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Home In Depth The American Angle
Bilateral partners no longer view the US as an indispensable nation
in The American Angle
American flag in front of a wall and flags of other countries
How the US image overseas has changed, according to Lincoln Mitchell.
New York (Brussels Morning) During the height of America's post-Cold War ascendancy, Madeleine Albright, US Secretary of State at the time, referred to the US as the "indispensable nation", and in the next sentence added, "We stand tall and we see further than other countries into the future".
Those comments were made during an interview on the Today Show in 1998 and reflected a consensus among the American foreign policy leadership at the time that the US was the most powerful — which was true — important —which was clearly not true — and moral — which was absurd — country in the world. The choice of words by the Secretary of State was unfortunate as they implied that, at that time, 5.7 billion people who were not Americans were somehow, along with their countries, dispensable.
Albright's words quickly became almost a point of pride for American foreign policy. In the decade and a half after that it was not unusual to hear that phrase quoted by American diplomats and others at conferences, academic settings and in the media. It was generally understood that what Albright meant was that the US must play a major role in solving global problems, but the literal meaning of the words, and the American embrace of that idea, could not be unheard and revealed an important truth about America's view of itself.
Frayed picture
Today the idea of America as the indispensable, or more charitably, essential, nation is badly frayed. In some respects, the last four years gave the rest of the world, whether friend or foe of the US, a glimpse of what a world without American leadership might look like. No country paid closer attention to that than China, because it is clear by now that if American leadership continues to wane, China is the country that will fill that void.
In the first decades of this century, US foreign policy has been dominated by the Global War on Terror which led to the endless wars for endless peace in Iraq and Afghanistan, conflicts with Russia over issues as disparate as Crimea and American elections, trying to contain Iran's nuclear program, instability in Mexico and South of America and similar problems. Through all of that China's slow rise was consistent, hard to miss and inevitable, but rarely a sufficient focus of attention at the highest levels of American statecraft.
Now when the world has learned that America is more or less as indispensable, or dispensable, as any other country, it is no longer possible for the US to minimise the importance of the relationship with China. The US-China is the single most bilateral relationship in the world and, to borrow a phrase from the great recession, is too big to fail. That bilateral relationship is more challenging for the Biden administration because of typically Trumpian combination of bluster and capitulation that characterised the previous administration's relationship to China.
China relationship
Trump's China policy mixed strength and weakness in precisely the wrong way. By talking tough at home while letting China get its way on more or less everything, Trump increased the domestic appetite for conflict with China, while doing nothing to challenge China in a meaningful way. Some of Trump's confrontational language, most notably his insistence on describing the Coronavirus in racist anti-Chinese language, had very real effects and contributed to the substantial rise in violence against Asian Americans during 2020.
As with so many issues, President Biden must more or less flip Trump's China approach on its head. There is nothing to gain from verbal sabre rattling, particularly to domestic audiences. Anything that unnecessarily increases tensions between China and the US is bad for both countries. However, this does not mean that the US should not take a tougher approach on a handful of major policy differences with China. Human rights, including but not limited to the crimes against humanity that are being committed against the Uighurs, trade policy, China's relationships with various American allies in the region and the need to cooperate on global problems such as pandemics and climate changes are all difficult substantive challenges facing the US-China relationship. None of these are easy and all are made more difficult by ratcheting up anger and tension between the two countries.
Joe Biden will have to meet this dilemma in a new context, one where the US has had its flaws once again revealed to the rest of the world, but this time in an environment when American hegemony is increasingly something from another era. While this may weaken the US position relative to China, it also forces the US to approach this relationship with a stronger understanding of China's interests and no longer being informed by dangerous platitudes about who is or is not dispensable. If done right, this can lead to a stronger foundation for this difficult bilateral relationship.
Germany's mixed messages on Nord Stream 2
A thorough makeover us coming up for the spacious area of Noordwijk
What is illegal offline should be illegal online.


Fulham Coach Slavisa Jokanovic was left with mixed feelings after witnessing a promising start to the game, ultimately however, the Whites left Craven Cottage well beaten.
André Schürrle levelled the scores just before the break but Arsenal hit back with four more goals in the second-half which condemned Fulham to a second consecutive defeat in the Premier League.
"My sensations are mixed a little bit," said Jokanovic, "Because I thought we played the first 45 minutes well. We created the chances, the team was running well and we didn't give them many opportunities to score goals.
"But in the second-half they scored really easy goals and I missed the team being more solid, I missed more speed, I missed more thought.
"At the end we opened all the doors and they finished the action easily after not so many complicated situations for us. The second goal arrived from some throw in, they kicked the ball and finished the action, we weren't strong or fast enough to stop the shot, and the first goal too, we needed to be more solid and better in this kind of situation.
The Fulham head coach took off Tim Ream and brought on Aboubakar Kamara at 2-1, with a more attacking line-up to try and find a way back in the game but Arsenal pressed on and scored a further three goals.
Jokanovic said: "After they scored the second goal I tried to find some way to find the equaliser, I don't believe in too many statistics but we finished the game with 21 shots and the opposite team with nine.
"At this level you can be a little bit confused but at the end they showed the quality, they showed the base, they showed their strengths too and this is what I missed, especially today.
"We must build trust in ourselves, we must be working, we must know where we are. At the moment we haven't shown a Premier League level, it's true, but 90 points are available ahead of us and we must be working hard for understanding where we are.
"It's not an easy competition, we must be brave, be strong, push forward and be ready for the next challenge.
"We tried today to win the game, to be honest we lost 5-1 but we tried to win the game.
"I trust, I believe that if I try to win the game then one day I will win the game. At the end if you believe the solution is to sit in the box and try and find the solution in this way, I don't believe in this way.
One noticeable absentee from the Fulham line-up was captain Tom Cairney who returned from injury against Everton last weekend, however Jokanovic thinks he will be back sooner rather than later.
"He [Cairney] is not working with us at the moment and we are waiting. I am not a doctor but we believe he will soon be back with the team, he is still with pains and he is not available to help us," he said.


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The Return of the Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman is a made-for-television science fiction action film which originally aired on May 17, 1987 on NBC. The movie reunited the main casts of the television series The Six Million Dollar Man and its spin-off The Bionic Woman. Set 10 years after the events of those series, Steve Austin (Lee Majors) and Jaime Sommers (Lindsay Wagner) are asked to come out of retirement and confront a paramilitary criminal organization called Fortress, Steve's estranged son Michael Austin (Tom Schanley), and their own past relationship. Series regular characters Oscar Goldman (Richard Anderson), head of the OSI, and Dr. Rudy Wells (Martin E. Brooks) also star, along with new characters OSI agent Jim Castillian (Lee Majors II, the real-life son of Lee Majors) and Lyle Stenning (Martin Landau), leader of  Fortress.

The movie was a "backdoor pilot" for a potential series based on the character of Michael Austin, but the series never materialized. Two more television movies followed, Bionic Showdown: The Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman (1989) and Bionic Ever After? (1994).

Plot summary
Despite its leader, Lyle Stenning, being held in prison, the paramilitary criminal organization known as "Fortress" has become active again after ten years. Adhering to the creed "America for Americans" and vowing to focus on domestic rather than international action, Fortress has begun a campaign of terror by attacking munitions depots to steal automatic weapons and explosives. Stenning, who was captured by Steve Austin, also wants to acquire the secrets of bionics to further his goals.

Former lovers, both bionically enhanced, Steve Austin and Jaime Sommers have been retired from the OSI for ten years. They have remained out of contact with each other due to the complex history of their relationship. In exposition, its explained that after the two fell in love, Sommers was in a skydiving accident which caused extensive injuries. She was rebuilt with bionics, but her body rejected them ("The Bionic Woman: Part 1 & Part 2"). The experience caused partial amnesia which made her forget her romantic feelings for Steve ("The Return of the Bionic Woman: Part 1 & Part 2"). She later fell in love with fellow OSI agent Chris Williams (as shown in season 3 of The Bionic Woman). Steve, not wanting to interfere, refused to go on a mission to aid Chris and Jaime. On that mission, the two became separated and an explosion hit Jaime, which caused a major concussion. She had to be evacuated, which left Chris alone and he was later killed by a sniper. When she recovered from the concussion, all of her memories were restored and her feelings for Steve came into conflict with her love and grief for Chris.

Michael Austin is the estranged son of Steve. He is an Air Force cadet pilot who has the technical knowledge to graduate, but a reckless temperament which concerns his instructors. They contact Steve and ask him to intervene. At his graduation solo flight, an accident causes the jet to crash and leaves Michael with extensive injuries, much like his father experienced. Michael is rebuilt with next-generation bionics by Dr. Rudy Wells and sent to Jaime's care for rehabilitation to control his new bionic body and his emotions.

Fortress, led by an escaped Stenning, attempts to capture Steve and Jaime on separate occasions, but succeed in capturing Dr. Rudy Wells, the pioneer of bionics, and Michael as he is recovering. Steve, Jaime, Oscar Goldman, and the OSI mount a successful rescue, taking down Fortress and capturing its leadership once again.

Extended plot
Oscar Goldman narrates a memo detailing the recent activity of a paramilitary organization called "Fortress" which has been raiding military sites, stealing automatic weapons and other munitions. The group is shown easily completing their most recent raid, and member Santiago states that the group will now be focusing their efforts in America.

Oscar visits Steve Austin as his boat returns to the dock and explains that Fortress is active again, despite the leader, Lyle Stenning, still being in prison. Oscar notes the name of Steve's boat is Summer Maiden and the two discuss the romantic relationship Steve had with Jaime Sommers and the circumstances of Chris William's death in Budapest. Steve refuses to come out of retirement, but Oscar reminds Steve that Stenning may still come after him for putting him in prison.

