text:
Q: Having problems converting strings in a pandas series to lowercase I was able to do this in the DataFrame using a lambda function with map(lambda x: x.lower()). I tried to use a lambda function with pd.series.apply() but that didn't work. Also when I try to isolate the column in series with something like series['A'] should it return the index(although I guess this makes sense) because I get a float error even though the values that I want to apply the lower method to are strings. Any help would be appreciated.

A: You can use the Series vectorised string methods, which includes lower:
In [11]: df = pd.DataFrame([['A', 'B'], ['C', 4]], columns=['X', 'Y'])

In [12]: df
Out[12]:
   X  Y
0  A  B
1  C  4

In [13]: df.X.str.lower()
Out[13]:
0    a
1    c
Name: X, dtype: object

In [14]: df.Y.str.lower()
Out[14]:
0      b
1    NaN
Name: Y, dtype: object

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Logic Pro X 114 - External MIDI Advanced.
When synching Logic to Pro Tools, transmit ___________________ instead of _______________ because it is more accurate and stable.
This plugin allows you to process audio from your Logic project using external processors like compressors ____________________.
Another name for Parallel compression is?
In order to synchronize Logic to an external sequencer and send tempo information, you must transmit ______________ to the external sequencer.
In order to bounce a Logic project with External MIDI instruments included, this bounce setting must be activated.
To handle the audio from multiple external MIDI instruments, your audio interface only needs 2 inputs. True or False?
This plugin allows you to record MIDI and pass audio from an External MIDI instrument.


When we were approached by RJ, we knew we had what it takes to bring out their brand's full potential. That day, quality met quality.
With the timeless and stunning designs of RJ watches, it was clear we would have access to a vast gallery of beautiful images to help us showcase their product. The focus of the homepage would be this imagery, featuring their watches in a page-wide module with alternating photos that bring visitors straight into the luxurious world of RJ.
Loading at lightning speed and with smooth transitions, the homepage slider module gives viewers no choice but to admire the flawless watches before them.
Using a customised DRUPAL content management system, the clean and user-friendly website is fully responsive on all devices, drawing in potential buyers, partners and loyal customers alike by providing a portal that represents the very nature of the brand. Contrasting colours and eye-catching titles placed beside watchfaces whose charm speaks for itself, the website features come together to form an appealing juxtaposition of classic beauty and modernity.
Features aimed at personalising the experience of users were an integral part of the website planning, offering visitors quick and effortless access to a boutique locator service and a beautiful database of watches to help visitors find the exact timepiece their heart desires. Optimised with all the information clients need and integrated with Google Maps, it allows visitors to use street view and orient themselves to the location of the boutique, providing an engaging overview of RJ locations.
The product-first approach to developing their website and enhancing their social media presence brings loyal fans and potential buyers closer to the heart of the RJ brand, sharing its passion for timepieces and providing access to news, information and stunning visuals that gently invite you to stay on the page a little longer.


A triangular pennant, on a golden ground the black eagle of the coat-of-arms in the center; in the canton the number of the division in black arabic numerals and the letter D, e.g. '7.D.'. There were seven (infantry) divisions; as an example I show the 7th, as this was based in Munich. Source: Dreyhaupt 2000 [drh00].


All other honey requires flowers; lots and lots of them.
This golden, sweet, and sticky substance is more than just delicious. It has been imbued with special powers that heal wounds, fight infection and keep us healthy. Yes, special powers indeed when we look deeper at what honey can do.
The bee in its current form is over 22 million years old (this number is debated, and often quoted to be much higher), and thus has had a lot of practice perfecting the current version of honey. Making honey requires the cooperation of the entire hive, and isn't easy. The honey collected is used to sustain the bees all winter long, and when combined with pollen for protein, provides a balanced complete meal. The nutrients needed by bees are some of the same that we need to nourish ourselves. It is easy to recognize that many plants contain healthy nutrients that we need to run our bodies. Honey made from these plants contains those nutrients in sufficient quantities.
We know that what we ingest plays a direct role in our health and well-being. Unfortunately, the past century has seen a significant decline in honey usage. The introduction of processed cane sugar made it easy to satisfy our inherent sweet tooth without the challenge of beekeeping. The result being that our favorite sweet delicacies lack a lot of nutritional value. Our current state of obesity is in part due to the increases use of manufactured sugar.
This past weekend celebrated National Honeybee Day on August 20th, 2011. This day is designed to educate and celebrate the incredible pollinating insects that provide our honey supply. We each can use more honey in our diets. Even such a small amount as a tablespoon a day can make a large difference in your health. Consider it an upgrade to a multivitamin. They contain many of the same vitamins and minerals, but naturally, and more of them. Centrum (a popular multivitamin company) lists on their website that their vitamins contain calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, chloride, potassium, vitamin C, and B vitamins among other things. These are exactly what natural raw honey contains. Your immune system needs an influx of these nutrients in order to ward off invaders. What better way could there be than partaking in honey?
If that weren't convincing enough, honey will banish any seasonal allergies. Honey is made from nectar and pollen from the very plants you are allergic to. Eating raw honey activates the immune system's response so that it effectively eliminates the histamine. Which means if you have a regular dose of local honey, your body will be able to cope with seasonal allergies without commercial drugs and medicines that often induce sleepiness.
A daily dose will certainly help to keep the doctor away. Try it on cereal, toast or oatmeal in the morning. For a snack, dip apple slices in raw honey. For the more adventurous, go for the unadulterated spoonful.
No matter how you take your honey, there are three words for you to remember: Raw, Organic, Local. The importance of these words in relation to your honey cannot be understated. It is more important to get Raw Organic Local Honey than it is to get the equivalent in fruits and vegetables.
Raw honey is honey that has been unprocessed, unheated and virtually unfiltered. This is different from grocery store honey which is usually all three of those things. The processing, heating and filtering, breaks down the important vitamins and removes the natural pollen and wax that comes with natural raw honey. Not only that, but many commercial producers cut their honey with sugar water to increase profits. Not so appetizing.
Organic means that no pesticides or chemicals were used in relation to the bees. Factory chemicals are impossible to remove from honey. They cannot be washed, cleaned or burned out. So honey with pesticides, means human with pesticides.
Finally, local honey is so key because it contains the pollen and dust that is common to your area. Tasting honey from exotic places is exciting, but doesn't provide that immune system boost that local honey would. You can usually find Raw Organic Local Honey at farmers' markets. If yours doesn't have one, look around to local beekeepers or get information from the local beekeeping club. Most places have agricultural extensions that are great resources to utilize in your honey search. Check them out, and start your honey health revolution.
This is part 1 of a 4 part series. Check back for the next part talking about how honey can be used on wounds and for skincare.
Bryan Aldeghi, CLSC, is a College Transition Coach with the Integrated Pathways Center for Personal Growth. The transition from high school into college and from college into the working world is a challenging time for students, parents and families. By working with the dynamic Integrated Pathways team, Bryan helps clients ease the journey, through enhanced communication, goal completion, and increased self-awareness. Other team members focus on managing stress through Yoga, Yoga Therapy, Massage, and Bodywork. A local beekeeper, Bryan is a graduate of Vassar College and is currently working on his Masters of Mental Health Counseling at Walden University. To learn more, contact Bryan directly at BAldeghi@IntegratedPathways.net or visit www.IntegratedPathways.net.


Heizkorper Modern Wohnzimmer. You probably already know that Heizkorper Modern Wohnzimmer is among the hottest topics online nowadays. Depending on the files we took from google adwords, Heizkorper Modern Wohnzimmer has incredibly search online web engine. We feel that Heizkorper Modern Wohnzimmer supply fresh options or references for viewers.
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If, even for a moment, you ever doubt that golf is blessed, that serendipity watches over its history, consider two of the witnesses to the most celebrated shot ever struck.
It's 1935, during the final round of the second Masters, and a few years before the tournament even officially had that name. Gene Sarazen, trailing Craig Wood by 3 strokes with but 4 holes to go, smoked his 4-wood second shot over the pond fronting the par-5 15th hole. Not content to be a potential eagle, the ball pitched forward and rolled directly into the cup for a 2, a double-eagle, an albatross. Almost seventy years later, it's still the most famous shot in golf history.
And who witnessed the shot heard round the world? Bobby Jones, the game's patron saint, and Walter Hagen, the embodiment of sporting style.


