Before, we have introduced an interesting version of Echofon for Firefox, with which you can use your own Twitter API proxy; now, we will introduce how to create a Twitter API proxy with GTAP.
As a GAE application, GTAP is available for you to create a free Twitter API proxy with OAuth support, so that you can customize the URL shorten service, the tweet source, the hashtag and some other features of Echofon.
Default Access type: Must select "Read & Write".
Both the Consumer key and the Consumer secret will be used later.
Same as GAppProxy, you can sign in your GAE account and create an available application ID, such as "freenuts-gtap" used for this post.
Same as GAppProxy, to run the GTAP application, you need to download and install Python and Google App Engine SDK for Python.
You can just visit the GTAP Downloads page and download the latest version, then extract the ZIP file.
Open the app.yaml file in the GTAP folder, and replace "your_application_id" with your new GAE application ID, such as "freenuts-gtap" for this post.
Open the main.py file in the GTAP folder, and replace the CONSUMER_KEY and CONSUMER_SECRET with your Twitter application's mentioned above.
And to use this Twitter API proxy, you can follow below steps.
To use a Twitter API proxy, you will also need an API key as your Twitter account password.
As mentioned before, the API key will be used as your Twitter account password for Echofon, and you can change the API key to any characters.
You can use your Twitter API proxy address and the API key to update your tweets from Echofon for Firefox now.
By the way, besides Echofon for Firefox, the Twitter API proxy you create will be workable for any other browser-based Twitter application that allows you to use your own Twitter API.
If the URL "https://your_application_id.appspot.com/" has been blocked, you will need to use proxy softwares or VPNs to get access Twitter with the API proxy.
This entry was posted in Free Online Anti-censorship Tools and tagged API, GAE, Gtap, proxy, twitter. Bookmark the permalink.


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What you should know about anodizing
Jan-Olov Nilsson, Hydro Jun 24, 2017
Anodizing is an electrochemical process that converts the metal surface into a decorative, durable, corrosion-resistant, anodic oxide finish. Aluminium is well-suited to anodizing, making it one of the most respected and commonly used materials for consumer, commercial and industrial products in comparison to other metals.
Other nonferrous metals, such as magnesium and titanium, can be anodized, but the composition of aluminium makes it ideally suited to the process.
The unique anodized finish is the only one in the metals industry that satisfies each of the factors that must be considered when selecting a high-performance aluminum finish that is required for luxury items and interior design such as loud speakers, lighting, electronics, watches and trays.
Anodizing is an electrochemical process which converts the surface of the metal into a long-lasting, high performance aluminum oxide finish. Because it is integrated into the metal rather than just applied to the surface, it cannot peel or chip. This protective finish makes it very hard and durable, and enhances its resistance to corrosion. Depending on the process, the anodized finish is the second-hardest substance known to man, exceeded only by the diamond.
The anodizing process is, in simplified terms, the highly controlled enhancement of a phenomenon that already occurs naturally: oxidation. The aluminium is immersed in an acid electrolyte solution through which attached electrodes pass an electric current at very low temperatures. The result is a high-performance, hardcoat surface. However, the metal remains porous so it can be colored and sealed, or undergo additional processing, if desired.
Benefits of anodizing aluminium
Aluminium anodizing creates an extremely hard surface that can withstand extreme wear and tear. This includes industries such as military and defense, construction, applications such as elevator doors and escalators, and even home cookware. The primary benefits of anodizing aluminium include:
The finished product will enjoy a long lifespan and require little maintenance
Stable color
Anodizing dyes seep into the metal, making them very stable. Anodized aluminium maintains its color in spite of exposure to UV rays. It will not flake, peel or chip, and extrusions will look factory new for years.
Evidence of wear or abrasions from the extrusion process, installation, or from frequent handling and excessive cleaning are rare. Anodized aluminium is easily restored to its original luster with gentle cleaning.
Anodized aluminium maintains its metallic appearance but can easily accommodate color and gloss applications.
Finishing costs and maintenance costs are low, giving anodized products a better value in the long term.
Opportunities and limitations of surface treatments
We offer a full range of services in clear and electrolytic colored anodic coatings as well as acid etch, as well as an exceptional selection of extruded aluminium shapes, sizes, alloys and tempers, utilizing both direct and indirect extrusion methods. Some aluminium alloys cannot be anodized, so be certain to discuss your project with us beforehand so we can suggest suitable alloys.
Contact us about using surface treatment, and we will put you in touch with the right expert.
Design Furniture Surface treatment Profiles
How metallurgical structure affects machinability
By Al Wills, Hydro Jan 03, 2019
Adapting aluminium to add functions you do not see in IKEA DELAKTIG
By Mats Sixtensson, Hydro Mar 07, 2018
What you need to know about hard anodizing
By Jan-Olov Nilsson, Hydro Oct 01, 2018
How you as a designer can influence costs
By Martin Petersen, Hydro Oct 10, 2018

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CINDERELLA RUN. Ceres FC victorious after beating PSG FC and winning the crown at the PFF-Smart National Club Championships. Photo by Josh Albelda.
MANILA, Philippines - Ceres FC secured their place as the best football club in the Philppines after putting a fairytale ending in their magical campaign by taking home the trophy in the PFF-Smart National Club Championships.
The Negros Occidental-based squad beat UFL side PSG (Pasargad FC) 1-0 in the thrilling finals showdown of the tournament on Saturday, February 2, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
The victory gave Ceres, the only non-UFL side in the final four of the tournament, its first major title in national competitions.
Dubbed as a surprise package as they beat one strong team after another, Ceres continued their cinderella run after pulling through the group stages in the Visayas cluster.
Ceres eliminated UFL Cup champions Stallions FC in the Round of 16 and defeated league champions Global in the quarterfinals, both by 1-0.
In the semifinals, the provincial squad demolished Kaya FC with a 3-1 scoreline en route to the finals.
Ceres dominated the game in the finals match against an undermanned Pasargad.
Some PSG players were suspended due to accumulation of cards and premature celebration by taking their shirts off in their semifinals match against Green Archers United.
Ceres played possession football that forced PSG to resort to long balls.
Marshalled by Philippines U-23 standout Joshua Beloya's calm and collected ball handling, Ceres' midfield proved effective and kept PSG's defense busy.
The first chance of the night came from a Beloya free kick in the 11th minute, away from the penalty area but his goal-directed shot was calmly collected by the PSG's keeper.
Pasargad's best chance in the first half came in the 41st minute with Yaogo's powerful strike from Angelo Marasigan's corner. Yaogo took a shot at the top of the box but the ball hit the crossbar.
The start of the second half looked bright for PSG with a Marasigan free kick going just inches above the crossbar.
That would be the last of the telling chances of PSG in the game.
Ten minutes after the start of the second half, Ceres snatched the game winner with Byeong Yun Joon striking home a beautiful goal in the PSG's penalty area.
PSG tried to salvage a goal at the last minutes of the game and push for extra time but Ceres' sturdy defense and dynamo of a midfield kept the ball out of their possession until the final whistle, securing victory.
The championship put Ceres at the top by becoming the best football club in the country.
Ceres coach Freddie Lazarite said that the whole campaign was unexpected but they feel that the victory and the championship were both well-deserved.
"We didn't expect the win against these other teams but we followed our game plan, believed in our players and played the game beautifully," Lazarite said on the sidelines of the tournament's semifinal press conference.
Lazarite fondly recounted that they did not expect the campaign to be this successful when asked about their preparations for the tournament.
"We did not expect this whole victory. The foreigners in our team are students from Negros and we just invited them to join the team. We did not even expect the win against Stallions. If we lost to (Stallions in the Round of 16), we would have sent our foreign players back to their countries," Lazarite mentioned.
The win also magnified the clamor for Ceres to join the UFL to add more spice to the league.
Asked about this issue, Ceres officials said that they will ask the management of their club but it might take time as it should be planned thoroughly.
Ceres took most of the individual trophies, bagging 4 out of 5 awards.
Goalkeeper Jae Hun Hyeon took home the Golden Glove Award while teammates Keon Hyeong Park, Joshua Beloya and Byeong Jun Yoon grabbed the Best Defender, Best Midfielder and Most Valuable Player awards, respectively.
Green Archers United's Chieffy Caligdong took home the Golden Boot award with 4 goals. GAUFC also took home the Fair Play award.
Kaya FC clinched third place after beating Green Archers United 2-0. Alou Kigbu opened the festivities early in the first half and Antonio Ugarte slotted home the game winner seconds before the halftime break.


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Debbie Cruz
Afternoon News Anchor & Host
Debbie Cruz is the local anchor for All Things Considered and the host of the San Diego News Now podcast. Debbie was born and raised in Southern Arizona where she began her journalism career in 1997 as the afternoon anchor at Newsradio KNST in Tucson. Debbie moved with her family to San Diego in 2004 where she continued to enjoy her passion for newsgathering and storytelling as a regional news writer and reporter/anchor at Metro Networks. Debbie most recently worked as the morning news anchor for 24/7 News and 760 KFMB.
Q&A: What to expect at House of China's Lunar New Year celebrations this weekend
Emilyn Mohebbi
House of China executive director David Seid joins San Diego News Now podcast host Debbie Cruz to talk about the celebration and new year traditions.


