text:
Southern Hills Hospital Honored with Quality Achievement Award for Stroke Care
Southern Hills Hospital Honored...
Southern Hills Hospital & Medical Center November 21, 2014
Las Vegas, NV — Southern Hills Hospital has received the Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Silver-Plus Quality Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for the treatment of stroke patients.
Get With The Guidelines Stroke helps hospital teams provide the most up-to-date, research-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. Southern Hills Hospital earned the award by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include aggressive use of medications and risk-reduction therapies aimed at reducing death and disability and improving the lives of stroke patients.
"Southern Hills Hospital is dedicated to improving the quality of stroke care and The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines–Stroke helps us achieve that goal," said Kimball Anderson, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Southern Hills Hospital. "With this award, our hospital demonstrates our commitment to ensure that our patients receive care based on internationally-respected clinical guidelines."
"We are pleased to recognize Southern Hills Hospital for their commitment and dedication to stroke care," said Deepak L. Bhatt, M.D., M.P.H., national chairman of the Get With The Guidelines steering committee and Executive Director of Interventional Cardiovascular Programs at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. "Studies have shown that hospitals that consistently follow Get With The Guidelines quality improvement measures can reduce patients' length of stays and 30-day readmission rates and reduce disparity gaps in care."
Get With The Guidelines–Stroke also helps Southern Hills Hospital's staff implement prevention measures, which include educating stroke patients to manage their risk factors and to be aware of warning signs for stroke, and ensuring they take their medications properly. Hospitals can make customized patient education materials available upon discharge, based on the patients' individual risk profiles. The take-away materials are written in an easy-to-understand format in either English or Spanish. Sister hospitals Sunrise and MountainView have achieved the Get With the Guidelines®- Stroke Gold-Plus Quality Achievement Award in past years.
According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is the number four cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds; someone dies of a stroke every four minutes; and 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.
Southern Hills Hospital provides the communities of southwest Las Vegas with emergency and pediatric emergency services, a new behavioral health (geriatric psychiatric) inpatient and outpatient program serving ages 50 and older, an accredited Chest Pain Center, a Certified Primary Stroke Center, a dedicated orthopedic, neurology and spine unit, OB-GYN, diagnostic imaging and surgical services. Utilizing advanced digital technology and an accomplished medical staff, Southern Hills Hospital's advanced care and superior service make for better outcomes and an exceptional patient experience. The hospital is a member of the respected Sunrise Health System consisting of Sunrise Hospital, Sunrise Children's Hospital, MountainView Hospital and several surgery and diagnostic imaging centers offering a complete range of specialized and technologically advanced services.
About Get With The Guidelines
Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's hospital-based quality improvement program provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 4 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org/quality or heart.org/myhealthcare.


text:
Proteuxoa poliophracta är en fjärilsart som beskrevs av Turner 1908. Proteuxoa poliophracta ingår i släktet Proteuxoa och familjen nattflyn. Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life.

Källor

Nattflyn
poliophracta

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


What I like about reviewing products for RBR, is that I get to test products from a variety of manufacturers. Velocio is one of those manufacturers that I was not familiar with until about 9 months ago. They are a US-based company that manufactures their apparel in Italy. But beyond that, they have a conscience. Velocio uses minimal packaging for shipping and it's recyclable. Plus, they are involved in philanthropy. They partner with The Conservation Alliance whose mission is to engage businesses to fund and partner with organizations to protect wild places for their habitat and recreation values. And now as members of 1% for the Planet, they pledge annually 1% of their sales to causes that support the environment.
I had a chance to test their Signature Fly women's bib. This is another unique attempt by cycling manufacturers to remove a major obstacle for women wearing bibs…nature breaks. Velocio has designed a rear zipper into the shorts that allow the rider to unzip and go without removing their jersey or bib straps.
The rear zipper is about 6" long with an internal zipper flap and garage. Any concerns I had with skin irritation were soon gone. You never knew the zipper was there.
At 6' tall I was unable to pull the shorts down far enough for the design to work as intended. But my friend who is 5'5" had no issues. In fact, she wore these bibs on Ride Across Wisconsin, a 177-mile one day ride. She specifically bought these bibs to enable her to have quick bathroom breaks so the boys wouldn't leave her behind. It worked!
The way Velocio can fix this issue is by lengthening the bib straps. I measured the length of my friend's pair and mine. Even though they were different sizes the straps were exactly the same length. The strap material is very rigid with almost no give/stretch to them. It's logical to conclude that a person my height will need more play in the strap to pull down the shorts then a woman who is much shorter. If Velocio makes this change then the rear zipper should work for any height rider.
The rear zipper Velocio uses is a high quality YKK Autolock zipper that locks securely in place. No worries regarding a wardrobe malfunction 50 miles from home. I experienced no problems with the zipper either unzipping or zipping.
Velocio created a video that illustrates how the rear fly works.
These bibs use Velocio's Signature Chamois which was designed specifically for women. The 120kg/m3 HD foam provides the support, a refined anatomic shape for comfort, and the Super Air base and Cytech fabric deliver breathability and comfort. Most of my time testing these bibs was on the trainer, since winter continues to have its hold on Chicagoland. But I did manage a couple rides outdoors with tights over the bibs. Even though the rear zipper didn't function as designed, I really like the quality, fit and comfort of these bibs.
The Signature Fly bib upper is designed with a front mesh panel. This serves two purposes. First, to stabilize the straps, where some manufactures use a center bib clip. Second, to provide added coverage without adding additional weight or sacrificing breathability.
The bib straps themselves are made of Italian Microfiber and are 1 ¾" (45mm) in width. I personally found them too rigid and not as comfortable as I'd prefer. I think this comes back to height. Like with the fly issue, my 5'5" friend had no issues with the straps but on my 6' frame they dug into my shoulders a bit. If they were just a little longer, I think the fly and the comfort would be spot on.
I did like that the all black bib upper. The straps do not show dirt or discolor over time and you see only black fabric when in the drops.
The shorts themselves are made of high compression fabric to provide muscular support and reduce fatigue. Due to the high compressive fit, if you prefer a more relaxed fit short, Velocio recommends going up one size. I had no complaints about the inseam on the Signature Fly bibs, they had good coverage. The leg hem has ultralight printed silicone finish so the shorts stay in place and don't ride up.
Velocio Signature Fly bib shorts provide a creative answer to solving nature break issues by using a rear zipper fly. Unfortunately, the fly seems to work best on shorter women since at 6' the bib straps aren't long enough for me to pull down when nature calls. But they were long enough for a 5'5" rider. However, these high-quality bibs do offer a comfortable and soft chamois, high compression shorts and modesty mesh upper panel. My first experience with Velocio apparel and I'm impressed with the quality and attention to detail. I'd definitely be interested in trying out more of their line.


Ever since Phoenix was announced as the host of the 2011 All Star Game a few years ago all of us local photographer have been looking forward to the game. Not because of all the star players but because the grandstands would actually be packed and make for better looking photos. We would not be disappointed as a capacity crowd would fill Chase Field in Phoenix as the stars of MLB came out to play.
The day before the All Star game I would be on the field to shoot the arguably more popular Home Run Derby.
Below, former Orioles great Cal Ripken Jr throws out the ceremonial first pitch.
The photo positions we were allowed to shoot from where insanely close to the field. When I say close I mean close enough that a fair ball down the line would be wizzing just a few feet from the photographers heads.
Here is cool photo by buddy Christian Petersen shot of me hard at work…hamming it up for the camera.
Below, St Louis Cardinals player Matt Holliday smacks his bat to the ground after a lackluster round of the home run derby.
Below, dreds fly as Milwaukee Brewers batter Rickie Weeks swings during the home run derby at Chase Field.
Weeks (below) tosses his bat after his final out.
Below, American League players cheer as they watch David Ortiz (not pictured) of the Boston Red Sox compete during the 2011 home run derby at Chase Field.
Below, American League second baseman Howard Kendrick (middle) of the Los Angeles Angels and American League pitcher C.J. Wilson (left) of the Texas Rangers take photos during the 2011 home run derby at Chase Field.
Even this oversized bat could help Boston Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez win the home run derby, below.
The big winner of the night would be New York Yankees player Robinson Cano. Here are some photos of him hitting a home run and celebrating after clinching the victory, below.
While waiting at home plate for the posed shot of Cano with the trophy I noticed the mass of photographers around me, below….
… I wanted to incorporate them into a shot so I got off to the side and shot wide as Robinson Cano of the New York Yankees posed for photographers after winning the 2011 home run derby at Chase Field.
After shooting the wide shot I quickly ran around to shoot the standard tight vertical shot of him holding the trophy, below.
Ok that wraps up the Home Run Derby, which I gotta admit became rather redundant and boring to shoot after the first 10 minutes.
Time for the All Star Game!
Below, San Francisco Giants pitcher Brian Wilson and his beard make their way through the crowded field a few hours before the game.
Below, American League outfielder Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers jokes with fans before the 2011 All Star game at Chase Field.
Below, Caricatures of former Arizona Diamondbacks players Randy Johnson and Matt Williams work their way through a massive crowd of fans in the concourse before the 2011 All Star game at Chase Field.
Below, American League infielder Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers shields his eyes from the sun as the players are introduced prior to the All Star game.
Local hero Justin Upton greets the fans as he is introduced prior to the game, below.
Below, I went wide to incorporate the windows atop Chase Field into the shot as the National League all stars are lined up for introductions before the 2011 All Star game.
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halliday throws out the first pitch of the 2011 All Star game.
For the first few innings of the game there were a few random light pockets around the field that I would spend time working into my shots.
The play of the game happened early on as American League outfielder Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays made a sliding catch during the second inning of the 2011 All Star game at Chase Field.
The below shot of Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee looks like your standard pitcher throwing ball in a light pocket shot but the funny part about it is the shot was taken just after he picked the ball up to warm up and did a slow motion throwing motion towards second base. When he was actually pitching his back was towards me so I got really lucky to end up with this random shot in perfect light!
Below, American League first baseman Adrian Gonzalez of the Boston Red Sox is bathed in sunlight as he plays first base during the All Star game.
Probably my favorite light pocket shot of the game would be of hometown boy Justin Upton chasing down a fly ball in the outfield, below. Without dramatic light this is a photo that would be useless but with him being in a razor thin light pocket which I was exposed for it completely eliminated the details in the background which made for a really dramatic looking shot.
Below, American League first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (28) of the Boston Red Sox hits a solo home run during the fourth inning of the 2011 All Star game at Chase Field.
There would be a decent play at the plate during the game but due to a third base coach who decided to run home behind the player I would be blocked.
Below, American League outfielder Jose Bautista (19) of the Toronto Blue Jays is tagged out by National League catcher Brian McCann (16) of the Atlanta Braves during the fourth inning of the 2011 All Star game at Chase Field.
The biggest moment of the game would occur courtesy of Prince Fielder as he would hit a three-run home run during the fourth inning of the 2011 All Star game at Chase Field, below.
Below, National League first baseman Prince Fielder (28) of the Milwaukee Brewers is congratulated by Justin Upton (10) of the Arizona Diamondbacks after hitting a three-run home run during the fourth inning of the 2011 All Star game at Chase Field.
The cool light pockets from earlier in the game were all off the field but they still put some cool light on the crowd so I shot a few more frames of that. I'm such a nerd for lightpockets, I fully admit it.
Below, National League shortstop Starlin Castro (13) of the Chicago Cubs steals second base ahead of the tag of American League second baseman Howard Kendrick (47) of the Los Angeles Angels during the fifth inning of the 2011 All Star game at Chase Field.
Below, National League shortstop Starlin Castro (left) of the Chicago Cubs is tagged out by American League catcher Alex Avila (right) of the Detroit Tigers on a fielder's choice during the fifth inning of the 2011 All Star game at Chase Field.
National League second baseman Rickie Weeks (below) of the Milwaukee Brewers steals second base ahead of the tag of American League infielder Jhonny Peralta of the Detroit Tigers during the fifth inning of the 2011 All Star game at Chase Field.
In to close the game for the National League was "The Beard" aka Brian Wilson, below.
After closing out the game Wilson would do his trademark X with his hands.
Below, National League players from left Pablo Sandoval , Justin Upton , Starlin Castro and Clayton Kershaw celebrate after defeating the American League in the 2011 All Star game at Chase Field.
Thanks to his big three run home run the MVP award went to Prince Fielder, below.
That wraps up my first All Star game. It was a big hassle compared to shooting a normal baseball game but it was ultimately a fun event to shoot!


