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The Mines of Sulphur is an opera in three acts by Richard Rodney Bennett, his first full-length opera, composed in 1963.  Beverley Cross wrote the libretto, based on his play Scarlet Ribbons, at the suggestion of Colin Graham, who eventually directed the first production in 1965.  The opera is dedicated to Benjamin Britten, whose Aldeburgh Festival had originally commissioned the opera.

The Mines of Sulphur was premièred on 24 February 1965 at Sadler's Wells Theatre in London.  It was also broadcast on BBC Radio Network Three on 5 March 1965, and produced in a version for BBC Television on 13 November 1966. It received numerous subsequent performances, including in Cologne, Marseille, Milan, Toronto, Los Angeles, and New York City (at the Juilliard School). Most productions were well received, except for one directed by John Huston at La Scala.  After the mid-1970s, however, the work was mostly forgotten, until a popular revival by Glimmerglass Opera in 2004.  The Glimmerglass production was then brought to the New York City Opera, and also commercially recorded in 2005. It had 7 performances at Wexford Festival Opera in 2008.

Roles

Synopsis
The opera is set in an old, decaying West Country manor house, in the mid-18th century.  Rosalind has returned to the manor of Braxton, her master, where she had formerly been a servant and where Braxton had been treating her abusively.  Boconnion, a military deserter wanted on charges of killing a man, and the tramp Tovey arrive.  Boconnion, Tovey and Rosalind conspire to kill Braxton, and carry out this plan.  The three steal Braxton's riches and begin to celebrate their new wealth, planning to escape with it as well.

A group of itinerant actors then arrives at the manor.  Boconnion agrees to give them shelter, in return for entertainment.  The troupe bears a resemblance to actors who had visited the manor centuries earlier.  The actors present their newest play, The Mines of Sulphur, about an elderly count who weds a beautiful girl, who falls in love with the count's valet.  The count threatens the lovers, and the girl urges the valet to kill the count.  The play parallels the prior situation of Boconnion, Braxton and Rosalind.  At the point just before the girl and the valet are about to kill the count, Boconnion halts the play.  The actress Jenny (the wife in the play) faints, and Tooley takes her upstairs, where he discovers the murdered landowner.  Boconnion imprisons the actors in the cellar and plans to set fire to the manor to get rid of them the next morning.  Boconnion then kisses Jenny to taunt Rosalind, but then it is revealed that Jenny has the plague.  A ballad from Jenny reaffirms a link between her troupe and the earlier actors.  The actors then somehow have vanished from the locked cellar, and Jenny takes her leave.  Rosalind, Boconnion and Tovey see that the manor door has the plague mark painted on it, and they stay in the manor, realizing that they are doomed.

Recording
 Chandos CHSA 5036(2): Kristopher Irmiter, Beth Clayton, Brandon Jovanovich, James Maddalena, Dorothy Byrne, Brian Anderson, Michael Todd Simpson,  	Caroline Worra, Andrew Gorell; Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra; Stewart Robertson, conductor (live recording)

References

Sources

English-language operas
Operas by Richard Rodney Bennett
Operas
1965 operas
Operas set in England
Operas based on plays


Retail purchases are shipped in a custom card with the quote, and then in a Chocolate and Steel jewelry box perfect for gift giving and storing your jewelry. Wholesale purchases are shipped on a jewelry card in a cellophane sleeve. Jewelry boxes are available upon request.


