We have a new updated build that solves a few issues present in the 19631 build. Please see below for release notes.
• Fixed an issue with constrained crops where the crop could be pushed out of bounds if the user moves against the constraints such that the crop flips horizontally or vertically.
• SmugMug uploader updated to work with SmugMug's beta 2.0 API.
• Command-line activation no longer requires the --description parameter. It is now optional and if omitted, a default description generated from the computer's information is supplied instead.
• Improved handling of the following Canon models: M100, G1 X Mk III, 4000D, 2000D.
• Added the ability to read the serial number, firmware version, and other maker note fields for certain Panasonic/Lumix cameras.


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Trial of Abahlali baseMjondolo militants continues despite crumbling case
The proceedings in the case against Abahlali baseMjondolo (AbM) militants Mqapheli George Bonono, Siniko Miya and Maphiwe Gasela will continue on Monday. Just last week, in a related matter, three AbM members were released after the case against them was dropped
October 02, 2021 by Pavan Kulkarni
Abahlali baseMjondolo deputy president Mqapheli George Bonono speaks outside the Durban Magistrate's court on Friday, the day of his hearing. Photo: Abahlali baseMjondolo
On Friday, October 1, a magistrate court in Durban hearing the charges against Mqapheli George Bonono – deputy-president of South Africa's militant shack-dwellers' movement, Abahlali baseMjondolo (AbM) – adjourned the matter until Monday. Bonono was arrested in May along with two other members of the organization and has been out on bail. He and his fellow militants have been accused of conspiring to kill witnesses to a murder in Cato Manor in Durban in March, a charge they have categorically denied.
Earlier, on Wednesday, three leaders of AbM's eKhenana occupation branch – 27 year old Lindokuhle Mnguni, 29 year old Ayanda Ngila, and 33 year old Landu Shazi – were released from the notorious Westville prison at the order of the same court. This was after charges of murder were withdrawn against them. They had spent six months in prison awaiting trial.
The release of the three militants came after two witnesses, allegedly connected to the ruling ANC's local structure, confessed to having given false testimonies in the case. The three eKhenana occupation leaders were arrested on the basis of these testimonies on March 16, after the murder of one Vuzi Shezi in Cato Manor. Following their arrest, on March 21, Mqapheli Bonono had organized an open meeting of the residents in order to ascertain the facts of the case.
Accusing Bonono of having conspired in this open meeting to kill the witnesses, the police on May 4, arrested him as well, along with Siniko Miya, another member of AbM's eKhenana branch, and the branch's secretary, Maphiwe Gasela, a mother in her mid-20s. "Miya was not even at this meeting, and the participants in the meeting can attest to its actual content, including the contributions of Bonono and Gasela," AbM maintains.
Despite raising concerns that Bonono's life was in danger, he was moved from police custody to prison on May 13, where the land and housing rights activist was held with those convicted of violent crimes. The movement maintains that at least 18 of its leaders have been assassinated since 2009.
"Over the last 15 years, hundreds of our members have been arrested on ridiculous criminal charges and then often forced to come to court 6 or 7 times before the charges are dropped," AbM had said in a statement after his arrest.
After repeated postponement of his bail plea, Bonono, along with Gasela, was released from prison on bail. Miya, however, was denied bail on the grounds that he had another case pending since before he had joined the AbM, and was returned to his jail cell after the hearing adjourned on Friday.
Bonono's bail terms prohibit him from entering the eKhenana occupation, in the organization of which he had played a crucial role. As in the case of other land occupations by the AbM, its members in eKhenana had built the makeshift shacks, and connected them to water and electric supply with no assistance from the government. Members also build churches and creches in their settlements.
"The ANC government fears the autonomy of the poor"
What made the eKhenana occupation stand out was the successful community project and the Frantz Fanon school, where resident-members are trained, not only in running these collectives, but also in leftist political ideology which guides the movement's understanding and praxis.
The project here includes a poultry farm and a food garden, whose produce are used both to feed the members and to sell in the market. Along with cakes, chips and other consumables prepared in the commune, the produce is sold at the 'tuck shop', which is also operated communally.
"A portion of the profits of this shop is allocated to help the families in distress; another portion to buy supplies needed to continue production. And the remainder is distributed equally among the members according to the labor they contribute," Thapelo Mohapi, AbM's spokesperson, told Peoples Dispatch.
But with bail pleas of Mnguni, Tshazi and Ngila repeatedly denied, all the money made through this cooperative "has been spent on legal fees and to support their families." This has severely affected the project. While the poultry farm managed to continue functioning, work on the food garden stopped.
"This is precisely what the ANC government wanted to do. Our food sovereignty approach had enabled the poor in the settlement to survive autonomously, without having to rely on the government handouts. The ANC fears this autonomy of the poor more than anything else," he said.
However, with the release of the leaders of AbM's eKhenana branch, "the comrades are picking up the pieces and rebuilding what the government tried to destroy," he added. "I am certain they will not back down. I am confident that they will increase the produce from poultry and garden, and run the shop successfully. We will show that it is possible to live with dignity, without being dependent on the government for survival," he said, adding that the work on the food garden resumed on the very day of their release.
Their release came only weeks after the witnesses, Mabongi Luthuli and Ntokozo Ngubane, "made statements to the Investigating Officer [IO].. stating that they had lied in their original statements. Ngubane admitted that she was in fact in central Durban at the time at which Shezi was murdered in Cato Manor," AbM said in a statement.
"Luthuli has admitted that she was also not at the scene when Shezi was murdered, but was phoned by Mazwi Ndwandwe to go to the scene and to then make a false witness statement," AbM said. "We have been told that when Ndwandwe heard that the IO was going to dismiss the case as there was no evidence, he begged him to keep the case, and even offered a bribe." Ndwandwe, AbM claims, is closely associated with R2K, an NGO that is known to have been penetrated in the past by state intelligence.
"The ANC thought we would be destroyed if our leadership was arrested!"
"The ANC thought we would be destroyed if our leadership was arrested," Mohapi said. His confidence that the eKhenana occupation will endure nevertheless comes from its experience since its founding in 2018 of facing attacks by police, the 'Anti-land invasion unit', private security forces hired by the local administration and, on many occasions, allegedly by the local mafia.
Even during the lockdown due to the COVID pandemic, when there was a moratorium against evictions, settlements on AbM's occupations, in particular the one in eKhenana, had come under repeated attacks from the state, which has left scores injured.
The debris left behind by the demolitions carried out here using batons, bullets and bulldozers, were often burnt down to ensure that the shack-building materials – mostly corrugated sheets of metal – are not reused. However, AbM members continued to rebuild these shacks and mobilize, their everyday lives serving as acts of resistance.
Ahead of the next hearing for George Bonono, Maphiwe Gasela and Siniko Miya, AbM remains confident that the case against them too will collapse. Speaking to New Frame on Wednesday, AbM president said, "There is no doubt that that case, too, will fall away."
Categories South AfricaTags Abahlali baseMjondolo (AbM)African National Congress (ANC)COVID-19 in South AfricaeKhenana land occupationeKhenana occupationGeorge BononoMaphiwe GaselaSiniko Miya
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Hey Buddy!, I found this information for you: "Trial of Abahlali baseMjondolo militants continues despite crumbling case". Here is the website link: https://peoplesdispatch.org/2021/10/02/trial-of-abahlali-basemjondolo-militants-continues-despite-crumbling-case/. Thank you.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
The Hero of the Second War of American Independence
When the Congress of the United States of America wants to bestow a particularly high honor, it awards the Congressional Gold Medal. It does so since 1775, when General George Washington was decorated this way. Since that time, many distinguished honorees received this medal. The recipients include Neil Armstrong, Winston Churchill, Walt Disney, Thomas Edison, George Gershwin, Ulysses Grant, Martin Luther King, Charles Lindbergh, John Pershing, Frank Sinatra, Mother Theresa, John Wayne, and the Wright brothers. Among them was Alexander Macomb praised by his contemporaries as the Hero of Plattsburgh.
Alexander Macomb. Oil painting by Thomas Sully.
Alexander Macomb
Alexander Macomb (1782-1841) started a career as an officer when he was only 16 years of age. After gaining some practical experience, he was among the first students who studied at the Military Academy at West Point. Following graduation, he supervised the fortifications at the coastlines of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia for five years. He continued this activity until the so-called Second War of American Independence broke out.
The Second War of American Independence
To get to the bottom of the so-called Second War of American Independence, it is necessary to return to Europe. Great Britain was fighting against Napoleon. To bring France to its knees, the maritime power had imposed the so-called Continental Blockade. To prevent the French ships from calling into the American ports, the British fleet monitored the American coast and took the liberty to control all ships, which wasn't always accomplished in a peaceful way. During inspection of the USS Chesapeake, 21 seamen were killed, wounded or displaced.
And that constituted the next bone of contention between the British and the Americans. The Royal Navy forced American seamen to serve in the British fleet. For example, 22 of the 663 crewmen on Nelson's Victory are said to have been American citizens.
Considering that some American politicians regarded the temporary weakness of Great Britain a splendid opportunity to conquer Canada, it is hardly surprising that President James Madison declared war on the United Kingdom on 1 June 1812.
Burning of Washington by the British. Wood engraving 1876.
The Battle of Plattsburgh
A little bit too complacent, the Americans relied on their military superiority of their land power. 5,000 British soldiers were stationed in Canada. They faced 35,000 American soldiers with additional militia at their disposal. This should have made things clear, but the U.S. forces had too few professional officers. The troops were very poorly trained, and the militia proved to be more a burden than a help. Furthermore, many Indian tribes supported the British, for instance the Shawnee under their war chief Tecumseh.
In short, the American invasion of Canadian territory failed, no less than three times. In an 1814 retaliatory blow, the British even managed to burn the American capital Washington to the ground. The Capitol was destroyed, the White House damaged, and President Madison had to flee with his government.
The Battle of Plattsburgh.
Things didn't look so bright, therefore, which was exacerbated further when Napoleon resigned in 1814 and British forces were set free. Governor General George Prevost was sent to America with 11,000 men. He planned an offensive on New York, assisted by a fleet on Lake Champlain. This was where the city of Plattsburgh was located for whose defense Alexander Macomb was responsible. He had 1,500 men at his disposal. Militia in roughly the same amount was so poorly trained that their commander could only deploy them for fortification works.
Macomb acted cleverly and, through minor skirmishes and rapidly built fortifications stopped Prevost's advance. Following the annihilation of the British fleet on the Lake as a consequence of Prevost's indecisiveness, he ordered the retreat – against his officers' wishes.
The Signing of the Treaty of Ghent. Oil painting by Amédée Forestier. Smithsonian American Art Museum.
The Treaty of Ghent
As early as the middle of 1814, when Washington was not yet destroyed and Plattsburgh not yet beaten, the two belligerents were more or less fed up with the war and met in the city of Ghent in Belgium, through negotiation of Russia. The British offensive having been failed may well have been an essential argument for enforcing the status quo before the war. On 24 December 1814, the peace treaty was signed.
The reasons for the war had become obsolete as well: The Continental Blockade had been lifted, forces recruitments were no longer necessary, and the war had weakened the Indian tribes to such an extent that it was their land that was then annexed and not Canada. The U.S. considered themselves victors in their Second War of Independence. And Alexander Macomb was their hero.
U.S. congressional gold medal for Alexander Macomb. Loubat, Medallic History USA nr. 45, pl. XLVI. Unique, awarded to the recipient by President Madison himself. From Künker Auction 285 (2017), Lot 214. Estimate: 150,000,- euros.
The fate of the hero
By resolution of 3 November 1814, he had received the gold medal from President Madison himself. He was one of only 27 men who were decorated this way, in recognition of their achievements in the Second War of Independence.
Manufactured by the die cutter Moritz Fürst, who was a Jew born in Preßburg, the medal's obverse features the portrait of Alexander Macomb clad in his uniform, with his military title, while the reverse depicts the decisive naval battle and fighting land forces in the foreground.
The medal stems from the family possessions of the direct descendants of Macomb. Through marriage, Susan Watts Macomb (1849-1928), direct heir of the hero of Plattsburgh, the medal passed into the possession of the Grand d'Hauteville noble family.
And Alexander Macomb? On 29 May 1828, John Quincy Adams promoted him to the U.S. army's Commanding General. In this capacity, he reformed the army. By increasing listed pay, he fought the frequently occurring desertions. He installed a relief system for widows and orphans of the officers who had died in battle. In addition, he established an officer retirement system to prevent over-ageing. He died on 25 June 1841 – not on the battleground, but sitting in his office – and was honored with a grave at Congressional Cemetery.
The medal offered by Künker is a high-class historical testimony recalling one of the pivotal moments in American history.
You can read an auction preview here.