text:
Q: On hover of div, div slides up to bottom 3rd of div I have a 2 divs, one of which is hidden. Once you hover over the div the hidden div slides down and once removed slides back up

$("#clickk").hover(function() {
  if ($("#monster").is(":hidden")) {
    $("#monster").slideDown("fast");
  } else {
    $("#monster").slideUp("fast");
  }
});
div#monster {
  background: #de9a44;
  margin: 3px;
  width: 80px;
  height: 60px;
  display: none;
  float: left;
  position: absolute;
}

#clickk {
  width: 80px;
  height: 60px;
  border: 1px solid #cc0001;
  background: transparent;
  position: absolute;
}

I am trying to get the div to slide up, but only to the bottom 3rd section of the div, and when not hovering slide back down

A: It's not 100% clear what you are trying to accomplish here, but I took a shot at it.
You may want to look into $.animate(...) rather than $.slideUp(...).
I modified your snippet to slide the click div up a certain amount when you hover over it.

$("#clickk").hover(function() {
  if ($('#monster').hasClass("small")) {
    $('#monster').animate({"height": "60px"}, "medium").removeClass("small");
  }
  else {
    $('#monster').animate({"height": "20px"}, "meduim").addClass("small");
  }
});
div#monster {
  background: #de9a44;
  margin: 3px;
  width: 80px;
  height: 60px;
  float: left;
  position: absolute;
}

#clickk {
  width: 80px;
  height: 60px;
  border: 1px solid #cc0001;
  background: transparent;
  position: absolute;
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Johnson declines to say whether Northern Ireland will stay in EU customs union after Brexit
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves Downing Street, in London, Britain, October 10, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville
LONDON (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday he did not want to give a running commentary on Brexit talks when asked whether Northern Ireland would be leaving the EU customs union amid hopes an agreement can be found before an Oct. 31 deadline.
"I think it would be wrong of me to give a running commentary on the negotiations," he said. "Look at everything I've said prev

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Wow! This home is a must see, a cozy 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom home with hardwood floors throughout and newer central heat and air. The french doors open to the backyard from the dining room as well as a door off the kitchen to the backyard. This is a large lot with automatic sprinklers and a huge shop with alley access. Make an appointment today to see this charmer! Buyer to verify all conditions of the property to their satisfaction.
Directions: From Sycamore Street, head north house is on the right.


Hi aditya. Gee, you sure have a lot of cars.
I chose the Superweave fabric (for best outdoor, all-weather protection). Price was good and service was excellent.
Have U received the car cover?
How long to put it on?
How is it on windy days?
Hi JJ. While I can't answer those questions for an MKX, I can answer them for an MKZ. Material quality of the Superweave car covers is excellent. I still have one for a 2001 Mercury Cougar. It is currently 17 years old and still protects the car (which is now owned and driven by my nephew).
Once you get the hang of putting it on and properly removing the cover, it takes no more than 3-4 minutes to install or remove. Folding it properly as you remove it is the key to easy installation the next time you put it on. I also have the storage bag.
It is fine on windy days. And you can install a retention strap under the middle of the car to the safety grommets to secure or even lock the cover.
Hope this information helps and good luck.
One other thought I hoping it keeps the car clean.
I don't want to put the car in the garage when I get home in the summer because it warms up the garage to much and the part of the basement next to the garage.
Lets hope the new cover is the same quality as the old ones.
It seems every thing is going down in quality.I wish they would just charge more and keep the same quality.


The new deal with Mexico could mean a lot for the auto industry.
The U.S. and Mexico reached a new agreement to restructure NAFTA.
The new agreement requires that 75 percent of auto parts be made in the NAFTA region in order to avoid a tariff.
As a response to the agreement, various car manufacturer stocks in the U.S. and Canada rose.
President Donald Trump announced a new agreement with Mexico on Monday, Aug. 27, that will restructure the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Canada is expected to agree to new terms as well in order to remain part of the agreement.
The new agreement covers all types of trade between the two countries, but much of the focus has been on automobiles due to Trump's proposed tariffs on cars and trucks that are exported to the U.S. from other countries.
Click to read more about what Trump's tariffs could mean for the cost of items.
In response to the announcement, car stocks in the U.S. and Canada rose between 3 and 5 percent. Companies whose stock price benefited from the news include automobile manufacturers such as Ford, as well as auto parts companies like Canadian manufacturer Magna International.
The new agreement requires that 75 percent of auto content must be made in the NAFTA region, which includes the U.S., Canada and Mexico, in order to avoid a tariff. This is an increase from the current requirement, which is 62.5 percent. In addition, 40 percent of passenger cars and 45 percent of trucks must be assembled by workers who make at least $16 an hour, or the companies will face a tariff.
Given the auto tariffs that Trump has proposed against imports from Asia and other areas of the world, the new agreement should benefit U.S. and Canadian auto stocks over the long term, making these key stocks to buy now in the automotive sector. However, given the wage requirements included in the new agreement, prices of automobiles in the U.S. are expected to rise.
The agreement puts autos front and center but also covers other industries. It retains the current zero-tariff rate for agriculture and supports innovation in the sector, including biotech. It has a 16-year lifespan but will be reviewed every six years. It can be extended for 16 more years at each review. The agreement with Mexico will likely put pressure on Canada to come to a similar agreement in order to retain its inclusion in NAFTA.
Click through to read more about the 15 best short-term stock investments.
Stock share prices are accurate as of Aug. 28, 2018.
Big Retirement Funds Are Dumping These Stocks — Should You?
Find out if you should adjust your investment strategy now.


text:
Transfer news: Norwich City could make a strong play for Kristoffer Ajer
Norwich City are now stepping up their attempts to sign Celtic's Kristoffer Ajer, according to The Sun.
Nothing But Newcastle have previously been told that the Norwegian centre-back is the club's main target heading into the summer transfer window and, given his contract is due to expire in the summer of 2022, he could be available reasonably cheaply.
Steve Bruce is said to be eager to strengthen his options at the back, particularly with Federico Fernandez's future unclear, and will likely only have a limited budget to work on over the next few months outside of potential player sales.
While Ajer remains a target, the report suggests newly-promoted Norwich are eager to bring him to Carrow Road and could soon test Celtic's resolve with a bid.
Would Ajer be a good signing for Newcastle United?
Although there may have been some doubts as to the quality of the Scottish Premiership a number of years ago, the success stories to have come across the border into the Premier League over the last few seasons should surely allay fears. Indeed, the likes of John McGinn, Andy Robertson and Virgil van Dijk are now some of the leading players in the division after making moves from Scottish teams.
Last season, Ajer averaged 1.3 tackles, 1.4 interceptions and 3.4 clearances per game (via WhoScored), which would see him rank first, second and fifth amongst Bruce's central defensive options. Granted, translating that across counties and playing styles isn't an exact science but, given he could be available relatively cheaply and is only 23, the risk does look reasonably minimal.
What's been said about Ajer?
Speaking to Football Insider in March, former Scotland defender Alan Hutton backed Ajer for a move to St James' Park.
"I think Newcastle are a top team, they're a massive club," he said.
"Yes, they're not doing well at the moment but I really believe that any player that's playing in Scotland and gets the opportunity to move to England and play in one of the best leagues in the world, any of those teams are top teams.
"Personally I think it's a good move. I think they're a great, big team. Yes, they're going to allow a bad spell but we always knew that Ajer would be desperate to leave, that was my opinion."


