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I really wanted to come up with a fun appetizer that involved deliciously tangy cranberries. This dip is unexpectedly tasty. A blend of fresh cranberries, lemon juice, sugar, jalapeño, green onions, cumin, and cilantro is served over softened cream cheese...yes a block of cream cheese! Honestly, what's better than a good dip? All you've gotta do is throw all the ingredients together, let it macerate a bit in the fridge, and pulse it in a blender. The result is a vibrant cranberry relish that is perfectly sweet, tangy, earthy, and with a slight spicy kick. This dip is festive, flavorful, easy on the wallet, and perfect for potlucks. Let's get cookin!


Lenovo is best known for its ThinkPad business laptops, but its IdeaPad range provides entry-level systems for both corporate and consumer use. The IdeaPad S12 is its 12.1-inch offering and strikes a balance between a netbook and a full-sized ultraportable.
As one of the larger netbooks available, the 1.6kg chassis lacks the mobility of its rivals.
Despite using a fairly slimline battery, it protrudes 14mm from the rear of the chassis, adding to the bulk of the device. Battery life is excellent, however, running for 334 minutes.
Build quality is average, but fails to match the standard set by the Samsung N310. The matt plastics are resilient enough, but the glossy plastics on the lid are prone to scratches.
The patterned finish is not the most stylish we've seen and won't suit all tastes.
The extra size of the chassis allows space for a full-sized keyboard, which continues Lenovo's reputation for high-quality usability. All the keys move smoothly and firmly and this is one of the most usable netbooks we've seen, making it ideal for frequent business use.
The 12.1-inch screen has a 1280 x 800-pixel resolution, letting you work with several windows open at once, and image quality is excellent. Brightness, colour and contrast are strong – although the Fujitsu is brighter – so photos and videos look great.
A key selling point of Lenovo machines is the comprehensive, pre-installed proprietary software. Tools for data backup and system restoration are included, among others, making it very easy for even beginners to access advanced system maintenance tools.
An integrated camera is fitted above the screen. Facial recognition software lets you log into Windows by looking into the camera.
Dolby Pro Logic offers pseudo surround sound via headphones, but we found the effect less than impressive.
Storage is more than capable for basic use. The 160GB hard drive will hold plenty of music and photos – and the 4-in-1 card reader allows access to flash storage cards. Despite the large chassis, there is no integrated optical drive.
802.11g Wi-Fi provides fast access to wireless networks, although it's slightly slower than the 802.11n-equipped Asus Eee PC Seashell 1008HA.
Bluetooth lets you wirelessly share files between devices, while three USB ports let you connect wire-based peripherals.
Although the size of the IdeaPad S12 makes its netbook status questionable, it is nevertheless a very usable and wellmade machine and provides an affordable alternative to business ultraportables, without scrimping on features.


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text:
Recovering from the Trauma of DT and Creating A More Democratic Nation
06. Mar
When I listen to the news, I still find myself ready to cringe. We've grown used to one attack, one shock after another, continuing assaults on our lives or humanity. It's been such a relief since President Biden was inaugurated. But the trauma of 4 years of DT, culminating with the domestic terrorist attack on January 6th and his escape from being prosecuted in the Senate for his role in inciting that attack will not go away easily.
This is partly because the threat is still here. The politics of hate is all still here. We face a domestic terrorist movement built on hate, lies and a grievance mentality that have walled off about one third or more of this nation from the truth. As Bill Moyers put it, "a democracy can die of too many lies."
And we have a mutating virus that has killed over half a million people. Ken Burns said that we face three viruses: COVID-19, white supremacy, and misinformation.
An article by Jeremy Adam Smith from the Greater Good Science Center talks about how to recover from the trauma of the Trump years and the pandemic. These last four plus years have been extremely traumatic, especially 2020. What we face now is grief. We grieve not only the lives lost due to the virus and DT's malignant mismanagement of it, but the loss of hope, sense of security, and the activities and contacts that sustained us. Many of us have lost our livelihood and home.
And we can't simply let go of grief. Smith quotes psychologist Frederick Luskin, who said, "When we lose something, human beings have a natural reintegration process, which we call 'grief." We must integrate it, feel it, suffer it, and understand both the fact of the loss and how we feel about it.
We can ignore it for only a short time. We have gone through hell. "January 6 happened, and it can never unhappen. COVID-19 happened. At this writing, 466,000 Americans are dead, and they will never come back." "The research says that people who go through horrible experiences but keep it to themselves suffer more, not less." Sharing the load with others can help lighten the load. Caring, compassion for ourselves and others will lighten the load. Recognizing how the trauma has affected us can change so much for us all. But even more is needed, more ways of speaking.
The DT and GOP attack on our rights and freedom has been building since Ronald Reagan said in his first inaugural address, "Government is not the solution to our problem. Government is the problem." Fareed Zakaria, in his book Ten Lessons for A Post-Pandemic World says anti-Federal feeling and distrust in centralized government is in the DNA of this nation and Reagan re-invigorated that sentiment. After all, the American Revolution was a revolt against a King.
But Reagan also re-invigorated a concentration of wealth and power in fewer and fewer hands. So his assault on government actually was a masked assault on democracy. It was an assault on the power of the people in favor of the power of the few, the rich. It was in favor of people who want to be kings⎼ or dictators. Or who want a dictator to rule.
This anti-federal feeling also led many people to not participate in government. In 2020, we had the highest rate of citizen participation in recent history, 66.7% of eligible voters voted in the presidential election. This was the best turnout since the early 1960s. That means that even in this most meaningful and contentious election, about one-third of adult Americans didn't (or weren't allowed to) vote⎼ or speak. According to the Pew Research Center, the U. S. is 30th out of 35 developed democratic nations in terms of the percentage of people who voted in recent years. Since voting is the primary voice of the people, we were censored by ourselves or our government.
Our representatives are supposed to represent the interests of all citizens, but they don't always do that and we're in trouble if we think of democracy as letting our representatives do all the governing for us. Nor can we allow the GOP to win by preventing us from voting. For example, the lawyers for the Arizona GOP in a Supreme Court case admitted recently that without suppressing the vote, they lose.
Many of us hope and/or expect President Biden will get pandemic relief passed, protect voting rights, re-build infrastructure, re-structure health care, free young (and older) people from overwhelming debt from schooling, end Global Warming⎼ and end the concentration of wealth in the hands of the few, end the concentration of privilege and power in the white, rich and male (that has existed ever since, or before, our nation's founding). Do we intend to hold him responsible if it all doesn't happen, and quickly? Or hold democracy itself responsible? The GOP would love that.
On FB recently there was a meme saying, basically, "Why did we elect Biden if he can't even get us a guaranteed minimum wage of $15 an hour?" Why? We know why. Four years of DT is why. Just look at how Biden is managing the pandemic. Despite all the challenges, he is assuming responsibility, one thing DT never did, and doing it with compassion and competence, while recognizing the need to fight inequities in our health care system and government.
Biden is a president, not a dictator or wannabee dictator. To pass the New Deal, F. D. R. needed not only Congressional action but the support of the people. And in February the research firm SurverMonkey reported 72% of Americans supported not only pandemic relief but most of Biden's recovery plan.
But as Fareed Zakaria pointed out, our legislative system only works when there's a willingness amongst our representatives to work cooperatively and to compromise. This isn't the situation today. The GOP have made cooperation almost impossible. 147 of the GOP in Congress voted to overturn the 2020 election and a few still refuse to recognize that Biden won. Some even assisted in or supported the 1/6/21 assault on our nation, assisted in an attempt at a coup. They are a coup itching to happen.
We are still recovering from DT and we need a break. But the forces lined against Biden are powerful and desperate. So, let's support his efforts while pressuring him to foster policies that sincerely meet our needs. We have a new administration that is more inclined to listen to us and do what serves us, so let's take advantage of this opportunity. Led by Black Lives Matter protests against the murder of George Floyd, racist policing, and the policies of DT, Americans created the biggest sustained protest movement in modern American history. Millions of voices together can help turn this system around.
As we take responsible action to change the state of the nation, to make calls to Congress and find other ways to speak, we consequently act to overcome the trauma of DT and change the state of our hearts and minds.
**This post was syndicated by the Good Men Project.
Bill Moyers Compassion COVID-19 Domestic Terrorism F. D. R. New Deal Fareed Zakaria G. O. P. Greater Good Science Center Grief Impeachment January 6th Jeremy Adam Smith Ken Burns Misinformation President Joe Biden Ronald Reagan Trauma
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Alternative Education 2
Assessment 1
Compassion 50
Critical Thinking and Imagination 10
Intrinsic Motivation 3
Democracy in Schools 3
Educating Emotional Awareness 10
Educating Responsible Citizens 4
Critical Thinking 31
Equity 4
High Stakes Testing 2
Standardized Testing 4
Teacher Evaluation 2
Teaching with Essential or "Big" Questions 13
When Does "Real Life" Arrive? 1
Education In A Democracy 8
Emotion and Critical Thinking 10
Empathy 6
Essential Moral Questions 7
Ethical Speech 13
Free Schools 2
Free Speech 3
Gun Violence 1
Identity and Mindfulness 8
Imagination 1
Inquiry Learning 2
Learning About Perception 2
Lesson Planning 1
Literature and Perception 2
Meaning 4
Meditation 1
Mindful Awareness and Thinking Clearly 12
Mindfulness 101
Mind 2
Mindfulness 8
Mindfulness and Emotion 19
Mindfulness and Questioning 4
Mindfulness and the Process of Critical Thinking 4
Mindfulness of Change 6
Overcoming Fear 7
Public Schools 5
Questioning 3
Self Awareness 3
Self-Compassion 2
Teacher Education 1
Teaching Citizenship 2
Teaching Democratic Decision Making 1
Teaching Gratitude 4
Teaching Neuroscience 1
Teaching Through Inquiry 5
Teaching To The Depths of the Human Heart and Mind 2
Teaching What Matters 2
Teaching With Empathy and Compassion 2
Teaching With Imagination and Meditation 1
Tenure 1
The Corporate "Reform" Agenda and Increasing Economic Disparity 2
The Influence of Digital Media 1
Thinking With Writing 2
Training Attention 2
Undermining Public Schools Undermines Democracy 1
What Is Love? 4
Why Teach? 1

