text:
Media & Big Tech
Dorsey and Musk Spar Over Claim Twitter Ignored Child Exploitation for Years
A 3D printed Twitter logo is seen in front of a displayed photo of Elon Musk in this illustration taken on Oct. 27, 2022. (Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters)
By Katabella Roberts
Katabella Roberts
Katabella Roberts is a news writer for The Epoch Times, focusing primarily on the United States, world, and business news.
December 13, 2022Updated: December 13, 2022
Billionaires Elon Musk and Jack Dorsey publicly disagreed about Twitter's handling of child exploitation in a series of tweets over the weekend.
Musk, who took over the company in October, took to the social media platform on Friday where he blasted former Twitter executives, stating that it "is a crime that they refused to take action on child exploitation for years."
His post was in response to a tweet from a Twitter user that linked to a New York Post report on a lawsuit that alleges Twitter refused to take down images of a teenager who was tricked into sending explicit photos of themselves to sex traffickers when they were aged between 13 and 14.
The lawsuit, which does not identify the plaintiff, claims that Twitter refused to do so because it did not find the images violated its policies on child exploitation materials. It also accused the company of profiting off the footage.
Dorsey, who stepped down as Twitter CEO in November 2021, quickly responded to Musk's tweet, writing, "This is false," prompting another response from the Tesla CEO.
"No, it is not. When Ella Irwin, who now runs Trust & Safety, joined Twitter earlier this year, almost no one was working on child safety," Musk said. "She raised this with Ned & Parag [former Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal and Chief Financial Officer Ned Segal] but they rejected her staffing request. I made it top priority immediately."
Musk then accused Agrawal of having "super messed up priorities."
Then-Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey addresses students during a town hall at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in New Delhi, India, on Nov. 12, 2018. (Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters)
Twitter 'Suspending More Accounts Linked to Child Exploitation'
"I don't know what happened in past [sic] year. But to say we didn't take action for years isn't true. You can make all my emails public to verify. Company [sic] took away my access to email or I would," Dorsey fired back.
The public disagreement between Musk and Dorsey comes shortly after cybersecurity and data analyst Andrea Stroppa, who has been working as an independent researcher on Twitter's Trust and Safety team in recent weeks, revealed the number of accounts that are being suspended by Twitter on a daily basis for sharing child sexual abuse and exploitation material has nearly doubled since Musk took over the platform.
From Dec. 3 to 4 alone, Stroppa confirmed that Twitter had taken down 44,000 "suspicious accounts" of which over 1,300 had attempted to avoid detection by using "codewords and text in images to communicate."
Additionally, Stroppa noted that Twitter, under Musk, has updated and streamlined the way it detects content related to child sexual abuse or exploitation material to make it more efficient and "aggressive."
Musk previously said that removing child exploitation from Twitter was his number one priority.
On Thursday, three members of Twitter's Trust and Safety Council resigned.
In a statement, Eirliani Abdul Rahman and Anne Collier, who had been members of the Trust and Safety Council since its inception in 2016, and Lesley Podesta, chair of the advisory board of the Young and Resilient Research Center and the niece of Democrat consultant John Podesta, said that it is "clear from research evidence that, contrary to claims by Elon Musk, the safety and wellbeing of Twitter's users are on the decline."
The Epoch Times has contacted Twitter for comment.
Miami Black Leaders Apologize to Gov. DeSantis After Member Called Him Racist


Altmetrics service for Japanese scholarly works such as articles, papers, or books.
Ref: Mitsuo Yoshida (2014). New Challenge for Bibliometrics : Development of the Altmetrics Measurement Service [Japanese]. The Journal of Information Science and Technology Association. Vol. 64, No. 12, p. 501-507.


Shorebirds are showing up in the Villas by the dozens and the hundreds. This weekend was the first that we saw large numbers of Sanderlings joining the Dunlins who hung around all winter. Scanning the flock revealed one Sanderling who stood out from the rest due to the green flag on his leg. I got close enough to the bird to get a few photos and then realized that the bird had more bling than just one flag. This bird had a green flag, a metal band, a blue band, and a green and white band. That's more bling than Liz Taylor.
Check out all of the hardware this bird has to lug around.
I reported this to BirdBanders.org . We'll see if they send me any information on the bird's travels. This is a great website that explains the bands and how to report resightings. Any information is used by scientists.
Here he is with a few "friends".
Of course, birds don't have friends but shorebirds certainly like to hang around together for protection. The Sanderling is the one with the "jewelry" facing left. The bird in the water is a Dunlin. Notice he has a longer bill that droops slightly. The bird running toward the camera might be a Semi-palmated Sandpiper, but I am unsure.
Bonaparte's gulls will soon be Bona-depart's gulls (get it?) when they leave us to head north. These are dainty gulls that keep me smiling in winter until the Laughing gulls return from Florida.
Next post from California - hopefully.
I wonder what makes Liberace (yes, I just named him) so "taggable". Is he the unfortunate (dumb) bird who keeps getting netted, and therefore banded? Or maybe he's a friendly kind of guy who likes being handled and oooh'd and ahhhh'd over during the banding process.


Kara Goucher: "Mark (Wetmore) and Heather (Burroughs) don't believe in high mileage."
IAAF And Japanese Advertising Agency Dentsu Extend Marketing And Sponsorship Partnership Through 2029Lamine Diack is thrilled as he'll leave the sport financially secure as Dentus will guarantee the IAAF $17.7 million through 2019 and $22.5 million through 2029.
President Thomas Bach Promises That Scottish Athletes Would Be Able To Compete In 2016 Games If The Country Secedes From GB Some were worried that the March 2016 deadline wouldn't leave them time for Rio 2016.
Nearly $3 Million In Prize Money On Offer At IAAF Continental Cup In Marrakech This Weekend If you've been wondering (like we have) why everyone has been trying to get into this meet, realize that it's 6 x the prize money for a DL event ($480,000) and 3 x as much if you consider it includes all events instead of just 1/2.
After Winning World Cup In Rugby This Summer, England's 30-Year-Old Maggie Alphonsi Wants To Return To Track, Dreaming Of Making 2016 Games In Shot Or Discus She was a junior champ in both events as teen.
Sep. 21: Molly Huddle And Andrew Bumbalough Running CVS 5K In Providence, RI Huddle will face Emily Sisson and Laura Nagel.
IAAF Work, Rest And Play Interview With US's Youth Olympic Games 800 Champ Myles Marshall Marshall comes from good genes as both his parents are former elite mid-d runners.
NY Mag Says Maggie Vessey Is The "Most Stylish Athlete" Right Now Anyone who saw her at the 2014 Pre Classic probably doesn't disagree.
Laura Thweatt Is An Assistant Coach At Monarch High School In Louisville, Colorado, Team Got 5th At NXN Last Year Thweatt was far from a star for Mark Wetmore and Heather Burroughs at Colorado, and actually quit the sport for 3 months, but now is a 15:04 performer running for Lee Troop.
Vertical Ru Takes Place In Beijing's Tallest Building We guess it's too dirty to run outside. The China World Summit Wing hotel race has 82 floors and 2,041 steps.
Kara Goucher And Desiree Linden To Join Meb Keflezighi On 2014 TCS New York City Marathon Start Line Other top Americans announced include Ryan Vail, Nick Arciniaga, Luke Puskedra in his debut, and Deena Kastor.
Former Champions Sergio Reyes And Jeanette Faber Headline 2014 Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon On October 5th The race will serve as the 2014 US Marathon Championships.
Registration Open For 2015 Boston Marathon Fastest qualifiers can register first.
Recommended Read: Spikes Talks To Jamaican Cancer Survivor Novlene Williams-Mills, Who Is This Year's Overall 400m Diamond League Champion She found out she had cancer right before the 2012 Olympics, but still competed. After a tough 2013, she's back on top.
Thieves Steal Car Of South African 100m Record Holder Simon Magawke His car was stolen after he ate some "mint sweets" given to him by two ladies and a man. The mints were drugged and knocked Magakwe out.
IAAF Profile On Panama Sprinter Alonso Edward Who Is Running Well After Several Injury-Plagued Seasons Edward ran a 10.02 NR this season and won the Zurich DL 200.
Michigan Student Newspaper Profiles Top Steepler Mason Ferlic Amazingly, they don't mention the Alex Gibby – Kevin Sullivan coaching change.
Kentucky's Eldrick Floreal Hires Olympians Allen Johnson And Toby Stevenson As Coaches Johnson was an all-time great at 110H and Stevenson won Olympic silver in the PV.
Betsy Saina Beats Emily Chebet And Joyce Chepkirui In Tilburg 10K With A World-Leading 30:46 2:04 marathon man Bernard Koech won the 10-mile race in 45:12 (Leonard Komon was 8th in 47:27).
Suguru Osako Broke The Japanese 3,000 Record In Rieti With 7:40.09 Osako is currenty training with the Oregon Project and has been working with Mo Farah and Galen Rupp.
Jack Bolas, Heather Kampf Win 2014 Bring Back The Mile Grand Prix Tour Overall Titles The inaugural series of mile races offered six stops with more than $85,000 in prize money.
Recap Of Final Day Of Japan National University Track And Field Championships 1,500 champ Enock Omwamba faced off against 10,000 champ Daniel Muiva Kitonyi in the 5,000 with Omwamba getting the double by less than a second in 13:40.21.
Recap And Results Of Weekend NCAA XC Action: How Did The Top 10 Ranked Teams Do?
Anthony Rotich And Rachele Schulist Are NCAA Athletes Of The Week Rotich won New Mexico's Lobo Invitational 5K while Schulist took the Bill Dellinger Invy in Oregon.