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text:
Over 4% of Summer Mortality in European Cities is Attributable to Urban Heat Islands
A new study co-authored by a researcher from the EARLY-ADAPT group estimates that one third of deaths attributable to heat islands could be avoided if trees covered 30% of urban space.
earlyadapt2023-02-01T10:32:30+01:0001/02/2023|
The first Lancet Countdown in Europe report shows how climate change impacts public health in European countries
Four scientists from the EARLY-ADAPT group are among the 44 leading researchers that make up the Lancet Countdown in Europe initiative.
Getting to the bottom of deadly weather
A study of the correlation between temperature and mortality in the Indian city of Pune has found that cold, rather than heat, is by far the bigger killer.
Urgent need for policies addressing rising temperatures to mitigate the temperature-attributable mortality related to climate change
In this study we have studied the effects of rising temperatures on mortality in Europe according to three climate change scenarios. Depending on the scenario, total attributable mortality will increase notably due to the great increase of heat attributable mortality that will outweigh the reduction in cold attributable mortality. This increase in mortality attributable to temperatures will be more notorious in regions more exposed and vulnerable to heat.
Without Strong Mitigation Measures, Climate Change Will Increase Temperature-Attributable Mortality in Europe
If global warming is not curbed, the increase in heat-related deaths will outstrip the decline in cold-related mortality, especially in the Mediterranean Basin.
adttsear2022-01-24T12:48:41+01:0008/07/2021|
Improved Air Quality During First Wave of COVID-19 Prevented Around 150 Premature Deaths in Major Spanish Cities
The study evaluates the changes in NO2 and O3 levels along with the associated impact upon premature mortality during the lockdown of the first wave of COVID-19 across the main Spanish cities. The findings show a strong reduction in NO2 levels (-45% on average) that was associated with a significant decrease in the number of deaths (172). This reduction in mortality from the NO2 drop was however partially compensated by a small increase in the number of deaths (22) associated with the rise in O3 levels during the analysed period in the most populated Spanish cities.
Heat Now More Lethal Than Cold for People with Respiratory Diseases in Spain
The study assesses the eventual changes in the seasonal distribution of temperature-related mortality from respiratory diseases in Spain between 1980 and 2016.The findings show the complete reversal of the seasonality of temperature-attributable mortality, with a significant shift of the maximum monthly incidence from winter to summer, and the minimum monthly incidence from early and late summer to winter. The reversal in the seasonal distribution of the attributable deaths is not driven by the observed warming in both winter and summer temperatures, but rather by a larger adaptation to cold than heat.
Deaths from Cardiovascular Diseases Attributable to Heat and Cold Down 38% in Spain
The study analyses trends in temperature-related mortality from cardiovascular diseases in Spain between 1980 and 2016. The main findings show that deaths attributable to heat for the period 2002-2016 were more than 42% lower in men and more than 36% lower in women than in 1980-1994, while deaths attributable to cold were 30% lower in women and nearly 45% lower in men. The study concludes that the observed warming of the climate in Spain has occurred in parallel with substantial adaptation to both high and low temperatures.
The 2008 Recession Associated with Greater Decline in Mortality Rate in Europe
The objective of the study was to ascertain whether the pattern of mortality in Europe was procyclical or countercyclical, that is, whether the downward trend in the death rate accelerates or slows down during periods of economic recession. We showed that the decline in mortality accelerated during the recession years, and the tendency towards a reduction in mortality was more marked in the countries and regions where the recession was most severe. The study also considered the daily temperatures recorded during the whole study period to determine whether the trends observed were affected by the seasons, revealing that the relationship between variations in GDP and mortality was accentuated during the coldest months of the year.
This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant agreement No. 865564).
Copyright 2021 Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)
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Cameron University faculty members may apply for carrel assignments through the Director of Library Services office.
Each assignment is one year in duration with reassignment possible.
Faculty members who wish to keep circulating materials in carrels should borrow them through the circulation desk.
Faculty members should not leave non-circulating materials in carrels when their materials are not in use.
Carrel holders should not store or use food, tobacco products, or electrical appliances other than computers in their carrels.


text:
uncapitalized
helping engineers engineer their companies, helping designers design their companies
designers + engineers + empathy = greatness
Posted on September 24, 2014 by mabb0tt
designers and engineers need a deeper understanding of each other's craft to create truly great products. i'm convinced that engineers need to understand the experiences designers aim to create, even as designers need to understand just know how engineers will make those experience come to life. when the two groups interact for the greater good: they build phenomenal products, with minimal time resources.
it's all a matter of empathy — loosely defined as understanding the feelings and thinking of others. during my time leading engineering and design on webOS, and later at Twitter, i've learned that empathy is core to a product team's ability to move quickly from designers' "what" to engineers' "how." said differently, a designer knows what to make, and an engineer knows how to make it. when they overcome the communication barrier that separates the what and the how, good things are certain to come.
at palm, for example, we had to deliver a complete reset of webOS, moving the entire platform to a web-centric model. to do that, we put together a unified group of four teams: one team on the kernel, another on the apps, a third on infrastructure and the fourth on design. by working as a unified group, the engineers could empathize with what designers wanted the experience to be, while the designers understood the constraints of the OS. and because of that empathy, we delivered an entirely new webOS in less than a year. we had achieved a virtuous cycle of product design, the goal of every product company.
the notion of deep, cross-discipline understanding isn't limited to software development. it can be just as effective when developing hardware, hardware/software systems, and even for manufacturing. it's not even new. design for manufacturability and assembly methodologies – where designers actually consider whether their designs can be easily assembled and built – have been around for decades.
but without empathy — where the different roles innately understand each other's goals, assumptions and constraints — those cross-discipline development teams are still prone to misunderstandings and delays. recognizing that there is craft in the what and the how is key – and for the leader to help their design and engineering teams seamlessly understand each other is key.
which brings up the question: how can people with different mindsets and goals understand each other's thinking? my colleague john maeda, who also happens to live at the intersection of design and technology, suggests early stage companies let designers code and engineers design. while not everyone can make this crossover, those who do will bridge the groups and help accelerate development. i've lived in the valley long enough to see these kind of hybrid design/engineers make a huge difference in companies and now in the startups that they are founding.
for even slightly more mature companies, i believe it's the leaders who have to crossover and interact with other teams. they become the bridges who make sure everyone's on the same page, with the same understanding of goals and constraints. and they also make sure design comes at the beginning of the process. without it, empathy becomes a one-sided proposition, and that just won't work. so it's not enough for a leader to keep the "why" in focus for everyone anymore – they're going to have to get their hands dirty in the what and how, or at least serve as a solid communication bridge.
great execution: balancing order and chaos
it's human nature to prefer order over chaos. as a general rule, people want everything to be calm and predictable. we are generally as a species uncomfortable with turmoil.
ironically, in the tech industry upheaval is valued – we love turmoil. as entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, we're on a constant hunt for new ways to disrupt markets and upend the status quo. the companies that we launch and fund are in a nonstop race for more engineers, more customers, and never-ending revisions that challenge the edges of the CEO's sanity. working at these places can feel like riding a one-way ticket to crazy-town: an absolute sh*tshow of disorganization with no panic button to be found.
yet here's the thing. If the environment at a startup isn't crazy, then something's wrong. It may seem counter-intuitive, but chaos is an essential ingredient in a startup – it is what catalyzes the innovation. think of it as a necessary state of brownian motion where ideas collide with other ideas as fueled by deadlines and desperation. there's a limit to the chaos, however, and you immediately see what that looks like because products stop shipping.
the key to a great startup environment is finding balance, as steve jobs did at apple, jon rubinstein did at palm, and elon musk is doing at tesla motors. special kind of leaders know how to orchestrate the simultaneous demands of time, scope and quality. consider what happens when any of those elements go out of balance:
time/ fall too far behind a deadline, and you could miss a critical service level agreement.
scope/ allow unchecked scope creep, and you could end up with a bloated mess satisfying no one.
quality/ let quality decline, and your company's reputation could get permanently damaged.
great leaders know how to keep the chaos driven by these three factors in balance, and constantly modulate the demands to make the chaos manageable for their company leaders and employees.
today, i'm going to riff on a topic i haven't written about before, but has interested me for years: computer vision on mobile phones. i believe advances in computer vision — combined with the compute power we now take for granted on our cell phones — could improve people's lives in ways most of us haven't imagined. i'd better explain how i reached this conclusion.
scientists have known for years that increased blink rates are a great predictor of tiredness or fatigue. that fact came in handy when i wanted to figure out if my 4-year-old daughter would go to bed at 8pm or at 9pm, since that usually meant a big difference in her bedtime routine. i decided to build a mobile app that would record her face and let me count how often she blinked, helping me predict when she would fall asleep — and making a happier evening for parents and child. that's a pretty simple example of what I mean.
cardiio is a more-sophisticated app that leverages mobile phones' cameras and compute power. hold up your iPhone to your face in a well-lit area, and cardiio uses the front-facing camera to look at the capillaries on your cheeks. the app then measures the light that's being reflected to determine your heart rate — useful for tracking fitness levels, calorie burn, and even estimate your life expectancy.
i should mention i don't have any investments in cardiio or any other mobile computer vision app. i just find the whole space really interesting. MIT, for example, has developed computer-vision algorithms that can tell the difference between frustrated and pleased smiles. now imagine mobile apps that interpret shoppers' smiles and help retailers fine-tune their merchandising. retailers could also use mobile apps to analyze foot traffic for optimum cross-selling and impulse buys. and thanks to community efforts like PubFig and Labeled Faces in the Wild, computer vision software can recognize faces — with a high degree of confidence — across a wide variety of poses, expressions and conditions (recent NYT article on the advances). it won't be long before that capability shows up in commercial-grade mobile apps.
mobile computer vision can also help us model our environment and improve crop yields. for years, scientists have been finding new ways to use near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy to detected crop mold and fungi contamination and insect infestation. it's easy to imagine drones fitted with infrared cameras detecting early signs of infestation.
and then there's augmented reality — potentially giving humans a sixth sense for understanding the world around us. Google Glass may be the best example so far, as developers continually add new apps that overlay information on what the wearer sees. But I wonder about the effect this sort of enhanced vision has on us. if you wear Oculus for seven hours, does it rewire your brain? for pro and con, mobile computer vision could have a dramatic impact on us and the world we live in.
here is a fun application of a convolutional neural net that i setup with caffe last weekend.


