardinals can upgrade their offensive line and coaching staff.
Analysis: Seals-Jones remains away from the field to allow his stinger to heal rather than put undue stress on the region. With nothing to play for aside from draft positioning, the Cardinals may not press their luck with the second-year tight end Sunday in Seattle, which would give veterans Jermaine Gresham and John Phillips plenty of access to offensive snaps.
Analysis: It's been a tough go for Seals-Jones over the last week. After enduring a bout with food poisoning, he gained clearance to play in Sunday's loss to the Rams, only to last five offensive snaps before a stinger ended his day. Seals-Jones has a pair of practices remaining to prove his health, but an absence in the season finale against Seattle would allow Jermaine Gresham and John Phillips to pick up snaps at tight end.
Seals-Jones is questionable to return Sunday against the Rams as a result of a stinger, Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic reports.
Analysis: The neck injury comes on the heels of an illness, which kept Seals-Jones out of all but one practice during Week 16 prep. If he's unable to gain clearance from the medical staff, he'll finish with one catch (on one target) for three yards. Jermaine Gresham and John Phillips are the other active tight ends for this contest.
Seals-Jones (illness) is active for Sunday's game versus the Rams, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Analysis: Seals-Jones tended to an illness all week that allowed him to practice just once. No matter, he'll be available against a Rams defense that has given up 12 catches for 154 yards and no touchdowns to tight ends over the last three contests.
Seals-Jones (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Rams, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
Seals-Jones (illness) didn't practice Thursday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Analysis: A bout with food poisoning is to blame for back-to-back absences for Seals-Jones to kick off Week 16 preparations. He has one practice remaining before the Cardinals will give him an official designation for Sunday's game against the Rams. If the illness follows him into the weekend, it could result in elevated workloads for veteran tight ends Jermaine Gresham and John Phillips.
Seals-Jones was held out of Wednesday's practice due to a bout of food poisoning, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
Seals-Jones caught three of eight targets for 22 yards during Sunday's 40-14 loss to Atlanta.
Seals-Jones compiled three receptions (on five targets) for 31 yards during Sunday's 17-3 loss to the Lions.
Analysis: A breakout candidate before the season, Seals-Jones has been at the behest of below-average quarterback play. Working as the Cardinals' No. 1 tight end for much of the year, he's rarely put up more than Sunday's yardage total, doing so four times in the previous 12 games. Overall, his catch rate is merely 50 percent -- 30 receptions on 60 targets -- and he's scored just one TD in 2018, so there are plenty of more desirable TE options out there.
Seals-Jones caught one of three targets for 10 yards during Sunday's 20-17 win over Green Bay.
Seals-Jones reeled in one of his two targets for a five-yard reception in Sunday's 45-10 loss to the Chargers.
Analysis: It's the second week in a row that Seals-Jones has managed just one reception, taking most of the shine off his five-reception, 51-yard performance against the Chiefs in Week 10. The tight end also hasn't reached the end zone since Week 3, which makes it hard to count on him delivering much fantasy value in the Cardinals' upcoming contest Dec. 2 in Green Bay.
Seals-Jones managed just one catch for five yards during Sunday's 23-21 loss to Oakland.
Seals-Jones hauled in five of nine targets, racking up 51 receiving yards during Sunday's 26-14 defeat to the Chiefs.
Analysis: Seals-Jones had a solid outing Sunday, facing a Chiefs defense that came into Week 10 struggling mightily at containing opposing tight ends (only Tampa Bay had surrendered more yardage to the position this season). Five catches tied a season high for the former Texas A&M standout, while he pushed the 50-yard receiving mark for the third time this season. Next, he'll have a matchup against an Oakland secondary that entered the weekend allowing the third-most touchdowns to tight ends (six).
Seals-Jones caught two of four targets for 12 yards Sunday in the Cardinals' 18-15 win over the 49ers.
Seals-Jones (arm) practiced fully Wednesday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Seals-Jones (forearm) noted that he did not suffer a break in his arm, just a bruise, Kyle Odegard of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Analysis: It is a small amount of positive news for the Cardinals on a night where everything seemed to go wrong. Seals-Jones should be okay and seems unlikely to miss an extended period of time due to the bruised arm. However, look for more updates on his official status to come next week when the team resumes practice.
Seals-Jones is questionable to return to Thursday's game against the Broncos with a forearm injury.
Analysis: Seals-Jones took a direct shot to his arm after attempting to recover a Josh Rosen fumble and immediately headed to the locker room. Considering the blowout status of Thursday's game, there is no real reason for the Cardinals to put the talented tight end back on the field. If he does not return, he will finish the game with two catches (on four targets) for 12 yards. Jermaine Gresham and Gabe Holmes figure to see larger roles as long as Seals-Jones is out.
Seals-Jones caught five of six targets for 69 yards during Sunday's 27-17 loss to the Vikings.
Seals-Jones was targeted six times during Sunday's 28-18 win over the 49ers but failed to record a catch.
Analysis: Seals-Jones is tied with Larry Fitzgerald in targets (10) through Josh Rosen's two starts. He's managed to convert just two of them into catches, however, as his chemistry with Rosen appears to need work. Both of those catches went for more than 20 yards, so there is hope that even with a limited connect rate, the two can do some damage. They'll have a solid opportunity Sunday against a Minnesota pass defense that gives up the second-most yards per opponent pass attempt in the league.
Seals-Jones posted two catches (on four targets) for a team-high 52 yards during Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Seahawks.
Seals-Jones caught one of three targets for a 35-yard touchdown during Sunday's 16-14 loss to Chicago.
Seals-Jones caught four of six passes for 17 yards in Sunday's 34-0 loss to the Rams.
Seals-Jones played 49 of 53 offensive snaps in Sunday's 24-6 loss to Washington, catching three passes for 19 yards on six targets.
Analysis: Though he didn't do much in terms of pass-catching impact, Seals-Jones did dominate Gabe Holmes (nine snaps) when it came to playing time. A downturn in snaps could be coming whenever Jermaine Gresham (Achilles) is available, but there doesn't seem to be much question about Seals-Jones operating as the team's top receiving threat at tight end. It's a role that could result in a surprising number of targets, given the lack of proven talent at wide receiver behind Larry Fitzgerald.
Seals-Jones finished without a catch on one target in Friday's preseason game against the Saints.
Seals-Jones corralled his only target for six yards in Saturday's 24-17 preseason win versus the Chargers.
Seals-Jones was arrested in Scottsdale, Arizona on Saturday and charged with assault, disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing, NFL.com reports.
Seals-Jones was spotted in a walking boot following Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Even though the specificity and severity of the injury remains unclear, the Cardinals' season came to an end Sunday, which allows for plenty of healing time for Seals-Jones. The 22-year-old ends his rookie season with 201 yards and three touchdowns.
Seals-Jones corralled one of three passes for 20 yards during Sunday's 12-7 win against the Titans.
Seals-Jones caught two of five targets for 44 yards during Sunday's 32-16 loss to the Rams.
Analysis: Seals-Jones caught fewer than half the passes thrown his way, but gains of 27 and 17 yards propelled him to second on the team in receiving yards, behind only Larry Fitzgerald. The rookie didn't see any action prior to Week 11, but he's burst on the scene with 170 receiving yards and three touchdowns through his first three games. Seals-Jones will look to continue his acclimation to the NFL next week against the Titans.
Seals-Jones caught four of six targets for 72 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-24 win over the Jaguars.
Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden shows his frustration on the sidelines while talking to quarterback Derek Carr after a failed third-down play.
The "NFL Fantasy Live" crew share their sleeper fantasy players to target for Week 11.
NFL Network's Adam Rank offers some players who have struggled in 2018, but could be sneaky plays in Week 11.
The "NFL Fantasy Live" crew break down several bench players across the league that have been seeing more targets and touches.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen lofts pinpoint 21-yard pass to tight end Ricky Seals-Jones.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen's final pass of the game is intercepted by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Steven Nelson.
Watch the highlights from the Week 6 matchup between the Arizona Cardinals and the Minnesota Vikings.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen throws a deep ball to tight end Ricky Seals-Jones for a 40-yard completion.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen throws deep to tight end Ricky Seals-Jones for 21 yards.


