text:
'That's right, that what I said...'
Life Taking things easy this final weekend of my holiday. You should know that I'm guest blogging for an absent Tinka so you should look here for a special Scene Unseen and there for everything else.
on Saturday, November 06, 2004 0 comments
A Grand Day Out
Originally uploaded by feelinglistless.
Apart from the logistics of getting all of these people in both cars, doesn't this look like an advert for margerine from the Seventies? I like that they've pitched up their own private picnicing space between the vehicles although again not everyone seems to be happy with their lot. Is the one in the middle thinking: 'I wish I was in Aya Napa ...'
on Friday, November 05, 2004 0 comments
'Are you Santa Claus?'
Life I can't remember the last really good Christmas film I saw. There have been some good examples were the time of year is incidentally or happens as part of a larger canvas. It's always a risk -- assumings its a Hollywood product, once it's a hit over there the distributor has to wait at least a year for an effective release elsewhere. Which is what happened to Bad Santa. I'm surprised this was released anywhere at all, because it's the least smaltzy Christmas film I've seen breaking many taboos and generally portraying the season as a horrible time of year. Imagine the darker recesses of an early 90s indie film. It's about a drunk who along with his dwarf buddy gain employment in department stores and malls as a Santa and an Elf in order to learn about then rob the place on Christmas Eve.
A black seasonal comedy then. It's brave. It's unusual. But if there is a problem with Bad Santa it's that it feels like it should be funnier than it actually is. Which isn't to say that their aren't some blissfully amusing moments, it just doesn't go for the jugular when you would expect. For example when the kids meet the 'Bad Santa' you would expect there to me a vast stream of material. Instead we just get his increasing impatience and ours because we aren't seeing enough of anything. The timing of some of the editing doesn't quite work. There are scenes in which characters bounce dialogue off one another but a cutaway at just the wrong second cuts through a punchline or reaction shot flattening the effect.
It's also not helped at times by Thornton's performance which has a habit of being inexpressive when it needs to be. This part would have been perfect in the hands of Steve Buscemi or Bill Murray who can do pain as well as comedy. Thornton fails to react at important moments when we need to know what his character's motives and when he needs to be charming -- for example in his romancing of Lauren Graham's barmaid. More often than not you're wondering what she's in this guy other than his Santa hat.
It's not a complete disaster though. Bernie Mac is amazing as the manager of a shopping centre. Tony Cox (who once played an Ewok) carries many of his scenes. And the late John Ritter (in his final live action film role) is unrecognisably oily and demonstrates how missed he will be. It's just not an easy film to love. And unfortunately that's what your looking for as Christmas starts to bite.
Three women, interior scene
Now this reminds me of a European film from the 1970s. Rather than focusing entirely on the figures, the scene is balanced out by the glass door/window. Ironically it's that which stop the sunlight entering the room producing what is quite a ghostly scene. Again, the woman in the centre of the picture looks deeply unhappy to be there much as she has previously. Perhaps she's clairvoyant and realised that the Bush kid is going to be in power for Eight whole years.
on Thursday, November 04, 2004 0 comments
"He's the American Neil Kinnock."
Politics As we all sat watching John Kerry's concession speech, Mum said: "He's the American Neil Kinnock."
"Except not Welsh." I said.
"No. But he was the best Prime Minister the country never had."
It's a good parallel. Even if you weren't a life long Labour supporter, even I can remember that you dredded the idea of another four or five years of the Conservatives in power expecially Thatcher. There was hoping and praying that the your fellow countrypeople wouldn't back down at the last minute, but yet it happened and Kinnock chances of power evaporated and the country was set on the political rollercoaster which carries on today.
"I'm too depressed to type anymore..." -- Neil, 'Tachyon TV'
John Kerry will indeed be the best president the US never had. Within his closing speech you could tell that he wouldn't be trying again in four years. He'd tried his best, the American people had rejected him and he was going to stand aside and let someone else try. The assumption is Hilary Clinton, and who would bet against her becoming the first woman president?
"I think lots of people just like George W Bush. When you like someone, you tend to trust them. I think the press has enabled this to a large extent, with its unwillingness to clearly indicate when the President and his surrogates have misled or even lied to the American people, but maybe that wouldn't have made as much of a difference as I think." -- Rebecca Blood, 'rebecca's pocket'
In the UK, the result has been met with genuine disbelief and sadness. For me it reflects an idea that a majority of Americans lack the critical faculties necessary to look at a person, look at their personality, their record, ethos, lifestyle and career and decide that in fact it wouldn't be in their best interests to have them as their representative in the world. That they lack the ability to question. Can it really be that the man got re-elected because he uses his own religious beliefs to guide policy choices in a way which led to the Spanish Inquisitions centuries ago and potentially hold back something so 'repellant' as progress.
"One likely factor in the Bush win was his silly but effective use of homophobic fear mongering over the right to marry. Ohio, the decider, came out in force to favor an amendment to their state constitution banning not only gay marriage, but any legal recognition of any union of any two people outside the marriage of a man to a woman, in essence telling everyone else to literally go fuck themselves. Thanks, Ohio!" -- Lance Arthur, 'Glass Dog'
The only real consolation is that this wasn't a landslide. That it was a very close run race which means that in fact the majority of Americans don't feel that way. Even if in Texas, Republican voters out classed Democrats by two-to-one, at least it wasn't three, four or even five-to-one. We can be thankful that people even in those states voted for change. Looking across this excellent results map at the BBC, in many states, even those which should have easily fallen to Bush, Kerry voters came very close to victory. That popular vote which will be thrown about as a ringing endorsement in the weeks ahead has mainly been propped up by voters in what you can comfortably call forgone conclusion states.
"I still don't understand why people voted for Bush, and I don't know why people had to take such underhanded tactics in this race -- I guess I'm just an idealist and trust in the underlying principles of democracy in respect to the latter. A co-worker who lives in Florida told me that residents were getting phone calls, telling them polling places were destroyed in the hurricane and to wait until the day after Election Day, when they'd be told where to go. The Election Committee had to go on TV there, telling people that wasn't the case at all and they weren't calling anyone and that polling places were open." -- Keith, 'Reality Remixed'
So yes I'm looking for the preverbial silver lining in a very dark cloud. But what I'm trying to say is that we can still look across the pond in hope. George Bush Jr might well be the president, he might well have a strong showing in Congress and the House of Representatives and he will no doubt feel like he can push though whatever policies he likes in the next four years. But the questioning process will continue. But more that ever people will be looking for the joins in the mask he puts on whenever he's trying to look and be presidential. His actions are going to be criticised more than ever and he's going to have to be extra-ordinarily careful about any indiscretions which his administration may have commited in the past or present, because an increasing sceptical media and bruised but intact Democratic Party will be waiting for their moment to pounce. Look at Nixon.
"i want so badly to remain hopeful, but at three in the morning i find myself in tears, filled with an outrage that i had not known possible. when all the world was full of possibility, this country bankrupted of a sense of justice folded under the weight of their own ego. what a disappointment you have become." -- anna kiss
When Mr Kerry finished speaking and his family and supporters joined him on stage, my Dad turned to me and asked: "How did Nader do?"
on Wednesday, November 03, 2004 1 comments
'Some random.' 'It's on random.' 'Oh.'
Life Met Suw Charman today. I was a bit nervous beforehand, and in fact when I telephoned her to see if I was in right place when her train didn't arrive in Birmingham quite on schedule, I contracted temporary amnesia and forgot which station I was standing in when she asked. Perhaps it was some previous experiences, and those differences which sometimes happen between how people are together online and then in the real world. The last thing I wanted after we'd both traveled half the way up or down the country to get together for us not to gel.
I needn't have worried. It was a really good day. Because it felt so easy. I can be a bit isolated at times because I don't tend to meet people who share the same interests -- who want to talk about film production or weblogging or for that matter even know what the latter is. There is something extraordinarily theraputic about being able to talk to someone for hours and hours without hesitation, with some repetition and lots of deviation, especially if they know what they're talking about. Sometimes as we walked about we got lost in the city or hit dead ends in shopping centres because of all the talking. I can't wait to for us to get together again soon.
Back in Liverpool by 8:30. Caught a taxi to Fani's place so that I could see her for the final time before she leaves tomorrow. It was emotional. Even though I know I'll see her again (either because I'll visit her home in Greece or because she'll be back here soon studying something else) I do feel like I'm letting a really good friend go. She's effected the who-I-am in ways I wouldn't be able to put into words and continues to do so. It's just going to be different in the future and I'm getting those guilty pangs about all the times when we didn't get together because work or tiredness got in the way. If there is something I've learnt from today it's that it's always worth making the effort to do anything because quietly unforgettable things can happen.
on Tuesday, November 02, 2004 0 comments Labels: Fani
Links for 2004-11-01 [del.icio.us]
National Geographic asks an important question,
and gives the only logical answer. Talking about hitting the nail on the head.
People Like Us (a PBS USA documentery)
The spirit of Roy Mallard continues.
Film of the Day: Bob Roberts (1992)
Watching this earlier. It's funny how the messages from this film are still prescient and still being ignored by a large proportion of the US population. Don't forget to vote tomorrow, please don't vote for another four years of that.
The Withnail and I Resource
" This website features a comprehensive list of over 100 categorized links to the classic British comedy film - Withnail and I - Bruce Robinson's 1987 cult comedy."
Hippies (Off The Telly discovers)
One of those sitcoms which seems ripe for re-appraisal considering the writers and the cast.
on Tuesday, November 02, 2004 0 comments
'Thankerverymuch.'
Film The real triumph of Bubba-Hotep is that is that it turns what could have been an extra-ordinarily camp idea -- Elvis battles The Mummy and turns it into a heartfelt and touching discussion of the aging process and how it quietly, slowly, reduces all the choices available to us, to the point that eventually we'll start generating our own. If this is supposed to be comedy drama I found it heartbreaking, especially that ending. Mission accomplished, but at what price?
on Monday, November 01, 2004 0 comments
Outside The Mouse Hole
We don't know what The Mouse Hole is. Gift shop, restuarant, pub, actual mouse hole? Am I the only one looking at this picture who could murder an ice cream right now?
'Oh, now where is it?'
Life For some time now, my little 40 gig hard disk has increasingly become a very cramped place. It's because my entire cd collection is on there, not really leaving much room for anything else. So with my birthday money I decided to invest in a new secondary hard disk. 120 gig. Which is were the modern world rears it's ugly head. Because my little computer is now variously ignoring its existence or else says it's only 8 gig across. I've Asked Mefi about it and they've various suggested that I hack the BIOS or go and buy a whole new computer, both of which sound a bit drastic. Anyone else got any ideas?
Peel Unplugged
Simon Garfield, writer of 'The Nation's Favourite' collects together John Peel's best stories about himself.
Copyright and the Mouse: How Disney's Mickey Mouse Changed the World
Who says that corporations aren't a law unto themselves?
Camera Photos
I like cameras too
Jewel: Live At Humphrey's By The Bay
I've never seen Jewel play live before (well live on dvd). I don't think I was prepared for how deadpan funny she is.
Brimful of Asha, Explained
Extraordinary piece of research.
The Tribe (1998)
Underrated Stephen Poliakoff film in which Jeremy Northam tries to keep himself away from a modernist hippy commune populated by people like Joely Richardson, Anna Friel and Laura Fraser. Basically impossible then.
The Esquire Cover Gallery since 1933
Teatime of the Dead
Suw Charman meets Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright at a 'Shaun of the Dead' masterclass. Don't worry, when I finally met Gina McKee all I could say was 'I Liked The Passion' which thankfully was a mini-series she was in and she knew what I meant.
girl with a movie camera
"diary of the making of a feature-length film, in production in Italy in the summer of 2004"
'Tis the very witching time of night...'
That Day Happy Halloween. There was a lantern parade through Sefton Park tonight as three hundred children strolled along the pathways, the way lit by Jack O'Lanterns, Unicorns and other mythic beasts. It ended at the lake with a fire display, and I could see it all the from the window of the flat vua the binoculars. I imagined to be another fragment from Jim Carrey's mind in Eternal Sunshine.... along with the elephants and beach covered in snow.
So yes, I'm that age and thanks for all your greetings. As well as some money towards a new hard disk, I now have a Konica Minolta Zoom 80c 35mm camera which looks particular impressive when its 35-80mm lense is fully extended. Its a mid-range compact conventional. I'll post some pictures when I've taken some had them developed and scanned them in. We didn't go out to a restaurant this evening. Halloween is notoriously a nightmare anywhere so instead we stayed in for a carvery -- Dad cooked joints of beef, ham and lamb in the way only he seems to be able to. Pretty perfect day all around really and just what I needed.
on Sunday, October 31, 2004 0 comments Labels: sefton park
'I wan't to see the sea...'
Blog! Viewropa launches. It's a collaborative weblog about my neck of the woods and multi-lingual. Innovative.
on Sunday, October 31, 2004 0 comments Labels: Blog exclamation mark