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13-YEAR SENTENCE FOR 2003 ROBBERY
By ALAINE GRIFFIN; Courant Staff Writer
MIDDLETOWN -- — A Windsor Locks man serving time for crimes in Milford and Hartford was sentenced Monday to 13 years in prison for an October 2003 kidnapping and robbery in Middletown that led to a police chase and crash.
Mark Ferguson, 25, pleaded under the Alford doctrine in March to robbery and conspiracy charges as part of a plea bargain that reduced his punishment to no more than 17 years. Ferguson faced a maximum of 100 years in prison, 20 years on each of five counts.
Under the Alford doctrine, a defendant does not admit guilt but concedes the prosecution has enough evidence to convict him.
Ferguson is already serving a minimum 17 years for a kidnapping and robbery in Milford and a shooting in Hartford. The 13-year sentence imposed Monday by Superior Court Judge Robert L. Holzberg will run concurrently.
Ferguson and another man, Jerry Rae Bryant of Silver Street in Middletown, were charged with robbing four men at gunpoint at a house on Grand Street on Oct. 30, 2003.
Police and prosecutors said Ferguson and Bryant went to the house looking to buy marijuana, but after some small talk, Ferguson ordered the men at gunpoint to empty their pockets.
The robbers then ordered two of the men into a car and the four drove to Liberty Bank on Washington Street, where one man was ordered to withdraw money from an outdoor ATM.
However, the man's card had expired and he was able to tell bank employees he was being held against his will.


text:
Skellig Star Wars Tour and Day Trip to Portmagee
Valentia Island – Tetrapods to Telegraphs
Skellig Coast Stories told in Stone
Vikings, Monks and Chieftans Tour
About the Sites
Skellig Coast Cabs
Skellig Coast stories brought to life
Skellig Star Wars Tour
For lovers of Star Wars this is the 1/2 day tour is the one for you. Travel the stunning Skellig Coast on the Wild Atlantic Way where you will discover why this special corner of planet earth was chosen as the setting for Ahch-to, the first Jedi Temple.
Explore the Skellig Ring on our Skellig Star Wars Driver Guided tour and hear the stories of when Star Wars came to town.
Your Day Trip to Portmagee
The Skellig Star Wars tour takes you along the winding twisting road of the beautiful Skellig Ring where you will enjoy breath taking views of the Skellig Rock that are simply out of this world. To open the tour we travel through time along Valentia Island from the 385 million year old Tetrapod Tracks to Foilhammerum bay the landing site of the world's first Transatlantic Atlantic Cable. The epic story behind the laying of the first transatlantic cable will be of particular interest to tech fans and you will be surprised to discover how this remote location played a critical role in the emergence of modern communication.
While your guide tells the story of the Transatlantic Cable we are looking out to magnificent views of Skellig Michael where the epic story of Rey's Jedi training was captured in The Last Jedi.
As we continue on our way we pass the location where the Star Wars crew based their production village on Valentia Island. Crossing the bridge from Valentia we arrive in the picturesque village of Portmagee and call in to the Moorings Pub. It was here that Luke Skywalker put down his lightsabre and took hold of the Guinness tap – he came face to face with the dark stuff and poured his own pint of Guinness.
Leaving Portmagee we continue towards the Skellig Chocolate Factory as we drive over the mountains through Coom an Easpaig into the Glen and St. Finians Bay.
Stopping at the top at Coom an Easpaig you get another opportunity to enjoy even more amazing views. From Coom an Easpaig you will truly feel on top of the world.
Our final stop is the wonderful Skellig Chocolate Factory. All balance shall be restored to your inner universe as you taste the delicious chocolate while looking out on to the Skellig Rock and take stock of the stories you have heard and the scenery you have seen.
The icing on the cake is the banter and the craic you will have with your local guide Muiris Walsh who has been known on occasion to dress up as Chewbacca and whom he fondly refers to as 'the hairy lad'. There is no doubt you will have plenty of your own Star Wars stories to tell after your tour with Muiris.
This half day Star Wars tour departing locally costs €35 per person. You can book your half day tour online now.
Full day tours from Killarney, Tralee & Kenmare are also available. Contact Muiris to book the full day tour.
Half Day Tour
€35 per person
Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Month Jan 2022 Feb 2022 Mar 2022 Apr 2022 May 2022 Jun 2022 Jul 2022 Aug 2022 Sep 2022 Oct 2022 Nov 2022 Dec 2022 Jan 2023 Feb 2023 Mar 2023 Apr 2023 May 2023 Jun 2023 Jul 2023 Aug 2023 Sep 2023 Oct 2023 Nov 2023 Dec 2023
1 Guest 2 Guests 3 Guests 4 Guests 5 Guests 6 Guests 7 Guests 8 Guests 9 Guests 10 Guests 11 Guests 12 Guests
Iveragh Historical Tours
E: iveraghhistoricaltours@gmail.com
Serving Cahersiveen, Portmagee, Valentia, Ballinskelligs & Waterville County Kerry, Ireland
© Iveragh Historical tours • All Rights Reserved • Privacy & Cookie Policy