Kabam... This is not good. 5 days since the update n we are still waiting for the bugs to get fixed. Pls so something quickly.
I have 2 devices... Can't play on any.
Not to mention we have already missed so many rewards.
Day 6. Have we been forgotten?
Really disappointed and would like to be able to participate in the anniversary events.
Question is kabam fixing the issue??or just saying it.
Shortly. ....just like in alliance base " coming soon". I just really started losing the hope to play ever in this device. No words about that missing the five star shards in arena, but man 5 or 6 days already passed, and unable to begin any fight. A lot playtime i put in this game to have strong champs, already climed my 100th in lvl 42, plus as an officer cant help my alliance in wars and quests.......so disappionting for this game.
Day 7. Players are getting more goodies and talking about 5* arena while some of us have seen none of that. What will Kabam do? Find out on the next episode of Dragon Ba - Unknow error has occurred. Please try again later.
It's very disappointing !!! Still can't fight after login the game..can you fix it or not kabam ?????
Please kabam do it please we need progress in the game please, please.
We're now on 2 days without any sort of response either here or in the 16.1 crash thread. On top of that all the connection bugs I'm wondering if they just put us on the back burner until they decide to care.
Day 8. This thread was now pushed to the 2nd page of the forum. It is forgotten. No one can see. There is no hope.
It seems the developer doesn't give a damn about us.
They said the update was coming....yes 3 days ago.
Yes you add % status but you don't fix this problem... DAY 8!!!!
It sais, that old processor Spreadtrum and old Mali-400 graphics no longer supported. So you need to think about an upgrading your device.
In any case this looks very and very stupid. How you test new updated on devices? I know that there are more than 10k Android devices, but at least test it on 10-20 popular versions of processors and graphics cards chould be important as beta testing. This is not an answer that players after update finds out that their device is no longer supported.
I've seen this mark about Mali-400 a long time ago (more than 6 months ago), but never heard such problems like these. Players leaved their alliances, leaved playing just because your testing team can't do their job properly.
I know, game goes on, devices goes stronger, older devices became more older. But anyway there must be at least a warning for a month (at least) before the update that will add devices to unsupported list. It is not fair for those people who can't just change their device each month (I'm exaggerating) due to "complectly new graphics" in game.


text:
Inspiring Examples
All human beings are equal and talent is evenly distributed across every horde of dark aliens. This is great news. The highly alarming population explosion in the African Heart of Darkness is going to produce a commensurate number of brilliant tar scientists, just like on the talmudvision. If the evidence for this simplistic and naive view of human biodiversity happens to be lacking, we'll just have to get the square peg into the round hole via special preferences, lowered standards, attacks on Whites and endless delusional cowardice in the face of obvious racial realities. Just ask a man without a chest at a University in Cuck Island. We're going to miracle the dark inferiors into an amazing success story. We're probably just one more eruption of anti-White madness away.
The government has recently announced that it plans to improve how black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) students perform at university, putting the spotlight back on an issue that has blighted the higher education sector for far too long.
Wait a minute, you're telling me Orientals are failing as badly as the nightmare animal? Then I remembered this is the United Kaliphate and "Asian" is their bizarre code word for the moe-ham-head-dan conquerors who are currently putting the finishing touches on subjugating the indigenous population. We flushed our ancestral homeland down the toilet, but it isn't enough because coal monsters and moon cultists aren't learning, for some reason. We must address the issue that just never seems to go away. Genetic determinism is fixable, that's for sure. We just need to grovel hard enough.
The stark fact is that, according to the latest figures, just 66% of BAME students achieved a first or 2:1 degree in 2016-17, compared to 79.6% of white students.
Well, if this isn't proof of "racism" I don't know what is. The dying White population of cowards and collaborators aren't doing enough to fix the "BAME." You need to die for it. Get in that hole.
This is an issue affecting all universities, and requires a deep understanding of the factors involved and a genuine commitment to addressing the gap. There is no quick fix.
It sure is weird how this "issue" is found in every educational setting, everywhere. It's almost enough to suggest that Homo erectus here really isn't a sun-tanned White and the jew has not been entirely honest with us.
"Why isn't the enemy army devouring my country learning?"
If we truly want universities to have a meaningful impact on society, a handful doing the heavy lifting around access and attainment is simply not enough.
More vaguely human units are attending the communist indoctrination center than ever. Our national I.Q. is steadily dropping. We're having a meaningful impact, like a wrecking ball crushing a rotten building that was about to fall down on its own.
And if we're really going to close the BAME attainment gap, then we need incentives from the government.
Have you wallet ready, tax-paying chump.
While some universities have made good progress in widening access, it is not enough just to get students through the door. We need to get them through their course and enable them to leave with a good degree. By those measures, universities have a lot more work to do.
We're going to use shekels extorted from the legacy population to miracle evolutionary dead-ends into society's leaders. We'll turn a 70 I.Q. genetic alien into the next Alan Turing. Yes, I'd say you have your work cut out for you.
The Office for Students has vowed to use sticks to drive progress in these areas. In a higher education market driven by academic reputation, the measures by which we assess good performance should also focus on how well we are contributing to a more equal and diverse society.
You're literally going to be killed and eaten by creatures who worship a giant rock.
Inspiring examples include Hertfordshire's inclusive curriculum toolkit, and Birmingham City's BAME ambassador programme, which is designed to promote a greater sense of belonging among learners and create a dialogue between students and staff.
Another inspiring example.
At Kingston, we have adopted a whole-university drive to address the BAME attainment gap. This starts from the senior leadership team and is a key performance indicator across the institution, including for our development of an inclusive curriculum.
Learn a trade, White man.
Diverse learning communities make for rich environments that help challenge what we know and value – this is the essence of good teaching.
I accidentally criticized the mahound cult and was "challenged" by a scimitar to the throat.
Our campuses should be thriving places where students share their experiences and learn from one another. Universities must truly embrace diversity by changing the way they do things to ensure equal opportunities for all students, irrespective of background. This can only be done by properly holding universities to account, and making diversity and inclusivity measures of a quality education.
Imagine writing this suicidal drivel. Imagine actually believing it.
Achievement Gap BAME Communist Indoctrination Center Foreign Invasion Great Britain Kingston University Steven Spier United Kaliphate We're Not Equal Why DeQuan Can't Read
BAME or BANE?
Jonathon rotten February 20, 2019 at 6:42 PM
Liberia Ball Gone Wrong
Please watch the following amazing video.
Welcome to the Negro Felon League, the opiate of the slumbering White sports cuck. We join the Botswana Ball already in progress, although the ball isn't actually in play at the moment. I know, what are the odds? Instead a creature straight from a nightmare swings a helmet at one the few remaining Whites in this degenerate kosher soma for a doomed legacy population. You have to wonder how long it will be until a person without color is literally murdered on the field by a super orc. At this point "just a matter of time" seems accurate, although efforts to completely remove Ice People from this semitic shuck might be a mitigating factor.
Some of the negroes begin attacking another coal creature on the ground. What do they think this is, Popeyes Chicken? "Whoa!" declares the announcer, presumably as a placeholder for "I can't believe the jew was able to intimidate us into pretending these monsters are even partia…
Y'all Let This Happen
Please watch the following amazing video. Be sure to save a copy; this sort of footage has a habit of disappearing off jewtube.
Welcome to Burger Kang. A giant and grotesque poster for fried chicken immediately sets the tone for what is to come. Obese nightmare animals with their clothes falling off brawl in the crumbling ruins of a dying nation. "Anybody dial the coppers?" wonders a debased White as we get a glimpse of the coming all against all. When the handouts stop, when the rule of law collapses, when our mighty ally Israel fails to swoop in and save us, this is what will remain. You'll call the "coppers" and get a dial tone. We hear various animal noises as identical dark and bloated hominids clash outside a globohomo semi-food concern.
I'm starting to realize just how completely wrong the "racists" behind intelligence research are. All races are equal (Whites bad, jew chosen). I.Q. has little, if any, predictive value when it comes to succ…
Too Late to Escape
Dawn Bales and her 15-year-old daughter are already on the ground by the time the Facebook Live recording begins, the former frantically trying to shield her child from the barrage of kicks delivered by a ring of teenage attackers.
After America dies, after all the "winning" is over, after swiping muh EBT returns an error message, this is what we have to look forward to. Worthless inferiors straight from a nightmare, or "teenage attackers" if you want to keep that careerism, brutalize the people without color while making noises normally heard inside a monkey house. Here is the content of their character. Make sure to record your racially-motivated attacks on Faceberg; don't worry, the alien jew and its brown foreign slaves are too busysilencing White Nationalists to care about this sickening spectacle popping up on the semitic information gathering hub. I guess the 100 billion shekels we just wasted on the "African…
"The Base": FBI Informant Orders Synagogue Vandalism, FBI Agent Infiltrates Goat Sacrifice
The Cookie Monster
The Best Person for the Job
Chicken Shack Gone Wrong
He Wasn't Aware
The Indiana Long March
Some Racist Sundae
Another Random Incident
Muh 22 Trillion
Big Surprise: Chicago Most Corrupt City in America...
Good News Monday: Hungary's Answer
The Esoteric Topic
A Really Important Moment
Concerns in the Jewish Community
Hungary Promotes Nationalism in Schools
Spilled Out There
Involved in the Death

