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Queens Award for Enterprise - International Trade - 2nd Year Running
On the Queen's 90th Birthday we are delighted to announce that we have, for the second consecutive time been awarded The Queen's Award for Enterprise for International Trade 2016.
The awards are made by HM The Queen and are only given for the highest levels of excellence.
We have now won the award consecutively in both 2011 and 2016 for our achievement in International Trade. We demonstrated to the judges how impressive and substantial our International commercial growth has been over the past five years, the length of time that the 2011 award was valid. We would like to say a big thank you to everyone within and outside of the company and of course our wonderful customers who have helped us to achieve this award.
Queen's Award for Enterprise - International Trade
In 2011 we were delighted to be named as one of the few winners of the Queen's Award for Enterprise, for our continuous achievement in International Trade.
Awarded by The Queen, on the advice of the Prime Minister, David Cameron, The Queens Award for Enterprise is the UK's most prestigious award for business performance.
Commenting on the award, Commercial Director Jonathan Sowler said, "To be awarded this prestigious award for our continuous achievements over a long period of time is something we are all very proud of. The dedication of all our employees to ensuring we continue to meet our aim of producing the most innovative and scientifically researched products available is recognised with this award from The Queen, and we look forward to even greater success in the future."


Enjoy an evening of entertainment harking back to the good old days at The Britannia Panopticon's regular Friday night variety show!
A modern twist on traditional variety, featuring local performers. Harking back to the good old days with a bit of everything, from drag to bellydance, comedy to hula-hooping.
While we take every opportunity to ensure the details for Friday Night at The Panopticon are accurate, we always advise that you contact the event organiser before setting out for the event to avoid disapointment.


Sorrel has been misbehaving recently, and I did warn her not to continue....in the end I had to put her on the grid. As the old expression goes, "You can put Sorrel on the grid, but you can't separate Sorrel from her rats." And that's how come she ended up with a little mini Barnabus buddy with her.


If you are looking to sell your home, one of the most pleasing sights you can see is a queue of interested people looking to buy your home. Obviously, you still need to turn interested parties into people who make an offer and follow-through to buy your property but having interested parties is much easier to deal with than having no one interested at all.
Therefore, information provided by a well-known UK estate agent may suggest that this is an appropriate time to place your property onto the market. The research states that the past year has seen the volume of interested people registering with estate agents increase by 22.1%. At the same time, the volume of properties on the market has risen by 6.5%. This is the basis for the notion that the number of buyers outstrips property in the market.
The findings by Haart, which don't necessarily correlate with relative figures from other estate agents, suggest that that there has been an annual rise of 24% in first-time buyers showing an interest in property. The same firm also suggests that there was a 16.8% increase in interested first-time buyers between February and March of 2018.
While this is positive news, homeowners will be keen to see more than just initial interest in property purchases. Given the stamp duty cuts for first-time buyers purchasing property at less than £300,000, it is natural that these buyers will be looking into the market and enquiring if they will be able to buy property. However, it is likely that a strong proportion of these interested parties will find that they cannot buy the property they are looking for or they may decide to wait until later before making a move.
The fact that people are interested in buying property is a positive thing, but this initial interest needs to be followed up on.
It also needs to be remembered that not every house is the same. One property may have a string of interested parties while other homes have no one looking at it, at least not at its current price. This may sound depressing news for vendors, but it is important to be realistic about the challenges people face in the property market.
If you are realistic about the challenges, and you accept that you need to work hard to ensure your property appeals to buyers, you increase your chances of selling your home. Effective pricing, strategic promotion, targeted staging and informative communication can all positively impact on a property owners chances of selling their home.
Another step which can positively impact on a property owner's chances of selling their home is enlisting the services of the right estate agent. If you are looking to sell your home, consider Griffin Residential. We are on hand to provide you with all the support and guidance you need. When it comes to attracting buyers to your door, we get you the results you desire.


Technical procurement or behavioural skills?
Welcome to this month's FP Viewpoint. In this issue we are examining the skills of category managers – a topic that is a high priority for all teams that we work with and meet. As ever, we have identified practical recommendations – in this issue they include how to make category managers better at applying category management and how to fully embed the key skills required.
We are starting preparations for our next global category management survey and are keen to hear the topics that you would like us to include – please either get in touch directly @ markwebb@futurepurchasing.com or complete the 6-question survey that we have created to capture your questions or topics. It only takes 2 minutes and you could win an iPad.
Which Category Management Skills are Embedded Best?
The skills of category managers are a fundamental building block for all procurement teams – excellent delivery does not come without excellent skills. There is an increasing recognition that successful collaboration between procurement teams and business stakeholders is at the heart of category management. Many clients that we work with are shifting emphasis from technical procurement skills towards the skills required to drive collaboration and are defining these with precision in competency frameworks for their teams.
Which category management skills are best embedded and which require most work?
How well embedded are behavioural skills and what areas are leaders prioritising?
How good are category managers at applying the category management process?
How important is it to include category management skills in the procurement competency framework?
Hot Topics Discussed At The ProcureCon Europe 2017 And Your Chance To Win An iPad! – where Allison Ford-Langstaff summarises three of the hot topics of Procurecon 2017: "Internal collaboration", "Moving beyond price/cost to Value" and "Understand what Big Data really means".
Power and Position in Negotiation – where Mark Hubbard examines why the actual balance of power between two parties may be other than what is assumed, or historically apparent.


Despite all the glowing articles we have seen in the past few days about the enormous bounce in sales of new homes, the actual statistics for new home sales are still pretty sick. Clearly, sales are better than they were last year, but they are a long, long way from being robust compared to recent history. These two charts, from the always-excellent Calculated Risk blog, should put things in context.
The first chart gives you the historical highs and lows in new home sales. Our current level is right at the low points reached in other recessions. The red line is new home sales and the gray-blue bars represent times of recession.
In January of this year, we had a nice bounce from January 2009, but we are still at recession lows. And, as you can see, the high point of around 1400 was far above the normal boom time high point.
The next chart shows that a distressing gap has opened up between sales of existing homes and new homes. The blue line is existing home sales (left hand scale) and the red line is new home sales (right hand scale). This relationship has historically been pretty constant in that new home sales volume ran about 15-20% of existing home sales. Now, that has changed.
This weakness in the sale of new homes has very significant implications for job growth, particularly in construction and related industries. New homes have to built and furnished and that means jobs. Existing homes already exist so a sale does not really mean much in terms of new employment opportunities.
Both types of homes have fallen drastically in sales volume, but new home sales have fallen much, more. So, take note of this information when you see a piece about how strong new home sales are. They are still very low by historical standards.


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Q: How to find type of user input and print different values depending on the type of input in Python 3.x
Develop a Python function which either returns the float square of its parameter x if the parameter is a number, or prints the string "Sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that" if the parameter is a string, and then returns 0.0.

What am I doing wrong? I'm a first year CS student and I have no previous programming background.
I created a function that takes user input, evaluates what type of input it is and print different out puts for number and strings.
For that I used eval(var) func. I also the type(var) == type to verify the type and a if-else loop.
def findt():
    userin = input("Input: ")       # Takes user input
    inpeval = eval(userin)          # Evaluates input type

    if type(inpeval) == int:        # If input is an int
        userfloat = float(inpeval)  # Modifies into a float
        print(userfloat ** 2)       # Prints the square of the value
    elif type(inpeval) == float:    # If input is a float
        print(inpreval ** 2)        # Prints the square of the value
    elif type(userin) == str:       # If input is a string
        print("Sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that")   # Print a string
        return 0.0                  # Return 0.0
    else:
        print("Invalid Input")
findt()

When I run my code it works well when input is an int, a float or a char. But if I write more than one char it returns me an error:
NameError: name 'whateverinput' is not defined.

A: You're trying to eval input before you know it's needed.  Get rid of it entirely:
def findt():
    userin = input("Input: ")       # Takes user input

    if type(userin) == int:        # If input is an int
        userfloat = float(userin)  # Modifies into a float
...

The root problem is that you can't evaluate an undefined name.
If your input is a string that is not the name of an object in your program, it will fail.  eval requires everything you feed it to be defined.

A: Here is a better way to achieve your goal by using the string method isnumeric() to test if the input is numeric or not.
def findt():
    userin = input("Input: ")

    if userin.isnumeric():
        # userin is numeric
        result = float(userin) ** 2
        print(result)

    else:
        try:
            # userin is a float
            result = float(userin) ** 2
            print(result)
        except ValueError:
            # userin is a string
            print("Sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that")
            return 0.0

findt()

Update: a concise version:

def findt():
    userin = input("Input: ")

    try:
        # userin is an int or float
        result = float(userin) ** 2
        print(result)
    except ValueError:
        # userin is a string
        print("Sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that")
        return 0.0

findt()

A: I found the solution for my problem.
The way I did it I take the input from the user and i try to convert it to a float. If it is a number it will convert and print a float that is the square of the input. If the input is a string it cannot be converted to a float and will give me an error so I use an except ValueError: to print the string I want and return 0.0.
def whattype():
    user_input = input(">>> ")
    try:
            user_input = float(user_input)
            print(user_input ** 2)
    except ValueError:
            print("Sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that")
            return 0.0

whattype()

Thank you all for the suggestions and help

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


A semi-detached house with the nice garden in a quiet area.
A 15 minutes walking distance to the city centre, a bus station and a railway station.
Close to Krakow( 70km) ,the Tatra Mountainsand Slovakia.
The house has 3 bedrooms, two bathrooms , the living room and a garage below.10 minutes walk to the swimming pool with aquapark. The town has very good public transport and is famous for historican monuments, the market square and the Gypsy museum.
There is a grocery shop round the corner with fresh bread and rolls every morning.
Walking distance to local bars and restaurants.
Jazz concerts every Thursda and concerts on the market square at weekends.
Tennis courts nearby, nice bicycle routs aroud the town.
Trips to the Pieniny and the Tatra mountains.
I have lived in my hometown for all my life.I have worked in the same school since 1986.
We have two grown-up sons. I love music and I do sports( ski in winter, cycling and self-defence).
Big adventage is that my Mum lives next door and she can help in case of trouble.
Other languages: English , some German.


