text:
Archive for category: Ebola
Ebola, Global Poverty, Uganda
Ebola Outbreak in Uganda
About 41% of Uganda's population lives in poverty in 2022. The Ebola outbreak in Uganda has put the region of central Uganda at an even greater risk.
Ebola in Uganda
The Ebola outbreak in Uganda occurred in September 2022. In October 2022, the Ugandan Ministry of Health reported 43 cases and 29 deaths due to the rare Sudan strain of Ebola which can have up to a 90% mortality rate. However, outbreaks may now become less of a problem in Uganda as a consequence of the rest of the world's increasing pandemic preparedness in the wake of COVID-19.
Previously, Uganda was not able to fortify its healthcare system due to a lack of support and funding. As a result, when this rare strain of Ebola began to attack several districts in the country, Uganda did not have the infrastructure necessary to appropriately contain it. One can see this as a clear indicator that countries like Uganda are still in need of a lot of help, especially from countries like the United States. Patients that have or are suspected of having Ebola also often are diagnosed with malaria which is another sign of people who are in need of assistance.
Uganda's poverty rate has been climbing for the last decade due to a lack of infrastructure and economic growth. This has made it more difficult to effectively fight against the Ebola outbreak. Uganda does not have enough trained personnel in order to service all of the infected individuals.
Outside Impact
Organizations like Doctors Without Borders have stepped in, erecting temporary hospitals, to provide initial emergency assistance. Meanwhile, on October 6, 2022, USAID donated materials in order to help treat patients who have contracted the disease. It has deployed supplies in a timely manner in hopes that the spread does not get any worse and impact Uganda even more.
The quickness and severity of this outbreak are signs of larger struggles that the country is having when it comes to its economy and healthcare systems. There has been a noticeable response from within and outside of the country but if efforts do not keep up, the effects of this outbreak may only become worse and more noticeable in this community.
USAID, by way of the World Health Organization (WHO), has also provided support to Uganda by providing three viral hemorrhagic fever kits to help combat the spread of Ebola and an assortment of PPE to ensure the safety of all individuals in the area. These supplies have proven invaluable to the efforts of slowing this outbreak and continued support will likely be necessary for a while.
Uganda does have experience fighting outbreaks similar in nature to this one as it fought an Ebola outbreak in 2019 and completely contained it in less than a year. Hope exists that with that experience, they will be able to have the situation under control in less time than that and Ugandans will be able to return to normalcy.
– Alex Peterson
https://borgenproject.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.jpg 0 0 Naida Jahic https://borgenproject.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.jpg Naida Jahic2022-10-28 14:21:542022-11-03 20:02:37Ebola Outbreak in Uganda
Africa, Ebola, Global Poverty, Sports Programs in Poverty Reduction, Sportsmanship
How Sports Programs Can Reduce Poverty
Sports programs can reduce poverty by promoting health, education and diplomacy in developing countries. The Foundation for Global Sports Development creates and supports numerous programs around the world to uplift children through sports. Access to safe and educational sports opportunities can prepare children and entire nations for success by teaching them valuable sportsmanship and conflict-resolution skills.
The Foundation for Global Sports Development
The Foundation for Global Sports Development began as an organization called Justice for Athletes in 1996. To this day, the Foundation "delivers and supports initiatives that promote fair play, education and the benefits of abuse-free sport." For more than two decades, the Foundation's central focus has empowered youth by encouraging young athletes to speak up about emotional, physical and sexual abuse. The Foundation also awards scholarships and grants, coordinates educational programs, promotes gender equality in sports and collaborates with countries to offer sports opportunities to children with socioeconomic disadvantages. In March 2021, the Foundation collaborated with the International Table Tennis Federation Foundation (ITTF) to support grassroots projects that help participants learn problem-solving skills for broader community issues through table tennis. The Foundation for Global Sports Development models how sports programs can reduce poverty by sponsoring children and teaching them valuable skills from a young age.
Early Childhood Benefits
Sports often teach children how to resolve conflict peacefully and respectfully. Conflict-affected areas may particularly benefit from sports programs because sports can teach children to overcome differences and work together as part of a team. According to ReliefWeb, in 2019, "1.6 billion children (69%) were living in a conflict-affected country," a situation that continues to intensify. When children develop the skills to resolve conflict peacefully, in their adulthood, they can serve as peacemakers across a conflict-ridden nation.
Sports programs can also promote health and gender equality. These programs keep children active and often include co-ed interactions and relationships that help children learn to treat people equally, regardless of gender. Sports programs may even give children who excel at sports the opportunity to turn sport into a career and potentially support themselves and their families. From early childhood, sports programs can reduce poverty by encouraging diplomacy, boosting health, advancing gender equality and opening doors to career opportunities.
National Development
On a national level, sports programs can help raise awareness about social issues and public health. For example, in 2014, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) teamed up with the World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness about Ebola and help combat the outbreak in West Africa. World-renowned soccer players participated in the campaign, and as popular icons, they spread awareness about preventative measures to protect against Ebola. Sports programs can also improve public health on a local level. Coaches often help children adopt good hygiene practices and understand the importance of physical activity and nutrition. Sports programs may even serve local economies by creating jobs in coaching and mentorship.
Individual sports programs may only reach one small community but have impacts that have the potential to reach an entire nation. Former South African president and anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela harnessed "the power of sport during the 1995 Rugby World Cup" to reunite South Africa after the abolition of apartheid. Mandela's words at the 2000 Laureus World Sports Awards highlight the transformative power of sport: "Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does."
– Cleo Hudson
Photo: rawpixel
https://borgenproject.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.jpg 0 0 Saiesha https://borgenproject.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.jpg Saiesha2022-02-16 01:30:222022-02-07 10:49:41How Sports Programs Can Reduce Poverty
Ebola, Global Poverty, Guinea, West Africa
The Marburg Virus in West Africa
Africa is a continent comprising of diseases and illnesses that affect many people's lives. Notable examples of such ailments include HIV, malaria, Ebola and even COVID-19, impacting the lives of many impoverished communities of Africa. Now, a recent report of the Marburg virus in West Africa is starting to raise concern and officials from the World Health Organization (WHO) are scrambling to address the situation before it intensifies.
In August 2021, health officials from Guinea confirmed the first case of the Marburg virus disease in a deceased West African man. The patient, who started to develop the illness in late July 2021, went to a local clinic to seek treatment, where he displayed high fever, abdominal pain and external bleeding around his teeth. The man died less than two weeks later in the town of Guéckédou in Southern Guinea, which is in the same region where the Ebola virus broke out in 2014 and 2021.
What is the Marburg Virus?
Marburg is a type of virus that comes from the same family as Ebola and causes hemorrhagic fever in the individual who contracts it. Anyone infected is prone to experiencing internal bleeding, which affects vessels, organs and the body's ability to regulate itself. Because of the severity of the damage, Marburg virus disease is extremely dangerous with an average case mortality rate of around 50%. In past outbreaks, fatality rates reached as high as 88%. The last noted presence of the virus was in 2008 with the last major outbreak occurring in 2005 in Angola.
Though Marburg has the potential to be very deadly, viruses that cause hemorrhagic fever are rare and are usually limited to areas with specific animals that host the viruses. In 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that fruit bats carry the virus, meaning that a human can only become infected through prolonged exposure in caves or similar habitats. However, once the virus infects one person, the Marburg virus is easily transmittable through direct contact with another individual. The timeline in which a person will start to display symptoms can be anywhere between two and 21 days after infection Although only a single case was confirmed so far, the WHO found the need to declare an outbreak in West Africa due to how easily the Marburg virus can spread.
What are Health Officials Doing?
Due to the concern that the Marburg virus could trigger an epidemic in West Africa, the WHO is taking precautions to ensure that the virus does not spread much further. Since the discovery, Guinea has attempted to track anyone who interacted with the patient. The country is monitoring at least 172 people, ordering them to quarantine to prevent transmission. The WHO has also dispatched a team consisting of epidemiology and socio-anthropology experts, who are now on the grounds of the virus site and are assisting with the investigation of Marburg virus cases. Efforts are also going into improving cross-border surveillance. Since Guéckédou is relatively close to Sierra Leone and Liberia, the WHO is working with authorities to ensure the virus does not spread outside of Guinea.
Disease and Poverty
As it currently stands, there is no known cure for Marburg virus disease, though remedies are in development. Right now, the best way to treat someone infected with the Marburg virus is through supportive care and rehydration. Doing so will reduce the likelihood of the disease becoming fatal. With that said, this current situation in Guinea speaks volumes about the healthcare system in Africa and the specific vulnerabilities of Africa.
Africa is the most disease-prone continent in the world, yet most of its people do not have access to treatment that will help protect against these viruses. In Guinea, which is home to 13 million people, not even 4% of the nation's population has received full vaccination against COVID-19. If people in West Africa have limited access to a globally distributed COVID-19 vaccine, the likelihood of them easily obtaining treatment for a disease like Marburg or Ebola is slight. For these reasons, officials need to prioritize addressing health inequities and improving access to healthcare in developing regions such as Africa.
– Eshaan Gandhi
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
https://borgenproject.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.jpg 0 0 Lynsey Alexander https://borgenproject.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.jpg Lynsey Alexander2021-10-09 07:30:312021-10-06 13:49:11The Marburg Virus in West Africa
Africa, Developing Countries, Ebola, Global Poverty, Health, Health care, Liberia
Healthcare in Liberia Since the Ebola Outbreak
The 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa killed more than 4,800 people in Liberia and infected thousands of others. However, these data points only scratch the surface of Ebola's effect on healthcare in Liberia. Ebola's devastation affected the provision of healthcare services in West Africa and caused an additional 10,600 deaths due to HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. In countries such as Liberia, more medical training and equipment means healthcare in Liberia has strengthened since the Ebola outbreak. Ebola exposed the weaknesses in the healthcare system of Liberia and showed the Liberian government and international aid organizations particular areas needing improvement and reform.
The World Bank's Involvement
After recognizing the struggles of Liberia's healthcare system during the Ebola epidemic, the World Bank devised specific ways to assist Liberia. For example, in May 2020, the World Bank approved the Institutional Foundations to Improve Service for Health Project for Liberia (IFISH). The four-component program focuses specifically on improving health services and outcomes for women, children and adolescents. The six-year program costs $84 million, of which $54 million of funding comes from the United States. Roughly 50% of the budget will be dedicated to health facilities and construction in Liberia. The program also attempts to lay the groundwork for future Liberian healthcare officials. The program includes training health workers and financing certain undergraduate and postgraduate faculties.
The Yale Capstone Project
For multiple years, the Yale Jackson Institute for Global Affairs has worked alongside the Yale Global Health Institute to create a project-based global health course for Yale seniors. The program allows students to explore the intersection of public health and policy. The students of this program have contributed to recovery efforts in Liberia. The program has assisted in establishing proof to encourage partners and policymakers to undertake significant changes in Liberia's main medical school. The 2015 class conducted case studies on Rwanda and Ethiopia to generate targeted policy solutions in Liberia. Overall, the partnership was deemed a "win-win" for Liberia and the students involved.
CDC Field Epidemiology Training Program