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Media / Entertainment
Gurjit Degun
ITV and Visa sign placement deal
Coronation Street and Emmerdale will feature Visa's contactless payment technology for nine months from February in a six-figure deal.
Coronation Street: Visa's payment terminals will appear in shops
It is the first time that ITV has sold a product placement package that covers both soaps. The deal was negotiated by MEC.
The payment terminals will feature in Dev's shop and Nick's Bistro in Coronation Street, and in David's shop and Café Main Street in Emmerdale. There will also be Visa Europe signage in places such as the bus shelter poster site in Coronation Street.
Kevin Jenkins, the managing director for UK and Ireland at Visa Europe, said: "Shops like Dev's in Corrie and David's in Emmerdale are exactly the type well-suited to contactless – high numbers of small transactions."
Gary Knight, the commercial content director at ITV, said: "We have found that product placement activity can contribute excellent brand value as part of wider on- and off-air campaigns, and we look forward to building on our offering."
According to Visa, UK banks have distributed almost 40 million contactless cards.
Advertising TV Advertising Marketing
ITV pre-tax profit climbs 40% to £605m in 2014
Social Life creates social media campaign for Take Me Out


The subtraction of the two input voltages is possible with the help of subtractor. The subtractor using op-amp is shown in figure below. It is also called as difference amplifier.
The input signals applied are V1 and V2.
Let us assume that the non-inverting terminal is at potential 'V'. Due to virtual ground concept, the inverting terminal appears to be at the same potential 'V' as shown in the circuit diagram.
Thus at the output we get subtraction of the two input voltages.
The subtractor circuits are used to solve various mathematical equations.


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Q: Correlation between 2 columns after doing percentage change between consecutive rows for both columns I am checking whether two columns in my pandas dataframe are correlated, but then wondering if it makes a difference if I do percentage change first (using pandas pct_change().mul(100) function) to both columns then use corr()
Does it matter if I find correlation using the raw numbers instead of the percentages difference between consecutive rows?
My overall goal is to be able to check if change in both columns have an association before proceeding to determine best way to put the association in a regression equation

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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EASY to put together. I have served this Chutney Baked Brie in the upper tier of a two tier dessert tray, as well as baked in a pie plate as shown below. Both methods worked very well. It's a great appetizer recipe for a dinner party or an intimate gathering with friends.
Place brie on a pie plate and bake in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until cheese has softened and cut part of brie has lifted. Take out of the oven and gently remove the wax off the top of the brie.
Sprinkle brie with curry powder. Spread mango chutney on top. Sprinkle toasted pecans on the chutney.
Return to the oven for 5-10 minutes, or until cheese has clearly become melted and bubbly.
The wheels of Brie that Costco sells are just the right size (about 5 inches diameter). If you are using a small wheel or a larger wheel, adjust the ingredients as needed.
To toast pecans, preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spread pecans on a small baking sheet and bake until scented and lightly browned. Watch closely because they'll burn if unattended.
To keep the brie warm on your serving table, place pie plate in the upper rack of a two-tiered dessert tray. Put a plate on the bottom tier with tea-lites. Your brie will stay nice and hot.


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Working groupsBy Rebecca July 4, 2008
To ensure that the funds deliver on tackling poverty, it is crucial to enable access of those organisations engaged with the most excluded and provide a real partnership with them trough tailored mechanisms. Partnership in governance For the first time, Article 11 of the Structural Funds regulation explicitly recognizes the principle of partnership with civil…
Working groupsBy EAPN Europe Staff July 4, 2008
April/June 2008: Focus on Energy Poverty in the EU
Anti-Poverty Magazine !By EAPN Europe Staff July 3, 2008
{jathumbnail}Everybody agrees that people should be able to heat their home but his is fast becoming a 'luxury' for many people experiencing poverty.
Press release: "Some steps forward but insufficient to address the current social realities": EAPN responds to the Commission's Revised Social Agenda
EAPN Press releasesBy EAPN Europe Staff July 3, 2008
Brussels, 3 July 2008 – EAPN is concerned that the package of measures proposed are insufficiently coherent to impact on the current levels of poverty and exclusion in the EU.
Ireland needs to get serious about tackling poverty according to EAPN Ireland
EAPN National Networks NewsBy Rebecca June 26, 2008
Statistics released on 10 June by the Irish Central Statistics Office show that despite Ireland having the second highest levels of GDP in the EU, at 45.4% above the EU average, its poverty rate is still above the EU average.
EAPN National Networks NewsBy EAPN Europe Staff June 26, 2008
EAPN publishes new Tool Kit on how to engage in the Lisbon National Reform Programmes – 2008-10
EAPN NewsBy EAPN Europe Staff June 26, 2008
This tool kit is to help EAPN National Networks engage with the process this year, and to press for a stronger focus on social inclusion at all level.
'No' vote to EU Treaty referendum highlights people's belief that the EU is not addressing their social needs, says EAPN Ireland
EAPN Ireland concludes that the rejection of the Treaty highlights the need for a more social Europe.
EAPN meets with President Barroso on eve of renewed social agenda
The social agenda, the issue of services, legislation to protect all grounds of discrimination as well as the European immigration pact were at the heart of the discussions.
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How much work can the group take on?
Should we include a buffer?
How should the work be divided among the teams?
Will we be able to recognize the necessary adjustments when reality begins?
Release Planning is an age-old agile practice of defining the work for an upcoming release. Over time as organizations have become more agile, many have accelerated their release velocity. Some organizations release after each sprint, others release daily, and still others release after each commit. This new-found power has called the term Release Planning into question as potentially confusing because the act of planning for the mid- to longer-term is no longer necessarily correlated to a single release.
The Scaled Agile Framework® (SAFe®) took a step in that same direction by defining the overall activity in different terms, calling it PI Planning. In PI Planning, we find a practice of planning out all work for a defined period (the program increment) across all teams in the program within a structured two-day session.
Regardless of the specific term used, there are a couple of general desires in planning. One is to load the specific time frame with the greatest amount of value that can be delivered. The second is to allocate the work across the available teams in a way that allows the group as a whole to undertake the plans in a confident, coordinated manner.
In VersionOne's Spring 2016 Release, the Release Scheduling view (which, by the way, you can call whatever you want thanks to the newly expanded terminology options) has been extended to allow full team-level planning capabilities. While you've been able to plan out releases and see both release and team capacities for a long time, now you can plan work directly into the teams working on each release. Seeing each team's capacity bucket filling up as more work is added to their plate presents a great visual that helps everyone involved understand just how much room is left and where that room exists.
Planning out a release or PI isn't just about fitting the high level capacity, it's all about the teams, too.
The post Release Planning Steps Forward appeared first on VersionOne Blog.
Find out how easy it is to use VersionOne WSJF Ranking.


