text:
KFC Is Making Vegetarian "Fried Chicken"
Don't worry, it'll still have that signature KFC spice.
By Collier Sutter
Colonel Sanders' fried chicken recipe has won the hearts of many over the years. But up until now, the hype around KFC's illustrious menu item was something vegetarians obviously couldn't be apart of. The chain is now giving a new recipe a try, sans chicken.
The company announced this week that it was testing a chicken-like vegetarian option in the UK. There's no doubt it will use KFC's signature (and secret) blend of 11 herbs and spices too, so trust that it will still be the real deal.
"Development of the recipe is still in its very early stages, and so the options we're exploring in our kitchen are still top secret," a spokesman for KFC said in a statement to Foodbeast. "Once we've perfected the recipe, we aim to test with customers this year, and if all goes well, we hope to launch a new vegetarian option in 2019."
Though vegetarian's will clearly be reaping the benefits of the meat-free addition, KFC is hoping to generally push in a healthier direction with it's food.
Over the next seven years, KFC UK told Foodbeast they're looking to cut their calories per serving by 20%, and will be introducing multiple meal options that are under 600 calories by year 2020.
As for the news on vegetarian fried chicken, there's no word yet, if it will go global so we can only wait and see. In the meantime, KFC fans have been vocal with their reactions, and feelings are mixed.
What ??! 😮 wow... ok , I'm a vegetarian and I may give it a shot. No GMO's please.
— ElizabethViveiros (@ElizabethVivei5) June 9, 2018
Check back for m0re updates on the vegetarian creation, we'll be keeping our ears open and cravings ready.
Vegetarian Fried Rice
This KFC Bath Bomb Smells Like Fried Chicken
KFC Created A Ridiculous Chicken-Fried Pizza
KFC Sells Fried Chicken-Flavored Potato Chips
KFC Is Selling A Taco With A Fried Chicken Shell
KFC Wants To Make A Fried Chicken Bucket Hot Tub

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Mount Eustis ski project gets parks commissioners' OK
by Khela McGann
LITTLETON — The Mount Eustis Ski Slope revitalization effort recently received the Parks and Recreation commissioners' blessings, but a lot of work is ahead for all who are interested.
In the early 1980s, the town-owned ski area shut down after a few snowless winters, a loss of interest and an increase in costs. It had been a local source of outdoor recreation and entertainment for more than 40 years — even after construction of Interstate 93 cut the original 1,600-foot slope almost in half. Many long-time area residents have fond memories of spending evenings and weekends at the mountain while training with ski teams, partaking in competitions or just having fun.
The town has maintained the main trail by contracting the mowing out to a local man each year, but trees and other brush have still encroached upon it. Today a new warming hut would need to be built, and the lighting and ski tow would need to be fixed, upgraded or replaced completely.
Though attempts have been made in the past to bring the ski area back to life, this time the project already has the support of more than a dozen "can-doers." Such things as surveying, mapping, layout, slope safety, permitting, hut construction, grooming and signage all have volunteers from the business community.
Last Thursday, some of those people met with the parks department and other residents to discuss moving forward with the revitalization effort. After getting the commissioners' go-head, Ron Lahout, who is one of the organizers, said that the group will be looking into developing a business plan as well as the costs for such things as lighting, lifts and a lodge.
"[The commissioners are] confident that we can get it open without taxpayer dollars, but they're worried about how much it will cost to get it going," said Lahout.
Parks Commissioner Bryan Hadlock said that he is in favor of the project and believes that a ski slope would be a huge asset for the greater community; however, he is concerned about sustainability. While locals, tourists and ski teams from Littleton and surrounding towns would all benefit, the parks department budget is already stretched thin and project organizers will have to get creative to find funding.
"It's a positive thing and we've heard no negative feedback, but it's going to take a lot of time and planning," said Hadlock — though he added that he did have faith in those who are behind the project.
"There's a large group of people [involved] who are go-getters, so the physical additions will not be that expensive. The problem is making sure it's sustainable and we can afford it," he said.
According to Hadlock, the town's insurance program does not permit a ski area and an added policy would cost about $10,000 a year if purchased by Littleton. Organizers have said that it's possible the cost could be lower if the ski area was leased to an organization, and a small usage fee for the ski area has also been discussed.
Still everything being talked about at the moment comes with the caveat that the project is in the very early stages of planning.
Selectman Chairman Ron Bolt, attended the meeting but not I an official capacity on behalf of the town or the board, said one thing to be aware of is that the select board no longer has "the authority to make a lease arrangement on town-owned land." Any lease arrangement would need to be approved by voters.
The Lincoln-Woodstock Recreation Department runs what could be a similar town-owned ski slope at the Kanc Recreation Area. It includes a beginner slope, a skating rink and a sledding hill. Some of the expenses for the Kanc Ski Area include insurance at $10,000, electricity at $9,240, fuel at $5,352, heat at $2,330, and water for snowmaking at $3,500. Its total expenses come to $74,260 a year, or about $165 per hour for the average number of hours it is open each season.
Lin-Wood Recreation Director Tara Tower said that this year's budgeted revenue was $15,000 and the ski area has received $16,244 so far. The Kanc Ski Area offers residents a day rate of $5 and an evening rate of $3. Nonresidents are charged $10 during the day and $7 in the evening.
"We make snow for 250 hours each year," said Tower in an email. "And without it, we would not be able to be open from December 26 to March 31 each year."
Parks Commissioner Charlie Paradice said that overall Mount Eustis is "a great untapped resource for our town."
"There's some planning that needs to be done and thinking about what's down the road," said Paradice. "[However,] I think that there are a lot of quality people in the group. The passion for skiing that they have is enough that they could get something going and keep it going."
He did acknowledge that the first question that comes to people's minds over a project like this is, "how will their taxes be affected?" However, Lahout has already been thinking about ways that Mount Eustis could save the community money in the long run, pointing to transportation costs for the ski teams and programs.
"The cost of what we've paid to use Cannon would be a savings to the budget," said Lahout.
He has also been thinking of ways to fundraise, suggesting that people could "purchase" individual lighting poles or parts of the ski tow and warming hut in exchange for having a plaque put up in honor of a family or loved one.
Any individuals, organizations or businesses interested in contributing, may contact David Harkless at 444-3437, Ron Lahout at 387-6209 or Herb Lahout at 616-7991.
Businesses circulate petition resisting Dalton landfill
Bethlehem officials discuss deliberative session options
Recent Khela McGann
Public hearing held on county budget
Commissioners' budget: Taxes to be raised up by 8.75 percent
Littleton voters say 'yes' to service, 'no' to operating budget
Group eyes next hurdle for Mount Eustis endeavor
2012-Feb-22


NOTE: Michigan lawmakers are currently back in their home districts for the spring legislative recess. They will return to Lansing for regular session next week on Tuesday, April 9.
Throughout the past several weeks, Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) has encouraged support of the federal Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (S. 311 and H.R. 962). The legislation would prohibit infanticide by ensuring that a child born alive following an abortion would receive the same degree of care to preserve his or her life and health as would be given to any other child born alive at the same gestational age. While a 2002 law is already in existence to protect children born alive after an abortion, that law does not currently include the necessary penalties to enforce its provisions.
This week, Representative Steven Scalise (R-Louisiana-1st District) filed a discharge petition, which would allow the House of Representatives to vote on the Act (H.R. 962), despite opposition from House leadership. The petition currently has 198 signatures and needs to get to 218 to force a vote to be held. Here are the members of the Michigan Congressional delegation who have signed onto the petition so far: Representatives Justin Amash (R-3rd District), Jack Bergman (R-1st District), Bill Huizenga (R-2nd District), Paul Mitchell (R-10th District), John Moolenaar (R-4th District), Fred Upton (R-6th District), and Tim Walberg (R-7th District). MCC is grateful for their action on behalf of human life.
Continued pressure is needed to urge the other members of Michigan's Congressional delegation to sign onto the petition, including Debbie Dingell (D-12th District), Dan Kildee (D-5th District), Brenda Lawrence (D-14th District), Andy Levin (D-9th District), Elissa Slotkin (D-8th District), Haley Stevens (D-11th District), and Rashida Tlaib (D-13th District). If your U.S. Representative is one of these individuals, email them today!