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been actively aiding healthcare in Liberia since 2007. However, it did not expand its Liberian focus until the Ebola outbreak. Accompanied by more traditional CDC programs such as malaria intervention and the provision of vaccines, Liberia receives assistance through the CDC's Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP). The three-tiered educational initiative aims to equip Liberian healthcare workers with the knowledge and tools to investigate and respond to disease outbreaks. At the close of 2016, Liberia had 115 FETP-trained staff. The FETP graduates will go on to provide field support in response to disease outbreaks across Liberia. With graduates from all 15 counties and 92 health districts in Liberia, fellows of FETP work to contain outbreaks and prevent them from turning into local or global epidemics.
Healthcare in Liberia is improving due to Liberia's coordinated recovery efforts with multiple organizations. Nevertheless, Liberia still battles with increasing civilian access to healthcare and the funding of critical health institutions. For example, two-thirds of rural families need to travel for more than an hour to access a health center. These extended travel times can significantly impact the healthcare outcomes of Liberians. Moreover, hospitals are struggling to survive because funding from donors has slowed since the Ebola outbreak. In Liberia's health system, primary healthcare facilities are largely underfunded.
While these struggles persist, they should not overshadow the significant improvements made since the Ebola outbreak. With aid, commitment and effort, healthcare in Liberia can improve further.
– Kendall Carll
https://borgenproject.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.jpg 0 0 Kim Thelwell https://borgenproject.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.jpg Kim Thelwell2021-06-11 07:30:482021-06-11 08:39:41Healthcare in Liberia Since the Ebola Outbreak
Ebola, Guinea, Healthcare
Why the 2021 Ebola Outbreak is Different
In February 2021, the West African country, Guinea, announced that it was facing an outbreak of the Ebola virus, the first the country has seen since the 2013-2016 outbreak. However, this time around, the 2021 Ebola outbreak may be different than that of five years ago.
What is the Ebola Virus?
The Ebola virus is a hemorrhagic fever that is often fatal with a mortality rate that is anywhere from 25% to 90%. The disease spreads through contact with bodily fluids. Ebola survives in nature by spreading between forest-dwelling bats and some other animals, though it sporadically transmits to humans when contact is made with a diseased carcass. Before the epidemic in 2013, most previous Ebola outbreaks occurred in rural communities with cases in the single or double digits.
Previous Ebola Outbreaks
The 2013-2016 epidemic was the largest Ebola outbreak by an unprecedented margin and was the first time the World Health Organization (WHO) considered the disease a major global public health threat. The epidemic, which also began in Guinea, took hold quickly and easily for many reasons. There had previously been no outbreaks of Ebola in West Africa. This caused people to assume the symptoms were that of Lassa fever, a more common disease in the region. The virus had been circulating for three months before the World Health Organization declared an outbreak in March of 2014.
The disease quickly spread within and around Guinea since the systems for contact tracing and containment were weak. By July 2014, it had reached the capital of Guinea, Conakry, and the neighboring capitals of Sierra Leone and Liberia. Funerary traditions and rituals increase transmission because they include touching and spending time with the dead body so traditional burial practices were forbidden.
By the time the WHO designated the virus a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, it was borderline out of control. By the end of the epidemic, Ebola had erupted in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. The disease also spread to other countries in Africa, Europe and the U.S. This resulted in nearly 30,000 cases with more than a third of fatalities.
The 2021 Outbreak of Ebola
In February 2021, one Ebola case was confirmed in the village of Goueke in the southeastern region of Guinea. As of March 3, 2021, the number has reached 17 reported cases, 13 of which are confirmed, along with seven deaths.
However, there is less cause for concern than there was five years ago. Though Guinea's healthcare system needs improvement, past mistakes and experiences have prepared the region better than ever. The world is certainly better positioned to successfully manage the most recent Ebola outbreak.
Speed: WHO personnel are already working with the Guinean healthcare system to squash the virus before it becomes a major outbreak. A week after the first case was reported, people began setting up testing sites, contact tracing and treatment facilities. Efforts were also made to improve community engagement to stop the spread.
Prevention: President George Weah of Liberia and the WHO are taking preemptive measures to prepare Liberia and Sierra Leone for the possibility of the spread of the virus.
Science: Since the last major outbreak, the WHO has approved two vaccines for use against the Ebola virus. In fact, unlike the last time, when there was no vaccine at all, 500,000 vaccines are ready to be delivered wherever there is an outbreak. The Guinean health ministry has already set up three vaccination sites in the region near the outbreak and had vaccinated more than 1,000 people at the end of February 2021. It is also using a system called ring vaccinations. This interrupts the spread by vaccinating people directly connected to an Ebola case.
Precedent: There have been outbreaks of Ebola since 2016, and thanks to the above, none have gotten out of control. When the DRC had an outbreak in 2018-2020, nearly 50,000 people were already vaccinated, slowing the spread. Many other countries have approved the vaccines in preparation for a possible outbreak within their own borders.
Global panic arises whenever a deadly disease resurfaces in impoverished communities. However, sufficient preparedness, resources and lessons learned will likely ensure the 2021 outbreak of Ebola is short-lived.
– Elyssa Nielsen
https://borgenproject.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.jpg 0 0 Kim Thelwell https://borgenproject.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.jpg Kim Thelwell2021-04-30 06:20:542021-04-30 08:53:13Why the 2021 Ebola Outbreak is Different
Africa, Developing Countries, Ebola, Global Poverty, Health
10 Facts About the Ervebo Ebola Vaccine
In 2014, an outbreak of Zaire ebolavirus in the West African countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone resulted in more than 28,000 cases and 11,000 deaths. Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreaks were documented since the 1970s. However, the widespread nature of the 2014 epidemic caused global fear. Many countries responded by imposing travel restrictions against West African nations. Fortunately, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first Ebola vaccine (Ervebo) in December 2019.
Trials began in 2018. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) began to trial Ervebo in 2018 as an investigational vaccine under an expanded access program. The DRC experienced the world's second-largest Ebola outbreak. The vaccine use aimed to prioritize people most at risk such as healthcare workers.
Roughly 290,000 people received vaccinations. In response to the Ebola outbreak in the DRC, more than 290,000 people have received the Ervebo vaccination under compassionate use protocols. Compassionate use allows for the limited allocation of an unlicensed vaccination due to a dangerous public crisis.
Ervebo is 100% effective. A study in Guinea during the 2014-2016 outbreak indicates that Ervebo was 100% effective for individuals 18 and older. In a comparison of cases, Ervebo was 100% effective in preventing cases of Ebola with symptom onset more than 10 days after inoculation. The comparison involved 2,108 participants in an "immediate" vaccination group and 1,429 participants in a "delayed" vaccination group.
Trials outside of West Africa. In addition to West Africa, trials of the Ebola vaccine occurred in Canada, Spain and the United States. Because Ebola is not endemic to Europe or North America, researchers wanted to measure the antibody response among individuals with no history of previous exposure. The antibody responses among participants in Canada, Spain and the U.S. were close to that of individuals in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Ervebo is safe for all participants. Roughly 15,000 individuals in Africa, Europe and North America were part of vaccine trials. The trials determined that the vaccine is safe and effective for all individuals. Individuals reported only minor side effects.
Ervebo is a single-dose vaccine. Ervebo is a single-dose injection that does not require boosters. This allows for faster distribution and protection against EVD. The vaccine is a "live, attenuated vaccine that is genetically engineered to contain protein from the Zaire ebolavirus."
The vaccine received priority review. Due to the importance of developing an Ebola vaccine as a public health measure, Ervebo received a priority review and a tropical disease priority review voucher by the FDA under a program supporting the development of new drugs for the prevention and treatment of tropical diseases. Ervebo also received a breakthrough therapy designation to assist with the development of the vaccine. The FDA worked closely with the company, Merck & Co., Inc., and completed the evaluation in less than six months.
The vaccine will be available to those most in need. Due to limited supplies of Ebola vaccines, Ervebo will be available as part of a ring vaccination strategy during future outbreaks. This strategy means that those most at risk will receive first priority. Vaccination efforts will start with people like healthcare workers and extend outward to other members of the community.
A global stockpile will be available in January 2021. Beginning in January 2021, a global stockpile of the vaccine will be available through the International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision. The ICG also manages stockpiles of cholera, meningitis and yellow fever vaccines and will be responsible for decision-making on allocation.
Four African countries have licensed the vaccine. In February 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Burundi, Ghana and Zambia licensed the Ervebo vaccine. The license means the manufacturer can stockpile and widely distribute the vaccine within these countries. No further research or clinical trials are necessary with a license.
One cannot undo the damage of past outbreaks but the Ervebo Ebola vaccine may be a valuable tool for future Ebola prevention efforts. As the vaccine becomes widely available in future years, the World Health Organization hopes the population of West Africa will achieve herd immunity against the disease, eradicating the spread of EVD. The technology used in the development of the Ebola vaccine will also aid in the quick development of vaccines for future global outbreaks. As the world continues to struggle against COVID-19, the success of Ervebo provides a blueprint for the prevention and mitigation of future epidemics.
– Eliza Browning
https://borgenproject.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.jpg 0 0 Kim Thelwell https://borgenproject.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.jpg Kim Thelwell2021-03-27 01:30:212021-03-26 21:52:0810 Facts About the Ervebo Ebola Vaccine
COVID 19, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ebola, Global Poverty, World Health Organization
5 Ways the DRC Can Slow the Spread of COVID-19
On November 18, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) and government officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) announced the end of the latest Ebola outbreak. This outbreak started in June 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic and was the 11th Ebola outbreak in the DRC since the first recognition of the disease in 1976. "It wasn't easy, but we've done it!" tweeted the Regional Director of WHO, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti. The DRC, one of the most impoverished countries on earth, emerged from the wake of the most recent Ebola outbreak after learning some important lessons. The information gained from this occurrence has offered insight that can help slow the spread of COVID-19 on a global scale.
At the start of the pandemic, the country's COVID-19 mortality rate was 10%. In just six months, that rate decreased to 2.5%. Here are the five key components the DRC discovered are vital in its attempt to slow the spread of a viral outbreak.
Community engagement is of extreme importance in slowing the spread of COVID-19. The Ebola aid response initially failed due to significant mistrust from people in the communities that needed help. The continuous conflict between the militant groups and the government made it difficult to earn the trust of DRC citizens. As the outbreak grew, aid workers realized that spending more time directly engaging with individuals in affected communities made them more trusting. Workers built confidence by increasing the community's knowledge of the virus. Engagement from spiritual advisors, educators and other community leaders in addition to politicians and law enforcement is essential. These varying perspectives are useful in soothing fears, offering guidance and rooting out rumors and misinformation.
Involving social scientists as soon as possible is paramount. Epidemics often sow seeds of resentment and suspicion within communities. As a result, these "seeds" often impede recovery and prevention efforts if allowed to grow. When scientists use their experience to analyze community structures, they can quickly identify areas of distrust. Their unique perspective on human behavior and cultural practices can then assist in developing solutions that are acceptable to all. Communities are then more likely to take ownership and come together to work towards strategies to slow the spread of the disease.
Prioritizing the patient experience is mutually beneficial to the infected person as well as those providing the treatment. Stigma often follows survivors of Ebola with families and communities, with others expressing fear toward individuals even after they have recovered. Those recovering from COVID-19 often experience similar shaming. Conditions that result in trauma or embarrassment for the patient provide those who the virus may infect with a reason to ignore their treatment options. Performing care with respect, empathy and dignity offers a positive experience. This increases the chance that newly infected patients will seek help. Outreach in the form of education can reduce a community's discontent. A better grasp of how the virus works and the recovery process provides understanding and relief.