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European Budget Airline Teams up with GKN Aerospace to Expedite the Transition to Hydrogen in Aviation
easyJet joined Race to Zero, a U.N. backed campaign to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 in November last year.
The European budget airline, easyJet, has partnered with GKN, the leading global innovation tier 1 aerospace supplier to accelerate the shift towards decarbonisation in aviation.
The low-cost carrier will bolster the development of GKN Aerospace's Hydrogen Combustion (H2JET) and Hydrogen Fuel Cell (H2GEAR) technology. It will also provide information about operational logistics.
David Morgan, Director of Flight Operations, easyJet, said:
"At easyJet, we are committed to working towards a future with zero carbon emission flying. We know that technology is a key driver to achieve our decarbonisation targets, with hydrogen propulsion a frontrunner for short-haul airlines like easyJet. Cross-industry partnerships are key to developing these promising new technologies and we look forward to collaborating with GKN Aerospace to support bringing this technology to maturity as early as possible."
H2GEAR is a UK collaborative effort led by GKN Aerospace with plans to produce liquid hydrogen propulsion system for sub-regional aircraft that could scale-up to long-haul aircrafts.
The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) is providing H2GEAR with £27 million which is matched by GKN Aerospace and its partners.
H2Jet is a two-year Swedish collaboration led by GKN Aerospace to accelerate the advancement of key subsystems for gas-turbine based hydrogen propulsion of medium range civil aircraft.
Max Brown, VP Technology, GKN Aerospace, said:
"At GKN Aerospace sustainability is at the heart of our business. Hydrogen-powered aircraft offer a clear route to keep the world connected, with dramatically cleaner skies. The UK is at the forefront of this technology. We look forward to work with easyJet and our partners, to develop and industrialise the breakthrough technology to fly aircraft with zero CO2 emissions."
In November last year, easyJet joined Race to Zero, an international, UN supported campaign to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Upon joining Race to Zero, the airline committed to setting an internal science-based target for 2035 and to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, for which decarbonisation innovation in aviation will be vital.
View all Industry News
HyGear has Signed an Engineering Contract with Aramco Overseas Company B.V. to Develop Decentralised Blue Hydrogen Technology
U.S. Dedicates $504 Million for Large-scale Hydrogen Project

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Emergency plumbing in Freedom, Wisconsin and the Outagamie County surrounding area.


It's no secret that racial stereotypes can affect the way we view other people. From the way people drive or how much they tip at restaurants to the kind of food they like to eat, how we view other races is often determined by long-held, inaccurate generalizations that have little to do with reality.
While it's true that substance abuse and addiction affects ethnic populations at different rates, people of all races are vulnerable. In this post, we'll take a look at what the actual data has to say about the relationship between your race and your propensity to addiction.
Every year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services conducts a national survey on drug use and health. In the survey, the government looks for trends, statistics and insights into how substance abuse is impacting our population. Race and ethnicity is just one of many factors the government considers when conducting the survey and analyzing results. So, what does the survey actually tell us about the relationship between addiction and race? The results may surprise you.
According to the survey, certain minority populations are actually among the least likely to abuse drugs or alcohol. On the other end of the spectrum, the two populations with the highest rates of substance abuse probably aren't what you thought they were at all. Let's take a look at what the survey found from lowest to highest rate of drug use by race and ethnicity.
It would be easy to look at this list and jump to the conclusion that American Indians are simply hard-wired for substance abuse. Or, that people of Asian descent, for the most part, don't need to worry as much about becoming addicted. However, just like economic status , a person's race does not directly cause an addiction to drugs or alcohol. It doesn't even necessarily make someone more likely to become addicted in the first place.
What's Really Going On with Race and Addiction?
Instead of thinking about race as a determining factor in drug addiction, consider the impact of belonging to a minority population that is largely marginalized by society. Would you still have access to the same mental health services? Quality education? What about a job that pays enough to support yourself or your family?
Environmental factors like these and others , have far more to do with substance abuse and addiction than your race. As a society, if we let inaccurate stereotypes influence our approach to fighting substance abuse, we're taking away attention from the populations who really do need more help. We're also making it more difficult for people who don't fit the racial stereotype of an addict to seek treatment.
Race doesn't protect us from addiction any more than it causes us to become addicted. At The Raleigh House, we understand the true causes of addiction. That's why we offer residents a comprehensive drug rehab program that address the behavioral, psychological and nutritional needs of recovering addicts.
To learn more about our addiction treatment program, our family-focused approach and our payment options, call us today! Our experts are standing by to help.