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


I'm not sure I would call it a "reprimand," but I understand what I assume is your main concern. Jesus' unwillingness to allow Mary to help Martha in preparing the meal gives the impression that providing food for others in spirit of service is incompatible with listening to Jesus. It seems to appear that Jesus is devaluing the work of women at home. But before reaching any conclusions, we should examine the text from the perspective of the teachings of Jesus, taking into consideration some contemporary cultural practices.
1.Martha is the host: As Jesus approaches the village where Martha and Mary live, Martha goes out and invites Him to come to her house. This act of genuine hospitality is one Jesus is willing to accept. Luke tells about other cases of people who invited Jesus to come into their homes. Levi invited Jesus to his home for a banquet (Luke 5:27-29); Pharisees (Luke 7:36; 11:37) and even a prominent Pharisee (Luke 14:1) invited Jesus to their homes. In the case of Zacchaeus, Jesus invited Himself; but the publican was delighted to receive Him (Luke 19:5, 6). The case of Martha is the only example we have of Jesus accepting table fellowship offered by a female host. Jesus accepted such invitations in order to break down barriers, demonstrate that His ministry was all-inclusive (Luke 7:33-35), and teach and illustrate through His own conduct what God's kingdom is like. Sitting at the table was not simply a matter of eating, but a unique opportunity to teach those who invited Him. Martha invited Jesus knowing that she was responsible for the food and that the Rabbi would use her home as a teaching center.
2. Concern for food: Jesus was probably not traveling alone. Consequently, Martha had to prepare food for several persons. The text says that Martha "was distracted [literally, "distracted/dragged away"] by all the preparations that had to be made" (Luke 10:40, NIV)* by all the household service. She was overburdened with the amount of work that had to be done for the honored guest. Mary, knowing that during the table fellowship the Rabbi would teach, decided to sit beside Him, at His feet, the posture of a disciple who is eager to learn from the teacher. Jesus' primary purpose for table fellowship was being fulfilled.
The request Martha made to Jesus is understandable. She needed help in order to fulfill her responsibilities as host properly. The contrasts are interesting: Mary is silent while being instructed; Martha speaks with a request for the teacher. Jesus' response is kind but clear. The double vocative—"Martha, Martha"—expresses sympathy and emotional attachment. He cares for her and for what she is doing, but she has to understand that there is something more important than material bread. The issue becomes one of priorities. He seems to tell her that it is not necessary to provide for Him an extraordinary meal; she needn't overextend herself. He tells her that His table fellowship aims primarily at sharing the message of the kingdom of God. Since the question is one of priorities, Mary has chosen the best portion (meal).
3.Women as students: What Jesus did in Martha's house was extraordinary in the setting of contemporary Jewish practice. In general, women were barely exposed to formal education. They were instructed at home by their mothers in matters related to the laws of purity and uncleanness and their household responsibilities. That a rabbi would personally instruct a woman was almost unthinkable in first-century Judaism. Women could learn in the synagogue, but their attendance at the synagogue was sporadic on account of their monthly ovulation and the fact that they had to take care of their children. In that setting the event in the house of Martha is special. Jesus is teaching Mary, and is asking Martha to come and learn from Him. At the same time, He's lightening her load and freeing her in order to make her more efficient in His service. She could also be a disciple.
Now retired, Angel Manuel Rodríguez served many years as director of the Biblical Research Institute of the General Conference.


text:
/* dev_phys_param.h
 * physical parameters on the device
 * Ernest Yeung  ernestyalumni@gmail.com
 * 20160804
 */
#ifndef __DEV_PHYS_PARAM_H__
#define __DEV_PHYS_PARAM_H__

extern __constant__ float dev_Deltat[1]; // Deltat

extern __constant__ float dev_gas_params[3] ; // dev_gas_params[0] = heat capacity ratio, dev_gas_params[1] = C_V, dev_gas_params[2] = M

//__device__ float pressure( float energy, float rho, float2 u ) ;