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Home Bollywood I believe not many people know I'm Ayushmann's brother: Aparshakti khurana
I believe not many people know I'm Ayushmann's brother: Aparshakti khurana
APARSHAKTI KHURANA BELIEVES THAT MANY PEOPLE AND FILMMAKERS ARE STILL UNAWARE OF THE FACT THAT HE IS AYUSHMAN'S BROTHER.
Disha Mittal
Aparshakti khurana believes that many people and even many filmmakers are unaware of the fact that he is the brother of Ayushman khurana.
Aparshakti khurana is a 31-year-old actor, who started his career as a radio jockey and later became an anchor on Indian television and also has became part of successful film, 2016 blockbuster "Dangal", featuring Aamir Khan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Zaira Wasim and Sanya Malhotra.
After that he had also became a part of many movies like stree,badrinath ki dulhani and most recently lukka chuppi , not like his brother ayushman khurana who made a debut with Vicky donor in 2012.Aparshakti has played a supporting role in his all the films but he says that he is fine with it.
"Whenever I meet people, they call me Bittu of 'Stree' or Omkar of 'Dangal'. And I believe not many people know that I'm the brother of Ayushmann. When they do get to know that we are brothers, then sometimes they are shocked and sometimes they say 'Yeah, you sound so similar' or 'you look similar'.
"I think it happens also because we both share different space. His space is completely different than mine. I have had a different journey than he had," Aparshakti told PTI.
Aparshakti's journey is dissimilar to other bollywood star kids who had made debut in films as a lead.
"My journey is different from other star brothers, kids or sisters. I think that is one of the main reasons that people don't question me on this. So far, the media and the audiences have not really roped me into the ambit of nepotism.
"No one has really come up and said that I have been launched by someone. I'm still playing the friend of a film's hero. No star kid has ever done this role but I have done it in five films." says Aparshakti.
This shows that the actor is not at all ashamed of his work or roles in the films.He has a good gut feeling during any decision making and is very hardworking.
"There was a time in my school and college days when I really used to plan and they never shaped up, both at the personal and professional front. And I think whenever you plan things and they don't happen, then you feel heartbroken. I have stopped planning things. I have stopped planning life, be it personal or professional," he says.
"I don't really sit down and think like 'I'll do these things now.' I just do things the way I want to do and the way they come to me," he adds.
After "Luka Chuppi", the actor will be next seen in "Jabariya Jodi", "Street Dancer" and "Kanpuriye".
For more updates stay tuned….
ayushman khurana
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Home»2011»Global Spotlight
June 7, 2011 10 Mins Read
Franklin Electric's Little Giant Certified Contractor Program allows installers of Little Giant products to distinguish themselves through training, certification and affiliation. Certification comes with several benefits to contractors. In addition to personalized, expert-level training, certified contractors will also be eligible for advertising assistance, extended warranty, enhanced marketing materials and other exclusive services. For additional information visit http://lgcontractor.franklin-electric.com/.
JG prizewinners announced
During WQA/Aquatech in March, John Guest USA presented three lucky winners its JG Installation Kit. Valued at $500 (USD), the kit contains almost 180 individual Standard Line and Speedfit products for use in water treatment/filtration piping-connecting applications – everything techs need for quick and easy installs. A winner was selected each day of the show by random drawing of a business card. The winners were Richard Garcia, Superior Water Softeners, San Antonio, TX; David Vigil, Fiesta Water Filtration, Helotes, TX and David Johnson, Eau Cool, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Pentair quarterly results announced
Pentair, Inc. reported first quarter 2011 sales of $790 million (USD), a 12-percent increase from the prior year quarter. Sales growth was broad-based across its Water and Technical Products segments. US sales grew five percent, while Western European sales increased double digits. Residential flow sales were up six percent versus the prior year quarter and residential filtration sales were up three percent, as growth from continued geographic expansion and new products was partially offset by softness in the US market.
EcoWater prizewinner announced
EcoWater Systems LLC awarded Byron and Karen Gabel of La Vergne, TN $20,000 (USD) in cash through its annual Soft Life™ Sweepstakes, designed to support over 250 EcoWater dealers across the nation. "The annual Soft Life™ Sweepstakes serves as a wonderful opportunity for us to support our dealers and thank our loyal customers," said Steve Webb, Vice President of Dealer Sales and Marketing for EcoWater Systems LLC. "We're pleased for both the Gabel's and for our outstanding La Vergne, TN EcoWater dealer, Advanced Aqua Solutions, LLC."
Watts quarterly results announced
Watts Water Technologies, Inc.'s quarterly results included first quarter sales of $329.9 million, an increase of three percent versus first quarter 2010, primarily due to increased sales in both the North American and European wholesale markets. The acquisition of Danfoss Socla S.A.S. and the related water controls business of certain other entities controlled by Danfoss A/S was completed in a share and asset purchase transaction. Watts declared a quarterly dividend of eleven cents per share on the Company's Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock payable on June 3 to stockholders of record at the close of business on May 23.
Zinkan alliance announced
Zinkan Enterprises, Inc. of Twinsburg, OH has formed a strategic alliance with Hydropro, Inc. of Riviera Beach, FL and a water treatment operating division has been created within Zinkan. The company manufactures a wide variety of specialty chemicals, has terminals located throughout the US and provides chemicals and services to a worldwide clientele. It has also been operating and managing various water treatment plants for many years.
During WQA/Aquatech in March, John Guest USA presented three lucky winners its JG Installation Kit. Valued at $500 (USD), the kit contains almost 180 individual standard line and Speedfit products for use in water treatment/filtration piping-connecting applications—everything techs need for quick and easy installs. A winner was selected each day of the show by random drawing of a business card. The winners (shown here, from left) were Richard Garcia, Superior Water Softeners, San Antonio, TX; David Vigil, Fiesta Water Filtration, Helotes, TX and David Johnson, Eau Cool, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Calgon quarterly results announced
Calgon Carbon Corporation quarterly results reported net sales of $124.4 million (USD), a 20.8-percent increase over first quarter 2010. Calgon Carbon Japan's (CCJ's) sales (not reported on a consolidated basis for first quarter 2010) accounted for approximately 83 percent of the increase. Activated Carbon and Service segment sales increased 24.8 percent. Sales from traditional business increased due to higher sales of activated carbon products and services in four of six market segments: municipal, industrial process, respirator, and environmental water treatment. Calgon Carbon's Board of Directors did not declare a quarterly dividend.