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Demobilization: Lomé Peace Agreement
ARTICLE XVI ENCAMPMENT, DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILIZATION AND REINTEGRATION
1. A neutral peace keeping force comprising UNOMSIL and ECOMOG shall disarm all combatants of the RUF, CDF, SLA and paramilitary groups. The encampment, disarmament and demobilization process shall commence within six weeks of the signing of the present Agreement in line with the deployment of the neutral peace keeping force.
2. The present SLA shall be restricted to the barracks and their arms in the armoury and their ammunitions in the magazines and placed under constant surveillance by the neutral peacekeeping force during the process of disarmament and demobilization.
3. UNOMSIL shall be present in all disarmament and demobilization locations to monitor the process and provide security guarantees to all ex-combatants.
4. Upon the signing of the present Agreement, the Government of Sierra Leone shall immediately request the International Community to assist with the provision of the necessary financial and technical resources needed for the adaptation and extension of the existing Encampment, Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Programme in Sierra Leone, including payment of retirement benefits and other emoluments due to former members of the SLA.
ARTICLE XXX CHILD COMBATANTS
The Government shall accord particular attention to the issue of child soldiers. It shall, accordingly, mobilize resources, both within the country and from the International Community, and especially through the Office of the UN Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict, UNICEF and other agencies, to address the special needs of these children in the existing disarmament, demobilization and reintegration processes.
The disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) process was conceived as critical to sustaining peace in Sierra Leone. The National Commission for Reconstruction, Resettlement and Rehabilitation (NCRRR), which was responsible for disarming the various fighting groups was reconstituted as the National Committee for Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (NCDDR). The DDR process started in October 1998 and was run by UNASMIL in coordination with NCDDR. The process was comprised of four different phases: (1) Phase I- September – December 1998; (2) Phase II- October 1999-April 2000; (3) Interim Phase - May 2000-May 17, 2001; (4) Phase III- May 18, 2001-January 2002.1
According to the eighth report of Secretary General on UNOMSIL (S/1999/1003, September 28, 1999), "the Government of Sierra Leone, working in close cooperation with the World Bank, the United Kingdom and UNOMSIL, developed an operational plan for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration into society of an estimated 45,000 fighters in Sierra Leone" (page 6). "The strength of the RUF is estimated at some 15,000, approximately the same size as the Civil Defence Force. The AFRC comprises some 6,000 men, slightly fewer than the current armed forces of Sierra Leone, which have a nominal roll of 7,000. Some 2,000 fighters are thought to belong to various paramilitary groups. UNICEF estimates that about 12 per cent of all combatants are children" (page 7).
"Under the programme, UNOMSIL would verify the eligibility of fighters arriving with their weapons at reception centres. ECOMOG, under United Nations supervision, would then collect, register, disable and destroy the weapons, either in situ, which is the preferred course of action, or at designated locations" (S/1999/1003, September 28, 1999, page 7). During the first phase, pre-discharge orientation, held between September and December 1998, combatants would receive basic necessities. They would also receive an allowance before being returned to their communities. The process was expected to take 90 days.
The implementation was designed to take place in phases (see above).
After signing the Lomé agreement and returning to Freetown on October 3, 1999, RUF leader Foday Sankoh and AFRC leader Johnny Paul Koroma met with combatants across the country in order to sensitize them to the Lomé Agreement and the DDR programme (S/1999/1223, December 6, 1999). The demobilization program officially started on October 20, 1999, and the second phase of the DDR began on November 4, 1999 with the opening of demobilization centers at Port Loko (center for RUF/AFRC and CDF), Daru (RUF/AFRC), Kenema (CDF), and at the camp in Lungi.
As of November 30, 1999, out of an estimated 45,000 combatants to be demobilized and disarmed, only 4,217 ex-combatants were registered. Those registered at demobilization centers were comprised of 658 AFRC/ex-SLA, 1,469 RUF and 518 CDF ex-combatants, with an additional 1,572 registered at Lungi (S/1999/1223, December 6, 1999, 4). The weapon to surrender ratio was about 1:4.
1. Thusi, Thokozani and Sarah Meek,"Disarmament and Demobilization", In eds. Mark Malan et al, "Sierra Leone: Building the Road to Recovery," Institute for Security Studies, 2003, Monograph 80, http://www.iss.co.za/pubs/monographs/No80/content.html, pages 24-25.
The DDR process was disrupted by the outbreak of violent conflict in May and June. Once the parties to the conflict reached a ceasefire agreement, on November 10, 2000, the DDR process resumed. "[T]he Executive Secretary of the National Commission on Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration, in cooperation with UNAMSIL and other key partners, has developed a draft revised joint operation plan for phase III of the programme, which was introduced to the Technical Coordination Committee of the Commission on 8 December (2001)."2
2. "Secretary General Report, UNAMSIL," (S/2000/1199), December 15, 2000, 5.
In keeping with the decision taken at the meeting of the joint committee on May 15, 2001, the DDR program was re-launched on May 18, 2001. In the meeting, the parties agreed to set up additional DDR camps, including UNAMSIL's mobile disarmament unit. It was agreed that the RUF ex-combatants would be encamped for a period of up to four weeks, while CDF ex-combatants would stay for a shorter period. They would receive orientation briefings, as well as learn about opportunities available to them during the reintegration stage. The process was monitored by a mechanism that included CDF and RUF representatives. During the May 15, 2001 meeting, the RUF declared that it had a total of 10,000 combatants. The CDF declared a total of 15,000 combatants, a number that could increase up to 20,000, as many are not listed as combatants.3
As of the December 9, 2001 report of the Secretary General on UNAMSIL (S/2001/1195, December 13, 2001), 36,741 combatants were demobilized and disarmed (12,087 RUF, 24,456 CDF and 196 AFRC/Ex-SLA). A total of 13,500 weapons and 2.8 million of assorted pieces of ammunition were collected during the process. The demobilization and disarmament process was completed in the Kambia, Port Loko, Kono, Bonthe, Bombali, Moyamba, Koinadugu, Tonkolili, Bo and Pujehun districts, as well as in the western area. In the remaining two districts, Kailahun and Kenema, the process was expected to begin during the last DDR phase.
3. "Secretary General report on UNAMSIL," (S/2001/627), June 25, 2001.
A joint committee on DDR, comprised of the Government of Sierra Leone, the RUF and UNAMSIL, met on January 17, 2002 and declared the completion of the demobilization and disarmament process. A total of 47,076 combatants (19,183 RUF, 27,695 CDF and 198 AFRC/ex-SLA) were demobilized and disarmed. The actual number could be slightly higher. The higher estimate is 47,781, with the RUF accounting for 19,267, the CDF for 28,051, and others for 463.4As reported in Thusi and Meek, 2003, 7,785 hand weapons, 17,180 assault weapons, 1,036 group weapons, and 935,495 ammunitions were collected. UNAMSIL had destroyed a total of 24,944 weapons as of the March 14, 2002 report of the Secretary General on UNAMSIL (S/2002/267).
Citing the NCDDA's August report (August 2002), Thusi and Meek, 2003, report that Sierra Leone disarmed and demobilized 72,490 combatants (24,352 RUF, 2,574 AFRC, 5,953 ex-SLA, 37,377 CDF, and 2,234 others, including paramilitaries). By phase, the disarmed and demobilized include 3,183 in the first phase, 18,898 in the second phase, 628 in the interim phase, and 47,781 in the third phase. Among the demobilized, 6,845 were children. In the process, 42,300 weapons and 1.2 million pieces of ammunition were collected and destroyed.5
4. Thusi, Thokozani and Sarah Meek, "Disarmament and Demobilization". In eds. Malan, et al., Sierra Leone: Building the Road to Recovery, Institute for Security Studies, Monograph 80, http://www.iss.co.za/pubs/monographs/No80/content.html, 28).
5. Thusi, Thokozani and Sarah Meek, "Disarmament and Demobilization", Malan, et al., Sierra Leone: Building the Road to Recovery, Institute for Security Studies, 2003, Monograph 80, http://www.iss.co.za/pubs/monographs/No80/content.html, 33-34).


text:
Oil rises after u.s. supply drop and signs OPEC talks advance
A valve control wheel connected to crude oil pipework in an oilfield near Dyurtyuli, Russia, on Nov. 19, 2020. MUST CREDIT: Bloomberg photo by Andrey Rudakov.
By Syndication Washington Post, Bloomberg · Andres Guerra Luz, Alex Longley
Oil rallied after a surprise decline in U.S. crude inventories and signals that OPEC+ made progress toward a widely anticipated deal on output curbs.
Futures rose as much as 2.2% in New York, reversing earlier losses following a government report that showed crude stockpiles fell by 679,000 barrels last week. U.S. oil exports topped 3 million barrels a day for the first time in five weeks, though gasoline and distillate storage increased.
Trading was choppy earlier in the session as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries worked to gain consensus on a deal to extend production caps as the global market recovery remains fragile. However, the group and its allies have made headway toward a deal, according to a delegate.
"The draw was unexpected, and was really a function of a pretty significant rise in U.S. crude exports," said Rob Thummel, a portfolio manager at Tortoise, a firm that manages roughly $8 billion in energy-related assets. "Builds in gasoline and diesel are clearly indications of covid restrictions coming back into mobility data and causing short-term concerns about demand."
Tensions within OPEC come at a time when the pandemic remains a prominent near-term overhang to a rebound in demand. While the U.K. became the first western country to approve a covid-19 vaccine, clearing the way for the deployment of Pfizer and BioNTech's shot, virus cases continue to surge around the world with governments preparing tighter restrictions to curb the spread.
Still, there have been renewed signs of underlying strength in the market this week, with Brent crude's nearest price timespread edging back into a bullish backwardation structure that indicates tight supplies. Physical markets are looking healthier, with around 20 tankers laden with U.S. crude set to leave for Asia this month and key North Sea swaps markets surging in recent days. Progress toward another round of fiscal stimulus in the U.S. could also provide a much needed boost to demand.
"The market is pricing in a solution that will not see extra barrels hit the market during the early part of 2021," said Ole Hansen, head of commodities strategy at Saxo Bank. It appears that "OPEC+ will not shoot themselves in the foot so close to an expected pickup in demand."
West Texas Intermediate for January delivery rose 90 cents to $45.45 a barrel as of 11:28 a.m. in New York. Brent for February settlement gained 81 cents to $48.23 a barrel.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration report also showed crude-processing rates at refineries declined and are still below 80% of capacity amid a pandemic-induced slump in demand. The combined refining margin for gasoline and diesel is below $9 a barrel, its lowest since 2009.
Plus, the oil market could be underestimating the bearish implications of the delay in the OPEC+ talks, consultant FGE wrote in a report. If there's no agreement, stockpiles would rise early next year and lead to a very bearish market, FGE said. That comes as output from the group rose last month by 530,000 barrels a day, according to a Bloomberg survey, with Libya pumping at the highest level in a year as its internal conflict abates.
oil OPEC


Make your home in the heart of exciting and diverse Richmond, just 3km from the CBD, with an incredible selection of shops, cafes, restaurants, and entertainment at your fingertips, as well as a wealth of parks, gardens and riverside attractions.
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Embassy is proud to introduce an outstanding suite of residents' Sky Gardens that add a whole new dimension to apartment living. Landscaped garden areas woven between buildings are just the beginning. Communal leisure and dining spaces spill out onto timber decking. Entertain guests in lushly planted nooks. Fire up the pizza oven in the Mediterranean Garden while you catch up with friends & neighbours with an aperol spritz. Get the teppanyaki grills sizzling in the Japanese Garden while you watch the sun set behind the city, or dine inside the Japanese Garden House with kitchen. Or enjoy the ultimate way to unwind after a long day in the Spa Garden with views of the city.
Featuring a private dining room with kitchen and fireplace to book for private dinner parties, a residents lounge, bar and business centre with wi-fi, all opening out onto the long landscaped deck, the Embassy Club provides unprecedented exclusive spaces for all occasions.
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TUCSON, AZ. -- A strong outing from first-year hurler Dan Smith and a two-run homer from senior KC Murphy helped the Williams College baseball team snap a four-game losing streak with an 8-5 win over Carthage Monday.
Williams improved to 4-6 on the season. The Ephs play Lewis & Clark Tuesday.
The Ephs trailed 1-0 entering the bottom of the second but an RBI-single from David Webster and an RBI-groundout by Kirby Neuner made it 2-1 in Williams' favor. The Ephs extended that lead to 4-1 in the third when Murphy launched a two-run home run to left field, scoring Matt Kastner.
Sophomore Phil McGovern, who went 3 for 4, hit a two-run double down the left-field line in the fourth to make it 6-1.
That was more than enough for Smith, who tossed seven innings and allowed only three hits and one unearned run. He walked four and struck out two in picking up his first collegiate victory.
Senior Taylor Mondshein was 3 for 5 with an RBI and run scored. Webster was 2 for 3.