__device__ float pressure( float energy, float rho, float usq) ;

#endif // __DEV_PHYS_PARAM_H__

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Diversity is crucial for digital transformation, say African tech leaders
Diversity and inclusion is no longer a compliance issue. Today, it is critical to represent a more diverse customer base in order to achieve business and economic growth, according to speakers at the recent Women Transforming Technology Summit for sub-Saharan Africa organized by IDC.
By Joanne Carew
Contributing writer, CIO	 Dec 1, 2021 6:00 pm PST
CecillieArcurs / Getty Images
Diversity and inclusion (D&I) is no longer a compliance issue — it is a critical component in achieving business and economic growth through digital transformation, according to analysts and technology executives leading businesses in sub-Saharan Africa.
Digital transformation is a necessary disruption because it changes how an organisation delivers value, and these days customers aren't only interested in quality and cost, they also demand proactive service, personalised interactions and connected experiences across a range of digital channels.
Beyond tools and technologies, digital transformation is also about transforming the modern workforce. This goes beyond complying with government legislation, like South Africa's Employment Equity Act, which seeks to drive progress towards workplace equity. Today, businesses must endeavour to transform the workplace so that it is more representative of the customers they serve, according to participants at the recent Women Transforming Technology Summit for sub-Saharan Africa organized by IDC.
"Despite a growing number of IT organisations saying that they are developing and implementing diversity and inclusion strategies, the proportion of women and minorities still averages under 25% for all employees, particularly in technical and engineering roles," noted Mark Walker, associate vice president for sub-Saharan Africa at IDC.
The open source community is an example of the value of having diverse perspectives, especially when it comes to innovation, said Monica Sasso, EMEA FSI (financial services) chief technologist at Red Hat. "When lots of different people from different backgrounds literally swarm over a problem, all of these unique views deliver better outcomes. And you get products that more people want as a result," Sasso said.
Mariam Abdullahi, the Kenya-based director of platform partnerships for Android and Play at Google, agreed. "True diversity goes beyond gender, beyond ability and beyond ethnicity. All of these elements must be represented in your organisation if you want to succeed in serving the world as it is. You're not doing anyone a favour by prioritising diversity, equity and inclusion, it's just good business."
But there are challenges.
Diversity programmes often fail
Most companies have programmes that seek to boost diversity, equity and inclusion but these often fail to translate into real workforce transformation. Even at an organisation like Google, which has long been committed to diversity and inclusion, according to Abdullahi, the number of female employees in senior leadership currently sits at below 35%.
Anna Collard, senior vice president of Content Strategy at KnowBe4 Africa, the world's largest integrated platform for security awareness training, noted that having diverse teams is particularly valuable within the cybersecurity space because you get a view of the problem from so many different angles. But the industry is nowhere close to getting this right, she explained. "Within cybersecurity in Africa only about 9% of the security professionals are female. And only 1% of these are in executive management positions."
So, large organisations need to do more to make a real change, and so do small businesses and start-ups. SME and start-up culture has to become more open and accepting of female founders, continued Mercy Onyango, Kenya-based channel business lead at Fortinet, a global cybersecurity solutions company. "This is important because when a woman starts a business, it has a knock-on effect because she is more likely to hire another woman."
According to a recent report from Findexable, a global database of fintech firms, representation within the fintech space leaves much to be desired. Of the more than 1,000 fintech companies in the Findexable database, just 16 are founded by women. "That's just 1.5%," noted Sasso. "And the Findexable survey found that where women are in executive roles, they are most likely to be chief people officers, chief marketing officers or chief financial officers. Which showcases that where there are women in senior roles, they aren't in the more positions where they have the chance to innovate."
Reframing perceptions about gender and roles
Changing this situation, said Collard, requires a social change. It's about reframing how society perceives some roles as being for men and others for women. Beyond this, it's critical to create programmes that encourage and support women in their efforts to pursue careers STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics ) fields from school all the way through to university. And then when these women enter the workforce, in industries that are typically dominated by men, businesses need to create working environments that make them feel welcome.
In line with this, companies must be intentional about recruitment, continued Onyango. If you have a particularly homogenous team, it's important for team leaders to make a concerted effort to bring in people who look and think differently because they introduce alternative ideas that speak to different customer demographics. "As is the case with any new business initiative, you need to have a dedicated bus driver; someone who is championing and driving the effort from the front," added Collard.
Now is the perfect time to be intentional about making a change, concluded Abdullahi. "I really think that nature has given us an incredible opportunity to redefine our businesses and our world."
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Westbrooke expands its February 2019 investment offerings.
Westbrooke's student accommodation fund has raised R360m to date, and the second tranche of capital raising is underway.
Section 12J investments were introduced as an investment tax incentive in 2009, but it is only in the last few years that this sector has started to grow.
Section 12J was introduced by National Treasury, enabling investors to write off 100% of their investment against their taxable income in the year they invest – benefiting from up to 45% immediate tax relief – by investing in small and medium-sized South African businesses to stimulate the economy.
Estimated total 12J industry assets under management stood at R3.6 billion at the end of November 2018. With R1.7 billion in 12J assets under management, Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management has about 50% market share and is multiples larger than its next biggest competitor.
Westbrooke, a private equity and alternative asset management business founded in 2002, launched its 12J investment offering in 2015 and has seen interest and investment in these assets grow since then.
Westbrooke raises money for a period each year for its closed-ended funds, with its 2019 round set to close on February 23. "We don't raise on the basis of wide mandates," says fund manager Dino Zuccollo.
Fund manager Jonti Osher adds that in any form of tax-driven incentives, you need to merge investor and National Treasury's preferences and intentions. It needs to mirror the objectives to boost job creation and stimulate investment in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa.
"When we design funds, we try to find underlying investment classes that are in the spirit of the legislation, and lower risk is achieved by way of asset backing, with some sort of movable or fixed asset underpinning the value of the investment.
Investors can choose portfolios that best suit their investment preferences and risk appetite.
One of Westbrooke's funds, Westbrooke Aria, invests in businesses that rent movable assets like vehicles and equipment. One example is Mobile Macs, which provides delivery motor bikes to the fast-food franchise industry. Since getting a capital injection, it has increased its fleet from 700 to 1 500 bikes and has doubled direct employment.
Aria is focused on strong dividend-yielding investment rather than capital growth. Westbrooke has raised R850 million for Aria since 2016 and provided growth capital to over 20 companies offering attractive yielding investments. Its strategy hinges on backing entrepreneurs across South Africa who have operating businesses and/or movable assets they rent out.
Like Aria, its student accommodation fund, Westbrooke Stac, provides an attractive dividend stream as well as the potential for capital growth with investments in property-backed student accommodation. It has raised R360 million to date, and the second tranche of capital raising is underway.
Currently Stac invests alongside reputable, experienced operators of student accommodation assets. "The investor is getting exposure to a property-backed asset in an area where there is huge demand." It produces a good yield and capital growth, and is aligned with a national strategic imperative to promote education by addressing the country's bed shortage in key student hubs.
A new fund, Westbrooke Host, is focused on hospitality and has combined two previous strategies into a single offering. This includes investment in the Capital Hotel Group, which Westbrooke says is currently South Africa's fastest-growing hotel group, where each hotel room is a sectional title apartment. This investment is combined with others, including an Airbnb fund in Cape Town. The Host strategy targets a blend of income and capital growth, with investors getting exposure to a property-backed investment. Westbrooke's previous hospitality strategies raised R455 million, deploying funds into more than 10 hotel assets, with on-target investor returns.
"Westbrooke Host looks to benefit from the growing South African hospitality and tourism sector," says Osher.
The fourth fund, Westbrooke Base ('Businesses where Assets Support Earnings'), is focused on capital growth and slightly higher returns. "This is a new strategy, based on a competency we have in the group," says Zuccollo. "In Aria we have done more than 20 deals, and there are a number that we liked but were unable to put in Aria, where we are not mandated to invest in underlying businesses where there aren't contractual revenue streams or where targeted pay-back periods exceed five years, even though they may generate a lot of cash. An example is solar infrastructure, where there are contractual cash flows but underlying rentals to pay back capital span more than the five-year investment period.
Zuccollo says 12J investments are fulfilling investor and national needs. Westbrooke 12J investments have, for example, helped dozens of businesses to grow and have created more than 1 200 jobs, while investor appetite for these kinds of investment is growing. The firm raised R415 million in 2016, R470 million in 2017 and over R565 million in 2018.
The minimum investment in all of these Section 12J funds is R500 000, and the offers close on February 23, 2019.