Dow honored with GWI award
Dow Water & Process Solutions was awarded Desalination Plant of the Year by Global Water Intelligence (GWI) for its seawater reverse osmosis facility in Kurnell, Australia. The award was presented by former Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Anan, during the Global Water Awards ceremony in Berlin, Germany. A leading source of market information for the international water industry, GWI honors top performers in the world of water each year. The Desalination Plant of the Year award is given for the most technical achievement in the industry. Other partners in the award were Veolia Water, Sydney Water, Fichtner and the John Holland Group.
UL to address chromium with new test
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) began offering municipalities and customers access to its globally recognized testing and certification services to detect Chromium-6 (hexavalent chromium) in drinking water supplies. The company has begun testing water samples using US EPA Method 218.6, revision 3.3, which allows for a minimum reporting limit of 0.02 ppb and offers a low-level testing option for total chromium to 0.1 ppb by US EPA Method 200.8. There is currently no federal testing mandate and limit for chromium-6 in drinking water, however, so very few labs have capability to test for the chemical at such low levels. Based on new science, and as mandated by the Safe Drinking Water Act, US EPA launched a review of the effects of chromium-6 on human health to determine if a revised standard needs to be set. It is expected that the scientific assessment will be finalized before the end of 2011.
Rayne honored for ZLD facility
The AZ Water Association recognized Rayne of Phoenix for outstanding work on its zero liquid discharge (ZLD) facility for centralized water softening regeneration this year. The facility was honored as the AZ Water 2011 Water Reuse Project of the Year and the award presented during the 84th AZ Water Association Annual Conference in May. Each year, the award is presented to recognize outstanding engineering excellence and achievement in the water, wastewater and water reuse categories. Projects are judged based upon several criteria, including innovative application of a new or existing technique, social and economic considerations and ability to meet owner needs.
NDPA moving to new office
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance Board of Directors recently agreed unanimously to accept an offer from the International Swimming Hall of Fame to occupy offices at One Hall of Fame Drive in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Since its formation in 2004, the Alliance has been based in Huntington Beach, CA. It is currently working on a federally funded national public education program that complements the US Consumer Product Safety Commission's Pool Safely campaign. The campaign aims to reduce childhood drowning and prevent drain entrapments through public education, training programs and strategic partnerships. It fulfills requirements of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act.
New NSF certification program launched
NSF International has launched its Public Drinking Water Equipment Performance Certification program. Products certified to this program have been tested and verified to ensure they effectively remove Cryptosporidium, bacteria and viruses in drinking water. Dow Chemical Company's DOW SFD-2880 UF module is among the first to earn certification for Cryptosporidium removal. The program applies to equipment used to treat or produce drinking water and is based on US EPA's Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2). In addition, the certification program requires that products meet NSF/EPA Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) program requirements, as well as NSF/ANSI Standard 61: Drinking Water System Components – Health Effects. For additional information, visit www.nsf.org, email pdwep@nsf.org or call (734) 913-5785.
Standards committee meeting update
The ASTM International D-28 Activated Carbon Committee spring meeting held in April featured Robert Potwora, Carbon Resources Technical Director, presiding as Vice-Chairman, Membership Chairman and Long Range Planning Chairman. Several attendees represented the manufacturing side and end users of activated carbon as well as new affiliates. A web-based teleconference was held for members who could not attend. During the teleconference, the draft test method to measure the adsorptive capacity of activated carbon for mercury in flue gas was discussed; some refinement of the test method is needed. After this, the actual test data can be generated on activated carbons. There was a consensus to look into development of a test method for laser particle size. The laser particle size analyzer, which is replacing use of sieves like 325 mesh for particle size, provides more detailed sizing data on PAC and fine mesh activated carbons. The next regular meeting is scheduled for October 31 in Tampa, FL, during which the committee may have a joint meeting with the Coal and Coke committee to see what synergies exist.
Pool/spa code to be created by CDC
The Board of Directors for the non-profit National Swimming Pool Foundation® voted in late April to endorse Operator Training, the first module of the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC). The Code is being created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and dozens of volunteers. This standard is the first public domain, scientifically based standard that is free for all jurisdictions. The first of 12 modules was issued on April 8.
Ongoing Haiti relief from Severn Trent
Severn Trent Services has donated several portable electrolytic water disinfection systems to humanitarian agencies working in Haiti. The combined units, which convert saltwater and energy into liquid sodium hypochlorite are capable of disinfecting up to 13 million gallons (49.2 million liters) of drinking water per day. The donation is part of a grassroots campaign to enable ordinary citizens to treat their drinking water at the point of consumption. Ten portable Sanilec®systems and one ClorTec®unit were donated to Operation Blessing International, Deep Springs International and St. Damien Hospital.
Dutch company acquired by LANXESS
LANXESS has successfully completed acquisition of DSM Elastomers and will pay €310 million ($460.9 million USD) for Dutch company Royal DSM N.V.'s elastomer business. Sittard-Geleen, the Netherlands-based DSM has roughly 420 employees worldwide and produces synthetic rubber ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) under the Keltan brand name The company operates an EPDM facility with an annual capacity of 160,000 metric tons in Sittard-Geleen and one in Triunfo, Brazil, with a capacity of around 40,000 metric tons per year. LANXESS plans to transfer headquarters for the combined EPDM business from Marl, Germany to Sittard-Geleen and the Technical Rubber Products (TRP) business will sell its EPDM products under the Buna EP and Keltan brand names. LANXESS currently produces EPDM at sites in Marl and Orange, US. The company financed the acquisition with existing liquidity.
Grundfos honored in Denmark
Grundfos was honored with AmCham Denmark's 2011 Trans Atlantic Business Award after close competition with TERMA, Danfoss, H.Lundbeck and Santaris Pharma. An independent jury gave the nod to Grundfos for its impressive growth in investment and employment in the US, research in energy and eco-friendly solutions and significant contributions in corporate social responsibility. Company President Dennis Wierzbicki accepted the award on behalf of the company at a ceremony in Valby, Denmark.