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Community, Industry Insights
One father told his son that he didn't expect to see him live to the ripe old age of eighteen.
One dad prepped his son to be ready to market himself.
Another was more impressed with the dynamics of the helicopter than the actual ride.
And one son's last name was changed when Uncle Sam demanded so to his father.
These are the stories of four of the fathers of some of LeagueApps's friends and investors- Sam Jones, Allan Rabil, Eddie Battle (Battier), and Ambrose Robinson. Though minor stories, they each represent just how Dhani, Paul, Shane, and David rose to become superstars.
Former New York Giants and NFL linebacker Dhani Jones credits the shaping of his life and career to his father. Sam didn't expect his then 13-year-old son to make it to the age of eighteen. At the time, Dhani was hanging with a "bad crowd." Sam needed Dhani to focus his attention to other friends.
"My father was a retired Navy commander, and on every birthday of mine, he'd wake me up at midnight," Jones remembers. "We'd drive around in the car and reflect on my life." Sam's determination in keeping his son away from the bad crowds is what drove Dhani into playing sports, his new "friends." It was with that determination that Dhani became a feared linebacker in the NFL.
Having also served in the Navy, Ambrose Robinson raised his son David in much the same capacity. David Robinson would go on to the NBA Hall of Fame, but not without crediting his father, a mechanic.
The Admiral with the LeagueApps team
Before David became "The Admiral," he was a city-touring prospect being wined and dined by NBA teams. During one such visit to San Antonio, the red carpet was rolled out for Ambrose and David in the form of a helicopter ride over the city. Ambrose wasn't phased by the ride. But he was in awe of how the helicopter functioned from a mechanical standpoint.
Ambrose's attention to detail to each and every screw and gear on that helicopter was how he approached almost everything. That attention to detail flowed on to the court for David. His work ethic in practice and his polished fundamental game was unparalleled for over a decade in the NBA.
Paul Rabil's father Allan always knew his son was destined for stardom. Perhaps not in lacrosse, but certainly in any athletic competition. It just so happened it was lacrosse and it just so happened that his son helped transform the sport into the fastest growing in the country.
"He was blessed with talent to play on the field," Allan recounts. Given his large frame and cat-like quickness, Allan joked that sometimes he should have encouraged his son to play basketball. Still, his father pushed Paul to play hard and give it all in everything he did. After his commitment to Johns Hopkins in lacrosse, Allan knew that Paul was due for big things on and off the field.
Paul Rabil with LeagueApps' finest
"You have to be OK with showing a more personable side," Allan said, comparing his son's marketability to the likes of Peyton Manning and Vernon Davis. With over 182,000 Instagram followers and 65,000 YouTube subscribers, it's that marketability that has allowed Paul to be the face of US Lacrosse.
Arguably the face of Duke basketball in the early 2000s, Shane Battier is not Shane Battier without the help of Uncle Sam. Literally.
His father was born Eddie Battle. However, due to a slight error in his birth certificate, Eddie Battle became Private Battier when he reported for duty in the US Army. And just like that, the Battier family was born.
Anyone who watched Battier play ball is reminded that although Battle is not his official last name, it certainly is a fitting one. Never afraid to hide from a charge or let others dive for loose balls, Battier was a headache to opposing teams for almost 15 seasons and was twice voted to the NBA All-Defensive second team. Like his father Eddie when Uncle Sam changed his last name, Battier was never one to back down from any challenge. He would "just roll with it."
Shane Battier with the LeagueApps Hoops team
Each of these professional athletes adopted some if not all of the characteristics that their fathers instilled in them at a young age. They're even some of the same values that LeagueApps is dedicated to. It's these values that drive the LeagueApps team, and their investors, to work tirelessly in simplifying the life of the sports organizer. It just so happens that some of these sports organizers happen to be dads, and Father's Day is their day.
Father's Day is a time of celebration. It allows us to remember all the great things that they do or have done. Even if we sometimes forget to thank them. Dads like Sam, Ambrose, Allan, and Eddie may be in the spotlight, but there are dads like them in every community. Happy Father's Day, dads. We love you. All of you.
Originally published June 13, 2018|Last Updated August 9, 2018
Parental Expectations of Soccer Clubs
On The Road With LeagueApps: Youth Basketball Leaders Summit


Luis Suarez's second half goal cancelled out Cristiano Ronaldo's equalizer to help Barcelona past Real Madrid in a highly-competitive El Clasico.
Two teams. Two captains. Two coaches. Two superstars. One of the greatest football games in the world. Nou Camp understood the significance and magnitude of this match as they raucously welcomed both sides out as vibrant light shone down on the pitch with a night sky watching on above.
Cristiano Ronaldo, a man in desperate need of form used his blistering pace down the left while absorbing thousands of boos ringing from the home fans. Rakitic dispossessed him near the corner flag; swapping boos for raucous cheers.
Iniesta drove down the left, entering Madrid's area with real intent. The Spaniard cut back to Rakitic but the Croatian was unable to convert the ball home. There was brief worry regarding Iniesta, though, as he fell to the ground holding his ankle in clear agony. Replays showed Carvajal accidentally trod on his foot but nonetheless the Barcelona captain made it back to his feet.
Marcelo scampered down the left channel; diverting centrally where he cut back to Benzema on the edge of the box. The Frenchman hesitated on who to assist but eventually chipped a dangerous ball at the back post towards Ronaldo, however the Portuguese international's effort from close range clattered off the crossbar.
With the ball recycled, Isco took a stride and drilled a low shot towards the bottom right hand corner. It certainly piqued the conscience. of Bravo who would have had the effort well covered.
Tensions were suddenly broken when the hosts drew first blood. Messi whipped in a free kick on the left; finding Jeremy Mathieu who positioned himself in front of Ramos and fired a sublime header past Casillas into the bottom right hand corner. Poor defending from Madrid, they should never have allowed that movement within their back line.
Barcelona would almost double their lead as a simple chance for Neymar to do that presented itself. A superb low ball found the young Brazilian unmarked but his unknown hesitation resulted in a simple flick-up reaching Casillas at close range. It may have been nerves that cost Neymar an imminent goal but if another chance of that kind occurred once again he had better take it.
After the home side missed a glorious opportunity, Madrid punished them a few moments later. Modric drove forward, picked out Benzema on the edge of the box who superbly flicked over to the charging Ronaldo. The Portuguese man took a stride forward and toe-poked past Bravo; silencing the previously raucous Nou Camp.
Madrid should have been two goals up after an incorrect offside decision was given against Bale. Benzema curled a looping ball over to Ronaldo in the middle of the box where he cushioned it down to the Welshman, only for his precise toe-poke to be cancelled out by the offside flag and it really shouldn't have been. Poor, poor decision.
Ronaldo drifted into the middle and battered a thunderous strike at goal. It was heading in if it wasn't for Bravo's terrific finger-tip pointing the ball over his crossbar and out for a corner.
From that specific corner, the ball ricocheted down from Benzema in a small scramble where Bale took a chance and poked towards the left hand corner. His effort agonizingly fell wide of goal and anxiety began to build among the home fans in attendance.
Mateu Lahoz blew the half time whistle with both sides heading into break on level terms. Madrid appeared to be the better team as they created more chances against Barcelona who lacked a high tempo to their game.
Madrid displayed a cracking piece of counter-attacking play up top. Marcelo, Ronaldo and Benzema implemented a slick passing sequence; resulting in the Frenchman retirivig possession one-on-one with Bravo at close range. He flicked the ball with no real intent and the Barcelona goalkeeper did well to palm away.
Messi was surprisingly quiet in the first half despite his assist and manager Luis Enrique surely instructed more involvement from his main man and that's what he got as the dazzling Argentine blistered centrally; leaving his opponents for dead until Modric had no choice but to clip Messi and break the dangerous move.
Nou Camp was also lacking a real buzz since Madrid's equalizer. That was drastically changed with a sublime goal. Suarez, with several yards on his marker Pepe up top received a terrific ball from Alves. The Uruguayan took a touch, strode over to the right and superbly slotted past Casillas to restore Barcelona's lead.
Neymar scampered from the half way line towards Casillas' area with Suarez also making a promising run alongside him. Dribbling to his right, the Brazilian took the shot himself but frustratingly for Barcelona, blootered over the crossbar.
Messi blistered in from the right to a central position with real intent of scoring. Fans slowly stood to witness what looked to be a third goal, however the Argentine tantalizingly curled his shot wide of goal.
The Argentine was at it again as his blistering pace and dazzling footwork looked set for a third goal. He knocked the ball to his right, finding Neymar, only for the Brazilian to ridiculously batter over and wide.
Benzema charged forward in desperate need of a goal and almost grabbed one when his shot deflected off Mascherano and Pique; forcing Bravo to get down low and turn the ball around his post.
Alba had been causing problems for Madrid all night and he almost got his reward. Messi stabbed a ball through to the charging Spaniard but his toe-poke was superbly stopped by Casillas at close range.
Alba scorched down the left channel and returned the favour to his team-mate Messi with a cut-back to the middle. The Argentine latched on it and powered a ball at goal, only to be denied by the resilient Casillas, looking to keep his rich reputation intact.
The Nou Camp erupted in wild celebrations as Barcelona toppled Real Madrid courtesy of goals from Suarez and Mathieu; cancelling out Ronaldo's equalizer in a hard-hitting contest.
Comment: Time for change at Man City?
Luis Suarez defeats Real Madrid in El Clasico.