Steve is asked by Air Force colleagues to speak to his estranged son, Michael Austin, because he is a reckless pilot but is due to graduate soon. Steve agrees to meet his son for dinner. Oscar learns of the dinner, and arranges for Jaime to be at the same restaurant under the pretense of a blind date with Martin. Jaime and Steve encounter one another, but when Jaime tries to leave and Steve asks her to stop, she accidentally throws him through a window. Michael arrives to see Steve surrounded by broken glass, and the two walk on the pier discussing their lost years. Steve has trouble relating and Michael leaves.

The next day, Fortress members attempt to capture Steve in order to duplicate his bionics which leads to a high-speed car chase. Steve evades them and goes to Oscar's office. The two discuss the kidnapping attempt and the reaction of Jaime at the restaurant, which Steve regards with confusion. Oscar tells him that Jaime, after getting a concussion on her last mission, now remembers everything about her relationship with Steve, including her feelings.

Oscar visits Jaime in a park, where she is being surveilled from the bushes by Fortress members intent on taking her as an easier bionic target than Steve.  Jaime tells Oscar about the overwhelming flood of recollection and emotions she had when her memory was fully restored, and her frustration about her lost relationship with Steve.  Oscar consoles her, but tells her to stay away from Steve due to the Fortress threat, and reminds her that they may target her, as well.

Steve surprises Lyle Stenning in prison about the return of Fortress. Stenning explains that the new focus is on "America for Americans", to eradicate a "cancer spreading faster than any communist takeover". Steve threatens Stenning, telling him not to hurt anyone close to him or he'd come for him "personally". Stenning laughs off the threat. Steve then visits Dr. Rudy Wells, who shows him some next-generation bionics, including a bionic eye which shoots a laser.

Outside of her office, Fortress members force Jaime into their car. Steve arrives and runs after them, jumps onto a building and then onto the roof of the car. Jaime kicks her way out as Steve rolls the car over. The mercenaries drive away, but Steve's bionic eye zooms onto the license plate. The two go into the same restaurant from earlier, and Steve tells Jaime about his son: how he met Michael's mother, their short marriage and divorce, his discovery later that she'd had his son, and that his son is now about to graduate at the Air Force base. Steve explains that he didn't try to reestablish a relationship with Jaime because during her amnesia she'd fallen in love with fellow OSI agent Chris Williams, and that he had refused a mission to aid Williams - the same mission where he was killed by a sniper. Jaime explained she was with Williams on that mission, but that an explosion forced Jaime to be evacuated due to the concussion, leaving Williams alone. The two feel that they both abandoned Williams, which has caused the mutual distance in the last few years, but resolve to stay in contact more and Steve invites Jaime to Michael's graduation solo flight.

Michael and several Air Force colleagues go to a local pub to celebrate the next day's graduation, monitored by agent Castillian who is there watching Michael in case of Fortress trouble, but a rival student group starts a brawl. Steve arrives and jumps into the brawl. Fortress members are watching as they leave, and try to capture Michael by chasing them with a car to split them up. Caught in a dead-end alley, Steve takes hold of Michael and bionically jumps them both out of danger.

The next day at the graduation, Oscar informs Steve that Stenning has escaped from prison. As Michael solo flight is about to end, the jet begins to overheat and lose hydraulic pressure. Michael bails out just as the jet crashes. Later, Jaime and Steve are waiting at the hospital when Dr. Shepherd (Bryan Cranston) comes out to explain that Michael's spine has snapped, a metal shard has severed the optic nerves to his right eye, both legs are crushed, and that his right arm had to be amputated, but that there is no brain damage and his heart is strong.  Steve goes directly to Oscar's office and demands that he let Dr. Wells operate on his son - offering to deliver Stenning and Fortress in exchange. Oscar refuses the offer, telling Steve that Rudy's team is already on the way to the hospital and that the operation is already approved. Rudy places implants into Michael's legs that will allow him to run very fast, attached a fully cybernetic right arm, reinforced his spine and ribs with metal, and gave him the laser eye seen earlier. Steve goes in to speak to a recovering Michael, who calls himself a "freak". Jaime tells Steve to have patience while she works with Michael at the rehabilitation clinic.

In a musical montage (set to "Automatic"), Steve and Castillian are shown working to track down Fortress while Michael is training his new body with Jaime, ultimately reaching a running speed of nearly 300 mph and using his laser eye to blast open a door lock. Jaime also works with Michael on his emotional rehabilitation as he grows accustomed to his new life.

Santiago kidnaps Rudy along with all of his equipment. Michael and fellow patient Carol are also taken by Fortress to their base of operations in an abandoned glass factory to meet Stenning, who threatens the life of Rudy and another hostage should Michael escape. OSI Chief John Praiser is revealed to be a member of Fortress, who has been confounding the search for Fortress from within. Through Castillian, Steve and Jaime inform Oscar about the spy and he promises to provide them loyal OSI agents to assist with the rescue. Stenning interrogates Michael to get the details of his Bionic abilities, but he doesn't cooperate. Stenning instructs Santiago to kill Michael, and to make Rudy "take him apart".

Steve and Jaime infiltrate the factory and rig Fortress' stolen explosives to a timer. Rudy and Michael are freed, and Michael runs at a blurring speed to rescue the last hostage, Carol. Explosions disorient Fortress and prevent their escape while OSI arrives to assist. Oscar takes Praiser into custody, Michael incapacitates Stenning with his laser, and the rest of Fortress is forced to surrender.

Later, the rescue team is seen having a celebratory toast. Michael and Steve agree to begin building their relationship. Steve and Jaime leave with each other, after telling Oscar to "try not to find" them if he needs them in the future.

Cast
Starring
 Lee Majors as retired Air Force Colonel Steve Austin, a former astronaut who was bionically enhanced after a crash who used his newfound strength to operate as a covert agent for the Office of Scientific Intelligence (OSI). Now retired from the OSI for 10 years, he is a charter boat captain.
 Lindsay Wagner as former tennis pro Jaime Sommers, who was bionically enhanced after a skydiving accident, operated briefly as an agent for the OSI, and is now working at a Los Angeles rehabilitation center for disadvantaged youth.
 Tom Schanley as Air Force pilot Michael Austin, estranged son of Steve. Michael's mother Karen died of pneumonia and he was sent to live with his Aunt Mary at age six.
 Richard Anderson as Oscar Goldman,  Director of Operations of the OSI and long-time friend to both Steve and Jaime.
 Martin E. Brooks as Dr. Rudy Wells, the surgeon who pioneered bionics and completed the enhancements of Steve and Jaime.
 Lee Majors II as Jim Castillian, a flamboyant agent of OSI.

Guest stars
 Martin Landau as Lyle Stenning, the leader of a paramilitary mercenary group named Fortress, who has been in prison for 10 years after being caught by Steve and the OSI.
 Gary Lockwood as John Praiser, Chief of Staff of the OSI.

Also starring
 Will Bledsoe as Tom Brubaker, a U.S. Air Force cadet and rival of Michael
 Gary Blumsack as Capt. Jerry Dreyfuss, a U.S. Air Force instructor concerned about Michael's recklessness
 William Campbell as General Forest
 Robert F. Hoy as Kyle
 Terry Kiser as Santiago, codename used by Stenning's second-in-command of Fortress
 Cheryl McMannis as Carol, a blind patient at Jaime's rehabilitation clinic
 Patrick Pankhurst Duke Rennecker, a U.S. Air Force instructor concerned about Michael's recklessness
 Bob Seagren as Martin, an OSI agent
 Danil Torppe as Reardon
 Susan Woollen as Trisha Sullivan

Co-starring
 Scott Kraft as Nick
 Bryan Cranston as Dr. Shepherd
 Keith Farrell as Jim Matlon
 Phil Nordell as Christopher
 Pamela Bryant as Blond Girl
 Catherine McGoohan as Receptionist
 Deborah White as Sally

With
 Kawena Charlot as Megan
 Sandey Grinn as Waiter
 Leonard Kibrick as Jensen
 Michele Minailo as Holly
 Julie H. Morgan as Hostess

Production
The idea for the bionic reunion came out of an improvised scene between Anderson (Oscar) and Majors (Steve) while they vacationed together in 1986. Anderson contacted Sidney Sheinberg at Universal, who agreed to develop it. A chance meeting with Brandon Tartikoff lead to the movie being sold to NBC. The rather large  $4.8 million budget was approved because the movie was also presented as a backdoor pilot for a series featuring bionically enhanced Michael Austin as a former Air Force "hot shot" to leverage the popularity of the 1986 film Top Gun.

Response
The film was 4th in Nielsen ratings for the week ending on May 17, 1987. Based on the "fantastic" ratings of Return, a follow up film was approved.

Home media
All three reunion films were included alongside The Six Million Dollar Man in a 40-disc DVD set from Time Life on November 23, 2010 and a 35-disc DVD set from Universal Home Video on October 13, 2015.
The films were released by Shout! Factory on Blu-ray in 2022 as part of their Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman complete series sets.

References

External links

Bionic franchise
1987 television films
1987 films
NBC network original films
1980s spy films
1980s superhero films
American spy films
American superhero films
Films set in Los Angeles
Films based on television series
Films scored by Marvin Hamlisch
Television films based on television series
Television series reunion films
1980s English-language films
1980s American films

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Healthy adults aged 20-60 of varying weights will participate in this minimally invasive study. There is one 4-hour appointment for which subjects are paid $120. The tests involve: 1 tube blood draw, 1 gait test (motion capture) and 1 MR of both knees.