This month, we focus our attention on the pleasures of grape-based brandies from around the world. To the surprise of many consumers, France's oldest brandy isn't Cognac. Armagnac, the rustic, sometimes spectacular brandy of Gascony, owns that distinction. Indeed, winemakers from Gascony in France's balmy southwest corner were distilling their wines into Armagnac by the start of the Renaissance, in the 1400s. That's two centuries before the Cognaçais began producing their own regional brandy. Yet today, global sales of Cognac dwarf those of Armagnac.
The reasons for Cognac's overwhelming dominance over Armagnac read like the answers to a multiple-choice quiz: a) Though they started later, the Cognaçais have proven to be better, savvier, more aggressive international marketers; b) Much more Cognac is produced (10 to 1), so the sheer production numbers tip the scale toward Cognac. In fact, thousands of acres of Gascony vineyards formerly devoted to Armagnac have been planted over to table wine grapes such as Merlot and Chardonnay; c) The Armagnaçais distillers don't like each other. They cannot put up a united front even for the mutually beneficial cause of international promotion; d) All of the above. Unfortunately, the last choice is the correct answer.
Things have gotten so Rodney Dangerfield-ish of late for Armagnac that even the highly touted Encarta World English Dictionary, published by St. Martin's Press and Microsoft, doesn't include the word Armagnac while Cognac and even Calvados (France's great apple brandy) appear. This stellar, ancient brandy category stands the chance of disappearing by the end of the 21st century if drastic, positive steps of cooperation aren't taken immediately by the Armagnac distilling community. In the meantime, here are a few wonderful Armagnacs to stock up on if the worst happens.
France's illustrious apple-based brandies from Normandy, Calvados, are some of the most sublime brandies in the world. Calvados production was first recorded in 1563. Calvados, one of three officially demarcated (Appellation d'Origin Controlée) brandy regions in France along with Cognac and Armagnac, has been commercially produced in Normandy since the 17th century. The flagship district is Pays d'Auge, a locale equally famous for its thoroughbred horses. Calvados is distilled twice and aged in small 55-60 gallon oak barrels. Calvados has a multitude of uses, from being part of everyday cooking and baking to making marinades. It is also served chilled as a splendid palate cleanser between courses, and is enjoyed as a room temperature digestif as would any fine brandy.
Finally, no survey of brandy would be complete without brief visits to Italy and the United States. Cheers.
A.B. Pollentes 1965 Coeur de Terre Bas Armagnac, Cask Strength/Unfiltered (France; VOS Selections, New York, NY); 47% abv, $125. The aroma jumps from the glass upon pouring, emitting a delightful woody/resiny perfume. Following eight minutes of air contact, the nosing adds scents of paraffin, lead pencil, prunes and spice. This complex and savory bouquet doesn't show a trace of slowing down, even at age 30. The palate explodes with dark caramel, toffee, chocolate covered cherries, candied walnuts, prunes and oak resin (that approaches being rancio-like). The aftertaste is luxuriously long, oaky sweet, and intensely nut-like.
Domaine Boingneres 1985 Folle Blanche Bas Armagnac (France; Charles Neal Selections, Oakland, CA); 49% abv, $105. At opening, the bouquet is very piquant, almost prickly; after a few minutes, what's left behind is a serious oaky/resiny aroma, plus bacon fat and seared meat; this pepper steak bouquet is an aficionado's delight. Intense richness of ripe grapes, raisins, concentrated oakiness, and lip-smacking bacon fat is immediately apparent at palate. This has one of the best Armagnac palate entries that I've yet encountered. At midpalate, mature, melded flavors of old wood, paraffin, smoked meats and dried fruit totally charm the taste buds. Aftertaste is long, austere, ashy, woody, and warming. Fantastically complex and satisfying.
A.B. Pollentes Hors d'Age Bas Armagnac (France; VOS Selections, New York, NY); 40% abv, $55. Bright, pure amber/honey-tinted appearance. The opening nosing reveals a firmly structured bouquet that features caramel-like traces of hard candy and nougat; milk chocolate and coffee bean notes get added to the complex aromatic dynamics. This is a beguilingly harmonious and multilayered bouquet that fills the nasal cavity with sweet scents of caramel and old oak. In the mouth, it begins sublimely sweet and toasty, but not in the least cloying or syrupy. The aftertaste is long, silky, candy sweet and just a touch resiny. Nothing subtle or namby-pamby about this big-hearted Armagnac. Best Buy.
A.B. Pollentes 1973 Epices Bas Armagnac, Cask Strength/Unfiltered (France; VOS Selections, New York, NY); 48.4% abv, $100. After three minutes of aeration, the first stirrings of aroma are found; following seven minutes, the aroma develops scents of black pepper, allspice, licorice, mild caramel and almonds. Supremely luscious right from the palate entry as succulent, bittersweet tastes of toffee, toasted almond and apple butter greet the taste buds; the midpalate is even more glorious as toasty flavors of ripe grapes, buttery oak and light caramel are not overshadowed by the cask-strength alcohol (48.4%). The finish is a wonderful display of alcohol supporting inherent fruit and wood flavors.
Chateau de Briat 1979 Bas Armagnac (France; Charles Neal Selections, Oakland, CA); 46% abv, $115. Deep copper/burnished orange color. The zesty opening aroma is laden with oaky notes as well as mature spirit. With time in the glass, handsome aromas of citrus rind, grape must and wood resin combine to create a formidable fragrance. As much as I admire the bouquet, I like the sweet, focused palate entry even more; by midpalate, the flavor blossoms into multiple layers of wood, ripe fruit, resin and spice. The aftertaste is medium-long, resiny sweet, and, at the very end, a bit candied in a butterscotch way.