Looking for something to do on a rainy day? So is Tobee! Make this easy rainstick craft to shake along to the beat. How will you decorate yours?
* Pre cut 2 square pieces of construction paper 1" wider than the tube hole on each side.
Roll colored construction paper around the cardboard tube then tape the edge. Decorate the tube as you like.
Add a small square of construction paper to one end of the tube and fold around the tube end. Wrap a rubber band around the folded edge to secure the bottom.
Tightly roll a long strip of aluminum foil and twist it into a corkscrew shape that will fit inside and the length of the tube.
Add a handful of rice into the tube.
Add the second square to the top of the tube fold around edge and secure with a rubber band.


text:
Home › Latest News › Vapers Digest May 30th
Vapers Digest May 30th
Kevin CrowleyPosted on 30th May 2018 Posted in Latest News
Wednesday's News at a glance:
The WHO abuses its authority ~ 'Public Health' Crooks ~ E-Cigarette Giant Rips The 'WHO's Silence On Vaping' ~ E-Cigarettes Reduce Adult Smoking ~ Vaping ~ Harm Reduction? "Phuket", Says Thai Army ~ Smoking without guilt – a feature on vaping in The Australian ~ AMA incoming president says no change on e-cigarette opposition ~ Vape Shop Employees are Unsung Heroes ~ Anti-smoking campaigner and health advisor throws weight behind vaping ~ France had a million fewer smokers in 2017 ~ More anti-vaping papers appear ~ E-cigarettes: Tobacco harm reduction for Africa ~ Orchestrated Attack | Coordinated Campaign Mangles U.S. Vaping Industry ~ Association of Vapers India opposes ban ~ Who's the Worst Anti-Vaping Politician?
The WHO abuses its authority
New Nicotine Alliance
At the beginning of May, the World Health Organisation issued a draft report on its approach to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), meaning illness arising out of making unhealthy choices rather than the traditional understanding of disease.
The report recognised the "lack of progress" towards tackling NCDs, spoke of fears that the WHO's targets might not be met in this area, and invited responses to a consultation on the matter. The NNA submitted a response which addressed concerns raised by the WHO in their preamble.
'Public Health' Crooks
If you thought this place was dormant, you'd be wrong. Yes it's been quiet but – as mentioned previously – there are potentially life-changing things going on at Puddlecote Inc and I'm also not long back from a week on a boat in Norfolk with an angry Scottish ex-squaddie frustrated at not having wifi to talk to his Argentinian girlfriend. Still, I'm a survivor so got back safe and sound.
E-Cigarette Giant Rips The 'WHO's Silence On Vaping'
Steve Birr, The Daily Vaper
A giant of the vaping market is blasting global health regulators for ignoring the benefits of harm reduction technologies for smokers.
Representatives for Fontem Ventures, makers of the popular e-cigarette brand, blu, are calling on the World Health Organization (WHO) to acknowledge the role alternative technologies can play in reducing smoking rates. Officials at the WHO should seize the opportunity offered by the upcoming World No Tobacco Day to expose smokers to the benefits vaping has to offer, instead of undermining the industry with misinformation, the company argues.
E-Cigarettes Reduce Adult Smoking
Charles Hughes, Economics 21
As they have become more widely available, e-cigarette use has increased significantly, although it is notable that the rate of current use declined from 2015 to 2016 for both adults and high schoolers. The proliferation of e-cigarettes has fueled concerns about potential health risks and adolescent use. While these concerns should be investigated and studied thoroughly, focusing exclusively on the potential negative aspects could preclude considering the potential harm reduction benefits for the about 38 million current smokers in the country.
Canada Health, Government Of Canada
The Tobacco and Vaping Products Act (TVPA) became law on May 23, 2018. Adults can now legally get vaping products with nicotine as a less harmful option than smoking. On this page:
About vaping
If you are a smoker: vaping vs smoking
Risks of vaping
Vaping in Canada: what we know
Vaping product safety and regulation
Harm Reduction? "Phuket", Says Thai Army
Clear warnings were issued last year as vapers were told they faced prison for having a mod. Thailand said it was stepping up its war on vaping (and common sense), and has carried this through to 2018. Following the arrest of a 67yr-old great grandmother, Thai police have now arrested another criminal mastermind.
This is total garbage. Slanted rehash of long-debunked myths around formaldehyde and popcorn lung. They should look to @FiveThirtyEight to see how it's done. https://t.co/btEOc4BjgP
— Guy Bentley (@gbentley1) May 30, 2018
Smoking without guilt – a feature on vaping in The Australian
Dr. Colin Mendelsohn, colinmendelsohn.com
The crowded medical products aisle of the Woolworths supermarket in Sydney's working-class suburb of Eastlakes offers a selection of nicotine products to passing consumers. Crammed on the shelf above the heartburn products is a range of quit smoking aids: nicotine gum, nicotine lozenges, nicotine patches and nicotine mouth spray.
A few metres away, at the front of the supermarket, shoppers can choose from a vast array of nicotine cigarettes — Winfield, Marlboro, Benson & Hedges — and rolling tobacco.
All these products are, of course, legal and widely available.
AMA incoming president says no change on e-cigarette opposition
Sian Powell, The Australian
The incoming president of the Australian Medical Association has dashed hopes that he might move to relax the association's opposition to e-cigarettes.
Melbourne GP Tony Bartone told The Australian there would be no change in the AMA's stance on the issue — "absolutely none" — even though it is legal to use the electronic devices in the US, the EU, Canada and New Zealand. Even the Cancer Council of Australia, which is opposed to the introduction of e-cigarettes, has conceded that using e-cigarettes is substantially less dangerous than smoking.
Vape Shop Employees are Unsung Heroes of Encouragement
Brandon L. Hopkins, Vapor Vanity
I'm a supporter of local, small business in many facets. I frequent farmers markets, and research nearby shops of products I often could easily order with my Amazon Prime account. Of particular note, I prefer to buy my vape mods, accessories, and juice nearby to me. I may buy the occasional online product, like a particular juice I'd like to try that I can't track down at an in-town shop, or a bulk pack of coils for the right price when I'm a little light in the wallet. But, overall, if given the choice, I'd rather drive a few miles down the road to one of my local vape shops to support their efforts at offering reasonably-priced mods, liquids, and other vape accessories. Every experience I've had at the local vendors has netted me some investment in a new product.
Anti-smoking campaigner and health advisor throws weight behind vaping
Jacob McSweeny, New Zealand Herald
A leading GP and anti-smoking campaigner in Whanganui is now actively promoting vaping as an option for people trying to quit smoking. Dr John McMenamin is the clinical director of Whanganui's Stop Smoking Service (Ngā Taura Tūhono) and a GP at Wicksteed House Medical Centre. Previously there wasn't enough information about vaping and the devices were not legal, he said.
France had a million fewer smokers in 2017: ministry
Agence-France Presse
France had a million fewer daily smokers in 2017 over 2016, the health ministry said Monday, thanking the dissuasive power of higher tobacco taxes.
In a special report on tobacco use in a country once synonymous with smoke-filled Parisian street cafes, the ministry did not mention whether electronic cigarettes have had any impact on the apparent trend.
It cited figures from a random representative survey of 18- to 75-year-olds living in France last year.
More anti-vaping papers appear as YouTube joins JUUL hysteria
Fergus Mason, Vaping Post
Two new studies from the USA make negative claims about vaping, with one attacking the effectiveness of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid and the other trying to resurrect a long-discredited claim of cancer risks. Unfortunately both studies, while crippled by serious design flaws, are likely to be widely quoted by opponents of reduced-risk smoking alternatives. Meanwhile YouTube, apparently jumping on board the FDA's latest anti-vaping campaign, has begun removing videos related to vapour products, with a special emphasis on content that mentions the popular JUUL pod system.
E-cigarettes: Tobacco harm reduction for Africa
Joseph Magero, Envro News Nigeria
Worldwide, cigarette smoking results in 7.2 million deaths every year, with about half a million of those deaths occurring in Africa .To curb this menace and bring an end to unnecessary deaths, there is urgent need to quickly adopt and promote reduced-risk alternatives aimed at accelerating the transition out of harmful tar-based cigarettes. We should (including tobacco companies) embrace technology and innovations to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3 on good health and well-being by offering practical smoke-free alternatives to smokers.
Orchestrated Attack | Coordinated Campaign Mangles U.S. Vaping Industry
Brent Stafford, Regulator Watch
Beaten, bloody and bruised best describes the U.S. vaping industry in 2018. From the public health assault on flavors to the FDA crackdown on retailers and manufactures—the news just keeps getting worse.
Association of Vapers India opposes ban on e-cigarettes
Association of Vapers India (AVI), an organisation representing smokers and vapers in India, has issued a public appeal to the ministry of health and family welfare, requesting not to go for an outright ban on Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) and vaping in the country.
Instead, AVI has called upon the government to bring a legislation to regulate the domain of alternatives to smoking, including vaping and ENDS or e-cigarettes.
Who's the Worst Anti-Vaping Politician?
In the latest example of national politicians flogging a supposed "school vaping problem," two Democratic U.S. Senators have sent letters to school superintendents across Illinois asking for anecdotes about vaping in their schools.
"Today, @SenDuckworth and I sent letters to high school and middle school Superintendents across Illinois requesting information on student use of e-cigarettes and vaping products, such as the JUUL vaping device," Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin said in a tweet.
‹ Vapers Digest May 25th
Vapers Digest June 1st ›
Tagged with: Agence-France Presse, Brandon L. Hopkins, Brent Stafford, Canada Health, Charles Hughes, ColinMendelsohn.com, Deccan Chronicle, Dick Puddlecote, Dr Colin Mendelsohn, Economics 21, Envro News Nigeria, Fergus Mason, Government Of Canada, Jacob McSweeny, Jim McDonald, Joseph Magero, Mawsley, New Nicotine Alliance, New Zealand Herald, Planet of the Vapes, Regulator Watch, Sian Powell, Steve Birr, The Australian, The Daily Vaper, Vaping 360, Vaping Post, Vapor Vanity