Coaching the CARE Danmark team in Denmark and in Niger (West Africa) on the current situation and future challenges related to regional integration within the context of livestock marketing between Sahelian and coastal countries.
The assignment involved the facilitation of a workshop at CARE-DK offices in Copenhagen for staff from both CARE Danmark and CARE-Niger, based on the training module designed over the last few years by the consultant in association with CIRAD-France for the UE-PAPE Project (Projet d'Appui à la Productivité de l'Elevage au Mali, au Burkina Faso et au Bénin - 2010/2012).
The consultant acted as team leader and sole facilitator of the workshop. Following discussions, an addendum to the contrat was made by CARE-DK to provide extra days for the consultant to produce a methodological guide for the implementation of a regional study on the economic contribution of transhumants in West Africa for RBM (Réseau Billital Maroobe), a regional pastoral organisation which is an instrumental partner of CARE-DK Progamme in Niger.


Think of indirect heat as if you were cooking inside using the oven.
Indirect heat cooks food low and slow. Slowly, over a longer time, and low, using lower temperatures. Bigger cuts of meat like lamb legs, pork loins, sirloin roasts take longer to cook because it takes longer for their core to get hot enough to cook the interior meat. Cooking low and slow ensures the outside is cooked nicely but not burned by the time the interior is done.
Delicate cuts of meat such as fish are more succulent when cooked over low, indirect heat; high heat gives them a dry, rubbery feel and is an easy way to wreck a nice piece of meat.
The advantage of the two-zone set up for indirect smoking is while a roast is happily roasting away in the indirect zone, the space above the coals is ready for some direct heat grilling. Make full use out of your briquettes.
Start by lighting as many briquettes as you need for your kettle to reach 110°C, this is the temperature where most foods cook best.
Place an aluminium foil tray to one side as your drip tray. Make sure you fill this with boiling water so that you are not burning precious fuel to heat the water.
Once the briquettes are ready, dump these on the other side of the drip tray in the kettle. You can now put your cooking grill in place.
Attach your thermometer on the side away from the coals and replace the lid, once the kettle reaches 110°C transfer your food over and begin to cook.
COPYRIGHT © 2012-2018 BBQ Like It's Hot. | Cooking with fire.


Now that you are convinced that Common Core is not what it seems, and that Montana should NOT be apart of this top-down education scheme, here are some things that you can do to help stop the implementation of Common Core.
Educate yourself on our site. Continue to monitor the information we post, so that you can stay up-to-date and knowledgeable. Then, invite your friends to the site, to do the same.
You can help spread the word about Common Core, and stay up-to-date, by "liking" us on our Facebook page.
We have access to knowledgeable speakers who can attend meetings and events to educate your group and provide detailed presentations. Contact us to schedule a Speaker for your next gathering.
Call the Governor and tell him to get us out of the Common Core Standards.
Ask to see the cost analysis on Common Core. Ask what will this cost us and where the money is coming from.
Ask if you, the parents or taxpayer, are unhappy with the standards…how we can amend them?
Ask to see the scientific studies upon which the academic foundations of Common Core rest.
Ask to opt your child out of the data tracking system (called "Achievement in Montana" or AIM) and what is the process to do that.
Ask if they would be willing to introduce a bill to halt Common Core in Montana and give local control to districts to set their own high standards.
Most will probably tell you that it is too late. Montana has accepted these standards and we are locked into them. But that isn't the whole story. Many states are now deciding to opt-out of Common Core and the Student Data Mining Systems. And these movements started and became successful because of people like YOU.
Common Core is set to be fully implemented by fall of 2014! We do have time, but not much! Montana has an opportunity to adopt truly high standards, and resist the intrusive federal government power grab.
Contact us at info@MontanansAgainstCommonCore.com to request flyers for you or your grass roots group. Pass them out to your neighbors, at school board meetings, local meetings and other events.


