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Ken Henry sees strong desire for tax reform
THE tax forum has revealed there is a strong desire for changes to Australia's tax system, the architect of the Henry Tax Review and frontbench ministers say.
AAPOctober 5, 201111:30am
THE federal government's tax forum has revealed there is a strong desire for changes to Australia's tax system, the architect of the Henry Tax Review and frontbench ministers say.
The second and final day of the forum, attended by about 200 participants from business, unions, government, academics, welfare groups and tax experts, opened in Canberra today with an address by former Treasury boss Ken Henry.
Dr Henry said the forum was proving to be a "very, very worthwhile exercise'' and he sensed "a strong desire on the part of most participants to take the debate to the next step''.
However, reform should not be pursued in ``one big-bang package'' and more information was needed.
"It is clear that impressionistic, anecdotal, ideological, overly abstract or overly theatrical propositions are not going to deliver what is needed in the next phase of the debate,'' he told the forum.
Earlier, assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten rejected criticism that the forum was just a talkfest, saying he thought the sessions yesterday had been useful and there had been "food for thought''.
"There's more common ground about the need to reform tax than I expected,'' he told ABC Radio.
Dr Henry said the opening day was significant for its serious discussion of the need to reform some of Australia's worst taxes.I am thinking about royalties, insurance taxes, motor vehicle taxes and conveyancing stamp duty,'' he said.
Finance Minister Penny Wong said participants had indicated to her they were not seeking a formal government response to their ideas but did want an "ongoing commitment'' to tax reform.
"People were more interested in making sure that we had this ongoing process, we had a vision where we want to be over 10 years,'' Senator Wong told Sky News.
However, Independent MP Rob Oakeshott, who proposed the forum as part of his deal to support the Labor minority government, repeated his call for the government to respond to the issues raised by Christmas.
"I think it's a matter of courtesy,'' he told reporters.
Treasurer Wayne Swan referred back to Tuesday's session on state taxes, at which state and territory treasurers and the sole attending premier Tasmania's Lara Giddings, backed a suggestion for the harmonisation of state taxes like payroll and land tax by 2014.
Mr Swan said it would be ``a good start'' to tax reform on the part of the states but again ruled out the federal government increasing the rate of GST and expanding its base in return.
However, Liberal backbencher Jamie Briggs said state treasurers should be arguing the case for an extension of the GST to include fresh food.
"I think it has to be discussed, I mean if you're serious about having a tax forum,'' he told ABC Radio in Adelaide.
The only reason for GST exclusions was the political negotiations the Howard government had with the Australian Democrats after Labor refused to support the tax, Mr Briggs said.
"That would make life really difficult for many working families,'' Mr Swan later told reporters in Canberra.
"I think (Opposition Leader Tony) Abbott today ought to indicate whether he supports that move from Jamie Briggs.''
Tasmania Premier Lara Giddings said that while the GST did not necessarily need to be changed its shortcomings should be addressed.
"It's not the growth tax we all thought it would be,'' she said.
Ms Giddings said she understood why the government was shying away from such a debate after copping flack over its planned mining tax and carbon price package.
"They have a heavy load already,'' she said.
"But I think it's disappointing if they're not prepared to have a conversation with us that looks at the whole package of taxation that affects states.''
Meanwhile, Mr Shorten said the government was unlikely to adopt a proposal for the richest 15 per cent of Australians to pay more tax.
Venture capitalist Mark Carnegie is expected to put the proposal to the tax forum later on Wednesday.
Originally published asHenry sees strong desire for tax reform
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Love Vision is an intimate story about my vision loss and how I was given a special gift: a new sense of vision that opened the eyes of my heart. I will take you on a personal journey, one in which I confront tragedy, fears, and demons after my Lasik nightmare. You will see how the power of "Love Vision" allows me to transform pain into a passion for finding restoration for my mind, body, and soul.
I will share with you the secrets, tools, and resources I discovered that enabled me to find hope, healing, and vision. This is a must-read for our generation! We are living in a society that brainwashes us daily about what we must do to achieve personal success, physical beauty, power, and happiness. Our minds, belief systems, and the way in which we view the world have been polluted. We are a generation without a VISION! The message contained within Love Vision will touch your heart and awaken you to the truth that you're chosen for a higher calling and purpose. It will give you a new perspective that will allow you to view yourself, others, and the world from a place of love. It's time to get your Love Vision on!
There are certain days, events, circumstances, and choices that change you and your life forever. February 3, 2005, was one of those days for me. I was striving to enhance my physical appearance and had made the personal decision to undergo LASIK eye surgery to free myself from wearing my glasses and contacts.
I was beyond excited about the new vision that I would gain from this twenty-minute procedure. Yes, I was nervous…very nervous. I remember sitting in the waiting room filled with others, uncertainty written all over their faces. As with any cosmetic or elective procedure, there is always a risk that something could go wrong. Thoughts raced through my head as my anxiety increased.
My name was announced by the young, attractive sales consultant who had been with me since my very first LASIK consultation.
"Extremely," I muttered as my heart began to race faster.
A few minutes later, everything seemed to be going very hazy. I started to feel extremely relaxed and less tense. As I slowly flipped through the pages in the fashion magazine that I was holding, I suddenly heard my name called to report to surgery. I stood up and followed the consultant to the surgery room.
I was briefly introduced to the surgeon who would be performing the procedure. I looked him directly in the eyes and said, "Please do your best job," as the feeling of unconsciousness overtook my body.
"Just relax. I've performed thousands of these procedures over the years. You're in good hands," he said confidently. That somewhat assured me; I had already done my research and had chosen one of the most reputable surgeons in the industry. Even famous athletes and celebrities went to this guy.
As the chair reclined backward, I meditated on the surgeon's words. He began performing the surgery on the right eye. A few minutes into the surgery, I realized something had gone wrong. I began to hear the doctor expressing concern to the medical staff that there had been a serious complication.
"We have had a complication with your right eye. Do you want us to continue the surgery on your left eye?" he asked. In that moment of my sedated unconsciousness, I murmured yes.
The two sedative pills had completely altered my state of consciousness. My mind was like Jell-O….I felt like I was in a dream. After my surgery was completed, I was led to one of the medical examining rooms. All I remember from that moment was complete and utter darkness. Everything that I could see was dark and extremely blurred. Soon I heard the voice of the consultant, who had just led my father back to the recovery room. My father entered the room and sat down beside me.
The surgeon proceeded to explain the complication that had occurred during the beginning of the surgery.
I had high expectations of seeing 20/20 after surgery, so it's an understatement to say that I was devastated to have such a serious complication. The result of this complication was serious physical, mental, and emotional pain. I went to numerous medical specialists, but none could offer me a solution. My complication involved vision loss accompanied by severe nerve pain in my eyes, vision-quality defects such as ghosting (faint secondary images), reduced contrast sensitivity, night-vision disturbances, floaters, and an extremely severe and untreatable dry-eye condition. I felt very alone, depressed, and hopeless as I went from doctor to doctor and heard the same negative reports.
"Love Vision" is the change in your perception—physically, mentally, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually—when you decide to view everything from a place of "Love" and not fear. Choosing to focus your mind and energy on the emotion of "Love" and not "fear" will completely change you and your daily life forever.
The vibrational effects of choosing "Love" will enable you to nurture, love, and care for yourself in a way that will bring healing, peace, hope, and restoration into your life. This innate "Love" that you will begin to exert on a daily basis toward yourself and others will change the course of your life. By choosing "Love" over "fear," you will be granted the power to fulfill your destiny. Fear will no longer be able to hold you captive physically, mentally, emotionally, psychologically, or spiritually. Love will liberate you!!!!! Freedom, hope, peace, and massive miracles are waiting for you!!! It's time to change your perception. Chose "Love" over "fear," and get your "Love Vision" ON!!!!!
I hope that through reading about my personal story and the new perspective that I gained from acquiring "Love Vision," you will be able to relate your own life experiences to the words that you are about to read. This book is dedicated to you and to your story. You're about to be awakened to the truth that you are the author of your own personal story and that at any given moment you can choose to change the direction of your life. Your past story does not define you and dictate your future. You have the power to change your present and future.
Following the severe complications and pain that resulted from my Lasik nightmare, my world began to shatter. I'm sure you've heard the saying, "When it rains, it pours!" Well, I was desperately stuck in a storm, with nowhere to find shelter.
A few months after my surgery, I found out that my father was cheating on my mother. My mother made the decision to file for divorce. Shortly thereafter, my dad ended up seriously dating one of my mother's best friends. My father and I had a horrible falling out when I openly expressed to him my disapproval of his behavior and actions. I was no longer welcome to live in my parents' home, and the tension between my father and me grew.
This was the darkest period of my life. I was in such a deep state of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual pain. I had nowhere to go. For a few weeks I crashed at a friend's house, but she was still living with her parents, so my time there quickly came to an end. My grandmother invited me stay with her because she knew that I desperately needed somewhere to go. My time spent with her was a blessing; she was a woman of great faith. Every day, she encouraged me with positive talks, scriptures, and prayers. She was and is to this day the most grounded woman in faith whom I've ever known in my life. She was determined to instill in me a renewed sense of hope and faith in God so that I would believe he still had a plan for my life. She knew the darkness and pain that I was facing, but she didn't let that deter her from speaking truth and faith into my life.
Her light ignited within me a small amount of hope. This hope became stronger when I began to pray and ask God for his direct wisdom and guidance in my life. It was through this open communication with God that I was able to develop a relationship with him. I told him everything. I was able to freely unload my pain, fears, and sorrow to him by telling him exactly how I felt. I began relying on him for strength. Each new day began to bear more light, and I became more grounded in my faith. Things started to truly change when God started to show me that he still had an incredible plan for my life. Despite all of my current circumstances, God was speaking to my soul and telling me that he was going to use my story to help others. At the time, this was hard for me to comprehend—I was desperately ashamed of the physical and emotional pain I was experiencing. How would I ever be able to open up and share my true story with others? Who was I to inspire and encourage others to have faith and hope in their lives? At the time, I didn't know how to answer these questions, but….God knew the answers, and he was planning to give me an opportunity that would change the course of my destiny.
The opportunity was a job offer in sunny South Florida. I had been praying for a sign from God and felt as though this was it. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I dreaded the icy cold winters. From the age of five, I prayed to God, asking him if I could live in Disney World. No joke. I had always dreamed of moving to Florida! But I never imagined that I would be given the opportunity, especially during a difficult time in my life like this.
My friends and family thought I was crazy, but I said YES and moved to the Sunshine State with only a few suitcases and my 2002 Honda Civic. I knew that I desperately needed to change the course of my life. I felt as though this was a God-given opportunity that the Universe was giving me. It would take me away from my current environment, family, and friends and force me to create the changes that I so desperately needed. This would be a new chapter in my life. Was I scared? Hell yeah!!! But I knew deep in my heart that God was calling me there and that this was part of his plan. I can't even explain it to you…but deep in my heart…I knew that I had to go. So I said YES! It was that simple. I said yes to the Universe. I began packing my suitcases with all of the summer clothes that I owned. Little did I know that it would be in the Sunshine State where the lightness would overtake my life.
This was a huge leap of faith for me, since I knew no one in Florida. I clearly remember saying good-bye to my family and friends on the day that I left Pittsburgh. I was leaving everything that I had ever known behind. It's very strange though, even though I was scared sh*tless, I didn't let fear control me. There was this energy of love, faith, and hope that started to rise up in my soul. It's hard to explain, but I can distinctly recall the feeling that I had sitting in the airplane as it took off. It was a feeling that I never experienced before. Even though I was at one of the most difficult times in my life, I began to feel a supernatural power come over my mind, body, and soul. This undeniable energy began shifting my energy. As the plane ascended into the air, I felt as though my new life was about to begin. It was a plane ride that I will never forget. I had so many questions that were racing through my mind. How long would I live in Florida? Would my job work out? Would I be able to financially support myself to live on my own? How much am I going to miss my family and friends? Will I be able to make new friends and build a life for myself? Will I even like the area that I'm moving to? Am I making a huge mistake? Will I be able to do this all on my own? All of these questions kept racing in my mind. During that flight, I had an epiphany. I realized that there was no way I could predict my future, and that I would have to live in order to answer those questions. The feelings of being scared started to dissipate in the air. I was ready to start a new beginning, regardless of what unfolded. When the plane landed, I was excited to see my new surroundings in Jupiter, Florida. This would soon become my home.
From the moment that I arrived at the Palm Beach International Airport, the Universe began placing the appropriate people, circumstances, situations, jobs, opportunities, and resources into my life. Each one directed me a step closer to fulfilling my destiny. The first few months of settling into my new environment, were jam-packed with activities and responsibilities with my job. One day, my job required me to venture out into the community in order to complete some necessary errands. Since I didn't know the area that well, I was relying on my GPS to guide me to my destination. Unfortunately, I got lost. I had no idea where I was. So, what's a girl to do? I saw a Wendy's Restaurant on the side of the road and I pulled over. I figured that Wendy's was a pretty safe place and that I could ask one of the locals for directions. Once I got inside, I first needed to use the restroom before I asked anyone for directions. When I entered the bathroom, there was a young girl around my age standing at the sink washing her hands. I quickly said hello and then told her that I was lost, being that I just moved to the area and didn't know my way around. She looked at me and smiled and began to laugh. She said, "You're never going to believe this…but I'm locked out of my apartment. I can't find my key and my roommate is still at work, so I figured that I would come here to kill some time." In that awkward moment, we both began to laugh. After leaving the restroom, we continued chatting. Her name was Jenny, she was super-sweet, funny, and smart. She said to me, "Since we are here, would you like to get something to eat?" I laughed and said "That would be great, as I'm really hungry." So we ended up grabbing a bite to eat and ended up talking for over an hour. We both shared where we were from, the colleges we attended, and how we both ended up in Florida. Jenny was new to the area as well, as she moved with her roommate from North Carolina for a new job and to live closer to the beach. We both were in similar uncharted territories. Getting ready to leave, she said "This may sound kind of strange, but do you want to exchange phone numbers? Since you don't really know anyone here, maybe we could hang out sometime and I could introduce you to some of my friends." I smiled and said "I would love that. I really enjoyed talking with you." So, we exchanged phone numbers. The rest is history. Jenny and her friends ended up becoming my best friends and Florida family. I will never forget the memories, laughs, crazy times, and challenges that we all shared. Together, we experienced living our lives' to the fullest in our twenty's. I truly believe to this day that meeting Jenny in the bathroom at Wendy's was a divine appointment.
Shortly after meeting Jenny and her friends, I ended up winning a contest on the radio. I called when I heard the call to action on my favorite radio station in order to win tickets for a VIP event in West Palm Beach. I was so excited when I found out that I won! I'd be able to take my new friends to the one of the biggest events in the city! We had a blast! That night I ended up meeting a few people who worked for the radio station. Little did I know that I would end up working with them. A few weeks after the event, I was in my car driving and listening to the radio station that I had won the contest from. A commercial came on that announced that the company was hiring new Account Executives for their Sales and Marketing team. I was very intrigued. This sounded like something that I would really enjoy doing. I felt as though this could be a great opportunity! They were holding an upcoming career fair in the city, so I decided to go. While I was there, I was able to reconnect with the people who worked for the radio station, that I had met at the VIP event a few weeks earlier. I was able to find out more details of the job position that was available, and I even scheduled an interview. The interview went great and I ended up getting the job! I was working for one of the top broadcasting companies in the country!
My job as an Account Executive was to sell radio space and to help write the commercials for clients. I find it very ironic that I ended up working in this role. You may be wondering why I said this. The reason that I believe it to be so ironic, is because the first time that I heard about LASIK eye surgery was from a radio commercial. Prior to making the decision to get LASIK, I kept hearing a testimonial radio commercial that was hosted by a very famous athlete. I swear I must have heard the commercial at least fifty times. The endorser raved about his experience and the freedom that he gained from the short and painless procedure. The repetitive message and call to action that I heard, impacted me. I felt as though I needed to have this procedure. I ended up responding to this call to action. When reflecting back to my time as an Account Executive, I see it as a blessing. I was given a rare opportunity to learn the media industry inside out. I learned how the media crafts call-to-action messages that tell people what they need to do, buy, have, maintain, and achieve in order to be happy. I also learned a lot about how advertising and marketing directly impacts our society. All of this information that I gained, would later help me to fulfill my purpose.
Over the past thirteen years, I have been blessed with amazing opportunities that allowed me to build an extremely successful career in sales and marketing. I have been able to work for some of the most successful and well-known companies in their respective industries. Through these various work experiences, I have been able to learn more about myself and my interests, passions, gifts, and talents that God had given me.
By attending a women's success seminar in Miami, I discovered life coaching. This seminar changed the course of my life. It was at this event, where hundreds of women gathered to be inspired and encouraged, that my heart finally found its true calling.
This new career path was calling me. It was speaking to my heart. I knew that I had to say yes! Deep inside, I knew that this was what God was calling me to do and that this was part of his master plan for my life. In choosing to become a life-coach, I was then able to answer the questions that I asked myself right before my move to Florida. These were the questions that I now could finally answer: How would I ever be able to open up and share my true story with others? Who was I to inspire and encourage people to have faith and hope in their lives, in others, and in the Universe?
Now, answering those questions is easy, for I know who I am and what I'm called to do in my life. I am called to share my message of "Love Vision" with you so that you can ignite the faith, hope, and passion in your life and be set free from fear. Sometimes you just need to say "YES" even if you're scared to death and know that your decision is risky. RISKS REAP REWARDS! Say "YES" to YOU, YOUR GOALS, and YOUR DREAMS. Saying "YES" will change the course of your life.
Through my own personal experience of enduring "vision loss" and extreme physical pain, I was enlightened to find healing through accessing a new type of vision. It was at my darkest moment of hopelessness, pain, and despair that "Love Vision" fell upon me. Although it was but one glimmer of light, this light contained enough "Love" to cast out the hopelessness and darkness that I could no longer live in. It was at this moment that my life really changed—forever.
It was a miraculous moment in which I believe a power much greater than myself, opened the eyes of my heart. At that moment I realized that "Love" was the only hope that I had left and that my life was worth living. It was this epiphany that awakened me and ignited me with the power to access my "Love Vision." For this new vision opened my mind, body, and soul to a whole new perspective that enabled me to view and live my life with love.
This perspective changed my destiny and gives me the strength every day to live a life that I love. We are all called to live a life we love. But we must have a VISION for our lives, and that VISION must be full of love.
Love Vision was written with the sole purpose of inspiring you to open the eyes of your heart, mind, and soul in order to live the life that you were destined. It is my goal to become your personal one-on-one life coach as you read Love Vision. I will walk beside you as you confront your biggest fears, challenges, struggles, and demons in order to gain freedom and reclaim your power. Step-by-step, I will guide you to gain clarity on your desires, goals, and dreams so that you can create a VISION that will enable you to fulfill your destiny. I will help you to create a strategy and plan that will that will contain the steps you need to take on a daily basis to start living a life you love.
I will share with you the powerful steps, visualization techniques, and exercises that I used to transform my physical pain into a passion to change my life—physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. You will be guided to authentically connect to your mind, body, and soul in order to get your "Love Vison" ON—or should I say, "OM"! This new vision that you're about to access will drastically transform your perception of yourself, your life, others, and your ability to live in a way that you have never even imagined. This is the beginning of healing.
Are you ready to live a life full of passion, inspiration, courage, faith, and strength? Then turn the page; you are about to be awakened to the truth that our generation has been too long awaiting. You're chosen.
Prepare to dig deep within yourself to access your innermost passions, strengths, and internal resources. You must be ready to discover the fears and limiting belief—systems that have been deceiving, cheating, and holding you back for years from fulfilling your true destiny and calling. "Love Vision" will reveal to you that you're "chosen" and will instill a faith in you that you have the power to accomplish anything that you put your heart and soul into.