Passing the 70-713 exam is your best way to be one of the most sought after professional in your field of specialization. There's no better way to effectively prepare other than using actual Microsoft 70-713 questions provided by us.
Ace your Microsoft 70-713 Exam, Guaranteed!
We know how expensive it is to take Microsoft Certified Professional (exam code: 70-713) exam. It costs both time and money. However, with the most reliable exam dumps material from DumpsSchool, we guarantee that you will pass the Microsoft Certified Professional 70-713 exam on your first try! You've heard it right. We are so confident about our 70-713 exam dumps for Microsoft 70-713 exam that we are offering a money back guarantee, if you fail. Yes you read it right, If our 70-713 exam dumps didn't help you pass, we will issue a refund - no other questions asked.
Why Choose Our Microsoft 70-713 Exam Dumps ?
There are several reasons why you should only trust our braindumps for Microsoft 70-713 exam.
Regular Updates to Microsoft 70-713 Exam Questions (Dumps) - our Microsoft 70-713 exam braindumps are regularly updated with the help of seasoned professionals. We see to it that our assessment are always at par with what is likely to be asked in the actual Microsoft 70-713 examination.
Fee Demo of Microsoft Certified Professional! - If you're skeptical about the quality of our Microsoft 70-713 exam dumps, you are more than welcome to try our demo for free and see what rest of the MCP 70-713 exam applicants experience by availing our products.
Tested and Proven - Our methods are tested and proven by more than 90,000 successful Software Asset Management (SAM) - Core certification examinees who trusted DumpsSchool. Want to know what they said about us, visit our testimonial section and read first-hand experiences from verified users.
Customer Support of Software Asset Management (SAM) - Core- Our commitment to our users does not end at the point of sale. In fact, we offer a comprehensive customer service should you experience any problem with our Microsoft 70-713 exam braindumps. We assure you that DumpsSchool will never leave you behind until you pass your 70-713 exam.
Best Self-Assesment Microsoft 70-713 Practice Exam Software - Our 70-713 test preparation materials are not just your regular PDF with questions with boring reading routines. We have also designed a simulator that shows you what happens during an actual Microsoft 70-713 examination. According to our clients, this feature had a tremendous impact on their confidence while taking the real MCP Software Asset Management (SAM) - Core exams. The practice exam software for Microsoft 70-713 exam is based on the same 70-713 exam dumps that we offer via PDF. Thus you can interactiverly prepare for real Microsoft 70-713 exam with actual Microsoft 70-713 exam question. It is indeed a huge opportunity, don't miss it out!
I have cleared my Microsoft 70-713 certification exam with flying colors when I got my study material from DumpsSchool which gave me the hope in my eyes that I can get success in all exams.
I felt blessed that I was acquainted with DumpsSchool where I met such great teachers who taught me how to clear my Microsoft 70-713 test. I thank them from the bottom of my heart.
"Joining this DumpsSchool felt like going on venture of my life. I was thrilled as I knew that at the present I would be capable to pass my Microsoft 70-713 test and make a name in the world.
In order to clear my Microsoft 70-713 certification exam I wanted help from someone and DumpsSchool was willing to provide it to me. I studied here and used DumpsSchool guides to prepare. After that, I got 89% score in the exam.


Researchers at the University of Warwick have been awarded more than £500,000 to study a fungus which attacks onions, costing UK farmers £11 million a year in losses.
The funding, awarded by the research body BBSRC and the Scottish Government, is part of a package of £3 million awarded nationally to improve food security for some of the world's most valuable crops.
The project is among the first round of awards from BBSRC's Horticulture and Potato Initiative (HAPI) which supports high-quality, industrially relevant research projects on potato and edible horticulture crops.
HAPI brings academic researchers together with industry in order to deliver bigger yields of better quality fruits and vegetables for the consumer through more sustainable farming practices.
Dr John Clarkson will lead a team based at Warwick Crop Centre, part of the School of Life Sciences at the University of Warwick, working with East Malling Research and industry partner Nickerson-Zwaan on the project which is also supported by the Horticultural Development Company..
Fusarium oxysporum is a fungus which attacks many plants including onion, the world's second most valuable vegetable crop.
Using previously identified onion lines with increased F. oxysporum resistance, this work will provide information, tools and resources which will lead to more effective and sustainable control.
Dr Clarkson said: "There are many particular strains of this fungus and it affects many different crops.
"The strain that infects onion causes root disease as well as basal rot, which affects the bulb. This can mean big losses both in the field and in storage once the onions are harvested.
"This fungus is having an increasing impact in the UK as we are having warmer and wetter summers which promote the disease.
The Genetic Resources Unit at the University of Warwick's site at Wellesbourne is home to a collection of seeds from many different types of onion. The researchers have already screened an onion diversity set derived from these lines to find onions which have more resistance to the fungus compared to commercial cultivars.
The current project will identify the genetic basis for the resistance, so that it can be transferred into commercial varieties using a technique known as marker-assisted breeding.
Working with East Malling Research, the Warwick Crop Centre researchers will also analyse the genetic make-up of the fungus to understand how it affects onions.