Mr Eastham is delighted as, for the third year running, Priory has a full intake.
In September, once again, all 180 places will be filled which Headteacher Mr Eastham and the staff are proud of.
Mrs Farley, Transition & Integration Manager said: "All pupils should have already received a welcome letter, and will shortly be receiving more information over the coming term about the next stages of their journey to Priory. I have started my visits to the primary schools and I'm really excited to meet all 180 pupils and their teachers to find out about our new Year 7s".
There has been substantial building work at the school over recent years with new technology and science blocks, a refurbished gym, and last September the opening of a £1.4m purpose-built ICT & Computer Science building known as The Hex.


Our talents are the key to success in a continually shifting competitive environment where staying ahead is imperative.
Our decentralized organization enables us to remain close to our customers, to rapidly make effective and appropriate decisions, and to continually motivate our teams, inspiring them to show entrepreneurial spirit. This environment encourages risk-taking and perseverance. It requires pragmatic thinking and an ability to motivate teams to achieve excellence.
We give high priority to collective intelligence, which is stimulated by internal development programs designed to challenge our most audacious managers to transform their innovative ideas into business plans. We also foster an entrepreneurial spirit by identifying and supporting the career growth of talents within our Maisons, ensuring their life-long success.
By being entrepreneurial and openly engaging with the world in an environment where different generations collaborate and contribute their respective visions of the future, we are working together to build the LVMH group of tomorrow.


text:
By Whitney Webb Whitney Webb @_whitneywebb
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL — Edward Snowden, the former U.S. government contractor who leaked classified information from the U.S.' National Security Agency (NSA) in 2013, will be speaking at an upcoming conference in Israel via video stream on November 6. The event, which is being hosted by Israeli media consultancy firm OH! Orenstein Hoshen, will be closed to the general public and attended only by "specially invited guests."
According to Israeli media reports, Snowden will be speaking on "Israel-related issues" to an Israeli-only audience and will take questions from the event's specially selected guests. Snowden's remarks will then be followed by statements from former Deputy Chief of the Mossad Ram Ben Barak, who currently serves as president of Israel-based private security consulting and intelligence firm Fortify Defense.
Details of the event were made public on Wednesday. According to Jewish Business News, during a negotiating process that lasted several months, Snowden's associates and Snowden himself "have responded positively to OH! Orenstein Hoshen's request to speak to an Israeli audience for the first time"
OH! Orenstein Hoshen is a relatively new Israeli PR firm whose clients include law firm DLA Piper, connected to Hillary Clinton and the Clinton Foundation scandal, as well as U.S. weapons giant Raytheon, and Teddy Sagi – one of Israel's richest men.
Regarding Snowden's upcoming appearance, the firm stated:
Snowden is a fascinating figure because his actions are so controversial. We have no intention of expressing support or an opinion on what he did. The audience will hear what he has to say, can ask tough questions and people can work out their own opinions on the matter."
Within Israel, Snowden's appearance via video conference is likely to invite controversy, given that many of the documents he leaked helped to expose the depth of U.S./Israeli intelligence sharing. For instance, documents from the Snowden cache revealed that the NSA shares raw signals intelligence, including information about innocent American citizens, with Israel's Unit 8200, the military intelligence branch of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
In addition, the Snowden documents have shown that a U.S. government National Intelligence Estimate ranked Israel as "the third most aggressive intelligence service against the U.S." for its targeting of U.S. government communications. The documents also revealed that the U.S. spied on Israeli government officials.
In 2014, journalist Glenn Greenwald – who received the full cache of the documents leaked by Snowden — told Israel's Channel 10:
There were an enormous number of very important stories that have not yet been reported. There definitely remained stories related to the Middle East and Israel."
It is likely that many of those "very important" stories have yet to be reported on, as over 90 percent of the Snowden documents have not been made public.
Israelis a hostile audience for Snowden's causes?
Snowden's upcoming appearance in Israel may be troubling for other reasons, however. Since having gained prominence as a whistleblower, Snowden has been a vocal advocate for free speech, freedom of the press, and privacy. However, the Israeli government routinely violates these rights for Palestinians as well as Israelis.
Indeed, Israel has imprisoned Palestinians for writing poems, for organizing peaceful demonstrations, and for posting on social media. Israel also regularly imprisons Palestinian journalists for social-media posts and has pressured social-media companies like Facebook to censor Palestinian news outlets. Israel also targets activists who support the non-violent Boycott, Divest and Sanctions (BDS) movement that seeks to hold Israel accountable for its frequent violations of international law.
The Israeli military also regularly censors Israeli media outlets to such an extent that it averages one redaction every four hours. The IDF military censor has the power to censor all Israeli publications, including books and other print publications, a power stemming from a permanent state of emergency that has been in effect since Israel's founding in 1948. As Israeli magazine +972 recently noted:
Israel is the only [democracy] where journalists and publications are legally required to submit their reporting for review prior to publication and the only one where censorship can be criminally enforced."
Beyond Israel's routine tramplings of the causes Snowden most ardently supports, there are other reasons for the whistleblower to reconsider his upcoming appearance before an exclusively Israeli audience. For instance, the IDF has been brutally suppressing unarmed protests in Gaza, having wounded over 22,000 unarmed protesters since March and having killed nearly 200 unarmed Gazans. Among those shot by the IDF in Gaza have been 12-year-old children, medics, and journalists. Furthermore, Israel recently legislated apartheid into its constitution through the controversial "Nation State Law" and, according to the UN, is actively seeking to illegally annex Palestine's West Bank, which has been under Israeli military occupation since 1967.
MintPress has contacted Snowden for comment regarding his upcoming appearance in Israel and whether he has any stance on the BDS movement, Israel's apartheid policies, or the IDF's mass shooting of unarmed protesters in Gaza. No response had been received at the time of this article's publication.
Top Photo | American whistleblower Edward Snowden can be seen on video screens at the 34th Chaos Communication Congress (34c3) at the fair grounds in Leipzig, Germany, Dec. 28, 2017. Sebastian Willnow | dpa via AP
Whitney Webb is a staff writer for MintPress News and a contributor to Ben Swann's Truth in Media. Her work has appeared on Global Research, the Ron Paul Institute and 21st Century Wire, among others. She has also made radio and TV appearances on RT and Sputnik. She currently lives with her family in southern Chile.
OH! Orenstein Hoshen
Ram Ben Barak