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6-foot fence to be installed in front of Capitol building
by: Brittany Flowers
LANSING, Mich. (WNS)– A 6-foot fence will be set up in front of the Capitol building Friday in preparation for protests expected ahead of President-Elect Joe Biden's inauguration.
Vice-Chair of Capitol Commission John Truscott told 6 New Tuesday night that the Michigan State Police worked with Capitol staff on safety measures that should be taken in the event of demonstrations.
The fence will cover the front of the building, as there is already construction fencing in the back.
Tuesday afternoon Lansing Mayor Andy Schor announced he sent an official request to Governor Gretchen Whitmer asking her to call on the Michigan National Guard ahead of the planned armed protest in the event of violence.
Michigan State Police and Lansing Police began increasing their visible presence in the downtown area on Monday and plan to continue to do so through Inauguration Day.
by Darronté Matthews / Jan 19, 2021
WASHINGTON D.C. (WMBD) — U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and bi-partisan lawmakers are re-introducing the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act.
Durbin announced the re-introduction during a press conference Tuesday along with U.S. Representatives Brad Schneider (D-Illinois), Robin Kelly (D-Illinois), Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas), Don Bacon (R-Nebraska), Lou Correa (D-California), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania).
National Unemployment Tracker


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Robert Hainer/Fotolia
How Often Should You Suction A Baby's Nose? There's Actually A Limit
By Cat Bowen
When you go home with your baby, you typically go home with a few things that the hospital gives you. One of these is a bulb syringe. It looks like a small rubber ball on a funnel with a tip, and it's used to aspirate the nasal passages of your baby when they're suffering from a congested nose. It's really simple to use, and many parents get really good at wrangling their baby in place for suction really quickly. However, you can do it too much. How often should you suction a baby's nose, according to the experts? Maybe not as often as you think.
Babies have tiny noses that get easily clogged. They're also really sensitive, with loads of tiny little capillaries right at the surface that are irritated and damaged without much agitation. If you've ever seen your child give themselves a bloody nose from scratching it, you know what I'm talking about. Their noses also dry out fairly quickly, according to the Journal of Aerosol Science. Therefore, the use of saline and either a bulb syringe or Nosefrida suction device has to be limited to attempt to avoid accidental injury or irritation of the nasal passages. Nationwide Childrens' Health Systems recommends doing it no more than two or three times per day. No one wants a nose bleed.
Suctioning your baby's nose is really gross — there's no way around it — but it's really useful. For some reason, even though I legitimately gagged through suctioning my children, I found it oddly satisfying and fascinating. Sure, I had to swallow and hold my breath as I cleaned the bulb afterwards, but they just breathed so much better as soon as I suctioned their tiny noses. Also, the sound of it is not something you'll soon forget. That squishy straw sound is so, so disgusting, but it lets you know it's working. Even if you have to choke back the bile that rises to your throat as you use it.
Especially if you're using the Nosefrida, which, good on you because I cannot siphon snot out of my child's head with my mouth. I realize you don't end up with a mouth full of mucus — logically. I get that. But I simply cannot abide even the thought, and so that's a big, fat hell nope for me. However, there are a legion of parents who swear by the snot sucking device, and would banish me to the outer reaches of the universe for nay-saying it.
If you are wondering how often you should suction a baby's nose if they're extra congested, unfortunately, the number remains the same — two or three times. Thankfully, there are other ways to clear baby's nose that don't have anything to do with suction. The website for Dr. Sears suggested giving baby more fluids and encouraging them to drink. This will loosen secretions and help them breathe more easily. They also suggested using a cool mist humidifier to aid in their breathing, because warm, dry air irritates sensitive tissues, causing them to swell up and get congested.
When my babies were really congested, I'd sit in the bathroom with them and run a hot, hot shower, filling the room and their little noses with lots of steam. As soon as we stepped into the cooler surrounding rooms, their noses would run like a fountain, and their breathing would improve dramatically.
Just remember, as much as you may be tempted to give them medications for their cold, like Mucinex or Robitussin, knowing how much they help you, the FDA says this is a big no-no. They're simply unsafe for the little ones under the age of 2, and should generally be avoided up to age 6. Until then, get used to the grossness, because you're all over it for awhile.
Check out Romper's new video series, Romper's Doula Diaries:
Watch full episodes of Romper's Doula Diaries on Facebook Watch.


Courtland Avenue Public School has been an important community hub in down town Kitchener since 1890! Additions in the 1960s included a gymnasium and library. We are currently home to approximately 210 grade 7 and 8 students. We also have 4 congregated classes for Enrichment, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Development Learning Community and Behavior.
At Courtland Avenue Public School, we value community and the pursuit of excellence in academics, athletics and the arts. Students participate in a multitude of activities ranging from sports and athletics to the arts and academics, lead by a combination of teachers to bring the best learning experience to our students.
Each WRDSB website requires a separate subscription.


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27.4° Jan 17's Weather
Mary Lucille "Lucy" Heffner Holmes
LAUREL PARK — Mary Lucille "Lucy" Heffner Holmes, 88, of Laurel Park formally of Mills River, died at her residence on Sunday evening, July 15, 2012, after a period of declining health. She is a native and life long resident of Henderson County and a daughter of the late Bonnie Louise Nichols and Albert Granville Heffner.
She was married to the late Thomas James Holmes who died in 1999. She was also preceded in death by four brothers; Thomas Granville Heffner, Joe Lee Heffner, Bobby Sherrill Heffner, and Ray Ward Heffner; her sister, Elizabeth Heffner Orr.
She was a 1941 graduate of the former Mills River High School where she was the class Salutatorian. She attended Berea College in Berea, KY for two years. Upon her return to Mills River she then joined the Ecusta Paper Corporation in Pisgah Forest as a librarian and as the Assistant Recreational Director. Born with a beautiful voice and plenty of rhythm she soon endeared herself to the many musical activities that Ecusta offered to its employees under the direction of John Eversman. She traveled with the Ecusta Band as a vocalist including a trip to New York City as well as performing in many local venues. With a song in her heart and her love for the stage she enjoyed summer stock with the blossoming Flat Rock summer theatre of Robroy and Leona Farguar as a Vagabond Player. She made her film debut in "This is the Lord's Acre" in 1959, which dramatized the international Lord's Acre project of the Farmer's Federated filmed in the Mills River Valley.
Her love for being around young people endeared her to a 12-year-old volunteer, Kathy Quinn Brown, during her role as director of the Jr. Red Cross Chapter in Buncombe County. Their friendship has thrived and provided them both with more than 50 years of memories.
After her marriage in November of 1954, she settled into her cherished role of a doting mother, not only to her daughters, but later her grandchildren and to the many students whose lives she touched as a substitute teacher for more than 30 years in the Henderson County and Hendersonville City school systems. She continued to enjoy music as a charter member of the Hendersonville Chorale as well as a choir member of Mills River United Methodist Church and First Congregational Church for numerous years. She returned to the stage in 1979 in Hendersonville Little Theatre's production of "H.M.S. Pinafore" where she was perfectly cast as "Buttercup." She was a faithful member of the Mills River Chapter of the Ladies Red Hat Society, and was an instrumental volunteer in obtaining petition signatures to help with the incorporation of Mills River. She was proud of her Southern heritage, and growing up during the Depression provided her the ability to take weeks to eat a candy bar. She never met a stranger and found that diversity of people, different cultures and beliefs was simply a learning opportunity. She enjoyed reading and writing poetry and respected the solace that listening to nature brought her.
She is survived by her three daughters, Holly H. Yoest and her husband, Bill, of Raleigh, Melody H. Shepherd and her husband, Thos. R. of Flat Rock, Cherie R. Holmes and her husband, Mark Sandborn, of Asheville; her two granddaughters, Scarlett B. Pittillo of Hendersonville, Ashley E. Vaeth of Raleigh; her grandson, Tyler J. Sandborn of Winston-Salem; her great-grandson, Roman W. Pierson of Hendersonville; her step-granddaughter, Audrey Y. Lysko and her husband Paul of Cary, and many nieces and nephews.
The loving attentive care by Dr. James J. Caserio and his entire staff provided "Miss Lucy" with the ability to stay in her home, in conjunction with the professional and caring staff of Spring Arbor West as well as the round the clock care of her Bayada nurses. She felt very loved and comfortable
A funeral service will be held at noon on Saturday, July 21, 2012, at St. James Episcopal Church with the Rev. Eunice R. Dunlap officiating. Burial will follow at Shepherd Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Mills River Public Library, 124 Town Center Dr # 1, Mills River, NC 28759.
A register book is available online for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.
Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.


You might say that Megan Chaney is getting a dual education at York College of Pennsylvania. After completing a rigorous course of study, she will receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing next May.
But in a separate immersive program, she has learned creative thinking, entrepreneurship and leadership skills.
That parallel track of study results from her being a Graham Innovation Scholar. In the summer, the Scholars program took her to Liberia to see how the African country's health care system functions and how its nursing students are educated.
Megan, from Baldwin, Maryland, is part of the inaugural class of Graham Scholars. As a senior in high school, she interviewed for the program, which allows students from various majors to help plan their curriculum while they learn about employee management and problem solving.
"We learned from one another and strengthened one another's abilities," Megan says of the Scholars, with their diverse educational backgrounds.
This year, the program is giving her experience as a mentor, as she teaches freshmen alongside faculty members in the areas of design thinking and innovation.
For two and a half weeks in May, Megan and two other Graham Scholars ‒ a Graphic Design major and a Nuclear Medicine major ‒ and a faculty member learned about health care and health education in Liberia.
The trip marked the first time Megan had been outside North America.
The Scholars chose Liberia because it is the homeland of the Nuclear Medicine major.
"Her hope and dream is to return after she becomes a doctor," Megan points out.
The group was based in the capital of Monrovia, a city of more than 1 million residents, but got to travel to rural areas because of the connections and family that the Liberian student had in many parts of the country.
The Scholars toured three hospitals and the National Institute for Public Health, where they interviewed administrators. They also visited a university nursing school.
Forays outside Monrovia allowed them to compare health care facilities in the country's urban and rural areas.
Megan was impressed by Liberians' pride in their country.
"A lot of people we spoke to who had visited the United States feel so blessed to bring their education back to their own country and work there," she says.
Megan says she always was interested in science, and many family members work in health care. The field of nursing captured her attention during a presentation by a high school alum.
York College appeared on Megan's radar because a family friend had graduated from the school around the time she was beginning her college search.
"I wanted to be about an hour away from home and was looking for a school with a smaller-home feeling. I had heard good things about the nursing program," she says.
Her decision came down to York College and another school.
"When I first came on campus, I knew it was the right fit. York College felt like home, where I should be," she says.
Smaller class sizes and her one-on-one relationships with faculty members have proved important to her.
Megan works part time in the emergency room at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center in Towson, Maryland. She wants to continue in that setting after graduation and eventually go into trauma care.
Besides her degree, Megan will leave York College with a measure of confidence and independence that the Graham Innovation Scholars program has instilled in her.
Learn more about the Graham Innovation Scholars.