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Artificial Intelligence and civil law; liability rules for drones
This study – commissioned by the European Parliament's Policy Department for Citizens' Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI Committee – analyses existing European and national legislation on the regulation of drones for civil use, discussing how they are defined and classified, whether certification and registration is required, how liability is apportioned between the subjects involved, and if compulsory insurance is provided for. Finally, on the basis of a risk-management ...
This study – commissioned by the European Parliament's Policy Department for Citizens' Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI Committee – analyses existing European and national legislation on the regulation of drones for civil use, discussing how they are defined and classified, whether certification and registration is required, how liability is apportioned between the subjects involved, and if compulsory insurance is provided for. Finally, on the basis of a risk-management approach, the study elaborates recommendations for future policy formulation.
Study pdf
External author
Andrea Bertolini
EU Democracy, Institutional and Parliamentary Law
Giorgio Mussa
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Rule of law and human rights in Cuba and Venezuela and EU engagement
The European Parliament (EP) has consistently followed the situation in Cuba and Venezuela. It has expressed its support for defenders of human rights and democracy with the award of the Sakharov prize to Cuban activists on three occasions (2002, 2005, 2010), and to Venezuela's Democratic Opposition in 2017. In line with this engagement, a workshop on human rights and rule of law in both countries was held on 6 September 2018, in Brussels, at the request of the EP's Subcommittee on Human Rights ( ...
The European Parliament (EP) has consistently followed the situation in Cuba and Venezuela. It has expressed its support for defenders of human rights and democracy with the award of the Sakharov prize to Cuban activists on three occasions (2002, 2005, 2010), and to Venezuela's Democratic Opposition in 2017. In line with this engagement, a workshop on human rights and rule of law in both countries was held on 6 September 2018, in Brussels, at the request of the EP's Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI). Dr. Par Engstrom (University College London) presented the first draft of an independent study analysing the main human rights developments in Cuba and Venezuela since 2014 and the EU's response. The paper, which focused specifically on the Sakharov laureates, was discussed with Members and other experts, including from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the European External Action Service and the European Commission. During the lively discussion, there was broad agreement with the description of major trends in the human rights situation in the two countries. Critical comments and controversial issues related to the impact of the government's repression of the Venezuelan opposition, the need to consider not only civil and political but also economic and social rights, the effectiveness of sanctions against Venezuela and the potential role of the Sakharov Prize. Observations and comments made during the workshop fed into the final version of the study, which is also included in this report.
Par ENGSTROM; Giulia BONACQUISTI
Towards a binding international treaty on business and human rights
With its extended value chains, economic globalisation has brought numerous opportunities while also creating specific challenges, including in the area of human rights protection. The recent history of transnational corporations contains numerous examples of human rights abuses occurring as a result of their operations. Such corporations are known to have taken advantage of loose regulatory frameworks in developing countries, corruption, and a lack of accountability resulting from legal rules shielding ...
With its extended value chains, economic globalisation has brought numerous opportunities while also creating specific challenges, including in the area of human rights protection. The recent history of transnational corporations contains numerous examples of human rights abuses occurring as a result of their operations. Such corporations are known to have taken advantage of loose regulatory frameworks in developing countries, corruption, and a lack of accountability resulting from legal rules shielding corporate interests. This situation has created a pressing need to establish international norms regulating business operations in relation to human rights. So far, the preferred approach has been 'soft', consisting of the adoption of voluntary guidelines for businesses. Several sets of such norms exist at international level, the most notable being the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Nevertheless, while such voluntary commitments are clearly useful, they cannot entirely stop gross human rights violations (such as child labour, labour rights violations and land grabbing) committed by transnational corporations, their subsidiaries or suppliers. To address the shortcomings of the soft approach, an intergovernmental working group was established within the United Nations framework in June 2014, with the task of drafting a binding treaty on human rights and business. After being reluctant at the outset, the EU has become involved in the negotiations, but has insisted that the future treaty's scope should include all businesses, not only transnational ones. The 'Zero Draft' published in July does not reflect the EU's position on this point. It has been welcomed by experts for its more precise focus on prevention, on effective remedies and access to justice for victims, and on companies' liability for their subsidiaries and suppliers in third countries. The European Parliament is a staunch supporter of this initiative and has encouraged the EU to take a positive and constructive approach. This is a further updated edition of a Briefing published in April 2018, PE 620.229.
Briefing pdf
Ionel ZAMFIR
international agreement
Consequences of US trade policy on EU-US trade relations and the global trading system
The Trump Administration's trade policy is driven by the belief that previous Administrations have let other countries take advantage of the United States for foreign policy reasons, as demonstrated by America's more open trade regime and its trade deficits. It is determined to end this perceived imbalance by demanding reciprocity instead, and is willing to use tough tactics to achieve this through strict enforcement of its procurement and trade defense law; expansive tax provisions; bringing the ...
The Trump Administration's trade policy is driven by the belief that previous Administrations have let other countries take advantage of the United States for foreign policy reasons, as demonstrated by America's more open trade regime and its trade deficits. It is determined to end this perceived imbalance by demanding reciprocity instead, and is willing to use tough tactics to achieve this through strict enforcement of its procurement and trade defense law; expansive tax provisions; bringing the WTO dispute settlement to a halt; withdrawing from and forcing others to renegotiate existing bilateral and multilateral agreements; adopting a novel "national security" argument to justify breaking WTO tariff commitments for steel, aluminum and possibly autos; and enacting punitive tariffs on billions of dollars of imports from China, possibly threatening a trade war. The scenarios for U.S.-EU trade relations as well as the global trading system are anything but rosy. The EU can stand up to the Administration's "bullying," or it can take advantage of America's need for a "re-balancing" to build its own stature by taking simple steps to improve EU-U.S. trade, forging a way forward in the WTO, and providing necessary leadership to address the dangers China's economic system poses to the global trading order.
Peter CHASE, Peter SPARDING, Yuki MUKAI
Internal Market and Customs Union
Economics and Monetary Issues
negotiation of an agreement (EU)
transatlantic relations
The future relationship between the UK and the EU in the field of international protection following the UK's withdrawal from the EU
This study, commissioned by the European Parliament's Policy Department for Citizens' Rights and Constitutional Affairs, at the request of the LIBE Committee, provides expertise on the legal, institutional and technical implications of the UK's withdrawal from the EU in the field of international protection. More specifically, this analysis presents the current situation with regard to UK–EU cooperation in the field, the legal standards that will be applicable to the UK following its withdrawal, ...
This study, commissioned by the European Parliament's Policy Department for Citizens' Rights and Constitutional Affairs, at the request of the LIBE Committee, provides expertise on the legal, institutional and technical implications of the UK's withdrawal from the EU in the field of international protection. More specifically, this analysis presents the current situation with regard to UK–EU cooperation in the field, the legal standards that will be applicable to the UK following its withdrawal, the areas of common interest in the field and the potential forms of future cooperation.
Annex I pdf
Mirja GUTHEIL; Quentin LIGER; James EAGER; Aurélie HEETMAN; Micol TEDESCHI
Transposition and Implementation of Law
Adoption of Legislation by EP and Council
EU Law: Legal System and Acts
third country
EU migration policy
case law (EU)
fund (EU)
EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
withdrawal from the EU
foreign national
Universal jurisdiction and international crimes: Constraints and best practices
This report summarises the proceedings of a workshop organised by the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI), in association with the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) and the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE). Academics and practitioners discussed international trends as regards the concept of universal jurisdiction and the EU's approach to promoting universal jurisdiction through its external relations, as well as practical experience in applying universal ...
This report summarises the proceedings of a workshop organised by the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI), in association with the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) and the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE). Academics and practitioners discussed international trends as regards the concept of universal jurisdiction and the EU's approach to promoting universal jurisdiction through its external relations, as well as practical experience in applying universal jurisdiction in the fight against impunity in Europe. The experts agreed that universal jurisdiction can play a role as part of a wider accountability strategy, complementary to international courts and prosecutions on other jurisdictional bases. They recommended more specialised training for investigators, prosecutors, judges and law enforcement staff for universal jurisdiction cases and more cooperation at EU and international level. Speakers supported the initiative for a multilateral treaty on mutual legal assistance and extradition. Special attention in universal jurisdiction cases must be given to victims seeking justice, including for sexual and gender-based crimes.
Julia KREBS, Cedric RYNGAERT, Florian JEßBERGER
crime against humanity
the EU's international role
multilateral agreement
competence of the Member States
extraterritorial jurisdiction
impunity
EU competence
judicial cooperation
international court
war crime
With its extended value chains, economic globalisation has provided numerous opportunities, while also creating specific challenges, including in the area of human rights protection. The recent history of transnational corporations contains numerous examples of human rights abuses occurring as a result of their operations. Such corporations are known to have taken advantage of loose regulatory frameworks in developing countries, corruption, or lack of accountability resulting from legal rules shielding ...
With its extended value chains, economic globalisation has provided numerous opportunities, while also creating specific challenges, including in the area of human rights protection. The recent history of transnational corporations contains numerous examples of human rights abuses occurring as a result of their operations. Such corporations are known to have taken advantage of loose regulatory frameworks in developing countries, corruption, or lack of accountability resulting from legal rules shielding corporate interests. This situation has created a pressing need to establish international norms regulating business operations in relation to human rights. So far, the preferred approach has been 'soft', consisting of the adoption of voluntary guidelines for businesses. Several sets of such norms exist at international level, the most notable being the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Nevertheless, while such voluntary commitments are clearly useful, they cannot entirely stop gross human rights violations (such as child labour, labour rights violations and land grabbing) committed by transnational corporations, their subsidiaries or suppliers. To address the shortcomings of the soft approach, an intergovernmental working group was established within the UN framework in June 2014, with the task of drafting a binding treaty on human rights and business. After being reluctant at the outset, the EU has become involved in the negotiations, but has insisted that the future treaty's scope should include all businesses, not only transnational ones. The EU's position on this issue has been disregarded by the UN intergovernmental working group until now, which raises some questions about the fairness of the process. The European Parliament is a staunch supporter of this initiative and has encouraged the EU to take a positive and constructive approach. This is an updated edition of a briefing published in July 2017: PE 608.636.
Update of the study on The impact of Brexit in relation to the right to petition and on the competences, responsibilities and activities of the Committee on Petitions
This in-depth analysis, commissioned by the European Parliament's Policy Department for Citizens' Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the PETI Committee, provides an update to the prior study considering the impact of Brexit on EU-27 and UK citizens. In particular, this analysis considers the citizens' part of the Draft Withdrawal Agreement (DWA) which was agreed between the UK and the EU on 19 March 2018 and endorsed by the European Council on 23 March 2018. It highlights those situations ...
This in-depth analysis, commissioned by the European Parliament's Policy Department for Citizens' Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the PETI Committee, provides an update to the prior study considering the impact of Brexit on EU-27 and UK citizens. In particular, this analysis considers the citizens' part of the Draft Withdrawal Agreement (DWA) which was agreed between the UK and the EU on 19 March 2018 and endorsed by the European Council on 23 March 2018. It highlights those situations that might remain unprotected by the Draft Withdrawal Agreement. The update is limited to examining the right to reside of EU-27 and UK citizens post Brexit.
In-Depth Analysis pdf
Professor Eleanor SPAVENTA, Bocconi Law Department, Bocconi University, Milan, Italy Durham Law School, Durham University, United Kingdomrofessor Leonor Spaventa
unemployed person
cross-border dimension
withdrawal from the market
Prospects for e-democracy in Europe
Digital tools could create stronger connections between European citizens and the EU decision-making process and, by doing so, might contribute to reducing the EU democratic deficit. This report investigates what lessons can be drawn from local, national and European experiences of the use of digital tools for the functioning of EU decision-making procedures and institutions. For that purpose, a review of current literature on e-democracy and the European public sphere has been carried out; 22 local ...
Digital tools could create stronger connections between European citizens and the EU decision-making process and, by doing so, might contribute to reducing the EU democratic deficit. This report investigates what lessons can be drawn from local, national and European experiences of the use of digital tools for the functioning of EU decision-making procedures and institutions. For that purpose, a review of current literature on e-democracy and the European public sphere has been carried out; 22 local, national and EU experiences with existing digital tools have been investigated and evaluated; and an analysis has been made of the suitability of the most promising digital tools for implementation and use at EU level. The most important factors for successful e-participation identified in the report are: a close and clear link between e-participation processes and a concrete formal decision-making process; the participatory process and the contribution of its outputs to the overall decision-making process have to be clear to participants from the start; feedback to the participants about what has been done with their contributions is an indispensable feature of the process; a participative process should not be limited to one event but should be imbedded in an institutional 'culture of participation'; e-participation must be accompanied by an effective mobilisation and engagement strategy, involving communication instruments tailored for different target groups.
Annex II pdf
Annex III pdf
Annex IV pdf
EPRS, DG
European Added Value
Evaluation of Law and Policy in Practice
Framework Programme for Research and Development
administrative transparency
electronic government
The Joint Africa-EU Strategy
Implementation of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy (JAES) has taken place in a rapidly evolving political scenario at the global level and specifically within Europe and Africa. The overarching objectives identified in 2007 still remain valid, but concrete priorities now need to be adapted to the new reality. At the strategic level, a refinement of the Africa-EU partnership has become urgent following the adoption of Agenda 2063 and the EU Global Strategy. At policy level, lessons learned from the implementation ...
Implementation of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy (JAES) has taken place in a rapidly evolving political scenario at the global level and specifically within Europe and Africa. The overarching objectives identified in 2007 still remain valid, but concrete priorities now need to be adapted to the new reality. At the strategic level, a refinement of the Africa-EU partnership has become urgent following the adoption of Agenda 2063 and the EU Global Strategy. At policy level, lessons learned from the implementation of the Roadmap 2014-17 and the way ahead indicated in the Joint Communication of May 2017 should be taken into account. Ten years after its adoption and with a view to the next AU-EU Summit, being held in Abidjan on 29-30 November 2017, it is crucial to re-assess the strategy's validity on the basis of achievements and shortfalls, also in its parliamentary dimension, with regard to the fulfilment of its objectives in an evolving context.
Nicoletta PIROZZI, Institutional Relations Manager & Head of Programme, Istituto Affari Internazional, Italy, Nicoló SARTORI, Senior Fellow & Head of Programme, Istituto Affari Internazionali, Italy, Bernardo VENTURI, Researcher, Istituto Affari Internazionali, Italy
Development and Humanitarian Aid
Security and Defence
North-South relations
conflict prevention
EU relations
state-building
EU strategy
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
European University Institute (EUI)
European Centre for Parliamentary Research and Documentation (ECPRD)
View the complete list
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Firehole Sticks 516 Hooks: Your gateway to the Lower Deschutes River. Guided fly fishing trips and the largest inventory of Fly Fishing Gear in the Northwest. Swing your way into Central Oregon's premier Trout and Steelhead Fly Fishing Shop & Outfitter. We also provide customers trophy sized Rainbow Trout on the fly with our remote Private Lakes.
These Euro-style 60 degree jig nymph hooks only come barbless, but, don't be fooled, they grip in a lip like no other trout hook we have ever seen! Use with Slotted Tungsten Beads for best results.