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Beach Goth 2015
November 21, 2015 January 3, 2016 / Ilana Tel-Oren
Beach Goth. The annual party that is equal parts Beach and Goth host ed
acts ranging from the electro-pop styles of Grimes to the ghastly metal act appropriately named, "Ghost." Top performances for me included Warpaint, the Drums, Mac Demarco, Moving Units, Grimes, and DIIV. Also, with the Adicts and Subhumans in the line-up, the show took me back to my high school punk years. Upon arrival at the venue, the Orange County Observatory in Santa Ana, long lines of concert-goes dressed in their creative and scantily clad costumes, as requested by the event curators. It was a sea of hipsters, punks, and weirdos alike. If you didn't have tattoos, piercings, and dyed hair, you simply wouldn't fit in. I would suggest watching the main stage from the beer garden–you'll be at a side-view, but you'll be closer to the stage and less crammed into the main crowd (where you'd likely get dehydrated or tired of being pushed around by the mosh pit and have to get a security guard to eventually lift you out of the crowd). The indoor secondary stage hosted smaller acts, such as Moving Units, Corners, and the Alla-Lahs, but with equally enthused an audience. Side-shows included the Rocky-Horror Picture show and a Dub club in the smaller Constellation Room and in the outside patio.
We arrived just in time for the Adicts playing "Viva la Revolution" which set the tone for the weekend. After a brief stint with Mr. Twin Sister, we caught The Aquabats who's performance included a stage show with a dancing alien and what looked like one of those monsters from little shop of horrors, and a memorable last song of a cover of the Pixies, "Where is my mind." Warpaint was next, and they promised the, "best 30-minute set" of our lives, a promise they did deliver. They started the set with one of their newer hit singles "No Way Out," and played fan favorites including "Love is to die" and "Disco//very." They always put on a great performance. My friend and I met some Warpaint fans at the show who were just there to see that band, a young married couple. They seemed to be happy with their money's worth–at a $100 show, that might've been a lot to ask for. The Drums took the main stage after Warpaint with another 30-minute set. Donning his yellow tropical print satin jacket and blue bowl cut, Johnny Pierce was the embodiment of "Beach Goth." One good thing about a 30-minute set time is that the bands are most likely going to play their fan favorites. This was also the case for the Drums, as they played "Surfing," "Days" "Money," and "Best Friend," much to the crowd-surf loving audience's approval. I wasn't much of a fan of the next band, Ghost, who donned black skeleton pope and devil-ish costumes for their heavy metal set. But, next was Mac Demarco, who charmed the audience from his sound check to his classic final song "Together." And just when the sounds of Mac got everyone feeling mellow, Grimes took the stage, equipped with a lightshow, heavy dance beats, and a theatric on-stage presence. To my dismay, we did not catch the Growlers, as the beer was kicking in and it was time to head home.
The following day, we arrived a little earlier to catch acts, "Corners" and "DIIV," both of which we'd seen multiple times. Corners were on the "Graveyard" indoor stage. This local band from Echo Park had a full house of punk-indie-rock appreciative fans complete with mosh pit. We went outside to catch DIIV, who performed several new songs with their classic intro "we're called DIIV….we're from New York…this is a new song…" in addition to several tracks from Oshin, their first and only album (so far). The sounds washed over the crowd in a haze of reverb, and much head swaying was spotted. After DIIV, we went inside to catch Moving Units, whom I hadn't listened to in at least 5 years, but their sound was instantly recognizable, and suddenly I remembered the chorus to "Between Us and Them." They performed with high energy on the neon-glowing slightly-demonically dressed stage. Outside we caught the pop-punk act, FIDLAR, whose members ironically appeared in identical suits
as they sang songs about 40 oz beers, bills, and babes. Their catchy song, "west coast" had the entire audience pogo-ing. It was such a fun, light-hearted set. We stuck around to catch Julian Casablancas, whom I hadn't really listened to much before, as I'm not a huge strokes fan. However, listening to them now, their set just seemed to be a wash of loud sound and was difficult to make out the songs because the voice distortion was pretty hard on the ears. We left early to catch the Allah-Lahs, whose simple 70's inspired surf-rock had the crowd swaying. We went outside once more to catch some of Die Antwoord's performance, which included all kinds of artsy videos and choreography to back their experimental electronica style.
Overall, with several impressive acts, this event was not to be missed. Yes, the crowds were a bit much at times and the food was just okay, but it's that DIY, low-budget production that gives the event it's true charm. The bands all started on time for the most part, and there was an act to please everyone. We'll see you next year, Beach Goth.
Beach Goth, Beach Goth 2015, Diiv, Grimes, Mac Demarco, Orange County Observatory, The Drums, The Growlers, Warpaint
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