Brand Obama has come back from the mid-term elections fighting.
His announcement of a pay freeze on government workers, his decision to send an aircraft carrier into the Yellow Sea to confront the North Koreans and, yes, even some of the WikiLeaks revelations that show that some of his behind the scenes diplomacy was tougher and a lot less naïve than many thought have served to bolster his beleaguered brand.
Has our incredibly disappearing president made a comeback?
No, Obama is not out of the woods yet. And he might never be. But in terms of taking the first steps, he's definitely doing it and this could be a Bill Clinton moment.
The pay freeze is a major brand statement. Why? It shows that he can be tough on issues that count to his opposition even against the instincts of his political base. After all, this pay freeze was basically John Boehner's idea a few weeks ago.
The move sends a message to the Republicans that will be hard for them to counter. John Boehner wisely supported the president's announcement but there's a built-in limit to how far the Republican opposition can go along with the White House –especially since the GOP brand is still seen as the party of "no" to Obama's big government image.
The announcement also shows that Obama can play hardball. Christmas is coming so the toughness is even more underscored. It also made him sound a little chastened (a little, not a lot, he's still got some room to grow in the humility department). Still, he actually said he had learned a lesson from the latest election. His actions to freeze spending, praise small business and argue for the value of future American economic dominance in the world re-enforced this.
He also handled the fat lip from basketball pretty well –the fact that it didn't spiral into a Jimmy Carter killer rabbit moment should tell Republicans something (this presidential brand isn't at the terminal Carter point of weakness yet). By the way, my opinion is that our president should probably stay off the basketball court (but if he doesn't and he gets visibly injured again, he better pull a Ronald Reagan and stay away from the cameras).
Bottom line, we might be seeing the start of a turnaround here in Brand Obama. Stay tuned.
WikiLeaks is our loser for the week and let's be honest so are some of its journalistic allies in big media like The New York Times.
Previous leaks might have been justified, but dumping tens of thousands of diplomatic cables on the world just because you can isn't journalism, it's vandalism.
WikiLeaks has had many enthusiastic supporters –especially among the left-leaning intellectual global "elite"— but my guess is that the organization might have gone too far this time.
Fact is, there's a reason why diplomacy and governments don't make everything public. It's the same reason that ordinary human beings don't… A lot of the things we need to say to one another are simply not intended for a general audience.
The revelations of these cables are entertaining. They might even be valuable. But most adults will recognize what WikiLeaks recklessly and immaturely has not: there's a good reason that some things need to be kept secret.
My guess is that the WikiLeaks brand has just sprung a leak that it will find impossible to plug.
Brands must strive to make clear and definite impressions.
This entry was posted in Branding on November 30, 2010 by johntantillo.
With $330 million in global ticket sales for its opening weekend, the latest Harry Potter movie and the franchise is the clear brand winner.
Harry Potter is an example of what happens when you get a brand right from the beginning and then nurture that brand –always making certain you stay true and consistent to the brand and its Target Market.
A large part of the credit belongs to J.K. Rowling who held the movie makers' feet to the fire. Sure the movies aren't 100% true to the books –no movie can be— but they're more true than most movies are to their source material and, more important, decisions like keeping the characters British and trusting that the audience would support this proved critical.
Technically, the movies are brand extensions of the books. And what mattered was that the movie decisions basically supplemented the appeal of the books and didn't alienate the readers. Even in the case where readers might have been disappointed in the movies, the readers were never disappointed so much that they shunned the big screen.
Great brands are built one confident step at a time.
The lesson for all of us here beyond just the brand lesson is that even in our fractured multi-media age, great content can build the kind of loyalty that can create a shared experience across many diverse Target Markets and media platforms. The key is the content.
Hats off to the boy wizard!
Not because of their intrusive screening methods, but because they haven't convinced the American people that TSA is the right brand for the job of keeping us safe.
The result was a brand that has always been seen as playing catchup with terrorist reality. A shoe-bomber is discovered and suddenly people have to take off their shoes when they go through security. A terrorist has a bomb in his underwear and now it's full-body scans and pat downs.
With most brands there's a product life-cycle. It's introduction, growth, maturity and then decline. TSA was introduced badly, its growth has been seen as out-of-control and somewhat random, and, everyone basically knows, that it can't decline (i.e., go out of business). Basically, TSA or some version of it is here to stay. Gone are the days when there is no security to go through to get on a plane.
Bottom line, TSA needs to take more control not less. In other words, it needs to make clear what its brand is all about: stopping terrorists from either taking over planes or blowing them up.
This is not about politically-correct profiling. TSA should profile passengers, but they should also treat everyone as if they are a potential threat… because terrorists have the potential to turn almost anyone into a threat.
In other words, critics of TSA make the argument that its ridiculous to treat granny like a terrorist but ignore the guy with the long beard and kufi. But if the terrorists know that the only person TSA is looking for is the guy wearing the kufi, they're going to find a granny (or impersonate one) to get their evil work done.
Let's a take a page from the Israelis who have decades of experience thwarting terrorism. They're basically tough on everyone who flies or comes across their borders.
What TSA is doing wrong is not getting the message of their mission out there. The problem isn't the full-body scans or the pat downs. It's that we, the American people, don't have faith in their brand.
Many brand crises that seem to come "out of the blue" don't and, in fact, can (and must) be planned and prepared for.
This entry was posted in Branding on November 22, 2010 by johntantillo.
Every so often you need to toot your own horn. This week please forgive me for doing exactly that with respect to my prediction for General Motors.
Almost a year and a half ago now, I argued that the naysaying pundits were wrong about GM and that the grand old company would make a comeback because of its great brands –which it was clearly focusing on once again.
The post appeared headlined under "What Will They Say When GM Makes a Profit For Taxpayers?" (read it here).
Well, not only is GM profitable –they've earned 4.77 billion in the past nine months— but they're stock IPO has generated unprecedented demand. In fact, just today, GM's underwriters lifted the initial price per share into the $30 to $33 range.
There's a good reason for all this excitement –GM's future looks very, very bright indeed.
Sure bankruptcy and government aid helped a lot, but what really helped and will help even more is GM's fundamental strength which is the strength of individual car brands.
Remember, people buy brands not companies!
Consumers don't by a GM car, they buy a Cadillac or a Buick or a Chevy. And on the backs of these brands, GM has come roaring back as a company.
I'm not recommending stock here by the way, but if GM keeps focusing on its brands then the company should be with us for a very long time.
Sometimes brand crises come out of the blue and the brand isn't really responsible for not seeing the problem coming.
The Tylenol poisonings of the early 80s are a good example of this.
In the case of a "bolt out of the blue" branding crisis, you can't blame brand managers for the initial problem but you can hold them responsible for what happens next. How do they respond? How do they fix the damage? In Tylenol's case, the answer to both questions was "brilliantly"? So brilliantly that Tylenol actually gained market share.
Now some may argue that Carnival Cruise Lines is in a similar situation with the heavily reported "cruise from hell" on board their ship Splendor.
I'm not going to say that poor brand management is behind the fire that caused the ship to become literally powerless in the water (but, folks, if cost-cutting somehow contributed then this instantly does become a brand management issue under the Doctor's marketing concerns everything about running a business rule).
But poor brand management is behind the inability for Carnival to respond more rapidly and independently than they did.
Where was the contingency planning? Why did the ship, its passengers and crew need to be rescued by two Mexican tug boats and a United States aircraft carrier?
Basically, brand damage has been done here because questions that the general cruise-taking public never had in their heads about safety and what happens if there is a fire are there now and won't be going away anytime soon.
Bottom line, because Carnival didn't have the kind of contingency plan to take immediate and independent action like, for example, a way of getting passengers off the ship or improving their lives on board, non-stop media reporting of a ship helpless at sea with a corporate management helpless to do anything about it are what people will remember –some of the reports and images even reminiscent of the ordeal in New Orleans.
Carnival Cruise is starting to do the right thing now by extending generous compensation to the rescued Splendor passengers, but my guess is that they ought to do more.
They need to address the contingency plan question by explicitly putting into place and publicizing fall back measures to prevent anything like this from ever happening again.
The Carnival brand has always been about escape in a good way (and part of this means safety and security on the high seas)… They've got their work cut out for them now. Full speed ahead.
blue" don't and, in fact, can (and must) be planned and prepared for.
This entry was posted in Branding on November 17, 2010 by johntantillo.
Let me put it this way: I'm not exactly Keith Olbermann's demographic. That said, my business is evaluating the strength of brands and Olbermann is one strong brand.
You may not agree with him –and I don't on most things— but he does what strong brands do (what Beck and Hannity do on the other side): he knows his Target Audience and he consistently delivers.
Fact is, it's this consistent delivery of opinion, invective and, finally, dinero –putting his money where his mouth is— that got him into trouble last week for violating MSNBC's policy on anchors not donating money to political parties.
But what better way of saying brand commitment than by getting into trouble by doing what your Target Audience will invariably see as the right thing to do?
That's why Olbermann wins this week. When a brand –specifically a commentator brand like Olbermann— is seen to risk itself for its core values (read "core characteristics", died-hard marketers) it wins. Plain and simple.
Hats off to Olbermann, also, for coming out of the bomb shelter today and thanking his fans and taking aim at MSNBC for an "inconsistently enforced" rule that caused this mess. Staking out his ground like this can only help his brand by cementing his connection with his fans and diminishing his dependence on his network.
When a major media player doesn't know its own brand… well, that's sad.
But this is exactly what happened last week with MSNBC in the Obermann flap.
As I've said, with the exception of crisis situations that genuinely come out of left field, marketing should never be about what happens after things go wrong. Why Because marketing is about planning so things don't go wrong.
In the case of MSNBC this meant making sure that they never ran into a problem where their internal rules regarding the ethics of their key broadcasters would cause external problems.
Fortunately, MSNBC has reversed its decision to suspend Olbermann, but, frankly, the brand damage has been done. And they deserve all of it.
A few years ago, the network made the decision to move away from a stricter broadcast news format into the kind of opinion generating political commentary that really generates viewership numbers. They also took sides by employing left-leaners like Olbermann and Maddow.
Nothing wrong with that from a brand perspective, but if you take that leap as a network, you had better acknowledge where the journalism ends and the commentary begins. Fox does this. No one would call Glenn Beck a journalist. Similarly, no one should call Olbermann or Maddow journalists. Or Colbert. Or Stewart.
Fact is, I don't think MSNBC really has its brand act together. For example, there are reports that since MSNBC supposedly has "apolitical" in its DNA because it was a joint venture between Microsoft and NBC, a corporate memo has circulated internally advocating changing the msnbc.com website and name to get away from the left-leaning associations.
Bad idea. It's the left-leaning associations that have built the brand in recent years. Moreover, you simply don't walk away from a heavily-trafficked URL like that. MSNBC might as well get out of the business altogether, if they aren't prepared to embrace the brand that they have cultivated so far.
Marketing needs to happen from the start so that a brand crisis never does.
This entry was posted in Branding on November 11, 2010 by johntantillo.


Cris Cab sits down with McCabe to discuss his new single with J. Balvin "Just Wanna Love You."
Cris Cab is that one guy hailing from Miami that you will not forget: his 2014 hit "Liar Liar" which featured his mentor Pharrell Williams, took the American born artist with Cuban descent, from a relatively unknown to a global superstar. The song became hugely successful, especially in territories such as France, Italy, the Netherlands and Germany peaking at Global Airplay Charts: #9 and reaching the Top 10 in 42 countries worldwide. Cris not only toured as Pharrell's opening act on the Dear GIRL arena tour, but also performed at a number of high profile events including the inauguration ceremony of France's president Emmanuel Macron.
2018 is the year Cris comes back with a new sound, a new perspective and new music. In June, he released the single "Laurent Perrier" together with Latin hip hop star Farruko which showcased the core of his new musical direction. Now focused on combining urban sounds with those of modern Latin music and pop sensibility, has Cris quickly gaining buzz once again. "Laurent Perrier" was a good re-introduction for Cris in many territories and became a fan favorite upon release. With more than 1 million streams worldwide in just a few weeks the song also proved to be a common party anthem during the FIFA World Cup 2018 in July as Cris performed the song live in Berlin in front of a crowd of thousand ahead of Germany's final game.
Now, Cris comes back with "JUST WANNA LOVE YOU", an infused urban-pop-Latin tune that comes with a world class feature that is sure to bring global attention. None other than world's most streamed artist, J Balvin, a personal friend of Cab's.
Balvin has broken through worldwide last year with his hit record "Mi Gente" (more than 700 Million Spotify streams to date) and has been featured on many mainstream hits in the past few months, including with the likes of Liam Payne "Familiar" and his fellow Latin colleague Nicky Jam "X". Together with hyped US hip-hop star Cardi B , he even reached the number one spot on the US Billboard Charts with "I Like It".
The collaboration between Cris and J Balvin comes from a natural origin; both have have known each other for many years, way before Balvin became hugely successful around the world. Cris sent "Just Wanna Love You" to Balvin to ask for his advice and comments. Balvin's response was to ask if he could join in on the track as a featured artist. Fast forward a few months and now this song now finally gets to see the light of day. The video was shot partly in the South of France, and partly in Miami, the city in which both Cris and J Balvin call home. For more information about Cris Cab click HERE.
Click HERE for photos of Cris Cab's visit with McCabe.