 Phoenix Recycling Inc - Scrap Plastic Recycling.
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Phoenix Recycling is a midwest plastic recycling company that has been servicing and supplying the plastic scrap industry for 35 years. We are a plastic scrap exporter as well as a domestic plastic recycler, and sell to China, Hong Kong and eastern Asia as well as domestically in the United States. We are a recycler of polystyrene scrap, polycarbonate scrap, acrylic scrap, nylon scrap, polypropylene scrap, polyethylene scrap, polyester scrap, HDPE scrap, LDPE scrap, HIPS scrap, ABS scrap, GPPS scrap, PC scrap, PA6 scrap, PMMA scrap, and PET scrap. Our services include toll grinding, metal separation, warehousing, packaging, and baling. Phoenix provides several types of polymers including ABS regrind, HIPS regrind, Polystyrene regrind, PMMA regrind, acrylic regrind, PC regrind, polycarbonate regrind, PA regrind. We also buy and sell nylon regrind, HDPE regrind, LDPE regrind, polyethylene regrind, PP regrind, polypropylene regrind, PET regrind, PBT regrind, and polyester regrind.
Copyright © 2002-2017 [Phoenix Recycling Inc].


Finally back in the kitchen! After traveling for most of the last 2 months I jumped at the chance to sample some Neomega Avocado Oil at a tasting in downtown Raleigh. Being home I was ready to get back in the kitchen to try some new things so when I heard about the tasting I had to be there. But really all you had to say to me was avocado and I was sold. After running my first marathon in Indy last year I came home wanting only 2 things…a gluten free monster cookie and a bowl of guac. I missed out on the monster cookie but I did have a whole bowl of guacamole to myself...but that's beside the point, finding avocado oil is just another way for me to get my dose of healthy fats from avocado.
Runners need healthy fats for a variety of reasons but one of the most essential reasons for women is for hormone health. Something I haven't shared much on is my with secondary amenhorrea. A problem I have had for quite some time but until recently hadn't been fully aware of the implications. It was dismissed by so many doctors in the past but with the start of 2017 also came my desire to get to the bottom of what was causing the absence of my menstrual cycle. I will get into this a little more in a later post, but I am happy to say that I have regained my cycle. I know this is just the beginning and certainly more to work through but I have learned so much in the process thus far. One thing being, the importance of healthy fats in addition to adequate carbohydrate and protein intake.
What worked best for me in adding more healthy fats was using more oil when I was cooking. Essentially the oil is cooked into the food you are eating and you don't feel like you are overdoing it. Stress is a contributing factor to preventing normal hormone function and if what you're eating is a stressor, adding extra oil is an easier way to add fat and calories without noticing it. Plus healthy fats help you to absorb the nutrients from the food you are eating so dousing your favorite veggies with neomega avocado oil will allow you to absorb more of your vitamin packed leaf of kale.
But there are benefits beyond just being a healthy fat, Neomega Avocado Oil is a neutral oil that can be used in baking in addition to everyday cooking. It is high in monounsaturated fats which are good for the heart. Avocado oil also has a high smoke point of 550 F! As a comparison, olive oil's smoke point is 425 F. The higher smoke point means that it is safe for high or continuous heat. When oil begins to smoke and burn it creates free radicals which are harmful to your health. Additionally, avocado is high in vitamin E which plays a role in balancing hormones, decreasing PMS symptoms, and preventing oxidative damage to the muscles of endurance athletes.
So now on to the recipe! I happened to have a can of leftover coconut from making some gluten free, dairy free, coconut sweet potato gravy (will have to post this recipe, it was AMAZING) and I had coconut curry on the brain. I also know that avocado and lime are great together but that really is beside the point since the avocado oil really is very neutral and can be used in just about anything. So I decided to make a lime coconut curry with cumin and paprika spiced chicken cooked in avocado oil with veggies also sauted in the avocado oil. Everything came out perfectly! I used full fat canned coconut and a container of fresh stir fry vegetables from trader joes. If you don't have access to a trader joes you can create your own mix of chopped broccoli, carrots, sliced red onion, sugar snap peas, green and red peppers, and for an extra dose of nutrients, kale or spinach. I also used a packet of chicken stock concentrate that I get from trader joes. I added the packet straight to the pan instead of mixing it with warm water as the instructions suggest. I didn't want the sauce to be any more liquidy so this added the flavor I was looking for without making the sauce too thin. You can probably also accomplish this with bouillon cubes. One packet is equivalent to 1 cup of stock so keep that in mind when deciding how many bouillon cubes to use. I cooked the chicken separate in order to get a slight crust on the outside and to create a different flavor component that would complement the lime coconut curry sauce. Recipe was good for 4 servings, making for a great lunch the next day!
Neomega is a local NC company created by a mom of 3 kids with a passion for healthy food grown and made in a way that nourishes the body and the environment. Her mission in starting her company was to create novel and functional foods using natural, non-GMO ingredients. The clean, whole food diet is definitely the way to go! This recipe is just the first in my experiments with Neomega Avocado oil so stay tuned! Next up will be Ginger Turmeric cauliflower steaks cooked and finished with Neomega Ginger Turmeric Orange Avocado Oil!
Lay out chicken tenders in single layer. Pat dry and then sprinkle with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and cumin (feel free to be generous with the smoked paprika and cumin). Rub the seasoning into the tenders and then flip and repeat on the other side.
Once the chicken has been seasoned, cover all side of the chicken with cornstarch, shaking off any excess.
Heat a medium size skillet with 1-2 tbsp of Avocado Oil. You want enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan so rotate the pan to spread the oil out and add more if needed.
Once avocado oil is warm add your chicken tenders (depending on the size of your pan it may be best to do this in 2 batches so that you don't crowd the pan and ensure even cooking). Cook each tender for about 4 min on each side or until nice and golden brown. Once all chicken is cooked set aside and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm.
Using the same skillet, add a little more avocado oil and add your vegetables. Add the 2 tbsp of coconut aminos and sprinkle with a pinch of pepper and saute for 5 minutes or until the veggies are beginning to soften and have a slight sear on them. Make sure to stir the veggies every so often as they cook.
Add the coconut milk, lime juice, curry, coconut sugar, and packet of chicken stock concentrate and stir well. Keep over medium heat and bring coconut milk to a boil, stirring everything. Let the veggies cook in the sauce about 5 minutes then reduce the heat to a simmer and add chopped basil. Taste the sauce and add extra salt and pepper as needed!
Serve with a 1/2 cup brown rice, a scoop of veggies with plenty of sauce, and 2-3 chicken tenders. Enjoy!


Mr. McElroy joined LCG Associates in 2009 and is a Senior Vice President. His client relationships include family offices, foundations, endowments, and investment platforms. In addition to lead consultant responsibilities, Cam conducts capital market and asset class research, investment manager due diligence, and special topical studies.
Cam previously served as a Relationship Manager with Atlantic Trust Private Wealth Management, where he was responsible for advising, constructing and maintaining customized investment solutions for high-net-worth families, foundations and endowments. Also during his tenure with Atlantic Trust, he gained valuable experience trading equities, designing performance reports, assuring firm compliance with regulators and evaluating investment managers in both traditional and alternative asset classes. Cam began his career as a Junior Financial Analyst with Farr, Miller & Washington in Washington, DC.
Cam is a CFA charterholder and a member of the CFA Society of Atlanta. He is also a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Charterholder. Cam holds a B.A. in English from Vanderbilt University.


Like moorings to a boat, I had affixed strings to my money, and as it floated away from me in the offering plates of the past, I had always felt a jerk—and then would come the worries. But no longer.
Maybe blessings would come in the form of no more home break-ins or packages stolen from our front steps. Maybe they would be new, delightful people we would meet. Or maybe instead of a hectic family calendar, they would come as a streamlined schedule. More security, stronger connections, less frustration.
But God's ways are not our ways.
After church the next Sunday, our friend Mark caught us before we exited the sanctuary. He handed me an orange envelope.
Too late for Thanksgiving. Too early for Christmas. Months away from my birthday. A card for no reason?
"Thank you," I said, a question mark lining my voice.
Mark headed off to visit with someone else, and I broke away from our girls and wended my way over to Susanne, Mark's wife.
Inside the envelope in a greeting card was a Visa gift card for $350.00. I started crying.
I wanted to tell her everything—how I had gripped our finances in the past and how I had recently accepted an ancient challenge—but tears washed away my words.
"Why were you crying?" said Ricka, leaning in for details.
"I'll tell you in the car," I said.
Dicka looped her arm around mine, her eyes searching my face as we strode out to the parking lot.
On the drive home, I told the girls the story of the Divine dare and what had come of it. I had expected good things from our step of faith, but not a financial gift. And not so soon.
"He told the truth," I said, tears blurring my vision again.
Grins sang out in the silence of the back seat.
After church the next Sunday, the girls and I ambled out to our vehicle. Ricka frowned, her gaze dragging along the ground as we went.
"What's going on?" I asked her after we climbed into the car.
"I have to give all my money away," she said with a sniffle.
Ricka always had shopping goals—$130 shoes, an iPhone, or other—but most recently, she was building her coffers to help pay for an expensive volleyball club she had joined. If she had ever given away money, I hadn't witnessed it.
"I already know," she said.
She stated the name of a woman—the mother of Tabitha and Tia, the girls we had hosted many times through Safe Families for Children.
The last time the little sisters had stayed with us the friction between fifteen-year-old Ricka and six-year-old Tabitha had worn me down. So, who was this new girl in the back seat? And what had she done with my lover of material things?
When we got home, Ricka checked her savings account online. Then she rifled through her purse for cash and emptied her change jar. She added up all the amounts on a piece of paper and handed it to me: $350.00.
"I'll write a check for that amount and send it off tomorrow," I told her.
"Thanks, Mom," she said. A smile flickered across her face as she took her empty purse back to her room.
I wept again. The money had flowed through numerous hands in a grand adventure far beyond us all. The Keeper of Promises had done it.
And the blessings were better than ever.