Nikki's Fashion 411: Instagram Roundup with Memorial Day Sales!
In honor of all the Memorial Day sales, I decided to do an Instagram roundup with all of the items I have posted recently that are on sale. Most of these are 40% off! I am only going to post the link to the item that is on sale. Other outfit details can be found in the original post which I will link as well for your convenience!
This one shouldered ruffled top is 40% off for the Nordstrom Half Yearly sale right now and only 26.98! Can be worn with high waisted jeans as well!
This pretty lace blouse is on mega sale right now! From 80$ it is now 55.99! Gorgeous for work or going out to dinner!
These white American Eagle shorts are marked down from 49.95 to 37.46. Not a huge savings but hey, saving any money is great! These are perfect for summer!
This look actually has two sale items. The top is on sale 40% off and is only 23.40!! I am obsessed with this top and thats a complete steal! These wedges are on sale from 49.99 to 39.98. They go with everything and are perfect for a variety of Summer outfits!
Last but certainly not least, my favorite white jeans are on sale! I love a good pair of high waisted pants, especially white ones for Spring and Summer. These are marked down from 78$ to 38$! They are basically half off!
I hope you enjoyed this post and get to take advantage of these awesome savings! Where will you be shopping this weekend? Are you going to pick up any of these items?


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Thanks to Helen of Chalets USA for this update on Colorado resorts - winter will be here before we know it!
"It's snowing in Colorado USA – September 2012!
There aren't many months of the year that it doesn't snow in Colorado - locals will tell you they've seen white flakes every month of the year and in a typical year it's really only July & August that miss out.
This year is no different and bodes well for the upcoming ski season. Several Colorado resorts including high altitude resort Breckenridge & Winter Park saw dustings of snow on the peaks early September. This was followed by another storm 19 Sept and yet more 25 Sept which covered the bowl areas & many ski runs in the Winter Park / Mary Jane area.
While the Aspens in the valley are still turning their gorgeous yellow colour and tourists are visiting the turning trees, the slopes are starting to get a good covering ready for ski season. As usual Arapahoe Basin & Loveland ski areas are competing to be the first to start their lifts running in October. This will be followed by several of the major resorts mid November. Breckenridge plans to open on November 2, "Colorado's favourite" Winter Park on November 14 and Vail on November 16. The following week Beaver Creek "not exactly roughing it" is scheduled to open as well as Steamboat, official home of "Champagne powder". Thanksgiving day will see skiers whizzing down the slopes of Aspen & Snowmass.
By the time the crowds arrive for Christmas and New Year the resorts will have been up and running for over a month, ready and raring to please skiers and boarders alike."
Thanks Helen for the good news - take a look at Colorado ski holiday options!
Anyone out there with European updates please get in touch as we'd love to hear from you!
Pre-season fitness tips and exercises for better skiing by ski guru and elite instructor Mark Gear.
There is no better physical training for skiing than skiing itself. The majority of people who ski partake in the sport for 2-3 weeks per year. So its probably safe to say that more enjoyment can be had by most skiers, if they physically prepare for those precious days on the mountain.
This is not intended to be a set programme, but aims to provide insight for how to train more specifically for skiing. To take your dry land ski training more seriously, head down to your local gym and ask for help from the professional staff to design a personal programme. This really can do wonders for your skiing. It's best to be in good physical shape before starting a strength training programme. Check with your doctor before starting a physical fitness programme.
Any exercise you can do before your ski trip will certainly help. However, an 8 - 10 week ski specific programme of 3-4 training sessions per week can help dramatically. Starting with strength training and ending with plyometric training. This will help prevent your legs from burning half way down the slopes and reduces the risk of injury. More about Plyometric training later.
Cross training through different sports is a great way to improve general fitness for skiing and will help most recreational skiers. Any sport that involves moving the legs and getting the heart and lungs working is a good place to start. Running, jogging, cycling, swimming and tennis are great sports to prepare yourself for the coming season.
Flexibility is an important part of training for any sport and can help reduce the risk of injury. It is important to take the time to stretch straight after each training session, whilst the muscles are still warm.
This kind of training includes initially strength training with weights and secondly plyometric training. Once strength has been increased, plyometric training can later be used to improve speed, agility and power. Ski specific training, as the name implies, aims to target the muscle groups used in skiing and to use them in a similar way to skiing.
The following exercises not only increase strength, but also balance skills which are important for skiing. The exercises should be performed in repetitions and sets. Again it's best to ask a fitness trainer for help at your local gym to design a personalised programme.
Free weight squats (no machine), for improving whole body strength and balance. This exercise really targets the legs and core which are important muscle groups to strengthen for higher performance skiing. It is important to perform squats with the correct technique. Care should be taken as poorly performed squats can cause injury.
Warm up first with low weight or no weight.
Use someone to spot you.
Keep your head up and look forwards with eyes open.
Keep your chest pushed out in front.
Keep your feet in a comfortable symmetrical stance.
Keep your feet flat on the floor through each squat.
The lunge also targets the major muscle groups used in skiing. Precaution should be used to ensure correct technique. The emphasis should be on quality, balanced and smooth lunges without too much weight.
Warm up first without much weight.
Use someone to spot you when lifting more weight.
Stand with one foot forward, the other back.
Both feet should be facing straight forward.
Be sure your front knee is over your front ankle.
Lower your back knee almost to the floor, and rise up again.
Concentrate on squeezing to push yourself up, keep the abdominals tight and the lower back in a neutral position.
Maintain the body in an upright position with a straight back to avoid leaning forward.
One leg squats can be more difficult to perform as balancing is more challenging. It's best again to start with low weight. When comfortable with the technique, weight can be held in each hand or on a bar held behind the neck. Try placing a cushion under the front foot to really target your balancing skills. This helps to strengthen the little muscles used for balance in the legs and core.
Plyometric training involves high-intensity, explosive muscular contractions that encourage the stretch reflex (stretching the muscle before contraction so that it contracts with greater force). Sounds complex although most plyometric exercises are simple. The most common plyometric exercises include hops, jumping and bounding movements. This type of training is typically done after a strength training programme. Plyometric exercises can enhance agility, speed and power which are important components of higher performance skiing.
Lateral jumping simulates many movements that are used in skiing. Bending and stretching of the legs with agile lateral movement, including flexing of the ankles, knees and hips. Aim to keep good control and balance, landing and taking off with both feet.
Control leg symmetry in lateral jumps. Aim to keep your knees and feet the same distance apart. This is an ideal stance for skiing. Developing this kind of control can really help build stability and symmetry into your skiing stance.
By Mark Gear Head ski coach at All Mountain Performance Chamonix.


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text:
Pet Talk > Other > General > 4-year-old drives mom's car to video store
View Full Version : 4-year-old drives mom's car to video store
ramanth
Only in Michigan?! :eek:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/02/07/young.driver.ap/index.html
SAND LAKE, Michigan (AP) -- A boy drove his mother's car to a video store in the middle of the night, police said -- and he's all of 4 years old.
Although unable to reach the accelerator, the boy managed to put the car in gear and make his way to the store, a quarter-mile from his home, about 1:30 a.m. Friday, Sand Lake Police Chief Doug Heugel said. Finding the store closed, the youngster began a slow trip home.
Weaving and with its headlights off, the car got the attention of Officer Jay Osga, who first thought he was following a car that had been left running at a gas pump.
He flipped on his lights when the car turned into the apartment complex and struck two parked cars. The boy put the car in reverse and struck Osga's cruiser.
The mother told police her son tried to drive the car earlier after she let him steer from her lap.
"He's 4 years old. His mom didn't even know he was up," Heugel told The Grand Rapids Press. "I don't think he even realizes what he did."
No charges will be filed against the boy or his mother, Heugel said.
RobiLee
Wow, don't even know what to say...lol
stacwase
I saw that the other day, too - on Netscape. Can you believe that kid not only remembered how to drive the car, but remembered how to get to the video store and back home again?!
That must be one smart kid!
I wonder what video he was going after???
cubby31682
He went to go get a racing game from th video store. I saw that 2 nights ago on the news. I couldn't help but laugh that a 4 year old could drive.