text:
package validator

import (
	"strings"
)

const (
	// KVSTART ...
	KVSTART = "["
	// KVEND ...
	KVEND = "]"
	// KVDELIM ...
	KVDELIM = "; "
)

// EndsWith determine if string ends with the suffix
func EndsWith(s, suffix string) bool {
	return strings.LastIndex(s, suffix) == (len(s) - 1)
}

// IsBetween determine if the string starts and ends with the provided prefix and suffix
func IsBetween(s, prefix, suffix string) bool {
	return StartsWith(s, prefix) && EndsWith(s, suffix)
}

// IsComplexValue determine if the string is an array of key value
func IsComplexValue(v string) bool {
	if !IsBetween(v, KVSTART, KVEND) {
		return false
	}

	nv := strings.TrimPrefix(v, KVSTART)
	nv = strings.TrimSuffix(nv, KVEND)

	if (len(strings.Split(nv, KVDELIM)) % 2) > 0 {
		return false
	}

	return true
}

// StartsWith determine if string starts with the prefix
func StartsWith(s, prefix string) bool {
	return strings.Index(s, prefix) == 0
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


The California Patio BBQ I bought from you is working out like a champ. We're all enjoying the grilled meats and desserts."
Firstly let me say a big thank you for our wonderful BBQ. My husband thinks that it is the BEST present he has ever received!


text:
Q: Add Keycloak to express server to get kauth from request I am trying to add Keycloak authentication to my ApolloServer using keycloak-connect.
I have setup my realm and login from localhost:8080/auth. However, I am having an issue getting kauth from my requests in the context function:
Currently I have the following setup:
   const kcConfig = {
        clientId: process.env.KEYCLOAK_CLIENT_ID,
        serverUrl: `localhost:808/auth`,
        realm: process.env.KEYCLOAK_REALM,
        realmPublicKey: process.env.KEYCLOAK_REALM_PUBLIC_KEY,
    }

    const memoryStore = new session.MemoryStore()

    app.use(session({
        secret: process.env.SESSION_SECRET_STRING || 'this should be a long secret',
        resave: false,
        saveUninitialized: true,
        store: memoryStore
    }))

    const keycloak = new Keycloak({
        store: memoryStore
    }, kcConfig as any)

    // Install general keycloak middleware
    app.use(keycloak.middleware({
        admin: graphqlPath
    }))

    // Protect the main route for all graphql services
    // Disable unauthenticated access
    app.use(graphqlPath, keycloak.middleware())

And then I try to access req.kauth in context like:
export interface GrantedRequest extends Request {
  kauth : {grant?: Grant};
}

const server = new ApolloServer({
    engine: {
        graphVariant: "current"
    },
    context: ({req, res} : {
        req: GrantedRequest,
        res: any
    }) => {
      console.log(req.kauth) // this line prints an empty object
      return {
        req,
        res,
        kauth: req.auth
      }
    },
    schema,
    playground: {
        settings: {
            "request.credentials": "same-origin"
        }
    }
});

However, I am not able to retrieve the kauth property from my request. How can I solve this issue?

A: Keycloak authentication is not used until you define a resource which is protected. Compare to comment in https://github.com/keycloak/keycloak-nodejs-connect/blob/master/keycloak.js#L92
Because you only define the keycloak.middleware() function, does not mean, that your resoures are protected.
To achieve login and receive access token from keycloak, you need to use keycloak.protect() or keycloak.checkSso() or keycloak.enforcer(). Therefore you have to assign these as request-handler to either URL
app.get('/proteced-resource', keycloak.protect())
or application
app.use(keycloak.protect()).

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
SYND trains CSOs on World Bank, AfDB's engagement frameworks
byDaniel Abugre Anyorigya
A capacity training workshop has been held to update CSOs on the Civil Society Organization engagement frameworks developed by the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The frameworks are aimed at helping to promote an inclusive decision-making process and high-impactful developmental projects in various countries.
The West Africa ACCESS Coalition convener, Strategic Youth Network for Development (SYND), organised a two-day capacity building workshop for CSOs on these frameworks to ensure effectiveness among the developmental partners.
The Executive Director of the SYND, Chibeze Ezekiel in his presentation explained that AfDB sees the CSOs as developmental agents hence the frameworks.
According to the Goldman Prize Winner, AfDB holds in high esteem inputs from CSOs as they bring their local expertise to bear hence the frameworks.
A Senior Energy Specialist at the World Bank, Dr David Vilar Ferrenbach, in his presentation on the Multi-Tier Framework (MTF) noted that Ghana has improved its electricity access rate since 2010.
However, about 5 million Ghanaians, as of 2019, do not have access to electricity according to the World Bank's Tracking SDG7: 2021 Energy Progress Report.
The report further disclosed that Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest share of renewables in the energy supply chain due to large reliance on traditional uses of biomass.
Due to the Akosombo dam, the country has made strides with respect to renewable energy, but this has declined over time.
As to why Sub-Saharan Africa has been unable to make substantial growth, Dr David Vilar Ferrenbach explained that, unlike Asia, some African countries lack political stability, proper planning framework, huge investment and have a larger population.
He also touched on the Global Tracking Framework (GTF), Regulatory Indicators for Sustainable Energy (RISE) mechanisms and the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) process.
The CPF, he said, reported that "Ghana has been among the fastest-growing economies in Africa since 2017 and at the forefront of poverty reduction."
Although the year 2020 was challenging, he added that "growth prospects are positive beyond 2020. The economy is expected to rebound in 2021 as the pandemic subsides and demand recovers domestically and abroad."
"On average, the output is expected to grow by 4.5% yearly over 2021- 2023, driven by mining and oil production, and the impulse provided by Ghana CARES program," he added.
Assistant Development Planning Officer at the Ga East Assembly, Juliet Akor-Boafo said "We plan on inviting SYND into the assembly to build the capacity of other staff not present today."
Representatives from other local assemblies, including Ayawaso West and Communications Officer of World Bank Ghana Office, Kennedy Fosu were present at the workshop.
CJ's accuser in US$5M bribery scandal files suit against GLC over misconduct charges
AfCFTA requires a robust maritime industry to make it effective [Article]
Documentary film titled 'When Women Speak' premieres in Ghana
Bright Simons writes: Is Ghana Broke?
Long-distance commercial bus drivers call for reopening of land borders
Kofi Boateng writes: Our ambulance crises could be more than we think [Article]
AFCON 2021: Black Stars stunned by late Boufal goal in loss to Morocco
Preview: Black Stars begin AFCON 2021 campaign against Morocco today