Shredit 4.9 for Macintosh has been released by Mireth Technology.
Shredit securely deletes files, folders and free disc space. It does this, the company says, by removing file contents from the hard disk. Normal Mac OS deletes remove only the file name from the directory, leaving the data intact.
New in this release is the Safe Place feature, which protects important documents from accidental deletion.
ShredIt for Macintosh costs $15. It can be ordered from Mireth's Web site. A free demo can be also be downloaded.


Last year we posted about the relationship between asthma and the flu. Well, it's that time of year again – in fact, I'm writing this post while working from home with a 3rd grader who may well have come down with the flu!
The Community Wellness Center at Valley View Mall — lower level next to Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream and Barnes and Noble Booksellers. Clinics are through December on Wednesdays and Saturdays (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day), closed Nov. 27 and 30, Dec. 21, 25 and 28.
Roanoke City Health Department –1502 Williamson Rd., N.E., 2nd floor, Roanoke. Walk-in clinic Fridays (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Thursdays (4 to 6 p.m.), closed on Nov. 28 and 29. Call 540-283-5050 for an appointment, or to check on additional walk-in hours.
Salem Health Department — 105 East Calhoun St., Salem. Walk-in clinic Fridays (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) , closed Nov. 28 and 29. Call 540-387-5530 for an appointment, or to check on additional walk-in hours.
Vinton Health Department — 227 S. Pollard St., Vinton. Walk-in clinic Fridays (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) , closed Nov. 28 and 29. Call 540-759-3636 for an appointment, or to check on additional walk-in hours.
Covington Health Department — 321 Beech St., Covington. Walk-in clinic Fridays (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) , closed Nov. 28 and 29. Call 540-962-2173 for an appointment, or to check on additional walk-in hours.
Craig County Health Department — 161 Main St., New Castle. Walk-in clinic Fridays (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) , closed Nov. 28 and 29. Call 540-864-5136 for an appointment, or to check on additional walk-in hours.
Botetourt County Health Department –21 Academy St., Fincastle. Walk-in clinic Fridays (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), closed Nov. 28 and 29. Call 540-473-8240 for an appointment, or to check on additional walk-in hours.
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I get this question fairly often: "Can you provide us with Commerce Server 2007 physical & logical schema?"
I ask "What is the scenario/need you are trying to address?" and invariably I get something to the effect of "So we can manipulate the data directly for various purposes"
For backup purposes (i.e. IT Admin Operations) we provide a list of databases and tables the systems use. However, we do not provide details beyond that.
The reason is we do not support direct data manipulation of the databases/tables. I have had the personal opportunity to interact with a customer that had done this with their Commerce Server 2002 implementation, resulting in severe data corruption. It was a very sad situation that we were not able to help with.
What about direct reads from the tables? That is not supported either. So what to do?
The first 2 options are very well documented in our product docs. The last one is also documented but I wasn't able to find the physical schema documentation, so I am attaching those here for your reference. You will have to be a SQL and OLAP expert to understand how to use it, but at least you have something to start with.


Cookies are becoming somewhat of a trend on this blog. But can you blame me?
They're easy to make, fun to share and go down a treat any time of day.
My latest creation stems from an obsession with buckwheat flour. Its nutty flavour and interesting texture is fun to experiment with.
This recipe came about mostly by accident. A sudden craving forced me into the kitchen one night, where I found myself out of plain white flour, vegan butter and white and brown sugar. It was a baker's nightmare!
Luckily, I had some buckwheat flour left over and just enough coconut sugar to create some kind of cookie dough. It was all a bit of a blur really. But the batch turned out wonderfully.
Unfortunately I didn't bother writing down what I had put into this recipe, and have since spent the last few months trying to recreate it. I'm relieved to say I managed the task. Never again will I experiment without my notebook and a pen handy.
I was making these cookies at my parent's house last weekend, when my mother commented on how "huge" my chocolate chunks were. Not at all elegant like tiny chocolate chips! But that's the best part of this recipe. Biting into these cookies and coming across a huge chunk of chocolate is a delectable surprise.
Now fair warning: the batch can get a little sticky. Don't fret — it's meant to be this way.
Rolling the balls shouldn't be a problem when made correctly, but if you are finding it tricky, sprinkling a little bit of buckwheat flour in the bowl will help.
In a small bowl, melt coconut oil. Add almond milk and vanilla and stir.
Pour wet mixture into large bowl of dry ingredients. Stir until fully combined.
Form dough in 12 large balls of dough on a baking tray. Flatten slightly with the back of a spoon.
Bake for 10 minutes. After removing from oven, leave to cool before serving.
Will go great with my tea !


Thank you for this survey and it's deep understanding of the historical dimension that we find ourselves in.
I would add another entanglement that has been ever present the Israeli/Palestinian struggle.
To answer the question of why Americans identify with Israeli Society it's not enough to speak about the great PR it's lobby enjoys in the U.S. but to see that we are the same kind of countries.
Both are Colonial Settler projects that came from Europe.
Both used religion to justify their expansion.
Both displaced by force the indigenous people they met.
In the U.S. case this resulted in Genocide. In the Israeli case Ethnic Cleansing.


