text:
FAQS ON HEALTH AND SAFETY AROUND TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES (MOBILE PHONE BASE STATIONS)
What is a base station?
A base station (commonly known as a mast) is a transmission and reception station in a fixed location, consisting of one or more receive/transmit antenna and microwave dish mounted on any supporting structure such as mast/tower or building rooftops, connected by cable to electronic (radio) equipment usually housed in a room or shelter, for the purpose of facilitating communication between an access device (e.g. mobile phone) and a communications network. The base station antennas receive and send messages to a mobile phone/device by radio frequency (RF) radiation.
How does a mobile phone network operate?
When a user makes a call, the mobile phone communicates with a nearby base station and while the user moves about, he/she will be 'handed over' to other base stations which may have a better signal strength. This signal strength are radio frequency (RF) signals that are transmitted between the mobile antenna and the base station antenna. Base station antennas are elevated and located clear of physical obstruction to ensure wide coverage.
What is radio frequency radiation?
Radio frequency (RF) radiation is the transfer of energy by radio waves. It lies in the frequency range 3 kilohertz (kHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz). RF radiation is non-ionizing radiation, meaning that that it does not have insufficient energy to remove an electron from an atom or molecule (ionization). This is as opposed to ionizing radiation that has sufficient energy to remove an electron from an atom or molecule such as the gamma rays and X-rays.
Why do we need base stations in our communities?
A base station provides network coverage to people using mobile devices in its specific surrounding geographical area. As the number of mobile devices in a community grows, more base stations are needed. This explains the more base stations in crowded locations like areas of human access such as trading centers and markets.
Are base stations dangerous to the surrounding community?
No. So far, there is no evidence that indicates that base stations are dangerous to the surrounding community. This is in respect with the RF energy from the emitting sources (antennas), as they operate at low power, produce low RF exposure levels in public areas and are specifically designed for the environment they are located in. The closer to a base station the mobile device user is, the stronger the signal from the base station and thus the better the quality of communication.
What determines where a base station is located?
A number of factors determines the location of a base station;
Number of calls expected to be made in the coverage area,
Antenna height,
Frequency on which the base station will operate,
Topography and other physical constraints such as trees and building.
The target population to be covered;
Levels of economic activities in the area, etc.
The developers are encouraged to comply with the prerequisites prior to installing a base station in an area. These include among others; conducting an environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) and consulting with local authorities on the proposed development. The developers are encouraged to engage/sensitize the local community about the proposed project.
What is a minimum distance for which a base station should be located from human access?
There is no prescribed distance at which a base station should be located from human dwellings. However, there are maximum exposure levels prescribed for both the public and occupational workers.
The location of a base station is determined based chiefly on its ability to provide best coverage for the area at hand and enhance the capacity of the network in an area.
Are base stations regulated in Uganda?
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the regulator of Communications services in Uganda, regulates the RF emissions from mobile phone base stations and other communications infrastructure in Uganda.
What are the license requirements for base stations in Uganda?
UCC requires;
Developers of communications infrastructure to comply with all the laws, regulations, guidelines and standards issued by the Government of Uganda on health, safety and environmental protection.
Telecommunications systems, equipment, devices and operations to comply with the radio emissions standards and safety limits prescribed by the International Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) limits and standards recommended by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
UCC does conduct periodic and on-request assessments to evaluate the compliance of base stations with the specified standards on exposure levels.
Does Uganda have safety standards and guidelines for base stations?
Yes. Uganda applies the International Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines for limiting exposure. ICNIRP is a body of independent science experts addressing the important issues of possible adverse effects on human health of exposure to non-ionising radiation. The ICNIRP guidelines are endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and recommended by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and are widely adopted worldwide.
These guidelines were developed following reviews of the scientific literature, including thermal and non-thermal effects and designed to provide protection against all identified health hazards of RF energy with large safety margins. They use basic limits (Specific Absorption Rate [SAR], specific absorption, current density) and reference levels (electric field, magnetic, power density), exposure limits, time averaging and separate consideration for low and high exposure for both occupational/workers and the public.
It is noteworthy to emphasize that exposure limits are not emission limits; they apply to locations accessible to occupational workers or the public, and thus it is possible to achieve compliance by limiting access to areas where the field limits are exceeded.
Do the base stations in Uganda meet these safety standards and guidelines?
The inspections and assessments carried in Uganda thus far show that the emissions at the various base stations sites are within the limits permitted under the ICNIRP guidelines on complying with limits for human exposure to RF radiation.
Does exposure from base stations cause cancer?
The substantial amount of research carried out by recognized institutions like the World Health Organisation (WHO), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and Health Protection Agency (HPA) with regard to the probable health risks has not found so far any link between telecommunications developments (base stations) and an elevated risk of cancer.
The biological effects of non-ionising radiation, backed by evidenced scientific research is surface heating in direct line of sight over a prolonged exposure period. However, non-ionising radiation does not have insufficient energy to remove an electron from an atom or molecule (ionization).
However, health experts still recognize how critical the public concerns are, and thus studies are still on going to fully assess the potential long-term effects of communications developments.
Does exposure from base stations cause impotence in men?
UCC is not aware of any study that has linked RF emissions to causing impotence in men.
Does exposure from base stations cause contaminate tank water?
UCC is not aware of any study that has linked RF emissions to tank water contamination.
If base stations are safe, why is there still public concern?
UCC recognizes that some people are concerned about the potential health effects from base stations, and specifically the location of these in proximity to human settlements. UCC is thus committed to providing useful information and sensitization along with its stakeholders to address these concerns. UCC also continues to conduct periodic and on-request compliance assessments around these developments.
What is UCC doing to address public concerns around base stations?
UCC conducts assessments to evaluate the compliance of base stations with the specified standards on exposure levels from base stations in comparison with the reference levels;
As stipulated by the ICNIRP guidelines (the likelihood of human exposure to the radiation/emissions from the emitters – for both the public and workers),
Recommended by the ITU on guidance on complying with limits of human exposure to electromagnetic fields and guidance on measurements and numerical prediction of electromagnetic fields for compliance with human exposure limits for telecommunications installations.
The inspections carried out in Uganda thus far show that the emissions at the various base stations sites are within the limits permitted under the ICNIRP guidelines on complying with limits for human exposure to EMF up to 300GHz.
What measures have been put in place to protect the public from any probable risks from the base stations in Uganda?
Base stations can meet all the national and international safety standards and guidelines when constructed with proper engineering design, installation and regulatory control. Simple administrative controls like restriction to the base stations like fencing, locking and warning signs are also put in place.
Where can I obtain more information?
UCC is available to provide more information on any inquiries or questions regarding health and safety around telecommunications infrastructure (mobile phone base stations). For more information, you may contact;
Uganda Communications Commission,
UCC House,
Plot 42-44, Spring Road, Bugolobi,
P.O. Box 7376, Kampala (U)
Emails: ucc@ucc.co.ug, research@ucc.co.ug
Toll Free line: 0800222777
Office Numbers: 0414339000/0312339000
Face Book: Uganda Communications Commission
Tweeter: @UCC_Official


text:
package com.github.ianmcderp.service;

import java.util.Arrays;
import java.util.List;
import java.util.Optional;

import org.springframework.stereotype.Service;
import org.springframework.web.client.RestTemplate;

import com.github.ianmcderp.api.model.Geolocation;
import com.github.ianmcderp.config.NominatimProperties;
import com.netflix.hystrix.contrib.javanica.annotation.HystrixCommand;

@Service
public class NominatimGeolocationService implements GeolocationService {

    private final NominatimProperties properties;

    public NominatimGeolocationService(NominatimProperties properties)  {
        this.properties = properties;
    }

    @Override
    @HystrixCommand(fallbackMethod = "fallback")
    public Optional<List<Geolocation>> getGeolocationsByQuery(String query) {
        RestTemplate restTemplate = new RestTemplate();
        restTemplate.getForObject(properties.getUrl(), String.class, query);
        return Optional.of(Arrays.asList(new Geolocation(query, new Address())));
    }

    public Optional<List<Geolocation>> fallback() {
        return Optional.empty();
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
The 2017 Inter-Provincial Cup was the fifth edition of the Inter-Provincial Cup, a List A cricket competition played in Ireland. It was held from 1 May to 10 September 2017. It was the first edition of the competition to be played with List A status, following the outcome of a meeting by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in October 2016. Three teams competed; Leinster Lightning, North West Warriors and Northern Knights, with Leinster Lightning being the defending champions. Leinster Lightning retained their title, after North West Warriors won their match against Northern Knights on 6 August, giving Leinster Lightning an unassailable lead in the competition.