In many parts of Europe there has been a huge demographic shift. There are many societal issues that need to be addressed, but for many new arrivals the sense of isolation, not being connected to their host country can be the most debilitating. Connecting people, through a simple arts/radio programme; giving them opportunity to learn about other people's lives are key project aims; to do by presenting people's stories, simply, through the vehicle of their favourite songs, creates accessibility.
People across Europe get to hear the stories of other Europeans, both established and more recently established communities. Growing cadres of citizen journalists across Europe continue to gather interviews, programming is shared across borders. Participants/listeners feel less isolated, more connected to their neighbours, and a greater understanding of different communities is evidenced through behavioural and societal change.
Phase one we train a group of residents, with the support of students/partners to create a 1hr radio progamme; implement the project amongst residents in the Vrijheidswijk (housing estate) and partners, in the more affluent village Buitenpost (north of Leeuwarden). During the pilot we will work with a group of mainly elderly residents as interviewees. Seclusion amongst the elderly is epecially poignant.
The second stage is to implement the project and distribute the programmes into other parts of the city/Friesland region, whilst continually creating new content through a growing, up-skilled community, via networks & podcasting.
Stage three is to collaborate with partners in European cities to share the techniques & learning of Top 5. We will use the ECOC framework to establish links.
During all project phases residents will have new opportunities to meet and exchange with each other; create bespoke programmes, content for people by people through shared stories and music.The purpose being that people re-establish contact strengthening their communities:increased understanding. Residents are the active leaders for making,disseminating and sharing 'Top 5' across EU.
It's a powerful, subtle project that seeks to provide a platform for short deep stories about people from a broad range of backgrounds making it inclusive.
It is simple to execute and easy to distibute.There are many community radio stations throughout Europe where My Top 5 can be distributed and shared.
What makes it unique is that residents from local communities take centre stage. They determine the input by sharing their experiences, wishes and aspirations alongside their favourite music.


BET NETWORKS and AEG announce the first wave of star-studded talent that will take the stage at the 5th annual BET Experience at L.A. LIVE presented by Coca-Cola®. This year's lineup of concerts at STAPLES Center will feature some of today's hottest artists including Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, Migos, A$AP Rocky, ScHoolboy Q, Bryson Tiller, Kid Cudi, Gucci Mane, Jhené Aiko, Rae Sremmurd, Jidenna, Young Thug, Desiigner, Keyshia Cole, Pusha T, THEY., H.E.R., Playboi Carti and Khalid.
The four-day event will showcase the best in music and entertainment. Interactive activations and ticketed shows including a celebrity basketball game will also take place at the BET Fan Fest on Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. VIP Packages for the 5th year of the BET Experience weekend are better than ever and now on-sale. In addition to VIP amenities throughout the weekend and incredible seats for STAPLES Center shows, three levels of BETX VIP Packages offer guests the only opportunity to purchase tickets to the highly anticipated BET Awards, broadcast live from Microsoft Theater. Last year the in-demand VIP Packages sold out, so guests are encouraged to purchase now before the allotment is depleted. Full package amenities and pricing for the Diamond, Platinum and Gold VIP Packages can be found by visiting www.BETExperience.com or by calling (877) 234-8425.


text:
Suspect wanted in Southeast Portland shooting that wounded one
One person shot in Southeast Portland; suspect wanted
Shooting wounds one in Southeast Portland
Victim shot by known suspect in Southeast Portland
Victoria's Secret Fashion Show won't be happening in 2019
Victoria's Secret will be keeping the Angel wings in storage this year.
Models of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show pose for a group photo before the celebrity-filled catwalk event of the year inside the Grand Palais, in Paris, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016.
Published: 1:12 PM PST November 21, 2019
Updated: 1:12 PM PST November 21, 2019
The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is officially not happening in 2019, the retailer's parent company confirmed on Thursday.
L Brands CFO Stuart Burgdoerfer explained in the company's third quarter earnings call that they're working to determine how to best "advance the positioning of the brand."
"We'll be communicating to customers, but nothing that I would say is similar in magnitude to the fashion show," Burgdoerfer said.
Reports about the end of the fashion show have been circulating throughout 2019 and gained even more steam when model Shanina Shaik said in July that the annual event had been canceled.
The show has also declined in ratings through the years. In 2001, in peaked with 12.4 million viewers but hit a record low of only 3.27 million in 2018, according to W magazine.
RELATED: Supermodel Adut Akech calls out industry after image of different black model used
RELATED: Victoria's Secret hires first transgender model
Burgdoerfer added on Thursday's call that as timing shifted through the years of when the fashion show aired, Victoria's Secret didn't see material impact on sales for the next few days.
While the annual tradition is coming to an end, the L Brands CFO described the show as a "remarkable marketing achievement" that was an "important aspect of the brand."
KGW Top Stories: Sunrise, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023


text:
package ds

import (
	"context"
	"errors"
	"fmt"
	"github.com/brutella/dnssd"
	"github.com/shirou/gopsutil/cpu"
	"github.com/shirou/gopsutil/mem"
	"golang.org/x/exp/slices"
	"net/url"
	"os"
	"runtime"
	"sort"
	"strconv"
	"strings"
	"time"
)

// V allows debug printing.
var (
	v       = func(string, ...interface{}) {}
	cancel  = func() {}
	tenants = 0
	tenChan = make(chan int, 1)
)

// Simple form dns-sd query
type dsQuery struct {
	Type   string
	Domain string
	Text   map[string][]string
}

const (
	DsDefault  = "dnssd://?sort=tenants&sort=cpu.pcnt"
	dsTimeout  = 1 * time.Second // query-timeout
	timeFormat = "15:04:05.000"
	dsUpdate   = 60 * time.Second // server meta-data refresh
)

// client relative code

// setup Verbose
func Verbose(f func(string, ...interface{})) {
	v = f
}

// check that dns-sd response has all required attributes
func required(src map[string]string, req map[string][]string) bool {
	for k, _ := range req {
		// ignore sort criteria since they are optional
		if k == "sort" {
			continue
		}
		switch req[k][0][0] {
		case '*':
			continue
		case '<':
			fallthrough
		case '>':
			if len(req[k][0]) < 2 {
				v("error: poorly formed comparison in requirements")
				return false
			}
			reqval, err := strconv.ParseFloat(req[k][0][1:], 10)
			if err != nil {
				v("error: non-numeric comparison in requirement")
				return false
			}
			if len(src[k]) == 0 { // key not present, so requirement not met
				return false
			}
			val, err := strconv.ParseFloat(src[k], 10)
			if err != nil {
				v("error: non-numeric comparison in providing meta-data")
				return false
			}
			switch req[k][0][0] {
			case '<':
				if val > reqval {
					return false
				}
			case '>':
				if val < reqval {
					return false
				}
			}
		case '!':
			if len(req[k][0]) < 2 {
				v("error: poorly formed comparison in requirements")
				return false
			}
			if req[k][0][1:] == src[k] {
				return false
			}
		default:
			if !slices.Contains(req[k], src[k]) {
				return false
			}
		}
	}
	return true
}