Hex color #0000a2 is close to the color named "Duke blue". It's described as "blue". When people from western culture see blue in ads, the following may come to mind: water, offices, human life, energy, and maturity. The color typically isn't associated with clothing. MLB and London Underground are using a color close to Duke blue in their branding. (Explore brands using Duke blue).
In RGB colorspace, the hexadecimal color #0000a2 is created using 0% red, 0% green, and 63.5% blue. In CMYK colorspace, you can make the color using 100% cyan, 100% magenta, 0% yellow, and 36.5% black.
#0000a2 is made up of R: 0, G: 0, B: 162 in RGB colorspace and C: 100, M:100, Y:0, K:36.47 in CMYK colorspace. Its decimal value is 162 and the closest web-safe color code to it is #000099. Its closest named color is "Duke blue". White should be used ontop of #0000a2 to ensure the best legibility.
Here's a color conversion chart. It contains technical information about the hex color #0000a2. If you're a programmer, view the code snippets section for prepared language syntax.
Some colors work better together. Here, you'll find color harmonies and schemes specific to the hex color #0000a2. These color palettes have been mathematically proven to pair well in designs.
The Complimentary color scheme is made up of two colors. These two colors are opposite one another in the color spectrum. The first color is called the "base" #0000a2 and the second color is called the "compliment" #a2a200.
The Split Complimentary color scheme is made up of three colors. The base color #0000a2 is paired with the two colors to the left and the right of compliment color #a2a200.
Seeing darker, lighter, and tinted variations of the hex color #0000a2 can help you with your creative processes. Remember, you can click on a color to be taken to its own page full of unique color information.
Darker shades are produced by blending #0000a2 with black #000000.
Lighter shades are produced by blending #0000a2 with white #FFFFFF.
Tones are produced by blending #0000a2 with gray #808080.
A color gradient may also be known as color progression or a color ramp. A gradient is the gradual transition of one color into another. This section showcases gradients featuring #0000a2 as the base color. The secondary colors come from the Color Harmonies section above.
Seeing #0000a2 on a computer or phone screen is much different than how it may appear in the real world. Shown here are 20 different environment types and how #0000a2 could potentially look inside each of them, given perfect conditions. For example, #0000a2 appears as #2c009a when in northern sky daylight and as #0018c4 when in white fluorescent.
#0000a2 might be precisely the color you're looking for. But, the colors below are a close match. What's better is that they're named colors, meaning chances are there's more information about them. If you feel like taking a slight deviation in hue, click a color below to learn about why it's so unique.
Looking for something completely different? Try a well-documented complimentary color. The named colors below have been calculated to be the furthest colors from #0000a2. Click on the colors to explore their unique information.
Colors are important to brands and the messages they convey. Brand recognition and colors go hand-in-hand. Knowing what brands are using #0000a2, or a color similar, can help you in determining whether the color is appropriate to your design.
Only a few brands in our database are using a color that looks like #0000a2. But, this doesn't mean you should rule out using the color in designs of your own!
This useful chart contains technical information about the hexadecimal color #0000a2. For example, the direct decimal conversion is 162 while the individual RGB conversions are: 0, 0, 162.
If you're considering using #0000a2 in a logo or design, you can quickly reference below to see how various symbols, icons, and emblems look.
We learned earlier that White-colored text should be used on a #0000a2 colored background for best readability. But, you can be the judge of that by looking at the examples below.
This text is hex color #0000a2 on a solid black (#000000) background.
This text is hex color #0000a2 on a solid white (#ffffff) background.
This text is solid black (#000000) on a solid hex color #0000a2 background.
This text is solid white (#ffffff) on a solid hex color #0000a2 background.
This text is hex color #0000a2 on a striped black (#000000) and white (#ffffff) background.
This text is hex color #0000a2 on a striped gray (#808080) and white (#ffffff) background.
This text is solid black (#000000) on a striped hex color #0000a2 and white (#ffffff) background.
This text is solid white (#ffffff) on a striped hex color #0000a2 and white (#ffffff) background.
If you're a web developer, you might find it useful to see elements like buttons and check boxes in the color #0000a2.


Take everyday poses and make them extraordinary!
Learn to draw people in a variety of different poses with Drawing Manga People and Poses. Lessons begin with the basics–drawing from photos, vantage points, people and objects. Once you've got the basics covered, you'll follow along with step by steps and find tips and advice for "everyday," "around the house" and "at work and play" poses. All in all, you'll find more than 800 poses to emulate and make your own!
Drawing Manga People and Poses also includes helpful Q & A sections, covering subjects like drawing from reference materials, understanding skeletal and muscular anatomy, drawing cartoons and how to know when a project is finished.
With more than 800 poses, you're well on your way to creating any character you can imagine!


Parata Peninsula: the îles Sanguinaires and the Parata Peninsula are one ot the most gorgeous places in Ajaccio and in Corsica. It is a listed site of national interest, a protected natural setting boasting a remarkable environmental quality i.e. its incorporation into the European Natura 2000 network. Benefiting from the "Opération Grand Site" label from the French Ministry for Ecology and Sustainable Development, the action program aims at organizing tourist affluence but also at developing tourist infrastructures. Playing areas, network of discovery paths, focus on the Parata tower are some of the new services dedicated to the visitors.


My name is Mrs Davison and together with Mrs Coneboy on a Monday morning I will be teaching 1JC.
This term we are learning lots about seasides!
Geography - British coastlines and beaches around the world.
History - British beaches past and present.
Art - Studying seaside paintings and creating some of our own.
Every Friday your children will bring home Maths and English homework. Children need to practise counting in 2's, 5's and 10's everyday.
Every Monday we are lucky to be learning sign language with Thomas.
Hello and welcome to 1JC's class page!
My name is Mrs Conqueror and alongside Mrs McArdle I teach the wonderful 1JC!
The children will also have Mrs Coneboy teaching them on a Monday afternoon and Tuesday.
Please note: PE will be on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons. Please encourage your child to leave their PE kit in school and we will send it home at the end of each half term.
Homework will be given on a Monday to be returned on a Thursday. Reading books will be sent home daily and it is important that you take a few minutes each night to share the book with your child and then send it back each day.
We have a really busy and exciting half term ahead of us with lots of fun learning to be done.
In English, we will be learning all about labels, captions and lists using the story of the Three Little Pigs to help us.
In Maths we are starting the fantastic Singapore Maths activities which encourage lots of talk, interaction and fun. I know we can't wait!!
In topic we will be learning about houses and homes from the past, houses and buildings in our local area and linking all this to materials we use in homes for Science.
We will also be going on a trip into Liverpool to take the Open Top Tour so we can learn more about our fantastic city.
It promises to be a great half term full of learning and fun for Year 1. Please check back soon as we will update the page with pictures of the classes wonderful learning.
Using the different magnets in science to see which materials are magnetic and which are not.
Here are some photos of a trip we took this year to Liverpool's landmarks.


text:
Date of the publication : 2018/04/22 - 9:32 am
Category : Politics
Hezbollah defending Lebanon against Israeli aggression
TEHRAN, Apr. 22 (Press Shia Agency) – The secretary general of Hezbollah says fighters from the Lebanese resistance movement have defended the southern sector of Lebanon against Israel's acts of aggression.
Addressing an election campaign ceremony via a televised speech broadcast live from the southern Lebanese city of Tyre on Saturday evening, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah described the city, located about 80 kilometers south of the capital Beirut, as one of the basic strongholds of the anti-Israel resistance front.
He added that the Israeli military launched the 1996 aggression against Lebanon by striking the military command of Hezbollah.
"The Zionist air raid at the time failed to target late Hezbollah military commander Mustafa Badreddine," Nasrallah pointed out.
The Hezbollah chief further noted that Israel's aggressive policies towards Lebanon started just a year after its creation in the occupied Palestinian territories in 1948, dismissing allegations that Tel Aviv's hostilities began after the formation of Palestinian resistance movements.
"In 1960s, [prominent Shia cleric] Imam Musa al-Sadr used to ask the Lebanese government to defend southern cities and towns against Israeli aggressions. His pleas, however, went unanswered as authorities did not take any actions," Nasrallah underlined.
He added, "Because of the government's apathy, Imam Musa al-Sadr established a popular resistance movement in southern Lebanon to confront the Zionist enemy."
Nasrallah went on to say that the Beirut government failed to support southern Lebanese cities following the withdrawal of Israeli military forces in 2000, hailing Hezbollah's capabilities in securing southern Lebanon against Israel's barbarism.
He also urged his supporters to vote for Hezbollah and Amal Movement candidates in Lebanon's parliamentary elections, which are slated for May 6.
He then called on the Future Movement party, led by Prime Minister Saad Hariri, to enumerate its achievements concerning Lebanon's economy.
The Hezbollah head emphasized that Lebanese public institutions were plagued with corruption, demanding that a vigorous campaign confront the menace.
"All national sectors in Lebanon suffer from sectarianism. Some Lebanese leaders have resorted to sectarians as a way to attain their political goals irrespective of the country's national interests," Nasrallah concluded.
Press Shia Agency/Press TV
Tags : Hassan Nasrallah , Hezbollah , Israeli Occupation , Israeli Regime , Lebanon , Parliament Elections , Resistance Front
France Says Europe Must Stay United to Preserve JCPOA