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Deep River, Connecticut facts for kids
Deep River, Connecticut
Location within Middlesex County, Connecticut
Connecticut River Estuary
14.2 sq mi (36.8 km2)
0.6 sq mi (1.6 km2)
131 ft (40 m)
Population (2010)
326.0/sq mi (125.79/km2)
Eastern (UTC-5)
Area code(s)
www.deepriverct.us
Deep River is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 4,629 at the 2010 census. The town center is also designated by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place (CDP). Deep River is part of what the locals call the "Tri-town Area" made up of Deep River, Chester, and Essex, Connecticut.
Every year on the third Saturday in July, Deep River hosts the Deep River Ancient Muster, the largest one day gathering of fife and drum corps in the world.
Principal communities
Towns created from Saybrook Colony
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 14.2 square miles (37 km2), of which 13.6 square miles (35 km2) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2) (4.30%) is water. The CDP has a total area of 2.7 square miles (7.0 km2), of which 4.38% is water.
Deep River center
See also: Saybrook Colony
Saybrook Colony formally joined Connecticut in 1644. The portion of the original colony east of the Connecticut River was set off as a separate town in 1665. The site of the present village of Deep River was said to have been owned by John, Nathaniel, and Philip Kirtland in 1723. The village of Winthrop was said to have been settled by Baptists as early as 1729. In the early to mid-19th century, various portions of Saybrook broke off as separate towns, starting from Chester in 1836 to Old Saybrook in 1854. In 1947, the town of Saybrook changed its name to "Deep River", matching the name of the town center village.
From 1961 until 1996, Deep River Convalescent Home was in operation on West Elm Street in Deep River.
First Selectman Richard "Smitty" Smith, who had been in office since 1989, died of a heart attack on March 25, 2016. He was serving his 13th term (Over 26 years) as the Town's First Selectman when he died. He was subsequently replaced as First Selectman by Angus McDonald Jr, who had previously served at Second Selectman.
Keyboard Lake, from an early postcard
Saybrook Colony, along the mouth of the Connecticut River, was one of the early settlements in the area. Several towns broke off and incorporated separately over the course of time. The towns which were created from parts of Saybrook Colony are listed below.
Lyme (originally East Saybrook) in 1665
East Lyme created from Lyme in 1839 (also partly from Waterford)
Old Lyme (originally South Lyme) created from Lyme in 1855
Chester in 1836
Westbrook in 1840
Essex (originally Old Saybrook) in 1852
Old Saybrook created from Essex in 1854
From 1840 to around 1940, the U.S. was the world's biggest buyer of ivory and most of that ivory went to Deep River. Phineas Pratt developed an ivory lathe and eventually Deep River became known as "the queen of the valley" due to wealth from the ivory industry. The rival Comstock, Cheney & Company was established in nearby Ivoryton in the 1860s.
These sites in town are on the National Register of Historic Places:
Deep River Freight Station – 152 River St.; since December 21, 1994
Deep River Town Hall – Connecticut Route 80 and Connecticut Route 154; since January 1, 1976
Doris (Sailing yacht) – Connecticut River off River Rd.; located there when NRHP-listed, May 31, 1984
Pratt, Read and Company Factory Complex – Main St. between Bridge and Spring Sts. and 5 Bridge St.; since August 30, 1984
Historical population
1820 4,165 —
1850 2,904 −15.0%
1870 1,267 4.5%
1900 1,634 10.1%
1940 2,332 −2.1%
Est. 2014 4,571 −1.3%
U.S. Decennial Census
See also: List of Connecticut locations by per capita income
Historical population of
Deep River [1]
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,610 people, 1,824 households, and 1,262 families residing in the town. The population density was 340.1 people per square mile (131.4/km²). There were 1,910 housing units at an average density of 140.9 per square mile (54.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.56% White, 2.41% African American, 0.04% Native American, 0.80% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.04% from other races, and 1.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.95% of the population.
There were 1,824 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the town, the population was spread out with 24.3% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $51,677, and the median income for a family was $62,260. Males had a median income of $46,268 versus $32,454 for females. The per capita income for the town was $32,604. About 3.9% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.7% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,470 people, 1,023 households, and 652 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 943.2 inhabitants per square mile (364.0/km²). There were 1,077 housing units at an average density of 411.3 per square mile (158.7/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 92.19% White, 3.72% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.94% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.81% of the population.
There were 1,023 households out of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 23.1% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 101.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.9 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $44,680, and the median income for a family was $51,685. Males had a median income of $42,958 versus $30,880 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $27,261. About 3.9% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.
Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 25, 2005
Active Voters
Inactive Voters
Democratic 909 33 942 29.17%
Republican 651 31 682 21.12%
Unaffiliated 1,527 71 1,598 49.49%
Minor Parties 7 0 7 0.22%
The Estuary Transit District provides public transportation throughout Deep River and the surrounding towns through its 9 Town Transit Service. Services include connections to the Old Saybrook Train Station, served by Amtrak and Shoreline East railroads.
Deep River, Connecticut Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.


Tired all the time: can new research on fatigue help clinicians?
I thought some people might be interested to see what Simon Wessely was advising GPs. The article has just become publicly available I think.
Couldn't get those links to work, says they have timed out.
That in itself explains why his methods don't help us.
What I find fascinating about this article is that it is all about addressing the "anxiety" of the treating physician.
Over 10% of patients attending primary care clinics describe at least one month of substantial fatigue.1 Despite its prevalence, many clinicians feel uncertain or dissatisfied with the level of care they are able to provide patients with persistent fatigue.2 These anxieties are not without basis; up to two-thirds of patients with chronic fatigue report being dissatisfied with the quality of care they receive.3 GPs will tend to stereotype patients with chronic fatigue as having certain undesirable traits and will feel a sense of hopelessness regarding treatment options.4 However, there is now an emerging body of research evidence which should provide GPs with a greater sense of certainty regarding their management decisions. Incorporating this evidence base into clinical practice should allow clinicians to feel less helpless, and will hopefully result in improved outcomes for patients suffering from the debilitating effects of fatigue.
It's all about MD, MD, MD.
Yeah, capture the physicians by making THEM less anxious and you might be able to get away with blaming patients for everything: their own illness, the physician's response to them and lack of a good outcome for anyone.
"What I find fascinating about this article is that it is all about addressing the "anxiety" of the treating physician.
'Over 10% of patients attending primary care clinics describe at least one month of substantial fatigue.1 Despite its prevalence, many clinicians feel uncertain or dissatisfied with the level of care they are able to provide patients with persistent fatigue.2 These anxieties are not without basis; up to two-thirds of patients with chronic fatigue report being dissatisfied with the quality of care they receive.3 GPs will tend to stereotype patients with chronic fatigue as having certain undesirable traits and will feel a sense of hopelessness regarding treatment options.4 However, there is now an emerging body of research evidence which should provide GPs with a greater sense of certainty regarding their management decisions. Incorporating this evidence base into clinical practice should allow clinicians to feel less helpless, and will hopefully result in improved outcomes for patients suffering from the debilitating effects of fatigue.
"It's all about MD, MD, MD. "
Hugs to you, Koan, and welcome back!
Others could also post comments on the Harvey & Wessely paper at http://www.rcgp.org.uk/publications/bjgp/discussion_forum.aspx although given the paper is a little old, it might reduce the chances they'll put it up a little although one year probably isn't that old and the issue is relevant all the time.
Best to use at least one reference (the original paper is one) to make it look more formal. Putting websites as references is another trick.
Yes, but Tom, the doctors mustn't be anxious that someone could go undiagnosed for 5 years and end up with osteoporosis and a bowel resection that might have been avoided, now should they.
Is this the same woman who also claimed that the EFT was keeping her "ME" under control though?
The study appears to clearly show that not doing testing the first time is not a good idea.
No fair - they want to charge me $30 for this now.
I'm having trouble searching for it on the forum too as all the words are too short/common.
If anyone d/l a copy when it was free, could they put it up in the library?
I'm interested to know what reference 4 is too.
The success of interventions like CBT suggests that behavioural patterns, such as a 'boom and bust' cycle of activity, may be particularly important in maintaining fatigue symptoms.
while quoting a couple of CBT references from the '90s.
Yet the most comprehensive study of CBT to date, a Cochrane Review that includes unpublished trials (to help overcome publication bias), concludes that CBT is only modestly helpful (40% improvement at the end of treatment vs 26% for controls; probably even less effective at follow-up 1 year later). Some of the studies within the Cochrane Review are themselves dodgy, but even taking the review results at face value shows that CBT isn't very helpful. So, by Wessely and Harvey's logic, if CBT doesn't help much, behavioural patterns are probably not very important in maintaining fatigue patterns. Yes, the opposite of what the authors claim. Maybe someone should let the GPs know?
Could mean Electronic Funds Transfer.
Gee, I can't imagine why they would do that, Prof Wessely.
Maybe it's because we all lack personal insight?