Finding the exact information you need sometimes requires filtering and refining your search results. Earlier in the year, we launched a collection of tools called Search Options which enable you to easily and quickly do this from a computer. Today in the US, we are making Search Options available on Android/iPhone/Palm WebOS devices so that you can slice and dice your mobile search results as well. For example, suppose you are shopping at a store for a camera, and you would like to see what users have been saying about a specific model within the past week. You can do this simply by searching for the name of the product. Then, on the search results page, use "Options" to filter by "Forums" and refine further by choosing "Past week".


Yes, you need a travel adapter (plug adapter) for a trip from the United Kingdom to Mauritania. In Mauritania, people are using different plugs and plug sockets that are not compatible with plugs from the United Kingdom!
Which types of plugs are used in Mauritania?
Mauritania uses plugs of type C. Plug sockets of type G, which are common in the United Kingdom, are not in use in Mauritania.
The frequency, therefore, is the same as in the United Kingdom. That's why it is safe to use all your electric appliances in Mauritania.


Probiotics, nowadays, are widely used in many health conditions because of their widespread effects on many body systems rather than only on gastrointestinal system. Recently they are considered to be an option in the management of seizure disorders.
The exact mechanism of action of probiotics that help in neurological conditions including epilepsy is unclear. However, it has been said that there might be relationship between gut and brain called "microbiota-gut-brain axis" .
Another possible explanation is that a bacteria specie in probiotics called L. rhamnosus causes positive changes in GABA receptors, which were mediated by Vagus nerve . Because GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system, these changes could reduce the risk of developing seizure.
There are some studies showed supplementation with probiotics improved ADHD, anxiety disorder, antisocial behaviour, and other neurological disorders . These studies raised the curiosity of using probiotics in treating epilepsy for future practice, although good research studies are still needed to support this idea.
There is also one ongoing clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of probiotics in controlling drug-resistant epilepsy .
However, the benefits and risks of using probiotics should be considered in any uses of them, as well as getting advices from healthcare providers is suggested.
1. Umbrello G, Esposito S. Microbiota and neurologic diseases: potential effects of probiotics. J Transl Med. 2016 Oct 19; 14(1): 298. Review. PubMed PMID: 27756430; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5069982.
Calgary, Airdrie, and Cochrane, Alberta, Canada.
I will contact you as soon as possible to confirm your appointment.


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Margot Robbie has profanity-laced warning for James Gunn about Harley Quinn's fate in 'The Suicide Squad' (spoilers) – Yahoo Entertainment
Warning: The Suicide Squad spoilers above and ahead
In October, James Gunn delighted fans of suspense, gore and pure anarchy when he boasted that Warner Bros. had given him "carte blanche" to kill off any character he wanted to in The Suicide Squad, his R-rated superhero actioner and entry into the DCEU.
With an ensemble cast so big they put 20 names on a poster to introduce them, that potentially spelled A LOT of deaths — and Gunn fully delivers on that promise in the film.
That's not to say he didn't labor over who lived and who died.
"I did change my mind," he tells Yahoo Entertainment during a virtual press day for the film (watch above). "There were some people in my treatment that died that ended up not dying. There are some people that didn't die, that end up dying. As I'm making the screenplay, I knew a lot of people that I was bringing on that were just gonna die early on. And then other people, the story kind of takes its own shape and I'm really getting into the flow of the story and making sure that every single instant is being as over the top as the movie is, and has as much veracity and emotion and sincerity as possible."
That has to make an interesting experience for the actors involved, knowing there's a chance they may not live to see another page while reading the script. Most of them, however, didn't mind.
"I wasn't afraid if I was going to die or not, because it's such an honor just to enter into this really gigantic industry in The Suicide Squad with James Gunn," Daniela Melchior, who makes her English-language debut as Ratcatcher II, tells Yahoo Entertainment.
"If I just make one Suicide Squad movie, and my character lives or dies, it's a great move," says Idris Elba, who plays Bloodsport. "Because it's working with James Gunn."
"I think when you get an offer to work with James Gunn, you really don't care about how long it's going to last," adds Mayling Ng, who introduces Mongal.
Margot Robbie in The Suicide Squad. (Warner Bros.)
(Again, spoiler warning…)
And then there's Margot Robbie, who plays Harley Quinn — the DCEU fan favorite who's easily the most untouchable member of the Suicide Squad, right? (Gunn told Uproxx's Mike Ryan recently that he "One thousand percent" could've killed Quinn, though implied otherwise at the end of our interview, mentioning there was one unnamed member he couldn't kill – and that's not including John Cena's Peacemaker, who got his own HBO Max spin-off.)
Robbie, though, would not have been pleased.
"The minute I started reading the script I was like, "S**t, no one is safe'" Robbie told us. "And if this mother f**ker kills me, I will find him and I will kill him, and I will rewrite the goddamn script myself.
"Thankfully, I didn't die, so I can keep playing Harley Quinn. She comes close to dying. But she doesn't die."
The Suicide Squad is now playing.
Watch the cast compare and contrast the film to Guardians of the Galaxy:
—Video produced by Kat Vasquez and edited by Luis Saenz
← Britney Spears' Lawyer Alleged Jamie Spears Approved A Payment Of $500,000 From Her Estate Without Consent And Demanded He Be Removed From The Conservatorship Immediately – BuzzFeed News
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Yet again a slow start cost Ives the points in a roller coaster game in the Dragon's lair. One down inside ten minutes and two behind five minutes before the break they showed their resilience to battle back level with thirty minutes to go and then looked the more likely winner. Unfortunately an uncharacteristic mistake from the man who has saved them so many times recently James Goff ten minutes from time ensured that they made the long trip home with no reward for their endeavour.
After a heavy downpour during the warm up the game started in glorious sunshine and Ives made an early raid into the Dragons territory Ben Seymour-Shove got down the right and delivered a deep cross which Phil Draycott did well to keep alive. He laid the ball back to Jordan Jarrold who picked out James Hall for a free header ten yards out by the near post. But the Ives striker got it wrong and the ball came off his shoulder to present an easy save for home keeper Colm McAdden.
The hosts went straight down the other end and a low cross from the left by Ben Wright was turned onto the inside of the post by Michael Atkinson. Goff was well beaten by that effort and very fortunate to see the ball cannon away to relative safety. But as Ives struggled to clear the big keeper showed his agility only seconds later as the ball fell to Dan Collier 25 yards from goal. His well struck effort took a deflection but the alert Goff held on well high to his right.
Ives were fortunate to survive on that occasion, but they fell behind in the next meaningful Dragons attack. Jack McKnight fed a pass through the left channel for the ever willing Sam Smart to run onto. Lewis Ferrell slipped on the wet turf giving Smart a free run on goal and he made no mistake beating Goff low to his left with a crisp drive from 15 yards.
The goal lifted the morale of the hosts who were now looking to play the ball around on the deck at every opportunity on occasions leaving the hard working visitors to chase shadows. Their next opportunity came in 21st minute as Collier, Atkinson and Wright combined well down the left to create a shooting opportunity from 25 yards for the latter who fired straight into the midriff of Goff. A low drive from Collier only seconds later forced the Ives stopper into another save low to his right.
Ives were barely a force going forward in the first half an hour. The closest they came to troubling McAdden came after 26 minutes when Jarrold roamed forward on the left and tried a snap shot from 25 yards which ruffled the side netting.
At the other end Connor Davis direct running style was causing the Ives back line some problems and only two minutes later he cut inside Jarrold from the right forcing Tom McGowan into a rash challenge 30 yards from goal. Wright took the free kick, but slipped as he went to hit it and only succeeded in scooping the ball straight into the waiting hands of Goff.
Lewis Hilliard showed a little touch of his class to create an opportunity for Hall in the next Ives attack in 33rd minute. He artfully curled a ball around Dragons centre back Charlie Kennedy into the run of Hall, but unfortunately the Ives striker was always stretching and only managed to toe poke the ball straight into the hands of McAdden.
The Dragons responded with a flowing move down the right which put Davis away. He got to the bye line before laying the ball back to the edge of the box. A clever step over by Wright presented a chance for McKnight. He hit his crisp drive from 20 yards well and the already diving Goff must have been very pleased to see the effort bravely blocked by the body of Lee Chaffey.
Ives fell further behind in 39th minute. The referee over ruled his assistant in giving a throw by the half way line in favour of the Dragons. Whilst management team Ricky Marheineke and Jack Cassidy ranted at the officials the hosts swiftly got on with the game. Smart took on the Ives back line and wriggled his way past a couple of attempted tackles before being upended by McGowan just outside the box. Wright lined up the kick and carefully curled his effort over the visitor's five man wall and into the top corner past the despairing dive of Goff.
Ives responded well and Hilliard missed a golden opportunity to pull a goal back only three minutes later. Kennedy completely fluffed an attempted clearance on the edge of his own box and the ball fell to the silky Ives midfield who seemed surprised to receive it in such circumstances and only succeeded in stabbing the ball wide with McAdden's goal at his mercy.
Fortunately the visitor's only had to wait another two minutes before they managed to pull a goal back. McGowan threaded a ball through to Seymour-Shove on the right. He ran on into the box and delivered a low cross shot which beat McAdden, but was skimming wide of the far post until Jimmy Hartley came sliding in at pace to bundle the ball home from close range.
Pulling one back just before the break was just what the doctor ordered and we all hoped for an early push from Ives to get themselves level. But they had to thank keeper Goff from preventing them going back to two behind only four minutes after the re-start. Davis somehow found himself clean through one on one with the big Ives stopper who did everything right as he closed on the Dragons striker and stayed upright forcing him to try and put the ball past him. The attempted clip past the keeper was met with a big right hand from Goff and skipper Charlie De'ath got around behind him to complete the clearance and keep Ives in the game.
As Ives continued to push forward in search of an equaliser they were vulnerable to the counter attack and they were nearly caught out in 58th minute as a quick break down the left saw overlapping full back Tim Wohlfiel deliver a cross to the back post where Wright had lost his man. But fortunately the Dragons striker failed to get his free header on target from a good position.
The hosts were made to rue those two missed chances just after the hour as Ives pulled level in somewhat controversial style. A cross from the left by Hartley looped up into the air off of the head of Collier forcing keeper McAdden to come into the crowd to try and punch the ball away. But he made poor contact and the ball fell inside the box to Hilliard. He could not bring it down, but it ran sideways to Draycott who hit a low shot that deflected off a Dragons defender to an unmarked Seymour-Shove who side footed home from six yards. The Ives striker looked offside and defenders arms went up in appeal, but the assistant's flag was not raised and the goal stood.
Having now got level Ives continued to push forward in search of all three points. But the closest they came was an inspired touch and shot from Hall as he brought down a long punt from Goff on the run deep inside Dragons territory. But his left foot effort from 20 yards was always rising and did not trouble McAdden on its way into the grandstand.
By this time another heavy shower had arrived and it was beginning to look as if both sides would have to settle for a point. But as the game entered the last ten minutes the man who has saved Ives on many occasions in what we hope is the first few of many games for them made a rare error. Smart got away from Jarrold down the right and drove in a low cross that skipped off the rain sodden turf just in front of Goff. The young keeper go both hands to the ball, but failed to hold on and Dragons substitute Sam Deadfield was onto the loose ball in an instant stabbing it home from close range.
Ives huffed and puffed for the remaining few minutes sending skipper De'ath forward and throwing on the pace of Matt Wright. But the hosts are a good team in possession and once they got the ball they kept moving it around forcing the visitors to work hard to get it off of them. This was very effective in preventing Ives getting up any head of steam to grab a point.
This was the third League game in a row where Ives have conceded three. The recent slow starts are also making life difficult and the tough run of fixtures continues with the visit of forth placed Kettering Town on Tuesday evening giving manager Marheineke little time to find the magic winning formula again. Full back Jordan Jarrold won the fans vote for man of the match on a day when it was hard to pick a clear winner. The award was probably as much for his positive influence going forward on another tough day for the Ives back line.