text:
Category Archives: Emilio Izaguirre
A chance for fringe players but Commons won't be one of them
Posted on December 20, 2016 by Stevie Mac
Since Celtic last played Partick Thistle, they have seen off Hamilton Academical and Dundee at Celtic Park as well as the Jags themselves on a 4-1 victory at Firhill. Tonight that unbeaten could continue, but with Brendan Rodgers hinting about personnel changes for tonight's visit by Thistle, are Celtic jeopardising their winning streak?
Brendan Rodgers has a huge squad and not everyone has seen the light of day since he came on board. Aside from those sent out on loan he still has many fringe players who need game time as proper assessment.
It will give Brendan a chance to run the rule over some of the players without sufficient game time. In recent weeks we've seen one or two ease their way into the squad such as Gary Mackay-Steven, Emilio Izaguirre and Patrick Roberts.
There have been cameo appearances from Cristian Gamboa and Ryan Christie and some becoming forgotten figures such as Kolo Toure, Dedryck Boyata, Nadir Ciftci and of course Efe Ambrose. Deeper down the ranks though we haven't seen much of Eoghan O'Connell, Jamie McCart, Anthon Ralston, Liam Henderson, Kristofer Ajer or Jack Aitchison.
Tonight some of these guys might get a nod, but I don't see Brendan making too many changes. As comfortable as Celtic are right now, you don't want to appear to be cocky.
A win tonight would put Celtic 14 points in the clear and still with a game at hand over second place. The long-term aim is an unbeaten run, even if it isn't being discussed openly.
It currently sits at all 20 domestic games unbeaten, 19 of which were wins with the last 14 being straight wins. To ensure that continues, players will be champing at the bit to be part of it and keep this momentum.
One player who isn't part of things right nowh though is Kris Commons. He has gone out on loan to Hibernian until mid-January.
The happy recipient is of course the man who brought him to Celtic in the first place. Neil Lennon will utilise the services of Commons to see Hibs through a tough spell with personnel in the Scottish Championship battle.
The Leith club are neck-a-neck with Dundee United right now, but Commons has answered the call by his former manager. Brendan Rodgers has stated that it is good for both parties, but with Commons out of contract in the summer and having never kicked a ball under Rodgers he is very unlikely to be at Celtic beyond this season.
For a player with such great talent, he has managed to find himself out of the picture with all three Celtic managers he has played under. Despite making a huge impact in January 2010 under Lennon, Commons would lose his place in the first team the following season amid rumours and speculation of a fall out, ignoring any other facts in the process.
He would later return to form and the first team which was good news for the club and the fans. Commons was a key player and had been missed by the fans.
Next came the Ronny Deila era and it wasn't too long before he fell out of favour with the Norwegian. Deila was becoming well-known for fitness and it was almost certainly the reason behind his decision to leave Commons out of his team selections.
Although a gifted player, Commons isn't the fastest or leanest. When a manager is focussed on certain attributes that you are lacking then they are going against their own plans to make an exception for you.
Even although Lennon and Deila would make that exception, Rodgers doesn't appear to be of the same mind. You have to be consistent with your decisions and this loan spell may offer Kris Commons a lifeline to see out the rest of the season with Celtic, but after that I don't see a way back for the 33-year-old.
There is no question of his affinity for the club and the admiration the fans have for him. If he is not fitting the mould of the Brendan Rodgers type player he is almost certainly a goner this summer.
I hope he does well at Hibs and we do get to see him wear the Hoops again. Tonight though, the opportunities are there for those with a longer future at the club.
Posted in Anthony Ralston, Brendan Rodgers, Celtic, Celtic Football Club, Celtic Park, Cristian Gamboa, Dedryck Boyata, Efe Ambrose, Emilio Izaguirre, Eoghan O'Connell, FIFA, Football, Gary Mackay-Steven, Hamilton Academical, Hibernian, Hibs, Jack Aitchison, Jamie McCart, Kolo Toure, Kris Commons, Kristoffer Ajer, Liam Henderson, Nadir Ciftci, Neil Lennon, Paradise, Patrick Roberts, Ronny Deila, Ryan Christie, Scottish Football, Scottish Premiership, Soccer, SPFL, The Hoops, UEFA, You'll Never Walk Alone	| Leave a comment
Thistle get stung by Celtic
Celtic tucked away a 4-1 victory on Friday night at Firhill. Partick Thistle missed opportunities but they didn't really trouble Celtic enough to alter the destination of the game.
Brendan Rodgers made some personnel changes and the football wasn't as fluid over the 90 minutes as we've seen of late. However, after going out of Europe with a spirited display on Tuesday night you could forgive the squad for displaying some fatigue.
There weren't too many talking points from this game apart from the goals which were all of good quality. Stuart Armstrong sent home his first goal six minutes from the interval thanks to a great square ball by a hard-working Leigh Griffiths.
Armstrong was front and centre once more in the second half as he received yet another assist from Griffiths in the 49th minute. A free kick from the right hand side of the Thistle box was knocked low into Armstrong who controlled and finished calmly.
Griffiths then turned from provider to opportunist a minute later. It was a reminder of what he is great at when capitalising on hesitant opponents by notching up his first and Celtic's third, after some quick-wittedness in the danger zone.
Thistle then pulled one back after a solid header from a free-kick beat Craig Gordon. Celtic were sloppy on this occasion but the a Jags weren't.
The Firhill players then sensed another opportunity and almost did the same again with a near identical free kick and header. Thistle weren't as fortunate with offside given on this occasion, but if they had been the game may have looked very different from this point on.
With Thistle not giving up, Callum McGregor had come off the bench to secure the win for Celtic. A delightful ball in from cut back on the touch-line by Emilio Izaguirre found McGregor who slotted it ball home from close range.
There has been criticism on Callum McGregor and his finishing. Yet, he's scored twice in his last two games and as Brendan Rodgers says, he's always good for a goal.
I think he is a magic wee player who has a role to play. Goals and guile he has in abundance and is a good squad player.
The one key talking point for me in this match was the foul/penalty claim by Ade Azeez. I didn't see much contact when it happened in real-time and when the replay was shown, I couldn't see much more either.
Chris Sutton was keen to see the replay and the different camera angles but he along with the rest of the pundits were convinced Gordon had taken Azeez out of the game. Well, I've looked at it several times and I still can't see any contact in or outside the box and I am by no means in denial.
I don't think any of the replays show contact and for once I'm not hearing too much from the media suggesting that Celtic got away with murder. Despite this not being a polished display, there were some very good performances at Firhill though.
I thought the Partick Thistle keeper Tomas Cerny was great to stop Leigh Griffiths from helping himself to more goals. In turn, Leigh Griffiths was instrumental in practically every forward move.
He demonstrated his full skill set in this match. His footwork is unbelievable at times and has proven time and time again that he can provide assists as well as goals.
That was certainly on display at Firhill. He did so much in this game which at times even includes tracking back which isn't something you get from a player like him very often.
And….that's the difference between Leigh and Moussa Demeble. The French forward has been fantastic for Celtic but there are significant differences between himself and his Scottish counterpart.
They both offer something different to Brendan Rodgers and equally as effective. That is the kind of headache you want as a manager but it remains to be seen if he will ever play them together.
Out on the wings, it was a pretty quiet night for Celtic. Patrick Roberts looked decent early on but like his fellow winger, Gary Mackay-Steven over on the left, they were both having a largely unproductive match.
The same could be said for Tom Rogic but to be fair, I felt the majority of the play was coming from Cristian Gamboa and Emilio Izaguirre. Some Celtic fans have been quick to judge Gamboa but he came onto a game at Firhill.
It should be remembered that he has barely kicked a ball for Celtic this season and needs time to establish himself before we sound the horn of disapproval. On the other hand, I though Izzy was great down the left and provided a lot of support to the front men.
Armstrong was good throughout as was captain Scott Brown who continues to have a fantastic season. The Celtic defence was steady enough to see off Thistle but in terms of future proofing, Brendan Rodgers will need to establish interchangeable players for central defence.
Whilst Mikael Lustig can play in there, I still think he is better at right back or in a back three. Erik Sviatchenko is a key figure in this squad and will play there week-in, week-out but I am sure he would like to know who his partners are going to be in the long-term.
Jozo Simunovic is being used sparingly for fitness reasons which is fine but I'd like to think we can bring in one more suitable defender to do the same job. Kolo Toure brought steadiness and experience at the beginning of the season but even he is looking short of confidence right now and almost certainly won't be here next season.
As for Dedryck Boyata, I am not sure what will happen with him. I've never really been convinced by him and I'm not sure if Brendan Rodgers is either.
Efe Ambrose has become a spectator and his time at the club will end in the summer if not before. So unless Eoghan O'Connell is deemed to be an option in the long-term, central defence needs another player.
However, a good win for Celtic and good to see some players getting a run out. I'm sure as the season progresses and January looms, availability for places will grow with injuries, suspensions and exits.
Eleven points clear at the top of the league, two games at hand and the rest of the Scottish Premiership in action today. The question remains, will Celtic go the distance unbeaten?
Posted in Alan Archibald, Bhoys, Brendan Rodgers, BT Sport, Callum McGregor, Celtic, Celtic Football Club, Celtic Park, Champions League, Chris Sutton, Craig Gordon, Cristian Gamboa, Dedryck Boyata, Efe Ambrose, Emilio Izaguirre, Erik Sviatchenko, FIFA, Football, Gary Mackay-Steven, Glasgow, Jozo Šimunović, Kolo Toure, Leigh Griffiths, Mikael Lustig, Moussa Dembélé, Partick Thistle, Patrick Roberts, Scott Brown, Scottish Football, Scottish Premiership, Soccer, SPFL, Stuart Armstrong, The Hoops, Tom Rogić, UEFA	| Leave a comment
Celtic's City Pride
Posted on December 7, 2016 by Stevie Mac
Celtic bowed out of the Champions League last night with a 1-1 draw. Brendan Rodgers took his squad to the Etihad Stadium in Manchester to face Pep Guardiola's side one more time before bringing down their European curtain for this season.
The game itself had no impact on qualification places. With Barcelona qualifying in first, City in second and 'Gladbach in third there was nothing to play for but pride for the Hoops.
And Celtic did just that with City loanee Patrick Roberts opening the scoring within 4 minutes. City equalised on 8 minutes courtesy of Kelechi Iheanacho.
Despite no more goals for the remainder of the game, there were plenty of talking points. Top of that was Celtic's performance.
You could argue that with the group placings already decided there was nothing to contest. When Scottish and English teams collide there is everything to play for though.
With Guardiola's players fresh from some weekend controversy and already qualified for the next round, he made some changes. It was mentioned throughout the match on BT Sport that this was a second string Manchester City side but I will come to that later.
In all fairness to Chris Sutton, as much as he is quick to criticise Celtic players for not doing something right, he was equally adamant to point out the talent that was on the park for City, not who wasn't. I must say, Sutton is growing on me as a pundit and what spot on when stating the facts.
I wouldn't say he is biased, he will tell you when things aren't right in his opinion. I will disagree with him from time-to-time, but he ironed out the facts promptly on BT Sport which is more than could be said for the commentators .
Ian Darke and Robbie Savage weren't offering too much in the way of praise about Celtic's goal. Their focus appeared to be more on the constant changes Guardiola makes, this game being no exception, rather than the complimenting the impact one of City's own players had made on them.
In contrast, when City equalised the Darke and Savage were a little more buoyant. They weren't too critical of a lapse in Celtic's defending or that Craig Gordon should probably have made a better effort to save thea shot which was pretty much at him.
Still, by this point in the game it was looking like it could be another 3-3 affair and was developing into a great match. What a way to end our European run that would have been to have won it.
Celtic were in fine form in Manchester. To go down there with no European progression is a tough motivator but the Bhoys gave it their all regardless.
As I said before, playing an English side is generally all the motivation Celtic need. Ironically, the only English Manchester City player on the park was actually playing for Celtic.
Speaking of which, all the talent that was supposedly left of the sidelines by City were replaced by younger players. They may have been up against Celtic's close to strongest team, but leaving value aside for one moment, the age and experience of the Celtic team wasn't given the credit it deserved.
The average age of the Celtic starting line-up was 25 years old. City's average player age in their starting line-up came in at 26 years old.
Yet all I kept hearing was City's young side getting to know each other and Pep's system. Is Brendan Rodgers in any better position at Celtic given he has been in his job the same length of time?
They failed to mention how much some of these City players are on or how much was paid to acquire their services as well. The 'young' lad Leroy Sané cost more than the whole Celtic team alone when you add all the fees up.
However , I digress from what was an entertaining match. For Celtic fans this was a very positive nights entertainment.
From back to front I thought Celtic were great. The passing and movement were impressive.
The team looked sharp and fluid. This was a good sign for the future.
My key men on the night were Jozo Simunovic, Scott Brown, Stuart Armstrong, Tom Rogic and James Forrest. I thought Emilio Izaguirre had a busy night, but he dealt with the pressure well considering.
Erik Sviatchenko looked a little off the pace once or twice, but he too made some timely interventions. Mikael Lustig was steady, but also tested by the young Sané at times meaning he couldn't get forward to support or serve Roberts.
Roberts himself was in and out of the game. Despite scoring, his impact was not consistent but still a valuable contribution without a doubt.
Coming off the bench was Gary Mackay-Steven and Leigh Griffiths. Both players could have won the game for Celtic but City had their chances to do the same.
One thing is for certain about each players performance. Had they been playing more recently rather than on the sidelines, both of those strikes could have been in the back of the net.
All in all it was a fair result where either team could have nicked it. That's despite the match officials having a poor game.
Celtic should have had penalty when Roberts was manhandled on the edge and inside the box. Worst still were the handful of offsides at either end of the park that never were.
Lots of positives for Brendan Rodgers to think about. A good crack at the top flight which he could have been luckier with but this was a tough group.
Take what we have learned from this campaign into the next. A fine effort Bhoys.
A final note to the commentary team. Despite the blatant focus on Manchester City, Ian Darke found time to mention not just the 50th anniversary of Celtic's success in the European Cup in Lisbon, but the proximity of that home-grown squad to Celtic Park and the fact that they were the first British side to win the competition.
Credit where it is due.
Posted in Barcelona, Bhoys, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Brendan Rodgers, Celtic, Celtic Football Club, Celtic Park, Champions League, Chris Sutton, Craig Gordon, Emilio Izaguirre, Erik Sviatchenko, FIFA, James Forrest, Jozo Šimunović, Leigh Griffiths, Manchester City, Mikael Lustig, Moussa Dembélé, Paradise, Patrick Roberts, Pep Guardiola, Scott Brown, Soccer, Stuart Armstrong, The Hoops, Tom Rogić, UEFA	| Leave a comment
Crunch match in Germany
Posted on November 1, 2016 by Stevie Mac
Celtic go into tonight's Champions League match with three important domestic wins behind them. Those results have seen Brendan Rodgers' side into the League Cup Final as well as extending their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to nine points with one game at hand.
On the European front though it has been a mixture of fortunes for the Hoops in Group C. A heavy defeat in their opening match against Barcelona, a heroic score draw at home to Manchester City and a disappointing defeat whilst hosting Borussia Mönchengladbach on matchday 3.
This evening, Celtic face Borussia Mönchengladbach once more and despite the inconsistent domestic form of the Germans, they have proven to be a more the more effective side head-to-head with the Hoops. After beating the Bhoys 0-2 at Celtic Park, 'Gladbach will be looking for a similar, if not better result at Borussia Park.
Since the Celtic Park game, they go into this game with one win, one draw and one defeat from their domestic matches. Now the onus is on Celtic to get something out of this match or you would feel this would be the end of their European hopes.
There is nothing to say that Celtic can't fair better in Germany than they did at Celtic Park. Even though the Germans were better organised and effective on the ball, I didn't think Celtic played to their best on that night.
However, Celtic are without a back up striker in Leigh Griffiths, a left back in Kieran Tierney and two centre backs in Kolo Toure and Jozo Simunovic. When you are stepping into a win or bust game then this isn't the ideal situation.
Mikael Lustig could step into central defence alongside Erik Sviatchenko, but that would mean playing Cristian Gamboa at right back. That would be a gamble and he's had about as much match time as Emilio Izaguirre who will step into the left back berth.
Eoghan O'Connell could play in at centre back, but he is in the same boat as the two back up full backs in that he hasn't kicked a ball for much of the season. It will be a big ask whoever steps into this match for Celtic.
With the odds now firmly stacked against Brendan Rodgers, particularly in this game, there is nothing to lose. He may as well just go for it and give Mönchengladbach a run for their money if he can.
Third place was the only realistic target and the German side are the team who stand in Celtic's way. Beating them in Germany is the only way Rodgers will have any chance of seeing Celtic in Europe after Christmas.
I wasn't expecting miracles from Celtic this season in Europe. The most important thing was getting into the Champions League after a two year absence and we got their.
I'd be happy if Celtic went for the jugular tonight and got beat. At least we will have had a go unlike the match at Celtic Park.
Whatever happens this evening, it can be built upon for next season.
Hail! Hail!!
Posted in Barcelona, Bhoys, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Brendan Rodgers, Celtic, Celtic Football Club, Celtic Park, Champions League, Cristian Gamboa, Emilio Izaguirre, Erik Sviatchenko, FIFA, Football, Germany, Jozo Šimunović, Kieran Tierney, Kolo Toure, Leigh Griffiths, Manchester City, UEFA	| 1 Comment
A busy transfer window, not a miserly transfer window
Posted on September 1, 2016 by Stevie Mac
I'm not going to beat about the bush. This Bhoy is satisfied with the transfer activity carried out by Celtic this summer.