Sometimes it's fun to use a painting strategy that's foreign to our usual approach. It refreshes the mind, recharges the brain and might open a creative thought or kindle a new direction in your art.
In today's tutorial I'm going to show you how to use a basic Notan composition as a painting strategy. This tutorial will incorporate your habitual method of painting—along with a few detours—to help you create what I like to call a Notan-anchored painting.
You'll need all your painting gear, a small canvas to paint on (8" x 10" or smaller), paper, pencil, black drawing marker and a 10-degree value scale.
Choose a composition with a single light source and make a small Notan drawing of it. When finished, place the drawing beside or above your painting support (see below).
For this demonstration I'll be working from this photo of bearded irises.
Feel free to develop your canvas drawing using the method that works best for you. I use a brush and thinned paint, but some painters prefer drawing on their canvas with charcoal or a pastel pencil. Edit and adjust until you're pleased. Below you'll see a photo of my preliminary drawing of the irises.
Here's where we might part company with your ordinary method of working.
Fill in your Notan underpainting using a value 5 wash or opaque mixture. Traditional Notan drawings use darker values, but for this step of a Notan-anchored painting, a medium value works better. It's dark enough so that you can discern a contrast between both lights and darks when painting over it, yet not so dark as to distract.
For this step, you may rely on your Notan drawing, work directly from the subject, or look back and forth between the two. It's your choice.
Here's my Notan underpainting made in acrylic. (The painting will be done in oils.) You'll see that I decided to delete the building and use the lit grass as the background.
Back to the comfort zone—somewhat. Looking at your subject, block in all the colors that you see which appear within the dark areas of your Notan underpainting.
In other words, paint just the colors you see in the shadows, avoiding using any color lighter than a value of 6. Rely on your value scale for judging this. Here's my dark block-in of the irises.
Now, switch your attention to areas where the light is either striking or illuminating your scene. Study the colors in those areas and, using what you see, finish blocking in color for the rest of your painting. Avoid using any color darker than a value of 5.
Up until this point your Notan underpainting has provided a map of shadow and light within which you built your major value and color ranges.
Now you can use your normal methods of painting to finish the piece—add final details, highlights, adjust colors, etc. The finished product should feel unified and compositionally sound, due to the influence of your Notan underpainting.
I hope you've all enjoyed my Notan tutorials—in next week's tutorial I'll discuss using edges as a unifying compositional device in painting. See you then!


text:
Noted Elsewhere
Turkish Airlines Purchases Lumexis FTTS For Two A330s
Istanbul, Turkey | April 8, 2013– Leading international air carrier Turkish Airlines, winner of the coveted Best European Airline Award from Skytrax for two consecutive years, announced that it has selected Lumexis Corporation's Fiber-To-The-Screen® (FTTS) fiber optic IFEC system for installation into two of its existing A330 fleet aircraft.
Dr. Temel Kotil, President and Chief Executive of Turkish Airlines, explained that his airline seeks to offer an unequalled, highest quality passenger experience in all its cabins. "Whether cuisine, seat comfort or In-Flight Entertainment, we are always striving to improve every element of our cabin and service. We had heard good things about the Lumexis system, regarding not only its unique ability to reliably provide every passenger his or her own in-seat HD movie, but as importantly, its ultra-light installed weight. So, when these two aircraft became available on very short notice, it offered us an opportunity to evaluate the system performance while, at the same time, verifying promised weight savings and reduced fuel burn."
"Dr. Kotil and his entire organization are strongly committed to protecting the environment" responded Douglas Cline, Lumexis CEO. "By reducing the installed weight of existing, legacy IFEC on these aircraft by more than a full metric ton, Turkish Airlines will reduce fuel burned into the atmosphere by approximately 50,000 U.S. gallons per aircraft per year. The Lumexis team is honored by the opportunity to join Turkish Airlines in not only creating a superior entertainment experience for its passengers, but also to support its efforts to significantly reduce hydrocarbon emissions from its aircraft."
Established in 1933 with a fleet of only five airplanes, Star Alliance member, Turkish Airlines is today a four star airline with a fleet of 215 aircraft (passenger and cargo) flying to 221 cities around the world, comprised of 36 domestic and 185 international destinations. One of the fastest growing airline companies, Turkish Airlines has received several "Passengers Choice Awards" from the consumer ranking group, Skytrax. Based on 2011 and 2012 results, Turkish Airlines has been chosen as the winner of "Best Airline Europe", "Best Premium Economy Seats" for its Comfort Class seats and "Best Airline Southern Europe". It has also received awards for its catering and holds a coveted 4-star designation, putting the airline in a small group of top quality carriers. Turkish Airlines was also given the Skytrax designation of "World's Best Economy Class On-board Catering" in 2010, and Skyscanner's "Best On-board Food 2011". Long haul Business Class passengers also enjoy the Flying Chef service on-board.
Posted by Patricia on Monday, April 8, 2013 at 11:04 pm
Filed under News Releases · Tagged with Lumexis, Lumexis FTTS, Turkish Airlines
flydubai Now Features HD Movies From All Hollywood Studios
– Addition of NBCUniversal makes airline the first in the world to show high definition films from all six major producers
Dubai, United Arab Emirates | December 04, 2012– flydubai, Dubai's innovative low cost airline, has reached yet another milestone, having become the first airline in the world to show high definition (HD) movies from all six major Hollywood studios.
The airline introduced its In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) system in December 2010 with HD films from Paramount Pictures and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Now, two years later, the HD debut of The Bourne Legacy from NBCUniversal has brought the full spectrum onboard. flydubai also has HD titles from Warner Bros, 20th Century Fox and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai, said: "From day one, we have aimed to offer our passengers the best in-flight experience and the IFE is a significant part of this. The team has worked incredibly hard to forge relationships with these studios to bring the widest variety of entertainment to flydubai, ensuring our customers have unparalleled choice and viewing quality."
As the launch customer for the 'Fiber-To-The-Screen®' ('FTTS®') system by Lumexis, flydubai became the first airline in the world to show HD movies simultaneously to every seat back. The feat was achieved thanks to the system's fibre optic technology, which provides a much higher bandwidth and faster data transfer than copper networks.
Doug Cline, CEO of Lumexis, said: "We have consistently worked with flydubai, our launch customer, to keep setting new benchmarks. The FTTS system is the most technologically advanced on the market and it brings us great pleasure to support this innovative airline in providing its passengers with the very best in movie quality and choice."
flydubai offers 25 HD films including new titles The Bourne Legacy, The Dark Night Rises and The Amazing Spider-Man. In total, the airline has 198 movies from Hollywood, Bollywood, Russia and the Arabic film world, in addition to 162 TV episodes, 324 audio albums and 36 games, with more titles introduced every month.
The improved IFE content comes one week after flydubai received two Mercury Awards, which were held in conjunction with the International Travel Catering Association's exhibition in Abu Dhabi. The airline took home both the Systems and Process Development award along with an additional trophy for Environment / Sustainability in recognition of the benefits of its IFE. In total, through choosing the Lumexis model over a legacy system, flydubai currently saves $2.37 million on fuel and reduces carbon emissions by 7.5 million kilos every year.
Al Ghaith said: "Winning these two awards is a wonderful achievement for us. Our IFE continues to set new standards in the industry, which enhances customer experience while also streamlining processes for our cabin crew. To have received the sustainability award shows that airlines do not have to compromise on service quality to maintain a commitment to reduce fuel burn and associated carbon emissions."
Posted by Patricia on Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at 3:38 pm
Filed under News Releases · Tagged with flydubai inflight entertainment system, HD movies inflight, Lumexis FTTS
Lumexis Single-Aisle Solution
This week, we feature the Lumexis Single-Aisle Solution in our Hot Topic and the image above is the Lumexis team members who are in town this week. While we often picture hardware, we thought it time for IFExpress give a tip o'the hat to the folks who brought the product to life. Additionally, be sure to check out this link for a terrific hardware, installation, and block diagram slide show from Rich Salter first!
As the second in the "Single-Aisle Solution" feature, Lumexis hit the narrow-body market with kickoff customer flydubai, a story we covered earlier. If you aren't too clear on "narrow-body aircraft" check out the link. Further, companies like Bombardier are holding up the lower end of the (60 to 150 seat) single-aisle market. The bigger Boeing 737-MAX and Airbus A320neo definitely do not have an exclusive on the market either. In fact, a large number of the growing single-aisle market purchases will occur in China and it would be a mistake to rule out the future Chinese 168 – 198 seat contender, the Comac C919. To get the ball rolling, we asked the affable and well known CEO of Lumexis, Doug Cline, a few loaded questions which we must say, he answered with great candor:
Q: Tell our readers a little about the Lumexis Single Aisle offering, screen size, weight, capability, network etc.
Cline: "Our single-aisle offering is the same as our regional jet and the same as our twin-aisle except that the latter has Passenger Service System interfaces (reading light and flight attendant call), widescreen, HD monitors up to 23 inches (so far . . .) and touchscreen controllers. We've been flying with flydubai for over a year and have accumulated more than 7 million seat available hours with 99.5% availability. I would point out an advantage of our fiber optic system is that a B747 would have the same basic architecture as a narrow-body in that they both take advantage of the same redundant network path. This is very helpful in installation and crew training."
Q: Which airlines and airplanes are you installed on and why did they choose Lumexis?
Cline: "Narrow-body launch customer: flydubai, now 13 Boeing Sky Interior, 189 seat airplanes in daily revenue service; 31 more deliveries averaging about 1 per month for installations taking less than three days downtime.
Wide-body launch customer: Transaero (Russia's second largest airline), first B777-300 delivered in early December, three more this year; followed by 4 B747- 400s (522 seats!) in Q1 2012; we expect to continue to work through their entire fleet over the next several years. Two additional unannounced customers have A320 and A330 fleets being installed in 2012 and 2013.
These leading edge airlines chose FTTS® due to highest system capability, lightest weight per seat of any system now flying (or on the horizon), highest reliability, customer maintainable user software and resultant lowest-possible cost-of-ownership."
Q: What single-aisle configurations seem popular now (inseat video, overhead monitors, seatback video, etc)?
Cline: "Uniformly, full aircraft, widescreen HD AVOD at every seat; supplemental overhead monitors for maps and broadcast videos as required. Our display compliment already includes original 8.9" seatback units, continuing with the 15.4″ as well as the gigantic 23″ for Transaero. We recently added a 10.1″ and a 12.1" into the offerings."
Q: Lumexis and other IFE hardware vendors are not standard OEM offerings as BFE or SFE – they are not delivered on the aircraft, but rather, installed later. Why? Should you be?
Cline: "With some 98% of the existing in-seat IFEC being controlled by only two suppliers, it is an obvious challenge to get airlines to break away from the security of buying the legacy product and risking obviously improved, but new, product (and supplier) until it's proven in airline service. Understandably slow to begin, now our new customer sign-ups are accelerating rapidly as a result of the very visible successes of flydubai and Transaero. Moreover, we will soon gain line-fit with the major OEMs as our current customers already have many B737-800s, B747-8s and A380s (700 seats!) on order and want to receive their aircraft with FTTS fully installed.
Newcomers like Lumexis represent a risk to existing, "stable" production lines – You can understand their angst – but after both narrow-body and wide-body in-service successes with different carriers, we are able to much more aggressively pursue line-fit on new aircraft!"
Q: What kind of per seat system weight does Lumexis claim?
Cline: "Flydubai's full coach installation – including every nut, bolt screw, bracket, every mm of copper power wiring, all LRUs and fiber – is about 2.3 kg per seat – a little over 5 pounds. Quite simply, this is the weight of the aircraft when it delivered minus the weight when it arrived. (I am being so specific as most competitors like to cite only the weight of their boxes, which is very misleading as to true cost of carriage implications.) FTTS is proven handsdown to be the absolutely lightest system flying – today or on the horizon."
Q: What are the installed airlines saying about Lumexis?
Cline: "Our customers – from passengers through flight attendants, maintenance people, content and marketing managers, all the way up to senior management – uniformly love our product, our people and our support. Uniform appreciation of the reliable delivery of high definition movies, unmatched quick GUI response, and simplicity of interface are also passenger pleasing features that get high marks."
Q: Does Lumexis have an overhead solution and how about inseat (with arm) display?
Cline: "We do not have a standalone overhead product, but many options for supplemental overhead, very large, HD monitors. In-arm mounting is easy and available."
Q: Reliability is a good issue with single- aisles that see upward of 6 emplaning-deplaning cycles (or more) per day…How's the Lumexis hardware doing?
Cline: "We've been flying with flydubai for over a year (four emplaning-deplaning cycles per day) and have accumulated more than 7 million seat available hours with 99.5% availability. (As reported independently to Boeing by the COO of flydubai.) Not too shabby, and an honest, "not-doctored-with-contract-documentation-rules" number!"
Q: We can't resist – does Lumexis have a Wi-Fi solution in work?
Cline: "It might be nearer than you'd think . . ."
On a sad note, IFExpress acknowledges the passing of a longtime IFEC member. Airborne camera innovator and IFE industry veteran Tom Henderson, 68, passed away on November 14th after a long battle against cancer.
Tom entered the inflight entertainment world in 1980 when he joined EECO (the "E" in "B/E") as Director of Marketing for the Air Transport Products division. In 1988 Tom founded Airborne CCTV, which started from a systems design sketched on the back of a restaurant placemat in Irvine, CA. Tom took Airborne CCTV and led the development of the first successful airborne camera systems for commercial and business aviation. Airborne CCTV eventually became part of Thales Inflight in 1999. In recent years Tom was involved with developing other avionics and high-technology products.
An inventor at heart, Tom held several patents for his ideas. He was also an accomplished award-winning woodworker having created many beautiful hand-made chairs and other furnishings. He is survived by his wife and three sons.
Posted by Patricia on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 6:57 pm
Filed under Hot Topics · Tagged with fiber optic inflight entertainment, flydubai, light weigth IFEC systems, Lumexis FTTS, single-aisle IFEC, Transaero IFEC offering
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'Future–proofing' the IFE installation means providing an onboard network with sufficient bandwidth that the airline will never have to tear apart their airplane to re-wire to install upgrades. Fiber-to-the-Seat™ provides a fiber optics network running at a gigabit per second – High-definition video is only the beginning – who knows what the hot, killer apps will be 10-20 years from now?!"
- Rich Salter, CTO, Lumexis Corporation
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Aviation Industry Representatives, LLC