// parse DNS-SD URI to dnssd struct
// we could subtype BrowseEntry or Service, but why?
func Parse(uri string) (dsQuery, error) {
	result := dsQuery{
		Type:   "_ncpu._tcp",
		Domain: "local",
	}

	u, err := url.Parse(uri)
	if err != nil {
		return result, fmt.Errorf("Trouble parsing url %s: %w", uri, err)
	}

	if u.Scheme != "dnssd" {
		return result, fmt.Errorf("Not an dns-sd URI")
	}

	// following dns-sd URI conventions from CUPS
	if u.Host != "" {
		result.Domain = u.Host
	}
	if u.Path != "" {
		// remove prefix slash
		result.Type = u.Path[1:]
	}

	result.Text = u.Query()

	if len(result.Text["arch"]) == 0 {
		result.Text["arch"] = []string{runtime.GOARCH}
	}

	if len(result.Text["os"]) == 0 {
		result.Text["os"] = []string{runtime.GOOS}
	}

	return result, nil
}

// --- sort and compare code ---

type dsLessFunc func(p1, p2 *dnssd.BrowseEntry) bool
type dsMultiSorter struct {
	entries []dnssd.BrowseEntry
	less    []dsLessFunc
}

func (ms *dsMultiSorter) Len() int {
	return len(ms.entries)
}

func (ms *dsMultiSorter) Swap(i, j int) {
	ms.entries[i], ms.entries[j] = ms.entries[j], ms.entries[i]
}

// Less is part of sort.Interface. It is implemented by looping along the
// less functions until it finds a comparison that discriminates between
// the two items (one is less than the other). Note that it can call the
// less functions twice per call. We could change the functions to return
// -1, 0, 1 and reduce the number of calls for greater efficiency: an
// exercise for the reader.
func (ms *dsMultiSorter) Less(i, j int) bool {
	p, q := &ms.entries[i], &ms.entries[j]
	// Try all but the last comparison.
	var k int
	for k = 0; k < len(ms.less)-1; k++ {
		less := ms.less[k]
		switch {
		case less(p, q):
			// p < q, so we have a decision.
			return true
		case less(q, p):
			// p > q, so we have a decision.
			return false
		}
		// p == q; try the next comparison.
	}
	// All comparisons to here said "equal", so just return whatever
	// the final comparison reports.
	return ms.less[k](p, q)
}

// generate sort functions for dnssd BrowseEntry based on txt key
func dsGenSortTxt(key string, operator byte) dsLessFunc {
	return func(c1, c2 *dnssd.BrowseEntry) bool {
		switch operator {
		case '=': // key existence prioritizes entry
			if len(c1.Text[key]) > len(c2.Text[key]) {
				return true
			} else {
				return false
			}
		case '!': // key existence deprioritizes entry
			if len(c1.Text[key]) < len(c2.Text[key]) {
				return true
			} else {
				return false
			}
		}
		n1, err := strconv.ParseFloat(c1.Text[key], 10)
		if err != nil {
			v("Bad format in entry TXT")
			return false
		}
		n2, err := strconv.ParseFloat(c2.Text[key], 10)
		if err != nil {
			v("Bad format in entry TXT")
			return false
		}
		switch operator {
		case '<':
			if n1 < n2 {
				return true
			}
		case '>':
			if n1 > n2 {
				return true
			}
		default:
			v("Bad operator")
		}
		return false
	}
}

// perform numeric sort based on a particular key (assumes numeric values)
func dsSort(req map[string][]string, entries []dnssd.BrowseEntry) {
	if len(req["sort"]) == 0 {
		return
	}
	ms := &dsMultiSorter{
		entries: entries,
	}
	// generate a sort function list based on sort entry
	for _, element := range req["sort"] {
		var operator byte
		operator = '<' // default to use if no operator
		switch element[0] {
		case '<', '>', '=', '!':
			operator = element[0]
			if len(element) < 2 {
				v("dnssd: Poorly configured comparison in sort %s", element)
				return
			}
			element = element[1:]
		}
		ms.less = append(ms.less, dsGenSortTxt(element, operator))
	}
	sort.Sort(ms)
}

// --- end sort and compare code ---

// lookup based on hostname, return resolved host, port, network, and error
// uri currently supported dnssd://domain/_service._network/instance?reqkey=reqvalue
// default for domain is local, first path element is _ncpu._tcp, and instance is wildcard
// can omit to underspecify, e.g. dnssd:?arch=arm64 to pick any arm64 cpu server
func Lookup(query dsQuery) (string, string, error) {
	var (
		err error
	)

	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), dsTimeout)
	context.Canceled = errors.New("")
	context.DeadlineExceeded = errors.New("")
	defer cancel()

	service := fmt.Sprintf("%s.%s.", strings.Trim(query.Type, "."), strings.Trim(query.Domain, "."))

	v("Browsing for %s\n", service)

	respCh := make(chan *dnssd.BrowseEntry, 1)

	addFn := func(e dnssd.BrowseEntry) {
		v("%s	Add	%s	%s	%s	%s (%s)\n", time.Now().Format(timeFormat), e.IfaceName, e.Domain, e.Type, e.Name, e.IPs)
		// check requirement
		v("Checking ", e.Text, query.Text)
		if required(e.Text, query.Text) {
			respCh <- &e
		}
	}

	rmvFn := func(e dnssd.BrowseEntry) {
		v("%s	Rmv	%s	%s	%s	%s\n", time.Now().Format(timeFormat), e.IfaceName, e.Domain, e.Type, e.Name)
		// we aren't maintaining cache so don't care?
	}

	go func() {
		if err := dnssd.LookupType(ctx, service, addFn, rmvFn); err != nil {
			fmt.Println(err)
		}
		respCh <- nil
	}()

	e := <-respCh

	// cancel()
	if e == nil {
		return "", "", fmt.Errorf("dnssd found no suitable service")
	}

	return e.IPs[0].String(), strconv.Itoa(e.Port), err
}

// Server components

// Parse DNS-SD key value string into Map w/sensible default for empty keys
func ParseKv(arg string) map[string]string {
	txt := make(map[string]string)
	if len(arg) == 0 {
		return txt
	}
	ss := strings.Split(arg, ",")
	for _, pair := range ss {
		z := strings.SplitN(pair, "=", 2)
		if len(z) > 1 {
			txt[z[0]] = z[1]
		} else {
			txt[z[0]] = "true"
		}
	}

	return txt
}

func Unregister() {
	v("stopping dns-sd server")
	cancel()
}

func DefaultInstance() string {
	hostname, err := os.Hostname()
	if err == nil {
		hostname += "-cpud"
	} else {
		hostname = "cpud"
	}

	return hostname
}

func UpdateSysInfo(txtFlag map[string]string) {
	vmstat, err := mem.VirtualMemory()
	if err == nil {
		txtFlag["mem.avail"] = strconv.FormatUint(uint64(vmstat.Available), 10)
		txtFlag["mem.total"] = strconv.FormatUint(uint64(vmstat.Total), 10)
	}
	cpupcnt, err := cpu.Percent(0, false)
	if err == nil {
		txtFlag["cpu.pcnt"] = fmt.Sprintf("%.6f", float64(cpupcnt[0]))
	}
	txtFlag["tenants"] = strconv.Itoa(tenants)

	v(" dsUpdateSysInfo ", txtFlag)
}

func DefaultTxt(txtFlag map[string]string) {
	if len(txtFlag["arch"]) == 0 {
		txtFlag["arch"] = runtime.GOARCH
	}

	if len(txtFlag["os"]) == 0 {
		txtFlag["os"] = runtime.GOOS
	}

	if len(txtFlag["cores"]) == 0 {
		txtFlag["cores"] = strconv.Itoa(runtime.NumCPU())
	}
}

// update tenant count by delta
func Tenant(delta int) {
	v("tenant delta %d", delta)
	tenChan <- delta
}

func Register(instanceFlag, domainFlag, serviceFlag, interfaceFlag string, portFlag int, txtFlag map[string]string) error {
	v("starting dns-sd server")

	timeFormat := "15:04:05.000"

	v("Advertising: %s.%s.%s.", strings.Trim(instanceFlag, "."), strings.Trim(serviceFlag, "."), strings.Trim(domainFlag, "."))

	ctx, ctxCancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
	cancel = ctxCancel

	resp, err := dnssd.NewResponder()
	if err != nil {
		return fmt.Errorf("dnssd newreponder fail: %w", err)
	}

	ifaces := []string{}
	if len(interfaceFlag) > 0 {
		ifaces = append(ifaces, interfaceFlag)
	}

	if len(instanceFlag) == 0 {
		instanceFlag = DefaultInstance()
	}

	DefaultTxt(txtFlag)
	UpdateSysInfo(txtFlag)

	cfg := dnssd.Config{
		Name:   instanceFlag,
		Type:   serviceFlag,
		Domain: domainFlag,
		Port:   portFlag,
		Ifaces: ifaces,
		Text:   txtFlag,
	}
	srv, err := dnssd.NewService(cfg)
	if err != nil {
		return fmt.Errorf("cpud: advertise: New service fail: %w", err)
	}

	go func() {
		time.Sleep(1 * time.Second)
		handle, err := resp.Add(srv)
		if err != nil {
			fmt.Println(err)
		} else {
			v("%s	Got a reply for service %s: Name now registered and active\n", time.Now().Format(timeFormat), handle.Service().ServiceInstanceName())
		}
		go func() {
			for {
				delta := <-tenChan
				tenants += delta
				UpdateSysInfo(txtFlag)
				handle.UpdateText(txtFlag, resp)
			}
		}()

		for {
			time.Sleep(dsUpdate)
			tenChan <- 0
		}
	}()

	go func() {
		err = resp.Respond(ctx)
		if err != nil {
			fmt.Println(err)
		} else {
			v("cpu dns-sd responder running exited")
		}
	}()

	return err
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
import React, { Component, PropTypes } from 'react';
import {
  Alert,
  Modal,
  ModalHeader,
  ModalBody,
  ListGroup,
  ListGroupItem
} from 'reactstrap';
import { connect } from 'react-redux';
import { push } from 'react-router-redux';