The public health problem of motor-vehicle-related death and injury emerged in the 20th century with the advent of new technology-the automobile. In the past 100 years, more than 2.8 million persons have died and nearly 100 million persons have been injured on U.S. roads and highways. Despite these statistics, substantial gains in driver behavior, vehicle safety, and road design improved the safety of motor-vehicle travel despite increases in motorization, shifting demographics, and changing social patterns. This chapter defines the modern public health problem of motor-vehicle travel. It highlights the leadership of William Haddon in revolutionizing the approach to the prevention of motor-vehicle injuries, the role of community organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving in changing social norms, and outlines governmental and private industry efforts to reduce the incidence of death and injury attributable to motor-vehicles. The chapter looks forward to the challenges of transportation safety in the 21st century.


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Big changes slated for Albuquerque intersection of Kayenta, McMahon
From speeding to crashes, one intersection on Albuquerque's west side has been a problem for years. Now the city thinks it may have a solution.
"I've had people come behind me and honk their horn because I wasn't going 50 mph just as I turned the corner," said Bill Robinson, who lives in the area.
The intersection of Kayenta and McMahon on Albuquerque's west side sees a lot of traffic, especially during the afternoon rush hour.
"Between 4:00 and 6:00 is atrocious really," Robinson said.
"At night it's even worse because it's dark," said Michael LaGrassa, who lives in the area. "You have these cars shifting lanes on you and if you don't know that that's the way they're supposed to be going, you think they're doing something strange."
Drivers we spoke with all agreed the main issue is the median on McMahon, which can be confusing for drivers who are unfamiliar with the road.
"It takes some getting used to," said Lorene Wilkey who lives in the area. "I would say if you're not totally paying attention it would be really easy to make that left-hand turn into oncoming traffic if you didn't know."
"You always have to look at the traffic going east there, and west, and it's just too many cars," Robinson added.
The city is hearing their complaints.
"With the growing west side and amount of traffic we have, we need to improve that," said Johnny Chandler with the Department of Municipal Development.
The city is working alongside Councilor Cynthia Borrego to come up with a solution for the growing community.
"The first priority is to get McMahon expanded to two lanes in each direction all the way to universe," Chandler said.
It's something residents in the area say is a step in the right direction.
"I think eventually having all the lanes straight across, until they build that bridge wider to make it four lanes in both directions all the way across would help a lot," LaGrassa added.
It will cost the city $3.6 million to widen the street to four lanes. They are hoping to get money from the upcoming legislative session to start the project in 2021.
Councilor Borrego recently spent $3,000 on two light poles at that intersection to improve visibility for drivers.
Trendline Charts: New Mexico Coronavirus Cases by County, by Day

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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EU calls on Maldives government to free ex president immediately
The EU parliament today passed a resolution urging the Maldives to free ex president Mohamed Nasheed and calling on member states to issue warnings on the Maldives' human rights record on their travel advice websites.
Nasheed was convicted of terrorism and sentenced to a 13 year jail term in a trial that sparked international outrage over lack of due process.
MEPs insisted that Nasheed should be immediately released, noting that the "controversial trial failed to meet national and international standards of justice."
The EU parliament said it was gravely concerned about increasing tendencies towards authoritarian rule, noting a crackdown on political opponents including the imprisonment of former defence ministers and a ruling party MP, as well as the intimidation of media and civil society and the politicization of the judiciary.
The resolution, which comes ahead of a mass antigovernment protest tomorrow, encouraged "all actors in the Maldives to work together constructively in all areas," and said the government must immediately end political interference in the judiciary, end all forms of violence including that against peaceful protesters.
MEPs urged a proper investigation into the disappearance of Minivan News journalist Ahmed Rilwan, who has been missing since August last year, the resolution said.
They also condemned the reintroduction of the death penalty.
The resolution did not call for an asset freeze or a travel ban on government officials, as proposed by the conservative group of MEPs.
Hours before the resolution's passing, state minister Mohamed Hussain Shareef, said the resolution did not concern the government, noting it is non-binding on member states.
He said the stronger provisions for a travel advisory and punitive measures had been removed from the final document.
State minister for tourism Hussain Lirar meanwhile said the government does not foresee adverse impacts on Maldives tourism from the resolution.
"The resolution carries no legal weight. Members states will only issue advisories if their national parliaments approve it," he claimed.
Europeans make up nearly half of the tourist arrivals in the Maldives, and a strong travel warning could have devastating impact on the country's economy, which is largely dependent on revenue from tourism.
A tourism industry insider, who wished to remain anonymous, also said: "as long as there are no punitive measures, it may not have impacts on business. But this does increase consumer awareness. A more ethical tourist may choose not to come to the Maldives now. But tour operators will continue selling holidays here."
Calls for a selective tourism boycott has been growing internationally following Nasheed's arrest, with Richard Branson of the Virgin group saying he will no longer holiday in the Maldives.
A group called Ethical Maldives, which calls on tourists to avoid resorts owned by businessmen who support the ruling party, is also gaining international media attention.
Opposition politicians were not responding at the time of going to press.
"CMAG lacks clear mandate to place Maldives on its agenda": government tells EU
EU calls for political dialogue to resolve crisis
EU resolution based on 'fabrications, misconceptions, and misrepresentations'
EU, UN join international chorus of concern over Nasheed's arrest, terrorism trial
EC confirms presidential election to be monitored by EU/Commonwealth delegations
Ex-president's wife continues high-profile campaign in Europe
Posted on April 30, 2015 April 30, 2015 Author Zaheena RasheedCategories PoliticsTags EU, EU parliament, EU resolution, maldives, maldives news, MEPs
One thought on "EU calls on Maldives government to free ex president immediately"
Ekaloas buddy says:
Yea Hussain Lirar, just ignore what is happening or better: tell the people how bad the EU is! Tell them how they shouldn't interfere with domestic affairs! The evil EU threatens the Maldives, prepare the armies!
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FDA weighs new guidance about risks of LASIK eye surgery
By Heather Miller
Laser technician Denise Sediq prepares the right eye of Lt. Colonel Thomas Hite, Jr. for corrective eye surgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center June 11, 2002 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Stefan Zaklin/Getty Images)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration wants LASIK eye surgery patients to know more about the risks of what's become a popular procedure for correcting vision problems.
The federal agency has issued a 25-page draft report outlining how doctors should better inform patients about the potential for double vision, dry eyes, poor night vision, eye pain and other side effects after LASIK surgery.
But eye doctors who've been successfully doing the procedures for 25 years say they're already trained to give patients a "balanced discussion" on the benefits and risks. Doctors also say the draft doesn't reference the government's own studies about how safe and effective the procedure is.
What is LASIK surgery?
Dr. Michael Duplessie (L) talks with his patient Donald Boyd (R) whose eyeball is on the screen after performing laser eye surgery at the Visual Freedom Center in Fair Oaks Mall in Farifax, VA 21 August 1999. (Photo credit should read STEPHEN JAFFE/A
LASIK eye surgery involves a cutting laser that changes the shape of the tissue in the front of your cornea to improve poor vision, according to the Mayo Clinic.
It's used to correct conditions including myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism, which impacts both near and distant vision.
The procedure is designed to replace contact lenses and glasses, though the FDA draft warns that you may still have to wear glasses even after having LASIK surgery.
READ MORE: Study: 7.4 million patients are misdiagnosed in US emergency rooms each year
"The recommendations are being made based on concerns that some patients are not receiving and/or understanding information regarding the benefits and risks of LASIK devices," the FDA draft says. "These labeling recommendations are intended to enhance, but not replace, the physician-patient discussion of the benefits and risks of LASIK devices that uniquely pertain to individual patient."
Dr. Vance Thompson, incoming vice president of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, is one of many doctors who take issue with the draft guidance.
"There are important risks and side effects that are well-understood, as with any procedure, but one of the main reasons it was deemed safe and effective is a lot of these things get better with time," he told FOX TV Stations. "We have wonderful tests to be able to show us if the patient is a good candidate for LASIK."
What are the benefits and risks of LASIK surgery?
(Laura Mueller/Charlotte Observer/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
According to the FDA, the risks of LASIK surgery include:
Loss of vision: This is when vision becomes blurry even when wearing contacts or eyeglasses. The FDA says vision loss after LASIK can range from mild to severe, and though it's usually temporary, in rare cases it can be permanent.
Corneal complications: Infection, inflammation and corneal flap problems have been reported after LASIK, the FDA says, and all of them could lead to permanent vision loss.
Retinal detachment: If the retina detaches, it will lose function and the patient will have to undergo surgery to repair it, the FDA says. But the agency notes it's a rare occurrence that usually only happens to "people who are very nearsighted."
Dry eyes: The FDA draft says this problem usually improves within three to six months, but "in rare cases never goes away."
Discomfort or pain: The FDA says the discomfort felt after LASIK typically goes away after a few weeks or months, but "in some patients, the pain may never go away and may be resistant to therapy."
Visual symptoms: Examples include glare, halos, starbursts, double vision, blurred vision, and trouble driving at night.
What the draft guidance is lacking, Thompson said, is information on the benefits of LASIK. Most people come out of LASIK with 20/20 vision or better, according to the Mayo Clinic, and the majority of LASIK patients are satisfied with their surgeries.
Thompson said the draft includes claims that "aren't evidence-based," and they can needlessly scare people when they don't take into account each patient's individual situation.
READ MORE: Screenings only detect 14% of cancer cases, study suggests
"We just think that when we talk about balance, it's important to not only mention the risks, but mention its advantages and put them in perspective," Thompson said. "The well-documented studies on the safety and efficacy, it's not in here.
"What we basically asked the FDA to do is withdraw the document, and if they want to carry forward with it … to work with us, to re-examine current patient-education materials, and identify opportunities that may improve patient education about LASIK procedures," Thompson continued.
What do patients say about their LASIK experience?
Lt. Colonel Lilia A. Fannin, M.D. makes an adjustment to the right eye of Lt. Colonel Thomas Hite, Jr. during corrective eye surgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center June 11, 2002 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Stefan Zaklin/Getty Images)
Nearly 700 people have submitted comments on the FDA draft guidance since it was issued in July.
The comments are a mixed bag of satisfied and dissatisfied LASIK patients, as well as doctors who say the FDA's report is biased and "based on the premise that LASIK devices approved by the FDA are unsafe and unreliable in the hands of duly certified and licensed physicians."
Here's what one patient had to say about their experience:
In January of 2019 I went to one of the "top 10" lasik surgeons in the US, (or so I was told) who told me that I was the perfect candidate for Lasik. I followed all post-op instructions to a T. I never saw 20/20. I immediately began experiencing severe light sensitivity, so intense that I had to sit in a dark room or wear a blindfold. This severity lasted almost a week. Almost 4 years later I still have light sensitivity issues, although it is mild. Within a week of my surgery I started experiencing severe pain in my right eye. By day 10 after surgery the flap in my left eye became detached. Within the first month following surgery this flap became detached 3 times. It was only after I went to a corneal specialist, who placed an amniotic membrane on it, was it finally able to heal. The pain I was experiencing in my right eye within days after surgery continued to grow. After a month of this pain I was finally diagnosed with an infection that was triggered by the surgery.
Because of lasik I was blind for 3 months, and although I am "recovered" I have permanent damage. I have double vision in both eyes, significant dry eyes, tons of floaters, and very poor night vision.
If I was properly informed that I could have experienced these complications I would have never had lasik. I have made a lot of mistakes in my life, but only 1 that I would change if I could. I wish I never had lasik. It ruined my vision, and I almost took my life because of it.
Others, however, shared a much different story:
The outcome of the procedure was better than my expectations. It was a very successful surgery for me, especially being able to see 20/20 within the next day and now. It has been 3 plus years now and my vision is so much better than when I use to wear contacts or glasses. It is so much easier getting up in the morning and being able to see my clock, plus getting my makeup on every morning, driving to work and many more daily tasks. Also, being able to travel and not having to worry about packing extra lenses in case one of my contacts had a tear, now I don't have to worry about these types of things.
I had an amazing experience with receiving Lasik surgery, I would do it all over again. I hope everyone that is wanting to get Lasik choses to get it & enjoy all the benefits like I have.
The agency said it will weigh these comments when preparing the final draft.