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United States and Brazil Reach Agreement to End WTO Cotton Dispute
U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman Represents Obama Administration in Baltimore for National Manufacturing Day
Press Week Ahead: October 6 - 10
USTR Froman Touts Texas as National Model For American Exporting, Promotes Historic U.S. Trade Agenda with Members of Congress
USTR Froman Underlines Ohio's Record-High Exports in Cleveland and Columbus, Promotes President Obama's Trade Agenda
Press Week Ahead: October 12 – 17
Readout of Meeting by USTR Froman to Build Internat'l Support for Myanmar Initiative to Promote Fundamental Labor Rights
United States Wins WTO Trade Enforcement Dispute for American Farmers
Press Week Ahead: October 20 - 24
USTR Begins Special 301 Report Out-of-Cycle Review of India
U.S. Statement Delivered by Ambassador Michael Punke at the WTO Trade Negotiations Committee Meeting
Joint Statement of the Labor Affairs Council Peru-United States Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA)
Opening Remarks at the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Ministerial Meeting in Sydney
Joint Statement of the Ministers and Heads of Delegation for the Trans-Pacific Partnership Countries
US Commerce Secretary Pritzker and USTR Froman to Convene the 25th Session of U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade
2007-2017 Press Releases
U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman Touts Texas as National Model For American Exporting, Promotes Historic U.S. Trade Agenda with Members of Congress
Top U.S. trade official underscores how President Obama's trade agenda will unlock economic opportunity for Texans at events with Members of Congress and local businesses that are supporting additional jobs by exporting
San Antonio, TX – U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, the lead United States trade official, spotlighted Texas' all-time high exports and discussed how the Obama Administration's unprecedented trade agenda will build on that record by further unlocking economic opportunity for Texans.
In 2013, Texas exported a record-breaking $279.5 billion Made-in-America goods to the world – supporting 1.1 million jobs and contributing to the nation's all-time high of $2.3 trillion exports, making it an exemplar of the benefits of trade.
In San Antonio, Ambassador Froman held multiple events with local entrepreneurs, business leaders, and Members of Congress to outline the importance of groundbreaking new trade agreements being negotiated by the Obama Administration mean for Texas.
This morning, Ambassador Froman and Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28), met with local business leaders and entrepreneurs at the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, where they discussed how President Obama's trade agenda will help their companies grow and support jobs in the community. Afterward, Ambassador Froman and Congressman Cuellar held a press conference.
"Texas is a powerful testament to how Made-in-America exports unlock opportunity on Main Street for families and businesses," said Ambassador Froman. "Under President Obama's leadership, the U.S. is spearheading the most significant trade agenda in history. Our goal in negotiating trade agreements is simple: grow the economy, support job creation, and strengthen the Middle Class. I look forward to working with Congressman Cuellar and Congressman Gallego going forward to helping Texas break many more economic records in the future."
Following the press conference, Ambassador Froman toured Rackspace, a managed cloud computer company in Windcrest, Texas. Located in Congressman Cuellar's district, Rackspace has over 200,000 customers in 120 countries, and boasts offices and data centers all over the world. Rackspace is emblematic of the high-tech American companies that stand to gain from current trade negotiations between the U.S. and the Asia Pacific region, which for the first time in a trade agreement include groundbreaking provisions addressing barriers affecting the digital economy.
"In South Texas, we know that trade is the lifeblood of our economy, supporting thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in economic impact," said Congressman Cuellar. "In 2013 U.S. goods and services exports supported an estimated 11.3 million jobs. Today's event was an excellent opportunity for San Antonio businesses to discuss ways to expand trade opportunities for American businesses with the Administration's top trade official. I thank the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and all the local businesses that made today's roundtable possible."
This afternoon, Ambassador Froman and Congressman Pete Gallego (TX-23) came to Concord Supply Company, a San Antonio small business that is creating jobs by exporting Made-in-America products across the globe. Concord Supply manufactures, converts, and distributes coated industrial materials for numerous purposes, including for the steel industry. 90 percent of their sales are international, and because of their exporting, Concord Supply has been able to expand their company and hire more Texans.
"San Antonio is epicenter of trade and commerce between North, South and Central America," said Congressman Gallego. "Small businesses like Concord Supply show that our small businesses can create jobs locally, compete globally, and prosper even in a rough economy. I appreciate Ambassador Froman's visit and know he leaves with a better understanding of our needs, our role, and the importance of our small businesses in the global marketplace."
Trade is a key driver of Texas' economy, and President Obama's two highest trade priorities, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP), will give Texas and the United States enhanced access to three of Texas' largest five export markets – Mexico, Canada and the European Union.
What's more, T-TIP will include Texas's top 3 sources of foreign investment: the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands (as of 2011, the latest year available).
Finalizing both agreements will help Texas sell more Made-in-America exports across the world and bolster American competitiveness in the global economy.
To view a fact sheet about Texas' record-breaking exports and unlocking economic opportunity for Texans through trade, click here.