text:
Department Budget briefing
This premium content has been made freely available
A summary of this committee meeting is not yet available.
PROVINCIAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
Chairperson: Ms R Ntsulana-Bhengu (ANC)
Documents handed out:
Director-General's overview of Department programmes and budget briefing
Department overview of the budget and Fiscal Transfers (Programmes 6 and 7) briefing
Governance, Policy and Research (Programme 2) briefing
Urban and Rural Development (Programme 3) briefing
System and Capacity Building (Programme 4) briefing
Free Basic Services & Infrastructure (Programme 5) briefing
National budget review: Provincial and Local Government Allocations
Administration (Programme 1) briefing
The Committee was briefed by the Department on its Budget Vote for 2005/06. The Department highlighted that in terms of the new equitable share formula, it would now be able to provide meaningful financial assistance to local government and would also ensure that the provincial sphere of government was strengthened. During the discussion, among other issues, the following were raised:
- how the new equitable share formula would deal with the issues of revenue base visa vi the urban and rural municipalities;
- the importance of provincial grants and what effect its removal might have on local government;
- that all provincial ordinances and municipal by-laws, which did not conform to the new order, should be repealed; and
- that an integrated and people-centred development approach should relate to citizens' problems on the ground.
After the lunchbreak, the Committee expressed that it was important for the Department to implement national policies on affirmative action. It was concerned that some of the figures on people who had benefited under the Department's programmes seemed inaccurate. The allocation of resources seemed to favour urban municipalities. Lack of capacity at local government level remained a major problem. The Department wanted to do a skills audit in all nodal municipalities. The audit would enable the Department to intervene in terms of skills development in a holistic and integrated manner.
The Department had managed to complete draft regulations and guidelines for the Local Government Property Rates Act and these would soon be gazetted. Some of its priorities for 2005/06 included the finalisation and implementation of the payment protocol and supporting municipalities in the implementation of the Property Rates Act. Draft regulations and a framework for disaster management had been published for public comment. Good progress was made in establishing an integrated Disaster Management Information System. It had also prepared a draft Local Government Anti-Corruption Strategy and rolled it out in five municipalities in the Western Cape province.
The Department had finalised the Free Basic Services study and had developed an information portal to assist municipalities to report and share information. 67% of households with infrastructure had access to free basic water. 45% of households benefited from free basic electricity and 2.4 million of these were poor households served by Eskom. An indigent policy had been developed. The Department intended to create awareness among municipalities to use partnerships as an option to accelerate service delivery. It would also hold district wide information sessions on the importance of ring fencing the electricity distribution business.
Director-General's briefing
The Department delegation included Ms L Msengana-Ndlela, Director-General; Mr C Clerihew, Chief Finance Officer; Mr D Powell, Acting Deputy Director-General: Governance, Policy and Research; Ms M Molapo, Deputy Director-General: Urban and Rural Development; Mr E Africa, Deputy Director-General: Systems and Capacity Building; Mr P Flusk, Deputy Director-General: Free Basic Services and Infrastructure; Mr G Mokate, Deputy Director-General: Corporate Services; Ms T Mketi, Chief Director: Human Resource Management; Mr P Matomela, Chief Director: Corporate Secretariat; and Mr O Cupido, Director: Office of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
Ms L Msengana-Ndlela (Director-General) took the Committee through her presentation, noting that the aim was to develop and promote a national system based on integrated and co-operative governance to ensure the necessary support for the provincial and local governments. In order to realise that the Department had since refined its Strategic Plan for 2005 so as to position itself in a manner where it would be able to address the needs of South African and thus respond to the challenges of this Second Decade of Democracy accordingly. It was worth noting that the Provinces and Municipalities would receive a bigger share of national revenue as that would definitely maximise the opportunities for accelerated service delivery and development, especially at the municipal level. Acknowledging the important role played by various key stakeholders in the fight against poverty and in creating job opportunities, she invited Members to join hands with government in building a proud South African nation (see presentation). She thereafter called on the heads of the Department's programmes to make their presentations and outline their respective programmes for the coming financial year.
Mr P Smith (IFP) felt that the Committee would have to be briefed on the new Local Government Equitable Share Formula and thus asked whether the increase in the Division of Revenue Bill reflected the equitable share based on the new formula.
The Director-General said that since the country's economy had grown tremendously averaging 3.2% per year, it was necessary that the funds that were made available to local government should also be increased in order to ensure that the basic needs of South African citizens were addressed and people therefore derived benefits.
Mr Smith (IFP), pointing to page 192 of the Division of Revenue Bill, asked what significance the equitable share formula had on smaller municipalities, such as Ilembe, and whether the National Financial Year Equitable Share just reflected the allocation made as the result of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework.
The Director-General reminded Members that it was reported last year that the Department, together with the NT and FFC, would develop a programme to ensure the refinement of the local government equitable share and its formula and thereafter drew the Committee's attention to Chapter 7 of the Budget Review presented by the Minister of Finance. Whilst pointing out that page 157 of the document clearly summarised the key features of the new local government equitable share formula, they would further explain this programme at the Committee's request.
Mr Smith (IFP) further noting that the municipalities that were serviced by Ilembe Municipality were purely rural in nature, asked the Department to explain why the equitable share of municipalities like Ndwedwe and Maphumulo had decreased over the years instead of increasing since the equitable share meant to address the municipal backlogs.
The Director-General pointed out that if the budget increases were to ignore the challenges faced by smaller and rural municipalities that would have been a contradiction and thus appealed to Members to look at this budget holistically and not in a piecemeal fashion as municipalities received their funding from various sectors, such as the local government equitable share, consolidated programmes of the MIG and other capacity related development programmes.
Mr Smith (IFP) agreed with the importance of provincial grants and the fact that they were useful in capacitating the Provinces so that they could play their supporting role to the municipalities, but asked whether the Provinces were now sufficiently capacitated that they no longer required any further funding to exercise their supporting role to the municipalities.
The Director-General responded that the Department was of the view that to enable municipalities to increase their own capacity and thus perform on their respective mandates, it was important that funds should be transferred direct to them. However this would not mean the end of provincial support as Provinces would continue their co-ordinating role through their provincial equitable shares.
Mr E Africa (Deputy Director-General: Systems and Capacity Building) while acknowledging that there was a need to engage the Committee in this regard, said that it should be noted that this new formula had five components all aiming at addressing various issues relating to the local government equitable share. These components were service delivery of basic needs, development, institution, revenue raising capacity, and stabilisation.
The Chairperson noted that the Department would have to brief the Committee accordingly so that Members could clearly understand the reasoning behind the removal of the grants to the Provinces. Furthermore, they would like to understand the difference between a revenue base for urban municipalities and a revenue base for rural municipalities and how the new equitable share formula proposed to deal with this. Also noting that there were still provincial ordinances and municipal by-laws, which did not conform to the new order based on constitutional democracy, she asked the Department to look at the issue urgently and ensure that those laws conformed to the principles of the Constitution.
Nkosi M Nonkonyana (ANC) agreed that there was only one 'super law' in the country and that was the Constitution. Any law, which contradicted the principles laid down in the Constitution, was invalid.
The Director-General said that they had noted the concerns raised by Members and would deal with them accordingly. Furthermore, she assured the Committee that the Department would continue with its rural bias and pro poor policies whilst taking into account migration patterns in the country.
Nkosi Nonkonyana (ANC) felt that it was necessary that the Committee also get SALGA's view on this new formula.
Chief Financial Officer's briefing
Mr C Clerihew (CFO) briefly highlighted the main features of the Department's 2005/06 budget, noting that while there had been no increase in their operating budget for this current financial year, there had been a significant increase in their overall budget and transfers amounting to 18.5%. It should be borne in mind that since the project management grant had now been incorporated into the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) the Department would not be transferring any grants to the Provinces in this financial year (see presentation).
Mr Smith (IFP) felt that the figures reflected in slide 5 were simply nominal figures and did not reflect real increases in the MTEF trends. He asked the Department to provide the Committee with real figures, which would reflect real increases in the MTEF trend.
Mr Clerihew noted that they would provide the figures to the Committee in due course.
Mr W Doman (DA) asked the Department to provide a detailed reason for allocating R61 million to consultants and contractors for this financial year.
The Director-General noted that the Department would provide the Committee with an explanation in this regard.
Mr Dorman (DA) asked what criteria was used by the Department to allocate bursaries.
Mr Clerihew noted that the Department did not provide bursaries for outside use, it only provided bursaries to its staff in terms of its policy to ensure their development.
Governance, Policy and Research briefing
Mr D Powell (Acting Deputy Director-General: Governance, Policy and Research) outlined the purpose, objectives and the role of the GPR division, noting that their aim was to promote a governance system that would strengthen service delivery, provincial performance and accountability throughout South Africa. Thus, much of their work was policy related research divided into five sub-programmes headed each by a Chief Directorate. He explained their estimates of expenditure for 2004 and 2005/06 based on their outputs and target indicators and what progress was made in 2004/05 and new priorities for 2005/06 (see presentation).
Mr Smith (IFP) asked for clarity on the nature and purpose of the budget allocated to the programme as reflected in slide 21 of the document.
Mr Powell responded that while the budget data related to personnel and the operating budget for the programme, the greatest allocation would be made to personnel.
Mr Smith (IFP) noting that over the last decade much of the work of the Department focused on the local aspects of government, asked the Department to clarify what mechanisms they had in place to ensure that the provincial sphere of government was also strengthened during this decade.
In his response, Mr Powell said that it should be noted that the Provinces and municipalities were conceptually and constitutionally different from one another and as such, the Department always tried to ensure that it worked with all the spheres of government in addressing the challenges facing South Africa. In order to achieve that a number of programmes and initiatives had been designed to help the Department to work directly with each sphere of government, including provincial government.
Nkosi Nonkonyana (ANC) noting that out of six Provinces, which were required to table their Implementation Framework Bills to the legislature, only five were ready to do that, and asked what the target date was for this process.
In response, Mr Powell said that it should be noted that while the target date was accelerated to January 2005, the initial target date was March 2005 and thus all the Provinces concerned could still meet it.
Nkosi Nonkonyana (ANC) asked whether would it would be possible for the Committee to be briefed by the Commission on Disputes and Claims regarding its programme.
Mr Powell noted that while he was not in the position to speak for the Commission, if the Committee made such a request to the Chairperson of the Commission, he was sure that the Commission would appear before the Committee and present its programme.
Nkosi Nonkonyana (ANC) asked exactly when in 2005 the Cabinet memorandum on the LED Strategy would be submitted and to whom.