Many of you will no doubt disagree with me on that, judging by some of the reaction I've read elsewhere on the web. The lack of an apparent marquee signing or a creative midfielder appear to be the main reasons.
With a squad the size Brendan Rodgers has, there are still plenty of opportunities for existing players to prove themselves under his guidance. The manager has already made a huge difference upon his arrival.
Celtic have offloaded nine players with a further ten out on loan. At the same time, they have drafted in six players and renewed the contracts of two.
If that isn't a busy window, then I don't know what is. Come the January transfer window, I would expect to see further moves in and out of Celtic Park as well.
Celtic are already showing signs of great improvement on the field of play and that is without a fully fit squad. Now with the transfer window shut, we know who will be available to Brendan Rodgers until the end of the year at least.
The addition and impact of Scott Sinclair and Kolo Toure has been very influential and I would argue that they have marquee signings for Rodgers. New contracts for Tom Rogic and James Forrest has breathed new life into their careers at the club and on the field of play.
Moussa Dembele continues to settle in and has also made a steady impact. Cristian Gamboa's was an unexpected purchase but with Saidy Janko now out on loan, it appears this was an area Brendan Rodgers was not happy with.
The departure of Stefan Johansen and the loaning of Scott Allan has helped the midfield in that there will be more opportunities for others. Ryan Christie, Liam Henderson and Kristoffer Ajer will be seeking to displace Scott Brown, Nir Bitton, Callum McGregor, and Tom Rogic.
There is also Stuart Armstrong and Kris Commons to consider as well. With the amount of games Celtic are set to play, I expect many will get an opportunity even if they have to be patient.
At the back, it would have been good to see the back of Efe Ambrose but he has stood firm and remains. I can't see him getting in the team with Kolo Toure and Erik Sviatchenko as key players.
Also fighting for a place will be Dedryck Boyata and Jozo Simunovic. The jury is still out on Boyata for me but the failed transfer of Simunovic to Torino is a positive.
Having been hampered by injury, the Croatian defender has rarely had time to make a go of things and I was stunned Celtic were trying to move him on. I think this might be a twist of fate for Celtic as he will push Toure and Sviatchenko all the way.
Mikael Lustig has the benefit of being able to play right back or centre half so he is one of our more fortunate defenders. Kieran Tierney doesn't look as comfortable in a back three as Lustig but will be a key player on the left side of defence regardless.
Sparring for that role will be Emilio Izaguirre though he is more like Gamboa as a wing back than a defender. The one player I was sad to see sign on elsewhere was Charlie Mulgrew.
Although he was still training at the club, he hasn't been shy of injuries in recent times. Mulgrew's versatility is one of his greatest assets which would have been great to have had in the squad.
However, if he did receive reduced terms as reported, I cannot fault the club. Given his absences in the past two seasons and his desire to secure one last big contract I can only wish him all the best at Blackburn.
On the wings we have Scott Sinclair, James Forrest, Patrick Roberts and Gary Mackay-Steven. Mackay-Steven will struggle to get into the team now, especially when Roberts returns.
Up front, Leigh Griffiths will duel with Dembele so it will be interesting to see how Nadir Ciftci handles being left in the dark. He will either emerge better or go under and eventually move on – it is up to him.
Last but not least is the number one slot. Craig Gordon has been first choice for two seasons but with the arrival of Dorus de Vries, his position is in jeopardy.
De Vries played under Brendan Rodgers previously and seems he will be given a chance to push Gordon all the way. Meantime, Logan Bailly and Leonardo Fasan have fallen further down the pecking order.
So it is an exciting time. The squad has seen arrivals and departures and judging by what I have seen under Brendan Rodgers will continue to get better.
Poor transfer window? I don't think so.
Some further deals may have happened but for the business that has been done, I am happy. There is so much to look forward to right now and even more to look forward to in the future.
Posted in Bhoys, Brendan Rodgers, Callum McGregor, Celtic, Celtic Football Club, Charlie Mulgrew, Craig Gordon, Cristian Gamboa, Dedryck Boyata, Dorus de Vries, Efe Ambrose, Emilio Izaguirre, Erik Sviatchenko, FIFA, Football, Gary Mackay-Steven, James Forrest, Jozo Šimunović, Kieran Tierney, Kolo Toure, Kris Commons, Kristoffer Ajer, Leigh Griffiths, Leonardo Fasan, Liam Henderson, Logan Bailly, Mikael Lustig, Moussa Dembélé, Nadir Çiftç, Nir Bitton, Paradise, Patrick Roberts, Ryan Christie, Saidy Janko, Scott Allan, Scott Brown, Scott Sinclair, Soccer, Stefan Johansen, Stuart Armstrong, Tom Rogić, UEFA, You'll Never Walk Alone	| 10 Comments
Time to be cut-throat with our over-inflated squad
Posted on May 22, 2016 by Stevie Mac
No sooner than he is announced as Celtic's new manager, Brendan Rodgers is said to be planning a clear out of players. This isn't much of a surprise but it does seem to be prompt action.
Celtic have a massive team and in the hours following Rodgers signature, I've been discussing the current squad in my circle. Downsizing is a must particularly if fresh players are to be introduced but there are some question marks over key players.
Rumours are suggesting that Stefan Šćepović and Carlton Cole have already gone. Emilio Izaguirre was also set to leave but the word on the street is he will be back for pre-season training.
Perhaps the arrival of Rodgers has some players reconsidering their Celtic careers. This is not just limited to Izzy though, there are several players who will be evaluating their positions.
The latest rumour is linking Efe Ambrose with a move to Europa League opponents Fenerbahçe. I mean, if the Turkish club didn't get a good enough look at his calamitous efforts when playing against him then I would say this is a cruel joke.
However, he does need to go and won't get any argument from me. Tyler Blackett can also return to Manchester United after a poor loan spell.
In terms of do-they-or-don't-they get new deals are Charlie Mulgrew, James Forrest and Darnell Fisher. All three are out of contract, though Forrest's is said to run until mid-season, but whether they have futures at the club will be the first piece of business.
Mulgrew is a valuable utility man and any deal he offered is most likely to be small given his recent absence from the team. Forrest has also been a player absent from the first team but how much of that has been injury based is unclear.
He has had his fair share of them and has hindered his career at the club. Despite that, he has had some fantastic games for the club, we just haven't seen it for so long and he might become surplus to requirement.s
Fisher, has been on loan at St Johnstone this season but played less than a dozen games. He looked like a decent prospect, despite playing in an oversubscribed playing position.
With Mikael Lustig currently first choice, Saidy Janko second, Fisher is likely to be cut. That would only change if either of the first two were to leave which is doubtful.
In the final year of their contracts are Kris Commons, Stefan Johansen, Tom Rogic, Leonardo Fasan and Eoghan O'Connell. Also on that list are Emilio Izaguirre and Efe Ambrose.
There is opportunity for Celtic to cash in on all or some of these guys. However, one player the club should make a priority to keep is Tom Rogic.
Put simply, he is one of our best players and given the season he has just had, deserves a new contract. Commons' value will be low given his age but his ability suggests he still has a role to play at the club.
Johansen had a great start to his Celtic career but this season has been poor. There is nothing to suggest he won't get back to his best and a new contract would depend on that and his desire to stay.
Fasan and O'Connell are squad players who have never made an impact and could will either go out on loan, let their contracts wind down or be sold off. The only other player with a year left to go is Cole but if rumours are accurate, we can confine him to the scrap-heap.
Then there is the matter of Celtic's players out on loan. Fisher we've covered, the Šćepović rumour has yet to be clarified so that leaves some key players to discuss.
After 4 goals in 22 appearances for Celtic, Nadir Çiftçi was shipped out on loan to Eskişehirspor during the January transfer window. He lasted just 34 minutes in his first game before being substituted and was sent of in his second after receiving two yellow cards in the space of a minute.
In 10 appearances he managed 3 goals and now Eskişehirspor have been relegated. Given that their fans set fire to their own stadium following that, I'd say Çiftçi and Eskişehirspor are a good fit for each other.
Before going to Hibs, Liam Henderson was looking like a very decent midfield prospect. However, it is a busy area in terms of personnel and Celtic farmed him out for some first team experience.
He played the end of last season at Rosenborg where he scored 4 goals in 13 games. After returning to Celtic he was then off on a season long loan to Championship club, Hibs.
He's played a massive 48 games and scored 6 goals. Will he be returning to Celtic this summer and making an impact in the first team?
Well he certainly has the talent but like I say, there is a lot of competition in the team right now. His future may depend on the future of others with expired/expiring contracts.
Another Hibs player with a question mark over his future is Anthony Stokes. I've been fairly convinced the club have been trying to move him on but as you might have seen from his performance in the Scottish Cup Final, he still has a lot of worth.
He is still only 27 and you know what, Brendan Rodgers might just fancy him for the left flank. At the moment, it isn't our strongest position but it is a place Stokes knows inside out.
Is it time for the prodigal son to return? Watch this space.
Other loanees are Stuart Findlay, Calum Waters, and Aidan Nesbitt. These guys could very well be part of the next generation but right now there immediate futures are not a burning issue.
So what about our other team members? Will we see any more movement within the squad?
Well in the goalkeeper department we are reasonably secure for the coming season with Craig Gordon as number one and Logan Bailly as backup. The defence isn't looking too bad either though that will all depend on who is available.
Erik Sviatchenko looks good and steady at the back. He needs a permanent partner though and my first choice would be Jozo Šimunović.
However, Jozo has had his injuries and the central defensive pairing will depend on his recovery and long-term fitness. If that doesn't work out then you are looking at Dedryck Boyata.
In all honesty, I haven't been convinced by the Belgian who was a permanent buy from Manchester City once Jason Denayer returned to them from his loan spell. Boyata hasn't even come close to looking as good as Denayer so this season is make or break for him.
Our midfield is flooding with personnel right now and to accommodate all of them is a tall order. Captain Scott Brown has had a dodgy season but there is no danger of losing his services though I do think Rodgers should not be afraid to drop him.
Nir Bitton is a fine player when he wants to be, despite his languid demeanour at times. I'd be happy for him to stay on though with a return to form we may find it difficult to prevent a future move.
Gary Mackay-Steven has had some decent games for Celtic but he lacks any sort of consistency. Even at his best, he hasn't looked as good as James Forrest and with Patrick Roberts currently blowing away almost every other Celtic player right now, Mackay-Steven is on the fringes right now.
One player growing in importance and demonstrating is adaptability is Callum McGregor. Ronny Deila gave him his first outing in the first team and has been a very loyal servant to the now departed Celtic Head Coach.
He can play wide, central or deep and has an eye for goal. His place in this squad is not in jeopardy.
Stuart Armstrong is wasted out in the wide areas. He might have a left foot but he is not a let winger.
For me, he needs to play more of a central role. He isn't fast but he is strong, has great technique and can pick out a pass.
The two players who will be knocking on the door of the new manager will be Ryan Christie and Scott Allan. Both came in last summer and have played a small amount of matches, though Christie was loaned back to his previous club for half of this season as well has suffering and injury.
They are both highly rated players and could well be the part of the new season under Rodgers. Celtic need to push forward and these guys can be part of it but as I have said before, we have a lot of players in the midfield position and something or someone will have to give.
In the youth front, Anthony Ralston and Joe Thomson are still on the periphery. With so many players ahead of them their time is likely to be a bit further down the line.
Up front is an area where Celtic are lightweight. Leigh Griffiths is our star player right now but he has not backup. Colin Kazim-Richards is a more physical player but he doesn't' provide anywhere near the same kind of ability so this is an area where Celtic will have to strengthen, particularly if we are to make inroads in Europe once more.
Jack Aitchison came off the bench to score with his first touch in his first senior appearance for the club in the 7-0 mauling of Motherwell. He also became the youngest ever player to score for Celtic, breaking an age-old record.
You can't judge the boy on one goal. If he can offer something long-term in attack we will soon find out though.
Rodgers might have to be cut-throat to bring down the squad size in order to make some space for new players. We already have a new player in Kristoffer Ajer joining the ranks as part of a pre-planned deal but there will be further moves and changes in the coming weeks.
Exciting times to be a Celtic supporter.
Posted in Aidan Nesbitt, Anthony Ralston, Anthony Stokes, Bhoys, Brendan Rodgers, Callum McGregor, Calum Waters, Carlton Cole, Celtic, Celtic Football Club, Celtic Park, Charlie Mulgrew, Colin Kazim-Richards, Craig Gordon, Darnell Fisher, Dedryck Boyata, Efe Ambrose, Emilio Izaguirre, Eoghan O'Connell, Erik Sviatchenko, Eskişehirspor, Europa League, Fenerbahçe, FIFA, Football, Gary Mackay-Steven, Hibernian, Hibs, Jack Aitchison, James Forrest, Jason Denayer, Joe Thomson, Jozo Šimunović, Kieran Tierney, Kris Commons, Kristoffer Ajer, Leigh Griffiths, Leonardo Fasan, Liam Henderson, Logan Bailly, Manchester City, Manchester United, Mikael Lustig, Motherwell, Nadir Çiftç, Nir Bitton, Paradise, Patrick Roberts, Ronny Deila, Ryan Christie, Saidy Janko, Scott Allan, Scott Brown, Scottish Football, Scottish Premiership, Soccer, SPFL, Stefan Johansen, Stefan Šćepović, Stuart Armstrong, Stuart Findlay, The Hoops	| 4 Comments
Ronny's Final Stop
Today, the Deila bus will make its final stop. It has been a two-year journey with mixed success.
On the one hand there has been a League Cup and two League titles, the second of which will be presented today at Celtic Park. The overriding factor is of course the lack of progress this season and in particular, in Europe.
To win support from the majority you will be measured by your efforts in Europe. It is a money spinner for the club and an essential part of the season for the support.
Last season things turned around as Christmas approached. There was also a decent inning in the Europa League to speak of.
This season the football has been dire and many, many players have let themselves and the club down on the park. Having said that, there have been a handful of players who have turned in a fine season.
To progress and succeed though, you need you whole team doing it and they haven't as a collective. Too many areas on the field of play have been an empty jersey.
A hollow central defence has only recently seen any stability thanks to the January signing of Erik Sviatchenko. By then Europe was already a distant memory but he did make things look more assured at the back.
He is captain material and so long as he has the right partner next season things should start to stabilise at the back. Hopefully an injury free Jozo Šimunović can restart his Celtic career next season alongside him.
At left back Kieran Tierney has been a joy to watch. For his age and experience he has done remarkably well and his presence in the team has been a breath of fresh air.
His attitude is perfect and should mature into a fine player. He has the classic full back style and it is good to know that left-back berth is in good hands with the expected departure of Emilio Izaguirre in the summer.
In the midfield, it has been one of Celtic's worst seasons for a while. I don't dare to mention Nir Bitton (who I don't think has done as bad as some make out this season) but Tom Rogic certainly deserves some recognition.
At one stage his Celtic career looked to be in jeopardy. Having sustained injury and a loan spell back in his homeland he made it back to Celtic and in to the first team.
Not many Celtic players manage that and to his credit, he made his mark when given the chance. He displaced Stefan Johansen in the midfield attack role that the Norwegian made his own last season and was rightly awarded for.
The only thing Rogic may have been missing this season were more starts. He came off the bench and missed some games but I there were games where he wasn't picked when I think we needed him.
Still, he got goal of the season award for all of his efforts. And in all honesty, there were some great goals from him this season.
Callum McGregor has proved that his efforts from early last season were not a one-off. Since his return from injury he has made another impact on the team.
He is versatile and has an eye for goal. Much as he may not be player of the season, his efforts have not gone unnoticed.
On the subject of goals, Leigh Griffiths has been a lone striker all season. I personally wasn't sure whether he had the ability in Europe but he still managed to score 4 times in 11 appearances.
The most impressive part of his season is of course reaching the 40 goal mark. Never since the days of Henrik Larsson has this ever been achieved by a Celtic player and Griffiths becomes only the 8th Celt ever to do so.
It is fine company and he has earned it. I've said it before and I will say it again, Leigh Griffiths has proven me wrong.
I was sceptical about his transfer to Celtic and his off the field behaviour. If Ronny has anything to be proud of it is his work with Griffiths.
A late addition to the plaudits for this season is Patrick Roberts. Signed on an 18 month loan deal from Manchester City, he has scored 5 goals in 12 games.
Today, he could well add to that tally as Celtic host Motherwell. With Griffiths suspended Colin Kazim-Richards will step into the strikers role but the goals could well come from the winger rather than the seldom seen striker.
So to Ronny Deila and his final appearance in the dug out. For many he should have gone long before now but I don't agree.
Yes, we lost out in two cup semi-finals but changes before then would not have guaranteed anything better. He was entitled to finish the season and I am glad he has.
This way, he gets to say goodbye in his own way rather than being pushed out the door mid-season with failure rubber stamped on his CV. He can lift the Scottish Premiership trophy for the second successive time and walk away respectfully.
I liked the guy. I liked him a lot.
Perhaps the job was too big for him. Maybe he didn't impose himself enough earlier as he mentioned in the media.
Life is about making mistakes and learning from them. To say Ronny was a failure would be wrong.
It was an experiment and one that I backed. We now know what we must do in the aftermath of this venture.
There is a decent team at Celtic right now. The next man needs to get the best out of them and move on those who don't fit the bill.
Today we may be seeing some Celtic players for the last time in the Hoops. Let's celebrate Five-In-Row with a Ronny Roar and a farewell to those departing after today's celebrations.
Here's to the future.
Hail! Hail! Ronny and all the best.
Posted in Bhoys, Callum McGregor, Celtic, Celtic Football Club, Celtic Park, Emilio Izaguirre, Erik Sviatchenko, Europa League, FIFA, Football, Henrik Larsson, Jozo Šimunović, Kieran Tierney, Leigh Griffiths, Manchester City, Motherwell, Nir Bitton, Paradise, Patrick Roberts, Ronny Deila, Scottish Football, Scottish Premiership, Soccer, SPFL, Stefan Johansen, The Hoops, Tom Rogić, UEFA, You'll Never Walk Alone	| 1 Comment