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Small Entrepreneurial Sector in Pakistan
A new class of entrepreneurs has emerged in Pakistan during this decade who, in small but significant ways, have challenged the religious orthodoxy. They present a sharp contrast to the rising wave of Islamic radicalism that the U.S. and others view as an existential threat to Pakistan. And with many well-traveled Pakistanis importing ideas from abroad, they are contributing to Pakistan's 21st-century search for itself.
The new entrepreneurial outfits range from fashion apparel and cosmetics to upscale restaurants, personal fitness clubs and places offering men's hair transplants.
The consumer-driven growth started during Musharraf years has fueled the spread of a middle class in Pakistan's biggest cities. For decades after independence in 1947, a handful of extremely wealthy industrial families dominated the economy. In the 1970s, nationalization of important industries gave the government a major economic role. In recent years, a privatization program has sought to shrink the state's hand, while introducing more investment and competition. In an effort to promote small businesses, President Musharraf's government eased credit availability for entrepreneurs in the country.
While most of the entrepreneurs cater to Pakistan's young, urban consumers, there are a few who have found highly unusual niches for export markets. For example, Integrated Dynamics of Karachi designs, builds and exports unmanned aerial vehicles used by the US for border patrol duty on its southern border with Mexico. Recently highlighted by the New York Times, AQTH offers a more shocking example of a small, entrepreneurial Karachi company that caters to the $3 billion a year bondage and fetish industry in the United States and Europe. AQTH's mom-and-pop-style garment business earns more than $1 million a year manufacturing 2,000 fetish and bondage products, including the Mistress Flogger, and exporting them to the United States and Europe.
The company sells its products to online and brick-and-mortar shops, and to individuals via eBay. The company's market research shows that 70 percent of its customers are middle- to upper-class Americans, and a majority of them Democrats. The Netherlands and Germany account for the bulk of their European sales. Company workers who assemble the handmade items — gag balls, lime-green corsets, thonged spanking skirts — have no idea what the items are used for. Even the owners' wives, and their conservative Muslim mother, have not been informed.
Overall, the entrepreneurial class remains a sliver, just over a million people by some estimates., according to the Wall Street Journal. In addition to small export niches, much of the business is confined to pockets of urban wealth that most Pakistanis won't experience in their lifetimes. And yet, the brief business careers of many entrepreneurs show how rapidly dramatic change can unfold in Pakistan.
Pakistan's Foreign Visitors Pleasantly Surprised
Start-ups Drive a Boom in Pakistan
Pakistan Conducting Research in Antartica
Pakistan's Telecom Boom
ITU Internet Data
NEDUET Progress Report 2008
Pakistani Entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley
Musharraf's Economic Legacy
Should Pakistanis be Proud of Their Country?
Consumer Boom Economy Entrepreneurs Pakistan UAV
Here's a WSJ story on a high-priced designer Peshawari chappal knock-off:
Imitation, it is often said, is the sincerest form of flattery, but many in Pakistan failed to take the compliment when British designer Paul Smith released a new sandal bearing close resemblance to the country's Peshawari chappal (slipper), called it Robert, and sold it for $595.
The company received a torrent of abuse on social media for the design on Monday.
While the Pakistani sandal sells in markets across the country for around $6, Paul Smith's version of the shoe is on sale for a 9,816% mark up.
Most of the criticism on Twitter focused on the sandal's price, while others called for Paul Smith to give credit to the shoe's Pakistani origin.
The Peshawari chappal is originally from the northwestern town of Peshawar, but is today manufactured across the country. You can find the shoe from Karachi to Gilgit and on the feet of markets traders, government officials and young bridegrooms.
"It is as much of a part of our national identity as is the chicken tikka in our traditional cuisine," said journalist Madeeha Syed of the shoe in an article for local English-language newspaper, Dawn.
Paul Smith's version of the sandal is not the first time that the quintessentially Pakistani shoe has ventured overseas. A number of Pakistan-based online outlets already sell the sandal to customers around the world. They mostly target the widespread Pakistani diaspora, but the sandal has also proved very popular in France, says Sidra Qasim, co-founder of Hometown, a Pakistan-based online shop that sells Peshawari chappals.
"They like it because it has quality and good design and it is having a good impact," she told The Wall Street Journal.
Hometown was started in 2010 by Ms. Qasim and Waqas Ali with the goal of providing a bigger market to local shoemakers in Pakistan. All the shoes sold by Hometown are made by a small group of craftsman in a small village in Punjab province, and are sold via the company's site in 17 different countries. The biggest markets are India, the U.K. and France, said Ms. Qasim.
Despite the outrage from Pakistan's vocal Twitter population, Ms. Qasim said that she thought it was mostly positive that Paul Smith had decided to use the Pakistani design in his summer collection.
"One thing we are very concerned about is that Hometown is about promoting Pakistani artisans to the global level, so at least they [Paul Smith] should give the right credit," she said, "We are really happy, on the other side, that someone on the global level has recognized this design"
Hometown's version of the Peshawari chappal starts at $90 – still a steep markup from the average market price. Another Peshawar-based online chappal shop, Zalmay, sells the sandals for around £27 ($45.)
http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2014/03/11/how-paul-smith-sandals-peeved-pakistan/
Inside #Pakistan's #sex-toy industry. #dildo #fetish #leather #steel https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21724426-did-i-say-out-loud-i-meant-makers-leather-and-metal-goods-inside-pakistans-sex-toy-industry … via @TheEconomist
INSIDE a small, gloomy factory in a provincial city in Pakistan, two young men huddle over a grinding wheel. They believe they are making surgical instruments. But like many of the small, local firms manufacturing steel and leather goods for export, their employer has a new sideline. The nine-inch steel tubes whose tips the men are diligently smoothing are, in fact, dildos. "It's just another piece of metal for them," says the firm's owner, who picks one up to show how his worldlier customers—all of them abroad—can easily grip the gleaming device.
This surreptitious set-up is inevitable. That a country as conservative as Pakistan exports anal beads, gimp masks and padlockable penis cages, among other kinky wares, would shock locals as much as the Westerners whose hands (and other parts) the finished products end up in. Fearing the response of religious hardliners, many of the companies involved do not advertise their wares on their own websites. Instead, they list the saucy stuff through Alibaba, a Chinese e-commerce giant that acts as a middleman for many businesses in the developing world. Some officials demand bribes to allow the exports to flow. Others are simply unaware of the potential for mischief in, for example, a Wartenberg Pinwheel—a spiked disc that can be run across the skin.
The risk has so far proven worthwhile. A local maker of leather goods, one of 64 sex-toy suppliers based in the city that list on Alibaba, says that only a small proportion of its sales comes from fetish gear. But the company can earn as much as 200% profit on a kinky corset or policeman's uniform, compared with just 25% on mundane jackets and gloves, its original business. To minimise the potential for outrage, production lines are arranged carefully, with only trusted staff putting on the final spikes and studs. To those who complain that the products the firm makes might encourage unmarried or gay people to fornicate—an illegal activity for both groups in Pakistan—the owner's son has a ready riposte. "What if a gay person wears a [normal] jacket that was also produced by us?" he asks. The company does not know, and has no business knowing, how customers use its products, he says.
Less flexible businessmen may be missing an opportunity. Buoyed by the international success of "Fifty Shades of Grey", an erotic film that was not released in Pakistan (although locals have posted plenty of spoofs on YouTube), global sales of sex toys have reached about $15bn a year. And recent developments favour Pakistan. Local firms cannot compete in rubber toys, as the latex they would have to import from China is subject to a hefty tariff. But Western customers increasingly opt for alternative materials, including metal, in the wake of reports that many Chinese toys contain a carcinogenic chemical. Back in his office, the owner of the metal-working factory invites your correspondent to feel how smoothly his labourers have polished a dildo. "You can use Pakistani steel for a long time," he says, approvingly. "It rusts much later than Indian or Chinese."
Resurgent India Receives Massive Foreign Aid
China's Checkbook Power
The World According to Google, Hizbullah and Taliban
America's Defense Budget Focus on Counterinsurgency
Pakistan's Choice: Globalization or Talibanization
Vatican Endorses Islamic Finance For Western Banks
Social Entrepreneurs Aim for India and Pakistan
Pakistan's Hydroelectric Power Development
China Aims for Top Spot in Electric Cars