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A location that offers all of the raw material for your specific field be it Archaeology, History and Culture, Botany, Geology, Zoology or Outdoor Education?
A location that has an incredible amount of primary research readily available through the RIA (Clare Island Survey)?
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Somewhere close and easily accessible?
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A location that offers class room facilities?
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Well if you answered yes to all of the above then you need go no further. Clare Island Adventures is just the organisation for you and Clare Island is the location.
We can arrange an all inclusive package specific to your needs. Please contact us for more information.


The Mass of the Nativity of the Lord, live from Leeds Cathedral. Celebrant and preacher: The Right Reverend Marcus Stock, Bishop of Leeds.
The Bishop of Leeds, The Right Reverend Marcus Stock, is the celebrant and preacher at the Mass of the Nativity of the Lord, live from Leeds Cathedral. The setting is Vierne's Messe solennelle, and amongst the carols and anthems is Poulenc's ethereal motet 'Quem vidistis pastores dicite', as well as seasonal favourites such as 'O come, all ye faithful', 'O little town of Bethlehem', and 'Hark! the herald angels sing'. Director of Music: Benjamin Saunders. Producer: Ben Collingwood.


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U.S. alert for brands of antibacterial gel with methanol manufactured in Mexico
The U.S. government issued alerts to prevent the importation of 87 hand sanitizers manufactured in Mexico, due to their methanol content. According to tests conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), all 87 products contain methanol, although their labels indicate that they are made from ethanol (known as ethyl alcohol).
A total of 87 sanitizing products manufactured in Mexico were found by the FDA to be contaminated with methanol, a substance that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin. Image: Pixabay
The FDA warned that methanol or wood alcohol is a substance that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin, and can be deadly when ingested. The agency said it is aware of cases in which adults and children have ingested methanol-contaminated hand sanitizers, resulting in effects such as blindness, hospitalizations, and deaths.
It recommended that people who have been exposed to the contaminated disinfectants and are experiencing symptoms of poisoning seek medical attention immediately. Some of the symptoms it can cause are nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, convulsions, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death.
The 87 contaminated products identified by the FDA belong to the brands Blumen, Klar and Danver, Modesa, The Honeykeeper, Hello Kitty, Assured Instant Hand Sanitizer, Bio AAA, Lumiskin, QualitaMed and Herbacil.
The brands Earths Amenities, Agavespa Skincare, Vidanos, All-Clean, Esk Biochem, Lavar 70, The Good Gel Antibacterial, CleanCare, Saniderm, Unscented, Jaloma Antiseptic and Andy's are also present.
Other brands containing methanol are NeoNatural, Plus Advanced, Optimus, Shine and Clean, Selecto, Mystic Shield, Born Basic, Scent Theory, Cavalry, Enliven, Luz Eoi, Bersih, Tropical Solution, Britc, Parabola, Urbane Bath, Rinse, Kleanz, Be Safe, Wave and DESA.
The complete list of products manufactured in Mexico that were identified by the FDA as containing methanol can be found on its website.
By Mexicanist


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Hundreds dispersed from car gathering in St Leonards-on-Sea
Police acted swiftly to disperse a gathering of up to 250 cars that had gathered on an industrial estate in St Leonards-on-Sea on Saturday evening (September 5).
Following calls from a number of local residents about noise and disruption caused by several hundred people at a gathering of performance cars at the Castleham industrial estate around 8.30pm, police officers attended, closing access roads and asking people to leave, which they did, leaving the location almost completely clear within an hour.
As vehicles dispersed in smaller groups, other officers continued to advise people to leave the area. To support this action, a dispersal order was issued at 10pm giving officers the authority to require individuals and vehicles involved in any such gathering to leave the whole of Hastings and St Leonards.
Inspector Aidan Cornwall said: "There was no resistance to police directions and no arrests were necessary.
"However, this action was necessary to ensure public health and safety, both at the location and in the immediate area, for local people and for those involved in the event. Enquiries are being made to identify anyone involved in organising the gathering with a view to considering enforcement action against them, potentially including fines for organising an unlawful gathering."
Anyone with information about the event is asked to report online or call 101 quoting serial 1408 of 05/09.
E-fit released following reports of man with a knife in East Grinstead


The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) raised its benchmark interest rate four times in 2018. The last of these rate hikes occurred in the fourth quarter on Dec. 19, 2018.
With every rate hike, mortgages become more expensive, businesses are more reluctant to take out loans, and consumers look for deposit accounts with higher interest rates. In turn, credit unions are raising their own account rates accordingly, but they are finding it more difficult to attract new money in the current rate environment than in a low-interest rate one. What does an increase in the cost of funds mean for credit unions?
Question 1: (True/False) The average cost of funds at credit unions follows the trend of the federal funds rate.
True. A lower cost of funds allows credit unions to charge lower interest rates on loans because they are paying lower interest rates on deposits.
Analysts at Callahan & Associates predict the cost of funds reached 0.78% in the fourth quarter of 2018. That's a 14-basis point increase year-over-year. During the same period, the effective federal funds rate rose 99 basis points from 1.41% at year-end 2017 to 2.40% at year-end 2018.
Although the two rates don't align perfectly, there still exists a strong positive correlation of 0.68 between the effective federal funds rate and the credit union cost of funds. Expect to see a continued increase in the cost of funds because higher interest rates make it more expensive for financial institutions to acquire deposits.
If rates continue to rise, credit unions can expect their cost of funds to gradually increase, too. However, the increase will likely lag a few quarters behind changes to the federal funds rate.
Question 2: (True/False) An increase in the cost of funds results in increased liquidity.
False. An increase in the cost of funds results in tighter liquidity.
In higher interest rate environments, depository institutions must raise rates on accounts to stay competitive. This makes it more expensive to bring in money through deposits.
As savvy depositors look for institutions that offer the most competitive rates, share growth at credit unions has slowed from 6.0% in the fourth quarter of 2017 to 5.4% as of the fourth quarter of 2018. Loan growth, on the other hand, has increased 9.1% over the same period. With loan growth outpacing share growth, analysts at Callahan & Associates project the loan to share ratio reached a record high of 85.4% as of Dec. 31. As this ratio creeps higher, credit unions will need to find additional sources of liquidity in 2019 and beyond.
Analysts at Callahan & Associates predict the credit union loan-to-share ratio reached 85.4% as of Dec. 31. This is the highest level ever recorded.
Question 3: (True/False) In 2018, credit unions lent more than they took in via deposits.
True. The net difference between annual deposit growth and annual loan growth is referred to as net liquidity change. As share growth slows relative to loan growth, the industry's net liquidity position dips further negative.
On a quarterly basis, deposit inflows are typically largest in the first quarter, and credit unions typically have a positive net liquidity position. Deposit growth is smaller in quarters two through four see smaller deposit balance growth, pushing net liquidity negative. Callahan analysts project that from December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2018 the credit union industry lent out $25.5 billion more than it took in via deposit channels.
Credit unions lent $5.3 billion more than they took in over the past quarter.


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Home / Chiropractic / Osteopathic Medical Schools and Careers
Osteopathic Medical Schools and Careers
Learn the benefits of osteopathic medical schools.
A holistic approach to health care, osteopathy integrates conventional medicine with alternative medicine practices.
Students at osteopathy colleges receive training in the same methods and procedures as allopathic doctors as well as in natural healing alternatives, most notably, osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), a therapy that aims to improve the body's balance and function, thereby promoting self-healing.
Osteopathic doctors view patients as partners in their medical treatment and will interview them about their conditions, lifestyles, diet, exercise routines and other issues that can create imbalances in the body's structure and function.
During a treatment session, osteopaths will use OMT, gentle hands-on techniques such as deep tactile pressure, soft tissue stretching and joint manipulation, to help relieve a patient's pain, stress or other health conditions. Osteopaths might also advise patients on nutrition, how to prevent injuries and other topics that promote overall wellness.
Because of the in-depth medical training they receive at osteopathy college, Doctors of Osteopathy (DOs) can practice in any standard medical setting, and many serve as primary care physicians for families.
What You'll Study in Osteopathic Medical Schools
To meet the standards set by The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), osteopathy colleges must incorporate a set number of hours of instruction in basic and clinical science areas, including the following:
Osteopathic manual medicine
Preventive medicine and nutrition
Average Length of Study
Typically, training at osteopathy college takes four years of full-time study beyond a bachelor's degree. To gain acceptance, osteopathic medical schools generally require that applicants have completed specific science and general education courses as part of their undergraduate curriculum and that they earned a minimum science and cumulative GPA.
Average Tuition
Tuition at osteopathic medical schools varies based on whether you choose a private or public osteopathy college. According to AACOM, the average tuition for public osteopathy colleges is approximately $24,000. Tuition at private osteopathic medical schools averages just under $40,000.
Osteopathy Certification
Graduates of an accredited osteopathy college must pass the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Exam (COMLEX) in order to practice as an osteopathic physician. Typically, states require applicants to complete their residency before they can become certified. Residency programs can last as many as seven years.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) current Occupational Outlook Handbook shows that employment of physicians and surgeons, including osteopaths, will grow at a rate of 7% through 2028. Continued expansion of the health care industry and the public's ongoing interest in holistic health alternatives are two key factors that will contribute to the growth in osteopathic careers in the coming decade.
According to the BLS, the median national annual salary for physicians and surgeons is $208,000. Actual salaries may vary greatly based on specialization within the field, location, years of experience and a variety of other factors. The standard income for osteopaths across industries is approximately $150,000 a year, with surgeons and DOs who work in hospitals bringing home the highest salaries.
Is an Osteopathy Career Right for You?
A career in osteopathy takes a long-term commitment to meet the educational and residency requirements for the profession. Not to mention, you should be self-motivated, eager to work with and help patients and willing to study throughout your career in order to keep up with the latest trends and practices in osteopathy.
If an osteopathic medicine career interests you, take a closer look at osteopathic medical schools. Then choose the osteopathy college program that meets your personal and professional needs.
Sources: American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, Des Moines University, LECOM, Medical News Today
Chiropractor Salary
Chiropractor Job Description: What You'll Do
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Chiropractic Degrees: What You'll Study in Chiropractic School
Chiropractic Career Overview
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Tell us a little about yourself and we'll connect you with schools that offer Chiropractic programs.