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COVID-19: Two doses of Oxford vaccine boost immune responses in pigs
While a single dose induced antigen-specific antibody and T cells responses in pigs, the booster dose enhanced the antibody responses with a significant increase in neutralising antibody levels. There was no significant increase in antibody responses in mice after the booster dose.
A study in pigs has found that two doses of Oxford vaccine (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) given as prime-boost produce greater antibody responses than a single dose. The researchers found that even a single dose was sufficient in inducing antigen-specific antibody and T cells responses in pigs, the booster dose elevated the antibody responses, with a significant increase in neutralising antibody levels. There was no significant increase in antibody responses in mice after the booster dose.
"Whilst a single dose induced antigen-specific antibody and T cells responses, booster immunisation enhanced antibody responses, particularly in pigs, with a significant increase in SARS-CoV-2 neutralising titres," researchers write in a preprint posted on June 20 on bioRxiv preprint server. The preprint is yet to be peer-reviewed and published in a scientific journal.
The Pune-based Serum Institute announcing plans to manufacture the vaccine the moment the Phase-3 trial or the combined Phase-2/Phase-3 trial begins.
Earlier study on monkeys
An earlier study posted on bioRxiv preprint server by the researchers found that a single dose of the vaccine induced a humoral and cellular immune response in rhesus macaques. While the vaccinated rhesus macaques did not develop pneumonia, the vaccination was unable to prevent infection when exposed to the virus. They found that the vaccinated animals that were infected when exposed to the virus had "significantly reduced" viral load in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and respiratory tract tissue compared with control animals.
Pigs, not mice, showed enhanced responses
The study evaluated a prime-boost vaccine regimen in both mice and pigs. While a single dose of the vaccine induced antigen-specific antibody and T cells responses in both mice and pigs, the booster dose enhanced the antibody responses significantly in just one mouse strain. But in the case of pigs, the booster dose significantly enhanced the antibody responses.
Pigs in the prime-only group received the vaccine on day zero, while the animals in the prime-booster group received the vaccine on day zero and day 28.
Booster dose elevates immune responses
Significant FL-S specific antibody titres were detected in both pig groups — prime-only and prime-boost groups. But the booster dose increased the antibody levels significantly in the animals in the prime-booster group. Similarly, in the case of the RBD-specific antibodies, significant levels were seen in both groups from 14 post vaccination. However, there was significant increase in the RBD-specific antibody level in animals belonging to the prime-boost group 35 days post vaccination. The RBD-specific antibody levels in the prime-boost group was greater than the prime-only animals 35 days post vaccination.
In the case of neutralising antibodies, they were detected in two-third of animals in both groups. However, animals that received the booster dose exhibited significantly greater levels of neutralising antibodies two weeks after the second dose compared with animals that received only one dose.
Similarly, at day 42, T cell responses were higher in pigs that received two doses of the vaccine compared with animals that received only one dose, thus demonstrating that the prime-boost regimen trended toward a higher response. In addition to T cell responses, pigs also exhibited robust Th1-like CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses in pigs.
"This has important implications for COVID-19 vaccine development as virus-specific T cells are thought to play an important role in SARS-CoV-2 infection," they write.
Phase 2-3 human clinical trials
On April 23, Phase-1 human clinical trial began on healthy volunteers aged 15 and 55. According to Oxford University website, more than 1,000 immunisations had been completed as on May 22 and follow-up was going on.
On May 22, the trial was all set to graduate to the next stage of Phase 2-3. The study will enroll up to 10,260 adults and children. The Phase-2 trial will enroll a small number of older adults (56-69 years and over 70 years) and children (between 5-12 years) to study how well the immune system responds in older people or children.
The Phase-3 will assess the efficacy of the vaccine in a large number of people over 18 years of age. The researchers will assess how well the vaccine helps "prevent people from becoming infected and unwell" with COVID-19.
In both Phase-2 and Phase-3, participants will be randomised to receive one or two doses of the Oxford vaccine or MenACWY vaccine that protects against four strains of meningococcal bacteria (control group).
Trials to begin in Brazil, South Africa
Due to reduced transmission rate in UK, University of Oxford has been looking at other countries where the virus spread is still high. Accordingly, the Oxford vaccine will now be tested in South Africa and Brazil.
In Brazil, the vaccine will be tested on 2,000 participants in Sao Paulo and 1,000 participants in Rio de Janeiro. In South Africa, the vaccine will be tested at several sites.
Clinical trial, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Health, Oxford University vaccine ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, Public Health, SARS-CoV-2, vaccine
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Shaping investments for the future
With significant demographic shifts occurring around the world, one useful approach for investors is to use demographic themes and trends as a compass for future investing.
Focusing on companies that will benefit from slow moving, long duration and highly predictable demographic trends can help investors predict areas of future opportunity.
There are three main themes that stand out – an aging population, population growth, and a growing middle class. The long-term implications of all three are far-reaching.
Longevity and aging population
A quick look back at history offers a guide to how much older society is becoming, and how quickly. During the Roman empire, the average life expectancy was only 25 years. Life expectancy then increased to 33 years in the Middle Ages, with a big jump to 55 years in the 19th century.
More recently, the average life expectancy across the globe has increased to 72 years, with the Western world at 80 years and Japan at 84. Dutch scientists expect that in 50 years' time, life expectancy might reach over 125 years.
At the same time, the overall population itself is becoming, on average, older. For the first time in human history, people older than 60 will soon outnumber 15-year-olds and younger. This has very profound implications on how people are spending, which in turn has repercussions for what industries and companies will succeed over the longer term.
Population growth and shifts
There are also noticeable shifts within this population growth. We are at a point where, for the first time in human history, the number of people in the middle class will make up the majority of the population. From an investment perspective, this means that the level of household wealth is, on average, rising globally.
This increase in household wealth is noticeable in Australia, particularly due to the effects the pandemic and Australia's reaction to it, with household savings levels reaching historically high levels. The US and China are still the two largest economies in the world, but even with the pandemic downturns in 2020, Australia is now the 13th largest economy in the world, overtaking the likes of much bigger countries such as Spain. Australia is still a country with just 25 million people, making it comparatively rich on a per capita basis.
Another shift that is a direct result of the pandemic is the significant change in where people choose to live. For many decades there has been a one-way movement from regional and country areas into Australia's cities. However over the past 18 months there has been a trend of younger people, particularly millennials moving away from the cities and into the regions, creating a property boom in these areas.
Younger people are looking for a lifestyle change and prioritising more space for their young families. Some potentially are wanting to get away from the spread of Covid in the higher-density city areas, which of course bring more lockdown measure. Regional housing is also cheaper for younger people and "working from home" measures have allowed younger people and families to work from the regions, rather than just commuting to the city.
Opportunities for investors
Some of the industries that are set to grow from these demographic shifts include healthcare, technology and logistics, which will offer attractive opportunities for investors.
For example, since more people are working from home and living outside of the cities, the warehousing and logistics sector is set to grow even further. Although shops are closed, people are buying just as much as ever, but consumption is moving online, driving demand for more warehouses and delivery services. Therefore, quality logistics and freight companies that have a good geographic range through warehousing and distribution centres, along with a wide range of delivery capabilities, display a good pipeline of growth.
Another industry set to grow is healthcare, specifically technological advancements in healthcare due to the aging population.
As people age, they have different healthcare needs, ranging from hearing aids, hip replacements, glasses, certain drugs, or heart operations. For example, eyesight declines with age, so the eyecare sector is likely to grow. The increased use of screens and electronic devices is also having a negative impact on eyesight. Out of a global population of 7.6 billion, it is estimated that 60 per cent of people need eye correction, but only 40 per cent are getting it done. So, the opportunity here is set to expand. For investors this means finding healthcare opportunities that seek to improve patient care through leading niche technologies that are already out in the market.