@connect(null, (dispatch, props) => ({
  load: address => {
    dispatch(
      push(
        `/filter/${encodeURIComponent(address)}/${encodeURIComponent(props.type)}`
      )
    );
  }
}))
export default class SuggestedAdresses extends Component {
  static propTypes = {
    currentAddress: PropTypes.string.isRequired,
    addresses: PropTypes.array.isRequired,
    type: PropTypes.string.isRequired,
    load: PropTypes.func.isRequired
  };

  state = {
    shown: false
  };

  hide = () => {
    this.setState({
      shown: false
    });
  };

  toggle = () => {
    this.setState({
      shown: !this.state.shown
    });
  };

  search = address => {
    const { load } = this.props;
    load(address);
    this.hide();
  };

  echoSimilar(count) {
    if (count === 1) {
      return 'podobnou adresu';
    } else if (count >= 2 && count <= 4) {
      return 'podobné adresy';
    }

    return 'podobných adres';
  }

  render() {
    const { currentAddress, addresses } = this.props;
    if (addresses.length === 0) {
      return null; // do not render anything
    }

    const firstAddr = addresses[0];
    if (addresses.length === 1 && firstAddr === currentAddress) {
      return null;
    }

    return (

        <Alert color={'info'}>
          Mysleli jste
          {' '}
           this.search(firstAddr)} href={'#'}>{firstAddr}
          {addresses.length > 1 &&

              {' nebo '}

                {addresses.length - 1}
                {' '}
                {this.echoSimilar(addresses.length - 1)}

            }
          {'?'}
        </Alert>
        <Modal isOpen={this.state.shown} toggle={this.toggle}>
          <ModalHeader toggle={this.toggle}>
            Navrhované adresy
          </ModalHeader>
          <ModalBody>
            <ListGroup>
              {addresses.map((address, index) => (
                <ListGroupItem key={index} onClick={() => this.search(address)}>
                  {address}
                </ListGroupItem>
              ))}
            </ListGroup>
          </ModalBody>
        </Modal>

    );
  }
}


Close to 200 entries from various provinces in the Soccsksargen region and nearby cities gear up for a fierce showdown for top honors and ranking points in the PPS-PEPP Sultan Kudarat regional age-group tennis tournament starting today at the Isulan Capitol Tennis Courts.
Klyde Lagarde from Gen. Santos City, local bets Ramon Bentillo and Minette Bentillo, and Jazelle Madis from Mlang banner the cast in the centerpiece 18-and-under division of the Group 2 tournament put up by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala and presented by Dunlop.
The tournament, hosted and sponsored by Gov. Pax Mangudadatu, also features the rising and leading players from Mlang, Pikit, Kabacan, Kidapawan, Digos, Gen. Santos City, Koronadal, Davao, Malita and Salug, Zamboanga del Norte.
Karl Palo and Jay Balaoing, on the other hand, lead the boys' field in the 16-U play while Minette Bentillo along with Angelica Novis, Jalia Elumba and Ezra Enriquez are tipped to slug it out for the girls' 16-U crown in the four-day tournament backed by Asiatraders Corp. and sanctioned by the Unified Tennis Philippines, made up of PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby's, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg.
The boys' 12- and 14-U sections and the 10-unisex bracket all drew 32-player draws, underscoring the wide base of talents in the region.
"We thank Gov. Mangudadatu for hosting this annual leg of the PPS-PEPP circuit, giving the youth of the region a ranking tournament to showcase their talent and skills," said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.
Other age-groupers are also being held elsewhere in the PPS-PEPP's continuing effort to boost the development of the sport and at the same time help in the talent-search.
Meanwhile, Gen. Santos City and Digos City will host the next two stops on June 21-25 and June 28-July 1, respectively. Listup is ongoing.
Heinz Carbonilla, Andrei Padao, Jay Balaoing and Karl Palo spearhead the 14-U cast with Carbonilla also gaining the top seeding in the 12-U side that includes Reymar Saldivar Jr., Jason Flores Jr. and Charles Jumawan while the 10-U crown is a tossup among Kael Palo, Shaun Globasa, Yusuf Maldo and Alexavier Uy.


Unlike waste, scrap has monetary value especially recovered metals and non-metallic materials.
Scrap is normally taken to wrecking yard (also known as scrap-yard), junkyard or breaker's yard where it is processed for later melting into new products.
The primary value of scrap is what the smelter will pay for it, rather the value of whatever shape, the metal maybe in.In instances where the wrecker cannot sell something above the value of the metal in it, the scrap is then taken to the scrap-yard and sold by its weight.
Taking apart and separating metals is important to making more money on scrap.
• For large scrap, a variety of equipment is used to reduce the size of large scrap materials into smaller pieces to enable consolidation, shipment and feeding into furnaces. Equipment use, include shears, flatteners, torch cutting and turning crusher.
• Shredders or fragmentizers are used to reduce old automobiles hulks into fist-sized pieces using massive hammer-mills.
• Ferrous is usually a less expensive item that is recycled but usually recycled in larger quantities of thousands of pounds.
Recycling metal is well established for the steel industry and there has been a significant increase in the use of recycled scrap.
The steel industry is comprised of integrated steel mills which produce iron and steel from ores, however some scrap is used. The BOF process uses a minimal of 25% steel scrap The secondary steel industry known as mini-mills uses 100% scrap.
The iron and steel industry recycles three types of scraps.
New Scrap – also called prompt or industrial scrap is generated in steel products manufacturing plants and include items such as turnings, clippings and stamping left over when a part is made during manufacturing processes. This material is sold to the scrap metal industry that processes it for sale to steel mills and foundries.
Old Scrap – or post-consumer scrap results when industrial and consumer steel products such as automobiles, appliances, buildings, bridges, ships, cans, railroad cars etc, have served their useful life.


Saudi Aramco entered a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a consortium of Indian oil companies to jointly build a $44bn integrated refinery and petrochemicals complex, an arbitration tribunal of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) ruled that Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) owes ConocoPhillips a sum of $2.04bn over charges of nationalisation. Hydrocarbons-technology.com wraps up the key news headlines from April 2018.
Premier Notley and Minister McCuaig-Boyd announce new legislation. Credit: Government of Alberta.
Officials at the opening ceremony of the Kandym gas processing complex in Uzbekistan. Credit: Lukoil.
Saudi Aramco entered a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a consortium of Indian oil companies to jointly develop and build a $44bn integrated refinery and petrochemicals complex.
An arbitration tribunal of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) ruled in favour of a claim that Venezuela's state-owned oil firm Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) owes US exploration and production company ConocoPhillips a sum of $2.04bn over charges of nationalisation.
The tribunal ruling followed a petition filed by ConocoPhillips claiming compensation after its stakes in the Hamaca and Petrozuata heavy crude oil projects in Venezuela were expropriated in 2007.
The Government of Venezuela confiscated assets belonging to major oil and gas companies under former president Hugo Chávez.
The Government of Alberta introduced the Preserving Canada's Economic Prosperity Act, which seeks to curtail the export of natural gas, crude oil and refined fuels across its borders.
Under the legislation, companies exporting energy products from Alberta could be required to obtain a licence.
The government also intends to give more power to the Minister of Energy to impose penalties up to $1m per day on firms violating export regulations.
Australia's Northern Territory (NT) Government lifted a temporary ban on fracking following a final report by an independent committee headed by Justice Rachel Pepper.
British Petroleum (BP) published a new report outlining its strategy to meet increasing energy demands while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Vermilion Energy signed an agreement to acquire Canadian oil and gas firm Spartan Energy for C$1.40bn ($1.11bn).
Harbour Energy offered to acquire Australian oil and gas producer Santos for A$13.5bn ($10.3bn), calculating at around A$6.50 a share.
US shale gas exploration company Concho Resources signed an agreement to acquire RSP Permian for around $9.5bn.
Through its subsidiary Gazprom Neft Middle East, exploration and production company Gazprom Neft commissioned a second well at its Sarqala field in the Garmian block of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI).
Russian multinational energy firm Lukoil commenced operations at a gas processing complex, which has a capacity of eight billion cubic meters of gas per year, at its Kandym fields cluster in Uzbekistan.
Construction of the Kandym gas processing complex began two years ago and involved around ten thousand people.
Lukoil intends to use the new facility to convert gas from the Kandym fields cluster to marketable gas, stable gas condensate, and marketable sulfur.