Deploying familial leaders for monitoring, early case detection, contact tracing, quarantine and follow-up is beneficial. As many see the leader in their family as a protector, this role is uniquely advantageous in increasing understanding of the disease itself. Family leaders are also in good positions to be the ones who take on the role of bolstering understanding of personal and family precautionary measures. An entire household working to slow the spread of COVID-19 can have a greater impact than individual effort.
Taking action to ensure swift turnaround times for labs is important. One priority during the Ebola outbreak was getting lab results back to patients as quickly as possible. Primarily, this is to relieve any existing anxieties for the patient and the patient's family. Additionally, quick turnaround allows for quick, public safety protocol execution to prevent the further spread of disease. This strategy is equally effective in the effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Even with one lethal and viral outbreak in the DRC finished, COVID-19 remains a very real and deadly threat. Through surviving Ebola, the DRC government grasped valuable, global lessons. The DRC government is using the tactics that proved successful in defeating the Ebola virus outbreak to slow the spread of COVID-19. As world leaders plan and devise strategies, the DRC's successes serve as experienced examples in this globally critical situation with little precedent.
– Rachel Proctor
https://borgenproject.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.jpg 0 0 Kim Thelwell https://borgenproject.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.jpg Kim Thelwell2021-03-11 07:30:402021-03-08 15:02:595 Ways the DRC Can Slow the Spread of COVID-19
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ebola, Economic Growth, Global Poverty, Violence
Combatting the Health Crisis in the Congo
The spread of a deadly disease is threatening The Democratic Republic of the Congo. This disease has led to a rise in unemployment, an uptake in crime, a decrease in the economic growth rate, as well as the illness and death of many Congolese people. Presently, the Congo is dealing with the aftermath of one of the most deadly outbreaks of Ebola yet, creating a certified health crisis in the Congo. Within the previous two years, records have determined that there have been over 3,000 Ebola cases and 2,000 resulting deaths. Additionally, the country's deficit rating has been on a decline of over 2% in that time period.
Financial Troubles in the DRC
The Democratic Republic of the Congo also suffers from serious financial hardships. Over the years, things have improved somewhat for the region. The poverty rate has decreased slightly within the previous two decades. In addition, the overall economic growth rate had risen to 5.8% as of 2018. Despite these incremental increases, the Democratic Republic of the Congo ranks as one of the most impoverished countries, with its average citizens having to scrape by on as little as $1.90 per day.
Unfortunately, the positive economic factors occurred before the presence of this health crisis in the Congo. This caused the growth rate to drop back to 4.4% by 2019. The influx of disease within the region also stressed the economy, dropping it to the aforementioned deficit of 2%.
Violence in the DRC
Furthermore, the violence within the region has amplified the health crisis in the Congo. The Congo has a long history of violence with genocides occurring in both the 1800s and 1900s. Additionally, recent reports from the UN indicate that terrorist groups such as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and an estimation of 100 other armed groups are in the region.
This not only makes it difficult for the delivery of medical supplies to combat this crisis, but it also dissuades the assistance of foreign aid, with many countries believing that their assistance will only entangle them in conflict. The presence of these groups has continued to expand in the area, and other terrorist affiliates, including ISIS, are taking notice. In 2019, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi speculated that ISIS may grab a significant foothold to invade the Nord Kivu within the Congo.
The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA)
The health crisis in the Congo forces responders to take action towards large-scale health care efforts. Not only has the Ministry of Health shown great awareness and urgency in addressing the needs of this crisis, but other non-governmental organizations have been making great strides to help as well.
The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, has created a treatment center in Beni to care for those speculated and confirmed to have Ebola. Preventative measures have received assistance through the provision of CUBE units and PPE by these organizations respectively. Additionally, WHO has provided over 1,600 individual responders to help combat the crisis.
The battle against the health crisis in the Congo still holds many challenges. This is the latest outbreak of the disease in the Congo overall, with the first signs of it occurring as early as the 1970s. It was only during the last outbreak that the country utilized the Erevbo vaccine in the disease's prevention. Over 300,000 people received the vaccine with a 100% efficacy rate, which represents a huge milestone along with other treatment and preventative measures.
In November 2020, The Ministry of Health declared this crisis over. The DRC itself expects to increase its economic growth rate by 4.5%, thereby nullifying the 2.2% drop that it has seen. Yet, this supposed end is not as substantial as it may seem.
The disease still exists within animal DNA spread across the region, and infectious strains are able to remain in recovering victims for months following infection. The Ministry's own announcement of the 10th outbreak's end was quickly rescheduled in June 2020, due to the reemergence of this latest Ebola outbreak.
When asked about the possibility of a resurgence, WHO responded that "a robust and coordinated surveillance system must be maintained to rapidly, detect, isolate, test and provide care for suspected cases." More alarmingly, the organization expressed that without this effort, the spread of Ebola could have easily eclipsed the borders of the DRC and become a global pandemic.
How quickly a resurgence could occur is unknown. However, it is clear that without a continued and international effort geared toward Ebola's prevention that the possibility of a health crisis in the Congo could become an all too tragic and preventable reality.
– Jacob Hurwitz
https://borgenproject.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.jpg 0 0 Jennifer Philipp https://borgenproject.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.jpg Jennifer Philipp2021-01-05 11:09:092021-01-06 11:09:20Combatting the Health Crisis in the Congo
Congo, COVID-19, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ebola, Global health, Global Poverty
How Ebola Effects the Economy in the DRC
On June 25, 2020, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of Congo declared that the 10th Ebola outbreak was over in three provinces. With the rise of COVID-19 cases in the country, Ebola cases have also increased significantly as social distancing became difficult in medical facilities. As of August 13, 2020, there have been 86 confirmed Ebola cases in the northwest Equateur province. As of July 3, 2020, there were a total of 3,481 cases in the entire country. With Ebola and COVID-19 cases rising, medical costs, personnel and resources will heavily affect the economy as government officials scramble to contain the outbreaks. Here is some information about how Ebola has affected the economy in the DRC.
Keeping Inflation in Check
The recent outbreaks in the Equateur province are in remote areas, regions that are difficult for medical supplies to reach. The lack of access to these areas requires an increase in medical cost support, however, the DRC currently cannot shoulder the financial burden due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The economy in the DRC has been stressed because of COVID-19 costs and has been adjusting rates in order to control inflation. During the week of August 10, the Central Bank of DRC increased the key interest rate from 7.5% to 18.5% in order to prevent inflation. Despite the pandemic, Central Bank experts are expecting an increase in the economic growth of 2.4% at the end of 2020. This would be a downward trend from expectations at the beginning of 2020.
Tracking COVID-19 and Ebola
The DRC will only be able to contain both viruses if it can properly document progression and transmission. However, the DRC has more than 500 regions of difficult terrain that do not have access to basic resources. These remote, populous areas are unable to receive medical resources or be properly tracked. They have less access to electricity, medical personnel and resources. The economy in the DRC has exacerbated most funds in order to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that almost 13,000 people have received vaccinations since the 11th Ebola outbreak that started near the end of July 2020.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is delivering an additional $7.5 million in humanitarian assistance to the DRC for Ebola. With these funds and WHO's vaccine distribution procedures, testing facilities and medical personnel volunteers, the DRC will be able to more efficiently combat these pandemics.
Additionally, the DRC is receiving a $363 million loan from the International Monetary fund, $47 million from the World Bank and $40 million in emergency funds from the United Nations to strengthen the economy. These monetary aids will go toward the COVID-19 medical response, 11th Ebola outbreak vaccinations and necessary medical facilities.
Despite battling two pandemics at once, the DRC has maintained its composure and enacted the proper medical responses with the resources it has. The economy in the DRC has suffered because of the new Ebola outbreak. However, the DRC's mission and determination to wipe out the last of the Ebola infections are unparalleled by previous responses. The DRC is on track to declaring another Ebola outbreak over.
– Aria Ma
https://borgenproject.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.jpg 0 0 Kim Thelwell https://borgenproject.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.jpg Kim Thelwell2020-10-31 14:45:162020-11-01 14:45:32How Ebola Effects the Economy in the DRC
Africa, Awareness, coronavirus, Ebola, Global Poverty
The Current Ebola Outbreak Funding Gap
Amid efforts to suppress the coronavirus effects, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is now facing its 11th outbreak of Ebola since the discovery of the disease in 1976. The current outbreak officially began on June 1, 2020 — causing 24 deaths and garnering the attention of government officials and international agencies, such as the World Health Organization. The start of this outbreak coincides with the end of the 10th outbreak, which finished just 25 days earlier. Further complicating the latest outbreak is the fact that it comes when much of the international world is focusing on protecting themselves against the spread of the new coronavirus. As a result, there is an Ebola outbreak funding gap for what is required to sufficiently protect citizens of the DRC from the further spread of Ebola.
The WHO reports that the $1.75 million raised so far will not last long enough to end the current outbreak. The organization estimates that the money will only last a few more weeks and that the unique location of the outbreak (in a more forested part of the country) is too costly to regularly send health officials.
This lack of funding could be a step backward for the country's progress in limiting the disease. An outbreak in 2018 killed only 33 people, but from 2014 to 2016, 11,000 people died as a result of the disease. The main difference between the two time periods was the level of preparation and emergency funds to rely on, both of which are now decreasing due to the estimated gap.
The funding gap could have a direct impact on the current outbreak and may become a significant factor in the potential for new outbreaks. E.g., the recurrence of outbreaks is due to the virus's presence in animals across the country. Therefore, there will most likely be another outbreak for which the WHO needs to be prepared.
Help from the United States?
The United States has donated more than $600 million to prevent the spread and minimize the devastation of previous outbreaks of the disease, in the DRC. This money has gone to building and managing health facilities, tracking the spread of the disease and evolving several safety measures for the country's citizens. Those funds also went toward developing the two effective vaccines for Ebola and for transferring the dosages to citizens in need. Only a fraction of this money could make up for the lack of funding that the western part of the DRC needs today. Still, with most efforts and donations going toward coronavirus relief — very little attention has been placed on the current outbreak. This lack of attention contributes to the existing Ebola outbreak funding gap.
Looming Threats and Remaining Vigilant
A great challenge with this disease is that it could spread rapidly in the absence of a vaccine. Health officials typically vaccinate using a ring method — meaning they treat people that are near the center of the disease. Without the funds needed to disseminate the vaccine, the country's infection rates could go up dramatically.
Officials are aware of this potential future, as the WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus states, "This is a reminder that COVID-19 is not the only health threat people face. Although much of the world's attention is on the pandemic, the WHO is continuing to monitor and respond to many other health emergencies." Some are urging other countries and organizations to take on this mindset. Aid from the United States could prove a significant help in preventing loss of life in the DRC by closing the Ebola outbreak funding gap.
– Aiden Farr
https://borgenproject.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.jpg 0 0 Kim Thelwell https://borgenproject.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.jpg Kim Thelwell2020-09-10 05:30:322020-09-10 08:04:02The Current Ebola Outbreak Funding Gap