text:
CHARLES TOWN PICKS AND HORSES TO WATCH: MAR. 5
Race 1 5-2-6 The deserving favorite in here (and most likely winner) is the Jeff Runco-trained #2 Social Chic (6-5), who's won three straight against state-breds — the last two with ease — and here tries open company for the first time. Leading rider Bocachica remains aboard, and there's every reason to think this guy will be a factor here. Still, he is stepping up in class a bit, so let's see if we can beat him with #5 Like Segal (7-2). The Javier Contreras trainee broke his maiden at first asking and looked like a good thing while doing it, winning by six over next-out graduate Macy's Boy. He's failed as the fave in two subsequent tries, but he still has plenty of upside. He ripped off a sharp three-furlong move the other day to tune up, and it wouldn't be a shock to see him return to the front-running tactics he used on debut here in a race that looks a bit light on speed… #6 Saint Vrain (3-1) came within a whisker of winning at this level last out, finishing in front of Like Segal in the process. He's been moving in the right direction…
Race 2 7-2-4-3 Like the first, this maiden event looks to have a strong favorite in #2 Rye Humor (4-5). The newcomer to the local scene has competed effectively in high-priced maiden claimers at Churchill. He's been training forwardly since his last start, in mid-December, and getting back on regular dirt after a not-very-good try on the synthetic at Turfway should aid the cause. On the other hand, he's a five-year-old maiden, and the short odds are a bit tough… We'll try to beat him with another trying the local scene for the first time, #7 Happy Bee (7-2). She's a filly taking on the boys, so you'll want to demand fair value, and for good measure, she hasn't raced in a year. But her prior tries, in special weight company at Gulfstream, aren't bad at all, and her figs seem generally to stack up… #4 American Piper (5-1) has run occasional good races while facing better competition, though trainer Rick Buckley is 0-for-53 since returning to action in 2020… #3 Native Courage (8-1) has finished in the triple seven times against similar, which is not a great argument for him on top but does suggest he'll likely hit the board…
PreviousThe week in social media: March 5
NextBackTracks: Little Linus McAtee's big career
rick baldwin on March 5, 2021 at 9:25 pm
1st:I'm glad I wasn't here for the early double
it looked like trouble beating the chalk,but Frank
had the Tri,Oh My,so did everyone else.
2nd.Me being a male chauvinist handicapper,I just
couldn't put Happy Bee in but with Frank's endorsement
of Rick B,I did have the Exacta,which is my main play.
rick be on March 5, 2021 at 9:43 pm
8th. When ya got a hunch,bet a bunch.
"Flashy Ready Rick"does stick out,and Bass
has some class,so with his other runner
and "Fappiano Rocket"let's empty
our pocket and fill our till.
rick be on March 5, 2021 at 11:06 pm
At $19.60 who needs an exacta?
I'm sometimes known as "Mr Lucky".


Nearly two years ago, there was a mighty glitch that tickled me no end.
In the fall of 2012, I flew Poison Arrow from Heimatar out to an incursion in Gallente space. I believe I was just parking her for a fleet op the next day, and fortuitously made a screenshot coming out of warp in the staging system. This was the moment I realized that G-space is probably the prettiest of all, offering nice contrasts particularly to rusty ol' Minmatar hulls.
These images are from last month, when a pathing error spawned my camera off-center in a Caldari hangar. This is not that unusual a glitch, and I was able to clear it by shifting first into CQ, then back into the hangar. An alliance-mate had seen this happen in the Mac client, however, so I decided to ride it all the way down. My point of view sank slowly, and I was able to look around as it fell, and to look up for the final screenshot.
Two years ago in the Inferno expansion, v3 ship modeling came around for the Hurricane, my battlecruiser of choice, including the prominent placement of the Minmatar logo. I recall taking mine to a Caldari station for the express purpose of this and other screenshots, since the ship would get lost against the rusty backdrop of the Minnie stations I lived in.
Flash-forward to now, and we can preview those new Mordu's ships on Singularity. I have an alt prepped to fly all three, including the lovely Garmur–loveliest of the bunch–seen here in warp. Specializations well under way in light and heavy missiles, plus cruise and torpedoes already maxed.
Two years ago, when my fitting skills were (more) primitive, I longed to fly bigger ships with more slots, the better to make up for a fit's failings. That meant battleships, but I was comfortable for several months flying the Hurricane on shooty ops. I took my time, and didn't leap into a 'Phewn at the first opportunity. No, when I debuted in a battleship, it was in the baddest boat within my reach.
The Fleet Tempest became my go-to ship when kersplosions were the order of the day. I loved this thing, christened Poison Arrow after the ABC song. Its profile even looks a bit like a bow being drawn, if the longbows in your world have attached screen doors.


text:
Marquette General Hospital & Clinical…
Marquette, Michigan, USA
Hospital: 536,000 ft² | 49,796 m² | 243 Beds
Clinic: 97,000 ft² | 9,011 m²
The new $340 million UP Health System – Marquette campus on West Baraga Avenue was constructed to replace the aging West College Avenue facility. This new campus consists of a 536,000 ft² hospital and a 97,000 ft² Clinical Services Building, offering the community easy access to enhanced healthcare services in one convenient location.
HCR was selected to provide on-site warehousing management and installation services for new FF&E purchases, as well as comprehensive move planning and physical relocation services for designated reuse furnishings, equipment, materials, inventory, supplies and staff contents moving from three existing facilities approximately 1.5 miles away into the two new buildings at the Marquette Campus.
Utilizing the eighth-floor shell space in the new hospital, HCR assisted in the receiving, inventory tracking, unpacking and assembly of new hospital-purchased furniture and equipment. Once the building was ready, HCR performed the installation, distribution and placement of hundreds of new items required to outfit both the new Hospital and the Clinical Services Building.
Following the completion of the installations, there were delays in occupancy approvals that caused the move schedule to change less than one week prior to the original date the move was set to begin. HCR adapted to overcome these last-minute changes, modifying the move plan and compressing the move schedule to accommodate the desired revised move date.
Once the approval for occupancy was granted, HCR performed the physical relocation of all assets relocating from the three existing facilities: The Main Hospital, The Upper Peninsula Medical Center and The Northern Michigan University. These relocations were completed over two consecutive weeks. HCR also worked in cooperation with HTS Inc. to assist with the patient relocation, which saw a total of 75 patients safely moved to the new campus on patient-move day.
UPHS Nurses Prepare for the Move to the New Hospital
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Scheduled for New UPHS-Marquette Hospital
Move-In Date Announced for the New UPHS-Marquette Hospital
PreviousPrevious project:Etobicoke General Hospital Patient Care TowerNextNext project:Stanton Territorial Hospital
Franciscan Health Michigan City Hospital


Congrats Pete! Those are very nice models. I had a few of the 48" version over the years and they fly great. I have also tried a 58" like yours, even same colour and it is even better. Be gentle on the landings. Gear came out of my friends 58" pretty easy I think.
When do all your Jeti Servos arrive?
Excited to see these things in action!!
Was reading the other day they had more hype!
Yes we do....I'd put up with the winds for a couple weeks as most everyone!


I recently received a penalty notice from the Australian Tax Office for not lodging my tax return. Is there anything I can do about this?
I am thinking of moving back to Australia some time soon. When is the best time to return from a tax perspective?
Private property investors have the opportunity to reap attractive long-term rewards if they purchase the right type of property now, an expert has suggested.
I'm heading back to live in Australia soon and am afraid my savings will be taxed when I return. Should I sell my investment portfolio before I go back?
I am living out of Australia and have just started renting a property I own in Australia so understand I'll be liable for Australian tax. Will the ATO calculate tax owed on a base income of my Australian rent earnings or on my overseas earnings?
We recently bought a house in Australia that we plan to move into on our return home. If we sell it in the future, will we need to pay Capital Gains Tax for the years we lived outside Australia?
The end of financial year is almost upon is, so here are some handy tips on your tax situation.