The aging population creates more people needing more surgery. This is where technology advancements in healthcare come in through the likes of robotic surgery. The use of robotic surgery allows for treatment in a minimally invasive manner. The benefits of this are greater accuracy, lower complication rates, and ultimately, reduced days in hospitals, which saves the healthcare system money.
And of course, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the healthcare industry is expected to innovate more to get ahead of any future variants and other viral infections. Innovation in the case of Covid-19 and other viral infections can open a new world of opportunities for investors. Investors can put money behind companies to help accelerate these treatments, while allowing these companies to bolster their cash flows, in turn, creating a solid investment.
Therefore, there is ample amounts of opportunity to invest in a more dynamic future through changing demographics. Industries of healthcare, technology, and logistics, along with many more, will thrive from these demographic trends.
For investors, a good place to start is with those companies where a significant proportion of value creation comes from demographic factors. Assess the quality of the business model, look at whether there is opportunity for sustainable growth, consider the likelihood high returns, and ask if the cashflow generation strong. And finally, assess the upside opportunities to come up with a portfolio of attractive companies.
Contact us if you'd like to find out more about investing in the future. Call us on (08) 8379 3307.
Source: Fidelity October 2021
Reproduced with permission of Fidelity Australia. This article was originally published at https://www.fidelity.com.au/insights/investment-articles/shaping-investments-for-the-future/
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The Mystical Itinerary of a Friend of God
A short essay by 'Ā'isha Al-Bā'ūniyya on the mystical path leading to the moral and ontological annihilation of the Ego
This article is an introduction to Amidst the Fire of Divine Love
You say "women in Islam" and—leaving aside Jesus's mother and Muhammad's wives and daughters because of their exceptional status—you immediately think of mystical literature. Indeed, it is in the Sufi milieu that several prominent female figures blossomed, such as the ascetic Rābi'a al-'Adawiyya (713–801), whose dazzling sayings continue to gain wide favour up to these days.[i] However, if Rābi'a is a story unto herself for her exceptional choice of celibacy, 'Ā'isha al-Bā'ūniyya, the poet and mystic from whom we take our classic for this issue, is more of a "normal" figure. And therefore more representative of a trajectory which was possible in classical Islamic society, at least in its upper echelons.[ii]
'Ā'isha was born in Damascus during the second half of the fifteenth century to an eminent family. Her father was the chief judge of the Syrian metropolis under the last Mamluks and he ensured that she received a thorough education: at the age of eight, 'Ā'isha had already memorized the entire Qur'an. Whilst in Mecca on pilgrimage with her family, the girl had a vision of the Prophet of Islam. This experience led her towards Sufism, within a branch of the Qādiriyya brotherhood with which her family had close ties.
On a non-specified date, 'Ā'isha married Ibn Naqīb al-Ashraf, a member of another high-ranking Damascene family. The couple had at least one daughter and one son. In 1513 a widowed 'Ā'isha moved to Cairo, capital of the Mamluk sultanate, in search of a post for her son in the state administration. During the journey, however, she was robbed by marauders and left in a state of utter destitution. In this predicament she found help in a family friend, Ibn Ajā who, thanks to his position as minister and confidant to the sultan al-Ghawrī, succeeded in getting 'Ā'isha's son employed in the state chancellery. After spending three years in Cairo, mother and son travelled back to Syria, accompanying their patron to Aleppo, where the sultan was preparing for war against the Ottomans. Al-Ghawrī granted the woman a personal audience, being perhaps worried by the thought of the imminent military clash, in which he was indeed to lose his life. After meeting the sultan, 'Ā'isha returned to Damascus, where she died shortly afterwards, in 1517.
Despite their brevity, these biographical details allow to understand certain aspects of the text we are offering in translation, a brief treatise on the mystical path composed at the request of a Sufi 'brother'. They explain, for example, the mention of children and the family, which strips the closing lines of any conventionality. And they give depth to the initial praises addressed to the Prophet ('Ā'isha specialised in this genre): a sequence of rhyming clauses, they should be read as the first steps of a dance with a rising tempo. And, naturally, the education she received explains the cultured character of her work, constructed as it is through an interweaving of quotations from the Qur'an, the hadiths and the sayings of earlier mystics, in an alternation of prose and poetry.
If the author herself sometimes risks disappearing behind the quotations, she re-surfaces forcefully in the conclusion, dedicated to the fourth and last root in the Sufi path, i.e. love. Here the wording becomes more intimate and personal, peaking in the last poem, in which 'Ā'isha summarizes her entire doctrine. From all eternity and by pure grace, God chooses some men and women from amongst His creatures and pours out His most especial love upon them. These friends of God become thus channels of grace for the rest of humankind. Her tones are vibrant: what a contrast to the weary secular panegyrics of her epoch! The best of post-classical Arabic poetry is to be sought here.
The reader will not miss several assonances with Christian thought, such as the very choice of the Arabic word for love, mahabba ("charity" in Arab Christian terminology). And yet points of correspondence they are and not derivations, because the text's most noteworthy aspect is that it gushes forth in its entirety from within the Islamic experience, sustained in particular by a single verse of the Qur'an, "a people He loves and who love Him" (5:54). This verse recurs unceasingly in the text, accompanied by its equivalent "God being well-pleased with them and they well-pleased with Him" (5:119; 58:22 and 98:8). Feminine genius inspired 'Ā'isha to dwell on this aspect of the Qur'anic God, giving it priority over other, more masculine traits such as power and lordship. It is "Islam Viewed by a Woman," to quote the title of a book by Nayla Tabbara reviewed in this issue.
And yet, both for the author and for the Sufi thought from which she draws, the longed-for access to the Divine Presence (the union with God, but here the word is different from the one used by Christian mystics) passes through the Ego's annihilation. An annihilation understood not only in the moral sense, as a form of mortification, but also, and above all, in its ontological sense. The creature must disappear to make room for the Creator. After all—so the Sufi maintain—such an annihilation is only apparent, insofar as human existence is itself only illusory. The Islamic profession of faith, "There is no god but God" is thus taken to its extreme: God alone exists. It is the sea of Oneness and the desert of Singleness in which 'Ā'isha plunges.
It is precisely on this point that the Christian proclamation diverges (and can, perhaps, be grafted onto). The difference in fact lies not in the method to follow along the path, but in its goal. Von Balthasar expressed this idea in a compelling way, in an attentive comparison with Jewish and Muslim mysticism.
This drive to empty out the self means trespassing into God […]. The reason for this drive is the inability to conceive how a finite being can possess definitive value and ultimate dignity next to an all-being God (or Absolute).
Christianity overcomes such uncertainty by its central assertion that God, in order to hold to the name love, wills to be in himself gift and fruitfulness. It is his sovereign will to accord space within his unity to the "other." Christianity asserts that this positive otherness of God justifies the being-other of the creature in relation to God. The "other in God" can even be this "other in creatureliness" without abandoning the difference of God/creature. Only in this way, it seems to the Christian, are the axioms of Judaism and Islam definitively established.[iii]
Yet, the full scope of these lines can only be understood by someone who has at least sensed the radical call addressed to us by 'Ā'isha and the tradition she speaks for.
Martino Diez, "The Mystical Itinerary of a Friend of God", Oasis, year XV, n. 30, December 2019, pp. 102-104.
Martino Diez, "The Mystical Itinerary of a Friend of God", Oasis [online], published on 30th November 2020, URL: /en/the-mystical-itinerary-of-a-friend-of-god
[i] For an English translation of her poems, see 'Abd al-Rahmān Badawī, Abdel Rahman Badawi: Rabia al-Adawiyya, Martyr of Divine Love, edited by Milena Rampoldi. Berlin: EPUBLI, 2014.
[ii] For a detailed biography, see Th. Emil Homerin, "Writing Sufi Biography: The Case of 'Ā'ishah al-Bā'ūnīyah (d. 923/1517)", Muslim World, vol. 96, n. 3 (2006), pp. 389–399. In addition to several studies and anthologies, Homerin edited the Arabic text of this treatise and accompanied it with the felicitous English translation, from which the following excerpts are taken: The Principles of Sufism. Library of Arabic Literature. New York: New York University Press, 2016.
[iii] Hans Urs Von Balthasar, Epilogue. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2004, p. 35.
Amidst the Fire of Divine Love
A Muslim poetess and mystic describes the journey that leads to complete annihilation in God. This is not the result of a technique or some personal effort, but a grace that the Most High pours out on those He chooses, eliminating any distance between the lover and the Beloved.
'Ā'isha Al-Bā'ūniyya
Religion and Society
Female Islamic Knowledge in Africa: a Forgotten Story
Women in the Sufis reform movements in Africa have played an important role in the spread of educational institutions and the consolidation of male religious authority
Britta Frede
Recognising Equality, Respecting Difference
Trends of women's Islamic activism
Women's Islam
Female Theologians, Activists and Political Leaders: The Voice of Muslim Women. The table of contents of Oasis no. 30