Politicians visit Shawlands Academy for "Question Time" debate.
On Tuesday 29th March, representatives from the major political parties visited Shawlands Academy to take part in a question and answer session in front of a packed audience in our assembly hall.
We were delighted to welcome Richard Sullivan – Conservative list candidate for Glasgow, Patrick Harvie MSP – Leader of the Scottish Green Party, Nicola Sturgeon MSP – Depute First Minister, Robert Brown – Liberal Democrat MSP for Glasgow Region and Stephen Curran – Labour councillor and candidate for the Glasgow Central constituency.
Playing the role of David Dimbleby, in a most professional manner, was school captain Craig Wylie (S6).
The hour long debate covered a wide and diverse range of political issues from student tuition fees to the current conflict in Libya and took place in front of a packed audience of pupils and staff. Pupils had the opportunity, in previous weeks, in Modern Studies classes, to contribute to the list of questions which were directed towards the politicians. There was also the opportunity for follow-up questions from the floor of the hall.
The debate was the idea of S2 pupil Eilidh Dolan and was the culmination of several months of hard work by both Eilidh and members of the S2 pupil council.
We would like to thank Richard Sullivan, Patrick Harvie, Nicola Sturgeon, Robert Brown and Stephen Curran for giving up their time at this very busy time of year to attend the event.
Our thanks to Eilidh and Humanities teacher Miss Beattie for their organisation of the event. Thank you also to the S2 pupil council for their assistance in making the event such a success. A special mention also to Craig Wylie for delivering such an even handed performance on stage as host for the event.


text:
Q: How do I fix apt-get? I can't install or update anything sudo apt-get update:
apt-get: /usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libstdc++.so.6: version `GLIBCXX_3.4.20' not found (required by apt-get)
apt-get: /usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libstdc++.so.6: version `GLIBCXX_3.4.21' not found (required by apt-get)
apt-get: /usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libstdc++.so.6: version `GLIBCXX_3.4.20' not found (required by /usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libapt-private.so.0.0)
apt-get: /usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libstdc++.so.6: version `CXXABI_1.3.8' not found (required by /usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libapt-private.so.0.0)
apt-get: /usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libstdc++.so.6: version `GLIBCXX_3.4.21' not found (required by /usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libapt-private.so.0.0)
apt-get: /usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libstdc++.so.6: version `GLIBCXX_3.4.20' not found (required by /usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libapt-pkg.so.5.0)
apt-get: /usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libstdc++.so.6: version `CXXABI_1.3.8' not found (required by /usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libapt-pkg.so.5.0)
apt-get: /usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libstdc++.so.6: version `GLIBCXX_3.4.21' not found (required by /usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libapt-pkg.so.5.0)

This is not a fresh install. I also tried to fix it by reinstalling the libc6-udeb package.
sudo dpkg  -i libc6-udeb_2.24-12_i386.udeb:
dpkg: warning: files list file for package 'libstdc++6-4.7-dev:i386' missing; assuming package has no files currently installed
dpkg: warning: files list file for package 'libc6-dbg:i386' missing; assuming package has no files currently installed
dpkg: warning: files list file for package 'libstdc++-6-dev:i386' missing; assuming package has no files currently installed
dpkg: warning: files list file for package 'libc6:i386' missing; assuming package has no files currently installed
dpkg: warning: files list file for package 'libstdc++-4.8-dev:i386' missing; assuming package has no files currently installed
dpkg: warning: files list file for package 'libc6-dev:i386' missing; assuming package has no files currently installed
(Reading database ... 245802 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to unpack libc6-udeb_2.24-12_i386.udeb ...
Unpacking libc6-udeb (2.24-12) ...
dpkg: error while cleaning up:
 subprocess rm command for cleanup was killed by signal (Segmentation fault)
Setting up libc6-udeb (2.24-12) ...

Running sudo dpkg --configure -a came back as:
Segmentation fault

Any suggestions?

A: Sometimes things go so horribly wrong that the only way to fix them is by starting over.
Thanks guys, but after trying everything else with no luck I knew i had to reinstall a new clean system and that's what i did. now everything works great.