text:
Q: The recovery of $W^{1,p}(\Omega)$ to $C^1(\Omega)$? In Chapter 9 of Brezis' Functional Analysis, there is a Remark without proof. ($\Omega \subset \mathbb{R}^N$)

"... Conversely, one can show that if $u \in W^{1,p}(\Omega)$ for some $1 \le p \le \infty$ and if $\frac{\partial u}{\partial x_i} \in C(\Omega)$ for all $i = 1,2, \cdots , N$ (there $\frac{\partial u}{\partial x_i}$ means the partial derivative in the $W^{1,p}$ sense), then $u \in C^1(\Omega)$; more precisely, there exists a function $\tilde{u} \in C^1(\Omega)$ such that $u = \tilde{u}$ a.e.
  "

I know Morrey's theorem and as a result of it, every $u \in W^{1,p} (\mathbb{R}^N)$ with $p > N$ has its continuous representative. However, I don't see how I can prove the above statement. Any help would be appreciated!

A: This question has been discussed before; see here and here. But for convenience, let me sketch a proof for $p \in [1, \infty)$.
It suffices to show that for every $\omega \Subset \Omega$ there exists $\tilde{u} \in C^1(\omega)$ such that $\tilde u = u$ almost everywhere in $\omega$. Fix $\omega \Subset \Omega$ and set $K\:= \overline{\omega}$. Let $(\rho_{\varepsilon})_{\varepsilon}$ be a sequence of standard mollifiers and define
\begin{equation}
U_{\varepsilon} := \lbrace x \in \Omega \, \lvert\, \text{dist}(x, \partial \Omega) > \varepsilon \rbrace\, .
\end{equation}
The function $u_{\varepsilon} \colon U_{\varepsilon} \to \mathbb{R}$, $u_{\varepsilon}:= u * \rho_{\varepsilon}$ is smooth. Moreover,
by standard properties of the convolution and using the fact that $\nabla u \in C^0(\Omega)$, we find that
\begin{align}
(a) &\quad u_{\varepsilon} \to u \text{ in } L^1_{\text{loc}}(\Omega)\, ,\\
(b) & \quad \nabla u_{\varepsilon} = (\nabla u)* \rho_{\varepsilon} \text{ on } U_{\varepsilon}\, ,\\
(c) &\quad \nabla u_{\varepsilon} \to \nabla u \text{ uniformly on every compact subset of } \Omega\, .
\end{align}
The question is now, how do we find a function $\tilde{u} \in C^1(K)$ with $\tilde u = u$ almost everywhere? We know that $(u_{\varepsilon})_{\varepsilon}$ is a sequence in $C^1(K)$ and that $C^1(K)$ is a Banach space. Due to $(c)$, $(\nabla u_{\varepsilon})_{\varepsilon}$ is a Cauchy sequence in $C^0(K;\mathbb{R}^n)$. Unfortunately, we cannot directly deduce from $(a)$ that $(u_{\varepsilon})_{\varepsilon}$ is a Cauchy sequence in $C^0(K)$. But, we do have the following

Lemma.
   The map $\lVert \cdot\lVert_{1} \colon C^1(K) \to \mathbb{R}$, $\lVert u\lVert_1 := \lVert u\lVert_{L^1(K)} + \lVert \nabla u \lVert_{C^0(K)}$ is an equivalent norm on $C^1(K)$.

Let us assume that this lemma is true (I sketch the proof below). Then, due to $(a)$ and $(c)$, the sequence $(u_{\varepsilon})_{\varepsilon}$ is Cauchy in $(C^1(K), \lVert \cdot \lVert_1)$. Moreover, $(C^1(K), \lVert \cdot \lVert_1)$ is a Banach space, since $\lVert \cdot \lVert_1$ is equivalent to the standard norm on $C^1(K)$. We thus find $\tilde u \in C^1(K)$ such that $u_{\varepsilon} \to \tilde u$ in $C^1(K)$; in particular, $\tilde u = u $ almost everywhere. This finishes the proof provided the above lemma is true.
Proof sketch of the lemma: It's straightforward to see that $\lVert \cdot \lVert_1$ is a norm and that there exists $C > 0$ such that
\begin{equation}
\lVert u \lVert_1 \leq C \lVert u \lVert_{C^1(K)} = C (\lVert u \lVert_{C^0(K)} + \lVert \nabla u\lVert_{C^0(K)}) \quad \text{ for all } u \in C^1(K)\, .
\end{equation}
One way to see that there exists a constant $c > 0$ such that $\lVert u\lVert_{C^1(K)} \leq c \lVert u\lVert_1$  for all $u \in C^1(K)$ is to apply Ehrling's lemma (in Brezis' Functional Analysis this is called a Lemma of J.-L. Lions and can be found on page 173; see also this post).