Plug In and Battery Models.
Lightning is the number one enemy of fence energizers. Cyclops energizers have more lightning protection over 5000 joules of lightning protection in each fence energizer than any other energizer in the world.
Don't be fooled by mileage ratings that other energizers advertise. Always go by joule power rating. We have found over the years that most energizers when tested are at least 2 to 3 joules less then what the energizer is advertised as. All Cyclops energizers are the joule power rating that we advertise. For example, the 8 joule Cyclops Brute model actually stores 9.86 joules. All Cyclops energizers have a high efficiency transformer and are modular design for easy repair.
Low Impedance means it will maintain a controlling voltage even loaded with heavy vegetation.
All Cyclops energizers output a wide pulse which puts the hurt in the pulse.


text:
We're keeping our promises and counting down to Oxford Zero Emission Zone
Cllr Tom Hayes, Oxford City Council portfolio holder for Safer, Greener, Environment writes for SERA about the launch of Oxford's Zero Emissions Zone. Here Tom shows how, faced with the Conservatives' lack of action on climate, Labour councils such as the one in Oxford are leading way on tackling the climate crisis. Find Tom on Twitter at @CllrTomHayes.
Bridge of Sighs, Oxford
2020 will be a crunch year for our climate and all our futures. We must clean up the lethal air we're all breathing and meet our climate emergency. It's also the year that Oxford's Zero Emission Zone launches and I'm thrilled to be sharing the final proposals for our ZEZ.
We're celebrating the start of another decade, but it only seems like yesterday that we were ringing in the new century. In the twenty years that have passed, a lot of significant change has happened very quickly indeed and some of it has left us feeling unable to keep up.
It can be reassuring to our citizens that Oxford, with its narrow, medieval streets and historic buildings, has always been at the forefront of speedy and significant change, particularly in relation to transportation and technology. This was the case in the final years of a different century, the 1890s, when horses were the best way to get around. There's no delicate way for me to put this: the streets on which bygone citizens lived, played, worked, and met one another, were often buried deep in horse manure. The horse may have been the dominant form of transportation for thousands of years, but with the growth of city living, the problems caused by manure, urine, flies, congestion, and rotting carcasses became a health crisis.
We know how this story pans out. Horse-drawn cabs gave way to private automobiles which changed Oxford's street culture. At first, they were a novelty item for those who could afford them, but within a decade or so the car became a vehicle for everyone, even a necessity. Then the dominant way of getting around caused poo-lution which put people's lives and health at risk; now fossil fuel vehicles cause pollution, of both our lungs and our planet.
Among the most important responsibilities of local public service is to protect all the people living within our communities and to enable the flourishing of all the places we care about. For nearly three years, we have been developing plans for a Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) to protect our citizens' health and support them, our city, and wider environment to prosper.
In 2017 we proposed a ZEZ for Oxford because people's right to clean air is being attacked by lethal emissions from polluting vehicles. It's 2020 and, after listening to residents' views, we're keeping our word by introducing a Zero Emission Zone along the lines that they want it to develop. Our hope for the Zero Emission Zone is that it helps to start the new decade in ways which enable our citizens to spend more time with the people and places they love.
We're strengthening our 2019 proposal because, fundamentally, we're living in a different world in 2020. Our climate is changing for the worse because of emissions from polluting vehicles, and we're starting to see the negative impacts on all our lives. New figures show that the last decade was the second hottest and wettest in a century.
That's why our Zero Emission Zone at the heart of the city centre will be purer, with a tighter definition of what makes a zero emission vehicle, and stronger, with a charging scheme for commuters who drive polluting vehicles in and out of the city centre.
This is the same type of scheme as used in London and other UK cities to enforce emission requirements. Zero emission vehicles would be able to drive in the zone free of charge. Other vehicles would have to pay £10 per day (rising to £20 per day from December 2024) to drive in the zone between 7am and 7pm. There would be no charge outside these times. There would be discounts and exemptions for some road users, including residents. Buses and Oxford licensed Hackney Carriages which drive within the Zone have already agreed ambitious and stretching timelines for zero emissions fleets across Oxford.
It's right to start a discussion about big changes at an early stage. That's why we first shared the proposal of a city centre Zero Emission Zone in 2017. It's why we want to share the big idea of expanding the overall Zero Emission Zone scheme, with the possible creation of a Green Zone covering the rest of the city centre within two years.
To be able to drive in the inner Red and outer Green Zones of the city centre free of charge, commuters would need to do so behind the wheel of a zero-emission vehicle. Just as we're proposing discounts and exemptions for some road users for the Red Zone from 2020, so there could be similar exemptions and discounts in the Green Zone from 2021 or 2022. We intend to further develop proposals for both zones and the details of how the Green Zone could work are subject to further consultation.
We're proposing a Zero Emission Zone because the Government's course is either non-existent or vaguely proposes action far in the future. The Government say that they will ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2040, but this is much too far into the future for that important step to be taking place. Other countries are going further and faster and, because our Government won't, we're trying to create this change at our local level.
On behalf of the City Council, I've been calling for that ban to come forward to 2030 and for owners of diesel and petrol vehicles to be supported with a scrappage scheme. This call is backed by Oxford's Citizens' Assembly on Climate Change—50 randomly selected people who were deliberately representative of the city we all live in. That same Assembly backed the future creation of a citywide zero emission zone, and our updated plans set a course to do just that by 2035 at the latest—five years earlier than the Government's proposed ban.
Both councils have been working to support zero emission transport in Oxford and have been upgrading our own fleets to zero emission. The City Council's wholly owned direct services company, Oxford Direct Services will electrify at least 25% of their fleet by 2023. The City Council currently has 50 hybrid and electric vehicles in its fleet and this has contributed to the reduction of the Council's emissions by 40% in the last five years.
Projects to support the Zero Emission Zone include facilitating a £41m trial of a giant battery to store grid energy and power thousands of electric vehicles via rapid charging stations, £128,500 towards testing of low cost innovative air quality sensors to map air pollution and exposure, £122,500 towards advice for businesses on zero emission delivery and servicing solutions, £500,000 towards electric charging points for hackney carriages and private hire vehicles, and £2.3 million towards electric and low emission buses.
In the early years of the last century, Oxford knew how the story of horse pollution would pan out. In the early decades of this century, we know how the story of fossil fuel car pollution will pan out. With our strengthened ZEZ, hundreds of electric vehicle charging points, measures to cut congestion by as much as 40% in parts of the city, and new funding streams for new bus services, our medieval city is leading the transportation revolution and bringing to life more liveable streets for everyone.
2020 will be a crunch year for our climate and all our futures. Our hope is that the ZEZ does at a local level what the Government won't take steps to do—clean our air, protect health, decarbonise society, and shape a decade where things started to get better for everyone.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