Points table
The following teams competed:

 Champions

Fixtures

1st match

2nd match

3rd match

4th match

5th match

6th match

References

External links
 Series home at ESPN Cricinfo

Inter
Inter-Provincial Cup seasons

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Join The ABCF
Exchanges Magazine
Issue 001 (May 2019)
Issue 002 (July 2020)
Issue 003 (June 2021)
Surrogacy in China, and Much More, Week 43 Update
by: DeLisle Worrell, Oct 31 2022 - 1:48pm
By DeLisle Worrell on October 31, 2022 - 13:48
'Stonewalling' shows independent Chinese filmmaking is still kicking – The China Project
Stonewalling, which just had its U.S. premiere at the New York Film Festival, is the third full-length feature directed by Huáng Jì 黄骥 and Ryuji Otsuka. The duo continues to reflect on young women's sexuality and reproduction in contemporary China, which were also the focus of their two previous films, Egg & Stone (2012) and Foolish Bird (2017). …
In Stonewalling, they tackle surrogacy and egg donation, which in recent years experienced a boom on the Chinese black market and became one of the most heatedly debated issues. In Changsha, capital of Hunan province, 20-something Lynn is studying English and attending vocational training to become a stewardess while taking up odd modeling jobs. Her boyfriend works as an influencer and plans to immigrate to the UK, though Lynn lacks self-confidence and does not have such specific ambitions for the future. Meanwhile, back in Lynn's hometown, her mother runs a small private gynecological clinic and goes into financial trouble following a medical malpractice that leads to a young patient's miscarriage. To help pay off the compensation as fast as possible, Lynn considers making money selling her eggs on the black market, but after a physical check-up she discovers she's pregnant. It's here that she finds a way to kill two birds with one stone.
Why Oakland Parents Are Flocking to a Chinese-Immersion School | The New Yorker
The students at Yu Ming wear navy-blue and white uniforms, and learn in classrooms that are modest and cozy. Kindergarteners sit on a rug on the floor and listen to a teacher speak to them in Mandarin; across the hall, first graders jump up and down, singing a Chinese song set to the tune of "Ten Little Fingers." I visited during just the seventh week of classes, meaning that roughly seventy per cent of the kindergarten class could not yet understand what was being taught, except through physical cues or the very occasional hint whispered in English. But, by the second grade, they will know how to write stories in Chinese characters. In third grade, they'll start taking the standardized tests required of every student in California—and they'll most likely excel.
Gray rhinos and risk awareness in China and the U.S. — Q&A with Michele Wucker – The China Project
A front-page People's Daily editorial in July 2017 warned that "preventing and resolving financial risks" was a key goal of the government's economic policy. The article mentioned two types of risks: "black swans" (黑天鹅 hēi tiān'é), which are risks that are completely unpredictable, and "gray rhinoceroses" (灰犀牛 huī xīniú), a term coined by writer, entrepreneur, and strategist Michele Wucker in a 2013 Davos speech and subsequent book.
Since then, the gray rhino concept has come into common use in China, particularly among government officials and in the business press. Xí Jìnpíng 习近平 himself, in his New Year's video greeting of 2018, had a copy of The Gray Rhino on his bookshelf.
Consider joining the ABCF
If you share our conviction of the importance of a deeper understanding of China and building ties of friendship with the Chinese, please consider becoming an active member of the ABCF. The annual membership fee is BDS$100, which goes entirely to the maintenance of our website and supporting the association's ongoing work. Information on membership may be found on the ABCF website at this link.
This compilation is put together by DeLisle Worrell, President of the ABCF. Previous compilations may be found at the ABCF website, where you may also find issues of the association's magazine Exchanges, and other items of interest.
Cheap Meals, Covid, and More, Week 3 Update
by: DeLisle Worrell, Jan 24 2023 - 12:24am
Fish & Dragon Festival, and Other News, Week 2 Update
by: DeLisle Worrell, Jan 23 2023 - 11:07pm
Covid in China, and Much More, Week 1 Update
by: DeLisle Worrell, Jan 23 2023 - 2:55pm
The ABCF mission is to build a deeper understanding between the Chinese people and Barbadians and Caribbean people from all walks of life. The association's focus is on personal experiences, people-to-people contact, cultural exchanges and exchanges of ideas, and the facilitation of travel, business and study. From the outset we aim to learn from and build on the experiences of the Caribbean and China, and to develop mutual understandings and support that will be to the benefit of both sides.
CI Course: A Taste of Chinese Culture
by: webmaster, Jan 23 2023 - 10:14pm
Search Association for Barbados China Friendship
2019 © Association for Barbados-Chinese Friendship

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


George Grenville Academy and Nursery is situated in the beautiful market town of Buckingham and takes children from 2 to 11 years old. There are currently 150 pupils on roll. Children are organised into single age year groups from Nursery through to Year 6.
Our day begins at 8.35am with lessons starting at 8.45am. We have a morning playtime and an hour for lunch at 12.00pm. We finish for the day at 3.05pm.
The original school buildings were built in 1907 and, in those days, it was home to The Royal Latin School. The wrought iron gates at the main entrance to our site, still bear witness to this fact: the letters 'RLS' are clearly visible. In 1963 the RLS moved to bigger premises in Brookfield Lane and our school site then became home to Chandos County Middle School until it closed in August 1991.
Grenville Combined School opened in September 1991 and converted to George Grenville Academy on 1st February 2015 as part of the Bourton Meadow Educational Trust.


Do away with the Death Penalty?
On the dais of the District Court at Ratnagiri, one will find the statue of Late Shri Mancharje Pestanji Khareghat, who served in that Court as District Judge from 1895 to 1900 and again from 1904 to 1910. During his time the death sentence could only be awarded by a judge of the High Court. When Shri Khareghat was offered an elevation to the High Court, he declined on the ground that he could not, and would never be, a party to the death sentence. It is for this reason that the Ld. District Court Judge is still well known among Judges and senior members of the Bar.
The international disfavor towards the death penalty is reflected in several international treaties and resolutions that advocate its abolition. However, it appears that India's stance regarding retention of the death penalty is contrary to the international trend. The death penalty is prevalent in India and is usually justified on the ground that it is used only in the 'rarest of rare' cases.
Although the debate over the whether capital punishment has any place in a civilized society, is a longstanding one, the root of the debate lies in the issue of whether the Indian justice system aims at rehabilitation or retribution.
Advocates of the death penalty argue that society need not be burdened with maintaining criminals who are not only incorrigible but also dangerous to society. Such criminals are considered a threat to society and maintaining them is considered a waste of resources.
The death penalty also acts substitute for private vengeance. For example, if a murderer is not punished it is very likely that the relatives of the victim would kill the murderer themselves, resulting in a vicious chain of crimes.
On the other hand, apart from the fairly obvious humanitarian reasons, abolitionists denounce capital punishment since it does not even serve its deterrent object. In some states in USA, where the death penalty has been abolished, the rate of serious crimes is actually fewer than that of other states where death penalty is still prevalent. Even though the death penalty may be imposed only in the 'rarest of rare' cases and where the guilty has been proved not only 'beyond reasonable doubt', but 'beyond a shadow of a doubt', our laws of evidence and procedure is not fool proof, and there is always a chance of judicial errors which may not be apparent at the time of imposing the sentence.
Section 354(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), requires a judge to give "special reasons" for awarding death sentences. In Bachan Singh v. State of Punjab [AIR 1980 SC 898], the Supreme Court upheld considered the constitutional validity of the death penalty in India by a four-to-one majority verdict. It was in that case that the "rarest of rare" doctrine was propounded. In several subsequent decisions the Supreme Court refused to impose the capital punishment in murder cases on the ground that these did not fall within the category of "rarest of rare."
In Santosh Kumar Satishbhushan Bariyar v. State of Maharashtra [(2009) 6 SCC 498.] Supreme Court observed that before imposing the death penalty the prosecution is required to show by leading evidence that there is no possibility of rehabilitation of the accused and that life imprisonment will serve no purpose. This decision was welcomed by abolitionists.
Justice William Brennan, former U.S. Supreme Court Justice once said that "With respect to the death penalty, I believe that a majority of the Supreme Court will one day accept that when the state punishes with death, it denies the humanity and dignity of the victim and transgresses the prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. That day will be a great day for our country, for it will be a great day for our Constitution." Justice Brennan was referring to the United States, the US Supreme Court and the US Constitution. The author believes that even the Supreme Court of India and/or the Legislature will eventually do away with the death penalty, but in the long run, it is more necessary that the public in general also recognize the death sentence as a primitive form of punishment, which has no place in a civilized society. After all, death penalty is not so much a legal or a constitutional issue, as much as it is a sociological one.
In the author's opinion, it is the President of India who is more powerful than any Judge or law-maker. The President of India, and to a limited extent even a Governor, is vested with the discretionary power to pardon, suspend, remit or commute sentences of any person convicted of any offence. Once, the Courts have awarded the death penalty, the last resort of the convicted is to apply for pardon to the President. Thus, in the Indian context, a merciful President is highly desirable, until such a time comes when we can do away with the hangman's noose for good.