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Plants & ingredients
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ORTIS products are available in health food stores, pharmacies and parapharmacies.
Golden Shower Tree
Golden Shower is a rapidly growing tree that is a member of the Fabaceae family. It can reach a height of 20 metres. The tree grows well in dry regions, in soil with good drainage. It prefers full sunlight, but can withstand a cold spell. The pinnate leaves have oval, acuminate folioles. The yellow flowers, that resemble those of the golden chain tree, appear at the end of spring in long, hanging clusters. They are transformed into long, thick, cylindrical pods, ranging in colour from brown to black. Golden Shower Tree is the national symbol of Thailand.
Cassia fistula L.
Golden Shower Tree originates in South Asia and Sri Lanka. This plant is now found in all tropical and subtropical regions.
Used part
The leaves.
Fibres (mucilage, pectin): these contribute to intestinal transit by acting as a binding agent. Anthraquinones: substances that, through contact, stimulate the peristalsis of the intestines and reduce the absorption of water through the intestinal wall. This makes the stools softer and facilitates intestinal transit.
The plant is appreciated for its decorative value. It is often planted in gardens and along the roadside. In India, the bark of the tree is often used as a tanning agent. The reddish wood is hard, heavy, strong and durable, and its suitable for all types of carpentry. The leaves and the fruit are traditionally used for their gentle stimulating effect on the intestines. In Ayurvedic medicine, the tree is called "aragvadha" which means: "disease killer" and indicates the fact that this plant treats a variety of diseases. Golden Shower Tree can be used to stimulate gastrointestinal health and to facilitate the intestinal transit naturally. 1-6
Bibliographical references
Indian medicinal plants. 4 vols. 2nd ed.
Kirtikar, K.R. and Basu, B.D.
Jayyed Press, New Delhi. 1975.
Medicinal Plant in India.
Satyavati GV, Sharma M.
New Delhi: ICMR; 1989.
Phytochemical constituents of Cassia fistula
Theeshan Bahorun, Vidushi S Neergheen, Okezie I Aruoma
African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (13), pp. 1530-1540, December 2005
African Journal of Biotechnology: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=14&ved=0CJEBEBYwDQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ajol.info%2Findex.php%2Fajfand%2Farticle%2Fdownload%2F71772%2F60729&ei=-pUPUbfqGLCk0AW-8YCADw&usg=AFQjCNFAiC3zaepVF5J0SSkBmAs_A0XV-g&sig2=vN93eyO9wdieEDq9k1Fi6g
Bioefficacies of Cassia fistula: An Indian labrum
M. Moshahid A. Rizvi, Irshad M., Gamal El Hassadi and Salaem Ben Younis.
African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology Vol. 3(6). pp. 287-292, June, 2009
Academic Journals: http://www.academicjournals.org/ajpp/pdf/%20pdf2009/June/Moshahid%20et%20al..pdf
Comparative Analysis of the Antioxidant Activity of Cassia fistula Extracts
Md. Irshad, Md. Zafaryab, Man Singh, M. Moshahid, A. Rizvi
International Journal of Medicinal Chemistry Volume 2012, Article ID 157125, 6 pages Hindawi: http://downloads.hindawi.com/journals/ijmc/2012/157125.pdf
Cassia fistula Linn - Pharmacognostical, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Review
Thirumal.M, Surya.srimanthula, Kishore.G
Critical Review in Pharmaceutical Sciences 2012, 1(1)
Earth Journals: http://earthjournals.org/crps-7.pdf
The health claims that feature on our website in relation to the plants contained in our products are compliant with the list of health claims awaiting final assessment by the Community authorities (cf. website of the European Commission: http://ec.europa.eu/nuhclaims/). However, they may be subject to modification following their assessment by the national competent authorities.
The health claims relating to other nutrients or substances contained in our products that feature on our site are compliant with Regulation No. 432/2012 of the Commission of 16 May 2012 which establishes a list of authorised health claims authorised in relation to food products, other than those in reference to the reduction of the risk of disease as well as community-based development and child health (cf. website of the European Commission: http://ec.europa.eu/nuhclaims/).
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Plainsboro native to exhibit origami at Plainsboro Library
Donna Senopoulos
PLAINSBORO – Plainsboro native Neal Godse, a surgical resident at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, will be exhibiting a collection of modular origami at the Plainsboro Library in August. A perfect combination of math and art, each model is a colorful and complex three-dimensional shape. The exhibit runs August 4 to 29.
Godse, who graduated from the West Windsor-Plainsboro school system, received an undergraduate degree in neuroscience from the University of Pittsburgh, followed by a medical doctorate; he is currently in post-graduate surgical residency training in otolaryngology head and neck surgery.
He developed an interest in origami as a child. The physician/artist explains:
READ:Plainsboro Library Artists' Group's annual exhibition focuses on art and music
READ:Plainsboro Library Gallery presents Adrian Nicoara's painted ceramic tiles
"I was exposed to origami relatively early on in a number of ways around first or second grade — there were volunteer teachers at Plainsboro Public Library that taught me how to make cranes and a butterfly ball; a cousin taught me to make an origami box; a neighbor taught me how to make a jumping frog. The process of taking a flat piece of paper and rendering it into a complicated three dimensional object fascinated me. I remember checking out all of the origami instructional books in the library and working my way through making all the models in them.
"Some were successes; others were less-than successes; but either way the art form continued to fascinate me.
"During my undergraduate years I came across a model called Five Intersecting Tetrahedra. This is a dodecahedron defined by five interwoven triangular pyramids where each pyramid is made by connecting six units. The mathematics and geometry of the shape were first described by Robert Lang (the father of mathematically driven origami) and subsequently folded by Thomas Hull. Everything about this model spoke to me — the precise dimensions, the puzzle of assembly, the emergent geometry. Since then I have delved much deeper into the world of modular origami. This is a branch of origami that uses multiple interconnected units to define a complex three-dimensional shape. Since studying the works of Daniel Kwan and Byriah Loper, two pioneers of the wireframe modular origami art form, and the geometric principles of designing units I have designed more than 20 original models. Learning and mastering these principles has been incredibly satisfying and results in stunning models that can be viewed for hours.
"Origami is a beautiful art form that has deep connections with mathematics and applications for engineering and material sciences, to name a few. I would encourage anyone with interest to take the time to go beyond the paper crane to see the true breadth and depth of this art form."
The Plainsboro Library is at 9 Van Doren St. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday to Sunday. Call 609-275-2897.