text:
Category Archives: Bio
A nice gesture from the Missouri School of Journalism
The University of Missouri School of Journalism honored me in its Profiles of Success in June, 2012.
Len Ziehm
Sportswriter (Retired)
at Chicago Sun-Times
Degree(s): BJ '65
Whereabouts: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Retired from the Chicago Sun-Times in June 2010 after 41 years in the sports department, I've stepped up my freelance writing and am coordinating my writing projects through the website, lenziehmongolf.com. In retirement. I've continued to do some writing for the Sun-Times. I'm also doing a weekly golf column for the Daily Herald chain of Chicago suburban newspapers, weekly columns and features for Chicago District Golfer newspapers. I've also been a regular contributor for the Chicago District Golfer magazine and report on the Chicago Fire soccer team for the Comcast SportsNet Chicago website. Those were somewhat extensions off my Sun-Times days, but I'm also working to develop myself in travel writing. In addition to some pieces in print publications, I've been highlighting these projects on my website and my four website partners.
How did you get your job?
The freelance work started when I was still at the Sun-Times, where my beats also included collegiate sports (11 years), the Chicago Blackhawks (nine years), tennis (five years) and the Chicago Marathon, which I've covered for about 25 years.
What is the best professional lesson you learned at the J-School?
You need to be resourceful and versatile. (Don't know that the latter is as much a requirement now as it was when I came out of J-School.)
What advice do you have for current students?
Explore all phases of journalism. When I was in school I wanted (and got involved in) newspaper work. Now the options aren't as limited as they were then.
What is your favorite J-School memory?
In college I was also on the cross country team and, at least twice, I went to road meets with the cross country team, ran in a Saturday morning race, left the team to cover an afternoon football team and then drove back to Columbia with my sports-writing partner. Ah, those were the days!
Any parting comments?
Just stopped back in Columbia in May and was pleasantly surprised to see how the town and campus have changed. It was always a happy, festive place for me and conjured good memories. I'd only been back in town twice since leaving in 1967. The facilities for both the Missourian and Columbia Tribune (where I held a part-time job while in graduate school) have improved greatly.
Farewell Sun-Times
Check out my farewell column in the Chicago Sun-Times.
Ziehm looks back at 41 years at Sun-Times
An interview with Crain's Chicago Business columnist Ed Sherman, former Chicago Tribune golf writer.
It hardly is accurate to say Len Ziehm is retiring.
Technically, Mr. Ziehm is leaving the Sun-Times this week after 41 years. But the idea that he will stop working? Yeah, right.
We've all seen days when Mr. Ziehm covered a golf tournament, worked the phones for the latest on the Northwestern quarterback,and then headed over to write about a Chicago Fire game at night. He's a machine.
Mr. Ziehm, 66, says he still is going to continue to write for several publications, including contributing to the Sun-Times.That's great because the pressroom wouldn't be the same without his distinctive cackle.
I asked one of the all time greats to share his memories of covering sports in Chicago for the Sun-Times.
When did you start at the Sun-Times? What was your first assignment?
Mr. Ziehm: Well, my starting date was May 11, 1969. I know the first stories I wrote were features on the Chicago Owls and Lake County Rifles' football teams. Neither lasted all that long. The Rifles had a quarterback from Illinois, Fred Custardo, who put up great semi-pro numbers before suffering a tragic death in a fall during his offseason.
The first live event I covered was, of all things, a pro wrestling show at Comiskey Park in which Chet Coppock was the PR guy. I got all dressed up in a new madras sport coat that I thought was very cool, and Chet had me seated ringside and mentioned on the centerfield scoreboard. Then the matches started and one of the wrestlers faked an injury. Blood (actually ketchup) got splattered on that sport coat. That was my welcome to the big leagues of Chicago journalism.
Writing assignments were few and far between in those early years. It was mostly deskwork until I got the golf beat in either late 1970 or early 1971.
What were your most memorable events to cover?
I really have had a ton of them. My first U.S. Open was Johnny Miller's 63 at Oakmont in 1973. My first Masters was Jack Nicklaus' last win in 1986. It doesn't get better than that.
I really enjoyed covering the World Cup soccer tournament in 1994 because it was such a different thing, with so many different cultures involved. While golf has been my biggest deal (27 U.S. Open, 10 Masters, 16 PGAs, the last 34 Western Opens), I do appreciate other events. I was in the lead vehicle of the Chicago Marathon when Steve Jones set a world record. I saw a longtime-bad Northwestern basketball team upset Michigan's Fab Five in the last game of the regular season to earn an NIT bid. I still savor Northwestern's shocking run to the Rose Bowl and the Fire sweeping the MLS and U.S. Open Cups in its first season of existence.
I was around for four minor league championship runs by the Wolves and a good chunk of the Blackhawks' recent Stanley Cup run. I was DePaul's beat man when the Demons went 27-3 in the late '80s (that's significant because it was the first year the Tribune and Sun-Times started covering all their games on the road. Before that it had pretty much been just home games). All three of the soccer teams I've covered (Sting, Power, Fire) won championships. Guess I'm kind of babbling on here, but I've certainly been fortunate in covering a lot of exciting stuff.
Who were some of the most memorable athletes/executives you've covered?
The most fun was Karl-Heinz Granitza, the soccer player. He had his issues, but you couldn't help but laughing when he was around. Northwestern had some athletes that were really good guys when I was on that beat:Kevin Rankin, Kip Kirkpatrick, Steve Schnurr, Pat Fitzgerald, Richard Buchanan. The football coaches were both ex-Missouri guys (my alma mater) in Francis Peay and Gary Barnett, so you now they had to be the best.
In the hockey world, my favorites were Jocelyn Thibault, Scotty Nichol, Marty Lapointe, Patrick Sharp, Patrick Kane, Dustin Byfuglien and Ben Eager (sorry the last two were traded). Dale Tallon was a GM who was really easy to get along with. On the Wolves' front, John Anderson and Steve Maltais were good people, to say nothing of the owner, Don Levin. What he's done with that team is terrific.
Cary Pinkowski, the Chicago Marathon boss, and Frank Klopas, who I've known as both a soccer player and executive, are longtime friends. Golf, of course, is filled with nice people starting with the Jemseks. I hate to get into listing them because I'd leave somebody out. Again, I'm babbling, but I've come in contact with a lot of good people.
What memories do you have of some of the outstanding sportswriters you worked with at the Sun-Times? You worked with some outstanding people.
Bill Gleason and Jack Griffin were veterans when I arrived at 26 years old. They were mentors, but Ron Rapoport was a really good friend over a long period of time. There were great writers and beat people on both sides of the street as well as at the Herald (Tim Sassone may be the best hockey writer around). I enjoyed the company of lots of S-T columnists, including Jay Mariotti.
My link with Rick Morrissey was more when he was at the Tribune. We had a weird time covering a DePaul game at Saint Louis U. one day — but I digress. Bill Jauss, Neil Milbert and I were rival-colleagues for years on a variety of beats. Bob Verdi is one of my favorite people, as well. I'll always cherish our times together. Covering golf with Reid Hanley, Gary Reinmuth, Teddy Greenstein, Ed Shermanand Tim Cronin has been a lot of fun.
Again, I hate to leave anybody out. Obviously I'm partial to my Sun-Times teammates —Herb Gould, Toni Ginnetti, Joe Goddard, Taylor Bell, Dave Manthey, Albert Dickens, Elliot Harris, Ralph Greenslade, Bob Mazzoni, Jeff Agrest. (Some of those are on the desk/editing side of the business). We've been through a lot together.
What are the biggest changes in the industry between 1969 and now?
Obviously, the technological changes were the biggest thing. When I started, writers would phone in their stories, dictating them to guys on the copy desk. Women weren't part of the action until many years later.
In some ways, things were better back then. Everything was more personal, between writers and athletes, coaches, etc. You really got to know the people you were covering.
Looking back, I have misgivings about a trend that started in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when newspapers in general started pushing for longer, "in depth"stories at the expense many times of covering hard news, the nitty gritty stuff that readers would never get via radio or TV. I still think that's something that requires ongoing scrutiny by the people putting out newspapers in print or online. Opinion, analysis stuff, frequently crowds out solid reporting, and that's not a good thing.
Just a general thought, for perspective purposes. When I started at the Sun-Times, Chicago had four newspapers. Now it's down to two, though the Herald has increased its profile considerably since the early 1970s. In any business there's been a lot of changes over the last 41 years, but I'm not so sure there hasn't been more in journalism than anything else. A lot of the changes represent progress, to be sure, but we shouldn't forget about the past. We can learn from it, just as we do from history books. End of lecture.
Interview With Len Ziehm, Golf Writer at the Chicago Sun-Times
A Light Hearted Golf Q & A Interview
By Golf Wisconsin's Brian Weis
Below is an interview with Len Ziehm who is officially retired after 41 years at the Chicago Sun-Times, but still the paper's golf writer. He also does a weekly column for the Daily Herald and monthly columns and features for Chicago Area Golf newspaper. In addition, he regularly contributes to the Chicago District Golfer magazine and Illinois PGA website. The following are a few traditional and non traditional golf centric questions that I love to ask influential people in the golf industry.
When did you start golfing and who introduced you do the game?
I was 11, and my mother took me out – first to a PGA tournament and then to play at Mission Hills course.
What is your current home course?
Stonehenge, in Barrington, IL.
To date, what is your proudest golf accomplishment?
Breaking par for the only time – 1-under 34 for nine holes at Chicago Park District's Columbus Park course.
What is your biggest golf pet peeve on or off the course?
On the course it's certainly slow play. That drives me crazy.
What is your favorite golf destination?
I've been to lots of goods ones, but Eagle Ridge and Grand Geneva are always excellent.
What course is on your bucket list that you have not played yet?
Brickyard Crossing in Indianapolis – played it just after it opened, but don't remember it. I'm kind of in the mindset of going back to old favorites these days, and that one tops the list.
If you woke up tomorrow and could play one course you played before, where would you play?
Blackwolf Run, River course.
If you could change one aspect, rule or thing about golf, what would it be and why?
I'd upgrade the impression of nine-hole rounds and nine-hole courses. Fun golf doesn't have to 18 holes on an 18-hole course. There are plenty of great nine-holers.
Dream foursome (living)?
Herb Gould, Gary D'Amato, Larry Williams, Barry Cronin.
Dream foursome (living or dead)?
All dead, I'm afraid – Reid Hanley, Phil Kosin, my Dad and my brother Rich.
18 Rapid Fire, Off The Cuff Questions
1) Hitting Long Drive OR Sinking Long Putt?