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Our stress levels have a strong effect on our bodies. Excess stress levels can make PCOS worse. Effective stress management comes from learning not just how to manage current stresses but learning when and how to say no to more.
We teach stress management techniques that are good not just for managing PCOS, but for improving your general balance and equilibrium.
It can be frustrating: PCOS can contribute to insulin resistance, which can make it harder to lose weight. However, being overweight or obese increases insulin resistance and contributes to PCOS symptoms.
Crash diets do not work. They can, in fact, put more stress on your body and can compromise your health. Instead of fad diets, we focus on long term lifestyle change that can help you lose the weight and keep it off for good.
Research shows that regular exercise can help cut PCOS symptoms and help improve your general health. We help you develop a routine that involves the right amounts of cardio, strength and flexibility training to help you feel your best. No one exercise routine is a good fit for everyone. Some people like the environment of the gym while others do better in yoga or dance-oriented classes. We'll help you develop a regimen that is easy to stick with and gives you the health benefits that you need.
Is "I'll sleep when I'm dead" your motto? We have news for you: adequate sleep is a key factor in proper management of PCOS.
If sleep disorders or a too-busy schedule are keeping you from getting the sleep you need, we can work with you to help you develop better sleep habits. When you are getting enough sleep every night, you will find that you will get both relief from PCOS and a healthier, more energetic feeling in general.
New research is indicating that many of the cosmetics, personal care items and cleaners that we use in our homes can contain chemicals that imitate our natural hormones. The results can be disruptions to the endocrine system. PCOS is the most common endocrine problem that women face. We can identify the endocrine disrupting chemicals in your home and help you find natural, healthier alternatives.
In most cases, it's best to get the nutrients that you need from food sources. However, many people find that they are not always able to get what they need from food alone. We can identify any nutritional deficiencies you may be experiencing and help you find the supplements that are most likely to help you get back into balance.
When needed, we will use bio-identical hormones to balance abnormalities and to optimize your treatment. Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) is a method that uses specially designed hormone supplements to replace specific hormones that become either depleted or imbalanced for a variety of reasons. This is most often used to alleviate the struggle of hormone depletion or imbalance. The most commonly simulated hormones are estrogen, testosterone, adrenal hormones, and progesterone. Simulations for these hormones can be delivered through injections, topical ointments, gels, tablets, and capsules with the aim of helping to return hormone levels back to active state. BHRT should be used in conjunction with a holistic regimen of hormonal healing, such as healthy diet, exercise, restful sleep, and stress-reducing activities. Each of these elements plays a significant role in our hormonal health.
The best way to treat PCOS is not through popping a pill. Medication can often only address specific symptoms instead of the underlying causes. By addressing the entire patient, the natural approach can help you better manage PCOS. Lifestyle changes will not just reduce your visible symptoms; they'll make you feel more energetic and better in general.
Do you have symptoms that could be PCOS? We can help. Get in touch today for a consultation.