I have a lot of experience in life, I have been to different places so now I think I am smart enough to get out of singles women club. My love is strong and calm, it is like endless ocean. I believe that two people can keep their love forever, if they really care about it. Love is not something that will live in any condition, love is the beautiful rose, which needs care, water and so on. I have strong family values and my goal is to be best wife for future husband. I want to share my love, romance and fire of passion with beloved man. And hope to meet him very soon!
I enjoy spending free time on the nature, near river or lake, in the beautiful forest or in the mountains. I also love to cook different delicious dishes and spend time in a home atmosphere. Every morning I'm jogging. I do not know why, but after sport I am full of energy, new ideas and confidence.
I am looking for a good gardener with whom I can grow the rose of love, haha. This man should be kind and warm with sincere smile, he should be honest with me about his intentions and feelings. I wish him to be witty and cheerful so I can laugh at his jokes all the time. He must not be a superhero, just a man with a kind heart and wiling to marry Ukrainian girl.
I prefer red and white roses.
In summer there is no free minute, as there are rivers, camping, tent, running every morning, but in winter I have to while away the evenings with books wrapped near heater.
USA, Spain, Germany, Malaysia, Austria, China, Canada.
Borsch, pancakes with cheese, pizza and meat on fire.
This is so wonderful in the evening to cook something very tasty and with all family to have it on dinner.
There is no matter where to live, in what country or city. The most important with whom you live. I will live anywhere with my beloved man.


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Organizations hire people for only one reason: to help achieve its objectives.
The important word in that sentence is "achieve".
Your resume is read and evaluated for your achievements. If you have been effective in doing your part to assist an organization in meeting its goals, it's reasonable to assume you can do the same for this group.
That puts a high priority burden on you to make your accomplishments and achievements very clear, explicit and visible. This is no time for shy modesty and subtlety.
The old line is "if you can do it, it ain't bragging"!
That is not to suggest that you should brag. That is never attractive. However, you can bring out your promotions, awards, advancements and achievements in a way that is not bragging. Be objective and report these events on your resume as bullets under your job title. Use telegraphic style. It depersonalizes the information.
Let the reader know that you have been promoted; saved the organization money; implemented a new and effective procedure; exceeded sales goals; earned a patent; whatever.
That is the information that earns you a second look. It's the meat on the bones.
Don't make the mistake of making your resume a series of job descriptions. What you have achieved and what you can achieve for this organization is their sole interest.
This entry was posted in Resume Writing Tips on February 23, 2011 by John.