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Discussion policy – please read before commenting
Commentary on Australian and world events from a socialist and democratic viewpoint
Monday Message Board
March 19, 2018 John Quiggin23 Comments
Another Monday Message Board. Post comments on any topic. Civil discussion and no coarse language please. Side discussions and idees fixes to the sandpits, please.
Changing places
Adani: Put up or pack up
23 thoughts on "Monday Message Board"
Shane From Melbourne says:
Australian Tax Code is too complex. Burn it down and start from scratch. Maybe a simple 1% tax upon all electronic transactions?
I wonder how long it will be before young radicals take Labor's imputation policy as just the first step in the fightback of the young against the old, a fight the old have been winning for the last 30 years. Why is it that one of the richest cohorts, the over-60s, can pay insignificant amounts of tax, while enjoying tremendous societal benefits eg hospital care is mostly for the old, private health insurance is a rort for the old, the old bought up all the good property 50 years ago and have been swimming in their gold coins ever since, the old don't want to do anything about climate change because it would affect the price of their shares, etc etc. And who is paying? Every dollar given to a non-taxpaying over-60 comes from those younger. Is it really fair that Howard and Latham pay no tax on the money they get from their super, but a backpacker fruit picker pays 15% on their earnings?
There have even been calls by the old that their largesse from the imputation policy should be grandfathered. I didn't hear any demands from these people that penalty rate cuts should be grandfathered.
Not to mention raising the pension age to 70, a change that only affects Generation X and beyond. I can see the rationale and reasoning behind it, that there will not be enough taxpayers aged between 25 and 65 to support leaving it at 67, but to implement the policy after the demographic bulge of the Baby Boomers has reached retirement is sort of closing the gate after the horse has bolted.
Svante says:
1 Young radicals don't much vote, so don't hold your breath.
2 Some, relatively very few over-60s actually are rich with insignificant tax assessments.
3 Health? And the pension. Taxes paid all their working life and for a not insignificant number also still paid post retirement. We all pay still today a 7.5% income tax component legislated and first levied in 1948 with unanimous bipartisan support for a universal old age pension fund to be managed by parliament and set to provide a basic indexed amount for a decent standard of living in retirement! Keating disappeared the legislation in 83, but not the taxation component! Keep your eye on your super mate. The ALP did it once to all of us already, and they will do it again to you on super if you are presently young enough and there is time enough on your lifeline for that opportunity to arise for them to do so.
4 The old swimming in gold whilst sitting on good properties. You are dreaming mate. One of the biggest cohorts of homeless and impoverished is in fact the aged – especially elderly women.
5 The old don't want to do anything about climate change? What planet are you on? For example, on this Earth, get yourself along to a GetUp! event, say, a phone session the real grist to their mill, the sort of thing that terrifies a Barnaby, and note the predominant ageing group in attendance, and dare I say the aging group that donates most of the funding let alone time.
6 The non taxpaying over-60s are paid by those younger? Get real mate. See 3, they've paid for it all their working lives.
7 Whilst "Howard" and "Latham", should not occur in the same sentence as "fair" Latham at least did reign in some of the grossly unfair pollie retirement super perks.
8 A backpacker fruit picker pays 15% tax, maybe, but doesn't vote and alienates young citizens who otherwise might vote and have jobs at reasonable wages and working conditions. Their is currently nothing fair to do with backpacker workers in Australia.
9 The old and penalty rates? You have a tin ear. A large cohort of the "casual" "part time" workforce that penalty rate cuts affected are in fact grandfathers of fifty years of age and well past that milestone. There's a few wealthy one per centers that benefit in "largesse" style from dividend imputation. Do what Bowen's ALP would like to do to everyone and those relatively few one per centers will find other effective tax minimisation options, but you won't be able to when you'd like to when you need to. ALP policy always for 40 years and counting: attack the rusted on, the poor will pay while the rich get away.
10 Don't believe 10% of what you've read in the Graudian articles and comments.
@Shane From Melbourne
Where do you people get this stuff from? I'm a baby boomer. The Rudd ALP raised my retirement age by 2 years. They probably considered me and my kind a rusted on. The LNP would not be so silly. The majority of voters, leave alone those who actually vote, are over 55 years of age. Also you're forgetting the ALP's Big Australia demographic bulge that's begun now due to massive net immigration and can't be stopped for some ten, twenty or so years even if migration were reduced to some sensible sustainable level due to the subsequent consequential baby boom that has begun. All taxpayers pay 7.5% income tax all their working lives that is levied to fund a pension. The amount levied each year for that purpose was for a time stated on taxpayers' individual yearly tax returns. Not a word about it now, but you still pay it – for your own retirement.
Ian Verrender puts it more eloquently than me, at http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-19/how-the-tax-system-slugs-australian-youth-ian-verrender-analysis/9561726
Greg Pius says:
The baby boomer generation broke Australia out of the economic doldrums. In the late 1950s and the 1960s Australia was quivering behind high tariff walls. These economic walls were put their by the LNP government to benefit rich farmers and companies (no change there). The baby boomers got rid of that insular attitude by bringing in the most progressive governments seen in this country. They began lowering tariff barriers. The young who live in our highly prosperous economy owe the baby boomers a big vote of thanks. They gave them a relatively peaceful period of some forty years. Economies need stability and freedom from external shocks to reach their true potential. From about 1972 on Australia has had this golden period. We may never see a generation like the baby boomer again in this country. Thank them for their courage when they were struggling young people. Don't criticize them just because they are old and successful.
I see the attraction. Verrender has over-egged his pudding too.
@Greg Pius
"The young who live in our highly prosperous economy owe the baby boomers a big vote of thanks" Actually they need to thank China for a mining boom and high immigration for a housing boom. The Baby Boomer generation in Australia basically coasted upon external circumstances. Their achievements were largely unremarkable. The dismantling of tariffs in Australia was mostly due to the prevailing neoliberal ideology sweeping both left and right parties in the West in the 1980s and 1990s
Vladimir Putin Accused of Interfering in Russian Elections
The extent of Russian influence in Russia's election is already under scrutiny, with experts suggesting that a large proportion of the votes may have been cast by Russians.
Vladimir Putin has been accused of 'undue influence" in Russian elections after they were won by his preferred candidate, himself.
Tim Macknay says:
Is Vladimir Putin a Baby Boomer?
John Quiggin says:
Like nearly all generational claims, this is wrong. The lowering of tariff barriers began with the Whitlam government, at a time when most of the Baby Boomers were still in school. And the economy was in a dreadful mess for most of the 1970s and 1980s. Once Baby Boomers entered politics in substantial numbers, they were to be found on every side of every issue. To give a trivial example, Tony Abbott, Julia Gillard, Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull were all born within the same seven-year span, as was I.
@James
Fortunately, in Russia there's no hacking needed. Putin can just prevent his opponents from running.
@John Quiggin
Pravda on the Potomac? Surely they will also have an article on the millions of USA citizens prevented from voting there and similarly prevented from running for office.
It's a strange thing about the bank executives who are appearing before the royal commission. They all wear the same suits and they all have shaved heads. And they all say the same things in the same way. It's quite creepy, as if they are all bank exec bots, manufactured in a secret bank exec bot factory.
@Svante
Indeed, Putin and the Republicans are a natural match. If you back Putin, you back Trump and vice versa.
Ikonoclast says:
@Ikonoclast
Is that a link to a video or image? Whatever it is it appears as a blank rectangle.
I have read the High Court judgement in Alley v Gillespie where the Court ruled Alley could not seek a determination of Gillespie's right to sit or nominate under section 44 as having a lessee who in turn sublet to Austpost. ie. an indirect interest in a contract with the Commonwealth Public Service.
The Court ruled it is for the Parliament first to decide his eligibility upon it referring the case to the High Court for it to then determine if is he liable under the Common Informers Act.
The Court seems to invite the referral which of course will require a debate. When we think of the precedent of Bob Day in this area it will be hard for the Coalition to escape public ire if it evades a referral by using its numbers [majority of one].
Gillespie's since disposing of his property will not solve his problem of having it at the time of nomination. It may arguably be an admission by him.
James Wimberley says:
Coal update. The Coalswarm/Greenpeace/Sierra Club collective have released their latest report on world coal generation: *****endcoal.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/BoomAndBust_2018_r4.pdf
1. The pipeline continues to shrink in a most satisfactory way, with capacity under construction falling by 63 GW (-23%) and new plants in service by 24 GW (-28%). The coal implosion hasn't slowed down. But there are still 210 GW under construction.
2. The coal plant stock in service could peak as early as 2022, through retirements in the ageing coal fleet in OECD countries.
3. If all the coal plants in service and under construction work for 40 years, the world uses up all its 2 degree carbon budget by that alone, leaving nothing for transport and industry. The coal phaseout must be accelerated.
4. Subsidised export credits from China, Japan, and Korea play a noxious role in keeping coal construction alive in LDCs (Vietnam, Pakistan, Turkey, Indonesia, Kenya…). Unsubsidised coal isn't competitive with renewables anywhere.
Global emissions update. The IEA have released a "Global Energy and CO2 Status Report". It's described as the first, so they presumably intend to make it a regular publication:
****iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/GECO2017.pdf
This will be useful. The IEA's forecasts on renewables are terrible, but I think we can rely on their historical data.
"Global energy-related CO2 emissions grew by 1.4% in 2017, reaching a historic high of 32.5 gigatonnes (Gt), a resumption of growth after three years of global emissions remaining flat." Surprisingly, coal emissions rose (by 1%) as well as those from oil and gas.
I'm with JQ on this. The 2017 increase is just a blip. The forces for the energy transition are now just too strong. 98 GW of solar and 52 GW of wind went in last year; on average, only half of this was producing. Trump has not stopped the fall in US emissions. Xi Jinping has secured his position and will be ruthless in pursuing his "beautiful China" goal.
Thanks for these useful links, James.
TheProfessor Quiggin, Alexei Navalny was prevented from standing for election because he was subject to criminal prosecution. The electoral rules of Russia don't allow such people to contest elections. Given the subsequent result of the elections, I think Alexei Navalny would have made very little impact had he been allowed to stand.
President Vladimir Putin got 76.69% of the vote. There were about 1,800 internationals observers (from my recollection) who verified that the elections were conducted fairly. Compare that to the support that either Bill Shorten and Malcolm Turnbull can claim to enjoy. There can be no doubt that President Vladimir Putin is amongst the most popular of national leaders around the world at this point in time.
The main reason for Vladimir Putin's popularity is that he reversed the economic and social ruin that former President Boris Yeltsin brought upon Russia in the 1990's. The harm caused by Yeltsin is decribed in Chapters 11 and 12 of Naomi Klein's "The Shock Doctrine" of 2007.
I think this speaks for itself. Nothing more on this topic, or along these lines, please. Also, no responses from other commenters – JQ
Geoff Miell on Luck and fate in politics
J-D on 74 million Americans …
Ikonoclast on The four horsemen of the …
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hix on 74 million Americans …
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(-) Haiti (24)
(-) Colombia (11)
(-) Honduras (10)
(-) Transportation (24)
(-) Web Stories (48)
The Smart Fight Against Beach Erosion and Natural Disasters in Barbados
The construction of a kilometer-long boardwalk between Rockley and Coconut Court on the southern coast of Barbados is not only a tourist attraction—it also provides safe access to beaches and has increased beach width by nearly 20 meters.
Haiti agriculture: growing investments
Highlights from rural development projects funded by the Inter-American Development Bank in Haiti Agriculture remains a key sector for Haiti, as half of its population lives in rural areas. Together with other donors, the IDB supports the Haitian government's national agricultural plan, which seeks to address the sector's structural problems. The IDB's sector knowledge and experience from before the earthquake define its comparative strength and to make the sector a continued priority over the next four years.
IDB ramps up financing for green projects in Latin America and the Caribbean
Participate in Twitter using #IDBmtg Bank approved record $736 million in loans last year for private sector projects in renewable energy and energy efficiency The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is ramping up lending for private sector projects related to renewable energy and energy efficiency to help bridge the gap for long-term financing for green investments in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Two Years On, Haiti Turns a Page
As it approaches the second anniversary of the January 2010 earthquake, Haiti is determined to show the world that it is "open for business"
Renewable energy to power irrigation in the Atacama desert
With support from the IDB, Subsole will be the first company in Chile's fruit industry to use solar photovoltaic energy The Atacama desert is the driest place on earth and the region with the highest solar radiation on the planet. That's where Subsole, one of the Chile's largest locally owned exporters of table fruits, is planning its future growth, and it will use the power of solar energy and energy efficiency to achieve its goal.
Paraguay and the IDB: partners in development
Paraguay is a founding member of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Bank's partner in development Through an ongoing process of cooperation, financing has been provided to the Paraguay to carry out major works, which have spurred the country's economy. This year, the Bank's portfolio of projects in execution in Paraguay totals 27 sovereign guarantee operations for $755.27 million, of which $445.9 million are pending disbursement.
A capital challenge in Haiti
Until February 2011, Jean-Claude Seropian, a French hydraulic engineer, worked in Paris as director of operations of Suez Environnement, one of the world's leading water and waste management companies. That month he moved to Haiti as head of a team of five technical, financial and management experts from Suez and two sister companies, Aguas de Barcelona and United Water. Their mission: to work with the staff of Port-au-Prince's ailing water utility to arrest the decline of its services.
Haiti: solar-powered safety
IDB-GEF green energy project improves public lighting in two camps for earthquake victims Insufficient public lighting is a major concern in Haiti's camps for earthquake victims, as darkness provides cover for criminals preying on residents. In the months following the quake, as sexual assaults and robberies mounted, some camp managers resorted to curfews to try to curb violence.
Haiti: doing the right things right
Report on development effectiveness summarizes IDB's post-earthquake response The 2010 Development Effectiveness Overview—a report on how the IDB designs its projects, measures their results and assesses their alignment with countries' needs—includes a special chapter on the Bank's response to last year's earthquake in Haiti.
IDB expects to provide more than $500 million to help Latin America and Caribbean prepare for natural disasters
Financial disaster preparedness is a growing concern in Latin America and the Caribbean. Last year the region saw devastating earthquakes in Chile and Haiti and an active hurricane season that impacted Central America and Mexico. In addition, the La Niña-related weather phenomenon has brought severe flooding to Venezuela, Colombia and Brazil, among others.