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Specialized Chambers to Prosecute Kingpins – Long promised
December 16, 2013 by Roger L. Phillips Leave a comment
The Regional Anti-Piracy Prosecution and Intelligence Coordination Centre (RAPPICC) in Seychelles, the objective of which is to undermine the piracy business model by bringing pirate leaders, financiers and enablers to justice
As we have reported here, here, and here, the UN Security Council has long expressed its interest in the creation of specialized chambers to prosecute pirates in the East African region. On 18 November 2013, the UN Security Council again raised the prospect of creating such chambers (Resolution 2125), following the UN Secretary General's report on piracy off the coast of Somalia of 21 October 2013 (UNSG Report), which Matteo analysed here. This comes on the heels of a donor conference at which substantial funds were pledged to assist Somalia. It also comes as the failure to prosecute pirate kingpins has become increasingly conspicuous.
In October 2011, the UN Security Council decided in Resolution 2015: "to continue its consideration, as a matter of urgency, without prejudice to any further steps to ensure that pirates are held accountable, of the establishment of specialized anti-piracy courts in Somalia and other States in the region with substantial international participation and/or support," and requested the UN Secretary General to report on the modalities for the creation of such specialized chambers. The UNSG provided his report in January 2012 indicating the costs and estimated capacity of creating specialized chambers in several regional states and regions of Somalia, including Kenya, Tanzania, Seychelles, Mauritius, Puntland and Somaliland. Since that time, prosecutions have indeed continued in each of these countries, with some (mainly Kenya and Seychelles) bearing the burden. However, no specialized chambers have been created to date.
Backlog of Cases
The UNSG Report notes that 53 suspects are currently on remand for trial as pirates in Mauritius, Kenya and Seychelles. This is despite the significant contribution of the international community into prosecution and incarceration of pirates in the regular court systems of states such as Kenya, Mauritius and Seychelles, the most prominent being UNODC's counter-piracy programme valued at $60 million. Resolution 2125 laments that "the continuing limited capacity and domestic legislation to facilitate the custody and prosecution of suspected pirates after their capture has hindered more robust international action against the pirates." This translates to a backlog of cases in the judiciaries relied upon by the international community to prosecute such cases. As compared with regular criminal courts in these countries which suffer from significant backlogs, it is hoped that specialized piracy chambers with particularized knowledge of piracy cases would permit more efficient prosecutions.
Reduction but threat of resurgence
Apart from the persistent backlog of cases for past pirate attacks, the UNSG and UNSC indicate that the conditions are ripe for attacks to surge once again. While acknowledging the significant reduction of pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia, Resolution 2125 warns that this situation is reversible. More specifically, the UNSG concludes that "the situation with regard to the rule of law, security, development and governance in Somalia that has allowed piracy to arise has not changed sufficiently so as to deter criminals from attacking ships and holding seafarers hostage for ransom. Pirate attacks may increase if the international naval presence is reduced or if commercial vessels relax their self-protection measures." He further estimates that due to the proceeds already collected from prior ransoms, pirates retain the capacity to attack vessels. Finally, he indicates that "several pirate financiers are engaging in other criminal activities as well and that they have built significant paramilitary capacities on land, and thus have the potential to destabilize the region." In short, the UNSG appears to call for continued action on piracy until pirate criminal enterprises have been dismantled. This would keep the international community busy for the foreseeable future.
Kingpins the focus
Resolution 2125 and the UNSG report discuss all pirate perpetrators, but the clear focus of both is on pirate kingpins, the failure to prosecute such high-level perpetrators, and the dangers this creates for the broader goal of stabilizing Somalia. The UNSG notes that "neither the Government of Somalia nor the Puntland administration nor any other local authority had seriously investigated and prosecuted any senior pirate leaders, financiers, negotiators or facilitators, and that the leadership of the principal piracy networks and their associates continued to enjoy impunity and had not been hindered in their ability to travel or transfer funds." Resolution 2125 emphasizes that if specialized piracy courts are created, they must have jurisdiction over "anyone who incites or intentionally facilitates piracy operations, including key figures of criminal networks involved in piracy who plan, organize, facilitate, or illicitly finance or profit from such attack." The focus is clear.
As we noted here, the identities of pirate kingpins are well-known. The difficulty has been tracing proceeds, obtaining evidence, and bringing that evidence to court (and likely gaining custody of the Accused). There have been efforts to foster international cooperation to prosecute pirates. Notably, the Regional Anti-Piracy Prosecution & Intelligence Coordination Centre (RAPPICC) in Seychelles promises to "bring together experts from around the world to share intelligence and information which will help to tackle the king-pins and financiers of piracy." Yet, despite the significant international resources brought to bear on anti-piracy operations, including the deployment of navies and international assistance for local prosecutions, pirate kingpins have not been brought to justice.
Indeed the creation of such chambers could have little purpose, but for the prosecution of pirate kingpins considering (1) there are few new arrests of pirates as reported attacks are insubstantial and (2) it is completely unfeasible to prosecute low level offenders who have been caught and released since the evidence against them is destroyed as a matter of course (see Matteo's post here). Perhaps the rationale behind supporting the specialized piracy chambers is that a complex prosecution of a pirate financier and pirate leader will be more feasible in a court with particularized knowledge and resources devoted to such trials.
To date, there appears to be a split in the UNSC on the issue of specialized piracy chambers, with some enthusiastically supporting the idea and others permitting its exploration but little else. In Resolution 2125, the UNSC notes with appreciation the substantial pledges of support at a recent donor conference for Somalia and reiterates its decision to continue to consider the establishment of "specialized anti-piracy courts in Somalia and other States in the region with substantial international participation and/or support." Perhaps because donors have been forthcoming, the UNSC has chosen to re-launch the 2011 idea of specialized chambers. The UNSC also requests states including Somalia and other states in the region to report back on "on their efforts to establish jurisdiction and cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of piracy." Since specialized piracy chambers have been discussed for over two years with only a feasibility study to show for it, whether such chambers will come to fruition is uncertain. Particularly as pirate attacks are at a low ebb, donors may be reluctant to shell out cash for such a focused activity especially outside of Somalia (such as in Kenya and Seychelles) when Somalia is in dire need of funds in all sectors of its government.
Filed under Somalia Tagged with Governance, kingpins, Piracy Tribunal, Seychelles
International Anti-Piracy Efforts in Somalia Must Continue: UNSG
November 4, 2013 by Matteo Crippa Leave a comment
The latest UN Secretary General situation report on piracy in Somalia is now before the UN Security Council. The report provides an overview and an update on the most relevant anti-piracy initiatives in Somalia and the Gulf of Aden.
During 2013, piracy has continued to be a major issue on the agenda of the UN and EU, NATO, several regional and other interested states as well as a number of specialized agencies, such as the UNODC, DPA, IMO, INTERPOL and FAO among others. Specific and ad hoc mechanisms and organizations, such as the Kampala Process, the Contact Group, the Djibouti Code of Conduct, the Trust Fund, the Hostage Support Program and a number of international conferences have proven instrumental in the fight against piracy.
It has been widely reported how incidents of piracy in the region are now at a seven years low. It is also no mystery how these positive developments are due to a multitude of factors, including the effectiveness of the international maritime patrol missions, the best management practices and the use of private armed guards in deterring piracy attacks, as well as the implementation of the "prosecution chain", by which suspected pirates are apprehended, tried in courts of regional states and eventually transferred in Somaliland and Puntland to serve any imposed sentence.
"A number of measures have led to a decline in attacks: improved international and regional cooperation on counter-piracy efforts, including better intelligence- and information-sharing; targeted actions by the international naval presence to discourage and disrupt Somali pirates; increased application of IMO guidance and of the Best Management Practices for Protection against Somalia-based Piracy, developed by the shipping industry; and prosecution of suspected pirates and imprisonment of those convicted. The adoption of self-protection and situational awareness measures by commercial ships, including the deployment of privately contracted armed security personnel on board vessels and vessel protection detachments, are also believed to have contributed to the decrease in piracy attacks."
The Security Council is expected to agree with the Secretary General's recommendation that the international anti-piracy efforts underway in Somalia continue for at least another year. The obvious question is how long the international community will be willing and capable to continue financing its costly patrol missions, particularly given the waning threat (or risk of attacks). The question also arises on the cost-efficiency of private armed guards on board ships travelling in the region. The repression of piracy in the Gulf of Aden does not, however, solely depend upon these initiatives. The fight against piracy which started as an armed response, has progressively expanded into an integrated system that encompasses respect and promotion of human rights and the rule of law, governance, economic development, capacity building, treatment of juvenile pirates, alternative employment opportunities and legislative reform. In addition, environmental protection and exploitation of natural resources in the region are also being monitored. Even if the piracy drought continued in 2014, these initiatives are likely to be further stepped up and take center stage towards long-term solutions for Somalia's future. Although we have been careful not to conflate terrorism with piracy, the impetus to continue these programmes also arises from the continued threat of terrorism originating in and/or targeting Somalia.
Filed under Somalia Tagged with Conferences and Events, Country Case Study, economic development, economic impact, Governance, gulf of aden, Hostage Negotiations, international maritime bureau, international maritime organization, Naval Forces, Private Security, Rule of Law, Terrorism
Upcoming Event: At Third Dubai Counter-Piracy Conference, Focus is on Rebuilding Somalia
September 2, 2013 by Matteo Crippa Leave a comment
The United Arab Emirates will host its third International Counter-Piracy Conference on 11-12 September 2013. The UAE has since long engaged in counter-piracy initiatives in the Gulf of Aden and the larger area of the Indian Ocean. The event, which will be held in Dubai, UAE is entitled "Countering Maritime Piracy: Continued Efforts for Regional Capacity Building" and follows prior conferences convened in April 2011 and June 2012. We have covered last year's event here and here.