Mr Powell responded that while their intention had been to have the LED Strategy adopted by Cabinet last year, Cabinet never adopted a framework. They would ensure that it went through that process within the next coming two months but that also depended on Cabinet's programme. Furthermore, it should be noted that there would be a variety of institutions responsible for the LED process, ranging from government departments to other key role players.
Mr M Lekgoro (ANC) noting the importance of the LED in governmental issues, asked which Government institution would be responsible for financing the real work of the LED.
Mr Powell responded that while there were various Government instruments affecting the LED process, such as the MIG, EPWP and the like, their objective would be to give a fully fledged government process to the programme and thus see to it that capacity was built at the local level of government.
Nkosi Nonkonyana (ANC) asked whether the Department had prepared guidelines for the corporate governance of new Traditional Councils and the Local Councils of Traditional Leaders.
Mr Powell responded that the Department would produce a number of guidelines in this regard and the preparations were being made.
Mr M Swart (DA) asked whether other community structures would be involved during the IDP hearings scheduled to take place between March and May 2005 throughout the country.
Mr Powell responded that the Department was working very closely with Provinces and municipalities in this regard to ensure that the public was widely represented during the hearings.
The Chairperson noted that the terms "integrated development approach" and "people centred development approach" were not new as they had been in existence since 1994, although the reality on the ground did not reflect the existence of such approaches and she therefore felt that it was the Department's responsibility to co-ordinate and facilitate an integrated development approach by all government institutions and organs to ensure coherence in service delivery.
Mr S Mshudulu (ANC) was concerned about the manner in which the provincial departments of local government were structured differently from province to province and thus asked the Department to rectify this as it created confusion at times, especially when it came to accountability.
The Director-General said that the Department had noted the concerns raised by the Committee and some of them would be addressed later through other programmes' presentations, such as the one dealing with integrated sustainable rural development and the urban renewal programme. However, she acknowledged the enormous task faced by the public service in translating government's strategic objectives into quick implementation plans.
The Chairperson noted that the Department would have to brief the Committee on how IDPs really attacked the problem of infrastructure and thus ensured that facilities became accessible to more people.
The Director-General said they noted the Chairperson's request and informed Members to take note of the fact that the Presidency and the Social Cluster would be releasing a study document on micro-social analysis which, amongst other things, also dealt with issues of infrastructure and social development.
Integrated Sustainable Rural Development and Urban Renewal briefing
Ms M Molapo (Deputy Director-General: Urban and Rural Development) in outlining the purpose, objectives and the key principles guiding the programme on Urban and Rural Development noted that they aimed at eradicating poverty and underdevelopment and thus implement government's vision of developmental local government and the developmental state to ensure sustainable development and integrated planning throughout the three spheres of government. She explained the progress that had been made in 2004/05, who the ultimate beneficiaries of the URP and ISRDP were and their new priorities for 2005/06 (see presentation).
After the lunchbreak, Mr S Mshudulu (ANC) asked if it was possible for the Department to make some of the guidelines referred to available. The Committee had the responsibility to monitor the Department and also empower the communities. It also had to run workshops on Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) and development. He also asked if the Department could furnish the Committee with information on skills that were required in the labour market. Access to information and information sharing remained a major challenge. One should find a way of ensuring that reports were produced from local level to national government.
Ms Molapo replied that the Department would make the information referred to available. The Department was revamping its website and a lot of information would be put on it. She took note of the information requirements around guidelines to assist Members with their oversight roles. The Department would welcome input from the Committee on guidelines.
Mr M Nonkonyane (ANC) made a comparison between progress on Urban Renewal Programmes
(URP) resource targeting and progress on Integrated Sustainable Rural Development programme (ISRDP) resource targeting. Under URP resource targeting an amount of R2.2 billion was allocated to six municipalities with URP nodes. R1.3 billion of the money allocated was from the equitable share. Under ISRDP resource targeting the equitable share amounted to R1.9 billion. Urban bias remained a problem. He asked if the Department had any unspent money that was allocated to its programmes.
He also made a comparison between URP beneficiaries and ISRDP beneficiaries for 2004. Although one would expect to find many poor people in rural nodes, the number of beneficiaries was very small when compared to beneficiaries in urban areas. There was a need for a debate on resource allocation to urban and rural municipalities if there was an unequal allocation of resources.
Ms Molapo replied that the Department had spent the whole of its allocation. The expenditure trends for last year were affected by the fact that not all positions where filled. Hence the allocation for 2004/05 was adjusted to R9 million. The expenditure had slowed down due to vacancies that existed at the time. All vacancies had been filled and the whole allocation would be spent.
The Chairperson said that there were 13 rural nodes and eight urban nodes. She was of the opinion that rural nodes had to benefit more than urban nodes. Urban nodes had existing infrastructure that only needed to be upgraded. However, one had to start from scratch in rural areas and this required more resources. There were imbalances in the allocation of resources between rural and urban areas.
The Chairperson said that the implementation of national policies did not reflect a rainbow nation. She noted that the Integrated Sustainable Rural Development and Urban Renewal Programmes branch seemed unrepresentative of all racial groups. It was important for the branch to be gender sensitive. As much as the government was implementing affirmative action it was important not to discriminate against males. The branch seemed to be "too black" and there were no people with disabilities. There were national policies of employing people with disabilities and they had to be implemented. It was important to know what the staff complement of the Department was and if vacancies were having an effect on how the Department performed its functions. In future, the Committee did not want to be told that the Department did not have capacity due to a shortage of staff. It was more interested in dealing with challenges that had nothing to do with shortages of staff. The Department should indicate which posts were vacant and when they were likely to be filled.
She said that she would have serious problems if the beneficiaries under ISRDP who were not specified were males. She believed that the integrated development approach was related to skills development. This meant that the Department of Labour had a role to play in every project in terms of training and capacity building. She asked how the Committee could find out that the Department was playing its roles. There should be an indication of the training which enabled the community to participate in the project. A legacy should be left behind by projects. People should get skills that would allow them to go into the labour market after the implementation of the project. She could not believe that there could be 874 youth beneficiaries and 4 196 disabled beneficiaries in terms of the ISRDP. The number of people with disabilities could not exceed the number of the youth.
Ms Molapo agreed that the figure seemed inaccurate. She would verify it and report back to the Committee. She suspected that the unspecified people were males. She would verify the information and get back to the Committee. With regard to the integrated development approach, she said that the Department wanted to do a skills audit in all nodal municipalities. This was in line with directives articulated in the State of the Nation Address in relation to the capacity of the State to implement development programmes. The Department should be able to indicate which skills were lacking in a particular municipality. A skills audit would enable the Department to intervene in terms of skills development in a holistic and integrated manner. Part of the skills development drive was to be able to give people a window of opportunity for employment. It was important to understand how to uplift the communities in which the programmes were being implemented. It would also be vital to use the information from the skills audit in interfacing with institutions of higher learning.
On the issue of the composition of her branch, she agreed that it was not representative of all races. There were some male staff members and one coloured lady. The branch staff composition was linked to the typical profile of the rural nodes. This did not mean that the Department should not look at correcting the imbalances. The Department could still rectify the situation when filling the layer below managers.
With regard to the disjuncture between figures of beneficiaries with disabilities and the youth, she said that she was also concerned with the figures. They seemed inaccurate especially when one looked at the profile of the country. She would verify the figures and report back to the Committee.
Mr Mshudulu said that whenever there was going to be a project the Department of Labour would provide the Committee with a questionnaire. The Committee would then announce through Counsellors that all people without certificates should visit the Committee. The Committee would then identify them and call Departments to conduct trade tests so that people could be credited for their skills. Most people did not succeed in tendering because they had no certificates. Those who had the certificates but no experience employed those who did not have certificates and paid them "peanuts".
Mr P Smith (IFP) said that reference was made to a joint work plan and the DPLG was the lead Department. He presumed that there was co-ordination. The Department's budget only reflected the Department's actual expenditure. He asked where one could get a holistic budgetary picture of the programme. It was difficult to see how much was spent on nodal programmes.
Ms Molapo replied that the challenge was that the government had not done spatially referenced budgeting in the past. There was no system of geographic budgeting. There would be geographically referenced system of budgeting because the Department wanted all clusters to indicate how they would support the nodes. Clusters were composites of Departments. One would probably have a situation where Departments would identify cluster priorities and develop strategies to address them. The strategies would have to be funded and directed to the nodal programmes. One would be able to show how much was dedicated to programmes should the model with regard to the financing protocol work.
A Member asked who the national political champions were and why local political champions were excluded. He also asked if the technical champions referred to local government or private sector technocrats.
The Chairperson said that the whole concept of a political champion had to be unpacked.
Ms Molapo replied that a political champion was a serving political office bearer. At national level this would be Ministers and Deputy Ministers assigned to provide mentorship to nodal municipalities. Such Ministers would have to attend to blockages around programmes assigned to them. They would also leverage any opportunities for the development of the nodal municipalities. Premiers and Mayors were other layers of political champions in the provincial and local government spheres. They could delegate their responsibilities to other officers. The idea was to have a layer of political support for programmes across all spheres of government because the programmes were implemented by all spheres of government.
She added that the whole concept of technical champions was designed along the lines of political champions. The technocrats were responsible for the actual implementation of the programmes. One would find that a team at national level would constitute a co-ordinating team working in conjunction with other sector Departments. There were guidelines that sought to ensure that all Departments had a person to interface with other Departments. Provinces and municipalities already had such people in the form of the premiers and municipal managers or other designated people. There were forums where different issues were discussed.
The Chairperson said that at first glance the whole concept of political champion seemed to suggest political interference. She understood the presenter to be saying that the role of the champions was to see that things were happening as scheduled. Those champions were responsible for unblocking any blockages in the programmes. The reason why such people were appointed at national level was that they sat at high level decision making structures which decided on resource allocation.
Ms H Mpaka (ANC) asked when the process of confirming provincial political champions would be finalised.