text:
This Overwatch Reaper skin concept is incredible
Published: 21/Sep/2018 19:58 Updated: 4/May/2020 15:38
Artist and Overwatch fan Grigory Lebidko has taken Reaper back to the age of the Pharaohs by creating a skin that a lot of fans probably wish was already available in game.
Lebidko said he made the piece in his spare time and was inspired by Mercy's Winged Victory costume to give Reaper a fantasy skin of his own.
It's not the first time Lebidko has made impressive Overwatch fan art, earlier in the year he made an impressive revolutionary inspired D.Va skin.
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/8QV1G https://www.artstation.com/artwork/8QV1G
Before the release of Overwatch's newest map, Busan, another artist and fan of the game named Joshua Llorente created an impressive map of his own for the same South Korean city.
Players probably won't see Lebidko's skins in game anytime soon, unfortunately, but with BlizzCon right around the corner, there's sure to be some big Overwatch content and news coming in the months ahead.
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/8QV1G
There will also be a lot of awesome fan made Overwatch content leading up to BlizzCon in November, including cosplay, music and all kinds of artwork.
Fan-made content is a big part of what make the Overwatch community so great, and with contributions like this it doesn't show any signs of slowing down soon.


text:
Investigation: As drone sightings soar, airport defense systems grounded
FAA waves off airports from buying drone defense technology
Updated: 5:23 PM MST Nov 7, 2019
U.S. airports are "completely blind" and unprepared for the increasing possibility of drone disruptions or attacks, blocked by the federal government and hobbled by unclear regulatory authority from immediately beefing up defenses, a yearlong investigation by the Hearst Television National Investigative Unit has found.With approximately 1 billion passengers expected to transit through American airports this year, the lack of an established approval process, unclear lines of responsibility for airport aerial defense, and nonexistent federal funding for procurement present a gaping hole in the safety of the U.S. transportation system, a review of government documents and interviews with aviation officials, regulators and private vendors shows.The stark realization comes as the Federal Aviation Administration is currently observing its first-ever National Drone Safety Awareness Week, which seeks to raise awareness of the safe operation of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) within American airspace, mostly by hobbyists. READ THE BLUE RIBBON TASK FORCE REPORT ON UAS MITIGATION HEREDrones 'clear and present risk' to airportsDrone sightings around airports in the United States have soared in the past five years, according to data analyzed and animated by the Hearst Television National Investigative Unit.Each quarter, the Federal Aviation Administration publishes reports of unmanned aircraft sightings near airplanes, helicopters and airports. The FAA catalogs those reports by date, city and state. The map above details the number of reported sightings by city, according to the FAA databases. It includes 8,410 reported UAS sightings from Nov. 2014 to June 2019. It includes only reports from the continental United States.Reports that didn't include a city, state or both were not mapped. When the name of an airport or Air Force base was given instead of the city, the report was credited to the largest city in the area or closest city to the base.Since 2014, the number of drone sightings across the U.S. has soared – along with the potential for disruption or disaster.There were just 42 sightings in 2014 of drones deemed unauthorized or a possible danger to aviation facilities; by 2018, there were 2,261, according to FAA data analyzed by the National Investigative Unit. The cities with the most sightings, in order, were New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Miami, Orlando, Dallas and Atlanta.The FAA estimates 2.4 million drones will be in the skies above the U.S. within the next three years.In the past 12 months, suspected drone sightings have shut down commercial flights and delayed passengers at major global airports, such as Newark Liberty International Airport in the New York City region and Gatwick Airport outside London.A single wayward or malicious drone represents "a clear and present risk to airport operations," Angela Gittens, director general of Airport Council International World, warned in October. The International Civil Aviation Organization proclaimed earlier this year that the rise in drone-related disruptions to aviation due to "unauthorized and reckless" use "requires effective detection and counter measures" at airports.'We're completely blind'Standing next to the fourth-story railing in front the slanted glass atop the San Luis Obispo County Airport control tower in California, airport director Kevin Bumen points to where drones have previously invaded his airspace. "Between the runway and the fence," he said as he motioned to a spot in the distance.Bumen says he has watched closely as other airports have had to briefly shut down departures and takeoffs this year after drone sightings near aircraft or runways. His own airport has seen record commercial airplane traffic so far this year."What if that happened at our airport? What would we do about that?" he asked rhetorically about a drone disruption during an interview earlier this year.When asked exactly what he would do, Bumen answered, "Well, it's a really interesting question.""Today, we have no technology that would tell us there's a drone at a given distance from the airport… We're completely blind." FAA: Drone defense systems 'prohibited'Yet despite the potential risk to passengers, aircraft, and airports, the FAA, in a stern letter in May, cautioned airports not to proceed with any form of counter-UAS technology, citing the current "prohibition on non-federal use of countermeasure or mitigation technologies."In addition, "the FAA cannot confirm the legality of any UAS detection system," the three-page letter states. It's signed by John Dermody, director of the agency's Office of Airport Safety and Standards.Dermody, in the letter, cited "undesirable safety and efficiency impacts," that could arise from the use of drone detection and defense technologies in an active airport environment, such the introduction of electromagnetic broadcast signals that could "create a hazard to air navigation," or that use of such devices could "provoke response actions" from drone operators that "disrupt air traffic operations."In an interview at a FAA UAS Symposium held in Baltimore in June, Dermody told the National Investigative Unit that, in his view, "I don't see that we need a drone defense system around airports."Dermody said pilots or passengers could spot drones and notify authorities, instead.But he did admit the agency's efforts to provide airports with solutions and codify a federal response to a drone-related disruption at a major U.S. airport – such as at Newark – may not be accelerating enough."We know we're not moving at the fastest pace possible," Dermody acknowledged in the interview."We know there needs to be more guidance out there," he added.TSA safety gaps now include dronesBut despite the growing alarm, the FAA has been hobbled, investigators have found, in its technological ability to track and respond to drone-related incidents.Inspectors from the FAA told the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for a report issued in October they receive reports of sightings "on a daily basis" from air traffic controllers – yet are powerless to do anything to stop them, the independent review found.Current FAA systems, the report said, are unable to verify the sighting was actually a drone, not capable of determining whether the flight was authorized, and have "no existing mechanism" to track UAS-related trends.The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) also knows drones could be a problem.For the first time it has added drones to its list of safety gaps in U.S. transportation, according to a recent report from the GAO.Drone defense companies take offDrone defense companies are already supplying airports with counter-UAS (cUAS) technology – just not in the United States.Instead, the rapidly-expanding cUAS industry is finding receptive clients in law enforcement.WhiteFox, a California-based drone airspace security company, said its devices are currently protecting VIPs, including judges.In an exclusive demonstration near the site of the 2019 Super Bowl in Atlanta just hours before kickoff in January and another one in March near the San Luis Obispo County Airport, WhiteFox CEO Luke Fox allowed National Investigative Unit cameras to record video of its Scorpion product for the first time.The garage door-sized device disrupts control of a drone in under a second, sending the UAS back to its owner and away from the protected area, such as an NFL game, a site of a presidential visit, or air field."There are many airports who are seeking to deploy this technology and are feeling the pain of not having the technology," Fox said.Oleg Vornik, CEO of DRONESHIELD, a competitor, said in an interview at the 2019 Association of the United State Army annual event in October that "there are airports internationally that use our technology," such as at an airport in Rionegro, Colombia, just outside the country's second largest city, Medellin.Rafael, an Israeli company, said its Drome Dome technology has been deployed to protect aviation assets overseas. A spokesman told the National Investigative Unit it plans a second demonstration for the U.S. military before the end of the year, in Israel.Pilot Programs AccelerateLaw enforcement agencies in the United States are accelerating the use of such technologies, even if domestic airports aren't.The U.S. Secret Service deployed a pilot drone defense system at this year's United National General Assembly gathering in New York in September, according to documents filed discussing the program's privacy impact.Citing the completion of that test, the U.S. Coast Guard has said it is now conducting a one-year pilot program of counter-UAS systems that may "pose a credible threat" to facilities or assets. A pilot program is also currently underway at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, a spokeswoman confirmed; the airport would not disclose its success rate or allow reporters to observe a demonstration.The Department of Homeland Security also is reluctant to discuss its drone defense efforts.In March, the National Investigative Unit filed a public records request with the Department of Homeland Security seeking documents about "new defenses" against drones that then-Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen had disclosed publicly, when she told an audience the department had used them at the 2019 Super Bowl.In June, the department responded to confirm it had found the documents sought by the NIU. But the department stated it would not release a single page, claiming that even releasing one word would risk disclosing law enforcement techniques and "could reasonably be expected to risk circumvention of the law."Travis Sherwin, April Chunko, and Matt Moore contributed to this report. Know of drone defense concerns or innovative uses? Send investigative tips, information, and documents about this topic to the National Investigative Unit at investigate@hearst.com.