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import 'reflect-metadata/Reflect'
import 'zone.js/dist/zone'

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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Wolfgang Schäuble: Lech Kaczynski was right
Sigmund Shortle September 18, 2022 2 min read
In an interview with the weekend edition of the daily Tagesspiegel, Schaeuble said, inter alia, about the mistakes of German policy toward Russia. He also admitted that he himself was very naive towards his Russian partners. Also referred to as politician Lech Kaczynski's famous speech in Tbilisi In 2008 after Russia's aggression against Georgia, stating that the Polish president was "right" about the Kremlin's intentions.
Schäuble: The situation is bad
– The situation is not good. Putin is waging a war not only against Ukraine, but also against the entire Western system. The former head of the Bundestag and one of the architects of German reunification said if he wins this war, he will not stop, but will continue it. Furthermore, Schaeuble referred to Kaczyński's words.
– Former Polish President Lech Kaczynski said after the attack on Georgia in 2008: Georgia first, then Ukraine, then Moldova, then the Baltic states and Poland. He said he was right.
German mistakes
German politicians for several years, as former Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer put it, "knew everything but didn't want to see anything." Schaeuble fully agreed with those words. He himself also admitted his mistakes.
– As Minister of the Interior in 2005-2009, I thought that I could cooperate with my Russian counterpart in the fight against Islamic terrorism. And I should have seen that the second Chechen war was something else. We can all see it. Sooner or later – said CDU politician.
According to the politician, the West should "limit the scale of the military confrontation."
See also Portugal. The fire was put out in Serra da Estrela. 17,000 hectares burned, firefighters injured
"In addition to providing weapons, we are trying to use economic war — sanctions just another word — to show Putin that this war will cost him very dearly," Schäuble said.
"They are not inferior Europeans." The President of the Bundestag for Poles and HungariansRead also:
The head of the Bundestag warns Germany against arrogance towards Poland
Sigmund Shortle
"Coffee enthusiast. Troublemaker. Incurable introvert. Subtly charming twitter scholar. Award-winning social mediaholic. Internet buff."
Previous Crimea. The car of the Russian promoter "Moon in disgrace". Earlier, Kisielow, among other things, threatened Johnson | News from the world
Next Queen Elizabeth II. Andrzej Duda at Buckingham Palace. Charles III invited to Poland
An exchange of fire in the Gaza Strip. United States: the need for de-escalation
Where is Lukashenko? The Belarusian dictator has secretly left the country
Russia. Media: Dmitry Pavuchka, a high-ranking manager linked to Roscosmos, died in the fire. Another mysterious death in the Russian elite


1970 Porsche 911E 2,2l Original Paint!
1970 Porsche 911E Original Paint-One owner!
Any Porsche, that has been enjoyed by only one single owner for more than 40 years is very special.
This car truly is a special car, a survivor with a perfectly documented history from new.
Its history started on December 12th, 1969 when it was personally picked up by its US owner in Stuttgart, Germany. The car still retains its custom license plates stamped by the German officials in 1969.
The documentation on the car is 2 folders thick and contains of the original bill of sale from Porsche including options list and dozens and dozens of receipts of over 40 years of careful maintenance. It underlines the single ownership from new and the total mileage of 74.250 miles.
The body is unmolested and rust-free and retains its original tangerine paint from the factory. All major panels including hood, roof, doors and fenders and the deck lid are original paint and in remarkable condition. In fact, the cars paint looks almost too nice to be original, but it is. We measured the car on over 100 locations and it is an original paint car except for very minor touch ups. Perfect gaps and shut lines all around and of course the doors "ping" upon closing as Porsche intended.
Tangerine (#2323) is among the most sought after colors for early Porsches and this one could not be in a more period correct color combination with its tan interior.
The interior is likewise un-restored and perfectly preserved. Apart from the obligatory little stress crack on the dash top, the whole interior including seats, carpets, headliner, door panels and door pockets are flawless. The seats are genuine leather (very rare!) and have the hounds tooth inserts. All controls and instruments are in proper working condition and without wear it seems. It even smells wonderful!
The engine was always correctly serviced, but has never been out of the car, there was never any reason to do so. It still has perfect oil pressure and accelerates through the gears effortless. In fact, driving this car reminds one, of why the 911E models are so popular among enthusiasts. With more mid range torque, this car is as fast or faster as an S in most driving conditions. The S can only pull away from an E when being driven above 6000 rpm.
The 5 speed gearbox performs flawlessly with tight shifts in every gear.
This 911E is a very unique find in today's world of over-restored Porsches.
The car is not for everyone. We are looking for the right enthusiast who can appreciate a genuine, un-restored Porsche 911 the way they were built in the factory. Such cars come to market very rarely and are often traded from one collector to another.
This car is the right car for any serious collector of early Porsche 911s. A true survivor in remarkable condition and a worthy preservation class contender on a national stage.
Of course the car comes with its original and complete toolkit, jack and all books and manuals as supplied by Porsche.
A Porsche is original only once! Collectors worldwide start paying attention to unrestored originals. When was the last time you saw one?