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Open Head Thread!
Posted in Uncategorized on November 30, 2007| 1 Comment »
by GEF @ 10:24 PM MST
What would you like to see in the Future of American Government ?
Leaner and Wiser America – Cutting the Pork!
Motorcycle Daredevil Knievel Makes his Biggest Jump Yet!
by GEF @ 7:28 PM MST
Motorcycle stuntman Robert "Evel Knievel" died in Florida Friday at the age of 69.
Born in Butte, Montana, Oct. 17, 1938, Knievel made a name for himself for his daredevil feats, jumping rows of vehicles, natural chasms and other obstacles. He claimed to have broken every bone in his body at least twice.
The death was reported by Butte architect and Knievel's graphic design artist Bob Corbett, who said Knievel's wife, Krystal Kennedy, rushed him to the hospital earlier today.
According to Corbett, who did all the promotional posters and pins for Butte's annual Evel Knievel Days each summer, Knievel was suffering from a lung ailment, pulmonary fibrosis. "When you spoke with him, it was an effort for him to finish a sentence without taking another breath," he said. "But he faithfully came to Evel Knievel Days in Butte, even though the severe altitude change, from sea level to mile-high, was especially hard on him. But he was tough."
Despite his poor health, Corbett recalled, Knievel wanted to attempt one last record jump with his motorcycle. So Corbett did a graphic rendering of several views of the proposed 320-foot, ramp-to-ramp jump, including side views and helmet views. "After you see this, you will quit talking about making this jump."
He said Knievel looked at the renderings and exclaimed simply, "Holy s—."
JOHN "9/11 Commission did a good job" McCAIN
Posted in Uncategorized on November 30, 2007| 5 Comments »
by Geezer Power …1:22 pm
Republican presidential candidate John McCain was literally overwhelmed by reporters from WeAreChange.org and Infowars.com seeking 9/11 truth during a campaign stop.
McCain, who wrote the forward to Popular Mechanics' Debunking 9/11 Myths, repeatedly told reporters, "I do not support a new investigation" and stated that he believes the "9/11 Commission did a good job."
But other reporters continued to hammer the complicit senator with further questions and demands for a new 9/11 investigation. Seemingly frustrated that he could not simply brush off 9/11 truthers, McCain retreated to his SUV where he entertained questions from the mainstream media only.
Staff members attempted to take away a bullhorn and remove alternative media from the site, but backed off at warnings not to assault the reporters or stifle the first amendment.
Reporters cited hundreds of witnesses, including police officers, firefighters and former janitor William Rodriguez, who all reported hearing bombs go off in the lower levels of the WTC towers– accounts that contradict the basic findings of the 9/11 Commission.
McCain flatly told reporters that he did not support a new investigation and claimed to have "additional information," stating that he did not believe there was a cover-up.
If such settling "additional information" indeed exists, John McCain has an obligation to share it– though the mere fact that he has withheld information about 9/11 from the public seems to directly point to a cover-up.
Biden's warning to Bush: Bomb Iran and face impeachment
anthony @ 19:15
David Edwards and Nick Juliano | Raw Story | Published: Friday November 30, 2007
Sen. Joe Biden, the loquacious long-shot Democratic presidential candidate, warned President Bush Thursday that he would move for impeachment if the president unilaterally authorized a military strike against Iran.
"The President has no authority to unilaterally attack Iran and … if he does, as foreign relations committee chairman and former chairman of judiciary, I will move to impeach him," Biden told a crowd of about 100 potential voters at a campaign stop in New Hampshire.
Biden said he is meeting with constitutional law experts and plans to send Bush a legal memo formally outlining his warning, according to Seacoast Online, which reported his comments. (more…)
Annapolis's sole purpose is to serve the Bush agenda
Sudhan @10:55 CET
By Adrian Hamilton |The Independent, November 29, 2007
There can have been few more excruciating sights than President Bush parading the Israeli and Palestinian leaders before the cameras at the Annapolis summit on Tuesday, clasping their hands, squeezing their shoulders, pushing them together for a handshake and then leaving them to return to their seats like awkward boys summoned to the podium to be congratulated for their efforts at a school prizegiving.
But then that was only right for the occasion. Why were President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert there in the first place, if not because the White House had propelled them there with not an iota of prior agreement between them? And why did their joint statement of intent single out the end of 2008 as the time by which they hoped to reach a peace settlement? Because that is when President Bush will be leaving office.
This is not just the carping of a Bush critic. No one in their right mind would wish for anything other than peace to come to the Middle East. For the last four decades since the 1967 war, Palestinians and Arabs everywhere have begged and prayed for the West, and America in particular, to enter the fray and force the pace of peace. One could hardly complain that this is what Washington now appears to be doing, and under a president who has so long resisted it.
Keep reading . . .
GOP Hagel: The President and Vice President have failed us!
Hagel on Bush & Cheney: "They Have Failed the Country"
The Nation — It is too bad that Chuck Hagel decided against running for the Republican nomination for president. While it is true that Texas Congressman Ron Paul is saying much of what the Republican senator from Nebraska would have said about the madness of the war in Iraq, Paul is actually too polite about the madness of the president and the vice president.
Hagel minces no words.
In an address to the Council on Foreign Relations this week, Hagel told the crowd of foreign-policy wonks that he would give the Bush-Cheney administration "the lowest grade of any I've known."
War Casualities of Heart & Mind
by Geezer Power …12:22 pm
"When we were doing the night raids in the houses, we would pull people out and have them all on their knees and zip-tied. We would ask the man of the house questions. If he didn't answer the way we liked, we would shoot his youngest kid in the head. We would keep going, this was our interrogation. He could be innocent. He could be just an average Joe trying to support his family. If he didn't give us a satisfactory answer, we'd start killing off his family until he told us something. If he didn't know anything, I guess he was SOL."
It's been over a week since Scott McClelland's statement on "What Happened" hit the innertubes. He was at that time the spinmeister (press secretary) for Bu$hco and now regrets his role in spreading false information.
"The most powerful leader in the world had called upon me to speak on his behalf and help restore credibility he lost amid the failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. So I stood at the White house briefing room podium in front of the glare of the klieg lights for the better part of two weeks and publicly exonerated two of the senior-most aides in the White House: Karl Rove and Scooter Libby.
There was one problem. It was not true.
I had unknowingly passed along false information. And five of the highest ranking officials in the administration were involved in my doing so: Rove, Libby, the vice President, the President's chief of staff, and the president himself."
The illegal war continues
While our troops are fighting in an illegal and immoral occupation of a country where the citizens are treated as the enemy, and are in a situation that nobody should ever be put in, the costs at home touch the hearts of many families. Viet Nam would be the only comparison, and in both cases our troops should have never been there. The death and suffering here is becoming old news, but every aspect of it is under-reported as Bu$hco casually tells us we are in a long war.
Iraq War Veteran Speaks Out Against Iraq Occupation
A US veteran who served in Iraq speaks out on the killing of civilians. How it takes place frequently and how it goes on virtually without any consequences.