HOLON, Israel, April 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Sapiens International Corporation, (NASDAQ: SPNS) and (TASE: SPNS), a leading global provider of software solutions for the insurance industry, today announced the general availability of its upgraded Sapiens IDITSuite for Property & Casualty for customers and P&C insurance providers worldwide.
Sapiens' IDITSuite – which handles policy, billing and claims – now features upgraded claims straight- through-processing capabilities, with automatic claims triage and payments functionality. P&C insurance claims can be paid instantly, regardless of channel. This new functionality will free insurance personnel to handle more mission-critical tasks. Automation will result in fewer errors and instant payments, with automatic triage and payment capabilities enabling a greater level of automation via Sapiens' business intelligence solution. These capabilities will be used by Sapiens' customer and agent portal solutions, in addition to the core system.
Sapiens IDITSuite version 15.1 now also features "next best action", via a rules-driven engine. The suite can immediately identify the service provider best positioned to help insureds. For example, IDITSuite will factor in proximity, availability and required service type to help insureds select the optimal service garage following an accident. This personalisation will enable providers to offer P&C insureds the immediate and modern customer experience they now expect across verticals.
"The Sapiens team has again affirmed its commitment to meeting market needs and strengthening one of our core offerings," said Roni Al-Dor, Sapiens president and CEO. "We continue to invest in our product portfolio and engage in dialogue with clients to bring innovation that will empower Sapiens' customers."
The upgraded group insurance module of the new IDITSuite version provides additional options to customers and workers unions that rely on the suite. Group functionality offers both opt-in and mandatory enrollment configured to meet growing customer and vendor digitisation needs.
Insurance agents will benefit from better distribution channel management, with noticeable improvement in intermediary statements, agent commission calculation and the assignment of agent tasks.
Additionally, Sapiens IDITSuite's API layer integration will enable fast connection to any partner's system, so P&C providers can easily expand their digital ecosystems to adapt to today's rapidly changing environment.
"In addition to its many other benefits, this new version of Sapiens IDITSuite will enhance the operational efficiency of complex policies via a user-friendly flow and offer improved distribution channel management," said Liana Gelikas, president of Sapiens' Property and Casualty and Reinsurance division. "Our team has worked diligently to develop this new version and we are proud to see it released to the market."


text:
Categories: Global Tech News
Apple Unsuccesfully Tries to Silence Owner of Fiery iPod
Apple's iPhones and iPods have been known to have overheating problems, at times bursting into flames. Apple is reportedly doing everything in its power — or more aptly in its army of lawyers' power — to keep these relatively infrequent incidents away from the public eye.
Ken Stanborough, 47, was among the victims of an exploding iPod and legal ploys by Apple. Mr. Stansborough bought an iPod Touch for his 11-year-old daughter. When holding the iPod one warm day last month, it began to overheat. He states, "It made a hissing noise. I could feel it getting hotter in my hand, and I thought I could see vapour."
The father resorted to playing hot potato with the iPhone, tossing it outside. He reports that "within 30 seconds there was a pop, a big puff of smoke and it went 10ft in the air."
He contacted Apple, hoping for an apology, or at least a refund. After speaking with several departments, he spoke to an Apple executive on the telephone, however, they wouldn't promise him a refund. According to the Times Online, he instead received a letter offering him a refund only if he signed some very restrictive legal terms.
Apple agreed to reimburse the £162 he paid at UK retailer Argos, but demanded that he "agree that you will keep the terms and existence of this settlement agreement completely confidential." Violation of this gag-order, according to Apple, "may result in Apple seeking injunctive relief, damages and legal costs against the defaulting persons or parties."
Infuriated at the outrageous response, Mr. Stansborough, who works in electronics security, refused and never got his refund. He states, "I thought it was a very disturbing letter. They're putting a life sentence on myself, my daughter and Ellie's mum, not to say anything to anyone. If we inadvertently did say anything, no matter what, they would take litigation against us. I thought that was absolutely appalling. We didn't ask for compensation, we just asked for our money back."
An Apple spokesperson said they could not comment on their case as they had not yet seen the iPod. Apple's second generation Nanos were known to infrequently overheat, catch fire, or otherwise explode. That problem appears to have reappeared in the current iPod Touch/iPhone. In South Korea some iPods are being recalled for overheating. The Japanese government recently issued a warning about iPods potentially overheating. And in Ohio Apple is being sued by the mother of a child whose iPod Touch reportedly exploded, burning his leg.
Next Global Tech News - Apple's New "Spaceship" Headquarters Won't Be Ready Until 2016 »
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Plymouth's £9million plan for building thousands of new homes
Affordable homes will be among them
Rachael AtkinsReporter
Some of the homes at Sherford
A council plan to boost support for housing need in the city has received a significant funding boost of £9million.
Thanks to an executive decision signed by Council leader Tudor Evans, the funds will be allocated to the new Housing Investment Fund.
The fund, announced as part of the third Plan for Homes earlier this year, is a pot of money designed to support the housing industry to deliver the needs of the city.
This could include acquiring land, gap funding for specialist homes and truly affordable housing, preparing sites for new homes or providing infrastructure.
Councillor Evans said: "People need houses, truly affordable houses at that, and I'm delighted that we will be supporting the delivery of the Plan for Homes through this fund.
"The council no longer directly provides new homes, but we can't leave the market to fend for itself so instead we work with a range of delivery partners to build the homes we need.
Sherford is a new emerging community in the east of Plymouth (Image: Penny Cross)
"This allows us to intervene to ensure that all residents with all different kinds of needs have the housing that they require."
The Housing Investment Fund is built on a principle of funds from housing activities going onto provide more new homes.
For example, the £9 million injection includes £7 million from Right to Buy receipts from the sale of former council houses and is completed by Section 106 contributions specifically to support the provision of affordable housing.
Meanwhile, any future funds resulting from the sale of land for housing will also go back into the fund, making it a sustainable resource for funding future housing throughout Plymouth. Future Right to Buy revenues will also be added to the fund.
The latest version of the Plan for Homes sets out a framework to help support the building of 5,000 new homes over the next five years.
By supporting a variety of new and affordable housing to tackle housing needs and homelessness whilst addressing existing poor housing conditions, the plan sets out a clear vision of the future for housing in the city to support the delivery of the Joint Local Plan.


The Experience is a multi-day event with company cases whereby 18-24 selected econometrics students try to distinguish themselves in their analytical skills, motivation and social skills. Also, the in-house approach offers a great opportunity to discover how it is to work at several interesting companies.
During the surprising and challenging cases, different aspects of the profession will be addressed. You can think of a conversation with a client, a downfall of the stock exchange, negotiations and strict deadlines. Whilst having lunch or a drink, there is the opportunity to get in touch with the companies in an informal way.
The best performing participant of the event will win the coveted The Experience trophy and maybe some other great prize! Last year this price was an iPad! If that was not enough, there are also other prices like day-prizes and prizes which will be raffled among the participants!


In his second successful starring role in 1983, Agustín Gonzalez is a father who runs a wine shop in Madrid, a city under a three-year siege (1936-1939) because the Nationalists forces of Francisco Franco need to take Madrid before the fascist dictator can be installed in power. The siege has left the Madrileños with very little food, living under the threat of bombs, and worrying about the prospects of defeat. It is the sense of impending disaster, of hunger and deprivation that is oddly missing from this cinematic interpretation of the play by Fernando Fernán Gómez. The daughter in the family (Victoria Abril) enters into a love affair with a soldier and ends up having a baby; the son (Gabino Diego) is coming of age with the maid; and life seems to go on with all its proverbial ups and downs. But without the sharp dialogue of the play itself, this film is not as tautly strung, or as convincingly real as the stage production.
There are no critic reviews yet for Bicycles Are for the Summer. Keep checking Rotten Tomatoes for updates!
There are no featured reviews for Bicycles Are for the Summer at this time.