Rose Gold Churro in Disneyland, Can We Get That Here in Albuquerque too?
"You've got the Rose Gold Minnie Headband, the Rose Gold Spirit Jersey and now you can complete your rose gold obsession with a... Strawberry Rose Gold Churro! Get yours at the Churro Cart in front Sleeping Beauty Castle"


Tomato carot rice paste is one of my favorites and a handy preserve to have in stock always to make quick office school lunch box and a great accompaniment to other dishes like dosas and idlis, curd rice or chapatis. It is more like spicy pickle /thokku and very versatile , can be added to othe tomato gravy dishes to give more texture or to add up to the gravy when you run short of fresh tomatoes.
8-10 medium size ripe tomatoes chopped fine.
3 medium carrots , peeled and chopped finely.
Note: use a bit of tamrind if the tomatoes you use are not the tangy kind.
Puree the tomatoes without adding water, or use them finely chopped.
In a big pan, add oil after heating it , crackle the mustard seeds, add some curry leaves .
Now carefully add the pureed mixture, which will cause some splash, so better to switch off the gas after the tempering is ready, let the pan cool a bit , then add the pureed mixture, this way you can avoid a noisy hot splash.
Switch on the gas on a medium flame. Add chilli powder, asafoetida powder, turmeric powder,sambar powder,chopped carrots, salt. Cover the pan lightly with a lid to avoid the splatters as the thokku cooks.
This will take some time , as the thokku reduces gradually , you need to stir occasionally, keeping the flame on low. Preparation of any thokku is really no ordeal as it can be done in a separate burner, while you do rest of the cooking. No need to keep monitoring generally.
After some 20 minutes approximately , you will see the thokku has reduced considerably and little oil is floating on top, now add the roasted powdered fenugreek powder to the thokku and stir well.
Check for the spice and salt taste and remove from flame when the thokku has come to a thick pickle like consistency.Cool well, store in a clean dry bottle.
You can make great tasting tomato carrot rice any time you want.