Long putt.
2) Having Round of Life OR Hole in One?
Round of my life.
3) Golfing at the crack of dawn OR twilight?
Twilight.
4) Hit a power fade OR power draw?
Power fade.
5) Beverage cart OR halfway house?
Halfway house.
6) Bathroom OR bushes?
Bathroom.
7) Hot dog OR wrap?
Hot dog, for sure.
8) Around the green, being in sand OR thick rough?
Thick rough.
9) Walking OR riding?
Walking.
10) Do you carry traditional 3 iron OR hybrid?
Hybrid.
11) Do you prefer long par 3 OR long par 5?
Long par 3.
12) Pants OR Shorts?
13) Palmer OR Nicklaus?
14) Beatles OR Elvis?
Elvis.
15) Play for fun OR play for money?
Fun, definitely.
16) Bump and run OR flop shot?
Bump and run.
17) Lay up OR gamble?
Lay up.
18) 18 holes OR 36?
18 nowadays.
5 Questions With… Sun-Times Len Ziehm
By Jeff Nuich
CSN Chicago Senior Director of Communications
CSNChicago.com Contributor
Want to know more about your favorite Chicago media celebrities? CSNChicago.com has your fix as we put the city's most popular personalities on the spot with everyone's favorite weekly local celeb feature entitled "5 Questions with…"
Every Wednesday exclusively on CSNChicago.com, it's our turn to grill the local media and other local VIPs with five random sports and non-sports related questions that will definitely be of interest to old and new fans alike.
This week – a man who defines the term "veteran sports journalist" – he's been a fixture in the sports pages of the Chicago Sun-Times for over 40 years who has recently covered the Blackhawks and now the Fire, plus, his favorite passion – the sport of golf — for more years than he cares to mention – here are "5 Questions with LEN ZIEHM!"
BIO: Len Ziehm has been a member of the Chicago Sun-Times sports department since 1969 covering hundreds upon hundreds of local and national sporting events, including the Chicago Blackhawks, soccer and, of course, golf. He was an assistant sports editor for eight years and combined writing with editing duties until going full-time as a writer in 1985. In addition, he's been the Sun-Times beat man on Northwestern University sports (11 years), tennis (5 years), running and fitness (ongoing, covered the Chicago Marathon for 25 consecutive years, 1979-2004) and Illinois college sports for five years.
1) CSNChicago.com: Len, with golf's crown jewel, The Masters, coming up this weekend, the entire world will no doubt be focused on the return of Tiger Woods. It goes without saying the enormous amount of pressure he will be under, but it has been stated one of the reasons he's choosing his return to golf to take place at The Masters is the "controlled" atmosphere at Augusta National. Can you explain to us how this "controlled" environment at The Masters differs from other PGA Tournaments?
Ziehm: The big thing is the ticket policy there. The same people go year after year. It's the toughest ticket in sports because so many tickets are passed on from generation to generation. That minimizes the number of fans who might create a disturbance. Masters crowds are also known for behaving themselves (at least to a large degree). The security at Augusta National has been fine-tuned over the years as well, so anybody who acts up gets removed from the grounds pretty quickly. It was clearly the best place for Woods to return to the tournament scene.
From the "pure golf fan" standpoint, though, it's unfortunate that the year's first major tournament will turn into a Tiger sideshow. I take strong issue with those sports fans (including some of our local columnists) who have contended golf is boring without Tiger. It isn't. He grows the sport's fan base, to be sure, much like John Daly has. If you're really into the sport of golf, though — and I am — watching a PGA tournament is enjoyable and entertaining with or without Tiger playing.
2) CSNChicago.com: Speaking of Tiger, if he doesn't perform well at The Masters and, even worse for him, fails to make the cut, do you think this will destroy his personal & professional state of mind going forward and "a follow-up question" if he does win this thing, do you think it will make the whole lurid sex scandal thing finally go away?
Ziehm: Nothing will make the "sex scandal" issue go away, ever. That's now a sad but significant part of his history, a part that won't be forgotten. In some circles, it'll overwhelm the big victories he's had and the extensive charity work he has done. That's unfortunate, but that's just the way it is. I don't expect him to miss the cut or play poorly at Augusta. His concentration level is extraordinary — very much like Michael Jordan's in his glory years with the Bulls — and Woods NEVER plays when he doesn't feel completely well prepared. That is a big reason he's competed as well as he has over the years; he ONLY plays when he's prepared to win. The fact that he hasn't played in any tournaments to get himself back in a competitive mode is a valid consideration when assessing his chances of winning but, in his case, it's probably an overrated consideration. I don't think, in the long run, that it'll matter much that he hasn't played in a tournament since 2009. Then again, I predict he WON'T win at Augusta, just compete well and get his golf career moving again.
3) CSNChicago.com: Let's talk Blackhawks for a moment. Is it safe to say you would rank this year's team, at least to this point, as the greatest Blackhawks team you've ever covered? If not, tell us which Blackhawks season you would rank at the top and why.
Ziehm: The way the current Hawks are playing since the Olympic break, I'd say last year's team was better. It finished strong and played really well in the playoffs — much better than I and most others would have predicted. Time will tell whether the current Hawks regroup in time for a postseason run. At the moment, though, I think the emotion spent in the Winter Olympics by all those Hawks who participated has damaged the team's chances as far as the Stanley Cup goes.
Overall, I've covered the Hawks for nine seasons. The first team (2001-02) had a great regular season, but was banged up when the playoffs started and was quickly eliminated. After that came some really sorry seasons and a lockout to boot. So, these last two seasons have really been invigorating. As for the Hawks' chances in the upcoming playoffs, I'm not nearly as optimistic as I was before the Winter Olympics. In my mind, the goaltending question has never been resolved. Antti Niemi may look the better option now, but he is still a rookie without postseason experience. That's going to be a factor down the road, I'm afraid. It's also interesting to me how much the Hawks seem to miss Brian Campbell. He hasn't been fully appreciated since signing his big contract with the Hawks, but they'd be much better off now if he was still on the ice.
4) CSNChicago.com: You're now on the MLS/Chicago Fire beat for the Sun-Times. What are your thoughts on this year's team and does the absence of an international superstar like Cuauhtemoc Blanco hurt the Fire come playoff time?
Ziehm: The Fire have done some interesting things over the years, and the recent decision to go with two VERY young, inexperienced goaltenders ranks right up there with those I'd question. Unless it was purely a salary question (which the club won't admit to), the decision to drop Jon Busch less than a week before the season started doesn't make any sense. The Fire should be able to replace Blanco from the competitive side. Chemistry goes a long way in soccer, and Frank Klopas should be able to put together a lineup that can win eventually. It might not be as entertaining without a superstar, though, and right now the Fire doesn't have one (Brian McBride certainly was one in his prime, but he's 37 now and could well be playing his last season).
I like the addition of Collins John. He's going to score a lot of goals. I also like the new coach, Carlos de los Cobos. I'm amazed at how quickly he's learned English. When he was first hired, I wondered what the Fire management was thinking. The head coach has to be a communicator with the media and fans, as well as his players, and that'd be awfully hard to do in Major League Soccer without being conversant in English. De los Cobos comes from a different background than virtually every other coach in MLS, having been successful in the Mexican league first and with the El Salvador national team more recently. He has some adjustments to make in coming to MLS, which is much different than other leagues around the world for a wide variety of reasons. My suspicion is it'll take a good portion of the season for him to get his team (and himself) tuned in to the task of winning. I expect a slow start but, hopefully, a strong finish that will get the Fire into the playoffs. Hiring de los Cobos was, in many ways, a risky move and dropping the proven, popular Busch was as well. Under a recent rule change (announced last week) the Fire can now sign as many as three designated players — top stars whose acquisitions won't severely affect the MLS salary cap. If the Fire, without a designated player since Blanco left, moves in that direction my prognosis of the season ahead could change quickly.
5) CSNChicago.com: As mentioned earlier, you truly define the term "veteran sports journalist" for your four-plus decades of rock solid local sports coverage. With that said, now that traditional sports journalism is changing in this new digital age, what adjustments, if any, have you made in events you cover for the Sun-Times?
Ziehm: Interesting question. In many ways, things are much better now. Information gets out more quickly and comes from a broader array of sources. While print space in newspapers is shrinking, space to pass on information, analysis and opinion via the Internet is unlimited. All that's a good thing. I do feel the personal touch in journalism is getting lost, and that's not good. One-on-one interviews aren't as frequent or as fruitful as they once were. So, in some ways the job has become easier, but in some ways it's become harder as well. I guess, to give you a more concise, specific answer, we're now more into notebooks and columns than we are into straight game reports. That varies from sport to sport and event to event, though. It's an interesting transition period that we're all going through.
BONUS QUESTION CSNChicago.com: Back to golf a two-part question: who's the most famous person you've ever golfed with and what's your personal best 18-hole score to date?
Ziehm: OUCH! Best golf score was 83 many, many years ago at the Bonnie Dundee course in Carpentersville. I've been within a stroke one way or the other of a 19 handicap for years, so that tells you my abilities as a player. But I have had a hole-in-one (not many can say that) and have three career eagles spread over a 48-year period. I guess — if nothing else — that shows my interest in golf hasn't been of a fleeting nature. I've played in a lot of pro-ams over the years and, without question, the best player I've played with was Kenny Perry at the 2007 BMW Championship at Cog Hill. He was a very nice guy, as well. A few years back I played a couple of informal rounds with Michael Jordan at Lakeshore Country Club. So, he was probably the most famous person I played with. I'm just grateful for the chances I've had to play with lots of interesting people, famous or not so famous, over my years on the golf beat.
Golf, as well as beat coverage of it, has changed dramatically over the years. I remember covering my first Western Open, at Olympia Fields in 1968, we'd conduct interviews over a small table with Jack Nicklaus or Arnold Palmer having a beer or cigarette while fielding questions from five or six reporters. I recall another time, not at a tournament, when Sam Snead held court for a few of us at Beverly Country Club and offered one interesting anecdote after another — some of them of an off-color nature. Now, to put it mildly, interviews with the big-name players are much more crowded, chaotic affairs that I'm sure will reach new heights now that Tiger Woods is back in action.