1984 House Bill 3756. An Act Requiring Legislative Notice By Any State Board Or Commission Of Any Study Related To An Area Of A Representative.
Title 1984 House Bill 3756. An Act Requiring Legislative Notice By Any State Board Or Commission Of Any Study Related To An Area Of A Representative.


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Dynamo/Soccer
Emmanuel Sanchez vs. Daniel Pineda Added to Bellator 149
By Jeremy Botter on November 24, 2015 at 4:13 PM
Photo: Bellator
Kimbo Slice celebrates his Bellator debut win over Ken Shamrock in June 2015
Bellator MMA heavyweight Kimbo Slice.
Kimbo Slice with ESPN's Phil Murphy on the set of SportsCenter
Kimbo Slice, top, has James Thompson of Manchester, England in a head lock during the second round of their EliteXC heavyweight bout at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Saturday, May 31, 2008. Slice won in the third round on a TKO. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz) less
Kimbo Slice, top, has James Thompson of Manchester, England in a head lock during the second round of their EliteXC heavyweight bout at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Saturday, May 31, 2008. Slice won ... more
Photo: Rich Schultz / AP
Kimbo Slice, right, throws a punch at James Thompson of Manchester, England during the second round of their EliteXC heavyweight bout at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Saturday, May 31, 2008. Slice won in the third round on a TKO. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz) less
Kimbo Slice, right, throws a punch at James Thompson of Manchester, England during the second round of their EliteXC heavyweight bout at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Saturday, May 31, 2008. Slice won ... more
STUDIO CITY, CA - MAY 19: MMA fighter Kimbo Slice attends CBS's "Elite XC Saturday Night Fights" Press Conference at CBS Radford Studios on May 19, 2008 in Studio City, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images) less
STUDIO CITY, CA - MAY 19: MMA fighter Kimbo Slice attends CBS's "Elite XC Saturday Night Fights" Press Conference at CBS Radford Studios on May 19, 2008 in Studio City, California. (Photo by Stephen ... more
Photo: Stephen Shugerman / Getty Images
STUDIO CITY, CA - MAY 19: MMA fighter Kimbo Slice bicep is seen at CBS's "Elite XC Saturday Night Fights" Press Conference at CBS Radford Studios on May 19, 2008 in Studio City, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images) less
STUDIO CITY, CA - MAY 19: MMA fighter Kimbo Slice bicep is seen at CBS's "Elite XC Saturday Night Fights" Press Conference at CBS Radford Studios on May 19, 2008 in Studio City, California. (Photo by Stephen ... more
Mixed Martial Arts fighters weigh in the day before the CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS, to be broadcast live from the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., Saturday, May 31, 2008
Photo: JEFF NEIRA / CBS
Street fighting legend-turned-EliteXC heavyweight sensation Kimbo Slice (pictured) will square off against hard-hitting British MMA standout James "Colossus" Thompson in the main event of a five-fight inaugural primetime broadcast of "CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS," to be broadcast live from the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., Saturday, May 31, 2008. less
Street fighting legend-turned-EliteXC heavyweight sensation Kimbo Slice (pictured) will square off against hard-hitting British MMA standout James "Colossus" Thompson in the main event of a five-fight ... more
Photo: Tom Casino / ©2008 CBS Broadcast
MONTREAL - MAY 8: Matt Mitrione and Kimbo Slice during UFC 113 at Bell Centre on May 8, 2010 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Photo: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC / Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
MONTREAL - MAY 8: Matt Mitrione (white shorts) def. Kimbo Slice (black/white shorts) - TKO - 4:24 round 2 during UFC 113 at Bell Centre on May 8, 2010 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) less
MONTREAL - MAY 8: Matt Mitrione (white shorts) def. Kimbo Slice (black/white shorts) - TKO - 4:24 round 2 during UFC 113 at Bell Centre on May 8, 2010 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa ... more
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 12: Kimbo Slice arrives at Spike TV's "Video Game Awards 2009" held at the Nokia Theater on December 12, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic) less
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 12: Kimbo Slice arrives at Spike TV's "Video Game Awards 2009" held at the Nokia Theater on December 12, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gregg ... more
Photo: Gregg DeGuire / FilmMagic
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 30: Kimbo Slice (R) fights Shane Tilyard (L) during the main upport bout between Kimbo Slice and Shane Tilyard at Sydney Entertainment Centre on January 30, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images) less
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 30: Kimbo Slice (R) fights Shane Tilyard (L) during the main upport bout between Kimbo Slice and Shane Tilyard at Sydney Entertainment Centre on January 30, 2013 in Sydney, ... more
Photo: Matt King / Getty Images
A featherweight bout between Houston's Daniel Pineda and Emmanuel Sanchez has been added to Bellator 149 in Houston.
Bellator officials confirmed the bout with the Houston Chronicle on Tuesday.
The event takes place February 19 at the Toyota Center. It is headlined by a pair of big fights: Royce Gracie takes on Ken Shamrock and Kimbo Slice faces Dhafir Harris, better known as the street fighter Dada 5000.
Pineda (21-11), who has lived and trained in the Houston area for much of his fighting career, returns to Bellator for the first time since 2010. He is a veteran of both Legacy Fighting Championship (a local Houston promotion) and the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Sanchez (12-2) trains out of the Roufussport academy in Milwaukee. He is riding a two fight winning streak amassed since a loss to Pat Curran.
Tickets for Bellator 149 are available at the Toyota Center box office, local Randall's locations and online. They start at $30.
Jeremy Botter


A swinging chaise and a hidden salon are among features in this tech company headquarters, housed inside a century-old bank in Portland, Oregon. For its Oregon location, the company decided to lease the National Landmark First National Bank, which dates to 1916 and was designed by Coolidge and Shattuck. Classical columns and stone cladding define the building's stoic exterior.
For the interior, ZGF worked with Expensify to create a space that reflects the company's preference for a "choose-your-own-adventure" work environment, in which seating is not assigned and employees are able to work in a variety of spaces.
In addition to creating an office that embodies the company spirit, the design team had to be mindful that they are renting the space. "Keeping in mind Expensify does not own the building, design interventions had to speak not only to the enduring grandeur of the existing interiors but also the realities of a finite lease term," the firm said.The team therefore conceived an open, dynamic space that fuses remnants of the past with modern elements.
At the centre of the building is a vast, skylit atrium with soaring classical columns, art-deco detailing and large bank vaults. The team sought to create an atmosphere that is "reminiscent of Grand Central Station or scenes from The Great Gatsby".
The team inserted a series of staircases that connect the different levels. Flanking one set of stairs are two "floating" glazed boxes containing conference rooms. The boxes' proportions and detailing are mean to reference the building's historical character.