Ms M Gumede (ANC) said that the breakdown of the number of beneficiaries under ISRDP did not add up to 216 857. She was concerned this might make headlines in newspapers. There should be a link between the number of beneficiaries and the money allocated or spent. People would ask where the rest of the money was spent if the Department could only account for 12 000 beneficiaries. She noted that all nodes had reviewed their current IDPs. All nodes had business plans and or strategy documents in place to guide the implementation of the programme. She asked when the programme would be implemented. She also asked the Department to explain how it would improve the poor uptake of reporting systems.
Mr Smith was of the opinion that 'beneficiaries' referred to people who got work experience and not access to basic services. He asked, if his opinion was true, why only 4 339 were permanent jobs. He asked if the Department considered this figure to be reasonable. It was striking that Mitchell's Plain contributed three quarters of the total permanent job opportunities in the urban programme. He asked if this was a factual statement or a measurement error. It would be understandable if Mitchell's Plain had three quarters of funding, training and capacity building. He wondered if the figures were inclusive or exclusive of extended public works programmes.
The Chairperson said that the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Unit (MIIU) was charged with the responsibility of facilitating private sector involvement in the development of infrastructure and service delivery in municipalities that had no capacity. She asked the Department to comment on the impact of the MIIU. The Committee was the Department's lobbyists when it came to resources allocation. It was vital for the Department to present what it required in terms of resources in order to enable the Committee to see a true picture of the Department's challenges. The Department might have more challenges than the resources allocated to it. The Committee should understand all challenges relating to programmes, resources allocated to them and the institutions put in place to assist the Department in achieving its goals.
Ms Msengana Ndlela replied that the MIIU had submitted a report and the Department was still studying it. The Department would report back to the Committee once it had fully discussed the report. The Department would also present its impression of the MIIU once the Ministry had formalised its response.
The Director-General said that there were two important issues. The first was the budget as presented by Minister Manuel and the budget that was the subject of discussion by the Committee. The second was the discussion raised by the January Lekgotla and the President about the need to review the capacity of government and its implementation agencies. The Department was very active in the review of capacity as it co-chaired the governance and administration cluster. It had also had experience of some of the challenges that the implementation agencies were facing. The government had already advised that, over and above what was reflected in the State of the Nation Address and the Budget Speech, there would be an ongoing task to review and assess capacity.
The Director-General confirmed that the budget made available to local government had increased and that people's needs exceeded available resources. There was a need for a balanced approach to addressing the needs. Just as much as there were limited resources lack of capacity was the greatest challenge. Hence the Department had proposed a capacity building programme. When the Department visited provinces, it was established that funds transferred to provinces and municipalities were not used for a number of reasons. Some of the reasons given ranged from planning, the decision making process and bureaucracy. If one was to have a balanced view about increasing resources allocated to local government, one must equally invest in municipalities so that they would be able to provide leadership and administrative capacity to absorb and utilise resources. Project Consolidate was an urgent support programme that should help in addressing the problem of capacity. It was hoped that the Committee would allow the Department an opportunity to come back and make a briefing on work already done in this regard.
The Chairperson said that a municipality like eThekwini had factories that paid levies. It had many employed people who could pay for different services. It would seem right for the eThekwini municipality to pay for its services. Some municipalities would find it difficult to pay for services due to lack of sources of revenue. The question was whether it was fair for municipalities that did not have revenue sources to be required to fund service delivery and also pay their councillors and staff from the revenue collected. She wondered why councillors in rural municipalities were paid less than councillors in developed municipalities. Rural municipalities had more needs that developed municipalities.
The Director-General replied that there were only two full-time and nine part-time councillors in the Mbashe municipality, for instance. Metropolitan councils had more full-time and part-time councillors. The government should look at the remuneration and number of councillors. It was also important to look at further development of the Ward Committee system.
The Chairperson said that it was important to unpack the issue of social cohesion and moral regeneration. Moral regeneration was very important. She had not yet seen practical implementation of the moral regeneration programme. The Department should brief the Committee on how the programme was being implemented especially given that there was a question to Deputy President J Zuma in the House on this. The response that was given was that all Departments were responsible for ensuring that this programme was part of their programmes. She was aware of what the problem was but not sure of the programmes that were designed to solve it. The Department would be called to come and unpack its programmes on moral regeneration.
Branch: Systems of Capacity Building: Programme 4
Mr E Africa (Deputy Director-General) made the presentation on systems and capacity building. The branch focused on, amongst others, building systems and providing support and capacity building. It was not directly involved in service delivery, programme management or implementation. The branch had managed to complete draft regulations and guidelines for the Local Government Property Rates Act and these would soon be gazetted. It was in the process of finalising a payment protocol for government departments. Some of its priorities for 2005/06 included the finalisation and implementation of the payment protocol and supporting municipalities in the implementation of the Property Rates Act. A draft Local Government Employees Bill and a report on the remuneration of councillors had been prepared.
Draft regulations and a framework for disaster management had been published for public comment. Good progress was being made in establishing an integrated Disaster Management Information System. It was hoped that functional structures for the implementation of the Disaster Management Act would be established by March 2006.
The branch had also prepared a draft Local Government Anti-Corruption Strategy. It had commenced the roll-out of the draft strategy in five municipalities in the Western Cape province. Plans to extend the roll-out to other municipalities were at an advanced stage.
Branch: Free Basic Services and Infrastructure
Mr P Flusk (Deputy Director-General) made the presentation. The purpose of the branch was to provide support to local government to enable it to deliver sustainable infrastructure and increased access to basic services, including free basic services. The branch had finalised the Free Basic Service study and had developed an information portal to assist municipalities to report and share information. 67% of households with infrastructure had access to free basic water. 45% of households benefited from free basic electricity and 2,4 million of these were poor households served by Eskom. An indigent policy had been developed. Some of the branch's priorities for the year 2005/06 were to create awareness among municipalities to use partnerships as an option to accelerate service delivery. It would also hold district wide information sessions on the importance of ring fencing the electricity distribution business.
Branch: Support Services
Mr G Mokate (Deputy Director-General) made the presentation. The purpose of the branch was to strengthen the corporate capacity and capability of the Department by providing the necessary resources, establishing appropriate systems and ensuring that State resources were utilised appropriately to improve the performance of the Department in achieving its strategic objectives. Risk and audit management capacity had been increased to ensure effective corporate governance. Good financial management standards were maintained and this resulted in the Department receiving an unqualified audit report. The Department improved on and in some case exceeded its employment equity targets.
Mr Smith asked if municipal debt had increased. He asked if the Local Government Employees Bill dealt with the issue of the remuneration of municipal managers. It was puzzling why the Disaster Management Act had been passed but it seemed as if much of it was still not in force. He found it difficult to believe that 45% of households had access to free basic electricity.
Mr Africa replied that the debt reduction programme was still ongoing. The Department was not in a position to reveal figures on the state of municipal debt. The Committee would be updated on this in the near future. The Department was working with six metropolitans in order to understand the debt profiles and overall financial situations. It was also working with seven municipalities so that it could come up with an approach for the entire country. With regard to the Local Government Employees Bill, he said that the bill would address the issue of the remuneration of municipal managers.
Mr B Solo (ANC) said that there was very slow progress on the operationalisation of disaster management. There had been quite a number of disasters but no risk reduction efforts. It was embarrassing to see what had happened in the Joe Slovo informal settlement. One would have thought that such a disaster would be avoided since the Disaster Management Act was in place. It seems that there were no efforts to improve the competency of volunteers to react to disaster. It was not clear how much allocation was made for this programme. There were also no clear reports on the successes and challenges of the programme. This made it difficult to weigh the responsibilities of the programme against resources allocated to it. There was a need to engage on the extent to which the indigent policy impacted on the budget.
Mr Africa replied that it was agreed that the Act would be implemented in phases. The Department had prepared regulations on the issue of volunteers. The Department was also working on disaster management as part of integrated development plans. It would use the integrated development plans review process to begin to entrench the importance of disaster management plans. Progress with regard to structures that were supposed to be put in place was not as the Department had expected. A range of interim structures was operational across the country. There were also memoranda of understanding between government and key institutions on disaster management.
Mr M Lekgoro (ANC) noted that the Department intended moving into a new building. He asked if there was any national discussion taking place on the use of State owned buildings. Pretoria had about six State owned buildings which were not in use. Such buildings were a threat to the city's safety. Departments looking for buildings did not go to the city. The use of such buildings was important for the regeneration of the inner city. He asked if there was any deployment of trained people from the communities to assist in dealing with disasters like fires.
Mr W Doman (DA) asked what was the staff complement of the Disaster Management Centre. He also asked for a brief comment on the involvement of Eskom in the delivery of free basic electricity.
Mr Africa replied that the Department did not have a Disaster Management Centre as envisaged in legislation. However, there was a Chief Directorate which performed the functions of a Disaster Management Centre.
The Chairperson said that there was a policy of free basic water of six kiloliters. There were escalating tariffs as applied by municipalities. The question was what was the impact of escalating water tariffs on free basic water. It was important to know if people could still feel that they were getting six kiloliters free despite the escalating water tariffs. She also asked if South Africa was moving towards free basic water for all irrespective of affordability levels and if this was sustainable. She was of the opinion that energy referred to, amongst others, paraffin and gas to households that did not have electricity. It was important to understand if the 45% of households referred to in the presentation referred to households that had benefited from free basic "electricity" or energy in general. It would take time to build the necessary infrastructure in rural areas. Hence the need to find ways of making communities benefit from other sources of energy.
The Chairperson asked how the establishment of the regional electricity distributors would impact on the revenue base of municipalities. She also asked how free basic services, particularly electricity, would be managed if the regional electricity distributors took over the distribution of electricity from Eskom and municipalities. It was also important to know how removing electricity distribution from municipalities would be compensated for.
Mr Flusk replied that the regional electricity distributors were designed to ensure that the municipalities became the distributors of electricity. There was a debate on what would happen to Eskom's assets and why Eskom should not be part of the regional electricity distributors. The policy of free basic electricity remained in place.
The meeting was adjourned.
We don't have attendance info for this committee meeting