We decided not to tell our daughter the whole story about Elfie coming from the North Pole to report on children's behavior to Santa … instead, Elfie just comes to stay with us every Christmas season. Our 4-year old daughter looooves waking up in the morning and hurrying around the house to find Elfie. Our little one is always amazed and excited when she spots Elfie and discovers what she was up to the night before. Our daughter gets very excited – I think it's her favourite part of the day! Her reaction, the magic I see in her eyes, and how excited she is when she shows me where she's found Elfie today, makes it all worth it!!
Here are some of the things that Elfie got up to this past Christmas season!
She's back!!! Our 4-year old was so excited about Elfie's return that she was awake at 5am to find out what Elfie was up to!
All aboard Elfie's choo-choo shoe train!
We found Elfie decorating her own tree for the holidays.
Swinging from the Christmas tree on a tire swing!
Elfie was up late drawing a portrait of herself in the mirror!
Working on a puzzle, hoping that someone might be able to help her finish it up in the morning!
When our second baby was born, our 4-year old spent 3 nights sleeping over at her grandparents' house, while we were in the hospital. Poor Nani – on top of looking after Baby E, she was saddled with Elfie!!! Here's Elfie having a tea party with Nani & Bubba's Santa.
Back home, caught in a round of Old Maid with a few friends!
Dressed up like a baby, in honour of the newest addition to our family.
Elfie has everything all set up to do a painting on this small canvas. Our daughter finished it for her when she discovered Elfie the next morning!
We can't wait to see what Elfie gets up to next year … and the year after … oh my! What have we done!?


(Newser) – Normally, the artists at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum like to meet the people they're making sculptures of, but that wasn't possible with their latest creation. The museum unveiled a likeness of Anne Frank today, Der Spiegel reports, and it relies heavily on her famous diary for its details and its sense of her personality. The wax Anne sits at her desk writing, the scene around her strewn with things referenced in the diary.
I will never understand the appeal of Madame Tussauds. To me this is just creepy, but I guess its good its raising awareness of such stuff, lots of the kids there to see Justin Beiber probably don't know who Anne Frank is.
May her shining star and sparkling smile never fade, RIP.
Post a sign, "No Mormons Allowed."


text:
Rudy Rucker
<— C —>
Citations Summary
Total Number of Citations: 22
Number of Titles Cited: 13
Number of Citation Sources: 10
2012: Science Fiction: The 101 Best Novels 1985 - 2010, Damien Broderick & Paul Di Filippo
Postsingular (Tor, 2007)
2009: The Science Fiction Handbook, M. Keith Booker & Anne-Marie Thomas
Freeware (Avon, 1997)
Realware (HarperCollins/Eos, 2000)
Software (Ace, 1982)
Wetware (Avon, 1988)
2006: 100 Must-Read Science Fiction Novels, Stephen E. Andrews & Nick Rennison
Spacetime Donuts (Ace, 1981)
2004: Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction, 5th edition, Neil Barron
The Hacker and the Ants (Morrow/AvoNova, 1994)
The Hollow Earth (Morrow, 1990)
Spaceland (Tor, 2002)
White Light (Ace, 1980)
1999: Fantasy and Horror, Neil Barron
1996: Magill's Guide to Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature, T. A. Shippey & A. J. Sobczak
1995: Science Fiction: The Illustrated Encyclopedia, John Clute
1994: The Ultimate Guide to Science Fiction: Second Edition, David Pringle
The 57th Franz Kafka (Ace, 1983)
The Fourth Dimension: Toward a Geometry of Higher Reality (Houghton Mifflin, 1984)
1988: Modern Fantasy: The Hundred Best Novels, David Pringle
1984: The Science Fiction Sourcebook, David Wingrove
The Sex Sphere (Ace, 1983)
This page last updated Monday 3 Dec 2018 at 15:27 PT


Over the first few weeks of this big election year, most of the major political players of the nation began showing their cards, giving the public a peek into their respective game plans for victory.
The Narendra Modi government was the one to do that most recently – and spectacularly – with the Interim Union Budget 2019-20, which served as a preview of what the Bharatiya Janata Party would do for the people of this country if it were to be voted back to power.
The most talked about one so far, however, has been the grand strategy of all anti-BJP parties to join hands with the common goal of shunting the saffron party out of power at the Centre.
The possibility of such a united opposition giving the BJP a run for its money this year looked more real than ever when nearly two dozen political parties, including the Congress, took part in the "United India" mega rally organised by Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata.
The biggest surprise on this front came from the electorally crucial Uttar Pradesh when the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samata Party – among the bitterest of political rivals in the country – announced their alliance for the Lok Sabha polls to end the "monstrous rule" of the BJP in the state.
History tells that such unlikely alliances and rainbow coalitions seldom stay the course, as was seen at the national level with the United Front regime that lasted from 1996 to 1998, and most recently at the regional level with the Mahagatbandhan of Bihar in 2015 that came undone dramatically a little over two years later.
But the BJP's aggressive expansionism has forced most of its political rivals across the country to forget the past to protect their future.
Evidently concerned about its future as a united opposition leader after the snub from the SP and BSP, the Congress sprung up the other big pre-elections surprise – in the shape of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
Although, during his recent visit to Odisha, Congress president Rahul Gandhi revealed that the decision on Priyanka's entry into politics was taken a few years – not days – ago, most people of the country, including politicians, had for long concluded that she would never do anything beyond the usual campaigns at the constituencies of her mother Sonia Gandhi and brother Rahul ahead of election time.
But with her appointment as Congress general secretary in-charge of UP, it was clear as day to all that the intensely private Priyanka had finally taken the big plunge into the rough and tumble of full-time politics. Having already earned a reputation as an effective campaigner thanks to her confident, charismatic and communicative persona, the granddaughter of Indira Gandhi is expected to not only turn around her party's marginalised fortunes in UP, but also breathe new life into its preparations for the Lok Sabha elections.
Only the coming months will reveal whether she can indeed prove to be a trump card for Congress.
In Odisha, however, the Biju Janata Dal does not face the uncertainties that the BJP, Congress, or that United Opposition of motley parties do this year. The Naveen Patnaik government has been doing enough good work to win the assembly elections for a record-shattering fifth time. Wasting no time on rumour-mongering, name-calling or bothering about unnecessary alliances, it has simply focused on developing novel and ingenious schemes for the welfare of the state and implementing those schemes with meticulous care and precision.
Yet Naveen babu, who typically plays his cards close to his chest, seemed OK to have laid them on the table for once when his party sources announced that he would follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent campaign trail in his state – just to remind the people of Odisha about who and what has worked for them over the past years.
Suffice it to say, to each their own.


This top floor unit is located in a prime position in the heart of Coorparoo, just a few minutes walk to Coorparoo Square with shops, bars, restaurants & the new 10 cinema complex. Both bus and train transport are also just short stroll away making access to the Brisbane CBD so easy.
Featuring a functional floor plan with a large dining area off the stunning kitchen with plenty of cupboards including a pantry, stainless steel appliances, gas cooktop & dishwasher. The living area is a generous size air conditioned and from the front balcony you can sit and admire the city lights at night while enjoying the cool breeze that sweeps through the unit.
The main bedroom also has magnificent city views and is also air conditioned. Both bedrooms have beautiful hand crafted built-in wardrobes. The fully tiled bathroom has been fitted with heated towel rails and quality fittings & there is also a separate toilet. Plumbing is available to have the laundry upstairs in the bathroom OR down in the garage. The current owner installed Crimsafe screens on the balconies and also to the windows in the stairwell accessing the unit.
Downstairs there is large lock up garage for one car & plenty of storage. The block has a security intercom system to enter the unit.
Body Corporate fees of: $2,897.49 per year & the complex has a very healthy sinking fund balance.


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We at Love Your Home are delighted to be working with Jordan and Russell at 2LG to produce a Collection that perfectly brings together our passion for craftsmanship and design.
It was a privilege to be working with 2LG, from the great design concepts, right through to our meticulous must have details on the collection. We are so excited to be offering these forward thinking, expertly crafted designs to the market.
Designing this new collection, our first furniture designs with Love your Home has been an incredible journey. We have worked with Leigh Harmer and the team at Love Your Home for some time now, specifying their beautiful pieces for our Interior Design clients, so it felt like a natural fit when they asked us to design our own pieces for them.
Inspiration for this collection came from our favourite film, I Am Love, starring Tilda Swinton and Directed by the incredible Luca Guadagnino. 5 years ago we made a pilgrimage to the setting for the film in Milan, the incredible Villa Necchi. This classic italian house filled us with so much joy and we had been holding onto some of the shapes we saw in the interior for future projects, so we instantly knew what we wanted to do with our first sofa design. It's curves are loosely based on a sofa we fell in love with at Villa Necchi and it is named after our muse, Tilda. The bed is similarly named, Luca, in a nod to the man behind the movie. This collection gives our own modern twist to classic curves, bringing a touch of italian passion and luxe british craftsmanship to your home.
The colour palette, a signature of all our design work, is both classic and fresh. Giving you the option of deep texture to accentuate the curves and lush, bold colour. The sofa shape is designed to give maximum comfort and support in its rounded corners, perfect for relaxing with a glass of wine and a beautiful movie.