U.S. airports are "completely blind" and unprepared for the increasing possibility of drone disruptions or attacks, blocked by the federal government and hobbled by unclear regulatory authority from immediately beefing up defenses, a yearlong investigation by the Hearst Television National Investigative Unit has found.
With approximately 1 billion passengers expected to transit through American airports this year, the lack of an established approval process, unclear lines of responsibility for airport aerial defense, and nonexistent federal funding for procurement present a gaping hole in the safety of the U.S. transportation system, a review of government documents and interviews with aviation officials, regulators and private vendors shows.
The stark realization comes as the Federal Aviation Administration is currently observing its first-ever National Drone Safety Awareness Week, which seeks to raise awareness of the safe operation of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) within American airspace, mostly by hobbyists.
READ THE BLUE RIBBON TASK FORCE REPORT ON UAS MITIGATION HERE
Drones 'clear and present risk' to airports
Drone sightings around airports in the United States have soared in the past five years, according to data analyzed and animated by the Hearst Television National Investigative Unit.
Each quarter, the Federal Aviation Administration publishes reports of unmanned aircraft sightings near airplanes, helicopters and airports. The FAA catalogs those reports by date, city and state. The map above details the number of reported sightings by city, according to the FAA databases. It includes 8,410 reported UAS sightings from Nov. 2014 to June 2019. It includes only reports from the continental United States.
Reports that didn't include a city, state or both were not mapped. When the name of an airport or Air Force base was given instead of the city, the report was credited to the largest city in the area or closest city to the base.
Since 2014, the number of drone sightings across the U.S. has soared – along with the potential for disruption or disaster.
There were just 42 sightings in 2014 of drones deemed unauthorized or a possible danger to aviation facilities; by 2018, there were 2,261, according to FAA data analyzed by the National Investigative Unit. The cities with the most sightings, in order, were New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Miami, Orlando, Dallas and Atlanta.
The FAA estimates 2.4 million drones will be in the skies above the U.S. within the next three years.
In the past 12 months, suspected drone sightings have shut down commercial flights and delayed passengers at major global airports, such as Newark Liberty International Airport in the New York City region and Gatwick Airport outside London.
A single wayward or malicious drone represents "a clear and present risk to airport operations," Angela Gittens, director general of Airport Council International World, warned in October. The International Civil Aviation Organization proclaimed earlier this year that the rise in drone-related disruptions to aviation due to "unauthorized and reckless" use "requires effective detection and counter measures" at airports.
'We're completely blind'
Standing next to the fourth-story railing in front the slanted glass atop the San Luis Obispo County Airport control tower in California, airport director Kevin Bumen points to where drones have previously invaded his airspace.
Hearst Television
Airport director Kevin Bumen shows Chief National Investigative Correspondent Mark Albert where drones invaded the airspace at San Luis Obispo County Airport.
"Between the runway and the fence," he said as he motioned to a spot in the distance.
Bumen says he has watched closely as other airports have had to briefly shut down departures and takeoffs this year after drone sightings near aircraft or runways. His own airport has seen record commercial airplane traffic so far this year.
"What if that happened at our airport? What would we do about that?" he asked rhetorically about a drone disruption during an interview earlier this year.
When asked exactly what he would do, Bumen answered, "Well, it's a really interesting question."
"Today, we have no technology that would tell us there's a drone at a given distance from the airport… We're completely blind."
FAA: Drone defense systems 'prohibited'
Yet despite the potential risk to passengers, aircraft, and airports, the FAA, in a stern letter in May, cautioned airports not to proceed with any form of counter-UAS technology, citing the current "prohibition on non-federal use of countermeasure or mitigation technologies."
In addition, "the FAA cannot confirm the legality of any UAS detection system," the three-page letter states. It's signed by John Dermody, director of the agency's Office of Airport Safety and Standards.
John Dermody, FAA Director of the Office of Airport Safety and Standards, speaks at the agency's UAS Symposium in Baltimore on June 4, 2019.
Dermody, in the letter, cited "undesirable safety and efficiency impacts," that could arise from the use of drone detection and defense technologies in an active airport environment, such the introduction of electromagnetic broadcast signals that could "create a hazard to air navigation," or that use of such devices could "provoke response actions" from drone operators that "disrupt air traffic operations."
In an interview at a FAA UAS Symposium held in Baltimore in June, Dermody told the National Investigative Unit that, in his view, "I don't see that we need a drone defense system around airports."
Dermody said pilots or passengers could spot drones and notify authorities, instead.
But he did admit the agency's efforts to provide airports with solutions and codify a federal response to a drone-related disruption at a major U.S. airport – such as at Newark – may not be accelerating enough.
"We know we're not moving at the fastest pace possible," Dermody acknowledged in the interview.
"We know there needs to be more guidance out there," he added.
TSA safety gaps now include drones
But despite the growing alarm, the FAA has been hobbled, investigators have found, in its technological ability to track and respond to drone-related incidents.
Inspectors from the FAA told the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for a report issued in October they receive reports of sightings "on a daily basis" from air traffic controllers – yet are powerless to do anything to stop them, the independent review found.
Current FAA systems, the report said, are unable to verify the sighting was actually a drone, not capable of determining whether the flight was authorized, and have "no existing mechanism" to track UAS-related trends.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) also knows drones could be a problem.
For the first time it has added drones to its list of safety gaps in U.S. transportation, according to a recent report from the GAO.
WhiteFox CEO Luke Fox (right) demonstrates the company's counter drone technology near the site of the 2019 Super Bowl in Atlanta.
Drone defense companies take off
Drone defense companies are already supplying airports with counter-UAS (cUAS) technology – just not in the United States.
Instead, the rapidly-expanding cUAS industry is finding receptive clients in law enforcement.
WhiteFox, a California-based drone airspace security company, said its devices are currently protecting VIPs, including judges.
In an exclusive demonstration near the site of the 2019 Super Bowl in Atlanta just hours before kickoff in January and another one in March near the San Luis Obispo County Airport, WhiteFox CEO Luke Fox allowed National Investigative Unit cameras to record video of its Scorpion product for the first time.
The garage door-sized device disrupts control of a drone in under a second, sending the UAS back to its owner and away from the protected area, such as an NFL game, a site of a presidential visit, or air field.
"There are many airports who are seeking to deploy this technology and are feeling the pain of not having the technology," Fox said.
Oleg Vornik, CEO of DRONESHIELD, a competitor, said in an interview at the 2019 Association of the United State Army annual event in October that "there are airports internationally that use our technology," such as at an airport in Rionegro, Colombia, just outside the country's second largest city, Medellin.
Rafael, an Israeli company, said its Drome Dome technology has been deployed to protect aviation assets overseas. A spokesman told the National Investigative Unit it plans a second demonstration for the U.S. military before the end of the year, in Israel.
This screen shot from a promotional video visualizes the Israeli company Rafael's 'Drone Dome' technology.
Pilot Programs Accelerate
Law enforcement agencies in the United States are accelerating the use of such technologies, even if domestic airports aren't.
The U.S. Secret Service deployed a pilot drone defense system at this year's United National General Assembly gathering in New York in September, according to documents filed discussing the program's privacy impact.
Citing the completion of that test, the U.S. Coast Guard has said it is now conducting a one-year pilot program of counter-UAS systems that may "pose a credible threat" to facilities or assets.
A pilot program is also currently underway at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, a spokeswoman confirmed; the airport would not disclose its success rate or allow reporters to observe a demonstration.
The Department of Homeland Security also is reluctant to discuss its drone defense efforts.
In March, the National Investigative Unit filed a public records request with the Department of Homeland Security seeking documents about "new defenses" against drones that then-Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen had disclosed publicly, when she told an audience the department had used them at the 2019 Super Bowl.
In June, the department responded to confirm it had found the documents sought by the NIU. But the department stated it would not release a single page, claiming that even releasing one word would risk disclosing law enforcement techniques and "could reasonably be expected to risk circumvention of the law."
Travis Sherwin, April Chunko, and Matt Moore contributed to this report.
Know of drone defense concerns or innovative uses? Send investigative tips, information, and documents about this topic to the National Investigative Unit at investigate@hearst.com.