Seeking donor: Dr. Kapil Vij, right, was diagnosed earlier this year with a blood cancer and he needs a bone marrow transplant.
Glenview, Illinois — An ADA member is hoping a stranger can help save his life.
Dr. Kapil Vij, 45, a pediatric dentist from this Chicago suburb, was diagnosed earlier this year with myelofibrosis, a rare form of blood cancer, and the best chances for his long-term survival comes from a bone marrow transplant with a donor from the National Marrow Donor Program, his family said.
"This is urgent as his hemoglobin is dropping pretty fast despite blood transfusions," said Dr. Vij's brother, Dr. Rajesh Vij, who is a dentist in Ohio.
Dr. Kapil Vij is of South Asian (Indian) descent, and the pool of people from that ethnicity are underrepresented in the national bone marrow registry, Dr. Rajesh Vij said, making the need for others to join the registry vital.
"The process of bone marrow donation is very simple and painless and in most cases done by taking stem cells out of blood," said Dr. Rajesh Vij. "It only sounds scary, and it is a life saving deed."
Dr. Kapil Vij has two children and his wife, Neeru, is pregnant with their third. He is a former faculty member in pediatric dentistry at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry. He operates a dental practice in Mount Prospect, Illinois, another Chicago suburb.
Qualified potential donors, ages 18-44, can learn more and register for the national marrow donor program online by visiting https://join.bethematch.org/HOPE4KAPIL.
A second nonprofit, DKMS We Delete Blood Cancer, allows some marrow donors up to age 55. Visit DKMS.org/register or to organize a drive or help register other potential donors, visit dkms.org/involved.
Dentists can also sign up to offer patients in their office the chance to join the registry. For more information on this program, email dental@DKMS.org or call 1-866-340-3567.
Those in or around Chicago can visit ADA Headquarters 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Central time May 24 during a bone marrow drive held in honor of Dr. Kapil Vij. For more information about the event, email Janice Lord, manager of the ADA Acceptance Program, at lordj@ada.org.
Dr. Rajesh Vij can be reached by email at Rvij1@hotmail.com.


Well (to get back on the rails), since heart disease is the biggest killer in the US, and obesity is the leading cause of heart disease... lets ban fast food, or any pre-prepared foods. You've save the most lives that way, cut way down on medical system loads too (costs too).
The farming and transportation of exotic fruits and vegetables is relatively resource intensive. Say what you want about pre-prepared foods, they tend to be a lot more environmentally friendly as corn and wheat are relatively efficient crops to farm in large quantities when you look at the output of crop to the amount of land needed to farm it, not to mention the extended shelf life these foods have. Plus people have been eating these foods for 100 years now and they still live to a ripe old age. The key is moderation. If anything we are simply eating too much.
People who want to buy organic and grass fed may have good intentions, but it's a relatively environmental wasteful way to eat unless the stuff is grown locally, which admittedly can be and is done, but then you only get your delicious watermelon, apples, cantaloupe, etc, during certain times of the year, mostly in the autumn.
That's why I grow food, along with ornamental flowers and shrubs. I don't think I'm far enough South to actually grow sugar.
Guns. My guess is most ban-happy people would want to see guns banished, believing that a ban would solve a lot of our recent woes of mass shootings.
I just heard on the news that a drone crashed in a prison, a drone carrying contraband to prisoners. Between that and privacy, drones must be banned.
Cigarettes, the killer. Sure they're in partial ban-mode already. Many restaurants & hotels, even some towns, consider themselves smoke-free. Just ban them.
Trump reversed a decision and is now banning the import of elephant hunting trophies from Zimbabwe and Zambia back to the U.S.
So what else should be on the "ban" list? What else do people consider regulations limiting use isn't enough?
The basis of Banning Implements is feeble.
You can weaponize and misuse/abuse anything.
You are quite fond of your Ram. Someone else could use that Identical truck to run over a group of people. Would banning Rams be conducive for society based on the actions of a scumbag? Nope.
Banning a drone, a kids toy, because scumbags misuse them?
The logic of banning implements is a weak and feeble one.
Diet soda contains aspartame a substance that will disable me with lethal migraines. Should diet soda be banned? Nope. Just means I do not drink it.
Banning doesn't achieve anything except invoke ingenuity to carry out the same intentions with the same incentives with a different implement.
Nobel Peace Prize awarded for Dynamite... Should that be a readily available implement on the basis of designed and intended use? Or should it be regulated as it currently is because someone Might misuse it?
Let's ban diet cola. That stuff tastes terrible.
I wear sunglasses. My SO does so as well.
I do not think I want that job; however, if the president needed a communications director, I'd have to fire hope.
Some will ask, "Hope who?" Hope Hicks (the person) is currently the WH Communications Director. That is a different position than the Press Secretary.


'been reading Humans of New York for hours. Fantastic project!
The chemical, BPS, is found in many products that bear the "BPA-free" label.
Took the words out of my mouth.
In an email leaked in the recent Sony hack, Spiegel says he thinks a similar fate awaits Facebook.
Photographer Jenna Martin pens a heartfelt letter to new photographers, packed full of wonderful advice and fantastic insights for those just starting out on their photographic journey.
//player.vimeo.com/video/113287920 Blackout City from Nicholas Buer on Vimeo.
A couple years ago, I wrote about my first serious attempt to organize my family's digital photos.


The Payroll Management System designed by the expert software engineers of H.R. Software Solutions Pvt. Ltd. is perfect and ideal in every manner. We are completely satisfied with the kind of facilities our administration has been offered through this scalable, flexible and integrated application. The software has greatly supervised all our payroll-related tasks, for instance, salary, PF and tax calculation, and have benefited us with a variety of useful tools. Furthermore, it is user-friendly, simple and manages timely completion of procedures, thereby offering accurate and fast results.


text:
package org.apache.camel.dataformat.bindy.csv;

import java.util.List;

import org.apache.camel.EndpointInject;
import org.apache.camel.Produce;
import org.apache.camel.ProducerTemplate;
import org.apache.camel.builder.RouteBuilder;
import org.apache.camel.component.mock.MockEndpoint;
import org.apache.camel.dataformat.bindy.model.simple.bool.BooleanExample;

import org.junit.Test;
import org.springframework.test.annotation.DirtiesContext;
import org.springframework.test.context.ContextConfiguration;
import org.springframework.test.context.junit4.AbstractJUnit4SpringContextTests;

import static org.junit.Assert.assertEquals;
import static org.junit.Assert.assertFalse;
import static org.junit.Assert.assertNotNull;
import static org.junit.Assert.assertTrue;

@ContextConfiguration
public class BindySimpleCsvBooleanUnmarshallTest extends AbstractJUnit4SpringContextTests {

    private static final String URI_MOCK_RESULT = "mock:result";
    private static final String URI_MOCK_ERROR = "mock:error";
    private static final String URI_DIRECT_START = "direct:start";

    @Produce(URI_DIRECT_START)
    private ProducerTemplate template;

    @EndpointInject(URI_MOCK_RESULT)
    private MockEndpoint result;

    @EndpointInject(URI_MOCK_ERROR)
    private MockEndpoint error;

    private String expected;

    @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
    @Test
    @DirtiesContext
    public void testUnMarshallMessageWithBoolean() throws Exception {

        // We suppress the firstName field of the first record
        expected = "andrew,true\r\n" + "andrew,false\r\n";

        template.sendBody(expected);

        List<BooleanExample> examples = (List<BooleanExample>)result.getExchanges().get(0).getIn().getBody();

        result.expectedMessageCount(1);
        result.assertIsSatisfied();

        assertFalse(examples.get(0).getName().isEmpty());
        assertEquals(examples.get(0).getName(), "andrew");
        assertTrue(examples.get(0).getExist());
        assertFalse(examples.get(1).getName().isEmpty());
        assertEquals(examples.get(1).getName(), "andrew");
        assertFalse(examples.get(1).getExist());
        assertNotNull(examples);
    }

    @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
    @Test
    @DirtiesContext
    public void testUnMarshallMessageWithBooleanMissingFields() throws Exception {

        // We suppress the firstName field of the first record
        expected = "andrew,true\r\n" + "joseph,false\r\n" + "nicholas,\r\n";

        template.sendBody(expected);

        List<BooleanExample> examples = (List<BooleanExample>)result.getExchanges().get(0).getIn().getBody();

        result.expectedMessageCount(1);
        result.assertIsSatisfied();

        assertFalse(examples.get(0).getName().isEmpty());
        assertEquals(examples.get(0).getName(), "andrew");
        assertTrue(examples.get(0).getExist());
        assertFalse(examples.get(1).getName().isEmpty());
        assertEquals(examples.get(1).getName(), "joseph");
        assertFalse(examples.get(1).getExist());
        assertFalse(examples.get(2).getName().isEmpty());
        assertEquals(examples.get(2).getName(), "nicholas");
        assertTrue(examples.get(2).getExist());
        assertNotNull(examples);
    }

    public static class ContextConfig extends RouteBuilder {
        BindyCsvDataFormat camelDataFormat = new BindyCsvDataFormat(
            org.apache.camel.dataformat.bindy.model.simple.bool.BooleanExample.class);

        public void configure() {
            // from("file://src/test/data?move=./target/done").unmarshal(camelDataFormat).to("mock:result");