Whether you're a casual listener or an avid audiophile, the music you listen to evokes emotion. And now you can enjoy your favorites in premium, high-resolution quality—from one room to every room—delivered as standard with your Control4 system.
This is what we call "House Music".
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Music that takes you to another place—in your own home.
Your music should be readily available, easily accessible, and delivered in the highest quality possible. Enjoy built-in access to popular streaming music services—such as Pandora, Napster, TIDAL, and dozens more—without the need for additional gear. Control4 offers native support and AirPlay streaming for the most popular music services so you can sit back and revel in exceptional sound from your favorites.
Working in harmony with your favorite music services.
From the den to the patio, the entire family can stream their favorite tunes, all at the same time in different parts of the house. Or flood the entire house with a playlist or station of choice and travel from room-to-room without missing a beat.
Control4 is changing the way homeowners experience and access their music. Fire up your favorite playlist on the patio, right from the smartphone in your pocket. Enjoy always-on convenience from the touch screen in the kitchen. Even start, stop, and skip music from a keypad that manages more than just the lights, but also tees up the tunes in every room. We're adding convenience to your acoustics.
Learn more about high-resolution, multi-room audio. We'll show you why Control4 will change the way you listen to music. Forever.


text:
December 2019 Special Edition of CCU Newsletter
Happy New Year from the CCU
The Confederation of Canadian Unions wishes everyone a Happy New Year. In this new decade, we can build a better future for workers in Canada and around the world. Download PDF and print (9 by 6 inches)
Happy Holidays from the CCU
The Confederation of Canadian Unions wishes everyone a Happy Holidays. Labour creates all wealth. When united, we can move mountains. Download PDF and print (9 by 6 inches)
YUSAPUY Documentary Trailer Online
The York University Staff Association (YUSAPUY) was founded in 1970 and is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2020. The documentary, "YUSAPUY: A Union Where Everyone Matters," looks at the history, struggles and achievements of the predominately female union, its past and present leaders, and current […]
A Commitment to Save Forestry Jobs in British Columbia
By CCU President Kelly Johnson There has been a perfect storm heading for the forestry industry in British Columbia during the last two decades. General economic uncertainty, U.S. tariffs and corporate free trade agreements, the export of raw logs and processing jobs, increasing numbers of […]
December 2019 Edition of AESES Newsletter
Download Full Issue Inside This Issue: From the President's Desk Holiday Party Open House Invite Can You Tell Me? AESES Appointments UM Employee Spotlight Contract Negotiation Updates New Faces and Hires CCU's 50th Anniversary
Fall/Winter 2019 Edition of PPWC Leaflet
Download Full Edition Check out the latest edition of the PPWC Leaflet, with an article by CCU Secretary Leanne Shumka on the history of the CCU on its 50th anniversary. Hello All, Another season rolls on and that brings more experience for myself. We have […]
Michelle Branigan from Electricity Human Resources Speaks to the CCU
In October 2019, the Confederation of Canadian Unions (CCU) held its 50th Anniversary Convention in Ottawa. Michelle Branigan from Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC) spoke about the future of the electricity industry in Canada, the future of the job market, and how the industry is […]
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CCU Twitter Feed
Documentary – 47 minutes
The 47-minute documentary, called The Voice for Independent Unions in Canada, illustrates the CCU's dedication to the establishment of a democratic, independent labour movement, its newfound working relationship with the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), and its commitment to growth and renewal.
The documentary also focuses on the struggles of labour activists inside the CCU, its proud history, its work with social justice activists in Canada and around the globe, and the new economic challenges of wage stagnation and growing inequality.
The documentary will be submitted to over 50 film and documentary festivals in Canada and around the world in 2014 and 2015, including the Sundance Film Festival and the Toronto Hot Docs Festival.
Be sure to watch the documentary in full screen and High Definition. Click on the little wheel in the bottom right corner of the video to the left of the YouTube icon, and then press 1080p HD. For full screen, simply press the little square to the right of the YouTube icon.
Director and Editor: Sean Cain
Executive Producer: Joanie Cameron Pritchett


Presentation of tools and techniques for the better understanding and support of students' (of different school ages) right in an opinion, in a context of mutual respect and cooperation, through cinema and the rest of the arts. Teachers will be asked to participate in small-group activities of a simulating nature and exchange ideas and views about the process they participated in, as well as about further projects and actions they can implement at their schools.
A meeting aiming at practicing a dramatist view upon the world and things in general. At spotting the human drama behind and beyond the mechanisms of everyday life. At reinventing it and recreating it on stage. As a theatrical play.
Three-day seminar on the development of drama games in elementary, as well as nursery school. The workshop focuses on the following sections: a) Seeking the definition of drama game, b) The value of the game, c) The game as a basis for the emergence of a role and the creation of improvised theatrical plots, d) Music, movement and dancing in drama game, e) Development of a theatrical game with a beginning, a main body and an ending. At the end of the workshop, a shared activity by students and teachers will take place, with no audience.
Seminar aiming at approaching the specific historical period for teachers in secondary education, mainly philologists. Using historical texts, works of literature and theatre, documentaries and films, the author presents different approaches to the subject. The group works on one of them, in order to create a different theatrical play. The seminar draws from the opportunities offered by the analytical Gymnasium and Lyceum programmes for occupation with the subject, so as to expand the means and perspectives while forming tangible and applicable proposals exploiting the possibilities.
The workshop begins with the screening of the film "Dans les premiers pas d'une classe Freinet" (Delphine Pincon, France, 50΄, 2014). Brainstorming will follow on the correlation between the classroom, the schoolyard and the community, differentiated instruction, school architecture, correspondence, the class board, a work plan and other Freinet techniques. The workshop is all about printing work (small books, school newspapers, no more reading books, posters, bulletin board, wall newspaper, free expression, theatre-newspaper) and is based on children's rights (articles 12-17), the production of a public sphere in school, mass media and children rights, child journalism and citizenship in childhood.
In the first part, the journey of a children's book from its birth to its publication and finally to it meeting the hands of children is presented. The second part includes the presentation of practical instructions: What can I do with a fairytale? How to I present it to children? How do I add music to it? How can I make simple music instrument with found objects? How can I use them? Teachers will create their own fairytales in groups.
Olympia Film Festival honors author Sofia Zarabouka.
Presentation of the historical novel by Alexandra Mitsiali about Axis Occupation and the Resistance, the decimation of the Jews in Thessaloniki, and the Barefoot Battalion, a group of children that struggled to survive while resisting Nazism.
Authors Sofia Zarabouka, Manos Kontoleon, Aggeliki Darlasi, Alexandra Mitsiali, Grigoris Chaliakopoulos, Thodoris Papaioannou and Alexandros Stefanidis, visit more than thirty schools in the regional unit of Elis and discuss books, reading, literature and the problems of our times with students and teachers.
Soul, funk and rock concert with «BEEZTHREEZZZ» group.
Giorgos Menegakis aka Menegator, guitar, vocals, Dimitris Karatzas aka Zacko, trumpet, cajon, vocals, Eleni Kalogianni aka Kapa2, vocals.
With the participation of Efi Papadopoulou (soprano) and Panagiotis Kribas (classical guitar) with covers of opera and modern songs, for voice and guitar.
With the participation of Dimitris Kompostiotis (guitar) and Eleftheria Tsakoulogiannopoulou (violin) from "Polytehno Music School".
Award ceremony for the 19th Olympia Film Festival and the 16th Camera Zizanio.
Poster exhibition with the works of students from various schools in the country, for the Pan-Hellenic Poster Competition for Students of Secondary Education 2015-2016, hosted by the General Secretariat for Gender Equality in order to raise young people's awareness on the subjects of gender equality, the fight against stereotypes and the promotion of meaningful communication among people regardless of their gender, as a condition for a democratic society. The competition entitled "Building Gender Equality by means of creation against stereotypes" was addressed to students of secondary education. 199 schools (Gymnasiums, Lyceums) from all over Greece took part in the competition, 16 of which came from the Western Greece region. The students of the first three schools participated at an educational visit to the European Parliament (Brussels) in July 2016 as Member of the European Parliament Mrs Konstantina Kouneva's guests.
Shared activity by students and teachers at the end of the experiential workshop for the educators from Amaliada.
Participatory activities of drama game and theatrical expression, adapted for special educational needs.
Participatory activities of drama game and theatrical expression with environmental subjects, adapted for toddlers.
Game activities and activities of theatrical expression, as well as short narrations from the books "My name is Niloufer" and "I want to tell you the truth" by Alexandra Mitsiali, and "Black sky with pink clouds" by Kostas Haralas for pupils of the first grades of elementary school.
Activities with pupils of the last two grades of elementary school, as well as the first and second grades of Gymnasium, inspired by "Badboy" by Aggeliki Darlasi.
The guests of 19th Olympia Film Festival and the 16th Camera Zizanio have the chance to go sight-seeing in historic and archaeological sites, get to know the place and its monuments, meet people, see their way of life, and also enjoy local hospitality and the products of the land of Olympia.
The Cultural Club «Dexameni» hosts a Greek night at their venue, with traditional music, folklore dances and local treats made by the club' s members, for the guests of 16th Camera Zizanio.