text:
Month: November 2016 (page 1 of 2)
26-27/11/16 Waitangi Layover: The Heritage Side Of The Natural Tourist In Us!
November 27, 2016 / Brent / 0 Comments
This is the place where on the 6th February 1840, a Culture and a Heritage joined hands in partnership with the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and the words, "We do."
By coming under British Sovereignty, it kept the French from stamping the Tricolour on these lands. However, from our visit to the place, we felt more the tourist outnumbered by both the French and Germans. There are just so many of them!
Wish we had of worn our New Zealand cycle tops so as to distinguish us being bred and born here.
Piahia is a lovely spot that buzzes with life, both off the water and on. Para-gliders being towed behind jet boats interrupted the horizon. The flag pole over on the Waitangi grounds prominent above the tree shrubbery. Sidewalk Café patron dishes bellowed cuisine smells to drool over.
Our Bar-tailed Godwit (Kūaka) are the most wonderful migratory birds we have – 90,000 fly from Alaska to New Zealand the back, every year. Some of them will leave Alaska and be in the Bay of Islands 8-9 days later.
As soon as they land, they fall asleep and who could blame them?
Unlike other seabirds, they cannot rest on water or feed at sea, so this 11,500-kilometres journey is the longest non-stop flight undertaken by any bird.
With that written, we set sail to then take more steps again tomorrow to tick off maps 14,15,16, 17 and 18 of the TA.
Huh, I know which side of the partnership will want to fall asleep just like the Godwit as soon as we reach land after the water taxi even before we walk.
The heritage side of the natural tourist in us!
25/11/16 Kerikeri to Waitangi – 21 kms: The Spikey Looking Mohawk One
Leaving Kerikeri, we visited New Zealand's oldest building – Kemp House (1821). Beside it was the oldest Stone Store (1832). Its significance is where the Maori first met missionaries and history was changed forever.
The different types of flowers that escorted us up the road were just spectacular. The bottle brush was easy to distinguish; the spikey looking mohawk one, no idea. Leaving suburbia, Clydesdale horses shared accommodation with sheep on pastures green. The tropical climate threatened moisture from above, but not until we went off road again into the Waitangi Forest.
Thank goodness for GPS. A diversion had us going in a spinning compass dial and the undulation sometimes took us above the tree line to see more trees. Fantails squeaked as they darted about just above the heads and the punga ferns with huge fronds fanned the canopy somewhat.
Not enough though when it started to persist down. Torrential. But we were snug under our jackets and with covers over out packs, we trudged on. We exited the forest near Mount Bledisloe and on top of the hill was a map dial. Worth going off the beaten track for a squiz even though the rain mist still clouded the distance.
We found the road down into Waitangi passing the grounds where the British and Natives signed the Treaty. Everything was shut up as by now we were way passed our finishing time. We found a bed (Capt'n Bobs Beach House Backpackers) versus set up in the rain and shed the back pack just on quarter past seven in the evening. Having left Kerikeri at 9.30am, it was kind of a longish day.
The view of the Bay of Islands (first discovered by Captain Cook in 1769) from the dorm room was stunning and the waves making shore could be heard. The bunk bed in the same room with a couple of lads was a whole new experience. The stench from shoes unbearable but we knew being exhausted would put us into unconsciousness quick.
Plus, you can't smell when you breath through your mouth!
24/11/16 Ahipara to Kerikeri: Losing Five Toe Nails
Without risking further damage to the feet, we made the decision not to walk the Northern Forests – Herekino, Takahue, Reatea, Omahuta/ Puketi and took a bus to Kerikeri.
There is always apprehension with decisions like this. It's not in tune with our 'keep going, never give up attitude' however, we know when we have bitten off more than we can chew to stretch the rubber band. This is up there. Biking is by far a heap easier.
Getting off the bus, we be-friended a fellow TA walker Steve who had made the same decision. We ended up sitting at a Café for three hours just talking about stuff. Steve quit the rat race in Australia and returned home to New Zealand. Walking the TA is his way to defrag, find himself and put perspective into life as he knows it. He was refreshing and enlightening and certainly affirmed our decision to taking the bus to enjoy the experience versus let it destroy us.
If the conversation wasn't enough, Steve losing five toe nails along Ninety Mile Beach did it!
The scales registered 6.5 kilograms. Deduct the newly arrived tent pack weight and the total weight shed was just over 4 kgs. It doesn't read a lot but less carried weight is a good friend when you are a trekker.
Pitching our new abode at the Kerikeri Holiday Park, Karen wandered over to introduce herself and offered us a welcoming cup of tea. It was just the bee's knees. We ended up chatting with her, her daughter Anna and Karen's sister. Karen and Anna had taken the year off to walk the TA in sections and had just completed the Northern Forest section.
But there was a far more closeness with this encounter as we talked. During a night stay in a hut on top of the Tararua's during February, they were the only one's occupying the hut. At 10pm, in entered another walker doing the TA in reverse. It was the same Mike that we met on Stewart Island New Year's Eve who questioned us as to why we weren't walking our own country first instead of the Appalachia Trail as was planned.
Here we are!
We may have missed seeing the largest living Kauri trees in New Zealand which stand in excess of 50 metres by missing the forests. The conversations shared with the people we meet this day made up for that ten-fold. Full credit to Karen, Anna and others who have walked it.
We'll leave joining that dot for another time.
22 & 23/11/16 Ahipara Layover Day: Meow!
Having arranged a replacement tent to be couriered up from Christchurch, it was the most welcomed reason to rest and recover the soles of the feet.
Ninety Mile Beach is actually 88 kilometres (55 miles) long along the Aupouri Peninsula. The gigantic northern dunes, looking like a desert landscape, are a tourist destination used for bodyboarding. In the days of sailing ships a number of vessels were wrecked on this beach. It is officially a public highway and in 1932, the beach was used as a runway for some of the earliest airmail service between Australia and New Zealand.
Kerry's adopted cat kept us company. Cats only speak the one language, "Meow" and they have a knack to include you putting play into a lot of their daily routine. Something we humans should incorporate more often than not. Mischief too for that matter.
A print on Kerry's wall reminded us of why we are doing what we are doing, seeing our own back yard. The Pohutukawa is about to flower; the Tui are in song and should be listened to; and to see bee's in their numbers harvesting the nectar from Manuka is bountiful.
As were kids riding bikes in their bare feet and no helmets.
Bugger the tent arriving … couldn't it have got lost in the courier system a while longer!
Claire went for a wander down onto the beach to enjoy the calmness of healing. Walking towards her was Lasse, he had walked the whole thing. It was so great to see him and although he was sore and achy, he was in good spirits.
All the TA family had all been accounted for now.
No more waiting up for the kids to get home!
21/11/16 Waipapakauri to Ahipara – 14 kms: Games On … 2018.
As we walked back out onto the beach off the ramp, a glance to the right in silence with a nod to the skies and under the breath, safe journey today Lasse was spoken.
We met another trekker staying at the camp from Auckland, James. His encounter of 90 Mile Beach was similar with getting a lift after the 30 km stretch. Again, just physically hard. Then there were a number of instances whilst walking along the high tide mark where an incoming wave reached above his waist nearly dragging him out to sea. He came close to flipping the button on his personal location beacon he was that fearful.
When caught short like James was, there isn't a foot hold to grab onto. Once fully coned sand dunes, some of them are now cliffs due to sea erosion. Alive clumps of grasses lay on the beach where they have tumbled from and tree roots stick out from the face. Fence posts and wire hang like tight ropes along large parts of the coastline to. If you think the oceans aren't rising, come walk this part of the country and check it out for yourself.
It was a further 14 kms of beach walking before arriving at Ahipara. A clear sky and open sea with a slight on shore wind had gliding sea gulls patrolling from above. Traffic was busier as houses became more detailed. The landscape rose up too. We were too fast for the tide sometimes chasing our feet even though our walking was more of a plod. Coming off the ramp, there was a group hug of achievement.
Just before that though, another glance down the beach in silence.
Ashley, Meg and John headed for the camping ground with arrangements made to catch up with our trekking family tomorrow. For us we had touched base with someone we first met ten years ago, in Ahipara when we cycled the length of New Zealand in the opposite direction – Kerry Rolleston. Her invitation to stay was sincerely accepted and greatly appreciated.
Removing the socks revealed bottoms of feet that weren't pretty. The raw flesh under the rotting was so sore, a re-think of strategy going forward was on the cards.
For Sale – back pack with full trekking gear (tent with ripped seam; two cooking stoves; sleeping mats and bags; metal pots and water filter; with sundries), boots and poles. Used but in happy condition to a motivated idiot not knowing what the hell they get themselves into. Owners going overseas to lie on a tropical beach as soon as sold. All offers considered!
But the evening conversation had with Kerry over a lovely home cooked meal allowed minds to wander in thought and forget the aches below the table. Ten summers of swapping toasting and roasting stories all ending up with the hatching of perhaps re-walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage walk in Spain.
We know of two people who would be keen (Sharon Meredith and Mark Hogan). And now three (Kerry Rolleston).
Games on … 2018.
And for the record, it wasn't wine talk!
The strategy for where to from here regarding the TA, two more nights of wine bottles to be corked.
Something will eventuate we are sure!
20/11/16 The Bluff to Waipapakauri – 47 kms: "Are We Able To Get A Lift To The Next Camp?"
There was no up and adam at first light from any tents this morning.
It was more a stumble out of sleeping bags because one was busting for a pee. Eventually, bodies appeared and like us, although rested, there were hobbles in the steps.
A fleck of rain during the night had water globules on the external fly. Thank goodness the duck-tape held on the internal seam. We need a plan b for the tent. Sleeping under only a tarp with monsters about after the hours of darkness isn't an option because neither of us is prepared to stand guard to protect.
Slowly, camp was de-bunked. Once the boots were on, feet moulded into the inner soles and gave some comfort to popped skin folds. John had already made tracks; Lasse was going to be another twenty minutes and so, with Ashley and Meg, we wandered back onto 90 Miles Beach for another day of living the life on the TA.
Ashley's face was a circle of red. Sun burn too had fun yesterday. What wasn't covered was now reddened. For Claire, behind the ears. For me, backs of my legs. Sun screen was our ally today.
The general consensus that to walk another 30 kilometres to the next camp was a stupid idea. Experience always wins out over some qualification hanging from the wall! As a collective, we decided to trek 20 kilometres and freedom camp in the forest. Bugger the rules of engagement. Health and safety applies.
The first 3 kms were easy. That's because there was a lot of chit chat about histories of each other. Talking seems to make the distance shorter for some reason, if you could get a word or three in. The next three and a half kms seemed to take a little longer. The bodies quivered quickly to the aches and pain conditions from yesterday. John was a silhouette in the distance up front getting fuzzier; Lasses was a silhouette in the distance behind us and catching up.
Buses and vehicles sped past us in both directions making good of the low tide. We were able to cut a straight line from point A to a point B versus follow the true line of jutting out sand dunes and inlets. It didn't take long for grins to become grimaces and if anyone has ever done the beach of 90 Miles, it was again tough physically and so early in the walking.
There had been banter about hitching a ride up the beach. Debate for and against had pro's and con's. A large four-wheel drive suddenly came toward us going in our direction. I don't know what prompted me to stand up without consulting the others to step forward with thumb out to catch the eye of the driver. She slowed, turned around and pulled up where the others still sat.
"Are we able to get a lift to the next camp?"
By now, Lasse had caught up so there were five of us. But Lasse declined the ride and to leave him behind was hard. And easy in the same breath. It is one thing to push the body to its extreme limits; it is another to know when to pull back the body from extreme physical abuse.
As I sat in the front with the three girls in the back, Elly the driver said that she does this all the time due to the challenges inflected on trekkers bodies from walking on the beach sand.
As we approached John, we slowed to ask if he too wanted a lift. Four became five TA walkers now speeding along 90 Mile Beach in a vehicle. It was ironic that those who were against now too sat with the for's. Only they were now debating with themselves as to whether what they did was a pro or a con.
Arriving at Waipapakauri Beach Camp ground, checking into a shared cabin and conversations with other fellow trekkers, there was a sigh of relief that everyone was now on the same page regarding limiting the steps trodden today to look after the body frames.
Boots left outside due to stench and unpacked stuff strewn about the room, the place looked like a bomb had gone off. It didn't matter, we were all in a happy place resting and recovering. Aloe Vera plants applied to sunburn as a moisture coached by Ashley was a newby for us. There was hope that the soft texture moistness would smooth out wrinkles too. Nope!
As the ball in the sky slipped down toward the sea horizon, thoughts of Lasse being out on the 90 Mile somewhere on his own were shared. A natural sadness that he wasn't with us. Even worse for me. I still had my lighter that he borrowed to ignite his cooking stove.
F@#k!
19/11/16 Twilight Beach to The Bluff – 28 kms: A Hard Tough Day At The Office.
The snorting during the night came from Claire's side of the tent.
At first we thought it a pig but it turned out to be a marauding Opossum. Turning on the head light had it scurry off in another tents direction. I forgot to place food under someone else's tent fly before retiring which is a habit of the past.
Fellow trekkers were all smiles and full of life, de-bunking their sites and re-packing stuff to make it more comfortable to carry. We were no different. It was a bid farewell to new friends made not knowing if we were see them again on the trail.
Didn't take long. We caught up to Ashley and Meg from the US. It was Meg's first trip outside the US and we raised eyebrows at her coming down under to do the TA as her first overseas destination. Both had done parts of the Appalachia Trail so considered this to be a safer destination to venture out onto the planet and do. Very inspiring.
Discussing Meg's 'Mumma Birding' food preparation technique was also a new experience for us when she prepared dinner last evening!
From the elevation, 90 Mile Beach expanded into a distant sea haze. We descended the board stairway and were soon leaving imprints. There can be a shortage of water along this stretch so we topped up water bottles at Te Paki Stream,
By now we had trekked 8 kilometres. Lasse had caught up with us and too filled up. A discussion ensued as to what further distance we should walk. The next camp site was another 20 kilometres. A hell of a long way still full kit with extra water. Do we venture off into the forest at a lesser distance and wild camp or push through to the Bluff Campsite?
John caught us and both him and John being half our ages had a pace that allowed us to keep up for a short time. We managed 3 kms per hour and after 9kms, our pace slowed down due to body fatigue. When it did, we assured them to walk at their own pace and soon, they were a distant blur. Ashley decided to hobble with them because if she had of sat down she would not have got up again.
To the left, the coastline was a combination of eroded sand dunes with sand grasses and a back drop of planted pine forest. To the right, the sea a combination waves breaking with the water depositing a whipped lather of suds where the water reached. In-between lay bodies of blue bottle jelly fish in their thousands. They were accompanied by washed up debris of all types of stuff. Sand hoppers, crabs, Shags and Herons the wildlife along the beach. Sea gulls too circled waiting for us to keel over from tiredness so that they could peck out our eyes.
Departing from Twilight at 8.30am, we finally shed the pack for the final time at The Bluff Campground at 6pm.
The last 3 kms were hard playing with both body and mind. Exhaustion does that to you. Beach walking is way more harder than expected. The blisters had arrived, both of us, both feet.
Pitching the tent revealed a tear in a roof seam on the inner shell. Shit. Not a good situation to be in with so many more days ahead having to shelter with the thing. Duck-tape as a temporary fix, worry about the dilemma tomorrow.
It was a case of attending to the feet (duck-tape has multiple uses), getting some food and water into the bodies and then, to bed to rest them.
It didn't matter which way we lay. It hurt.
18/11/16 Kaitaia to Twilight Beach – 14 kms Part Three: Have You Got A Thong?
At least the sun was still shining and one of the people we saw scaling the hillside earlier greeted us with a grimace of it being a hard day at the office. So too did the three other trekkers following. Once we had pitched the tent and got a brew on, the chit chat was enlightening and lifted spirits amongst the group.
The young German chap (Lasse) trying to ignite his white spirit burner was our entertainment. He just happened to get the laughter and banter back on track so as to forget the day's perils. It was the first time he was using it so was reading up on the instructions. When he said that it's a long journey, he was referring to getting his stove working and not the trail as we all had cooked and eaten our dinners before he managed to get some traction.
When he asked if anyone in the group had a thong, there was total silence. What he was actually meaning was a tool so that he could unscrew part of his apparatus. Once deciphered, one was provided, then instructions were re-read.
Another German (John) then informed the group that Germans read the instructions, then read them again; then once more. Then they follow the instructions but then read them once more and then, they would ring the manufacturer hot line to question the instructions. John explained it exactly as Lasse was doing it except with no cell coverage, that bit got omitted.
Lasse's lighter wouldn't start the thing so that sent everyone into more hysterics. Again, a borrowed one was provided and eventually he cooked his noodles. He was determined and he got there.
Just like we got to where we needed to be on our first day of the Te Araroa.
It was certainly harder and tougher than we anticipated. Lights out for us happened before the sun had fully set. Aching bodies and no pillow, what more could we ask for?
18/11/16 Kaitaia to Twilight Beach – 14 kms Part Two: No Time For A Health & Safety De-brief.
The descend down to sea level allowed for body parts to creak and groan. Not necessarily in that order neither! It was easy to get lost in the views. We live on a piece of dirt that is so spectacular, we comprehend why it's an attraction to many a tourist. Except the three up a head of us going up the hillside weren't following a path and we wondered what the hell were they doing?
There wasn't one, that's why! The tide was too high to scoot around the coastal rocks so the only option was to go up and over. We tried to follow the tourists scrambling through thick foliage of grasses, knee high scrub, flax and cutty grass but they were too far ahead. We had to cut our own path. Steepness had us slip down and then there was moments we were on all fours clambering up. It would be fair to write that it was very scary with laden back packs. Turning back was an option but to retrace our steps was going to be as equally challenging.
If that wasn't enough, we saw another couple further ahead down at sea level running across the inlet whilst the sea had receded. No sooner had they climbed up onto the far embankment, the sea waves wooshed in to cover up their footprints left in the sand.
We made the decision to descend to the shoreline and follow the cat and mouse inlet running in-between the ocean surges. Only once did we get caught short that we had to crawl up the sand embankment so as to escape being sucked out to sea. The pack landing on top of me from up above climbing back down was an error of judgement but adrenalin was high that there was no time for a health and safety de-brief. Just get to the next highest point before the next wave surge.
Once we were passed the coastline of danger, the sand dunes gave us peace of mind walking pending the tide going out for which it did. It made our first river crossing easy where the flowing water teased the bottom hems of our shorts. A rest stop for lunch and a laugh at what we had encountered so far had us certainly shaking our heads at the trail throwing a heap of stuff at us on the first half day of walking.
The landscape shifted to a massive sand dune hill that we had to climb and skirt the summit. It was moon like; even desert like. It transitioned into more bush (with a track thank goodness) before descending down onto Twilight Beach for more beach walking. After 3 kilometres more, we reached our first night's camp site.
18/11/16 Kaitaia to Twilight Beach – 14 kms Part One: Te Rerenga Wairua
Ollie was kidnapped to Northland and has now resided in the area for over twenty years!
He saw an opportunity to shuttle people up to the Cape after the last bus drop off point in Kaitaia and has done it ever since. His commentary of history about the gum diggers and trees (Kauri) of the swamp to narrow bollock bridges and the old Air Force base co-existed by Kiwi's and Yanks was interesting.
We passed a number of lasts on the road travelled – a Butcher, a Fire Station, an English Cemetry, Catholic Church, mobile coffee shop, hotel, and power pole.
It was his effort to calm the anticipation emotions and once he waved us off, we were on our own. Nerves, excitement, adrenalin didn't matter as the breeze that greeted us was blustery as was evidenced through white caps on the two meeting waters. The back packs were hoisted onto the backs. Eeeeek, they felt heavy and cumbersome. "Come back Ollie, we have changed our minds!" That request blew straight out into the Pacific.
We wobbled down to the Lighthouse standing its ground solid; the pole housing the yellow signs with place names with distances shook violently. Like other tourists, we took our place below and had our photo taken at the iconic land spot.
Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Rēinga) marks the separation of the Tasman Sea (to the west) from the Pacific Ocean. For Māori, these turbulent waters represent the coming together of male and female – and the creation of life. For us, it was our moment to begin a new adventure.
But first, we had to ascend back up the pathway toward the carpark before we hung a right onto the Te Araroa trail itself. The view up the coastline was far, green and brown landscape met blue and white of ocean. We took a moment to ask that question we often do now that we were laden with packs about to take the first steps due south … "what the @#*% were we thinking?"