A visit to Trafford will leave you spoilt for choice for things to see and do. Our world class sport, heritage and shopping means that there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Take a look on the Visit Manchester website for information on where to stay, places to eat, things to see and do as well as maps and guides to help you find your way around.
With so much to see and do we are sure you will have a fantastic visit.
Altrincham, Sale, Stretford and Urmston are the major towns which together with their surrounding villages combine to make up the Borough of Trafford.
As home to both The Vegetarian Societies Cordon Vert cooking school and one of the North West's top catering colleges there is plenty of local talent on tap which is reflected in the number and quality of dining experiences in Trafford.
If you like to shop Trafford has a range of experiences. Enjoy a relaxing but stylish potter around up market Hale Village with its wide selection of independents.
Trafford is at the heart of the Greater Manchester's motorway network and also benefits from close proximity to Manchester Airport.


2017 wedding dress trends, details and elements by Montreal bespoke designer.
2017 wedding dress trends for brides and ideas for grooms.
While rustic, botanical and monochromatic themes are recurrent. Setting the tone with organic touches, smart use of colors and textures such as green touches, glass, metal and wood create the global aesthetic wished.
Brides will find a wide range of new lengths this season. With a strong new trend for tea and midi lengths for the spring summer seasons. The '50s sweeps are still going strong and pair together perfectly shorter hems heights. The straight bohemian styles are evolving into chic looks as the fabric are more embellished and embroidered then before.
The shoulders are a great focus for the brides. Off the shoulders, long sleeves and boat neckline being under the spotlight and offer great alternatives for all body types.
Statement earrings are a strong and interesting trend to look into as well. Especially when choosing a more minimalistic gown to personalize the look.
Capes and veils are more then ever available in new shapes and styles. They are amazing alternatives to dress up or down the attire as the day progresses.
2017 wedding dress trends and groom ideas by bespoke designer.
For the groom, there is a strong come back for traditional accessories in menswear.
We love a real bow tie. It requires time to practice the art of knotting but definitely adds to the overall image.
For a less formal but very polished look dark shades of blue, anthracite and jewel tones can be great choices of suit colors instead of the classic black tuxedo or morning jacket.
Kid Mohair light summer wool or silk blends are an amazing option for summer weddings while fine twills, velvet and jacquard can be an edgy take on the subject for the fall and winter season weddings.
W&H | 2017 wedding dress trends by Montreal bespoke designer.


I used to be very outspoken about training collars. I was appalled at the way that they worked, shocking a dog with electricity or even emitting a sharp sound to startle the dog to teach that behaviors were bad.
I have always subscribed to the theory that the best way to punish bad behaviors was by rewarding good behaviors. But then I had a friend approach me and ask me if I could help with training her dog, Julio, who wouldn't stop barking.
I worked with the dog for a few days and was unable to get anywhere with him. He was a Rottweiler and had a really loud bark. I could see how my friend would get annoyed by it quickly. But nothing I tried worked.
I was stumped when it came to training him, so I looked up some information about corrective dog collars. It turns out they aren't actually as inhumane as I thought and I ended up getting one and using it on Julio. The training went a lot smoother after that. I was able to get rid of his barking problem in just a few days.
So, if you are having trouble with training a dog, particularly when it comes to aggression, there is a solution. Corrective collars actually do work and you may find that they will get a dog's attention when all other training techniques have failed.
The collar that I am going to recommend is the remote controlled shock collar by PetTech. PetTech is a reliable brand with a good reputation and this collar is an example of why. This product was created to meet a very specific need – to train dogs who won't learn by other methods, and it is one of the best out there. It is definitely the one that I recommend.
When I helped my friend with Julio, I used the collar in vibrate mode. As soon as he started barking I gave him the command to stop and then if he continued I used the vibration on him. I think I put the setting on 50 or 60. I know I started lower and had to increase it because he didn't seem to feel it.
Julio would bark and ignore my command to stop barking, and I would turn on the vibration. This would stop him for a few minutes but then he would start back up again. It took a few days but the spaces between stopping barks grew wider and he started listening to the command to stop, because he knew that vibration was coming if he didn't. When I gave him back to my friend, he hadn't barked for almost a full day.
Absolutely perfect for the job, works great and on the first time using it yesterday when I received it my dog comes to the audible tone alone. The distance is great too. I recommend setting the shock setting at 8 or 9 first to see how your dog reacts, mine stops on a dime at the 10 setting. Only downfall is the fact that you cannot charge both the collar and remote at the same time, but with the way it works I can live with that.
I used this review because she had the same results as I did but used the shock collar function at a very low setting. I thought this was a great idea if the dog could feel it. I used the vibration setting on Julio but I'm not averse to using the shock function at a low setting, since it's sort of like a static shock and startles more than hurts.
There are a couple of issues that you should be aware of. The first is that the collar goes into sleep mode when your dog is inactive and it is supposed to wake up when your dog moves. But some people have reported that they have had to wake it up manually a couple of times.
The other thing is the only way to turn off the collar is by sticking a pin into a tiny little hole. These weren't a problem for me, but they might be for some people.
So, this product comes with a lifetime replacement guarantee. It if breaks – even if your dog chews it up – they will replace it. That's a good thing to have on any product and it is one of the biggest advantages that this collar has.
You also should buy it from Amazon. They have it priced at just under $40 and that is incredibly low considering that the retail stores like Sears are selling it for almost $90. I also recommend that you get a second collar for $30 because you will have a backup on hand even if you don't have two dogs to use it on.
I definitely recommend that you buy this product. It is simply one of the best dog collars on the market and the price is great. I love the fact that you get four different options to use because every dog is different. Some may be able to stop barking or other bad behavior with beeps, but if not, there are three other options to try.
It has a replacement warranty for your lifetime so you really have nothing to lose by getting it. This is a really solid purchase that has some great reviews behind it and it is superior to many of the other dog collars out there. Also, make sure that you get it from Amazon because everyone else is overpricing it.