text:
Q: How to assign a std::string back to a std::vector.data() passed as a void* pointer? Consider the below code, which passes an input string as a source void* to function filter() along with a vector<char> as a destination void*.
How can it assign the processed string back to the destination void* so that it can be passed back to main()?
size_t filter(void* destination, const void* source, size_t source_size)
{
    std::string source_string(static_cast<const char*>(source));

    std::string destination_string;

    // Do some processing on destination_string

    // HAS NO EFFECT ????????????????????
    destination = (&destination_string);

    return destination_string.size();
}

int main()
{
    std::vector<char> buffer;
    buffer.reserve(100);
    auto return_size = filter(buffer.data(), "Appollo", 7);

    std::string str(buffer.begin(), buffer.begin()+return_size);
    std::cout << str.c_str();
}

P.S. This is a problem from an online coding challenge.

A: The statement destination = (&destination_string) simply assigns the memory address of a local std::string variable to a pointer that is also local to the function. It is not copying the character data into the caller's buffer at all.
Try something more like this instead:
size_t filter(void* destination, size_t destination_size, const void* source, size_t source_size)
{
    std::string source_string(static_cast<const char*>(source), source_size);

    std::string destination_string;
    // Do some processing on destination_string

    auto size = std::min(destination_string.size(), destination_size);
    std::copy_n(destination_string.begin(), size, static_cast<char*>(destination));

    return size;
}

int main()
{
    std::vector<char> buffer;
    buffer.resize(100);
    auto return_size = filter(buffer.data(), buffer.size(), "Appollo", 7);

    std::string str(buffer.data(), return_size);
    std::cout << str;

    return 0;
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Home News Sex predator arrested after 13-year-old girl in US complains to guardian
Sex predator arrested after 13-year-old girl in US complains to guardian
District judge imposes jail term on Singaporean who has been targeting minors since he was 17
Source: Screenshot from Facebook / Human Resources Online
Singapore – A sex predator has been targeting minors of different nationalities since he was only 17 years old himself.
According to a report in asiaone.com, Sebastian Lye Chee Weng was finally caught in November 2018, after a 13-year-old girl in America reported him to her guardian. The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was living in Arlington, Texas at the time of the crime.
Lye would befriend his victims on the basis of having common interests like "cosplay" and "anime". He would then get them to converse with him online and eventually to send him salacious photos and videos of themselves.
He was also able to convince them to do sexual acts for him as he watched through the web camera.
Lye, who is now 26, has since pleaded guilty to one count each of sexual exploitation of a minor and has been sentenced to eight months and two weeks in jail.
On Wednesday (Sept 30), the court heard how Lye managed to lure minors into speaking with him. He would get to know them via online social media platforms that permitted virtual strangers to chat based on common interests. There was also a live video function that allowed them to speak via webcam.
On July 10, 2018, Lye spoke to the American girl on video chat and managed to convince her to reveal herself, even getting her to agree to do certain sexual acts on webcam.
The Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) said: "Unbeknownst to (the victim), the accused recorded video footage of her doing the (sex acts)."
He then told the victim to send him naked photos of herself, to which she originally refused. He then threatened to hack into her computer and send the recorded video he made of her to her family.
Then, according to the DPP, "fearing that the accused would carry out his threats, (the victim) relented and sent Lye at least seven photographs of herself in the nude". When he harassed her for even more photos, she finally decided to tell her guardian about him.
The guardian got in touch with Lye, asked him who he was and told him to stop getting in touch with the minor.
Lye, however, threatened the guardian that he would release the nude video and pictures of the girl to her friends if the guardian did not allow him to continue or send him more nude photos of herself. This prompted the guardian to report the incident to the Arlington Police Department.
The case was reported to the Singapore Police Force by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Oct 16, 2018. The police managed to track down his Internet Protocol (IP) address. They raided Lye's home on Nov 14 and managed to arrest him and seize two computers, a tablet and three mobile phones. They managed to extract at least 39 obscene videos recorded from his online chats with a number of unidentified females, many of which were done without consent. Police also found a number of pornographic videos on the devices.
During mitigation, Lye — who did not have a lawyer during his proceedings — told District Judge Ow Yong Tuck Leong that he wanted to seek counselling. The judge said he was glad Lye took the initiative to ask for help.
According to Mr Gregory Vijayendran, who is President of the Law Society and a partner at Rajah & Tann, the case will not likely be extraditable since the offences are not under the Extradition Act.
"A number of factors point towards Singapore as an appropriate jurisdiction to try this case," he explained, including the fact that Lye was arrested in Singapore. /TISG


text:
Earth Day Network Announces Cities That Will Participate in Clinton Global Initiative Commitment for Billion Acts of Green® Campaign
Earth Day Network Announces…
Contact: Bryan Buchanan (202) 518-0044 x14, [email protected]
WASHINGTON – Earth Day Network announced its partnership with five U.S. cities today to work toward reducing their carbon emissions, which is part of the Billion Acts of Green commitment announced at the 2011 Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting. The participating cities are: Fayetteville, Ark.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Bozeman, Mont.; Babylon, N.Y. and Santa Fe County, N.M.
These five cities were selected as a result of their existing efforts to pave the way in reducing energy consumption while implementing cost-saving measures that help balance their budgets.
"In the absence of national and international leadership on climate change policy, local governments, businesses and individuals must take on the cause of renewable energy,"said Kathleen Rogers, president of Earth Day Network. "We are honored to receive such recognition from the Clinton Global Initiative to work with these cities to achieve critical steps in dealing with the climate crisis that set an example for the rest of the country and the world."
At its Annual Meeting in New York last September, President Clinton and the Clinton Global Initiative recognized Earth Day Network's "A Billion Acts of Green® – Renewable Energy for All" campaign to address global environmental challenges. The campaign aims to reduce CO2 emissions by more than one million pounds by the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, in 2012.
The campaign, launched in collaboration with Applied Solutions, ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA, and NativeEnergy,works with individuals, businesses, and local governments to develop alternative energy policies and undertake energy efficiency and renewable energy measures such as the purchase of new technology, energy credits and carbon offsets..
The new initiative will build on the success of Earth Day Network's Global Days of Conversation campaign, which creates dialogue between constituents and political leaders across the globe on issues of environmental sustainability and helps foster innovative solutions to green the economy.
You can view the recognition here: https://archiveedn.wpengine.com/cgi.
About Earth Day Network
Earth Day Network's mission is to broaden, diversify and mobilize the environmental movement, driving action year-round. Earth Day Network does this through advocacy, education, public policy, and consumer campaigns. Earth Day Network mobilizes over one billion people in 192 countries with the help of our 25,000 partners. To learn more about Earth Day Network, please visit archiveedn.wpengine.com.
About Billion Acts of Green®
A Billion Acts of Green® – Renewable Energy for All is a part of the Billion Acts of Green® campaign, which collects and inspires individual and organizational initiatives that further the goal of measurably reducing carbon emissions and supporting sustainability. To learn more about A Billion Acts of Green®, please visit earthday.org/take-action.
About ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA
ICLEI USA is the leading membership association of cities & counties committed to climate protection, clean energy, and sustainability, with more than 550 U.S. members (and 1,200 worldwide). ICLEI USA sets national standards and drives innovation, and is the only organization that provides all of the necessary tools, resources, and technical guidance to help local governments reach their goals. To learn more, please visit www.icleiusa.org.
About Applied Solutions
Applied Solutions is a rapidly growing non-profit organization that was founded by a handful of local governments committed to the development of financial tools and mechanisms to support renewable energy, energy efficiency and water systems at the regional scale. Applied Solutions provides a shared forum for local governments to advance energy sovereignty, economic stability, job creation and resilient infrastructure systems within their communities. To learn more about Applied Solutions, please visit www.appliedsolutions.org.
About NativeEnergy
NativeEnergy is an expert provider of carbon offsets, renewable energy credits, and carbon accounting software. With NativeEnergy's Help Build™ offsets, businesses and individuals can help finance the construction of wind, biogas, solar, and other carbon projects with strong social and environmental benefits. Since 2000, NativeEnergy's customers have helped build over 50 projects, reducing more than 2.5 million tons of greenhouse gas reductions, and the company has over 4 million tons under contract. All NativeEnergy carbon offsets are third-party verified and validated. Learn more at www.nativeenergy.com.
About the Clinton Global Initiative
Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) convenes global leaders to create and implement innovative solutions to the world's most pressing challenges. CGI Annual Meetings have brought together more than 150 heads of state, 20 Nobel Prize laureates, and hundreds of leading CEOs, heads of foundations and NGOs, major philanthropists, and members of the media. To date CGI members have made more than 2,100 commitments, which are already improving the lives of nearly 400 million people in more than 180 countries. When fully funded and implemented, these commitments will be valued at $69.2 billion.
CGI's Annual Meeting is held each September in New York City. CGI also convenes CGI America, a meeting focused on collaborative solutions to economic recovery in the United States, and CGI University (CGI U), which brings together undergraduate and graduate students to address pressing challenges in their community or around the world. The CGI U 2012 meeting will be hosted by the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit clintonglobalinitiative.org and follow us on Twitter @ClintonGlobal and Facebook at facebook.com/clintonglobalinitiative.