Everybody wishes to own an iPhone and take utmost care of it both regarding hardware and software. Many people think a lot before they install a new app on their iPhone. It is the notion of most of the people that pre-installed applications developed by Apple to perform a particular task are the one to be used for optimum results.
As an exception to such notions, Mail App turns out to be the best Email apps to be used on iPhone. It is ideal for people who prefer a friendly interface and a simple set of features as well as for those who wish to use complex functional applications.
I have been searching for the best email apps after Dropbox disallowed the use of the mail of my choice. I have been trying dozens of application often on my mobile phone to replace the Mailbox. This post is definitely going to save the stress and difficulty of people who have been facing a situation similar to mine.
The increase in the usage of to-do and messaging apps and email applications, it has become a challenging task to choose the right one for our use. However, I have made an effort to save your time and help you find the right app for you on iPhone to access your mailbox.
This is one of the best Email apps available today. Being inspired by Mailbox, Googles Inbox has a good interface and an amazing set of features that enables mail handling easy. Since there is no unified mailbox, people who wish to access multiple accounts cannot use this app.
If you are someone who is looking for a robust and high featured application Airmail would suit you. Though Bloops iPhone version has good interface and features, there seem to be sync related problems for few making the app unusable sometimes.
Very similar to Airmail, Spark offers a large number of features into a single client along with a friendly user interface. The suites help in the smooth handling of high volume emails and email accounts.
Having more than three million users, Cloud Mail has been consistently growing popular among iPhone users. According to me, it is the best app for those who look for a power packed email box. The app has good speed, beautiful interface, high levels of security and amazing set of functionality.
Being one of the most popular mailboxes used by smartphone users, especially iPhone users, Microsoft Outlook according to me is the most trust-able email application. It guarantees good speed, high levels of privacy along with good and consistent functionality features assuring easy usage.
There are additional options available in this app to gain a better application experience for which the user needs to pay. However, the free version itself provides me the satisfaction of using the app and keeps me away from the fear of losing my emails or breaching of privacy of the content in my inbox. This is the reason why we say this as the best Email apps.


text:
Home Top News Scotland – Italy (still) without history: 52–10. For Italy's 11th wooden...
Scotland – Italy (still) without history: 52–10. For Italy's 11th wooden spoon and 32nd consecutive knockout
Ireland closed their Six Nations 2021 with a win. In Dublin, in a match valid for the fifth and final day of the tournament, 'Verdo beat England 32–18 (20–6 at the end of the first time) with a victory at Six Nations 2021. In Dublin, in a match valid for the fifth and final day of the tournament, 'Verdo beat England 32-18 (20-6 at the end of the first half)
Italragabi forgot many games with a fifth defeat in six games. On the lawn of Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Scotland, Franco Smith's XV fails to escape the eleventh 'wooden spoon' of its history, sixth in a row: the Highlanders are actually planted 52-10, in the 32nd of Azzurri. The successive knockouts in the condemnation tournament, a figure that technical and managerial staff must make in view of the immediate future. Nevertheless, it is the Azzurri who under their heads and start at 6 ', in strength, they pass through the British maginot line with Captain Biggie. Garbisi puts in a phase of change and is served 0–4. Scotland pays with the same coin and draws the score with a cherry in 10 ', but without finding additional points for Hoag. The Scottish captain converted a fine Van der Merwe goal in the 13th minute, who gets praise and then ridicules him without worry. Italy struggles in defense and at the age of 19, after being held by Garbisi, they find themselves down for a yellow card sent by Mori to deal with them in an illegal manner. Scotland took advantage of the opportunity and makes a three-way (not converting hog) with Graham at the age of 21.
Azzurri tries to break out of the British hold but, at 28 ', it is up to Jones to fly towards the white line. The opening of the house hits the AC for 24–10 with the match going on hiatus. At the start of the recovery, Scotland advances to Gary, hitting the big target with Cherry, who gains his brace using Maul's work. The hog hits the goalpost and it is late night for Italy, also because at 11 ′ Yellow repeatedly comes on Negri for a series of ferryers. Townsend replaces the entire front line and the music does not change, as Steele is celebrating at 14 and the Hogs participate in football with precision. Moral: For the 38-10 Highlanders, who find themselves with dual superiority for the Cards in 20, the third against Italy, trimmed for Ioane to tack on the Hogs. A sanction, which Lamaro also suffers, between one change and another, is practically adultery in Italy which is still slipped by Johnson and Van der Merv. The hog knows its baggage and the final 52–10 seems like a hard lesson for Italy, a six-nation umpteenth that has rejected the Azzurri without appeal, awaiting their international growth and maturity.
See also Visiting the Isles of Scotland: Advice from Our Reporter
© rebuilt
Previous articlePremier League »News» Tuchel recommends Billy Gilmour to Scotland
Next articleLewandowski and Piatek get approval to travel to England


Aerial view of the Whitaker Park cigarette factory under construction, 1960.
Whitaker Park cigarette factory under construction, 1960.
Aerial view of the Whitaker Park cigarette factory under construction.