AIMS: To identify the variables that affect family management of childhood atopic dermatitis and establish a prediction model based on Bandura's self-efficacy theory. BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis is a chronic recurrent skin disease and common health problem in childhood. It is necessary to use an approach that includes parental factors when considering the effective management of childhood atopic dermatitis. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study design. METHODS: A convenience sample, comprising 168 Korean mothers caring for a child with atopic dermatitis under the age of 13, was recruited from the paediatric outpatient departments of two general hospitals in Seoul, South Korea. Data were collected using structured self-reported questionnaires including severity, antecedents, effort, self-efficacy and family management of childhood atopic dermatitis from 1 November 2015-28 February 2016. Descriptive statistics about the participants and variables were examined and data were analysed using structural equation modelling. RESULTS: The hypothetical model had an adequate fit to the data, indicating that severity, antecedents, effort and self-efficacy influenced family management of childhood atopic dermatitis. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that strategies to support children with atopic dermatitis and their family should consider the influence of such variables.


The Town of Palmer historically is sited at the crossroads of seven New England railroads, hence the nickname "Depot Village" for the town. And hence, the name "Depot Plaza" for our shopping center adjacent to Downtown Palmer at 1581 North Main Street, about a mile from Exit 8 of the Massachusetts Turnpike (Route 90).
Anchored by a 16,800 square foot Rocky's Ace Hardware store and garden center, Depot Plaza contains a total of 46,100 square feet. Other tenants include the GoodWill, Verizon Wireless, H&R Block, Apollo Pizza Restaurant, Bank of America and more.
Architectural flourishes of the recently renovated shopping center accentuate the railroad theme that is very much a part of the history of Palmer. The center itself serves a vital role in the local consumer economy.


It's been an eventful National League Championship Series for Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon, to say the least. Despite leading the Cubs to their first World Series title in more than a century last year, fans want to run him out of town for turning to John Lackey in the ninth inning of a Game 2 loss. And umpires have run him out of two of the four games so far, including last night's 3-2 win that kept the Cubs' season alive. But through it all, there's been one constant: The man loves to quote from the movie Talladega Nights in his postgame press conferences.
"I mean, I was upset. I mean, listen, this is an elimination game, man. This isn't just another one. This isn't June 23rd, this is an elimination game. Again, with all due respect to the umpires, and as Ricky Bobby once said: Once you've said 'with all due respect,' you can say whatever you want. With all due respect, under those circumstances, that can't happen. It can't happen."
"He's a different cat, in all the good ways. He's very loose. He's a lot of fun. We have a great time with him…Honestly, I often compare him to [Will Ferrell's character in "Talladega Nights"] Ricky Bobby, because that's who he is. I see it in there every time. He wakes up in the morning and he pees excellence. That's who he is."
And that's who Joe Maddon is. A great manager who doesn't mind getting tossed out of games and loves quoting Talladega Nights. What's not to like about that?