Garuda Indonesia is the general airline of Indonesia. It is named after Garuda, the bird-god and carrier of Vishnu of Hinduism. The airline is headquartered at Soekarno–Hatta International Airport in the city of Tangerang, near Jakarta.
Garuda Indonesia Hub - Airports used as transfer points to get passengers to their intended destination.
As you fly aboard Garuda, you can take pleasure in an assortment of entertainment options on the in-flight Audio & Video on Demand with the LCD TV touch-screen. You are capable of choosing from a vast assortment of movies & Television programs with a variety of categories for from action, comedy, to drama. Moreover, you can select from the variety of musical genres, from pop to jazz, from classical to Indonesian music. Added to this, you can listen to the album, The Sounds of Indonesia; which is an anthology of time-honored Indonesian songs composed & compiled by Addie MS, with Garuda Indonesia being the producer.
Garuda Indonesia meals consists of an extensive assortment of cuisines from Indonesia, Europe and Asia. All meals which are served in-flight are certified-Halal and Garuda also offers local cuisine as well as chefs for the First Class. All flights consist of drinks as well as snacks, while the hot meals are available on flights over an hour's time. In case you need Special Meals, you can order while booking or you could order 24 hours prior to departure. Special Meal consists of a variety of options ranging from child meal, Baby meal, Oriental, Hindu, Kosher, Muslim, Vegetarian Asian, to Vegetarian Non-Dairy, Vegetarian Raw, Seafood Meal, Fruit Platter, Vegetarian Lacto-Ovo, Diabetic Meal etc.


UK: The British Rigid Urethane Foam Manufacturers' Association (BRUFA) has warned against 'misleading' claims being made in relation to the Grenfell Tower fire ahead of a government investigation. In a statement the body for the rigid polyisocyanurate (PIR) and polyurethane (PUR) Insulation Industry in the UK said it would challenge and correct any misleading allegations about the incident and provide information to assist an 'accurate' analysis. It added that the PIR and PUR insulation industry is an established and responsible one with a usage of over 50 years in the construction sector.
"We have a growing concern that misleading claims, supported by selective data are gaining traction and being reported as facts. If this supposition takes hold before the enquiry has established the truth of the matter, there is a danger it will lead to the wrong conclusions and decisions, that will do nothing to improve the future safety of buildings, including high-rise tower blocks. It may also lead to behavioural changes that could be detrimental to the future welfare of the built environment," said BRUFA.
The UK government has appointed Martin Moore-Bick, a former judge, to head the public inquiry into the fire. As well as investigating the incident, the inquiry is expected to recommend changes to national building regulations.
Russia: TechnoNicol continues the construction of a polyisocyanurate (PIR) foam insulation board plant in Ryazan, despite the possible decline in demand in the construction market. The plant will have a production capacity of 2Mm3/yr. The launch is scheduled for autumn 2015, following investments of Euro21.2m.
TechnoNicol believes that the new material will be prospective, as PIR is not currently produced in Russia. The share of PIR in the European market of insulation materials for commercial facilities amounts to 40% and grows by around 3%/yr. About 76% of flat roofing in the USA is built using PIR boards. TechnoNICOL expects PIR to capture 2% of the insulation market in Russia by 2018, which currently stands at 47.5Mm3/yr.