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Competition - Amsterdam
Win A Four Star Amsterdam City Break
A combination of charming coffee shops, culture and stunning architecture means that by day, Amsterdam is a real crowd pleaser. But when night falls, the city really comes alive. Follow the city's winding canals where you'll be spoilt for choice with sophisticated restaurants and trendy bars. The city is compact enough to be manageable by foot, but if you're keen to absorb all it has to offer, hop on a bike to explore the streets. As well as an abundance of canals, the cycle safe city also includes several beautiful parks that are ideal for a two-wheeled adventure. Win this Dutch getaway for two adults, complete with a four-star hotel for three nights plus flights. It's a quick hop across the North Sea for the perfect trip for yourself and a loved one.
Courtesy of icelolly.com
To be in with a chance of winning the holiday, fill your details in the form below.
icelolly.com is one of the UK's most popular holiday price comparison websites advertising package holiday, city, cruise & ski deals from a range of top travel companies including Love Holidays, TUI, On the Beach & Jet2 Holidays to name but a few. All holidays are ATOL protected.
Country - None -GuernseyIrelandIsle of ManJerseyUnited Kingdom
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Entrants agree that, by entering the prize draw, their personal data obtained in the process of the competition will be used for the purposes of administering the prize draw and will be held by Specsavers and its subsidiaries and holding companies and any subsidiaries of its holding companies ('Specsavers Group') either manually or electronically. The information will be restricted to authorised users only and treated in the strictest confidence. Specsavers may provide the personal data to the following third-party providers: Affinity Angels Ltd, Specialist Publications (UK) Ltd and icelolly.com ('Third Party Providers') in connection with the competition and for the purposes of administering the prize draw, and the redemption of the prize. Personal data may be held by Specsavers, the Specsavers Group and the Third-Party Providers, for a period of up to six months after the Closing Date. Specsavers and icelolly.com may use the name of the winner for the purposes of publicity in connection to this competition.
By entering the giveaway I agree to the below terms and conditions.
The closing date for this giveaway is 30th September 2018.
The promoter of the prize draw is Specsavers Optical Group Limited ('Specsavers'), whose registered office is at La Villiaze, St Andrews, Guernsey, GY6 8YP. The provider of the prize is the Icelolly Marketing Limited. The prize draw is open to all United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland residents aged 18 or over, excluding employees of Icelolly Marketing Limited, Specialist Publications Ltd, the Specsavers group and their respective families, who are not eligible to enter into this prize draw. Entries must be made electronically on the above website form only. A maximum of one entry per person is permitted. No purchase is necessary. The competition will run from 9th April 2018 ('Opening Date') and the closing date for entry into the competition is midnight on 30th September 2018 ('Closing Date'). Entries submitted after the Closing Date will not be included in the draw. Specsavers accepts no responsibility for entries that are late or for entries not successfully completed due to a technical fault. Confirmation of email transmission is not proof of entry. The draw will be made on/shortly after 1st October 2018. A winner will be selected at random from all entries received by the Closing Date, using a random-number generator. The winner will be contacted after 1st October 2018 via e-mail or telephone and will be given 14 days to respond. If the response deadline is missed, the prize may be forfeited and another winner selected. The promoter's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Specsavers reserves the right to change, hold void or cancel the prize draw at any time without notice. All elements of the prize are subject to availability, no cash or other prize alternatives will be offered. The prize is non-transferable. The promoter reserves the right to substitute the prize for similar alternatives of equal or greater value. All entrants give their consent to their names being placed on a list of winners and being made available. The winner's name can be obtained upon request in writing from: Amsterdam Competition, Specsavers Magazine, PO Box 767, Bristol, BS8 1SB, after 1st October 2018.
The winner may be required to participate in reasonable publicity on behalf of Specsavers in connection to this competition.
From the date of being awarded the holiday giveaway, the chosen holiday must be booked within three months and travel must be within a twelve month period or the prize will be withdrawn. Icelolly Marketing Limited reserves the right to specify the exact departure airport and hotel.
The prize excludes departures from 18th December 2018 to 1st January 2019, 15th to 22nd April 2019, 3rd to 6th May 2019, 23rd to 31st May 2019, 22nd to 26th August 2019 and the 20th December 2019 to 1st January 2020. Transfers from the home address to the UK airport are not included in the winning prize. Once the booking has been confirmed, any alteration to the booking will incur administrative charges, payable by the holiday prize winner. After the winner accepts the prize with Specavers, Affinity Angels Ltd [Reg office: 18 East Street, Turners Hill, West Sussex, RH10 4PU], the holiday promotor, will contact the winner directly to book accommodation and flights.
The prize for the winner consists of the following; return economy flights from all major & regional UK airports to Amsterdam, 3 nights room only accommodation in a 4-star rating hotel and return overseas transfers for two adults (who are both over the age of 18). Accommodation is based on two adults sharing a twin or double room. Subject to availability, the winner will also be able to choose their departure airport.
Return flights from Dublin to the UK are included for residents of the ROI. Return flights to the UK from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man are not included and must be covered by the winner if they are resident in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man. Travel to and from the airport in the UK or ROI is not included. In order to claim the prize, the winner and their guest may be required to agree to additional terms and conditions of the airline and/or tour operator associated with their travel to, or stay in, Amsterdam (T&Cs of Travel). Specsavers shall have no liability to the winner or any third party for any inability of the winner to claim the prize, or to take the full benefit of it, as a result of any of the T&Cs of Travel or any other reason. Travel insurance and visas, any necessary vaccinations, valid passports, spending money, departure and arrival taxes, local taxes, hold luggage, excursions, attractions, treatments and car hire and any other personal expenses are the winner's responsibility. Specsavers shall not be liable to entrants for: (i) any losses, damages or costs incurred or suffered as a result of the entrants entering the prize-draw promotion; (ii) acceptance or use of any element of the prize won in connection with the promotion; (iii) failure by the promoter to act in accordance with any promotion laws, rules and regulations; (iv) and/or failure by the promoter to deliver any element of the prize. By entering the competition, you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions of entry. Each entrant acknowledges that Specsavers has no liability to him/her in accordance with this disclaimer. The winner and their guest may be required to participate in publicity for Specsavers.
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Prize draws are administered on Specsavers' behalf by Specialist Publications (UK) Ltd, Embassy House, Queens Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1SB.
Data protection: Entrants agree that, by entering the prize draw, their personal data obtained in the process of the competition will be used for the purposes of administering the prize draw and will be held by Specsavers and its subsidiaries and holding companies and any subsidiaries of its holding companies ('Specsavers Group') either manually or electronically. The information will be restricted to authorised users only and treated in the strictest confidence. Specsavers may provide the personal data to the following third-party providers: Affinity Angels Ltd, Specialist Publications (UK) Ltd and Icelolly Marketing Limited ('Third Party Providers') in connection with the competition and for the purposes of administering the prize draw, and the redemption of the prize. Personal data may be held by Specsavers, the Specsavers Group and the Third-Party Providers, for a period of up to six months after the Closing Date. Specsavers and Ice Lolly Marketing Limited may use the name of the winner for the purposes of reasonable publicity, including being featured in Icelolly.com social media.
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4th Amendment6th AmendmentArticlesBig BrotherBig GovernmentConstitutionLawMilitaryNewsPolice StatePoliticsTerrorismUS News
Rand Paul Continues To Fight Against Indefinite Detention Of US Citizens
Tim Brown November 26, 2012
Senator Rand Paul has made it known that he is interested at a run for the presidency in 2016 and he continues to be one of a few in the Senate who will stand for the Constitution. Paul has spoken out numerous times against the National Defense Authorization Act's Section 1021 which deals with "indefinite detention" of American citizens. Now he has an amendment ready for a vote and is threatening a filibuster in order to obtain that vote.
The Hill reports,
Paul's amendment takes a new tack to curb the military's ability to indefinitely detain U.S. citizens suspected of terrorism by affirming they have the right to a speedy trial by jury under the Sixth Amendment.
His push to change the indefinite detention laws for U.S. citizens follows a contentious fight last year where liberal Senate Democrats waged an unsuccessful attempt to scale back the detention laws before an 11th-hour, watered-down compromise was ultimately reached.
Paul's filibuster threat could throw into flux what's already been a long-winding road to the floor for the Defense authorization bill, which Armed Services Committee leaders have been clamoring to get on the floor since it passed out of committee in May.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said last week that he would move to the Defense bill after the Thanksgiving holiday, and would allow for an open amendment process with a limited number of amendments managed by Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and ranking member John McCain (R-Ariz.).
The day after Reid said the Senate would move to the defense bill, however, Paul put a hold on the legislation, a move Paul took because there was not an agreement to vote on his amendment, according to his office.
The text of Paul's amendment is simple and to the point:
A citizen of the United States captured or arrested in the United States and detained by the Armed Forces of the United States pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107-40) shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
The point of Paul's amendment is to preserve the rights of U.S. citizens guaranteed to them under the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which reads:
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
Joe Wolverton, of The New American, believes the amendment doesn't go far enough. He points out, "There is not one word of repeal or abolition or revocation of the indefinite detention of Americans from the NDAA."
Wolverton went on to write,
By a vote of 238-182, members of Congress rejected the amendment offered by Representatives Adam Smith (D-Wash.) and Justin Amash (R-Mich.) that would have repealed the indefinite detention provision of the NDAA. The Fiscal Year 2013 NDAA yet retains the indefinite detention provisions, as well as the section permitting prisoners to be transferred from civilian jurisdiction to the custody of the military.
"The frightening thing here is that the government is claiming the power under the Afghanistan authorization for use of military force as a justification for entering American homes to grab people, indefinitely detain them and not give them a charge or trial," Representative Amash said during House debate.
Speaking in support of his amendment, Representative Smith reminded his colleagues that the NDAA granted to the president "extraordinary" powers and divested the American people of key civil liberties, as well as divesting civilian courts of their constitutional jurisdiction.
Smith pointed out that there was no need to transfer suspects into military custody as "hundreds" of terrorists have been tried in federal courts since the attacks of September 11, 2001.
We are now in a real pickle. The Republican party had plenty of opportunity to stand up against the NDAA and it's indefinite detention section. The Georgia State Convention was ready to stand against the section and anyone that signed or supported the NDAA, but when they realized that their potential nominee this year supported it, they withdrew. The RNC platform committee took it up, but ended up utterly rejecting to take a stand on it, presumably because of similar understanding concerning their nominee and the fact that some believed this was not a major concern.
Hopefully if Paul makes the point enough times he will gain support for his amendment from other Senators, though what needs to happen is that the entire indefinite detention section needs to be repealed, not amended.
fourth amendmentndaarand paul
Previous GOP Senator: I'll Violate Tax Pledge For 'Good Of Country'
Next America Could Learn Something From Ugandan President