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text:
Afra zophoptera is een vlinder uit de familie van de snuitmotten (Pyralidae). De wetenschappelijke naam van de soort is voor het eerst geldig gepubliceerd in 1942 door Ghesquière.

Snuitmotten

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Wole Soyinka Says He Have Forgiven Americans For Voting 'Racist, Monster Trump'
Wole Soyinka says he has forgiven Americans for electing Donald Trump.
by Tobias Sylvester January 21, 2021, 8:41 am
Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka said America has redeemed itself by voting against the former President, Donald Trump, whom he described as a racist, monster and a xenophobe.
Speaking during an interview with Arise Television on Wednesday, Soyinka said he has forgiven Americans for electing Trump, whose victory made him tore his US immigrant visa to shred in 2016.
On the issue of his torn green card, the Nobel Laureate said he would not be renewing it since he could visit the United States even without the American visa.
"I feel honoured to be associated with the democratic forces of the United States for correcting the unbelievable error that they committed four years ago," he said.
"I consider myself back in that community from which I dissociated myself four years ago and I am very glad to be back but I am not renewing my green card, it is not necessary. I go in and out as a visiting alien and that is good enough for me."
READ: 2023: Like Tinubu, Umahi Visits Buhari To Inform Him Of His Presidential Ambition
Soyinka said he was very much concerned with the US elections in 2016 because the country has a huge Nigerian population, adding that America's history would not be complete without blacks.
He said he tried to warn them about the impending danger of a Trump Presidency but his advice was ignored hence his decision to tear his green cars to shreds.
"The complacency was very painful and I said if you people are so careless as to let this racist, this monster, this xenophobic aberrant, this disrespect of the female gender, this serial bankrupt, this man who called your own society a shithole country, if you are so careless as to let him become the next President, I am moving out," he said.
READ: "Nyesom Wike Was My Staff, I Can't Bring Myself Low To His Level" – Rotimi Amaechi
The Nobel Laureate said in a way he was happy about the attack on the Capitol building by pro-Trump rioters because he wanted Americans to understand how fragile democracy is.
"So, you can imagine what I have felt over the last few weeks, the siege on the Capitol. In a way it was rather heart-warming for the Americans themselves to feel that what they have been fighting for over a year is not really a given in their society and they had to confront it in a brutal unbelievable way and they came out of it in flying colours.
"It is not over not by any means, I don't say that for a single moment but it has been a lesson for us in this continent and we should be grateful that it did happen. I am sorry of course about the loss of life, I regret the disruption of normal life but now we are placed on the same playing level, that we are all fighting for the same virtue in human conduct, the same system we all believe in that you cannot take it for granted, not anymore and for us here in Nigeria, it has been, I hope, it was been a heart-warming occasion."
KanyiDaily had earlier reported that Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday, pledging to unite the country and calling on Americans to end the "uncivil war" that has fractured the nation.
READ: Bashir Ahmad Denies Being 'Quietly Appointed' As DPR Manager By President Buhari
Trump Wasn't A Mistake, God Used His Foolishness To Bring America Down – Dino Melaye
APC Urges Trump To Emulate How Buhari Handled Defeat After Losing Election
US President, Donald Trump Restricts Issuance Of Green Card To Nigeria, Five Other Countries
Over 30 Reps Calls For President Trump's Impeachment, Two Weeks To End Of His Tenure
AmericansDonald TrumpNewsNigeriaPoliticsUnited StatesWole Soyinka
US Capitol Attack: "No Ambition Is Worth The Blood Of Any Citizen" – Jonathan Tells Trump
Nigeria Enjoyed Good Working Relationship With Trump's Administration – Presidency
Buhari's Government Worried Because They Hoped For Trump's Victory, Not Biden – Joe Parkinson
US President, Donald Trump Reacts As Nigerians Holds Rally To Campaign For Him [Video]
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"That's a heavy weight on my shoulders, don't you think? The Gods were really not holding back." She said sarcastically feeling her nerves begin to build up, as she twirled the prophecy in her hands.
A murderous King, a ruthless fighter, a hidden heir, and a ploy to end the merciless reign and bring balance to the Kingdoms once again.
When Prue had gone accidentally back in time, she also fell accidentally in love. Would she stay in 17th century Paris and permanently alter time or go back to 2007 California where she belongs?
In the world of Bitotem live creatures called Bloods who are half animal half human shapeshifters. There's a girl who is the rarest Blood of them all, and she goes on an adventure to kill the King.
After an army attacks a boy's village, his life is changed as he finds himself in a course of events within an entire world hidden in his own.
"Who could ever love someone they can't touch?"
Katherine never dreamed of meeting anyone of great importance, but with a twist of fate, she is faced with an important decision.
Although the Dead, as they were simply called, started out only as one hundred, their strength was in their immortality and resurrection.
She won that competition in a one in a million chance, but she wasn't interested in winning at all. But there is a great secret that the superstars seems to be hiding. Whatever could it possibly be?
Being Chosen by the Moon is a gift, but when the Goddess closes the Gate to the Tides after Her Children ignore Her warnings, war comes from within..
Green has always put her trust in the gods and has never strayed from their words but as her story progresses her trust and faith in the gods will slowly become a burning hate.


When do I Pay a Penalty on 401(k) Withdrawals?
Q: I was recently laid off and withdrew my 401(k) balance to live on. Do I have to pay a penalty for early withdrawal? I am 58 years old.
A: As you separated from employment and are at least age 55, you are exempt from the 10 percent early-withdrawal penalty. Your former employer should record a Code 2 (Known Exception Exists) in Box 7 of the 1099-R that will be sent to you. If there is some other code in that box, then you will have to complete IRS Form 5329 and write Code 01 on Line 2 of that form.