text:
Community Safety and Leisure Scrutiny Panel
Minutes Monday 7 November 2016
Community Safety and Leisure Scrutiny Panel Minutes
Spencer Room, Town Hall, Middlesbrough
Councillor A Hellaoui (Chair), Councillor Z Uddin (Vice-Chair), Councillor D J Branson, Councillor D Davison, Councillor S Dean, Councillor J Goodchild, Councillor M Storey
C Breheny, R Jordinson and J Watson
Councillor J Blyth, Councillor L Lewis, Councillor F McIntyre
There were no Declarations of Interest made by Members at this point in the meeting.
16/14 MINUTES - COMMUNITY SAFETY & LEISURE SCRUTINY PANEL - 10 OCTOBER 2016
16/15 MIDDLESBROUGH SUBSTANCE MISUSE SERVICES - BRIEFING
(Attachment: 2)Briefing Note (390K/bytes)
The Advanced Practitioner (Team Leader: Lifestyle Modification and Treatment) was in attendance at the meeting to provide a briefing to Members on recent changes in the delivery of substance misuse support services in Middlesbrough.
The panel was advised that Middlesbrough Recovery Together (MRT) had been successfully delivering local substance misuse support services for the last three years with a range of providers working together to provide a seamless service. Following a successful procurement exercise carried out earlier in the year, the previous providers/pathways ceased on 30 September 2016 and on 1 October 2016 a new provider was commissioned. Change, Grow, Live (CGL) were providing the psychosocial treatment aspect of the model for both adults and young people and adopting a whole family approach wherever possible. The volunteers, peer mentors and staff from the young people services were all retained and £1m had been saved from the budget without compromising the quality of the service. The overall budget had reduced from £5.2m to £4.2m.
The panel heard that Hope North East were the provider of all recovery interventions and would also deliver a 12 step-based quasi-residential rehab model via their current building. Up to eight people would benefit from accommodation and a very structured programme of support. There would be a number of recovery activities delivered in the community such as the Recovery Choir, community garden project, drop-in services, SMART recovery groups and a range of health and wellbeing groups. There would also be more emphasis placed on facilitating people into Mutual Aid (e.g. alcoholics anonymous).
Reference was made to the successful clinical interventions that had taken place over the last year in GP practices in respect of providing support to patients with alcohol addictions. The programme had successfully engaged thousands of patients in little over a year, all of whom had not previously accessed mainstream drug and alcohol services. The CCG would be funding this arrangement until December 2016 and it was hoped this funding agreement would continue in 2017/18. Financial support would also be sought from the Police and Crime Commissioner's (PCCs) Office given the impact alcohol has on crime figures. It was hoped that the programme could be jointly commissioned, although it was recognised that prevention is difficult to quantify for commissioners.
It was highlighted that a liaison team at James Cooke University Hospital undertakes brief interventions in an effort to prevent repeat admissions. For the last four years admissions to hospitals for solely alcohol related incidents have reduced, which is a credit to those services. In response to a query it was confirmed that the Safe Haven on Albert Road would remain operational.
In terms of other developments it was advised that Bar Zero was soon set to launch in Middlesbrough on Bedford / Baker Street, as the town's first dry bar, with a caf� and restaurant attached. The profits from the restaurant would be reinvested back into the community to fund support for those who have suffered through alcoholism and addiction. This would be a unique venue in Middlesbrough and it would offer live music, sport, food and an array of non-alcoholic drinks.
The panel heard that Public Health will soon be relocating to a newly established well-being centre in the Dundas Shopping Centre. The commercial income generated from that venture would be reinvested into public services and would allow the Council's Public Health team to offer a more holistic approach, with a whole family focus. The Team had been successful in securing significant grant funding from Public Health England and this venture was an exciting development. Public Health would be moving into the new premises before Christmas.
During the course of discussion, the following issues were raised:-
In response to a query, the Panel was advised that approximately 2000 people in Middlesbrough access drugs and alcohol recovery services annually. This figure fluctuates by approximately 10 per cent. However, per head of population Middlesbrough remains at the very top of the top quartile for opiate and heroin misuse.
The Safe Haven scheme remains in operation and there was always 24/7 cover by Public Health staff at A&E during the busiest times.
Middlesbrough Community Learning was providing free adult education courses, which could prove beneficial to those recovering from alcohol / drug addiction.
AGREED as follows:-
1. That the Advanced Practitioner (Team Leader: Lifestyle Modification and Treatment) be invited to the panel's January 2017 meeting to provide an update to the panel on future funding arrangements.
2. That the panel holds its February 2017 meeting at the new well-being centre and a tour of the facility is provided.
16/16 SEXTORTION - AN INTRODUCTION
(Attachment: 3)Report (54K/bytes)
The Head of Quality Standards and Initial Response submitted a report that provided brief details of the prevalence of Sexting / 'Youth Produced Sexual Imagery' in Middlesbrough, as well as introduced the latest guidance document for schools: 'Sexing in schools and colleges: responding to incidents and safeguarding young people (August 2016)'. The Council's Risk and Reduction Manager and SRE Coordinator were in attendance at the meeting and presented the report.
The Risk and Reduction Manager advised that advances in technology brought many improvements to the lives of old and young people alike. However, there were many disadvantages and many dangers introduced through the use of technology against which, children and young people needed to be protected. Such dangers included: sexting, online grooming of children and young people for Sexual Exploitation (CSE), or radicalisation, and cyber bullying. There issues were taking place in all towns and cities and were often linked.
Since the last panel meeting on this topic new guidance had been published by the UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS). It was highlighted that although this guidance was non statutory, the need for a policy in relation to sexting in schools was specifically mentioned within the statutory guidance 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' (Sept 2016), and the new non-statutory guidance was referenced.
It was explained to the panel that in 2013 and 2014, schools were experiencing a significant rise in incidents of 'Sexting', at a time when there was no guidance. In a sample of over 600 year 9 pupils (13/14), in Middlesbrough Secondary Schools and Academies, 22 per cent of girls and 14.4 per cent of boys had reported that they had previously sent a 'rude' image of themselves, via technology. It was believed this proportion would be higher in older age groups.
It was of concern that a number of cases discussed at the Middlesbrough's VEMT Practitioner Group (VPG), had shown that young people as young as 12, were making themselves Vulnerable to Sexual Exploitation, going Missing and/or were at risk of being Trafficked for sex (VEMT). The sharing of images on Instagram was a further issue of concern. Reference was made to a perpetrator of child sexual exploitation befriending young girls in the town and then accessing the details of other young people through becoming their 'friend' on Facebook. An 8 year old child had also been asked for personal details when playing on his Xbox and online gaming was another avenue through which perpetrators could target their victims.
The panel was advised that in terms of definition whilst professionals referred to the issue using the term 'sexting', there was no clear definition of 'sexting'. The guidance highlighted that whilst many professionals considered sexting to be 'sending or posting sexually suggestive images, including nude or semi-nude photographs, via mobiles or over the Internet', young people were more likely to interpret sexting as 'writing and sharing explicit messages with people they know'. Similarly many parents thought of sexting as flirty or sexual text messages rather than images. It was emphasised that the 2016 guidance document only covered the sharing of 'youth produced sexual imagery', and used this phrase instead of sexting.
In terms of the law and enforcement it was explained that it was an offence to possess, distribute, show and / or make indecent images of children (under the age of 18). This included imagery of yourself if you were under 18. In many cases this introduced a balancing act as to when to prosecute (criminalise) young people aged under 18 years, and when not to prosecute. The non-statutory guidance document provided advice on categorising youth produced imagery and differentiated between experimental and aggravated cases.
Members were informed that since January 2016 the Police had been able to reduce the criminalisation of young people by dealing with the offences surrounding self-generated imagery under 'Outcome 21'. The introduction of this measure meant that even though a young person had broken the law and the Police could provide evidence that they had done so, the Police could record that they chose not to take further action as it was not in the public interest.
The panel was informed that there had been cases in Middlesbrough where young people had been criminalised for having made, distributed or possessed youth produced sexual imagery. In addition, although the use of outcome 21 did not criminalise young people, it had been confirmed that it was not possible to categorically state that an incident of youth produced sexual imagery recorded on police systems under Outcome 21 would never be disclosed on a DBS certificate. The offence had the potential to have a serious impact on the future job prospects of young people and they needed to be protected from this risk.
Middlesbrough Safeguarding Children's Board (MSCB) had sent out guidance to all Schools on this issue. However, from the Council's perspective it was not known what 'Sex and Relationship' education was being provided in schools / academies or what schools were doing to educate parents. The point was made that if schools were serious about protecting children and teaching children how to protect themselves whilst using technology, it was essential that all young people received both good quality, age appropriate 'Sex and Relationship Education (SRE)' and good quality, up to date internet safety advice. The Young People's Risk Reduction Manager expressed the view that age appropriate education should take place across years 1 to 13 and ideally this would be a co-ordinated approach across all schools in Middlesbrough under one umbrella name (e.g. for statutory school age: 'Respect Yourself' or for older young people: 'Why Risk It'.)
Unfortunately despite various campaigns at a national level the provision of Sex and Relationship Education in the UK remained non-statutory. Faith schools and academies were not required to access co-ordinated Sex and Relationship Education programmes provided by the local authority. As more schools became academies the Physical Social Health Education (PSHE) provided to students would be provided by their co-ordinating bodies. The panel queried the number of schools in Middlesbrough which are now academies and it was advised that approximately 1/3 have academy status, with 2/3 still maintained. It was emphasised that educating children and young people to keep themselves safe from sexting was the best form of prevention.
In addition the panel was informed that in an effort to keep members fully aware of the risks posed to young people by new and emerging technologies training for Members could be provided by the Council's qualified CEOP ambassadors. It was explained that the Council was able to offer two different training courses. The first of which consisted of a 1.5 hour brief overview of the risks associated with using information technology in the 21st century, including an update on new technologies and popular applications used by young people. The second was an accredited course from the National Crime Agency, which provided a greater understanding of the issues and allowed those training to access otherwise 'locked' resources and lesson plans from the Think You Know Website and use them with young people.
In response to a query it was confirmed that training was provided to primary schools, with certain elements of the e-safety resources written to deliver to Year 6 pupils. In respect of the education of parents the view was expressed that all schools should have a policy to deal with sexting. It was also stated that there needs to be a systematic approach to educating young people from Year 1 through to Year 13. The 'Respect Yourself' programme was in the process of being developed and the Why Risk It campaign had been designed specifically with Middlesbrough College in mind. The Why Risk It course was mandatory for all students attending the college and the view was expressed that this should also be the case at all sixth forms in the town.
Reference was made to the involvement of Barnardo's and it was explained that Barnardo's is commissioned to undertake all the return interviews for children who go missing in Middlesbrough and is actively involved in VEMT. Although no longer commissioned by the Council LINKS in Hemlington also undertook work in schools and provided advice.
The Chair thanked the officers for the information provided.
1. That the opportunity for Members to undertake the 1.5 hour brief overview outlining the main risks with using information technology in the 21st century, including an update on new technologies and popular applications used by young people be accepted and arranged.
2. That the Chair of Middlesbrough's Safeguarding E-Safety Group be invited to attend the next meeting of the panel.
3. That the panel's agreed work programme for 2016/17 be sent to the new, recently appointed Members of the panel.
16/17 OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY BOARD UPDATE
The Chair requested that the Panel note the verbal update provided on business conducted at the Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting held on 11 October 2016 namely:-
Attendance of Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport.
Balanced Scorecards - Presentation.
Final Report of the Children and Learning Scrutiny Panel - Safeguarding and Children in Care.
Feedback from the Executive.
Executive Forward Work Programme.
Scrutiny Panel Progress Reports.
16/18 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
It was agreed that the next meeting of the Community Safety and Leisure Scrutiny Panel would take place on Monday, 5 December 2016 at 11.00am.