text:
Q: evaluating methods of libc++ in gdb when using clang When compiling this
#include <vector>
#include <stdio.h>
int main()
{
    std::vector<int> foo;
    foo.push_back( 1 );
    printf( "%zu\n", foo.size() );
}

with clang++ foo.cpp -stdlib=libc++ -g, when running a.out in gdb and trying to show the result of foo.size(), gdb says "Cannot evaluate function -- may be inlined".
Is there a way to avoid the compiler's inlining in debug mode? I could use libstdc++, but it is quite painful when it is needed to go inside the templates (many many subcalls plus indentation is sometimes space-based and sometimes tab-based).
I am running with Debian 9 (stretch) using libc++-dev v3.5 with clang 3.8 (tried with clang 5.0 too, same result) and gdb 7.12.

A: libstdc++ implements so called Python xmethods, see documentation:

Xmethods are additional methods or replacements for existing methods
  of a C++ class. This feature is useful for those cases where a method
  defined in C++ source code could be inlined or optimized out by the
  compiler, making it unavailable to GDB. For such cases, one can define
  an xmethod to serve as a replacement for the method defined in the C++
  source code. GDB will then invoke the xmethod, instead of the C++
  method, to evaluate expressions. One can also use xmethods when
  debugging with core files. Moreover, when debugging live programs,
  invoking an xmethod need not involve running the inferior (which can
  potentially perturb its state). Hence, even if the C++ method is
  available, it is better to use its replacement xmethod if one is
  defined.

That's why you can call mock foo.size() even if the real foo.size() was inlined by compiler when using libstdc++. As far as I know there is no alike xmethod implementation for libc++.


There's no such thing as too much bling, especially when creating holographic nail art. Most nail designs that include transfer foil use it in small patches by pressing it against the nail. Here, you'll cut the foil into thin strips to achieve a more complete effect.
This fancy design also includes a purple base and a white geometric design.
Using a nail stamper takes a little practice, but if you use stamping gel and clean the stamping plate after completing each individual nail, you'll get good results.
Since stamping gel dries quickly, this design works best on an accent nail. The finished design has a glossy finish and will have people wondering who did your nails.
1. To ensure your stamper is clean, press it against the sticky tape lint roller to remove any leftover paint.
2. Apply one coat of purple gel polish to nails, then cure them with the UV or LED lamp.
3. Apply latex tape peel off cuticle guard to the skin around the nails and let it dry.
4. Apply a second coat of purple gel polish onto the nails, then cure with the lamp.
5. Cut a square of metallic transfer foil into thin strips.
6. Apply the soak-off base gel to the nails, then put foil strips on the nails and cure them. Tip: Use the tweezers to apply the foil, so you can position it perfectly.
7. Remove any strips that don't adhere properly and trim the overhanging foil with the scissors to match your nail shape.
8. Apply no wipe matte gel top coat, then cure the nails with the lamp.
9. Apply white stamping gel paint to the stamping plate, then use the scraper to press the paint into the design.
10. Press the stamper onto the paint to transfer it, then stamp your nail and cure with the lamp.
11. Apply soak off sealer nail gel, then cure the nails once more.
12. Peel off cuticle guard with tweezers.
13. Clean the stamper by pressing it onto the sticky tape lint roller.
14. Clean the stamping plate and scraper with acetone and a soft cotton pad.


text:
Home Editor's Pick Awie's SOP violation case not yet complete, no compound issued so far
Awie's SOP violation case not yet complete, no compound issued so far
MELAKA, May 10 — No compound has been issued so far in the case of an alleged violation of COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) by rock singer Datuk Ahmad Azhar Othman, or better known as Awie, during a humanitarian programme at a hotel at Jalan Hang Tuah here.
Melaka deputy police chief SAC Razali Abu Samah said this was because the case was still under investigation and the process of taking statements from all individuals involved was currently underway.
He said the investigating officer had gone to Awie's house in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday to take his statement and had also gotten a statement from the hotel, which was the organiser of the programme.
"Only several individuals have yet to give their statements and it will be done as soon as possible to complete the investigation papers before they are sent to the deputy public prosecutor's office for further action.
"We have not charged him (Awie) yet as the investigation is still incomplete. We have not received any instruction from the deputy public prosecutor, so how can the summons be paid?"
He said this when asked to comment on media reports that Awie's manager, Mubarak Akhtar had claimed that the singer had paid the summons relating to the SOP violation, at a press conference here today.
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Next articleLuxury vehicle theft syndicate crippled with arrest of 13
14,990 cases today, Selangor highest at 2,414
Almost 75,000 adults in Terengganu have not been vaccinated – MB


text:
Q: Return focus to the Word editor after action in Add-in We have a Microsoft Word add-in which uses the Javascript API. This add-in allows the user to insert Content Controls. Once the control is added, we want to return focus to the editor (Word document) so the user can immediately continue typing.
Currently, the control is being added with select('End'); however, focus still remains in the add-in until the user clicks back into the document.
Is there any way to return focus to the document and away from the add-in's task pane once this control is added?


To complete the discussion, this is screenshot of an email, similar to the previous one but not the same one, always notification from your forum, always displayed on iOS Mail, once it is moved to the trash with iPhone. In Mail for macOS, besides, as I said above, to be viewable, nothing changes if I move it to the trash.
The Uninstaller was called APP CLEANER & UNINSTALLER by NEKTONY; once was present on the Mac AppStore but several months ago was removed from Apple and for that they had offered to me an external license. It erased components from the above folder for any type of app, whether it was downloaded from the Store or external (for example Ms Office, Adobe Reader; but the list I think could contain any App that in my short history Mac I installed). About it was deleting were names composed of a readable part and a part of random characters, sometimes I think they were subfolders.
What does the number 8 represent in a Mac web browser?
This Morning (02 April 2019) All the problems have been reintroduced, the worst of which is the Safe Browsing disabled. Please @Vabadus, con you gelo me?


text:
January Global Land And Sea Temperature Sets Record For Ninth Consecutive Month
Home / January Global Land And Sea Temperature Sets Record For Ninth Consecutive Month
The global sea surface anomaly analysis for January 18, 2016 clearly shows El Niño, as well as warm water around the globe. Graphic courtesy of NOAA.
NOAA has released its global land and sea temperature analysis for January.
The result is no surprise: The warmest January since record-keeping began in 1880; and the largest increase over the previous comparable month's record.
The trend is ominous, with the increase from pre-industrial days well over one degree Celsius (1C). The only mitigating factor is El Niño. The recent spike in global temperatures implies that there may be little time before the atmosphere passes the 2C increase that climatologists warn will result in catastrophic weather changes. However, extrapolation from the last strong El Niño indicates that things, though worrisome, are not quite so bad.
January was the ninth consecutive month to set a new land and sea temperature record. The last string of that many months was 1997-8, during the last powerful El Niño.
Global And Hemispheric Land And Sea Temperatures: Effect Of Oceans
January Temperatures: Overview
Far-Flung Effects Of El Niño — Or a Long-Term Trend?
Where The Heat Went On
What's Next For Planet Earth?
The rise in January's global temperatures was fueled by dramatic sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and a continuation of the rapid rise in arctic temperatures. El Niño got all the news, but the departure from normal in the Indian Ocean was more pronounced.
Many scientists believe that the greatest danger from climate change is disruption of the ocean circulations that stabilize atmospheric temperatures. In addition to the warm equatorial waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, there is a persistent cold pool (The Anti-Blob) in the northern Atlantic. Combined with the warming of the Arctic, these ocean changes may be the first harbingers of serious climate change.
January did not sweep away all the old temperature records. The southern hemisphere recorded new highs for land, sea, and combined temperature. But in the northern hemisphere, the land temperature was only the third highest for January. As a result, the global land temperature came in only second.
This is — excuse the pun — cold comfort. Worldwide land and sea temperatures are rising at an alarming rate.
The daily temperatures in January north of 80 degrees ranged from 4C to 12C above normal. The trend has continued in to February. Graphic courtesy of Danish Meteorological Institute.
In addition to the powerful warming of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, the arctic warmed dramatically in January.
The Danish Meteorological Institute reports that the temperature north of 80 degrees was more than 4C above normal every day in January. This followed the astounding warmth at the end of December, as the warm air that brought record Christmas Eve temperatures to the east coast of the US surged all the way to the North Pole.
As a result of the warm air temperatures, the sea ice coverage in the arctic was the lowest ever recorded for January.
January sea ice extent was 5.2 million square miles, 90,000 square miles less than the previous record. This extends the trend of past years, and was expected.
What wasn't expected was the reversal of the Antarctic sea ice expansion that took place in 2015. January antarctic sea ice extent was 4.3% below the 1981-2010 average.
2016 will be a consequential year for the atmosphere. Whether the far-flung temperature anomalies are consequences of El Niño or a new acceleration of global warming may be decided this year. The dramatic warming of much of the earth's ocean surface could be the appearance, expected by a sizable percentage of meteorologists, of some of the "missing" energy that should be available from the trapping effect of greenhouse gases, and which is suspected to be stored in the oceans.
The following locations recorded a record warm January:
January temperature deviations from normal clearly show widespread record warmth. Graphic courtesy of NOAA.
Oceans:
The central tropical Pacific Ocean
The eastern subtropical Pacific Ocean
Most of the tropical and subtropical Indian Ocean, both north and south
Extreme western tropical Atlantic Ocean
The eastern subtropical South Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean adjacent to the northern US coast
Extreme eastern North Atlantic Ocean
The waters south of Australia
Extreme western tropical Pacific Ocean
Northern South America
Parts of southern Europe and northern Africa
Most of southern Africa
Indonesia and Malaysia
Afghanistan and neighboring parts of adjacent countries
Part of northern Siberia
No part of the earth, land or sea, set a record for cold in January, though the Anti-Blob in the Atlantic Ocean south of Greenland and Iceland came close.
The climate agreement reached in Paris in December has already begun to succumb to special interests and local politics. Many countries have expressed dismay that the US Supreme Court delayed implementation of regulations of coal-fired power plants. If one of the world's main polluters drags its feet, others are sure to follow suit.
Global land and sea temperatures are rapidly approaching the point of no return. The COP21 agreement implicitly recognized that attempts to prevent warming of the atmosphere beyond 2C are fairly likely to fail by including a great deal about mitigation of the effects of climate change.
The next few months could be crucial: El Niño will likely fade to neutral conditions by late spring, and La Niña will probably follow. If the cooling of Pacific waters spreads its influence around the globe, humanity may buy some time to get its act together and mount a unified push to stop the atmosphere from overheating..
Jailing of Italian Seismologists Raises Questions Over Earthquake Prediction
January Global Temperature And Precipitation: Some Surprises, But Basically Warm