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Weight Watchers' New Point System
By Jennifer Sweenie
Just in time for the holidays, Weight Watchers announced its new PointsPlus Program. The new plan differs from the 13-year old method of assigning dieters a daily point limit by recognizing that simply counting calories is not enough. According to the company, the new plan "takes into account the energy contained in each of the components that make up calories - protein, carbohydrates, fat and fiber - and it also factors [in] how hard the body works to process them." So now a handful of saltines and a piece of fruit that have the same number of calories are not one and the same. Under the new system, fruits and veggies have zero points.
Reaction to the new points plan has been mixed. Our Nutrition Director at The Good Housekeeping Research Institute, Samantha Cassetty, is pro the new plan, "I think this is a step in the right direction since most people don't become overweight by eating too many apples! Weight Watchers offers a sensible approach to dieting that encourages eating lots of produce."
Do you follow Weight Watchers? If so, how do you feel about the new system?
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Liveblog: Google Takes $1 Billion Charge To Write Down AOL And Clearwire Investments
2008 Q4 Google Earnings Slideshttp://static.slideshare.net/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=2008q4googleearningsslides-1232659012133902-3&stripped_title=2008-q4-google-earnings-slides-presentation
Google just released fourth quarter earnings. Net Income was down a whopping 68 percent to $382 million (compared to $1.2 billion a year ago), primarily because of a $1 billion impairment charge related Google's ownership stakes in AOL (for which it took a $726 million writedown) and Clearwire ($355 million writedown). We all know why the AOL stake is worth less than what Google paid for it (just look at Time Warner's stock.) Instead of the $20 billion that Google's five percent stake valued AOL at the time of its original investment, its new writedown now values AOL at $5.5 billion.
The Clearwire writedown isn't surprising either. That is the Wimax company that had disaster written all over it.
Google is also allowing employees with underwater options to swap them for new ones. That is going to cost Google another estimated $460 million over the course of the new vesting period.
Investors will likely ignore the $1 billion charge because they tend to see these sorts of things as one-time events (even when they occur on a regular basis). The charge does not effect Google's cash flow or cash position. On a non-GAAP basis, Google beat Wall Street estimates, with non-GAAP earnings of $5.10 a share, compared to consensus estimates of $4.96.
Total revenues (including what it pays out to AdSense publishers and other partners) came in at $5.7 billion for the quarter, up 18 percent. For the year, total revenues were $21.8 billion, up 31 percent. Operating income for the quarter (before the impairment charge) was $1.86 billion, up 29 percent. The company had $8.6 billion in cash at the end of the quarter
I am waiting for the earnings call to start. My notes from the conference call (Sergey and Larry are not on the call).
Eric Schmidt: We had strong search query growth year on year, kept lid on costs. 4th Q advertisers invetsted where ROI was the highest, online. took significant writedowns with AOL and Clearwire. Both deals made sense to us then and make sense to us now.
Last Q we said we were in uncharted territory. We don't know how long this period will last, certainly prepared to get through it no problem.
At least 85% of employees have stock under water. A voluntary stock swap program. Total options expected to make up 3% of total shares outstanding. Employees who swap will discontinued products will low impact. We will continue to review that. [mentions Wiki search]. Will continue to focus on search and advertising. Wouldn't it be nice if Google understood the meaning of your query? We are looking into things like that.
Android, already billions of page impressions through G1 phone. [Talks about enterprise, resellers].
Patrick Pichette (CFO):
We had another solid quarter,
gross revenue up 18% to $5.7B
Google.com up 22% to $3.8B
AdSense up 4% yoy to $1.7B (partially offset by cleanup efforts on Adsense for search
Paid click growth up 18% yoy, up 10% QoQ
UK soft because of currency, rest of EMEA did better, driven by Germany, France, Netherlands.
Also relative good experience in Brazil
TAC was $1.5B, 27% of advertising revenues
Cost of revenue $707M, up slightly because of data center costs.
Non-GAAP operating profit, $2.4B, 34.6% margin
Approximately 20,000 full time employees in Q4.
Impairment charges excluded from Non-GAAP results.
Capex $386M
Free cash flow, $1.8B, up 73 percent.
Jonathan Rosenberg:
We launched 330 search quality improvements, most significantly the size of our index. Worked hard on latency across the board. We tripled the number of queries that triggered Universal search across images, blogs, books. Adding more books and expanding our index are very important efforts.
More people are searching from mobile phones. Our objective is to make search from a mobile phone as fast and easy as possible.
Android phone has done very well. More phones in the works.
On the ad side, this was one of our strongest quarters for ad quality improvement. We will continue to get smarter about which queries should have ads to show users. We are now only back to where were back in 2008 from a coverage perspective.
beta launched keyword tool, helps advertisers find keywords on which they are not running ads. Most advertisers not maxing out daily budgets, so opportunity there. Launched Display Ad builder to create nice looking display ads straight from AdSense.
YouTube emerging as a key component of display strategy. People browsing for videos hundreds of millions of times a day.
Also launched 100 feature releases to Web-based apps, like chat in Gmail. Momentum is strong in apps, 1 million businesses, 10M users, 3M users in schools [Google apps stats].
Chrome has gotten great user momentum since launch.
Q: Why not more video ad
Eric: We have introduced 2 to 3 new formats for video advertising. All having some traction, have not found anything that drives revenues wildly. Virtually all the new device manufacturers have the ability to display Internet and Youtube content.
Jonathan: We have down quite a few experiments. Hard to match the right format with the right content. We have the in-video ads, also sponsored videos, contest platform, homepage sponsorship, click to buy. We have to come up with a standardized format. a significant constraint.
Q (Imran Khan): If you look at partner revenue growth rate, significantly underperforming Google.com growth rate. Why?
Patrick: On the mix issue, it is true the Adsense revenue was weaker. but Adsense for content had relatively strong quarter. In case of AdSense for search we did a lot of cleanup.
Omid Kordestan: On network, we did a number of quality measures to clean up. in terms of CPC we don't break those out, but impact from Euro and Pound exchange rates. growth rates in emerging markets that have lower prices so downward pressure.
Jonathan: also consumers are doing more comparison shopping, so clicking through but not buying. or buying lower priced products.
Q: Capex was down significantly for the quarter. Is this a normalized level? Looking at the cost structure of Google, can you give us a sense of how flexible it is?
Patrick: I just want to reiterate we are investing. It just happens we are benefiting from economies of scale and greater efficiencies of our infrastructure. Moore's law, better utilization. also big data centers are lumpy in the way they are invested. I'd be careful at looking at one quarter for purposes of forward modeling. We are a labor intensive business, so we have a lot of flexibility.
Q (Mark Mahaney): How much more opportunity is there for cost control? On CPC, can you help us think how deflationary CPC trends might be in an environment where lots of businesses might be going out of business.
Patrick: On the first Q, you ave to keep in mind the mindset of the company is to be a growth company. We are just managing responsibly given the environment.
Omid: If recession caused fewer purchases that would hurt us, but I don't think you'd see CPC rates come down. CPC is really driven by users, not the number of advertisers coming in and out at any given time.
Q: Why is TAC down?
Patrick: The reason for TAC down QoQ is due to mix reasons mostly.
Q (Doug Anmuth): How has philosophy changed on distribution deals with Dell, etc. Why did you not continue to win those deals? And where is ad coverage going?
Omid: On the distribution deals, we are engaged in all of these discussions. We have a number of opportunities, from PC manufacturers to software toolbars that bundle our products like Chrome.
Jonathan: On coverage, we don't know what the optimal mix is. depends on commercial versus noncommercial queries. We'd like to show fewer ads on queries that do not warrant them, and fewer, better ads on the ones that do.
Q: about advertising environment
Omid: Big customers especially are evaluating online marketing. they continue to take advantage of this, but maybe lower CPCs or size of campaign budgets.
Jonathan: Small and medium advertisers tend to cut their ad budgets less than large advertisers. We think that large advertisers do more across the board cut. Most advertisers do not max out their budgets.
Q: Can you give us an idea for strategy for display advertising (doubleclick, Youtube, etc)?
Omid: we are doing very well with Doubelclick integration. We are getting more inventory because doing a good job integrating. We optimize with AdSense only if they can't get the higher price, so that is working out well. We feel this is a fragmented market ready for better measurements. Getting more traction here.


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MediaConnect Australia newsroom
The Australian Computer Society sponsors the 15th annual IT Journalism Awards
Announcement posted by MediaConnect Australia 03 May 2017
MediaConnect is delighted to announce the ACS, the professional association for Australia's ICT sector, as the official 2017 naming rights sponsor of the 15th Annual IT Journalism Awards.
The Awards, which will be held at Luna Park on May 12 2017, have attracted a record number of entries, with more than 400 entries from over 100 journalists and publications.
MediaConnect CEO Phil Sim said, "We're delighted to partner with the ACS to recognise the best of Australia's technology journalism published in 2016."
"The ACS is such a wonderful fit with the awards given they represent Australia's ICT community, which all of our technology media write for, or write about."
ACS CEO Andrew Johnson said, "The ACS is pleased to partner with MediaConnect to recognise the tremendous work of ICT journalists throughout the year."
"Their work helps ICT to be seen as a driver of innovation and contributes to the understanding and promotion of the fast-paced ICT sector in Australia."
Tickets to next Friday's event are currently available to be purchased from our website at http://www.thelizzies.com/attend-the-awards/.
This year's Lizzies are also sponsored by Watterson Marketing Communications and NEC.
For further information please visit http://thelizzies.com/
Philip Sim
philip@mediaconnect.com.au
Craig Daveson
Chief Operations Officer, MediaConnect
craigd@mediaconnect.com.au
This MediaConnect Australia is powered by Influencing.