Thermal electricity producer Complexul Energetic Oltenia, and the state-owned Chinese company China Huadian Engineering plan to form a joint venture in a public-private partnership called Huadian Oltenia Energy, which should build a new energy group with a 600 MW capacity at the Rovinari power plant.
The joint venture would borrow over EUR 574 million to carry out its plan, which represents over two thirds of the investment's total value, which amounts to EUR 847.6 million confirmed Oltenia representative to Serbia Energy.
Earlier presented agreement draft between CE Oltenia and China Huadian on implementing the new project shows the determination of Romanian government to proceed with this project.
The Chinese group will have a 91.06% stake in the company, whereas CE Oltenia will hold an 8.94% stake. CE Oltenia will contribute to the joint venture's capital with various assets such as plots, administrative buildings, and coal deposits, whose value amounts to EUR 18.95 million.


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Happy 153rd Birthday, Recorded Sound!
Posted by: Nicolas Grizzle on Apr 5, 2013 | Comments (0)
The Phonautograph, first sound recording device
All lovers of vinyl need to check this out. It's the audio of the earliest known gramophone recording, which is the grandfather of the modern vinyl record. Sure, Thomas Edison had his cylinders in the 1870s, but Emile Berliner invented the flat version of records in 1887. In the prequel to Betamax vs. VHS, or HD-DVD vs. Blu-Ray, Berliner's gramophone disc dominated the recording industry and Edison's neat little vertical audio cans remain mostly as footnotes in audio history.
The cool thing about this recording is not that the record itself has survived since 1890, but that it doesn't actually exist. There are no known physical copies. So how does one hear audio from something that doesn't exist? The Media Preservation Initiative at Indiana University, Bloomington, had found a way to take the photographs of the physical specimens from reference books and advertisements of the time and recreate the audio from those records. The result is discernible audio recordings of speech, song and a voice memo recorded as a test from the inventor to a friend.
But wait, there's more.
These are not the first recordings ever made, nor are they the first reproduced sound. Edison's invention was the first to reproduce the sound audibly. But it was "Au Claire de la Lune," an 18th Century French folk song, which Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville sang slowly into a vibrating diaphragm, that changed music forever. The long tube transferred the sound via hog's bristle and a piece of a feather into waveforms. There was smoke, a rotating barrel and a hand crank involved. Though the phonautograph was a complicated and temperamental device (well, maybe not compared to an iPod in a WiFi-dead zone), audio could now be captured. And in 2011, a mere 151 years later, archivists have found a way to play it back. The recording was made on April 9, 1860 (before the American Civil War)–marking the birth of recorded sound.
Telephones, speakers, microphones–everything we know about audio today–is based on Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville's hog's bristle and feather recording device. From one audio engineer to another, thanks, brother!
What the Hell's Wrong with Neil Young?
Posted by: Gabe Meline on May 7, 2008 | Comments (1)
For what has literally been decades of anticipation, Neil Young fans have been waiting for the ultimate Neil Young box set. Years have rolled by. All of his comrades and co-workers released box sets. Even Buffalo Springfield released a box set. Nothing from Neil.
This week, Neil Young announced that he's finally satiating the thirst for his massive treasure trove of old recordings by releasing a huge 10-disc set this fall—hell yes, finally!
Here's what sucks: the Neil Young Archive, as it's called, is only coming out on Blu-ray.
Do you own a Blu-ray player? Yeah, me neither. They're $400.
The set, announced as the first of five volumes, will contain 128 tracks, 500 photos, letters, old papers, and additional material designed to be viewed on the screen while listening to the music. In his press conference, Young encouraged his mostly middle-aged fans to buy a Sony Playstation 3 in order to be able to "experience" the box set. "We want people to spend the same hours on it like a video game," he said.
You know what? Neil Young has been beating this misguided audiophile horse for far too long. He's latched onto DVD audio like it was the second coming of Christ and saturated the market with awkwardly-shaped and utterly confusing versions of his albums—many of which get returned by customers who can't listen to them, and which go back to collect dust on warehouse shelves or clog up landfills. His belligerence with the technology is a waste, and the world is not going to get in step with him on the idea. It's expensive, it's ego-driven, it's elitist, and I think it's pretty much the last straw.


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Team South Africa leave Botswana victorious after the 2nd African Youth Games here on Saturday.
The young team were involved in only track and field on Saturday's final day which also featured the closing ceremony at the national stadium.
Three more medals came South Africa's way as the sun blazed down on another warm, cloudless day.
Starting the day with 89 medals, there were medals for Gezelle Magerman, Kyle Appel and Leandri Geel in morning action.
That saw South Africa end with 92 medals (40 gold, 25 silver and 27 bronze). The official medals table had Egypt ending with a total of 92 and South Africa 96 but what matters is that South Africa top the table and all their medals were methodically cross-checked.
The inaugural Games in Morocco four years ago had Tunisia winning with 58 medals.
After Taylon Bieldt (gold medallist in the 110m hurdles) had won the 400m hurdles B final on Saturday in 63.03sec it was up to Magerman to boost the medal table with a win in the 400m.
She dominated the early stages before just holding off her Nigerian rival over the final 20m to win in 60.10.
Next medal came from Kyle Appel in the boys' 200m final. Appel had run 21.15 in the semi-final but the Brackenfell blitz stopped the clocks at 21.07 in lane four.
"I ended up third but my time was still better than my previous best of 21.12," beamed Appel.
The final medal came from Leandri Geel in the girls' discus and it was fitting that her 47:08 effort was gold as this young team of potential Olympians look ahead to Tokyo 2012 and, who knows, even Rio 2016.
Geel is a pupil at Hoërskool Monument in Krugersdorp and her personal best is 49.26. She's also already qualified for Junior World Championships in Eugene, Oregon. She's also currently ranked third in the world for her age-group.
For Tshepo Skosana there was final day heartache as he lead the boys 110m hurdles final only to catch the third last hurdle and go sprawling through the next hurdle. To his credit, he picked himself up and even leapt over the final hurdle to complete his event.
That pretty much summed up this team of young talent, they fought until the end and are sure to continue that trend around the globe in years to come.
Gezelle Is A Good Athlete,She Is Going To Go Far.


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Being T-shaped something that I've written about in the past. In a small section of post on should software developers learning more than one language.
Being t-shaped implies that you attempt to master one skill and dabble in other related areas. The deep skill is the leg of the t and the shallow skills is the arm that crosses it.
For example, you could have a deep skill within Software Development. While having decent skills in some other areas. Writing, painting, public speaking, or dancing . Just to name a few.
Being t-shaped means you only go deep on one subject. Nothing wrong with that but I have to many interest to want to focus on one area.
I'm the kid in high school who was in marching / jazz band, ROTC, three sport teams, and played drums at church. All while building computers, creating dungeon and dragon campaigns, and rapping on the weekends.
Which brings me to dripping paint. The idea was something I read about in the transcripts of the eCommerce Fuel podcast. The interview was on the art of reaching your full potential.
Imagine dragging a paintbrush across the top of a wall while drips of paint start to fall down. Sometimes the drip just goes down a little bit maybe an inch. Sometimes it goes down a foot. Other times it's down three feet.
What happens is this band across the top represents skills you're competent at. You don't have to be world-class at them. You just need the basics.
The drips of paint down the wall represent skills that you've gained more knowledge in. You can collect any number of skills at varying degrees of competence.
This metaphor is more flexible. You could be a software developer with a 5 foot drip and still have many other skill sets with 3 feet drips.
Don't worry about how someone else's line of paint is dripping down the wall. Your unique combination of drip lengths (skills) is what makes each of us stand out.
The t-shaped is still useful. They're just different strokes for different folks. Choose the metaphor that works best for you.
Are you striving to be t-shaped or a line of dripping paint?