Some hand sanitizers are only 40 percent effective, and last for as little as two minutes - yet Americans spend $117 million dollars on them every year.
You can't fight an idea with logic. That's my conclusion after watching my 70-year-old mother obsess about hand sanitizer.
My mom taught me how to save money by clipping coupons and checking my pockets for loose change. But she has no problem spending $3 for a tiny bottle of hand sanitizer that she carries everywhere in her purse. And no amount of research on this topic will change her mind or her spending habits.
"Mom, you know that stuff doesn't work as well as you think it does, right?" I ask her once while we were sitting in a restaurant, where I was buying her Mother's Day dinner.
"Well, it's better than nothing," she replied, squirting some on her hands from her tiny bottle.
"Not as good as washing our hands, which we can do by going over there," I said, pointing to the restrooms.
"Dear, if this didn't work, then why would they be selling so much of it?" she asked, holding out the tiny bottle so she could squirt some in my hands.
In the interest of family peace, I rubbed some of the stuff on my hands. Then I excused myself and went to wash my hands in the men's room.
WE THINK hand sanitizer kills "99.9 percent of germs" when we use them.
WE THINK all hand sanitizers are the same.
WE KNOW hand sanitizers with less than 60 percent ethyl or isopropyl alcohol aren't nearly as good at killing germs – even though some brands on the market contain only 40 percent. "In fact, using an alcohol sanitizer with only 40 percent alcohol might not reduce bacteria on your hands at all," Dr. Jeffrey Benabio writes on his dermatology blog.
WE THINK hand sanitizer keeps our hands clean for hours.
WE KNOW they last minutes. "The leading products on the market today eliminate germs on contact but work for as little as two minutes," says a new survey that asked Americans how long they think their hand sanitizer last. The results? "58 percent of the 1,007 men and women polled said they believe their hand sanitizer keeps germs at bay for an hour or more.," claims the survey released earlier this month.
Most telling was this result: "Of those Americans who use hand sanitizers, 71 percent said they use them for peace of mind." Describes my mother perfectly.
Buy in bulk and online: At least my mother buys huge refill bottles of hand sanitizer to refill her little bottles. Alas, she doesn't shop online, where prices are even lower. Another reason to stock up: Prices go up when demand does. So for instance, last year during flu season, hand sanitizer flew off the shelves, up 70 percent during October 2009 from the same period the year before. So like anything else, stock up when demand is down.


text:
Arabs Rise for Rights, Armed Conflicts, Civilisations Find Alliances, Crime & Justice, Featured, Headlines, Human Rights, IPS UN: Inside the Glasshouse, Middle East & North Africa, Peace, Religion, TerraViva United Nations	| Analysis
Egyptian Christians in Uneasy Safety
By Adam Morrow and Khaled Moussa al-Omrani	Reprint | | Print |
Coptic Christians demonstrate in Cairo's Tahrir Square following last October's 'Maspero massacre' in which dozens of Copts were killed. Credit: Khaled Moussa al-Omrani/IPS.
CAIRO, Sep 20 2012 (IPS) - Many of Egypt's Coptic Christians met the recent assumption of the presidency by the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohamed Morsi with trepidation, even panic – some even made plans to leave the country. Almost three month's into Morsi's term, these fears, say some experts, appear largely unfounded.
"Copts were mortified when Morsi won. It was as if the sky had fallen," Youssef Sidhoum, editor-in-chief of Coptic weekly Al-Watan and expert in Coptic affairs, told IPS. "But such fears appear be to be overblown. Since assuming the presidency, Morsi hasn't done anything – at least until now – to justify such alarmism."
No Safe Exit for Military Leaders
The largest concentration of Christians in the Middle East, Egypt's Coptic community is thought to account for about ten percent of the country's population, which currently stands at some 91 million. The rest of the Egyptian population is almost entirely Sunni Muslim.
In an effort to reach out to Egypt's wary Christian minority, Morsi, shortly after assuming the presidency, met with representatives from all of Egypt's churches. Speaking to Coptic, Catholic and Evangelical leaders, he stressed his intention to serve as a "president to all Egyptians" – in what has become a common refrain – regardless of religion or political orientation.
Such moves, however, have been greeted with scepticism on the part of some Copts, who question the new president's sincerity.
"I don't trust them," Joseph, a 47-year-old Coptic resident of Cairo, said of the Brotherhood, preferring not to give his last name. "Morsi's nice words to the Christian community are only cosmetic. We know that the Brotherhood wants to Islamise the country and Egyptian society.
"They say they'll respect Christians' rights, but they'll end up enforcing strict dress codes – like in Iran – and banning alcohol, thus destroying Egypt's tourism industry," added Joseph, who is currently mulling emigration to New Zealand.
Sidhoum, however, sees such attitudes as unnecessarily alarmist.
"We've now had a Muslim Brotherhood presidency for three months, and up until this point we've been given no reason to fear for our community's well-being," said Sidhoum. "We ought to give Morsi a chance; see what he does before drawing conclusions."
In line with promises made before June's presidential runoff (in which Morsi defeated Mubarak-era premier Ahmed Shafiq by a slim margin), Egypt's first civilian president has not issued any decrees affecting Egyptian social norms, such as dress codes, alcohol sales, or so-called 'morality' policing.
Early this month, the presidency expressed its annoyance when the Netherlands formally began accepting applications for political asylum from Egyptian Coptic Christians based on claims of alleged 'religious persecution'.
"It is not acceptable under any circumstances for any foreign parties to intervene in this matter (Muslim-Christian relations in Egypt)," presidential spokesman Yasser Ali declared at a press conference on Sep. 9. "This is an entirely Egyptian affair in which we will not accept any outside interference."
The spokesman added: "The position of the presidency is clear on this issue – all Egyptians have the same rights and responsibilities vis-à-vis the state. The presidency does not draw any distinctions between Egyptians, Muslim or Christian."
Yet despite these sentiments, many Coptic Christians point to the sporadic eruptions of sectarian violence that have followed last year's revolution as proof of their worsening situation.
Last October, during Egypt's military-administered 'interim phase,' dozens of unarmed protesters – most of them Christians – were killed during clashes with security forces in Cairo's Maspero district. The incident sparked days of angry Coptic demonstrations, in which charges of state-sponsored religious persecution were frequently aired.
More recently, in early August, crowds of angry Muslims in the city of Dahshur south of Cairo destroyed several Coptic-owned shops and homes after a young Muslim man was killed by a Coptic neighbour in a personal quarrel. Calm was eventually restored, however, following the convention of a traditional 'reconciliation council' through which the damaged parties were satisfactorily compensated.
Facing the first such flare-up of his presidency, Morsi dismissed the episode's "sectarian nature", insisting that what had happened in Dahshur had been an "isolated incident" not reflective of Muslim-Christian relations in Egypt.
Sidhoum, for his part, is critical of the traditional mechanisms employed to defuse such sectarian explosions, which, under the Mubarak regime, had become an increasingly frequent phenomenon.
"Incidents like these always end with reconciliation councils and compensation for the Christian victims, but the perpetrators are never penalised," he said.
Reconciliation councils are the traditional method by which local disputes between clans or families are resolved, especially in rural or desert regions. Family heads and community leaders – along with local clergymen if the dispute has a sectarian dimension – usually take part in such councils, through which a mutually acceptable agreement is negotiated, generally involving compensation to the more injured party.
Such councils are conducted outside the purview of the state, which, in such cases, has been historically inclined to let local tradition take its course.
But according to Sidhoum, this antiquated method of conflict resolution does little to deter such sectarian venting, since it allows the perpetrators of sectarian crimes to go unpunished.
"If the law were applied to whoever participated in sectarian aggression, be they Muslim or Christian, it would serve to re-establish the standing of the state and guarantee coexistence," he said. "It would go a long way towards ending the phenomenon of sectarianism once and for all."
Mena Thabet, a Coptic Christian rights activist specialised in Coptic affairs, agreed.
"The Mubarak regime used to actively promote division between Muslims and Christians for its own political interests," Thabet told IPS. "It allowed sectarian problems to persist by failing to execute the law and bring perpetrators to justice. Had it done so, such incidents would have been much less common."
Both men also agree that the issue will ultimately depend on the country's new constitution, currently being drafted by Egypt's majority-Islamist Constituent Assembly.
"The problems traditionally faced by Egypt's Christians will be resolved when there's a constitution that ensures Egypt's democratic and civil nature," said Sidhoum. "Such a charter would lead to the passage of laws that don't draw distinctions between citizens based on race or belief."
"If the new constitution genuinely guarantees equality for all Egyptians, the political orientation of the president – Brotherhood, Salafist, or whatever – will become irrelevant," Thabet concurred.
Egypt's Constituent Assembly is expected to unveil a draft constitution within the next two months, after which the proposed charter will be put before a nationwide referendum for public approval.
BarryBright24
Here's a great article about Islam – the Muslim Brotherhood and religions freedom in Eygpt.
http://www.examiner.com/article/media-silent-on-killing-and-persecution-of-christians-egypt


StatsSA says that more than 60% of all foreign nationals looking to retire in SA come from Europe.
Further research shows that retired foreign nationals will contribute an estimated R7.5-billion to the local economy per annum.
So why is South Africa such an attractive retirement destination? Gary Eisenberg, Immigration Lawyer sheds some light here.