While the previous Conferences brought together stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to devise a framework strategy to combat piracy, at that time at its peak in the Gulf of Aden, this year's conference will build upon the current successes against piracy and focus on developing the capacities of Somali institutions to strengthen security and long-term economic growth.
The key themes of the Conference will be:
Continuing to build awareness about the humanitarian and economic cost of piracy, including extending support to seafarers who are suffering from maritime piracy on the frontline;
Injecting a new momentum in the common search for an effective and enduring solution to piracy through collaboration across political, military, financial and legal arenas;
Encouraging a comprehensive, inclusive approach that can deliver a long term, sustainable solution to counter piracy, including land-based solutions;
Highlighting the significance of enhancing industry-government cooperation in addressing the issue through joint strategies emphasising sustainable long term solutions.
The official website of the Conference can be found here. A draft agenda as well as some of the main presentations and position papers are already available, giving a preview of the forthcoming debate.
Filed under Somalia Tagged with Conferences and Events, Country Case Study, economic development, economic impact, Governance, gulf of aden, Rule of Law
The 100 Series Rules: An International Model Set of Maritime Rules for the Use of Force – An Update
August 6, 2013 by Matteo Crippa Leave a comment
A guest post by David Hammond. For a background, see also our previous post on the publication of the 100 Series Rules.
David Hammond is the Head of Maritime Practice at 9 Bedford Row International Chambers London, author of the 100 Series Rules, a former frontline Royal Marines' Officer and former head maritime lawyer to the United Kingdom's Chief of Joint Operations for counter-piracy matters. He is an Associate Research Fellow of the Greenwich Maritime Institute and international speaker on maritime Rules for the Use of Force. The comments within this post comprise the personal opinion of the author and do not constitute any measure of formal legal advice whatsoever and howsoever read. Formal legal advice may be obtained on instruction.
Also posted at All About Shipping and the Bridge.
Over the past two years, the 100 Series Rules ("the Rules") have been conceived, researched, drafted and finally published in soft-copy form as of May 3, 2013 as a first edition. They are a first for the commercial maritime industry and go one step further than simple guidance for the drafting Rules for the Use of Force (RUF) and guidance as to where responsibility lies for producing RUF as an inclusive part of a commercial contract. At the time of writing, the 100 Series Rules have been short-listed in support of one of the five finalists for the Lloyds List Global Awards 2013 Maritime Lawyer of the Year.
At the very least, the Rules provide a lawful core set of principles and RUF for use by emerging companies. At best, they provide a point of reference that can be relied upon as a robust legal interpretation for the lawful use of force by international organisations and State entities, enabling auditing, standardisation and accountability in any chain of events where force is lawfully used at sea in self-defence.
The Rules have been developed for the benefit and use of the entire maritime industry, intended to be referred to without the imposition of State or geographical boundaries, overly restrictive interpretations, interference from commercial entities seeking commercial advantage or State authorities seeking State advantage. In short, the previous lacuna in provision to the international community of an actual model set of rules has been filled and is now being further developed alongside the registered "Supporting Entities", as highlighted on the website.
The law that underpins the Rules is that of individual self-defence; itself a universal concept that can be found to outdate modern legislative interpretations going back to the Bible, Koran and other main religious texts by way of example. It is the individual right of all persons in every region, in every country and that includes indigenous seafarers, merchant sailors, as well as Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel (PCASP), to be able to lawfully defend themselves against criminal acts of violence.
The Rules themselves are concise in terms of their core principles. They are concise in their outline of graduated defensive response measures that individuals may be required to undertake to protect themselves and those immediately around them. This, of course, includes the use of lethal/deadly force as a last resort, in self-defence.
The drafters of the Rules have researched significant numbers of individual State's legislation covering the issue of self-defence (presentations containing this research may be found open-source on the website). They have subsequently identified the international objective law test of what is "reasonable and necessary" within the Rules, while accounting for proportionality in the use of any force as against an identified treat. The objective test stands as a higher standard as against which actions may be measured than that necessarily found in some State's legislation at the individual national subjective level. In some cases, individual State's legislation may well exceed that laid down in the Rules.
The 100 Series Rules will not, however, provide any form of indemnity or immunity whatsoever against civil or criminal liability when force has been used unlawfully.
International Supporting Entities
The Rules are currently supported in their conception and use by over 40 international entities. These currently include a main flag State, ISO, Lloyds Register, BIMCO, UNICRI, SAMI as well as international maritime associations representing the world's shipowners and ship managers, international PMSCs, insurance and maritime intelligence providers and leading international law firms specialising in piracy matters. In short, this is an international effort driven by leading commercial entities based upon practical and pragmatic real-time experiences, combined with the general call for clarity of rules, transparency in their use and accountability for the lawful use of force at sea.
IMO and ISO
In support of ISO PAS 28007-2012, the Rules were first submitted to ISO in October 2012. They were accepted a work item and are undergoing a final review at the time of writing.
In June 2013, the Rules passed through the IMO at Maritime Safety Committee 92 as an INF paper sponsored by the Republic of the Marshall Islands, ISO, BIMCO and the International Chamber of Shipping. They were subsequently noted by the IMO and unchallenged for the detail of their contents following the session.
There appears to be a dual-track approach to this issue of standardisation as between the US-based ASIS organisation and the European International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). This article will not debate the pros and cons of the two initiatives, noting only that up to the point of the release of the 100 Series Rules, there was no other reference to an international model standard freely made available to the maritime industry. Further, without competition, in what is an otherwise commercially focused arena, lone imposed standards may fall foul of anti-competition rules and legislations.
The maritime environment is of course is an entirely different environment to that of both established and emerging land-based operations, often undertaken with the backing of a UN mandate following a period of war-fighting as part of an international, non-international or internal armed conflict, often involving NATO forces and where the Law of Armed Conflict may have been invoked. In stark comparison and as most readers will know, piracy, armed robbery and hijacking are criminal acts that require a constabulary response and hence the restriction in the maritime environment, (outside of armed conflict) for the need for recognised RUF, as opposed to offensive Rules of Engagement (ROE).
In tandem with the text of the American National Standard PSC 1-2012 'Management System for Quality of Private Security Company Operations – Requirements with Guidance' and reassuringly so, the 100 Series Rules includes the same consideration and understanding for the need of the requirement for human rights at a State, commercial and individual level. The essence and intent of the American and European Human Rights Conventions, as well as the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and supporting texts have been rightly integrated as part of the comprehensive approach to the issue of maritime RUF.
Furthermore, 9 Bedford Row International (9BRi) Chambers' Maritime Practice, will shortly be releasing the first international model guideline document "Model Guiding Principles and Best Practice for Human Rights Considerations in the Maritime Industry" ©Copyright 2013 9BRi. It will be available through http://www.100seriesrules.com/Human_Rights. This will be for the reference and use by the maritime (including the maritime security) industry and interested third parties. It will be based upon current international conventions and decided international case law, backed by a comprehensive legal advice.
Currently, there stands a lawful international model for maritime RUF that works, is internationally supported, widely socialised and rapidly growing so. As a model set of actual rules, the 100 Series addresses the commercial requirements of the international maritime industry in greater depth than any other currently available RUF guidance and there are no cogent reasons why the established 100 Series cannot complement emerging land standards.
As seen with the development of Best Management Practice (BMP), the 100 Series Rules will remain at the disposal and for the use of the international maritime industry. It will be an iterative document that will develop over time, but most importantly, it should not be undermined by entities seeking commercial advantage at the expense of supporting and protecting seafarers in undertaking often difficult and dangerous roles at sea.
Filed under Worldwide Tagged with anti piracy law, economic development, Governance, Jurisdiction, Private Security, Rule of Law, Self-Defence, universal jurisdiction
New UN Assistance Mission in Somalia
May 4, 2013 by Matteo Crippa Leave a comment
The United Nations confirmed their commitment for the future of Somalia by establishing a new fully integrated assistance mission, UNSOM. The mission will start deploying in June 2013, for an initial period of one year. For a background on the debate which preceeded the Security Council decision, see our previous post here as well as additional reporting on What's in Blue.
A view of Mogadishu's Old Town – Courtesy of Clar Ni Changhaile – The Guardian
UNSOM's mandate focuses on governance, security sector reform, disengagement of combatants, development of a federal system, preparations for elections in 2016, and coordination of international donor support. Notably, it also contains a strong component of rule of law and human rights elements. UMSOM, to be headquartered in Mogadishu, would help build the Federal Government's capacity to promote respect for human rights and women's empowerment, promote child protection, prevent conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, and strengthen justice institutions. Further, it would monitor, help investigate and report on any abuses or violations of human rights or of international humanitarian law committed in Somalia, or any abuses committed against children or women. In addition, UNSOM will also work towards the implementation of the Somali Maritime Security Strategy and work with Somali authorities on maritime challenges, including capacity-building and development.
While the UN mantained a presence in Somalia for the past 15 years, the approval of the new assistance mission is another sign of the UN growing engagement in Somalia. Following the downfall of Siad Barre in 1991, the UN unsuccefully deployed a peacekeeping presence in the country from 1992 to 1995, with the UNOSOM I and II missions. Earlier this year, the UN approved the extension of the AU-backed AMISOM peacekeeping mission for another year and partially lifted the 20-year arms embargo imposed on the country. AMISON will play a fundamental role in the operation of UNSOM, particularly by ensuring the necessary levels of safety and security in the country. Last week, the UN also approved a package of projects in support of anti-piracy efforts in Somalia and other affected States in the region, including Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Maldives and the Seychelles.
Filed under Somalia Tagged with economic development, Governance, Rule of Law