1.Tom owns ________ larger collection of ________ books than any other student in our class.
12. —I'd like ________ information about the management of your hotel, please.
—Well, you could have ________ word with the manager. He might be helpful.
14. —Have you seen ________ pen? I left it here this morning.
—Is it ________ black one? I think I saw it somewhere(www.yygrammar.com).


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Home Forum Keep calm and carry on (despite COVID-19)
Keep calm and carry on (despite COVID-19)
Bubbles Salvador
#CoronaVirusChallenge has been trending on social media—and with good reason. The enhanced community quarantine and social distancing guidelines imposed by the national government have forced us to stay inside our homes to stop the spread of COVID-19. All over the world, we see people making do with the limitations of being in quarantine while trying to keep some semblance of normalcy in their daily lives.
The challenge for those who are forced to stay at home? The situation has left us with a lot of time in our hands. That's free time we wished we had when we were busy working in our offices or running our business. Now, we have too much of it, with limited options on worthwhile things to do. Fortunately, the internet is a rich resource of ideas you can access in a few clicks. Why not try any (or all) of these to stay productive without leaving your home?
1 Take a virtual museum tour
Museums may have closed their doors for the time being, but it doesn't mean you can't enter. Wherever you are in the world, you can hop from The Museum of Modern Art in New York to the Belvedere in Austria or the Musée de l'Orangerie in Paris—without stepping away from where you're seated right now.
Google Arts & Culture contains a listing of museums across the globe, which you can search by country or alphabetically.
https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/moma-the-museum-of-modern-art
While you are advised to limit travel to certain countries, what's to stop you from learning about the history of Hungarian art at the Hungarian National Gallery (housed in the Royal Palace in Buda Castle), or simply delight in the charming illustrations and paintings of Japanese artist Chihiro Iwasaki at the Chihiro Art Museum in Japan?
2 Learn a new skill or hobby
Remember those baking or drawing classes you've always planned to take? The enforced quarantine has encouraged generosity among artists and experts as they take to Facebook and other social media platforms to share live tutorial sessions. Mo Willems, artist-in-residence at Kennedy Education Center in Washington, DC, has issued a personal invitation into his studio one hour every day for the next few weeks for a "Lunch Doodle" session. Start off with pig or pigeon doodles and you'll surely be inspired to use your pen and paper more! If you've got little ones at home, get them to join, too.
Robert Alejandro is a local artist and graphic designer who has been helping kids (and adults) who could use some cheering up during these times by holding free drawing sessions via Facebook Live. He even shares their work afterwards!
Inspired by Robert's online activity, another Facebook user, Anne Nicomedes Esteban, is sharing bread-making techniques you can try at home.
3 Do what you can to help
What could be more worthwhile than doing your part to help others? At this time when everything is at a standstill due to a pandemic, we know who's most vulnerable: those who are at the frontlines providing health services and those who depend on daily wages to provide for their families. Doctors, nurses, and other health workers have time and again said that the best way to help them is for us to stay home. But some have gone the extra mile and also sent food and supplies their way.
A shout-out on social media to show our appreciation for them is also a good way to give them much-needed support. Of course, monetary assistance is always welcome. The University of the Philippines Medical Foundation is accepting donations for the mass production of test kits and the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontliners. If you're a business owner, a concrete way to help is by extending financial assistance to employees. After all, charity begins at home, and the welfare of those who keep your businesses up and running is of primary importance.
4 Enjoy some downtime with music
With all the stress brought about by this public health emergency, a little "me" time is definitely warranted. If you've listened to your Spotify playlists more than you should, maybe it's time for some live music. Award-winning singer and composer John Legend sat on his piano at home and played some best-loved tunes while broadcasting it live on Facebook.
Others followed suit, like 80s English pop group Swing Out Sister and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. Our very own National Artist, Ryan Cayabyab, recently went live on Facebook to announce a collaboration with other local artists in a series of online broadcasts entitled "Bayanihan Musikahan," which aims to raise funds for the disadvantaged. If you're feeling reflective and would like to sing in prayer, join Gary Valenciano; click on his live and raw rendition of "Take Me Out of the Dark."
With more weeks of quarantine and social distancing ahead of us, we all need to be resourceful in finding ways to make good use of our time. How would you like to add to this list?
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South Carolina's alcohol problems aren't going away. A new Palmetto Family Council report sheds light on the issue and the causes.
As alcohol access has skyrocketed in South Carolina over the past two decades, problems associated with alcohol use haven't gone away according to a new report published by Palmetto Family Council.
The report – which examines the accessibility of alcohol in South Carolina and the effects alcohol consumption has on the Palmetto State – outlines several startling statistics on the current state of alcohol use in South Carolina.
One of the easiest ways to gauge access to alcohol is to review the number of licenses approved by the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SC DOR). SC DOR oversees the regulation of alcohol permits in South Carolina, and any restaurant or business that wishes to sell alcohol must first obtain permission from SC DOR. Upon examining the different categories of alcohol licenses, the report found that the number of alcohol licenses issued by the South Carolina Department of Revenue has risen steeply by 38% since 2000.
Additionally, South Carolina ranks third and fourth in the South for the number of bars and liquor stores per capita, respectively. Nationally, only six cities rank higher than Myrtle Beach in bars per household. Further, South Carolina owns three of the six Southern cities in the top 100 for liquor stores per household.
The report found that the South Carolina General Assembly focuses much of its valuable attention on constantly tinkering with the Palmetto State's alcohol policies. This has led to confusion on how to interpret and enforce new alcohol laws – laws that are often poorly written.
The evidence speaks for itself. A bill introduced several years ago intended to streamline the alcohol permitting process for non-profits, but inadvertently took out eligibility for everyone else. Sections of other pieces of legislation that passed in the House drew criticism from supporters of looser alcohol laws because they were so poorly drafted.
Beyond the quality of alcohol legislation, the report highlights the quantity of alcohol related legislation being introduced and passed. Since 2009, 124 bills concerning alcohol policy have been introduced in the South Carolina Legislature. 25 of those bills have been signed into law.
The report found that the pace at which alcohol legislation has been introduced and passed has slowed in recent years; however, well-funded lobbyists and well-connected legislators continue to work the statehouse every session.
With more and more access to alcohol, the Palmetto State's alcohol-related problems aren't going away. According to the report, South Carolina remains one of the most dangerous states for drunk driving. In 2013, 44 percent of all traffic fatalities were drunk driving related. Over 17,000 Driving Under the Influence (D.U.I.) arrests were made in 2015 alone.
Binge drinking has seen a troubling jump in recent years. The report discovered that as recently as 2015, the Palmetto State had the 11th fewest amount of binge drinkers. However, as of 2017, South Carolina's ranking fell to 25th – a significant jump in a two-year span. Its ranking also ties South Carolina with Louisiana as the worst Southern state in terms of binge drinking.
College campuses are being affected by access to alcohol, and two high profile South Carolina public universities are seeing the problem increase.
Coastal Carolina University recorded the "highest total number of reported per-capita liquor law violations in the United States" among colleges and universities with more than 10,000 students. With the number of students being hospitalized for alcohol-related conditions growing by 158 percent in just one year, the University of South Carolina is also grappling with how to curb dangerous alcohol habits. The report noted that USC has also realized a higher percentage of sexual assaults linked to alcohol use among its students.
Palmetto Family Council hopes the report will come as a warning to South Carolina lawmakers.
It comes in the wake of a recent ruling by the South Carolina Supreme Court in Retail Services & Systems, Inc., d/b/a Total Wine & More v. South Carolina Department of Revenue and ABC Stores of South Carolina that has opened the door for hard liquor to not just be sold at liquor stores, but also in hundreds of discount retailers, big box stores and even grocery stores across South Carolina. The ruling will stand if the South Carolina General Assembly does not act to clarify the statue under question as required by the Court.
At the very least, the report should give pause to South Carolina senators considering opening the door to more access to alcohol in the Palmetto State.