(Each sold separately. Subject to availability).
Imagine recreating iconic moments from the Star Wars galaxy with this Star Wars The Vintage Collection 3.75-inch-scale Princess Leia Organa (Boushh) figure that features premium deco across multiple points of articulation and design inspired by Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.


For those of us who have lived in Japan, Sikorski's attraction is easy to understand.
I was a resident of Tokyo for just over 6 years. The city is actually a conglomeration of connected towns and villages, swallowed up in the tide of postwar development, each with a distinct feel and flavour. At night, some parts are eerily quiet, like the streets of Ichigao, where I lived for over a year. The 'town' is dissected North-South by the busy 246 highway, and the Den-en-toshi railway line , yet only a short walk away from both, it feels all the world like a country town. That is, if the local bosozoku aren't revving their motorbike engines in a show of contempt for the local residents.
Like me, Mariusz is in love with Japanese food. He doesn't have to say so, because his photography does all the talking. As another Ottawa winter closes its cold hand over the city, I find myself daydreaming of piping hot miso-ramen, slurped down noisily in a shambolic Shibuya back-street. I miss the banter swapped over a long, hot plate of sizzling okonomiyaki, while squeezed into a Shimokitazawa restaurant barely bigger than the average American kitchen. Yet most Westerners still think of sushi when asked about Japanese food.
If it's sushi you want, Japan has no equal anywhere in the world.
In Japan, trees and rocks were objects of devotion long before temples served the same purpose. Often the visitor will see trees hung with ropes, designating them as sacred. I've visited many like this one in Hakone, finding solace in their shade, even at the busier sites. It's a feature of animist traditions I wish we'd borrow in the West. Imagine a tree in your neighbourhood given a type of 'sacred' status, where people might go to spend a moment of quiet reflection. I'm not advocating for the creation of some neo-animist religion, just pondering the benefits of a local space not corrupted by the built environment, an accessible refuge from the pressures of quotidian life.
Spring in Canada is best avoided if possible. It's dirty, wet, and filled with the smell of decaying things emerging from the melting ice. That's why I have such fond memories of the same season in Japan. From March to May along most of the archipelago, sakura blooms decorate the countryside, and become the setting for thousands of 'Hanami' parties. Mariusz has created a set dedicated to the beauty and celebration of this time. I've linked to a few examples, but for more photos of this and other subjects of his contemplative eye, visit his blog, Dear Blue.


CEMI is now accepting submissions for the NSEME 2018 confrence on March 9th and 10th at University of North Texas. Submission will be open until December 15th. Check out more information on the NSEME 2018 Web Site and submit!


We start at Rattlesnake Point and we hike across the valley to and around Crawford Lake.
Portabellos Pizza & Eatery was closed for construction last time we were there. Ned Devine's Irish Pub, 75 Ontario Street South, Milton, ON L9T 2N2, (905.864.6794), turned out to be an excellent place to finish of a day of hiking. This is Derry Road and Ontario Street, on the north west corner. Here it is on Google Maps.


text:
Tools of Satire, Irony and Hyperbole
What Are Different Types of Literary Devices?
Importance of Irony in Satire
How to Write a Comparison Poem Using Similes & Metaphors
How to Write a Satirical Essay
Carl Hose Updated March 23, 2017
SergeyVButorin/iStock/Getty Images
Satirical essays use humor, hyperbole and irony to criticize or poke fun at a subject. They are often aimed at political candidates, celebrities or current events. While satirical essays primarily entertain readers, the satire writer often seeks to provide relevant, useful, eye-opening information. Understanding the techniques used for the style and the purpose of your content can help you learn to write satirically.
Choose a topic. Look for subject matter that is already ironic or ridiculous. Much like a caricature artist exaggerates the facial features of his subject, your goal is to bring out the absurdity in your topic. You might try looking in your Sunday paper at political cartoons to get ideas for subject matter.
Use hyperbole to make your point. Hyperbole is a literary device that exaggerates facts. It does not, however, mean lying. You need to stick to the facts, but use hyperbole creatively to highlight the absurdity behind them. An example line might be, "Andy Garbo drinks tons of coffee a year to make sure he keeps his stock in Folgers profitable." This is obvious hyperbole, but it's used to make an exaggerated point about Andy.
Use irony to present your ideas. Irony is the use of words or phrases to express the opposite of what you truly mean, or to express an incongruity between what someone expects and what actually occurs. A simple example of irony would be, "He's kind enough to steal from the poor to feed his pockets." The use of "kind enough" turns this into an ironic statement. Irony is a good tool to use in satirical essays because its sarcastic tone.
Aim for humor in your satirical essays. Not all satire is funny, but by pointing out the ridiculous elements of your topic, you can often bring people over to your way of thinking or make your point quicker. A lot of readers respond faster to humor, especially when you can make them see the absurdity the same way you do.
Hose, Carl. "How to Write a Satirical Essay." , https://penandthepad.com/write-satire-essay-5653646.html. Accessed 17 January 2020.
Hose, Carl. (n.d.). How to Write a Satirical Essay. . Retrieved from https://penandthepad.com/write-satire-essay-5653646.html
Hose, Carl. "How to Write a Satirical Essay" accessed January 17, 2020. https://penandthepad.com/write-satire-essay-5653646.html
How to Write Satire
Carl Hose is the author of the anthology "Dead Horizon" and the the zombie novella "Dead Rising." His work has appeared in "Cold Storage," "Butcher Knives and Body Counts," "Writer's Journal," and "Lighthouse Digest.". He is editor of the "Dark Light" anthology to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Forms of Figurative Language
The Differences Between Romanticism & Victorianism
How to Write a Modest Proposal Essay
Hyperbole & Analogy in Poetry
How to Write an Essay Using Irony
How to Differentiate Irony From Coincidence
Three Types of Literary Irony
Techniques Used to Create Satire


Once again we would like to thank you for our lovely wedding photos. My make up artist and hairdresser would like to use some of your photos for their portfolios. Also, the events coordinator from Lovekyn chapel would like to use some of the ceremony pictures to add to the Lovekyn Chapels website.
Thanks for our wedding photos - they are just fantastic. We thoroughly enjoyed watching the video - a wonderful reminder of our day which we will treasure. We would like to order 12 extra copies of our video. And we are so pleased with our Graphistudio wedding album - it is impressive!
The Guildhall Kingston is located in the centre of town very close to the River Thames. Its busy in the area as you might expect; there is some reservable parking nearby for wedding parties.
The Old Court House is the nearest Register Office - its situated in the same building! So you can have your ceremony and reception all in one place. Areas outside suitable for group photos and bridal portraits are limited so you may consider walking over Horse Fair Bridge to the Hampton Court Gardens or taking a short ride to nearby Richmond Park (check for permissions and fees for use first).


Paying monthly installments may not always be relevant solutions. In spite of repaying the debts, it remains unaltered and invites other financial disputes. Furthermore, it becomes necessary to slash the interest rates because it is directly proportional to the monthly installments. Such issues can be solved and obliterate permanently by taking the help of debt consolidation services. The rational guidelines of this loan concentrate to assimilate the various debts and fleece them in an easy manner. Such program is less bothered about the reasons of borrowing loan but causes of failure in repaying the amount.
Debts should be consolidated at apt period. You may be paying a higher rate of interest against your debts but now you can slash them to nominal. The consolidation of debts is a better opportunity to recover the credit and strengthen it.
If you are struggling to settle the debts with the help of financial aid then considering these services is also rewarding. The debt management program configures reputed loan lending institutions that they have well term with. Debtors can procure loans at low rate of interest with the help of this debt management service.
In the market, many well known and reputed loan lending institutions offer this service. They provide this in both typical method and online. But in the present scenario the latter have bagged words of praises, because of its flexible features. The e-application abates the paperwork and saves time. Furthermore, it empowers to approach lenders and subscribe the services from offshore.
The debt consolidation services with it consistent and effective measures are serving debtors for their well being. Debtors can now easily set forth a fresh credit career free from debts.


What is Clergy at CommonWealth?
A small group (6-8) of clergy attend a day-long program once a month, in which they spend three hours working on an urban farm (CommonWealth Urban Farms in uptown Oklahoma City.) Following lunch together, the cohort processes with a spiritual director and environmental educator from Turtle Rock Farm In Town, around their spiritual and emotional experiences working in nature; explore the value for themselves and their faith community of growing food; study theological themes in ecospirituality, and how they might move congregants into creation care—through worship experience, community gardens, environmental justice.
At the end of the nine-month program, the participants will schedule with CommonWealth Urban Farms a Saturday morning tour for three of their faith community members.
The program is underwritten by Green Connections. Also, as a statement of their commitment to attend the entire program, participants pay $25 a month ($225, due at time of registration.) The fee will cover food, utilities, equipment costs. CEUs are available.
To allow Earth/Nature/Creation to provide clergy healing and renewal through monthly time with their hands in the soil, experiencing life in a garden.
To experience community in a cohort of clergy as they work and share together.
Clergy develop a community of peers outside their denominational culture.
Clergy get some fresh air and exercise.
Clergy experience the healing properties of gardening.
Clergy have the opportunity to process their experience with a trained spiritual director in a group setting.
Clergy celebrate at table during a healthy (locally-grown) weekly lunch with peers.
Clergy receive emotional and spiritual support.
Clergy explore theological aspects of creation care.
Clergy come to realize the value of growing food in community.
Clergy develop skills to lead congregations into possibility of developing gardens.
Clergy grow in understanding of value of our planet home, and saving it.
Clergy become equipped to lead worship using images of God from nature; develop other ways to bring creation awareness into weekly liturgy.
Clergy are trained in ways to lead their congregations into environmental stewardship.
Clergy have the opportunity to facilitate their congregations' exploration of environmental justice.
CommonWealth Urban Farms, NW 32nd and Olie Streets in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Was the program renewing for you?
How has the program impacted you as a church leader?