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Words with Granddaddy
March 17, 2016 / japfth / Leave a comment
"Granddaddy, may I ask you a question?" I asked, looking at him.
"Of course. What is it?" he said.
"Can you explain to me whether you're a leftist or a conservative, and why?"
Looking back now, it appears I asked him more than one question. However, as a Baptist pastor of decades, he was accustomed to people's questions. I never once knew my grandfather to be anything but an earnest man. What's more, he was never one for small talk. When he spoke, discerning people knew to listen.
This conversation took place many decades ago, and my grandfather has long since died. However, I remember what he said. What he told me decades ago abides with me still—namely, the importance of discernment. In short, I was to prize wisdom. The converse, he said, was also true—namely, to distance yourself from folly. I realize now that he was echoing Solomon's words in Proverbs. He did tell me, eventually, whether he was a leftist or a conservative, by the way.
With very few exceptions, I've unplugged a lot from contemporary culture. Disillusioned especially by the coarseness of politics and television/movie entertainment, I prefer to read, fish, and enjoy my family. In coming days, the word trump will have more definitions after its place in the dictionary. Perhaps it'll mean "to engage in vitriolic ad hominem attacks, especially as an evasive strategy." Who knows? It seems that we cannot escape the deluge of worldviews in conflict. What's better—leftism (big government; higher taxation; fewer liberties; entitlements, etc.) or conservatism (smaller government; lower taxes; individual liberty; an ethos of hard work, etc.)?
In teaching some of my students last week, I was searching for an apt illustration when explaining postmodernism in literature. I could tell, by observing their faces, that some of the language I had been using was too technical. "Think of it like this," I said. "All is up for grabs. There's no metanarrative, no overarching story to unite your life, or to unite anything. It's a random universe. God is rejected; Christ is rejected; the Bible is rejected; history is rejected; distinctions between male and female are rejected. Kardashian culture and MTV paganism are the religions of the land. What used to be deemed folly and coarseness doesn't shock us as much as it used to, and that is tragic. Wisdom is vanquished and vileness is crowned." Then, it seemed, my students began to understand. Their facial expressions changed. They began to connect the intellectual dots.
What does my question to my grandfather, many decades ago now, have to do with why I wanted to know if my grandfather was a leftist or a conservative? What does my question have to do with postmodernism and the differences between a leftist worldview vs. a conservative worldview? The ideas are related. Solomon's wisdom, like my grandfather's echo of it, gets to the heart of the matter: "Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil" (Proverbs 3:7, ESV). What my grandfather was teaching me was that wisdom and folly are deeper issues of character than politics. "If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it" (Proverbs 9:12, ESV). We're in a day when scoffing is cool; we're in a day when mocking is hip; we're in a day when wisdom is maligned and manners are largely in graveyards.
The contrast to wisdom is folly. Folly is characterized in Scripture as loud, ignorant, and in love with death (Proverbs 9:13-18). Postmodernism is just this: loud, ignorant, and in love with death. Postmodernism lacks heroes because it's impossible to be a hero when you're given over to solipsism and despair. When all is relative, nothing is worth fighting for. There are only power plays by victimized groups. All is up for grabs, but nothing is inherently valuable, since the author of life has been killed. "If God is dead, all is permitted," wrote Dostoyevsky in The Brothers Karamazov, a warning to the discerning about the depths to which civilizations descend when they reject God as revealed in Scripture.
The New Testament echoes the same principle: "Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature" (1 Corinthians 14:20, ESV). The contrast between a biblical worldview regarding wisdom vs. folly is crystal clear. Discernment is inextricable from wisdom and maturity; growing up involves growing deep. This means self-discipline. When shaped by the biblical worldview, people cultivate self-discipline, and big government is unnecessary, because the people's morality is rooted in a biblical teaching regarding the preciousness of wisdom.
But what does leftism do? It teaches that man needs government to do what unrestrained pagans will not do—namely, be self-disciplined. Instead of working hard, leftists want to take wealth from producers and redistribute it to those who won't work. Instead of admitting that all lives matter, leftists divide people by gender, skin color, and sexual preference. For some leftists, only some lives matter.
Granddaddy taught me through his words and through his life many truths. However, what he taught me about why he was politically conservative paled in comparison to what he taught me about wisdom. Wisdom or folly; big government leftism or small government conservatism; fluid "gender identification" or men and women created in the image of God.
Paul wrote that Israel had "a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness" (Romans 10:2-3, ESV). "Not according to knowledge" could be the epithet for today's culture. I, for one, would rather learn from my grandfather.
It's the Climate of Ideas, Not of Weather
December 1, 2015 / japfth / Leave a comment
Strange bedfellows? China's president, Xi Jinping, will meet with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. Barack Hussein Obama and England's Prince Charles, another disciple in the religion of global warming, will meet with India's leadership, as well as with Nigerian, Indonesian, and Pakistani leadership. How can you get government leaders of countries who are, in many other ways, ideological adversaries, together? China and the U.S. are at the same table. Syria and the U.S. are at the same table. Russia and the U.S. are at the same table. You might think that they are addressing how to end religious persecution, but you'd be wrong. You might think they are assembling to solve Muslim persecution of fellow Muslims, thereby causing tens of thousands of refugees to flood Europe and the U.S. but you'd be wrong. You might think that they are in Paris to condemn Muslim terror in groups like Boko Haram, Hezbollah, ISIS, al Qaeda, the Taliban, etc. but you'd still be wrong. These government talking heads are gathered to talk about means of reducing fossil fuel emissions. The goal? That the wealthiest nations will allocate billions of dollars to other countries who promise to reduce fossil fuel emissions. We are witnessing a culture given over to idolatry; by abandoning the Judeo-Christian worldview, the culture has largely imbibed paganism. The earth and the creature are worshiped and the Creator is rejected.
The fact that American law enforcement is currently besieged by thugs is less important to the current U.S. government leadership than their zealous commitment to the religion of manmade global warming. Well, it's not global warming now. Their spin doctors have renamed it "climate change." Even one of the self-described socialists running for America's presidency, Bernie Sanders, says he fears climate change more than ISIS. How does one try to reason with people like this? And guess which countries will be on the hook to pay the "under-developed" countries billions of dollars to install solar panels and windmills? You guessed it, the wealthy countries that thrive on the use of fossil fuels. Are you awake yet? The heretofore wealthy West, built largely on fossil fuels, has the resources to fund poor countries. Where did that wealth creation come from—solar panels and windmills? Even Don Quixote would not charge these windmills!
Barack Hussein Obama claims that this meeting of political leaders is a "powerful rebuke" to terrorists. Folks, are you listening to this drivel? We are living in a time where committed Leftists advocate for abortion on demand, but oppose your fueling up your car, because it produces carbon dioxide. We are living in a time where committed Leftists can "gender-identify" as one sex on Monday and another on Thursday, but at the same time claim discrimination if non-Leftists posit that gender is not a fluid category. We're living in a culture where Bruce Jenner (he now calls himself Caitlyn) is named Woman of the Year by Glamour magazine. We're living in a world where legislators are vying for pedophilia to be inculcated as normal and healthy (http://www.jewsnews.co.il/2015/11/28/germany-and-eu-to-legalize-pedophilia-and-with-it-child-pornography-as-well/). We are witnessing a culture given over to idolatry; by abandoning the Judeo-Christian worldview, the culture has largely imbibed paganism. The earth and the creature are worshiped and the Creator is rejected.
In the biblical worldview, creation is to be cared for but not to be worshiped: "And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth" (Genesis 1:28b, ESV). In the biblical worldview, creation (the earth, the heavens, etc.) is designed to manifest the glory of the Creator (God), not to be worshiped as an idol: "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork" (Psalm 19:1, ESV).
But what we are witnessing in our day is a world that largely exchanges the truth of what God reveals and replaces it via idolatry. And what we are witnessing is the natural outworkings of a pagan worldview. Again, the biblical worldview speaks to this: "Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, "Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us" (Psalm 2, ESV).
We are witnessing a culture given over to idolatry; by abandoning the Judeo-Christian worldview, the culture has largely imbibed paganism. The earth and the creature are worshiped and the Creator is rejected.
Lest I be misunderstood, please understand. The earth is to be cared for; we should seek to tend the garden God has provided. However, we are not to worship anything or anyone but the Lord. If the pagan were consistent in his logic, he would admit that in a materialist universe, he is substantially no different from the very material he seeks to protect, but he cannot provide objective reasons for morals, only preferences. And whose preferences should prevail? In the biblical worldview, however, we are told why we should tend the earth—namely, because it was created by God for our good and His glory. Moreover, we are told that we are not to worship the creation, only the Creator.
The biblical worldview tells us that this is what we fallen creatures do (we exchange God for an idol). We worship the creation instead of the Creator: "For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things" (Romans 1:21-23, ESV).
Socialism, Leftism, the redistribution of wealth, paganism, and all the other isms will not remedy culture, folks. The nations will continue to rage until we acknowledge the truth we suppress in unrighteousness—namely, that (as Francis Schaeffer penned years ago now) God is there and He is not silent.