text:
Will screening for endometrial cancer soon be routine?
Giuseppe Del Priore, MD, MPH
, Roland Matthews, MD
Roland Matthews, MD
Contemporary OB/GYN Journal, Vol 64 No 08, Volume 64, Issue 08
A rigorous assessment of who, when, and how to screen may lead to regular testing in a broader population.
Major organizations currently recommend screening for endometrial cancer (EC) only for women with an inherited mismatch repair defect, commonly known as HNPCC (hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer) and Lynch syndrome. For women with HNPCC-which typically is identified after diagnosis of EC-endometrial biopsy is recommended annually or less frequently, starting at age 35. The precise definition and diagnostic criteria for Lynch and HNPCC syndromes vary. Genetic proof of these inherited disorders is not always available. In these circumstances, clinical criteria such as Amsterdam Criteria or a high index of suspicion should be sufficient to consider EC screening at some arbitrary interval and starting age.1
The homogeneity of opinions about EC screening, however, may be ending. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publicly announced that it is looking into EC screening, an initiative spurred by an unrelated, highly publicized case of morcellation.2 An incidentally discovered sarcoma is being used by at least one legislator to justify a request to the CDC to examine mandating endometrial biopsy before all hysterectomies. Many surgeons already perform biopsies before all hysterectomies and ovarian surgeries in at-risk women. In essence, these practitioners are screening for EC in an at-risk population: women about to undergo pelvic surgery.
Biopsy considerations
Routine screening for EC was studied during the initial experience with selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMS).3 The attention was due to an increase in EC in patients with breast cancer who use SERMS to prevent recurrence. The conclusion of most opinions at that time was that screening was not warranted due to a low incidence and positive predictive value of the then-favored screening modality, ultrasonography. Only ultrasonography was considered because of a perceived increased risk of office endometrial biopsy. Based on these assumptions, screening was not adopted by most practitioners because of the poor specificity of ultrasonography and the low prevalence of EC. In retrospect, that decision still seems appropriate, given the information available at that time.4
Data on complications of endometrial biopsy (perforation, bleeding, pain, infection) are derived from reports of a population with a strong indication for sampling (i.e., symptoms and presumed cancer until proven otherwise). In triage of this patient group, sampling attempts persist until successful, thus adding additional risks to the overall goal of sampling the endometrium.5,6
On the other hand, sampling asymptomatic patients, or screening, would exclude women at increased risk of complications from the procedure. In other words, patients at increased risk of complications from a screening biopsy would not be put through additional invasive procedures or attempts. For instance, a woman considered for screening who has cervical stenosis or severe comorbidities would not be subjected to dilatation and curettage in the operating room. Instead such as a patient could be triaged to serial pelvic ultrasonography or other safer office maneuvers, such as cervical "ripening," before biopsy.7 Thus, risk associated with biopsy for EC screening could be adjusted and lower than previously reported for endometrial sampling for other indications. In general, in-office sampling for screening should have little to no risk, as there are alternatives for difficult patients and procedures.8,9
Disease prevalence as a factor
Once risk of screening with biopsy is potentially acceptable, then disease prevalence becomes the next important area to consider. Currently some populations are at higher risk than the originally proposed group of patients using SERMs for breast cancer prevention. In those women, prospective cohort data suggest an endometrial cancer incidence of approximately 1/1000 to 1/2000.3 However, more recently reported data on community-based and risk-adjusted population incidence reveal much higher rates. For instance, in communities with high non-communicable disease (NCD) rates, EC incidence has been reported to be as high as 6/1000.10,11 In other populations, high-risk cohorts can be identified on the basis of risk factors such as age and weight. Using these risk modifiers, a subpopulation at even higher risk can be identified with rates theoretically approaching 1/100 for 50-year-olds with body mass indices (BMI) of 40 or more.10,11
This prevalence approximates and compares favorably to that in patients with symptoms. In those women, who have the traditional indication for endometrial biopsy, the rate of diagnosed cancers is higher, but that should not be the sole criterion for deciding when to biopsy.1,10 Using the current standard, EC outcome is not optimal because overall survival can be as low as 80% in communities suffering from disparities. In theory, screening could eliminate all EC-related deaths in these and other populations.
To justify screening, several other conditions must be met, including existence of a premalignant condition, availability of a realistic intervention, and likelihood that patients will adhere to treatment. EC screening is conceivable based on all of these parameters, including existence of a premalignant condition that can be treated to prevent progression to cancer.
Hyperplasia in its various forms does respond to medical treatments and likely even lifestyle changes, including weight loss. Medical therapies such as a progesterone-delivering intrauterine device can be both effective for premalignant conditions and less morbid than surgical treatment for EC. The increased safety of medical treatment for a premalignant condition versus surgery for frank EC is a given. That benefit may be magnified because premalignant conditions occur years before development of EC and may have an earlier peak occurrence in women who are younger, and presumably healthier, than patients destined to be diagnosed with EC. Certainly for any patient contemplating surgery, whether for EC or a precursor, doing so at the youngest age possible may be an advantage.
Most promising of all is evidence to suggest that lifestyle changes such as exercise and weight loss and interventions such as metformin that are aimed at underlying causes may have additional health benefits beyond interrupting progression to EC.12,13 Even if screening only leads to EC diagnosis at an earlier stage, it is theoretically possible that less invasive surgery, such as simple vaginal hysterectomy, can replace more extensive procedures involving lymph node removal and staging.
Screening in EC versus other cancers
Finally, compared with other cancers for which screening is done, EC is an attractive target. Its incidence and other characteristics are similar to those of breast, prostate, colon, and lung cancer. To be clear, incidence is lower for endometrial than for breast and prostate cancer, but the latter diseases have an indolent counterpart, which EC does not. Given the potential for overtreatment of breast and prostate cancer, controversy exists regarding the risk/benefit equation for their respective screening programs. There is no way to screen for "indolent" EC, so the watchful waiting, active surveillance, and other treatment algorithms evolving for breast and prostate cancer do not exist for EC. Screening and triage for EC is relatively simple compared with the techniques used for colon and lung cancer. Incidence of the latter two diseases is slightly higher than for EC, but the complexity, expense, and risk of work-up for EC makes screening for it potentially comparable.
Other screening programs have been tailored to specific segments of the population, such as smokers and patients with chronic hepatitis, who are at risk of lung and liver cancer, respectively. EC screening could be further refined by known risk factors, such as age and BMI, until a consensus is agreed upon that the adjusted risk warrants screening. This risk adjustment could be extended nearly universally in communities that share high-risk factors. For instance, in a community with high reported NCD rates, EC was 2.5, 3.5, 8 and 10.7 times more likely to be diagnosed than breast, colon, cervical and ovarian cancers, respectively.10 All of those other benchmark cancers are either being screened for or are the subjects of intense investigations for improved screening. EC is not currently experiencing the same focus, but the relative incidence of it suggests that it should be. Further, the high mortality associated with some cancers for which effective screening is being sought-such as ovarian and cervical cancer-is the rationale for that screening. In high-risk communities, however, EC, however, may actually be a more common cause of death than those diseases.10
In-office versus hospital-based screening
Screening can take many forms and may need to be community- or hospital-based, depending on the anticipated impact on compliance. Hospital-based screening, however, might be effective, given the association between EC and comorbid conditions and NCDs that lead to frequent hospital visits. For instance, at our safety net hospital, approximately 96% of women with EC had been seen an average of 1.7 years before their diagnosis, suggesting that earlier detection at screening may have been possible.14 Many of these patients had prior Pap smears, imaging, and biopsies for other diagnoses, which suggests that a hospital-based screening program would be possible. Women at risk for EC who have intermittent, unpredictable, and uncertain access to healthcare may benefit even more from hospital-based screening for the disease because it may be effective even at long intervals between screening. This is based on the well-established relationship of EC with hyperplasia and the long latency period between EC and its premalignant precursors.
Relative incidence of EC is higher than that for many cancers for which we already screen, including cervical cancer and other cancers with active screening research programs, such as ovarian cancer. EC does not have the same controversies that exist around prostate and breast cancer screening. (Screening may do more harm than good in the subsets of patients with those cancers whose disease has a long indolent natural history.) Overall, as risks factors for EC become more prevalent, and the affected population grows older with increasing related comorbidities, the need becomes more urgent for a thorough, rigorous, and scientific approach to determining who, when and how to screen. It will also be important to consider relative costs and benefits associated with these strategies. Changes in the overall health of our society have now made it imperative for all stakeholders to reconsider screening for EC.
The authors report no potential conflicts of interest with regard to this article.
Del Priore G. Endometrial Sampling Procedures. In: UpToDate, Post, TW (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2019.
Levitz J, McKay B. CDC eyes review of gynecological cancer screens. Wall Street Journal. May 2, 2018. Available at https://www.wsj.com/articles/cdc-eyes-review-of-gynecological-cancer-screens-1525318834 Accessed June 7, 2019.
van Leeuwen FE, Benraadt J, Coebergh JW, et al. Risk of endometrial cancer after tamoxifen treatment of breast cancer. Lancet. 1994 Feb 19;343(8895):448-452.
Del Priore G. Sonographic Follow-up in tamoxifen patients. Gynecol Oncol. 2000;76:423.
Gordon SJ, Westgate J. The incidence and management of failed Pipelle sampling in a general outpatient clinic. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 1999; 39:115.
Elsandabesee D, Greenwood P. The performance of Pipelle endometrial sampling in a dedicated postmenopausal bleeding clinic. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2005;25:32.
Güney M, Oral B, Mungan T. Intrauterine lidocaine plus buccal misoprostol in the endometrial biopsy. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2007; 97:125.
de Leon MC, Wu HH, Lennon AE, Del Priore G. Novel approach to outpatient endometrial biopsy to detect endometrial cancer. J Reprod Med. 2016 May-Jun;61(5-6):243-248.
Sierecki AR, Gudipudi DK, Montomarano N, Del Priore G. Comparison of endometrial aspiration biopsy techniques: specimen adequacy. J Repro Med. 2008;53(10):760-764.
Timoteo-Liaina I Khozaim K Buenconsejo-Lum LE, Del Priore G. Screening for endometrial cancer should be considered in special population. Available at https://www.sgo.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Saturday-March-11-2017-SGO-Annual-Meeting-International-Session-Abstracts.pdf Accessed on April 1, 2019.
Scott OW, Tin Tin S, Bigby SM, Elwood JM. Rapid increase in endometrial cancer incidence and ethnic differences in New Zealand. Cancer Causes Control. 2019 Feb;30(2):121-127.
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An international study has demonstrated that marine heatwaves have increased globally over the past century in number, length and intensity as a direct result of warming oceans.
From 1925-2016, the researchers found the frequency of marine heatwaves had increased on average by 34 percent and the length of each heatwave had increased by 17 percent. Combined, this led to a 54 percent increase in the number of marine heatwave days every year. Heatwave frequency has increased for 97 percent of the global ocean surface, with the North Atlantic the only exception.
The researchers uses a definition of a marine heatwave that was recently agreed by an international working group. In short, says Oliver, when daily ocean temperatures exceed a threshold for what is considered very warm at that time of year – technically, the 90th percentile, meaning it is only exceeded with a 10 percent chance – for at least five days, we call it a marine heatwave.
Marine heatwaves can be caused by a range of factors. The most common drivers include ocean currents which can build up areas of warm water and air-sea heat flux, or warming through the ocean surface from the atmosphere. Winds can enhance or suppress the warming in a marine heatwave, and climate modes like El Niño can change the likelihood of events occurring in certain regions.
• Tasmania's intense marine heatwave in 2016 led to disease outbreaks and slowing in growth rates across aquaculture industries.
The researchers used a variety of observational datasets to reveal the trend of increasing marine heatwaves, combining satellite data with a range of century-long datasets taken from ships and various land-based measuring stations. They then removed the influences of natural variability caused by the El Nino Southern Oscillation, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation to find the underlying trend.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's fifth assessment report projects that the global ocean will continue to warm well into the 21st century. The warming in the upper ocean is projected to be between 0.6°C and 2°C.


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