Katie Stevenson marked herself out as a mezzo-soprano to watch when she became the recipient of all three prizes at the Wagner Society Singing Competition, closely followed by winning the 2016 Marjorie Thomas Art of Song prize. Following her graduation from the Royal Academy of Music Katie has become a member of the distinguished Harewood programme at English National Opera where her roles this season include Nefertiti in Phelim McDermott's celebrated production of Akhnaten, as well as Third Lady in Simon McBurney's production of The Magic Flute.
Other notable highlights have included the world premiere of Nico Muhly's Marnie, conducted by Martyn Brabbins for ENO, Third Lady in Netia Jones' new production of Die Zauberflöte for Garsington Opera under Christian Curnyn, and the title role in Porpora's rarely performed L'Agrippina for Barber Opera. On the concert platform Katie recently made her BBC Proms debut in Vaughan Williams' Serenade to Music with the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Sakari Oramo and sung Kindertotenlieder with the Orquesta Sinfónica Del Principado De Asturias.


text:
DEF LEPPARD's RICK ALLEN Guests On New Single From His Wife LAUREN MONROE, 'If You Want'
DEF LEPPARD drummer Rick Allen is featured on "If You Want", the new single from his wife, singer, songwriter, and healing artist Lauren Monroe. The track, which was co-produced by Monroe with the renowned Jim Scott, will appear on her third album, "Messages From Aphrodite".
With its old-school Americana groove and splash of Southern soul, "If You Want" would slide seamlessly into a 1970s playlist featuring FLEETWOOD MAC, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt. The song embodies Monroe's messages of positivity, love, and healing through music. "In every moment we have a choice to live in love or in fear. To live in love or anger, in love or worry. In every moment we have the opportunity to choose love over and over again," she says. "I believe that love is not just a feeling, it is a place, a home, a sanctuary of hope and meaning, but only if you choose it."
Music and healing have always been a focal point in Monroe's life. Through performance, storytelling, and art, she creates an intimate experience for her audiences, showing them how music can impact healing and growth. Earlier this year, she and Allen played some intimate East Coast club dates during which they also displayed their mixed-media art, which was then auctioned online to benefit Raven Drum Foundation, an organization they founded with the mission to serve, educate and empower veterans dealing with PTSD and combat trauma, people in crisis and other at-risk individuals.
The title of the new album, "Messages From Aphrodite", references the ancient Greek goddess of love in its myriad aspects, and signifies the emotional expanse of Monroe's songs, to which she brings a rarefied degree of insight and compassion, enabling her to nimbly plumb the depths and scale the heights of the human condition in her songwriting. Producer Jim Scott, who's worked with more than his share of legends over the years, bears witness to Monroe's alchemy. "Lauren is a special artist," he asserts. "She's tuned in to the spiritual workings of the heart and the mystical nature of the universe. She's an empath, a healer, a teacher, visual artist, producer and songwriter; I also think she's a time traveler. Her songs guide, direct and uplift and are sonically beautiful."
The songs are enlivened by Scott's deft sonic sculpting of song-serving performances from musical luminaries such as guitarists Greg Leisz (K.D. Lang, Matthew Sweet, Bill Frisell),Tyler Bryant (Larkin Poe, TYLER BRYANT AND THE SHAKEDOWN),Brian Whelan (Dwight Yoakam),Doug Pettibone (Lucinda Williams) and David Garza (Fiona Apple, WATKINS FAMILY HOUR); bassists Bob Glaub (Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Warren Zevon),Sebastian Steinberg (Soul Coughing, Fiona Apple) and Mai Leisz (David Crosby),keyboardist John Ginty (Neal Casal, THE ALLMAN BETTS BAND); and backing vocalist Tammi Brown (Bobby McFerrin, Quincy Jones). In addition to Allen, THE HEARTBREAKERS' Steve Ferrone and young dynamo Beth Goodfellow (IRON AND WINE, Allison Russell) anchor the proceedings from behind their drumkits.
Monroe will be dropping a string of singles and videos in anticipation of "Messages From Aphrodite", and touring surrounding the release. She'll next appear on May 23 in Nashville, Tennessee at The Lounge at City Winery. Fall dates will be announced soon.
Find more on Def leppard


Note This title is no longer in print Eyes are the window to the soul, in a time when souls are ancient After an accident, one she shouldn t have walked away from, Lexi s life finally begins She meets Dez, a new student with the most beautiful eyes she s ever seen And since gazing into them, Lexi has had vivid waking dreams that pull her back through time, and intNote This title is no longer in print Eyes are the window to the soul, in a time when souls are ancient After an accident, one she shouldn t have walked away from, Lexi s life finally begins She meets Dez, a new student with the most beautiful eyes she s ever seen And since gazing into them, Lexi has had vivid waking dreams that pull her back through time, and into the warm embrace of a mysterious stranger a stranger who becomes all too familiar When offering an explanation for her detailed visions, Dez changes her world forever with two simple words Soul mates For the first time in her life, Lexi feels safe and complete But lingering in the shadows is the embodiment of evil, coveting the light within her He s a threat to Lexi s very existence, and to a love that has transcended time.
I found the book surprisingly amazing. It did start a little slower then I'm used to but maybe that's because most of my reading is done when it's not quiet so I have to focus more. However once I was a few chapters in I was unable to put it down. Even stayed up late to finish it, paying for that today but it's worth it. I love the characters, Lexi and Dez just fit so perfectly. I love it what else can I say. I just wish that I had the next book, I'm not a patient person. Thank you so much.
Just finished.ally enjoyed book. Dex was well he was such a sweet heart. How can you not love him! The thought of someone following you life to life.ernal love. Swoon! Lex was quirky.rongloving and fearless. She loves with out fear once she allows you into her soul. It was such a fresh perspective on this subject matter. I'm awaiting next book. Thanks for the book. Thanks for sharing your stories.
Very much enjoyed this book. The story was fun and easy to get involved in. The eye thing was soo cool and different. The story line was new and reallywow cant even find a word good enough to describe it. Lol! Lexie is an awesome character and i cant wait to see what happens next in the story. 4 and 1/2 stars for me!


text:
Coraciimorphae é um clado de aves de rapina que reúne a ordem Coliiformes e o clado Eucavitaves (um grande grupo de aves que inclui pica-paus, guarda-rios e surucuás). O nome, porém, foi cunhado na década de 1990 por Sibley e Ahlquist com base em seus estudos de hibridização de DNA-DNA realizados no final dos anos 1970 e durante toda a década de 1980.

Neognatas

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Q: Vuetify - How to change v-img source with setTimeout function I have a problem with my code:
<v-card class="d-flex flex-column">
<v-img id="image" src="w3schools.com/js/landscape.jpg" height="600"> <v-card-title class="headline">
Search for
<v-spacer></v-spacer>
yes
</v-card-title>
</v-img>
</v-card>

It is not changing the image. What seems to be the problem?

A: It's not recommended to manipulate DOM as you're doing, try to create a data property called url and change it where you want, for example set the setTimeout in the created hook as follows:

new Vue({
  el: '#app',
  vuetify: new Vuetify(),
  data() {
    return {
      url: 'https://www.w3schools.com/js/landscape.jpg',
    }
  },
  created(){
   setTimeout(()=>{
   this.url="https://www.w3schools.com/js/smiley.gif"},5000)
  }
})
<link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Roboto:100,300,400,500,700,900" rel="stylesheet">
<link href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/@mdi/font@4.x/css/materialdesignicons.min.css" rel="stylesheet">
<link href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/vuetify@2.x/dist/vuetify.min.css" rel="stylesheet">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, maximum-scale=1, user-scalable=no, minimal-ui">

  <v-app>
    <v-content>
      <v-container>
      <v-card class="d-flex flex-column"> <v-img id="image" :src="url" height="600"> <v-card-title class="headline"> Search for <v-spacer></v-spacer> yes </v-card-title> </v-img> </v-card>
      </v-container>
    </v-content>
  </v-app>

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


KATHMANDU, Dec 15: The Department of Tourism has collected revenue amounting to Rs 460 million in four months of the current fiscal year alone. The Department had set the target of collecting Rs 1.13 billion in the current fiscal.
However, it has been successful in collecting a little less than half the target within the first quarter of the fiscal year alone.
Department Director General Dundu Raj Ghimire said compared to the past years, this year the Department estimates to collect significant amount of revenue.
Of the collected revenue, the maximum amount has been raised from the casinos. Last year, revenue more than 500 million was collected from casinos. Similarly, hotels and travel agencies registered with the Department are other major sources of revenue.
The Department collected Rs 1.13 billion in revenue in the fiscal year 2017/2018. It had collected revenue Rs 660 million only in fiscal year 2016/2017.