text:
Yahoo Sports:Giants expected to land Edwards
Sources: Giants expected to land Edwards
By Jason Cole, Yahoo! Sports 23 minutes ago
Buzz up! 2 votes
Yahoo! Sports
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards is expected to become a member of the New York Giants before the NFL draft on April 25-26, according to a pair of sources with knowledge of the negotiations.
"The Giants are going to have to up the offer a bit, but [the Browns] are willing to move him," said one of two sources with knowledge of the talks between the teams.
Photo Edwards and the Browns had a rough season in 2008
(James Lang/US Presswire)
New York is trying to replace talented yet troubled wideout Plaxico Burress, released by the team on April 3 after a turbulent year near and far from the field. Meanwhile, Cleveland is open to ridding itself of Edwards, who set the team record for touchdown catches in 2007 with 16, because he's being viewed as someone who will have difficulty working with new coach Eric Mangini.
The Browns reportedly asked for a second- and fifth-round pick and receiver Steve Smith, but the Giants declined. New York countered by offering the two draft picks and receiver Domenik Hixon for Edwards.
Neither the Browns or Giants could be reached for this story, but both sources said the gap will be bridged before the draft.
"The Giants are motivated, they're trying to win right now," the aforementioned quoted source said. "Edwards is a bigger guy that [quarterback] Eli [Manning] wants to throw to, like he had with Plaxico. The Giants know they can't leave Eli with no great receivers. They saw what happened last year."
New York's offense sputtered over the final five games of the season after Burress was suspended by the team after shooting himself at a New York nightclub.
Edwards (6.-foot-3 215 pounds), who has expressed a strong desire to play in a large market like New York, isn't quite as big as Burress (6-5, 232) but would give the Giants a nice-sized target.
Edwards, the third overall pick in 2005, has shown flashes of his joining the league's elite wideouts, catching 80 balls for 1,289 yards in his record-setting '07 season. However, that's the only time he has surpassed 900 yards in a season over his first four years. Last season, Edwards slumped to 55 catches for 873 yards and three touchdowns during the Browns' disappointing 4-12 season.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-g...o&type=lgns
Good update but I'll celebrate when it happens. Thanks for the find pd.
It will be interesting to see what the terms are....I'm guessing 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and maybe Hixon.
Dont get me wrong, I want Edwards, but thats alot to ask.
njsmalls
Location:Florida
If the Giants were the Yankees of the NFL it would be 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Hixon, Smith, Snee and Tuck.
Gspotter
what they ask for is negligable considering what we got for Shockey. It's all doable. And as for giving up Hixon, well, I could live with it.
Me too. No Smith and no DLineman.
boohyah
As much as it is Blue, this is the year to do it with all the picks we have.
We have 10 picks and one real glaring hole on this team. We can't even sign 10 picks, really, and what we got for Shockey, plus the compensatory 3rd rounder still leaves us in great position. I like Hixon, he has value, but let's be honest. Didn't he show last year he is probably a 3rd WR in a good NFL WR corps? He has additional value because he can return kicks, but to get a big time playmaker that we need, you have to give up something. The only thing I think is holding this deal up is time. The Giants want the negotiations to go slow, so as not to appear desperate or weak, for risk of Cleveland asking for more.
This deal should happen, the Giants have what it takes to get it done and as long as it's three picks or less with us not even parting with our first rounder or BOTH of our seconds, even if you throw in Hixon we should all be ecstatic to land Braylon. Hopefully this thing gets done soon.
Oh agreed, definately. But they know they are in the perfect position to ask this much, because realistically, even though he's good he's not THAT good.
I think we have to wait till draft day to find out, if Cleveland lands Crabtree we get Edwards
I don't think that them drafting Crabtree HAS to happen for this deal to get done, but I do think that it would seal the deal on them trading Edwards.
I would be concerned if you think that they have to get Crabtree for us to end up with Braylon, because I really think if he's there at 4 then Seattle is going to take Crabtree.
Giants back in hunt for Braylon
With less than two weeks to go before the NFL Draft, the Braylon Edwards' chase is on again, and the Giants are absolutely a part of it.
According to an NFL source familiar with the situation, the Giants and Browns have recently re-opened discussions about the big, 26-year-old receiver that had begun last month at the scouting combine in Indianapolis. The talks are more substantial now than they were, and the source said the Browns appear eager to make a deal.
The Giants certainly have a lot to offer, but they may not be willing to deal the one thing that could immediately get the deal done. The Browns are believed to desire defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka. However, one Giants source who would not confirm anything about possible trade talks, said the Giants have no intention of trading the promising 26-year-old end.
What might be on the table, though, is their first-round pick - 29th overall. According to a report in The National Football Post, the Browns currently have an offer of a No. 1 pick on the table from an unidentified team. The report states the Browns are "in love" with Texas Tech receiver Michael Crabtree, whom they would take with the fifth overall pick, presumably to replace Edwards in their lineup (though they could also make quite the dynamic 1-2 punch, too).
It's not known if the Giants are the unidentified team to offer their first-round pick. However, two days after that report came another report from Yahoo! Sports that said Edwards is expected to become a member of the New York Giants before the NFL draft on April 25-26.
It's too early to tell if a deal is really that likely, but clearly GM Jerry Reese - who declined to comment on any possible talks - is positioning the Giants to be in the hunt. Of course, he's been doing that since he approached Browns GM George Kokinis and opened discussions back in February.
At the time, the Giants reportedly offered the Browns the second- and fifth-round picks they got from New Orleans in the Jeremy Shockey trade. The same report said the Browns countered by asking for receiver Steve Smith and the picks. The Giants countered that, according to the report, by offering receivers Domenik Hixon or Mario Manningham instead.
The Giants later vehemently denied that any players were part of the discussions with the Browns. With 10 draft picks - including five in the first 100 selections - the Giants would rather use a package of those to make a deal, according to a source, rather than part with a player.
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/giants/20...for-braylo.html
I hope the Giants are able to keep their no.1 pick in this deal. A 2 and a 5 is great because it still leaves the Gints with 4 picks on the first day including their no.1
I get so excited on draft day that I can hardly contain myself. It's like going to bed on Christmas eve when I was 10 years old. It's awful when the Giants don't have a no. 1 pick like the year after picking up Eli.
I think the Giants are sitting in the catbird seat on this deal because Cleveland knows that Edwards is in his last year and will bolt for FA and the Giants at the end of the season. Then all Cleveland gets is a single comp pick no better than a 3rd rounder. That's why I think they'll pull the trigger on this trade and the Giants shouldn't have to give up more than they already offered. In fact, if the Giants walk away from the table, Cleveland will be following them because they need to make this deal while they can get something for him. That's my opinion anyway!
NO WAY would I make that deal. Edwards plays like a 2nd round pick right now with all his drops... Hixon is only in his 2nd year and really could be something, and right now we're saying that's essentially Hixon, Terrell Thomas, Manningham, and Goff. No thanks.
day 1 is only rounds 1 and 2 now
It seems that I remember being surprised (and delighted) last year because they shortened the time limit between picks in rounds 2 and 3 and in the first day three rounds were completed. I haven't seen the rules for this year's draft, but if it's the same as last year, then there would be 3 rounds on day 1.
Bottom line: I don't know this years rules
The draft currently takes place over two days, with rounds one and two on Day 1 and rounds three through seven on Day 2. Enthusiasts who stay through the end of day 2 will receive VIP passes to skip the lines and get preferred seating to the following year's draft.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NFL_Draft
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_rounds_..._are_on_day_one
(04-23) 17:48 PDT -- They're promising us that the NFL draft - retooled on Day 1 to encompass the first two rounds only, with less downtime between picks - will be a faster, sleeker production. It's also nudging into the East Coast prime-time television schedule, meaning those of us in the West no longer have to rise early on a Saturday to see a bad team mortgage its future on a rookie.
Nancy Gay
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Get ready for a new way to watch, and hopefully enjoy, the NFL draft.
Saturday's selection process begins at noon on the West Coast, three hours later than in the past.
After 2007's first round dragged for a record 6 hours, 8 minutes, the 15-minute time limit between first-round selections has been reduced to 10 minutes.
The second round will have the time reduced between picks from 10 minutes to seven.
Rounds 3 through 7 will take place Sunday with five minutes allocated between picks. But you'll have to be an early riser for Day 2 of the draft: It will begin at 7 a.m. PDT, an hour earlier than in previous years.
NFL owners voted to enact these changes last fall, after last year's opening round tested the patience of league personnel and fans alike.
Count former 49ers and Lions coach Steve Mariucci, who covers the draft as an analyst for NFL Network, among those who hope the changes to the format will make it more enjoyable for everyone.
"I am really looking forward to it. Last year was a marathon," said Mariucci, who recently re-signed with the NFL Network for the 2008 season. "I sat in that chair with (executive producer Eric Weinberger) for 13 hours and didn't get up. We have a lot of fun. And we try to be as thorough and as concise as we can.
"Last year everybody wanted to use that entire 15 minutes or most everybody did," Mariucci said.
Said Weinberger: "That chair can't be used anymore."
Across the league, there have been no complaints about the quickened pace of the first round. Any fears that five fewer minutes of contemplation might jeopardize possible trades have been largely dismissed.
The format "gives us plenty of time," Packers general manager Ted Thompson said. "There are some people (who) were concerned that you might not be able to do as many trades, things like that. I don't think that will have any effect at all."
You have to wonder: What did teams do during those 15 minutes between first-round picks, anyway?
"In our own room, when it gets to our pick, with the full 15 minutes they used to give us, we would just sit around," 49ers coach Mike Nolan said. "You were just hoping that somebody calls. Otherwise you'd say, 'OK, let's just turn it in.'
"This way, maybe people will be much quicker with the calls and the trades. So it'll be good. Fifteen minutes is a long time to sit on your hands."
Nolan isn't a fan of reducing Day 1's action to two rounds.
"I wish we could still do three rounds on the first day," he said. "I mean, you've done all that preparation. Why not keep going?"
When the 49ers had the No. 1 overall selection in 2005, the team already was set on quarterback Alex Smith. But the NFL intervened when the 49ers tried to immediately pull the trigger on the selection.
All that suspense during the early picks apparently makes for great television.
"The draft starts and you've had months to prepare and you just want to turn it in," Nolan recalled about the Smith pick. "But the NFL will tell you to wait. Just wait.
"When you're watching the draft this year and it starts and the first team hasn't picked, you might be wondering, 'Wow, they don't know who they're going to pick, there must be a lot of discussion.' There's probably no discussion. They're just waiting."
This year, the Dolphins already have determined the No. 1 overall pick. They signed former Michigan left tackle Jake Long on Tuesday to a five-year, $57.75 million contract. So the drama is gone there.
Signing a No. 1 overall pick in advance of the draft isn't a novelty - the Texans reached agreement with No. 1 selection defensive end Mario Williams the night before the 2006 draft.
On Wednesday, the NFL reiterated that the Rams, who hold the No. 2 overall pick, cannot begin negotiating with players before Saturday, in accordance with long-standing league policy.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?.../SPSA109U8D.DTL
they actually made the switch last year. last year was only 1 and 2 on day 1 also.
Well....I'm gettin old...the old memory doesn't work like it used to. I could've sworn that I was surprised last year by seeing 3 rounds on the first day. Oh well.
Anyway...I'm really glad to see they are moving up the starting time on Saturday.
thought youd enjoy this one bleedin, since i know you love her.


NEW YORK — (CNN) An anti-abortion group has reportedly claimed credit for hacking Planned Parenthood, the women's health organization that has been under scrutiny for recently released videos showing officials from the group casually discussing the sale of aborted fetal tissue.
A group of anti-abortion hackers — led by one who was identified as "E" by The Daily Dot, which first reported the story — obtained data such as employees' email addresses and gained access to Planned Parenthood databases on Sunday night, the Dot reported.
"E" told The Daily Dot that the hack was motivated by the edited videos that surfaced this month. In the footage, Planned Parenthood officials speak about their group's work in tissue-donation programs. Conservatives and abortion foes have slammed the organization over the clips, and Planned Parenthood's president, Cecile Richards, has apologized for the tone used in the videos.
"Trying to mold an atrocious monstrosity into socially acceptable behaviors is repulsive," "E" told the website, adding that the group planned to release all the information shortly.
Dawn Laguens, a top Planned Parenthood official, said in a statement to the Dot that the organization was investigating the breach.
"It's unsurprising that those opposed to safe and legal abortion are participating in this campaign of harassment against us and our patients, and claiming to stoop to this new low," she said.
The-CNN-Wire ™ & © 2015 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.


Love the song and the singer,.
And nice that she is still with us when so many are not.
One of my favorite Joni Mitchell songs.
I've heard many others sing it, but no one does it better than she does.
She has a magical voice and has written amazing — and long-lasting — music. I think I listened to her albums until I wore out the grooves!
She's a talented singer, songwriter, pianist, and painter. She's a human dynamo. I love this song.
Many have sung it, but ONLY Joni sings it RIGHT. She is a great one!
You and I feel the same about Miss Joni Mitchell ❤ She's one of a kind.
She was one of the prizes won by Elektra when Warner Communications took over a bunch of record companies back in the 70s. I worked at Elektra and thought "surely I'd get to meet her?" Never happened much to my disappointment. On the other hand, I did get to meet and hang out with Judy Collins sporadically.