            // default should errors go to mock:error
            errorHandler(deadLetterChannel(URI_MOCK_ERROR).redeliveryDelay(0));

            onException(Exception.class).maximumRedeliveries(0).handled(true);

            from(URI_DIRECT_START).unmarshal(camelDataFormat).to(URI_MOCK_RESULT);
        }

    }
}


Kurtosys helps you reduce risk by providing flexible security settings in line with common InfoSec requirements and standards set by global financial institutions. The system allows you to easily configure your platform security measures to match your internal policies.
To start configuring your security settings, navigate to Settings > Clients.
Select into the relevant client and click on Authorization on the left side of the screen.
Choose after how long users should be logged out of the system by typing a value into the 'Login Timeout' field, and set the number of failed login attempts a user will have before being locked out of the system by choosing a value under 'Allowed Login Attempts'.
Turn on the Maximum Password Age feature by clicking on the switch on the right, then set a rule for how often users will be required to change their passwords by typing in a value under 'Maximum Password Age'.
Activate Assurance Images or Assurance Messages to reassure users that they are logging in to the correct platform and that their data is secure by toggling the switches on the right.
Two-factor authentication adds another layer of security to your system. Enable two-factor authentication by toggling on the switches to the right. You are able to activate one, multiple, or all of the following authentication methods: Push Authentication, Text Authentication and Call Authentication.
You can also make it compulsory for a password to contain upper and lower case characters and prescribe that a password cannot contain the same character three times in succession by toggling the switches on the right.


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internet banking network. business people using laptop computer with icon application online payment.
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The DeLonghi Magnifica's sleek craftsmanship gives you convenient coffee in your compact kitchen or small office. This extra-small variant of the Magnifica S features front access to the removable water tank and brew unit, meaning you can leave it under-cabinet longer than the competition. Even with its small size, the Magnifica S creates quality espresso shots to your liking thanks to adjustable drink programming and an easy-stepped burr grinder. Plus, with the panarello style steam wand, you can manually control the heat and froth on your milk to make your ideal cappuccino or latte every time!
Compact Case – A petite 9.5×16.5 footprint lets you tuck you espresso machine among your other appliances.
Panarello Steam Wand – Control the heat of your milk or the amount foam on your cappuccinos and lattes.
Double Shot – A dedicated 2-cup button will brew coffee back-to-back.
Adjustable Cup Height – A sliding spout lets you fit cups up to 5.5 inches.


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Home/Features/CO2 is fresh approach for sushi firm
FeaturesFeatures Home
CO2 is fresh approach for sushi firm
UK: Tanpopo Japanese Food, a UK-based food wholesaler, has opted to use Panasonic CO2 condensing units for its new frozen and chilled warehouse in Feltham, West London.
For over 20 years, Tanpopo has been making and supplying sushi to catering companies, supermarkets, hotels, stadia and event organisers across the UK.
The use of renewable technology and reliability were said to be high on the agenda for Tanpopo in its move to the new premises
"After extensive trialling of another competing product, we chose the Panasonic solution because of its environmentally-friendly credentials," explained Tanpopo owner Peter Bigmore. Other key factors were said to include the range's compatibility with a range of control systems and no requirement for additional leak detection equipment.
A further challenge for this installation was that the cooking and manufacturing process in the factory results in ambient temperatures of up to 43ºC, so any refrigeration units chosen must be able to operate efficiently even in these extreme conditions.
Versan Ltd of Chertsey, Surrey, commissioned and installed four Panasonic 2kW CO2 units in July 2019. These replaced four R404A systems, two in the low temperature cold rooms at -30°C and two serving as medium temperature chillers at -4°C. Due to the advice from Versan Ltd and their experience of CO2, further units are due to be installed to replace all the current R404A systems at the premises.
Xavier Debray, MD of Versan has a keen interest in renewable and sustainable technology and in particular the use of CO2.
"I studied the use of CO2 as a refrigerant some years ago when at university and was thrilled after recent research that manufacturers such as Panasonic are now embracing this technology and have developed a reliable commercial refrigeration range that uses CO2. Some of Tanpopo's partners are also Japanese and really liked the fact that the technology from Panasonic has originated and been proven in projects for over a decade in Japan. Furthermore, the unique benefit of the Panasonic range is being able to easily switch from either freeze or chill mode."
Indy Tharnvithian, technical specialist for CO2 at Panasonic, added "When installing the Panasonic CO2 range, just two settings are required – vacuum mode and evaporating setting – everything else is pre-set. Obviously if need be, settings can easily be modified with alarms that will indicate any wrong settings."
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Cheers for the beers and the AC condensate


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Home/Business/What Does The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Do Weegy
What Does The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Do Weegy
admin6 days ago
If What Does The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Do Weegy you're like most people, you probably have a lot of questions about the federal government. What does it do? Who are its most important players? In this post, we'll answer all these questions and more using an easy-to-understand analogy. We'll also explore some of the key duties of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), one of the key players in the government. Finally, we'll give you a snapshot of who is currently leading the FDIC and what their priorities may be.
What is the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)?
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is an independent federal agency that was established in 1933 to provide financial stability and protection for the nation's banking system. The FDIC insures depository institutions against losses arising from depositors' accounts at these institutions. The FDIC also provides consulting, training, and other services to promote the safety and soundness of the banking system.
What are its Functions?
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was created in 1933 to provide financial stability for the nation's banks. The FDIC insures deposits at member institutions up to $250,000 per individual account and up to $500,000 per institution. In addition, the FDIC provides relief to depositors whose accounts have been impacted by natural disasters.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was created in 1933 as a government-run insurance program to protect depositors in failed banks. Today, the FDIC is one of the nation's most important financial safety net institutions, providing deposit insurance, crisis counseling and financial education to consumers.
The FDIC insures deposits at commercial banks, savings associations, credit unions and other depository institutions up to $250,000 per account holder. In addition, the FDIC provides funding for deposit insurance during banking emergencies. As of September 30, 2010, the FDIC had insured more than 260 million individual accounts and over $5 trillion in deposits.
How Does the FDIC Protect Your Accounts?
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is a government-owned corporation that was created in 1933 to protect the deposits of American banks. The FDIC insures bank deposits up to $250,000 per account. Banks that are members of the FDIC are required to pay into the fund a percentage of their net income. This money is then used to reimburse depositors who lose their savings through bank failure.
In order for a bank to become a member of the FDIC, it must pass an exam and meet certain safety and soundness requirements. The FDIC also monitors banks for signs of trouble, such as high levels of loan delinquencies or troubled assets. If a bank is in trouble, the FDIC can act quickly by closing down the institution or transferring its deposit accounts to other banks.
Are There Any Limits to How Much You Can Retire With?
There are no absolute guarantees in life, but some people believe there are maximum limits to retirement savings that you can achieve. According to the website Retirement Planning For Dummies, as of January 1, 2013, individuals can retire with a balance of $1 million or less in traditional Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). In addition, you cannot withdraw more than $10,000 from an IRA per year without penalty. If you're over age 70½ and your IRA has a balance of at least $5 million, you can pull out all the money without penalty. If your combined income and IRA contributions for the year are more than $100,000, you may be subject to a 10% tax on the excess contributions. The IRS also has specific rules about what's considered taxable income for retirement purposes. Checking with your accountant or tax specialist can help ensure that your money is maximized for retirement savings goals.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to maximum retirement savings limits. Your situation and goals will impact how much money you should put away for later years. However, if you're thinking about retiring early and would like to increase your chances of success by following some basic guidelines, here are five tips:
1) Start saving as early as possible – One of the best ways to build up a large retirement nest egg is to start saving as soon as possible in earnest. Begin by contributing enough monthly into your 401(k) or other employer-
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is a government-owned and operated corporation that was created on December 16, 1933. The FDIC's primary purpose is to protect the financial stability of banks in the United States by guaranteeing deposits up to $250,000 per account. Along with this insurance, the FDIC also assists banks in resolving troubled loans and provides technical assistance to banks during times of crisis.
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Slade at Giants of Rock, Minehead 8/2/15
February 10, 2015 Glam rock, Live reviews, Rock musicButlins, Dave Hill, Don Powell, Giants of Rock, Glam rock, Jim Lea, Minehead, Noddy Holder, rock gig, setlist, SladeDarren Johnson
August 22nd 1981. Donington Monsters of Rock festival. My first ever live gig, first ever festival and still (by a mile) my favourite, mainly because of the unbelievable impact that Slade had on the 65,000 strong crowd.
Thirty-odd years and many Slade concerts later I'm in front of the stage at Minehead Butlins to witness yet another Slade performance. As the writers of Merry Xmas Everybody and a slew of other number 1 hits, Noddy Holder and Jim Lea are long gone; enjoying what must be a very comfortable retirement from the music scene. Guitarist, Dave Hill, and drummer, Don Powell, remain though, still belting out the songs their erstwhile band members wrote. These days they are joined by Mal McNulty and John Berry who replace Nod and Jim respectively.
Slade fans are divided about this modern-day version of Slade. While some see it as a welcome venture to keep the songs and music alive, others see it as an undignified travesty which has done nothing but sully the name of a once-great band.
If truth be told the band were starting to get a bit frayed around the edges in recent years. Of the 2012 and 2013 joint Slade/Sweet tours many commented that the former were considerably outshone by the musicianship and professionalism of the latter. However, tonight's Slade performance is tight, together and fizzing with energy. You can never beat the original Slade and the Holder-Hill-Lea-Powell Slade will always be irreplaceable. Nevertheless, the band before us are on form and whether it's died-in-the-wool Slade supporters or more generic rock fans there is certainly an enthusiastic audience for this version of Slade tonight.
Opening with a rocking version of Gudbuy T' Jane the crowd are singing along and buzzing. They've freshened up their setlist a bit, too, giving some of the 80s hits a rest and bringing in lesser known 1977 cover My Baby Left Me to the set. Take Me Bak 'Ome, Coz I Luv You, Far Far Away and Mama Weer All Crazee Now are all there, though, as are Dave Hill's colourful over-the-top stage antics throughout. He preens, he goofs around, he milks the crowd's appreciation. But he doesn't let it detract from giving faithful renditions of the guitar solos familiar to anyone who has the original recordings. Powell's drumming is as powerful as ever and an intrinsic part of the Slade sound. Vocal duties these days are split between McNulty and Berry, who now takes on lead vocals on some of the slower numbers. McNulty's range is never going to match Holder's and there was talk of him vacating the vocalist slot altogether. This new job-share arrangement seems to work, however. One area where no member of the new Slade is ever going to live up to the original, though, is when it comes to the electric violin solo on Coz I Luv You. Berry's tuneless scratching is something quite different indeed from what we used to hear from the classically-trained Lea, but you have to hand it to him for at least being game enough to try.
It was all over far too soon, sadly, and before we knew it they were brought back for a riotous encore of Cum On Feel The Noize. No Merry Xmas this time of the year, though. (You'll have to wait til around October before they start playing that again…)
Is Slade still Slade without Noddy? Should Dave and Don still be going out under that name? For me the answer is simple. I carry on going to Slade concerts to experience those great songs in a live setting, to have an evening that is never less than huge fun and, importantly, to show my support to two men who have now worked together for over fifty years. Whether you appreciate what Hill and Powell are doing these days or not, Slade is something they've given their lives too. That's got to be worth celebrating.
1. Gudbuy T' Jane
2. Take Me Bak 'Ome
3. Lock Up Your Daughters
4. Look Wot You Dun
5. Everyday
6. Coz I Luv You
7. Run Runaway
8. Far Far Away
9. My Baby Left Me
10. Mama Weer All Crazee Now
11. Get Down and Get With It/Tutti Fruitti
12. Cum On Feel The Noize
http://www.slade.uk.com/
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5 thoughts on "Slade at Giants of Rock, Minehead 8/2/15"
lauranne says:
Thanks for this review, it kind of echoes my feelings. I have seen slade minus Nod and Jim many times now. At first I fought with myself . It just wasn't right . But I came to accept it was the only way to hear the music live and keep the faith. I too would support Don and Dave
And there playing is still so strong. The last really proper fab gig was at Koko in Camden. They really rocked. The last few times with Sweet, I have to agree , much as it pains sweet were far fresher and tight. Been thinking about if I will see them again , as thought maybe time they call it a day. But I would feel dis loyal after 40 odd years of joy and fun they brought to my life. Hope they do know when to stop. Sooner rather than later. Your review was fab.
darrenpjohnson says:
Lauranne – thanks for that. Yes Koko was a great gig wasn't it and I felt they were back on form like that again on Sunday. Cheers.
Dean Hall says:
Love Everyday and Far Far Away. You should consider coming along to the 100 Club and watch Darts. I think they're there in June.
Ivor says:
Slade are in Hastings in November 2015 and having seen the original band in 73, and again in 1974 at Brighton, I have been pondering about whether to see my favourite live band again. Would it spoil the good memories I have of that time? Will I hate the fact that Noddy is not there encouraging the audience to stomp and clap? Whats the new front man like, does he also have a gravel voice, and can he step into Noddy's shoes? …….I think I know the answer to the latter, but even so I am still intrigued. I made a decision last week not to attend, but after reading some of the reviews I have to say I have changed my mind…….I just want to hear those songs LIVE again.
C'mon 'astings……lets rock!!!
There is a Facebook discussion forum on Butlins Giants of British Rock weekends here https://www.facebook.com/groups/265227673639390/?fref=nf