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Bengt Gustaf Gottfrid Lundvall, född 30 oktober 1915 i Björkängs församling i Skaraborgs län, död 30 november 2010 i Undenäs församling i Västra Götalands län, var en svensk sjöofficer (amiral) och marinchef 1970–1978.

Biografi
Lundvall avlade studentexamen i Skövde 1934. Han avlade sjöofficersexamen vid Kungliga Sjökrigsskolan 1938 och utnämndes samma år till fänrik i flottan, varefter han befordrades till löjtnant 1940. Han utbildade sig för tjänstgöring på ubåt och gjorde ubåtstjänst under andra världskrigets neutralitetsvakt och några år efter krigets slut. Han specialiserade sig även på samband, radio, radar och stridsledning. Åren 1944–1946 gick han Allmänna kursen och Stabskursen vid Kungliga Sjökrigshögskolan, varpå han befordrades till kapten 1946 och gick han Long Communication  Course vid en militär skola i Storbritannien. Han tjänstgjorde vid Marinstaben 1950–1958, först som chef för Förbindelseavdelningen och sedan som chef för Planeringsavdelningen 1957–1958. Han befordrades till kommendörkapten av andra graden 1954 och kommendörkapten av första graden 1957. Han var fartygschef på Älvsnabben under dess sommarresa 1957. Vid denna tid tjänstgjorde han också i staben hos chefen för Kustflottan. Åren 1958–1961 var han chef för Planeringsavdelningen vid Försvarsstaben. År 1961 befordrades han till kommendör, varefter han var chef för Operationsledningen i Försvarsstaben 1961–1964. Han befordrades till kommendör av första graden 1964 och var souschef i Försvarsstaben 1964–1966, varefter han befordrades till konteramiral 1966 och var stabschef i Östra militärområdet 1966–1970. År 1970 befordrades han till viceamiral, varefter han var chef för marinen 1970–1978 innan han som amiral inträdde reserven 1978.