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Jonathan A. Block
jblock@pierceatwood.com
Jon Block represents and advises clients with Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts tax problems. Jon litigates tax cases at the administrative level and through all levels of the court system, advises clients on transactional and multistate tax issues, obtains advance rulings for clients, and does a substantial amount of legislative and government relations work in the tax area. Jon's substantive expertise in state and local tax encompasses corporate and individual income tax, business profits tax, sales and use tax, property tax, excise tax, transfer tax, and other state and local taxes. Jon also advises expanding and relocating companies on taking maximum advantage of available tax and economic development incentives. Jon's client base includes large, medium and small businesses as well as individuals.
Jon has been integrally involved with designing, drafting, and enacting many of Maine's tax exemptions and economic development programs, and works hard to keep many of these programs on the books. Jon is also the state's leading expert on domicile and residency issues involving individual taxpayers.
Honors & Distinctions
Appointed by Maine's governor to serve on the Board of the Finance Authority of Maine
Serves on Board of Advisors to New England State and Local Tax Forum
Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® for Tax Law and Tax Litigation and Controversy since 2005
Rated AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell and is a recognized leader in his field
Frequent speaker on state and local tax topics
Recently challenged property tax assessments for manufacturing plants, a casino, a multistate pipeline, a federal superfund site, electrical generating plants, a real estate developer and major electric and gas utilities
Overturned denial of property tax exemption for religious summer camp. Marist Brothers of New Hampshire v. Town of Effingham, 195 A.3d 90 (NH 2018)
Successfully challenged Maine's sales tax on aircraft owned by nonresidents, winning a reversal in the Maine Supreme Court. Blue Yonder LLC v. State Tax Assessor, 2011 ME 49. Following this case, helped to secure legislation exempting all aircraft and aircraft parts from Maine sales and use tax
Numerous cases in New Hampshire involving major transfer tax disputes, business profits tax issues, reasonable compensation, and property tax matters
Successfully obtained domicile rulings for dozens of individuals
Regularly represents industries and individual businesses on tax issues before the Maine legislature. Recent examples include a group of Maine's largest manufacturers, aircraft services companies, and an energy company
Regularly represents the Maine Society of Certified Public Accountants on legislative matters
Helped numerous companies take advantage of Maine economic development incentives, such as Pine Tree Zones, Business Equipment Tax Exemptions, sales tax exemptions and income tax credits
Latest Updates in State & Local Tax
Proposed Bill Would Enact Major Changes to Maine Corporate Income Tax, Service Provider Tax
Sales and Use Taxation in a World of Emerging Technology: Jonathan Block Presenter at 2019 New England State and Local Tax Forum
Jonathan Block Presented National Legal Update at Annual Appraisal for Ad Valorem Taxation Program at Wichita State University
Jon Block, Olga Goldberg, and Sarah McGarrell to Speak at MECPA Program: Federal Tax Reform & State Tax Update
Pierce Atwood SALT Attorneys Presenters at 2018 Maine Tax Forum
Don't Leave Money on the Table: Air and Water Pollution Control Facility Tax Exemptions
Best Lawyers in America® 2020 Recognizes 69 Pierce Atwood Partners Firmwide
Boston University School of Law, L.L.M., Taxation (2000)
University of Maine School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude; Executive Editor, Maine Law Review (1992)
University of Pennsylvania, B.A., cum laude (1985)
U.S. District Court for the District of Maine
U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire
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Rwanda Army Takes Over CAR Presidential Security
byPatrick Bigabo March 29, 2016 at 6:42 pm 0
Faustin Archange Touadera newly elected CAR President
Rwanda Defence Force Peacekeepers have taken full control of security of newly elected President of the Central African Republic.
The peacekeepers (Rwanbatt3) are part of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
Faustin Archange Touadera 58, won the February 14 CAR presidential elections with 62.71% of the vote in a second run-off involving two candidates.
The mathematician professor was a former prime minister in the government of Francois Bozize.
"Rwanbatt3 is tasked -among other duties-to provide full protection to the new CAR elected President, including providing security at his Office, at the presidential palace and wherever he is present," says a statement from Rwanda's Defence Ministry.
During the elections since January 8, security and protection of the candidates was provided by Rwanda Police Peacekeepers Contingent (PSU).
"These elections are important but they are not the only step out of this crisis," Touadera said after he was announced winner.
Touadera remained in Bangui during three years of inter-communal strife that claimed several lives and forcing nearly 500,000 people to flee to neighbouring countries.
CAR has 4.6 million population.
Since March 2013 heavy fighting broke out between the country's Muslim rebels and mainly Christian fighters.
By September in the same year, a strong rebel alliance ousted the country's leader Francois Bozize.
However, CAR, under the control of rebels suffered widespread rape, child soldier recruitment and weapons proliferation prompting UN chief Ban Ki-moon to say the country needed the world's "urgent attention".
The Security Council on 10 April 2014 established the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), of which Rwanda contributes 1600 troops.
The first batch of 125 Officers and Men (Rwanbatt3) were airlifted on January 22, 2015 to the capital Bangui, who are now providing security in different parts of Bangui Town, and are responsible for security of the Presidential Palace and other key national installations in Bangui.
MINUSCA is a strong force of 12,000 troops contributed by different nations including Rwanda.
Rwanda is currently the 5th biggest UN Troop and Police Contributing Country serving in International Peacekeeping around the world.
Rwanda Defence Force Peacekeepers in CAR