Mushrooms are in season year-round.
Mushrooms are a good source of Vitamin B, selenium, copper, niacin, potassium and phosphorous. They also provide protein, Vitamin C and iron.
Mushrooms are the only natural food source of Vitamin D.
Choose mushrooms that are firm with a fresh, smooth appearance. Stems should be firm with a uniform color.
Avoid mushrooms with "bruises" or ones that are shriveling or feel slimy.
Store mushrooms in their original package or a paper bag in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Storing mushrooms in a plastic bag causes them to deteriorate quickly.
Wash mushrooms briefly under running water and pat dry with a paper towel. Do not soak mushrooms as they easily absorb moisture.
There are over 30 species of mushroom that glow in the dark. The chemical reaction called bioluminescence produces a glowing light known as foxfire. People have been known to use these fungi to light their way through the woods.
In ancient Egypt mushrooms were reserved for royalty, and ancient Romans thought mushrooms conferred strength to warriors.
Curious about how mushrooms grow? Check out our tour of the To-Jo Mushrooms facility!


The threat of kidnap and ransom in African countries is on the rise and companies with employees stationed or visiting places including Nigeria, Somalia, Mozambique and Kenya, which have been kidnapping hotspots, are strongly advised to ensure that they are adequately prepared to deal with the possibility that their staff could be kidnapped and a ransom demanded. By Andre du Toit.
Currently Africa has 27% of the global kidnapping cases. As political and social situations in Africa are so volatile, at risk areas change all the time and companies operating on the continent should reassess the level of risk faced by employees on a regular basis.
Any company or individual whose profile or territorial exposures result in them being at higher risk, should consider Kidnap and Ransom Insurance. Business travellers and foreigners are at risk as kidnapping is motivated by both financial gain and political advantage meaning that even small business could be in jeopardy.
When a kidnapping has occurred, there are many elements to dealing effectively with the situation in order to ensure that the individual is returned safely – and all of these things cost money.
Kidnap and Ransom Insurance will cover all of these factors, from engaging the services of crisis responders and specialist negotiators and putting up the ransom to providing support for families and colleagues of the kidnapped person.
Once they have been returned, counselling, medical treatment and rehabilitation costs will also be covered. Furthermore, it necessary to consider that business could be interrupted by the absence of a key individual and that civil suits have been launched by kidnapped persons who feel that their organisation did not provide an adequate response. Kidnap and Ransom Insurance will cover all of these possibilities. Kidnap and Ransom Insurance can also include cover for hijack, extortion, detention or a hostage crisis where specialist assistance is required.


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Article Navigation > Zoological Research > 2007 > 28(1): 35-40
HAN Lian-xian, *, HUANG Shi-lin, YUAN Yu-chuan, QIU Yun-long. Fall Migration Dynamics of Birds on Fenghuang Mountain, Yunnan Province, China. Zoological Research, 2007, 28(1): 35-40.
Citation: HAN Lian-xian, *, HUANG Shi-lin, YUAN Yu-chuan, QIU Yun-long. Fall Migration Dynamics of Birds on Fenghuang Mountain, Yunnan Province, China. Zoological Research, 2007, 28(1): 35-40.
Fall Migration Dynamics of Birds on Fenghuang Mountain, Yunnan Province, China
HAN Lian-xian,
*,
HUANG Shi-lin,
YUAN Yu-chuan,
QIU Yun-long
1. Biology Conservation Faculty, Southwest Forestry College, Kunming, Yunnan 650224, China 2. Guangdong Wildlife Conservation & Management Department, Guangzhou 510173, China 3. National Wuliangshan Nature Reserve, Nanjian, Yunnan 675700, China
During the falls of 2002 and 2003, we studied the migration dynamics of birds using mist nets, on Fenghuang Mountain, Yunnan Province, China. A total of 6 677 individuals, which included 176 species belonging to 29 families and 13 orders, were caught and banded. The night bird migration on Fenghuang Mountain started in early August and finished in mid-November approximately. This migration period can be divided into the beginning stage, maximum stage and finishing stage. Among these stages, the maximum stage was from mid-September to early October. The night-time migration began approximately one hour after sunset and finished at dawn. There were two peaks during the night. The first occurred from 20:30 to 24:00, and the second occurred from 4:00 to 5:30. The day-time migration began in mid-October (beginning stage), and rose to the maximum stage from the last ten days in October to the first ten days in November. The finishing stage was from mid-November to the beginning of December. In the daytime, migration began from approximately one hour before sunrise, and then rose to the peak between 8:00 and 9:30. The migrants decreased gradually until 11:00. The migration period continues for about 100 days on Fenghuang Mountain. The migrating occurred during three migration peaks in nights, which are foggy, have southwest winds and no moonlight, but only one migration peak during all other nights.
Migration schedule,
Quantity changes,
Nanjian,