Security Health Monitoring (SHM) is a service provided and managed by Advantech that remotely monitors video cameras, Network Video Recorders (NVR), access control panels, and any IP based security system and equipment 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Advantech will not only notify you of issues that have occurred and present solutions to resolve them, but will also provide preventative recommendations for issues that have not yet occurred.
SHM uses a combination of hardware parameters, open IT protocols, and third party sensors to generate alerts.
If the safety and security of your employees and/or customers is important, it is essential to monitor the systems designed to provide it.
Advantech Incorporated is a full service security firm, located in Dover, Delaware, offering innovative products and expert installations throughout our geographic region. We specialize in large facility security, fire and life safety systems, access control, homeland security, video surveillance, intrusion protection and home security.


text:
Q: ValueError: Tensor Tensor("mrcnn_detection/Reshape_1:0", shape=(1, 100, 6), dtype=float32) is not an element of this graph I was trying to detect shapes using rcnn with flask.
But got this error:
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "C:\Users\KushalM\AppData\Local\Continuum\anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\framework\ops.py", line 3505, in as_graph_element
    return self._as_graph_element_ocked(obj, allow_tensor, allow_operation)
    raise ValueError("Tensor %s is not an element of this graph." % obj)
ValueError: Tensor Tensor("mrcnn_detection/Reshape_1:0", shape=(1, 100, 6), dtype=float32) is not an element of this graph.
This is my code:
app.py

    from flask import request, redirect
    import os
    from flask import Flask
    from flask import render_template

    import os
    #import detect
    from detect import getImage
    app = Flask(__name__)
    import os
    import sys
    import numpy as np

    HOME_DIR = os.getcwd()
    LIB_DIR = os.path.join(HOME_DIR, "libraries")
    #os.chdir(LIB_DIR)
    sys.path.insert(0, LIB_DIR)
    #print(os.getcwd())
    print(os.listdir('./libraries/'))

    from mrcnn.config import Config
    import mrcnn.utils as utils
    import mrcnn.model as modellib
    import mrcnn.visualize as visualize
    from mrcnn.model import log
    import skimage
    import tensorflow as tf
    from tensorflow.python.keras import backend as k

    image_size = 64
    rpn_anchor_template = (1, 2, 4, 8, 16) # anchor sizes in pixels
    rpn_anchor_scales = tuple(i * (image_size // 16) for i in rpn_anchor_template)

    class ShapesConfig(Config):
        """Configuration for training on the shapes dataset.
        """
        NAME = "shapes"

        # Train on 1 GPU and 2 images per GPU. Put multiple images on each
        # GPU if the images are small. Batch size is 2 (GPUs * images/GPU).
        GPU_COUNT = 1
        IMAGES_PER_GPU = 1

        # Number of classes (including background)
        NUM_CLASSES = 1 + 4  # background + 3 shapes (triangles, circles, and squares)

        # Use smaller images for faster training.
        IMAGE_MAX_DIM = image_size
        IMAGE_MIN_DIM = image_size

        # Use smaller anchors because our image and objects are small
        RPN_ANCHOR_SCALES = rpn_anchor_scales

        # Aim to allow ROI sampling to pick 33% positive ROIs.
        TRAIN_ROIS_PER_IMAGE = 32

        STEPS_PER_EPOCH = 50

        VALIDATION_STEPS = STEPS_PER_EPOCH / 20

    config = ShapesConfig()
    config.display()

    class InferenceConfig(ShapesConfig):
        GPU_COUNT = 1
        IMAGES_PER_GPU = 1

    inference_config = InferenceConfig()
    MODEL_DIR = "./weights/mask_rcnn_coco.h5"
    # Recreate the model in inference mode
    model = modellib.MaskRCNN(mode="inference",
                              config=inference_config,
                              model_dir=MODEL_DIR)

    # Get path to saved weights
    # Either set a specific path or find last trained weights
    # model_path = os.path.join(ROOT_DIR, ".h5 file name here")
    #model_path = model.find_last()

    ROOT = os.getcwd()

    model_path = ROOT + "/weights/mask_rcnn_coco.h5"
    # Load trained weights
    print("Loading weights from ", model_path)
    model.load_weights(model_path, by_name=True)
    #graph = tf.get_default_graph()

    class_names = ['BG', 'Std Paneer', 'Non Std Paneer', 'Std Chicken', 'Non Std Chicken']
    #graph = tf.get_default_graph()

    app.config["IMAGE_UPLOADS"] = './static'

    @app.route("/upload-image", methods=["GET", "POST"])

    def upload_image():

        if request.method == "POST":

            if request.files:

                image = request.files["image"]
                #print(image.shape)
                image= getImage(image)

                file = image.filename
                image.save(os.path.join(app.config["IMAGE_UPLOADS"], image.filename))

                print("Image saved")
                return render_template("view.html", image_name = file)
        return render_template("upload.html")

    if __name__ == '__main__':
        app.run(debug = True, use_reloader = False)

detect.py
    def getImage(image):
        image = skimage.io.imread(image)
        print(image.shape)
              #image = image.resize((64,64))
              # Run detection
        results = model.detect([image], verbose=1)

              # Visualize results
        r = results[0]
        print(len(r['class_ids']))
        visualize.display_instances(image, r['rois'], r['masks'], r['class_ids'], class_names,
                                          r['scores'])

A: Change to:
model.load_weights(model_path, by_name=True)
model.keras_model._make_predict_function()


barefeetblog | Kids, Faith, School, Life, Unplugged.
Kids, Faith, School, Life, Unplugged.
I really could've underlined the entire page.
I was visited by the laundry fairy. This kid gets dressed up for everything.
Too. Much. Stuff. Piles upon piles… This Christmas village retired this year. We'll miss it.
We did two trees this year. The "color" tree in the living room… and the "decoration" tree in the playroom. This house is famous here! Everyone loves to walk(or run) through the display.
I don't like that this season seems to be a season of rushing, packed calendars, sickness, money, and stress for alot of people. I get easily sucked into if I'm not paying attention.
#kindnessrocks We found a kindness rocks and are working on some to "hide". You know you eat mismatched leftovers too… Lego create station. Checking out the big tree. Time in the Word.
School is frequently packed into a backpack and done away from the kitchen table. Homeschool perks!
Y'all. I just have to share this. We are outside people and in Arkansas it gets nasty hot. Like you really can't breathe because of the humidity. Ugh. So bad. Anyway, so every afternoon, we've been playing with a little water table or sprinkler but they really weren't cutting it. Lat summer those were fine but kids are bigger(and wilder) so this year we really just needed some kind of pool.
Enter this beauty. It's big enough for me to get in and play. We put a pop up awning over it so that it stays out of the sun(again, Arkansas summers). It has a drain on the bottom near one of the corners so we drain it every couple of days. Today I'll need to pull the drain and let it drain all night then tomorrow morning I'll go out and clean it with a bleach/water solution and kind of scrub it out. Then I'll rinse it, put the drain plug back and fill it up. Ready for another couple days.
They love to "swim" after dinner and really, it takes little energy from me but wears them out 😉 What do you all do? Kiddie pools? Sprinklers? Pool membership? Let me know in the comments!
Working on his K-!st summer book.
We just finished our first year of homeschooling. Big kid completed kindergarten and now we are marching on to 1st grade and kidlet starting "preschool". Our first year was loose and kind of a free for all. I wanted a way to gauge where he was and find out what I need to focus more on this summer before 1st grade. I found this really cool workbook at Barnes & Noble and he just loves it! It has a map and stickers(stickers always make things more fun) and it charts your progress as you work through.
We are also looking at leaving the co op we have been apart of for the last year and a half and going out on our own to start a new group. Also lesson planning and gathering has started this week. I had a fruitful trip to the Dollar Tree and snagged a few workbooks for both kids. I think they may work well for the new "school" too.
The top 2 books are for Big Kid. He can add and subtract like nobody's business but since he really likes workbooks I grabbed them for practice. The bottom books are for Kidlet to start practicing school with. They are over her head but she likes to do school along with us. Here's a picture of Kidlet doing some of her work. Loves file folder games!
Alright y'all, what is everybody doing for school this year? Leave a comment and let me know your plans.
Alot has gone on since the last blog post. Holidays, birthdays, first day of kindergarten, new sunday school classes…so much. I'll attemp a recap photo style.
Lots of time spent throwing rocks at the lake. And sand. Frequent zoo trips. We even had a few doctor office visits(booo!). The hardest part was transitioning back to "school". We do a homeschool coop one morning a week and it has proven a bit hard for Big kid to get the hang off. Senses on overload, everything "smells yucky", everyone jumps(no one is jumping, he just doesn't like alot of movement around him), and having to sit can get painful for a sensory kiddo. Kindergarten is definitely going to be a learning experience for all involved. Stay tuned for a run through of our school mornings shortly.