Treatment For All Types Of Vaginitis Abnormal Vaginal Discharge Bad Vaginal odor.
A Bottle of 250ml .
A Bottle of 25 ml with an atomizer.
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Facilitates the intimate relationship especially in cases of physical incompatibility between partners.
Optimized for honey moon and newly married.
Hamamelis - Triethanol Amine - Hydroxy methyl Cellulose - Glycerin - Propylene Glycol - Methyl Paraben - Fragrance.
A Tube of 25 gm Cream.


Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) with nephrotic syndrome is a rare coincidence. Among 19 reported cases since 1972, focal glomerulosclerosis is the dominant reported pathology. Here, we report the 6th case of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis with ADPKD. A 29-year-old man with a history of APCDK presented with massive proteinuria. He had a history of concurrent leptospirosis and brucellosis, and trace proteinuria and mild hypertension had been diagnosed 4 years earlier. Urine study showed proteinuria (21 g/d) and hematuria. Kidney biopsy report was compatible with focal and segmental sclerosis. The patient received prednisolone and cyclosporine. After 4 months, proteinuria decreased to 600 mg/d. Patients with ADPKD who show massive proteinuria should undergo kidney biopsy. It is possible that different mutations in these patients could clarify the nature of this coincidence.


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From Hue to the Eternal City
By Alexa Della Notte| 2018-05-04T18:48:52+02:00	July 1st, 2008|Food & Wine Archive|
Cha gioa, or involtini to you.
ome's unsung Thien Kim has never fussed over itself. Founded by a Vietnamese family that fled embattled Hue four decades ago, it's still an understated family affair. Considering the restaurant's location, across the river from busy Piazza Trilussa and three blocks from wild-at-heart Campo de' Fiori, and also considering the proliferation of students and night prowlers in the area, you'd think Thien Kim would be awash in customers and the subject of deserved raves. It certainly has a loyal clientele, with embassy, diplomatic, and Vatican devotees keeping its two rooms filled on Friday and Saturday nights (it's closed on Sunday). But otherwise it's still something of a well-kept secret.
Subjectively speaking, Thien Kim is the best ethnic restaurant in Rome. For those who say, "So what, Rome ethnic is awful," consider that its standards would fit in well in New York or L.A. The upside is delicate Vietnamese cuisine (10 appetizers, including exquisite "involtini," or cha' gió spring rolls, delectable dumplings — known as ravioli — and delicious vegetarian rolls); the downside, at least for those who revel in people watching, is its "locked in" location at the mouth of Via Giulia. There's no outdoor dining, though the inside rooms are pleasantly air-conditioned.
What makes Thien Kim special, ironically, may be its overall lack of "specialness" — which means it emphasizing doing the little things right over hyping what it does. There's no gourmet pretension and certainly no invasive owner barking order. Wonder of wonder, it's intimate and quiet, rare in Rome. The chicken with lemongrass (citronella) or satay is what it says (though don't expect U.S.-style peanut-laced sauce; it's lighter); the grilled meats are tender; the over-emphasis on garlic, which strikes dead a lot of Rome's ethnic spots, is not an issue here. Phò soup, with noodles, meat, and vegetables, is unusually flavorful. Grilled and breaded shrimp is excellent but you'll need to tell them if you want it hotter, since Italians tend to shy away from spices. Portions are accessible, which means that a dish of assorted appetizers (€6) is hardly the size of half a similar portion in the United States.
A word of warning about duck: It's not a Rome staple, which means the available fare is often too heavy and gristle-laden. That's not so much the restaurant's fault as a culinary shortcoming of the city (unless you opt for luxury joints).
For a family of four, five appetizer portions and five main dishes should do the trick. Remember, take-out is possible but dubious. Take-out culture has yet to take hold in most restaurants, meaning cooks expect you to eat what's on your plate. Don't over-order and then expect them to hand it back at you at night's end. Not going to happen.
Wine list is nothing more than adequate, but decent Falanghina at €11 a bottle goes well with a summer meal. Also, eat early and don't expect to linger much past 11 p.m. They like to close about then. Expect to pay €30 a head. Book ahead. Menu contains English translations. French spoken.
Oh, and Elizabeth Rosenthal of The New York Times recently wrote about Via Giulia but focused much of her attention down the street, omitting the "beginning," which is closer to Piazza Navona than the the Corso. That's where you'll find hole-in-the-wall Thien Kim.
— Thien Kim, Via Giulia 201, Rome, 00186. Tel. 06.683.07832. Major credit cards. Closed Sunday and two weeks in August. More information in our Rome Ethnic section.
About the Author: Alexa Della Notte
Alexa Della Notte is a freelancer who writes on cultural topics.