A community meeting to discuss the emergency water supply well project, explain what to expect during construction, and answer question will take place on Thursday, Jan. 19, in the Oak Room of the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center (700 Alma St.) from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.
This project will provide emergency water for the Menlo Park Municipal Water District in the service area located east of El Camino Real. The goal is to construct three to four emergency wells in order to provide a total of 3,000 gallons per minute. This water will not be distributed to customers but will be used for emergency purposes only.
Next post: Local winter sport: Rafting on San Francisquito Creek caught on video!


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Home Private Equity News & Analysis CSFB close to £1.2bn Gala sale
CSFB close to £1.2bn Gala sale
European buyout firm BC Partners is in negotiations to acquire the UK casino operator, providing the bank with a strong return on its original investment.
PEI Staff
UK casino and bingo hall business Gala is the subject of a £1.2bn bid from European private equity-backed buyout from BC Partners, marking what is likely to be the latest in a series of secondary acquisitions by private equity firms in Europe.
A £1.2bn offer would provide CSFB with a healthy exit on the £400m it paid to a consortium of private equity investors including PPM Ventures, the private equity arm of Prudential, to acquire the business in 2000, and would mark the Gala's third spell under private equity ownership.
CSFB Private Equity appointed Deutsche Bank and Credit Suisse First Boston to advise on a possible stock market flotation over the summer, following Cinven and CVC Partners' successful listing of UK bookmaker William Hill in June. According to a report in The Times, a number of buyout firms expressed an interest in acquiring the business, including a joint offer from UK firms CVC and Candover. Final offers for the business are to be submitted by today's deadline.
Gala is one of the fastest growing retail gaming businesses in the UK, with an annual turnover of £395m, an increase of just under £200m in three years. The company employs over 10,000 employees and runs 166 bingo clubs across the UK. In 2000, Gala acquired Ladbrokes Casinos, one of the UK's largest casino operators, with 28 casinos across the UK, Isle of Man and Gibraltar.
The gaming and leisure market has been an active area for private equity players in 2002, primarily the result of a relaxation of UK gambling laws. Earlier this year, Charterhouse acquired Coral Eurobet for £1.4bn, beating off competition from rival private equity firms BC Partners and Candover, and trade buyers Gala and Rank. Yesterday it was announced that London Clubs International is likely to be the subject of a joint offer from Stanley Leisure and Hg Capital.
The deal also reflects the emergence of 'tertiary buyouts' in private equity investment. Last week Dutch mobility aids manufacturer Welzorg was acquired from UBS Capital by Swedish private equity firm Industri Kapital. The business had previously been owned by a consortium comprising Holland-based private equity firms Parcom Ventures, Alpinvest and Residentie Participaties.


Most "Meshworx" designs feature aspects that originate by loz' real life surroundings in California but in a rather subtle way: loz often goes out to photograph surfaces, materials, mechanical objects as well as details in nature that tell a story.
He then manipulates and layers these images to create dense textures, which he subsequently applies to his virtual designs.
"I promote Second Life like you would not believe" he explains, by showing off snapshots on his mobile phone to colleagues in the VFX community in Hollywood.
"In SL you can do whatever you want and that is the empowering thing. If more people knew that, more people would use it!"
I would love to know what loz Hyde, thinks about SL2 and if SL is doing well or not right now. Cool info thanks!


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Станковце може бити:

 Станковце (Глоговац), насеље у општини Глоговац, Косово и Метохија, Република Србија
 Станковце (Требишов), насеље у округу Требишов, Кошички крај, Словачка Република


If you are looking for a critique of either your illustration/writing for children (or both), I am happy to do this but I will make a small charge for this service from now on. I hate to do this but I can spend a lot of time responding to emails/requests of this nature.
Good afternoon. I would love to be able to use "Tiny Tantrum" as an image for an upcoming sermon series called "You're Not The Boss of Me" – We are a small church in Maryland, USA. If we could use it, we would give you credit and could pay you a small royalty if needed. We would use the pic on our webpage and Facebook to promote the series. Would this be possible?


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Madatyphlops is a genus of snakes in the family Typhlopidae.

Geographic range
The 15 species of the genus Madatyphlops are found mostly on Madagascar, but also occur on the Comoro Islands. A fossil species occurred on Mauritius.

Species
The following species are recognized as being valid.
Madatyphlops albanalis
Madatyphlops andasibensis
Madatyphlops arenarius
Madatyphlops boettgeri
Madatyphlops cariei  – extinct
Madatyphlops comorensis
Madatyphlops decorsei
Madatyphlops domerguei
Madatyphlops eudelini
Madatyphlops madagascariensis
Madatyphlops microcephalus
Madatyphlops mucronatus
Madatyphlops ocularis
Madatyphlops rajeryi
Madatyphlops reuteri

Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Madatyphlops.

References

Further reading
Hedges, S. Blair; Marion, Angela B.; Lipp, Kelly M.; Marin, Julie; Vidal, Nicolas (2014). "A taxonomic framework for typhlopid snakes from the Caribbean and other regions (Reptilia, Squamata)". Caribbean Herpetology 49: 1-61. (Madatyphlops, new genus, p. 42).

Snake genera


Episode 233: Fantastic Four #173 - Counter-Earth Must Die At The Hands Of Galactus!
Hello, and welcome to episode 233 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.
Hello, and welcome to episode 232 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.
Episode 231: Marvel Two-in-One #17 - This City Afire!
Hello, and welcome to episode 231 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.
Hello, and welcome to episode 230 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.


Each day, how many opportunities arise to invite us to embrace our true selves, that we overlook because we either are not paying attention or most often, not engaged in the present moment. If we do acknowledge the invitation, why don't we accept it? Is it because we have yet to know who we are or what we want, or is it because, although we recognize our true selves, we allow, among other things, fear, obligation or guilt to keep us from living the lives that we wish to live, that we are called to live?
I was drawn to the quote because it reminds me of my uniqueness. It evokes the thought that in all the world, there is no one like me; my outcomes differ from those of any other. No two of us think, act and express ourselves in the same way. In actuality, as shown in a study here, even identical twins exhibit different personalities, likes and dislikes. Why do we care?
Who among us does not aspire to be more? In most cases, within each of us is a gift, a talent, that lies unexplored and untapped. These gifts and talents differ from one person to another. I may aspire to be an artist and writer, while you may long to explore the world and to climb its highest peaks. Yet, most of us spend our days toiling doing what is expected of us, what earns us the greater salary or even worse, simply subsisting in jobs and careers that we loathe and which only serve to demoralize us and break our spirits.
Our unique talents are blessings to be shared with the world. By rejecting these "invitations," you deprive the world of a gift that only you can offer. I have a loved one who has been an amazing artist since she was a child. Fortunately, she continued to pursue her talent past the age of 7 or 8, when many set aside such gifts. Yet, as an adult, she chooses not to embrace her work and deepen her knowledge. She shares her work with family or friends, but she has not accepted the "invitation" to be all that she is. As one new to the world of drawing and painting, I realize the depth and breadth of her talents. I see it as a waste that such innate talents and incredible art is not widely shared and appreciated by the world.
I implore you to graciously accept the invitation that your God, Source, universe or whatever higher power that you may choose, offers you. Your uniqueness is a gift that can be exhibited in countless way. However, you choose to reveal it, there is no doubt that it is your personal and distinct contribution to the world. So, go ahead. There is a novel waiting to be written, a painting waiting to be painted and a mountain to be scaled. The possibilities are limitless and the only thing standing in your way, is you.
What are you invited to do? What are you waiting for?