"Right Side of the Song"
I feel it comin song?
I agree Canadian Jayne about the song "I feel it comin" I love it too, and I also really liked the "That's what I like" one I think I'll listen to them both again to get me started this morning hope you all have a great day!
"I can't stop that feelin"


text:
'Nobel Of The Heart' Is The Real Prize For Author Ngugi Wa Thiong'o
By Lynn Neary • Mar 12, 2019
Kenyan author Ngugi wa Thiong'o, a professor at the University of California, Irvine who is often tipped for the Nobel Prize in Literature, has issued a new collection of short stories.
Daniel A. Anderson / University of California, Irvine/Courtesy of The New Press
Every year, when it's time to give out the Nobel Prize for Literature, British bookies lay odds on who might win. Every year, Kenyan writer Ngugi Wa Thiong'o is viewed as a contender.
His body of works includes novels, plays and essays. But the first thing he ever wrote was a short story, which is included in a new collection of stories that range from the 1960s to the present. It's called Minutes of Glory, and he thinks of it as a kind of "literary autobiography."
When Ngugi was a university student in Uganda in the early 1960s, he was a big fan of the school's literary magazine. One day he met one of the writers he admired and was so starstruck he didn't know what to do.
"And I just blurted out, 'I have written a short story — would you like to look at it?'" Ngugi says. "He said, 'Yes! Do you have it?' And of course I did not have it with me, simply because I had not written one. That night I went back to my dorm, and I had to concoct something called a story."
Beginning with that story, this new collection has a narrative arc that takes the reader from the sometimes harsh reality of village life through the changes that came with the end of colonial rule. A number of the stories were written just after Kenya won its independence from Britain. It was a time of great hope — which Ngugi says turned out to be a false hope for many.
"The coming of independence became a promise of a better life to come for everybody — not just a few people, but for everybody," he says. "After independence, I began to see that there was a kind of difference between expectation and reality. And I tried to capture that in my short stories."
In "Minutes of Glory," the story which gives this collection its name, Ngugi tells of a young woman who leaves her village to become a bartender in one of the many beer halls that sprang up in postcolonial Kenya. Things do not go well for her, and at one point she yearns to return home but cannot. Ngugi evokes the sadness of what has been lost — a connection to the land.
In any case the place was now a distant landscape in the memory. Her life was here in the bar among this crowd of lost strangers. Fallen from grace, fallen from grace. She was part of a generation which would never again be one with the soil, the crops, the wind and the moon. Not for them that whispering in dark hedges, not for her that dance and love-making under the glare of the moon, with the hills of TumuTumu rising to touch the sky.
Ngugi's writing was often critical of postcolonial Kenya and its rulers. But he says it was not until he wrote a play — not in English, but in his native language — that he was seen as a threat and arrested.
"The first play that I write in Gikuyu, my mother tongue, I am put in a maximum security prison not by a colonial government — by an African government," Ngugi says. "And that contradiction was so strong, and the questions that it raised became very, very important to me. And I realized the oppresser always, the first thing they do, is take away the language of the oppressed."
While in prison, Ngugi wrote Devil on the Cross, his first novel in Gikuyu. Famously, the entire book was written on toilet paper.
"But I keep on joking that the paper we were given as toilet paper was not the soft kind we find on television," he says. "So it was a bit hard, a bit rough, so to speak, but a very good writing material. It held the pen very well."
After getting out of prison, Ngugi went into exile, living first in England and then the United States. Although he has not lived in Kenya for many years, he still writes about it. The most recent stories in this collection are both set there. Living in exile, he says, is a different kind of prison.
"Prison is like internal exile and exile is like external prison," Ngugi says. "And both present the same challenges. How do you connect with the people from whom you're separated? So in prison I wrote the novel Devil on the Cross. In exile I try to do the same thing — to try to connect with Kenya, with Africa, through my imagination, through my writing."
As for that elusive Nobel Prize, Ngugi finds it more amusing than anything. He is more interested in what he calls "the Nobel of the heart."
"When I go to a place, and I meet a person, and they tell me, 'Your novel or your short story impacted my life,' that's a very special moment when as a writer I feel: 'My God, it was worth it.' It's what I call the Nobel of the heart, and I really appreciate that one," he says. And he adds, with a laugh: "The beauty of the Nobel of the heart is that every writer can have it, yeah?"
Then again, maybe this year he will get that other Nobel.
Tom Cole edited this story for broadcast.
Every year when it's time to give out the Nobel Prize for literature, British bookies lay odds on who might win. And every year, Kenyan writer Ngugi Wa Thiong'o is viewed as a contender. His work includes novels and plays and essays. But the first thing he ever wrote was a short story. And it's included in a new collection ranging from the 1960s to the present. He told NPR's Lynn Neary it's a kind of literary autobiography.
LYNN NEARY, BYLINE: When Ngugi Wa Thiong'o was university student in Uganda in the early 1960s, he was a big fan of the school's literary magazine. One day, he met one of the writers he admired and was so star-struck, he didn't know what to do.
NGUGI WA THIONG'O: So I just blurted out, I have written a short story. Would you like to look at it? And he said, yes, do you have it? And, of course, I did not have it with me, simply because I had not written one. That night, I went back to my dorm and had to concoct something called a story (laughter).
NEARY: Beginning with that story, this new collection has a narrative arc that takes the reader from the sometimes harsh reality of village life through the changes that came with the end of colonial rule. A number of the stories were written just after Kenya won its independence from Britain. It was a time of great hope, which Ngugi says turned out to be a false hope for many.
NGUGI: The coming of independence became a promise of better life to come for everybody - not just for a few people but for everybody. But after independence, I began to see that there was a kind of difference in expectation and reality. And I tried to capture that in my short stories.
NEARY: In the story which gives this collection its name, "Minutes Of Glory," Ngugi tells of a young woman who leaves her village to become a barmaid in one of the many beer halls that sprang up in post-colonial Kenya. Things do not go well for her, and at one point, she yearns to return home but cannot. In this passage, Ngugi evokes the sadness of what has been lost, a connection to the land.
NGUGI: (Reading) She was part of a generation which will never again be one with the soil, the crops, the wind and the moon. Not for them, that whispering in dark hedges. Not for her, that dance and love-making under the glare of the moon, with the hills of Tumutumu rising to touch the sky.
NEARY: Ngugi's writing was often critical of post-colonial Kenya and its rulers. But he says it was not until he wrote a play - not in English but in his native language - that he was seen as a threat and arrested.
NGUGI: The first play that I write in Gikuyu, my mother tongue, I am put in a maximum-security prison - not by a colonial government but by an African government. And that contradiction was so strong, and the questions that it raised became very, very important to me. And I realized the oppressor always - the first thing they do is take away the language of the oppressed.
NEARY: While in prison, Ngugi wrote "Devil On The Cross," his first novel in Gikuyu. Famously, the entire book was written on toilet paper.
NGUGI: But I keep on joking that the paper we are given as toilet paper was not the soft kind we find on television. So it's a bit hard, a bit rough, so to speak, but a very good writing material. It held the pen very well.
NEARY: After getting out of prison, Ngugi went into exile, living first in England and then in the United States. Although he has not lived in Kenya for many years, he still writes about it. The most recent stories in this collection are both set there. Living in exile, he says, is a different kind of prison.
NGUGI: Prison is like internal exile, and exile is like external prison. And both present the same challenges. How do you connect with the people from whom we are separated? So in prison, I wrote the novel "Devil On The Cross." In exile, I tried to do the same thing - to try to connect with Kenya, with Africa through my imagination, through my writing.
NEARY: As for that elusive Nobel Prize, well, Ngugi finds it more amusing than anything. He is more interested in what he calls the Nobel of the heart.
NGUGI: When I go to a place and I meet a person and they tell me, your novel or your short story impacted my life, that's a very special moment when, as a writer I feel, my God, it was worth it. It's what I call the Nobel of the heart, and I really appreciate that one. And the beauty of the Nobel of the heart is that every writer can have it, yeah (laughter).
NEARY: Then again, maybe this year, he will get that other Nobel. Lynn Neary, NPR News, Washington.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARMS AND SLEEPERS' "CAN YOU") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


Wednesday, October 31, 2018 by Stantec is to help develop a new small hydropower project and grid extensions in the Republic of Vanuatu, increasing access to renewable energy and displacing diesel generation.
Friday, October 05, 2018 by The Highland Council has submitted a planning application for a low head hydroelectric development at the Torvean Weir on the River Ness in Inverness, Scotland.
Wednesday, August 15, 2018 by Renewable energy consultancy Dulas has completed a 250kW hydroelectric scheme at Welsh Water's existing Llys y Frân reservoir.
Monday, March 05, 2018 by Output will increase by around 20% once a project to modernize the Wanjii small hydropower plant in Kenya is complete in mid 2019, technology group Voith has announced.
Thursday, February 15, 2018 by The Moroccan Ministry for Energy has approved permits for two small hydropower plants being developed by Voltalia in the Middle-Atlas region.
Wednesday, November 22, 2017 by SN Aboitiz Power-Magat, Inc (SNAP-Magat) has completed the commissioning of its 8.5MW Maris Main Canal 1 Hydroelectric Power Plant, as it gears toward full commercial operation this month.
Wednesday, October 11, 2017 by A new £13.6 million hydropower scheme has been commissioned at Loch Eilde Mor in the Highlands, Scotland.
Tuesday, September 19, 2017 by A micro hydropower scheme could be producing power in Inverness, Scotland, under plans unveiled by the Highland Council.
Tuesday, July 18, 2017 by Melbourne Water has announced that five new mini hydropower plants are delivering power to the grid.
Thursday, June 01, 2017 by A new small hydropower plant utilizing water from the River Thames has been successfully commissioned in the village of Sonning, England.
Tuesday, May 02, 2017 by Initial construction work has started on two new hydropower plants with a combined capacity of almost 3MW in Real, Quezon, the Philippines.
Thursday, April 06, 2017 by A small hydro plant is providing power to Voith's factory premises in Heidenheim, Germany, demonstrating the company's StreamDiver technology.


To be launched in the UK and Norway in 2018, FeedKind Protein is a high quality microbial protein that provides a cost-competitive alternative to conventional fishmeal.
The protein, produced with minimal land and water use, is non-GMO and approved in the EU for all fish and livestock species.
CEO Alan Shaw said, "Calysta is committed to creating alternative ingredients and feeds that minimise impact on the environment and contribute to food security, based on a strong intellectual property platform.
FeedKind Protein will be manufactured using a natural proprietary fermentation process, a production method similar to that used to produce yeast-extract sandwich spreads. Studies have confirmed FeedKind Protein's nutritional value, based on criteria such as animal growth and health.
Calysta said that it expects to introduce FeedKind Aqua first for the aquaculture industry, to be followed by additional FeedKind products for the livestock market.