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The Clump
Bear Wonderland
8.5" x 11" • 40 pages • full color
KGB Assassin...
Small Town Mayor...
Wanted Terrorist...
Boris the Bear has been them all and more. Granted an incredible intellect as the subject of a Soviet military experiment, he was meant to be a weapon. He turned out to be the most extraordinary bear the world has ever known. He attempted to use his enhanced brain to create his own utopia only to have it crash down around him. Now, decades after those events, the people whose lives he effected most have agreed to be interviewed for this docudrama. Together their stories chronicle the rise and fall of Boris and the Bear Wonderland.


Rodeo Empire can provide Rodeo Bull, Surf Simulator or Ultimate Wipeout with friendly and professional staff throughout the North West. The Rodeo Bull comes with a western theme style inflatable mattress, life size Bull with real cow hide and flashing eyes.
Book now for all your party needs including: For Rodeo Bull hire in Greater Manchester and the North West, contact Rodeo Empire . Our drivers will deliver to anywhere in the North West of the UK, providing your party with the ultimate in Rodeo Bull Hire or Rodeo Bull event.
All the units from Rodeo Empire are clean and replaced on a regular basis. We are proud to have held bookings with major clients such as Manchester City Council, Mercedes Benz, Total Fitness, Manchester United Football Club and many other major events. For all of your Rodeo Bull hire needs in Manchester and the North West , contact Rodeo Empire Castle Hire today. You can book online or via phone. When you book online no deposit is required and you can cancel the event of bad weather with no penalty.
The Rodeo Bull also known as a Bucking Bronco. Hold on tight and try your best to tame the beast before being ejected. The Rodeo Bull is so popular we have three in our farm.
Should one Rodeo Bull not be enough you can hire two to be operated at the same time. One controller with two units for the ultimate Ride-off experience.
Ride the waves with the Surf Simulator. Test your balance as we imitate the waves of the open ocean. You will feel like a real surfer without getting soaked.
Tackle our Rodeo Football as it will spin and tilt you into defeat. Football presentation nights will never be the same with this entertainment simulator.
Test your balace with the Snowboard Simulator. The simulator will tilt and rock you off the board.
Tornado also known as Ultimate Wipeout or Last person standing. Up to eight players will battle against the rotating arms to duck and jump. Once wiped out the contender is eliminated until one person is declared the winner.
Our Red Nose Bucking Reindeer will give everyone the Christmas spirit as you buck and spin until defeat. Christmas parties will never be the same.
The Rodeo Christmas Pudding will spin and tilt you into defeat. Perfect for those Christmas parties young or old.
Perfect for Hen Parties, Student Nights, Anne Summers Parties, Nightclubs and all other adult related events. Hold on to his privates while you are taken on the ride of your life. The male mannequin is fun to watch or ride.
Perfect for Stag Parties, Student Freshers, Nightclubs and many other adult related events. You will be required to hold on tight to the female mannequin's waste before being ejected from the simulator.The female mannequin can be enjoyable to watch or ride.


MG: What are you working on lately? You do so many things.
RR: My company Corporate Kickoff is my main focus. I'm a corporate motivational speaker and a benefit auctioneer. I enjoy hosting charity fundraisers and black tie auctions. I do about 100 events a year between the auctions and corporate events and have three, full-time people and four subcontractors who work with me on this. We also represent other speakers and book them for events. I'm also Director of Business Partnerships at Universal Lending Corporation, creating business partnerships for them.
MG: How did you end up being such a Renaissance Man, doing so many things? How can we all learn to do this?
RR: I think you have to have an open mind about yourself and about the world and opportunities. I have found that I rarely shut down an opportunity on first hearing it, no matter how ridiculous it seems. I rarely have a strong opinion right away and being flexible with my life is important, easing into opportunities I would have rejected had I thought it as first blush. I've worked for a gold mining company, in the mortgage industry, in television news, I'm the author of 6 books because of this approach.
MG: You're truly a Modern Gladiator. What are some of the other core values you think embody that and that you focus on?
RR: I talk a lot about understanding the difference between leadership and authority. As men, we want authority to be heard, listen to us and obey us but authority is a fleeting thing. You can try to have it over people but it is a nonconsensual relationship. People will follow it only to the extent they have to, but as soon as they turn your back? They stop. Leadership is different. People opt into leadership, they have to voluntarily say "I like where you're headed, you have my best interests at heart." And here's a tip. I've been around men who were true leaders in the NFL when I was with the Denver Broncos and I've come across a few in the world of business. When you meet a real leader? You'll know it. They listen, invest in their people, and make accountability a two-way street in your relationship with them. They're truly interested in what they can do to help you advance and what you'd enjoy doing on their team.
MG: The world feels particularly chaotic lately. As modern gladiators, what's your advice on how to navigate it?
RR: Yes, things are complicated and changing quickly and the Internet has transformed the landscape especially for younger people. They don't have this idea to work at one place for their whole life. My best advice is to be more flexible. Look at the newest things coming down the pike and the opportunities for you that may be coming with them. Grow and change along with the times. A great example of this is how the Internet has made it easier than ever these days to grow and expand your professional and personal networks. Decades ago you would only meet in person or write letters and send them snail mail.
MG: How do you maintain those valuable professional relationships?
RR: Don't look at those relationships as finite. That as you move from one job to the next that the peer and leaderships relationships end when you walk out the door. Use social media, SKYPE, Facetime and email and all this great technology to maintain and grow those loyalties and shared experiences over the years. You never know when you might need them.
MG: You say you're amazed at how your young son uses technology. Any advice to gladiator parents?
RR: Be present for them. Spend the time. But be aware of what you do. He's 12 and as he gets older I can see the adult in him and I can start to see what he's going to look like in his 20s. It's just become more apparent every day that he needs a father figure. I have to play a certain role in his life and he's just soaking it up so I am mindful as I assume the different, varied roles of the disciplinarian, the husband, the mentor. He's watching me, my tone of voice, my gestures, my listening style my talking style…he watches me do business, goes to my events with me.. Every day I become more aware that I'm training a young man to be a man, father, husband, work, entrepreneur and as a man I take that really seriously and that's one of the things a modern gladiator has to do. I'm sure an ancient gladiator had to teach their sons how to fight and hunt and defend their families…it's the same thing—and way beyond that for us.
MG: What's your last piece of advice for us to think about?
RR: There's never been more opportunity than RIGHT NOW to shape your career into the exact shape that you want. Now go do it.
MG Magazine Writer/Interviewer.Audrey Strong is an award-winning journalist with a long career spanning the worlds of television news and public relations.


The management team at Bowker Motor Group got into overdrive and raised more than £1,000 for Burnley FC in the Community at this year's Burnley 10K.
Despite eleventh hour injuries to two of the Bowker team, their remaining colleaugues completed the course.
The sixth annual Burnley 10K race took place on Sunday July 15th, beginning and finishing in Towneley Park, outside Towneley Hall.
Earlier this year Bowker Motor Group became official vehicle supplier of Burnley FC in the Community sourcing a fleet of four vehicles. Bowker Motor Group also sponsored the charity's annual fundraising dinner in April.