Lundvall var militär expert i Storflygplatskommittén 1956 samt i 1960 och 1962 års försvarskommittéer. Han var sjömilitär medarbetare i Svenska Dagbladet 1957–1964. Han var ledamot av styrelsen för Saléninvest 1976–1982 och av styrelsen för Göta kanalbolag 1978–1984. Lundvall tog initiativ till en polarexpedition till minne av Adolf Erik Nordenskiölds forskningsresa genom Nordostpassagen med fartyget Vega 1878–1880. Lundvall fungerade som operativ chef för expeditionen som kom att genomföras med isbrytaren Ymer under sommarhalvåret 1980. Denna expedition ledde till en pånyttfödelse för svensk polarforskning. Åren 1979–2000 var han ordförande i stiftelsen Ymer 80.

Bengt Lundvall invaldes 1954 som ledamot av Kungliga Örlogsmannasällskapet, utsågs till hedersledamot 1970 och var 1970–1978 sällskapets ordförande. Han invaldes 1963 som i Kungliga Krigsvetenskapsakademien och var akademiens styresman 1973–1975. Han var inspector för föreningen UppSjö 1970–1978.

Utmärkelser
  Riddare av första klass av Svärdsorden, 1956.
  Kommendör av Svärdsorden, 6 juni 1964.
  Kommendör av första klass av Svärdsorden, 6 juni 1967.
  Kommendör med stora korset av Svärdsorden, 6 juni 1972.
  Storkorset av Norska Sankt Olavs orden, 1 juli 1974.

Referenser

Vidare läsning

Män
Födda 1915
Avlidna 2010
Personer från Björkängs socken
Svenska militärer under 1900-talet
Svenska amiraler
Svenska marinchefer
Hedersledamöter av Örlogsmannasällskapet
Ledamöter av Kungliga Krigsvetenskapsakademien
Kommendörer med stora korset av Svärdsorden
Storkorset av Sankt Olavs orden

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Nationwide, the building society, has been heavily fined by the UK´s financial regulator for weak data security following the theft from an employee's home of a laptop containing confidential data of almost 11 million customers. In light of the lax security that made this possible, and the fact that the Nationwide did not start an investigation until three weeks after the theft, the building society was fined £980,000.
The size of this fine should send a clear message not only to banks and building societies but to businesses in all sectors: customer data is a top priority and businesses that fail to put in place appropriate security measures can expect harsh penalties. This is a wake up call that must be heard and we will hopefully see many more businesses stepping up their infosecurity compliance as a result.
In addition to our existing expert guides and toolkits, which make ISO 27001 compliance and certification accessible and affordable for most businesses, we are presently working on a new software solution that will simplify matters even further – expect more news at Infosecurity Europe next month.


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MISSING DOG: Local family attempt to locate their dog
BOIL ADVISORY: East Richland Water System issues partial boil advisory
Question of the Week with the KTVE/KARD Family
Navy SEAL dies from injuries sustained in training
by: Sarah Fearing, Nexstar Media Wire
Posted: Dec 8, 2021 / 08:31 AM CST / Updated: Dec 8, 2021 / 08:31 AM CST
A Navy SEAL died Tuesday following injuries sustained during training. (Photo: File, Getty Images)
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – A service member assigned to SEAL Team 8 has died following an incident during training.
Lt. Cmdr. Kara Handley with Naval Special Warfare Command confirmed the service member died Tuesday at a hospital in Norfolk, Virginia.
The person, whose name has not been released, was injured during training on Saturday in Virginia Beach.
"Naval Special Warfare is committed to supporting the service member's family and our sailors who lost a teammate during this difficult time," Handley wrote in an email.
CA parents who died hiking were trying to save child: Report
The Navy will not release their name until the day after the next of kin is notified. The Navy said it would release more information on Wednesday.
"The details of the tragic accident are currently under investigation and findings will be made available at the appropriate time," Handley said.
Seventeen Navy SEALs have died in training incidents since 2001, reports Business Insider. Training, which the Navy says is "designed to push you to your physical and mental limits," lasts at leasts two and a half years.
SEAL Team 8's geographic focus is the Caribbean, Africa and the Mediterranean, according to Navy Times.
WEST MONROE, La. (KTVE/KARD) -- A local family is searching for their dog. Blaze is described as shy and he will not approach you if you see him. According to the family, he is most likely in the West Monroe/Claiborne area.
If you know the whereabouts of Blaze, please contact the family at 318-323-1972 ext. 1159 or email them here.
by Jenn Hensley / Jan 21, 2022
RICHLAND PARISH, La. (KTVE/KARD) -- The East Richland Water System has issued a partial boil advisory for some of their customers. If you live in one of the areas listed below you are urged to boil your water for one full minute before consuming it.
The areas affected are below:
West Monroe man arrested after ex-girlfriend's mother discovers him walking on vehicle with handgun in security footage


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Newer surgical techniques are sometimes unfairly criticised for not having been subjected to what has been called the 'purifying heat' of a randomised controlled trial. This criticism cannot be levelled at laparoscopic appendectomy, and a new meta-analysis has pulled together all the studies to give us a pretty good picture of the results of this new technique [1].
The review had a heroic search strategy, which included contacting many people for unpublished results (including abstracts submitted to meetings) and sending them data and information forms to complete and return. The authors used randomised trials with pre-specified outcome measures of operation time, complications (wound infections, intra-abdominal abcesses), postoperative pain, length of hospital stay and return to full activity.
The analysis was on 28 randomised trials with 2877 patients. Only two trials were blinded (not unexpected). There was a wide range of inclusion and exclusion criteria in the studies, like sex, age and whether the appendix had burst or not.
On average 8% of operations which started as laparoscopy were converted to open appendectomy (range 0% to 27%). Operating time was 16 minutes longer for laparoscopy (Figure 1).
The length of hospital stay was an average of 15 hours less, and return to full activity 6.5 days earlier than with conventional appendectomy.
Wound infections were significantly less frequent with laparoscopic techniques; 36/1309 (2.8%) of laparoscopies had a wound infection compared with 93/1187 (7.8%) in conventional surgery.
This is a NNT of 20 (95% confidence interval 15 to 31). The risk of developing an intra-abdominal abcess was 22/745 (3.0%) with laparoscopic and 10/653 (1.5%) with convention surgery, with a relative risk of 1.8 (0.9 to 3.5).
This is a thoughtful review which gives not only outcome data but an interesting discussion of issues of technical importance to surgeons and others. It could form an interesting base for discussing whether the benefits of a 5% reduction in wound infection was balanced by a 2% increase in intra-abdominal abcesses. Such a discussion could include issues about severity (how much worse is an average intra-abdominal abcess than an average wound infection), and how much weight should be put on the non-significant (just, statistically) incidence of abcesses. Important when as many as 1 in 12 of us will have our appendix out in our lifetime. The discussion ends with a quote "Laparoscopic appendectomy is an excellent operation, but we don't need it." Enjoy!
S Sauerland, R Lefering, U Holthausen, EA Neugebauer. Laparoscopic vs conventional appendectomy - a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery 1998 383: 289-295.
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