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About a year and half after I became a Christian I was visiting my home town where I had grown up. I had been in the military for 6 years prior and the impression most of my older high school friends had of me was my old self, not a Christian. As the time drew nearer for me visit home, I started to wrestle with the idea of the conversations I might have with these friends when I returned.
Two thoughts or scenarios ran through my mind. The first was that they would no longer see me with respect and think that I have fallen off my rocker, turning into a weak, dependent, bible-thumper. During my devotional time though, the Lord was bringing to my attention some verses giving me encouragement and direction.
The second thought or scenario was to just be silent and not bring up, or avoid, any conversations that might lead to an uncomfortable conversation. My temptation to justify this thought was that I was being patient and not pushy. I told myself I would I pray for them and someone else might be the messenger, avoiding this responsibility as a believer. Truly knowing this was not the way I was to handle these encounters, I started to pray that my heart and mind would change.
I started to look to Gods word for direction and these two stories and verses have helped guide me when I may start to feel this way again.
I knew I needed my heart to change and become like his. That in order for a farmer to produce fruit, he must go out first and plant the seeds. If I wanted to see fruit in my friends then I must be first willing to plant those seeds in there lives and hearts.
I knew then that my silence was a form of disobedience. It was an easier route for me to be tempted to take, but God was calling me to not be silent. Coming home then I spoke to my friend and eventually invited him and his girlfriend to come to a church with us while we were home visiting. He agreed and I thought my work was finished. During the ending worship set for the service though, I felt the Lord calling me to lay hands on him and pray for him and his salvation. This was over the top for me as an introvert, but the words of the Lord rang in my heart. I prayed for him and nothing happened afterwards. I thought to myself, great you really scared him off now. After church we parted our ways and I left to go back to Hawaii where I was serving.
A few months went by and I never heard anything from him. Then one day I got a call from him asking me all these spiritual questions and him telling me he and his wife had been going faithfully to the church since we left. They gave their hearts to the Lord.
I reflect back on to this moment in my walk any time I am tempted to just be silent. Remembering that the Lord is calling us to go like the prophet Isaiah, waiting for us to respond, "send me." I also have a responsibility, like a watchman, to share the good news with those that the Lord places in my path. In doing so I participate in partnership mission work with God and reap a harvest for His glory and kingdom.
My challenge to you this week is to seek to have a willing heart to go where and how God calls you.
Another challenge is that maybe there has been a person or situation in your life where you have been taking the tempting route of being silent. May you reflect on the words from God to Ezekiel and seek how you can be a messenger for the Lord to those people.
Lastly, some of you may have been ashamed of your relationship with the Lord when you are around friends, coworkers, or family. I pray that you take pride in your relationship with the Lord and not shame.


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Houssem Aouar
Edu's £30m transfer decision shows why Arsenal do not need to take Houssem Aouar gamble
Houssem Aouar has long been linked with a move to Arsenal but the form of Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe recently shows why the club do not need to take the gamble
Bobby VincentTrends Writer
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Lyon playmaker Houssem Aouar has been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal for the past couple of summer transfer windows.
The 23-year-old, who has less than two years remaining on his current contract with the French club, has reportedly been a target for the Gunners, but there are said to be some concerns over the midfielder - meaning any move for him would be a gamble.
According to a report The Athletic in August, some members of the north London club's hierarchy 'harbour concerns' over Aouar, but still hold a firm interest in his services.
However, Arsenal do not need to take the aforementioned gamble - and recent performances explain why.
Arsenal icon Thierry Henry explains why Mikel Arteta and Edu should complete £63m transfer
Rio Ferdinand reveals the 'sublime' duo Mikel Arteta and Edu cannot afford to lose at Arsenal
Martin Odegaard, who plays in a similar position to Aouar, was signed on a permanent basis for around £30million over the summer transfer window and his displays for Arsenal in recent weeks have been sublime.
The Norway international re-opened his Gunners account with a tremendous free-kick against Burnley almost two weeks ago and he followed up that display with a terrific performance against Tottenham at the weekend.
Odegaard found himself in some really dangerous positions and Spurs simply could not deal with his intelligent off-the-ball movement and also what he did out of possession.
Meanwhile, Emile Smith Rowe, like Odegaard, starred in the 3-1 victory on Sunday afternoon.
Martin Odegaard celebrates winning his second North London Derby win as an Arsenal player. (Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Smith Rowe has now scored two goals in as many games for the Gunners, with the Hale End academy graduate continuing to show his promise at the Emirates Stadium.
With Odegaard at 22 and Smith Rowe at 21, the two players, alongside Bukayo Saka, are the three players Mikel Arteta should build his Arsenal team around.
If the Gunners do have genuine concerns over Aouar, then is it worth taking the gamble? Even if he is available on the cheap, which is what some reports are claiming, if he did come to the Emirates, then he would likely demand a strong wage packet.
What Arsenal already have in Smith Rowe and Odegaard is perfect - and many Premier League clubs would be desperate to have that level of talent, at such young ages, in their ranks.
Aouar himself remains focused on ensuring Lyon qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.
"As someone who is from Lyon, to be able to play in the Champions League in this stadium is something I would like to be able to do again - all of that is down to qualifying this season," the Frenchman said recently.
"Then I'd like to win a trophy, because that's what's missing the most for me at this club.
"I'm fully concentrated on Lyon. Playing in the Champions League again with my hometown club is an objective and a dream of mine."
Arsenal transfer rumours


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Mortality Management
Basic Biosecurity
i(AM)Responsible: A Nationwide Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Education Network
Mara Zelt - University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Department of Biological Systems Engineering
Antimicrobial resistant infections have been recognized worldwide as a significant threat to public health in recent years. Researchers have responded to this growing crisis with wide-ranging efforts to characterize antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the microbial populations found in healthcare settings, the environment, food production and processing settings, and livestock production systems. Unfortunately, there remains a good deal of uncertainty around the exact cause(s) and factors impacting the proliferation of AMR. As new research continues to help us understand and characterize AMR populations and potential risks associated with them, developing a nationwide capacity for conducting effective scientific outreach and education on this topic has become critical.
Figure 1. iAMR project team members by region and expertise
In summer 2018, a nationwide team of research and extension professionals was assembled to design and deliver extension programming on AMR. Named the "iAMResponsible Project", this effort is intended to convey that everyone has an obligation to understand AMR, learn how they can adapt practices to mitigate their potential risks and contributions related to AMR, and preserve the efficacy of antibiotics for future generations. Led by Nebraska Extension's Amy Schmidt, an associate professor focused on manure management and responsible livestock production, team members represent expertise in livestock production, veterinary medicine, food safety, food processing, communication strategies, and environmental management (Figure 1).
Essential to this project has been the creation of a library of research-based resources on AMR that form a foundation for developing and delivering outreach and educational materials to intended audiences. Often, when controversial topics like AMR are discussed on social media and in the press, there is little effort to support claims with scientific data. A unique aspect of this project is our focus on only sharing information that can be directly traced to scientific research. Using the ever-growing content library, graduate student Mara Zelt has developed nearly 200 infographics for dissemination by social media and extension programming, each directing readers to a scientific article supporting the graphical information.
Figure 2. Program branding and social media graphics for the iAMR Project.
Thus far, the principal activities of the project have involved curating, translating and disseminating agricultural-, environmental- and food safety-related AMR research outcomes via our team's Facebook and Twitter accounts (Figure 2). At a recent nationwide conference focused on manure management, a special session titled, One Health: Policies, Practices and Priorities to Address Antimicrobial Resistance, was sponsored by the iAMResponsible Project team and featured speakers discussing natural and human-impacted contributions to the AMR crisis.
iAMResponsible team members observed that there was a growing awareness among the general public of "antimicrobial resistance" and the associated human health risks, which inspired numerous agency-, industry- and organization-led efforts on AMR. The iAMR project plans to cooperate with these related efforts to leverage resources and amplify dissemination of AMR-related educational information. However, it is evident that misinformation and ambiguous terminology contribute to misunderstandings about risks to human health associated with "AMR." While not a disease itself, antimicrobial resistance is contributing to widespread incidences of untreatable microbial infections. Therefore, communicating the level of risk associated with AMR in clinical and nonclinical settings is recognized as an essential component to be addressed through this outreach project.
Going forward the iAMResponsible project team will continue efforts to identify educational needs, produce and curate research-based content to improve public awareness about AMR, and improve access to research-based information about potential AMR-related food safety risks. In the coming year, public awareness efforts will be coupled with surveys of Nebraskan producer attitudes toward AMR and antibiotic use, and an evaluation of audience needs to identify gaps in informational materials and outreach methods. The team will utilize these results to further refine outreach efforts towards improving the adoption of practices to mitigate potential AMR-related risks.
To learn more about the iAMResponsible project find us online:
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/i_AMResponsible
Visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/iAMResponsibleEDU
This article was reviewed by Amy Schmidt
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