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Changes: - Justin Bieber [VINYL]
Fifth studio album by the Canadian singer featuring guest performers from Quavo, Post Malone, Clever, Lil Dicky, Travis Scott, Kehlani, and Summer Walker, and production from Adam Messinger, The Audibles, Boi-1da, Harv, Nasri, Poo Bear, Sasha Sirota, Tainy, and Vinylz, as well as Los Angeles Lakers centre and 2-time NBA Champion JaVale McGee. Primarily an R&B album, with influences from electro-R&B, pop and trap, it features the singles 'Yummy', 'Intentions' and 'Forever'.
1. All Around Me - Justin Bieber
2. Habitual - Justin Bieber
3. Come Around Me - Justin Bieber
4. Intentions (Feat. Quavo) - Justin Bieber
5. Yummy - Justin Bieber
6. Available - Justin Bieber
7. Forever (Feat. Post Malone & Clever) - Justin Bieber
8. Running Over (Feat. Lil Dicky) - Justin Bieber
9. Take It Out On Me - Justin Bieber
10. Second Emotion (Feat. Travis Scott) - Justin Bieber
11. Get Me (Feat. Kehlani) - Justin Bieber
12. E.T.A. - Justin Bieber
13. Changes - Justin Bieber
14. Confirmation - Justin Bieber
15. That's What Love Is - Justin Bieber
16. At Least for Now - Justin Bieber
17. Yummy (Summer Walker Remix) - Justin Bieber
Collections: Vinyl
Category: Rock/Pop, Vinyl


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Elle Decoration meets pub food
Tanya Gold
The Mandrake is a new 'design hotel' in London, which means it is for people who treat Elle Decoration magazine as their primary source of op-ed. It lives in a red-brick terrace in Fitzrovia and it feels very odd, like a corpse with the beating heart of a baby, perhaps even a Beckham baby: would it have preferred to demolish the crusty frontage and establish itself inside Heathrow Terminal 5, or a giant fridge? Who can say? And why is it named after a poisonous plant?
The entrance is dark, and haunted by black-suited men. I do not know what they do, besides lurk charismatically and pretend they work for Karl Lagerfeld, and he is in danger, perhaps from cheap skirts, or his own plastic surgeon. Inside, there is a check-in desk by a curved fake leopardskin sofa, an arrangement of black and white ostrich feathers, and a painting that looks like a Hieronymus Bosch repainted by toddlers and the animals of London Zoo. Design continues into the bar: there is a sculpture of a woman who is part tree, as women often are; a goat, or maybe gazelle, wearing peacock feathers; a skull with something crawling out of its head – like a writer! It's potentially very meaningful if you are a cocaine addict but not otherwise.
The maids are dressed as Edwardian maids; that is, pornography maids in white frilly aprons. They match the ostrich feathers, and this is insulting; it reminds me of Dubai, where they style the staff according to ethnic origin and height. These maids may be art installations. Or they may be real maids, in which case they should unionise and seek guidance from Len McCluskey.
There is also a library. I love design hotel libraries because they stock books for people who don't like reading but are pretentious enough to want books anyway, and here they are: Yves Saint Laurent (he made dresses); Margiela: The Hermès Years (he made coats with 'fluid drapery', whatever the hell that is) and Andy Warhol: Portraits (of other idiots). There is also a restaurant called Serge et le Phoque. It is a sequel to a Hong Kong restaurant which has been featured in the World's 50 Best Restaurants list, which is sponsored by Miele. They make vacuum cleaners. Perhaps the pornography maids have Miele models, which they use to clean the bespoke tapestry. I can't say.
This restaurant, which is almost empty (two blonde women, the editor and me), is clearly an afterthought, inserted for the sake of form. Fashion people aren't interested in food. It is the opposite of their culture. Serge et le Phoque does not have the naff horror of a sculpture bar, although there is a private dining room which is completely red, like Karl Lagerfeld unconscious on the operating table. It is long and light, with spindly velvet chairs and pale walls. Rather marvellously, as if the chef is completely normal and was employed by mistake, it serves pub food. I eat an enormous £14 cheese and ham toastie — or Croque Monsieur. But I prefer the word 'toastie', and the Mandrake Toastie is a steaming cheese brick. I also order a grim sirloin steak with chips so vast I cannot eat them. The ideal clientele could probably sit on them; perhaps hold a conversation with them. The editor does better with a tomato salad. But the restaurant cannot recover from the absence of fashion hags. Perhaps it will abduct them from the Chiltern Firehouse.
Afterwards I visit the terrace. It is an outdoor room with seething walls of plant, and it seems to have nothing to do with London; rather, it denies London. I sit, and wonder how long it will take to die.
TaggedFitzrovia, Food, Restaurants, The Mandrake
Food that's prettier than you are: The Petersham reviewed
Farmacy's food is the worst I have eaten in London
Gymkhana is morally disgusting – and fortunately the food's disgusting too
Rowleys is Did Mummy Love Me Really? food – and it's perfect
Where comics find their Edinburgh comfort food
It reeks of Alan Clark and the 1980s but all is forgiven for the food: Le Gavroche reviewed


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https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/2018/05/28/rockets-warriors-game-7-western-conference-finals-result-outcome-nba-playoffs-james-harden-chris-paul/
Rockets fall 101-92 in Game 7 of Western Conference Finals to Warriors
May 28, 2018 10:27 pm CT
In the end, the Houston Rockets will be stuck playing the "what if" game when it comes to Chris Paul's Game 5 hamstring injury.
After grabbing a 3-2 series lead in the Western Conference Finals, the Golden State Warriors rallied back, winning the next two games and sending the Rockets home, one game away from the NBA Finals. The final two losses for Houston came after Paul's injury, and the star point guard missed both of the final two games of the series.
Houston lost Game 7 by a score of 101-92 and was outscored 58-38 in the second half. The most brutal part was unquestionably the team's inability to knock down 3-pointers, something they had done so well all season long.
When the final buzzer went off, the Rockets were 7-of-44 from 3-point range, including MVP candidate James Harden, sharpshooter Eric Gordon and Trevor Ariza combining to go 4-of-34.
It was a brutal ending to an incredible season for a team who won 65 regular season games and grabbed the No. 1 seed in a brutal Western Conference. Now, the Rockets head into the offseason looking to add one or two more pieces and gear up for the 2018-19 season.
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