text:
Ch 174 – Surrounded By Wolves
Lei Yu didn't stop and just kept attacking several times. This made the bird man in the air suddenly at a loss, causing him to rush at Lei Yu in desperation. Seeing the mutant drawing a dagger from his waist and diving at extreme speeds, the opportunity Lei Yu was waiting for had finally arrived. Once the mutant bird man approached a certain distance and reaching the optimum attack range, Lei Yu suddenly opened up his arms. He then jumped forth with his hands charged with lightning power, watching the energy drill into the mutant bird's body without any resistance.
"Agghh!" After the miserable cry, this Fifth Rank Mutant's life thus came to its end with no chance of ever standing back up. As for his wings with brown feathers on his back, they were now charred black with a burnt smell in the air. Lei Yu gently waved his hand past his nose to get rid of the smell. Even though he didn't really use up too much internal energy, who knew what else he would encounter later on? It won't be easy to dealing with Dr. Tony!
Lei Yu carefully walked towards a door where those previous four Fifth Rank Mutants came from. Strengthening his right arm, a powerful punch landed on the door created a large hole. Lei Yu put his arm through the hole to unlock the door from the inside and went in.
Inside was a huge open space, its square footage was comparable to the second floor arena of his nightclub. But this space was completely dark and empty, and some sort of ghastly aura came from an unknown direction. Lei Yu increased his vigilance and released his detection ability hoping to probe the surrounding area to figure out what was going on.
"Living entities have appeared!" This was the first thing that alerted Lei Yu's mind, and it wasn't just one or two. There were over a hundred of them from all over slowly coming towards him in the darkness.
Being surrounded by enemies was something Lei Yu had faced before. But having so many opponents that weren't ordinary people was a different matter. Even though most of them were at the Third Order level, there was one with the strength of a Fourth Order. Facing such an imposing momentum still oppressed Lei Yu somewhat.
Might as well attack first instead of waiting for them to make their move. Detecting a gap in a certain direction with fewer mobs, Lei Yu figured that was as good as any place to weather the coming storm. Making up his mind, Lei Yu quickly sprinted in that direction.
What Lei Yu didn't expect was when he got close to his opponents; they actually weren't mutants but were a pack of wolves. With their gray fur and green eyes, these wolves looked especially terrifying in this dimly lit place. Lei Yu sucked in a deep breath as a dozen or so hungry looking wolves came at him. Their white fangs were dripping saliva as if they had been starved for a very long time. They way they stared at Lei Yu showed the wolves considered him as food.
Lei Yu wasn't going to give these animals an opening chance. Quickly appearing next to a wolf and with his fingers like an eagle's claw, Lei Yu gripped the wolf's throat. Lei Yu looked around and noticed there was still some distance between him and other wolves. He turned back to look at the wolf in his grip and felt it had some human intelligence – this wolf actually had fear and panic in its eyes.
Without mercy, Lei Yu put strength in his fingers and a "crack" sound was heard. The wolf had taken its last breath. Meanwhile, Lei Yu's figure rapidly dashed at another direction like lightning and arrived next to another wolf.
Charged with lightning, he raised his fist and let it fly forth. His punch even produced tremors in the air as it landed heavily onto the wolf's head. A "boom" sound was heard as the head shattered; another wolf had died. "You bunch of animals, come at me!" Roared Lei Yu. Seeing their own brethren being killed, the pack of wolves revealed their bloodthirsty eyes. The solidarity of wolves was common knowledge no matter what the situation. A wolf's howl filled with resentment was heard off in a distance and all the other wolves immediately rushed at him. Lei Yu's speed was absolute and just shifting his feet; his figure disappeared and reappeared off into a distance. "Bang!" Lei Yu's heavy kick caused a wolf to fly off into the air somewhere. Lei Yu then flipped backwards and beautifully somersaulted in the air to land on the back of another wolf. The wolf panicked and frantically struggled but how could it escape from the grasp of Lei Yu? A heavy palm strike slapped down and completely shattered the wolf's skull.
A wolf's head was similar to a dog's and was extremely hard. And this wolf had the same strength as a Third Order Warrior. Being able to shatter the wolf's skull with a palm strike showed how tyrannical Lei Yu's attack was!
"Die!" Lei Yu shouted. A punch with the most penetrative strength landed on a wolf with slightly yellow fur that had lunged at him. His fist accurately landed on a part of its spine. With its eyes round and wide, it had already died because all the spinal bones had broken apart. Wanting to survive this was an impossible thing. "You still dare to come?!" Lei Yu turned around while kicking out, his toes directly landing on the wolf's abdomen that was still in midair. The kick struck a vital area and the wolf's dead body landed on the ground like a piece of sludge. The speed of a wolf wasn't slow amongst other animals, but it still couldn't be compared to Lei Yu's agility that was more than enough to take care of them. In a mere five minutes, Lei Yu had gotten rid of half of this pack of wolves who originally numbered over a hundred, clearly showing his powerful strength.
Off at distance and staring at Lei Yu with eyes of resentment was the only wolf with the strength of a Fourth Order. Lei Yu concluded that this was the leader of the wolves with a highly respected status. Four wolves were standing in front as if they would fight to the death in order to protect this leader of theirs.
Lei Yu didn't know why this pack of wolves would appear here, but when it came to Dr. Tony, anything was possible. Since Dr. Tony is able to transfer animal and beast genes into humans in order to make them undergo a mutation, then transferring something inside the bodies of these wolves wasn't something difficult.
When facing these wolves, Lei Yu usually needed only one strike to take them out and at most two. Lei Yu's grasp for fighting was to directly attack the vital points because this was the fastest way in getting rid of an opponent. Even when your opponent isn't human, they still have their own weak points.
A particular behavior of wolves is that they like to use their large numbers and surround their opponents. And this was the method they were using against Lei Yu. But this method wasn't achieving any results for them because Lei Yu was simply too fast. With the additional help of the Ares boots, Lei Yu didn't have to spend too much effort in maintaining his speed.
This steady stream of attacks did however make Lei Yu feel a bit tired so he turned his sight onto the leader of the pack of wolves.
Capture the ringleader first in order to capture the followers!
With a flash of steps, Lei Yu no longer cared about the attacks that landed on his body by the other wolves. In a perfect arc, the beautifully executed midair crescent kick fell on those four wolves protecting their leader.
One could only hear the miserable howls of these four wolves. After their bodies twitched a bit more on the ground, they were no longer about to stand up.
Lei Yu lightly landed on his feet and without stopping, he condensed his internal energy at the shortest time. Once a lightning net of energy had successfully appeared on his hand, Lei Yu launched a frontal strike. This leader of the wolves wasn't slow at all, the moment Lei Yu's attack was about to land, it suddenly prostrated on the ground. A fist filled with lightning energy narrowly flew past the wolf's head making Lei Yu hit nothing but air.
It looks like the leader of the wolves wasn't a simple beast! That was Lei Yu's immediate thought, and it looks like the pack of wolves behind him weren't going to give him another chance. Lei Yu was attempting to attack the soul of this pack of wolves – their wolf leader!
Lei Yu now realized he may have made a mistake. Capturing the ringleader first in order to capture the followers was a tactic used for battlefields. But when facing these animals, it may be counterproductive. The more he attacked their leader, the more violent the attacks he would receive from the other wolves. Lei Yu was now surrounded on both sides; in front of him was the wolf leader and behind him were a bunch of angry wolves.


Aotearoa Collection now available online in collaboration with Hills Hats with our Mauriora and Tōranga designs.
Introducting our AOTEAROA COLLECTION in collaboration with the prestigious Hills Hats Ltd with our group partners Inka Design and Artisan Screen Printers all based here in the creative, beautiful city of Wellington, New Zealand.
Mauriora – the importance of carrying our life force with integrity.
Welcome to our AOTEAROA COLLECTION in collaboration with the prestigious Hills Hats Ltd with our group partners Inka Design and Artisan Screen Printers all based here in the creative, beautiful city of Wellington, New Zealand.
See our three M A D Designs: Mauriora (Life Force), Tooranga (Polarities) and Tuku Iho (Heritage) in various colour-ways and styles of hat wear starting with Mauriora… COMING SOON!!!
Watch this space for the launch of the AOTEAROA Collection near you!
Would like to introduce to you all our latest home and office décor collection – TUUTURU. TUUTURU means original and authentic in our context means true to form, true to form using Maori kowhaiwhai designs which are generic indigenous symbols used to express stories wide and far across many mediums throughout the Maori world. We celebrate TUUTURU in its simple form and beauty.
Please enjoy our latest collection available at our M A D Stores via the Design tab on our website main page.
by: IDEALOG + BLUNT + GENERATOR with the above designs with a couple of variations/colours.
What we love about this Design Xperiment is it's open to everyone!!
Closes EOD 28 Feb 2018, NZT.
Introducing our HE TANGATA Collection inspired by traditional Maori kowhaiwhai motifs in a different design layout than typically seen, representing the diversity of the people of New Zealand. He Tangata, The People. Colourways are Aroha = Love (dark pink/peach), Roimata = Tears (blue/green) and Pumau = Always (purple).
Introducing our HUE Collection inspired by the Gourd (often used for carrying water) and used in Maori cultural design work like weaving from raranga (weaving flax strips), whatu taaniko (tapestry) and visual arts (painting) to name a few.