If you're looking for a place to breathe in fresh sea air, in a relaxing atmosphere just a stone's throw from the beach, choose Hotel Olympic, where you can calm your mind and regenerate your body.
The Hotel Olympic is in Misano Brasile, a lovely stretch of sun-kissed beach less than 1 km from Misano Adriatico and under 3 km from Viale Ceccarini in Riccione, between the deep blue sea and the azure sky.
When you leave Hotel Olympic you're in the heart of a quiet zone where everything you need is close at hand.
Relax your mind in one of the hotel's rooms and enjoy all the goodness of traditional cuisine at the Hotel Olympic restaurant. Enjoy a holiday that focuses only on you and your desire for freedom. Yes, because here you can do whatever you want and feel really good, just as if you were at home.
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A precious element in every civilization is the water. In this book you can discover how the water system works in the Alhambra citadel.
His author, Juan Antonio Vilar, my workmate and friend has unraveled all the mysteries of this ditch that nourished the entire palatine city of the Alhambra with water.
Includes photographs and graphics to better understand its operation and all the christian transformations that the water system suffers along the centuries.
La Chanfaina is a novel written by the author from Granada José Luis Gastón Morata.
It is very entertaining and very well documented, set in the time of the Napoleonic invasion in Granada (1808-1812).
It is about the life of a doctor in nineteenth-century, an expert in works of art and old paintings, who will draw up a plan in other to which the painting of the Trinity by Alonso Cano will not stolen by the French.
This canvas is better known as "La Chanfaina" that it was a typical meal at that time.
Alhambra and Generalife: its decorative, medicinal plants, trees and crops.
Written by Rafael de la Cruz and José Manuel García.
Magnificent book for lovers of the botany of the Alhambra and the Generalife.
For those who wish to know the common name of the plants and their uses in Al-Andalus.
The plants of the Alhambra are perfectly recognizable thanks to their magnificent illustrations.
I recommend reading the magnificent novel by Laura Fernández-Montesinos, my workmate and friend.
Official guide of Granada by profession, but writer of devotion and vocation.
A perfectly documented and acclimated novel.
Treated with love and care each of its pages.


text:
Lakerholicz – Quinn Cook
by Luke Theme October 8, 2019, 9:59 pm
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Quinn Cook is an NBA Championship winning basketball player. His road to his current franchise has had its share of twists and turns. After an impressive college career with Duke University, Quinn Cook traveled between franchises and played predominantly in the NBA G League until his NBA debut in February 2017. During this time, many people wondered: who does Quinn Cook play for?
The answer to that question is now the LA Lakers. Along the way, Quinn Cook picked up an NBA Championship ring with the Golden State Warriors in 2018. The Lakers will be hoping that he can bring his winning mentality to the Staples Center to break the Lakers NBA Playoff drought.
Quinn Cook was born on 23 March 1993 in Washington, D.C. He was childhood friends with Kevin Durant, who helped mentor him in his professional basketball career. The two would ultimately be teammates at the Golden State Warriors and win a championship together.
After establishing himself as NBA quality, Cook will be hoping that he can form strong partnerships with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Quinn Cook's position of point guard is usually played by taller players, but Cook has shown his ability to rise to the occasion when it matters. He'll be hoping to grow his reputation as a clutch player this season with the LA Lakers, hopefully taking them back to the NBA Playoffs.
Quinn Cook's career has had its shares of ups and downs. Despite setbacks, Quinn Cook has consistently performed whenever he's played, from high school and college to the NBA G League and the NBA. He is a great role-model for young basketball players who perhaps don't get the draft or contract that they were hoping for. With hard work and a professional attitude, there is always going to be a chance to launch your NBA career.
Quinn Cook began to make a name for himself in basketball circles as early as high school. He attended DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland for his freshman, sophomore and junior years. During his junior year, DeMatha was the top-ranked team in the state of Maryland.
Quinn Cook has been friends with Kevin Durant since childhood, and Cook would ultimately follow in Durant's footsteps when he transferred to Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia for his senior year. Durant had spent his junior year at Oak Hill Academy before transferring to Montrose Christian School for his senior year.
In his senior year at Oak Hill Academy, Quinn Cook continued to build his reputation. Cook averaged 19.1 points, 10.9 assists and 2.5 steals per game. His average of a double-double for points and assists made him a widely sought after recruit for universities across the nation. He was selected for the 2011 McDonald's All-American game.
Quinn Cook had to decide which college team to play for. He had approaches from Villanova, Duke, North Carolina, and UCLA. Cook decided to select Duke University for his college career. He made his announcement live on ESPNU. The decision was influenced by Kevin Durant, who had advised Cook to play for a coach that he trusted. Cook admitted that the reason he chose Duke was because of coach Mike Krzyzewski.
In his freshman year, Quinn Cook found himself on the bench due to injury and strong competition. He would only start four games in the season. The following three seasons, Cook would go from strength to strength. In his final season with the Dukes, Cook averaged 15.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. That year the Dukes won the 2015 NCAA Division 1 championship.
The following year Quinn Cook enlisted for the 2015 NBA Draft. Despite an NCAA championship and representing Duke, Quinn Cook's NBA draft experience would be his first career setback. Cook would go undrafted in the 2015 NBA Draft. While this seems surprising, his smaller size and low defensive stats perhaps made him less of a target in an already strong group of players in the draft.
Over the next two years, Quinn Cook would be waived four times and sign three 10-day contracts. Throughout this time Cook continued to impress whenever given an opportunity, remaining professional and focused on his career ambitions.
After going undrafted, Quinn Cook failed to earn a contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Cook did, however, sign with the Cavaliers' affiliate side, the Canton Charge, in October 2015. In the NBA G League, Cook impressed for the Canton Charge. He won the 2015-2016 Rookie of the Year award for averaging 19.6 points, 5.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game.
In September 2016, Cook signed with the New Orleans Pelicans but was waived after three pre-season games. He resigned with the Canton Charge in November 2016. Not deterred by the back and forth, Cook would post better stats the following season with the Canton Charge. In the 2016-2017 season, Quinn Cook averaged 26 points, 6.7 assists, and 4.1 rebounds.
His performances were noted, and Cook signed a 10-day contract with the Dallas Mavericks on 26 February 2017. Cook made his NBA debut with the Dallas Mavericks but ultimately returned to the Canton Charge after the 10-day contract expired on 8 March 2017.
On 19 March 2017, Quinn signed a 10-day contract with the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans then signed Quinn to another 10-day contract on 29 March 2017. When the second 10-day contract expired, the Pelicans signed Quinn for the remainder of the season. During this time, Quinn scored 22 points against the Golden State Warriors. The Pelicans ultimately waived Quinn in July 2017.
Cook briefly joined the Atlanta Hawks for a training camp before being waived on 13 October 2017. Quinn Cook could be forgiven for feeling disheartened at this point but he kept his focus.
Fortunately for Quinn Cook, news of his availability piqued the interest of the Golden State Warriors executives, his 22-point performance against them no doubt still fresh. On 17 October 2017, Cook signed a two-way contract with the Golden State Warriors. He would play for both the Golden State Warriors and their NBA G League affiliate side, the Santa Cruz Warriors.
For the Santa Cruz Warriors, Cook impressed with an average of 25.3 points, 8.1 assists, and 4.6 rebounds. He would ultimately earn more game time for the Golden State Warriors, thanks in part to injuries to other players.
He took the opportunity with both hands and signed a two-year contract with the Golden State Warriors' first team in April 2018. He would go on to help the Golden State Warriors win the 2018 NBA Championship title.
The following season, rumors of a Quinn Cook trade began to appear. He would end up keeping his place on the Warriors' roster and finish as a runner-up in the 2019 NBA Finals. At the end of the season, with his contract expiring, Cook became a free agent.
While most Lakers' news was dominated by the Anthony Davis trade, Quinn Cook signed as a free agent along with DeMarcus Cousins and Danny Green. In Quinn Cook, the Lakers have a player who is not afraid to take shots under pressure. He could be the missing piece in the puzzle that takes the Lakers back to the playoffs.
With Frank Vogel coaching the Lakers, Quinn Cook has an opportunity to improve his defensive stats this season. Vogel is the ideal coach to strengthen Cook's game.
Many Lakers fans will be looking to the Lakers schedule to see when they can watch Cook in action. He has a history of winning titles, and the Lakers will be hoping he continues that trend at the Staples Center. To find out more about Quinn Cook and the Lakers, follow the Lakerholicz website. With recent partnership with BetMGM, support us by visiting BetMGM for a seamless betting and gaming experience.
Quinn Cook's stats in the NBA might not seem that impressive at first but it is important to remember that he had limited playing time with the Mavericks and the Pelicans. Cook averages 7.4 points, 2 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. He'll be hoping to improve these stats with the Lakers this season.
Previous article Lakerholicz – DeMarcus Cousins
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Written by Luke Theme
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Lakers agree to free agent deals with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Lance Stephenson, JaVale McGee
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text:
Q: java.lang.StackOverflowError in TestNg I have super simple project written in page object pattern and the only dependency is TestNg 7.5.
Project structure:

*

*there are two page object classes (TextEditorTabPage and VisualEditorTabPage)

*there is one test class (Testclass) with one @Test annotation inside from where I can run the test

[Screen with the project structure]
: https://i.stack.imgur.com/NUt9z.png
Classes content:
TextEditorTabPage
package pages;
public class TextEditorTabPage {
    VisualEditorTabPage VisualEditor = new VisualEditorTabPage();

    public void qwer (){
        System.out.println("gg");
    }
}

VisualEditorTabPage
package pages;

public class VisualEditorTabPage {
    TextEditorTabPage TextEditor = new TextEditorTabPage();
}

Testclass
package tests;

import pages.TextEditorTabPage;
import pages.VisualEditorTabPage;
import org.testng.annotations.*;

public class Testclass {
    TextEditorTabPage textEditor = new TextEditorTabPage();
    VisualEditorTabPage visualEditor = new VisualEditorTabPage();