With the managerial merry-go-round in full flow during these summer months, it is easy for football clubs to move swiftly from one employee to another with little regard to the past and an intense focus on the present and the future.
Therefore, it is worth noting the ill-fated case of Barcelona and Tito Vilanova, who recently parted company due to the 44-year-old's fight with parotid cancer – a resignation which has demonstrated the Catalan giants' empathetic ability to live up to their mantra as mes que un club.
Since stepping down from his position as First Team Coach on 19 July, Vilanova's twitter feed has been clogged up with numerous messages of support from former players and members of his coaching staff, sparking the online trend of #animsTito.
Nevertheless, the "best team in the world", according to Tito himself, cannot afford to stand still and has since recruited Argentine Gerardo Martino to fill the void left by Vilanova.
But what can Martino learn from his predecessor's time in charge at the Nou Camp? And can Vilanova's reign even be considered a success at all?
On 27 April 2012, after three years as Pep Guardiola's assistant, Tito Vilanova replaced his old boss and treble-winning friend as First Team Coach of Barcelona.
The honeymoon period began in glorious fashion at the start of last season. The Blaugrana won their first four league games and had opened up an eight-point gap over arch rivals Real Madrid before the end of September.
On 19 December 2012, with Barcelona nine points clear at the top of the table having scored a devastating 54 goals in 16 games, the club announced that Vilanova's cancer had returned and that he would not be attending games for the foreseeable future. Jordi Roura was to play the role of caretaker manager whilst his colleague began six weeks of chemotherapy treatment.
By February 2013, the Nou Camp was praying for a miraculous recovery and the return of their manager. A draw in the Copa Del Rey was followed by dropped points in La Liga and a miserable first half display against Valencia at the Mestalla. Roura had dispelled the widely-held belief that anyone can manage a team as good as Barcelona.
With Vilanova's return in late March came the toughest test of the season: a Champions League semi-final tie with Bayern Munich. The previous seven months of scintillating league form was instantly forgotten. The "best team in the world" had just crashed out of Europe's major tournament, losing 7-0 on aggregate and having witnessed a newly evolved version of the beautiful game which made their own 'tiki taka' style appear outdated.
Whilst Barca's new manager will find it difficult to review his team's demolition at the hands of the Bayern, there are lessons to be learnt from the last 12 months.
What Barcelona missed most during Vilanova's absence was his ability to influence games with appropriate decision making from the touchline. For instance, a 3-2 against Sevilla looked certain to end in a draw until Vilanova's introduction of David Villa resulted in a last gasp winner for his team. Had Roura made the same substitution in Barca's draw against Valencia, Barca would have reached a record-breaking 102 points last season.
Vilanova can also be praised for getting the best out of Cesc, something Martino must also try to achieve. The loss of Thiago Alcantara to Bayern has made Fabregas even more pivotal to the future of Barcelona's famous midfield. In his short spell in charge, Vilanova used a system whereby a deeper-lying Andres Iniesta allowed the former Arsenal man to flourish.
However, to avoid the early-season criticism aimed at Vilanova, Martino should spend big on a central defender. Thiago Silva, David Luiz and Daniel Agger have all been linked with moves to the Nou Camp and could all provide adequate cover for an aging Puyol and injury-prone Pique.
Finally, mix up the range of passing that was present during the Guardiola and Vilanova years. Whilst Guardiola epitomised 'tiki taka' play, Vilanova's teams could get the ball wide and back into the box very quickly. A blend of these two styles proved successful for Bayern last season and would improve the Blaugrana's chances should they meet German opposition this time round.
Here's hoping that Barcelona are not involved in next season's managerial merry-go-round, with sustained success in the future for Gerardo Martino and a hopeful recovery for Tito Vilanova. #animsTito.


You know the feeling when you've read all the author's books, then you get the chance to meet them (virtually or in real life) and you get a bit insight on how what makes him tick. I was beyond excited to read this book as part of Bob Mayer's book tour and my book club members and I are having so much fun dissecting this book.
My favourite scene is onboard the Fina when Mayer writes, "The stream narrowed until reeds were brushing against both sides of the Fina." What follows is words that are somewhat gentle and descriptive but with strong undertones.
The military angle in this book like all others is spot on. He also uncovers the emotional side of "always being told what to do" and you fall in love with his writing and are captivated by the characters from start to end.
As always, another stunning piece by Bob Mayer.
Would I recommend this read? Oh yes, definitely.
Offensive content?: PG onwards for theme and content.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours. I did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was I obliged to write a positive one.


Fine Arts is part of the regular academic program. It engages students to develop their creative, expressive and technical ability in arts and craft. Students are encouraged and motivated to develop special skills and widen their awareness of arts and craft in their own and other cultures of the world with special emphasis on UAE culture. These skills will advance through a variety of art making processes including art history, class discussion and sketchbook assignments.


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FashionNews
20January 2020
TextHabi Diallo
Photography Caleb Krivoshey courtesy of Gap
Start saving now: a Telfar x Gap collaboration is coming soon
Founder Telfar Clemens talks joining forces with the iconic American label, opening up the Telfar universe to a new audience, and creating 'some hype shit!'
Telfar AW2030
Last September, Telfar Clemens traded New York for Paris to debut a 70s-inspired collection which included a collaboration with Converse. Now, following on from his AW20 show at Pitti Uomo, the Queens-born designer is releasing a new collection designed in partnership with Gap.
"Gap is kind of a big deal for us because, to be honest, our dream has always been this big-box thing – to be part of everyday life and people. That is who actually inspires us," Clemens explains of the project, adding that the whole thing has been almost a year in the making. "We took it really slow to make sure we did it right."
Talking on the process of deciding whether the partnership felt right, Clemens explains it was the brand's ubiquity in American culture that was most appealing. "It's specifically because of what Gap represents for people who grew up in America – both from everyday life and their ads in the late 90s… If you said t-shirt at that time, you actually meant a Gap t-shirt," he says, confirming both Gap and Telfar's DNA embodied the concept of anti-fashion and created a sense of power he has always been obsessed with.
Rejecting the common trope of brand collaborations that are deep-rooted in logomania, when it came to this offering Clemens was instead inspired by putting a "twist on the suburbs". Fans of Telfar can expect the brand's democratic ideas to be implemented in every aspect of the collection, with the main goals being to "Give people genderless options when they are going back-to-school shopping; make things available in real-world sizing and pricing that our families could actually afford when we were growing up."
Among the offering are dual-branded sweatshirts and hoodies, classic tees, and more than a few denim styles (though for now, the collection remains largely under wraps). Not everything is understated, though: there's still what Clemens calls 'some hype shit!'
In comparison to most high fashion brands, Telfar's prices are already considerably low with their iconic shopping bag starting at just $150. This collaboration, however, will have even lower prices, something Clemens and his team were told was a bad idea. "It doesn't take value away because our brand is not about scarcity or wealth or envy, we are actually a new type of brand," he explains of the importance of accessible prices.
Set to be released in the autumn of this year, it's sure the accessibility of the collection will open Telfar up to a whole new spectrum of people – who won't have to break the bank to be part of the label and its pioneering vision.
Revisit the AW20 Telfar show above.
Gabriel from Emily in Paris just went American Psycho on the Paris runway
Geeks, jocks, emos, and goths unite in DSquared2's trashy 2004 fantasy
Miley Cyrus is finally dressing like a rich, bisexual divorcée
RIP maximalism! Gucci strips it back for first show post-Alessandro
FashionNewsTelfarTelfar ClemensCollaboration


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Urban Commons Unveils World's Largest Holiday Inn Resort
The company invested $27.5 million to renovate a former Nickelodeon Suites property, which spans 24 acres and offers 777 suites in Orlando.
Keith Loria
Image via Pixabay.com
Urban Commons has completed a $27.5 million renovation on the former Nickelodeon Suites Resort in Orlando, Fla., rebranding it as the Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites and Waterpark.
The renovation included upgrades to all areas of the hotel, including the guestrooms, lobby, café, lounge, meeting rooms and restrooms. It also made detailed changes to the waterpark and food and beverage facilities. Following these upgrades, the property has become the world's largest Holiday Inn Resort.
Urban Commons acquired the property in 2014 and immediately made plans for the transformation. The 24-acre resort offers 777 suites on six floors. The noteworthy Lagoon Waterpark boasts seven slides, a splash zone, kids' play area, a four-story water tower, a 400-gallon water dump tank, interactive water toys and a nine-hole miniature golf course.
READ ALSO: World's Tallest Modular Hotel Advances in NYC With $65M Loan
Among the new food offerings are the Club Candy, a colorful sweet escape featuring treats and drinks; The Hideaway Lounge, a sleek full-service bar offering appetizers and snacks; Hershey's Ice Cream, a parlor serving hand-dipped ice cream and fresh-brewed coffee, and a Subway.
The Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites and Waterpark is conveniently located, offering easy access to all Orlando has to offer. It's less than a five-minute drive to the Walt Disney World Resort and is nearby Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld, Legoland Florida Resort, Disney Springs, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Universal CityWalk.
Booming Orlando
Last year, the Orlando area saw another record for visitors, becoming the first-ever U.S. destination to surpass 70 million tourists in back-to-back years.
According to Marcus & Millichap's latest hospitality report, the metro is seeing a 4 to 6 percent gain in guestroom count, based on approximately 7,000 guestrooms under construction as of mid-year. Additionally, occupancy remains strong, with increases in basis points and RevPAR. That's spurred a boom in hotel resort activity of late.
In December, a joint venture between funds managed by Trinity Real Estate Investments LLC and funds managed by Elliott Management Corp. acquired the 409-acre Grande Lakes Orlando Resort. The luxury complex features two hotels, including a 582-key Ritz-Carlton and a 998-key JW Marriott, and a Greg Norman–designed 18-hole championship-caliber golf course.
Marcus & Millichap
Urban Commons
Downtown Orlando Hotel Scores $18M Refi
Greater Orlando Office Condos Land Financing
SunCap Opportunity Fund Buys Orlando-Area Industrial Center
Orlando-Area Office Building Trades for $15M
Metro Orlando Retail Center Trades for $18M