text:
Council News > Policies / Procedures
Standing Orders and Financial Regulations
The Parish Council must operate under certain procedures which are defined by legislation. These have been adopted by the Council and are set out in the Council's Standing Orders and Financial Regulations which can be seen in the Parish Office and in the "Standing Orders" and Financial Regulations documents in the right hand column.
When Councillors become Councillors, they must sign a declaration of acceptance of office, which includes an undertaking to adhere to the Code of Conduct. The Parish Council adopted a revised Code in February 2013, a copy of which can be downloaded in the right hand column.
Any complaints regarding the conduct of Councillors should be made in writing and addressed to Mathew Buckley, Monitoring Officer, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, County Hall, Beverley, East Yorkshire HU17 9BA or e-mailed to standards@eastriding.gov.uk. Complaint forms are available but the complaint must detail the contact details of the person making the complaint, the name of the person being complained about, of which Council they are a member and a description of the conduct complained of.
Complaints regarding administration or procedures
The Parish Council has also adopted a Complaints Procedure which is followed whenever the Parish Council receives a complaint about its own administration and procedures and this can be obtained from the Clerk to the Council or by downloading from the right hand column of this page.
The Parish Council also has a duty to routinely publish information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The new Model Publication Scheme has been adopted by the Parish Council and can be seen by contacting the Clerk to the Council. The Guide to Information describes what information can be routinely accessed, where the information can be found, how to go about getting the information and whether there are charges involved.
Allotments Complaints Procedure
On 19 July 2012 the Parish Council approved a Complaints Procedure to be used in the event of any disputes between the tenants of the Parish Council owned Allotments. A copy of the procedure can be downloaded in the right hand column.
Emergency Plan and Snow Clearance Emergency Plan
The Parish Council has approved an Emergency Plan and a Snow Clearance Emergency Plan, copies of which can be downloaded in the right hand column.
Let's Get Ready for an Emergency
The East Riding of Yorkshire Council has published a new booklet on planning for emergencies. To download a copy use this link http://www.letsgetready.org.uk or use the link in the right hand column.
SNOW CLEARANCE EMERGENCY PLAN
MEMBER/OFFICER PROTOCOL
POLICY FOR DEALING WITH PRESS/MEDIA


text:
Senator Chris Murphy
Wednesday, December 8, 2021 - Chris Murphy, the junior United States Senator for Connecticut, has dedicated his career to public service as an advocate for Connecticut families. Senator Murphy has been a strong voice in the Senate fighting for job creation, affordable health care, education, sensible gun laws, and a forward-looking foreign policy.
Chris Murphy, the junior United States Senator for Connecticut, has dedicated his career to public service as an advocate for Connecticut families. Senator Murphy has been a strong voice in the Senate fighting for job creation, affordable health care, education, sensible gun laws, and a forward-looking foreign policy.
Follow STAFFER on Twitter • Facebook • Instagram


text:
Home Ethics Doping
IWF holds Anti-Doping Seminar titled "Enough is Enough"
The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has held an Anti-Doping Seminar in order to spread information on drug issues to athletes and their entourages.
Held during the Russian Federation President's Cup, an IWF Grand Prix event, the seminar, titled "Enough is Enough", aimed to provide key education to countries who are deemed to have serious doping problems.
In particular, nations whose athletes had provided positive drugs tests at the 2015 IWF World championships in Houston were asked to attend the seminar, which was led by IWF Anti-Doping Commission chairman Patrick Schamasch.
A total of 24 adverse analytical findings were announced by the IWF from the Championships, with the Azerbaijan team having six.
Schamasch explained the necessity of taking urgent steps to stop doping rule violations in weightlifting all over the world, and gave particular focus to tackling issues in former Eastern bloc countries.
It follows Bulgaria receiving a ban from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games following 11 positive doping cases during the qualification period.
Last month, insidethegames revealed that Russia could also lose at least one quota place at Rio 2016.
Under the IWF anti-doping policy, the world governing body's Executive Board retains the right to remove one place from a country if four doping failures are registered within the qualification window, while six or more cases can result in two being withdrawn.
Russia's total could reach eight, meaning two quota spots are removed.
Schamasch also gave detailed information on the modification of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code from 2015, including the list of prohibited substances and the Athlete Biological Passport.
He discussed the prohibited substance meldonium, the heart-attack drug added to the WADA banned list on January 1, which has had 123 confirmed cases since its addition.
The IWF stated that so far no positive tests for meldonium have been recorded in the sport, claiming that their proactive campaign, which has reminded member federations that the substance was to be banned, has helped.
Schamasch stated that the member federation leaders were responsible for regularly spreading information about doping issues to their athletes and officials, whilst expressing that should violations fail to decrease in the very near future, stricter sanctions will be needed and immediately enforced.
The IWF's director general, Attila Adamfi, who was among those at the seminar titled "Enough is Enough", claimed that the number of doping control tests is much higher than in most of the other International Federations.
Prevention and education was viewed as key to tackling the issues, with the IWF stating that the Continental Weightlifting Federations are obliged to hold Anti-Doping seminars with their financial support to help tackle doping issues.
Republished with permission insidethegames.biz
Previous articleOxford Boat Race cox adds to tradition of unorthodox tactics paying off in sport
Next articleFIFA takes big sponsorship hit, as Infantino moves to rewrite 2015-2018 budget
Houlihan Gets Four-Year Doping Ban but Blames Burrito for Failed Test
Rodchenkov Says Doping Act a 'Game-Changer' as US Vows to 'Aggressively' Enforce
Russian Flag Banned from Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022


Nails of the Week: Minions!
I cannot wait for Despicable Me 2 to come out in Lebanon (August 1 in case you're wondering). I had some free time yesterday and since I hadn't done anything crazy with my nails, I decided to recreate a minions inspired nail art pic that I'd seen on Instagram. It's not the cleanest nail art I've attempted, but I think the outcome with pretty cute.


text:
A treasured letter from Peter Overton (and yes, written last century…)
I'm a journalist by nature and was lucky enough to have my natural inclinations nurtured through a career in television, first as a reporter then as a producer. Among the shows I've worked on are Nine News Sydney, A Current Affair, Today Show and the ABC's 7.30 Report.
I was lucky too because I worked with and learned from some of the best in the business. Some of the names you may know – people like Peter Overton, Ray Martin, Liz Hayes.
They are household names in Australian television because they are exceptionally talented and hard-working. They are also exceptionally nice people, which is why I've mentioned them here. There are others I've worked with whose names I wouldn't bother to include because they just don't fit the bill of nice people. That's important to me – and important for you to know about me.
Then there are those whose names might not be so familiar but whose exacting standards and mentoring also shaped my career and my contribution to the industry. News directors like Peter Meakin and Ian Cook; and friends who started with me in the Nine newsroom like former Sky News Australia boss Angelos Frangopoulos.
I mention these people not to drop names but to reassure you that I have learned from a wide and varied field of professionals about serving an audience. Along the way, I have developed my own style and approach to content creation but I never forget that the foundations were set during my years in television.
It's been a while since those TV days but the skills and experiences have served me well as I've raised our two sons, completed two degrees (Bachelor of Sociology and Bachelor of Education) and moved into communications and marketing.
Now I'm on a mission to help people and organisations distinguish their voice through authentic content and communications.
My work includes writing, consulting and coaching to equip anyone who is purpose-driven and values-based to make a difference by using their real voice and stories.
Please do touch base with me if you want to know more about how to use your voice to make a difference, for yourself and for the world.
Email me, book a complimentary first session, sign up for my weekly email or head over to Linked In, where I post articles regularly.
It would be my honour to help.
sherene@sherenestrahan.com
Copyright © Sherene Strahan. Web Wizards Web Design Ecommerce


250 years ago today, the emperor opened the imperial hunting grounds to the "common man" and "common woman." Every Austrian child pays a visit to the amusement park after confirmation and at least twice in a lifetime (once as a child and once with their own children) every Austrian enjoys unparalleled views of Vienna from Prater's "Riesenrad." Personally, I love Vienna's "green lungs" where the Fiakers go to sleep at night, the beavers build their homes and the attire of the chestnut trees reveal the season. Some of my favorite Prater pastimes include running, renting 4 person bikes and racing friends, consuming a greasy hunk of pork leg with freshly grated horseradish and frothing Budweis, and soaking in the beautiful Viennese sunsets from the Riesenrad. Prater is a required stop for all Vienna visits – no matter how old or young the visitors.


Road route will take you on a journey to savor. People around the world are taking their time of the weekend to hit the road. It is thrilling to discover the landscape from your car window. Road trips give you a sense of freedom. You drive into the wildness of nature. Some of the impressive road routes of Europe are listed below.
It starts from Oberes Nasfeld ending in Franz Joefs hohe. There is nothing you will miss while on this road trip. You will go from dark tunnels to sunny meadows.The winding road will take you through the mighty mountainside. You will finally reach and see a winter landscape. The name of this route is after the Grossglockner. It is the highest peak present in the Austrian Alps. The road will provide you lovely stops too. You can take a look around Nature's museum. It has all substances of modern ecology. The breathtaking view of Pasterze at the end of your trip will be magnificent.
This road route connects Eide and Averoy. The route is eight kilometers long. It connects all small islands in this area. The Atlantic road is toll-free. The main thing that attracts roadies is the highest bridge. Storseisundet is one of the eight bridges. When the wind is wild, you will love driving on this highest bridge. The turn in the bridge is beautiful to watch. The stunning view of mountains sticking out of sea will leave you in awe.
One of the earliest roads built by the road enthusiasts. It was built when the car was starting to gain importance. The Touring Club decided to make a route. The route would connect all the Alpine passes. You will find sixteen passes while you drive along this road. You can stop and visit the national parks-Ecrins, Queyras, Mercantour, Vanoise. The scenic beauty of Geneva Lake will lead to the blue Mediterranean sea. You can also feed your hunger with delicious food found while on the road.
The Dracula's country attracts many tourists. The mystery and myths surrounding Romania make it more prone to road trips. Finding out the legends of Romania will be exciting. The road tears its way through Fagaras mountain. It is the highest mountain in the country. The trip will lead you to Poienari fortress. The intimidating fortress is the reason behind so many myths. It is the breeding ground of vampire legends. The Carpathian scenery is a raw beauty. Adventure lovers can take a ride on mountain bikes. The frozen hillside in August is impressive.
This 200-kilometer long route has all you could ever ask for. It will take you on a ride along the Iveragh Peninsula. You will witness the deep valleys and high mountains. The slopes will give in to cliff coastlines. The white sand beaches are places you can stop and relax.
There is a small village Sneem on the route. It has cute renovated Thatch-roofed houses. There are many attractive spots in this road route. The Blue Pool Nature Reserve, Rossbeigh beach, Torc waterfall are natural beauties you cannot miss. The Ross Castle and the Stone circles are architectural wonders to behold.
The Romantic Road is named so after the landscape it provides. It was built around 1950. If you are with your partner, you should prefer this road route. The ride will take you through the medieval villages. The magnificent castles will give a fairy-tale feel. The road will lead you to Schwerin Castle. You will love what you see here.
The Romantic Road will surely bring out the romantic in you. The rustic landscape and baroque castles make an incredible view.