    @Test
    public void test (){

    }

}

Problem
When I run the test, I recieve StackOverFlow error:
Picked up _JAVA_OPTIONS: -Djava.net.preferIPv4Stack=true
SLF4J: Failed to load class "org.slf4j.impl.StaticLoggerBinder".
SLF4J: Defaulting to no-operation (NOP) logger implementation
SLF4J: See http://www.slf4j.org/codes.html#StaticLoggerBinder for further details.
org.testng.TestNGException:
Cannot instantiate class tests.Testclass
    at org.testng.internal.objects.InstanceCreator.newInstance(InstanceCreator.java:41)
    at org.testng.ITestObjectFactory.newInstance(ITestObjectFactory.java:18)
    at org.testng.internal.objects.SimpleObjectDispenser.instantiateUsingDefaultConstructor(SimpleObjectDispenser.java:178)
    at org.testng.internal.objects.SimpleObjectDispenser.createInstance(SimpleObjectDispenser.java:87)
    at org.testng.internal.objects.SimpleObjectDispenser.dispense(SimpleObjectDispenser.java:40)
    at org.testng.internal.objects.GuiceBasedObjectDispenser.dispense(GuiceBasedObjectDispenser.java:28)
    at org.testng.internal.ClassImpl.getDefaultInstance(ClassImpl.java:106)
    at org.testng.internal.ClassImpl.getInstances(ClassImpl.java:136)
    at org.testng.TestClass.getInstances(TestClass.java:129)
    at org.testng.TestClass.initTestClassesAndInstances(TestClass.java:109)
    at org.testng.TestClass.init(TestClass.java:101)
    at org.testng.TestClass.<init>(TestClass.java:66)
    at org.testng.TestRunner.initMethods(TestRunner.java:465)
    at org.testng.TestRunner.init(TestRunner.java:333)
    at org.testng.TestRunner.init(TestRunner.java:286)
    at org.testng.TestRunner.<init>(TestRunner.java:176)
    at org.testng.SuiteRunner$DefaultTestRunnerFactory.newTestRunner(SuiteRunner.java:635)
    at org.testng.SuiteRunner.init(SuiteRunner.java:221)
    at org.testng.SuiteRunner.<init>(SuiteRunner.java:114)
    at org.testng.TestNG.createSuiteRunner(TestNG.java:1342)
    at org.testng.TestNG.createSuiteRunners(TestNG.java:1318)
    at org.testng.TestNG.runSuitesLocally(TestNG.java:1160)
    at org.testng.TestNG.runSuites(TestNG.java:1092)
    at org.testng.TestNG.run(TestNG.java:1060)
    at com.intellij.rt.testng.IDEARemoteTestNG.run(IDEARemoteTestNG.java:66)
    at com.intellij.rt.testng.RemoteTestNGStarter.main(RemoteTestNGStarter.java:109)
Caused by: java.lang.reflect.InvocationTargetException
    at sun.reflect.NativeConstructorAccessorImpl.newInstance0(Native Method)
    at sun.reflect.NativeConstructorAccessorImpl.newInstance(NativeConstructorAccessorImpl.java:62)
    at sun.reflect.DelegatingConstructorAccessorImpl.newInstance(DelegatingConstructorAccessorImpl.java:45)
    at java.lang.reflect.Constructor.newInstance(Constructor.java:423)
    at org.testng.internal.objects.InstanceCreator.newInstance(InstanceCreator.java:38)
    ... 25 more
Caused by: java.lang.StackOverflowError
    at pages.VisualEditorTabPage.<init>(VisualEditorTabPage.java:3)
    at pages.TextEditorTabPage.<init>(TextEditorTabPage.java:4)
    at pages.VisualEditorTabPage.<init>(VisualEditorTabPage.java:4)
    at pages.TextEditorTabPage.<init>(TextEditorTabPage.java:4)
    at pages.VisualEditorTabPage.<init>(VisualEditorTabPage.java:4)
    at pages.TextEditorTabPage.<init>(TextEditorTabPage.java:4)
    at pages.VisualEditorTabPage.<init>(VisualEditorTabPage.java:4)
    at pages.TextEditorTabPage.<init>(TextEditorTabPage.java:4)
    at pages.VisualEditorTabPage.<init>(VisualEditorTabPage.java:4)
    at pages.TextEditorTabPage.<init>(TextEditorTabPage.java:4)
    at pages.VisualEditorTabPage.<init>(VisualEditorTabPage.java:4)
    at pages.TextEditorTabPage.<init>(TextEditorTabPage.java:4)
    at pages.VisualEditorTabPage.<init>(VisualEditorTabPage.java:4)
    at pages.TextEditorTabPage.<init>(TextEditorTabPage.java:4)
    at pages.VisualEditorTabPage.<init>(VisualEditorTabPage.java:4)
    at pages.TextEditorTabPage.<init>(TextEditorTabPage.java:4)
    at pages.VisualEditorTabPage.<init>(VisualEditorTabPage.java:4)
    at pages.TextEditorTabPage.<init>(TextEditorTabPage.java:4)
    at pages.VisualEditorTabPage.<init>(VisualEditorTabPage.java:4)
    at pages.TextEditorTabPage.<init>(TextEditorTabPage.java:4)

Where

VisualEditorTabPage. -> TextEditorTabPage.

repeats potentialy infinite times.
What am I doing wrong and how I can fix that?

A: Each class requires an object of the other. Therefore when you try to create an object of class TextEditorTabPage, it tries to create an object of VisualEditorTabPage. But VisualEditorTabPage requires an object of TextEditorTabPage to create. Here generates a loop.
What is your exact requirement?

A:
Visual uses Text's methods, and Text uses Visual's methods To do it in a right way, do you think that I should just make some methods static? Instead of instantiating classes?

The right way would be to use the advantage of the Inheritance. Say you have:

*

*Entity A that have methods aA, aB and aC

*Entity B that have methods bE, bF, bG
You want Entity A to use bF and Entity B to use aB and aC
So you could deign Entity C in the way it would have aB, aC and bF.
Then your Entity A would extend Entity C with aA and Entity B would extend Entity C with bE and bG.


text:
<?php

namespace Itscaro\Service\Flickr\Model\Photo;

use Itscaro\Service\Flickr\Model\ModelAbstract;

/**
 * Description of Photo
 *
 * @author Minh-Quan
 */
class SizeCollection extends ModelAbstract {

    /**
     *
     * @var int
     */
    public $canblog;

    /**
     *
     * @var int
     */
    public $canprint;

    /**
     *
     * @var int
     */
    public $candownload;

    /**
     *
     * @var Size[]
     */
    public $size;

    public function __construct(array $rawData = array())
    {
        parent::__construct($rawData);

        $this->size = null;
    }

    public function addItems(array $items)
    {
        foreach ($items as $_item) {
            $this->size[] = new Size($_item);
        }
    }

}


SALISBURY, N.C. -- Catawba opened South Atlantic Conference play with a 4-1 victory over Newberry Wednesday at the Frock Soccer Complex.
The Lady Indians (5-0, 1-0) scored all four goals in a 16-minute window, spanning the end of the first half and the beginning of the second. Catawba was in control of the match when the Wolves (3-2, 0-1) tallied their lone goal.
The teams felt each other out for the first half hour, playing mostly in the middle third of the pitch. Jovana Sanchez broke a scoreless tie in the 37th-minute for her team leading fourth goal of the campaign. Kacey McLamb controlled Mackenzie Rennie's corner before tapping to an open Sanchez.
Sanchez assisted on Katie Beck's first goal of the season at the 53:26 mark, increasing the Catawba lead to 2-0.
Bailey Howell (55:40) and Maddie Peck (58:59) added their first goals of the season with unassisted markers, putting the Lady Indians up 4-0.
Newberry got on the board when Jacqueline Alrete's shot was just high enough to glance off the finger tips of the Lady Indians keeper, Shelby Thompson.
Saturday's game at Mars Hill has been postponed due to Hurricane Florence. The game will be rescheduled at a later date.
Catawba travels to Charlotte for a match at Queens Wednesday at 5 p.m.


text:
Q: Eclipse: Subclipse "Edit Conflicts" I have found that when using Subclipse to edit conflicts, all my syntax color settings are preserved except for the background color, which is reset to the standard white. Using my particular color scheme makes it almost impossible to read any of the text when stuck with a white background.
Is there anywhere I can change this default background color? There doesn't seem to be any way to do this from the preferences window, but perhaps there is a config file somewhere I could edit?
Any help would be very much appreciated (my eyes will thank you too)!

A: I think you run into this eclipse bug: "Compare editor background color doesn't obey settings". It seems to be fixed in 3.5 which will be released soon.

A: This sounds like a bug in eclipse. Have you tried filing a bug report?

A: As far as I can tell, this is not fixed in 3.5.1.
I'm on
Version: 3.5.1.R35x_v20090910-9gEeG1_FthkNDSP2odXdThaOu9GFDPn83DGB7
Build id: M20090917-0800
and the background color of the Diff Editor is still white no matter what.
The bug report mentioned above says milestone 3 is the target, so thats probably why its still a bug for me. The question is- does the target release of 3.5 milestone 3 mean the fix was incorporated to eclipse 3.6?

A: I am using the latest eclipse (indigo) and I have a similar problem.  The compare editor is really dark colored: The background is black, the text is not colored like it would be in a normal eclipse editor.  It is impossible to read with these colors.   This is a fresh install of eclipse (I hoped that a fresh install would fixed the problem - I was using helios with the same problem.  I am using the same workspace however): all I have right now it PDT, Subclipse, and a few web tools (CSS XHTML...)